This is a new tune called “Underdog Blues,” which I just submitted to an online songwriting contest. The challenge was to write a song from the first-person perspective of a superhero or super-villain.
Here are my lyrics:
UNDERDOG BLUES c. Ryan Welton 2010
VERSE 1: I got four paws and a ton of flaws I’m a lovable shoeshine boy I go medieval When the doers of evil Set their sights on my pride and joy
And when it’s time to hand out truth I make a mess of that phone booth
CHORUS: Have no fear Underdog is here Underdog, baby that’s my name Have no fear Underdog is here Underdog, baby that’s my name
VERSE 2: I pop pills by the barrel Go a little bit feral On my Polly from dusk til dawn And when my purebread wonders When will I return She laments with a simple song:
“Oh where, oh where has my baby gone?” I reappear and wave my doggie wand
CHORUS: Have no fear Underdog is here Underdog, baby that’s my name Have no fear Underdog is here Underdog, baby that’s my name
BRIDGE: I bark in rhyme To combat sinister crime We don’t need no Riff Raff ‘round here But my motives are suspect ‘Cause I’m in love with a girl ‘Cause I’m in love with a girl ‘Cause I’m in love with a girl who’s a dog
Just figured this was the appropriate song for the day. Well, unless you know of another song called “Flood.” To be honest, this tune does nothing for me. So, how about this:
End the weekend on an old-school vibe. Good example of a song/track that works with just two chords.
June 12: Today is the 40th Anniversary of Dock Ellis’ no-hitter (while tripping on acid) vs. the San Diego Padres.
This is truly one of the most fascinating stories in the history of American sports.
Quick Thoughts on a Busy Week
I’ve been eating much, much better this week than, well, just about any week the past six months or so. Must be why I’m able to get by (and feel good) on six hours of sleep.
Truth is, I’m so busy right now that I need to figure out more life efficiencies and WRITE them down. Sounds stupid, but take food. There are some nights I need to eat out. Don’t have time to cook. Kitchen stuffs are dirty. No time.
However, I’ve mandated to myself healthful eating with NO exceptions except once every couple of weekends. I drove from work the other night and moseyed up Britton to May, May down to I-44 — and I saw nothing that wouldn’t have added about 900 calories to my waistline.
Drove home to Norman and saw Wendy’s. Duh. I can totally have chili.
I’m building a list of quick eat-out options. So that I don’t have to think.
Weekend notes: Looking forward to the World Cup. USA vs. England at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Also. Sooners face Virginia for a spot in the College World Series. It’s been 15 years since Oklahoma advanced that far. It’s time for a return to Omaha.
Also, I’m a competitor in a song competition being hosted by a site called Spintown. It is in four parts. A theme gets announced on Saturday, and then I have NINE days to write it, produce it, record it and turn it in. Judges judge it, not the public.
It’s pretty informal, I suspect. However, it’s a great exercise.
Now for a tune I’m chillin’ with tonight, a little Brian McKnight … Aww, yeah.
The Teddy bears are a bit weird. I didn’t make the video. Just diggin’ the tune and the KEY CHANGES. Sucker for a good key change.
R.I.P. Marvin Isley. One third of Isley Jasper Isley died on Monday of diabetes.
I know. You’re asking, Isley Jasper Isley? You mean the Isley Brothers, right?
Well, for me, my first introduction to any Isley was Isley Jasper Isley back in 1984. As a 14-year-old, I asked for this cassette for Christmas, and it’s a cassette I still own. It’s music I still listen to.
“Caravan of Love” was the hit, well, on the R/B charts. My only exposure to the song had been from BET videos. Yes, once upon a time, BET regularly played videos, too, especially in the after-school afternoons if memory serves. Great, great 80s soul music.
This album featured great tunes like “Insatiable Woman” and “If You Believe In Love,” which had (I have always said) one of the best bass grooves in the history of pop.
Well, Marvin was the bassist. He was 56.
Those of you who know me well know that I am a big Jon Lajoie fan. Most of you know him from FX’s show “The League,” but I have followed the guy’s work on YouTube for much longer than that.
He’s often a bit vulgar and almost always NSFW — but his satire and commentary is often biting, smart and periodically poignant. In this case, Lajoie satires the pop music industry with his parody called “Pop Song.”
One comment about this one: I think the public underestimates how many ADULTS listen to pop music. Way underestimates. Might be marketed to the tweens and teens, but its impact reaches way, way beyond them.
Nevertheless, Lajoie speaks, er, sings truth here.
What I Did On My Summer Vacation
Truth be told, I’ll likely have 3-4 more days off at least this summer before football season kicks off. The reason that football season is relevant is because I work in the media, and we cover a bit o’ sports.
Last week was about resting and rejuvenating, of course. However, I had a big to-do list. Here’s what I got done:
1. Bought a new TV. I was without one. In my line of work, I need a TV.
2. Bought a toaster oven. Reason why forthcoming.
3. Organized the house. (Thanks, Jen)
4. Got my home theater re-established. (Thanks, Frankenstein.)
5. Caught up on all Web correspondence.
6. Decluttered big time.
7. Watched some baseball.
8. Re-established a pretty serious workout routine.
9. Put together a list of food staples from which to establish my diet for the next three months. Notice I didn’t say A diet. I said MY diet. I read, researched, browsed, etc., and came up with a list of food staples that covers the foundation of macro-nutrients, which I *think* are comprised of carbs, fats and proteins.
Anyway, I’ll show off that list later. It’s a good list. Some of these foods required baking, ergo, the toaster oven.
10. Re-established ryanwelton.com. If you’re a member of the Tumblr community or are from Oklahoma, please follow!
