I wrote this song almost 2 years ago. I have been going through some health issues lately, and as a result, this song has been rolling around in my head, so I thought I would redo it and make a video. This is the first time I have made a video, so be gentle with me! I hope you enjoy this one.

The video...
I Close My Eyes - Youtube Video

The audio (no video)...
I Close My Eyes - Soundcloud

Here are the RT's/RD's used...

RealTracks in song: 518:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1542:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealTracks in song: 364:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 368:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 367:Guitar, Electric, Background Dreamy Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 369:Pedal Steel, Background Ev 065
RealDrums: RealDrums in Song: NashvillePop16^4-a:SideStick, HiHat , b:Snare, Hihat

And here are the lyrics...

I Close My Eyes
Music & Lyrics Copyright Stephen W. Young

It's late in the evening
Another day's done
And I pause in reflection
Of battles we've won
And good things received
That I never earned
And I close my eyes
And think about
The things I've learned

I've never seen the wind that blows
The clouds around
At times I hear your voice so clear
Without a sound

So it's on to tomorrow
And the plans we've drawn
And away with the sorrow
Of yesterdays gone

I've never seen the wind that blows
The clouds around
And I can hear your voice so clear
Without a sound

I've never seen the wind that blows
The clouds around
And I can hear your voice so clear
Without a sound

Hi Steve.

There just aren't enough superlatives to do justice to this song.

I hear shades of Mark Knopfler, James Taylor and 10cc, and yet it's still very much your own unique style.

Wonderful arrangement and production, simply amazing vocals and a spot-on mix.

All this and then some superb photography, which made the whole package an extremely moving experience.

Just loved every minute of it. Going back for my 4th listen.

ROG.

PS. There's got to be a movie somewhere which needs this song!

Steve,

That is wonderful, your voice is PERFECT,in fact everything is perfect..
I would love to be able to write such a beautifully haunting song.
Thank you for giving my ears such an unforgettable treat.
Gotta go back to hear, and watch , that again.

thank you

I hope your health issues soon resolve themselves.

Alyn

Steve:

The song/production is very well done as is the accompanying video. A very good job.

A technical question: how did you do the defocus/focus video effect at the times when you're going into the chorus?
It's very effective. What software were you using?

Keep up the good work.

John

Hi, Steve !


I like everything about this production
the video and the music are all top notch !

Cheers
Dani

Wow what an enjoyable song. The video and song were absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this.

Excellent vocals, lyrics, mix and video production. Audio production is one thing -- being able to integrate it into a vid of this quality really raises the bar. Thanks for the chance to listen and view.

Steve, What a coincidence, I also made my first videos this week. Great song and now a great video to go with it! Your standards are so high that it is always a pleasant experience when you share your songs and now your videos. I really hope your health issues get under control because you are missed when you take time off from the forum. All the best, Tom

I agree with ROG. There just aren't enough superlatives to do justice to this song. Just excellent all around and fantastic use of the real tracks. I really enjoyed it, thanks for posting.

Steve,

Beautiful. That opening is so very nice. Spectacular mix. The acoustic is so alive! And your vocal is so relaxed. And SO well recorded!

You do strings perfectly.

"I've never seen the wind that blows
The clouds around
At times I hear your voice so clear
Without a sound..."

A beautiful lyric.

JUST when I was thinking "there should be some 'Ahhh's'..." here they came!!!

Where did the Glen Campbell lead guitar come from??? (it is beautifully subtle)

Everything about this is "as good as it gets". A professional sound through and through. And a truly beautifully written song.

floyd

Hi Steve,

Like Rog said "Wonderful arrangement and production, simply amazing vocals and a spot-on mix.
All this and then some superb photography, which made the whole package an extremely moving experience."
Really liked it.
I'm a little disappointed that you didn't listen to my latest song which I posted 3 days before yours.

Guenter

One word, "haunting", but in a good way.

Later,

This is as good as it gets. A great production Steve, with all your excellent hallmarks.
A moving experience no less.

John

Rog,

Thanks for your very kind comments! Always very appreciated!

Alyn,

So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to give a listen and post! (And thanks for your wishes concerning my health.)

John,

Thank you so much for your generous words. I used iMovie (on my Mac Mini). Don't know that much about it, as it is the first time I have used it. It's obviously pretty easy to use. When I had a question about how to do something, I just consulted with that world renowned expert on everything - Google, and pretty much found out what I needed when I needed. Thanks again.

Dani,

Thanks so much! Your comments are always very appreciated!

==

Steve

Scott,

Thanks so much! So glad you enjoyed this one.

Janice and Bud,

Always appreciate you taking the time to listen and post on my stuff. I am a big fan of your work.

Tommy,

Thank you very much. Glad you like this one. And thanks for your wishes concerning my health.

Jim,

I really appreciate your comments! Thanks for taking the time to listen!

==

Steve

Floyd,

I always appreciate hearing from you. I am a big fan of your work. Glad you like this one. Concerning the Glen Campbell guitar, if you are talking about the tremolo guitar on the choruses, that is just a midi clean guitar sound, that I ran through quite a bit of processing, and added the tremolo to.

Guenter,

I truly appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment on my song! So glad you like it!

Danny,

Thanks! I guess this is the season for "haunting" - but for me, only the good way!

John,

Thanks so much! I always appreciate hearing from you, and always look forward to hearing your work!

==

Steve

beautiful write, excellent production! love the harmonies!

Steve that was a very touching song. I love the whole thing. I wish i had heard it earlier. Wow Brotha that was sweet. It kind of inspired be to get started writing again.

Gruverider,

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it.

Robh,

Really appreciate your kind words! Glad you like this one. I will look forward to hearing some of your work!!!

==

Steve

Hi Steve
I watched this video a couple of days ago but am only just getting round to commenting. I loved it. Wonderful work on the video.

WOW Steve you are one of the truly gifted songwriters. Every instrument sound so clear. I am on my third listen to this masterpiece. I love it! This song reminds me of what it would have been like to know my father he passed away when I was 2 years old. I don't really remember him but at times I wish I would have. He passed away from leukemia of the blood and bones. Very touching! One thing I would like to know is how in the world did you do the background vocals? Where they recorded live or are they keyboard? Anyhow I love this song, so very haunting. Keep making these songs. Thanks for sharing this beautiful song. I can only strive to get this good with music.

Bob P.

Joanne,

Always good to hear from you! So glad you enjoyed this one!

Steve

Bob P.,

Thank you so much for taking the time to listen (watch) and comment! I'm glad you like it. All the background vocals are recorded live. I layered the bgv's, 3 parts, and 3 tracks each. Then they are panned around to fill up the auditory space.

Steve

Hi Steve,

I don't know what to say ...

Your melody, your lyrics, your harmony, your arrangement, your singing all worked together flawlessly to give me a musical experience that was gift-wrapped poignancy in stereo. "Hauntingly beautiful" were words that came to mind as I listened. "Stunning" was the next word to float through my head.

I'm so thankful that you post your songs. I learn so very much every time I listen to your work.

All the best,
Noel

Steve,

This is really a great song... so beautiful. Loved the mix and vocal as well.

Bob

Noel,

I always appreciate hearing from your, my friend. Glad you enjoyed this one.

Bob,

Thanks so much for your comments! Your thoughts are always appreciated.

==

Steve

Hello from the new kids on the block...2 days already!

That was a stunning listen and wonderful video! Such a pretty lyric and the music was a perfect fit...exemplary prosody!!!

We thoroughly enjoy our listen and our viewing. Thanks for a wonderful musical treat! Merry Christmas...

Al & Di

Steve, my adopted son, I fear that the superlatives that ROG is looking for would be grossly inadequate anyway. This is so pristine and beautiful in every sense of the word. I love everything about it. Thanks for an excellent example of music production. You have set the bar for the rest of us to attain.

Very emotional tune ... it is difficult to do a tune so slow, and exposed ... very brave.

Wonderful song, performance and production. Even though I have used BIAB forever I am amazed with the instrumental quality. I have learned a lot by listening. Good luck with your fine song!

Hi Al & Di,

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond! With the Christmas plans, I was out of pocket for a while, and then I got knocked completely out of commission by this nasty h1n1 flu that has hit so hard in Texas. I am on the mend now, so finally getting back to BIAB.

Thanks so much for your very kind words! And welcome to the Forum! I will be listening to your songs and commenting as I get caught up with things.

Don,

Thanks "Dad"! Always so good to hear from you! I trust you had a good Christmas, and didn't get too frozen up there in OK. Really appreciate your generous comments here!

Elliott,

Thanks so much for taking the time to listen and post on this song. Really appreciated!

dpresley,

I really appreciate your comments! Thanks for dropping in on this one!

===

Steve

Steve...

We know the feeling. Think nothing of it. Just listen when you can, if you want to. We appreciate your visits and really appreciate your talent!

I was fairly sure I'd like this after the first few guitar notes. Excellent production.

There's a lot here to like, that's for sure. The cello/strings were used very well, and I didn't expect that steel, but it sure worked. Vocals were tight.

Everything was top notch.

Steve I just love all of your songs and this song is another gem..you are a very talented guy..Ive only come back on here as Ive also had health issues

Just got here Steve and I am sure I am repeating something already said but here goes anyway . . . I loved every thing about this production and performance.

Maybe my newest Young favorite.

Later,

Steve,

Somehow this snuck by when I wasn't paying attention, but now that I've watched and heard I can't remain silent...

Sometimes I hear a song and nod my head with approval for one or many reasons that my mind can discern and comprehend.

But YOUR songs... I can never identify their appeal with my understanding, only by the effect they have on me

To me they are as unfathomable as the God you sing to, and as enormous as the universe you so often appeal to as proof that He is.

Your songs bypass my vain intellect and punch me right in the heart with an unspeakable yet undeniable appreciation and wonder.

Its as though your songs speak directly to my spirit, bearing witness to a shared appreciation for something mysterious, unknown, and beautiful beyond comprehension.

Reading back over what I just wrote, it seems a bit stilted... but I'm not going to change any of it because it seems like the right thing to say, even if it is said awkwardly.

"Reading back over what I just wrote, it seems a bit stilted.."

Pat if the words youve just strung together you feel is stilted then I need to work a lot harder because you shape your words with class mate it was a lovely critique dont change even critiques like yours help others looking in

Steve,
You don't need praise from me. Everyone has already said what I was thinking. It really stirs emotion and that's the most impressive aspect of your song.
I hope your through your health issues and feel better soon.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful gift.
SD

The mix is really great ... what DAW are you using? The sound is very clear. I like the pace of the song ... gentle, not rushed ... I just floated along with you. Very good job.

I really like this song.
Nice job.

hi steve I hope you doing better this song is awesome everything top notch all the way hope to here from you more thanks eric

Wow! I have been out of pocket for the past several weeks, and just noticed all the new posts here.

I truly appreciate everyone's very kind words! I am glad you like this song, and really appreciate everyone taking the time to drop by and listen!

Steve