Friday, February 27, 2015

Featured song "Spirit of Love"

For today's “feature”, I’m going all the way back to the beginning. The first song I ever wrote is “Spirit of Love.” This song was inspired by the young man I met from the German soccer team when I was 13 (full story on the My Story page). We became very close very fast and when they left, I was broken hearted. I wrote back and forth with him for almost a year. The last letter he wrote said he was back in trouble and had to go away for a while. I believed I could help him stay out of trouble. That was the last time we wrote each other. That was the inspiration for this song. When I wrote this, it was a little odd to me. I didn’t sit down and write the words or sit at a piano and play out chords. It just all came out of my head together.  I sang the first couple lines to myself and each time I sang it, the next line just seem to build itself. I never wrote the music down, just kept in my head until I met my friend who put guitar chords to it and we sang it together. So, yes, I was about 14 when I wrote this song, I just wish I had a recording of the song itself. I’ll have to work on that.

Spirit of Love
Too many people, too many places, not enough love for you and me
Time passes quickly, so do the faces, of life’s endless road, between you and me

(chorus)
Let the spirit of our love, keep our hearts, and let the memories of the past remain
Don’t put the bad time and the lies apart, they are all scenes of our happy life

If you’re not around, I’d surely go crazy, without the love you have given me
But the tears I cry, when I say good-bye, fill my memory with your love

(chorus)
Let the spirit of our love, keep our heats, and let the memories of the past remain
Don’t put the bad time and the lies apart, they are all scenes of our happy life

Lyrics by Michelle Gallardo, 1980

Music by Michelle Gallardo and Tama Moritz, June 1982

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Featured Song "Homeward Bound in Texas"

Good morning! Last week I wrote, what I call, a useless ditty about the Home Free Home Fries. Home Fries are an amazing, funny, worldwide, strong and dedicated group of Home Free fans. After a great weekend of promoting Home Free, I had to update that ditty and it can be found on the Home Free Fun page. If you're a fry, I hope you like the addition.

I've also decided to start "featuring" a song/lyrics or poem, periodically, to give everyone insight as to my inspirations. I'm going to start with a song that was inspired by my first Home Free concert. I really wanted to go see them, but Nederland was a long drive for a Sunday concert. A little fangirling here, but on Twitter Tim Foust announced some things about the Nederland concert (his hometown). A girl tweeted "God, why can't I live in Texas" or something similar. I responded with "I do, I do". Well, Mr. Foust, himself, favorited my tweet and that was it, I was going to Nederland. Took Monday off from work, bought the tickets and planned a trip. I took my daughter (my son was in Poland with his college drumline) and went to Nederland, Texas to see Home Free! We went through the back roads and small towns, not through Houston. The concert was, needless to say, amazing and I didn't come down for a week...ok, two weeks...ok maybe still getting over it! On our way back, the trees and farms and scenery blew my mind and this is the inspiration for this song (also found on the New Song Lyrics page above):

Homeward Bound in Texas
Driving the back roads of Texas, trees as far as I can see, Passing small towns, wondering where the roads will take me
I’ve been driving all day, not really sure where I am, This winding farm road is lonely, majestic and grand

(chorus)
The sun is setting over this peaceful countryside, I’m sitting back driving and enjoying the ride
A weekend drive through your endless fields, Texas beauty and grace will never yield
A few more miles, a few more small towns, Then Texas help me to be homeward bound

Nothing can compare to driving with the wind in your hair, Windows down, music turned up and going no where
Not sure where I’ll end up, so for now I’ll just go, Texas is my home, from Dallas to San Antonio

(chorus)
The sun is setting over this peaceful countryside, I’m sitting back driving and enjoying the ride
A weekend drive through your endless fields, Texas beauty and grace will never yield
A few more miles, a few more small towns, Then Texas help me to be homeward bound

Drove around Houston and the stockyards in Ft. Worth, Saw the sun rise in Abilene, coming up on this great earth
Headed back north of Dallas, home where I belong, I love driving this Lone Star state, so I had to write this song

(chorus)
The sun is setting over this peaceful countryside, I’m sitting back driving and enjoying the ride
A weekend drive through your endless fields, Texas beauty and grace will never yield
A few more miles, a few more small towns, Then Texas help me to be homeward bound

Written by Michelle Gallardo

October 27, 2014, updated February 2, 2015

Friday, February 20, 2015

New theme

My daughter and I were talking about the stories I'm writing for her and she saw my blog. I decided to change the theme and she selected this theme. She said "it really shows that you have a creative side." Some days I think she's already smarter than me and she's only 7! I hope you like the new theme she picked! Have a great weekend and I hope to see you back soon!

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Some days I think there's something wrong with me. The silliest or oddest thing will trigger a thought in my head and off I go writing a silly poem or useless ditty. I guess it's a good way to keep my brain active and creative. A few of us ladies were talking about men, when they get sick and there I went and here you go. No offense guys, I was just having a little fun.

My old man has a cold, now he’s yelling for a pillow
Is it really that hard to get up and get some jello
Does he really need me to get him the remote?
His whining is so loud the dogs hid under a coat
Oh lord give this man the strength of a woman
So I won’t have to go back there and kill ‘em
At least make him feel better so he can walk again
Maybe it would be better if he stayed with a friend!
Not saying I don’t love him, but he can be such a wimp
If he gets a hang nail he becomes a total gimp
Guys act so tough when they're around each other
But we all know, when sick, they want their mother
You’re feeling better, yea, isn't that great
I’m going on vacation alone, I really need a break!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Good morning all! While getting ready this morning a song lyric idea I had a couple weeks back came flooding into my head. This is a first draft, but it's finished. Fine tuning will come later. Thought I'd share. This was inspired by a post from Tim Foust of Home Free, when he said they were heading back in the studio. I hope you like it!

The Studio
The winter brings in the cold and snow
I’m here with you and I don’t want to go
But it’s back to work and back on the road
It could be months before I get back home

(chorus)
Time to get to the studio and write some new songs
Not leaving for good, but right now it’s where I belong
I’ll get back when I can, to make right what’s wrong

It gets lonely in the bus, driving all night
I close my eyes and see your smile so bright
I want to get home and hold you tight
But my music calls, I get on stage under the lights

(chorus)
Time to get to the studio and write some new songs
Not leaving for good, right now it’s where I belong
I’ll get back when I can, to make right what’s wrong

The fans kept us on the stage tonight, real late
It was an awesome show, the new songs went great
Now it’s for a rest, two day trip to the next state
I’ll call in the morning, I hope you don’t mind the wait

(chorus)
Time to get to the studio and write some new songs
Not leaving for good, right now it’s where I belong
I’ll get back when I can, to make right what’s wrong

Written by Michelle Gallardo
February 15, 2015

Friday, February 13, 2015

Happy Friday the 13th! Got another new one for you. I was having a little fun with some Twitter friends and got the idea to write a ladies night out song/lyrics. I was surprised, it actually worked out pretty good. Nothing great, but fun and I can hear it being a real upbeat country song. Have a great weekend and a great Valentine's Day!

Ladies Night Out
They walked into the bar not knowing what’s in store
These ladies needed a drink and spin around the floor
Cowboys filled the room all in Wrangers and boots
The girls just smiled at each other, they’re all so damn cute

(chorus)
Take a look around there’s some good looking men out tonight
These are gentlemen here there won’t be any bar fight
Just pick a guy, take him by the hand and follow the dance lights
Make it a slow song so you can get up close and hold on real tight

It’s ladies night out and they are ready for a spin
Grab a beer, a fine cowboy and do some two steppin’
No need to get names, it’s a night of pure fun
Some dancin’ and some drinkin until the mornin’ has come

(chorus)
Take a look around there’s some good looking men out tonight
These are gentlemen here there won’t be any bar fight
Just pick a guy, take him by the hand and follow the dance lights
Make it a slow song so you can get up close and hold on real tight

Written by Michelle Gallardo
February 13, 2015

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

I've been working on the adventure story I'm writing for my daughter. A couple of really great people edited it for me and have combined their edits and suggestions. I like where it's at right now. I'm going to start some research on other stories out there and I need to work on the illustrations. I can't really draw, but I have some other ideas in mind on how to illustrate it. I've already started the second adventure and I have ideas for at least 3 more after these two. I won't have as much time to write soon, but I will keep working on things as much as I can! Working on new song lyrics almost everyday, so check the song lyrics pages. Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, February 9, 2015

I had this idea for a song last week, but the words weren't there. Today I sat down and just started writing. I love days like today when it all just happens.

Soul mates
When I first saw you I had to turn and look again. You were so good looking, really got my attention
You noticed me too and we decided to dance. Looking in your eyes, I felt like I was in a trance
I never thought I’d fall as hard as I did for you. Your smile grabbed a hold of me, nothing I could do

(chorus)
In the time we spent together, it made me realize
Our souls had much in common, I saw it in your eyes
We’d both been hurt before, way deep down inside
But we always got back up and we always survived
We had the same soul, but we’re not soulmates, we learned in time

When it was just you and me, you made me feel the best. You always said the sweetest things, better than the rest
You only looked at me, like the world had disappeared. But our worlds were very different, that’s what I feared
How could I not love and I believe you loved me, too. It just wasn’t meant to be and I think we both knew

(chorus)
In the time we spent together, it made me realize
Our souls had much in common, I saw it in your eyes
We’d both been hurt before, way deep down inside
But we always got back up and we always survived
We had the same soul, but we’re not soulmates, we learned in time

We both moved on and met another, but you’ll always be a friend. I still get that funny feeling when I think about our weekends
I needed what you gave me, when you made me feel wonderful. You needed me to show you that you really are incredible
I could’ve stayed in your arms forever, but knew it couldn’t be, Our souls needed the other, and now we can each be free

(chorus)
In the time we spent together, it made me realize
Our souls had much in common, I saw it in your eyes
We’d both been hurt before, way deep down inside
But we always got back up and we always survived
We had the same soul, but we’re not soul mates, we learned in time

Lyrics by Michelle Gallardo
February 9, 2015

Friday, February 6, 2015

So over the past couple of days, I have had several ideas for song lyrics, however, the melodious words are not flowing right now. I'm hoping they start again soon so I can get these ideas on paper and not forget them! Just not at 2am! Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Today, February 3rd, is Tim Foust Day in Nederland Texas, where he is from. So I've decided to share a tribute I wrote to him a few months ago. If you don't know who Tim Foust is, you can find out in My Story.

The first time I heard your song, your voice reached my soul
I can’t explain the rush I felt when I heard the words you wrote.
Could you read my mind, see into my heart?  You had control
We might not ever meet, but I’m touched you’re so devoted

Music gave me life, kept me at my best
When I sang,  my emotions were expressed.
The beat is my heart, the words are my depth
Each note has my blood flowing in its webs

For years, I let my words show who I was inside
To me, I was the only one on this roller coaster ride
My music was heard, but life didn’t comply
Then I heard your songs, it took me back, I even cried

Words are filling my head again, I hear them everyday
My singing dream is gone, but my words can find a way
Your songs brought me back to the girl I was, yesterday
So Thank you for the inspiration, is all I wanted to say.
Happy Tim Foust Day!

Michelle Gallardo

October 2014

Monday, February 2, 2015

One of those days

So far today, I've been on a roll.  I've finished a couple songs that I had hit a blank on and have had a few new ideas.Things just seem to be flowing. I'm going to try to put my mood to work and keep finishing items. I'm still organizing, but right now I'm going to stick to 3 items per page. I hope you have a happy Monday!