Home Community Music Blog Old MJ More...      
The Life I'm Dying For by Nolan [Email]

Get Flash to see this player.


Having playback trouble, try the Quicktime player:

Attribution-NoDerivs
SONG STATS:
Hits: 2658
Comments: 51
Votes: 39
Plays: 674
Last Played: Oct 19, 2008 - 07:20:55 AM
Downloads: 146
Fans: 22
Uploaded: May 11, 2005 - 08:40:57 AM
Last Updated: May 11, 2005 - 06:49:06 AM
Fan List
Description:
For Katherine.

I was listening to Jailbird by Fairy Beth and really digging the simplicity and honesty of it.

I gave myself two hours to record and submit this song. If I hadn't, it would have been a long time before I'd have a new song ready for MacJams.

So here it is. Just me and my guitar. This is how most of my songs come about and remain...

Lyrics:
I think you know how I feel
Whether I tell you or not
Your silent voice is beautiful
And it makes everything I’ve got
Pale into insignificance

The music’s in the mail
And I forget where I am
I look up at the stars and I
I’m upside down again
I want to share with you
The cleanest air I’ve ever breathed

I’m in my house now but I feel
Lost a thousand miles from home
You’ve let yourself into a place
That I didn’t know I owned
Well can you let me in with you

The music’s in the mail
And I forget where I am
I look up at the stars and I
I’m upside down again
I want to share with you
The cleanest air I’ve ever breathed

I’d never seen it
But I see it now
I’d never felt it
But I feel it now

There’s so much I need to say
But it won’t translate into words
And all day every single day
I think about you until it hurts
But I will take the pain for you
Yeh I will take the pain

The music’s in the mail
And I forget where I am
I look up at the stars and I
I’m upside down again
I want to share with you
The cleanest air I’ve ever breathed

The music’s all around
And it speaks to me I’m sure
And everything’s more beautiful
Than it ever was before
I want to be with you
And begin the life I’m dying for

Hardware:
eMac, Maton acoustic, MobilePre USB, Sennheiser mic

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

I could stand more like this &mdash 05/11/05 - 10:27:00 AM
So maybe this trend will take hold, just simple recordings of people with their guitars. But this shows off your spot-on singing and compostitional talent. Great song, well recorded, well performed. I liked the harmony in the bridge and would have liked a reprise of the bridge at the end. But I'm glad you didn't over-think this, it's fresh!

[ Reply to This ]
I could stand more like this &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:30:29 AM
Thanks Jim. I'm glad you liked the song. I could stand more guitar and vocal
songs too.

[ Reply to This ]
Simple & Great &mdash 05/11/05 - 11:26:38 AM
Sometimes some of the most powerful songs are the
simplest. Singing is wonderful, lyrics are suberb. The
vocalizing during the
'I%u2019d never seen it
But I see it now'
Is very good.
BTW: Your 'Unobtainable Remedy" is still one of my
ALL-TIME top Macjam songs. I like all your work!


[ Reply to This ]
Simple & Great &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:33:13 AM
Thank you very much, Alley. And I'm rapt to know you still like Unobtainable
Remedy. That's really nice to hear.

[ Reply to This ]
yeah! &mdash 05/11/05 - 02:46:40 PM
Great song, Nolan! You know you have a well written song
when it can sound so complete just as voice and guitar. It's
funny, over just the past couple of days I've been thinking
going back to my pre-GB roots and recording a simple
guitar/vox song too. While I love doing the big productions
in GB I do sometimes miss the simplicity and honesty of just
singing while strumming it out on my guitar like this.

Thanks for sharing this great song.

[ Reply to This ]
yeah! &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:35:46 AM
Thanks for listening PG. And let me know when you've done an acoustic
guitar number. I'm looking forward to it.

[ Reply to This ]
Just gorgeous &mdash 05/11/05 - 05:37:40 PM
Beautiful song! The guitar is wonderful and you have
a lovely voice. Really classy. I love it!

[ Reply to This ]
Just gorgeous &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:38:53 AM
Thanks a lot, Rebsie. It really amazes me getting comments like that. I love
it. Thanks.

[ Reply to This ]
great title &mdash 05/11/05 - 06:52:46 PM
That one will definately get you laid(Kidding)
But seriously its a well written song and I will look into
more of this artists material. Keep Jammin' SOUNDS
GREAT NEED MORE

[ Reply to This ]
great title &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:41:14 AM
Thanks, Goog. I'm glad you liked it. And by all means, help yourself to my
others!

[ Reply to This ]
this is awsome. &mdash 05/12/05 - 01:47:55 AM
awsome. both vocal and guitar.

thanks for sharing.

- Hawks

[ Reply to This ]
this is awsome. &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:42:59 AM
No, you are awesome. Thanks heaps.

[ Reply to This ]
Only the strongest... &mdash 05/12/05 - 09:43:28 AM
Vocals and Guitar playing could carry a tune such as this. That is exactly what you have, a strong talent.

The best part about simplicity is you can really hear the vocals and the guitar clearly.

DL/9s!

[ Reply to This ]
Only the strongest... &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:45:31 AM
Thanks Kevin. That means a lot because I wondered whether or not
I should put it out there so bare. Now I'm glad I did.

[ Reply to This ]
suuuuperrrrb guitar playing &mdash 05/12/05 - 09:48:31 AM
and u know i already love ur voice and am a huge fan of
ur songwriting skills. Why cant i play the guitar like you?
Another beauty NMan!

Oh - and thanks for plugging my song - lol!

[ Reply to This ]
suuuuperrrrb guitar playing &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:48:02 AM
Thanks dude. And I'll plug your other one while I'm at it. "Children" by Fairy
Beth: Do yourself a favour and check it out.

[ Reply to This ]
Front and center &mdash 05/12/05 - 11:16:08 AM
Song writier, front and center. Love it. The best of all
your stuff so far. Very nice swung feel, hip groove,
excellent performance. Poetic, personal lyrics with a great
mix of clean strong phrases, ambiguity, details and
generalizations. Only criticism is about the way the lyrics
repeat the same ideas a bit too much. In a song this
intimately performed, I like less repeats, which I associate
with pop music writing. But this is a great track.
Wonderful writing, superb performance.

[ Reply to This ]
Front and center &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:51:13 AM
Appreciate that, Tobin. The repetition is probably indicative of my state of
mind at the time: Very one-tracked.

[ Reply to This ]
Good line &mdash 05/12/05 - 12:14:58 PM
Good line - "I look up at the stars and I
I%u2019m upside down again." A universe is contained in that simple thought.


[ Reply to This ]
Good line &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:54:00 AM
Warren, I'm really glad you liked that line. Thanks. The line has a lot of
meaning for me and it's really cool you singled it out.

[ Reply to This ]
You have such a nice style &mdash 05/13/05 - 09:22:09 AM
Killer words ****
Singing is just fabulous
Guitar fits in very nicely
You really are such a great part of MJ Nolan!


[ Reply to This ]
You have such a nice style &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:56:07 AM
That's very nice of you to say, Tiler. I just wish I could pick out a tune like
you.

[ Reply to This ]
You have such a nice style &mdash 05/13/05 - 09:22:14 AM
Killer words ****
Singing is just fabulous
Guitar fits in very nicely
You really are such a great part of MJ Nolan!


[ Reply to This ]
You have such a nice style &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:57:46 AM
And it's even nicer of you to say it a second time.

[ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 05/13/05 - 11:54:53 AM
give yourself only one hour for the next one! great stuff. cheers.

[ Reply to This ]
wow &mdash 05/14/05 - 03:59:38 AM
Ha ha. Great comment. I like that. Thanks.

[ Reply to This ]
It's Nolan... Unplugged! &mdash 05/13/05 - 06:18:18 PM
I already knew I'd like it before it started. You continue to
amaze me...

[ Reply to This ]
It's Nolan... Unplugged! &mdash 05/14/05 - 04:03:39 AM
Thanks Miss C. I am stoked you like it. I always look forward to your
comments.

[ Reply to This ]
Serious Talent &mdash 05/13/05 - 06:45:50 PM
Once again Nolan, you continue to support my belief that
you have all the elements of a world class success. To sit
and write a tune in 2 hours, play flawlessly and sing so
smoothly....makes us mortals stand in awe....kind of like
watching Tiger Woods hit a golf ball....just makes you
shake your head in amazement. Thanks so much for
sharing your gifts with us....it's a wonderful thing to
behold.

[ Reply to This ]
Serious Talent &mdash 05/14/05 - 04:07:08 AM
Thanks Synco. I wish I could say I wrote it and recorded it in a couple of
hours. I didn't, I'm afraid. I wrote it a couple of years ago. I gave myself two
hours to record it and upload it to MacJams. Not as impressive, I know.

[ Reply to This ]
sweet... &mdash 05/14/05 - 07:33:15 AM
nice song, enjoyed your voice and music...

[ Reply to This ]
Good song!!! &mdash 05/14/05 - 07:04:22 PM
Great work in the guitar

[ Reply to This ]
"... I didn't know I owned" &mdash 05/15/05 - 10:37:52 PM
Great voice-- and I'm talking about your songwriting.
Only out-done by your voice, voice. Super intimate.
Harkens up Squeeze (Glen Tilbrook & CO). On my third
listen. Much thanks for this.

[ Reply to This ]
some fan base dude... &mdash 05/16/05 - 02:07:27 AM
another very cool track Nolan...obviously I'm not the only one
who thinks so.



[ Reply to This ]
I wish I could do this &mdash 05/16/05 - 07:42:02 AM
You have a great talent in vocals and guitar. Feel your reel feelings about the lyrics in your delvery of the vocals. Neat tune, keep up the good work.

[ Reply to This ]
cafe music &mdash 05/17/05 - 09:41:28 AM
this is the kind of music that is perfect in cafe, adds
greatly to a pleasant atmosphere while eating or drinking
... pleasant voice ... good harmonies in certain places ...

[ Reply to This ]
That's almost a full Album &mdash 05/17/05 - 01:37:19 PM
Hi Nolan,

Managed to find this before it goes off weekly picks for a
change! Another rather nice song, melancholy but sweet.
Guitar intro a wee bit like wonderwall by Oasis, which is
no bad thing. Downloaded and on the iPod.

BTW playing tunes to my wifes pregnant tummy (5 weeks
to go!), and thought I'd include my fave Nolan track
'Nothing of it'. Very relaxed response from bump, a slow
grooving. I snese this may be a relaxation song for the
three of us. As will this one!

Nice one mate,
Kev

[ Reply to This ]
Oooh. &mdash 05/18/05 - 01:54:41 AM
Intimate and real. Very nice. I always found that when I
thought too hard and long on a song, it doesn't come out
as natural. This proves that great things can happen when
you just let go. You may have only taken a couple hours,
but you certaily wrote a great song. This is well crafted,
well played, and well sung.

[ Reply to This ]
Speakin' o' harkin'... &mdash 06/16/05 - 07:10:00 PM
...for me this harkens to Neil Finn/Crowded House...

This is a great song and well sung. It's solid, solid, solid.



[ Reply to This ]
Just found it! &mdash 07/16/05 - 12:12:22 AM
Just found this song after your post on my song. This is a
lovely piece - I wouldn't dare just go with guitar and
voice. Good to hear someone pull it off so competently
and with such a pure result. Good to see another Maton
out there in MJ land!

Great tune, great performance!

[ Reply to This ]
Starts off like 'Wonderwall' by Oasis… &mdash 07/30/05 - 05:27:55 PM
… and I like the start to that track but the rest of it is
awful… but then I hate Oasis, so there you go. This,
on the other hand, starts like 'Wonderwall' but
thankfully never descends into the pure awfulness of
that dreadful piece of overrated Gallagher Brothers
nonsense. Sorry, do I sound like I have issues?
Anyway, my overall point is that this is great,
particularly given how long it took you to record. You
wouldn't want to hear what I came up with after only
two hours of me alone with a guitar! Nice one, Nolan.

[ Reply to This ]
you make me cry man &mdash 01/31/06 - 05:53:15 PM
a lot o feeling merge in this song. great song

[ Reply to This ]
you make me cry man &mdash 02/04/06 - 03:57:57 AM
Thanks, mate. I'm glad you enjoyed the song. I love to know when one of my
songs gets an emotional response from someone. Cool.

[ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 02/15/06 - 04:48:56 PM
You have great poetry, and super voice for the genre. Very nice song! - Harold

"In Paris they simply stared when I spoke to them in French; I never did succeed in making those idiots understand their language." - Samuel Clemens


[ Reply to This ]
Very nice &mdash 02/16/06 - 05:54:50 AM
Please note: the Mark Twain quote above is a poke at International bigotry, NOT the French. - Harold

[ Reply to This ]
great lyrics &mdash 02/23/06 - 07:20:32 AM
sounds like this just gushed out. you are a gifted songwriter. enjoyed it
immensely. look forward to listening to your other posts!

respectfully

[ Reply to This ]
great lyrics &mdash 02/23/06 - 07:29:51 AM
sounds like this just gushed out. you are a gifted songwriter. enjoyed it
immensely. look forward to listening to your other posts!

respectfully

[ Reply to This ]
Another Gem Nolan &mdash 03/03/06 - 08:56:43 AM
I'm gonna have to listen to all your stuff and download it to my IPOd. You have great songwriting skills. Very anacdotal lyrics.

[ Reply to This ]
a great song can be simple &mdash 03/24/06 - 08:04:05 PM
unless you pay attention to what is going on with the guitar... alot of
subtle polished guitar work... vox are dead spot on... great.... when
you have a great song you don't have to pile on all kinds of stuff....
sometimes we are just polishing turds.... not this time

great Nolan

[ Reply to This ]
a definate fav.... &mdash 10/01/08 - 04:11:18 AM
wonderful... welcome Back !!! GREAT - no words can compete w Music - TX
DL
FAVED

Lena

[ Reply to This ]
( : &mdash 10/01/08 - 04:13:13 AM
I mean no comments can compete !! Grand song love Your singing & playing great lyrics...tx again high scores !

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