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Rough start of a song (with phone demo)


stickboymusic

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Quote Originally Posted by stickboymusic View Post
Ok here is another ROUGH live demo (not off a phone this time) hopefully it sorts the melody a little

I am still no further with the writing stage but once I have this locked in then the words should come quick.

I think it needs to be slightly faster , I may go for this kind of recording but done properly and with extra musical elements/vocals

http://soundcloud.com/stickboy/if-yo...ely-very-rough
Lovely. There are still a few (tiny) rough spots, but it's gonna be a killer song.
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Hello

Ok I have tracked the order of the song, just basic acoustic/piano and vocals for now

The vocals are just a first take but give you an idea of melody/lyrics

I am looking for feedback more on lyrics at this stage, I am pretty happy with the structure, yes it doesnt do much musically YET but I can worry about that later, I will introduce a few subtle elements as the song progresses

Thoughts??

http://soundcloud.com/stickboy/if-yo...nely-demo-2-in

If you're lonely
Then it seems you do not know me
I've been hanging round forever
Only to find
I am never in your arms
And never on your mind

If you're lonely
Reach out your hand and hold me
For a million days won't matter
If you don't see
That a million dreams will shatter
If I leave

Life is like a rollercoaster running out of steam
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween
If you don't want to take this ride alone then let it show
I guess that lonely, is the only thing you know

It's the only thing you know
Like the lonesome river flows
And the crying wind it blows
It seems that lonely is the only thing you know

Life is like a carousel
spinning out of time
its easier to take the lows
than to attempt the climb
if you just want to take this ride alone
then let me go
I guess that lonely is the only thing you know

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Besides being thrilled at how good this is, I'm even more pissed off at RangeFinder for his crap comments.

I have a few suggestions. I think an "o" sound is lonelier than an "e" sound, so I've changed two words here.

If you're lonely
Reach out your hand and hold me
For a million days won't matter
If you don't know
That a million dreams will shatter
If I go


I think this section might work better if you had true rhymes all the way through.

It's the only thing you know
The way the lonesome rivers flow
And the sighing north winds blow
It seems that lonely is the only thing you know


Life is like a carousel
spinning out of time
its easier to take the lows
than to attempt the climb


I'm not sure I'd stick with "spinning out of time." Maybe, spinning us through time?

I kinda don't know what to do with that last line. "Than to attempt the climb" feels a bit awkward to me. Maybe "take the chance and climb?"

Either way, this is turning into a fabulous song. Truly great.

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Quote Originally Posted by LCK View Post
Besides being thrilled at how good this is, I'm even more pissed off at RangeFinder for his crap comments.

I have a few suggestions. I think an "o" sound is lonelier than an "e" sound, so I've changed two words here.

If you're lonely
Reach out your hand and hold me
For a million days won't matter
If you don't know
That a million dreams will shatter
If I go


I think this section might work better if you had true rhymes all the way through.

It's the only thing you know
The way the lonesome rivers flow
And the sighing north winds blow
It seems that lonely is the only thing you know


Life is like a carousel
spinning out of time
its easier to take the lows
than to attempt the climb


I'm not sure I'd stick with "spinning out of time." Maybe, spinning us through time?

I kinda don't know what to do with that last line. "Than to attempt the climb" feels a bit awkward to me. Maybe "take the chance and climb?"

Either way, this is turning into a fabulous song. Truly great.
Thanks for the ideas.

I like the know/go idea BUT i like the first mention of "go" towards the end of the song and dont really want to mention it earlier.

I will have a think about the other bits , they arent really bothering me too much but if anyone else wants to jump in with agreement then I will have a proper look
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Ok couple of ideas after LCK's input

what do you say?

If you're lonely
Then it seems you do not know me
I've been hanging round forever
Only to find
I am never in your arms
And never on your mind

If you're lonely
Reach out your hand and hold me
For a million days won't matter
If you don't see
That a million dreams will shatter
If I leave

Life is like a rollercoaster running out of steam
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween
If you don't want to take this ride alone then let it show
I guess that lonely, is the only thing you know

It's the only thing you know
As the lonesome rivers flow
And the crying winds they blow
It seems that lonely is the only thing you know

Life is like a carousel
That's spinning out of time
its easier to take the lows
than try and chance the climb
if you just want to take this ride alone
then let me go
I guess that lonely is the only thing you know

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It's all good Stick, but I've never been comfortable with the mixing of metaphors as follows:

Life is like a rollercoaster running out of steam
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween


'running out of steam' is a metaphor that just doesn't sit comfortably with the 'ups and downs' of a rollercoaster.
Why not try a different abstract idea altogether like :

Life is like a rollercoaster running on a dream - (riding on a dream)
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween


or something........

I do prefer LCK's suggestion of spinning us through time It just makes more sense.

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Quote Originally Posted by oldgitplayer View Post
It's all good Stick, but I've never been comfortable with the mixing of metaphors as follows:

Life is like a rollercoaster running out of steam
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween


'running out of steam' is a metaphor that just doesn't sit comfortably with the 'ups and downs' of a rollercoaster.
Why not try a different abstract idea altogether like :

Life is like a rollercoaster running on a dream - (riding on a dream)
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween


or something........

I do prefer LCK's suggestion of spinning us through time It just makes more sense.
I love ^running on a dream^.

Anyway, I love this. What I love about your tunes is you usually have a nugget of an idea, a twist or payoff or... something that the song hangs on nicely. Here, it is the title, Lonely is the only thing you know, that is always in contrast with your dream of being with her. It's that intuitive knack you have of the subtle payoff.

One possible change might be to not have you be so sure, so early in the song that lonely is the only thing she knows...

Life is like a rollercoaster running on a dream
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween
If you don't want to take this ride alone then let it show
But maybe lonely, is the only thing you know

And then, of course, to seal the deal in the next B section, that you now do think that it is then maybe the only thing she knows.
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Quote Originally Posted by oldgitplayer View Post
It's all good Stick, but I've never been comfortable with the mixing of metaphors as follows:

Life is like a rollercoaster running out of steam
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween




'running out of steam' is a metaphor that just doesn't sit comfortably with the 'ups and downs' of a rollercoaster.
Why not try a different abstract idea altogether like :

Life is like a rollercoaster running on a dream - (riding on a dream)
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween


or something........

I do prefer LCK's suggestion of spinning us through time It just makes more sense.
Agreed...
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Quote Originally Posted by oldgitplayer View Post
It's all good Stick, but I've never been comfortable with the mixing of metaphors as follows:

Life is like a rollercoaster running out of steam
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween


'running out of steam' is a metaphor that just doesn't sit comfortably with the 'ups and downs' of a rollercoaster.
Why not try a different abstract idea altogether like :

Life is like a rollercoaster running on a dream - (riding on a dream)
First you have the ups and downs and then the inbetween


or something........

I do prefer LCK's suggestion of spinning us through time It just makes more sense.
Hmm interesting - people seem sold on your "running on a dream" for me, a dream is a good thing so if the rollercoaster was running on a dream it would all be positive.

my initial meaning, i know rollercoasters dont literally run out of steam (like an old train) but for me ANYTHING running out of steam is slowing down and struggling.... hence at first you have the ups and downs and as it runs out of steam (power/interest/hope/whatever) you are just stuck with the inbetween (going nowhere)

I assume that is not clear (to anyone)
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Quote Originally Posted by Lee Knight View Post

One possible change might be to not have you be so sure, so early in the song that lonely is the only thing she knows...

If you don't want to take this ride alone then let it show
But maybe lonely, is the only thing you know
Thanks Lee - this will definitely go in

I am still unsure about changing that "running out of steam" line - hmmmmm
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Quote Originally Posted by Lee Knight View Post
Passing by at speed. GREAT!

Well... you know me. Screw the modest production, I love that. GREAT. GREAT. GREAT.
So you think the BIGGER production is working, I mean yeh it sounds quite nice but is it distracting from the song

This is still a demo so its still a little rusty but I am just seeking thoughts on new lyrics (do you need them typing?) and the way its going musically?
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For me, this is the direction you should go. Others may disagree, but yes, I really love this treatment. It does not detract from the lyric, it focuses in on it. That's my perspective. Sure, you could tone down the compressed drums, dial back the velocities to create a more intimate drummer's take, turn the room sound down, etc... or not. I really like the way this works as you have it. IT took me a bit by surprise but I was smiling at the same time. I like it.

Sure, show the lyrics. Do I have that right? Passing by at speed?

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Hmm cool ok - I am still unsure on the bigger sound but I will have a play and see

If you're lonely
Then it seems you do not know me
I've been hanging round forever
Only to find
I am never in your arms
And never on your mind

If you're lonely
Reach out your hand and hold me
For a million days won't matter
If you don't see
That a million dreams will shatter
If I leave

Life is like a rollercoaster PASSING BY AT SPEED
YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE ups and downs BEFORE YOU CAN PROCEED
If you don't want to take this ride alone then let it show
MAYBE lonely, is the only thing you know

It's the only thing you know
As the lonesome rivers flow
And the crying winds they blow
It seems that lonely is the only thing you know

Life is like a carousel
That's spinning out of time
its easier to take the lows
than try and chance the climb
if you just want to take this ride alone
then let me go
I guess that lonely is the only thing you know

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Quote Originally Posted by stickboymusic View Post
Hmm cool ok - I am still unsure on the bigger sound but I will have a play and see

If you're lonely
Then it seems you do not know me
I've been hanging round forever
Only to find
I am never in your arms
And never on your mind

If you're lonely
Reach out your hand and hold me
For a million days won't matter
If you don't see
That a million dreams will shatter
If I leave

Life is like a rollercoaster PASSING BY AT SPEED
YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE ups and downs BEFORE YOU CAN PROCEED
If you don't want to take this ride alone then let it show
MAYBE lonely, is the only thing you know

It's the only thing you know
As the lonesome rivers flow
And the crying winds they blow
It seems that lonely is the only thing you know

Life is like a carousel
That's spinning out of time
its easier to take the lows
than try and chance the climb
if you just want to take this ride alone
then let me go
I guess that lonely is the only thing you know
I love the lyric. Your changes really tie it together nicely. And... of course a more modest and intimate arrangement would work very well. Yes. But I do like this. It counteracts the somber, bordering on morose, feel that the original phone demo had. I felt that that tone, along with the lyric, was dragging it down.

I'm wrong everyday so... smile.gif. Take it all with massive spoonfuls of salt.
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Wow, the latest version is really good. Like, a hundred times better than the initial demo. Lee is right about the arrangement giving it a big lift. Personally, I would take out about half of the cymbal crashes. Not eliminate them entirely, but just use them as occasional punctuation. But I don't know squat about arrangement and production, so take that comment with a grain of salt.

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Quote Originally Posted by Monkey Uncle

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Wow, the latest version is really good. Like, a hundred times better than the initial demo. Lee is right about the arrangement giving it a big lift. Personally, I would take out about half of the cymbal crashes. Not eliminate them entirely, but just use them as occasional punctuation. But I don't know squat about arrangement and production, so take that comment with a grain of salt.

 

No I think you are quite correct - I just quickly mapped a drum idea, some of the fills need sorting (taking away) and yes those cymbals are a little too big at the mo..... so I guess this may be the right direction just need to tame it down a little - thanks
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OK here' my take. The third verse is missing something.

It's the only thing you know
Like the lonesome river flows
And the crying wind it blows
It seems that lonely is the only thing you know


The protagonist is pretty steady in his bad-mouthing of this chick (?). But we don't get a sense of why HE feels that way. Somehow I want to see that he's been hurt himself, and that's why he's so down on the chick. I'd like some hint that he tried to open her up, but she brushed him off or something.

There's two people in every relationship. The real story is; why does this guy feel this way? (I mean, if she's really that bad, what did he see in her in the first place?)

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I still love it. And... I totally get why you're "losing a bit of interest" in it. This is the song that gets placed in a Judd Apatow movie and you say in an interview, "I never really much liked that one." Really. The changes work for the better. Stop. You're done. But definately include it in submissions. Really...

note: I wouldn't continue working on it with your mood toward it right now. Just let it be. It's really good.

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Quote Originally Posted by LCK View Post
I disagree. I think it's really, really good.

Personally, I would download this song and listen to it a lot.
Head scratch. Wha? I'm not sure what you're disagreeing with. Sounds like we both like it. I only say "let it be" if he's burnt out on it. Or not.
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