In my musical journey, I’ve always leaned toward traditional formats, particularly in classic country, blues, and gospel.
Sure, I can write pop songs with the best of them, including modern country. But going back to traditional call-and-response formats, AABA patterns, and 12-bar progressions is exteremely satisfying.
And even though Joe Henry once told me that I’d win the contest if Rodney Crowell’s songwriting camp was a contest for the most commercial song, I’m really a bit of an anti-commercialism kind of guy.
All of this to lead into my latest lyric, and likely, song, soon to be recorded and posted to my YouTube Channel. It’s called, “I Think I’m in the Wrong Town.” In the song, a “little bird” tells the narrator that although he landed in Nashville, he should be in Memphis.
Yes, the story is about me.
I’ve always had a strong draw toward Memphis and New Orleans as music cities. They seem more real, less influenced by the corrupt commercial industry. And these days, the industry seems to continue to make music more sterile by using too many automated and electronic tools like drum machines and autotune.
As I get closer to retirement, I’ll consider the option of moving closer to Memphis or New Orleans. No, I’m not going to pack my bags and move tomorrow. And maybe my roots will wind up pulling me back toward Maine. But I won’t throw places like Memphis and New Orleans out of the realm of possibilities.
Here’s the lyrics to the upcoming song.
I Think I’m in the Wrong Town
Well, I’ve been on a journey
In search of my home
For forty long years
All I’ve done is roam
Just when I thought I’d found it
And I started to settle down
I heard a bird outside my window
And I swear I heard him say
Mister, you’re in the wrong town
He said, sure, you’re close to Nashville
And those Nashville cats are cool
But brother you belong in Memphis
Where the blues and gospel rule
And as he flew off to the West
He looked back around, and he squawked
Mister Dan Steven, you’re in the wrong town
Lawd, I think I’m in the wrong town
You know it ain’t bad but it ain’t my sound
It’s time to pack up my guitar
And turn myself around
Lawd, lawd, lawd, I think I’m in the wrong town
I’ve got nothing against this place
It just lacks a little soul
I think about Stax and Royale records
And the birth of rock and roll
Now something keeps pulling me
A little further to the West
I guess I took a wrong turn
But I’m willing to confess
Lawd, I think I’m in the wrong town
You know it ain’t bad but it ain’t my sound
It’s time to pack up my guitar
And turn myself around
Lawd, lawd, lawd, I think I’m in the wrong town
I’m going down to the Big Muddy
I’m going down, down, down
I’m going down to Memphis
And then I’m Mississippi bound
Lawd, I think I’m in the wrong town
You know it ain’t bad but it ain’t my sound
It’s time to pack up my guitar
And turn myself around
Lawd, lawd, lawd, I think I’m in the wrong town
Words Copyright 2025 by Dan Steven Erickson
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