FAWM: "High Horse"

High Horse

1 week ago by @hamiltonpoolhall

Challenge: PUBLIC DOMAIN

High Horse

hamiltonpoolhall

00:00

Liner Notes

#acousticonetake #onemic #fatswaller #fingerstyle

I was poking through the Forum and came across @lyricslinger's post about horse-themed songs. Scrolling down to @frenchcricket 's list, I saw the Shins' "Mine's Not A High Horse," which reminded me of a phrase I'd jotted down a few weeks back after saying it out loud in a domestic discussion (for what it's worth, It got a laugh, even if I was laughing harder): "I like the view from up on my high horse."

THEN, I saw the Public Domain challenge, and a quick search revealed that Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose" (1929 is now in the public domain.

Not that you need permission to use the *chord progression* - just ask Charlie Parker - but I thought it would be fun to write a new song to those chords.

Alas, it turned out to be about what so many songs are about this season, but...

my only real debate is, do I need the different words for the second chorus? If it was a real standar, I wouldn't. But if it was a real standard, I would have a "verse" out front that sets up the song.

Which makes me think, I could move this second chorus up front to serve this purpose.

But I seem to be going with first takes this FAWM, so that's what we've got for this demo, clams 'n all.

Lyrics

I like the view
The way I can look down on you
From up here on my high horse
My high horse

I like the way
I feel like the king of all I survey
From up here on my high horse
My high horse

You could say I was born in the saddle
I’ve done nothing to deserve this perch
Got this saber that I’m going to rattle
Just before I leave you in the lurch

I like the crown
I don’t ever want to get back down
From up here on my high horse
My high horse

You could say that I was born to trample
Just because I’m settling the score
You could say I set a bad example
But just listen to the way they roar

I like the view
The way I can look down on you
From up here on my high horse
My high horse

Comments

@philnorman 1d

Oh lawdy, I love this. What a romantic swagger, the fine line between confidence and arrogance. Get this song to Sinatra, stat. Oh, crap, he's dead. Bublé or Connick Jr will have to do. ⭐ Gold star for this one!

@fearlessflight2014 2d

This is delightful! I want to cover it straight away. “Got this saber that I’m going to rattle” is the moment when I truly cracked up. This is a little miracle of a song. Classic changes and a beautiful melody.

@cluebird66 4d

This melody is awesome. Your vocals gives it the right perspective perfect for the lyrics.

@pcob1993 6d

Yayyyyyyyy, you're back bro, I love ya..... this is great, you always get me going... I love, as usual, your picking and phrasing... -I can't get started this year for the same reasons you mentioned but hope springs eternal, right??? Sheesh
Love etc.,
Pearse

@shelleroo 6d

Hoohoohoo! Good one! I don't even know what to say. It's bang on. Super catchy, great repetition. And besides the songwriting, your fingerpicking and vocals nail it. So good!

@bethdesombre 6d

Yes! The whole concept is great. I love the middle two lines that give the specifics. And the B section is melodically/chordally excellent and also an excellent explanation.

@oddbod 1w

This is a triumph. Smooth, jazzy and cool. Terrific lyrics, lovely husky vocal performance, even those two high reaches in the choruses, and of course the guitar is sublime as per. Sweet

@richaaaay 1w

Fantastic. Love the lyrics. I can kinda see the meaning from two angles. One being what many songs are about this season, like you noted. However I can also see it as a more benign sorta playful place as well. The first perspective leaves me kinda depressed and the second perspective finds it a bit hilarious. Maybe I'm totally off base...Anyway, loved the song regardless. The plucks and finger rolls and other expressive elements are the best. Just love the playing, per my usual comments...