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This is the 3rd time I have re-done this song. If you do not want to listen again, I get it. I requested more "songwriter piano RTs" because I was never satisfied with what I was able to get from the earlier pianos (for this style song). New pianos RTs are beginning to show up. But in the meantime, I taught myself to play piano so that I could do these type songs myself. I now have this the way I've always envisioned it being. I wrote this song 45 years ago. I still consider it one of the best lyrics I've written. I played piano and bass. BIAB did the background weeping... RealTracks in song: 3159:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsBrentFX Ev16 060 RealTracks in song: 2542:Pedal Steel, Background ModernBalladAtmosphere Ev16 065 CHOKING been here since ten this morning there's no end in sight just my luck, i get stuck with all the drunks tonight comes to talking troubles i'll find my voice i'm working as a waitress cause i've got no choice my feet hurt so badly i can barely stand that busboy's so damn lazy he won't lend a hand another dollar tip another pack of kents i'd quit right now if i knew how else to pay my rent sometimes i wonder what it's all for life's just a b-movie with no back door is this someone's idea of a clever joke since i was seventeen i've been choking my old man past away seven years it's been a heart attack at fifty-two his job did him in you bust your [*****] all your life but it never pays he left me here with nothing but three kids to raise i'm forty-six tommorow you think my children care it gets to where you count on them not being there they say to set your sights on the highest star that's just to keep you from seeing where you really are sometimes i wonder what it's all for life's just a b-movie with no back door is this someone's idea of a clever joke since i was seventeen i've been choking Last time. Promise. fj
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Floyd,
This is one of my favorite (if not all time favorite) song of yours. The writing is beautiful, poignant and tells such a compelling story. Amazing that you wrote this in your early 20s.
No one sings like you. This vocal gave me chills. The phrasing is spectacular and the emotion comes through on every line. I turned this way up in my music room - it sounds unbelievable.
The mix is perfect - the backing band is perfect - the piano is perfect. You don't need to revisit this one any longer. You have cut the final master...
I'll go back for many more listens. This is high musical art.
Bob
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floyd
Lovely piano, supremely evocative.
Superb work.
Peter
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They say third time is the charm. If you like this, your third version, there may be some truth to that old saying. I agree with you that you've done really superb lyrics for the song. As always, the write, performance, and production are top notch. Enjoyed number three.
Charlie
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Floyd, wow, killer song. Super arrangement, great playing on piano/bass, and tasteful accents by BiaB. Crazy good vocals. Can fully understand hanging on to this song for so long, it's something special.
I don't expect that BiaB will soon be able to provide a piano part as delicate and nuanced as what you are playing here. Would love to be wrong, BUT...there are some things perhaps best left to the humans.
GREAT song!.
Last edited by DC Ron; 02/09/25 06:00 AM.
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Floyd,
What a wonderful lyric. And your vocals are always impeccable. There's so much feeling and emotion in this one.
The piano and bass are simply stellar. The simplicity of the backing tracks says so much with so little effort.
Terrific song and performance. A true gem.
Did you have a particular female vocalist in mind when you wrote this? She's a little later on the country music scene than the time in which you wrote this, but I could hear Jennifer Nettles just tearing this one up.
But, ya know, anything Floyd Jane sings is wonderful, regardless of gendered lyric.
Best to you and yours,
Alan
Last edited by Al-David; 02/09/25 07:20 AM.
BIAB 2024 Ultra Plus-all StylePaks*Win11*32GB DDR5*Rhyzen 9745x*AT 2035 Mic*Peavey Nashville 112 Amp*Ibanez ART120* Acoustic/Electric/Washburn D200S Acoustic*Stromberg Monterey Jazz Guitar Loops: https://aldavidmusic.wixsite.com/bestmusicloops
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I agree, Floyd, this is special. Your singing on it cuts right through my heart. Truly sublime.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Hi Floyd,
Such a great write, man, if I could write something half this good I would be a happy guy!
I've heard at least one version of this one before I think, good songs stick with you.
Your piano sounds perfect from start to finish, and your vocal is as good as it gets.
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Floyd - beautiful lyrics and song, the sparse arrangement fits perfectly.
The timing & phrasing are impeccable - your voice so unique and like
none other, a really classy mix too.
Well worth the re-do even after 45 years - majestic job!!
Best wishes, Carl
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I remember when you asked for those RealTracks (sparse, with few chords and some arpeggios, and I added my vote of course), and you do the same thing I do, you just play those piano parts yourself, and you do it REALLY well. The piano track alone sells the song for me already. The heartbreaking outro  Not only one of your best lyrics, but your vocals themselves are fantastic and dripping with emotion. Amazing song! Pitch this song to a well known artist (like John Legend or Adele) and it'll chart high and long!
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Oh, I would definitely caution anyone who passes on this becaue they've heard it before. They haven't. That piano is strong and perfect and so well recorded. Yeah, you still have the best vocal anyone could hope to have on record, and write the best lyrics that folks of any kind could relate to, but now you add more outstanding layers of talent. I love how you present this with this stripped down backing. Very moving, Floyd.
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A beautiful song carried by a great voice. When we sing for those who have nothing but who are not nothing.
Laurent
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Floyd, real life in a song - brilliant
The lyrics are some of if not the best you have ever written.
Super piano - I had to DL some emotional piano MIDI loops to get some songwriters piano.
Outstanding work - loved it.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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A masterpiece.
These lines:
"they say to set your sights
on the highest star
that's just to keep you from seeing
where you really are"
... wow.
Perfect arrangement, your voice sounding at its very best, lyrics to cry at ... easily one of your very, very best.
You are that rare beast ... a singer-songwriter with something to say, who knows how to say it. Keep 'em coming ... I'm certainly listening to that which you have to say. Listening and in awe at what I hear.
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Very sad but excellent lyrics. The minimal instrumentation in this song really works for it. I've not heard it before.
Some favourite Waoist Adages:
#1: Play on the Way.
#13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you.
#58: Bring consciousness to it.
#63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made.
#92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
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Well well, Floyd!
Wonderful lyric and masterfully arranged.
Well performed and well done on learning the piano.
Vic
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"I wrote this song 45 years ago. I still consider it one of the best lyrics I've written." I can see why you would...this is a lyrical masterpiece IMHO...love the passion and the angst...the piano you used was very realistic...only took me forty years to learn to play almost that good...sooooo \good!
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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The melody, arrangement, comitment and narrative have a lot in common with At 17 era Janis Ian...a really cool thing in my ears.
Stellar.
Piano, bass n vocals - you own it.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Floyd,
This is one of my favorite (if not all time favorite) song of yours. The writing is beautiful, poignant and tells such a compelling story. Amazing that you wrote this in your early 20s.
No one sings like you. This vocal gave me chills. The phrasing is spectacular and the emotion comes through on every line. I turned this way up in my music room - it sounds unbelievable.
The mix is perfect - the backing band is perfect - the piano is perfect. You don't need to revisit this one any longer. You have cut the final master...
I'll go back for many more listens. This is high musical art.
Bob Bob - I am truly touched by such comments. Very much appreciated.
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Poignant lyrics. Yes, one of your tops. No need for an RT. Your piano is so emotive. I can see some established female singer performing this piece. I'm going back now for another listen.
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