VERSE 1
Moonlit shadows race and fly
Chased by dancing feet
Cool mist gives hope to the sand
Free rides on sandy feet
Waves come close but never arrive
The jealous moon peers down
Nature and song pull as one
Two dancers spinning ‘round

CHORUS  
Summer dancing
Flirting with the tide
Summer dancing
Nature on your side
Dance a little closer
Kiss a little longer
With love your only guide

VERSE 2
Gentle waves wash sand back to rest
Released from dancer's feet
The sand teaches how to let go
And relaxes on the beach
The drum keeps up nature’s time
The bass pulls from distant past
Singing songs with forgotten rhymes
Love approaches fast

CHORUS  
Summer dancing
Flirting with the tide
Summer dancing
Nature on your side
Dance a little closer
Kiss a little longer
With love your only guide

VERSE 3
They fall into each other's arms
This once in a lifetime love
Then collapsing to the sand
Their souls forever one

(Vibraphone Solo)

CHORUS  
Summer dancing
Flirting with the tide
Summer dancing
Nature on your side
Dance a little closer
Kiss a little longer
With love your only guide

OUTRO (breakdown with just bass)
The jealous moon peers down
Tears form in her eyes
Just a lonely spectator
She’s cursed to be alone 

This is my most poetic lyric to date, and therefore one of my favorites. With language that would never be spoken these days, and the personification of shadows, the moon, the waves, sand and misty air, this song defies all of the wisdom of songwriting mentors.

They tell us to never use language that normal people don’t use. “It should sound conversational”, they say. But isn’t there something special about a beautiful poem by one of the greats. They say things in an un-natural fashion – and it is really emotional and beautiful. Hey, I strive for beautiful and emotional lyrics too! So I will sometimes take advantage of poetic language in my songs. In essence I think those who are against poetic songs just haven’t heard a great one! So maybe they really do think what they say but one day they will hear a song that will change their mind. I hope so.

Songwriters study and try to learn the “rules”. * Songs have to be short – under 3 minutes. * They all need a chorus and * a consistent rhyme scheme. * Don’t use any word more than once except in the chorus. – There are a lot of these “rules”. I think of them not as rules but as advice. Most successful songs follow the patterns and conform. But the truth, as I see it, you only need to observe these “rules” if your song would be better if you do so. A lot of great songs break the “rules”. I try to learn why the advice is useful and then decide if my song needs it.

For example, “you need a bridge if your song is not holding the listener’s attention”. Interestingly enough, I met a lifetime folk musician who told me, “if you write a good enough song you will keep their attention. If you need a bridge, just write a better song!” I try not to need a bridge. LOL.

Moonlit shadows race and fly
Chased by dancing feet

I could have written “Two people dancing in the moonlight”. That is what is happening at this point in the song. But instead, I chose to capture the interaction of the moonlight, clouds, movement, dancers and dancing. And all in just those nine words. I chose to evoke an image with greater meaning with my few words. In a way, basically, I did what songwriter do. We try to jam pack as much information and imagery as possible into every line so that the listener “feels” what we intended.

The jealous moon peers down
Tears form in her eyes
Just a lonely spectator
She’s cursed to be alone

If I were a romantic, and if I believed in fairy tails, mythology and fantasy, I might take up the popular view that the moon is a romantic character and she just loves “love”. Or I could take the scientific stance that space is almost empty, and almost every time the moon has come in contact with anything, there was a problem and craters were blasted into the surface of her face. If the moon were sentient, how could she not be jealous of those who are not so alone. Those enjoying the love denied to her.

I have taken the path in this song to entertain the notion that elements of nature are “alive” and “pulling” for this couple falling in love. That the waves, wind, sand, etc. all want to be personally responsible for the successful romance. Even the music seems to get involved.

Personification:

noun

1. the attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human, or the representation of an abstract quality in human form.
2. a person, animal, or object regarded as representing or embodying a quality, concept, or thing.

After the “Jealous” moon, my favorite characters in the song are the grains of sand. They appear to be fun loving and relaxed, without a care in the world. They just want to take a ride on the dancers, damp feet. How could they not be laid back – for them every day is “a day at the beach”.

Cool mist gives hope to the sand
Free rides on sandy feet

Gentle waves wash sand back to rest
Released from dancer’s feet
The sand teaches how to let go
And relaxes on the beach

Wouldn’t you like to be one of those grains of sand having such a great time?

Feel free to comment on what I have written here. I would love a healthy discussion. Always remember we are born with an understanding of music. We don’t need a degree nor do we need to play an instrument to be an expert in music. If I play a beautiful song you can tell, and if it is not so good, you know that too.