FALL 2014 LYRIC CONTEST WINNERS

            SEMIFINALISTS
         Bounce by John Hyden, Ralston, NE
         The Road of Life by Catherine Pitman, Tualatin, OR
         Stuff by Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ    
         Angels Down The Road by John Thomas Lane, Monument, CO
         Three Toed Wolf by Rio King, Plano, TX
         Hide N Watch by Rio King, Plano, TX

            WINNERS
1st Place
         The Road of Life © Catherine Pitman, Tualatin, OR
This is a song of service that is similar to other songs of this genre but is able to muster just enough of a new spin that it has very good emotional impact. The image of a light shining on a dark road of life and showing the way is very good.  The hook is in the first sentence of the lyric but it sets the stage and mood of the song.  Overall, the song has very good appeal, focus, phrasing, and form.
When the road of life grows dark and cold,
And I feel I’m all alone,
There’s a guiding light shinning bright
That will lead me home….

Countless joys and sorrows fill my life,
And at times my fears take hold,
With a little prayer God will be there,
With his love and strength of old

Chorus

I believe in Him…
He will never let me down.
I believe in him….
He comforts me,
Forgives my sin

When I feel that I have lost my way,
And life’s burdens take their toll,
I just let God in and trust in Him,
For His Love has touched my soul.

I have seen His wonders here on earth,
I have felt His power too,
He has carried me set burdens free,
With a strength steadfast and true.

Chorus

I believe in Him…
He will never let me down.
I believe in him….
He comforts me,
Forgives my sin

If your road of life grows dark and cold,
And you feel you walk alone,
Steadfast and true, God’s love for you,
Is there to lead you home.
His love will lead you home.

2nd Place   
     Stuff © Bill Kapac, Williamstown, NJ
While it's not certain the writer intended for this song to be a blues song, it has the feel of a slow blues one and in that respect it is a good one.  It doesn't follow a standard blues form with repetitive lines so it winds up saying a more than what most blues songs do and has very good emotional impact. The song title should actually be "The Other Stuff" because the song is really about the stuff of memories that can't be physically divided when a couple splits up.

V-1 PLEASE RECONSIDER BABY, I DON’T WANT YOU TO GO
I’M NOT SURE WHY YOU’RE LEAVING, WHAT ELSE DON’T I KNOW
DIVORCE IS NOT THE ANSWER, THE PREACHER SAID FOREVER
WE’RE STILL IN LOVE, WE JUST CAN’T LIVE TOGETHER

V-2 THEY SAY NOTHING LASTS FOREVER, AND I GUESS IT’S TRUE
YOU’VE SEEN TOO MUCH OF ME, AND I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU
TAKE YOUR HALF OF EVERYTHING, I HOPE IT’S ENOUGH
THAT PART SHOULD BE EASY, NOW ABOUT THE OTHER STUFF

CHORUS: YOU KNOW THE STUFF I’M TALKING BOUT, THE MEMORIES WE MADE
TAKE ALL THOSE BOOKS AND OUR MUSIC, EVEN HALF MY PENSION
HOW ABOUT OUR WEDDING PICTURE, DO I JUST WATCH IT FADE
NOW ABOUT THOSE MEMORIES, AND STUFF IT HURTS TO MENTION
BRIDGE: SOME STUFF DOESN’T CUT IN HALF, YOU CAN’T DIVIDE THE PAST
OR SPLIT APART THE DREAM, WE WERE SO SURE WOULD LAST
GOING THROUGH THE ATTIC TREASURES, TOGETHER WILL BE TOUGH

WE’LL GET IT DONE SOMEHOW, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER STUFF

CHORUS: YOU KNOW THE STUFF I’M TALKING BOUT, THE MEMORIES WE MADE
TAKE ALL THOSE BOOKS AND OUR MUSIC, EVEN HALF MY PENSION
HOW ABOUT OUR WEDDING PICTURE, DO I JUST WATCH IT FADE
NOW ABOUT THOSE MEMORIES, AND STUFF IT HURTS TO MENTION
3rd Place
            Hide N Watch © Rio King, Plano, TX
This is a song that puts a cute spin on an old expression that means "if you don't believe me wait and see what happens". The hook is very good and it has very good phrasing/cadence and a very good rhyme scheme.
Verse1    When I was a little shaver
        Momma didn’t need no switch
        If I wasn’t on my best behavior
        Momma promised this

Chorus1    Hide ‘n watch.  I'm gonna come and getcha
        Hide ‘n watch.  Gonna catchya you betcha
        You can run, but you can’t hide. 
        Gonna take away your pony ride.
        Hide ‘n watch
        Hide ‘n watch

Verse2        Dad just smiled when I was sixteen
        And he handed me the pickup key
        Said, Son take care of this machine
        Or you’re gonna hear from me
   
Chorus2    Hide ‘n watch.  Gonna come and getcha
        Hide ‘n watch.  I'm gonna catchya you betcha
         You can run, but you can’t hide. 
        Gonna take away your ride...

Veres3        I can’t forget the night we met
        And, working to steal a kiss
        You kept playin’ so hard to get
        So, I promised this

Chorus3    Hide ‘n watch.  Gonna come and getcha
        Hide ‘n watch.  Gonna catchya you betcha
        You can run, but you can’t hide. 
        Gonna take your heart for a ride,
        Hide ‘n watch
        Hide ‘n watch

Verse4        We've got a child that we adore
        A sweet All American miss
        When all the boys come to our front door
        I tell ‘em this

Chorus4    Hide ‘n watch.  Gonna come and getcha
        Hide ‘n watch.  Gonna catchya you betcha
        You can run, but you can’t hide. 
        And if I find out she cried

Outro        Hide ‘n watch.  Gonna come and getcha
        Hide ‘n watch.  Gonna catchya you betcha
        Hide ‘n watch.