She writes the songs

Moods inspire Free State musician

Rather than singing in the rain, Jennifer Green was writing with the rain after hearing about the Journal-World’s songwriting contest.

“I tend to be a moody person,” said Green, a sophomore at Free State High School. “For some reason that day I was just kind of in the mood to write. It was probably raining.

“School’s been kind of hard and you get tired. The more down I got the more I started thinking about my friends and I got in the mood to write.”

Green’s decision to keep writing paid off. Her song “Rhapsody to Rain” placed first in the Journal-World’s contest, held in conjunction with the national USA Weekend-John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Once Green started to write her winning song, she couldn’t stop.

“I sat down and went with the mood,” she said. “The longer I went into the song, the more I liked it. At the time, it was an inspirational thing. When I was writing it, I always imagined it having a bluesy and dark feel to it.”

Who would Green select to sing her song?

“It’d probably be a jazz singer, but unlikely a traditional jazz singer,” she said. “I never imagined a specific singer.”

JENNIFER GREEN, a sophomore at Free State High School, won the Journal-World songwriting contest. She plays the clarinet for Free State's concert band.

Music is a big part of Green’s life. She has played the clarinet since sixth grade and is a member of Free State High School’s concert band. In the fall, she participates in the school’s color guard.

“I love to sing,” Green said. “I don’t take lessons, and I’m not in the choir. I made a failed attempt at the piano a long time ago … there were too many keys, and I ended up playing the clarinet.”

Green’s a big fan of show tunes and likes “every kind of music,” ranging from rap to pop to classics.

World Online reader Heather Wessling, a junior at Beloit Senior-Junior High School, placed second in the Journal-World songwriting contest with “Blind Cupid.”

Green’s and Wessling’s lyrics along with other entries were forwarded to The USA Weekend national contest. The winning lyrics will be published later this year in USA Weekend, a Sunday supplement of the Journal-World.

Judging will be based on originality and creativity, songwriting ability and appropriateness of song lyrics for recording.

National winners will be notified no later than June 30.

By Heather WesslingA careless, flirtatious teenager,searching for someone to call my own.Something to pass the timeand put my heart on loan.And I discovered you with a caring personality.You were everything I dreamed ofto cure my insecurity.I wanted, teased youhypnotized you with my innocence.Unsuspecting, you followed me,my loving heart a pretense.I had you on a leashbut I threw it out the door.I had everything a girl could want,but I wanted more.My heart was set on youMy target a little overdid.My lies are sharp arrows,shooting like a blind cupid.Was my insecurity a lie? Was I just bored and needed something new?And it was just your luckit turned out to be you.My senseless selfishnessa diagnosed symptomthat I happen to confusea lover for a victim.So ashamed and disappointed,I’ve hit a new, all-time low,but I gather up the piecesand search for another arrow …
By Jennifer Green Just sittin’ here by the window,Feelin’ down and blue,Wishin’ you would call for me,Wishin’ I dared call for you.But I know better,I’m learning fast,I guess the best thing in my lifeWas far too good to last.Chorus:You were …the best part in my heartYou were …the secret in my smileYou were …The cure for all my painAnd now you’re the reasonI’m singin’This rhapsody to rain.Plip-plop, drip-drop,In the puddles, in the wet,Plip-plop, drip-dropGod how I wish I could go out and just forget … But there’s nowhere to runNo lover for me,No one to tell,No one who sees,No one who knows that I’m cryin’ at night (cryin’ at night)Because you’re walkin’ away, (walkin’ into the rain)And something’s telling meThat can’t be rightChorusBridge:(Rain falling softly in background)Male voice:Look, I’m sorry.Female voice: (crying)It’s nothing. Look, I understand.You don’t want me around.Male voice:It’s not what you thinkFemale voice:It’s OKI know the drill, I know, I know.Time’s come for me to go.Male:Wait(car door slams, engine revs, tires squeal)Song:It’s too late for you,It’s too late for me,Sometimes you just knowIt wasn’t meant to be …But I’ll survive this painI’ll find a way — I’ll learn to love againAnd until I can,I’ve got …this rhapsody to rain.Rhapsody (rhapsody)Rhapsody (rhapsody)Rhapsody (rhapsody)To rain!