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Keywords:
Buddhist (2), Change (24)
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Description:
I got the chorus vocal line for this first, then wrote the chords and the rest of the song around it.
This is my first Garageband, and solo, composition.
Written following time at a Buddhist retreat in Scotland.
The question was posed :
Who are you when all your 'props', all the stage-dressing around, are taken away?
Which got me to thinking, would I even like that person, that undiluted version of myself??
Lyrics:
Could've been a stone
Could've been a star
When they take the props
What have you got?
You scratch your name
A useless phrase
Could've been a stone
Could've been a star
Gotta bring it all back to nothing
Could've been a stone
Could've been a star
Gotta bring it back, back now
Memory
whatcha saying to me?
When you cut the chord
will you fumble or fly?
Who'll you call
When all the junk is gone
When all the junk is gone
Can you love what's left behind?
When they take the props
and all the money's gone
You may be 6 feet tall
You may be beautiful ...
Could've been a stone
Could've been a star
Gotta bring it all back to nothing
Could've been a stone
Could've been a star
Gotta bring it back, back now
Memory
whatcha saying to me?
When you cut the chord
will you fumble or fly?
Who'll you call
When all the junk is gone
When all the junk is gone
Can you love what's left behind?
When the money's gone
and change will be your home
When they take your name
will you be the same?
And every day
take a different plain
And every day
Making history
(say it isn't me, say it isn't me)
Hardware:
Aria Guitar
Keystation keyboard
Shure mic
Software:
Garageband
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This is great!! &mdash 12/22/05 - 06:21:59 PM
Great track...if this is your first GB track then, blimey!!
Fab vocals, guitars...an ambitious arrangement
Very very nice indeed
Steve [ Reply to This ]
This is great!! &mdash 12/23/05 - 01:01:34 AM
Wow - thanks Steve, appreciate your comments a lot.
This track was written before I worked out how to quantize things, so the timing's a bit iffy on the bass and such.
It all started in 4/4 full time, and the more i played around with the track, the more variations I did with time signatues and structure.
As with all of these things, I did think of going back and re-doing bits and remixing it, but as it was my first 'baby', I've left it as it is, even if it is a bit ugly in parts (hey, just like it's dad!). [ Reply to This ]
Love It &mdash 12/28/05 - 07:28:58 PM
I love the background vocals in this one. And I love the theme of what
what we are stripped down and maybe the extras aren't so bad. This
track is so cohesive and I really struggle to find any negative, ahem,
constructive criticism. I really really liked it. I am new to Macjams but
this is the best I have heard so far. [ Reply to This ]
Love It &mdash 12/29/05 - 01:30:37 AM
Wow - thanks Meg - really appreciate the comments. Glad you dug the lyrics - they mean a lot to me, as the whole experience acted as kind of a wake-up call. [ Reply to This ]
screamin' &mdash 12/28/05 - 11:03:51 PM
This is just screamin' for a tight, heavy rythmn section! Think HUGE drums! Kinda glammy... I liked it. [ Reply to This ]
screamin' &mdash 12/29/05 - 01:40:44 AM
Hey jmt - glammy?!
I'll have to go and get my glittery eye-liner out of storage!
Thanks for the suggestion - I have been toying with the idea of remixing this, because the bass part wasn't quantized (and is probably way out of time) and the drums are a bit quiet.
I'll give this a go with some earth-shattering drums and see what it's like.
Cheers! [ Reply to This ]
Fabulous &mdash 12/29/05 - 04:04:16 AM
This is your first GB/solo composition? Blimey. It's superb. You have a
great voice and you certainly know how to use it! Shades of David
Bowie ... although I'm not suggesting you're emulating him, just that
you have a similar range and the ability to get expression into the right
places. There's a great energy in the music too, and you've kept it fresh
and interesting all the way through.
It's always great to welcome a fellow Brit to MacJams, but even better
to discover something this good. Wonderful stuff ... keep it up. [ Reply to This ]
Fabulous &mdash 12/29/05 - 04:36:41 AM
Cheers Rebsie, thanks for the comments.
A number of people have made Bowie comparisons, which I take as a compliment (although it's possibly more Bowie via Ian McCulloch, 'cause I got into Bowie via the Bunnymen).
If it was 'hey, you've got a style really like Will Young' then I'd be more upset.
I've done 6 songs now, and am struggling to get to the 'next level', especially in terms of mixing, 'cause some of the stuff on this site sounds phenomenal. It's also influenced me, listening to songs by the likes of I, Spike, to try something more experimental.
I've just ordered Brian Enos 'Oblique strategies' to see if that can help me do something different, so we'll see what comes out of that.
Once again, thanks for posting. [ Reply to This ]
What a voice! &mdash 12/29/05 - 04:43:58 AM
I love your falsetto on "star"... it's brilliant. This is a great track.
Beautifully arranged too... [ Reply to This ]
What a voice! &mdash 12/29/05 - 05:19:49 AM
Having listened to your tracks, I really appreciate your comments. As for the arrangement, some of it was born out of mistakes as i was poking around with the system for the first time (e.g. going to 1/2 time at the end), but it just seemed to fit together.
Sometimes pasting a section into an area you didn't mean to works better (maybe they should have a random / shuffle button to help this!). [ Reply to This ]
Rough n Ready &mdash 12/29/05 - 04:31:46 PM
It may be rough in spots, but this is still a very good performance.
Good vocals and harmonies and interesting interplay between them.
The rhythm section, as has been mentioned, could be more prominent in
the mix, but all in all, a very good piece of work for your first GB attempt.
Good theme, as well. Are you seeking illumination? Remember that
wisdom comes at a price not all are prepared to pay. [ Reply to This ]
Rough n Ready &mdash 12/30/05 - 01:58:58 AM
Thanks Joe - R&R is a good description. The challenge I will have is to remix this, to remove some of the roughness, without neutering it, and losing the feel (I recently spent a day remixing/ re-recording a song and ended up with an inferior version of the original song).
As for enlightenment ... my perennial problem is the difference, to quote Morphues, between:
' Knowing the path and walking the path'
The first is fairly easy, the second much more difficult - if nothing else, this struggle provides lyrical inspiration. [ Reply to This ]
interesting stuff &mdash 12/29/05 - 07:55:56 PM
interesting stuff &mdash 12/30/05 - 02:04:05 AM
What a voice! &mdash 12/31/05 - 02:14:53 AM
I love your falsetto on "star"... it's brilliant. This is a great track.
Beautifully arranged too... [ Reply to This ]
What a voice! &mdash 12/31/05 - 09:59:09 AM
agree about Bowie &mdash 01/02/06 - 08:30:08 AM
My first thought was I really liked the Bowie-like vocal performance, so
I started scanning down the list to see if anyone else had mentioned it,
and of course someone did. I am a big fan of Bowie's voice.
I'd also add that the harmonies are very kewl and the lyrics are very
good. And I'd like to agree with jmt - the song would kick more ass
with huge drums. I think the sound of the guitars is cool, though. [ Reply to This ]
agree about Bowie &mdash 01/03/06 - 01:09:00 PM
Man, there's a Bowie conspiracy afoot!
But I take it as a compliment, especially as he is a fav of mine (although maybe I didn't realise how big an influence!)
Appreciate the thoughts on the drums - I 'll be remixing this with these comments in mind.
Thanks for dropping by. [ Reply to This ]
what's left behind is music in all its strength &mdash 01/02/06 - 10:48:03 AM
Hey, thanks for your comment on my song. I thought if you had the
great sense to appreciate something like that, you must make good
music, too Ha-ha!
And was I absolutely right! This is a treasure find, and quite a steal for
me to download it. A definite fav. You have that U2-like style with a
touch of euro-80's music and your vocals are definitely top caliber for
that genre. Very emotive and energetic. This can make Bono turn his
head and say "wtf?..." The megaphone vocals are a unique break from
the rest of the song which makes it more interesting. The composition
itself is very well constructed with depth to it... I mean it's not pop
fizz.. it is rock and solid substance we're talking here. Take away all
that dazzle and I'll probably still love what's left behind... Aw...
Hey, looking forward to more... and notify me pls. [ Reply to This ]
what's left behind is music in all its strength &mdash 01/03/06 - 01:13:59 PM
Hey Leon,
Well, you're spot on about this, the early/ mid 80's was when I really got into music, and though my tastes have changed, that music is still the core of what I love - luckily, it's all come round again.
Now if only I was 20 years younger!
Greatly appreciate the comments - hope you like the next songs as much! [ Reply to This ]
A keeper! &mdash 01/03/06 - 06:28:00 PM
Very ambitious project- almost more of a suite than straight up song. But
it all goes together seemlessly. A very unique song for MacJams, without
question... and an outstanding one, too.
Add me to this list of folks wanting bigger drums... heheh! Faved and
downloaded this one! [ Reply to This ]
A keeper! &mdash 01/04/06 - 12:41:07 AM
Thanks for the comments - and another vote for big F.O. drums (maybe a big 80's gated snare!?). I will get off my arse and do this soon, after I finish the big weepy piano song that I'm working on.
Interesting point about the structure - I found one of the great things about using garageband (I'd only used 8-track home recording units before) is the flexibility, and the fact you can cut up and rearrange songs pretty easily. This song started as 4/4 all the way through, and through a lot of messing around, the song as it is emerged. What I found interesting was how easily it went from half to full time - I was in a band for years, and every time we tried that change, it seemed forced, whereas it really seemed to work for this.
Appreciate the feedback - cheers. [ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 07/07/06 - 06:54:47 PM
I like this song alot, the lyrics are good, but i also like the sounds of your voice and your phrasing, this sounds like a song youd hear in a concert or on the radio, could be a hit! [ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 07/08/06 - 12:33:34 AM
Hey KATD,
This is the first song I wrote, so it's always been a bit special to me. Thanks for
the compliments - having you say nice things about MY voice will give me a
smile all weekend (although compared to yours, it sounds like a rusty nail).
Steve [ Reply to This ]
,-) &mdash 11/05/06 - 12:32:48 PM
the vocal and effect riff..beh what i can say..Dont stpo Buddy!
Bravissimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
luve, the final with viola!
___________
Im not musician [ Reply to This ]
First song &mdash 11/05/06 - 02:41:04 PM
Hi schello - this was the first song I wrote, all guitars played chord by chord then stuck together - see, told you I was no musician!
Steve [ Reply to This ]
you &mdash 06/07/07 - 12:19:26 AM
know, i really enjoy how you are MJs glam maestro extraordinaire. i think (hope) you know what I mean by glam: hook filled, catchy, swaggering, sassy,etc,.... nice track, it's cool to watch you get better and better too. if you ever need a glam rock guitar track, i'm pretty decent at the pouty crunch. [ Reply to This ]
glamorama &mdash 06/07/07 - 11:40:00 AM
this was the first track i wrote myself in GB, so it has a nostalgic appeal. i'm alsways on the outlook for guitarists, as i love guitar music but am completely useless at playing it .... methinks a collab is forming ....
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Now Yer Talkin' &mdash 06/07/07 - 04:39:15 PM
Finally someone is talking some sense here!
I can't imagine the Supergroup about to form before my very eyes. History in the making!
---
she'll love five extra arms. [ Reply to This ]
supreband &mdash 06/08/07 - 01:57:36 AM
miles &mdash 12/21/07 - 12:17:44 AM
and miles have you travelled my friend. From 8 fans to 50 per song, your production ear have really come a long way... (at least mixing skills, not that this is THAT bad...;-)
But man, you really stretched it out here. Lots of vocal variety, timbres, personalities, ranges. A real smorgasboard. Glad you mentioned this on your video, I'm glad I came to check it out. I love when those life changing epiphanies happen, and it's so great when you have something as cool as this to show for your "brave new world" of digital recording.
A beautiful and complex musical arrangement with a broad range of "scenes". Really engaging and cinematic.
Philip [ Reply to This ]
we've come a long way baby! &mdash 12/27/07 - 05:47:36 AM
Yeah, this is the first song i wrote all by myself - before i knew how to quanitise.
eech, ya dig up the past, all ya get is dirty! [ Reply to This ]
Hitting your first &mdash 04/25/08 - 02:16:16 PM
This is a little project of mine. I love to go back a hit my favorites' firsts. And this is a great song, bro.
Hope you see this when you're more active here again.
It's a shame great oldies sometimes get overlooked, like this one.
Cheers brother,
Dave
[ Reply to This ]
Love What's Left Behind &mdash 06/17/08 - 06:25:37 PM
You have a fantastic voice And your first GB Track blimey !
Wow!! it sounds Maginficant. You are soo talented.
You Rock on this one too. Just love all the mix.
A really great production. Well done.
Peace Dee [ Reply to This ]
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Fab vocals, guitars...an ambitious arrangement
Very very nice indeed
Steve
[ Reply to This ]