I've Never Seen A U.F.O. by michael2
Genre: Indie Rock
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Keywords:
pop with a twist (1), space travel is cool (1), ()
Description:
I tried to get a decent drum beat from scratch. It's hard to deal normal pop/indie/rock songs with MIDI. Kept having to mess with the velocity on the cymbals and the snare as they just sound so fake sometimes. Really tried to think like a drummer on this one. Getting a bit better at it i think. The main problems I had on this were the vocals. They sound so crispy to me, I think I may have to break down and get a pre-amp at some point. I really crave that analog warmtrh on the vox and drums.
Anyways, this song is about a little kid who wants to go to space. He's fascinated by the whole idea of aliens, space travel, rockets, etc... Since I stared out the window all night in my pajamas as a kid, hoping to get a look at Haley's Comet (probably looked in the wrong direction the whole time), and have driven out to the desert to watch meteor showers numerous times (by myself), I can totally relate to this little guy.
Anyways, this song is about a little kid who wants to go to space. He's fascinated by the whole idea of aliens, space travel, rockets, etc... Since I stared out the window all night in my pajamas as a kid, hoping to get a look at Haley's Comet (probably looked in the wrong direction the whole time), and have driven out to the desert to watch meteor showers numerous times (by myself), I can totally relate to this little guy.
Lyrics:
it'll be alrightif i get my way tonight
there's a silver spaceship come to take me home
(far away)
i want to see
things that no one's ever dreamed
wanna see things from
a different point of view
(far away)
oh i don't know why
my spaceship never comes
oh i just don't know
why i've never seen a ufo
at night
while i gaze at the sky
i've read the book
and i've seen the movies too
and there's someone out there watching from afar
(from afar)
they are our friends
and they've seen what we can do
and they know that
we'll need help from them someday
oh i just don't know
my spaceship never comes
oh i just don't know
why i've never seen a ufo
at night
while i gaze at the sky
i could be high above
the earth
i could be smiling
down on you
i could watching
over you
Hardware:
macbook, m-audio 49 e keyboard, m-audio trigger finger, ibanez bass, fender teleSoftware:
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TG
Maybe its the season? but this has an otherworldly christmas song feeling, cool song man
michael2
a trip to somewhere far way would make a great gift for someone close to you. thanks for listening.
bud
the drums sound great - it really makes a big difference getting away from loops. I also like the swirling keyboard backing against the dry guitar. Vocals sound fine to me - not too crispy - but my ears might be soggy.
Excellent Beatles style progression on the coda - very sweet.
michael2
the midi drums do give a bit more variety (i burned thru my drums on demand in about 2 months), but they are seriously like putting the breaks on. it takes soo long sometimes. haven't really got it down yet, so sometimes i can crank a track out in 10 minutes, and then other times it takes me days; and i still find fault with it when i listen back later. there's some weird stuff here, but i won't bother pointing it out. thanks for the listen. BTW you do have my cell number, you lost my home phone.
ktb
really captures the simple and straight forward "awe" that shiny ufo's conjure up for me. I used to be convinced I had seen one when I was younger (before the Jack Daniels), but as I grew older I realized that the eyes can undeed play tricks. Never lost my fascination with the subject tho. The drums sound great, btw
michael2
for the listen. what is it that is so fascinating about them. at this point, i sincerely doubt they exist, but i am still fascinated by them. i'll watch any bad TV "documentary" on UFOs. remember chariots of the gods? that rocked my little mind as a child.
Moses
seen a UFO either. But it's OK because I have this song to keep me company if that gets me down. Very pleasant tune to listen to. Thanks for sharing this.
michael2
very cool of you to give me the thumbs up. glad you liked.
sloparts
And that's not a bad thing either. Reminds me of Rubber Soul or Sergeant Pepper in the character of the song, which were two of my favorite Beatles albums.
Great lyrics and smooth production my friend. A definite keeper for me and it's going on my iPod in the best of section.
I love it Mike, thank for sharing and the download.
Ed
michael2
those are my fave beatles records too (although we can't leave out revolver and the white album). when i write a pop song, i tend to always come back to those classic pop forms. thanks so much for listening.
particledots
Very well done
Nice xmasy vibe and swing
b
michael2
i think i may have to watch that movie again. saw it when i was really young, and i think i may need to see it now that i can appreciate the subtleties. thanks for listening. your tune is next.
Vic Holman
cool tune Michael. great lyrics!
pre-amps are a good idea. i have a presonus firebox interface that works really nice. with phantom power for condenser mikes.
now I have seen a ufo in broad daylight on a cloudless sky. about 500 feet overhead cruising at a an easy pace. i wish i had a camera 'cause no one believes me.
michael2
glad you like the song, and glad that you have seen a ufo. that would definitely be a hard one to get people to swallow. but i'm gonna let you have it, who am i to doubt? thanks so much for the listen, always a pleasure to see you stop by.
egobandit
take me away.. I had alot more to say but I kept erasing everything the more I got into the song. Greatness thanks!!!!!!!
michael2
very cool of you. so glad you liked it, wasn't really sure about this one after i finished it. thanks for listening.
Feter
very cool my friend ...this is so wonderfull ..the wamrth
in your set ..vocal and instrments ...and yes still the
best beatlish 60s song writers who can brought that so
wonderfully ...Kudos ...lovely song ..thnx alot for sharin !!!
michael2
you are too kind. i'm really happy that you liked this one. always try to mix up all of the music that ever had an impact on me, and the 60's pop stuff was always a huge love of mine. thanks for listening.
LunaTrick
Great song... I like your vox a lot!
michael2
lunatrick. glad you liked the song, and really happy that you thought the voice was okay. after all these years, i'm still not totally sold on my vox. thanks for listening.
Ibstrat
never fail to amaze me with your well written and extremely well-produced music.That 60's alien type synth behind the melody is a brilliant touch!
michael2
very kind of you to say. i don't know about well written, as I didn't even have a melody until after i recorded everything; but very nice of you to say. this was mostly an experiment to try recording a drum track and it ended up a song. isn't making music a blast? thanks so much for listening and for your kind words.
echoroom
... no one will take you tonight! This is a beautiful little lullaby, a really sweet little song M2. Your voice sounds really wonderful on this, world weary and full. Great bridge btw - wish I could right bridges like that... hell, i just wish i could write bridges!
Could you send me your e-mail address, asI've lost it, and I've a tack I'd like to send to you?
Stee
michael2
thanks so much. as for your ability to write bridges, i'm thinking you have absolutely no problems in that area. i'll send you my email, and thanks for still listening to my music.
dajama
sound good to me, and so does the song. Love the lyrics - really evocative of the feeling of dreaming of the stars. Great backing vocals, and nice strummed guitar (lovely clean sound) and a sweet melodic vocal. I'm with Steve on the bridge - terrific. Excellent stuff. Nicely done. Peace.
michael2
really surprised that people liked this song. thought some might find it silly, and it makes me really happy that it's been well received. so glad you stopped by and gave it a listen, thanks so much for your kind words.
racerat
Michael,
I like the open-ness of this song- the restraint. All instruments are sparse and distinct. I agree about the crisp-ness of the vox and drums. I long for that tape warmth I used to get with my 4-track. Try a little more open warm room reverb and a little judicious EQ cutting on the upper bands. Great progression and ditto on Bud's love of the bridge (coda?) who knows, but it's tasty.
Philip
michael2
i was listening to a classic rock station the other day, and a song I don't like (born to be wild) came on. before i got a chance to switch the station, i started listening to the drums.they sounded so good, like i was in the room with them. besides the warmth of the recording, i realized that the cymbals were totally hot and in your face. the hi hats were visible to me, could just see the dude bashing the hell out of them. doubt that i'll ever be able to get that with midi. guess i'll just keep working within my limitations. i'm so glad you liked this one. what do you think would happen if i ran the drums and vox out of logic, through an old tube amp and then back in? not sure how to do it, but i guess it's worth a shot.
lavalamp
...of Monkees, but cooler. You have a sort of British twang in your voice.
RE: Drums- Sounds excellent
You know I'd dig this song.
Dave
michael2
i love the monkees. i always play "cuddly toy" on piano and sing it with my daughter thanks for the listen and the props on the drums.
lavalamp
I love Nilsson's version. Have you heard it?
saymme
Some of Your songs always touch on such a deep level Michael - this one for sure tear in my eye... : ) Wonderful description - i love visiting deserts...wow (!) You'd be awed by the Northern lights we got up here& more north (diff countries close to the Npole )
Different colors flashings cross the sky..
Humbled by this tx for dl (!)means alot !! lena
michael2
you old softy you, thanks a bunch. makes me happy that you can relate and that you liked my song. thanks so much for the listen and your oh so sweet comment.
magnatone
I'm always so happy to see a Michael2 posting - you haven't disappointed me yet. I'll listen to this great song a zillion times - perfect for the motorcycle trip playlist. Your vocals are perfection (as usual).
michael2
karen, maybe you'll see something in the sky while you're taking a road trip. you are very kind.
Moses
I really like this song. Lyrics and little effects and touches like the alien synth are great. =)
Diviner
Can really hear that you tried hard with the drums, they sound really good. I like the way the song sounds and moves. Its a gentley-swing-your-head summer pop song that makes you feel good and smile. Nice track Michael, really enjoyed.
michael2
so much. i'm hoping that it will eventually become easier the more i work at it. thanks so much for the listen.
kassia
I really like the background vocals and harmonies on this one. Cool lyrics. Great drums. Another awesome tune, michael.
michael2
Kassia, really happy that you like. thanks for the comment, means a lot.
Lennon714
are a fav of mine in this song. I like how they sound, but I'm sure you know what you're talking about. Not to piss in anyone's cheerios, but the tone of the song and the lyrics made me think of Heaven's Gate. It just didn't work out for them. No matter how odd their little group seemed, you just have to feel for people when it just doesn't work out.
michael2
i can totally see the Heavens Gate thing, that might actually be a cooler subject than what I wrote about. from now on, i will be checking in with you about subject matter. :)
thanks so much for checking this out, much appreciated.
Macaudion
You have to be one of the most prolific writers here, M2. And what you tend to create is music that always captivates my attention in a way that causes me to imagine. It causes me to imagine by relating a common life experience to love in a way that enviably, it makes the trip a full on experiential one. It's a trip that usually takes me far far away from here.
Always poetically rich.
Always clever.
Interactive.
Timeless.
Quirky good.
And it's always uniquely, you.
Personal and transferable to anybody who's lived to be old enough to imagine and then, love.
I don't know why you're not doing this for a phat living. I really don't get it. Sorry if I'm embarrassing you, but yuck it up.
For now, thanks for sharing it all with us and for nothing but the cost of appreciation. Cheep at many times the price.
Dion
michael2
very much. you are entirely too kind as for making a living, it was my career of choice for awhile, but i really got tired of touring. you are super cool though, and i really appreciate the fact that you liked and for your comments. thanks.
Ed Hannifin
,,,camping with my best friend in his back yard, looking straight up at the stars, determined not to blink until we both saw a meteor and a UFO...
Then there's the whole, "If I really, really BELIEVE, and totally have FAITH, I can jump off this wall and I'll fly..."
The guitars against each other and against the drums work really well on this... I'm not picky in this department, but I think you got a perfectly suitable vocal sound... Maybe a little dry, but clear and good... The tiniest nit I'd make would have been the fuzzy guitar tone, but I suspect that's just the sound you were aiming at...
Ed
buckhorn
you're able to come up with so much excellent material is beyond me. I like the lyrics.... the arraingment is what stands out. drums fit in flawlessly in to an organic sounding mix.I like the crispy vocals, they leave plenty of sonic space.....a pre amp and mic don't help me much .....I suppose its the indian and not the arrow.....all in all a righteous pop tune.
PrototypeEightyOne
very cool track, nicely put together..sounded good 2
dolby
...what you're trying to sort out with MIDI drums Michael - it's a pain trying to get that natural feel (if not impossible). The drums still sound a little machine like here - which I suspect is what you're trying to avoid. Out of interest what drum samples are you using? Are you double tracking? Is there a 'shuffle' feature in Logic to try and get them swinging out of time?
As mentioned before EZDrummer may inch towards a solution - but still you have to devote hours to tapping in individual notes if you want to compose a rhythm track from scratch - no easy answer I suppose!
Song wise this is a really neat little tune - reminds me of Mercury Rev - it has all the indie trademarks (love the fuzzy bass under the space synth and the music box melody). Nice vocal performance and an effortless lyric/melody - sort of Michael Penn like in the middle -
A good listen -
Phil
davisamerica
you just make it sound so effortless ... which I know tis not :-] just a great tune
J.A.Stewart
With remakes of the sci-fi classics "The Day The Earth Stood Still" and "Forbidden Planet" on the event horizon, this is pretty timely.
A very sweet, introspective piece, as seen through the eyes of a child filled with curiosity and wonder. Nicely done.
Keep your eyes peeled, Michael... I'll wave the next time we pass over El-Lay. ;)
--- Joe
tempie
man first of all the production is just superb, I mean it lights up the ears from the first note (drums sound very natural i think). And I love your recurring space theme/preoccupation lol. Great "(from afar)" backup - made me smile. And the coda is pure michael2, which is a good thing.
craft
This is really nice... Maybe someday we can collab..
jiguma
Drums from scratch - that's very brave! You continue to channel the Beatles for me - are you sure you weren't Paul's ghost writer in the 60s?
Seriously good tune - I've just come from Vic's new one, and I hear similarities - especially lyrically. You have such a close connection to the Beatles that it's a little weird at times :)
Did I mention the Beatles?
:)
Neil
rsorensen
great alt pop song, michael. love that verse melody and the chorus is so catchy. almost sounds like a theramin in there too. nice touch. awesome bridge harmonies. great drumming too, man. and I love the subject matter. great post all 'round. Good to hear your indie side again
Dj French Toast
But you already know that . This is a cool song man . You know Im a big fan of your music . Mixed well sounded good on my set up .
Alannah
.. a tune of yours that I didn't enjoy .... you rawk ! Oddly .. I always find myself humming along ... Hmmmmmmmmm (I almost hesitate to use the word "Beatles" .... ) ... but there it was ....
Heightened
Hopefully one day we can ride a spaceship together.
Ash Tree
I really love your songwriting but sometimes I think you sing with too much of accent. Sounds less likes its coming from inside you. To me.
Pete_NB
Feel good song man, in a melancholy-hopeful kind of way. Glad you responded to my Line 6 post so I could hear this!
Love the clean sound. Is that the tele, straight into Line 6 into the macbook?
michael2
and yes (to your setup question).
Nick_Flash
Really cool song Michael, I'm digging this style lately. Vocals sound good to me.