literature
Beat's music literature from the New York Times or the recesses of online. Our favorite stories showcase musicians.
And So It Begins
[This is the first scene in a musical I've wanted to compose for the Nativity for quite some time now. Above you will find my thoroughly inadequate rendition of the scene. Below you will see my shorthand system of notation for melodies & chords. Numbers reference the steps of the diatonic major scale where the Roman numeral I is for the root & alterations are signified by ɓ or #. Eighth note durations are indicated by ' with sixteenth durations indicated by x & sustained notes by a long dash. Measures are separated by |. Anything in italics that is not a part of the actual song are stage directions or explanatory notes. I hope you enjoy.]
By Randy Wayne Jellison-Knockabout a year ago in Beat
The Anunciation
[This is the second scene in a musical I've wanted to compose for the Nativity for quite some time now. For decades I have loved this refrain but not been satisfied with any other part of it..., until now. I think I may have finally figured out something for the verses, thanks to this challenge. Above you will find my thoroughly inadequate rendition of the scene. Below you will see my shorthand system of notation for melodies & chords. Numbers reference the steps of the diatonic major scale where the Roman numeral I is for the root & alterations are signified by ɓ or #. Eighth note durations are indicated by ' with sixteenth durations indicated by x & sustained notes by a long dash. Measures are separated by |. Anything in italics that is not a part of the actual song are stage directions or explanatory notes. I hope you enjoy.]
By Randy Wayne Jellison-Knockabout a year ago in Beat
imaginary compulsive. AI-Generated.
I your glass Will mod- estly Dis- cover to your self That of your self You know not of Come home to me Let me be your right hand Let’s lay and rest there I your glass Will mod- estly Dis- cover to your self That of your self You know not of There Fore Good Brut- us Since you can not see yourself so well as by reflec- tion I your glass Will mod- estly Dis- cover to your self That of your self You know not of How Many Years And how many wars and tears To- geth er we can get through this And build anew here I your glass Will mod- estly Dis- cover to your self That of your self You know not of I got you ((yeah)) I got you ((yeah)) I got you ((yeah)) And now you know I loved you I your glass Will mod- estly Dis- cover to your self That of your self You know not of I think about it all the time Some how I became your villain If you cry about it long e- nough You for get the tears are streaming I think about it all the time Some how I became your villain If you run up a hill Some times you fall with the boulder rolling I think about it all the time Some how I became your villain If you cry about it long e- nough You forget the tears are streaming I think about it all the time Some how I became your villain If I gather all the memories And still can’t find the one where things started changing I think about it all the time Some how I became your villain Will you talk when it’s quiet Or will the boulder keep rolling I'm not a ware of where you are you a ware of where you are my feel ins tilt as I tum ble each step is pain full and leaves a scar Are R I Dwell in poss ebb ill itty desire functions along side mass - insecurities found your messages but dis carded them can't mistake lust we both know this ain't a real film I'm not a ware of where you are are you a ware of where you are my feel ins tilt as I tum ble each step is pain full and all ways leaves scar are R Ss I dwell in poss-ib ill ity mad girls love song contend hued as I slowly accept these realities I leave signs under your doors but you don't look to the floor Your head is always in the clouds I see why your magic works but I wanna know how I'm not a ware of where you are are you a ware of where you are my feel ins tilt as I tum ble each step is pain full and all ways leaves a scar Are R Love Love Love I'm in love with you But it’s breaking my heart It won’t do Any justice To begin at the start Memories before they happen I can see you talking before you talk Love Love Imagine airy compulsive All the above Why’d you go and pull me closer We both know the end before it starts it's cause love , love, love I’m in love with you But it’s breaking my heart Creeping like a shadow in the corner of my heart I saw the memories before they happened even heard you talking before you talked it's cause love , love, love I’m in love with you But it’s breaking my heart O constancy build a bridge betwixt my heart and my tongue O misery show me the bridge to the metropolises to come O memories they feel like static on my flesh O lucid dreams take us to the places we haven't the chance to visit yet Baby face I want missus on my tombstone but first I must think of myself or I'll be nothing O vivid dreams shelter me from expectations that'll never exist O memories take me to the places where we experienced bliss O misery show me the gratitude to endure another fall O constancy build a bridge betwixt my heart and my tongue or I'll have nothing at all Baby face I want missus on my tombstone but first I must think of myself or I'll be nothing O constancy build a bridge betwixt my heart and my tongue O misery Show me the map that leads us all home O memories don't make me bitter make me strong O lucid dreams take us too the places we haven't the chance to visit yet
By Hayat Hyattabout a year ago in Beat
I Still Hear Your Name
Submission Title: “I Still Hear Your Name” Category: Song Lyrics (Pop Ballad) Intro Narrative: Grief is a quiet companion — one that lingers long after the world has moved on. “I Still Hear Your Name” was born from that silence. It’s a lyrical journey through love and loss, told through the eyes of someone still haunted by the echo of a voice they’ll never hear again.
By Ruliy Reedabout a year ago in Beat
Echoes in the Attic
A haunting folk ballad about love, loss, and the memories we keep hidden in forgotten corners. Crafted like a lullaby echoing down old hallways, this song uses lyrical structure to tell the story of someone who finds traces of a lost love in an attic — and learns to sing them home.
By Rukka Novaabout a year ago in Beat
Clem Burke Dies at 70 Legendary Blondie Drummer and Heartbeat of the Band.
Clem Burke Dies at 70 Legendary Blondie Drummer and Heartbeat of the Band The music world is mourning the loss of Clem Burke the iconic drummer of the pioneering new wave band Blondie who passed away at the age of 70. Known for his energetic driving rhythms and unshakable presence behind the drum kit, Burke was more than just a band member he was often referred to as the heartbeat of Blondie. Burke’s death was confirmed on April 6, 2025, following a private battle with cancer. His passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans fellow musicians and most touchingly his longtime bandmates.
By Adnan Rasheedabout a year ago in Beat
From West Memphis to Worldwide
In a world full of gimmicks, watered-down lyrics, and copycat flows, one artist is cutting through the noise with raw energy, sharp penmanship, and the kind of hunger you can hear in every verse. Meet HakimDaGreat, the artist, the visionary, the vibe—and the next name to know in music.
By The Blacksheepkid Collective by: El Pablo 1x2 years ago in Beat
