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Soundcloud: While my coffee goes cold
Youtube video: While my coffee goes cold The second video I ever made, so it's a little flawed!

About the song:
Written in 2001 and one of three songs I wrote in one evening into the early hours - to which I credit tiredness of having a creative effect, it took me 22 years to get around to record this song. My 2023 recording additions were the lyrics to the bridge, with arrangement embellishments occurring during recording, such as the bridge staccato piano and bass, and the pondering groans of the Outro. I think the staccato 8th notes of piano and mandolin provide a good backdrop, and I’m happy with the different feel of the bridge.
The song is about reflective, melancholy episodes, but while assuring the listener "don't worry about me". There's a slight turn of phrase in the final verse, acknowledging the positive effect that others can have.
All instruments are mine other than drums, bass and piano generated in Band-in-a-Box, except for the bridge bass that I recorded.
For those watching the Youtube video, this was my second video as I began to learn how to edit video, which I do in Clipchamp. It was the first time I recorded footage of myself playing, for which I used my webcam. I had incredible trouble matching video to recorded audio. Also, I wouldn’t read lyrics from a sheet right of camera anymore either!

BIAB information
Key=E , Tempo 115, Length (m:s)=3:36
4 bar intro, 96 bar chorus, from bar 5 to bar 100. Repeat x1 chorus
Melody has 337 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0) – only used to guide vocals during recording
Soloist track has 113 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0) – I manually input the solo piano notation
Style is _BRITPOP.STY (Classic British Pop)
RealTracks in style: ~683:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 120 – replaced in bridge with my bass
RealTracks in style: 888:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopBronx Ev 120 - retained
RealTracks in style: 1270:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopUpliftSyncMuted Ev16 120 – replaced with my electric guitar
RealTracks in style: 1948:Mandolin, Rhythm PopUpliftingAndy Ev16 120 – replaced with my mando recording
RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Cakewalk by Bandlab information:
This is one of my earlier recordings where I triple-track lead vocal, pick which track is best, then set supporting tracks to left (9pm) and right (3pm) and volume at -12db, with main vocal at 0db.
Backing vocals are also triple-tracked.

Lyrics:
VERSE 1
Sippin’ coffee while I look outside
I never daydream – I just lose my mind in the truth.
Would I wonder what tomorrow brings?
Will I treat it like a stranger that’s hiding from view?

CHORUS 1
And while the sun goes down, I realise the very things it takes from me.
And while the sun goes down, I reflect on things that could be,
And ponder while my coffee goes cold.

VERSE 2
Little things I put them to one side
‘Don’t sweat the small stuff’ is a convenient lie or a plea.
Is it just another blip on the radar?
Just another light aircraft lost at sea?

Sing CHORUS 1

BRIDGE
Please, don’t worry about me
I’m okay over here, and ‘okay’ isn’t trying to deceive
I’m at ease, in my melancholy
I’m not in danger, I’m not suffering disease

VERSE 3
Right now I worry less what’s to come
I’ll blame my pre-frontal cortex for its lethargy
Here I go again blaming another
Revealing details that will blow my cover – but we’ll be safe I know

CHORUS 2
And while the sun goes down, I realise the very things you give to me.
And while the sun goes down, I reflect on things that have been,
And smile while my coffee goes cold.

OUTRO
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Oh!

Nice choice of instrumentation in this song and I like the harmony vocals. I also relate to the cold coffee theme as most that I drink is cold as I always have a cup by my side while I'm doing other things. I now like it at any temperature!

Cool song Andrew - in some ways it could be XTC.
I quite like the result of the three vocals but you could also comp a best vocals from the three and sue the originals to support it. That would depend on your DAW handiness I suppose.
The mandolin really adds the special sauce.

Thanks Ray. I do normally add compression to the main vocal - not sure if this is the correct terminology - but I use it to bring down the peaks so that it is a little more uniform in volume.

XTC - I hadn't thought of them but I can see how the sound of my song has a little 'senses working overtime' feel to it.

BTW - I see the Nick Lowe reference in your signature - now there's a songwriter! I love his early to mid career songs up to and including 'All men are liars'.

Andrew, it’s great watching you play the different instruments. You are right that the 8th note piano really works well. Good job on putting together the real tracks. I liked it a lot.

Andrew, super tune! Very nice arrangement and well thought out vocals/harmonies. Great mix, too. Funny, but I was reminded of the band America in listening to your vocal tracks. Know they used a lot of layering, too. Anyway...very poppy and fun, which is a splendid outcome. (Listened on SoundCloud only.)

FWIW, and in case RayC doesn't follow up on your reply, think by "comp" he was referring to "composite vocal track" instead of "compression". That is, build a "best of" lead vocal from the three vocal tracks and use the leftovers to support the two other voices in the triple tracked vocals. Or not.

Enjoyed that. I liked Ray's comment about XTC. I hear that too. It's a clever and fun song. Glad you found your way back to it.

Ah yes of course - I can see that now when I read the context. Good point Ray and DC - I do that a little, particularly if my phrasing is not uniform. I usually send all vocals to a VOX group/ bus so I can solo just VOX and better pick out where corrections are required, then punch in the correction or if it’s a repeated line, copy it from elsewhere on same or another track. I’m an impatient mixer/arranger!

I like your song, Andrew.
It sounds old and fresh at the same time and reminds me of someone, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Enjoyed my listen!

Everything fits together nicely -- the backing band, the vocals, the lyrics, the mix. Great job!

Users have made several comparisons. I heard Squeeze, but maybe that was Black Coffee in Bed hearkening to me. I like your creativity, and appreciate your comments about your process. Very good track!

Thank you to all for your very encouraging feedback!

Regarding comparisons, no doubt I am channeling some of the music I like. I am drenched in British music and, born in 1962, the artists you have referred to were in my ears when I was younger - so much younger than today.

To me, music is like evolution - we immerse ourselves in a primordial soup of music we like - and our own music mimics or adopts what we consider the good traits/genetic code of that and gives it our own interpretation/selection, whether than be consciously or sub-consciously. Sometimes, with adverse consequences for us songwriters because we realise that a melodic line, chord progression, or phrase has been accidentally adopted from one of our favourites.

Also, being born in the UK but now Australian, that might be reflected in my vocal expression as well.

I shall have to re-listen to see if I can detect which parts might do this - but I suspect I am too close to it to see it.

Andrew D

Andrew "comping" as in compiling the best bits into one track - sorry. Lots of daws have ways of making this more or less doable.

Andrew,
Fun, catchy tune. Solid work on vocals & harmonies. Has a hint of ELO sound to it. Nice to see you play. Listens extremely well. Enjoyed it and thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Good song! The layered vocals worked well I thought. Nice job on the instruments, especially liked your bass playing. And fun watching you play too!

Enjoyed.

Hi, Andrew.

Nice tune! The arrangement sounded a bit like early America (as mentioned) a bit of Supertramp thrown in.

Good bit of pop.

Nice production all around.
Thanks!

Mike B.

Loved the video, Andrew. Watched it twice so far, but still havent't seen the flaws you mention. Cool, fun song. I really like the Bridge. Excellent vocals with harmony. I wouldn't worry at all about not syncing the video with the audio. The song is way too good to notice.

Andrew, this is great
Super vocal
Great backing tracks
Super mix
I really liked this one!