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#407302 04/14/17 04:10 AM
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Continuing down a path...

Mike (pghboemike) posted a thread in the Songwriting forum about "Why All Country Music Sounds The Same".
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=400664#Post400664
It has since gone WAY off the rails, but...

The video talked about the drum pattern that a number of current top Country songs have in common.
So... thought I'd use it.
The drum pattern can be found in the new (BIAB 2017) Sannon Forrest RealDrum ModCountry16ths.
I also created a beat track of the pattern.
Added to that, a typical current Country chord progression (briefly talked about in the video).
Then grabbed some appropriate BIAB RealTracks.
Then wrote a lyric.


A LITTLE BIT OF THIS

she walked in, took me by surprise
that little black dress, those emerald eyes
those heels, those legs, that bumpty-bump, that cold hard stare
that said i know you want to make a move, boy, but do you dare
   
   i know you want a little bit of this
   a tender touch, a warm sweet kiss
   just too hot or maybe not
   how much can you handle
   a runaway train can jump the track
   so don't lay a bet that you can't back
   careful, lesser men have cracked from
   a little bit of this

i drop the blinds on the windows, cut the lights out one by one
she dropped that little black dress right there, I was done
those heels, those legs, that bumpty-bump, that cold hard stare
my heart pounding so damn hard, could have died right then and there
   
   (she whispered)
   i know you want a little bit of this
   a tender touch, a warm sweet kiss
   just too hot or maybe not
   how much can you handle
   a runaway train can jump the track
   so don't lay a bet that you can't back
   careful, lesser men have cracked from
   a little bit of this

no hope
no rope
i'm in deep
and drowning
all in
tailspin
she's whisperin
again
   
   i know you want a little bit of this
   a tender touch, a warm sweet kiss
   just too hot or maybe not
   how much can you handle
   a runaway train can jump the track
   so don't lay a bet that you can't back
   careful, lesser men have cracked from
   a little bit of this




The BAND:

RealTracks in style: 1759:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1004:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm ClassicRockStrumming Ev16 065
RealTracks in song: 840:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladClean Ev 085 (B:strum)
RealTracks in song: 839:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladClean Ev 085 (A:arp)
RealTracks in song: 1169:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockMediumBrent Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2690:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Slow16thsPopBrentSimple Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 623:Banjo, Background Backporch Ev 098
RealDrums in Song: ModCountry16ths^01-a:Closed hat, Sync-kick, b:Open hat, Sync-kick

Beat track created in Studio One Professional - Impact multichannel drum sampler (MIDI)

Background vocals: the janettes (Janice Merritt and me)
(...YOU ARE THE BOMB, girl!!!)


Imagination encouraged.
Comments, too.
Have at it.

#thisaintyourgrampascountry

floyd

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Hey floyd,

Wow! Actually, I'll put that in colour because it needs to shine as brightly as both your composition/presentation and Janice's vocals.



It seems that your producing and orchestrating have moved into a whole new universe these days! The clarity that you've managed to create with the percussion is amazing and the mix is every bit equal to the percussion. It's a stunning sound. (And that's after being compressed by Soundcloud!)

Many times over the years, I've used the word 'professional' when I've talked about about your songs. Quite simply, that's how they sound to my ears. Then, every few songs, you come along with a creation that significantly raises the bar on what it means to sound 'professional'... I guess it's like 'professional' on steroids. This song was like that for me.

The musical journey in "A Little Bit Of This" (love all those short 'i' sounds in the hook, by the way) was very inventive. It captured my imagination and didn't let go for the entire length of the song.

The lyrics... well... they captured my imagination in a completely different way!

One thing that stood out to me in the lyrics was how you cleverly used rhyme asymmetry to set-up the non-rhyming hook in the last line of the chorus.

When you sang....

Quote:
a runaway train can jump the track
so don't lay a bet that you can't back
careful, lesser men have cracked from
a little bit of this

...the three successive rapid-fire rhymes of 'track, back, cracked' prepare the ear for the line that does not rhyme.

  • Even though I've talked about this lyric strategy in at least one of your earlier works, your use of it in this song is so effective that I wanted to mention it again. I hope you don't mind.

This strategy of three consecutive rhymes followed by a non-rhyme is one that many lyricists have used over the years; especially in AABA songs where the hook is the last line of each A-section. Having a last line that does not rhyme, shines really bright spotlights on that line. This makes it perfect for hook placement.

As I see it, and I stand to be corrected on this, the reason the aaax rhyme scheme works so well is because the ear/brain appreciates contrast when an aural rhyming pattern starts to sound too predictable. When such predictability sets in, as in a sequence of three consecutive rhymes, a subsequent unrhyming line can do the job much better than a rhyming line.

But then you take it a step further...

To capitalise on using lyric-rhyme asymmetry, you've strategically finished the chorus melody with the note for 'this' not on the tonic! Such an unbalanced lyric setting is excellent prosody given the guy's pounding heart... "ingenious" is a word that just sprang to mind. I'm going to have to try this technique in a song! Until I do, though, I'm heading back for another run-through.

What a terrific listen!
Noel


MY SONGS...
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Floyd,

That`s fun! Clever lyrics ( I`m not familiar with bumpty-bump, but will be looking out for that move now!),and as Noel says ,a rhyme scheme that really keeps the song moving.
Super vocals and harmonies.

Robert

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Hey, Floyd. I'm certainly learning some new stuff here, about Country.

First up, that kick drum nearly brought the Tannoys off the wall and was that a hand-clap where I was expecting a snare or brush? Those intro bars could have heralded a rap track! Not that that's meant to be a criticism you understand.

Once the track really kicked off, yeah, it sounded like Country and no one does it better than you do these days. And isn't Janice wonderful.

So, great track, great arrangement, excellent mix.

Well, maybe extend the solo a bit? I mean, eight bars? Volume was OK though!

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing.

Cheers, ROG.

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Floyd,

Really cool song and use of that ModCountry drum.

I am copying that one man. smile

Excellent song, lyrics, and delivery as always. I study you dude.

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Hi, Floyd !


Wonderful, is what came
first to my mind when
listening to this tune
of yours ! Just great music
superbly performed by you
and Janice !

Congrats to all involved !

Cheers
Dani

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Floyd, to reflect on Noel's comments, you never cease to amaze.

You certainly have proven, absolutely beyond doubt, that not all Country sounds the same.

This is excellent, has a fantastic drive throughout, and a masterful inclusion of fills.

Outstanding lyrics, delivered with a powerful vocal.

The list goes on. Thanks for another FJ contribution.


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Hi Floyd,

Now, that's what we call an answer to a post! Creative and entertaining - isn't that what songwriting is supposed to be about?

Loved the vocal fx on the bridge! That was pretty cool!!!

You're a college course in music in one post - cool!

Alan & Di


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Originally Posted By: Al-David
You're a college course in music in one post - cool!

So true!

By the way, that's a a powerful statement, Alan. I'm going to have to quote you somewhere, someday. I promise to give credit where credit is due! Carl Crouch is not the only wise man in your family, I see smile


MY SONGS...
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What an awesome song Floyd. Loved the story in the lyric. Super vocal and backtrack. Just loved this one


Scott Collingwood
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https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
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Hello, floyd

Really cool song with super vocals.
The minor opening melody is unusual for you, but it is very good.
The drums at intro. are splendid.
Very enjoyable listen.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Another step closer.....

This certainly makes the grade and hits the mark. I really like it and it does spark my imagination and Sherlock Holmes instincts as I try to listen and analyze at the same time. This will take quite a few listens to absorb the fun and genius of this latest production. Even has some effects going on...

There is so much to steal here and so little time before you post your next masterpiece.

There was a recent post that featured a BIAB artist demo that got picked up and reached #1 on a Canadian chart. We were able to listen to both the demo and the commercial release. This song is a song that could easily garner the same fate.

Technically this hits all the bases. Especially the drums/percussion and I'll add the effects and BGV's as well.

Job well done. Enjoyed my listen.

Charlie


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Excellent song and performance, enjoyed very much. Big tip of the hat to the janettes smile

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Another five star piece Floyd, I really loved the new twists, especially that drum track, and the treated vocal in the last verse. Great work as ever! Off for a few more listens...
cool grin
John

Last edited by Skyline; 04/15/17 04:09 AM.

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Simply excellent. Ditto all the comments regarding the beats. I like how you bring in the banjo and the delay on your vocal in the last section.


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Originally Posted By: Noel96
Hey floyd,

Wow! Actually, I'll put that in colour because it needs to shine as brightly as both your composition/presentation and Janice's vocals.



It seems that your producing and orchestrating have moved into a whole new universe these days! The clarity that you've managed to create with the percussion is amazing and the mix is every bit equal to the percussion. It's a stunning sound. (And that's after being compressed by Soundcloud!)

Many times over the years, I've used the word 'professional' when I've talked about about your songs. Quite simply, that's how they sound to my ears. Then, every few songs, you come along with a creation that significantly raises the bar on what it means to sound 'professional'... I guess it's like 'professional' on steroids. This song was like that for me.


I appreciate that Noel... (we have been having forum conversations for a number of years now.) The addition of a beat track to the existing RealDrum track has been an interesting discovery. I have used a combination of a typical RealDrum and a bongo/congo RealDrum a number of times - that's a great sound, so this seems a natural extension (where appropriate).

Quote:

The musical journey in "A Little Bit Of This" (love all those short 'i' sounds in the hook, by the way) was very inventive. It captured my imagination and didn't let go for the entire length of the song.

The lyrics... well... they captured my imagination in a completely different way!

One thing that stood out to me in the lyrics was how you cleverly used rhyme asymmetry to set-up the non-rhyming hook in the last line of the chorus.

When you sang....

Quote:
a runaway train can jump the track
so don't lay a bet that you can't back
careful, lesser men have cracked from
a little bit of this

...the three successive rapid-fire rhymes of 'track, back, cracked' prepare the ear for the line that does not rhyme.

  • Even though I've talked about this lyric strategy in at least one of your earlier works, your use of it in this song is so effective that I wanted to mention it again. I hope you don't mind.

This strategy of three consecutive rhymes followed by a non-rhyme is one that many lyricists have used over the years; especially in AABA songs where the hook is the last line of each A-section. Having a last line that does not rhyme, shines really bright spotlights on that line. This makes it perfect for hook placement.

As I see it, and I stand to be corrected on this, the reason the aaax rhyme scheme works so well is because the ear/brain appreciates contrast when an aural rhyming pattern starts to sound too predictable. When such predictability sets in, as in a sequence of three consecutive rhymes, a subsequent unrhyming line can do the job much better than a rhyming line.

I always appreciate that you pick up on and can verbalize the atypical "lyrical tricks" that make songs work in different ways. There is similar "verbal gyrations" happening just prior to that, too... The quick "hot/not" rhyme allows the non-rhyming "how much can you handle" to stand on it's own (also helped by the cadence of that line...) then the track/back/cracked captures the ear enough that there is no longer a need the resolve "handle..."


Quote:

But then you take it a step further...

To capitalise on using lyric-rhyme asymmetry, you've strategically finished the chorus melody with the note for 'this' not on the tonic! Such an unbalanced lyric setting is excellent prosody given the guy's pounding heart... "ingenious" is a word that just sprang to mind. I'm going to have to try this technique in a song! Until I do, though, I'm heading back for another run-through.

What a terrific listen!
Noel


Thanks for such a thoughtful (and delightful) review.

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Ditto on everything that has been said.

You are a pro for sure!

This is a keeper.


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floyd, it's the little things that count and this one is full of them. The beat and handclap followed by the banjo coming in (paddle faster I hear a banjo) followed by the bumpty bump followed by the perfect background vocals, then the perfect guitar part with the right effects, then the fills. Nice work. It's very current. I liked it. Tom

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Floyd

Some very nice comments and given the significant detailed analysis of the song not much more I can add other than it sounded excellent - great performance - you and Janice blend brilliantly and it's a job(song ) well done. Deserves all the praise.

Peter

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Floyd,

Awesome! This one really packs a punch... Radio ready and another hit!

Bob

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