Wrote the song at the end of January 2023. The title comes from my songwriting friend, Ron Beliveau. He said he was working on a song with that title but decided to change it. A few minutes later I came up with the chorus and the song was halfway home.

https://fredgrittner.bandcamp.com/track/when-i-get-there

When I Get There

Riding round the world tonight
I’m out on a spree
Drink in hand I’m golden
I’m fond of being free
I’ll be moving closer
To the dawning of the day
Good thing being lost
You never go astray

CHORUS
Don’t question what I’m saying
It’s true, I’m on the square
Don’t know where I’m heading
I’ll know when I get there
Don’t know where I’m heading
I’ll know when I get there

The world keeps on changing
That’s always been the plan
Those who won’t believe it
Have a short attention span
Go on and try to fight it
Throw your hardest punch
The future’s always hungry
You’ll be breakfast maybe lunch
CHORUS

We’re all navigators
On an ocean known as time
Some days we go straight ahead
Some days a crooked line
Inching through the narrows
Sailing on the open sea
Searching for a coastline
Where we were meant to be
CHORUS

©2023 Fred Grittner All Rights Reserved


RealTracks in style: 1293:Bass, Electric, TexMexCountry Ev 120, 1292:Accordion, Rhythm TexMexCountry Ev 120, 2201:Guitar, Nylon, Background CountryBrent Ev 120, 1294:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexMexCountry Ev 120
RealDrums TexMexCountryEv8^2-a:Groove, Shaker & Scrapper, b:QuarterRide, Shaker & Scrapper

Fred, this truly a fantastic song.

Very Jimmy Buffet like, and that is a very good thing.

Super vocal with a very clear mix - brilliant.

Loved it

Thanks, Mario. It came really fast and being semi-philosophical, I needed to keep the music and groove light, hence the tropical vibe. Happy you got it!

Man, thats a good song. Excellent production values and great mix. I'm still tappin my foot LOL. Very enjoyable listen, thanks for posting.

Rick

Nicely done. Jimmy Buffett yacht rock...

Thanks, Rick. I appreciate you commenting.

Thanks. Yup, that was the vibe I was going for. The character in the song is probably a Parrot Head!

Hi, Fred.

This is one of those songs that pulled me in from the first few notes.

Excellent work all around. Very pleasant listen.

Thanks, David. I’m getting similar comments from my Facebook friends. It came fast and I know some of best songs happen that way.

Hi Fred ..,.

I always smile when I see a new one from you. You have such a pleasant vocal delivery.

Great song. Have to echo the Buffett comments. This is some serious ear candy. Really nice work in all facets. Take care.

Alan

Upbeat song with a smiling attitude towards life and the future, something we can all relate to.
Many nice lines, especially the whole second verse. I hope I'll know when I'm there
The music supports pleasantly the lightness of the theme. I really like the band, the accordion is perfect choice.
And pleasant vocals also, somehow reminds me of music by Steve Young from this forum.

Janne

Thank you! That made me smile.

Thanks, Janne. I’ll have to check out Mr. Young!

I just realized that most of the comments are posted by people like me that upload their songs to the forum. I appreciate their feedback but I wish that the many hundreds who are listeners would post their thoughts. You don’t have to be a songwriter or Band in a Box “pro” to tell us what you like (or don’t.) For myself, I’d like to know your thoughts, observations, feelings ….

You do know that it works both ways don't you Fred?
Mind you, I don't have "...the many hundreds.." experience.

With the accordion and other instrumentation it has a definite Ry Cooder Chicken Skin Music vibe to it though the vocals are much mellower.
A little manual de-essing would be nice as, occasionally,the sibilant bits seem to jump - could be the reverb.
The bass seems to lean a wee bit left.

RayC,
Thanks for the comments. I was referring to the most popular posters who garner many hundreds of views. I would like those who view to feel comfortable posting a comment. It seems like an echo chamber at times. None of us, me included, post a gem each and every time.

I really do appreciate your comments about sibilants. The bass is straight down the middle in my mix, so I can’t explain why you hear it panned left.

Not my genre, but I listened anyway ... and I like what you have done.
Interesting combination of percussion elements, the accordion and your vocals that captivates me as a listener.
Good arrangement, good mix...nothing to complain about

Thanks. “Nothing to complain about.” That’s high praise, indeed!!

Very enjoyable vibe - perfect for summer! "Good thing being lost, You never go astray" what a great line!

Great vocals too.

We love those Tex/mex tracks, especially the accordion.

Janice was swaying to the song from the start and picturing Flaco Jiminez playing in front of her.

Your warm and mellow vocal delivers the thoughtful lyric in an uplifting way. The last verse is really nice!

All wrapped in a fine mix also.

Enjoyed it!

J&B

Beautiful song
Excellent mix excellent use of real tracks great vocals great lyrics
Reminds me of the Parrot Head beach tunes of Jimmy Buffett but better.
Excellent!

Dewey, thanks for listening and your comments.

Thank you J&B. I'd love to have Janet sing on one of my songs. She is so good. And I love Flaco. I got to see him and his band 35 years ago. I loved his work with Ry Cooder.

Thanks, Elliott. I went through several demos before hitting on this style. It felt right but I knew it had a JB feel.

Love the feel, Fred. Good write. Excellent vocal and relatable lyrics. I really enjoy the percussion in this, and the addition of nylon guitar and accordion was a terrific idea. Much enjoyed. Kind of in-the-saddle-and-moseying-along song.

Well done, Fred. (of course)

Thanks, Marty.

Thanks, Floyd.