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#70066 04/17/10 06:04 AM
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Hi Everyone,
I wrote this song some years ago. When I used to go for lunch I always saw this girl sitting on the pavement outside the big shops. She was beautiful but so sad begging for money. I thought that under different circumstances her life could have been so different - hence song.

It was semi-finalist in UK Song Competition 2008.

http://www.box.net/shared/l99xavy62o

City Girl

Verse 1
Bm                                                 G
Why do you sit so alone each day in that spot?
          Bm                                               G
Your blue eyes sparkle even with your sadness
A                                 Bm
Are you twisted like a gordian knot
A                              Bm
Youth & sorrow - so sad
F#m
You could be a lady
    A
A lady of grace
    F#m
A royal queen
    A
A queen of our race

CHORUS
E                                           F#m
City girl do you see me as I pass your spot
E                                                      F#m
One day we might smile and say hello
          E                                         F#m
But tomorrow you may be gone, unfairly so
G                                    F#m
Since I suppose you've no where to go

VERSE 2
Bm                                                        G
You're in my head an image changing over time
    Bm                                                G
A collage of colours flashing in my mind
        A                        Bm                             
You sit alone in your silk so fine
A                                Bm
Young and apart - so grand
F#m
You could be a lady
    A
A lady on high
    F#m
A royal queen
    A
A queen of the sky

CHORUS

VERSE 3
Bm                                                              G
Do you know that you've been seen many times before
        Bm                                           G
You frequent all the capitals of the world
    A                         Bm
A life enclosed without a door
A                               Bm
Lost and inward - so strange
F#m
You could be a lady
    A
A lady of worth
    F#m
A royal queen
    A
A queen of this earth

CHORUS

VERSE 4
        Bm                                                     G
Can either of us know what's real for the other one
       Bm                                                          G     
Far less predict the thoughts that will come next
       A                        Bm
We live to gamble  - it's no fun
A                                     Bm
In this way I'm just like you
F#m
You could be a lady
    A
A lady in debt
    F#m
A royal queen
    A
A queen of roulette

CODA
E                                           F#m
City girl do you see me as I pass you by
      E                                               F#m
To day we might smile and say goodbye
          E                                         F#m
And tomorrow you could be gone,  another tie
    G                                      F#m                                   
A new life could then just have begun

Hope you enjoy it and any comments much appreciated

Jim

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Nice work! Very nice melody. Well done! Thanks for sharing!

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Hi Jim,

Once again you've written a very poignant song.
I like this song as it makes you think about people you would normally walk right past.
I would have liked to hear a small instrumental taking place of one of the verse breaks just to give it more colour.

Keep up the good work.

Best regards
michee


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Well done Mate. Has a well laid out arrangement. I think I would have added harmony on the chorus's. Maybe do a build up of each chorus. None on the 1st. Parts on the 2nd. Full in the rest of 'em.

Good on ya Jim. I like it.


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Wow, great lyrics with an outstanding vocal and very good backing track.

I agree with Russ that harmonies during the chorus would be a nice addition. Also I would like to hear a more intricate and/or varying leads between the chorus and the verses. That would put it over the top for me. However this is excellent as is and it’s going into my keeper folder.


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Hi PgFantastic, Michee, Russ and Mario,
Thank you all for your kind comments and pleased you liked the song.

I think the idea of adding harmony during the chorus and also giving variation to the solos in between the verses are great suggestions. I will do this as I am sure it will improve the song.

Thank you all for listening
Jim

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Hi Jim,

I enjoyed listening to that! It's always interesting to me to hear other writers work and 'the story' behind the song!

Can I ask, how did you create the backing track and record the vocal?

Regards,

Frank


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Hi Frank,
This was done on the Yamaha Claviniva CVP309 - drum backing track from BIAB and a guitar track from a style, other tracks I played in myself and recorded into Garageband. The vocal was also done on the Clavonova and recorded as a separate track into Garageband.
Thanks for listening and I am pleased that you enjoyed the song.

Regards
Jim

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Hi again Jim,
Thanks for the detailed explanation! Fascinating for a BIAB newbie like me! I can tell your song is written from the heart, that's the best place! I shall listen again now!
Frank


New to BIAB and just got hold of a 2007 Megapak... but I have been writing songs for quite awhile... most of them hits (of course..) :-)
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Hi Frank,
Thanks again and enjoy
Jim

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Very nice melody.Thanks for sharing your life personal experience with us.It' s really a very interesting theme.

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Very nice. Harmony might add variety - but it is a personal story - maybe just coming from you is the best way. Put the variety between the verses.


Thanks for sharing


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Hi quran and Powderman
Thanks for listening and pleased to liked the song.

I agree a bit more variety between verses will add interest and i will do this.
Thanks again
Jim

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Nice melody,so touching...


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Hi Bill,
Very pleased you liked it Bill and thanks for listening
Jim

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