PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Still Prayin'_# Hot 100 Billboard Smash

Ok, so this started off with something that sounded sorta like Luke Bryan (Most People Are Good) then went off on a tangent.

100% Band in a Box. Lots of vocal effects but not over the top.

https://www.reverbnation.com/davidpsnyder/song/29574760-still-prayin

https://soundcloud.com/davidsnyderchannel/still-prayin

Still Prayin’

By David Snyder

V1

Still remember when country music
She was my one and only friend
I can see it all so well
The hell we used to raise back then
Floyd Jane was still in Nashville
Writing songs about the rain
Kim Williams was still trying to get into
That Nashville Hall of Fame
Then tree wooden crosses
Popped up beside the road
Randy Travis said give me that
And that bank account she turned to gold

Pre Chorus

But storm clouds started brewing
And I knew that things were bound to change
I just had no idea that people were going to get so strange
Some evil men came along and put hip hop inside my song
I looked up at heaven and said hey God!
What the hell is going on!

Ch:

And I’m still prayin’, still prayin’
Oh Lord please make it end
Still prayin’, still prayin’
God I hope you’re still my friend
Still prayin’, still prayin’
Oh Lord please make it end
Oh Jesus I’m calling out to you
What else is a country boy to do
Oh Jesus make it end
I want my country back again

V2

Back then when things were safe
Taylor Swift was only 12 years old
We’d never seen any platinum
All we’d ever seen was gold
Garth Brooks was on vacation
Taking care of family
I never saw that Florida Georgia Line
Unless the cops were after me
Then Garth he went back on the road
And my heart stopped being cold
I thought for just one second
I was back inside the fold

Pre Chorus

Then the Big Machine started blowing smoke
And things would never be the same
I just didn’t realize
That there would be quite that much pain
Somebody started smoking crack inside my song
I looked up at heaven and I said hey God
What the hell is going on!

Ch:

And I’m still prayin', still prayin'
Oh Lord please make it end
Still prayin’, still prayin’
God I hope you’re still my friend
Still prayin’, still prayin’
Oh Lord please make it end
Oh Jesus I’m calling out to you
What else is a country boy to do
Oh Jesus make it end
I want my country back again

Words and Music by David Snyder copyright 2018, ASCAP/Day of Faith Records

Band in a Box Production: PM for tracks if you are seriously interested or just go to Xtra Styles 3 and 4 on the website, listen to the country, then go to style picker and enter the words "Hip Hop." There are A LOT of BIAB tracks in here. About 28.

Great one David.
Very well done. Excellent performance and mixing.

Sergio

This song definitely sounds like the kind of country music that could be on the top country billboards. I think you did a really good job on this one. I especially loved "But storm clouds started brewing and I knew that things were bound to change." Awesome stuff.

Great contribution to the top 100 David. Rob

David,

HOLY COW! This is a killer song! Absolutely love it!

Speechless...

Bob

David,

At the end this journey, I sat here thinking... wow! that was really good.



It's a very engaging presentation from top to bottom. I liked everything about it... your writing and singing, the way you arranged the music, and the mix (the opening guitar used for the foundation sounded first class to me).



All the best,
Noel

David

Great stuff. Very engaging, and a top performance.
You are on a roll.

Peter

I really like the Dylanesque vocal. The thing that would really put this over the top IMO is some sort of personalized instrumental track. Dylan had his harmonica to add punch.

This is a really strong folk tune IMO but could be made better with a personalized touch. The funky synth is... funky. Maybe you could have someone add real synth fills etc?

Anyway, I really enjoyed this but I'm seeing more potential...

Peace,

Ian

Excellent song, David!

Love the tip of the hat to Floyd and the Kim Williams reference (cool pic too BTW)

Ok, I only have all of 10 minutes this morning to finally post a very few things.

First, really well done. The contrast and irony are great!

"Then the Big Machine started blowing smoke" Ha ha ha! What a great line. Are you including this song with your submission for internship? Still laughing...didn't see that one coming.

Nice hand claps. Very "current" sounding

I can just picture a bunch of 20-somethings singing along in agreement; but missing "it." Or a current country artist for that matter.

Great job David.

Hi David Snyder
I love how you do a cross between Tom Petty & Bob Dylan, and still make an original you. Good song production & Lyrics. Glad you're getting the recognition with hot tracks. All the best LPman

Wow - you really did an amazing job here. Some really strong stand out lyrics here as well, but truly that chorus is what did it for me. Very, very catchy. And very, very well mixed. An interesting choice of RealTracks as well, and it works extremely well.

You outdid yourself on this one - thanks for sharing

"Somebody started smoking crack inside my song"

HA!

This is an super write throughout. Terrific references covering the bases. Clever, clever, clever.

Catchy chorus. The synth stabs work nicely. The "modern" beat track later on, too. Nice "sparse" production... As always, a passionate vocal. Good mix.

"...unless the cops were after me." HA!

Being mentioned in the song is a cool experience. Being mentioned in the same one as Kim Williams, Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift - well that is a high point.

Super job on this, Mr. Snyder... guess I need to write one about you!

fj

Clever and catchy. Nice turn of a phrase - you really are wonderfully subversive.

Excellent David, the BIAB does well in this country parody, your vocals work well here, great lyrics. Love it!!!

Sheeesh man, what a great write! There are enough killer lines in there for three or four good songs.

Biting satire, parody, sincerity all in one package and then there's "I never saw that Florida Georgia Line
Unless the cops were after me" hahaha

And like HTL said; "I can just picture a bunch of 20-somethings singing along in agreement; but missing "it." Or a current country artist for that matter."

Wow!

J&B

Thanks Sergio!

I sure loved your last tune!

Thanks Ember!

I am really glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks Rob!

Really enjoyed your last 60s hit!

Thanks Bob!

Just trying to keep up with ya man.