Thanks to our judge, Dorinda Duncan for the comments.
SEMIFINALIST
SKIN TIME by Rio King and Melinda Cannon, Plano, TX
TRANSISTOR RADIO AND ME by Robert Davoli, Lincoln, MA
BUBBA'S BACK IN TOWN by Winston Watt and Alvin Cain, Collyville, TX
TAKE MY HAND by Alvin Cain, Collyville, TX
First Place - SKIN TIME by Rio King and Melinda Cannon, Plano, TX
Great lyric. "Double-fisted handshake", "Arm around the shoulder", "Baby, we thrive on it, long as we're alive". It's easy for the mind's eye to see, and it's easy to recall the touch of someone you love. We never forget it. Can't wait to see how you produce this one.
Verse1: It’s a double-fisted handshake,
In the grip of my old friend;
Or the cradling of a newborn
Underneath her mama’s chin.
It’s what you might be longing for on a night you hurt so much.
It’s what it takes to cure the ache
For another body to touch.
Chorus: Skin Time.
We need it like the rain.
Skin Time,
It’s like coming home again;
A saving grace,
That warm embrace,
Skin Time.
Verse 2: It’s an arm around a shoulder,
For a head that’s hanging down;
Or a sandlot celebration,
High fives all around.
It’s dancing with your new girl, or the love of forty years;
Or holding a trembling little one
‘Till the nightmare disappears.
Chorus: Skin Time…
Instrumental:
Verse 3: Baby we thrive on it,
Long as we're alive;
Sometimes for the comfort,
And sometimes just survive.
For me, I'll always be the one, here to hold you tight;
Lift your chin and kiss your lips, then,
Love on you tonight.
Chorus: Skin Time…
Outro: A saving grace, Skin Time;
That warm embrace, Skin Time.
2nd Place - TRANSISTOR RADIO AND ME by Robert Davoli, Lincoln, MA
This is a powerful song - it's easy to visualize the child who had to endure this. Still, I suggest attempting to find another way to express "vein" and "blood", words that are possibly too stark and aren't really needed. The line "it soaks and stains and can't be washed away" says it all. The transistor radio was a constant companion - your kindred spirit. You're a colorful writer.
Daddy was a bulldozer, mama tried to keep her pride
The only thing I did was try and hide
Way up in my tree house, deep down in my snow fort
Transistor radio and me
Lying on my back, staring up at the sky
Simply trying to figure out why
Oh daddy’s scream and mama's cry
Children shaking in the night oh the silent screams and black and blues
Oh kindred spirit where are you, oh kindred spirit please be true
Oh kindred spirit I feel so blue; let me sing to you
How could anybody steal the magic lantern
Shining in a child’s eyes
Leave them all alone throughout the cold, dark night
Clinging on to their fright
I hear the cries and whispers from a lost childhood
Oh family veins they run deep
And the blood it weighs heavy
It soaks and it stains and it can’t be washed away
Oh kindred spirit where are you, oh kindred spirit please be true
Oh kindred spirit I feel so blue let me sing to you
Oh kindred spirit where are you, oh kindred spirit please be true
Oh kindred spirit I feel so blue let me sing to you
Daddy was a bulldozer, mama tried to keep her pride
The only thing I did was try and hide
Oh way up in my tree house, deep down in my snow fort
Transistor radio and me
Yeah way up in my tree house, deep down in my snow fort
Transistor radio and me, just my transistor radio and me"
3rd Place - BUBBA'S BACK IN TOWN by Winston Watt and Alvin Cain, Collyville, TX
What a fun song! Lots of pictures in this song. You describe Bubba well, "with the wind blowing in his hair", etc.. People like Bubba are never forgotten, and this song, if produced properly, will bring back many memories to listeners.
The old big finned Cadillac sat out there in the drive.
Loaded up, ready to go, and all set for a ride.
Just like a favorite horse ready for some fun
Press that pedal down and give ‘er the gun
Bubba opened up the door and sat down in the seat
He turned the key, heard the roar, and felt the engine’s heat
That Caddy come alive and he had a great big smile
He said, “Time to go to town, it’s been a while”
Chorus
Look who just came back in that old pink Cadillac
The top down, music loud, and candy in a sack
That washed up circus clown that always comes around
Lets have some fun, cause Bubba’s back in town
When Bubba pulled into the town everybody grinned
People everywhere were glad to see that car again
In that rusty old Cadillac that once was shiny pink
And that crazy horn makes it hard to think
Bubba drove around the old town square, music playing loud
With the wind blowing in his hair, he was waving to the crowd
He tossed handfuls of candy to the kids out on the street
And just like the Big Top, the crowd was on their feet
Chorus
Look who just came back in that old pink Cadillac
The top down, music loud, and candy in a sack
That washed up circus clown that always comes around
Lets have some fun, cause Bubba’s back in town
Bubba spent the whole day smiling through his painted circus frown
Sharing lots of fun with the new friends he had found
When the sun sat in the west and it was time for him to go
He bowed to the crowd to end the show
When Bubba’s work was done he turned that Caddy round
He waved to the crowd and headed it back home
A tear formed in his eye as all the people cheered
But they all knew they’d see him next year
Chorus
Look who just came back in that old pink Cadillac
The top down, music loud, and candy in a sack
That washed up circus clown that always comes around
Lets have some fun, cause Bubba’s back in town
Honorable Mention - TAKE MY HAND by Alvin Cain, Collyville, TX
Very touching story - and so good to hear of a child who loves and respects her father as she does, but I suggest trying to tighten up the wording, just for the sake of a cleaner flow.
Verse
She was five years old on the playground
“Daddy, watch me swing so high!”
Her little hands slipped and she fell down
And he could see tears in her eyes
Verse
He knelt down beside her
And kissed her tears away
He held her close and brushed her off
And then she heard him say
Chorus
Take my hand, I’ll help you up
Baby girl, don’t you cry
I’m here for you, so hold on tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
Verse
Through the years he stood by her side
Through the good times and the pain
But time moves on and life goes on
But she can still her him say
Chorus
Take my hand, I’ll help you up
Baby girl, don’t you cry
I’m here for you, so hold on tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
Verse
Now as she walks up to his front door
She could hear the music play
His old guitar sat on his knee
And a smile was on his face
Verse
He sang of loss on Bourbon Street
Of a jukebox, and the rain
Eyes closed, he sang so low
She knew he was on some stage
Verse
His fingers tried to make those chords
That he’d played a million times
But time goes by and the strings go numb
And he can’t remember all those lines
Verse
So he props the guitar by his chair
And slowly starts to rise
His trembling hands can’t raise him up
And she sees the pain in his eyes
And she says,
Chorus
Take my hand, I’ll help you up
Daddy, don’t you cry
I’m here for you, so hold on tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
Chorus
Take my hand, I’ll help you up
Daddy, don’t you cry
I’m here for you, so hold on tight
Everything’s gonna be alright
