The Pain Game

Peter Greenstone

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Description

THE FINAL MIXED AND MASTERED VERSION OF THIS TRACK IS AVAILABLE ON MY DEBUT ALBUM, "SOMETHING".

http://www.simig.com/records/artists/peter/peter.htm

THIS VERSION IS CLOSE TO FINAL BUT NOT THE FINAL.

This is a major overhaul of one of my first songs. Among other things, I redid all the vocals and added other parts, totally changed and worked out the the drums, added numerous sounds and nuances, extended the intro, and massaged the overall mix.

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Lyrics

This is a twisted game we play each other every day
the pain you feel is nothing strange
so take it as you will

When at last you feel safe
and everyone's changed
we'll just do it again

Nothing is as empty as that smile you're giving me
the fleeting light will evanesce like waves across the rolling sea

When you've had enough pain
and it all feels the same
you'll just do it again

I feel it calling me
to where I began

It's the same old game we've played
each time we meet it hurts the same

How many times has it happened
How many times been forgotten
In the end you know we'll
do it again and again and again and again

The act of loving someone that you feel the need to change
will take you to an endless plane
so take what you can get

And when at last your time comes
and there's nobody home
to say it isn't so

I feel it calling me
to where I began

how many times
how many times
how many times
how many times

Song Stats

Hits: 12224
Comments: 58
Fans: 18
Plays: 1347
Downloads: 85
Votes: 32
Uploaded: Aug 09, 2005 - 06:59:49 PM
Last Updated: Oct 25, 2006 - 05:59:15 PM Last Played: Nov 21, 2009 - 02:03:50 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Hardware:

G5 w/2 gigs, ART Tube preamp/compressor, M-Audio Firewire 410, Taylor acoustic guitar, Westbury electric, Audio Technica MB4000C mic

Software:

Comments

	nextgeek said 1568 days ago (August 9th, 2005)
	Cool This is really a great track. Wonderful work!!

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1568 days ago (August 9th, 2005)
	Cool Thanks, Mr. Geek. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

jesushairdo	jesushairdo said 1568 days ago (August 9th, 2005)
	think this is my favourite hey pgeenstone. i think this song is by far my favourite of yours. i liked grow up very much too. but this is really good. your vocals are excellent and liked the guitar sound on top of it! kewl! downloaded! Check out my latest song called Elephant in the Sky (Orchestra version)

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1568 days ago (August 9th, 2005)
	think this is my favourite Thanks, JH. I'm glad you like it so much. Actually, "Grow Up" is another one I'd like to redo. Unfortunately, I don't have the mix project for that one anymore and I will have to start from the beginning again. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

jgurner	jgurner said 1568 days ago (August 9th, 2005)
	Lots of energy... ...but still has that dreamy quality I like so much. The production on this one is excellent. Your production skills just seem to get better and better every time. Love the various effects you use on the vocal tracks throughout. Very creative and well put together. Check out my latest song called Bourbon Street Dawn

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1568 days ago (August 9th, 2005)
	Lots of energy... Thanks, jgurner. I learn something new with every song. Getting the first 90% of the song produced is relatively easy and fast, but that last 10% really is where the hours/days/weeks of work come in to play. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1568 days ago (August 9th, 2005)
	Excellent song. I'm impressed by how frequently you're able to post these songs with such interesting vocals. Really great production again. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

perceptualvortex	perceptualvortex said 1568 days ago (August 9th, 2005)
	Excellent Oh yeah, I meant to add that while I typically really like your song art, the pic here is my favorite yet... very, very nice. Check out my latest song called Machine Man (w Beastie Boys)

Peter Greenstone

Peter Greenstone said 1568 days ago (August 10th, 2005)

Excellent
Thanks, PV. I always like trying out new things with my vocals. I nearly popped
a blood vessel singing that really high note near the end.

I'm glad you like my song art. This one is using a b/w photo I took in my
brother's suburban back yard using a red filter to enhance the early evening sky.
I did some colorization and added the ominous black hole/orb in Photoshop.

Check out my latest song called From Nothing

stevel	stevel said 1568 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	Great track! Very enjoyable, great performance and production Steve Check out my latest song called Electricity

aclarke	aclarke said 1568 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	Maybe it's time... to re-think the whole day job thing, Peter. Another nice do- over. Check out my latest song called Ballad of The Little Tiki

SlimGirlFat	SlimGirlFat said 1568 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	Oustanding I agree with Ac.. gotta rethink your day job!!! Fantastic production.. and great vocals. Love that high note.. heh heh Slimmie Check out my latest song called Not Enough

mikkinylund

mikkinylund said 1568 days ago (August 10th, 2005)

Wow, wow, wow!
The one of the best song I've heard on here so farr! This just
a brilliant piece of work, from lyrics, vocals, arrangements
and production! The only thing I would change is the
ending, it sounds like the song is "just" fading out while it
could be a but more arranged..? Anyway, that's just a small
"picky" notice... This is great! Thanks!

Mikki

Check out my latest song called Fairyland (Satumaa)

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	Wow, wow, wow! Thanks, Mikki. You're probably right about the ending. I'm sure it could have a more interesting finish than a fade. I'm preparing to put togetehr an album and I'll consider comments like yours for the absolute final CD versions of the tracks. Which reminds me, how's that little organ part you were doing for me coming along? Check out my latest song called From Nothing

said 1568 days ago (August 10th, 2005)

Stunning....
I shrink away from giving nines on the voting, in
part, because I have a hard time calling any song
"stunning., took my breath away." Well, I am still
breathing, but this song is stunning. The whole
song construction from lyrics to instrumentation to
a totally cool arrangement... your performance
(man, you can sing these songs!) and production
effects... originality/creativity (try finding a song
like this on your radio dial).... overall (see comment
above).

Peter, I agree with AC and SGF... although like
Harry, you've got a daytime job and doing alright,
I can only wonder if one day you might become
another MJ alumni that gets "found." Of course,
now you're talking gigs, travel, interviews, endless
streams of fans and groupies, Grammy Awards
ceremonies... nah, too tiring... forget it. Sorry I
mentioned it.

Any way, nice song!!

Jack

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	Stunning.... Thanks, Jack. I really appreciate the encouragement you all have been giving me. Who knows where it's all leading? But I'm just having a grea time making the music and sharing it. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

Cameron

Cameron said 1568 days ago (August 10th, 2005)

lush arrangement!
There's a lot going on in this mix and you manage to
balance it all very well. The arrangement is very
"professional"-sounding. Your new, improved recording
gear really does make a difference -- along with your
continually-improving recording skill.

Through my headphones, the "highs" were a little
prominent, but a bit less so when I cranked up the
volume.

Check out my latest song called EPONYM

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	lush arrangement! Thanks, Cameron. Louder makes everything better ;-) Check out my latest song called From Nothing

	dbz_inuyasha said 1568 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	Neato Cool song.. I like it I think that sometimes it needs a little more in the background though. ~ERIKA!~

Mystified	Mystified said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	You've done it again, Peter... Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. Keep making music, would you? ;) And thank you so much for sharing it. Check out my latest song called For the Beauty of the Earth

Willywagga	Willywagga said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	Supertight As everyone else has already said, Well Done great song terrifically tight and seamless, your voice consistantly reminds me of David Bowie during his Lodger phase, your music suggests Prefab Sprout wall of sound abit in my head, which is pretty brilliant in my mind. Check out my latest song called The Jes on Sea Road

dented	dented said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	Very nice Vocals and guitar sound great. To me, this has a U2 flavor, but not as annoying. Great work dude. Check out my latest song called Lost

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)

It's the mix of things...
...that takes this to the next level...

You've got a lot of Bowie influence in the vocals, sure, but
a lot of you...and as noted below, some elements of
middle period Bowie production...but then you have more
spangle and drive in the guitars (and I really love the
guitar in this song) and more variation than Bowie did...

Another song where I can't wait to get my headphones
on...I can just TELL...

Great song. Lyrics real good and never the expected...even
the form is different...

You know the ONLY thing I don't particularly like on this
one? The title. To me, 'The Pain Game' sounds a little
teenage angst and cliche. The song ISN'T and DOESN'T,
but, not knowing it was you, I almost didn't investigate
the song because the title put me off.

Small quibble, though, and only brought up because I
would want people drawn in to this song. It's great.

Ed

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	It's the mix of things... Thanks, Ed. Glad you like. I guess I can understand what you mean about the title but it seemed like an appropriate name to me. It's one of those things that can be very different from person to another as far as what assosiations come up with some words. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

_nderscore	_nderscore said 1567 days ago (August 10th, 2005)
	spit shine.. & then some. you have surpassed perfection. beautiful, man Check out my latest song called glyd

jiguma

jiguma said 1567 days ago (August 11th, 2005)

When is that CD coming out again?
Peter, You know how much I admire your music, and this
is just another in a string of outstanding tunes you've
posted. You are one of the few MJers with a distinct
"sound" regardless of the style of music you're doing.
Maybe we need a "pgreenstone" genre added to the list?
Love everything about this, but most of all the fantastic
sound you get on your vocals.
Brilliant!

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

Peter Greenstone

Peter Greenstone said 1566 days ago (August 12th, 2005)

When is that CD coming out again?
Thanks, jguma. I hope to get the album (CD) done soon. I'm working on a new
song to go on it but waiting for a part from another MacJammer that is taking a
long time to get. The other tracks are pretty much done, maybe just a couple of
tweaks here and there. Then I just need to design the cover and insert and get a
batch off to CD Baby. I think it will have 12 or maybe 13 tracks.

Check out my latest song called From Nothing

obbster	obbster said 1567 days ago (August 11th, 2005)
	Wow This sounds fantastic. Great Vocals, Great Melody. Nice. Check out my latest song called Legend

Macaudion	Macaudion said 1567 days ago (August 11th, 2005)
	Yummy! Tasted good to the ear Peter. Excellent job! Hungry for more please... - Very, very nice Cydniko Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

said 1566 days ago (August 11th, 2005)

ouch...
interesting lyrics...thought provoking as always...quite a departure from the whimsical jellyfish song...i am not sure if i agree with the message of this song though (which is subject to various interpretations depending on the listener)...i agree that status quo or stagnancy would put any game to death, including the game of life, but i don't think pain should numb your senses or make the light fade away...if anything, i think pain should make you feel more alive and conscious of all the nuances of life...i mean, if you had to play the same game over and over again, wouldn't you try to learn from the first round so that you can win in subsequent games?... till you are the winner again and again....(i guess it depends who is throwing the dies)...anyway, please excuse my digression...cool song, cool vocals...how many times, how many times :-)

Peter Greenstone

Peter Greenstone said 1566 days ago (August 12th, 2005)

ouch...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Mikki. Try to look at this song as a
slice of life, the experience and perspective of particular characters rather than
as a general statement about life. Sometimes my lyrics are directly in line with
and inspired by my own personal feelings and experience and other times they
are written to express more fictional perspectives, sometimes beliefs that are
counter to my own, and sometimes ideas that are derived from conflicting parts
of myself. I actually approach this theme from another angle in "No Matter The
Weather".

Check out my latest song called From Nothing

jackstone	jackstone said 1566 days ago (August 11th, 2005)
	Nice song! Great melody and high level sound! I really like it! Check out my latest song called July Sky

bronco	bronco said 1566 days ago (August 11th, 2005)
	Waves of Sound Another beautiful production and song Peter! I wish I had your desire and drive to make every note perfect because in most cases you achieve the impossible and do make them perfect. Check out my latest song called Strange Feeling

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1563 days ago (August 14th, 2005)
	Waves of Sound Thanks, Bronco. Personally, I like the rawness of your music. There are things that could be polished up some but overall I like your easy going sound. I was at Carlos & Charlie's on the lake the other night and there was a band playing, and for a moment I thought I heard a little of you in the singer's voice. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

thetiler	thetiler said 1566 days ago (August 12th, 2005)
	Your music is fun to listen to Lots of professional rock feelings, super. Peter, you have the midas touch! Keep up the good work! No I don't have to say that, you do keep up the good work:^) Peter, your a hit factory! Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

CIPHER	CIPHER said 1565 days ago (August 12th, 2005)
	Amazing 80s pop! Sounds dated but who cares? The 80s churned out some amazing songs and amazing bands. Nice strong voice, wonderfully simple and refreshingly unaffected (a la Scott Stapp, Britney Spears etc). You really sound like Bowie man. It's creepy. Check out my latest song called Is this anything

chimptone57	chimptone57 said 1565 days ago (August 12th, 2005)
	Not too bad Your song is very 80's ala Bauhouse or The cure. which an't to shabby. Also reminds me of The Spent Poets. Kepp Chuggin'! Paul Check out my latest song called Winter Angel

Hapster	Hapster said 1565 days ago (August 13th, 2005)
	clever title clever title Check out my latest song called Phase 1 - Twitch

Hapster	Hapster said 1565 days ago (August 13th, 2005)
	clever title clever title Check out my latest song called Phase 1 - Twitch

Hapster	Hapster said 1565 days ago (August 13th, 2005)
	clever title clever title Check out my latest song called Phase 1 - Twitch

	said 1565 days ago (August 13th, 2005)
	Well Done, Peter Excellent song, excellent performance and excellent production.

TennesseeVic

TennesseeVic said 1564 days ago (August 14th, 2005)

Nifty
Several things in this arrangement work quite well. This is
clearly a very carefully thought out job. The guitar parts are
definitely creative.

Just one thing that bothers me. After "it hurts the same"
there is kind of a bridge, where you repeat the same bar 4
times or so, with nothing much happening. To me this
suggests that the energy will pick up again after that. What
happens instead is that you go to a break. It just feels wrong
to me, structurally.

Check out my latest song called Tecmo Superbowl 2009 w/ Dead End (MJRF 2004)

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1563 days ago (August 14th, 2005)
	Nifty Thanks, TV. I understand what you are saying. It works for me but, listening to it with your comment in mind, I can imagine something else going on in there that might work better. Not sure exactly what but some fragments of ideas come to mind. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

tmcfate

tmcfate said 1564 days ago (August 14th, 2005)

near perfect
this is so well thought out, like a lot of your more
recent work. you definitely are on an upward path
with production. thats what worries me. i think your
song might be getting to clean. not that i dont like
this. not my point. i would like to see a little less
predicability. the passion i there but i think the
production might be holding it back
8-9-7-8

Check out my latest song called Shadow of the son

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1563 days ago (August 14th, 2005)
	near perfect Thanks, tmcfate. I try to keep the soul of the songs while polishing the production. It's a fine line. Some songs do call for a more refined production and others call for more rawness. Sometimes my first drafts have qualities that I just can't recreate when I produce. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

thoddi	thoddi said 1563 days ago (August 14th, 2005)
	Impressive work Do you play everything yourself? Very impressive anyway. Read through some of the comments here, and I just wanted to get in line and give my support. You really have something going man:) Play on, Thoddi Check out my latest song called Don't tell me what I can't w/KTB and Ingve

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1563 days ago (August 14th, 2005)
	Impressive work Thanks, Thoddi. Yes, it's all just me in the cluttered corner of my spare bedroom/office. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

	ez3kiel25 said 1563 days ago (August 15th, 2005)
	Big sound Nice work, really big sound, I like this very much.

	ez3kiel25 said 1563 days ago (August 15th, 2005)
	Big sound Nice work, really big sound, I like this very much. I played it twice!

Lewad	Lewad said 1559 days ago (August 18th, 2005)
	Good work Nicely put together. In my humble opinion you've got kind of a Brian Molko vocal going on....which is not altogether a bad thing. I will be looking up more of your work. Good skills. Check out my latest song called Everyone Needs A Little More

Peter Greenstone	Peter Greenstone said 1559 days ago (August 18th, 2005)
	Good work Thanks. I've never heard of this Brian Molko person. Maybe I know his music but not the name. I'll have to go look him up. Check out my latest song called From Nothing

Sista Mac	Sista Mac said 1551 days ago (August 26th, 2005)
	Amazing! Wow, you are very talented! Excellent work. I like the vocal layering. Check out my latest song called I'm Not Trying

Boris the Bull	Boris the Bull said 1501 days ago (October 15th, 2005)
	thoughts from the bull... just heard this song played on the KSVY radio program (Slimgirl Live show) and was just blown away. immediately went and downloaded. great work by a tremendous talent. thank you, Peter! Check out my latest song called What You'd Be Like

jmogielnicki@wes

jmogielnicki@wes said 1464 days ago (November 21st, 2005)

Great!
I am currently in the process of listening to all of your songs. I feel I�ve stumbled upon a goldmine. I�m especially impressed with your incredible variety and the ease with which you seem to be able to play and produce music in whatever genre you please. I just went from the eeirie and sparse acoustic Emmet to the angsty and driven Pain Game and it all sounds fantastic.

Thank you so much for sharing your music on macjams.

Check out my latest song called What I Love About You (Lonely Blues)

	said 521 days ago (June 21st, 2008)
	Great! A great listen, excellent work and fine production. Your album is great.. Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

	ManGodDamn said 110 days ago (August 7th, 2009)
	Super sound Real nice tones and timing and the lyrics are somewhat haunting . Very enjoyable . I would enjoy hearing many more songs or musical numbers by this creative artist . Great work !

	ManGodDamn said 110 days ago (August 7th, 2009)
	Super sound Real nice tones and timing and the lyrics are somewhat haunting . Very enjoyable . I would enjoy hearing many more songs or musical numbers by this creative artist . Great work !

	ManGodDamn said 110 days ago (August 7th, 2009)
	Super sound Real nice tones and timing and the lyrics are somewhat haunting . Very enjoyable . I would enjoy hearing many more songs or musical numbers by this creative artist . Great work !

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: Peter Greenstone

I'm not a professional musician by any means. By day I work as an animator and 3D artist. Over the past few years I have developed a passion for songwriting and making music. I do it all myself in my home with a pretty simple setup. I just finish... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

The terms alternative rock and alternative music[1] were coined in the early 1980s to describe punk rock-inspired music genres which didn't fit into the mainstream genres of the time. At times it was used as catch-all phrase for rock music from under

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