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John Hughes - Mark II by jgurner [Email]

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SONG STATS:
Hits: 689
Comments: 18
Votes: 6
Plays: 83
Last Played: Mar 19, 2008 - 02:03:12 PM
Downloads: 40
Fans: 9
Uploaded: Jun 27, 2007 - 11:55:00 AM
Last Updated: Jun 27, 2007 - 11:55:00 AM
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Keywords:
John Hughes (2), Brat Pack (1), Molly Ringwald (2), movies (6), friendship (11), 80s (27)
Description:
This is an almost complete re-work of a song I did last year. The original version, which can be found here, was completely synth-based. I wanted to do the tune for my upcoming live performance, so I rearranged the song to make it more "guitar friendly."

For this version, I changed the key signature to one where I'd actually be able to play the chords on guitar, I upped the tempo a little bit and I made it primarily a guitar-based tune. I still left some of the synth parts in, mainly because I really liked them in the original and they fit in with the new version.

Hopefully, there will be another version coming along at some point, maybe even a live version, if I can swing it, from the upcoming performance in August.

The following is the description of the song from the original posting:

If you grew up during the 80s, then you know the significance of John Hughes. To me and so many of us who spent our formative years in that decade, John Hughes' movies spoke to our generation. They were funny, smart, well written and starred people who we felt like we went to high school with. Plus, they always had great soundtracks.

And of course, there's my obsession with Molly Ringwald. :)

This is more than just a tribute to the man who brought us these great movies, though. It's something I worte for a very special friend who shares my love for these movies and who has been there for me through all my hard times here recently (not Molly Ringwald this time.)

If you aren't familiar with John Hughes or his works and want to do some research before or after listening to this tune, here are some suggestions - "Sixteen Candles," The Breakfast Club," "Pretty In Pink" (best soundtrack EVER!), "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," and "Some Kind of Wonderful." This should give you a good start.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it. " - Ferris Bueller

Lyrics:
John Hughes

©2006 Joseph Gurner

Did I see you at the movies
in 1984?
Watching Sixteen Candles
you walked in through the door

I’d like to think that it was you
though I know it couldn’t be
I’d like to think when the movie ended
I saw you smile at me

Did I see you at the movies
in 1991?
Watching Home Alone again
You laughed and had such fun

Were those tears of laughter
I saw on your face
Did we walk out together
but in a different place

Watching John Hughes movies
Late into the night
I’ll put my arm around you
and make everything all right

If you need to feel that someone
is always on your side
Just watch those John Hughes movies
and it will be all right


You’ve reached out so far for me
and helped heal my pain
I’ll always reach out to you
when you need the same

It will be Some Kind of Wonderful
when we both smile again
Knowing through the dark sad times
We’ve both found a friend

Watching John Hughes movies
Late into the night
I’ll put my arm around you
and make everything all right

If you need to feel
that someone’s on your side
Just watch those John Hughes movies
and it will be all right
One day, we’ll go together
and visit Shermer High
We’ll see Claire and Bender and Farmer Ted
and, maybe Cameron Frye

We can walk the streets and see these faces
and feel like we’re with friends
and we'll know they make us smile
we’ll be happy in the end.

Watching John Hughes movies
Late into the night
I’ll put my arm around you
and make everything all right

If you need to feel
that someone’s on your side
Just watch those John Hughes movies
and it will be all right

Watching John Hughes movies
Late into the night
I’ll put my arm around you
and make everything all right

If you need to feel
that someone’s on your side
Just watch those John Hughes movies
and it will be all right

Hardware:
MacBook, Les Paul, Yamaha 5-string bass, M-Audio Keystation 49e, MXL 990 mic

Software:
GB for recording
Logic Express for the mix
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Nice song &mdash 06/27/07 - 09:25:49 PM
Made me smile. I just used Ferris Bueller in a class I was teaching recently, and all my students (all of them international students from pretty much the four corners of the earth) loved it. Goes to show you those movies have universal appeal! Nice work. Peace.

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Very cool &mdash 07/02/07 - 11:36:21 AM
I would have loved to take a class where Ferris Bueller would have been an appropriate subject matter to watch. Hughes did really manage to strike a chord with some of his movies and, though some didn't age too well, some are really modern pop culture classics.

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. I appreciate it.

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Memories &mdash 06/28/07 - 10:50:30 AM
I remember when you first posted this song. This is cleaner and brings the story more forward, which I think it's good. It also does more justice to your voice. This is great song Joseph, you always have such great and warm stories.

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Thannk Mikki! &mdash 07/02/07 - 11:42:58 AM
This song was fun to do because the movies were just so much fun. I really wanted to get a sound that "period appropriate" in the first version. This one, maybe is not so much so, but it was a fun retread to make. When I first thought about the song, I actually imagined writing a song to be used for the closing credits of one of his movies, circa 1984, and then just let the story unfold.

I'm glad you like the tune and this re-make. I know you have a well versed ear for the type of sound I love to come up with.

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Nice____ &mdash 06/28/07 - 01:02:25 PM
I really like the vocal harmony performances. This is a good song. I enjoyed listening.

Thanks for sharing,

mvh : )

Susquehanna Sunrise

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Thanks for listening &mdash 07/02/07 - 11:44:22 AM
I'm glad you enjoyed the tune. Thank you for saying so.

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Memories &mdash 06/28/07 - 09:17:49 PM
Yes, great movies, very nostalgic times! Nice melody to go with the slice of life lyrics! Good luck on your live performance. This should go over well as it is a nice tune.

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Looking forward to playing live &mdash 07/04/07 - 08:44:34 PM
While I'm looking forward to playing live, period, there are a few songs, including this one, I'm really looking forward to playing. I think this will go over well with the crowd.

Glad you took the time to listen and comment, Tom. It's much appreciated

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sweet sixteen! &mdash 06/28/07 - 09:40:29 PM
more uptempo with a good pop tempo. The chorus reeeally sticks out. the arpeggio synth lines really add something of a dream swirl!

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The Revenge of Farmer Ted &mdash 07/04/07 - 08:47:12 PM
The synth parts are actually the only parts from the original to be included. The drum tracks are essentially the same, but I switched from electronic to natural percussion.

Thanks for dropping by Vic.

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Delightful... &mdash 06/29/07 - 03:18:10 PM
Pleasant is what comes to mind when I listen to this, JG. Your heart seems to be lighter these days. That's a good thing! Certainly, it's reflected in whatcha do. I like the way this begin, I liked the middle, and the way it ends. You sound more relaxed, too, as is what's reflected in this piece, but especially in your vocals.

Heavy on the kitsch, here, mister. That's actually an art-form within itself. An impressive feat to have pulled off so well, musically. That would make this piece out to be fairly cinematic, and in a big way.

Cinamatic... he he he... - And a big fat, duh!... for me - since that would be a good thing, given the whole of this particular context. I suspect that you did this on purpose. Man I get smarter with each word that I type, don't I... - can't slip too much by me, but some things, well...

Anyhow, it's nice to have the time and space to be able to comment on music again. Regardless of the ignorance that it so clearly reveals, I forgot how good this feels.

I'm hoping that you'll be posting more soon, JG. And don't worry, I will be giving you a buzz soon, about a little tunage to work on. I've been way too busy.

Take care! Dion

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Bring it on! &mdash 07/04/07 - 08:53:11 PM
All you got to do is holler when you have some tunage ready for me and I'm totally there.

I'm glad you're back in commenting mode again, my friend. Missed seeing you around.

You know, you're absolutely right, my heart is much lighter these days, something at one point I never thought would happen again. But you know the old saying, "Time wounds all Heals." This one was a fun and easy one to do and is one of my favorites. Kitchy,yes, but I think that's part of why I love it so much.

I'm getting revved up now, getting ready to play live in a few weeks. Come on out to Mississippi and listen.

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This was my youth &mdash 07/03/07 - 01:06:25 PM
Great track Joe, this soo brings back my youth ... i had a thing about Molly Ringwald. This is a lovely, sweet little song - poptastic!

Steve

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Stay away from my woman!!!! &mdash 07/04/07 - 08:55:56 PM
Molly Ringwald is mine!!!!!

I actually saw her live a few months ago in the musical "Sweet Charity." It was very cool being only eight rows away from her (the restraining order wouldn't let me get any closer.) She's go a great voice.

Thanks for listening and commenting, Steve. It's much appreciated.

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It's funny... &mdash 07/03/07 - 11:53:24 PM
...as I was listening to this song, I noticed in the "Who's Online" section that you and I both have been MJ members for 37 months, AND....we were the only two members listed!

And I am ashamed to say that in all this time I have never listened to one of your songs until now.

I'm glad I did. This song is very upbeat, good vocals and backup arrangement, and very well-mixed.

It has a rather "pop" feel, light and bouncy. Definitely reminiscent of the '80s. I don't know much about alternative rock, but in my limited experience listening to that genre, to me this sounds more mainstream pop.

Which is a good thing! A very enjoyable listen.

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You know... &mdash 07/04/07 - 09:01:05 PM
...it's funny, but I still find an old hand here at MJ every once in a while I've never listened to as well. There aren't many of us "old timers" who are still active. I'm glad you took time to listen, though and I'm glad you enjoyed what you heard.

We also have something else in common. We're both French horn players. Of course, the difference is I'm not really a very good French horn player, at least not any more. I do it just for fun in our community band now, but in high school and college I was pretty serious about it.

Thanks again for listening.

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Lively &mdash 07/05/07 - 05:35:14 PM
and very pleasant song, well played and sung. But I have to admit my ignorance of John Hughes, I am ashamed to say. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
Cheers
Len



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Lovely voice as the music &mdash 07/16/07 - 05:07:59 PM
Really enjoyed it .. thanks for posting ..
you've got really lovely voice .. great song ..
Wish to accept me as a new friend .. i liked your style ..

Regardz
==============
Yeman Auf Al-Rawi

P.S : wish to hear my latest piece I REMEMBER



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