S.A.C. Challenge – Week 4 – Issued by Ron Irving – Write an EDGY country pop song

On By Lily CIn Challenge 2015

Ron IrvingRon Irving is no stranger to writing hits for the stars.  His songs have been recorded by over 100 artists worldwide in seven languages including cuts with Anne Murray, Michael Buble, Jennifer Rush, Asian stars Jacky Cheung and MINK, One More Girl, Lisa Brokop, Terri Clark, Lee Greenwood and many others with awards for Song of the Year from both SOCAN and the CMPA.  Here is his challenge to you:

Write an EDGY Country Pop Song
Target:  Male artist, early 20s. No mention of marriage or kids.  No references to “partying at the lake”, “trucks and tailgates” and no “bro country” vibe.
Method:  If you have been collaborating for the previous 3 challenges, change it up and write this one by yourself.  If you have been writing alone for the most of the past 3 challenges, write this one with a co-writer or two.
Tempo:  Stretch yourself by writing opposite of your comfort zone.  If you usually stay with up-tempo tracks – chill out and write a ballad.  If you usually write ballads, set the tempo for at least 120 on this one.
Please submit the following by Monday, March 9, 11:59 EST.
1.  Link to a blog post about your experience with this challenge.
2.  Link to your song (preferably on SoundCloud) with lyrics posted in SoundCloud.

112 thoughts on “S.A.C. Challenge – Week 4 – Issued by Ron Irving – Write an EDGY country pop song”

  2. Pingback: SAC Challenge 2015: Week 4 “Good Man Down” | superpapa67

  5. Dear Mr. Ron Irving:

    I hope you enjoy my song, which can be easily transposed to guitar or male voice if needed:

    Three Months Closer To Love by Shira Katz a.k.a. Shera Shakera.

    I really enjoyed this challenge. I would like to thank S.A.C., Lily Cheng, James Linderman and Debra Alexander for their encouragement. If you haven’t found love, I hope you get it in three months!

    Here is the music:

    Here is the blog:
    http://amsforartmusicsongs4.blogspot.com

    Thank you & Enjoy!

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  13. Pingback: Edgy Pop-Country – S.A.C. Songwriting & Blogging Challenge – Week 4 | Meori Music

  15. Pingback: SAC Songwriting & Blogging Challenge 2015: Week 4 | Who Gives a Pop?

  20. Here’s “Long List of Losers” – a cowrite with me and Hartt Goldman. Look for Hartt’s post too – he recorded a version in a slower tempo with his band which is very cool. Here’s the soundcloud link:

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  31. Hi ya’ll, Here’s my SAC Challenge week 4 Country/ Pop song links and lyrics. The pianist on the track is my friend Conrad Gayle, he also put some root chords on my melody. Thanks to this week’s challenge issuer and industry pro: Ron Irving. As always thanks to Debra Alexander and James Linderman for their teaching and talent! 🙂 https://laurajburnsloveletterstogod.wordpress.com/2015/03/09/sac-challenge-week-4-country-pop-song/?preview=true&preview_id=26/
    id=26https://soundcloud.com/laura-j-burns/let-me-rest-melody-lyrics-and-vocals-c-2011-2015-by-laura-burns-with-piano-arrangement-by-conrad-gayle
    Let me Rest

    Melody and Lyrics by Laura Burns © 2011-2015

    Verse
    I’ve tried God oh how I’ve tried
    I worked the whole day through
    Now I need a little quiet time
    Just to be here with You
    In the stillness
    in the quiet

    Pre-chorus
    to be still and know
    You are my God
    be still and know
    You are my God

    Chorus
    So let me rest on Your shoulder
    Just for a little while
    Just for a little while
    rest on Your shoulder
    ’till I go to sleep

    Bridge
    And this is what He said to me
    and this is what He said
    “Be still and know
    You are my God
    be still and know
    You are my God”

    Chorus
    So let me rest on Your shoulder
    Just for a little while
    Just for a little while
    rest on Your shoulder
    ’till I go to sleep

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  45. Mikalyn and Michael Hay – nothing like leaving it to the last minute. This week my little girl dragged her butt of the couch long enough to lend her chord and melody making and voice to a country lyric – Here is our work for the week – we learned a lot as usual and had fun 🙂

    This is Mean Breakfast – by Mikalyn and Michael Hay and Paul Tarvydas

    Country Week – Yikes

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  48. OK, here is my week 4 song – a cowrite with Leanne Lapa and Lucy LeBlanc! two amazing songwriters in their won write that I was so please to have work with me this week. Even though we are in the same city, we had challenging logistics, but the work was fun and we are all pleased with the outcome! James Linderman and Debra Alexander – perhaps not the edgiest country pop song ever, but looking forward to your comments non the less!
    https://soundcloud.com/liminalmusic-1/open-skies
    Blog post is here: http://www.liminalmusic.com/s-a-c-challenge-4-edgy-country/

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    1. I don’t see the lyrics I included on my soundcloud page when I click this linke so I’ll add them here:
      A Little Closer

      It’s been a while since I left high school halls behind me
      Never would have guessed where the years would find me
      Things didn’t turn out like I planned
      But I’m figuring out just who I am

      I’m not the kind of beer I drink, I’m not what I drive
      But I like to push some limits, just to feel alive
      So if you want to know the man behind these eyes
      There’s more to me than you realize

      Get a little closer – a little closer – just a little closer – mm mm
      Come a little closer – a little closer – just a little closer – mm mm

      I’ve learned my way around the busy city streets
      Going where the work is – learning what I need
      But when I think of home, the only one I know
      My heart beats to the rhythm of a rugged country road

      I’m not the kind of beer I drink, I’m not what I drive
      But I like to push some limits, just to feel alive
      So if you want to spend some time you won’t regret
      There’s no getting ‘round it, you will need to get

      A little closer – a little closer – just a little closer – mm mm
      Come a little closer – a little closer – just a little closer – mm mm

      Bridge:
      I’m finding out who I can count on as a friend
      Things I thought were forever have come to an end
      When I speak to you, you hear a country drawl
      But that don’t mean you know me, know me at all

      Get a little closer – a little closer – just a little closer – mm mm
      Come a little closer – a little closer – just a little closer – mm mm

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  67. Lisa Li

    This is a tough challenge because the target and scope is so focused — aren’t most young males interested in drinking and girls?:) What kind of song would be relevant for a young male country artist to sing? It’s tougher still as I love to write but am not good with an instrument like guitar or piano that I can play well myself. However, I have a DEMO-demo, recorded in my basement, of a sad ballad about the girl who got away:

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  72. This has been the most unbelievable week – quite challenging outside of the songwriting realm a deep in the LIFE realm. That said – I think this week’s entry still remains upbeat.
    https://soundcloud.com/patrick-canavan/burn-my-wings-march-2015/s-Fy954.

    Burn My Wings Lyrics

    There’s a Jack in the box
    There’s a Jill in the box
    There’s a Steve, Anne, Allan and a Phil in the Box

    There is me in the box
    There is you in the box
    And every now and then
    I get to change up the locks ‘cause

    I am just an
    Everyday believer in the power of the people and
    You and I can
    Change the world forever
    If we just apply some pressure

    Chorus
    And If I burn my wings (burn my wings, burn my wings, burn my wings)
    Flying too close to the Sun
    You’d bet I’d learn some things (learn some things, learn some things, learn some things)
    Flying too close to the Sun
    Like Daedalus and Icarus
    My life can seem so damn ridiculous

    There’s a space between us
    Cried Romulus and Remus
    Well the names have changed but it’s still Rome
    Something came between us
    And we broke the arms off Venus
    Like a fragile wishing bone
    In an all out tug of war

    To build a life of value
    based on love is how to
    Break the chains that bind us in this history
    I find that when compassion
    is the source behind my actions
    it never steers me wrong
    Love carries me along

    Chorus
    And If I burn my wings (burn my wings, burn my wings, burn my wings)
    Flying too close to the Sun
    You’d bet I’d learn some things (learn some things, learn some things, learn some things)
    Flying too close to the Sun
    Like Daedalus and Icarus
    My life can seem so damn ridiculous

    songwriters.ca

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    1. donnysawchuk2015

      It’s Time – Don Sawchuk March 9, 2015

      When I was born mama held me tight
      Close to her breast every day and every night
      On the first day of school mama dressed me so nice
      I could see my reflection in the tears of her eyes
      As she prayed: ‘Lord, don’t take this boy from me!’

      I’ve gone six hundred million miles
      Five fast trips around the sun without crossing the county line
      It’s time for me to take my leave
      I just can’t stay, not one more day
      Cause mama… It’s time

      I’d go with daddy to the family store
      working for hours there was always more to do
      Daddy showed me how to use his tools
      I learned more from him than I ever learned in school
      He prayed: ‘Lord, don’t take this boy from me!’

      I’ve gone six hundred million miles
      Ten more trips around the sun without crossing the county line
      It’s time for me to take my leave
      I just can’t stay, not one more day
      Cause daddy… It’s time

      You fell in love with this home town boy
      Who tugged at your heart, replaced the hurt with joy
      You and I shared our very first kiss
      When we make love I hear a whisper on your lips:
      ‘Lord, don’t take this boy from me!’

      I’ve gone six hundred million miles
      Twenty-two trips around the sun without crossing the county line
      It’s time for me to take my leave
      I just can’t stay, not one more day
      Cause baby… It’s time
      I just can’t stay, not one more day
      Cause baby… It’s time

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  87. It’s been an extremely long night, but this week my challenge for myself was to not only write country, but to do every part of the process, from writing, to instrument playing to recording myself. Brutal…but I made sure I wouldn’t give up. Here goes nothing;)

    SONG:
    https://soundcloud.com/bernadette-saquibal/in-love-with-a-city-girl-c-2015-bernadette-saquibal-week-4-sac-songwriting-challenge

    BLOG:
    https://bernadettesaquibal.wordpress.com/2015/03/10/bernadette-saquibal-week-4-s-a-c-songwriting-challenge-writing-country-and-setting-up-shop/

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  89. S.A.C. Member Doug Taylor

    I know I am way, way too late to have a chance to be picked to have Ron Irving hear my country song but I thought I would post anyway.
    Last week was crazy busy for me and I did not get a chance to work on the song until Sunday. After the deadline I started writing for this week’s challenge, finish last week’s challenge as well as work on the Matt Dusk Week 1 song. Yes it is a challenge but I am enjoying it!
    If you have the time Debra Alexander and/or James Linderman it would be great to get some feed back on this tune. My first stab at a country tune with or without an edge 🙂
    I hope to have this weeks done before Saturday as I am traveling for a week without my guitar.
    https://soundcloud.com/dougtaylorband/boots-home-studio-demohttps://dougtaylorband.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/week-4-s-a-c-challenge-doug-taylor/

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