No Romeo and Pan Island Expressway: Songs Abuel Wrote in High School
I was the lead vocalist and primary songwriter for a couple of bands back in high school. I wrote songs lyrics and the general tune on the guitar, then would have my guitarist and drummer turn it into actual music. I never played guitar on stage since I always had a real guitarist or two to do the job. The video is me playing and signing at the same time (something I could never do live - so bear with me). Notice that I’m staring at my hands most of the time. I am not a real guitarist, so a good chunk of my effort is making sure I do not screw up the chords too badly. I wrote the following song in my sophomore year of high school for a girl I was dating; she liked it.
“No Romeo” (capo on 2nd fret, standard tuning) written appx. 1996
Verse 1
[C] It’s plain to see [Am] What you do to me
[G] When you’re near me [F] I’m [G] flying
[Am} And when we talk [C] I often wonder why
[G] That it’s me you're with [F] And not some other [G] guy
Pre-Chorus
[Am] Just so you know [C] I ain’t no Romeo
[Am] We’ll take things [C] slow
[Am] So take my hand and [C] try to understand
[Am] Where all this could [G] go
Chorus
[F] Sometimes I’m scared [C] to look at you
[F] And at times I play [C] the fool
[F] But I’m hoping that [C] you take the chance with [Am] me
Can’t you [G] see
[slap the guitar] That
Verse 2
[C] In a glance [Am] a twist of circumstance
[G] Brings a change [F] And I’m [G] trying
[Am] to say your name [C] without sounding lame
[G] and as I mumble [F] you’re [G] smiling
Repeat Pre-Chorus and Chorus
This next song I wrote was around my junior/senior year of high school. I was attending a private British school on the island of Singapore at the time and just finished a gig at their World Trade Center, when my friend and bandmate was giving me a ride to an afterparty. I wrote this song on the way. Again, I can’t sing and play guitar at the same time since I had real musicians taking care of the technical stuff so I apologize for the rough quality.
“Pan Island Expressway” Capo 1st Fret, standard tuning (can use drop D if you want), written appx. 1997/98
Verse 1
[G] Cruise along the avenues [D]where the lights are growing dim.
[Am]The music's on the windows down [D] and the night air rushes in.
[G] Had too much to drink tonight. [D] So my friend is at the wheel.
[Am] The moments are just inching by. [D] Somehow this can't be real.
Pre-Chorus
[Am] And I try to hold the moment, [Em] but I don't want to stay.
[Am] I try to wake some memories, [D] but they don't want to play.
Chorus
Well, [C] tonight I'm [G] here and [Am] Tomorrow's far [Em] away.
[C] The Time [G] is mine. [Am] Old age, another [Em] day.
[Am] Made some friends along the way. [Em] Did a little good.
[Am] Found some love and then some. [D] Did the best I could.
Verse 2
[G] Light another cigarette. As [D] my friend tells me a joke,
[Am] he gives a laugh. I give a smile. [D] We get a little hope
[G] that the best and worst is yet to come. And [D] all the scars will fade
[Am] and all the stars above us [D] will guide us to our grave.
Pre-Chorus V2 (same chords as 1st prechorus
And you try to hold the moment, but I don't want to stay.
You try to wake some memories, but they don't want to play.
Chorus V2 (same chords as 1st chorus)
Well, tonight you're here and tomorrow's far away.
The time is yours. Old age, another day.
Make some friends along the way. Do a little good.
Find some love and then some. Do the best you can.
Repeat the first two lines of Verse 1
