dhanners623 Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 (edited) Haven’t posted a song in awhile, so here’s a new one. It is part of my never-ending quest to provide British audiences with gen-u-wine Americana written and performed by an actual American (who also has U.K. citizenship as well) and we’ll see how it goes. The song is “Exit 129,” which happens to be the exit off I-70 in East Central Illinois that my hometown is on. It’s a town of 2,400. Doesn’t have a grocery store anymore but it does have three dollar stores and a cannabis dispensary. It is also home to several Guinness-certified “world’s largest” objects, including the World’s Largest Rocking Chair, World’s Largest Wind Chimes and World’s Largest Knitting Needles. Seriously. The tune isn’t so much about the town, but it kind of is. It’s said that the bulk of Western literature boils down to one of two themes: “Man goes on journey” or “Stranger comes to town.” This song is the result of combining the two. Man goes on journey, comes back to town a stranger. Edited June 18 by dhanners623 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 2 hours ago, dhanners623 said: Haven’t posted a song in awhile, so here’s a new one. It is part of my never-ending quest to provide British audiences with gen-u-wine Americana written and performed by an actual American (who also has U.K. citizenship as well) and we’ll see how it goes. The song is “Exit 129,” which happens to be the exit off I-70 in East Central Illinois that my hometown is on. It’s a town of 2,400. Doesn’t have a grocery store anymore but it does have three dollar stores and a cannabis dispensary. It is also home to several Guinness-certified “world’s largest” objects, including the World’s Largest Rocking Chair, World’s Largest Wind Chimes and World’s Largest Knitting Needles. Seriously. The tune isn’t so much about the town, but it kind of is. It’s said that the bulk of Western literature boils down to one of two themes: “Man goes on journey” or “Stranger comes to town.” This song is the result of combining the two. Man goes on journey, comes back to town a stranger. DÀMN! That was good! I hope your Britt friends appreciate a true American song! I've been looking for a new song to steal, (I wish you'd shown your hands in the video), can I take a stab at this song? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted June 18 Author Share Posted June 18 (edited) 37 minutes ago, DanvillRob said: DÀMN! That was good! I hope your Britt friends appreciate a true American song! I've been looking for a new song to steal, (I wish you'd shown your hands in the video), can I take a stab at this song? Stab away. (No. That didn’t sound right….) Thanks for the kind words and I’d be honored if you wanted to do it. One note: I have changed the last verse a bit since filming the video. I capo it at the second fret with a partial capo that leaves the sixth string open. I’m playing a D shape (actually E) and then i hit the fifth string at the 2nd fret. The chorus goes to A and G and then back to D. The bridge (“Saw an old buddy….”) is just two chorus progressions stuck together. I’ve been thinking of turning the bridge into a verse and adding the chorus, and then just doing the bridge instrumentally. Haven’t settled on an answer yet. The current lyrics: Exit 129 ©️ 2024 by David Hanners I watch Jane pull wash off the line Husband’s drinking, always Miller time Mellencamp drifts from behind a screen window July sun dipping low Out on the interstate big trucks whine Fly right by Exit 129 This town is black dirt and American rust Grain elevators, 3/4-ton trucks Since I left years before Working class became working poor Out on the interstate big trucks whine Fly right by Exit 129 Saw an old buddy at the Amber Inn Been on that stool since God knows when His face has changed, but so has mine Some wear the miles, some bear the time Too trite to say “You can’t go home again” But I try every now and then Found out what I needed to know Wave as I drive out slow Past storefronts with thousand-yard stares Faded dreams, unanswered prayers Some things you just leave behind At Exit 129 Edited June 18 by dhanners623 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson Blake Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 World's largest pitchfork! I have listened to all of your songs posted here and this is the one I can really connect with... I grew up in rural Illinois near Litchfield and route 66, not terribly far from your neck of the woods. Bravo! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted June 18 Author Share Posted June 18 8 minutes ago, Johnson Blake said: World's largest pitchfork! I have listened to all of your songs posted here and this is the one I can really connect with... I grew up in rural Illinois near Litchfield and route 66, not terribly far from your neck of the woods. Bravo! Familiar with Litchfield. Lived just north of there in Springfield for six months in 2022…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 56 minutes ago, dhanners623 said: Stab away. (No. That didn’t sound right….) Thanks for the kind words and I’d be honored if you wanted to do it. One note: I have changed the last verse a bit since filming the video. I capo it at the second fret with a partial capo that leaves the sixth string open. I’m playing a D shape (actually E) and then i hit the fifth string at the 2nd fret. The chorus goes to A and G and then back to D. The bridge (“Saw an old buddy….”) is just two chorus progressions stuck together. I’ve been thinking of turning the bridge into a verse and adding the chorus, and then just doing the bridge instrumentally. Haven’t settled on an answer yet. The current lyrics: Exit 129 ©️ 2024 by David Hanners I watch Jane pull wash off the line Husband’s drinking, always Miller time Mellencamp drifts from behind a screen window July sun dipping low Out on the interstate big trucks whine Fly right by Exit 129 This town is black dirt and American rust Grain elevators, 3/4-ton trucks Since I left years before Working class became working poor Out on the interstate big trucks whine Fly right by Exit 129 Saw an old buddy at the Amber Inn Been on that stool since God knows when His face has changed, but so has mine Some wear the miles, some bear the time Too trite to say “You can’t go home again” But I try every now and then Found out what I needed to know Wave as I drive out slow Past storefronts with thousand-yard stares Faded dreams, unanswered prayers Some things you just leave behind At Exit 129 Fortunate for me I made a capo as you describe. I used it for a wonderful song about Tombstone Arizona a guy wrote a few years ago....and I just used it again to record Chris Stapelton's "Nobody To Blame" last week! Thanks for the words...and the tip on how you're playing it. I'm sure it'll sound different from your version, but I hope I do it justice! I'll probably start working on it next week, (dang household chores to finish up!). Thanks, Bob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieDog Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 Oh yeah…. Just drove past 20 or so versions of exit 129 this weekend…. You nailed all of them. Good ‘un! Thanks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimmo Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 That was a really, really nice tune! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 👍👍 Lars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Thanks all. Played the song during a performance last night and it seemed to go over well. Have settled on a “final” version of the lyrics: Exit 129 ©️ 2024 by David Hanners This town is black dirt and American rust Grain elevators, 3/4-ton trucks I left years before Working class became working poor Out on the interstate big trucks whine Fly right by Exit 129 See my old buddy Ken down at the Amber Inn Been on that stool since God knows when His face has changed, but so has mine Some wear the miles, some bear the time Out on the interstate big trucks whine Fly right by Exit 129 You can’t go home again But I try every now and then Storefronts with thousand-yard stares Faded dreams, unanswered prayers I watch Jane pull wash off the line Her husband’s drinking, lives on Miller time Mellencamp drifts from a screen window July sun dipping low Found out what I needed to know Wave as I drive out slow Some things you just leave behind At Exit 129 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 7 hours ago, dhanners623 said: Thanks all. Played the song during a performance last night and it seemed to go over well. Have settled on a “final” version of the lyrics: Exit 129 ©️ 2024 by David Hanners This town is black dirt and American rust Grain elevators, 3/4-ton trucks I left years before Working class became working poor Out on the interstate big trucks whine Fly right by Exit 129 See my old buddy Ken down at the Amber Inn Been on that stool since God knows when His face has changed, but so has mine Some wear the miles, some bear the time Out on the interstate big trucks whine Fly right by Exit 129 You can’t go home again But I try every now and then Storefronts with thousand-yard stares Faded dreams, unanswered prayers I watch Jane pull wash off the line Her husband’s drinking, lives on Miller time Mellencamp drifts from a screen window July sun dipping low Found out what I needed to know Wave as I drive out slow Some things you just leave behind At Exit 129 Boy! You changed it up a LOT! I need time to digest this arrangement..... I'd already put together a slightly different arrangement using both your previous arrangements, (written and sung). Here's the chart I've made: Exit 129 David Hanners Drop D Tuning Intro: A – Asus2 – G - D D D I watch Jane pull … wash off the line D D Husband’s drinking … always Miller time D D Mellencamp drifts … from behind a screen window D D July sun … dipping low A Asus2 Out on the interstate big trucks whine G D Fly right by Exit 129 D D This town is black dirt … and American rust D D Grain elevators … 3/4-ton trucks D D Since I left … years before D D Working class … became working poor A Asus2 Out on the interstate big trucks whine G D Fly right by Exit 129 Bridge: A Asus2 Saw an old buddy at the Amber Inn G Been on that stool since God knows when A Asus2 His face has changed, but so has mine G D Some wear the miles, some bear the time Instrumental: D – A – Asus2 – G - D D D Too trite to say … “You can’t go home again” D D But I try … every now and then D D Found out what … I needed to know D D Wave as I … drive out slow A Asus2 Past storefronts with thousand-yard stares G Faded dreams, unanswered prayers A Asus2 Some things you just leave behind G D At exit 129 A Asus2 Find faded dreams … unanswered prayers G Store fronts … with thousand-yard stares A Asus2 Found out what I needed to know G Wave goodbye as I drive out slow A Asus2 Some things you just leave behind G D At exit 129 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lars68 Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 I have listened to your songs a lot over the years here on the forum (I can see that we both joined back in 2010, phew, time flies…). If I missed one, it was not intentional. I have enjoyed them all, but this latest one stands out as extra special. There has always been a working man's point of view and a social consciousnesses to your stuff that I've connected with. This one is no exception. Great job! Lars 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 12 minutes ago, Lars68 said: I have listened to your songs a lot over the years here on the forum (I can see that we both joined back in 2010, phew, time flies…). If I missed one, it was not intentional. I have enjoyed them all, but this latest one stands out as extra special. There has always been a working man's point of view and a social consciousnesses to your stuff that I've connected with. This one is no exception. Great job! Lars You're a wise man, my friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 Very nice! I love the changes and the way you tighten things up. Tiny suggestion [Warning! from the Song Craft Minutia Department 😁]: Would it be easier to sing “flyin’ by” rather than “fly right by?” Not sure why I keep hearing it like that… maybe it lets me feel and hear that truck blowing past, Doppler Effect and all, for a longer moment. And I think that moment is the uber-distilled essence of what you captured in the song. We all know that sound; we’ve all felt all the feelings. Let us linger there… (The teeny extra word “right” pulls me out of the moment somehow.) Great song here, David-thanks for sharing 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 1 minute ago, AnneS said: Very nice! I love the changes and the way you tighten things up. Tiny suggestion [Warning! from the Song Craft Minutia Department 😁]: Would it be easier to sing “flyin’ by” rather than “fly right by?” Not sure why I keep hearing it like that… maybe it lets me feel and hear that truck blowing past, Doppler Effect and all, for a longer moment. And I think that moment is the uber-distilled essence of what you captured in the song. We all know that sound; we’ve all felt all the feelings. Let us linger there… (The teeny extra word “right” pulls me out of the moment somehow.) Great song here, David-thanks for sharing Anne, I am really liking the new arrangement.... you're right...it "tightens up" the song.... and I like the bridge better....so now it can be sung twice in the song, (in my arrangement). I'll try to add a small instrumental piece in it, (haven't worked that out yet), and an intro and outro. It's a great song. New chart I made: Exit 129 David Hanners Drop D Tuning Intro: A – Asus2 – G - D D D This town is black dirt … and American rust D D Grain elevators … 3/4-ton trucks D D Since I left … years before D D Working class … became working poor A Asus2 Out on the interstate big trucks whine G D Fly right by Exit 129 D D Seen my old buddy Ken… down at the Amber Inn D D Been on that stool … since God knows when D D His face has changed … but so has mine D D Some wear the miles … some bear the time A Asus2 Out on the interstate big trucks whine G D Fly right by Exit 129 Bridge: A Asus2 You can’t go home again G But I try every now and then A Asus2 Storefronts with thousand-yard stares G D Faded dreams, unanswered prayers Instrumental: D – A – Asus2 – G – D Bridge: A Asus2 You can’t go home again G But I try every now and then A Asus2 Storefronts with thousand-yard stares G D Faded dreams, unanswered prayers D D I watch Jane pull … wash off the line D D Husband’s drinking … always Miller time D D Mellencamp drifts … behind a screen window D D July sun … dipping low A Asus2 Found out what I needed to know G Wave goodbye as I drive out slow A Asus2 Some things you just leave behind G D At exit 129 Outro: A Asus2 Found out what I needed to know G Wave goodbye as I drive out slow A Asus2 Some things you just leave behind G D At exit 129 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneS Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 Ha—David, I’m in the car, headed to a Steve Earle concert. I just threw on a playlist of his tunes. When I heard “Someday,” I thought what a great bookend to your song. Your real time report… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson Blake Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 (edited) Looking forward to DanvillRob's version of dhanner's tune- he surely improved my tune even though he did not have as much to work with... thanks again, DanvillRob! My song: Sir DanvillRob's arrangement: I really liked the one guitar eclipsing the other guitar for an opener...fresh! Edited June 22 by Johnson Blake Miss Spelling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 1 hour ago, Johnson Blake said: Looking forward to DanvillRob's version of dhanner's tune- he surely improved my tune even though he did not have as much to work with... thanks again, DanvillRob! My song: Sir DanvillRob's arrangement: I really liked the one guitar eclipsing the other guitar for an opener...fresh! Kind words, my friend…….but mine was different……not improved. The real star is ALWAYS the song! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted June 22 Author Share Posted June 22 (edited) Wow. I go away for a couple of days and come back to this. Thanks! Rob, I can’t wait to hear your rendition. I am NOT a melodic songwriter. One warning though: if it’s as good as your other stuff, I’ll either have to steal it or change my song just to stay different. I actually had to do that once. A buddy asked if he could record one of my songs for a CD he was working on and danged if his version wasn’t better. So I went back to the drawing board, added a verse, changed the melody slightly. I like it when we push and support each other. And Anne, your point re: “fly right by” is an excellent one (and I wonder why I didn’t think of it) and I will incorporate your suggestion. THANK YOU! It does sing better as “Flyin’ by.” I’m also thinking I was just being lazy to keep that line in the second use of the refrain. There are a million words I could rhyme with “nine,” and the last chorus demonstrates that. I have to admit I’m still a bit ambivalent about how I’ve ordered the verses. (Rob, that gives you license to stick the verses in whatever order makes sense to YOU.) I stuck Jane in the first verse because I thought it should have a person in it. (In an early draft, Jane was an old girlfriend and was in the last verse; the song’s protagonist leaves town after watching her. Then I started thinking, “Stalker” and changed it.) But I didn’t want to open with a dry lesson in geography (“This town is black dirt…”) so I stuck Jane in front. Dang. I thought this song was done. I may work on it some more…. Edited June 22 by dhanners623 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted June 22 Author Share Posted June 22 (edited) So here’s today’s rewrite. I open with Jane but return to her at the end. So it becomes a nostalgic lament for a dying town or an old flame, or both. Ken down at the Amber Inn (an actual bar in my hometown; we always referred to it as the “Amber Inn, Stagger Out”) is gone. I decided he was one character too many in this tale. Exit 129 ©️ 2024 by David Hanners I watch Jane pull wash off the line Her husband’s drinking, lives on Miller time Mellencamp drifts from a screen window July sun dipping low Out on the interstate big trucks whine Flyin’ by Exit 129 This town is black dirt and American rust In grain elevators and God we trust I left here years before Working class became working poor Livin’ the long decline At Exit 129 Too trite to say “Can’t go home again” Still I try every now and then Storefronts with thousand-yard stares Faded dreams, unanswered prayers Jane folds the laundry, carries it in Still flips her hair like she did back then Her face has aged, but so has mine Some wear the miles, some bear the time Found out what I needed to know Wave to Jane as I drive by slow Some things you just leave behind At Exit 129 Edited June 22 by dhanners623 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 4 hours ago, dhanners623 said: Wow. I go away for a couple of days and come back to this. Thanks! I have to admit I’m still a bit ambivalent about how I’ve ordered the verses. (Rob, that gives you license to stick the verses in whatever order makes sense to YOU.) I stuck Jane in the first verse because I thought it should have a person in it. (In an early draft, Jane was an old girlfriend and was in the last verse; the song’s protagonist leaves town after watching her. Then I started thinking, “Stalker” and changed it.) But I didn’t want to open with a dry lesson in geography (“This town is black dirt…”) so I stuck Jane in front. Dang. I thought this song was done. I may work on it some more…. I just spit out coffee out of my nose when I read this! I recently recorded "Elusive Butterfly"...and as I learned the song, I realized it IS about a stalker, or at least a Peeping Tom! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 3 hours ago, dhanners623 said: So here’s today’s rewrite. I open with Jane but return to her at the end. So it becomes a nostalgic lament for a dying town or an old flame, or both. Ken down at the Amber Inn (an actual bar in my hometown; we always referred to it as the “Amber Inn, Stagger Out”) is gone. I decided he was one character too many in this tale. Exit 129 ©️ 2024 by David Hanners I watch Jane pull wash off the line Her husband’s drinking, lives on Miller time Mellencamp drifts from a screen window July sun dipping low Out on the interstate big trucks whine Flyin’ by Exit 129 This town is black dirt and American rust In grain elevators and God we trust I left here years before Working class became working poor Livin’ the long decline At Exit 129 Too trite to say “Can’t go home again” Still I try every now and then Storefronts with thousand-yard stares Faded dreams, unanswered prayers Jane folds the laundry, carries it in Still flips her hair like she did back then Her face has aged, but so has mine Some wear the miles, some bear the time Found out what I needed to know Wave to Jane as I drive by slow Some things you just leave behind At Exit 129 DÀMN! I like this version too! I can't just add the last verse because her face changed just like Kens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 I put together this new version....makes the song more of a "lamenting lost love" song as opposed to a "Can't go home" song. I don't think I changed it much.... tweaked a few words to fit my personal singing cadence... added a short/simple intro, a short/simple instrumental between two bridges, and an outro. I'm thinking this song could/should be done on a 12-String..... I'll have to give that a try, (right now only working on my old Jubilee) Thanks, David.... it is a great song! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhanners623 Posted June 22 Author Share Posted June 22 1 hour ago, DanvillRob said: I put together this new version....makes the song more of a "lamenting lost love" song as opposed to a "Can't go home" song. I don't think I changed it much.... tweaked a few words to fit my personal singing cadence... added a short/simple intro, a short/simple instrumental between two bridges, and an outro. I'm thinking this song could/should be done on a 12-String..... I'll have to give that a try, (right now only working on my old Jubilee) Thanks, David.... it is a great song! Thanks! Can’t wait to hear what you do with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 Just now, dhanners623 said: Thanks! Can’t wait to hear what you do with it! I tried it on the 12-String.... sounded good.... that's what I'll use! Maybe I'll record it tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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