Talking About Songwriting: Dallas

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In another installment of my occasional “Talking About Songwriting” blog, let’s look at “Dallas,” another track from our recently-released CD, “I Heard You Twice the First Time.

Back in the late 80s, I was a marketer for a corporation that manufactured – among other things – a line of high-end, fine dinnerware and giftware. As a result, I spent a fair amount of time on the road with one or two colleagues, attending trade shows and conferences around the country, where we would hawk our wares and our services. Our daytime hours were extremely busy, but evenings were generally left open, to provide an opportunity to unwind. You know, “Work hard, play hard.” Which we did. And the story told in “Dallas” is a reasonably accurate account of those times. When composing the music, I approached it as a rhumba, which provided a nice “bounce,” setting the stage for a humorous take on the story-telling in the song.

Here it is… hope you enjoy it!

Dallas
@2016 by David Z Orban, all rights reserved. BMI

Once upon a time, in the Lone Star State;
Longer ago, than I care to relate…
Workin’ on the road, gets old pretty quick…
when the sun is hot, and the air is thick…
In Dallas… Yeah, Dallas, Texas…
Well, I ain’t inclined to tell all the things that went on… In Dallas, Texas

From 6 in the morning, to 6 at night…
No time to think… got to keep things tight…
Do this, do that, and that other thing, too…
Might sound like fun… well, maybe, to you…
In Dallas… Yeah, Dallas, Texas…
Well, I ain’t inclined to tell all the things that went on… In Dallas, Texas

End of the day comes, it’s time to wind down;
Hop into a cab, see what’s happenin’ down town…
Head over to a little club, for a drink and a view…
Lookin’ to see what there might be to do In Dallas…
Yeah, Dallas, Texas…
Well, I ain’t inclined to tell all the things that went on… In Dallas, Texas

The dance floor was crowded, there was loud music, too…
I spied a sweet little thing, and she spied me, too…
She was pretty fine lookin’, and she sure could dance…
And it weren’t no surprise, she was lookin’ for romance
In Dallas… Yeah, Dallas, Texas…
Well, I ain’t inclined to tell all the things that went on… In Dallas, Texas

After a couple’a drinks, I seemed to hit my groove…
After a couple more, it was time to make my move…
Things was heatin’ up, she was wild and free…
That’s when she handed me her hotel key… In Dallas… Aw, Dallas, Texas…
Well, I ain’t inclined to tell all the things that went on… In Dallas, Texas

BRIDGE

Well, when in Rome, you do like they do…
I guess that applies to Dallas, too…
Life in the fast lane, it ain’t for the feint…
Oh, it is what it is, and it ain’t what it ain’t…

SOLOS

Well, the next day came, way too early and quick…
the maid poundin’ on the door, and me feelin’ sick.
My wallet – and my pants – they were not around…
and my Lone Star Miss, was no where to be found
In Dallas… Yeah, Dallas, Texas…
Well, I ain’t inclined to tell all the things that went on… In Dallas, Texas

I tried to get up, but it seems I was cuffed…
But at the very least, it seems my pillow was fluffed…
Now, I’m not the kinda man that’s too easy to trick…
But here I was, just-a holdin’ on to my… uh… thoughts…
Of Dallas, Dallas Texas… Yeah, Dallas, Dallas, Texas…
Well, I ain’t inclined to tell all the things that went on… In Dallas, Texas
Yeah, Dallas… Dallas, Texas…
Well, I ain’t inclined to tell all the things that went on…
In Dallas, Texas Yeah, Dallas… Dallas, Texas…
I just wish I could remember all the things that went on… In Dallas, Texas