Showing posts with label songwriting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label songwriting. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Can't Get Enough Of His Love

If I had to pick a song on this CD that's my favorite it would be "Can't get enough of His Love". I like the feel of the song, the way the words came together and what the song has to say. I had a lot of fun recording the song too so I suppose that's another reason I like it so much. Written by Jerry Corelli

Jerry Corelli


Can’t Get Enough Of His Love
Written June 5, 1985
Words & Music by Jerry Corelli

1 Verse
Well, I’ve been up and I’ve been down.
I’ve seen the good and the bad.
Well, I guess I’ve been around.
And I know what it’s like when you don’t have a friend.
And I know what it’s like when the road has no end.

Chorus
Now on the solid rock I stand.
My feet are planted firm.
His saving grace has given me faith.
His flame will always burn.
No power on earth or Satan’s hand couldn’t keep me from His love.
Of all the things on this earth it’s His love… I can’t get enough of.
I can’t get enough of His love.

2 Verse
Well, I’ve felt pain and I’ve faced death, I’ve fought the fight.
When wrong was done to me I’d pray He’d make it right.
Poverty’s knocked more than once when relief was just in sight.
And I wonder how I ever got by without Jesus… in my life.
BTC

© 1990 Jerry Corelli, Song #227

Nation Of The Weak

"They have eyes, but they can't see. They're a part of the Nation of the weak". Throughout the song I wrote about how people think they are great and how they're greatness is compared to a mighty nation. But, the truth is that without Christ in their life they're only, or are part of, a nation of the weak. Written by Jerry Corelli
Jerry Corelli

Nation of the Weak
Written September 8, 1982
Words and Music by Jerry Corelli
Verse 1
They have eyes, but they don’t see.
They have ears, but they don’t here,
They have mouths, but they don’t speak,
They’re a part of the nation of the weak.
Verse 2
They have hands, but they won’t give,
They have hearts, but they’re cold and lonely,
They have minds, but they don’t think,
They’re apart of the nation of the weak.
Verse 3
They have their gods, but the they’re silver and gold,
They have their books, but wisdom from man gets old,
They have their buildings, that can reach the highest peak,
They’re a part of the nation of the weak.
Verse 4
They have free will, but the free will is from man,
They have feet, but their feet won’t learn to stand,
They have their strength, but what they should be is meek,
They’re a part of the nation of the weak.

Recorded 1982 by Jerry Corelli / Song #173
Copyright 1982 Corelli’s Music Box
Published 1982 Corelli’s Music Box, BMI / BMI Work ID: 004920600

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Somethin's Happened To Me

I have a lot of favorites on this CD and "Somethin's Happened To Me" is certainly one of them. Of the many of the songs my good friend Kevin Mannarino and I have written together the lyrics in this song mostly came from Kevin. The first time I read the lyrics I knew the song would be special. This has been a great audience participation song and is always a song I sing live. Words & Music by Kevin Mannarino & Jerry Corelli

Jerry Corelli



Somethin's Happened To Me - Jerry Corelli

Somethin’s Happening To Me
Written January 15, 1999
Words by Kevin Mannarino & Jerry Corelli
Music by Jerry Corelli

Verse 1
As I lay on his couch my psychiatrist said,
That emptiness you’re feelin’ is all in your head.
Still, I left his office without a clue,
Not knowing who I was or what I should do.

Chorus 1
Somethin’, somethin’, somethin’s gotta happen to me.
I didn’t know what it could be.
Somethin’, somethin’, somethin’s gotta happen to me.
I needed somethin’ it was plain to see.
On the left side, right side and all around.
From the top to the bottom, inside and out.
Somethin’, somethin’, somethin’s gotta happen to me.
But I didn’t know what it could be.

Verse 2
I thought my life was over and I started to run.
Then one day I found out that Jesus is the one.
So I prayed that the Lord would come into my life.
My sins were washed away and I stepped into His light.

Chorus 2
And somethin’, somethin’, somethin happened to me.
Jesus came into my life.
And somethin’, somethin’, somethin happened to me.
My sins have all been washed away.
On the left side, right side and all around.
From the top to the bottom, inside and out.
somethin’, somethin’, somethin happened to me.
That’s right Jesus set me free.

Verse 3
Now I believe in His Love with all of my heart.
Now my eyes are open and I made a new start.
He reached right into me and embraced my soul.
Now I’ve got to sing out to both young and old.
(Repeat Chorus 2)

Recorded 1999 by Jerry Corelli / Song 304
Copyright 1999 Corelli’s Music Box
Published 1999 Corelli’s Music Box, BMI / BMI Work ID: 004736692

Thursday, October 23, 2008

I Believe In Jesus

"I Believe In Jesus" is downloaded regularly through Napster and others. The songs talks of what it took, and takes, for others to believe in Christ. I think the words are hard hitting and on the mark. In addition, the unmistakable electric guitars and Lead guitar of Chris Brekke impacts the song with a distinctive flare.

Jerry Corelli



I believe In Jesus - Jerry Corelli

I believe In Jesus
Words and Music by
Mark Needham & Jerry Corelli

Stanza 1
It seems some need a sign to fall down from the sky.
And some need to read the writing on the wall.
Some don’t think it’s much unless it’s something they can touch.
But, I am here to tell you I believe.

Chorus
I believe in Jesus, that He died to free us.
I believe in His meekness and His wondrous love.
I believe in Jesus, in His power and greatness.
I believe in His kingdom and that He’s coming again.

Stanza 2
Ah, Moses needed a burning bush to convince him God was real.
And Paul had to be struck blind before his heart could truly feel.
But, all I need is the Word of God and His faith I have to see.
Cause, I’m here to tell you I believe.
B.T.C



Recorded 1998 by Jerry Corelli / Song #301 / Time 3:16
Copyright 1998 Corelli’s Music Box, BMI
Published 1998 Corelli’s Music Box, BMI / BMI Work ID: 004718578

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I See You In Her Eyes

When my daughter turned 16 her mother and I didn't have much. She got a few gifts from friends and family and from her mother and I but the only gift I could give her was a song. So, I wrote this song to tell her how proud I was of her. You truly could see the Light of Christ in her eyes so that was my inspiration for this song. Words & Music by Jerry Corelli

Jerry Corelli


I See You In Her Eyes - Jerry Corelli

I see You in her eyes
Words by Jerry Corelli
Music by Jerry Corelli

Verse 1
She’s been blessed with her mother’s beauty.
Beyond her years the girl is wise.
She has a fire and a passion burning.
Lord, I see You in her eyes.

1 Refrain
Everyone she meets hears about You.
How they can live even when they die.
True love waits and she believes it.
Lord, I see You in her eyes.

Verse 2
Forgive me Lord, a father’s pride.
And delay to give her as a bride.
Bless her Lord, as she becomes a lady.
Lord, I see You in her eyes.

2 Refrain
Give her sight to see her beauty.
To always know You hold the prize.
I pray Your Word is her constant companion.
Lord, I see You in her eyes.

Verse 3
So many questions run through her mind.
So much to do and yet so little time.
In a world where darkness wears a Light disguise.
I still see You in her eyes.
(Repeat 1 Stanza)

This song was written and dedicated to Jessey O'Kelly & Michelle McMahan

Recorded 2000 by Jerry Corelli / Song #299 / Time 3:08
Copyright 2000 Corelli’s Music Box - / PA 994-124
Published 2000 Corelli’s Music Box, BMI / BMI Work ID: 004920605

Aren't You Ready

I was listening to one of my all time favorite Christian Artists the other day, Barry McGuire. The album was a live album "Barry McGuire and the Second Chapter of Acts". By the way I love Second Chapter of Acts too. Anyway, I hadn't heard the album in sometime and realized how much it was like going to church. I realized that my songwriting style is from the generation I grew up in. That is, my style of writing Christian songs, is meat and potatoes like what I was hearing from the Barry McGuire album. In other words Jesus loves you, he died on the cross for you, he rose again and defeated dead and your sins are forgiven. Therefore if you're not born again, if you haven't accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, then, you're going to hell. That's what I call meat and potatoes Christian music. That's what most of the songs are like on this album. "Aren't You Ready" says it loud and clear.

Jerry Corelli



Aren't
you ready - Jerry Corelli

Thursday, October 16, 2008

The Making of "With The Sword Held High"

Picture for back CD Cover taken 2000


I wanted to go into some detail about the making of "With The Sword Held High" and what the CD and the people who worked on it mean to me. It was about October of 1998 that I began working on the CD and it was finished and released in April of 2000.


First I'd like to talk about my cousin Brett Helling (Left) who, because of his fantastic producing and awesome guitar skills, really kicked the album off with a bang. The first song to be recorded on the album was "Battle Song". I had a really corny demo of the song that ran a couple minutes longer than the final CD version and I sent it to Brett. He called and said he loved the song and had some ideas for it. It was perhaps a week later and his demo came in the mail. I ripped the package open, put it in the player and couldn't believe what I was hearing. He put guitars everywhere, Bass, ryhthm, lead it was great. I felt that from that moment the album would turn into something really special.



Then along came the incorporable Chris Brekke (Left). Chris and I met after I had published a great song of his called "Trials of Faith". I recall us meeting at a coffee shop in Tacoma and the next thing I knew we were in the studio. He would come over and I'd review songs with him, burn a CD with two or three songs, and then he'd be back the following week with fantastic leads for the songs. It didn't take long for Chris to do the lead on the songs but once his guitar parts were finished his work transformed the album into something far better than I'd ever hoped.

When desiding what to do for the Cd's artwork I came across the idea to write out the first song on the CD, "Battle Song". I don't remember how long it took to write the song out in the shape of a sword but I liked it. Many people who get the CD don't realize at first that the sword is made up of words from "Battle Song".

"With The Sword Held High" available on CDBaby.com

JERRY CORELLI: With the Sword Held High

A cool mix of musical styles and great songs!
author: Schri Kerbek
It's refreshing to listen to a CD with so much variety like this one. To me, it's like the Christian/Contemporary equivalent to the Beatles' "White Album." It's jam-packed with great songs representing a wide range of styles. It's got something for everybody. Great CD!

This Child

The last song on my first Christmas album.Words & Music by Albert E. Boone

God Bless The Wise Men

Here is another wonderful song about the Wise men that I just had to record. Words & Music by Angeline D Richter

Jerry Corelli



God Bless the Wise Men - Jerry Corelli

Christmas Time

I suppose every songwriter writes a Christmas song with their childhood in mind. "Christmas Time" is what I remember about Christmas when I was growing up. Growing up in Denver Colorado I have vivid memories of many a white Christmas. Words & Music by Jerry Corelli


Jerry Corelli

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Christmas Song

Christmas Song was one of the first Christmas songs I published. The original music didn't work for me and some phrases and words needed rearranging. So I contacted Earl and he agreed to let me do my thing to the song. Words & Music by Earl Andrew Richards & Jerry Corelli

Bethlehem Child

I love this song's narrative. It's told from the view of one of the wise men and gives a different twist on the birth of Christ. Again, when I first heard the demo for this song I knew I wanted to record it.
Words & Music by Tim Hopkins

Jerry Corelli


Bethlehem Child - Jerry Corelli

Monday, October 13, 2008

Cowboy Christmas

The first time I heard the demo for this song I knew I wanted to record it. Very few songs come to me well written and recorded. I love songs that allow your mind to run a video as the songs progresses. Story telling in a song, as good as in Cowboy Christmas, seems a lost art today. But, Rosalie tells a wonderful story in this unique Christmas song that everyone should hear. Words & Music by Rosalie Glemann


Jerry Corelli


Cowboy Christmas - Jerry Corelli

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

On This Christmas Day

Sometimes inspiration for a song comes from the strangest places at the strangest times. I've been at restaurants and used a paper napkin to write out a song and other times driving down the highway. It was Christmas Eve and I was working as a clean up person for a meat cutting company. My mixture of soap would come out of a large nozzle and when I sprayed it over all of the stainless steal and cutting boards it would cover everything in a white foam.

Out of the blue I sang out, "It's starting to look like that time of the year,.." Being the only one who worked the clean up I immediately shut everything down and went into the break room to write down the words that I just sang. Throughout the evening I continued writing the song, got off work about 3 in the morning and finished the song by 6 in the morning on Christmas day. Words & Music by Jerry Corelli

Monday, October 6, 2008

Peace At Christmas

Some years ago I was surfing the web for Christmas Songs & lyrics when I stumbled upon a company that held lyric contests. One of the songs, or lyrics, that caught my eye was called "Peace At Christmas". As I read the lyrics I could hear how I'd arrange the song and how the music and melody might go with the song. Now that happened in the morning and in the afternoon I always went to the post office to pick up the mail. That same afternoon I picked up the mail and one of the demos in the mail was that same song "Peace At Christmas".
I quickly opened it and put the demo in the player to hear the song I had just read the lyrics for earlier that day. The music, was to say the least, not at all what I had expected. So, I called the writer and asked if she would mind if I re-wrote the music and melody. She had no problem with it and all I can say is that, "It was meant to be." Words by Nina Bolin & Jerry Corelli ~ Music by Jerry Corelli

Jerry Corelli


Peace At Christmas - Jerry Corelli

Sunday, October 5, 2008

"A Corelli Christmas" artwork

When my son Alexander was a month away from his fifth birthday I asked him to draw a Christmas tree for me. He didn't know it but my plan was to use the drawing for the cd cover. It took a few years after he drew the picture that I'd be able to record the album but when it was finished I took his picture out and used it for the cover.


Artwork by Alexander Williams
Copyrighted 2000 Corelli's Music Box, BMI

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Jerry Corelli Music Intro

The purpose of this blog is to share my lyrics and songs with my readers and listeners.  I suppose I'll also discuss what went into recording my albums and share photos too.

Jerry Corelli

Love Filled Heart

As a songwriter who began writing songs when going into the studio cost a fortune, before there were home studios, I wrote over 100 songs. A pretty good percentage of those songs are good and out of those songs many are good enough to record. I've recorded many of those songs and have yet to record the rest. "Love Filled Heart" was written 20 some years ago and I debuted it in 2000 on the Seattle Praise the Lord Show. I taped the show and really liked the recording so I mixed it a bit and put it on the "Righteous Man" CD. Words & Music by Jerry Corelli


Live on the "Seattle Praise the Lord Show"



Love Filled Heart (live) - Jerry Corelli

Jesus Is His Name

There are so many times when I think I was born in the wrong era. I really love Big Band Crooner music. Singers like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and songwriters like Irving Berlin have been my favorites since I was a teen. When I received the demo for this song I knew right away I wanted to record it. Words & Music by Carolyne Swayze


Jerry Corelli



Jesus Is His Name - Jerry Corelli