Songwriting: Stories that Never Happened plus Downtown Train by Tom Waits
And the rules of engagement for post-divorce dalliances
I’m giving you two songs today, both performed yesterday, in my office.
The first, One Night, was written in 2012 while driving home from a house concert in Salt Lake City. I had played previously in Fort Collins, CO and while looking at the map realized that Couer d’Alene, ID, is almost directly North of Los Angeles.
There is NOTHING particularly earth-shattering about this except that I had some notion that it would have been more East than directly North. I had been asked to play a show outside of Couer d’Alene but it never been materialized.
While driving, I wrote the lines:
Headed South for Los Angeles from Couer d’Alene
Driving all night through the memories and the freezing rain
Met at a truck stop but you never would give me your name
We stayed up talking and like the rain, you washed away my pain
It’s a pretty good start to a song.
Stories that Never Happened
The song is ultimately a story about a one night stand. When sharing the song more than a few people, usually women, have asked if it is a true story.
I typically respond, “Having slept at a few truck stops I can verify that there is NO ONE there you want to have a one night stand with…. myself included.”
In fact, I’ve never had a one night stand. During a brief period after my second divorce I had a few sporadic night stands but I feel it is good policy to have at least two or three “get-to-know-you” conversations before any dalliances.
Let’s talk actual policy
After the aforementioned divorce, I’d made a commitment that I would NOT date/have a girlfriend until my youngest was 18 years old. This did not preclude having “lady friends” but I was always honest with what I could offer any relationship.
Mostly this meant long bouts of celibacy.
“I’m not a boyfriend or boyfriend material. I often will not respond to texts for weeks at a time. My focus and commitment is my daughter, my work, and my music.”
You may be surprised to learn that the above phrase is not an effective aphrodisiac.
Policy add-ons:
Never sleep with someone for the first time who’s been drinking
Never sleep with someone who is in an emotionally compromised state - particularly if they broke up with someone or are in a bad relationship
Never sleep with a neighbor
In short, be honest and try not be a regret!
These were my post-marriage, avoid trouble, rules of engagement. They are for me alone but, if one is having dalliances (I’m not judging), some ground rules are not a bad idea. They protect both parties from bad judgement.
I met Deb during the dalliance period of life. She recognized the potential train wreck, which led to our friendship and the raw conversations we still share. We would often talk about potential “lady friends” I was talking to and she would laugh at my failures and even the rare “successes.”
The fact is, Deb and I did kiss on three occasions during that time. Once, near the start of our friendship. Deb would contend that the first kiss was me kissing her but my memory seems to suggest she was amenable. A few years later, I was sleeping over and we kissed twice. I slept over a LOT and no, we were not intimate when I slept over. I slept in the loft.
But, we were sitting on her bed talking and I leaned over and kissed her. Then I said, “No.” She said, “Wait…” She leaned over and kissed me - it was nice. Then we both said, “Nope!” And up to the loft I went.
It was pleasant. There was interest. But my daughter wasn’t 18 yet and Deb was my best friend and favorite person to sit on a bed and talk to. I didn’t want to screw that up.
She’s still my best friend and favorite person to sit on the bed and talk to.
“Awwwwweeee!!! So sweet!”
Back to songs written while driving
And so, there I was on highway 15, headed toward Vegas. It’s about 10 hours from Salt Lake to Los Angeles. I wasn’t sure I’d make it home, figuring I might sleep at the truck stop just North of Vegas.
The lines for the song kept coming. I ended up taking a break at a rest stop and writing most of the music. I made it to Los Angeles, exhausted and one song richer.
I hope you enjoy! (the lyrics are below my signature)
Revisiting Tom Waits: Downtown Train
In a prior newsletter/article, I mentioned crushing on Tom Waits. I now have a few songs of his I perform when I play out. This song was popularized when Rod Stewart recorded it. I include it in my set because I LOVE IT but also, those who are less familiar with Tom Waits tend to know this song.
Musically simple. Lyrically it has that signature Tom Waits gritty sweet sentimentality.
“If I was the one you chose to be your only one” is such a nice line.
I hope you enjoy!
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
With Love and Gratitude,
Matthew Moran
January 27, 2025
ONE NIGHT © 2012 - Matthew Moran VERSE Heading South for Los Angeles from Coeur d’Alene Driving all night through the memories and freezing rain Met at that truck stop but you never would give me your name We stayed up talking and like the rain you washed away my pain In the morning we shook hands, you headed East into the sun It took me 2 full days to figure out just what you’d done I found your number and your note tucked inside that grocery sack It took me two more days to get the courage up to call you back (chorus) CHORUS Two travelers, one night A shared moment that feels right Both letting go, both holding tight Let’s own the darkness until we see the light VERSE Back in Vegas girl we met and threw our hearts into the night The passion and the laughter and the sweetness of two souls taking flight I tried to talk you into following me out West A kiss, a smile, and you assured me this was for the best (chorus) VERSE Do your memories ever take you to that place and time? And do you realize that you’re forever held in mine That stretch of highway and the evening leaves me thinking about us I swear every time I’m driving through that town I feel your touch (chorus) ###
Good principles to follow :-)
J