Home Community Music Blog Old MJ More...      
If Love Would Rule the Day by hammhock [Email]

Get Flash to see this player.


Having playback trouble, try the Quicktime player:

Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial
SONG STATS:
Hits: 1310
Comments: 28
Votes: 12
Plays: 237
Last Played: Jun 13, 2008 - 11:15:06 AM
Downloads: 60
Fans: 7
Uploaded: Nov 04, 2006 - 12:58:47 AM
Last Updated: Nov 04, 2006 - 12:58:47 AM
Fan List
Description:
This is a re-imagining of a song that's been around for a while. There is an earlier version here, but the chorus has been significantly altered.

This is a love song for victims. Of whatever.

Lyrics:
You've bled like Harlem
In the dust of a reddend sky
You've be torn and shattered here
In broken shards you lie

When the fortress fell
Your heart was torn in two
When those walls came crashing down
My heart broke for you
Pre Chorus:
Love's held your broken frame
Love's cried out in your name
Love's sung its bitter dirge
And weeps upon your unjust grave

Chorus:
Oh what a difference it would be
If Love would take control
Oh what a difference it would be
If those grasping hands would loose their hold

Oh what a difference it would be
What a difference it would be....
If love would rule the day

And you've wept and wept over
His empty shell
And there's a thousand tales inside but
You know you'll never tell

And there's a wound so deep tonight that
Won't ever heal
But it gleams just like a crown
And glistens as you kneel

Hardware:
iMac Duo Core

Software:
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

OH MAN .... &mdash 11/04/06 - 01:21:50 AM
.. now I am forced to re-visit the original to see the changes .... it seems quite different to me .... I liked this version ... but I still think I am partial to the softness of the original ..... something about a "crooning" man babee !

[ Reply to This ]
something old...something new &mdash 11/04/06 - 11:19:08 AM
There is a bit more of an edge on this, it's true. I like the gentle nature of the former as well, but I thought that the tempo was way too slow (I always felt like it was a bit slow-motion) and it was pointed out numerous times that the chorus a bit too closely resembled the rest of the song, a point I eventually came to concede. So those were the two main elements that I felt needed a change. I like "big" rock music in general, so this take reflects that a bit. I appreciate all the support you've given me here at MJs, Alannah. Many thanks, and I hope your son's nose heals up okay.

Cheers.

[ Reply to This ]
Beautiful... &mdash 11/04/06 - 10:15:59 AM
...stunningly beautiful...You've got my vote friend! I echo your sentiments. I love your song. Excellent and timely songwriting.

Be well!


LIGHTSPAWN: http://www.macjams.com/song/25788

[ Reply to This ]
Thank you &mdash 11/04/06 - 11:12:21 AM
I'm glad you like this. This song has been perculating deep down there for a long time, I'm glad to see it finally starting to come into its own. BTW, I've long been an admirer of your many contributions to this little e-community. Great comments throughout the many strings of thought existing here. Cheers.

[ Reply to This ]
Awesome &mdash 11/04/06 - 10:18:34 AM
Really splendid craftmanship here. This is the real deal, Kris. I am blown away by the clarity and fullness of sound. Meaningful lyrics, superbly sung. Thank you for sharing. Over the top in the best possible sense. "What a difference it would be if love would rule the day." -- so true.


[ Reply to This ]
Thanks! &mdash 11/04/06 - 11:24:34 AM
That's high praise coming from you indeed. I'm glad you took the time to listen.

[ Reply to This ]
Super vocals! &mdash 11/04/06 - 10:31:27 AM
Nice melody, great voice!

. - Harold

[ Reply to This ]
Danke &mdash 11/04/06 - 11:25:58 AM
Cheers! Glad you liked it.

[ Reply to This ]
,-) &mdash 11/04/06 - 10:35:04 AM
Romantic and delicate

[ Reply to This ]
Slick!!! &mdash 11/04/06 - 10:55:21 AM
This is a great rework of the original...great guitar work moaning and making space...and beautiful dualing voices in the chorus...the lyrics here are and have always been amazing...

[ Reply to This ]
my friend.... &mdash 11/04/06 - 11:32:47 AM
Thanks Ryan. I still feel like this track (as with all my tracks) could really benefit from an honest to goodness producer and some jam time to really flush it out. Still, its getting closer to home for me. Anybody know Daniel Lanois phone number?

BTW, you should just post that track from when we jammed back in June under your user, just call it a collab. I'd love to hear it.

[ Reply to This ]
nice singin &mdash 11/04/06 - 05:00:56 PM
Losts of nice sounds too.

Thanks for sharing!

cool high notes as well and that isn't easy to do. At least for me I know.

[ Reply to This ]
if hammhock ruled the day &mdash 11/04/06 - 09:58:30 PM
spectacular. the mixing really caught my attention. liked how you used the guitar with distortion and delay and a vocal weaving in and out and around as the movmnet of this song. the reverb on your voice was so clear. very well thought out or was it a happy coincidence? very grabbing and deep.

Vic

[ Reply to This ]
:) &mdash 11/05/06 - 10:57:11 AM
Thanks Vic! I did a fair bit of experimenting with the backing electric guitar with filters and such. I was looking for something almost pad-like...I'm glad it worked for you. Mixing is always a bit difficult, so I'm glad that there seems to be a general consensus that this one comes through alright. I'd still love to get some time with this song and an actually producer who knows their chops....maybe someday.

[ Reply to This ]
Nice and gentle! &mdash 11/05/06 - 09:06:43 AM
The intro was very soothing and Gentle, love that calm Piano you are playing. I share your thought in this song, If only love....... Reminds me a little of U2 "the sweetest thing"!


[ Reply to This ]
You know it! &mdash 11/05/06 - 09:18:56 AM
If love ruled the day. That is so good and what we all should be aware of. Spread the word:)

Lovely tune and a strong performance in every department. Brilliant!

[ Reply to This ]
cheers &mdash 11/05/06 - 10:58:53 AM
I'm glad you connected with the heart of the song. I do feel there's some timeliness to it. Really like your latest post as well :)

[ Reply to This ]
A welcome revival &mdash 11/06/06 - 12:46:51 AM
Your original version is one of the most moving songs I have downloaded from macjams. i downloaded it a long time ago (then wondered why you disappeared) and still haven't tired listening to it in my iPod. At some point I even imagined doing a cover version of this song.

I'd say this version takes a little getting used to. It borrows some of the best elements from the first version and added some more. I do miss the usual melody of the chorus but the "oohs" definitely added some haunting and hurting atmosphere to it.

I'm not yet sure that it's better than the first. Your vocals are as plaintive and the instrumental mix is more lush. I think this has a slightly more dynamic pace to it, which probably makes it less depressing than the first. Maybe over time I will get to appreciate this as much as i did the first. After a couple of listens, I think I'm headed in that direction.

[ Reply to This ]
: &mdash 11/10/06 - 11:42:58 AM
Thanks Leon. I'm glad the first version connected so strongly with you. I felt like I had stumbled across a winner when it first took shape and still really like the meandering vibe of that initial version. I did hear some consistant feedback though, the biggest being that the chorus too closely resembled the verse in melody. My own major beef with that take as well is that it ultimately seemed too slow. This version still isn't THE final take. I intend to do a proper album sometime soon, so we'll see where this ends up.

[ Reply to This ]
Flowing &mdash 11/06/06 - 09:03:00 AM
I like this version much better. The smoothness and reverb wash aid the message. Nicely done. The drums are too soft in my ears, and I think would benefit from a break (a moment the loop stops and then comes back in just before the final repeats, for example) but everything else flows so nicely with the message. Very sweet, melancholy, effective track.

[ Reply to This ]
Speaking of producers.... &mdash 11/10/06 - 10:01:21 AM
Thanks Tobin. You've always been great for solid feedback and encouragement. I'll definately take your thoughts under consideration when I finally really go for it with this song. I'll be getting a *real* drummer to work on it which should really help elevate the song and give it more dynamic. I'm glad you like this version. I do ultimately feel it's better as a song than the original (which was actually a reworking of an even older song...)

[ Reply to This ]
If Love Would Rule the Day &mdash 11/07/06 - 05:48:09 AM
the very wonderfull on this song
is your singin style and your voice
the set reminds me of ol progressive
rock .. you use all there insteruments
I told you that in chat I think ???
well done ...wish to hear more !!

[ Reply to This ]
Wow &mdash 11/08/06 - 07:12:02 AM
Your voice is really beautiful. I think a bit of U2, which is a big compliment as I love his voice. After living in Malawi for 2 years, this song really reminded me of the many people I knew there. Moving and effective... well done!

[ Reply to This ]
I love the deep, gritty textures of guitar... &mdash 11/08/06 - 11:01:35 PM
...interlocking in the background...

Your vocal intensity does have that Bono vibe here... Hope that's not a bad thing to hear...

And some of that Edge-guitarness and production-by-Eno density, now that we come to think of it...

Very heartfelt song. I love the title...

Well written and well sung.

Ed

[ Reply to This ]
great vocals &mdash 11/17/06 - 11:56:56 PM
really enjoy listening to your voice. I had just listened to "last night" again and reminded of the power of your voice. echoes of Jeff Buckley, Now i can hear here, you're an accomplished producer as well. Great use of strings. Everything did an A job of framing your singing to great affect.

[ Reply to This ]
wow wow wow &mdash 11/24/06 - 07:35:21 PM
Oh gosh man... this is so great and emotional. Faved immediately. You have a brlilliant ear for melody, and your voice is very touching. This song deserves much more attention for sure... So glad I stopped by.
- Walter

[ Reply to This ]
WOW!! &mdash 01/05/07 - 08:58:08 PM
Great song! Great sound, great vocals, great mix. There's an honest rawness here in your voice here that I admire. This is a favorite. Cheers!

[ Reply to This ]
Great lyrics man &mdash 03/28/07 - 09:37:46 AM
Think you write good lyrics. I think the best part is the chrous. I can hear a back-up electric guitar. Wish it would be up a little more though.
LL

[ Reply to This ]
Copyright 2008 Simig Media, Inc.