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Hi Forum friends. WOW!! 2020, and we lived to see it! I continue to be blown away by some of the wonderful stuff being posted here. This is at least the 3rd song written with this title. Years ago on the forum I said I might write a song with this title since I had a lot of memories about the place. Alyn James (Gibson) apparently liked the title too and wrote his version ahead of me. Brian Wilson, on a release a few years ago, had an instrumental with the title, apparently about the same place since he is also a Californian. Half Moon Bay is a beautiful stretch of coastline about 20 miles below San Francisco. This song is quite autobiographical. It was, and continues in my mind to be, a very magical place. Hope you enjoy it! BTW, I did a 50 song release on CD Baby which came out on the first of Jan. The youtube link is for that..if you start a song, other songs will show up. It has songs you all have heard and others you have not yet. I'll continue to post them on the forum over time and on Soundcloud. If you have Itunes or Spotify, I'd love it if you could listen through those services. I'd like to get some listens and hopefully one day make it to a playlist. Self promotion is not my thing and I find it uncomfortable. Take care all. Greg https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PT3FBG5?tag=sa-b2c-new-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/greg-johnson-half-moon-bay-10-half-moon-bayhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nerWBoig25AHalf Moon Bay When I’m driving up on Skyline And see that old, familiar hill Sometimes I think of heading down there But I know I never will ‘Cause I’m afraid of what I’d see there The reality I’d find I know it’d never match the image Painted in my mind Some wonders just reveal themselves To the eyes of seventeen Through the clouded lens of older years The hills don’t look as green As on those days In Half Moon Bay I remember Summer mornings Heading over to the beach No obstacle could hold us back No star was out of reach We were body surfing three-foot waves We were riding grander schemes And the music on the radio Was the soundtrack of our dreams “Taking it Easy” with the Eagles Raspberries “Going all the Way” And life was like a Summer fruit Growing sweeter every day As we made our way To Half Moon Bay Living in the moment Taking chances just because Truly being free Before we knew what freedom was Oh, there’s nothing quite as pretty As a sunset on the coast Pastel waters, that’s what I miss the most When I’m driving up on Skyline On a warm and sunny day I’m 20 minutes from the ocean I feel a million miles away And I think about the simple life That once that young man led Many years before this tangled web Was created in his head And I’ll always hold a little place In the corner of the screen For the part of me that still can see Through the eyes of seventeen And find the way To Half Moon Bay
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Greg
That was stunning. An instant classic.
Superb vocal, evocative lyrics and a lovely overall sound & production.
Excellent songwriting & performing.
(Saved the album(50tracks!)on Spotify.
Peter
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Hey Greg,
I'm new around here and just gave you song a listen.
Well done!
As a would be singer/song writer I envy your smooth vocals.
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Greg,
Gorgeous lyrics--poetically perfect, the narrative precise and touching. And some brilliant lines, my personal favorite being "truly being free before we knew what freedom was". Wow! Your talent continues to amaze me.
Production wise, so stellar. For fine tuning, though, there are spots between lines when your intake of breath comes across pretty apparent on the mic, which makes the vocal a little less clean. An easy fix--I usually look to dampen the volume in between. Just something to thing about.
Killer tune, Greg. Really, a songwriter's pride and joy--well done!
Humble regards,
Deej
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I cheated and read through the lyrics first - something I try not to do, but once I started I couldn't stop. That's some mighty fine lyric writing. And the song didn't disappoint. You've got a fantastic voice that brings longing for yesterday. The backing is excellent. This is the sort of music I could only aspire to. Really fantastic. But... I'll mention the fade seemed a bit abrupt, but perhaps only because I wanted to last longer. 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Oh my word! On listening to this, I did something I've never yet done on listening to a song on this forum: I actually cried. The music is stunning, it always is when you post a song on here, but - on this occasion, at least - the lyrics: my word. " ‘Cause I’m afraid of what I’d see there
The reality I’d find
I know it’d never match the image
Painted in my mind
Some wonders just reveal themselves
To the eyes of seventeen
Through the clouded lens of older years
The hills don’t look as green "
" We were body surfing three-foot waves
We were riding grander schemes
And the music on the radio
Was the soundtrack of our dreams "
" And I think about the simple life
That once that young man led
Many years before this tangled web
Was created in his head " There's no human being alive who can't relate to some of this, at least - one would have to have a heart of stone not to - and you articulate this so well, you bring it to life through your lyrics so vividly - it seems a shame to dissect it and analyse it. Suffice it to say: through your imagery, you have brought these experiences (that everyone can relate to) to life. I can almost taste the sea, hear the songs played on the radio, remember what it was like to be seventeen and supposedly carefree and know what it is to be looking back on that time. In short - well done ... another masterpiece from you. If I had your formula for creating magical songs, I'd either bottle it and sell it for an exorbitant price or hide it in my own cellar and only partake of it myself, haha. Anyway, superb job - well done.
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Hi Greg, Well I've been listening to music for 50 years now and this is one of the most beautiful, mesmerizing and blissfully magical songs I have ever heard. By anyone!! As far as songwriting goes, this is as good as it gets. I truly can't imagine hearing a song as good as this anytime soon. I just can't praise it enough. I actually love the breathy sound of your vocals, it brings an intimacy that matches the sublime melody and the hauntingly nostalgic and captivating lyric. I'm a huge Eagles fan and I can hear their influence here, but this is all yours and every bit as good as anything they wrote. I'm done. I'm gonna press play again and sit back and wallow in this piece of nostalgic gold. Martin
Music is what feelings sound like.
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Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Beautiful song, Greg!
You are without doubt one of the top songwriters on this forum, and man, your vocals are always just so good!
I would be happy to listen to your music over on spotify, I have an account (I also have our music up there) but you didn't provide a spotify link. I'll also subscribe to you over there, every little bit helps! Maybe update the song description with that info?
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Amazing work on this - a fantastic display of songwriting, and the mix and performance is top notch too. I wouldn't bat an eyelash hearing this on the radio. The lyrics are so poetic, and the entirely tune forces a feeling nostalgia on you. Truly outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing
Cheers,
Deryk
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As an English teacher, I'll give you an A+ for your lyrics. I were a music teacher, I'd give you an A+ for your melody composition and vocal performance.
Heavenly beautiful song.
Parts of the lyric reminds me of my growing up on the Michigan shores of Lake Michigan.
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Greg, You know I am a BIG fan. This one song would explain why, and yet, you have a whole catalogue to back this up. You are the real deal. I will quote what YOU wrote in my current thread:
A GREAT WRITE!!!! I love deep, philosophical songs, and this is a great one!! A lyric that shines from the first word to the last!! This is my favorite, which I would describe as "brilliant", a word I hardly ever use:
Some wonders just reveal themselves
To the eyes of seventeen
Through the clouded lens of older years
The hills don’t look as green
It does NOT get better that that!! A great song, a soulful delivery......a masterpiece!!! Take care. fj
I simply replaced the lyric and the signature...'cause RIGHT BACK AT YA, buddy. Even MORE so. GORGEOUS lyric. GORGEOUS melody. GORGEOUS production. (What IS that piano????) GORGEOUS vocal. And I have to repeat... It does NOT get better that that!!I know you are a Dianne Warren fan. She would be envious of this, I'm sure. In a just world, this ONE song would make you a star. fj
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Greg
That was stunning. An instant classic.
Superb vocal, evocative lyrics and a lovely overall sound & production.
Excellent songwriting & performing.
(Saved the album(50tracks!)on Spotify.
Peter Thanks so much Peter!! Really appreciate such a wonderful review! Take care. Greg
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I'm very impressed with your ability to write some really amazing lyrics.
And, you're not a slouch on the musical part or mixing either.
I loved the simplicity of the music in this. Piano was an excellent choice. Was this live or a RT?
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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GORGEOUS lyric.
GORGEOUS melody.
GORGEOUS production. (What IS that piano????)
GORGEOUS vocal.
And I have to repeat...It does NOT get better that that!!
I know you are a Dianne Warren fan. She would be envious of this, I'm sure.
In a just world, this ONE song would make you a star.
fj
I completely agree with Floyd. This is your best to date. Everything about this is air play ready and yes you should be a star.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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No disrespect to anyone else on this forum, but that's probably the best song I've encountered in the last 8 months. The beautiful simplicity of the chord progression, seamlessly flowing vocals and some of most poetic lyrics I've ever heard. Very, very impressed. Some savvy music producer needs to snap you up and present your work to the world. Can't wait to hear what else you share with us in 2020.
ProTools; Ableton Live Lite; Reaper
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 MK4 interface
Novation Launchkey 61 Mk4 midi controller
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Think this should be on page 1 for anybody who hasn't heard it yet.
Peter
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Greg,
beautiful write. Very poetic.
Performance and production shine. Enjoyed this a lot.
Thank you for being here and sharing!
Misha.
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Hi Greg,  This a is really, really, really fine listen. I love the wistful, nostalgic, and sadness-that-time-passes feelings that rolled over me as I listened. You are an amazing writer. You have pulled out all stops with this one, just like you do with all the others, and you've created a wonderful musical and lyrical journey. Such strong writing and performing made it impossible for me to be critical. All I could do was listen and travel along with the images that passed through my mind. Beautiful music. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
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Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
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