I wrote the guitar part and melody, along with a vocal harmony, in England in 1981 and then, later, after returning to Houston, I composed the lyric. There was a real-life Billy Burning. He was a childhood friend of my mother's in Beeville, Texas. For some reason, I felt inspired to try my hand at writing a song about high school 'love' from a girl's point of view.
lyrics
Billy Burning:
Beaten twice, now, at this game
I hope I never see his face again
Billy Burning, member of Key Club,
President of the yearbook staff...
Always good for a laugh
I used to do quite well in school
Now I just sit sulking by the swimming pool
All I care to do is listen close to Joni Mitchell
Until bedtime
I love Billy but Billy's out with Suzanne
She can catch him if she can
Nothing but sadness since we split up
No more exploring in his Ford pickup
Billy Burning, track team hero,
Secretary for the Quill and Scroll
And he taught me how to bowl
He told me he loved my eyes
"Watery and deep, they hypnotize!"
These few words will be close to my soul
eternally
I love Billy but Billy loves Suzanne
She can catch him if she can
Boys are such creeps
Mess up my sleep
How do they get by with all they do?
Put them all in a zoo!
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Think I'll go for a bath!
So, while my friends are out having fun
Here I sit planning to become a nun
Billy Burning, how could you leave
A girl who adored you from head to toe?
Why did you have to go?
credits
from Little Catches,
released March 15, 2021
I am singing and playing all the instruments except electric bass, which is handled by Max Dyer.
I've been writing and performing original songs since I was in my early twenties and this CD, "Little Catches," offers a broad selection from over a twenty-five year span.
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