Familiar Faces In Strange Places

[jamesm]

Thanks, zoom and momof4. Still haven't had a chance to sit down and do the re-write, but I'm looking forward to incorporating these changes. I agree on the wordiness; it's a failing of mine, but I'm working on it. Thanks again for taking the time.

[jamesm]

Nov 19, 2008, 6:38am, wignelson wrote:These are good lyrics, James. There's no reason this couldn't be commercial, although I probably don't know what that is.All the same, I wouldn't over think this too much and beat it to death.The only nit I had was "oceans of memories" could be "an ocean of memories."More than one ocean confuses me. We're talking about only one "mind" here.That's about all I can think of that I don't like. And there's a hell of a lot that I do like about the song.I'd put it to a country progression and see where it goes.Don't beat it up too much or you'll end up sick of it.Wig Hey, Wig. Sorry... didn't see this earlier! Thanks very much.I hear you about the "getting sick of it". I might be getting close.Here's one more pass at it - I tried incorporating the following suggestions: trimming down words, switching V1 and V2, tightening up the chorus. "Oceans" just fits for me... sorry, Wig. I tried the "ocean" thing and I get what you're saying but I couldn't get it to work. I'll keep thinking about it. Maybe if I threw out the anchor... Familiar Faces In Strange PlacesCopyright 2005, 2006 by James B. MitchellV1In a few precious moments like patches of clearingHe knows he's not thinking the way he shouldMost of the time thoughts bob to the surfaceJettisoned baggage and splinters of woodSunday to Sunday seems like foreverHe says to himself they'll never comeThen bright as a beam comes the sound of their voicesThe grey of his loneliness chased by the sun ofChorus:Familiar faces in strange placesAnchored in oceans of memoriesTake him back to a time that made sense to his sensesAs he catches a glimpse of himselfin familiar faces.V1:He can't always place them, but knows in his heartThe ones who come Sunday and sit by his bedLittle by little the sound of their voicesLights the connections gone dark in his headSometimes he confuses the generationsA grandson gets called by his father's nameHe may not be sure who is standing before himBut the love in their eyes brings a smile just the sameChorus:Familiar faces in strange placesAnchored in oceans of memoriesTake him back to a time that made sense to his sensesAs he catches a glimpse of himselfin familiar faces.Bridge:He grasps for a link to a lifetimeLike a floundering man for a lifelineA look, a soundBrings him aroundChorus:Familiar faces in strange placesAnchored in oceans of memoriesTake him back to a time that made sense to his sensesAs he catches a glimpse of himselfin familiar faces.

[hummingbird]

a lovely lyric, James, and very touching too. I like it a lot, I think the verses are very powerful and carry an imagery and a story that makes sense. The chorus I'm not so sure of.Familiar faces in strange placesAnchored in oceans of memoriesTake him back to a time that made sense to his sensesAs he catches a glimpse of himselfin familiar faces.I think grammatically the issue here is, what is the subject of the sentence, and do these lines stand alone.Familiar faces in strange places anchored in oceans of memories. Take him back to a time that made sense to his senses as he catches a glimpse of himself in familiar faces.What's anchored, the faces or the places? I'm not sure if the senses to his senses line really connects to the next thought.in addition, in the verses, I see nothing that justifies the statement, 'strange places'. He seems at home where he is. yet I like that line.just some early morning thoughts from me. great to see you hard at work

[jamesm]

Thanks for the look, Hummingbird. I see the chorus as:"Familiar faces in strange places, anchored in oceans of memories, take him back to a time..."So the faces take him back to a time. I suppose it may or may not work. I guess we'll see how it lays with music.As for the "strange places" --- DOH! I can't believe I left that out. Thanks so much for pointing that out. I am picturing this man in a bed in a convalescent home, not a bed at home, but do I say that anywhere? No. Big failing. Thanks for catching that.I'll ruminate / cogitate on that for a while. It is a big missing chunk but a small clue early on might place him.THanks again for checking it out.James