Wondering Why?

a song by PL Boyle

1970s
Written Notes, etc.
21st Century
Lyrics/Chords
Latest
Recording
Scanned Original Notes (PDF file) WONDERING-WHY-2023-11-15.pdf Audio file:
WONDERING-WHY-ZOOM0291-e.wav
Recorded: 11/15/2023
Runtime (min:sec) 03:20
STATUS: Latest version completed on November 15, 2023.
First Draft completed December 20, 2022.

NOTES: My 1970s self left some chords to use and a few lines. Another year has passed since my first 21st century rendition of this song was created. I've shortened it a bit and it is now not quite as fast-pace, guitar-wise. The lyrics now are such that the song generally references someone suddenly leaving someone's life. The person could be a friend, a lover, a spouse, a parent, a child, etc.. Someone has left, not necessarily by suicide, but they left and without explanation. Leaving someone remaining behind "wondering why?".

Back Story: I'm pretty sure this was created in my dreaded, dark winter of 1972-73. My best friend and roommate and I had recently moved to Louisville to help "fix" the Steamatic franchise there. We worked pretty hard for the first couple months (Sep-Oct), but things seemed to be going really well. Then on a beautiful autumn Louisville morning I found him after he had committed suicide. That was on October 26, 1972, he was 19, I was 20. Hence, that winter was a big downer for me. I'm guessing that must've been when I jotted down the original notes. There was no title shown, so I've taken the first word in the lyrics and added a WHY? WONDERING WHY? seems to be what I was thinking that winter about a lot of things.

AUDIO RECORDINGS: No fancy equipment or editing. These recordings are chock-full of mistakes in singing, lyrics and guitar playing. They aren't meant for the top 40 list. But they should give someone an idea of how I intended the song to sound. I will continue trying to get the "perfect" recording, but don't hold your breath too long waiting.