I've Never Seen A U.F.O.

michael2

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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.

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Lyrics

it'll be alright
if 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

Song Stats

Hits: 1254
Comments: 39
Fans: 41
Plays: 171
Downloads: 59
Votes: 6
Uploaded: Dec 05, 2008 - 06:34:13 PM
Last Updated: Dec 05, 2008 - 06:34:13 PM Last Played: Nov 21, 2009 - 12:23:47 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Keywords:

pop with a twist (1), space travel is cool (1), ()

Hardware:

macbook, m-audio 49 e keyboard, m-audio trigger finger, ibanez bass, fender tele

Software:

logic express

Comments

TG	TG said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	Nice harmonies Maybe its the season? but this has an otherworldly christmas song feeling, cool song man Check out my latest song called Think Of Me

michael2	michael2 said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	well a trip to somewhere far way would make a great gift for someone close to you. thanks for listening. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

bud	bud said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	A real beauty Michael 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. Check out my latest song called try not to think

michael2

michael2 said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)

thanks kevin
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.

Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

ktb	ktb said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	ufo's 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 Check out my latest song called Texas stump

michael2	michael2 said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	thanks 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Moses	Moses said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	I've never 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. Check out my latest song called Open Collab

michael2	michael2 said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	thanks moses very cool of you to give me the thumbs up. glad you liked. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

sloparts

sloparts said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)

Sounds like a Beatles tune to me Mike
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

Check out my latest song called Just a little Something

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	sloparts 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

particledots	particledots said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	Actually reminds me of the Rutles Very well done Nice xmasy vibe and swing b Check out my latest song called Mt St Helen - (Cadence Corrected Mix)

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	bryn 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	space boy 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. Check out my latest song called November

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	thanks vic 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

egobandit	egobandit said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	ufo take me away.. I had alot more to say but I kept erasing everything the more I got into the song. Greatness thanks!!!!!!! Check out my latest song called when its love

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	tim very cool of you. so glad you liked it, wasn't really sure about this one after i finished it. thanks for listening. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Feter	Feter said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	I've Never Seen A U.F.O. 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 !!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	feter 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

LunaTrick	LunaTrick said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	Hallo Spaceboy! Great song... I like your vox a lot! Check out my latest song called Luna Gypsy Heart II (Eternal Firelight)

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	thanks 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Ibstrat	Ibstrat said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	You 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! Check out my latest song called Blues in Bm

michael2

michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)

thanks lbstrat
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.

Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

echoroom

echoroom said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)

Sleep tight children...
... 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

Check out my latest song called Deeper (w/t Racerat)

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	steve 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

dajama	dajama said 353 days ago (December 5th, 2008)
	The drums 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. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	thanks a bunch 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

racerat

racerat said 353 days ago (December 6th, 2008)

open skies
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

Check out my latest song called Frank's Song

michael2

michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)

thanks a bunch
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.

Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

lavalamp	lavalamp said 353 days ago (December 6th, 2008)
	It reminds me... ...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 Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	dude 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

lavalamp	lavalamp said 351 days ago (December 8th, 2008)
	Cuddly Toy I love Nilsson's version. Have you heard it? Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero

saymme	saymme said 353 days ago (December 6th, 2008)
	A Fav .........! : ) 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	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	you 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

magnatone	magnatone said 353 days ago (December 6th, 2008)
	I've Never Seen a UFO 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). Check out my latest song called Symphonic Smackdown

michael2	michael2 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	thanks a bunch karen, maybe you'll see something in the sky while you're taking a road trip. you are very kind. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Moses	Moses said 353 days ago (December 6th, 2008)
	Back again I really like this song. Lyrics and little effects and touches like the alien synth are great. =) Check out my latest song called Open Collab

Diviner	Diviner said 353 days ago (December 6th, 2008)
	Lovely pop track 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. Check out my latest song called Space Program (Space Race 2009)

michael2	michael2 said 351 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	thanks so much. i'm hoping that it will eventually become easier the more i work at it. thanks so much for the listen. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

kassia	kassia said 352 days ago (December 6th, 2008)
	ufo I really like the background vocals and harmonies on this one. Cool lyrics. Great drums. Another awesome tune, michael. Check out my latest song called Deep Majesty

michael2	michael2 said 351 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	thanks Kassia, really happy that you like. thanks for the comment, means a lot. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Lennon714

Lennon714 said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)

The vox
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.

Check out my latest song called Anarchy, Inc.

michael2	michael2 said 351 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	lennon 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Macaudion

Macaudion said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)

Gushing w/ it...
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

Check out my latest song called 123 iGetU

michael2	michael2 said 351 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	thanks 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. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)

How well I remember...
,,,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

Check out my latest song called Next Time Around (w/jiguma)

buckhorn

buckhorn said 352 days ago (December 7th, 2008)

How
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.

Check out my latest song called salience #2

PrototypeEightyOne	PrototypeEightyOne said 351 days ago (December 7th, 2008)
	yo very cool track, nicely put together..sounded good 2 Check out my latest song called Confusion

dolby

dolby said 351 days ago (December 8th, 2008)

Interesting...
...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

Check out my latest song called You Can't Win Them All

davisamerica	davisamerica said 351 days ago (December 8th, 2008)
	michael ... you just make it sound so effortless ... which I know tis not :-] just a great tune Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

J.A.Stewart

J.A.Stewart said 351 days ago (December 8th, 2008)

Just Visiting...
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

Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

tempie	tempie said 351 days ago (December 8th, 2008)
	sounds of space 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. Check out my latest song called Get Away with Murder Eyes (5XArms Cover)

craft	craft said 350 days ago (December 8th, 2008)
	cool song This is really nice... Maybe someday we can collab.. Check out my latest song called Blue Lights (feat. Spleenveil)

jiguma

jiguma said 350 days ago (December 9th, 2008)

Cool tune Michael
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

Check out my latest song called Lost In Translation (w Mike Watkins)

rsorensen	rsorensen said 343 days ago (December 16th, 2008)
	so good 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 Check out my latest song called Keep Your Chin Up

Dj French Toast	Dj French Toast said 340 days ago (December 19th, 2008)
	YOu Rock 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 . Check out my latest song called Its The French Toast(Colab W/WillBill808)

Alannah	Alannah said 339 days ago (December 19th, 2008)
	Haven't heard .... .. 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 .... Check out my latest song called I'm Drownin' - Smokey VW (feat Alannah) + Outtaorbit

Heightened	Heightened said 335 days ago (December 23rd, 2008)
	Hmmm.....space ship....slurp slurp Hopefully one day we can ride a spaceship together. Check out my latest song called A Journey Through Starburst Galaxy M82

Ash Tree	Ash Tree said 300 days ago (January 27th, 2009)
	accent 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. Check out my latest song called So Long

Pete_NB	Pete_NB said 272 days ago (February 25th, 2009)
	Nice! 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? Check out my latest song called First of Fall - Slide

michael2	michael2 said 270 days ago (February 26th, 2009)
	thanks and yes (to your setup question). Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Nick_Flash	Nick_Flash said 266 days ago (March 3rd, 2009)
	catchy Really cool song Michael, I'm digging this style lately. Vocals sound good to me. Check out my latest song called Wake Up

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Artist Info

Name: michael2

I'm a guy who never wanted to do anything but play music. I grew up with classic rock and prog rock before discovering punk and the new york dolls once I got to high school. As i got a little older (and less angry), I developed a love o... [see more]

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