It's funny how ideas can just come out of thin air. I wasn't really thinking about writing for Lance's 100 Word Song this week. I'm in the middle of a review, and there's an interview to transcribe. But for some odd reason the phrase "Christmas in July" came to mind, and boom. Had an idea.
It came all at once, wrote it, looked at the word count... 100. Read it through, didn't change a thing. So it's fresh and pretty much unedited. But nobody dies so there's that.
Ruby picked the song this week, and though you can use any part of it as inspiration, it's the title that sets it all up. It's an blast from the past by Chris De Burgh.
"Lady In Red"
He looked up from the work at hand and caught her glance. Even
in the same red dress she’d worn forever, she still took his breath away.
Catching his glance, she smiled. After all these many years,
he still had that twinkle in his eye. As much as she loved this busy season, the
26th could not come quick enough. She missed him, and if that sigh
he let out was any indication, he missed her too.
Soon enough the gifts would be delivered, the helpers gone
home, and they’d have some time alone.
Yesterday was one drag-ass day. Nothing could speed it up. Must have been a slow one for Lance as well, because he decided to give his blog a face-lift, go check it out at Myblogcanbeatupyourblog. He also asked me to pick the song for his weekly meme, the 100-Word Song.
Fair enough. After some thought, I decided to go classic (no great surprise) but not melodic. A little something with enough meat to tell a story, but also something the readers of my blog wouldn't mind hearing.
Write 100 words with the song as inspiration. My choice, and as you will read, this is all about making a choice, is "Slippin' Into Darkness" by War.
There were no shadows, Cillia knew that. It was all black
and white. She realized who he was, and more importantly, she knew what he was.
Now she needed to know who she was. The
choice was hers, and this was the night she needed to make it.
Almost dressed, it was time. Was it fear staring back at her
in the mirror? Or was it shame? Oddly, she felt unconsciously the choice had already
been made, though her mind remained uncertain.
Then she knew.
As she slowly slipped into the black stilettos, Cillia felt her own significance slipping away.
Yesterday marked the one year passing of one of this earth's great women. We are also coming up on Father's Day and I'm missing my dad, so when I saw Lance's selection for this week's 100 Word Song challenge, I knew immediately I would be jumping in.
Very simple, take the song as a theme and write 100 words in any form of expression.
This week's song is "Empty Chair" by Don McLean.
One’s in the kitchen, another’s in the living room too. Where
I once heard words that made me smile, now just a place where memories linger in
open air.
True, the days are less painful now. Though random
thoughts still easily bring tears.
Like now.
I hope in twenty years I can still cry for you, as that
would mean all you were to me is still in my heart. Though your voice is muted,
your words, your lessons, your love is still entwined with my being, and my
soul.
The past week or so has been sort of a blur. A fun blur with music (Springsteen) and interviews (Jamison), and ok, maybe a little alcohol induced bluriness... but I digress.
Anyway it's been a while since I went on a play date over at Lance's MyBlogCanBeatUpYourBlog and did the 100 Word Song Challenge. So this week Renee picked the song, and I think Lance knew this one would sucker me in, so let's just do it.
100 Words using the song as a prompt... however you want to. This week's song is "Running On Empty," by Jackson Browne.
This time let's take the title literally.
At least twenty miles. Nothing between here and Towson. Not
even decent cell service.
For the tenth time in as many minutes, Lenore checked the rear
view mirror for the headlights behind her. Too close. Too close for too long.
The red light on the dash had also been on for too long. Not
gonna make it.
Hoping he would pass, she slowed, but the hairs on her arms
told her all she needed to know. She was in trouble. Capital T type trouble.
As the motor died, Lenore pulled over and watched the
headlights behind her do the same.
So my Public Service Announcement for the day is... make sure the damn tank has gas in it.
A little late to this week's game, but let's hope fashionably late is still acceptable.
This week, over at Lance's Myblogcanbeatupyourblog weekly meme, the 100 Word song is a cover by an old classic, about a classic road. Written in 1946 by Bobby Troup, is was first recorded by Nat King Cole, then covered by Chuck Berry, The Stones and many others. For this week's writing exercise, Lance has chosen the cover by Depeche Mode.
For any newbies, we take a song as inspiration and write exactly 100 words of prose, poetry, whatever. So here's my 100 words about "Route 66."
Laid out ahead, she’s a history lesson just waiting to be
learned.
The road, a better teacher than any school. This one’s full
of stories, ghosts and a time before now.
They tried to make her irrelevant, but even covered with dust, she knew getting
somewhere fast wasn’t always the reason for going.
And before too long, the next generation would learn.
And they would get the itch, just like me. The itch to see her
as she is, and imagine what she once was, and to feel it.
Without AC in this old ’55, it shouldn’t be too hard.
It's December, time of holidays, carols and ho ho ho's. Time of my birthday too, but that's a story for another day. Tonight we tell a short story, just 100 words. Lance from Myblogcanbeatupyourblog let Melissa @realgirlmelissa pick this week's song choice.
Screaming Trees started out in Washington just about the time when the music scene was getting hot. Grunge was the rule rather than the exception, and the Trees incorporated a little of all the sounds coming out during the early 90s. From their album Sweet Oblivion came the successful single "Nearly Lost You," which happens to be the pick of the week.
Here's the rule, simple really. Use the song as some sort of inspiration and write exactly 100 words.
"Nearly Lost You"
All arms and legs. Slippery for such a small one. He looked
at me, eyes a mixture of bewilderment and terror. It’s natural, yes, but after
waiting a whole year, he's still not ready for his moment to shine.
Scanning me left to right, then up and down. Is he real, he
seemed to be asking? But he didn’t say the words. Actually, it’s my job to ask
the question.
Before I can, he starts to slide off my lap. “Careful, nearly
lost you.” Pulling him back up, I
smile and say “And what would you like for Christmas?”
This little bundle of sweetness is in direct response to everyone who bitches that I write too dark in these little exercises. So just like last year at this time, this one is all sugary and shit. Don't get used to it.
Sometimes you just don't know where something will lead.
Yesterday morning quite by accident, I came across a song I hadn't heard before. I thought it was interesting and might be a good suggestion for one of Lance's 100 Word Song entries. So I bookmarked it and went about my day. Later that afternoon I received a message from Lance asking if I wanted to choose this week's song. Ha. I didn't even have to think about it.
The Bravery is a New York based band who may or may not be still together. Alternative-dance-punk, they released three studio albums. From the second album The Sun and the Moon, this week's song is titled:
"Above And Below."
Take 100 words and use the song as inspiration. That's how we do it.
"Sometimes it feels like that Steely Dan song “stuck in the
middle with you.” Above my head and below my feet, one floor apart and here I
am. Stuck.
Ugly people. Ask nicely to be considerate, they laugh in my
face. Noise, always noise. Can’t sleep, can’t think.
And Them below. That music. The walls shake. I bang on the
floor. They turn it up.
I hate them.
No more.
Tonight.
It all ends.
Blow it all up. No big thing. Learned about it in the Army.
It's a rainy day. Right now there's a storm coming through as we wait for the remnants of Hurricane Andrea to drench us with around four inches later today. Let's just say, in a sunny mood... I am not.
I haven't had time to play the 100 Word Song Challenge in a few weeks, which kinda pissed me off because there were some good song choices to work with. So being today is gloomy, in more ways than one, it's time to go over to my dark side, though not too dark this week.
This week's tune was picked by Lance himself, all inspired and shit from his recent vacation to D.C., and who could argue with the greatness and political importance of the tune. From the genius that was Marvin Gaye, this week's song is "What's Going On?"
Released in 1971, it was the title track from Marvin Gaye's eleventh studio album, and it showed a different side of his writing. The concept album dealt with the Vietnam War; those coming home from it and those who never returned. It showed Gaye moving into an area of social consciousness, and it is ranked as one of the greatest albums of all time. The title track sets the tone.
The task of the 100 Word Song is to write something inspired by the title, lyrics or feel of the song, in exactly 100 words.
"What's Going On"
He was the center of the vortex, with flashes of his life
spinning around. Slowing… he would catch a glimpse: Rielle in the sunshine, twin
brother Tom in his cap and gown, the training, the desert, the explosions. Matt
saw it all in vivid color.
His mind told him he was asleep; Matt knew it was something
else. A place somewhere between heaven and hell. A place where your soul
protects you from reality.
Aware of the bed beneath him, and the beeping sound of the
machine taking his vitals; Tom opened his eyes and saw nothing.
A little folk, a little roots and a whole lot of nice listening. The Lumineers began as a group in Denver, created one really well done debut album and have been reaping the rewards of hard work ever since. Nominated for two Grammy awards, their first two singles "Ho Hey" and "Stubborn Love" have received a lot of commercial play.
One of those songs, "Ho Hey" is the choice of this week's 100 Word Song Challenge over at Lance's My Blog Can Beat Up Your Blog. Since I've been meaning to showcase The Lumineers, this seemed as good a time as any. And because it's a pretty upbeat song, I didn't go over to the dark side. Maybe next week.
Using the song as a prompt, exactly 100 words later, here's what I came up with.
"Ho Hey"
Corner of Bowery and Canal; usually a good spot. Plenty of
tourists, and locals who were young and willing to help support their own.
Trey watched her get off the bus. The evening sun shone off
her auburn hair, her green eyes caught its fire. Who are you? He longed to scream “Hey,” but kept singing
instead.
“I belong with you, you belong with me.”
For an instant his voice drew her attention, until thoughts
of home or work or something more significant pulled her away.
Losing her in the rush hour crowd, Trey knew where he'd be singing tomorrow.
Bored by the conversation of her sorority sisters, Sam aimlessly
looked out the window. The frat boys
they spoke of with such veneration were nothing more than well dressed
mannequins; handsome but vapid.
She thought of Jesse. The way he looked in jeans as he
nailed the floor boards on the deck. How the sweat ran down his back, finding its
natural path. The way she felt when he’d pick her up and spin her until she was
dizzy.
She thought of her brother, smiling broadly as he greeted
his friend, instantly reminding her she was just the little sister.
ZZ Top "Sharp Dressed Man" ...Maybe not all girls are crazy for them.
This post is for the prompt of Sharp Dressed Man for Lance's 100 Word Song
