Little Ol' Tune
Crafting Melodies and Grooves: The Art of a Little Ol' Tune
Lyrics
I know a friend of mine
The narrator knows someone who writes songs.
And his business is writing songs
His friend's profession or occupation involves composing music.
It's a kind of a gift and I get a big lift
Writing songs is a talent, and it brings the narrator joy.
From his melodies and diphthongs
The pleasure comes from the friend's musical compositions and use of diphthongs (vowel combinations).
We got to talk him once
The narrator had a conversation with the songwriter.
I was curious as could be
They were deeply interested in understanding the songwriter's process.
To explain what to do, let him tell it to you
The songwriter explains their method.
Just the way it was told to me
The narrator shares the songwriter's explanation.
First you write a little ol' tune, real easy
To start, create a simple melody.
Not as hard to play as let's say part cheesy
The melody should be uncomplicated, not as challenging as a game like "part cheesy" (possibly referring to "Parcheesi").
Real simple chords in the key of see
Use basic chords in the key of C.
A melody you can groove
Create a catchy and enjoyable melody.
Next you add some little ol' words on to it
Add simple lyrics to the melody.
Try to get some people who'll sing to do it
Engage singers who will perform the song.
Then if they say, "My have you got a hit"
If people praise the song, respond modestly.
You act non committal and say, ?Just a little ol' tune"
Downplay the song's success by calling it "just a little ol' tune."
Now record your little ol' tune, just hum it
Record the simple song without overcomplicating it.
Could you try to fancy it up? Far from it
Avoid making the song overly intricate or sophisticated.
Dub in some top tenor harmony
Include additional vocal harmonies in the recording.
Just me, me, me, as you groove
Use various vocal parts and harmonies to enhance the song.
Yes, next you sing a baritone part from way back
Sing a lower-pitched part, possibly a baritone vocal part.
Add a zoom, zoom, bass and then start the playback
Add bass and layer the vocals before playback.
And when they say, "Ma, he's singing forte"
If praised for vocal strength, respond modestly.
You act non committal and say, "Just a little ol' tune"
Downplay the performance as "just a little ol' tune."
You act non committal and say, "Just a little, just a little ol' tune"
Reiterate the modesty about the song being small or insignificant.
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