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In 2016, over 64,000 people in the US died from opioid overdoses. ( painkillers, heroin, fentanyl) To put that number in perspective, that’s more Americans killed by opioids in 365 days than were killed during the entirety of the Vietnam War. Opioids in America are more than a crisis, they’re a national emergency.I read an article recently in the USA Today about the opioid crisis in Middletown, Ohio. Having lived some of my childhood in small Ohio towns, I had a connection to this type of town. I sent the article to Bud Merritt and then dove right in and started writing. He sent back some lines that formed the basis of the second verse and first pre chorus. Janice then added her brilliant harmony. Thanks to all that listen and comment. https://soundcloud.com/tommyad/middletownhttps://tommyadamsmusic.com/musicRealTracks in song: 1522:Bass, Electric, PopPower8s Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 1038:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev065 RealTracks in song: 1037:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065 RealTracks in song: ~2503:Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 085 Royalty free loops Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboard, Tom Adams Harmony vocal, Janice Merritt Recorded in Logic Pro X Plug Ins : Nectar 2, Neutron 2, Ozone 8, Tonal Balance, Waves LinMB, Waves, L3-LL Multi Limiter, Scuffam Amps S-Gear, Waves Vocal Rider Middletown The only sound in Middletown are the sirens screaming in the night Stores closed up and the mill closed down And another angel’s taking flight All we got is family getting smaller everyday Friends have turned up missing guess they couldn’t stay She got that call again you know it’s happened twice All his answers shot into a vein Round here Dying’s just another part of life But No No Not this way she is just Too wasted to turn another trick The kitchen table’s always such a wreck her only son is chasing their next fix And trying to cash her unemployment check lined up at the pawnshop whatever they can sell It’s sad to see how my hometown gave up and went to hell She got that call again you know it’s happened twice All his answers shot into a vein Round here Dying’s just another part of life But No No Not this way ©2018 Thomas Adams/Bud Merritt
Last edited by tommyad; 03/15/18 11:10 AM.
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Tom , Bud & Janice
Superb, thought provoking lyrics, and a wonderful production.
Tom - loved the vocal, guitars and keyboard - beautiful mix.
Janice - spot on backing vocals and the little haunting lead "no no" part.
Truly exceptional.
Peter
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Tom, Bud & Janice,
A heartbreaking and beautifully written song. The vocals and production are incredible - pro all the way and really drive the emotional aspects of this song home.
Well done - does not get better than this...
Bob
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This is one hell of a powerful song!
These lines really moved me:
"She got that call again you know it’s happened twice
All his answers shot into a vein
Round here Dying’s just another part of life
But No No Not this way"
I think the last anti-drug song that moved me this much was John Prine's "Sam Stone".
This should be the theme song for an anti-opioid campaign.
This is a keeper for sure.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Hits right to the heart of the matter..outstanding production, and feels "right" for the topic/lyrics.
My favorite lyric element: "But No No Not this way"
BTW...was the drum track generated with RD's?
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Excellent in every way.
To my ears, it's got a strong Warren Zevon vibe.
Great stuff.
-- 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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Wow, such a powerful song! Excellent write, you really brought the story home (it's a big problem here too)
Production of course is totally pro, and it's the little things that really stand out and make it special. The second "no, no, not this way" line for example with just Janice.
Really good guys and gal!
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Ouch!
Powerful, and punchy. So close to home for America. Painful subject, but you handled it so well.
The subject matter at hand is so heart breaking for our country. Whenever I read about, and see pictures, I really want to cry.
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Tom, Bud And Janice...
This is STUNNINGLY good.
Songwriting at its very best. Not a wasted word. Every line is excellent. Every line is important. So much said in so few words.
The production is (as always) clean, clear, concise. No fat. Stellar mix.
The vocal has the empathy required. The harmonies are exquisite.
Y'all are all pros.
Extraordinary.
fj
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Tom , Bud & Janice
Superb, thought provoking lyrics, and a wonderful production.
Tom - loved the vocal, guitars and keyboard - beautiful mix.
Janice - spot on backing vocals and the little haunting lead "no no" part.
Truly exceptional.
Peter We certainly appreciate your review Peter. Thank you from all three of us, Tom
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We Tom , Bud & Janice
Superb, thought provoking lyrics, and a wonderful production.
Tom - loved the vocal, guitars and keyboard - beautiful mix.
Janice - spot on backing vocals and the little haunting lead "no no" part.
Truly exceptional.
Peter Thanks Peter! Considering the small contribution I (Bud) made I consider Tom to be very generous in listing me as a co-writer. Janice quickly fell into the harmony and it was Tom’s skillful editing that created her little lead from a harmony line. Appreciate the nice comments! Bud
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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Tom, Bud & Janice,
A heartbreaking and beautifully written song. The vocals and production are incredible - pro all the way and really drive the emotional aspects of this song home.
Well done - does not get better than this...
Bob Bob, Thank you for the wonderful comments, Tom
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Wow Tom what an awesome song and vocal. Awesome write Tom, Bud and Janice and such a beautiful harmony.
I have to respond to the lyrics separately.
The lyrics were so heart wrenching. It just seems the tragedy we are subjected today just keeps getting more and more extreme each day. That fentanyl just seems so insane why anyone would want to use it. Even the people cleaning up after these overdoses are getting wacked with just trace amounts of it lying around. Sad song awesome delivery
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This is one hell of a powerful song!
These lines really moved me:
"She got that call again you know it’s happened twice
All his answers shot into a vein
Round here Dying’s just another part of life
But No No Not this way"
I think the last anti-drug song that moved me this much was John Prine's "Sam Stone".
This should be the theme song for an anti-opioid campaign.
This is a keeper for sure. It is quite the compliment to have a John Prine reference in this review. Thanks, Tom ( back in my Chicago days I heard Prine do Sam Stone before he had a record deal. He remains a favorite)
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Wow - you guys absolutely nailed this. It is so haunting, and so moving. The subject matter of this one really hits close to home for me personally. It isn't often you see this issue addressed. Topic aside - this is a brilliant write and perfectly executed. Your harmonies on the chorus gave me goosebumps. Simply beautiful, and incredibly touching. Thanks so much for sharing this  You guys should be very proud of this one.
Cheers,
Deryk
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Here's one for the forum hall of fame, for sure!!! Powerful and painful, brilliant and beautiful, stellar and stunning!! Easiest way to sum it up.....everything done right, nothing done wrong. My favorite for both of you, and THAT is saying A LOT!!! Love it!! Take care. Greg
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Hi Tom,
A great song, beautifully performed and mixed.
It comes across at first as a really nice rock ballad, until you start to pick up
on the lyrics and then it gets difficult to listen to without being moved.
A very powerful and clever piece of writing.
Cheers, ROG.
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Yep..... got to agree, this is a really poignant song about a topic that is difficult at best to write about.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hits right to the heart of the matter..outstanding production, and feels "right" for the topic/lyrics.
My favorite lyric element: "But No No Not this way"
BTW...was the drum track generated with RD's? Thanks much. The drums were cut from loops, Tom
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Sad and beautiful Tom! It's packed full of truth that many can relate to! As for the production .... It has the awesome sonic quality an high production level we have come to expect from you! Great work! Thanks, Torrey
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
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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!
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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.
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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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