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Like A Thief In The Night

This is a song I wrote and recorded back in February of 2009, using my old music generation software. I redid it using all BIAB tracks and my TC-Helicon vocal processor. The vocal is a little too much up front in the mix. I've since done a new mix with the vocal set back just a tad but haven't posted it.

On the verses, I used a faint double of the lead vocal. On the Chorus, I added vocal harmony one octave higher. The entire vocal features delay with relatively short decay. I use my guitar amp (Peavey Nashville 112) as a power amp for my mixer. I applied a moderate amount of spring reverb from the amp. When I mixed the tracks in Audacity, I put a small amount of plate reverb on top of the spring reverb. That combination seems to have given the vocal a combination of depth and warmth - well, to the degree my vocal allows that to happen.

The original was a Pop Country Ballad. This version is a Pop Ballad but a few ticks faster and with somewhat of a Hip Hop style on the rhythm tracks.

On another note, Di is doing somewhat better. Thanks for the kindness you've shown her as her health declines. We sincerely appreciate it.

Hope you enjoy the song.

Alan


File:Like A Thief In The Night - Version 3 - BG Trax.SGU
Key=D , Tempo 95, Length (m:s)=3:32
Style is _SOULBAL.STY (Smooth Soul Ballad with Piano)

RealTracks in style: ~700:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 2811:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm SmoothSoulSlowMike Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~~1435:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkGroovinChords Ev16 110
Loop in Song: Dubstep\Dubstep - big_man_ting_70_drum_loop_1_f_minor sw16.wav
RealTracks in song: 2020:Sax, Tenor, Soloist PopCountryMark Ev 085 (Bluesy)
RealTracks in song: 1841:Synth Pad, PopModernGrooveHigh Ev16 075
RealDrums in Song: PopPromiseEv16^3-a: Snare on 4, HiHat , b: Snare, Ride


Like A Thief In The Night
© 2009 Alan D. David, BMI

(v1)
Forsaken by love, too many times
My heart overruled, the pleading inside
Not wanting to hurt again, I told mysef
Don’t go looking, and there’s nothing to find

(v2)
But you captured my heart, and still I don’t
How you foiled the chains, that locked it so tight
In the shadows of romance, you found the key
Then you stole my heart, like a thief in the night

CHORUS
You played your love song, using my heart strings
Filling the darkness, in my soul with your light
I didn’t know until, it was much too late
That you stole my heart, like a thief in the night

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK

(v3)
I wasn’t looking, for love or romance
Just some affection, in pieces and bits
But just like candlelight, teased by a breeze
Your kisses danced, so soft on my lips

(v4)
Slowly you taught me, that love’s not to blame
It’s just the victim, of a cheater’s delight
You soothed the hurt, then you made your move
When you sole my heart, like a thief in the night

Repeat CHORUS

Alan,

The vocal processing sounds really nice. Like you said, there is a "warmth" to it. I don't think it is too up-front...

Nice backing. Good mix. A good listen.

Best to you both...

floyd

Al,
I can also hear the warmth in your vocal and enjoyed the old meets new sound.
Slowly you taught me, that love’s not to blame
It’s just the victim, of a cheater’s delight
You soothed the hurt, then you made your move
When you sole my heart, like a thief in the night

Its not easy to make a common saying sound fresh, but these lyrics do!

Robert

Thank you, Floyd. This one was a vocal stretch for me - the range. But, I think I got pretty close to getting it done. Thank you for the nice words.

Also, I'll take your word on the vocal placement in the mix. I'll leave it as is. I appreciate the feedback on that. wishing you and yours well.

Alan

Really nice; very well done as usual.

Sergio

Hi Robert,

Thanks for taking the time to listen and leave a few words. I'm glad the effects of the vocal processor are evident. I have a rather thin voice with a limited range but the processor tens to "beef it up" a bit! I need all the help I can get with vocals.

It's interesting you mention that particular verse - for two reasons. First, it's my favorite of the four. Second, on another music site for posting original music, several folks said the verse didn't make any sense to them. That was back in 2009. So, I was happy to see your comment on the verse.

As far as lyrics, with the few exceptions that that appear now and then, there are but a few subjects to address in a lyric:

I love you
I hate you
I miss you
I love being with you
You did me wrong
I did you wrong
I have a problem
I solved a problem
I drink to forget
I love my truck
Spiritual/Religious
It's a great day
It's a crappy day
She's gone
She came back
Social/Political rants
Love hurts
Love heals

There are probably a few others, also. Considering the many thousands (millions?) of songs written, that's a very narrow range of subjects.

One measure of writing a good lyric is finding a new and fresh way of saying things that have been said countless times in the past. Thus you comment on that last verse made me particularly happy. Thank you!

Wishing you the best,

Alan

Thank you very much, Sergio! I'm happy to liked it. Wishing you the best.

Alan

Excellent tune Alan Well done

Great lyric vocal and production.
Good work Al. Rob.

Very nice tracks.
I'm going to have to agree with Floyd that the vocals are not too much up front. To the contrary, the tendency with Biab is to let the backing track run unmodulated, which is not so good. The BB onboard mixer and DAW multi track volume controls help.
When you are playing live, and it is time for the vocalist to shine, do you not instinctively butt out? Isn't that really the mark of an amateur to just hog along, stepping on the soloists lines?
No, your vocals are not up front too much. If anything the BG could use more modulation. Just sayin'

Here'as an example, a friend of yours:
https://soundcloud.com/user-484637010/a-feeling-for-the-blues
Note that no lines compete.

Hello, Alan

Very nice tune!
It is just like a fusion version of Sinatra song.
The standard style melody has become a very good finish with backing fusion arrangement.
The effect of TC-Helicon vocal processor is also pleasant.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Nice one Alan.
The title grabbed my attention and the chorus also really lifts the song.
Cheers.

\

Thank you very much, Scott. I really appreciate that. merry Christmas.

Alan

Hi Rob,

Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for the very kind words! Merry Christmas.


Alan

Hi Ed,

Thanks for the listen and interesting comments. Personally, I'm fine with the lyrics' place in the mix. So much of today's music is focused on the beat and rhythm more so than the lyric. I had 2 songs declined for licensing because the lyric was to "forward" in the mix. The voice was no louder than the vocal track in this mix.

I agree with what you're saying, but the music directors of those 2 projects didn't.

And yes, I was a lead guitarist for over 50 years and the lead players should always back down and allow the singer to be the top dog. that was in country music. I've found a lot of the newer pop music has the vocalist buried deeper in the mix. but, as I said. I agree with you & Floyd. I never did post the version with the vocal buried deeper. I'll keep this one as is.

Always appreciate constructive comments like yours. Thanks!

Merry Christmas,

Alan

Thank you, Shigeki!

"A fusion version of a Sinatra song" ... I like that analogy. I never thought of of it as such, but your comment makes sense. Thanks for that insight!!!

I'm delighted you enjoyed it. I'm still learning the best way to use the TC-Helicon. I thought it came out pretty good on this one. Thanks for the affirmation. And thank you, again, for the very nice comments. Wishing you the very best.

Alan

Hi Rich.

Thank you! I am so happy you liked it! I always appreciate your comments. Wishing you the best.

Merry Christmas.

Alan

For a country guy you always have a great feel for these jazzy pop things. Really well sung. The processing works and the mix sounds good. Nicely written and the thing I like best is the outstanding chord progression. I do hope Di is feeling better and able to rest comfortably. Best to y'all, Tom

Hi, Al & Di !

I´d say this must be one of
your absolute best Al !!!
Wonderful music so delicately
processed and mixed too !

Liked it really much !

Merry X-mas and Happy New Year
to both of you !

Cheers
Dani

Hi Tom,

Thank you so much for the very kind comments. I playee country almost all my life for two reasons: 1. I like it 2: It paid excellent money!

But ... I would often go home after a gig and put on A Sinatra or Lou Ralls records. I currently listen to Diana Krall and Steve tyrell a lot. Soft Rock also appealed to me in the 70s and 80. I've always liked Genesis, Stix, Foreigner, Kansas and the like. but professionally, I followed the money. And, as I said, I really like country. My favorite singer of all time, any genre, is Pay Price. I've had the great opportunity to play guitar behind him twice. I can listen to ray Price, Gene Watson, george Strait and Merle Haggard all day. I'm also a huge Lionel Ritchie fan.

Anyway, thank you for the nice words. I'm still working with that TC-Helicon processor. it's lots if fun experimenting with it!

Merry Christmas!

ALan