Giving It All Away

jiguma

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Description

This is about a relationship of sorts - one full of frustration, false starts, and very mixed feelings. I played around with 7/8 here, and thought it took the song from being a little dull to being more interesting.

Someone recently mentioned that MJ was full of introspective songs lately - well here's another :)

Me on everything, including midi drums and percussion.

Cheers from Oz,
Neil

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Lyrics

Giving It All Away
©2012 Neil Porter

I got time on my hands
My place in the sun
So much to do but it never gets done
I made some mistakes
And they play on my heart
So much to do but I don’t seem to start

I just have to have some clear direction
When there’s no reason I’m all at sea
Sometimes I get it right
Give in without a fight
Maybe I’ll give it all away

Doing my best with your obsessions
Sometimes they’re pushing me away
Sometimes I get it right
Give in without a fight
Maybe I’ll give it all away

INSTR

REFRAIN

I lived a life of inhibition
Taking no chances – that’s not me
Sometimes I get it right
Give in without a fight
Maybe I’ll give it all away

INSTR

So you can see the contradiction
Nose on your face as plain as day
Sometimes I get it right
Give in without a fight
Maybe I’ll give it all away

Maybe I’ll give it all away

Song Stats

Hits: 1121
Comments: 46
Fans: 48
Plays: 216
Downloads: 34

Uploaded: Mar 29, 2012 - 11:32:06 PM
Last Updated: Mar 29, 2012 - 11:32:06 PM Last Played: May 22, 2013 - 03:59:42 AM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Hardware:

Telecaster, Precision Bass, Yamaha PSR300 midi keyboard, Rode NT3 mic, iMac G5

Software:

Logic Pro, Ozone

Comments

Dadai.2	Dadai.2 said 419 days ago (March 29th, 2012)
	Sometimes... you get it right. Indeed. Good tune. I like introspection. Your lyrics and vocal are the stars (not to disparage the fine music). Glad I saw this one. Cheers Check out my latest song called Come With Me

jiguma	jiguma said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	Cheers Jack Always nice to see you leave a comment. Thanks for listening. Neil Check out my latest song called News Is Gonna Break

Philip18	Philip18 said 419 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Giving it all away Good song. Backing works very well - everything adding something without getting over-complicated. Your distinctive vocal style suits introspection (and a few other styles too!) I like it a lot! Check out my latest song called Close to Midnight w/ alackbass, rok41, paul f. page, & KyasheMusic

jiguma	jiguma said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	Philip Thanks for the kind words. I tried to give this a slow build without getting too busy, and it seems to have worked. Glad you enjoyed the listen - next time you're passing on a Monday or Thursday, drop in to the Shed. N Check out my latest song called News Is Gonna Break

dimm witness	dimm witness said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	odd timings take me apart and put me back together again ;) LOVE it. jazzy and snazzy and ultra moderne midcentury! Check out my latest song called conflation

Ed Hannifin

Ed Hannifin said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)

7/8...
I'm going to need remedial classes just to tap my foot to this properly...[sigh]...higher math...

I like the lyrics on this, Neil, and I am earnestly working on decoding them...I'm listening to this on itty bitty speakers, and I'll have to come back and give a listen with something more full range...The vocal is nicely up front...

Check out my latest song called Uno/I Like The Way... (with Macaudion, SISTERS, ktb, and ziti)

jiguma	jiguma said 412 days ago (April 5th, 2012)
	Those lyrics Thanks for the listen Ed - tapping in time is easy - just don't, whatever you do, attempt to count to 7 to find out where the bars are ;) All I'll say about the words is that they may not be what they appear to be. Cheers from Oz, Neil Check out my latest song called News Is Gonna Break

gadzooks	gadzooks said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Giving It All Away Hey Neil, what a nice mix. 7/8 timing is so strange. Reminds me a little like Men at Work. Great job with the drums and the bass line is working great. I also like that simple guitar slide and tasty guitar parts. Nothing wrong with introspective lyrics in my books! Enjoyed this! Cheers SG Check out my latest song called Song of Life

rtcooper	rtcooper said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	A BEAUTY Super Vocals. Really Fine Mix. I'm with Ed, the time signature is lovely but I'm glad I don't have to add another rhythm part! Check out my latest song called The Loon and the Hula Moon (mstr)

PeterB7858	PeterB7858 said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Trademark... Hi Neil. Introspection is good :-) Like the different timing in this and your midi drums are excellent. They sit beautifully in the spacious mix. The tele is sounding just right and the bass is super solid. Your trademark vocals suit the lyrics, as Philip said. Another jiguma D/L. Thanks, Peter. Check out my latest song called Autumn Falling

snowdragon	snowdragon said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	If I didn't know better I'd say you're in a New York frame of mind . . . Check out my latest song called Nightmares

magnatone	magnatone said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Giving It All Away Hi Neil - this is really terrific work and yes, very introspective. 7/8 - very brave, and works well! your lyrics are particularly special - great song! Check out my latest song called Blind Love (Seeing Heart) - Orchestral Version

Symphony101	Symphony101 said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Rare measures work well Neil, I remember another one of you in 5/4, it is my fave too (Under the Southern Cross I think). Beautiful work ! Check out my latest song called Lonely Generation

Warren Smith

Warren Smith said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)

A good thing better
Hey Neil, if you are giving it all away - save some for me : )

However, I seriously think giving it all away won't cure these life conundrums. Still, it's an interesting thing to ponder.

As for "get it right/give in without a fight," obviously that's coming from a man who has long been married.

I'm loving the 7/8 beat. You're right, it does juice up the soundtrack. I doubt that it was necessary, as everything here is working together to deliver a solid composition. So I think what that means the 7/8 approach has made a good thing even better.

Check out my latest song called Love Shack

Leon	Leon said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Pleasure to listen to... You always find a way to make your songs sound distinct and different from each other. But always one thing in common: crisp and clear sounds, awesome percussions, and cool vocals that's somewhere between playful, musing, and whispering. This one is kinda jazzy folk. Check out my latest song called Just Another Day

davisamerica	davisamerica said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	neil .... ok ...one more time... u aussies belong off the coast of texas ... you punch all my buttons...downloaded and thanks. Check out my latest song called 12

rok41	rok41 said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Giving it All Away Love the 7/8, I really think the chorus is very nice. Everything shines here, great guitar, bass and percussion! And of course the vocals are nicely tailored and mixed perfectly. Very nice Neil. Check out my latest song called The Game

alackbass	alackbass said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Giving It All Away Very impressive. Well written. The odd time signature makes it stand out. I'm not sure I could muster the courage. As always stellar production and mix. Tipping my cap mate! Check out my latest song called Just Ain't Worth a Song (2 Track)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 418 days ago (March 30th, 2012)
	Giving It All Away sometime i do odd measures be accident. but you you sure nailed the timing here effortlessly. very tight throughout. excellent job neil a stunning piece without a doubt Check out my latest song called Darkest Skies

DWL	DWL said 417 days ago (March 31st, 2012)
	Clean production You're a master at this Neil. Lovely clean guitar work and perfect vocal delivery. 7/8 was an unusual choice but it really gives this an extra edge. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called Not For The Likes of You

tmcfate	tmcfate said 417 days ago (March 31st, 2012)
	7/8 time works well. telling a story we can all relate to ,.. nice work. Check out my latest song called Dark Day in December

mikkinylund

mikkinylund said 417 days ago (March 31st, 2012)

Nice
Very cool 7/8 song you got here... Great story, about giving and getting... As always, great performance, your guitar playing is for the heaven's, and your voice belongs up there as well... What I like about this song is the story. You are telling me something - never heard of before - but in a new perspective. I like the "almost" reggae groove. This is great Neil!

Check out my latest song called Delirium Poema II

Ibstrat	Ibstrat said 417 days ago (March 31st, 2012)
	I was just teaching someone "Estimated Prophet"- also in 7/8. 7/8 can sometimes sound forced but you have done a great job here, your guitar and bass work is excellent. I also am a big fan of your vocal style. I wish that I had 1/10 of your recording and mixing knowledge! Check out my latest song called I Could Write a Book

Soundhound	Soundhound said 417 days ago (March 31st, 2012)
	Very cool track... Moves reeeal good and the vocal is top shelf, the story line lyrically is solid.....That's what it is right there..... The way you throw your voice, really makes this happen... Very well done.... Check out my latest song called Call To Arms...

TvRicky	TvRicky said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	You got it right here baby! Damn man where have you been! I am jammed and slipped middle here. "I just have to have some clear direction" Music is your direction my friend! What talent here at MJ..Feel is your groove and man do I feel you! Get down baby. Wow@! A SincerelyZipped, TvRicky Check out my latest song called 'Our Blood Flows From The Drums'

peacepiano	peacepiano said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	Seven Eight The rhythm drew me in and then I got hooked on the lyrics. Great stuff! Check out my latest song called Sex tet

lavalamp	lavalamp said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	Refeshing Really liking the clean, jazzy sound on this track. Quite smooth and soothing. Interesting, personal lyrics. Enjoy this Neil. Great job. LL Check out my latest song called A Funky Little Thing

RochaMalhada	RochaMalhada said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	retrospective Cool time, Neil. Bass riff flows nicely in the cadence and flow of the rest of the instrumentation. Definitely one of those songs for a listen in a retrospective mood. Mix sounds nice. . - Harold Check out my latest song called Ascent of a Tree (w Mike_D & FEEL)

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	Disjointed and Out of Rhythm 7 / 8 fits the core expression of the lyric rather well I think, Neil. There's an intimation about the struggle with our duality and how we confound ourselves because of it. The mood you create here... odd, disjointed and out of (customary) rhythm... fits that dilemma quite nicely. Interesting piece. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Chance To Dream

egobandit	egobandit said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	blast love how you open this up, I think what I like best about your music is your voice, what ever the subject you sing it with such conviction thats the key I think, your separation and the panning of the instruments are like if you were hearing all the amp on a stage from different locations another great one into the Jiguma file! Check out my latest song called walkin out my door

Jarvoid	Jarvoid said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	very nice... ..time sig works a treat ,heck knows how you time that one but it is very effective....great stuff.... Jarvo Check out my latest song called Cripple Creek Revised........By Jarvoid and the Banjo Bedraggled Manic Mandolin Accordion Squeezers

davisamerica2	davisamerica2 said 416 days ago (April 1st, 2012)
	Sounding great, Neil! I've always enjoyed your style of singing, for starters. Your music is top notch and always interesting. Very fine lyrics too. OZ is all right! Hate to go back to Kansas. T Check out my latest song called Muddy Fields/ w DWL & rmarris

neilh79	neilh79 said 415 days ago (April 2nd, 2012)
	Giving it all Away This is just another excellent song Neil, realyy nicely played and a good mood! Well done Check out my latest song called Resurrection of Life Final Mix! (w/ Loob, Rok41, Symphony101, Gadzooks)

Doug Somers

Doug Somers said 415 days ago (April 2nd, 2012)

This is one of those songs
where I sit motionless at the end, just enveloped in the dying echoes of a great performance. It's hard to say anything cogent since it's hard to know where to begin. Maybe I'll just say how very much I enjoyed this piece, and if I were at a live gig I'd be the guy in the audience standing up pounding his hands together for maybe longer than everyone else, and that would be OK with me.

Brilliant work here Neil. Cheers,
Doug

Check out my latest song called The Asteroid [Doom2012]

tempie	tempie said 415 days ago (April 2nd, 2012)
	frustrations and false starts man i really liked the vibe from the first note. i especially like the simple little solo and the bridge that follows it. also like how you use the synth starting at 2, fills things out and lends some dramatic build to the end. always enjoy your tunes, thanks Check out my latest song called Fan Fiction (Stan Lee Writes Reed Richards)

SmokeyVW	SmokeyVW said 414 days ago (April 3rd, 2012)
	it's another great song - i especially like how you made 7/8 roll along smoothly thanks Check out my latest song called RUOK

TheReverendAG	TheReverendAG said 414 days ago (April 3rd, 2012)
	Smooove Smooth guitar and singing. Plus I have to give you props for kicking it old school on a G5 processor. Check out my latest song called A Dream About a Nun Riding a Burro

Outtaorbit	Outtaorbit said 414 days ago (April 3rd, 2012)
	dude Song is like the steel eagle Check out my latest song called Strange World

CIASM_ZENABI_	CIASM_ZENABI_ said 413 days ago (April 4th, 2012)
	giving it all away i'm sure i've heard this before. interesting use of the odd time signature. the song builds up really well. i really like the guitar chords and the simple but effective clean lean. vocals work really well. enjoyed it a lot. cheers graham Check out my latest song called GLOWING IN THE DARK (2012 REMIX)

karmicfreak

karmicfreak said 412 days ago (April 5th, 2012)

Giving It All Away
Nice build up and arrangement. I like the cool island vibe to the slidy echo guitars around 2:10 and 2:55. I'm sure you know Pink Floyd's Money famously shifted into 4/4 from 7/8 for the solo section, to great effect. Have you thought about changing the time signature emphasis from 2/2/3 to 3/2/2 (maybe mixing and matching) as an element of growth? It could add a cool emphasis for a solo section, for example. Cheers.

Check out my latest song called 20 Beautiful Children

dave_b	dave_b said 410 days ago (April 7th, 2012)
	Giving It All Away The 7/8 kept me on my toes. Arrangement and feel reminds me of the Police. A well-crafted song. Check out my latest song called Llarions Blues

tadashi	tadashi said 406 days ago (April 11th, 2012)
	A good tone Mixed rhythm. Very attractive composition. It is wonderful. Check out my latest song called Morning glow

KCsGROOVE	KCsGROOVE said 405 days ago (April 12th, 2012)
	giving it all away not wrong with introspection :-) That's the great thing about music, you express your feelings in music like in no other art. The artwork fits well to the mixed emotions Very fine song, Neil! KC Check out my latest song called I DON'T LIKE IT

TobinMueller	TobinMueller said 397 days ago (April 20th, 2012)
	Seven levels Nice experiment in meter. It gives it an island feel. Nice job avoid cliches and a sense of dropping beats. You found a groove that rolls, that is sandy and hip and ocean shore without rush or mind games. Just the right stuff. Classy and cool. Nice. Check out my latest song called Frozen Man (by James Taylor)

Doadars Uncle	Doadars Uncle said 382 days ago (May 5th, 2012)
	Nice rhythms! Introspective indeed! The instrumentation is superb and fits the mood, very well. Check out my latest song called Alone (reboot)

Macaudion

Macaudion said 379 days ago (May 9th, 2012)

"I played around with 7/8"...
...errr... I don't think that I've ever heard anyone say, "I played around with 7/8" and have it stated so nonchalancely , sir. However, I am blown away at the ease at which it sounds that you were playing here. Pick an instrument... the drums are done with a certain smoothness and flair that only a seasoned drummer might be able to pull off. Nicely detailed and very natural sounding. Also your bass and guitar fell nicely into the groove. Sweet syncopation. Love the way the bass rolled to fall off from the vocals. And yes, the vocals are warm, relaxed and quite classically, Neil.

Beautiful writing! Really sweet tune, my friend! Nice to have checked in on you! Hope all is well! I'm thinking this may be my new fav of yours, Neil Good one, indeed! Thanks for the traveler, Dion

Check out my latest song called Pavel

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Artist Info

Name: Neil Porter
Location: Pambula Beach, Sapphire Coast NSW Australia

My old bio page looked pretty out of date, so it’s time for a new one: For the full story, see my interview in the MacJammer Blog "The Jiguma Is Up" by Tobin Mueller. I started to learn guitar when I was about 10 – but didn’t last lon... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

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