My latest attempt at writing a Bar Room style number, its a bit of a throwaway/album filler number rather than a 'serious' story song! Just a bit of fun lol!
Recording wise, I feel its a bit rough around the edges personally, so any and all tips etc as usual are very welcome!
Cold Beer And Whisky (c) PMcNaught 2026
[Verse 1] Neon on the window Last call on the wall Your name on my phone again I don't pick up at all Boot prints on this sawdust Where we once used to dance Now I'm slow-sippin' memory Out of this busted glass
[Chorus] Cold beer and whiskey They both burn goin' down One's a little slower One spins me around Every time you leave me I’m right back here, you see Chasin' you in circles With cold beer and whiskey
[Verse 2] Bartender wipes the counter Like he’s seen this show before Says, "Son, you need a taxi Not another pour" But your laugh hits that jukebox From some old Friday night And I trade one more tomorrow For one more blurry light
[Chorus] Cold beer and whiskey They both burn goin' down One's a little slower One spins me around Every time you leave me I’m right back here, you see Chasin' you in circles With cold beer and whiskey
[Bridge] You’re that double on the rocks I know I shouldn’t touch But my hands still go reachin' When the ache gets too much (oh yeah) If loving you’s a habit Guess I’m hooked and I’m proud ‘Cause I still taste you, baby Every time I wash you down
[Chorus] Cold beer and whiskey They both burn goin' down One's a little slower One spins me around Every time you leave me I’m right back here, you see Drownin' all our history In cold beer and whiskey
[Outro] Yeah, I’m still here, don’t miss me Just cold beer And whiskey
****** Song Summary ************* Title: Cold Beer And Whisky File:Cold Beer And Whisky.SGU Key=G , Tempo 125, Length (m:s)=3:38 No intro. 110 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 110. Repeat x1 chorus Melody has 2724 notes, Melody harmony is < no harmony >(0) Soloist track has 60 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0) Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes, Style is _NOTE.STY (Note Country Blues Boogie)
RealTracks in style: ~1845:Bass, Electric, CountryBoogieA-B Sw 110 RealTracks in style: 1566:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm SouthernRockJohn Sw 120 RealTracks in song: 652:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBoogie Sw 140 (A:sync) RealTracks in song: 617:Pedal Steel, Background Shuffle Sw 136 RealTracks in song: ~952:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBoogieOpen Sw 110 RealTracks in song: 1279:Guitar, Electric, Soloist CountryBoogieBrent Sw 140 RealTracks in song: 1279:Guitar, Electric, Soloist CountryBoogieBrent Sw 140 RealDrums in style:BluesRockShuffle^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Open HiHat
*******************
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Excellent backing and vocals. Loved the growl on "when that aching".
As much work as I've done on my songs, people have mostly said my "throwaway" songs are the best. Go figure.
In terms of the mix, the volume and balance are excellent. The vocal lacks a bit of "sheen" - I want to hear a touch of reverb, or something to give thing a bit more sense of space. There are places where I'd clean up the vocal, like "where he's seen thissss before", but I've got a lateral /s/, so I'm hyper-sensitive about stuff like that.
A bit of vocal doubling would be nice, but isn't required.
I'd suggest having a look at something like Panagement, my favorite free spacial effect. Did I mention it's free? I've got the full version, but I don't think there are any features in it you'd actually use. But I find it's really good at placing things in space, and somehow just making things better.
Hi Pete! Good song! On my first listen, I didn’t note any mix issues - although cold beer mixed with whisky - is that a thing? Maybe a little delay added to the vocal? A really good tempo and dance vibe to this song - I could really imagine the sawdust getting a good work over with the right set of boots. Andrew
Excellent backing and vocals. Loved the growl on "when that aching".
As much work as I've done on my songs, people have mostly said my "throwaway" songs are the best. Go figure.
In terms of the mix, the volume and balance are excellent. The vocal lacks a bit of "sheen" - I want to hear a touch of reverb, or something to give thing a bit more sense of space. There are places where I'd clean up the vocal, like "where he's seen thissss before", but I've got a lateral /s/, so I'm hyper-sensitive about stuff like that.
A bit of vocal doubling would be nice, but isn't required.
I'd suggest having a look at something like Panagement, my favorite free spacial effect. Did I mention it's free? I've got the full version, but I don't think there are any features in it you'd actually use. But I find it's really good at placing things in space, and somehow just making things better.
Anyway, nice song!
Thanks for the input David, I'll download the plugin you suggested and have a play with it. Yes you did indeed mention it was free!! Glad you enjoyed it and the Ssss was actually me holding back from singing the word 'sh1t' instead of the word 'show'! If you listen you can hear me laughing to myself just after.... I wasn't aware at the time but heard it after reading your comment!!
I do appreciate your input 👍
Last edited by PeteMcN; 02/03/2604:09 PM.
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Hi Pete! Good song! On my first listen, I didn’t note any mix issues - although cold beer mixed with whisky - is that a thing? Maybe a little delay added to the vocal? A really good tempo and dance vibe to this song - I could really imagine the sawdust getting a good work over with the right set of boots. Andrew
Thanks Andrew, I agree the verb and delay need looking at, and as David says doubling the vocal.
I'm off to kick up some of that sawdust in my sleep!!
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Glad you enjoyed it and the Ssss was actually me holding back from singing the word 'sh1t' instead of the word 'show'! If you listen you can hear me laughing to myself just after.... I wasn't aware at the time but heard it after reading your comment!!
Glad you enjoyed it and the Ssss was actually me holding back from singing the word 'sh1t' instead of the word 'show'! If you listen you can hear me laughing to myself just after.... I wasn't aware at the time but heard it after reading your comment!!
That would explain your signature block.
Yep, sorry about that!
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Hi Pete. A fine toe tapper. This style always make my feet twitch. I tend to agree with Dave when he mentions lack of sheen. Could do with a touch of reverb or slap back delay. Maybe could use just a little HF increase and LF decrease on the vocal too.
Pete, country music at its best. I agree with the others on the vocal but I must admit that your vocals are a lot better than mine. I agree with the slap back delay suggestion. A great backing band and mix. I like it!
Love is grand. Divorce is twenty grand!
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Be it country or blues we are always down with a shuffle. Maybe just a touch of reverb on the nice vocal ... 12-18% wet depending on the fx. That would help it ever so slightly blend in with the session guys.
Enjoyed it,
J&B
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Pete, you're a good singer and songwriter, as evidenced here. The mix did seem a little different than what I've heard from you in the past, but it's okay. I'd have to A-B it with one of your previous songs to say anything beyond that. I really like the lyrical flow of your songs - a lot of people have trouble with that but it seems to come natural to you. Did you always sing country? Good job with this, enjoyed it a lot!
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Oh, I love catching those throw-aways, Pete, and this one was easy to catch --can of corn, they used to say in baseball. Excellent vocal and mix, and the lyrics definitely tell some stories with some of the missing scenes filled by the listener. That makes it more relateable and personal, which of course makes it more than filler. Man, if this is filler on an album, I gotta hear the rest. Keep 'em coming, Pete.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
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This is first-class listening... well written, excellently performed, and a terrific arrangement and production. You had me smiling and tapping my feet.
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