JCCoe

My songs are like my children. A lot of songwriters say this. And it usually means they don’t like to be asked to pick a favorite.

 

That’s true for me, too. But it could also mean, like children, songs exhibit different personality traits early in their development. Some are easy-going conformists, willing to obey the rules and comply to your wishes as you’re writing them. Others may be strong-willed individualists, who dig in their heels and insist on doing things their way. The Far Ends has both.

 

There are conformists like, “Time Is A Train,” “It Takes Stone,” “Buster and Me” and “I See Red.” They follow the proven formulas. Verse, chorus, verse chorus types. Not too long. Well-suited to fit in just about anywhere.

 

There are a few individualists. They may have more verses than your average song. The chorus may be short. Maybe there’s a long instrumental tag on the end. “Who What Where When Why How,” “Too Damn Hot” and “Red & Henrietta” are among the individualists.

 

And then there’s “On My Summer Vacation.” A song with a split personality. Two songs in one. Long enough it could use an intermission. No amount of reasoning was going to convince this one to try to be like the rest. A good parent choses their battles.

 

I let them all pick out their own clothes for the occasion well aware the family portrait might appear a little motley.

 

A few went shopping on Main Street. One on Beale Street. And another on Bourbon Street. Several chose work clothes from the local farm supply store. And one appears to have ventured south of the border for some warm weather attire. As a result, they all smiled for the camera.

 

They’re all my favorite.