The Bed You Made

I wasn't surprised when you walked away from what we had
You've always been the type to keep an eye out for greener grass
Well now that you've made your new bed
Is it everything that you expected? Or is it somthin' you regret?

Is that bed you made as warm as mine
Do you wake up wishin' you were by my side
When the morning sun shines through those shades
You'll be cryin' cuz my head will never lay in that bed you made.

Now that you've left have you found what you were looking for
Or is loneliness the only one that's knockin' at your door
Tonight when you reach out for me
I'll only be there in your dreams, that's the only place I'll be

Is that bed you made as warm as mine
Do you wake up wishin' you were by my side
When the morning sun shines through those shades
You'll remember my head will never lay in that bed you made.

Girl tonight when you reach out for me
I'll only be there in your dreams

Is that bed you made as warm as mine
Do you wake up wishin' you were by my side
When the morning sun shines through those shades
Just remember my head will never lay in that bed you made.

Written By Adam D. Pope © 2009 ASCAP “A Different Note Music”

Story Behind the Song

There were so many different influences that have contributed to my songs. But, if there was one song that bridged as many of them together as possible, it would be “The Bed You Made”.

While growing up, I heard so many oldies, but goodies. I quickly became familiar with the heavy strumming and strong rockabilly sounds of Elvis Presley’s Sun Records. I remember getting his whole Sun Collection on a CD one Christmas and being captivated by “Mystery Train”. The bass, rhythm guitar, and electric guitar just blew my mind! I didn’t understand why nobody else my age seemed to get it. If you ever have the privilege of hearing “Mystery Train”, listen for the way the rhythm guitar weaves in and out and how the drive is just pounded out by the bass. I loved that sound, and had no idea it would come out years later in an idea I had. But, I won’t get ahead of myself…back to my influences.

My life was completely changed by the movie “Ray”. I had heard his music, and always liked it. But seeing it with my own eyes brought to another level! I understand that it was Jamie Fox in the movie, but I started really buying Ray Charles’ albums and feeling those notes he hit. I’m talkin’ FEELING and SOUL! He could pound out teardrops on the piano, and I personally was moved by “Baby, What I Say”. Not in a sad way though. I just moved! I couldn’t sit or stand still and it just made me wanna shout! “MMMM, Hey baby, doncha treat me wrong! Come and love your daddy all night long…alrigghhht, Mmmmmm, alllright!” Those words were just merely the music that laid over top of what he couldn’t say in front of a family audience, the true meaning of the song can be found in that 1960’s electric piano he was lovin’ on.
It was just plain hot music. And I always carried that sound in my head, but never had an outlet for it in my “country” songs.

Then, there was Johnny Cash, the single biggest influence on my writing than anybody else. His persona, his lyrics…they were just what I needed to get me to believe in the pen in my hand. He was the nail in the coffin that made sure I would commit my life to pursuing music. He had that cool rhythm thing going on too. Did he ever! “Big River” is my favorite early recording. It has the same feel and drive as “Mystery Train”, but in a way that makes it only Johnny’s song. And the lyrics…wow. It’s very easy to overlook the lines “I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry; And I showed the clouds how to cover up the clear blue sky”.

So, what do you get when you mix Ray Charles keys, Elvis beats and electric guitar, and Johnny Cash rhythm? Well, if you are Adam Pope, you get “The Bed You Made”.

I wanted a song that I could let the band really show off on, so I wrote the music in my head while I was working one day. I wanted the upright bass to get a chance to really rock, the drums to be just crazy, the guitar to be dirty and raw, and I had to have what I called the “Ray” sounding keys.
I always laugh and tell folks not to listen to the words, cuz they don’t count on this one. I just wrote the words to go along with the real point of this song…the music. I didn’t place too much thought into the lyrics, as I usually do, and ended up with one of my most proud recordings. We recorded the song in an “old school” fashion, by doing it live. Except for the keys, the whole song was recorded with no overdubs. It took several takes for us to get the tempo right where I wanted it, but we all notched in and I sang live with the band right there in the same room. The next day, Dusty came in and nailed the “Ray” sound in two takes.

I guess the reason I am so proud of this one, is because I hear so much of my childhood and favorite influences in it. I hope the listener can acknowledge the sounds of the legends when they hear “The Bed You Made”, and I have my awesome band members to thank for giving it the sound I only dreamed of being able to create just a few years ago.