Music Story - Just A Man

Song: Just A Man

Album: Next We Rock (©2024)

Credits: Darren Lee Richardson

Inception: 2010

At First Thought

'Just A Man' is a classic story song and was originally conceived in December 2010 when I was creating mostly as a studio/open mic musician... and being a husband and dad.

Back then, I was playing my black Fender acoustic most often. It opened up different song-writing perspectives for me. I'm not sure exactly what inspired me to put these chords and arrangements together, but I do recall that the chorus just came out as soon as that section came together. People responded well to this song whenever I would play it.

'Just A Man' has been on at least one other project. Go to my Albums page and see if you can find it. I'm really happy with the version recorded for 'Next We Rock'.

This would end up being one of my favorite "story" songs. It might be my only one. I'll have to check.

The Broken Cliché of the Love Triangle

Ducky was the man... or a symbolic representation.

This song is a derivative of the clichéd love triangle. If you relate to any of the three characters expressed in these lyrics, you should consider the direction of your emotional choices. This is more the "third wheel on a bicycle" version of said triangle. It is of the poor fool who hangs out in the friend zone, the unrequited lovelorn, who can't stop being there for someone who will not return the feeling. But it has a twist that most of these stories greatly need.

When the verses started playing out, they played out quickly. Once the chorus took off, it was clear what this song would be about.

Of course, being of that era, as the lyrics formed the story, it became impossible not to relate to Ducky from 'Pretty in Pink'. Whenever I play or listen to this song, I am immediately returned to the iconic role and performance of Jon Cryer's early career. Ducky is an iconic epitome of this type of love triangle and a beloved character of that era.

Jon Cryer is more recently seen in 'Extended Family', and, of course, is well known as Alan in 'Two and a Half Men'.

And hopefully, you know him as a staunch defender of democracy on social media. I follow him out there and greatly appreciate his activism and posts. So, taking the long way around, this song wasn't written because of Ducky, but it is a song for every Ducky in the world, totally, for sure.

A Contest Entry

Talent Is Timeless

I entered this song into this year's Talent Is Timeless competition. It's a new site I found for us, more mature musicians and songwriters. I got past the first two rounds, but was denied further progress thereafter. I'm good with that. I never enter these things expecting to win. Sometimes I'm just curious where my efforts land in the world of criticism. I'm glad it did this well.

Here were the comments for the rounds it passed:

Round 1

Really great arrangement choices and catchy melodies. Really excellent work! The repeated questioning "Am I your man or just a man" is a strong emotional hook that drives the song’s theme of unreciprocated love and emotional exhaustion. Great use of repetition without overdoing it and great melodic contrast between sections.

Round 2

Overall this is a driving and catchy song. Great entry!

It captured my attention right away with the structure of the verses. I really got into the feeling of this song and I think the repetition in the chorus is powerful.

An Early Video Exercise

Early single-take, green-screen work.

This song came along just in time for me to get my first true green screen. I made this video with a single take, and I think I had a Zoom mic for the audio. This song was still in its infancy, so I played it a lot; therefore, the take came out pretty decent.

I've always wanted to make a really good video of this song. I have a whole plan in my head, but it would require hiring other people to display the story aspects. Maybe someday I can do something like that. For now, it will just have to be a good idea.

The lyrics are below. Would love to hear your thoughts.

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Thank you for reading... Darren Lee Richardson

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Lyrics

Just A Man

By Darren Lee Richardson

© 2010

Have I been holding on for way too long

Do I embrace a world where I don’t belong

When your rainbows appear do I enter your mind

Am I only a thought when your sun doesn’t shine

As I bear all your tears one more last time

Am I your man… or just a man…

Have I relinquished all the love that I’ve known

Do I presume a world where I’m not alone

When your dreams are in view do you see me nearby

Am I only a wish when your tears will not dry

As I shoulder your fears one more last time

Am I your man… or just a man… just a man… just a man… just a man…

It’s late AM and you cry out once again

I won’t forsake you… no… I won’t forsake you yet again

And in the end when your life seems well again

You will forsake me… ohhh… you will surrender me again

Release me as I am… just a man

When you look here again you may find you’re alone

When you look here again you may find you’re alone

Cause I can’t carry on where the love is not known

I must bid you farewell one final time

I am a man… just not your man…