Dear forum members, thanks for making this a wonderful year of songs to enjoy. You guys have blown me away. I hear more songs I like on this forum than I do everywhere else I listen combined. You are truly a talented, supportive, and wonderful group of musical people. This will be my last original post for 2015 (may do a X-mas song). This is a song about how the life we "drive" sometimes gets out of control to the point that it is driving and we're just being dragged along as unwilling and overwhelmed participants. In my many decades as a songwriter, I don't think I've written and recorded a song that matched my intention more than this one. Not trying to over-hype it. Songs communicate stories, emotions, or messages, and once in a while you get the feeling you've captured what you're trying to get across. Hopefully, as listeners, you will find this as well. Comments very much encouraged (you are my only music community!). Hope you enjoy. Take care. Greg

https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/onemore-1ssl


Livin’?


Another meal, another drink
Two more dishes in the sink
You know, I should stop countin’
Pants and shirts, shoes and socks
Another day to punch the clock
Another few steps up the mountain

But when I look back
I wonder how the hell I got here
And if I ever stop
Will I just disappear?

Another customer to thank
Off the train and to the bank
For the currency that sustains me
Another ad on my TV
About the me that I could be
Self-reflection, how it pains me

The blood is coursing through my veins
I feel temperature and pain
And my heart still beats in rhythm
I see my shadow on the wall
And my chest does rise and fall
It seems existence is a given
But am I really livin’?

Instruments are the Liverpool piano, and the bass which accompanies that on the "browse styles". I use these A LOT. The orchestration is Eastwest Silver orchestra.

Hi Greg.

Philosophical, dramatic, thought-provoking and above all engaging.

Beautifully written, arranged and performed.

Expertly mixed.

Certainly one of your best.

ROG.

What he said. Ditto here.


Regards,


Bob

Hi Greg,

Beautiful song, this song reminds me (i.e the vocals) of the song 'Don't let it show' by Alan Parson's).
Your song is very well sung and beautifully orchestrated.

Anne-Marie

Nice song, Greg! Really enjoyed your vocals, and the backing instruments seem well-chosen. I get a Beatles vibe from this for some reason. The lyrics are exquisite! :-)

Well done!

ROG said it best for me too. Plus 1..

Don't think there's much we could add to this. Wonderful song and performance. Congrats on a job very well done! Merry Christmas ...

Alan & Di

"Another few steps up the mountain".... great line!

The chorus melody is gorgeous!

The orchestration is really nicely done.

"Another ad on my TV
About the me that I could be" ... nice!!

"It seems existence is a given
But am I really livin’?" ..... terrific summary line.

The French horn (I think) is a perfect addition.

The mix is excellent. Your vocal is well recorded (your best ever, I think).

Beautiful song. Excellent write.

floyd

Hi Greg,

what a beautiful song! Writing, vocal delivery
and orchestration are awesome.
I enjoyed my listen a lot.

Guenter

Greg, Another outstanding vocal performance! Some very thoughtful lyrics. "It seems existence is a given But am I really living’?" That just kind of wraps it up. Life gets tough sometimes and it is difficult to express the day to day monotony that sometimes occurs. You have done a nice job of conveying a feeling that everyone has at one time or another whether they want to admit it or not. The mix sounds good and there are some nice decorations with the orchestration. Good one! Tom

Through and through a terrific write. Enjoyed the orchestration and vocals. I think that you did a great job on putting this all together and thanks for sharing.
Sonny

Awesome Greg Excellent vocal. Loved the lyrics

"In my many decades as a songwriter, I don't think I've written and recorded a song that matched my intention more than this one."

Well since I haven't been a songwriter for decades perhaps there's hope for me personally capturing what you have described. It is indeed elusive.

I'm not even going to pick a fav line or two. The entire song is good, very good, excellent. I'm gonna once more and then look forward to listening again this afternoon with Janice.

The production is gorgeous including the track selection and the vocal.

Outstanding.

J&B

Thanks so much for the kind words ROG!! They mean a lot to me! Take care and Merry Xmas! Greg

Greg
What they all said - because they all got it right.

Hi Greg,

Really nice in all aspects. As floyd has pointed out, there are some truly outstanding lyrics. You have a flair with words. For me, I could see this song on the stage in a musical as the lead character's melodic soliloquy that reflects on life and its journey.

Beautiful writing with words and with music.

Happy Christmas,
Noel

Thanks R and AM! Any comparison to Alan Parson's Project is a great compliment-I'm a big fan. Thanks for the kind words. Happy New Year! Greg

Thanks so much for the compliment! The Beatles are in my DNA. They are the reason I wanted to play and write music. Really appreciate you taking time to listen and post. Happy New Year! Greg

Thanks Charlie! I guess ROG summed it up well for a lot of people. Since his words were so kind, it is flattering that others agreed. Happy New Year! Greg

This is very cool Greg. Kind of reminds me of Jeff Lynne. Which means it is an awesome production. Great job. I can tell a lot of work went into this on every level and it shows.

hi greg this is wonderful vocal is top notch totally engageing peace your a very talented person thanks for sharing eric

Thanks Guenter! I really had a lot of fun with the orchestration. I've always loved what an orchestra can do. Wish I had better knowledge of how to arrange. Take care. Greg

Thanks Tom! Appreciate the kind words. Love your new one!! Take care. Greg

Sensational Greg, your contributions are always popular and looked forward to on this Forum.

I was fascinated with the lyrics:

"Another ad on my TV
About the me that I could be
Self-reflection, how it pains me"

Fantastic and provocative at the same time.

The strings gave just the right amount of melancholy feel.

You've certainly delivered again.

Best for the New year!

Trev

Greg,

You managed to sum up the crisis of modern existence in a poem set to music. Your success is measured by the fact that either the words or the music could stand alone by themselves and deserve praise. Together, they are beyond praise.

Dean

So I'm listening and making mental notes about this song and I scroll past Floyd's comments and, 'Eureka!'

I'm not wild about the fade-out ending, but everything else is terrific and I especially like your vocals.

You're a songwriter:)

Happy New Year!

Nice, very melodic and intimate song.
Great vocal

Happy 2016

Sergio

+1 to all the accolades so far. Sounds fabulous! Absolulely love it Greg!

Thanks so much Sonny!! It's been great having you around this past year. Keep 'em coming!! Take care. Greg

Thanks Scott! Much appreciated your support! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much J and B!! You guys are always so nice to me. Your comments mean a great deal to me. You've done a lot of great stuff in '15! Keep it up! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Peter! Appreciate the listen and the kind words! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Noel! I guess the music does have a dramatic flare. Really appreciate your kind words! Take care. Greg

Thanks David! I was quite an ELO fan. I did work hard on the orchestral parts and was pretty happy with them. Your latest just blew me away! Take care. Greg

Thanks Eric! Keep giving us those wonderful instrumentals! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Dean! I thought of the song as quite personal but I guess it is a very common feeling in this crazy world. I'm a huge fan of yours! Good luck with your recovery. Take care. Greg

Thanks Scott! That is indeed one of the nicest compliments I've received. Much appreciated! Take care. Greg

Thanks Sergio! Keep giving us those cool instrumentals! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Josie!! Great to hear from you and thanks for the nice words. Take care. Greg