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Songlist

Coursera Songwriting Course

October 2014

Version 6

Song performances (and lyrics) on www.songwritingcourse.weebly.com

This booklet is for educational purposes only.

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Contents

Still Crazy After All These Years (Paul Simon) 3

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover (Paul Simon) 4

Can’t Be Really Gone (Gary Burr) 6

Eleanor Rigby (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) 7

The End of the Innocence (Don Henley) 8

For No One (John Lennon/Paul McCartney) 10

The Great Pretender (Buck Ram) 11

Hasten Down the Wind (Warren Zevon) 12

How Can We Hang On to a Dream (Tim Hardin) 13

Heartbeat City (Ric Ocasek) 14

I Can’t Make You Love Me (Mike Reid/Allen Shamblin) 16

In Front of the Alamo (Gary Burr) 17

It Was a Very Good Year (Ervin Drake) 18

One More Dollar (Gillian Welch 19

Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Joni Mitchell) 20

Some People’s Lives (Janis Ian/Kye Fleming) 22

Strawberry Wine (Matraca Berg/Gary Harrison) 23

Train in the Distance (Paul Simon) 24

Sweet Baby James (James Taylor) 26

What’ll I Do (Irving Berlin) 27

Why Can't I Have You (Ric Ocasek) 28

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Still Crazy after all these Years

Words and music by Paul Simon

I met my old lover

On the street last night

She seemed so glad to see me

I just smiled

And we talked about some old times

And we drank ourselves some beers

Still crazy after all these years

Oh, still crazy after all these years

I'm not the kind of man

Who tends to socialize

I seem to lean on

Old familiar ways

And I ain’t no fool for love songs

That whisper in my ears

Still crazy after all these years

Oh, still crazy after all these years

Four in the morning

Crapped out, yawning

Longing my life away

I'll never worry

Why should I?

It's all gonna fade

Now I sit by my window

And I watch the cars

I fear I'll do some damage

One fine day

But I would not be convicted

By a jury of my peers

Still crazy after all these years

Oh, still crazy

Still crazy

Still crazy after all these years

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50 Ways to Leave your Lover

Words and music by Paul Simon

"The problem is all inside your head", she said to me

The answer is easy if you take it logically

I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free

There must be fifty ways to leave your lover

She said it's really not my habit to intrude

Furthermore, I hope my meaning won't be lost or misconstrued

But I'll repeat myself at the risk of being crude

There must be fifty ways to leave your lover

Fifty ways to leave your lover

Just slip out the back, Jack

Make a new plan, Stan

You don't need to be coy, Roy

Just get yourself free

Hop on the bus, Gus

You don't need to discuss much

Just drop off the key, Lee

And get yourself free

Oo, slip out the back, Jack

Make a new plan, Stan

You don't need to be coy, Roy

You just listen to me

Hop on the bus, Gus

You don't need to discuss much

Just drop off the key, Lee

And get yourself free

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She said it grieves me so to see you in such pain

I wish there was something I could do to make you smile again

I said I appreciate that and would you please explain

About the fifty ways

She said why don't we both just sleep on it tonight

And I believe in the morning you'll begin to see the light

And then she kissed me and I realized she probably was right

There must be fifty ways to leave your lover

Fifty ways to leave your lover

You just slip out the back, Jack

Make a new plan, Stan

You don't need to be coy, Roy

Just get yourself free

Or you hop on the bus, Gus

You don't need to discuss much

Just drop off the key, Lee

And get yourself free

Slip out the back, Jack

Make a new plan, Stan

You don't need to be coy, Roy

You just listen to me

Hop on the bus, Gus

You don't need to discuss much

Just drop off the key, Lee

And get yourself free

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Can't Be Really Gone

Written by Gary Burr

Her hat is hanging by the door

The one she bought in Mexico

It blocked the wind, it stopped the rain

She'd never leave that one

So, she can't be really gone

The shoes she bought on Christmas Eve

She laughed and said they called her name

It's like they're waiting in the hall

For her to slip them on

So, she can't be really gone

I don't know when she'll come back

She must intend to come back

I've seen the error of my ways

Don't waste the tears on me

What more proof do you need

Just look around the room

So much of her remains

Her book is lying on the bed

The two of hearts to mark her page

Now who could ever walk away

At chapter twenty-one

So, she can't be really gone

Just look around this room

So much of her remains

Her book is lying on the bed

The two of hearts to mark her page

Now who could ever walk away

With so much left undone

So, she can't be really gone

No, she can't be really gone

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Eleanor Rigby

Written by John Lennon/Paul McCartney

Ah, look at all the lonely people Ah, look at all the lonely people Eleanor Rigby Picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been Lives in a dream Waits at the window Wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door Who is it for? All the lonely people Where do they all come from? All the lonely people Where do they all belong? Father McKenzie Writing the words of a sermon that no-one will hear No-one comes near Look at him working Darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there What does he care? All the lonely people Where do they all come from? All the lonely people Where do they all belong? Ah, look at all the lonely people Ah, look at all the lonely people Eleanor Rigby Died in the church and was buried along with her name Nobody came Father McKenzie Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave No-one was saved All the lonely people (Ah, look at all the lonely people) Where do they all come from? All the lonely people (Ah, look at all the lonely people) Where do they all belong?

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The End of the Innocence

Written by Don Henley/Bruce Hornsby

Remember when the days were long

And rolled beneath a deep blue sky

Didn't have a care in the world

With mommy and daddy standin' by

But "happily ever after" fails

And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales

The lawyers dwell on small details

Since daddy had to fly

But I know a place where we can go

That's still untouched by men

We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by

And the tall grass waves in the wind

You can lay your head back on the ground

And let your hair fall all around me

Offer up your best defense

But this is the end

This is the end of the innocence

O' beautiful, for spacious skies

But now those skies are threatening

They're beating plowshares into swords

For this tired old man that we elected king

Armchair warriors often fail

And we've been poisoned by these fairy tales

The lawyers clean up all details

Since daddy had to lie

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But I know a place where we can go

And wash away this sin

We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by

And the tall grass waves in the wind

Just lay your head back on the ground

And let your hair spill all around me

Offer up your best defense

But this is the end

This is the end of the innocence

Who knows how long this will last

Now we've come so far, so fast

But, somewhere back there in the dust

That same small town in each of us

I need to remember this

So baby give me just one kiss

And let me take a long last look

Before we say goodbye

Just lay your head back on the ground

And let your hair fall all around me

Offer up your best defense

But this is the end

This is the end of the innocence

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For No One

Written by John Lennon/Paul McCartney

The day breaks, your mind aches

You find that all her words

Of kindness linger on

When she no longer needs you

She wakes up, she makes up

She takes her time and doesn't

Feel she has to hurry

She no longer needs you

And in her eyes, you see nothing

No sign of love behind the tears

Cried for no one

A love that should have lasted years

You want her, you need her

And yet you don't believe her

When she says her love is dead

You think she needs you

And in her eyes, you see nothing

No sign of love behind the tears

Cried for no one

A love that should have lasted years

You stay home, she goes out

She says that long ago she knew someone

But now he's gone

She doesn't need him

Your day breaks, your mind aches

There will be times when all the things

She said will fill your head

You won't forget her

And in her eyes, you see nothing

No sign of love behind the tears

Cried for no one

A love that should have lasted years

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The Great Pretender Written by Buck Ram

Oh yes I'm the great pretender

Pretending that I'm doing well

My need is such I pretend too much

I'm lonely but no one can tell

Oh yes I'm the great pretender

Adrift in a world of my own

I play the game but to my real shame

You've left me to grieve all alone

Too real is this feeling of make believe

Too real when I feel what my heart

can't conceal

(Ooh Ooh)

Yes I'm the great pretender

Just laughing and gay like a clown

I seem to be what I'm not, you see

I'm wearing my heart like a crown

Pretending that you're still around

Yeah ooh hoo

Too real is this feeling of make believe

Too real when I feel what my heart

can't conceal

Yes I'm the great pretender

Just laughing and gay like a clown

I seem to be what I'm not you see

I'm wearing my heart like a crown

Pretending that you're still around

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Hasten Down the Wind Written by Warren Zevon

She tells him she thinks she needs to be free

He tells her he doesn't understand

She takes his hand

She tells him nothing's workin’ out the way they planned

She's so many women

He can't find the one who was his friend

So he's hanging on to half her heart

But he can't have the restless part

So he tells her to hasten down the wind

He agrees he thinks she needs to be free

Then she says she'd rather be with him

But it's just a whim

By which she hopes to keep him on the limb

She's so many women

He can't find the one who was his friend

So he's hanging on to half her heart

He can't have the restless part

So he tells her to hasten down the wind

She's so many women

He can't find the one who was his friend

So he's hanging on to half her heart

He can't have the restless part

So he tells her to hasten down the wind

He tells her to hasten down the wind

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How Can We Hang On to a Dream Written by Tim Hardin

What can I say, she's walking away

From what we've seen

What can I do, still loving you

It's all a dream

How can we hang on to a dream

How can it really be the way it seems

What can I do, she's saying we're through

With how it was

What will I try, I still don't see why

She says what she does

How can we hang on to a dream

How can it really be the way it seems

What can I say, she's walking away

From what we've seen

What can I do, still loving you

It's all a dream

How can we hang on to a dream

How can it really be the way it seems

How can we hang on to a dream

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Heartbeat City Written by Ric Ocasek

Oh heartbeat city Here we come And happy days Count on thumbs And nothin' really Gets us down As long as Jacki's Back in town I'm glad you made it I can't complain Oh Jacki (echo) What took you so long On just a holiday Oh Jacki (echo) What took you so long I thought you knew the way (Heartbeat city) The noise electric Never stops And all you need Is what you got And there's a place For everyone Under heartbeat city's Golden sun (Jacki) Oh Jacki (What took you so long) What took you so long On just a holiday Oh Jacki (echo) (What took you so long) What took you so long (So long) I thought you knew the way Oh, yeah yeah yeah

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I'm glad you made it I can't complain I missed you so badly When you jumped that train (Jacki) Oh Jacki (What took you so long) What took you so long On just a holiday Oh Jacki (echo) (What took you so long) What took you so long (So long) (Thought you knew the way) I thought you knew the way (Heartbeat city) Oh heartbeat city Lights at night (Heartbeat city) Keeps getting closer Out of sight (Heartbeat city) Heartbeat city's On the loose (Heartbeat city) Better catch The blue caboose Oh, huh, heartbeat city It's my life, uh (Heartbeat city) (Heartbeat city) (Heartbeat city)

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I Can’t Make You Love Me Written by Mike Reid/Allen Shamblin

Turn down the lights, turn down the bed

Turn down these voices inside my head

Lay down with me, tell me no lies

Just hold me close, don't patronize

Don't patronize me

'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't

You can't make your heart feel something it won't

Here in the dark, in these final hours

I will lay down my heart, and I'll feel the power

But you won't, no you won't

'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't

I'll close my eyes, then I won't see

The love you don't feel when you're holding me

Morning will come, and I'll do what's right

Just give me 'til then to give up this fight

And I will give up this fight

'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't

You can't make your heart feel something it won't

Here in the dark, in these final hours

I will lay down my heart, and I'll feel the power

But you won't, no you won't

'Cause I can't make you love me if you don't

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In Front of the Alamo

Written by Gary Burr

In front of the Alamo

in the fading light of a Texas day

San Antonio

through the windshield of a Chevrolet

With the front tyres pointed out of town

she sighs, and rolls her window down

counts to three and throws that wedding band

In front of the Alamo

that's a pretty good place to make a stand.

In front of the Alamo

where the cameras click and the tourists stare

a long long time ago

she met the man in question there

she wanted trust, she wanted truth

two things he found hard to do

So forever was shorter than she planned

In front of the Alamo

that's a pretty good place to make a stand

She didn't come for inspiration,

or to breathe the mighty dust of heroes lost

She just felt the time was right

at this random traffic light

to say enough is enough and move on.

In front of the Alamo

in the fading light of a Texas day

San Antonio

through the windshield of a Chevrolet

Maybe something in the air

Makes the timid braver there

To cross the line that they've drawn in the sand

In front of the Alamo

They held on, she lets go

In front of the Alamo

That's a pretty good place to make a stand

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It Was a Very Good Year

Written by Ervin Drake

When I was seventeen, it was a very good year

It was a very good year for small town girls and soft summer nights

We'd hide from the light on the village green

when I was seventeen

When I was twenty-one, it was a very good year

It was a very good year for city girls who lived up the stair

With all that perfumed hair and it came undone

when I was twenty-one

When I was thirty-five, it was a very good year

It was a very good year for blue-blooded girls of independent means

We'd ride in limousines. Their chauffeurs would drive

when I was thirty-five

But now the days are short, I'm in the autumn of the year

and now I think of my life as vintage wine from fine old kegs

From the brim to the dregs, it poured sweet and clear

It was a very good year

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One More Dollar

Written by Gillian Welch

A long time ago I left my home For a job in the fruit trees But I missed those hills with the windy pines Their song seemed to suit me So I sent my wages to my home Said we'd soon be together For the next good crop would pay my way And I would come home forever One more dime to show for my day One more dollar and I'm on my way When I reach those hills, boys I'll never roam ‘Cause one more dollar and I'm going home No work said the boss at the bunk house door There's a freeze on the branches So when the dice came out at the bar downtown I rolled and I took my chances One more dime to show for my day One more dollar and I'm on my way When I reach those hills, boys I'll never roam ‘Cause one more dollar and I'm going home A long time ago I left my home Just a boy passing twenty Could you spare a coin and a Christian prayer For my luck has turned against me

One more dime to show for my day One more dollar and I'm on my way When I reach those hills, boys I'll never roam ‘Cause one more dollar and I'm going home One more dollar Boys, I'm going home

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Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Ludwig's Tune)

Written by Joni Mitchell

No tongue in the bell

And the fishwives yell

But they might as well be mute

So you get to keep the pictures

That don't seem like much

Cold white keys under your fingers

Now you're thinking

"That's no substitute

It just don't do it

Like the song of a warm, warm body

Loving your touch"

In the court they carve your legend

With an apple in its jaw

And the women that you wanted

They get their laughs

Long silk stockings

On the bedposts of refinement

You're too raw

They think you're too raw

It's the judgement of the moon and stars

Your solitary path

Draw yourself a bath

Think what you'd like to have

For supper

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Or take a walk

A park

A bridge

A tree

A river

Revoked but not yet cancelled

The gift goes on

In silence

In a bell jar

Still a song...

You've got to shake your fists at lightning now

You've got to roar like forest fire

You've got to spread your light like blazes

All across the sky

They're going to aim the hoses on you

Show them you won't expire

Not till you burn up every passion

Not even when you die

Come on now

You've got to try

If you're feeling contempt

Well then you tell it

If you're tired of the silent night

Jesus, well then you yell it

Condemned to wires and hammers

Strike every chord that you feel

That broken trees

And elephant ivories conceal

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Some People’s Lives

Written by Janis Ian/Kye Fleming

Some people's lives Run down like clocks One day they stop That's all they've got. Some lives wear out Like old tennis shoes No one can use It's sad, but it's true. Didn't anybody tell them Didn't anybody see Didn't anybody love them Like you love me Some people's eyes Fade like their dreams Too tired to rise Too tired to sleep. And some people laugh When they need to cry An' they never know why. Didn't anybody tell them That's not how it has to be Didn't anybody love them Like you love me Some people ask If the tears have to fall Then why take our chances Why bother at all. And some people's lives Are as cold as their lips They just need to be kissed. Doesn't anybody tell them Doesn't anybody see Doesn't anybody love them Like you love me. 'Cause that's all they need.

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Strawberry Wine Written by Matraca Berg/Gary Harrison

He was working through college on my grandpa's farm I was thirsting for knowledge and he had a car I was caught somewhere between a woman and a child When one restless summer we found love growing wild On the banks of the river on a well beaten path It's funny how those memories they last

Like strawberry wine and seventeen The hot July moon saw everything My first taste of love oh bittersweet And green on the vine Like strawberry wine I still remember when thirty was old And my biggest fear was September when he had to go A few cards and letters and one long distance call We drifted away like the leaves in the fall But year after year I’d come back to this place Just to remember the taste

Of strawberry wine, seventeen The hot July moon saw everything My first taste of love oh bittersweet And green on the vine Like strawberry wine The fields have grown over now Years since they've seen the plow There's nothing time hasn't touched Is it really him or the loss of my innocence I've been missing so much yeah

Strawberry wine and seventeen The hot July moon saw everything My first taste of love oh bittersweet And green on the vine

Like strawberry wine, seventeen The hot July moon, saw everything My first taste of love oh bittersweet And green on the vine Like strawberry wine

Strawberry wine, ooh oh, strawberry wine

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Train in the Distance Written by Paul Simon

She was beautiful as Southern skies

The night he met her

She was married to someone

He was doggedly determined

he would get her

He was old, he was young

From time to time he'd tip his heart

But each time she withdrew

Everybody loves the sound of a

train in the distance

Everybody thinks it's true

Everybody loves the sound of a

train in the distance

Everybody thinks it's true

Well eventually the boy and

the girl get married

Sure enough they have a son

And though they both were occupied

With the child she carried

Disagreements had begun

And in a while they just fell apart

It wasn't hard to do

Everybody loves the sound of a

train in the distance

Everybody thinks it's true

Everybody loves the sound of a

train in the distance

Everybody thinks it's true

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Two disappointed believers

Two people playing the game

Negotiations and love songs

Are often mistaken for one and the same

But now the man and the woman

They remain in contact

Let us say it's for the child

With disagreements about the meaning

Of a marriage contract

Conversations hard and wild

But from time to time

He just makes her laugh

She cooks a meal or two

Everybody loves the sound of a

train in the distance

Everybody thinks it's true

Everybody loves the sound of a

train in the distance

Everybody thinks it's true

What is the point of this story?

What information pertains?

The thought that life could be better

Is woven indelibly

Into our hearts

And our brains

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Sweet Baby James

Written by James Taylor

There is a young cowboy he lives on the range

His horse and his cattle are his only companions

He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons

Waiting for Summer, his pastures to change

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire

Thinking about women and glasses of beer

And closing his eyes as the doggies retire

He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear

Just as if maybe someone could hear

Goodnight you moonlight ladies

Rock-a-bye sweet baby Jane

Deep greens and blues are the colours I choose

Won't you let me go down in my dreams

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Now the first of December was covered with snow

So was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston

The Berkshires seemed dreamlike on account of that frosting

With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway

A song that they sing when they take to the sea

A song that they sing of their home in the sky

Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep

But singing works just fine for me

So Goodnight you moonlight ladies

Rock-a-bye my sweet baby Jane

Deep greens and blues are the colours I choose

Won't you let me go down in my dreams

And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

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What’ll I Do

Written by Irving Berlin

Gone is the romance that was so divine

'Tis broken and cannot be mended

You must go your way and I must go mine

But now that our love dreams have ended

What'll I do

When you are far away

And I am blue

What'll I do

What'll I do

When I am wondering who

Is kissing you

What'll I do

What'll I do with just a photograph

To tell my troubles to

When I'm alone with only dreams of you

That won't come true

What'll I do

What'll I do with just a photograph

To tell my troubles to

When I'm alone with only dreams of you

That won't come true

What'll I do

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Why Can't I Have You

Written by Ric Ocasek A dreamy lips, set in motion, flashing

Ah breathless hush, pounding soft, lasting

Oh glossy mouth, a taste untamed, moving

Carousel up and down

Just like you

Oh baby

Just one more time to touch you

Just one more time to tell you

You're on my mind

Baby, why can't I have you?

You're breaking my heart in two

You know what I'm going through

Oh baby, why can't I have you?

Oh candy smile, all the while, glinting

Your eyes like mica, a lethal pout, hinting

(felt the pressure)

Oo and I felt the pressure, tight and warm, softly, striking

(oo tripped and stumbled)

Oo I tripped and stumbled

I cling forever

I go all night

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Oh baby

Just one more time to touch you

Just one more time to tell you

I'm not so blind

Baby, why can't I have you?

Always breaking my heart in two

You know what I'm going through

Uh oh baby, why can't I have you?

(baby) oh baby (why can't I have you?) why can't I have you?

You know what I'm going through

(you're breaking my heart in two)

You're breaking my heart, breaking my heart

(you know what I'm gonna do)

(you're breaking my heart) breaking my heart

(baby) oh baby (why can't I have you?) I need you

(you know what I'm going through)

You're breaking my heart (you're breaking my heart in two)

Oh baby I need you so much I need you touch

[fade]

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Compiled with compliments. For educational purposes only.

Song performances (and lyrics) on www.songwritingcourse.weebly.com

Let me know through website above if you find anything that needs correcting. All the best for your songwriting!