PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)

In 2016, over 64,000 people in the US died from opioid overdoses. ( painkillers, heroin,

fentanyl) To put that number in perspective, that’s more Americans killed by opioids in 365

days than were killed during the entirety of the Vietnam War. Opioids in America are more

than a crisis, they’re a national emergency.I read an article recently in the USA Today

about the opioid crisis in Middletown, Ohio. Having lived some of my childhood in small

Ohio towns, I had a connection to this type of town. I sent the article to Bud Merritt and

then dove right in and started writing. He sent back some lines that formed the basis of

the second verse and first pre chorus. Janice then added her brilliant harmony. Thanks to

all that listen and comment.


https://soundcloud.com/tommyad/middletown

https://tommyadamsmusic.com/music



RealTracks in song: 1522:Bass, Electric, PopPower8s Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 1038:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev065
RealTracks in song: 1037:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~2503:Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 085
Royalty free loops

Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboard, Tom Adams
Harmony vocal, Janice Merritt
Recorded in Logic Pro X
Plug Ins : Nectar 2, Neutron 2, Ozone 8, Tonal Balance, Waves LinMB, Waves, L3-LL Multi Limiter, Scuffam Amps S-Gear, Waves Vocal Rider




Middletown

The only sound in Middletown
are the sirens screaming in the night
Stores closed up and the mill closed down
And another angel’s taking flight


All we got is family getting smaller everyday
Friends have turned up missing guess they couldn’t stay


She got that call again you know it’s happened twice
All his answers shot into a vein
Round here Dying’s just another part of life
But No No Not this way



she is just Too wasted to turn another trick

The kitchen table’s always such a wreck

her only son is chasing their next fix

And trying to cash her unemployment check


lined up at the pawnshop whatever they can sell
It’s sad to see how my hometown gave up and went to hell


She got that call again you know it’s happened twice
All his answers shot into a vein
Round here Dying’s just another part of life
But No No Not this way

©2018 Thomas Adams/Bud Merritt

Tom , Bud & Janice

Superb, thought provoking lyrics, and a wonderful production.
Tom - loved the vocal, guitars and keyboard - beautiful mix.
Janice - spot on backing vocals and the little haunting lead "no no" part.
Truly exceptional.

Peter

Tom, Bud & Janice,

A heartbreaking and beautifully written song. The vocals and production are incredible - pro all the way and really drive the emotional aspects of this song home.

Well done - does not get better than this...

Bob

This is one hell of a powerful song!

These lines really moved me:

"She got that call again you know it’s happened twice
All his answers shot into a vein
Round here Dying’s just another part of life
But No No Not this way"

I think the last anti-drug song that moved me this much was John Prine's "Sam Stone".

This should be the theme song for an anti-opioid campaign.

This is a keeper for sure.

Hits right to the heart of the matter..outstanding production, and feels "right" for the topic/lyrics.

My favorite lyric element: "But No No Not this way"

BTW...was the drum track generated with RD's?

Excellent in every way.

To my ears, it's got a strong Warren Zevon vibe.

Great stuff.

Wow, such a powerful song! Excellent write, you really brought the story home (it's a big problem here too)

Production of course is totally pro, and it's the little things that really stand out and make it special. The second "no, no, not this way" line for example with just Janice.

Really good guys and gal!

Ouch!

Powerful, and punchy. So close to home for America. Painful subject, but you handled it so well.

The subject matter at hand is so heart breaking for our country. Whenever I read about, and see pictures, I really want to cry.

Tom, Bud And Janice...

This is STUNNINGLY good.

Songwriting at its very best. Not a wasted word. Every line is excellent. Every line is important. So much said in so few words.

The production is (as always) clean, clear, concise. No fat. Stellar mix.

The vocal has the empathy required. The harmonies are exquisite.

Y'all are all pros.

Extraordinary.

fj

We certainly appreciate your review Peter. Thank you from all three of us, Tom

We

Thanks Peter! Considering the small contribution I (Bud) made I consider Tom to be very generous in listing me as a co-writer. Janice quickly fell into the harmony and it was Tom’s skillful editing that created her little lead from a harmony line.

Appreciate the nice comments!

Bud

Bob, Thank you for the wonderful comments, Tom

Wow Tom what an awesome song and vocal. Awesome write Tom, Bud and Janice and such a beautiful harmony.
I have to respond to the lyrics separately.
The lyrics were so heart wrenching. It just seems the tragedy we are subjected today just keeps getting more and more extreme each day. That fentanyl just seems so insane why anyone would want to use it. Even the people cleaning up after these overdoses are getting wacked with just trace amounts of it lying around. Sad song awesome delivery

It is quite the compliment to have a John Prine reference in this review. Thanks, Tom ( back in my Chicago days I heard Prine do Sam Stone before he had a record deal. He remains a favorite)

Wow - you guys absolutely nailed this. It is so haunting, and so moving. The subject matter of this one really hits close to home for me personally. It isn't often you see this issue addressed. Topic aside - this is a brilliant write and perfectly executed. Your harmonies on the chorus gave me goosebumps. Simply beautiful, and incredibly touching.

Thanks so much for sharing this You guys should be very proud of this one.

Here's one for the forum hall of fame, for sure!!! Powerful and painful, brilliant and beautiful, stellar and stunning!! Easiest way to sum it up.....everything done right, nothing done wrong. My favorite for both of you, and THAT is saying A LOT!!! Love it!! Take care. Greg

Hi Tom,

A great song, beautifully performed and mixed.

It comes across at first as a really nice rock ballad, until you start to pick up
on the lyrics and then it gets difficult to listen to without being moved.

A very powerful and clever piece of writing.

Cheers, ROG.

Yep..... got to agree, this is a really poignant song about a topic that is difficult at best to write about.

Thanks much. The drums were cut from loops, Tom

Sad and beautiful Tom! It's packed full of truth that many can relate to! As for the production .... It has the awesome sonic quality an high production level we have come to expect from you! Great work! Thanks, Torrey

Nothing better than a great story to carry a great ballad through. I love the power that the backing vocals add. Nice work on the production.Congrats to all involved. Rob

Tom, Janice & Bud,

This song opens up so pretty and melodic it takes a while for the depth of the lyrics to sink in... this is a powerful and moving picture of such a devastating problem. Its an epidemic here as well and as a parent who tried a few things in my youth, the deadly potential of one choice to pop that party pill scares me.
Great vocal delivery and lovely harmonies.


Robert

Hi People.

Love your song.
Realistic contemporary feel.
Great lyrics and drama sympathetically presented.
Like the ghostly no no not this way.

Cheers.

Thanks David, Tom Dave, thank you for all your support. We appreciate the fine review, Tom

David, it is a heartbreaking subject. Sometimes it needs to be said. I think we all share the pain. Tom Thank you much. I guess they all can’t be love songs. Whenever I feel down about this music thing I can always look back at your reviews and become reenergized. Your opinion means a lot to us all, Tom

Thank you Scott. We appreciate the kind words. Tom Derek, we are glad it touched you. That’s what it’s all about. Thanks, Tom

Hello, Tom, Janice & Bud,

I think that difficult themes are being expressed beautifully.
The way to use the piano and the drums is wonderful.
Vocals and harmonies also fit spectacularly this song.
It is a splendid collaboration.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Greg, that sure is a great review! Thanks, Tom ROG, thank you for stopping by. We appreciate the kind words, Tom

Thanks Herb, Tom Torrey I am glad you came by. Thanks, Tom

Thanks Bob. Janice and I were excited to play a part in this. Tom’s production carried the message so well...just the right touch.



Playing a part, albeit small, in a song that you mention in the same paragraph with Sam Stone is overwhelming. Sam Stone to this day is about as strong as it gets. Thank you Mario.

J&B

this is so different to what Ive heard on Showcase..such a well developed song with such haunting melody licks and vocal backing..this is a powerful song that deserves to be out there not covered by another artist but by you...brilliant

Glad you liked it, Tom Thank you Robert for the kind words, Tom

Such a sad, sad thing this epidemic is. Great job on the song and the very moving production by you all.

Thanks y’all! That line was all Tom’s idea including using Janice’s harmony line solo.

Bud

Thanks Richard, Tom We are surely glad you liked it, Tom

Thanks! Tom has a heckuva with with being powerful and punchy...but with relatively few words. So effective.

Bud

That is most kind of you mr jane. Tom is THE man on this production. As I've mentioned my contributions were relatively minor and Janice? Well what can I say w/o showing all my bias. What the heck....she nailed it all in one take. So there

Bud

Hi, Tommy, Janice & Bud !

This must be one of your
absolute best tunes at least
in MHO ! Super lyrics and
vocals make the icing on this
wonderful cake !

Congrats to all involved !

Cheers
Dani

Thanks Scott. It is a sad story indeed. And I get very tired of hearing folks blame nobody but the users when these drugs are frequently prescribed like candy.

J&B



Thank you Deryk. We appreciate you mentioning the write and the harmony. Tom did an amazing job with the entire production.

J&B



Wow! Those are might kind words Greg...and they are greatly appreciated.

J&B

ROG, thank you. We always appreciate your thoughts!



Thanks Herb.


J&B

Great and powerful message song, could not be any better written or performed. I thought that was Janice doing harmony.

Tom, Bud and Janice,

This is an incredibly powerful write and an equally powerful presentation. The vividness and starkness of your story really hits home. A few years ago, I lost a family member to prescription medication and a large part of that medication included the opioids oxycondone and oxycontin. The tragedy still haunts me. Stories such as yours need telling over and over and over. Only then will people hear.

The arrangement is outstanding. I loved the thump thump thump sound of the drums. For me it was like a racing heartbeat. The tension that they created drove the song like a paramedic racing to the scene of disaster. These drums added to the urgency and and the sense of helplessness of the situation.

I have no doubt that this song will make a difference somewhere to someone. You've all done a really great job. Thank you for making a difference.

Noel

hi tommy really great song leaves a impression on your heart excellent job guys thanks eric

Frankie, thank you so much for stopping by. We appreciate the kind words. Tom Thanks Josie. This song was a social commentary on a harsh reality that touches nearly all of us in one way or another. Tom

Dani, thank you for the kind words, Tom

Clifton, Thank you for stopping by. We really appreciate it, Tom Noel, I am sorry for your loss. We didn't mean to bring up sad memories. The song is meant to be a social commentary on a harsh reality. The drums played a big part in this and thanks for pointing that out. I don't know if this song will make a difference in regards to this huge problem but it made a difference for us. Thank you for taking the time to comment and share part of your experience with us, Tom Eric, Thank you for coming by and commenting, Tom

Thanks Torrey...and, yep, that sonic quality Tom does is remarkable.

J&B




Thanks Rob!

J&B



Thanks Robert...it is sad indeed and more so that more help cannot be afforded to both the victims and to stop the circumstances that allow so much of that product to reach the streets.

J&B

It's a song and a prayer and a plea.



As to the writing and performances and production - exceptional in every way!

I'm particularly drawn to Janice' harmony. The notes chosen and the performance.

And also to the overall arrangement, the mix of instruments and percussion and the choices made in bringing them in and out of the song.

So tragic, yet a wonderful song.

Lawrence, Thank you for the wonderful review, Tom

Robert, we understand your feelings completely. Just today we received some sad news about a niece's addiction. Who would have ever dreamed it would come to this?

J&B



Thanks you! Tom created that part from Janice's harmony and it very pleasantly surprised us.

J&B

Thank you Shigeki, we agree that Tom really created a great arrangement for the tune. Thanks for mentioning the harmonies also.

J&B




Thanks for the kind and supportive comments!

J&B



Thank you Josie,

J&B



Thanks for listening and commenting Dani.

J&B

Looks like it's all been said, and deservedly so.
A stunning piece of work, big congratulations to all concerned.

John

Thanks and we appreciate you mentioning the harmony.

J&B



Noel, your reviews always are insightful, thought provoking and very meaningful to us.

We are sorry to hear of your loss - it’s all so tragic.

We couldn’t agree more about the drums. When Tom sent us the mix we were transfixed by it all.

Thank you very much.

J&B





Thanks Eric!

J&B

Awesome song with a great message. Very nicely done.

We appreciate your thoughtful and supportive remarks. Janice was swept away by the song and fell right into that harmony past. Thank you for mentioning it.

Bud




Great to hear from you John and thanks for the kind words!

J&B



Thank you Samuel!

J&B

Thanks for sharing this tommyad, very important topic to bring light to. Great instrumentation choices too. Well done!

Oh wow! heck of a piece!Don't know what else to say other than one cannot go wrong with Tommy and Bud.

Mike B.

John, It is always good to hear from you. Thanks for the wonderful comments, Tom Samuel, Thanks for dropping by. We appreciate it, Tom

Truly great work!
We've seen documentaries about this on Dutch television as well.
You guys managed to create a great pop song on this subject.
Very well done!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Joe, Thanks for dropping in. We are glad you did, Tom Mike, Glad you liked it, Thanks, Tom RnAM, The addiction problem here in America is at crisis level. This song was meant as a social commentary that we hope at some small level could touch someone and maybe make them think twice about bad choices, Tom

Wow!



I've been negligent in my participation.