PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Elaine (The Girl Next Door)

Hi there.
Another one from FAWM been tidied up. Just a few to go now.

on Soundcloud
https://soundcloud.com/tuigorge/fawm-no2-in-love-with-elaine


Hope you enjoy. Cheers.

RD - Country even 8
Bass - RT 519 plus a little of Sampletank FatBass
Guitars - RT584 (Resophnic country blues)
- RT 511 Dire

Small rave here.
I remember Elaine and the day we started school. Fresh scrubbed and smelling of soap orange drink and toast. Her navy blue tunic and blazer and hair shining in the morning sun. Mum's photo catching our worried eyes and brave smiles. Her hardboard case and my proudly genuine bullock hide schoolbag and web belt with the snake buckle. Our shirts buttoned to the neck her hand so soft and warm. As neighbours we played and explored with enthusiasm and joy.
There's an old photo of us at the New years eve party in the village hall. I'm glaring from my pudding basin haircut with strangled tie. Her mouth is set tight with sympathy in a short clown suit with four big pom-poms. As childhood years played out she coloured my world contented. Things change. The family left the bulldozers, parties and pine pollen, moving to the coast, so Dad could work his long line boat. Now I realize that I loved her and life will never be the same. Never saw her again but I still remember Elaine.

In Love With Elaine

I re-member frosty mornings, the parties and the pine-trees
And the first day that we went to school
New uniforms and text-books bullock hide leather bags
Your laughter in the sunshine as I play the fool

Fall in love with Elaine in old photos
Fall in love with Elaine in the past
Didn't know the good thing we had going
Fall in love with Elaine - at last.

A photo from the New Year cele-bration in the hall
I'm sulking and your mouth is set like stone
Pompoms on your clownsuit, I hate my strangled tie
We're fed-up, tired and grumpy, just want to go home

Fall in love with Elaine in old photos
Fall in love with Elaine in the past
Didn't know the good thing we had going
Fall in love with Elaine - at last.

Where's the wonder that we knew as we walked hand in hand
Where's it gone?

Fall in love with Elaine in old photos
Fall in love with Elaine in the past
Didn't know the good thing we had going
Fall in love with Elaine - at last.

As usual for you, some wonderful lyrical images. On this one, I would try a simpler, more organic feel. Take care. Greg

I like the song, but not all of the drums. I might be overly sensitive to percussion at the moment though, since I just posted a song in which I struggled a bit with Real Drums.

At about 0:36, I like those drums, so I guess I want to hear a simpler drum pattern in the verses. The drums in the chorus work perfectly for me and fit very well with that resonator. I love the groove of the second chorus.

'strangled tie' Nice.

Richard,

Another interesting lyric. Well done - and enjoyable...

floyd

Hi Richard,

nice interesting lyrics.
Like it.

Guenter

Thanks Greg for the listen and great comments. If I was a better singer I would like to do the song with a very plain background. But... Cheers.

Thanks Olemon for checking this out and commenting. On having another listen I think you are right. The verse drums are probably a bit too sharp and could be softened. May repost it later. Cheers.

Thanks Floyd. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Cheers.

Thanks Guenter for checking and nice comment. Cheers.

Hi Rich
Love the pompoms on the clown suit! I take it this is a true story? I enjoyed it very much except in South Africa we would say Eh lane (as in Egg)

You're crankin' out one good one after another. Again, like previously, an enjoyable listen with movie like imagery. Cheers.

Hi Rich

Great story in the lyrics... Well done..

Good lyrics, vocal and backing tracks, it’s all here.

Good song.

I do agree about the drums BTW.

HI Richard ...

Nice little video for this one! A good write and production. I (Al) had a crush in high school on a girl named Elaine, 'cept she spelled it Elayne.

Really enjoyed how you ended that on the off chord (the 5-chord). Nice!

Al & Di

Thanks Joanne. Came across the old photos of us which prompted the song.
I really like using an old photo to induce a song. Cheers.

Thanks Janice and Bud. Love those comments! Cheers.

Thanks Scott. Just came home from an unexpected workshop with Pat Pattison. Didnt know he was coming here and they had a spare place. Delighted to actually meet him. Lucky me! Cheers.

Thanks Mario. Pity about the drums. Never mind. More careful next time. Cheers.

Thanks Al and Di. Must be something about these Elaines. Wanted to end the song unresolved to suggest future possiblities. Cheers.

Good song Rich and pictures are priceless. I agree about the drums.


Josie

Ahh, Sweet memories! very visual lyrics, well done

Thanks so much Josie. I finally put up the new version this morning. Took a huge 9DB off the verse drums and like it much better. Thanks to all for commenting on the drums. Cheers.

http://youtu.be/P05y7V9TLss

Thanks for the comments Gruverider. I think old photos are a good source of songs. Cheers.