This was originally done as a "Eagles type Country Rock" song using the melody that Kenny wrote. Kenny sang it and did the instrumentation and mixing, etc. It was called "Exception To The Rule".
When I considered doing a recording of it, I was a bit tired of doing that style of song... (I had done a bunch of them). I re-envisioned it as a moody Rock kind of thing. (A "reversal of roles" for the two of us....) I wrote a new melody and did a completely different style production (which Kenny was okay with). Since they are really different songs, I renamed it as well to keep them separate.
This has been sitting around for a couple of years. I decided to post it yesterday - to see if it might bring Kenny "out of the woodwork". He had sort of disappeared on us - and I, for one, missed hearing his cool brand of music. And, out of the blue... there he was with a new post!! I thought about putting this back on the shelf for a while, but figured...it must be a sign...
from a spark to a flame when you whispered my name but times, i've been burned by blue eyed cool smoky barroom vignettes nothing but regrets there's always an exception to the rule
been stood up, knocked down my heart's been dragged around girls like you playing me for a fool are you just in it for the fun or could you be the one could you be the exception to the rule
you've been slowly breaking my resistance with that sweet intoxicating southern drawl pretty soon there'll be no safe distance should i walk away before i have to crawl
so what's it gonna be settle in or set me free are you playing for keeps or playing dirty pool one last kiss; one last dance or should we take the bigger chance there's always an exception to the rule
you've been slowly breaking my resistance with that sweet intoxicating southern drawl pretty soon there'll be no safe distance should i walk away before i have to crawl
slowly breaking my resistance that sweet intoxicating southern drawl soon there'll be no safe distance should i walk away before i have to crawl
The BAND: Style is _POPBRIT.STY (PopBrit 2 Guitars (120 RS)) RealTracks in style: ~388:Bass, Electric, Metal Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 645:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopRockBritEdgy Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 648:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopRockBritHeavy Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 698:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ElecRockDirty Ev 120 (A:muted) RealTracks in song: 633:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopAmericanMuted Ev 120 (A:sync) RealTracks in song: 1722:Guitar, Electric, Soloist TexasBluesRockStraightSol Ev 120 RealDrums in style: RockHardModernEv8^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:4 beat Snare, HiHat Loop - BIAB Cowbell
Well, I know I've said it before, but I DO like your heavier side. And I know you're a Country Boy at heart, but you do full-on rock like this SO well. Hats off to Kenny as well though, for writing a nice dark chord sequence for you to mess around with.
Sounds good LOUD, sounds good on the speakers, sounds good in the 'phones, so must be good. I'm not even gonna ask for the solo to be louder - hey, just pleased to hear a solo like that in one of your productions.
Great write, well sung, excellent rocking mix. In my phones, everything is sitting in it's own space nicely - especially the "heavy" drums.
I particularly liked the "intoxicating Southern drawl" line. I was betting on you rhyming it with "...gonna fall". So much for my powers of prediction!
nice you gave it a new breath of air! A little dark rock with some attitude. I don't normally listen to much of this but this was pretty danged cool. Loved it1 I like Floyd's harder side . a new look at our our friend! Nice!
We've said it before, apart from being a good country singer, you really are a very good rocker! Please go on making this kind of songs. The mix is excellent. This is a great rock song, which is very catchy too! Really good job from both of you!
Rob and Anne-Marie
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
Hi floyd, I enjoyed this! I really enjoyed the overall tone of this. Fantastic choice of instrumentation, and great work on the guitars they sound very crunchy! Great use of EFX. Thanks for sharing!
As mentioned a couple of years ago, you and Kenny have done a really great job in writing this song. "Burned by blue-eyed cool" is still a standout line!
The current version, though, takes the previous version in a whole new direction.
What stood out to me most was how you've taken what was an AABA format and while you've kept the AABA presentation, you've modified the format so that it finishes with repeated B-sections. That really intrigued me. Normally to end an AABA song using the B section does not work effectively. But that was not the case here. Moreover, these days, the only way that a song usually ends with a B-section is if that B-section is a chorus. In this song of yours and Kenny's, though, the B-section did not sound like a chorus at all to me.
The more I thought about it, the more I came to see that your approach to format reminded me of a jazz technique I've come across a few times recently. There are a number of songs from the 40s/50s that use ABAB where B is definitely neither a chorus nor a bridge but just another musical section. One that springs to mind is Loesser's "If I Were A Bell" from 'Guys and Dolls'.
The first appearance of the B-section starts with Jean Simmons singing "From the moment we kissed tonight..." and ends with "If I were a banner I'd wave." In the following repetition of the A- and B-sections, the B-section ends the the sequence at that point with a slight variation of the original B-section.
In all honesty, I found it very refreshing to hear "The Rule". You and Kenny have given me a great deal to ponder!
Impressive work!
All the best, Noel
P.S. Also, as always, I was left thinking... "How does floyd manage to produce such a spectacular sound!"
Minus the electric solo, I could totally here R.E.M. doing this. (Not that I mind the solo, mind you.)
There is some really sweet jangle rock going on here.
Floyd, I have decided you are really a rocker just pretending to be the sensitive guy.
Great collab guys.
Yeah, I decided to ditch the "sensitive guy" label... shopping for a leather vest and Harley... arrrrgh...
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Yeah, I love this!
I like it when you let your inner rock star out, Floyd! You have a good voice for this type of material IMHO.
Lots of good things happening in the production, the holds in the chorus for example. Lead guitar sounds "right" to me, fits the song perfectly.
Nice collaboration you two!
Thanks, Dave!! BTW - those holds in the chorus are the Medium Rock Brent soloist 120 RT doing holds - that RT does great holds - big, explosive and smooth, hitting just the way they need to for that sound...
Really great rocker with catchy 'big drum' chorus - I like the minor chord approach. Nice lyrics. Vocals, arrangement and mix are excellent. The solo guitar fits like a glove.
Well, I know I've said it before, but I DO like your heavier side. And I know you're a Country Boy at heart, but you do full-on rock like this SO well. Hats off to Kenny as well though, for writing a nice dark chord sequence for you to mess around with.
Sounds good LOUD, sounds good on the speakers, sounds good in the 'phones, so must be good. I'm not even gonna ask for the solo to be louder - hey, just pleased to hear a solo like that in one of your productions.
Can we have so more of this stuff, please?
ROG.
Thanks, ROG - you are giving me more confidence about doing Rock numbers - I sometimes think "they aren't my thing"...
Two of my favorite writers (on or off the forum)!!! I knew it would be great, and IT IS!! I can hear both of you in the song. Clever, interesting lyric with some great lines, including
pretty soon there'll be no safe distance should i walk away before i have to crawl
Just right! The melody is perfect at blending the excitement mixed with apprehension of the relationship. The production/vocals are tops, and the guitar solo is perfect for the song. Certainly one of the forum A-teams! Great, great stuff guys!! Take care. Greg
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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