Paul Andrew Carey shares some insights into his songwriting philosophy and the lyrics from one of his songs, Sun In My Eyes. He will be co-hosting an event on Saturday 25th August, along with fellow songwriters Sarah Carroll and Charles Jenkins.
For a songwriter, I write very literally. Its a lyrical style that focuses on describing a world that is tangible, grounded in place and circumstance, that is moving through landscape and time. The characters are all parts of myself of course, though its more than that. I take what I really feel and know, characters I’ve met, personal perspectives that I have heard, and I expand it out into a kind of universal narrative that could be almost anyone we would know, or at least anyone listening could find a way to relate to it deeply.
I write about people, events and issues that occur in our world, but truth for me is what exists in the song. Truth is a kind of way the song resonates a dignity within itself, for the interest it was inspired by. Truth then is in the art, mirroring real life, which of course mirrors it back. Songs of any kind have always had the potential to be great at that.
So, I’m heading on out for a western skyline
I’m climbing the Gibraltar’s in the rain
and I’m so glad I hear it clears up around Narrabri
and its fine for when I hit the Kamilaroi Highway
Cause I want
The sun in my eyes
The sun in my eyes
As that home town it gets closer to me
I suppose when I get there I’ll drive through the main street
past the school and that place where I used to live
and I’m even thinking of calling into the hotel
but that just usually means, ill be there all night
drinking down the ghosts
So for now
The sun in my eyes
The sun in my eyes
as that home town it gets closer to me
And im starting to feel I need a piss stop
A smoke, and to take off my coat
And I might even have the rest of those amphetamines
cause my mind is racing like a dog-track, it happens every-time I go back
And I don’t even know if she still lives there anyhow
Well I always thought I’d be the prodigal son
But I just ended up driving trucks
with a hangover
And drinking it away each night
So for now
the sun in my eyes,
the sun in my eyes,
as that home town it gets closer to me
and I’m not sure if I’m ready to face it
not sure If I’m ready to see
You know its funny how the world turns
just next week it would have been my brothers birthday
but he broke his fucking neck
jumping off the bridge when he was 18
And that time we stole the neighbours HK
and we just left it in a field, and he set it on fire
and then we ran away
well, does he know
does he know
I’m still running
With the sun in my eyes,
The sun in my eyes
as that home town it gets closer to me
and I’m not sure how I’m going to face it
not sure how I’m going to see
Well, I’m about an hour now onto the Kamilaroi
and I reach forward and pull the visor all the way up
just let that light pour all into me
And im so high
I’m racing like a bullet
that’s been shot up and fired over from the east coast
and I cant seem to get it out of my mind,
that do they know
that I always dreamed bigger
I always dreamed bigger than this
and do they know, I always dreamed bigger than this
and do they know I’m still running
With the sun in my eyes,
The sun in my eyes
as that home town it gets closer to me
and I’m not sure how I’m going to face it
I’m just not sure yet how I’m going to see
So, im heading on out for a western skyline
I’m climbing the Gibraltar’s in the rain
Don’t miss Paul Andrew Carey, Charles Jenkins and Sarah Carroll as they perform their songs, tell their stories and reveal insight into their literary craft. For more information about this event and to grab your tickets, click here