Rule Number One

by C. Carson Parks

Another "Salon Merengue."  This is probably one of the only songs I ever wrote with a particular artist in mind, but Frank Sinatra never saw it.  Music-wise, from the Tonic beginning, I went to the "two chord."  On the release, I moved the melody in an upward direction, while the chords descended.  I liked that tension.  There is also a false ending built in.  (e.g. - In the key of C, go to a Bb, then slide down to the A7, then D7, etc, around the circle of 5ths, and out.)  It has been used many times, but it still works.