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Hi, all:

A little over two and a half years ago I worked up the courage to post an original song online for the first time, back when I really had no idea what I was doing (or at least far less of an idea than I have now, lol!). The song was "Lonely Tonight", and it was recorded in GarageBand, just me and my guitar on a single track over my laptop. I've always wanted to do a fuller version of the song, and now that I'm improving a bit on BIAB, I thought I'd give it a try. And so here's my BIAB version . . . as always appreciate the listen and feedback.

The original version is still posted on my SoundCloud page (though I'm not sure why I keep it up as poor a recording as it is) . . . but it's there if anyone has interest in hearing the original "acoustic" version. I don't want to link directly as it's not a BIAB produced song.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Here's the song:

Lonely Tonight

Here are the lyrics:

Soaring through her heavens,
held high by her hands—
when she let me go I didn’t know
just how hard it was to land.
Now I’m crawling from the wreckage,
having fallen from her heights;
it’s been so long, it’s been so long,
since she’s gone I’m half-alive.

And it’s so hard feeling like I do,
knowing she’s out in the blue
and I’m nowhere in her skies.
But if you’d say everything’s okay,
then I won’t be lonely tonight.

Wandering through these wastelands,
caught between the wind
and the endless swarms of thunderstorms
that keep me cowering.
And you’re here to offer refuge,
and you’re willing I can tell,
but it feels so wrong, it feels so wrong,
though I know you mean me well.

And it’s so hard feeling like I do,
knowing she’s my only truth;
the love I can’t deny.
But if you’d say everything’s okay,
then I won’t be lonely tonight.

Don’t know how I’d be much company—
not when my head’s against the wall.
Don’t know why you’d want to comfort me at all,
no, not at all.

And it’s so hard feeling like I do,
knowing you've lost someone too
doesn’t make it feel more right.
But if you’d say everything’s okay,
then I won’t be lonely tonight.
Yeah, I guess we won’t be lonely tonight.

And here's the band:

Drums: American Roots 18ths
Bass: Celtic Real RT 1162
12 String Guitar: Celtic Songwriter Quinn RT 3226
Guitar: Celtic Songwriter Quinn RT 3186
Guitar Fingerpick Songwriter 16th RT 2552
Guitar: Nylon, Background Folk 16ths RT 3115
Cello: Celtic Air, RT 3267
Strings: Celtic Air, RT 2457

(c)2019 DJ Lekich

Hi DJ:
This does sound really good.
A very nice melody.
T liked the way that you used the drums.
Nicely mixed

Terrific tune, I have some favorite lines, among them:

when she let me go I didn’t know
just how hard it was to land.

and

and the endless swarms of thunderstorms
that keep me cowering.


I did get a little confused who you were singing to but you cleared it up in the last stanza. I can't decide if it were better to learn that earlier in the song, or if it's a nice surprise as it is. Probably fine as is.

odd sound at the 8 sec mark - string noise or paper?
"the endless swarms of thunderstorms".
I think you did a fabulous job with a cool song - sounds a bit like something from Billy Joel's debut but with a Celtic subtlety rather than piano bombast.

Hello DJ,

That is a really nice song. Very good melody and strong/sensitive vocals that reminded me -in a way- of Jim Croce.
and I haven't mentioned your lyrics. They are very nice.
Nothing to whine about, it's just a very good, lovely song, but only a lonely night ahead...

Hans

Understated, SENSITIVE, absolutely STUNNING lyrics ... you don't ever do mediocre, do you? :-) I am trying to deliberately find fault (just so that I don't sound so blooming enthusiastic every single darn time! lol) and this is not the place to find it :-)

Lyrics carry a complex (at first, at least) but beautiful and, dare I say, vulnerable, sensitive message. Music is perfect for this - no pyrotechnics, no vocal gymnastics, just you and the band. And it's so, so subtle ... I had to listen four times before writing this, just to absorb and appreciate its "hidden corners" (so to speak) more - and I want to listen again. Argh! :-)

Like I said, you don't do mediocre. And you make it seem so easy, because nothing is strained or forced in any of your songs that I've heard so far - everything is just seemingly just flowing naturally. Superb job - bravo.

Well done - it has a really warm feeling to it, and the instruments all played off each other nicely. I liked the mix a lot too - really concise and professional.

Thanks for sharing

Hi DJ! Love your vocal sound and the lyrics on this one. The song overall has a nice folk rock kind of sound. Good mix and keep up the good work!

Great intro on this Deej! Very nice vocal...reminds me a lot of some of the great Jim Croce tunes! It's a really good ballad with very nice chord changes and melody! Thanks, Torrey

Deej,

A good song. A good arrangement. Good mix.

Another excellent vocal (nicely in-the-pocket in the mix).

I agree with Torrey...has a lot of the Croce sound and feel to it - which is nice to hear again...

fj

I love your voice. It kind of reminds me of Cat Stevens. Great song. Very good.

The lyrics are absolutely beautiful, and I think you captured a really lovely mood. Thanks for sharing!

Hi Deej56,

lovely song, very soulfully sung. Love the backing track, especially the intro was terrifuc.

Cheers,

Stefan

Yep, the Croce vibe is there for sure...but ultimately it's Deej -- a good thing in our book!

"Wandering through these wastelands,
caught between the wind
and the endless swarms of thunderstorms
that keep me cowering.
And you’re here to offer refuge,
and you’re willing I can tell,
but it feels so wrong, it feels so wrong,
though I know you mean me well."

Strong stuff happening there.

Love it all and especially your vocal which is both soulful and sincere.
Nice arrangement and mix also.

J&B

Superb vocals and an excellent song.

Sounds great, lovely mix and melody.

A really top notch production.

Peter

I really like the lyrical feel of this song...
It is a good write & production...
I also listened to the original...
And I must say the lyrical charm & delivery is there...
But I can tell you've come a long way technically...
Congratulations!
BTW...
I love your plaintive vocal on this number.

WOW what a great write! Your backing tracks are fantastic and your voice is outstanding. But man those lyrics took it over the top for me.

I agree with the Croce sound and feel.

Great song!

Deej,
A very good write ( really like the way you summed up the dilema on the chorus)and , no surprise, your voice cuts through the mix like a warm knife!
The melody rolls nicely and the folk rock backing a good fit.
I enjoyed your revisions and hearing that bittersweet tale again.

Robert

Marty, TuneMonger, rayc, Hans, James, Deryk, sslechta, Torrey, Floyd, Teletwanger, Ember, Stefan, J&B, Peter, Jim, Mario, and Robert:

Thanks so much for the listen and very kind feedback. It’s a song that I sometimes forget about, but always enjoy playing when I do . . . and I’m glad to that BIAB was able to help me do a little something more with it . . . and that it seemed to resonate so well. Again, much appreciated.

My best to each of you,

Deej

Hey Deej. Very nice tribute to true love lost. Lots of emotion in this song and your voice and excellent use of BiaB have captured the essence perfectly. Bravo!