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Posted By: Skyline New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/20/19 12:33 PM
This song started with some great lyrics from occasional songwriting partner Richard. I used some loops from Drums On Demand's 'My Co-Writer' range. I used BIAB to help me make the organ and flutes parts, the latter a piano part played through a flute patch. I added the electric guitar parts and vocals. More technical info can be found here.
Lyrics below. The video as usual was made from snippets culled from the internet including some from adverts for Nokia and Nivea Cream!



It seems to me like only yesterday I walked the world’s young ways,
Yearned to become a Dharma bum and while away my days.
Old friend, our paths have crossed once more, our souls still search in vain.
Our minds dwell now on journeys that we’ll never make again.

A baby boomer, born in peace, a frightened Cold War child.
I tasted all forbidden fruit; an appetite run wild.
I’ve trampled over hearts and minds that merited more care.
My eyes look back but, dulled with tears, they find no comfort there.

What days we had, they were the ones that made us what we've become.
Let’s look ahead together for another cue; for something new,
What days we could have.

But let’s not feed regret my friend, nor scold our errant ways
Or agonize on wagers lost in our remaining days.
Each sunrise is a gift bestowed to savour and renew
The hopes we had for better times, and take a fresher view.

What days we had, they were the ones that made us what we've become.
Let’s look ahead together for another cue; for something new,
What days we could have.

We travelled along pathways, worn by many feet before.
We hesitated, doubting, never opened other doors.
Did we really let it pour away like water down a drain?
Let’s gather up our strength once more and hit the road again.

What days we had, they were the ones that made us what we've become.
Let’s look ahead together for another cue; for something new.

What days we had, they were the ones that made us what we've become.
Let’s look ahead together for another cue; for something new,
What days we’ll have.
Posted By: Jim Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/20/19 01:50 PM
Great collaboration...
I really like the line...
"I’ve trampled over hearts and minds that merited more care."
I also like the touching ending in your video...
Nicely done.
Posted By: Will Josef Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/20/19 07:00 PM
Wow, that is a good song! Well done! And a good production as well!

The video is a nice touch and compliments the song quite nicely.

One question about the video because I have often been thinking about doing the same:
How do you get permission to do it? Do you just write all the people / companies and ask if you can use scenes from their videos?

I mean, if I use samples from other peoples music my video will get blocked immediately, but it seems like many content creators are using clips from other peoples videos without getting blocked? What is the secret?

Will
Posted By: rsdean Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/20/19 07:28 PM
John,

Great song and so relatable... Love the arrangement and excellent vocal.

Much enjoyed!

Bob
Posted By: Rustyspoon# Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/20/19 07:39 PM
John,
Very nice collaboration musically and lyrically. Many great lines, like this:
"What days we had, they were the ones that made us what we've become." so true.
Top notch production!

Thank you for sharing!

Misha.
Posted By: Ember - PG Music Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/20/19 07:46 PM
A lovely collaboration. Thanks for sharing.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/20/19 08:03 PM
John (and Richard),

A really nice song. The chorus kicks it up nicely. Good lyric.

Good vocals (and BGVs). Excellent production and mix. Nice guitar...

Cool video.

Excellent work all around. A real treat.

fj
Posted By: TuneMonger Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/20/19 10:15 PM
Wow, what an opus, well sung, good vid, liked it all.
Posted By: rayc Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/21/19 02:00 AM
REALLY cool.
The only thing I'd suggest is looking at TRAMPLED - it's either a serious ess issue of there's an instrument adding to it to make the T aggressive.
It does happen occasionally on a few other S sounds but it most aggressive at trampled. Maybe automate the compressor to a faster attack on that spot and other or automate the volume to address them.
Regardless - becasue my ears are a tad sensitive to essing & no one else has commented - it's a VERY cool song.
Posted By: Tangmo Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/21/19 03:40 AM
I really enjoyed this. Great production and changes throughout. I like the turn of the phrase "what days we had" to "what days we'll have" as it simply and effectively capsulizes the thrust of the lyric. I hear maybe some David Crosby in the vocals as well as in the song-writing. Anyway, emotionally works.
Posted By: BlueAttitude Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/21/19 07:44 AM
Excellent song and performance, and man, the production on this is just over the top good!

Great tone on the guitar!

Love the dynamics, hard to do with BIAB, for me anyway.

Thanks for the production notes, interesting read.

One of the best songs I've heard here, loved it!
Posted By: Deryk - PG Music Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/21/19 11:26 AM
You guys really did a good job on this one - a solid collaboration smile Nicely catchy without being overbearing, and the mix on this is superb. It really sounds professional - I wouldn't bat an eyelash if I heard this on the radio.

Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted By: Joe -PG Music Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/21/19 12:14 PM
Hey Skyline, nice work on this! Fantastic selection of instruments here and the mix sounds well polished too. All of the elements are layered very nicely. Keep it up!
Posted By: 44kfl Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/21/19 02:12 PM
A nice collaboration write!

love when the chorus comes in, the dynamics are so good there

nice guitar solo, harmony parts especially

enjoyed the listen,

Kenny
Posted By: PeterF Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/22/19 04:42 AM
John

Seriously good in all aspects. Liked what you did to get the flutes, excellent dynamics and build up,
strong vocal, and some nice guitar and bass parts - all topped off with a good video.

Great work.

Peter
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/22/19 05:58 PM
I (Bud) was born during the first week of the first month of the first year of the baby boom.

Janice is younger smile but we both just fell into this song immediately.

No need to quote lines...we loved the entire write and the terrific vocal/guitar performances and arrangement and the mix.

This is a textbook example of great dynamics -- letting the song breathe.

This is a seriously pro level sounding production that nudges the bar up for all.

Mega kudos!!!

J&B

PS And a very nice vid

Posted By: Skyline Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/23/19 06:14 AM
Many, many thanks friends for the amazing responses!
I was so pleased to be able to do justice to Richard's wonderfully evocative lyrics.

Originally Posted By: Will Josef
...
One question about the video because I have often been thinking about doing the same:
How do you get permission to do it? Do you just write all the people / companies and ask if you can use scenes from their videos?

I mean, if I use samples from other peoples music my video will get blocked immediately, but it seems like many content creators are using clips from other peoples videos without getting blocked? What is the secret?
Will


Many thanks Will. As for the videos, I look for appropriate clips/snippets on Vimeo usually, sometimes YouTube, although there's so much 'non-creative' stuff on YT it's more difficult searching. I think most people realise that once they post video work on the internet it's effectively in the public domain. But I do try and contact originators, explaining I don't intend to make money from their work. I very rarely get replies. When I do I usually get permission. I have only ever had one refusal. I do put a caption in the closing credits to cover myself in case someone does object. I hope that helps!
Posted By: Noel96 Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/23/19 09:29 AM
John,

This is absolutely fantastic!!!

Your singing is a perfect fit, the instruments and their arrangement are outstanding and the clarity of the production is what I continuously strive for but have not yet managed to obtain.

Every which way I look and listen to this it comes up first class. A super write and an equally super presentation.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening and watching!

All the best,
Noel
Posted By: Joe -PG Music Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/23/19 12:13 PM
You're welcome John! Glad to hear fresh music. Keep em coming!
Posted By: Skyline Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/24/19 05:22 AM
Many thanks Noel and Joe! Much appreciated!

John
Posted By: dcuny Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/24/19 06:39 PM
There's so much to like about the song. It's got a Tom Petty sort of feel to it.

Good lyrics, excellent tracks, well sung, immersive mix. Catchy chorus. Sounds great in my headphones.

To quote Noel: A super write and an equally super presentation..
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/26/19 09:20 PM
Wonderful job John!!! An excellent collab! Some really thoughtful lyrics, and a melody that supports the deep content. Guitar playing and production in general are top notch! Great job on EVERYTHING!!! Take care. Greg
Posted By: Skyline Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/27/19 10:35 AM
Cheers David and Greg, I really appreciate those comments. Yes, better on headphones David, I do put bits and bobs in that need a close listen!
Posted By: Torrey Bliss Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/27/19 02:34 PM
Fantastic work John! Very creative use of the video clips but above all else the vocal is so good (yours always are)! Once again you've presented top level work here! Thanks, Torrey
Posted By: Al-David Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/27/19 03:14 PM
Hi JoHn ...

Every time I see a "Skyline" post, I know I'm in for a treat. And this is just one terrific example of what I mean by that. Richard's lyric is so good and you gave such a wonderful treatment.

Your posts always sound so pro and this explains why I say that. A super song and fantastic delivery. Totally loved it!

Alan
Posted By: F.M.M. Re: New song: "What Days We Had" - 05/29/19 01:29 PM
hi john love it from the start great work here in all areas thanks eric
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