This one just kinda flew together - trust me, it doesn't usually come together this easily! I had a thought to do a Western Swing style song Saturday night, so I just grabbed my pen and started writing the first things that came to my head. In about 20 minutes, I had the words, so I jumped over to Band In A Box, and threw together a quick arrangement to go with the words. This program is so awesome, it only took a few minutes to identify what instruments I wanted, and then after a few regenerations, I had the arrangement ready. Dropped the renderings over into Studio One, and added vocals, and here we go! (I'm sure I probably overestimated your interest in how I wrote the song, but anyway... Here is Leave Your Blues At Home.) Hope you enjoy it...

Leave Your Blues At Home

Leave Your Blues At Home
©Stephen W. Young

You've had your share of trouble
And you don't know what to do
You see pieces of the puzzle
But you're looking for a clue
You say you're sad and lonely
You say you're feeling blue
You say you need some company
I can say I've been there too
If you need to get away
To rest your weary bones
You can come on down to my house
But you can leave your blues at home

I don't want to minimize
The things you're going through
But you're living in the shadows
You need a different point of view
It's time to make some changes
I know it's hard to do
You can rise above the ashes
You can see your dreams come true
You can take your stand for freedom
And you'll never be alone
You can come on down to my house
But you can leave your blues at home

Please hear what I am saying
I mean no disrespect
I hate to see you struggle
But your song's not over yet
Start dancing to this happy beat
I'm sure you won't regret
Can't wait to see you smile again
I hope you won't forget
I'm always right here for you
Not throwing any stones
You can come on down to my house
And you can leave your blues at home

Here are the RT's/RD's used...
RealTracks in song: ~541:Bass, Electric, Pop Sw 190
RealTracks in style: ~1131:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm WesternSwingWarmA-B Sw 190
RealTracks in style: ~815:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Western Swing Sw 190
RealTracks in song: ~1135:Pedal Steel, Rhythm WesternSwing Sw 190
RealTracks in song: ~1544:Fiddle, Background WesternSwing Sw 190
RealTracks in song: 818:Guitar, Electric, Soloist CountryClassicSwing Sw 190
RealDrums [in Song:BoomChickaSw^01-a: Blue Rods, b: Blue Sticks

Stephen,
Really nice!
My view is, the best tunes are the ones that come easy. Probably much more chemistry behind that... Most likely it was "cooking" inside of you for some time and then arrived at the surface without a warning

Very tasteful, masterful work in capturing this beast in proper moment of time! Enjoyable both musically and lyrically.

Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

I was a little worried you'd lifted too much Cash in the verse melody but you moved on from the similarity pretty quickly.
The hand claps REALLY help.
Nifty, crisp and up tune - good one!

Steve,

I love this! You sound great doing western swing...

A great vocal, lyric and mix.

Nothing left to say - very much enjoyed!

Bob

Hi Steve. I've found my best songs come together really fast. Love this tune its a throw back to the days of great music.
Every thing works well your band selection is spot on. Great vocals and production are excellent. Rob

I love when a project comes together so seamlessly. Thanks for sharing!

Steve, you have not overestimated MY interest in how songs get written.

This is a clever write and expresses thoughts in an original way that I (for one) have had, and also at times have heard directed at me with less art. Your voice always feels comfortable and un-strained, and this time was especially smooth sounding. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Always interested in the songwriting process that people use, so thanks for adding that!

Good song Steve, amazing to me that you could write those lyrics so quickly. The "band" sounds great, perfect choice of instruments, as does your vocal.

Enjoyed the listen!

Steve,

Great hook! The write has the comfortable, simple, said-just-right feel of a Hank Williams song. (That's a compliment, btw)

The swing production suits it perfectly and the mix is excellent. Strong vocal (as always).

Hard not to enjoy... chair dancing...

fj

An excellent Western Swing tune with a good hook...
All thats missing is Bob Wills voice urging you & the musicians along with an "Ah-Ha"...
Good job on this one.

From Bob Wills to Asleep At The Wheel we LOVE Western Swing! And, man, this is right in the pocket.

Two and a half minutes of pure joy.

You have an obvious real feel for this genre...guess being from Texas doesn't hurt

Janice and I have worked a bit with WS and always felt the WS RT's are some of the best.

Great band, vocal performance and write...the whole package.

Much fun!!!

J&B

Hello Steve, what a marvelous song I might say! Very cool you were able to create this in a short amount of time. Fantastic selection of instruments here and the mix sounds well polished too. The lyrics are quite fun. Keep it up!

"20 minutes" You've got to be kidding Steve! It takes me a couple of weeks to put some lyrics together! This is such a beautiful clean production! Your vocal is absolutely perfect! Great band going on in the background with excellent choices all the way around! Pro level all the way! I can hardly believe all the great material being presented by so many members of this forum community! Thanks, Torrey

Sounds great. Very nice mix with vocals and song. Especially nice with the doubling on vocals and harmonies at the end. I am considering BIB and keep listening to user songs to get a good representation of capabilities and this one stands out.

Steve, I love the sentiment in your lyrics. The song and your vocals convey the message perfectly.
Cheers,
Mike

Excellent western swing!

a great write and delivered beautifully

enjoyed the listen,

Kenny

First thought.... Asleep at the wheel.....

Man, isn't it sweet when that happens? 20 minutes and you got a solid lyric idea.... a few minutes later with BB and you got the song. It doesn't often happen that way, at least not for me, but when it does.... it's like God is talking to me directly.

Loved everything about this song.

Really well done! I wouldn't have known it came together so seamlessly, but it's never a bad thing when it works out that way. Love the upbeat groove on this, and your vocals are top notch. Definitely getting some throwback vibes on this too - I can imagine it'd sound great performed live.

Thanks so much for sharing

Thanks, Misha! I agree, sometimes the ones that come easy are a little more "inspired", and come easily out of your heart. I think that's probably what happened here. Thanks for your nice words!



Thank you, rayc! This style at this tempo will probably remind you of another rendering of this genre, most of the time. At least it does to me. This style was originally the "dance music" of its day. To me, todays' "dance music" also has a lot of similarity between each song. Tempo and beat run together, as in the Western Swing. Western Swing sure is fun, though (at least to me)!

Thanks for your comments!



Thanks so much, Bob! Means a lot to me. I've always really enjoyed Western Swing, but this is the first time I've attempted to do it.

I wish my Dad were alive to hear this one. He was a musician (had a band that entertained the troops in WWII), and taught me the basics to playing the guitar (3 chords!). He actually met Bob Wills and hung out with him some while he was in Galveston for some gigs with the Texas Playboys. My dad was always very impressed with the music of Bob Wills. I think he would have enjoyed hearing me at least attempt to do this!

Thanks again for your kind words, Bob!

===

Steve

Catchy feel-good song, great work in such a short time Arrangement and mix is so perfect that I'd actually like to hear this played on an old gramophone, just to get that authentic feel of times when life was simple but happy

Janne

Thanks so much, Rob! Appreciate your comments!



Thank you very much, Dave! This one kinda wrote itself. Once in a great while that happens, and I'm always glad when it does. Thanks for your kind words,.



Thanks, Floyd! Always appreciate hearing from you. Really appreciate the Hank Williams comment. He wrote so many incredible songs, and at such an early age. In my ever so humble, but accurate opinion, he was one of the greatest song writers of the last century. Thanks for stopping by!



Haha! Yep, I forgot to put the "Ah-Ha's" in there! Thanks so much for your kind words, Jim!

===


Steve

Love this,reminds me of Ray Benson.great arrangement and production Stephen.please keep em coming
thank you

Steve.....

I'm glad to echo all other comments.
This is an easy listening song and good lyrical write with no cheesiness.
Story line continuity works very well for me.
Your vocals are clear, up front, relaxed and the song is well performed.

Very well done weed hopper.....back to it.

Thanks to all of you for your kind remarks! Sorry, I have been so busy the past couple weeks, and so little time to visit here!

I keep hoping to have more time, but life keeps getting in the way!

Steve

What a fun tune Steve. Awesome vocal and lyric. This one is a real toe tapper. Guitar was excellent

Great write - fun song, super positive message without being treacly.

Sounds super on my speakers.

And no, you didn't overestimated my interest in how you wrote the song.

A happy, upbeat song with a good, clear message!! So well put together in every way. Great prosody!! Nice job on everything Steve!! Take care. Greg

Steve

Wonderful work - a joyous sound and an excellent vocal.
20 minutes well spent.

Peter

This is really fun Steve! I love the production.

I was tapping my toes the entire time!!

Love it , great production, great vocal and the instruments just jell together. Another winner . Well done

Terrific, the words and melody flowed perfectly and matched the band's prowess. One of the best I've heard on the User Showcase.

Had to give it another listen. What a cool toe tapper.

I just caught this, Steve, glad I didn't miss it! A super job, great fun to listen to and the sheen of quality over the whole production is striking; utterly pro-sounding in every respect. Thanks for a very enjoyable listen!

Cheers
John

Thanks again to everyone who is listening and posting on this one! I've been extremely busy the past few weeks. Family birthdays, grandkids, work, upcoming anniversary, preparing for Father's Day for our church, etc... Wow! I got tired, just typing that!

But I truly appreciate all of everyone's kind words! I again, hope to be around here more. I do enjoy my friends here at the forum!

Steve