|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
I wanted to start a new thread based on comments made by various people on the WORST SONG thread, notably Rubberball, who said: Quote:
Mr. Bojangle's dog dying does not seem like manipulation to me, just part of the story.
I'm curious to hear what songs have moved you emotionally without making you feel manipulated. And I'm not just talking about sad songs... I'm talking any emotional appeal... inspiration, retrospection, aspiration whatever.
If we can pin down exactly what appeals to us in other people's lyrics, it may help us to write something commercially viable too.
your thoughts...?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
jury's out on BUTTERFLY KISSES by Bob Carlisle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmC3rJR7E98&ob=av2eAny daddy who's ever raised a little girl to adulthood has probably had some tough moments listening to this song. I've heard of big ol' lumberjack lookin' men who pulled their pickups over to the berm because they couldn't see the road through the tears. Yet, it has a bit of the same shameless heart-snitting that made HONEY hard to hear for a lot of people. But, lots of people like it. Its a perennial favorite at weddings. From a commercial standpoint, it fills a recurring niche that wasn't previously filled by anything else.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 12,848 |
Two songs that really touch me emotionally are "Arise, My Love" by NewSong and "American Dream" by Casting Crowns.
John Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA BB2026/UMC204HD&404HD/Casios/Cakewalk/Reaper/Studio One/Notion/Dorico/Noteworthy/NI/Halion/IK http://www.sus4chord.com (under rehosting/construction)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Lee Ann Womack's I HOPE YOU DANCE works for me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-Z1YwaOiw&ob=av2eas one of this world's many quiet people who have a hard time making a firm decision to wholeheartedly embrace the simple joys of life, this song gives me the permission I never asked for. I think an awful lot of people identify with the message in this song. And commercially speaking, strong emotional identification is the home run that most song writers never manage to hit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Steppenwolf's BORN TO BE WILD appeals in different ways to many. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnB-dnJVlcsto some its testimony to who they are... to others its a testimony of who they'd like to be but for better or for worse, the song does tend to stir the imagination,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410 |
Quote:
......I'm curious to hear what songs have moved you emotionally without making you feel manipulated. And I'm not just talking about sad songs... I'm talking any emotional appeal... inspiration, retrospection, aspiration whatever......
I think mentioning a dog made me think of this, but 'Old Shep'(Red Foley I think) is a heart tugger that helped Elvis win a lot of contests and perhaps contributed to his career. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKuiS3J52pw
Inspiration, aspiration: 'Angels' is one of many that gets me. (Enya) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqVnOLiH0FM
But I nominate 'So Far From The Clyde' (Knoppfler) as a very good example of how music can manipulate us without us feeling manipulated. I mean, he's singing about a boat for goodness sakes. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrTOeje9Rhs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
That's easy. Handel's Messiah. All of it.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
Quote:
That's easy. Handel's Messiah. All of it.
--Mac
you win
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
speakin' o' ships and (emotional) payload... I am reminded of the Edmund Fitzgerald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgI8bta-7awthere's something fascinating about: 1) the awesome power of nature and our comparative smallness 2) the drama and heroism of a team trying to survive in a hopeless situation 3) being musically projected into someone else's last moments 4) symbolically experiencing the grief of the families left behind this song has all that
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 410 |
Quote:
That's easy. Handel's Messiah. All of it. -Mac
I just listened to the 'Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's Messiah. Wow! I'd sort of forgotten about that one. Good call.
Quote:
speakin' o' ships and (emotional) payload... I am reminded of the Edmund Fitzgerald
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgI8bta-7aw
there's something fascinating about:
1) the awesome power of nature and our comparative smallness
2) the drama and heroism of a team trying to survive in a hopeless situation
3) being musically projected into someone else's last moments
4) symbolically experiencing the grief of the families left behind
this song has all that
Well said. Another one of my favs that I've not listened to in awhile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,251 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,642
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,642 |
Hey Pat, I can think of a million that manage to get to me in someway. One of the more recent ones that I've heard is at .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHf7DtRa5TY&NR=1It's a song that Beth Nielsen Chapman wrote following her husband's death. I was fortunate enough to hear Beth sing it at a songwriting workshop last year. It was very powerful. There wasn't a dry eye in the room afterwards. I also stumbled across the below performance by Wynonna Judd recently and all I could think afterwards was "Wow! What a singer! What a song!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlv62wB4VNsI also find Dolly's response to 9/11 an incredibly uplifting work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMQWYxPsGqw Lastly, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing the "Battle Hymn Of The Republic" gets to me every time. The sound is simply magnificent. (Unfortunately Youtube is unable to do justice the sound of 500 or so choristers. The below link is the best I could find.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2x8MtHyx20Regards, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Quote:
I just listened to the 'Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's Messiah. Wow! I'd sort of forgotten about that one. Good call.
If you can ever get your hands on a complete CD of the entire thing... Just. Do. It.
I still, at the age of 60, repeat something I've done since maybe around high school age with The Messiah, and recommend it to all practicing musicians, composers, arrangers, whatever -- also obtain a copy of the score, or at least one of the transcriptions for voice and organ, etc. -- and follow along with the performance as it plays.
There are two Classical works that I think *every* aspiring jazz musician should know inside and out, The Messiah is one of them and Bach's Well Tempered Clavier is the other.
By "know" I don't necessarily mean being able to play these pieces, although that would certainly be a goal as well, but there is so much to learn about the art and science of MODULATION, methodology of SEQUENCING, VARIATION that makes sense, so many things that are readilhy transferrable to Modern Jazz as well as all other modern musics that the experience is well worth the effort and slight expenditure. IMO
Analyze 'em. Then see what you might come up with when substituting the tension chords in there, b5, #5, b9, #9 and so on. Lift the Sequence runs in entirely, practice 'em and have a pallette ready to inject at any time during a solo, instead playing the 8ths with Swing feel, of course.
Vince Guaraldi's famous, "Linus and Lucy" piano piece comes to mind. I realized the first day I tried to transcribe that stuff that it had its roots in Handel's Messiah, there's a lick in there that the violins play in orchestral presentation that was a necessary to have in the organ transcription -- and involves the use of 1-3, 2-4 and 3-5 fingering of the RH that is virtually identical to Vince's "signature" line in the Melody of that piece, just a different keysig (Handel did it in D, Vince used Ab, actually an easier device for the pianist, as well as placing it in one of the "jazz horn keys"). Mr. Guaraldi certainly knew where to go to say, "Merry Christmas" indeed.
"Comfort Ye"
Okay, I'll stop now.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
I was in the Pontiac Silverdome, probably 10-12 years ago (- this is the dome where the Detroit Lions used to play - seats 80,000 or so)
and it was probably 2/3 full. I think there were 50,000 men there. Men only - men's Christian conference going on.
Holy, Holy, Holy sung in acapella by 50,000 men. Now, that was an experience full of emotion, soul searching, feeling small, feeling grand, etc. I'm tearing up right now thinking about it. Heaven's gonna sound like that - pretty sure.
-Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,725
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,725 |
Quote:
Lee Ann Womack's I HOPE YOU DANCE works for me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV-Z1YwaOiw&ob=av2e
as one of this world's many quiet people who have a hard time making a firm decision to wholeheartedly embrace the simple joys of life, this song gives me the permission I never asked for. I think an awful lot of people identify with the message in this song. And commercially speaking, strong emotional identification is the home run that most song writers never manage to hit.
1st of all I also love this song. It was played at a younger cousin's funeral a few years ago as it was her favorite song, well since then I can never get through it on a performance. In fact I just gave up even trying to perform this song again, now I just listen.
Also while they are many that get me emotionaly like Lee Greenwood's God Bless The USA, Wind Beneath My Wings, Trace Atkins' You Gonna Miss This and his latest, She Thinks We're Just Fishing to name a few but this is my favorite by Ray Charles America The Beautiful.
I am sure many more will come to mind as, well because music just does that doesn's it.
Later,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Ya got good taste, Danny C.
BTW -- the Hammnd organ part on the original classic recording of Ray's America was played by none other than the late great, "fifth Beatle" -- Billy Preston -- when he was still yet a kid, no less. Somewhere around the age of 12 or so, and playin' a recording date with Ray Charles...
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,021 |
Chiseled in Stone by Vern Gosdin.
It's in my show but haven't dared to do it since my wife passed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 8,109 |
While driving today the song THE LIVING YEARS by Mike and the Mechanics played on the radio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGDA0Hecw1kThat's another one that works for me. It speaks of the generational roadblocks to communication, a topic almost everybody can identify with on some level.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Off-Topic
|
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,835
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,835 |
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,480
Posts805,528
Members40,129
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean