Hello forum friends. This song was conceived in Hawaii. I was pushing my kid's on some waves while they were boogie boarding. The hook line (High in Hawii, and I'm feelin' so low) just started running through my head. Wasn't sure where it was going but I banged it out at home a few weeks later. It is a slow ride. If you're in the mood for ear candy or something energetic, come back later when you're feeling mellow. Always love to hear what you think. Take care all. Greg

https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/high-in-hawaii

HIGH IN HAWAII




There are times in your life when you look, and you see a dead end
And sometimes a soul can sink down beyond the reach of a friend
We had a good thing, better than most
And to strive for perfection may be chasing a ghost

But I dreamed of Hawaii
Of a life beyond reach
Longboards and shave ice
Gettin’ high on the beach
But dreamin’ of paradise
Still don’t make it so
Now I’m high in Hawaii
And I’m feelin’ so low

Sometimes your heart gets confused, and ambition just fails
Scrapin’ by in those winters in Pittsburgh, hammering nails
And it’s hard not to tell yourself there’s got to be more
Some brighter horizon, some warm, distant shore

So I dreamed of Hawaii…

And if ever a boy had regret, I guess I got it bad
Pity the soul, the fool who lets go, of the best thing that he ever had

Because dreams of Hawaii
They never come true
Now I find myself dreamin’
Of a life back with you
It may not be paradise
But it’s the best thing I’ve known
Now I’m high in Hawaii
And I feel so alone

Yeah, I’m high in Hawaii

Sensationally presented Greg, great crisp vocals, well mixed, and the use of the harmonica sat perfectly in the blend.

You nailed it.

Greg

A Jimmy Buffett ballad vibe (with the Coral Reefer band) - beautifully presented with a lovely melody.
Excellent vocal - evocative lyric - really well done.

Peter

Love your vocals Greg. Super delivery. Excellent backtrack. Excellent lyrics

Greg,

This is outstanding... Loved the vocals and production - also a very cool backdrop for the lyrics.

Bob

Wow Greg, this is gorgeous!
A very surprising beginning. And after that a perfect buildup of the instruments.
Especially the pedal steel guitar works great.
Your vocals are beautiful.

Rob & Anne-Marie

What a hauntingly beautiful song. I especially love these lyrics:

"Because dreams of Hawaii
They never come true
Now I find myself dreamin’
Of a life back with you
It may not be paradise
But it’s the best thing I’ve known"

Keep up the great work.

Greg,

A beautiful write. Solid from start to finish and from every angle. It's natural to go with a Buffett comparison, but to me it calls to mind the best of Don Henley's introspective stuff...

The production is "just right". Excellent mix. Gorgeous vocal. Such "feeling" to it..

What's not to like...

floyd

Really nice - great vocals and a beautiful mix - everything sits just right.

What a great write and you delivered a super vocal

very visual, very much enjoyed the listen

Loved the chord progressions too

Kenny

Hello, Greg

Very beautiful tune with great vocal!
Lyrics touched my heart deeply. The melody line is also wonderful.
The reason the key of this tune is F#major is in order to be matched to the vocal range?
And as usual you have some ingenuity in chord progression.
The chord progression of the beginning is very good.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

I've never been to Hawaii, but its always peaked my interest, and this song really paints a vivid picture of how wondrous I imagine it being The delivery on this is truly beautiful, and the lyrics are imaginative and heart felt. You should be proud of this!

Wow!
Wonderful in every way, lyrics, instruments, mix, and especially the vocals. Great song, great performance!

“And if ever a boy had regret, I guess I got it bad
Pity the soul, the fool who lets go, of the best thing that he ever had”

There is a ton of emotion packed into those two lines. This is an wonderful write and the production just takes it over the top. floyd mentioned Henley and the more we think about it the more it seems apt. And the pedal steel pushes it every slightly more into that feel. A good thing.

Your mastery of the ballad is second to none.

Outstanding

J&B

Outstanding.



Regards,


Bob

Simply beautiful, I feel like I'm in Hawaii Great arrangement with harmonica and pedal steel blending together nicely. Excellent vocals and very emotional lyrics.

Janne

But dreamin’ of paradise
Still don’t make it so
Now I’m high in Hawaii
And I’m feelin’ so low



What Great lines Greg!! I really loved the whole feel of this song and the vocals especially.

The whole production really shines, but your vocals are especially great one this one.

Going back for another listen! Well done!

Thanks Trevor. I appreciate the listen and nice comments! The harmonica was just something I thought I'd try and I loved the feel (YAY BIAB!) Take care. Greg

Thanks Peter! I too am a big fan of Buffett (an unabashed parrothead) and the reefers (great band). I saw Jimmy's studio in Key West about a week or two ago-doesn't look like much (a building used to store shrimp before he converted it) but it was a thrill for me. Take care. Greg

Thanks so much for the kind words and continued support Scott! I really liked your "color of sound" on the last one. Take care. Greg

A great write! Haunting and sublime.


I love your instrument choices and the levels that you mixed them - that held chord piano just peeking through. And your vocals are spot on.


Great song!

Greg my friend this is your best to date. Everything is spot on! Your instrumentation is perfect for the groove and your vocals. Your lyrics are fantastic!

This is a keeper.

PS - I listened very carefully because I thought high in Hawaii might be something else

The devil made my this that

HI Greg,

Was gonna point out the really good lines ... but I'd simply have to report the entire lyric ... every line is a gem!

As others have said ... a wonderful vocal. This is a sit back, close your eyes and smile as you listen song. Fabulous in every way. This is a textbook example of how to write a an excellent song in its entirety. Simply wonderful!

Alan & Di

Thanks Bob. Much appreciated! Man, you've been on a roll lately!! Take care. Greg

Thanks R and AM. That means a lot coming from you guys-your productions are always over the top! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Ember! I don't remember seeing your comments until recently. New there? Or just started checking out the forum? Take care. Greg

Great song construction,lyrics and vocal.
I feel a two bar intro would have helped a little.
Nicely done.
Rob

Greg, As Bud said, you truly are a master of the ballad. Great song and expertly delivered. Excellence, Tom

Thanks so much for the nice review Floyd. As you know, I'm a huge Henley fan and that is a very flattering comparison. Take care. Greg

Thanks so much for the listen and comment. I'm really liking what you're doing-very good stuff!! Take care. Greg

Hi, Greg !

What a beautiful tune
and voice, just lovin´it !


Cheers
Dani

Sooo soulfully sung and beautifully done Greg!

Greg,

This is simply stunning... a first class write and presentation in absolutely every way. I really enjoyed listening.

All the best,
Noel

'Mellow' is my middle name!