[rightly]

Going To A Town


https://soundcloud.com/rightly/going_to_a_town?in=rightly/sets/compatible_monologues

I used to love playing this live.
Folks thought it was mine (because it's well written. lol)

A buddy needed to record a songwriter for an intermediate exam, so I played this.
We recorded it about two years ago in a lovely studio. It underwent some post production - a friend of a friend, I don't really know who.

Obviously I made some alterations/simplifications (improved it, some say)

Here are the Lyrics


Going to a Town


I'm going to a town that has already been burnt down
I'm going to a place that has already been disgraced
I'm gonna see some folks who have already been let down
I'm so tired of America

I'm gonna make it up for all of The Sunday Times
I'm gonna make it up for all of the nursery rhymes
They never really seem to want to tell the truth
I'm so tired of you, America

Making my own way home, ain't gonna be alone
I've got a life to lead, America
I've got a life to lead


Tell me, do you really think you go to hell for having loved?
Tell me, enough of thinking everything that you've done is good
I really need to know, after soaking the body of Jesus Christ in blood
I'm so tired of America

I really need to know
I may just never see you again, or might as well
You took advantage of a world that loved you well
I'm going to a town that has already been burnt down
I'm so tired of you, America

Making my own way home, ain't gonna be alone
I've got a life to lead, America
I've got a life to lead, America


_______________________________________________________

[Skub]

Yo Rightly.

You have the knack,much in a similar way to Johnny Cash,of making whatever song you perform,your song. I love that.
Often when we hear a cover,especially of a well known song,it follows very closely the original idea. This is what most folk want to hear on a night out and it take confidence and balls to do an original interpretation. (Or a man who doesn't want paid!) Kudos toya man.  

I had a listen to the original too...and yanno what?  Rufus sounds just like our Tone. If I were Tone I'd be taking him for emotional vocal delivery copyright infringements. I'll hold yer coat Tone.  

Ta for posting up Rightly,much enjoyed both versions on a ball-freezing snowy day here.  

[Martinswede]

Hi Rightly!

I'm a big fan of Rufus Wainwright and have watched some covers on youtube of his songs.
You add this blues/latin guitar that makes the song more musical, maybe a bit less dramatic.
It really suits your vocals.

Martin

[tone]

Rightly, you totally made that song your own! It's a fine tune and you gave it an unexpected twist with the guitar arrangement. I'm a huge Rufus fan so it's good to see him getting some appreciation on the forum.

Skub, I think you flatter me! I'll take the compliment but I do regard Rufus as one of the high benchmarks of songwriting. Release the stars (the album this song is from) is required listening imo. Pure quality!

[rightly]

Rightly, you totally made that song your own! It's a fine tune and you gave it an unexpected twist with the guitar arrangement. I'm a huge Rufus fan so it's good to see him getting some appreciation on the forum.

Skub, I think you flatter me! I'll take the compliment but I do regard Rufus as one of the high benchmarks of songwriting. Release the stars (the album this song is from) is required listening imo. Pure quality!

I'm a big fan too. He'd make really big, stunning albums before he went all Judy garland.
I really hope he gets back on the horse at some point. 

George Michael also did a fat cover of this.

The song found me when I was looking at accessible Jazz chord progressions.
Then there's the social comment and the relevant tired of America theme.

Soon I realised I could get away with it and I had a hell of time.

Amazing song.

Rufus goes weird at the end (where I don't) and I really like that bit too.
I love it when he goes mad. 

[tone]

With you all the way rightly! Except the part about him going off the boil. The way I see it is without the Opera/Garland influence he'd be just a 2nd rate Elton John. His fearlessness is one of his defining qualities. Have you heard 'perfect man' from his out of the game album? Or Montauk for that matter? Damn that's some brave and adventurous songwriting.

That's not to say I 100% love everything he's ever done. All days are nights is a little indulgent for my tastes, and I really don't like his version of hallelujah. For me he's at his best writing songs with string arrangements.

I liked your ending to the song. Actually I was wondering how you were going to deal with it in the context of your style, but you nailed it I think.

[rightly]

With you all the way rightly! Except the part about him going off the boil. The way I see it is without the Opera/Garland influence he'd be just a 2nd rate Elton John. His fearlessness is one of his defining qualities. Have you heard 'perfect man' from his out of the game album? Or Montauk for that matter? Damn that's some brave and adventurous songwriting.

That's not to say I 100% love everything he's ever done. All days are nights is a little indulgent for my tastes, and I really don't like his version of hallelujah. For me he's at his best writing songs with string arrangements.

I liked your ending to the song. Actually I was wondering how you were going to deal with it in the context of your style, but you nailed it I think.

I'll have a listen to those tracks you mentioned. Today.

"Greek song" Would probably be my favorite (of many) from him.

His Cohen cover was, or seemed to me a bit superfluous. Still better than the Tim Buckley take and not as good as the John Cale, or the original.
I'd done my own cover of that song, I was all ready to go with it
then I was told that everybody does it, it's up there with Wonderwall. So I dropped it heavily.