Sets Me Free

[Nelson]

As always I appreciate you guys time and tolerance.
 
Cheers 

"Sets Me Free"
(lyrics and other fumbling about)
by MisterNelson

Verse1
Let me tell you a little story bout my ole guitar,
It never made me rich or a rock and roll star.
I lost plenty friends and my nagging bride
But I never go far without it by my side.
I ran into a little trouble and thought it best I left town,
Hit the road before the sun went down.
If not for bad I wouldn't have any luck,
Just me, my ole guitar and pick-up truck.

Verse 2
Well I started heading south out on I-95,
doing about 90 in a 65.
Music cranked up and I was feeling alright,
I never even noticed the flashing lights.
That old trouper step out straighten his hat as he walked up to my truck .
He said, "I know who you are son and about your bad luck.
But if you don't wanna spend your night behind these cold steel bars,
Then I suggest you do your best and play that old guitar.

Chorus
That's right mister policeman, I got just what you need.
When your world's so dark and cold, you can hardly breathe.
With the signs of turbulent times, surrounding me.
I lose myself in this old guitar and it sets me free.

Verse 3
I stopped for some gas and a bite to eat,
this sexy little waitress, flirting with me.
She said," You're down on your luck, it ain't hard to see,
just meet me at the bar right across the street."
"I'm a good girl, just lonely as can be,
You get the room and the drinks are on me."
"If you know what you like and you like what you see,
Put your smooth talk on pause daddy and play that ole guitar for me.

Chorus
That's right pretty mama, I got just what you need.
When your world's so dark and cold, you can hardly breathe.
With the signs of turbulent times, surrounding me.
I lose myself in this old guitar and it sets me free.

Verse 4
I found myself in a bar one night,
having a ball until someone started a fight.
Well, the band got scared and refused to play
and the owner started pointing and walk'n my way.
He said, "Hey mister I know who you are,
you're that cat from east Baltimore.
Well, can't you see they're gonna wreck my bar,
so would you please take the stage and, play that old guitar.

Chorus
That's right mister bar man; I got just what you need.
When your world's so dark and cold, you can hardly breathe.
With the signs of turbulent times, surrounding me.
I lose myself in this old guitar and it sets me free.

Verse 5
Well I was sitting in the park one hot summer afternoon,
resting my eyes for what seemed to be a moment or two.
When I heard this sound, I opened my eyes
Ooh... to my surprise.
There was a pretty young lady crying under a tree,
wiping her eyes and staring right at me.
She said, "Hey mister I think I know just who you are,
she took a set at my feet, smiling up at me, as I played My Ole Guitar

Chorus
That's right baby, I got just what you need.
When your world's so dark and cold, you can hardly breathe.
With the signs of turbulent times, surrounding me.
I lose myself in this old guitar and it sets me free.

[danieldesete]

Hey Nelson, that's some little story, what a great post. I always love your posts but this as so much soul, and I dig the story, the voice, the piano, the clever way you keep the guitar behind in the mix. I'd pay to listen to this live, Fabulous.

[Flash Harry]

Well, here we are again - staring over the edge of the precipice, deep breath and ...

click!

oh man - this guys voice, sparse instrumentation is spot on for this.

Wow.

This is giving me goose bumps,

Nelson, this is absolutely fabulous.

This is the most uplifting song you have posted to date. Super stuff, unexpected. You got me again.

[Greeny]

I love it when I see a Nelson song posted. And this one... well... it's one of the best things I've ever heard on Songcrafters.

Third listen in, and I love the mood, the delivery, the extended story format, the melodies, the lyric... everything! It's an epic, but epicly understated, and the arrangement is sheer perfection. The interplay between the piano and the guitars is sublime. And as always, your voice is blissful, warm and carries a truth that can't be faked. So real. 

I'm such a huge fan of your music anyway, but this is special. Hope you know how special it is.

[Bluesberry]

Thats old school songwriting for sure....the best kind.  This could be monster hit, in fact it is, here on our little site.

[Geir]

WOW

I'm such a huge fan of your music anyway, but this is special. Hope you know how special it is.

Ditto that !!!!!!!!!!!


It's a hit all right !

[Gritter]

This is wonderful Nelson. Such a warm vocal and sweet melody.

[Satchwood]

Great song Nelson, in every way!! Def a hit bro

[Nelson]

During my bouts of delusion, when I picture myself playing music for an audience, Songs like this are definitely on the set list.

Daniel – Thanks for stopping in and have a listen.
 I appreciate your kind words... they keep me working hard.

Flash Harry – "Well, here we are again - staring over the edge of the precipice, deep breath and ...click"   Now that's  COOL...
I write songs that touch me and I share them in hopes of them touching others.
As for your response to my music... You got me again and it's greatly appreciated.

Tim – You know the admiration is mutual.
As far as knowing how special it is... I've been working on this song for years and though I loved the way the stories unraveled something just wasn't working. I simplified the arrangement, reworked the chorus and something seemed to click.

But you must know how it is working on something for so long that you're not sure if you can trust your own judgment on how special it might be or if you're just full of yourself or just ready to move on.
So your thoughts on it or greatly appreciated. I've convinced myself that I don't have to be a great musician to lay out my overall ideas for these songs. Now I compose as if I have wonderful band ready and willing to play whatever I write. It's like I'm creating more of a road map to a vibe then an exact note for note composition... if that makes any sense.

BB
That right we're all rock stars here, my man. Old school for sure.
Thx

Geir, Satchwood and Gritter -  You guys are too kind and I appreciate you taking the time to give it a spin and for your kind words. Just what the doctor ordered.

[bflat81]

Very good one! Your voice is great, somewhere between Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan ... lyrics too.