Just to be Free Video

Lyrics, song download and more coming soon. In the meantime, tell me what you think!

Out of the Kiln

Hey look up! You can buy this song if you want to! Yay!

I think I can do even better, but I am really pleased with my first new song and video. This was shot and recorded simultaneously in my new studio (aka spare bedroom). I really like the style of this video. I am going to challenge myself to do a similar style for the next song. I also am really pleased with the quality of the recording. Especially considering that I shot this all live, and didn't retouch or re-record anything. Oh, and the tapping you hear, is me tapping the wood on the guitar in between strums.

Out of the Kiln

Verse
Your hands are Gods;
Your eyes are like knives.
The hope in our deaths,
Is a means to our lives.

Pillars of stone
To hold up these walls.
The keystone removed,
And in the absence we fall.

Chorus
Cold as the clay that we're made from it's true.
Pulled from the fire, and laid next to you.
We cool as we bake in the waning of time.
If your heart is yours, it can never be mine.

Verse
The back of your neck:
The hair stands on end.
The castle's a wreck,
But still we defend.

Chorus
Cold as the clay that we're made from it's true.
Pulled from the fire, and laid next to you.
We cool as we bake in the waning of time.
If your heart is yours, it can never be mine.

Outro (not recorded here)
The mold you were made from is the same one as me.
Our roads both begin and they end where we meet.
The mold you were made from is the same one as me.
Our roads both begin and they end where we meet.

Progress

Last week I blogged about the steps I am taking for my music and website. I can report back that I have made some progress on my mini-studio. Nathan and I were able to install my green screen. And we even did a quick test, with me shrinking him from 6 ft 5 to a lil under 4 ft tall.



I have another show coming up this weekend for any locals following. I will be playing at the Courthouse Cafe from 8 to 12pm this Saturday night. I am going to try to grab some video from the show to share on my site. I have engineered a very interesting drum set; it allows me to play standing up. How fun.

Seven Nation Army

My video this week is a cover song, here is Jimmy and I doing our version of White Stripes' Seven Nation Army live for some of Jimmy's students. Not too many songs out there played with just cello and drums. Enjoy.

Love in a Box

Quite a different style than my usual, this is a song that I have been singing in my head for years but just this week finally added some music to the melody. I like a lot of the phrases in the song, I appreciate them because I couldn't have written this song now; I would have tried to make it too deep.

Love in a Box

Verse
If you put your life on the ground,
It may not be there when you turn around.
If you put your love in a box,
You might not remember how to open the lock.

Chorus
Tic toc time moves in slow emotion.
This time I'm going to find my own commotion.
Shake of the sleep; get to your feet.
Stop making excuses for why you can't dance with me.

Verse
If you pin your luck to the wall,
There's no sense in crying when you're watching it fall.
If you put your life in her hands,
There's nothing to stop her from making her own demands.

Chorus
Tic toc time moves in slow emotion.
This time I'm going to find my own commotion.
Shake of the sleep; get to your feet.
Stop making excuses for why you can't dance with me.

Bridge
I don't know why you can't see it;
Why you won't let yourself believe it.
Only you can make your life better, baby
And maybe just a little bit of me.

Verse
If you put your hope on the line,
It's going to hurt you almost every time.
I know you put your faith in a lie,
You just want someone to hold you while they're watching you cry.

Chorus
Tic toc time moves in slow emotion.
This time I'm going to find my own commotion.
Shake of the sleep; get to your feet.
Stop making excuses for why you can't dance with me.

Updated! You can now purchase this song below.

Douche-bag Ex-boyfriend Video

I cloned myself in order to give everyone a live viewing of my song 'Douche-bag Ex-boyfriend.' It was nice taking a break from the serious songs I write in order to do this song. Additionally it was pretty fun coming up with a way that two 'Chases' could perform it. I altered my words just a little bit from the previous post when I first wrote the song, so I have the new lyrics at the bottom. The second 'Chase' singing parts are in red.

Douche-bag Ex-Boyfriend

Verse
Yeah he calls you a whore,
Even though you made his last truck payment.
He has a goatee the size and shape
of a small Arab country.
He cuts the sleeves off all of his t-shirts.
To try to make them look cool but they are really lame.

He hasn't had a job in three months,
But he does some construction on the side.
That's a lie, he's been getting high.
He has a back full of hair;
You won't admit that he's fat.
And nobody talks about his daddy like that!

Chorus
If you have a douche bag ex-boyfriend,
Douchie, douchie, guy's a really douche.
Then we won't be able to date.
No dating with this guy here.
Let me save you the trouble
By calling this off early,
'Cause you'll probably just go back to him anyways.

Verse
He uses his kid against you.
Tries to make you feel guilty.
He loves putting down your favorite shows.
They're pretty lame but that's still pretty mean.
He has a tattoo in old English.
He f-ing loves pit bulls.
And he sends you 2,000 texts in a day.
Remember the part about not having a job.

He hates your best friend Amy.
He steals money from his mom.
He wears a cross around his neck,
But never goes to church.
And nobody tells him what to do when he's at work!

Chorus
If you have a douche bag ex-boyfriend,
Douchie, douchie, guy's a really douche.
Then we won't be able to date.
No getting in this guy's pants.
Let me save you the trouble
By calling this off early,
'Cause you'll probably just go back to him anyways.

Outro
Reason one:
He'll try to beat me up.
Reason two:
He'll try to hurt himself and call you
Then you'll feel sorry for him
And you'll have sex again.

Reason three:
He'll say that I've been talking shit,
But I don't even know what that is.
Reason four:
It'll make me feel so small
When you chose him
Over me after all.

Updated! You can now purchase this song below.

In Transit

This is a very honest and personal song for me. It is soft and simple. If I were ever to do a music video I think I would film me driving and singing this song, and that would be it. It would be as simple as the song, and visually connect with the theme of being 'in transit.' A lot of my songs use the metaphors that we all recognize from southern rock ballads: 'moving on down the road.' In my own way, I am a modern day southern rocker and I am not sure why I gravitate to that theme. It's in my blood.

I am always very indifferent to songs when I first write them. The same is true with this song. That is why I utilize my friends and my blog as sounding boards. It is not until other people experience the songs that I start to draw my own conclusions about them. So as always, all feedback is welcome. Additionally, the comments on my songs in previous posts have been really good and insightful, and for those that have posted comments I really appreciate your thoughts and I take them to heart. Oh yeah, and I don't know why I sat so stiff for this song, its funny, a juxtaposition to the meaning of the song.

In Transit

Verse
With one hand untie the two.
Set my feet, and dive in you.
I fall.
Explored you all.

Build the trust and kiss your face.
Arm yourself for one more taste
Of what
Will soon be gone.

Prechorus
Don't let me sink my teeth in you.
Don't let my eyes bore holes right through.

Chorus
In transit always.
In transit always.
I am the highway
Carrying you.
You can't stay.

Verse
A subtle touch, a seamless plan.
A slight misstep, I miss your hand
And fall.
A graceless cause.

You can't want me when I want you.
What I want is what I soon
Will miss.
Fate or bliss?

Prechorus
Don't let yourself get used to me.
Prepare yourself for what used to be.

Chorus
In transit always.
In transit always.
I am the highway
Carrying you.
You can't stay.

Bridge
A launching pad, or a place of rest;
Your journey doesn't end with me.
I will set you free.
I will set you free.

Chorus
In transit always.
In transit always.
I am the highway
Carrying you.
You can't stay.
Carrying you.
You can't stay.

A Little Break

I'm going to take a break from blogging for a while. I've been pretty hard at it for the last couple months, but I have a lot of other pressing (and non-pressing) issues that have to take precedence. If this is your first time visiting my blog, there are plenty of videos and posts to check out. For the people that follow me daily, I leave you with this: a video of me making a fool of myself. Hopefully I will be back in blogging spirits soon.

First Star on the Right

This isn't the best vocal performance I've ever done, for sure, but after being sick last week, and still sick this week. I decided to video post based on the good response I got from the words posted last week. For those of you who did not read last week's entry, I wrote this song for one of my favorite shows: 'Lost.' I kept the vocals and guitar strum in the verse softer and more dreamy, than I usually do, this helps contrast the chorus and speaks to the mysterious elements of the show as well.

Lyrics

Hannah's Song

This is one of the sweetest things of all the time. It is my daughter, Hannah, ad-lib singing to some piano and drums that she picked out in one of my recording programs. She just started singing off the top of her head, only sang for a couple measures, but it is still so sweet. Her singer-songwriter dad couldn't be prouder! Keep in mind she is four.

I have transcribed her words to the best of my ability, here is what I call 'I Have You.'

I Have You
by Hannah Perryman

I know there is that I have you.
I have songs for you can sing.
Nobody sees why you have my mouth.
I have you and long for you.

Don't forget me; I have you.
I don't want to story you.

Song of the Week: 'Cold Lies'

Cold Lies

Verse
Cold lies
A thin glass
On the other side
Of my face
Told to believe
There's a reason
For all that's been done

As I pull
The window down
In comes the sound
From the cars
That drive on their way
To the people they love
While I wait for others to come

Chorus
Tell the water to run
Despite of all the things that I've done
I can't lay down my guns
When my hands are tied at the thumbs

Verse
A bell chimes
One times nine
Through the cold air climbs
Finds a place in my ear
Evidence here
That time truly waits for no man

The swan sings
A delicate thing
On a pendulum swings
Her heart in route to my hands
Feeble plans that we make
Creatures that break into sand

Chorus
Tell the water to run
Despite of all the things that I've done
I can't lay down my guns
When my hands are tied at the thumbs
Wouldn't be too much harm
But there's just so much room in your arms

Verse
It's a shame
The oceans can't freeze
The tide that's in me
Is the same
That churns in its wake
Controlling the same
The land is the victim indeed

The rain beads
On the window now
A glimpse of how
All thoughts can bleed into one
And all I have done
A collection of what I've become

Due to the wordiness of this song, it took me about eight takes to get it right. I'm not going to do the rating thing like I did last week. It was too clunky, and besides YouTube has the ability to rate videos.

What I was trying to establish was a way to get more feedback on my new 'Song of the Week.' Thanks to all my regulars, you guys give me very good input. If you are new here, don't be afraid to tell me what you think.

Gangsta's Paradise

Well, what started out as a joke, turned into one of our favorite songs to play. We thought we'd share this fun with you. Careful... its infectious.



I don't know why it is clipping Jimmy out of the scene here. You can view it on youtube here to see a better version.

Julia

I have a new idea for the blog format, going to test it this week. Post a song and the lyrics one day. Then post my influences or any additional side notes about the writing of the song another day. Finally, the last day of my blogging a chance for readers to rate my current song. When I play in public I have applause and body language to help gauge the success of a song, I feel this will help me in getting better at writing as well as provide a format for songwriting fans that allows them to engage in this process with me.

Julia

Verse
Getting closer to the satellites;
We walk on hallowed ground.
How much further do you think we lack?
The moon keeps staring down.

We walk in silence,
Dream in violence,
Team in the shadows of
What once was love.

Chorus
I hope that we will find a way
To beat them all at their own
Game some day.

I know there's bound to be a better way
To get from A to B
And back to A.

It's been a long time,
But please don't let it all
Slip out of your mind,
Julia

Verse
Is that a river or the passing light
From the freeway underneath?
Either way you try to jump the gap.
You stop my breath at least.

Stay the distance,
Save resistance,
Team in the shadows of
What once was love.

Chorus
I hope that we will find a way
To beat them all at their own
Game some day.

I know there's bound to be a better way
To get from A to B
And back to A.

It's been a long time,
But please don't let it all
Slip out of your mind.

Lets keep it undefined,
As pure as the snow
That brightens our eyes,
Julia.

CODA
Julia,
I can see right through ya,
And its through ya
I feel so alive.

Julia,
Can't you see I'm talking to ya,
And all ya do is
Just wait for me next time.

Live on Thursday: "Restless Passenger"

Alright, two days of fun, now its back to the stuff I feel more comfortable doing. Get ready to see my forehead and Jimmy's large biceps! A huge thanks to Jimmy for participating with me on this. It was late and I can not play the piano -oh, that's why I keep looking down- but despite the hesitance I think it turned out okay.

You can read my lyrics from a previous post here.

Restless Passenger

Live on Thursday: "Over the Lattice"

I'm really using the blog to its full advantage on this song, because this is a song I wrote about three years ago and have never been that impressed with. Honestly, I was afraid if I didn't record it I would forget how to play it, and forever lose the song (whether its good or bad) like so many songs I've written before it.

I will say this about the song, it is the most intricate guitar I have ever attempted to write/play while singing. That being said, my grievance with the song is it has never felt that catchy to me, but after all this time I still enjoy all the guitar parts.

I've never said this before on here, I'm open to negative criticism as well. If you guys hear a song or see words you don't like, don't be afraid to say, "You know, I liked your other stuff better. This is to over the top, etc." Just giving you free reign. That's a little hard for a lot of us, because we live by the "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" mantra. This is art, however, and it is subjective. I never expect every person to like every song I write, and feedback one way or another has always been beneficial to my growth as a musician.

Over the Lattice

Verse
Over the lattice, she climbs,
And over the back gate.
Into the garden, he finds
Footprints from her escape.

Prechorus
The letters that you sent
Have all returned; she's gone.
Photos lie in pieces
Where you might as well belong.

Chorus
Running,
Running,
From another man.

Running,
Running,
She thinks it's a different plan.

Verse
Somewhere her feet have now stopped.
The window her eyes retrace.
Out there he's bound to lie
Half empty, half that won't replace.

Prechorus
The letters that you sent
Have all returned; she's gone.
Photos lie in pieces
Where you might as well belong.

Chorus
Running,
Running,
From another man.

Running,
Running,
She thinks it's a different plan.

Look how far she goes.
Look how far.

Live on Thursday: "Beautiful Brick"

I am not very pleased with my performance here, but I am pleased with the song and music itself. I thought it was much more important to get the song out, than for the video to be perfect. I am going to try to challenge myself to film at least one song a week, starting this week, and I almost didn't make it.

This song is my 'Rapunzel' song, my fellow blog followers may remember me initially writing and talking about this song on this post. I feel like this song is a sequel or sister to 'World Wide.' It has a similar context and style.

The Places We'll Go

The Places We'll Go

Chorus
The places we'll go.
Oh, the places we'll go.
Miles and miles of fence rows
Pass by us as the wind blows.

Verse
Your hand in mine;
Fingertips are intertwined.
The eyes of the night
Is just the light reflected by
The heart of our sun.
The seams are undone.
The inner dreams of everyone
Is all in your lips,
All in your eyes,
Over my head,
And under your thighs.

Chorus
The places we'll go.
Oh, the places we'll go.
Miles and miles of fence rows
Pass by us as the world goes.

Verse
The path less taken,
In the dark we are mistaken
The shadows, from the light.
The trees are buzzing
With the sound of life.
My hand on your hip;
The small of your back;
My hands as they grip;
I embrace your attack.

Chorus
The places we'll go.
Oh, the places we'll go.
Miles and miles of fence rows
Pass by us as the wind blows.

Bridge
And I know its been a long time.
And I know that you can not be mine.
But I feel like you will find,
When comparing me to everyone else
You've never felt more like yourself.

Chorus
The places we'll go.
Oh, the places we'll go.
Don't just stand beside your window,
Go outside and watch the world grow.

Chorus (Key Change)
The places we'll go.
The places we'll go.
It never felt so good to lose control,
As you stood by and watch me let go.

Wrong Side of Me

This song has interesting origins. I was feeling lazy one day, and I needed to get up and do some cleaning. My daughter, Hannah, was playing with a little karaoke machine that has recording and playback functions. She came over to me and wanted me to sing something into it. Off the top of my head I sang, "I need some motivation, I've got to clean the house a little."

I eventually did get up and clean a little. And then like a week later I was putting toys away and I pushed the playback button on Hannah's karaoke machine and heard myself singing, "I need some motivation, I've got to clean the house a little," again. This time I thought, hey that's kind of catchy.

I sang the line off and on for the next couple weeks and once I changed the words to, "I need some motivation, I've got to move my bones a little," the whole song opened up and I finished writing it. Based on its origin, I didn't let the song take itself too seriously. Which is evident in lines like "God made dirt and dirt don't hurt." I have a lighter side, I swear.

Wrong Side of Me

Verse
I need some motivation,
I've got to move my bones a little.
The shades are all drawn up in the house;
I give the sun a whistle.

No reason to explain all this pain,
I let it fizzle out.
I'm destined to believe that our time
Is never running out.

Chorus
The seasons will change
Wherever you go.
The grass is always greener
Unless it snows.

I'm calling you back,
I'm calling you home.
'Cause I know in my heart you have got
The wrong side of me.

That's not who I wanted you to see.

Verse
The scene is always changing,
The road just goes a roaring by.
Everything that I'm seeing, I see
Through my reflective eye.

The shadows in the corner,
The pictures, and the pillow case
All are symbols of you and it's true
That you are in this place.

Chorus
The memories change,
The heart is a ghost.
The path is always clearer
Along the coast.

I'm calling you back,
I'm calling you home.
'Cause I know in my heart you have got
The wrong side of me.

That's not who I wanted you to see.

Bridge
Love, love, love
Don't throw me under the bus,
'Cause if its God we trust:
God made dirt and dirt don't hurt,
And the first words that you said were,
"Hurry up."

How it Works

How it Works

Verse
These few words before I go:
You push and pull,
Fast and then slow.

You take me high as the trees,
And leave me down on my knees.

Prechorus
Maybe I should walk away,
But I feel like I need to say

Chorus
That you don't always
Have to know how it works,
To know it works good.

You don't have to have
All the pieces, though
You think that you should.

Sometimes a mystery
Is meant to be
Misunderstood.

You don't always
Have to know how it works,
To know it works good.

Verse
I can have a piece of you,
But I'll be in pieces before it's through.

I don't count my eggs before they've hatched,
Because you turn me on then turn back.

Prechorus
Maybe I should write it down,
Not like you'd read it any how.

Chorus
You don't always
Have to know how it works,
To know it works good.

You don't have to have
All the pieces, though
You think that you should.

Sometimes a mystery
Is meant to be
Misunderstood.

You don't always
Have to know how it works,
To know it works good.

Outro
These few words before I go:
You try to shake me off;
I won't let go.

A Song of Perseverance

*If the video does not play above then it is still processing.

Jimmy was nice enough to accompany me at a songwriter's night at the Bell Buckle Cafe last night. I've been talking about songs, and writing them, but I need to perform them to see how they stick. And with the band on a small hiatis (due to logistics and colleges, etc.) songwriter's nights will prove to help me still grow my talents in the mean time. I've posted the words to this song on here before. But I will repost them here so you can see them with the video. Thanks to Wes Worrell for taking the video for me.

Verse
These shoulders
May be the only ones fit
To bear the weight
That I must.

This heart
May be strong enough,
To feel what I feel
And not bust.

Chorus:
I was made for this,
From the skin on my hand
To the bones in my fist.

I was made for this.
Though my knuckles are white
As ghosts when I grip,

I hold on.
I hold on.

Verse
They've taken my eyes
And put 'em in the wrong holes,
But they'll never
Take my sight.

They've taken my dreams
And stripped 'em from my soul,
But new ones will come
Every night.

Chorus
I was made for this,
From the skin on my hand
To the bones in my fist.

I was made for this.
Though my knuckles are white
As ghosts when I grip,

I hold on.
I hold on.