Hi, all:

So when James and I first started thinking about collaborating, he sent me, along with "I'll Love You, Always" (posted earlier), a mix of instrumentals he had been working on. And then, I think perhaps as an add on, James also sent a few poems he had recently penned. The opening lines of one of those poems struck me, particularly given the environment we all find ourselves in . . . so I picked up my guitar, and from there this song was born. The poem was titled "Hand in Hand with Me," but for hopefully obvious reasons, we've decided to change the title of this song to "Wake Me Up".

In its construction, I ended up using the third verse of James' poem as a chorus, and then to give the song some sense of build as it progressed, worked in three key changes. I had originally planned a Paul Simon "Graceland" (African) type vibe supporting this, but ended up veering in a somewhat different direction, hopefully retaining an intended degree of some rock element.

Anyway, here's the culmination of it all. Hope you enjoy it.

Here's the song:

WAKE ME UP

Here are the lyrics:

Oh, wake me up when these strange times are over;
when foolish things have ceased to be.
We’ll walk around and tarry a while,
while you are here, hand in hand with me.

Oh, wake me up when the madness is gone,
and you are back and here with me.
Come, take my hand—and make life worth living—
and stay, if you can, hand in hand with me.

The days are gone when we walked together
in pastures fresh, with sights to see ...
Oh, take my hand, for love is worth having
And stay, if you can, hand in hand with me.

The night is dark and endless, I fear—
and time’s ahead, where you may not be.
By morning's light, I’ll dream once more
of the only love who is meant for me.

Oh, wake me up when you’re back once more
And call my name so tenderly . . .
I’ll gaze upon the sweet soul you are,
And pray, hand in hand, that you’ll walk with me.

The days are gone when we walked together
in pastures fresh, with sights to see ...
Oh, take my hand, for love is worth having
And stay, if you can, hand in hand with me.

Oh, wake me up when these strange times are over;
when foolish things have ceased to be.
We’ll walk around and tarry a while,
while you are here, hand in hand with me.

And here's the band:

Guitar: RealTracks 900: Acoustic, Strumming FolkRockWaltz
Guitar: RealTracks 898: 12-String Acoustic, Strumming FolkRockWaltz
Guitar: RealTracks 862: Electric, HardRockWaltzSustain Strummed
Guitarron: RealTracks 2823: MariachiWaltz
Mandola: RealTracks 3127: Rhythm AmericanaFolkWaltzAndy
Mandoin: RealTracks1430: Rhythm PopWaltz
Vocals: RealTracks 3064: Vocal Oohs, Rhythm Pop3-part
Drums: PopRockWaltzMarch

Dear 'Deej56' and 'musician17'...

Based on my experiences of working with other songwriters on this forum, I've come to the happy conclusion that 'successful' musical collaborations could be compared to the joy that is felt between lost twins when they find each other, again .

Wake Me Up has the sound of a pair of traveling troubadors who wander from village, to town, to cities, regaling their found audiences with songs that tell of their adventures, their loves, their tragedies, and more. The loping rhythm you achieve with that powerful chorus of strummed guitars lends a liberating, all-is-well feeling to the song that would irresistibly invite its listeners to sing along with you loud and strong. The rising key changes escalate the emotion in the song in an exuberant crescendo that suggests it might never end.

The song's theme of undying friendship and love is sturdy and reassuring. Gentlemen, you really made the clouds part and the sun shine with this production!

Sincerely,

LOREN/'bluage'

Hi Deej and James,

What a wonderful listen!

As Loren so eloquently says in the post above this one, "Gentlemen, you really made the clouds part and the sun shine with this production!" He's hit that proverbial nail fair and square on the head.

I love the 6/8 feel. It's reminiscent of so many folk songs that it immediately tugs as the strings of familiarity and settles very comfortably on the psyche. The lyric language is a standout for me. I love how you've incorporated phrases and words from times past. This language ices the folk song cake with a flourish of pizzazz.

Then there's Deej's singing... WOW!!! The writing, the arrangement, the production and the presentation are super.

And if that wasn't enough, the key changes lifted my heart and soul and put a smile on my face. Perfect!

I find it very rewarding to listen to a song as polished as this one.

All the best,
Noel

Thank you so much, Loren and Noel, for such beautiful and wonderfully detailed comments!

Just wanted to say a public word of thanks to Deej56. What a tremendous job he's done on these lyrics of mine - and I could tell from the first, demo recording he sent me that he really, really worked so hard on it - which, as a lyricist, one always appreciates :-) And the work has really borne fruit, I feel - AND he's an absolute gentleman, a complete pleasure to work with at all times ... there hasn't been a single stage of the creative process when he hasn't asked me for what I personally thought, etc., even when I was more than happy to let him work unhindered! The end result says it all, I feel ... so thanks Deej - hope we can work again together sometime, whenever time allows and inspiration moves for both of us?

I'll happily take the credit for the "words from time past", Noel, haha ... glad you liked them! The rest (vocals, music, production, mix, etc. etc. etc.) is all Deej at his best :-)

It's worth it all, as Loren so eloquently says, when a collaboration is as successful as this one. I'm sure you'll understand me, therefore, when I say that I feel like I'm walking on Cloud Nine at the moment :-) Thanks Deej, one more time, and thank you - every single one of you - for being ever so kind as to listen and comment!

Good song! Excellent writing and vocal. Also really like the feel to this track, great groove.

Collaborations are always fun to listen to, and this is a very good one indeed, well done.

A nice collaboration, y'all.

Has a sort of "Pete Seeger feel" to it. Nice use of the acoustic guitars.

The modulations were a good idea and worked well for the song.

Deej - your vocal is really well recorded and well placed in the mix. Very well done.

fj

Deej & James, this is a wonderful collaboration. You guys each have enough talent to make engaging music, but together the result is much more magic than just one plus one. Really cool 3-quarter song, and the modulations is a great idea. Well done!!

Deej & James,
There`s a rousing feel to those acoustic guitars driving this fine collaboration. You took me back to folk club open mikes where this song would be right at home... in fact its hard not to clap and sing along.
Excellent lyrics and a standout vocal- well done!

Robert

Thanks everyone for all of your kind comments - I'll, as graciously and gratefully as I possibly can, accept the wonderful words said about the lyrics and thank you all for them once again ... whilst joining all of you in the deserved compliments to Deej for every other aspect of the collaboration. I'm so glad you all liked it - thanks again and enjoy a wonderful weekend, whether you celebrate anything or not during it.

This is the best music forum I know of - so, again, a word of thanks to PGMusic, too, for enabling all this through this amazing so-much-more-than-a-mere-product of yours!

This is what happens when two outstanding musicians get collaborate on a song. I knew it was going to be a winner before I even heard it!

But when I did........WOW! This is absolutely fantastic. Love the vibe you have on this one. A great folk song in 6/8. You had me from the first measure. Outstanding backing tracks topped with a super vocal and fantastic lyrics.

I bet you can guess that I really liked this one!

Very cool collaboration Excellent vocal harmony and backtrack

Glad you enjoyed it, Mario and Scott - thanks for listening and for your wonderful comments!

"Oh, wake me up when these strange times are over;
when foolish things have ceased to be.
We’ll walk around and tarry a while,
while you are here, hand in hand with me."

Great lines and even more so nowadays.

Well done guys. The best of each of you shines like a
beacon through this one.

The excellent lyric is carried so nicely by the vocal. And
that vocal is well processed and sitting just right in the mix.

Others mentioned the acoustic guitars....they are nice indeed.

Collabs are fun on the forum and this is a fine example!

Oh, and the waltz groove worked well.

J&B

Great collaboration Deej and James! Your vocal is setting right in the pocket! Great work all around! Thanks, Torrey

Rousing and enjoyable.
Lovely mix, excellent vocals, stirring guitars, & an excellent arrangement.

Excellent collaboration and a really top notch song.

Peter

Thanks everybody for your kind words! It was great fun to provide the words for Deej to do his usual magic thereupon! :-) Thanks again for listening!!!

Loren, Noel, Dave, Floyd, Robert, Marty, Mario, Scott, J&B, Torrey, and Peter:

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you all. Really appreciate the listen and glad this one resonated. It was a lot of fun to put this one together and James was a pleasure to partner with. My best to all of you and hope you and yours are staying safe and well.

Deej

Deej & James.

Such unusual and good collaboration. Listens very well. Lyrically and musically very supportive of our current situation. Well done in all respects. Congrats to both of you! Enjoyed it and thank you for sharing.

Misha.

When things are normal, I go to several renaissance faires each year and listen to a lot of old songs with wonderful melodies. This sounds like it came from that trove of music. Very nicely done, and of course having that great vocalist helps.

Misha and TuneMonger:

Thanks so much for the listen and the kind comments. It's much appreciated by us both. Glad you enjoyed the tune.

My best to both of you,

Deej

Congratulation for another successful collaboration. Great folk tune that suits these days with a nice positive message. Sounds very Celtic which is a very good sign in my book The chorus is super catchy, I can imagine big audience singing this along in a live concert. The modulation is clever idea, it gives extra power to already powerful antheme. Vocals are top quality. The arrangement works perfectly, although I was wondering how a fiddle would fit in.

Janne

Cool song!! Love the traditional folk vibe which comes through! Great arrangement and vocal!! Very nice stuff guys!! Take care. Greg

WOW!
This song made my ears ache for more!
The music, lyrics and vocals are just s-o-o good brothers...
Thanks for posting it, I really enjoyed listening to it.

Thanks jannesan, Greg and Bawb!!! Delighted that you liked our collaboration!!!