Congratulations to all the MAS 2020 Summer Co-Writing Challenge songwriters!
What a treat to see how all the teams approached the challenge topic so differently, but still come out with awesesome songs that weren't in this world just a month ago
This marks the end of the co-writing challenge but…
There’s good news. If you missed out, or had so much fun participating… we’ll be doing this again in September! So watch for an announcement.
The challenge was to write a song about their home town using Jeffrey Steele's song, My Town, as a template.
Some writers selected their own co-writer, and some were adventurous and let us pick a writer at random for them.
Here are the results of their creations and lyrics as submitted. Enjoy…
Can't Go Back: ©2020 Carl Unbehaun & Bruce Caswell – All Rights Reserved
You got out of school, you said the heck with your roots
Took your cash and your stash, wiped the town from your boots
You went off to live and to learn, and never return
You didn’t want a life of quid pro quid
In the same old rut like your daddy did
Searching for those things that you lack, you never looked back
[Chorus]
Well that’s right Jack, you can’t go back, when the river rose, the feed mill closed.
All that’s left of the Church of Faith, is a cemetery down by the Interstate
That’s right Jack, the folks you know, they all left town many years ago
All that’s left are their rickety shacks. You can’t go back
You worked so hard, life got in the way
Wife & children, no time to play"
And the job kept pressing harder against your soul
And even if that town was calling your name
It was always a waiting game
There was never any time to go back, that’s a fact
[Repeat chorus]
The years flew by, you felt the itch, money & time were no longer a glitch
You jumped in the car, in three long days, pulled into your hometown in a daze
You walked the street and to your surprise, there was no one you recognized,
You stopped a few folks, then left in a blur, no one knew who the hell you were
[Repeat chorus]
Where I Grew Up: ©2020 John Bennett & Tom Engelhardt – All Rights Reserved
When I was young we moved a dozen times or more
We’d pack up the trailer and drive across the USA
In that old white Buick with red primer on the door Stick my hand out the window like an airplane When I was a kid things weren’t always that good Having to move into a new neighborhood I kept to myself when I was young
[Chorus]
Where I grew up things kinda got crazy
Where I grew up my life was kinda shaky
Never knowing where I was gonna be
The next time I’d have to pick up and leave
Where I grew up I was the new kid in townv All I wanted was to settle down
Instead of being dragged from town to town
Life was kinda tough Where I grew up.
Later in high school I hit the ground
Gangs around the corner bullies in the alley
I learned that what goes around comes around.
Where I had my first fight my first kiss with Sally
The first time a girl broke my heart
Kissed me so sweetly but said we had to part
I kept to myself when I was young
[Repeat Chorus & Instrumental]
It was a time of war in a far off land
It was a time of fear both far and near
Shattered dreams unfulfilled plansv It changes who you are when hope disappears
It rots you inside and and time peels your scars
When the heat makes you feel like your trapped in a jar
I kept to myself when I was young
[Repeat Chorus]
Instead of being dragged from town to town
Life was kinda tough Where I grew up.
Tapestry: ©2020 Paula Wilson & Tom Peschges – All Rights Reserved
Hello hometown, it’s been awhile
I couldn’t wait to leave you now you make me smile
That old graveyard by the church has a few more graves
But the miles and miles of cornfields still look the same
Time’s had its way, pulling us apart
But you were with me from the very start
[Chorus]
Memories unwind, I discover
This fabric of life, all stitches and colors
We’re woven together, each thread an important part
You’re always with me, in the tapestry of my heart
Woh, oh, oh, in the tapestry of my heart
Who, oh, oh, in the tapestry of my heart
Hello white house up on the hill
Wish I could peek inside, I miss you still
You’re not much to look at, but you held us all
Can you still hear our singing voices echo down the hall
Time’s had its way, pulling us apart
But you were with me from the very start
[Repeat chorus]
Hello there Dad, today is hard
Seeing your name on this stone here in that old graveyard
You taught me to ride my bike in this parking lot
I thought you’d still be here, turns our you’re not
Time’s had its way, pulling us apart
But you were with me from the very start
Small Town Girl: ©2020 Doug Millaway & Vicki Morrison Goble – All Rights Reserved
She was a single mom trying to make life work
In 1952, all she got was the bills
The city on the river was nothing like the farm
Couldn't be harder on a lady from the hills.
Two of those kids are from another mother.
But everybody's welcome in Dottie's home.
She lost her dreams, buried in the grave
She wasn't ready to make her own way
[Chorus]
She’s nothing but a small town girl
Tryin' to make it in a big city world
Dottie had a vision. Dottie had faith.
Doin’ all she could to keep her family safe.
Kid number one in a shotgun wedding
Three still home and life still isn’t easy
Her sister and her family live right across the street
A little more help keeps her from going crazy
There were always presents under the tree
Cause The kids came first, the way it should be.
She lost her dreams, buried in the grave
She wasn't ready to make her own way
[Repeat chorus]
Church on the weekend is a regular thing
Sunday morning breakfast brings everybody in
The neighbor kid's acting like he belongs
Dottie doesn't care who you are, where you been
Made everybody happy with nothing but love
It’s hard to do when you’re all alone.
She lost her dreams, buried in the grave
She wasn't ready to make her own way
[Chorus 2X]
My Town: ©2020 Mary Kealy-Falk & Zane Blom – All Rights Reserved
Popsicle dripping down my tie dyed shirt
It's Carnival Days in July
Riding to the Drive-In on my Stingray bike
My shiny quarter gets me burger and fries
The parade wore on and who would've guessed
As I salute the flag rippling through the air
I'd be standing by the mean girl in the yellow dress
As she poured Cherry Coke all over my hair
[Chorus 1]
It happened In Mytown, Mytown, Mytown
My sleepy, sleepless little town
My friend Julie is smiling at me
She's a shy one with a front tooth missing
I duck behind her there's a boy in the tree
Who I fantasize about kissing
My next door neighbors are Verla and Jake
Well, Jake, he's a dying man
He moans in the morning not fully awake
Daddy gives him what he needs for pain whenever he can
[Chorus 2]
He died in Mytown, Mytown, Mytown
My sleepy, sleepless little town
I give up a wheeze and I give up a cough
Staring down at my skinned up knees
There's the crinkled note that was just enough
To get Daddy to buy me cigarettes, please
Did my duty, I cheered on the team
But lost the crown for Homecoming Queen
Yeah, it was what it was but I still chase the dream
Who says you can't have everything
[Chorus 3]
Grew up in Mytown, Mytown, Mytown
My sleepy, sleepless little town
I hold that boy who was up in the tree
And we kiss until we fall apart
But I gotta go and I gotta be me
I need a brand new place to start
I hear the train's whistle coming down the tracks
My life is about to begin
I say goodbye with a voice that cracks
Turn off the light and sleep through the din
[Chorus 4]
I Ieft Mytown, Mytown, Mytown
My sleepy, sleepless little town
The hip life beckoned me crashing and loud
My dreams made me a singer in the band
I fell in love with the smitten crowd
Who followed me with a wave of my hand
Some may tell you that it wasn't so good
Never knowing if you'll live or die
Star struck eyes and Hollywood
Make you hurry to stay ahead of the lie
[Chorus 5]
I'm cryin' for Mytown, Mytown, Mytown
My sleepy, sleepless little town
Time made me a fearless lover no less
Unleashed a passion I'd never known
I lost my breath and tore my dress
With a man I wanted to call my own
Now the dawn and the coffee hold me bound
With the pain of lost love still new
The long drive home will be a turnaround
Can I please bring Toto too?
[Chorus 6]
Going back to Mytown, Mytown, Mytown
My sleepy, sleepless little town
Is this the town I knew years ago
Is this a beginning or is it the end
I ask Julie is it yes or no?
She says, "Damn sure we're still friends".
In my town can I be someone dear
And wave "hey" with a humbled pride
Cause the secret's gone from all the shadowed years
I have nothing left to hide
[Chorus 7]
I'm home in Mytown, Mytown, Mytown
My sleepy, sleepless little town
Everybody's Kid: ©2020 Doyle Turner & Pat Hager – All Rights Reserved
Bike wheels turning through tall grass, ghost round what’s left of grandpa’s store
cottonwood from the junkyard to the steeple, guarding this place where I was born
this town knew me before I knew myself
nicknames a story of who you are
people there knew me before I knew myself
because I was everybody’s kid
Just try to pass a window without a wave,
best get your butt back home by dark
playground of milkweed behind the station, softball til fireflies spark
this town knew me before I knew myself
gossiping a story of who you are
people there knew me before I knew myself
because I was everybody’s kid
[Chorus]
Freedom to grow into who I was
who I am remembers to this day
didn’t matter where I went or what I did
back then I was everybody’s kid
Didn’t have it, didn’t need it, probably never would, tried to make it with, just what we had
wall to wall family through the white front door, gathered to share what we had
this town knew me before I knew myself
Memories a photo and a dream
people there knew me before I knew myself
because I was everybody’s kid
Wishing for a little more, was just what we did, imaginary lives in old junk cars
mom set her sheets to sail on the clothesline, floating us out into the stars
this town knew me before I knew myself
singing a story of who you are
that world knew me before I knew myself
because I was everybody’s kid
[Chorus with tag]
Banana Splits: ©2020 Mike Rudquist, Chad Shank, & Greg Connor – All Rights Reserved
Grandma took me to Zesto
The ice cream shop in my hometown
Even back then it was retro
Order up at the window no place to sit down
I really have to admit
Those are the times I miss
Oh Grandma and Banana Splits
[Chorus]
Brain freeze
Against the heat
Chocolate pineapple and strawberry red
It feels so good, wanna live it again
Oh Oh remember those things that we did
Oh Ice cream dish makes me feel like a kid
Good times, memories, and Banana Splits
Draggin main in my chevy
Feeling that freedom of Sixteen
Holding the hand of my steady
Buddies talking trash in the backseat
Bout to Stop at Zesto again
With my brand new driving permit
Oh Good times and Banana Splits
[Repeat chorus]
Went back to find Zesto
All boarded up in my hometown
It’s a wonder where the time goes
The memories keep a hanging around
I really have to admit
Those are the times I miss
All those memories and Banana Splits
[Repeat Chorus]
Congratulations Again to Our Writers!
Be sure to give the above writers a virtual high five next time you see them, or take a minute to e-mail them from our Artist's Profile page. Let them know how you appreciated their creative work
If you're interested in joining in a writing challenge, we'll be offering another co-writing opportunity in September.
We're also offering a new challenge coming soon. A solo writing challenge. Watch for an announcement for that.
