I realized yesterday that I hadn’t added a hook to the song that I posted a couple of days ago. I had essentially written a poem instead. So, after listening to music all afternoon while I cleaned the garage, I came inside and added what I hope was a decent hook. This also meant that I added a few more stanzas.

I sent the song to my brother Sam with a quiet recording of me singing. This was to give him at least a general idea of what kind of music I thought might fit. He responded that he’d get to work on a tune.

So, while we wait, I thought I’d share my hook and added verses with you. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before we hear Sam’s rendition of our collaboration.

Here is my revision with a new title. (I put my revisions in italics)

Anything Else

I found that silver Phoenix ring you gave to me 

It was on the closet shelf way up high 

When you slid it on my finger you said to me,

“My love is like that bird, it’ll never die.” 

But what you said wasn’t what you meant

You didn’t want the life we shared

Instead you wanted anything else you could find

While you pretended just how much you cared

You wanted…

Anything else besides my love

Anything else except sharing my heart

I’d never be enough

Since you didn’t know how to love me

Anything else is what pulled us apart

Like a wildfire in a summer drought

The love I thought we’d found

Was consumed by a heartless flame

Leaving only ashes on the ground

You wanted…

Anything else besides my love

Anything else except sharing my heart

I’d never be enough

Since you didn’t know how to love me

Anything else pulled us apart

It took a long time but that’s over now

That fire cleansed me to my core

I rose from those ashes, wiser and stronger

And now I am free to soar

I want…

Anything else besides that lonely life 

Anything else besides a broken heart

I’m more than enough

And don’t need your love

Anything else means a brand new start

I found that silver Phoenix ring you gave to me 

It was on the closet shelf way up high 

When I slid it on my finger, I smiled and said, 

“I am that bird and I will fly.”