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Posted By: tommyad I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 01:57 PM
This is a blend of Real Tracks, Loops, Live Instruments and Vocals.

Suggestions/Comments welcome. Tom


http://tommyadamsmusic.com/music


http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=13257077


Style is _DRVBRT8.STY

RealTracks in style: 1827:Bass, Electric, PopModernGrooveA-B Ev16 075
RealTracks in style: 676:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming FolkRockBritEighths Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 677:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RockBritDriving Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 680:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RockBritSoulful Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1837:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGrooveHeld Ev16 075



Royalty Free Loops, Multitrack Instrument and Song Files and Multitrack Drums from Drums on Demand

Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitar: Tom Adams

Recorded in Logic Pro x
Alloy2, Nectar2
Mastered with Ozone6 and Waves LinMB
Special thanks to Bud Merritt for the ears.

I Should Win An Oscar


I get tired of talkin about it to everyone I meet

People come up and ask about you when they see me walkin down the street

I just say you're doing OK it's easier that way



Baby I'm just a little lost without you

Maybe I oughta leave this town

The better part of me has up and gone missing when you're not around



I should win an oscar for the way that I act when someone wants to know about you

can't help myself I'm so ashamed can't face the fact that we’re through

I just say you're doing OK it's easier that way


Baby I'm just a little lost without you

Maybe I oughta leave this town

The better part of me has up and gone missing when you're not around



Now That I'm on my own I better start thinking I can have a life again

Maybe there's still enough leftover pieces of the man I've been




Baby I'm just a little lost without you

Maybe I oughta leave this town

The better part of me has up and gone missing when you're not around


I should win an oscar for the way that I act when someone wants to know about you

©2015 Thomas Adams
Posted By: RnAM Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 02:10 PM
You should definitely win an Oscar for the clarity of this mix ;-)
(Will have something to do with Ozone and Waves used, ha ha)
we like the lyrics on this one, and the general build up of the song.
Great work!
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 03:46 PM
No Tom, You should win a Grammy!!! Although I've never heard a Grammy winner I like this much in 30 years. This is a hit, but not just a hit. It's also just a great song. You are my vote for Forum Man of the Year!! Absolutely lovin' what you've been doing. Keep it up in '16!! Take care. Greg
Posted By: Scott C Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 04:08 PM
Cool tune Tom. Loved the lyrics .
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 04:42 PM
Nice write Tom.

I'm assuming the drums are the loops.... they sound good.

I think the song should be called "Lost without you". Normally, a title appears in the chorus and gets repeated on each chorus.

I like the character in your voice. It has a slight rough edge that sounds really cool.

Loved the slow down at the end. Now... where have I heard that used before?

Totally enjoyed this song.
Posted By: SRP Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 04:54 PM
I cannot say enough about the production of this song. Such good clarity, volume and punch! I sure like what you have done from lyrics, instruments, placement and your great vocals. Totally enjoyed!
Sonny
Posted By: semar Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 05:12 PM
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker

...
I like the character in your voice. It has a slight rough edge that sounds really cool.
...

I totally agree with Guitarhacker here. In addition, I find the whole song a masterpiece in the mixing area.

Congratulation Tom, I think you've reached the excellence.

Would you be so kind and share your hints/tips/secrets for such a professional work ?

Please go on,
Sergio
Posted By: boehm Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 06:17 PM
Hi Tommy,

once again great lyrics and vocal delivery (including
the harmonies).
Nice arrangement. The drums sound fantastic.
I enjoyed my listens a lot.

Guenter
Posted By: PeterF Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 07:22 PM
Tom
Great overall sound. Drums and acoustic guitars sound very nice.
Vocals and writing are top notch.
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 09:37 PM
Originally Posted By: RnAM
You should definitely win an Oscar for the clarity of this mix ;-)
(Will have something to do with Ozone and Waves used, ha ha)
we like the lyrics on this one, and the general build up of the song.
Great work!
RnAM, Thanks for coming by and saying such nice things. Tom
Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
No Tom, You should win a Grammy!!! Although I've never heard a Grammy winner I like this much in 30 years. This is a hit, but not just a hit. It's also just a great song. You are my vote for Forum Man of the Year!! Absolutely lovin' what you've been doing. Keep it up in '16!! Take care. Greg
Thanks Greg. That is a wonderful review. Glad you liked it. Tom
Posted By: Sundance Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/20/15 11:13 PM
Great work Tom! And kudos to Bud's ears too.
Love the song and you sound super on it.
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/21/15 10:17 AM
Originally Posted By: Scottt709
Cool tune Tom. Loved the lyrics .
Thanks Scott. It's appreciated. Tom
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Nice write Tom.

I'm assuming the drums are the loops.... they sound good.

I think the song should be called "Lost without you". Normally, a title appears in the chorus and gets repeated on each chorus.

I like the character in your voice. It has a slight rough edge that sounds really cool.

Loved the slow down at the end. Now... where have I heard that used before?

Totally enjoyed this song.
Herb, Drums are loops. You are right about the title. It should be from a repeated chorus. I decided to use the "Oscar" line since it is repeated and it also is such an unusual title it may draw more listeners out of curiosity. I've been carrying that line around for a long time and it seemed too good to waste as just a verse filler. Thanks as always for your thoughts. they have become a valuable resource for me. I'm glad you liked it. Tom
Posted By: 90 dB Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/21/15 10:26 AM
Love this one, Tom. I echo what's been said.


Regards,

Bob
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/21/15 05:51 PM
Originally Posted By: SRP
I cannot say enough about the production of this song. Such good clarity, volume and punch! I sure like what you have done from lyrics, instruments, placement and your great vocals. Totally enjoyed!
Sonny
Sonny, Thanks for the compliments. Tom
Posted By: RichMac Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/21/15 06:08 PM
Very nice song and beautifully done. Great song idea. The title attracted me. Cheers.
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/22/15 01:58 AM
Originally Posted By: semar
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker

...
I like the character in your voice. It has a slight rough edge that sounds really cool.
...

I totally agree with Guitarhacker here. In addition, I find the whole song a masterpiece in the mixing area.

Congratulation Tom, I think you've reached the excellence.

Would you be so kind and share your hints/tips/secrets for such a professional work ?

Please go on,
Sergio
Sergio, I don't know that there are any secrets here. 21 tracks each one has several plug ins ( alloy, nectar, EQ, compression, etc. ) I keep twisting knobs till it sounds good. I mix the best I can, then add Ozone and LinMB on the output and mix again. On this one I kept adding and subtracting instruments and tweaking the mix over forty days. Many, many versions. Then when I am seriously sick of it I either post it or put it in my throwaway pile for later consideration. I have really been paying more attention to the lyrics by rewriting, then rewriting again and again. It's funny how some of the most obvious soft spots in the lyrics tend to show up after a few days rest. Eventually it hits a plateau and you call it finished. I am always learning new things in mixing. Recently I have been checking the mix in mono. If the instrument placement doesn't sound right in mono then there is too many instruments in the same EQ range. If it's not right in mono it can't be right in stereo. I also have been turning off all reverb when rendering real tracks. I will add reverb on my own but I have been finding that especially pianos sound better with zero reverb. I also have been checking the direct box on guitars and running them through plug in amps. Hope this helps. Tom
Posted By: dcuny Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/22/15 05:00 AM
Love the song - catchy hook, well sung and arranged.

The mix seems a bit hot, though.
Posted By: AudioTrack Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/22/15 08:12 AM
Tommy

Great write. Fabulous paradigm in the lyrics. Great harmonies in the chorus and overall sensational high-class delivery.

I really liked the drive throughout the entire song.

This could make air-play

Trev
Posted By: Charlie Fogle Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/22/15 09:07 AM
Power country ballads fit you well and you've filled the spot with some nice songs recently.

The quality of the songs being submitted on the forum is constantly improving and so many are meeting the challenge of raising the bar that has been set that I think it is a good time for PGMusic to revisit some version of a streaming BIAB radio station.

It may be too late for this years release but how nice would it be to open up BIAB/RB, hit the radio button and streaming, steaming hits like this fill your headphones or speakers?

Good song, mix, arrangement and performance. I enjoyed your details shared with Sergio.
Posted By: gibson Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/22/15 09:33 AM
Tom,
That is almost perfect!
Clear mix, wonderful vocals nice chord sequence all that was missing was you and a guitar solo at the end mad grin

I enjoyed my listens

Alyn
Posted By: olemon Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/22/15 12:03 PM
Standing ovation, Tom!

The production is fantastic. That chorus is absolutely killer.

It's most definitely Award Winning!
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/22/15 03:59 PM
Originally Posted By: boehm
Hi Tommy,

once again great lyrics and vocal delivery (including
the harmonies).
Nice arrangement. The drums sound fantastic.
I enjoyed my listens a lot.

Guenter
Guenter, Thanks for the fine review. Glad you took time to point out the lyrics. Tom
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Tom
Great overall sound. Drums and acoustic guitars sound very nice.
Vocals and writing are top notch.
Peter, Thanks for giving it a spin and for the nice comments. Tom
Posted By: MarioD Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/22/15 10:20 PM
Originally Posted By: olemon
Standing ovation, Tom!

The production is fantastic. That chorus is absolutely killer.

It's most definitely Award Winning!


I couldn't say it any better.

As been noted this should win a grammy or two, best record of the year, best song of the year, and best new artist.
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/23/15 11:01 AM
Originally Posted By: Sundance
Great work Tom! And kudos to Bud's ears too.
Love the song and you sound super on it.
Thanks Josie. Bud heard something in this that turned out to be spot on. I had to set it aside for awhile until I found the guitar real tracks in the chorus that fixed the problem.Tom
Originally Posted By: 90 dB
Love this one, Tom. I echo what's been said.


Regards,

Bob
Bob, I appreciate it. Tom
Originally Posted By: RichMac
Very nice song and beautifully done. Great song idea. The title attracted me. Cheers.
Richard, As I mentioned earlier, I had been carrying around that line for awhile now. I just kept trying it out and didn't give up on it. Thanks, Tom
Posted By: floyd jane Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/23/15 04:41 PM
Tom,

You just keep steppin' up to the plate and knocking it outta the park.

The production and mix on this are stunning. All the right things at all the right times.

Your vocals get more confident all the time.

Your writing has evolved to that "solid every time" place. The lyrics are natural, smooth, perfect prosody throughout. They fall on the ear beautifully. Your melodies are knockin' me over... Pro combo.

Stunning. Really.

floyd
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/24/15 10:05 AM
Originally Posted By: dcuny
Love the song - catchy hook, well sung and arranged.

The mix seems a bit hot, though.
David, Thanks, It may be a tad hot because my hearing loss is getting worse. Tom
Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
Tommy

Great write. Fabulous paradigm in the lyrics. Great harmonies in the chorus and overall sensational high-class delivery.

I really liked the drive throughout the entire song.

This could make air-play

Trev



Trevor, Glad you liked the write. Thanks for mentioning the harmony. Tom
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/24/15 01:13 PM
Tom, there's little left to say about this -- seriously.
Everybody has laser beamed in on the excellence
re the write, the vocal, the arrangement and the
amazing mix. Having done my share of mixing off
and on over the decades I'm in awe of how you
can pull this off with that number of tracks. Amazing.

And, at the risk of being redundant, I want to add that
you have a RARE talent and that is the ability to write
lyrics that can appeal to a very broad spectrum of
listeners - across all economic and social strata your
lyrics can capture about anybody who loves music.

Well done!

J&B
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/25/15 09:50 AM
Originally Posted By: Charlie Fogle
Power country ballads fit you well and you've filled the spot with some nice songs recently.

The quality of the songs being submitted on the forum is constantly improving and so many are meeting the challenge of raising the bar that has been set that I think it is a good time for PGMusic to revisit some version of a streaming BIAB radio station.

It may be too late for this years release but how nice would it be to open up BIAB/RB, hit the radio button and streaming, steaming hits like this fill your headphones or speakers?

Good song, mix, arrangement and performance. I enjoyed your details shared with Sergio.
Charlie, I was just thinking about that radio station the other day. I hope the idea didn't die on the vine. Thanks for the nice words. Tom
Originally Posted By: gibson
Tom,
That is almost perfect!
Clear mix, wonderful vocals nice chord sequence all that was missing was you and a guitar solo at the end mad grin

I enjoyed my listens

Alyn
Love that phrase, almost perfect. Thanks, Tom
Posted By: Sergio Guarneri Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/25/15 09:39 PM


Great song the best of yours recent.

All goes well.

Sergio
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/26/15 10:18 AM
Originally Posted By: olemon
Standing ovation, Tom!

The production is fantastic. That chorus is absolutely killer.

It's most definitely Award Winning!
Thanks Scott. Tom
Originally Posted By: MarioD
Originally Posted By: olemon
Standing ovation, Tom!

The production is fantastic. That chorus is absolutely killer.

It's most definitely Award Winning!


I couldn't say it any better.

As been noted this should win a grammy or two, best record of the year, best song of the year, and best new artist.

Mario, I appreciate you stopping by for a listen. Tom
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Tom,

You just keep steppin' up to the plate and knocking it outta the park.

The production and mix on this are stunning. All the right things at all the right times.

Your vocals get more confident all the time.

Your writing has evolved to that "solid every time" place. The lyrics are natural, smooth, perfect prosody throughout. They fall on the ear beautifully. Your melodies are knockin' me over... Pro combo.

Stunning. Really.

floyd

floyd, Thanks for mentioning the lyrics. I recently have been spending more time on them. Tom
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/27/15 11:26 AM
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
Tom, there's little left to say about this -- seriously.
Everybody has laser beamed in on the excellence
re the write, the vocal, the arrangement and the
amazing mix. Having done my share of mixing off
and on over the decades I'm in awe of how you
can pull this off with that number of tracks. Amazing.

And, at the risk of being redundant, I want to add that
you have a RARE talent and that is the ability to write
lyrics that can appeal to a very broad spectrum of
listeners - across all economic and social strata your
lyrics can capture about anybody who loves music.

Well done!

J&B
Thanks you two, I really appreciate this endorsement. As I eluded to earlier, I have been taking a much closer look at the lyrics lately. I have found that the real magic is in the rewrite. It's never there the first time through. It has to be nudged along and nurtured to reach it's full potential. I don't think I fully grasped the concept in the past, but I'm starting to get it now. Thanks again, Tom
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/28/15 12:22 PM
Originally Posted By: Sergio Guarneri


Great song the best of yours recent.

All goes well.

Sergio
Thanks for giving it a spin Sergio. Tom
Posted By: ROG Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/28/15 04:09 PM
Hey Tom.

A power ballad! Great. Sounds like a Bon Jovi song.

I loved the whole thing, but like Alyn, I was waiting for the Richie Sambora solo!

Excellent vocals and a professional mix.

One of your very best.

ROG.
Posted By: F.M.M. Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/28/15 07:56 PM
hi tom wow this is a great peace very well done mix everything fits perfectly excellent real tracks thanks for sharing eric
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/29/15 10:33 PM
Originally Posted By: ROG
Hey Tom.

A power ballad! Great. Sounds like a Bon Jovi song.

I loved the whole thing, but like Alyn, I was waiting for the Richie Sambora solo!

Excellent vocals and a professional mix.

One of your very best.

ROG.
ROG, Thanks for coming by. I appreciate it. Tom
Posted By: jim111 Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/29/15 11:48 PM
Yet another +1 for all the positive comments. Excellent in all departments.
Posted By: PgFantastic Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 11/30/15 03:56 AM
This song is awesome; think it is the best you've ever done in a long line of good music. Writing, mix and vocal exceptional; thanks for sharing!
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 12/01/15 02:23 PM
Originally Posted By: ROG
Hey Tom.

A power ballad! Great. Sounds like a Bon Jovi song.

I loved the whole thing, but like Alyn, I was waiting for the Richie Sambora solo!

Excellent vocals and a professional mix.

One of your very best.

ROG.
ROG, Thanks for the nice review. Tom
Originally Posted By: jim111
Yet another +1 for all the positive comments. Excellent in all departments.
Jim, Thank you for taking the time to listen and comment. Tom
Originally Posted By: PgFantastic
This song is awesome; think it is the best you've ever done in a long line of good music. Writing, mix and vocal exceptional; thanks for sharing!
Thanks, I appreciate it. Tom
Posted By: Rob4580 Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 12/02/15 05:55 PM
Tommy this is such a big sound. Love the song, love the production.
Your a real pro my friend.
Rob
Posted By: Steve Young Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 12/02/15 09:25 PM
Tom, this is just outstanding! I've been out of pocket for several weeks, and sure glad I didn't miss this one! (But then, I pretty much like every song you submit!)

Steve
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 12/03/15 09:54 AM
Originally Posted By: Rob4580
Tommy this is such a big sound. Love the song, love the production.
Your a real pro my friend.
Rob
Rob, Thanks much. I really appreciate you coming by for a listen. Tom
Originally Posted By: Steve Young
Tom, this is just outstanding! I've been out of pocket for several weeks, and sure glad I didn't miss this one! (But then, I pretty much like every song you submit!)

Steve
Steve, Always great to see you around. Thanks for the endorsement. Tom
Posted By: Pat Marr Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 12/05/15 01:13 PM
Tommy,

(general observation)
something about your songs really resonates with me. There is an honesty to them that removes any possibility of hearing them as being contrived in any way. In that sense, they almost don't even sound like they were composed, its more like they were spoken spontaneously in confidentiality between friends, as afterthoughts, or maybe as part of the due process of figuring out what to do next.

Whatever it is, and whether I can articulate it or not, you have something really solid going on with your songs, and I really like it.

(specific observation)
1) I like the way the two guitar in the intro echo the same pattern

2) I really liked the transition at "Now That I'm on my own I better start thinking I can have a life again

Maybe there's still enough leftover pieces of the man I've been".. It's seamless and effective

3) something about the phrase "maybe I oughta leave this town" struck me as being particularly insightful to what was going on the the central character's mind as he hashed through his situation. Relocating is serious stuff, not done lightly by most people... whereas in our society people often change relationships rather lightly. This line identifies the singers hierarchy of the relationship's importance.

4) I really envy the clarity you achieve in your mixes.
Posted By: tommyad Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 12/05/15 02:52 PM
Pat,normally I would let this slide down the page again but because I haven't heard from you for a while i have to respond. Thank You very much for your extensive thoughts on this. On lyric writing it reminds me of Dolly Parton saying it's expensive to look this cheap. Kind of how I approach lyrics, rewriting lines and changing words around to make them sound more natural. It takes a bit of work to make them sound "easy". My latest theory is the "dumbing down effect" that is to make them less grammatically correct and more conversational. i.e. "oughta instead of should have" "Ain't instead of not going to". It makes them more accessible and less brainy. Glad you came by, I miss your astute observations. Hope all is well, Tom
Posted By: DIOECHOOTO Re: I Should Win An Oscar - 12/05/15 09:39 PM
Quote:
The title attracted me. Cheers.


Me, too...and I agree with your reasoning that it will probably attract more so than perhaps a more conventional selection for the title.

Great song, Tommy! Clever and relatable lyrics, fine production values...very nice, good job!
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