https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com/track/seemed-like-a-good-thing-at-the-time
Seemed Like a Good Thing at the Time

How my life got messed up
Without me even trying
Can’t use my old excuse
It’s bitter and it’s dying
There’s a truth in every teardrop
A lie in every smile
We’re making our grand entrance
Or going out in style

Chorus
I got plenty to answer for
It’s all on my dime
Seemed like
Seemed like
A good thing at the time
Seemed like
Seemed like
A good thing at the time

Lived out of a suitcase
Bad food and sad motels
Tried so hard to sell myself
Had nothing much to tell
Saw a big thing coming
A long-awaited prize
Knew that it was hopeless
Still I tried it on for size

Chorus

These clouds are cast iron
Weighing down my chest
Can’t summon up the courage
To face the acid test
No time for condemnation
I’m only scraping by
The spark deep within me
Said its first and last goodbye

Chorus


How my life got messed up
Without me even trying
Can’t use my old excuse
It’s bitter and it’s dying
There’s a truth in every teardrop
A lie in every smile
We’re making our grand entrance
Or going out in style

Chorus
I got plenty to answer for
It’s all on my dime
Seemed like
Seemed like
A good thing at the time
Seemed like
Seemed like
A good thing at the time

Lived out of a suitcase
Bad food and sad motels
Tried so hard to sell myself
Had nothing much to tell
Saw a big thing coming
A long-awaited prize
Knew that it was hopeless
Still I tried it on for size

Chorus

These clouds are cast iron
Weighing down my chest
Can’t summon up the courage
To face the acid test
No time for condemnation
I’m only scraping by
The spark deep within me
Said its first and last goodbye

Chorus

Hi, Fred. Love this kind of heartfelt song. A smash of a singer-songwriter composition. A very relatable story and you present it so well.

"Saw a big thing coming
A long-awaited prize
Knew that it was hopeless
Still I tried it on for size"

Seemed Like a Good Thing at the Time, and made somethig special out of it.

Nice song! All the instruments sound natural and support the song quite well. The organ and vocal harmonies were nice touches. Really enjoyed it!

Nicely written, Fred.
I think the chorus lacks a bit of oomph as the song has the same rhythm all through. Try turning up the backing vocal there.
Perhaps it needs a held electric guitar chord there too.
Maybe it won't work but it's worth a try as it's a good song.

Vic

A beautiful story, and of course I love your vocals.
The song itself could have a bit more dynamic and rhythmic variation, but it's already pretty good as it is now.

Fred, this is a great hook and you wrote it so well! The production was simple but in a good way because it meshes well with the theme.

Dewey

Fgrittner,

Nicely done. Really like your vocals in this . . . fits the tune and sits well in the mix. Nice hook in that chorus as well. Smooth and engaging 70’s type songwriter tune . . . well done!

All my best to you,

Deej

Thanks for your suggestions, Vic. This is just the kind of feedback from this forum that is helpful. I will work on the chorus.

Fred

Love the singer/songwriter vibe.

Others have mentioned that the chorus could use a bit more punch. I agree, but also think the feel matches the resignation of the lyrics.

I thought this lyric felt a bit out off:

   I got plenty to answer for/It’s all on my dime

I think you're saying that you've had to pay for your mistakes, but it feels like it could be stronger with something less oblique, like:

   I got plenty to answer for/You'll have to get in line

Anyway, nice song.

David, I appreciate your comment but the lyric works for me.

Thanks, Marty.

Thanks.

Ha! And I appreciate the tact you used in your response.

It's a bit like me suggesting to a painter that perhaps the color they've painted the sky should be slightly more purple, knowing full well that the painter knew exactly what they were doing when they mixed their colors.

There's no BIAB related info so can't/won't comment on the performances other than vocals.
Nice arrangement though.
gentle, sad vocal works well and gently treated.
Lyrically I though it was a little odd that excuses were eschewed but one was offered anyway.
"Can’t use my old excuse It’s bitter and it’s dying...Seemed like A good thing at the time."
Lots of comments - lots of positivity and enjoyment.
May be time to reciprocate.

“How my life got messed up
Without me even trying
Can’t use my old excuse
It’s bitter and it’s dying
There’s a truth in every teardrop
A lie in every smile
We’re making our grand entrance
Or going out in style”

That verse in itself is a great lyric.

This has a very pleasing sound from the smooth vocals to the smooth band.
The track choices (BiaB?) and the mix well support the sad and laid back vibe.

Well done and we enjoyed it!

J&B

Thanks, J & B. I forgot to post the RTs and RD. I will do that tomorrow.

Fred. What a great song.

Super vocal and outstanding lyrics.

Love that B3!

"I got plenty to answer for
It’s all on my dime"
What great lines, they are so true!

Great mix.

I wouldn't change a thing!

Thanks, Mario! That chorus line just appeared out of nowhere and I knew it was a great hook. I appreciate, as always,
your comments.

Here are the tracks:


RealTracks in song: ~702:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 065
RealTracks in style: ~368:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~702:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 1037:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 1190:Bass, Electric, ModernRnBRock Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 3527:Vocals, Background GospelCool3-part Sw16 075
RealTracks in song: 2692:Organ, Rhythm ModernPopSlowMike Ev 075
RealDrums in Style: NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Thanks!

Fred,

A great singer-songwriter composition. Nicely written, sung and produced.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. I thought my post was long gone.

Fred

Fred,

All of your songs are well-written, well-produced and well-mixed. This is no exception.
You use BIAB so well.
I like that everything you produce has your identifiable style.

Nice work.

fj

Thanks, Floyd. Your comments mean a lot to me. You are the premier BIAB arranger and I have learned so much from your songs.

Really well done Fred!! Harmonies are particularly sweet!! Nice to see you back . Take care. Greg

Thanks, Greg.

I’ll be posting more frequently. Life has a funny way of interrupting the best laid plans.