Feeling Like Bernie Taupin

As I've done some traveling over the years, spending a lot of time rolling along on the bus with these five other talented gentlemen, I've developed a strange knack for writing lyrics only, no music.  I would never write in this manner before.  But since signing on for co-habitation in a 45 foot home away from home, I've had to rethink my approach to keep the writing muscle active and growing.

I'm not one those writers who can just pull out a guitar with other people around and just start squeaking out the perfect match of lyric and melody for all to hear.  (Of course, in a collaboration setting, it's different.  You don't mind if that person[s] you're working with hears your off-key attempts.  In fact, you welcome their "yes' or "no" to keep you moving in the "write" [ha ha] direction.)

And funny thing, when I'm writing in this manner, I'm usually listening periodically with my noise-canceling headphones on to whatever music or artist on my iTunes that happens to match the mood and style I'm trying to get in my lyric.

So, the reason for my title.  Steve = Bernie Taupin, lyric writer only.  Then Elton John comes along and writes the melody.  So, when the time comes, I'll put on the "Elton" hat, for my valiant attempt to find the perfect marriage of melody with the lyric. (And while I'm at it, maybe the glasses, too!  Hmm.... or maybe Bernie's)

Feeling Like Bernie Taupin