The Halifax Cowboy
https://audius.co/sidshovel/halifax-cowboy (right click then open link in new tab,) to open song. lyrics SS music/vocals Ai
I had this coversation with Chris Price not long ago about the differences in place names between the U.K. and U.S. Comparing the drab Phoenix Arizona, and Amarillo Texas, with the exotic Cleethorpes and Skegness. From the Phoenix's ashes arose.........The Halifax Cowboy!!!!!!
[intro]
[verse 1]
My heads deep down in my pillow,
I'm dreamin' of Amarillo,
Outside's a normal Yorkshire day,
grey an' dark an' rainin'.
I'm listen' to J.D. Souther,
best songwriter in the States,
pretendin' I'm one of the Eagles,
talkin' about the "Greats."
[verse 2]
Wish I was born in Texas,
a child of the "One Star State."
those miles an' miles of Prairie,
instead of a garden gate.
Halifax in the Autumn is like,
watchin' paint dry on the wall.
sittin' before my bedroom mirror,
an' practicing sayin y'all.
[chorus]
I'm the Halifax Cowboy,
lookin' to be a man,
I'll swap grey stones of the Dales,
for tumbleweeds over the plains
Sittin' in some Honky Tonk,
an' listenin to tall tales.
[verse 3]
As soon as I am old enough,
an' I've had my taste of love,
I'm gonna pack my Dad's guitar,
an' catch a plane out West.
First stop will be in Austin,
have a beer in City Limits,
next, I'll buy a cowboy hat,
an' get me one that fits.
[chorus]
I'm the Halifax Cowboy,
lookin' to be a man,
I'll swap grey stones of the Dales,
for tumbleweeds over the plains
Sittin' in some Honky Tonk,
an' listenin to tall tales.
[verse 4]
I'll try out all the open mics,
till someone spots my talent,
I've done a couple of calls,
in my Mother's bingo hall.
I can see myself on the stage,
where all the best have played,
Hang about till the bar shuts,
just to see if a star has stayed.
[chorus]
I'm the Halifax Cowboy,
lookin' to be a man,
I'll swap grey stones of the Dales,
for tumbleweeds over the plains
Sittin' in some Honky Tonk,
an' listenin to tall tales.
[bridge]
I'm stayin where I am,
I'm never goin' home,
Get myself a condo,
a truck an a broad.
Past is gonna be,
somethin' in my dust,
In Texas, there's no time
for a cowboy to get bored.
[chorus]
I'm the Halifax Cowboy,
lookin' to be a man,
I'll swap grey stones of the Dales,
for tumbleweeds over the plains
Sittin' in some Honky Tonk,
an' listenin to tall tales.
[outro]
Sittin' in some Honky Tonk,
listenin to tall tales.
Sittin' in some Honky Tonk,
listenin to tall tales.
listenin to tall tales.
listenin to tall tales.
Comments
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I like the contrast between the grey stones and rain of Yorkshire and the plains of Texas!
Starts strong with good visuals and right into the meat of it.
I'd be tempted to halve the size of your verses. In V1 I didn't like the second half as much, and I think you could tighten it up across the whole and keep the best parts. A smaller verse would get you to the chorus quicker too, and I think this is one where you should look to go to the chorus after V1.
When it got to the first line of the Bridge I thought "I'm stayin where I am" referred to the Dales at first, though that was quickly resolved. But that would be a different way to take the song - he realizes it's just dreams and he's going to stay where he is - that may be a different song though!
And I wonder if he shouldn't be telling tall tales rather than listening to them?
I don't think the AI has done the chorus justice. I can imagine that being sung out loud and strong.
0 -
Thanks for the feedback RDM, all relevant stuff I'll take on board.
I have a question for you if you don't mind, it relates to the verses you mentioned.
The reason for the long verses was I cut each line in half.
In it's original length, the Ai vocals sounded as if it was running after the words.
I found I got an acceptable if not ideal tempo only after cutting it in half.
Any thoughts to get round this problem?
Thanks
Sid
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I haven't been using AI much lately (not against it, just haven't been writing much!). Can you prompt for a tempo by suggesting a BPM?
0 -
I think you can, I'll try that next time I get the problem and see what happens.
Personally, I think it's an Ai anomaly, long lines are fine if you have decent tempo, but when the tempo drops, e.g. a ballad, it trys to squeeze everything in a finite time and it sounds rushed. Don't change anything, just half the line length and it copes better or at least more stable!
I don't like using short lines, it causes too many issues.
Sid
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Nice one Sid, I think RDM pretty much said it all as far as a well-thought out response. I particularly agree with what he says about the chorus. I think a human singer would definitely inject some more power and gusto into those lyrics. The song drags a bit for my personal preference. That could relate to what RDM said about shortening the verses, but at the same time, it would take away from the story being told. It’s still really solid as is 👍0
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Thank you for your comments, yours and RDM are spot-on. I'm still playing around with Ai to inject power where it fails to, but with limited success. Same with its handling of lines greater than six words, frustrating.
Sid
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Howdy, Stranger!