[RickyFitz]

http://www.rickyfitz...m/music-52.html

I wanted to tap the collective genius of my fellow Musers, and share this song with you.

“Highway 98” is a song I’ve been performing for probably 10 years, which is about how long ago it was when I originally wrote it. It’s long been a fan favorite and is actually now making its way through the GA House of Representatives (HR1642) to be named as the official song of GA Hwy 98…something never done before in the state.

Anyway, I sound like a salesman…

Because of the recent excitement, I finally got busy and recorded a full studio rendition of it…something I usually don’t do. But I actually am pretty stoked about it. And I wanted to get your input.

This is the rendition that we’ll have online, will be in distribution, airplay and used in our fundraising activities too. And it will be stored in the historical records for the state of GA for a very, very long time. So your feedback on it, is very important to me. I'd love to hear your thoughts on everything from the lyrics, the writing, the melody, the groove, the instruments, the mix...whatever. It's all good.

Thank you, guys!!! - Ricky

http://www.rickyfitz...m/music-52.html

***LYRICS***

Highway 98
Words & Music by Ricky Fitzpatrick
Copyright 2004, Ricky Fitzpatrick Music, 2012 Pitch A Fitz Music

Verse One
Headed out of Commerce, across the railroad tracks and the new bypass.
Right about there the world begins to change.
Past the new Jehovah’s Witness building, and my best friend Todd’s old house,
Takin’ me right on back again.

Verse Two
Not too slow…not too fast, set the cruise and let off the gas.
Blacks Creek Church Road and drifting through my dreams.
Past the county line and Midway store, a million other times before.
And in the farms and the barns I’m wrapped up in your wings…

Chorus
Highway 98, I swear, there’s something about your lines,
Makes a good ol’ boy get lost inside your miles.
Highway 98, out there, in the middle of the highway signs,
Makes me want to take my time…on you.

Verse Three
Past my grandpa’s house and Jot ‘Em Down; a thousand years from the nearest town.
There ain’t no one else on the road tonight but me.
‘round Danielsville and the register homes, like the lyrics straight out of some classic Country song
Not a care in the world as far as I can see.

Verse Four
On past the high school and under the stars, occasional headlights from the passing cars,
And the whole world just seems to be right again out here.
Destination: far as I can take it, all the way down 98.
I just might keep on drivin’ all night…but I don’t care.

Chorus
Highway 98, I swear, there’s something about your lines,
Makes a good ol’ boy get lost inside your miles.
Highway 98, out there, in the middle of the highway signs,
Makes me want to take my time…on you.

[Jason Kalman]

Ricky,

Great song. It starts off so soft and builds to a very nice chorus. Production is great! Love the spoken verses. Great lyrics. I think that is my favorite part of this song. I felt I was there on Highway 98. Singing is very good. Well, there really isn't anything to crit in this song. Good luck with it.
thanks for the post!
jason

[Dottie]

Hi Ricky,

I live in Ga.and my niece lives in Commerce so I know that it really is a different world out there. My niece used to ride a donkey to the store! I think you’ve done an excellent job on this song and I can understand why you’ve had the interest in it that you’ve had. The only nits I have are in these two lines.

There ain’t no one else on the road tonight but me.
occasional headlights from the passing cars,

As you can see when you look at them together they are contradicting.

Two thumbs up and good luck with this awesome song!

Dottie

[SongWriter Joe]

Nice song, good vibe. Only one little thing.. and I learned this from someone with a great deal more experience and knowledge about the music business than I possess.. this is great to be performed locally.. but outside your area, making such limited reference to a certain geographical area also limits your potential target audience, and the pool of musicians who might wish to record it or perform it; same for licensing issues. Be great for Ga. area bands.. keep on keepin' on.

[cindyrella]

Wow! This great. The spoken parts, the music, just a great job!
Cindy

[AudioProUK]

Hey ,
Yes this is a nice song . As Joe said its going to be welcomed by locals , however its going to struggle else where because the lyrics are very very localized and mean nothing to anyone else. Its well done though.

Keep it up

Dave

[RickyFitz]

Hey everyone...thank you so much for the comments, kind words and critiques on Highway 98! What an awesome way to start my week, seeing all your feedback! Your thoughts are consistent with what I've been hearing, all around...lots of folks enjoying it, obviously people who are from the area, even moreso. And mixed comments on the "talking" verses. But overall for me, this was a fantastic bunch of feedback from a group of peers whose opinions I respect very, very much. So thanks again!!! Have a great week! - Ricky

[neuroron]

I like the Choruses. I easily just let the verses float by not really concentrating on the local particulars, just like riding on a strange highway on a trip, if it had a little more trance/driving feel. I really liked the organ but the other parts seemed a little too herky-jerky to let me zone out in it, but overall very nice - Good luck on your efforts! Ron