This is a new version of a song I originally posted in late 2012 when I first came to this forum.
Just my second song post at the time.
Listening to it recently I was struck with how "BIAB dated" it sounded to me.
...meaning my "old way of using BIAB".
Like many Country writers, when I first started using BIAB, the songs were heavy with fiddles and pedal steel. It was the first time I could ever get that! It's the main reason I bought BIAB in the first place! Fiddles! Pedal Steel!

So I decide to do a new production - more the way I do things now.
Still "Country", but heavy with Rock Guitars and Head-Banging Drums.
When I finished that, it still felt like "I've done a bunch of that lately".
Also, I had been doing the song at 125 bpm - which gave the lyric a tongue-in-cheek quality (intentionally).

I wanted something different.

So I slowed it down. To 85 bpm.
And did another whole NEW production
A new set of instruments to reflect a different idea of the lyric.

The new BAND:

RealTracks in style: 1825:Bass, Electric, PopModernGrooveHeld Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 1595:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop8thsSteady Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~1638:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkBreezyMuted Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 2780:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Songwriter8thsBrent Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2541:Pedal Steel, Background Mod
RealDrums in Song: BossaBrushesPerc^1-a:Congas, No Kit , b:Congas, Shaker, Triangle, No Kit

Beat created in Studio One Professional.


FOREVER'S NOT AS LONG AS IT USED TO BE

there's a picture on the wall that still tears me apart
of you and me inside a lipstick heart
"everlasting love" - your favorite shade of red
"this means forever" - that's what you said
 
   forever's not as long as it used to be
   if it was you would still be here with me
   you promised me that - i took you at your word
   did it end a little early - i hadn't heard
   i thought that it was farther than anyone could see
   but it seems like forever's not as long
   as it was to be...

it's not something that you say at the drop of a hat
"i'll love you forever" can't be taken back
you swore it was true - even crossed your heart
so tell me where does the end of forever start

   repeat chorus

did enternity finally wind down
has the world simply stopped spinning around

   repeat chorus



Hope you enjoy this new version.
Comment's welcome.

floyd

Never heard the original, but this one is great! That Bossa percussion track is the cats meow.

Perfect headphone listen! I love how you have everything sitting in the mix.

Is the original it still up? Would be interesting to compare the two.

Hi Floyd,

Reading down your post, I got quite excited at the point -
"Country, but heavy with Rock Guitars and Head-Banging Drums"
so a little disappointed not to get that version, I went to have a listen.

OK, so the rock might have been nice, but I was no longer disappointed with this version.
The new tempo suits the lyric perfectly and now I find it hard to imagine it up at 125.
Lovely backing track and as Dave said - "That Bossa percussion track is the cats meow."

A clever lyric, which is your trademark, and your usual professional vocal delivery.

Very classy production throughout.

ROG.

Floyd, I never heard the original but this one sure is great! It's sounds like you made some very tasteful instrumentation choices here and your vocal just sets so nicely in the mix. The real star of this production for me are those top level lyrics! Man you are a very good country lyricist! Your rolling into 2018 with great material! Thanks, Torrey

Nice lyrics Floyd and convincing delivery.
Had another listen.

Cheers.

Just lovely Floyd. Great job.

Very mellow. A nice change up.

Hey, Dave! - I always mix in headphone first. And then finish (a little extra polish) through monitors - so it sounds good both ways - and that usually covers everywhere else.

Here is a link to the original. At the bottom of the page is "The 2012 Version"


http://floydjane.com/Songs/Forever.htm





Thanks for all of that, ROG.

For the "Rock Country" version check the link above that I posted for Dave and at the bottom of the page find "The other "new" version. THAT one should be played REALLY loud. It's all about the drums....

Hey, Floyd, thanks for that link.

Just checked out the Rock version and guess what - now I don't know which I like best! I mean, it wasn't ZZ Top, but the guitars were great and it DID sound good loud. Maybe, as you've accused me of before, I'm just a guitarist!

So, different as chalk and cheese, but both work SO well.

Cheers, ROG.

Love this version of the song. Love the rhythm of the backtrack. It makes the song sound unique. Hard to place a label on it other than so Original and well done. Super vocal. I loved the way you place your instruments blended together so well.

Floyd

The bossa feel and the Conga's sit absolutely perfectly with this.

You've creatively and masterfully re-engineered this song.

I really like the simplistic backing, it really seems like this was a great direction to take.

The pedal steel sits subtly and perfectly in the mix, retaining the song's country origins.

Excellent.

Your new, "mellower", version is awesome. It seems to convey the message of your lyrics a little better than the others.

Of course I loved the 2017 Rock & Drums version too!

I love the song - the original and this.

Good to hear you haven't completely abandoned those lovely strings and pedal guitar from BiaB - even if you did shift from fiddle to cello.

The percussion seems loud to me. That's not a complaint, but a realization that I'm one of those folk who you've been talking about who need to re-calibrate their ears.

Just had a listen to the original version. Pretty good too! But I like this new one much better, it sounds fresh and original to these ears.

Also had a listen to the "other" new version, it is also very good! It's an Apples and Oranges thing, I'm not sure which is my favorite to be honest.

Great song, the idea and lyrics are compelling. You should be able to sell this

Floyd,

Listened to all 3 versions. I think your latest (slower) version gives the music and lyric much better prosody - perfect match. This just so easy to listen to. A lot of people are gifted with talent - but few use that talent as effectively and creatively as you do. Virtually every one of your songs is an education in music creation and performance.

Alan

Torrey - I really do appreciate that. Growing up as a songwriter, lyrics were what mattered most to me. Melody (and production) were always secondary... I had to learn to work that end later on. Might have been better to have thought about that at an earlier age. I think that is a big determining factor to the music we (as writer/artists) end up making...

NO!!!!! Just NO!!! You can't be THIS good! Pick ONE thing and master it. Don't pick them ALL all master them! It's just not right!

So the forum starts a "many takes on the same lyric" idea, and you feel the need to just do your own version with JUST you? Really? lol

This is a prime example of how having a good lyric can both stand the test of time; but also work in many different feels.

I heard your original and thought "this sounds like a hit." It would have been that at that time; but also stills sound current. Great job!

Then I heard the "New Country" version, and thought..."oh wow. This could so work RIGHT NOW." No reference about it being from another time, just right now. Great job!

THEN I heard the slowed down version and thought "THIS is a great song." Man, talk about nailing it. SOOOOO good! The feel of this is incredible and completely gives you, I believe, the right emotion of the lyric. Just WOW!



Man....what a GREAT line! It's not just the actual lyric, but the build up to it AND where it is placed in the song. Powerful! That.Line.Hit.Me.

I haven't been in the actual situation of your song except for your song. What does that tell ya? That you can bring someone to somewhere they've never been with a craft. Incredible!


I think you need to go play golf for a while. Translation : Keep 'em comin'. I can't get enough!

Both are well produced, performed and styled,productions...But, More of a cowboy YYYEEEEEHAAA !!!! in the older one.

floyd

Enjoyed all 3 versions - enjoyable hearing the songs evolution.Great set of lyrics, liked the percussion track in the latest version, and the the slower pace does make the lyric sound more "sincere?".
Very nicely done.

Peter

Floyd,
I like the reflective lyrics and they really shine in the new version (great title by the way).
The percussion works very well - somehow you`ve made bongos sound "modern" and bringing in those pedal steel/cello "sweeteners" near the end is so nicely done.
Well worth the remodel!

Robert

Thanks, Richard...




From one mellow guy to another... thankya...

Tempo is everything regarding the feel of a song. As you once said even a few bpm's makes a difference. This is a big jump in tempo and the results showcase a huge difference in the conveyance of the lyric. Way mo betta than the previous versions. Good use of the cello and a light sprinkling of steel in all the right spots. Nicely done in all writing, production and performance aspects. The best part and a real lesson to us all is how you took a good song and elevated it to a really good song, Tom

Really good write. Powerful word play. Creative use of percussion to set the mood. And smooth flow in the arrangement.

great song!

Floyd,

I don't remember this song, but I love what you have done here... Your delivery as always is flawless and the production is so crisp. The congas are an excellent touch for the drums.

Again, loved it.

Bob

Nice of you to check out the other one, ROG...




Appreciate that, Scott..

Trev - thanks for dropping in and for such nice comments. Always appreciate it..




Thanks, Steve. The slower speed gave the lyric a "different meaning" than the original... that was the intent. Thanks for listening...

Always appreciate you stopping by, David. These drums could come down a hair (0.1 dB maybe, )... what can I say?....

Hello, floyd

I never heard the original but this one is really nice!
Conga is very effective.
Your vocal is very pleasant as usual.

It is fun to recreate old works.
I also often remake my old works.
Because the style of the song does not overlap with the current myself.
But it is difficult to judge which one is better by myself.
So I also post it to this forum.

Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks, Dave! Wasn't expecting folks to listen to all 3. It's hard enough to try to keep up on the forum these days - there is SO much music being presented... takes a lot of time to catch 'em all...

That must have been just before we joined here.
Love the song, but a little bit more verb on the vocal would have been nice, but that's just our opinion

Rob and Anne-Marie

great one,

love the write, flows effortlessly

nice bridge

enjoyed,

Kenny

Will - it is nice of you to drop in for a listen and comment... Selling songs these days is a monumental effort... Thanks.

Wow - you nailed this! From the simple structure, to the passionate vocals, to the off kilter drums - this is a truly unique, and just a great song. It’s an ear worm in the most sophisticated way, if that makes any sense. I don’t listen to a lot of country - but this sort of style within the genre is what really draws me in. It sounds sincere and heartfelt, both in the music and the vocal delivery. The lyrics are the cherry on top.


You outdid yourself - thanks so much for sharing this

floyd,

I found this version of your song a wonderful listen.

The mood that you’ve managed to create is one of reflection edged with sentimentality and wistfulness. At no time, though, do these words become weighted with either regret or bitterness. The topic matter has certainly been handled with adept penmanship.

The lyrics, your singing, the melody and the arrangement all work together like the sections of a classical orchestra and create a really fine and very satisfying overall musical journey for the listener. The clarity of the final mix is outstanding. There is no hint of muddiness nor harmonic ambiguity anywhere. At the end of the song, I simply sat there pondering everything you’d sung and how you'd presented it. That’s a wonderful testament to your abilities.

The singer/songwriter feel that, at least to my ears, seems to be the foundation stone upon which the presentation is built is an extraordinarily good choice for the production. It boosts the song's ability to resonate with sincerity and honesty.

Through my speakers, everything that I heard was




Not so long ago, I was reading through an article on literary terminology and one of the topics that I’d just finished reading when I first listened to your song was about Connotation. This is to do with choosing words appropriately to help amplify meaning of surrounding words. As I’m sure anyone who reads this can appreciate, this is the proverbial ‘bread and butter’ of lyric writing. Maybe it was because of my reading that when I heard “Everlasting red” in the first verse, light bulbs flashed inside my mind. This is SUCH a good use of connotation.

The classic image of names in a red lipstick heart; not just an ordinary red lipstick heart, though. This shade is called ‘everlasting’ red! What a skilled play on words, too! The sense of ‘everlasting’ as the lipstick is permanent as well as the love that the heart conveys. Most importantly, though, "everlasting" is the pivot to "forever" and amplifies and foreshadows the hook so incredibly well. However I look at it, this is connotation at its very, very best.

Once again, I have thoroughly enjoyed the musical and lyrical journey on which you have taken me. Thank you.

All the best,
Noel

Alan - I really appreciate that...

Two thumbs up from me.


Regards,


Bob

How could one not like THAT review? Thanks, Caaron. It's too cold for golf...

There’s so much packed in a relatively short lyric. A very memorable hook supported by rich imagery, e.g., “lipstick heart.”

Janice said the entire song reminds her of James Taylor. She further says it reminds her of his album “Gorilla.”

It’s remarkable how different the latest version is and how well it speaks the same lyric - heartbreaking still...even more so.

This version really "rips the paint right off of your heart" as Randy used to say.

J&B

beatmaster - thanks for stopping by...




Thanks, Robert. Appreciate that...

Peter - I just noticed that I "jumped over" your comments. It was not intentional by any means, but I apologized, nonetheless (makes me wonder if I've done that before and offended someone... there seem to be a number of people here who act as though I have offended them somehow - how, I have no idea...).

Thanks for taking the time to listen to all 3 versions - though, I did not intend that at the start... I agree that the slow-down gave the lyric a bit more "heart" - one of the reasons I re-did it... Thanks, again..

Another winner!

I loved the bongo country combination. Excellent work!

This is a keeper.

Did I say that?... Thanks, Tom - appreciate the listen...




Lawrence - thanks - coming from you that sits well...

Appreciate that, Bob...

Brilliant rendition! Those congas were a real stroke of genius

Shigeki Adachi - Thanks for that nice comment...




Thanks, y'all. A bit more reverb could work. But I do like that the amount here makes the vocal a little more "intimate"...

Floyd..... nice one.

This is kind of like the "unplugged" version. I don't recall the original but regardless, this one nails it nicely.

Thanks, Kenny... about time for your next one, isn't it? You've been on a real tear lately...




Deryk - what a truly nice review of this - in all regards. I really appreciate that... thank you!

Noel - your thoughts on songs are always in-depth, perceptive and enlightening... And pleasing to the writer! This is a delight. Thank you. You are such an asset to this forum - and to us all...

Thank ya, Bob...




Appreciate all of that, y'all... interestingly, I never really listened to Gorilla... I might have to go find it...

Hi, Floyd !:))


Love this !
Must be one of your absolute
best ! If I had to pick out
my favourite among your
splendid tunes it would be
very, very difficult as they
are so very good all of them !!!

Cheers
Dani

Thanks, Mario...




Icelander - nice of you to drop in....

Thanks for the listen, Herb...



Thanks, Dani...