Here is my first write of 2026, When Life Deals You Duces, this was a bit of a personal journey and hopefully the lyrics will send you in the right direction.............This is a rough demo and will need the vocals refining as I sound a bit rough lol, just wanted to get it down and see the reaction.
Thanks for taking the time to listen, all comments appreciated.
Much love all
Pete
BAIB 2026 Mixcraft Pro Studio 10 Various effects Masterd with AAMS
[Verse 1] The jukebox hums in the corner, low and slow, As I nurse this glass, just watchin' the shadows grow. She packed her bags when the dawn kissed the sky, Left me with questions and no reasons why.
[Chorus] When life deals you deuces, you have to search for an ace, Pick up the pieces, find a brand-new place. It's a gamble of hearts, but the cards don't lie, You can't win the hand if you don’t even try.
[Verse 2] Her perfume lingers like a ghost in the air, Every corner of this house still whispers she was there. But the queen of my heart, she laid her hand down, Now I'm just a king, alone with his crown.
[Prechorus] The deck keeps shufflin', the river runs wild, You gotta hold your nerve, play it soft, play it mild.
[Chorus] When life deals you deuces, you have to search for an ace, Pick up the pieces, find a brand-new place. It's a gamble of hearts, but the cards don’t lie, You can't win the hand if you don’t even try.
[Bridge] The dealer’s smile, it cuts like a knife, Luck is a stranger in this game of life. But somewhere in the shuffle, there's hope to be found, A hand worth playin’ when the chips are down.
****** Song Summary ************* Title: When Life Deals You Deuces (You have To Search For An Ace) File:When Life Deals You Duces.MGU Key=E , Tempo 158, Length (m:s)=4:48 No intro. 251 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 251. Repeat x1 chorus Fadeout ending bars =12. Melody has 783 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0) No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes,RealDrums Changes, Style is _HVMERCY.STY (Have Mercy Fast Country Waltz)
RealTracks in style: ~1423:Bass, Electric, PopWaltz Ev 180 RealTracks in style: ~1432:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopWaltz Ev 180 RealTracks in style: ~1426:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming PopWaltz Ev 180 RealTracks in style: 2544:Pedal Steel, Background ModernWaltz Sw 140 RealTracks in song: 3195:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist WaltzMellowBrent Ev 120 RealTracks in song: ~1424:Fiddle, Background PopWaltz Ev 180 RealTracks in song: 1107:Fiddle, Background BluegrassWaltz Ev 140 RealTracks in song: 4152:Guitar, Electric, Soloist NashvilleWaltzBrent Sw 120 RealDrums in style:RockModernWaltz^2-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride, Busy Kick
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Last edited by PeteMcN; 01/12/2606:25 AM. Reason: Add all software info
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Hi Pete! Happy New Year to you - or I should say, hoping for a better year for you, genuinely.
The emotion really comes out of your vocal - that emotion (to my ears anyway) is saying ‘Why did you?’ Your vocal (well done on the high notes - it adds rawness) was aided greatly by the steel guitar, fiddle and that good choice of lead solo on the fade out. Your choice of waltz style adds to the perplexity because it is a dance normally performed by two.
As usual, thanks for the video of BIAB - it’s good to look ‘under the hood’, and good to see you already putting BIAB2026 to work!
Hi Pete! Happy New Year to you - or I should say, hoping for a better year for you, genuinely.
The emotion really comes out of your vocal - that emotion (to my ears anyway) is saying ‘Why did you?’ Your vocal (well done on the high notes - it adds rawness) was aided greatly by the steel guitar, fiddle and that good choice of lead solo on the fade out. Your choice of waltz style adds to the perplexity because it is a dance normally performed by two.
As usual, thanks for the video of BIAB - it’s good to look ‘under the hood’, and good to see you already putting BIAB2026 to work!
Hoping to hear more from you, Pete.
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
Wow, what a lovely review. You got the whole gist of the song and for that I'm truly grateful. Your comment is more than appreciated.
Best wishes
Pete
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
A big number there, full of emotions and passion. You have a big, dare I say, C&W sounding voice there, is that your preferred genre? I agree, you were a bit pitchy in places but like all of us, we push to see how much we can get away with. But I'm sure you have it in you to clean those up.
A good production and mix, enjoyed my listen. Kind regards
A big number there, full of emotions and passion. You have a big, dare I say, C&W sounding voice there, is that your preferred genre? I agree, you were a bit pitchy in places but like all of us, we push to see how much we can get away with. But I'm sure you have it in you to clean those up.
A good production and mix, enjoyed my listen. Kind regards
Thank you! I'm afraid that yes this Brit is a massive country music nut! Had my own 7 piece outfit for the best part of 20yrs touring both the UK and Europe ( voice was much less pitchy then lol) no longer have the band so use BIAB as my substitute, however thanks to COVID my voice is not as strong nowadays.
Glad you enjoyed the song and I appreciate the comments on the mix etc.
Pete
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Everything is working well here. It's a good write with each section relating to the title and theme of gambling and cards. Your Real Tracks choices convey the sentiment in the lyrics.
Ooo, what a wonderful vocal. You feel it and share that feelling with your listeners so well, Pete. Strong emotion and a great band well mixed. Good song. Well written.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
Everything is working well here. It's a good write with each section relating to the title and theme of gambling and cards. Your Real Tracks choices convey the sentiment in the lyrics.
I enjoyed the song.
Happy 2026!
Thank you Scott, I truly appreciate your comments and I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Pete
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Ooo, what a wonderful vocal. You feel it and share that feelling with your listeners so well, Pete. Strong emotion and a great band well mixed. Good song. Well written.
Now then my friend, thank you once again for your lovely comments, they really are appreciated.
It's good to be back lol
Pete
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Your songs always bring a great vocal and this one is no different. Really good lyrics, too. Great effort all the way around here, far from a "rough demo."
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Your songs always bring a great vocal and this one is no different. Really good lyrics, too. Great effort all the way around here, far from a "rough demo."
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed your listen.
Pete
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Emotional lyrics, sung with emotion. As you said, the vocals could have a little fine-tuning at places, but overall they are not bad at all. Enjoyed my listen!
Pete, and excellent song. Love the emotion in your vocal. Personally i wouldn't change a thing but if you must go in and "pitch correct" some of the notes make sure to let the emotion shine through. I much prefer a little off vocals with a lot of emotion like this one over a song where the vocal was massaged to perfection but all of the emotion is gone. YMMV Great backing band and mix. Loved it.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Super song, Pete! Lovely, heartbreaking lyrics delivered by powerful but emotional vocals. Wow, doesn't get any better than that. Very tidy BiaB backing track, and that fiddle works out perfectly. The soloists at the end are cool, too.
When I read the subject line, I though the song was going to be about Il Duce and the rise of fascism. I like your posted song much better though. Ha!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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