Dark Shoulders
Art & Lyrics
You never know how, when, or from where an idea is going to hit you. Ideas are often subconscious fruit that should be harvested immediately, or they will vanish back into the ether. There are only 12 notes to create music with, but those 12 notes can be molded, knitted, caressed, pounded, coaxed, dragged, and pushed in infinite ways. The results can impact emotions and mood, from joy to sadness. Music is such an awesome and powerful gift that God has given to us.
Sometimes a story is born from the music, and sometimes the music triggers the idea for a story, not unlike "the chicken or the egg" paradox. I had composed a piece of music with a sexy feel and was daydreaming about the underlying story. This story came from nowhere, and all the lyrics came to me within 15 minutes. Music can take you to places that you would never go in real life. This was an imaginary adventure I enjoyed, but I've seen too many hitchhiking movies to ever really play the part... among other reasons.
Lyrics:
Dark Shoulders Jeffry R. Rothrock
I-35 from Tulsa… Central Time 3 A.M…
The white lines fade into the distance. Hypnotically, I follow them.
I’ll be in Dallas by daybreak. That’s when “the deal” goes down.
My lifestyle hangs in the balance. Grab my money and get out of town.
Up ahead in the distance… a figure comes into sight
…walking along the shoulder… all alone in the dead of the night!
There were no cars that were stranded. No “on” or “off” exit ramps…
No motorcycles were crippled. No underpass for hobos or tramps.
A grey shadow comes into focus... with legs like I’ve never seen.
Long hair that shines in the headlights... like something out of a dream!
…………………………………………..
So, I pulled up quite slowly… but was ready to peel away.
Was this a lady in danger? Or would I be the "victim" today?
She had the face of an angel… but eyes with a darker story to tell.
Was this a present from Heaven? Or an Express ticket to Hell?!
.................................................
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So, I pulled off on the shoulder. She hopped in without saying a word.
Was it the constant beat of the highway? Or my pounding heartbeat that I heard?
She reached right over the console… and flicked the radio on.
Sat back and breathed so deeply. She closed her eyes and was gone.
We drove for nearly an hour, but soon I felt her looking at me…
So, I turned my head for a moment… and was stunned at what I would see!
…yeah…yeah…yeah…
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INSTRUMENTAL BREAK
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Her beauty was m-mesmerizing… a vision nonpareil.
I was overcome by attraction. Yeah, you could say that I was under her spell.
There were no words necessary. The temperature was rising with time.
As I lay my hand on the shifter… she placed her hand over mine!
…………………………………………..
She stayed in the car in the morning. I had the deal done before it was dawn.
…threw my money into the trunk space. SHE HIT THE GAS AND WAS GONE!!!
I couldn’t believe what had happened… how my life’s plan had been blown
...when she left me there on the roadside… and standing there all alone…
…no, no, no…
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…………………………………………..
It was a cold… cold shoulder…
….dark shoulder….
(fades)