I'm Not Coming Home Tonight

I was originally going to write a country song based on the title, but decided to go in a completely different direction. I hope it's halfway listenable.

The Wrecking Crew
RT4012 Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModPopDistortedSwellsHeld
RT2483 Bass, Acoustic, Bowed HeldSimple
NI Picked Acoustic
NI Electric Vintage
NI Prime Bass
EZ Keys Piano
Drums on Demand


If I could hold onto our dreams
If I could hold together the broken seams
2 a.m. and my friends have gone
I ‘ll walk away toward the edge of dawn

You’ve become everything you said you wouldn’t be
I think maybe it’s you ‘cause I know that it’s not me
I’m always wrong whenever we start to fight
I’ve tried so hard to love you, but I just can’t get it right
I’m not coming home tonight

If I could hear you laugh once again
If I could see you smile like you did then
2 a.m. and our friends had gone
We held each other ‘til the break of dawn

You’ve become everything you said you wouldn’t be
I think maybe it’s you ‘cause I know that it’s not me
I’m always wrong whenever we start to fight
I’ve tried so hard to love you, but I just can’t get it right
I’m not coming home tonight

There’ll be no
Please come home
Please come home

You’ve become everything you said you wouldn’t be
I think maybe it’s you ‘cause I know that it’s not me
I’m always wrong whenever we start to fight
I’ve tried so hard to love you, but I just can’t get it right
I’m not coming home tonight

Big powerful piano, strong vocals and a sad but good write.
Well done.

Ezekiel,

Killer vocal work on this. The piano works really well in this. Like the tempo changes in the chorus and then the slow down again into the second verse and so on. Like it a ton . . . Excellent work on this one!

All my best to you,

Deej

VERY cool though the guitar or piano that breaks up on the right seems a bit too broken fizzy. It ends up sounding like grainy texture.
You strong vocal could cope with the drums being centred easily enough.
Really cool combo and a lovely narrative.

Hi Scott,

Love the vocal! You have a powerful and very distinctive voice.
Very effective when you add the second vocal doing the "I'm not coming home" line.
Track sounds great, although I agree with Ray about the drums.

Scott,

Great, great song. Love the arrangement and production.

Your vocal is awesome - a real standout!

Bob

Completely different direction really paid off. This is a great track, the intro and the beautiful sounding band attract to listen. Enjoyable 80's piano sound there. I like the work with the drums. Sad story and when sung with such a passion it really is a touching hit, "please come back" part is truly convincing! Mix is bit unusual, but that just makes the song very special and memorable.

Janne

Good emotional write and delivery. Excellent instrumentation and arrangement.

Saying it's "halfway" listenable is only half-accurate.

By the way, it looks like you changed this lyric:

   There’ll be no
   Please come home
   Please come home

Anyway, love it!

Thank you kindly, BT.

Deej, I appreciate your feedback.

Ray, I'm not too sure if you meant that the drums weren't centered. I did make some minor tweaks just now with the drums and vocals. I'll go back to it when I've got a bit more time. Thanks for the feedback.

Thanks, Dave, for the comment on the vocal. I never really like the way I sound.

LOVE your song, great and emotional storytelling (it pretty much sums up my first marriage) and your vocals really ROCK.
My new favorite of yours!

This is a really moving song, Ezekiel! Great job with the lyrics, vocals, and production. I especially like the surprise echo vocals before the last chorus. Time well spent in the studio I'd say!

Dewey

Hi Scott.

This song mesmerised me. I was really caught up in the lyrics, the production and the vocals.
On every level, this is a brilliant creation.
You have done a superb job.

By the way, I disagree with you. This is "all the way listenable". There is nothing "half" about it.

All the best,
--Noel

Ezekiel, that's epic. Loved the way the song builds in energy right through to the end. Not easy to do on a long song! Nicely done!

Funny, Scott. I listened ALL THE WAY, and loved it all. I like how the melody builds with the chords. Ah, The Wrecking Crew. You called in the best band. I like the dynamics you use in this, and the counterpoint reply "I'm not coming home." Perfect ending to that line too. You add "tonight" as if it's an afterthought, which means that it's not over --yet.

I appreciate the comments, Bob

Janne, I am pleased you found the song memorable.

Thanks, Dave. Yes, I changed the bridge lyric shortly before recording because I didn't want to say "home" again; however, I forgot to change it on my lyric sheet. Thanks for calling my attention to it.

Scott...well that's not country...much better...I really liked the piano as the main instrument here and the note pattern...I liked the emphasis on the hook (the repeats)...your vocals were excellent...I do wish the harmonies were up a bit...I loved those lines...I still hear Neil Diamond every time you sing...I really enjoyed it!

Ezekiel, what a powerful song!
Loved that piano and that ultra exceptional vocal.
I thought the mix was perfect.
You should be very proud of this one.

Good arrangement all round.
Piano was a good choice too.
Harmony vocals would add impact in the chorus.
Vic

Scott, excellent production, the fine vocal was performed with passion and the writing was very good. I certainly enjoyed my listen, Tom

Man, those strong emotive vocals grab you and don’t let go!

The wrecking crew (and your fine mix) offered great support for your performance.
The drive of those tracks matches the lyric excellently. Strong drums too.

Arrangement wise the build is very effective.

We loved the abrupt ending that matches the end of the relationship.

Kudos!

J&B

Thanks a bunch, Dewey!

Thanks, B.D. I hope you are faring better now than you were with the first one.

Noel, I appreciate the kind assessment.

Thanks, DC Ron. Stay safe in the Beltway.

Thank you, Marty. You are a wise and perceptive man.

Scott...

POWERFUL.
A Powerful Write. Very emotional.
A Powerful Vocal. Very Emotional.
A Powerful Track. Great use of the NI vsts. (and EZKeys and DOD). And BIAB.
A Powerful Arrangement.
A Powerful Production.
Well mixed.

A BIG song. BIG Kudos.
Your Best.
If we had a "Song Of The Year" thing I'd nominate this. (thankgod we don't)

fj

Ezekiel's Storm,

The piano dominates the overall image of this song.
It's working very effectively.
When you put your vocals on top of that, it becomes a great piece of work.
Although it has a somewhat dark tone, it definitely appeals to the listeners as a wonderful pop song.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks, Dan. The Diamond similarity must emanate from the baritone register.

Mario, thank you for that positive reaction to my song.

Vic, Thank you for the comments and the listen.

Thanks, Tom! It's good to start hearing more song posts from you now.

Janice and Bud, thanks so much. I always appreciate your commentary.


Floyd, Thanks. That is quite a compliment coming from a seasoned veteran like you.

Thanks, Shigeki. Your feedback means a lot.

Really nice intro Scott. Piano wrapping your vocal was perfect. Powerful vocal. Loved how you mixed the drums especially the kick. Well done

Scott,

I've never heard you do a bad sounding song! This is a lovely sounding piece with a great vocal delivery on it! ( your vocals are always very good) Really like the Christopher Cross sounding chord progression going on its beautiful! I feel it's one of your best songs!

Thanks, T

Thanks, Scott. I appreciate your thoughts on the song.

Thanks, Torrey. That's so nice of you to say.