
So about a year ago I started writing a song with the idea that I could raise some money for TeamGleason. My hope was to create an anthem and have some big named artists get together and record the song. Well, a year later and I'm still working on the song. And the "Big Named" artist, for now, is going to Delbert the Band. Thanks to Gleason Fest our band is getting back together to play at this FUNdraising good time. Super excited about closing down the streets of Spokane! And I'm pretty excited about this tune.
Anyhow, back to a year ago, I sat down with my guitar and started playing a riff and thought of events and ideas that were inspired by Steve. I saw his "No White Flags" campaign and immediately started to formulate my theme around this never give up mentality.
With this positivity idea I tuned my guitar to Open D and started strumming big major scales that rang out. In music there are chord progressions and each chord is assigned a number. For the intro I had to incorporate the Three Chord and the Seven Chord played next to each other to represent 37.
I have recorded this song quite a few times using my iPhone to capture the progression of what I was working on. I've sent numerous versions to Dominic for feedback and suggestions. Tomorrow I'm heading into John Prine's studio in Nashville to start working on a demo with some incredible Nashville session players. I'm pretty excited to see how it all comes together!
So, this is what it looks like from a songwriter putting stuff on paper. This is the most current sheet with lyrics and chord changes notes of the song.
No White Flags
Intro: 4.5…… 6.3…..37….1..
Riff 1 Riff 2 Chunk Chunk Riff 3 (2x)
Verse
2 3
Stars dropped a bit of trouble on me. Didn't change my state of mind.
4 5 (stay on riff)
Stacked odds and obstacles Better believe I won’t stop trying.
Riff 3 (2x)
Verse 2
2 3
Optimist Mind. Gray Crimson fighting to gold armor with a flour de lis
4 5 4 3 2 1
Never stop with this new up rising Battle cry I never cease. Fight On
Chorus
1 (riff 4 1x)
I'm flying No white flags. Raising No white flags.
4 5 6 7
Always make the most crying no remorseful tears
4 3 2 1
No white flags Know No Fear
Riff 1 Riff 3 (2x)
Verse 3
2 3
Hurricane, tides rise in furry Monday night crowd believes
4 5 1 (riff 3 1x)
Braveheart and a cry for “Freedom” Three seven and the trinity Fight On
Solo (slide up to solo) 1….4….4….1….4.5…… 6.3…..3.7….1..
Bridge
6 5 6 7 1
Never surrender No retreat Never give in No defeat No white flags 3x (6.5.4.3.2. to 1)
Chorus
Slide up into chorus heavy
(always make the most, crying no remorseful tears)
(try to hold me back but I’m holding no reserves)
no white flags show no fear
no white flags know no fear
no white flags raised by me
riff 1
Anyhow, back to a year ago, I sat down with my guitar and started playing a riff and thought of events and ideas that were inspired by Steve. I saw his "No White Flags" campaign and immediately started to formulate my theme around this never give up mentality.
With this positivity idea I tuned my guitar to Open D and started strumming big major scales that rang out. In music there are chord progressions and each chord is assigned a number. For the intro I had to incorporate the Three Chord and the Seven Chord played next to each other to represent 37.
I have recorded this song quite a few times using my iPhone to capture the progression of what I was working on. I've sent numerous versions to Dominic for feedback and suggestions. Tomorrow I'm heading into John Prine's studio in Nashville to start working on a demo with some incredible Nashville session players. I'm pretty excited to see how it all comes together!
So, this is what it looks like from a songwriter putting stuff on paper. This is the most current sheet with lyrics and chord changes notes of the song.
No White Flags
Intro: 4.5…… 6.3…..37….1..
Riff 1 Riff 2 Chunk Chunk Riff 3 (2x)
Verse
2 3
Stars dropped a bit of trouble on me. Didn't change my state of mind.
4 5 (stay on riff)
Stacked odds and obstacles Better believe I won’t stop trying.
Riff 3 (2x)
Verse 2
2 3
Optimist Mind. Gray Crimson fighting to gold armor with a flour de lis
4 5 4 3 2 1
Never stop with this new up rising Battle cry I never cease. Fight On
Chorus
1 (riff 4 1x)
I'm flying No white flags. Raising No white flags.
4 5 6 7
Always make the most crying no remorseful tears
4 3 2 1
No white flags Know No Fear
Riff 1 Riff 3 (2x)
Verse 3
2 3
Hurricane, tides rise in furry Monday night crowd believes
4 5 1 (riff 3 1x)
Braveheart and a cry for “Freedom” Three seven and the trinity Fight On
Solo (slide up to solo) 1….4….4….1….4.5…… 6.3…..3.7….1..
Bridge
6 5 6 7 1
Never surrender No retreat Never give in No defeat No white flags 3x (6.5.4.3.2. to 1)
Chorus
Slide up into chorus heavy
(always make the most, crying no remorseful tears)
(try to hold me back but I’m holding no reserves)
no white flags show no fear
no white flags know no fear
no white flags raised by me
riff 1