Saturday, January 5, 2008

Sunday Scribblings - New (2) Gwap - 1/6/08

Today I received a check in the mail. It was not a large check but it was for royalties for a song I co-wrote. There are two points I wish to make here. The first is that this small check is the first money I have ever earned in my life from doing something I enjoy doing. I know that is a sad commentary, but I think many of us do what is necessary to make a living without enjoying what we do. If I am the only one that feels that way, I stand corrected. I question whether the guy that pumps out your septic tank is self-actualized, but maybe so. The second point is that at the bottom of the letter that Tim sent along with the check, he wrote: “Thanks for the great song!” Those few words meant much more to me than the check. Oh, I will spend the money, probably on something very unhealthy, but I am keeping the letter, forever.

I have always enjoyed writing, but most of what I write is never seen by anyone but me. It is not that I don’t think my writing is good. Sometimes I write something that I think is very good but I am not confident that someone else will share my opinion. Writing is very subjective. For instance, sometimes I read a blog on Sunday Scribblings and I don’t understand it at all. It seems to be way over my head. But then I read comments from others raving about it. As a result I often think my own writing is not at the level of many who write here. As a result, I tend to use self-deprecating comments to protect myself from anyone who might think I am taking myself or my writing seriously. Well, no more. From now on when Lucy says she likes my writing, I am going to believe it, instead of just thinking she is being kind.

The song I co-wrote is called ‘The 3-Legged Dog” and is the title track of Tim Bays' latest recording. You can hear it here: http://www.timbays.com/mp3/3leg.mp3




Tim is one of a legion of great Nashville singer-songwriters who dwell in relative obscurity. He is one of a dying breed of folksingers. His songs seldom carry a message about cop-killing, ho’s and bitches, popping a cap, hate, or satan. As a result, he is not as commercially successful as say Flo Rida, who has this weeks Billboard #1 song.

In case you are hip-hop challenged, one of the verses goes:

Shawty what I gotta do to get you home
My jeans full of gwap
And they ready for Shones
Cadillacs Maybachs for the sexy grown
Patrone on the rocks that'll make you moan


(I think if my jeans were full of gwap, I would not write about it.) You could never use spell-check to edit a hip-hop song. The computer would crash.

But I am very proud to have Tim record a song that I contributed to. Don’t get me wrong, Tim is a very successful singer/songwriter. If you Google Tim Bays, his site is the first thing you see. If you Google me, Rick Wainright, the first things you see are “Did You Mean Rick Wainwright” and my son’s biography. But Tim's posse consists of his wife, her mother, two dogs, and a totally useless cat. I guess useless cat is an oxymoron.

Well, the new thing here is that I am going to send Tim some more song lyrics very soon for his review and I am not sending any to Flo Rida. My writing is not full of gwap. By the way, according to the Urban Dictionary gwap means money. My jeans are definitely not full of gwap. And so it goes.

25 comments:

Renee said...

Congratulations on making your first money doing what you love to do! I hope that someday soon I will be writing the same thing!

Anonymous said...

that's awesome. the last time I got a check for something I truly love doing was when I was a kid and I was a substitute lifeguard for a couple of weeks.

And that is, indeed, a cool song. Thanks for posting the link.

Tumblewords: said...

Fun song, for sure! Congratulations on making 'the big time' and, for one, I'm glad you don't write for the hip hopper...I'll be watching for your next hit!

Lucy said...

Rick! How Exciting! Congratulations! Make sure 'You Butt scoot' all over town with your head held high! You should be feeling great! I would love to know which lyrics you contributed! I'm guessing the part about peeing? haha What a hysterical great song! I've never heard of Tim Bay, but am so glad you introduced me to him.Did you know him already, or did you just send him some lyrics? I would love ANOTHER post with more details Rick! As far as gwap in your pants haha Those lyrics were so ridiculously bizarre/obscene/stupid... I can't decide which way I feel. I think the gwap he referred to was something else.. Not what u were thinking! haha Again, So happy your talent has been recognized, and not just by little ol' me! :))

Unknown said...

Congrats and so wonderful.
YOu know I remember receiving my first ever check for my writing and how wonderful it felt for me.
Been years but I hope to get that feeling again this year.

Devil Mood said...

Wow, I'm really happy for you! Doing something we enjoy should always be our first priority and I can't disagree with you - most people don't have that privilegde and it makes me really panicky to think of working in something I don't like...

haha the computer would crash!

I have a similar experience with writing, you know? I usually keep it to myself (apart from blogging) and sometimes I think: wow, this is good! but minutes later I think it's crap. Generally I think it's bad, but people seem to appreciate what I blog, so we can't be that bad (I really liked your post, at least!)

Go Figure said...

That is crazy amazing! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Howdy: I became disgusted with some of the language used in todays music. not only hip hop but creeping into alternative country and beyond. I too am a songwriter, spending some time in Nashville yearly to visit and pitch. found an interesting commentary regarding this subject on U Tube under "no rules music" click on the hand drawn film strip. congrats on money.Pink Head Willie

myrtle beached whale said...

Lucy:

I wrote the lyrics on the way home one day when I actually did see a 3-legged dog. I emailed it to my son who is in the entertainment business, www.quantumtalent.com. He in turn sent it to one of his clients, another great singer/songwriter, Mike Rayburn. He liked it and passed it to his friend, Tim Bays. They worked on it together and the rest is history. I had nothing to do with the intro or the music. I came up with the concept and they wordsmithed it into something usable. They are both very talented. Check them out online.

Maree Jones said...

Congratulations! How exciting. In regards to some of the entries on Sunday Scribblings, I know I sometimes read one and think "Hmmm...that's not really my thing" or as you say, I don't really understand what the writer is getting at. However I applaud the effort it takes to write something specifically for Sunday Scribblings and then put it out there for others to read. Oh, and I hate that kind of hip hop crap too... :)

Cherie said...

Hearty Congrat's! What a mighty feeling being paid for something you love doin - hope it continues for YOU!

Christy Woolum said...

Congratulations. I will get back to listen to it. I hope you keep doing what you love!

Anonymous said...

How exciting for you!! Congratulations.... finding something one loves is so important.... and even if it's on the side, you are one of the lucky ones.

Let us know when we can hear more, please.
Dee
http://pavinganewroad.wordpress.com/

Barbara said...

Well, you are an absolute delight! Congrat's and thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations- what a great way to start the new year! I hope this keeps a smile on your face for a long time to come!
I think you should frame the letter- I would.
And thanks for stopping by my Sunday Scribblings. I can see there is so much I'm going to enjoy at your place, I'll be stopping by again.

Pen said...

What a great name for a song! Congratulations! And thanks for visiting my blog - it's comments like yours that gives me the dose of courage I need for my next entry!

Anonymous said...

Well, at last!! Awesome, dude!! Keep up the good work! How long have I told you, YOU HAVE IT IN YOU" ??

Giggles said...

What a joy you and your blog are!! I have had many giggles here! LOVE love love your song, plan to email the link to all my friends.

What a reward getting paid for a creative project! I encourage my daughter and her partner to follow their dreams while they're young instead of waiting until you're a three legged dog like me!

Congratulations and listen to Lucy she's a wise women, you are a phenomenal writer. Wonderful humor on your blog, I'll be back regularly!Thanks for stopping by! Oh yeah, do you know where I can get some gwap for my pants? Just wondering! Blush!

Peace Giggles

Shari said...

I get your writing and found it enjoyable to read your post. To be paid for something you have written must be wonderful. Congratulations. I currently work for free.

Chris said...

Congratulations on your GREAT and very funny song!!

And as for writing you have hit the nail on the head. So much so that now I have to wonder, is it my post that make you ponder? *wink* Subjective paranoid confidence breaker -- writing seems to be all of this and so much more. I find that confidence is easy to find when it comes from something I know I do well; writing wouldn't be one of those things. However, my self misgivings have little to do with your lovely post, except to say I feel your pain and am very glad to learn I'm not alone.

Anonymous said...

That is super! I hope that the trend continues for you. I too am finally working towards earning a living doing what I love.

DJPare said...

Congrats! I think it is amazing to be paid for something you enjoyed doing!

I totally agree with what you were saying, and hope to get paid in that way myself someday, no matter how small the pay may be...

Unknown said...

Congrats on earning money the fun way. I tried to listen to the You tube song and gave up. At first I thought Gwap was, well, what everyone else thought. Besides us girls don't need to wear our money down there to be cool.
I'm glad you didn't write that song. I can do without Gwap and Bling.
Cheers.

Joyce said...

Glad your time and effort paid off. I am always happy when someone is able to see their writing dreams come to fruition. I'm sure there is MORE out there to come for you.
It's always fun to get paid for something you love to do. Even if it's not much. Just makes you feel good though. I haven't gotten to that point yet! HA!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
I'll be checking back on your writing!
Hang in there......be blessed!
Joyce M.

Anonymous said...

Yo i really don't know wat it means but someone said it was sperm or money or gaze in astonishment. but that iz a gr8 song!!! i waz looking up wat it meant because i sing it at skool and i dont want to get in trouble for saying that part!