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Keywords:
Stars (38), celebrity (6), stalker (5), lou reed (1), paranoia (7), Nobu (1), Keanu Reeves (1)
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Description:
This song was inspired by a friend saying that a previous tune, "Permission to Dive", sounded like Lou Reed. I didn't think it did, but thought 'Hey, I'll do a Lou Reed-Transformer type song'. This was intended to be written in about a week .... three months later, here it is.
Doesn't sound like Lou to me anymore, but it is kinda rocky.
This is a song about celebrity stalkers, inspired by a REALLY odd girl, a Keanu Reeves fan, I saw at the premiere of 'A Scanner Darkly'.
This was recorded in GB2, then mixed repeatedly in LE. I'm now going to give my ears a rest and do a quiet piano track. Hope you like this.
Steve
Lyrics:
You know so many people but they all look the same.
Their lines are scripted, their teeth shine into outer space.
I stood in raindrops after the talk-show hour,
You wave at the masses then get in your car.
Stars look down
Look at me, look at you
I can't understand
Why I feel like I do.
I keep you in my pocket just to keep me entertained
I'd take you to Nobu but the order's keeping me restrained.
You're never happy when I sleep on your couch
The cops arrive and let me help myself out.
You're gonna show us your beautiful home.
Hardware:
Cheap squire guitar
Keystation 49e
Shure 58a
Software:
GB2
LE
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Sequel &mdash 10/29/06 - 11:53:53 AM
This is so great, Steve! I'm so insanely happy to hear your stuff mixed so much more clearly and your vocals coming through to well. This is a bit of a companion piece to, "I'll Be Your Shadow." As you know, I approve highly of your dark lyrics. The winner here for me is "Their lines are scripted, their teeth shine into outer space." The chorus is tremendously catch as well.
And, oh yeah, I definitely hear the Lou Reed influence. Your cheap Squire sounds pretty good, I think.
More, please. [ Reply to This ]
ummm... &mdash 10/29/06 - 11:55:20 AM
..that would be 'catchy' and that was from Lisa, btw.
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/25612">World that Breathed</a> [ Reply to This ]
Scanner 2 &mdash 10/29/06 - 02:22:45 PM
Ha, thanks Orbiting (or is that Mr. Orbiting?). Glad you like the mix - it's taken literally weeks (i did the first mix over 2 weekends, played it in the car, and hated it immediately. This also had 31 tracks - I think i shaved off about 8 in the mix). Also glad that Lou comes through (could this be the first track of mine that doesn't sound too 80's?).
As you note, 'Shadow' was also inspired by 'A Scanner darkly', although more directly, so i suppose they kinda bookend each other.
Actually, I think the lyric to this is a compainion to 'Idiot saviour', another celebrity obsessed song. God, I need some new inspiration.
Mnay thanks for the comments
Steve [ Reply to This ]
That's Ms. Orbiting, to you &mdash 10/29/06 - 02:27:10 PM
Yeah, I noted the Idiot Saviour relationship right after I'd written my comment, but thought that two P.S.'s would be over my legal limit.
I think you should just think of it, not as being stuck on a topic, but creating tracks for your 'concept album.' ;-)
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<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/25612">World that Breathed</a> [ Reply to This ]
Ms?? &mdash 10/29/06 - 03:11:21 PM
Er, sorry, wrong sex (Ms. O).
Funnily enough, i was in Munich this week with a bit of time on my hands (due to insomnia) and was thinking about, if not a concept album, then a theme/thread running through my future songs.
Then i realised i write about the same stuff generally anyway, so it all works together in one big holistic heap.
well, maybe not.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Clever! &mdash 10/29/06 - 03:59:13 PM
The whole mix sounds wonderful. I really liked the guitar sound- nice job playing as well. I thought the lyrics were clever and your vocals sound great! The percussion is right on the money. This is excellent songwriting! [ Reply to This ]
Guitar man &mdash 10/30/06 - 02:07:01 AM
Thanks Mikey.
That's pretty generous of you, but I still can't get the guitar as good as on your tracks. All the rhythm guitars on this are played live bit by bit, i.e. single chords, then cut 'n' pasted together, and then looped, as I can't actually play for toffee. The main 2 note lead line was played live (like, 35 takes), some other stuff is synth guitar. Thanks for the feedback, it's been a real find for me to hear your music yesterday.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Catchy, like a stalker &mdash 10/30/06 - 07:58:25 AM
For some reason I was reminded of I'm Too Sexy, the self-absorbed humor, the straight ahead sound. But this is much more fun, more a You're Too Sexy sort of twist from the celebrity consumer perspective. Love the vocal stylings. The danceable beat; Bandstand stuff. Very solid and full of smiles. Great mix of concept, style, production, performance. (The only thing, the ending kind of just unraveled, which has its own charm, but I thought an audio punchline of some kind might have had a more entertaining effect.) [ Reply to This ]
Sexy back (and front) &mdash 10/30/06 - 11:12:00 AM
Hi Tobin....
I'm too Sexy?! Well, that's really made me smile ... Right Said Fred obviously a bigger influence than I had initially thought. As for self-absorbed ... hell, that's my middle name.
You're right about the end - there were vocals over it (a repeat of the 'beautiful home' bit), but I wasn't really that happy with it. After spending about 5 weeks mulling over the mixing, the bridge part (with strings) was rewritten in about 30 mins.
Really appreciate your comments, as they made me re-evaluate the track and give me a fresh perspective (which I've lost, having spent some time on the song).
By the way, I listened to your new track 'Chaos ...' but even after 2 listens, I didn't feel qualified to comment .... I'm still trying to absorb it.
Thanks for posting
Steve [ Reply to This ]
cool &mdash 10/30/06 - 11:08:23 AM
Enjoyed. Could hear the Lou Reed influence,nice, reminded me of Be Bop Deluxe. dont know if you remember them. but great mix. Cheery [ Reply to This ]
Hi Jie &mdash 10/30/06 - 11:17:26 AM
Hi Jie - jeez, not often my songs get called cheery - the prozac must finally be working. I've heard of, but never heard, Be Bop Delux (I remember my cousin being a big fan) - I'll check 'em out on iTunes tonight.
thanks for the feedback
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Excellent &mdash 10/31/06 - 08:00:37 AM
Steve
WOW!!! Great song. Performance is top notch the production was worth the effort. Loved the vocals and structure of this song.
Ed [ Reply to This ]
Ta! &mdash 10/31/06 - 03:10:58 PM
Hey Ed - thanks for the feedback - glad you think it was worth the effort - having spent the weekend mixing this, i can't listen to it at the moment.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Really... &mdash 10/31/06 - 06:14:32 PM
...snappy. Thoroughly enjoyable with creative lyrics, a terrific performance and a pro production. All that, and a 'ShareAlike' copyright and downloadable? You're not only multitalented, you're altruistic. [ Reply to This ]
You mean I've given this away?! &mdash 11/01/06 - 02:46:49 AM
Hi Aquila - thanks for the feedback. To be honest, I don't really know what the Share Alike stuff means, as I could never be bothered to read the fine print - you mean I've signed the rights to this away??? Shhhe-it!
Hells teeth, it'll probably get covered by some boy band, or Paris Hilton, and I'll never get a penny.
Glad you liked it, and I'm just happy it's out there.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Most Certainly &mdash 10/31/06 - 08:32:51 PM
I do look at the ratings picks and check out the one on the top of the chart, and this is certainly worthy of being there. Very pro sound here, and it certainly captures that Lou Reed with a healthy dose of David Bowie feel. And that I like! Excellent lyrics, music, backing vocals. I think the lead vocal could use a little pumping up compression-wise, since it sounds a little flat and digital. Like it would be good if you could go through some nice analog tube compression, but that's just a nitpick because it's otherwise so close to being perfect. And the ending needs something, I think, but now I'm just quibbling. Good job! Downloaded! [ Reply to This ]
Me and Dave &mdash 11/01/06 - 02:54:22 AM
Hi Jim - firstly, thanks for the quibbles, 'cause I find it's easy to lose perspective on a track, and as I'm naturally impatient, I tend to want to get it finished and move onto the next. Thanks for the advice on the vocals - I wasn't quite sure about the sound myself, so I'll play about with this. Also, I'd agree about the ending - it doesn't really quite cut it, and I think it could be improved with just a little more work.
As for Mr. Bowie ... well, I'd be lying if i didn't admit he was a big influence, and he keeps coming through, no matter how much I try to suppress (compress)him ... just as long as he doesn't want any royalties (33% of nothing).
Many Thanks
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Hi Lou &mdash 11/01/06 - 03:59:17 AM
Hi Lou, great to have you here! Very nice of you to donate such a great production to us here at MacJams! Highly enjoyable, as many of your classics. [ Reply to This ]
Ta Cori &mdash 11/01/06 - 07:45:35 AM
Thanks Cori - you've just made my Day Perfect; gotta dash, some guy is waiting on me
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Damn this is good! &mdash 11/01/06 - 04:16:18 PM
Forget the comparisons - I could throw in The Cars and Cockney Rebel - this is just plain great. The lyrics are perfect - as well as the singing, performing and production. I love the Nobu line. Glad to make your acqaintance - I'll be back. [ Reply to This ]
Woof &mdash 11/01/06 - 05:18:39 PM
Hey Bud - well, Cockney rebel, wow, I never thought of them, but now that you mention it, I can see what you mean (and i love 'Come up and see me'). Thanks for the comments - look forward to hearing more of your tracks.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Yummy &mdash 11/04/06 - 12:50:19 AM
I relished this song from beginning to end! This song is tremendously appealing to the ears... very pro-sounding... took me just a few seconds before I hit the download and fav buttons. You just keep raising the bar, Steve... The melody.. the instrumentations... the beat and rhythm... I'm speechless. It's been a while since I rolled out a few tens! [ Reply to This ]
and... &mdash 11/04/06 - 12:54:43 AM
Forgot to mention the awesome vocals and infectious harmonies!... this one is the total package. If there were the Jammy Awards, this one gets my nomination in all categories.
---
The lion roars, the eagle soars. [ Reply to This ]
Leon and on and on &mdash 11/04/06 - 01:56:30 AM
Hi Leon - great to hear from you, and I hope the ol' studying is going well - it's a drag I know, 'cause you end up putting your life on hold. Thanks for the feedback, and appreciate the comments from a man with tonsils as big as yours.
Love n peace
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Love it! &mdash 11/04/06 - 03:03:43 AM
Given the same groove, I think I might have played some of this the same way.
Happy to hear there are souls out there just as deranged!
[ Reply to This ]
hi Pete &mdash 11/04/06 - 11:53:15 AM
Hi Pete - no, given my guitaring skills, you woulda played it better! Thanks for posting.... you know the great thing about your pic is that it's staring right out atcha! Scary!
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Give yourself credit &mdash 11/04/06 - 08:15:14 PM
That's some great guitar work you have on this and the production is really something to marvel at.
Glad you like the pic, I suppose it is a little "in your face" isn't it? Gotta be me! [ Reply to This ]
I like this &mdash 11/04/06 - 09:01:27 PM
this kinda reminds me of the talking heads. You have kinda your own style and sound though. I like this one too because it's a song anyone, anywhere,any age will appreciate.
---
Nathan J. Rogers [ Reply to This ]
For the whole family &mdash 11/05/06 - 08:34:25 AM
Thanks nathan - sorta know what you mean by Talking Heads, its a bit quirky I guess, although as near to 'rock' as i can write. Other than that, a song that whole family can gather around the radio and listen to, whilst incinerating minor celebrities on the barbeque.
thanks for the comments.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
What a cool Song! &mdash 11/05/06 - 12:00:07 PM
Seems impossible to catch all the great stuff on this site! What a fine production you have here. Super song. . - Harold [ Reply to This ]
Your guitar &mdash 11/05/06 - 12:07:54 PM
Thanks harold ... I'd be happier if I could get the guitar to sound as good as yours! Maybe next time ...
thanks
Steve [ Reply to This ]
a hit &mdash 11/05/06 - 12:17:49 PM
a very well thought-out piece of music, Steve. From the first electric piano tunes until the last distorted guitar chord: a delicious piece of music. The chorus melody is wonderful, as are the lyrics and the vocalising. A hit...
- Walter [ Reply to This ]
,-) &mdash 11/05/06 - 01:13:11 PM
Well, Buddy ive listened all ur tracks...OK, you arent no musician like me =))
Contg. Budddy__GREAT FUTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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im not musician [ Reply to This ]
Viva italia! &mdash 11/06/06 - 03:32:55 AM
Hey schello - well, thanks for listening, and great to meet you. Must've been a long day listening to all my music - I really appreciate it.
Keep in touch man
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Completely infectious &mdash 11/05/06 - 10:33:29 PM
There's a lot to enjoy in this song. The guitar parts, great vocals, the form and arrangement, the feel... And I think your obsession with the mix paid off in a big way. It sounds great. I'm grabbing my headphones now for my third listen today.
I really like this song, Steve. [ Reply to This ]
Simply difficult &mdash 11/06/06 - 03:38:51 AM
Hi patrick - many thanks for the comments. This song is actually really simple ( a 2 chord verse and 3 chord chorus), 'cause i'm not really musical (and they're all major chords i think). This started off with loads of effects and instruments, but ended up cutting a lot of stuff out (I wanted strings in all the choruses but it was just too much) and re-writing bits after the first mix (the drop-out after the second chorus, with the strings, was re-written in about 15 mins).
the thing I'm really happy with are the bass drum and snare sounds - I tweaked them over about 2 weeks and I'm pretty pleased with them - probably use more of them in future.
Thanks for posting
Steve [ Reply to This ]
so fine &mdash 11/17/06 - 01:04:13 PM
Steve, always enjoyed your tracks, but this one seems to stand out for its superb mix. You've got all the elements finely tuned and blended. Nice KA pop tune. Hooks, Production and Passion. Excellent [ Reply to This ]
New category &mdash 11/18/06 - 11:43:51 AM
Hey KtB - I'm always slighly embarrassed when someone compliments my mixes, 'cause i listen to lots of stuff on this site (including yours) and wonder how the hell they got it to sound so good.... anyway, I'll shut up and just say thanks.
I think KA pop should be a new category here - I always struggle to classify my tracks but I would use 'KA pop' with pride!
Many thanks
Steve [ Reply to This ]
First Impressions &mdash 01/05/07 - 01:58:16 PM
Hey man,
you are a really amazing songwriter, performer, producer, etc... I just saw that you were kind enough to listen AND comment on one of my song sketches and I thought I would return the favor and say thanks. I can't imagine polishing a single one of my songs to the level of any of yours. I guess that's why I'm here, trapped in a prison cell just outside the asteroid belt waiting for my captors to sleep so I can play with GarageBand and you're playing rockstar somewhere on Earth. How is Earth these days? Are people still hiding from the robots? Sure looks pretty from where I'm sitting.
5X
[ Reply to This ]
earthling &mdash 01/06/07 - 06:36:59 AM
Hi 5X - earth is doing fine, apart from all the humans. However, luckily, as homo sapien is a self-destructive species, they should do away with each other shortly and leave the planet in peace to all the other animals.
Thanks for the comments - if you listen to the first track I posted, you'll see that my first songs were pretty basic in the production dept. ... but you improve as you go on.
thanks for stopping by ... listen to Idiot saviour of you get a chance, as it may be more to your tastes.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Earthling Eater &mdash 01/13/07 - 04:24:44 PM
I listened to a bunch of your other tunes. You have some pop sensibility. Very glad to have heard your noises, thanks to you leaving me a comment. Isn't that great how Macjams works?
Now let's go BOMB THE MONGGZ! [ Reply to This ]
'armless &mdash 01/14/07 - 12:01:51 PM
Hey 5x - thanks for listening, and yeah, it's great how this site works ... you random;y bump into songs like dust in a ray of sunlight.
Or something.
Yours poptabulously
Steve
[ Reply to This ]
iPod Fun With No Hands On The Wheel &mdash 01/30/07 - 10:40:28 AM
Hey man, listen to this.... I'm driving through Valrico yesterday with my iPod blasting on my radio and this great song came on. (I play the "Name That Artist" game with myself and anyone dumb enough to challenge me). For a moment, and only a moment, I was thinking it was the OTHER Echo. Then I thought, Lou Reed for another mere moment. When the first chorus sounded, I thought of the early Hoodoo Gurus. By then I realized it was you. What a great ride it was listening to that song a few more times. Today I plan to download some more driving music for future driving fun.
Thanks Steve.
---
five extra arms must be STOPPED. [ Reply to This ]
Keep your hands on the wheel! &mdash 01/31/07 - 08:26:40 AM
Hey 5EAMBS - what a compliment - thank you. The track was written very much in Lou's grouchy style. Hope you didn't lose concentration - I don't want to be held responsible for roadkill.
Will check out you new track this evening ... I will be in contact.
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Yeah, Lou Reed lives here &mdash 02/21/07 - 11:49:53 PM
You've got the kind of New York-era vibe going on with the rhythm section. The vocal harmonies are totally Beatles, though. Quite a nice track. [ Reply to This ]
noo Yawk &mdash 02/23/07 - 07:34:01 AM
... funnily enough, i was listening to 'New York' by Lou Reed yesterday! This was specifically written with his style in mind .... i struggle to come up with harmonies other than octave, so interesting comment on the Beatles.
I've tried to listen to your new track ST, but can't get it to play ... will have another go tonight.
Thanks
Steve [ Reply to This ]
Checking out your old stuff &mdash 07/12/07 - 03:37:54 AM
Bet you used to like the Pixies. Checking out your old stuff and I must say I really like this one. Nice. big, fat production, but meanwhile staying punk.
Great singing and lyrics, too.
Would like to collab someday. What do you think.
LL [ Reply to This ]
aw shit &mdash 07/13/07 - 08:31:19 AM
... now you're checking out my older stuff, and I feel guilty!
yeah, i loved the Pixies, but can't play guitar for shit. This was the last song i recrded in logic Express - all the ones after this are in Pro - I think there's a noticable improvement in the sound quality of later ones, but this is a kinda nice poppy little tune.
Yeah, a collab will likely be in the cards, as I really like your work.
Steve
[ Reply to This ]
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And, oh yeah, I definitely hear the Lou Reed influence. Your cheap Squire sounds pretty good, I think.
More, please.
[ Reply to This ]