Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,981
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,981
I was 20 in 1966 - with a college deferment, and one for grad school later and then afterwards I drew a very "safe" number in the draft lottery. My best friend had already been killed in Cambodia. This song reminds me of my many conflicts of the time. Some wanted to go and went. Others didn't want to go but had no choice. Others had deferments. It seemed then and now so unfair to the extent that I harbored guilt over my deferments. Growing up with many family members who served from WWII to Vietnam I will always honor their's and all veterans' service.

Pardon this...I know it's not about me but this song is so very powerful and it elicited those emotions. And isn't that the hallmark of a great song? And this is indeed such a song with all of the fj stamps of goodness.

Tom so well stated the feelings of the time. I can't add to that.

Thanks for sharing this.

Bud (Janice was 9 in 1966 smile )




User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 212
Well, if Floyd did it, it's worth a listen :-)

Sad episode ... you're probably right, though. Most people did not feel that way about our soldiers. Just a very, very vocal minority, stirred up by political agitators and re-enforced by news anchors misrepresenting what the majority of our soldiers were like. When the talking heads say things every night, people get the idea that's what everybody thinks, and there's a natural peer pressure to buy into it. Sucks. And pisses me off, too.

Good song.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Originally Posted By: cliftond
No it;s not another Vienmam war song, it is an outstanding Vietnam war, era song. This just brings to life that period that is so remarkable in all of it's glory and horror. THis is down to earth, from someone who was in the time period. Love it Floyd.


Clifton - I appreciate you saying that. Thanks for "breaking the ice" - otherwise this would never have seen the light of day...

User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,519
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,519
To Buds comment

"It seemed then and now so unfair to the extent that I harbored guilt over my deferments."

Some of us stayed for several tours just so others did not have to go. We were happy to do that.

I am very glad you did not have to go there. We needed good people like you at home just as much as we needed people there.

Thanks,

Billy


New location, new environment, new music coming soon

Seize the moo-ment
If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
fj,


I hesitate to comment because it will require you to bump the thread to get your 15 minutes of fame, but here goes.

I like the song. A dark period in our history for sure. Well done.



Regards,

Lefty

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Originally Posted By: Noel96
floyd,

This is very, very powerful! I'm glad you pulled it out, dusted it off and unleashed BIAB. I love that ending and the ending chord. It really left me hanging in the air thinking about all you'd sung. As I'm sitting here typing this, the song and its images are still bright in my mind.

I thought it was excellent the way that you used the chorus as a kind of parallel narrative. For me, the verses were a glimpse into the mind, heart and soul of the unpopular hero and the choruses (complete with their own independent development) were a glimpse of the 'other side of the coin'. 'Heartbreaking' is a word that just sprang into my head. Your story-telling and commentary unfolded like a movie for me. First person narrative was an ideal choice of perspective.

Everything about this sits perfectly in my headphones. The acoustic guitar beginning was terrific and its sound was first class. Then as the rest of the band started joining in and building a wall of sound with musical precision and intent, I found myself getting pulled into the music and the lyrics more as a participant than a listener. I think that's why the starkness of the ending was so powerful for me. It was like I was there, a part of the history.

This song resonated with me in so many ways!

All the best,
Noel


Noel,

I am pleased that this resonated with you. You always "get" the finer points of both the writing and the production. Thanks for such a fine review...

I'm surprised that no one has fathomed a guess at what that last chord is...

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
[quote=Noel96]I'm surprised that no one has fathom a guess at what that last chord is...


Hmmm.....that sounds like a challenge. smile

Since we just moved my axes are not handy....so....unless I missed it somewhere what KEY are you in?

Back to topic....


Last edited by chulaivet1966; 05/03/18 09:38 AM.
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Nice write, glad it found the light of day. As Noel said, the "parallel narrative" is really effective.

I was wondering how long you'd hold off on the drums.

Like some others, I'd have bet you added custom guitars to the track. I keep underestimating what this program (and users) is capable of.

You can pat your 20 year old self on the back. smile


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,613
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,613
The power of this great ballad still echo's through the generations. Great write Floyd.Rob

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,815
D
Expert
Offline
Expert
D
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,815
Floyd,

Inviting acoustic right off the bat—makes me want to hear more, and the great vocal also keeps me listening. Some awesome lines lyrically, but overall to me this is missing a hook or shift somewhere in the tune to keep it fresh on the ear—I wish I was wiser musically to better express what I mean. To me, this is so close to going from really good to something special. As it stands, a well done song.

Best regards,

Deej

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Man, what a song! On my second listen as I type this.

Just a tremendous write! And the fact you did it when you were only 20 ... pretty deep stuff.

Love the production on this too, the way you start with just the acoustic and then slowly build intensity by adding in the additional instruments with the drums not coming in until the last chorus, and then that last hanging chord ....

I'm glad you decided to post this, it's an song that should be heard.


Dave - thanks for such a fine review... thanks for mentioning the last chord... a "good ending" can often be one of the little things that keep a song in your head for a little longer. I was hoping that would do that...


Originally Posted By: rayc
FJ,
You ACED IT.
In Australia we has a "hit single" in about 84 which essayed some of the things you covered. We were at a stage where we could talk about Vietnam by then - ignore the evil politics of the war and focus on the human story. If you get a chance to look up I Was Only 19 (a walk in the light green) by Redgum you may like it. Is has a different impact to your song but different is always good. Your song has incredible impact and is sung/performed perfectly for the topic, time and purpose. Well done.
I Was only 19 - Redgum
Oh, it was a hit again a couple of years ago - but as a cover by a hip hop band - odd but that's OK.
A mate & I wrote our own - but from the perspective of observing the evacuation...
It doesn't have the impact of yours and, as is usual for me, has too many words and not enough emotion - YOU get the balance right.
Solong Shuffle - Pygmy Beat



ray - I had not heard that before (I Was Only 19 ) - thanks for the link. It is heavier and more dramatic that this! Wow. I enjoyed hearing yours, too. Nice driving rhythm from the guitars. And Terry' flute is really nice... Thanks for stopping by...

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Originally Posted By: Marty Sorensen
Yes, the final chord, because it ends like Vietnam, just going on, the final chord still there when it 's only a phantom. I still remember the face of the guy who said, they killed my brother, so I'm going over there.


Thanks for having a listen, Marty...


Originally Posted By: tommyad
floyd, The sound you get is always crisp, clean and well balanced. Good choice of instruments and you skillfully added them as the build progressed. The write was advanced considering your age at the time. It shows that you were not immune to the collective feeling at the time of loss of innocence. Your chorus brings that across with some stark images. I was in my teens and twenties at that time and looking back I can say with certainty that the war affected every single person that I knew in one way or another. You have left no doubt that it affected you. Beautifully done, Tom


Tom - thanks for such a fine review. I've been working more on the sound/processing of the acoustic guitars to get them to "sit just right" - to cut through the mix, crisp and clear, and still be "subtle". I, too, was in my teens and early twenties then. It was dramatic times.

User Showcase
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,789
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,789
Hello, floyd

It is the first time for me to listen to the song of this genre from you.
Your rock songs are wonderful, but also this song is nice.
I thought that it expressed a sad story probably shared by all Americans very well.
I was deeply impressed.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Originally Posted By: chulaivet1966
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
I never dreamed I would post this song.
I've never even considered recording it.
This is a snapshot of a specific time in our history.
And the reactions and feelings from certain segments of America.
It tells the story of a "conflicted" veteran.


Per our previous PM conversation I'll echo all other comments.
One gains many new perspectives when one experiences the true face of war, the brutality of it all and coming to grips of what's expected of you when faced with the challenging circumstances every day.
One can't unsee any of the images or reconcile many of the experiences at such a young age.

But, no complaints here....that's life.
Carry on.....back to topic.


Wayne - I really appreciate you giving me your reaction to this prior to posting. It was important that this be "okay" for those who were actually there. I know that we cannot possible know - or even come close to imagining - what that was like. Trying to do so, boggles the mind, breaks my heart and brings a lump in my throat and a tear to the eye...

Thanks for your opinion.

Thanks for your service.


(from your other post - the song is in the key of C - I think... it repeats Am G F G for every line throughout the song. I have always thought that was C, but it might be Am. I don't know enough theory to say definitively).

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 433
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 433
Hi floyd jane,

This song has good story. Got a nice feel and moves nicely along. Make's ya realize how good North America has it. Thanks for sharing.

User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Wayne - I really appreciate you giving me your reaction to this prior to posting. It was important that this be "okay" for those who were actually there. I know that we cannot possible know - or even come close to imagining - what that was like. Trying to do so, boggles the mind, breaks my heart and brings a lump in my throat and a tear to the eye...
Thanks for your opinion.
Thanks for your service.


Your quite welcome Floyd....
You didn't have to inquire with me so I thank you for your courtesy (even though it was not necessary) and your kind words.

Ha...oh...it's "mind boggling"...that's for damn sure.

Truthfully, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't have images of that part of my life and reminded of how profound the experience was at 18 years old and how it formed who I am today.
(After 13 months in country I rotated back to CONUS and was still 19 years old.)

I have (3) songs I wrote about that experience but have been done for many years and are not BIAB creations. (Just Do It on my s/c page and Toy Guns not uploaded yet and the third one is not uploaded yet)

Ok....back to topic....thanks again.

(That last chord wouldn't be a Badd9...would it?) smile



Last edited by chulaivet1966; 05/05/18 06:30 AM.
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,426
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,426
A very moving and beautifully written song Floyd. It has a superb keening melody that fits the subject matter spot on. It gripped me to the end. That closing unresolved chord was so right - a question left hanging.

I was 18 in 1966 and remember here in the UK there was footage every night on the TV news, often more graphic than is allowed these days. For some strange reason it's common for brave people in the forces to be neglected on their return, as if forgetting them will somehow make forgetting the whole thing easier. We have a shameful record here of not doing more for the maimed who returned from Afghanistan, another unpopular campaign.

John


Songs web site
YouTube Channel
BIAB 2019
Cakewalk by BandLab
Studio One 4
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,666
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,666

Well Floyd,

I made it back alive in one piece.

Well almost..

smile


I think this song is very powerful as all your songs are, and it was a great experience to take a peek inside the head of the young songwriter, and imagining you with your trusty old Yamaha when she was young, howling at the moon.

Great stuff man.

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,679
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,679

Great sad song, Floyd

the song is excellent as usual. I like the rock guitar in background.

The subject of the song is a very important subject.
Every war has many impopular heroes.

But they will be heroes FOREVER, and they are the heroes not the others.

I would to extend the lyrics of your song, to the young American soldiers
that hardly fought in Italy during II WWar.

Thanks from an Italian man to you (now after about 60 years) for all these young soldiers surely forever heroes.

Sergio



Sergio
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Floyd,

Very powerful write and great production.Love the ending.
Bringing this from your back pages seems very appropriate to me... just watched the Ken Burns doc- this song would fit there and lose nothing to all the anthems of the day.

Robert


Appreciate that, Robert...


Originally Posted By: PeterF
floyd

Excellent writing from a 20 year old (or anyone else for that matter).
Great arrangement to go with the lyrics.

Going back for another listen.

Peter

p.s along with the song Ray mentioned another Australian song referencing this issue was Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel.
Khe Sanh


Peter - Thanks. Seems like y'all had more of those than we did!...

Originally Posted By: Scott C
Love this song Floyd. Was a very different time back then. Excellent vocal and back track. Your lyrics were powerful. As always you put together a polished professional level song. Thanks for sharing...


Thanks for listening, Scott...

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Happy Easter! Holiday Hours...

2024 is well underway - it's already Easter Weekend!

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are:

Friday, March 29: 8-4
Saturday, March 30: 8-4
Sunday, March 31: closed

Regular hours resume Monday, April 1st - no joke!

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,402
Posts732,575
Members38,444
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
Descoward, danielsk, Mark Morgan, zagrajbarke, Ernest J
38,443 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 200
Al-David 132
DC Ron 115
rsdean 84
dcuny 83
Today's Birthdays
(charlie), WobblyGstring
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5