Hard hitting lyrics delivered with powerful vocals and a great band. Thanks for digging this up - I`m going to look back in the forum for the other songs on this theme.
Robert
Thanks, Robert. I looked back and found many of them around page 87 (July 2015)... there were a bunch of them - most you can recognize by the title...
Originally Posted By: Marty Sorensen
Movinng, powerful singing.
Thanks, Marty.
Originally Posted By: RnAM
Floyd/Joanne,
Why wasn't this posted before ;-) a very melodic and poppy verse with a good powered up chorus. A very complete package! Good work as always.
This is masterfully delivered, and sends out a powerful and vastly important message at the same time.
Just so well done.
Appreciate you dropping in, Trev... thanks!
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Excellent! Powerful message delivered in a powerful way. Love the drums in this, did you add processing after the fact to get them to sound so good? Anyway, an excellent write, performance, and mix, on my third listen.
Thanks, Dave. The drums - part of it is the track itself - sometimes you find RDs that have a slightly different recorded sound/quality - the rest is the effects that I apply in Studio One - it is a preset call "S1 Drumgroup" - meant for a stereo drum track like this (as all RDs are) - I use it on almost every BIAB drum track - and seldom do anything else - just drop that preset on the track and let it be. The preset includes an EQ (fairly standard drum settings) and a Multiband Dynamics (compressor). It always help bring out the kick and snare. And, of course, I always mix the drums to be "noticeable" in a big way....
That is one punchy production -- vocally and instrumentally. One could not know what a rhino is and enjoy it!
We're always impressed with the number of guitar tracks that you work in so seamlessly...yeah, they aren't all there at the same time but still...
This one is stamped with all the fj hallmarks -- great vocal, RT choice, arrangement and production.
Thanks for the reminder of this senseless slaughter. It's overwhelming to realize that such a magnificent animal could be sacrificed for a $#%^&$ horn.
In the perfect world efforts like Joanne's project would go viral. Sigh.
J&B
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
Very powerful sung and well written. As Rob & Anne-Marie said, A very melodic and poppy verse with a good powered up chorus. A very complete package! Good work as always. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
I really like the arrangement and mix well written and strong message nice performance, nice drive enjoyed it
Kenny
Thanks, Kenny...
Originally Posted By: Noel96
floyd and Joanne,
This is excellent, really excellent: great lyrics, great melody, great singing, superb arrangement and a real power-house of a mix. I can't believe that this has been sitting on some proverbial shelf somewhere! From every angle, this is 'quality'.
Good song, alas the Black Rhino seems also to be extinct in the wild now too, so too late mate. A re-write of it? Along the lines of I Shot the Sheriff, but ... ? As us humans are all guilty. F
Thanks for having a listen.
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Floyd Excellent production -a really strong lyric and a good tune and sung with conviction.
There are OBVIOUSLY many great things that can be said for this song. Many have already been said. Many have also said that many have already been said. So I'm going to focus on just a few.
Quote:
every year the number gets a little smaller every year bone pile a little taller
I love the contrast in this! It makes it SO powerful and grabs attention right away...of course strengthened by rhyme. Nice!
Quote:
poachers grow like a cancer
What an amazing line! Associating two horrible in such a powerful way. Wow...just..wow!
if not you and me, who will have the answer? will you turn away when you hear their cries?
Quote:
what we gonna tell our children what we gonna say we did that we let the rhino end or that we saved them for our kids stand up for the sake of your sons raise your voice for your daughters give them a future together we can stop the slaughter so tell me... what we gonna tell our children
You know how to tug heart strings my friend! The way you go about it is brilliant! Children/End Bringing kids/children into it THEN stating sons and daughters...with the rhyme of slaughter..just CRAZY great writing!
Quote:
raise your voice for your daughters
Literally raising your voice, a high point in the song with the lyric. Emotional man!
All delivered with a bold, strong feel to the chorus. To me this is a "call to action!" a bit of a "wake up call" without being offensive. It. Just. Makes. You. Think. The best way to change a person's thinking, is getting them to think!
Quote:
educate the world it's just a fairy tale no magic in the horn just a con man sale wasting your money won't cure a thing death of the beast is all it can bring
Perfectly said. Is this not the solution? Kill the market save the animal! Again, change the thinking.
FJ, I haven't been commenting on your songs, because it could really be a "copy and paste" set of comments. I do, however, ALWAYS listen. I just felt the need to comment on this one. I see it. I get it. Thank you for sharing this! People NEED to hear this song!
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
That is one punchy production -- vocally and instrumentally. One could not know what a rhino is and enjoy it!
We're always impressed with the number of guitar tracks that you work in so seamlessly...yeah, they aren't all there at the same time but still...
This one is stamped with all the fj hallmarks -- great vocal, RT choice, arrangement and production.
Thanks for the reminder of this senseless slaughter. It's overwhelming to realize that such a magnificent animal could be sacrificed for a $#%^&$ horn.
In the perfect world efforts like Joanne's project would go viral. Sigh.
Very powerful sung and well written. As Rob & Anne-Marie said, A very melodic and poppy verse with a good powered up chorus. A very complete package! Good work as always. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
Shigeki Adachi - I am pleased that you enjoyed this. Thanks for listening...
After a few plays I did feel tho that the whole sound had too much treble, Vocals would have sounded better as would the drums bass etc.
If the whole mix had a better bass/treble mix.
Love to hear it again with the above sorted.
Oh listened on my krk ,then on my beyrdynamics 770pro.then akg k 240,lastly my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones.
Good stuff guys
P.s I do think a lot of songs are posted a bit too loud I managed volume at 2 on my amp and it was blowing away i.e. no headroom left, I put amp too about 4/5 for a cd, So never get the feel of the song as I cant hear the amp kicking in as too LOUD for headphones/speakers.
There are OBVIOUSLY many great things that can be said for this song. Many have already been said. Many have also said that many have already been said. So I'm going to focus on just a few.
Quote:
every year the number gets a little smaller every year bone pile a little taller
I love the contrast in this! It makes it SO powerful and grabs attention right away...of course strengthened by rhyme. Nice!
Quote:
poachers grow like a cancer
What an amazing line! Associating two horrible in such a powerful way. Wow...just..wow!
if not you and me, who will have the answer? will you turn away when you hear their cries?
Quote:
what we gonna tell our children what we gonna say we did that we let the rhino end or that we saved them for our kids stand up for the sake of your sons raise your voice for your daughters give them a future together we can stop the slaughter so tell me... what we gonna tell our children
You know how to tug heart strings my friend! The way you go about it is brilliant! Children/End Bringing kids/children into it THEN stating sons and daughters...with the rhyme of slaughter..just CRAZY great writing!
Quote:
raise your voice for your daughters
Literally raising your voice, a high point in the song with the lyric. Emotional man!
All delivered with a bold, strong feel to the chorus. To me this is a "call to action!" a bit of a "wake up call" without being offensive. It. Just. Makes. You. Think. The best way to change a person's thinking, is getting them to think!
Quote:
educate the world it's just a fairy tale no magic in the horn just a con man sale wasting your money won't cure a thing death of the beast is all it can bring
Perfectly said. Is this not the solution? Kill the market save the animal! Again, change the thinking.
FJ, I haven't been commenting on your songs, because it could really be a "copy and paste" set of comments. I do, however, ALWAYS listen. I just felt the need to comment on this one. I see it. I get it. Thank you for sharing this! People NEED to hear this song!
Caaron - It is always nice to have the craft of the writing recognized by those who hold it most dear. You covered it all so nicely, I am happy to simply say Thanks! for such a nice review and "lyric dive"... it is, sincerely, appreciated...
After a few plays I did feel tho that the whole sound had too much treble, Vocals would have sounded better as would the drums bass etc.
If the whole mix had a better bass/treble mix.
Love to hear it again with the above sorted.
Oh listened on my krk ,then on my beyrdynamics 770pro.then akg k 240,lastly my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones.
Good stuff guys
P.s I do think a lot of songs are posted a bit too loud I managed volume at 2 on my amp and it was blowing away i.e. no headroom left, I put amp too about 4/5 for a cd, So never get the feel of the song as I cant hear the amp kicking in as too LOUD for headphones/speakers.
Food for thought
Regards
John - thanks for dropping in for a listen and thanks for your thoughts. I think you are right that it could use more bottom - I mixed this a couple of years ago when my focus was on other aspects of the soundscape, so I may have overlooked that aspect of it. Regarding loudness - I mix everything so that it matches the loudness of the CDs I listen to (generally on an iPod) and this sits along those nicely - so from my reference standpoint, I would not have a reason to mix lower...
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
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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):
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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.
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.
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These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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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)
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
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Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
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