Jeff, you did a lot of work, hopefully had some fun and learned something new while doing this. Time making music is never really wasted. You made a fine arrangement.

Personally, I don't think it fits this song with the intent of her vocal that I hear in her melody notes and phrasing. I think Herb is spot on about her probably hearing a more indie or indie pop sound in her head even though her vocal chops lean more traditional which is why I used the word intent.

Also the choir ending is drowning her out and may be overkill, I personally love choirs but I don't hear much of that on the Contemporary Christian station I listen to these days.

I think when you're working with a singer who writes and has music in her head it's important to keep her involved in every step of the arrangement - is this what you're feeling/hearing kind of thing and especially asking for "who" she's wanting to sound like because she is definitely hearing some group or singer and has already bonded to that sound and vibe in her head. Otherwise like Charlie and Herb already mentioned you won't wind up on the same page.

When I was a young songwriter, I tried a collab with a friend's boyfriend who was in another state. When I later met him in person he wouldn't open his mouth to sing or play a guitar in my presence because months before I had been honest and told him I didn't like his arrangement of that song of mine. It was really a sad thing but I couldn't help that I just didn't relate to what he did. I wasn't trying to insult his talent and had said as much many times. In reality I thought he was a very talented guy but he was so insulted to the core that I stopped going around them. Since then over the years I've had times where someone I was working with didn't like my arrangement. So I've been on both sides of that fence.

You can always refuse to do anything for anybody else unless you get paid for it and they still might not like it so good luck with that approach. grin

I don't think she's trying to be an ingrate. She's just not hearing her song the same way you heard it.
Don't take it personal. There's no right or wrong, there's only taste and it's just a song.

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