Song Inspired by a Toddler Tantrum on an RV Trip

[8Muddypaws]

This one was actually written ‘on the road’.

We attended an extended family gathering in Paso Robles at in my brother-in-laws huge back yard. There are two full hookup RV sites and room for about a dozen others.

Our granddaughter attended with her three littles, one of which is about 17 months old. They were in our motorhome and the youngest reached for my hand therapy putty. I didn’t think eating it would be particularly good for him so I said “No no no”. A few seconds later he emitted the most blood curdling scream you’ve ever heard and proceeded to have a spectacular toddler tantrum. My granddaughter wagged her finger at me and said “Never ever ever say the ‘N’ word”. This struck me as a great idea for a song and I told her so. She thought I was kidding.

Before the end of the extended weekend I had the song about 90% written.

Find it here:

https://soundcloud.com/russell-causey%2Fnever-say-no

 

[Tom]

Another good one Russ, thanks for sharing. Wish I had your talent for composing songs.

I was telling Chris just this morning about a documentary I watched on Abba and how they wrote songs.

 

[John From Detroit]

This one was actually written ‘on the road’.

Sounds good.

 

[8Muddypaws]

was telling Chris just this morning about a documentary I watched on Abba and how they wrote songs.

I liked ABBA.

My friend Steve Seskin teaches his songwriting method to people all over the world. It works for him and thousands of others but my method is much more chaotic, plus my muse is a bipolar wise@$$. Steve has a wall of Grammys and other awards, I have an expensive hobby.

Not in it for the money. Obviously. On the other hand it’s what keeps me only half crazy.

A world class player I know, a student and personal friend of the late Joe Pass, told me he doesn’t write and play because he wants to but because he HAS to.

That guy is Larry Ohl should anybody care to look him up. He is an amazingly versatile player. He’s got a dozen or so videos on YouTube. You won’t be disappointed. He’s the one who convinced me to start recording my songs back in the 90’s. I.e. set me off on a life of crimes against humanity and good taste.

 

[Tom]

During an interview with Ringo Starr, he explained that he played to the rest of the band. He also mentioned that one day George Harrison turned up with a song he'd written in 16 1/2 time. When asked how he played that, Ringo said "I just had to count to 16 1/2".

I didn't really understand it until I recently read this:

Instead of ending cleanly after 16 quarter-note beats, the phrase seems to continue just a little farther before restarting. That creates the feeling of an "extra half beat."

Haven't confirmed it, but I believe it's the song Here Comes The Moon.

 

[Larry N.]

Beautiful, Russ! It highlights something that seems to be a big problem these days, and you covered it so nicely. Love it.

 

[8Muddypaws]

NEW GUITAR! It’s a Fusion nylon stringed thin line electric. Sounds great plugged in. I am not sure I can live with the color. It’s metallic Rose. I have 45 days to decide if I want to keep this one or wait for the natural wood top I really wanted. It’s an Ibanez. And the first Ibanez I’ve ever had. Surprising quality. I’m already using it in a new project.

 

[Sheryl Fratino]

This one was actually written ‘on the road’.

We attended an extended family gathering in Paso Robles at in my brother-in-laws huge back yard. There are two full hookup RV sites and room for about a dozen others.

Our granddaughter attended with her three littles, one of which is about 17 months old. They were in our motorhome and the youngest reached for my hand therapy putty. I didn’t think eating it would be particularly good for him so I said “No no no”. A few seconds later he emitted the most blood curdling scream you’ve ever heard and proceeded to have a spectacular toddler tantrum. My granddaughter wagged her finger at me and said “Never ever ever say the ‘N’ word”. This struck me as a great idea for a song and I told her so. She thought I was kidding.

Before the end of the extended weekend I had the song about 90% written.

Find it here:

https://soundcloud.com/russell-causey%2Fnever-say-no

I absolutely loved it! I have walked out of stores carrying a screaming child more times than I can count. Keep writing & singing!

 

[JackieW-iRV2]

Great song!! You can’t say the “N” word? What does your granddaughter do to discipline her children? You can redirect them so many times but eventually they need to hear NO.

 

[UTTransplant]

Cute song, but I am not in agreement with the parenting approach. My kids threw tantrums like other children, but they didn’t get their way because of it. Can’t tell you how many times we walked out of a store or restaurant with a screaming kid, but the end result is four well-adjusted adults.

 

[8Muddypaws]

My granddaughter is raising 3, soon to be 4, children. As far as I can tell she is a very good mother and handles them appropriately. At 17 months you can’t reason with them but distraction still works.