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Hi All This is a song I have been fighting with since the year 2000! It is the one and only song I wrote before undertaking a song writing course in October 2012. My course teacher told me that, in its old format, it had no hope…too wordy..melody too boring..chorus too boring.. much too personal (it is in fact inspired by a personal experience)..no wide appeal…too repetitive…..etc, etc.! But, all things go in circles and I got the inspiration to tackle it again a week or so ago and this is what I came up with. I chose a western swing theme (co-incidence that Don has also just published a western swing theme tune) and it seemed to fit the song quite nicely. The lyrics are on sound cloud Please let me know what you think so that I can learn. I appreciate anybody who takes the time to listen and comment. Realtrack are: RealTracks in style: ~~536:Bass, Acoustic, Pop Sw 120 RealTracks in style: ~~372:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Hank Sw 120 RealTracks in style: ~1128:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm WesternSwingWarmA-B Sw 165 RealTracks in style: ~812:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Western Swing Sw 165 RealTracks in song: ~~1788:Banjo, Tenor, Rhythm DixielandMediumA-B Sw 110 RealTracks in song: 1874:Medley [8 bars] Fiddle, Mandolin, Piano, ResGuitar, PedalStSol WestrnSwPaulSw165, GuitarElSol WestSwBrentSw165, RealDrums in style: NashvilleSwing8^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride Need you like a hole in the head
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Sounds like a fine piece from here, Love the way you ended the further down. Thanks for sharing! My Tunes
My TunesPsalm 57:7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
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Hi Jo
Enjoyed that. It could almost be the females point of view of Floyds "Sure Enough".
I liked some of the rhymes - "the wringer" and "get any bigger", "merry-go-round" and "futher (sic) down".
Well thought out choice for the BT - moved along nicely and carried the Story with it.
cheers
ian
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I love it, Jo! The Western Swing style is the proverbial icing on the cake and gives the song a sort of "signature".
This is not a negative observation but, I think the ending was a tad too abrupt. It left me suspended in mid air waiting to be let down gently. Maybe a fadeout ending would work a might better, I don't know.
I always love you comic treatment of your lyrics. You are a very clever lyricist.
I especially like the clarity in your voice. I could understand your every word. In a Rap & Mumble world, you are so refreshing, my little friend. More please!
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Nice song. Funny lyrics, lovely voice and a good choice
of backing tracks.
But I noticed sometimes the vocals lag a little
behind the beat.
Guenter
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I liked the song, and the arrangement is a nice fit. Pairing downer lyrics with an upbeat setting is classic, and it works well here.
I agree with the other posters, on both the positives and negatives. The vocals are nice and understandable. The song has neat "close" rhymes going on.
But... there are some places where the vocals lag a bit behind the instruments. This is the kind of song where you probably want the vocal to slightly lead the beat. I don't know what DAW you use, but little bit of nudging can often take care of that.
One of the guitars on the chorus seems to clash with the harmony - for example, at 2:25.
I don't think the ending is so much abrupt as it doesn't give the song closure. It's an interesting effect, but it's such a large change it overshadows what's gone before.
Anyway, nice work.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Hey Joanne,
I like it. Clever down home lyrics and nice tune. Good arrangement. Your mixes are getting better all the time. Enjoyed the harmony and I like the ending. A creative and fun ending fits well in a song like this.
An easy timing trick is to turn the drums up a bit louder than the other instruments when recording vocals.
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Joanne,
Another cool song. Really enjoyed this...
Bob
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Hi Joanne,
I found the chorus to this song incredibly infectious (that's good thing!). You had me singing along after the first time through. Loved it!
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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PGFantastic – thanks for giving it as listen and for commenting
Ian – thanks for the great comments. You are always so complimentary. Appreciate it
Don – I glad you enjoyed it. I am thinking about all the comments on the ending and may change it
Guenter and David. Thanks listening for the comments on the vocals lagging. I think I will try and rerecord the vocals first to see if that fixes the timing
Josie – thanks for the tip. I am going to try that
Bob and Noel – Thanks for the encouragement
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Good old western South African swing. Nice job Joanne.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
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Hi Rob. Never heard of Western South Africa swing but maybe there is a market for it....
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If there isn't there should be.
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
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Quote:
Hey Joanne,
I like it. Clever down home lyrics and nice tune. Good arrangement. Your mixes are getting better all the time. Enjoyed the harmony and I like the ending. A creative and fun ending fits well in a song like this.
An easy timing trick is to turn the drums up a bit louder than the other instruments when recording vocals.
+ ONE here!
Nice job Joanne
Later,
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It has taken me a bit of time to get back to responding. Thanks for listening Danny I really appreciate it
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Dear Joanne !
I listened to all your tracks
and I must congratulate you as
IMO you are a very good songwriter,
player and singer !:)
If you are still aspiring on
any of those fields i wish
you the best of luck !
Cheers
Dani
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Nice melody, instrument choice, lyrics, voice and mix! As far as the vocal timing goes like Sundance said an increase in a simple drum groove or even a click track can help nail it. But.....the downside is that it might lend to a "follow the bouncing ball" type of singing. Maybe try a "loosey goosey" feel that works around the timing -- slightly syncopated, bend a few notes, etc. Thanks for the post.
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Dani - Thanks for listening to my songs. Still aspiring in most of those fields, I’m afraid.
Bud - thanks for listening. I am going to try and rerecord the vocals on this one. Listening to it now I can clearly hear my tendency to "hang behind" on the timing of the vocals. So hopefully there will be an improvement now that I am aware of it.
Regards
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Hi Joanne! Great song, really enjoyed it. Thanks for uploading.
Have Fun!
Peter Gannon
PG Music Inc.
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We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
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