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I have been out of commission for the past couple of months. Overwhelmed with work, and then I have had a strange infection in my head/sinuses that caused me to lose almost all my hearing for a few weeks. I'm doing better now, so I wrote a new song. The guitar and bouzouki are RealTracks. The piano and all the other orchestration are all EastWest sounds. I recorded this one in Studio One, and did the mix in Harrison's MixBus 32c. I hope you like it! (I will try to get to some of the great songs on this forum, and comment on them in the next couple of days - I have really missed you guys!) The Lessons We've Learned The Lessons We've Learned©Stephen W. Young He stares at the face in the mirror And he swears it could be the old man He's forgotten the last words that were spoken Can't remember how it got out of hand After years of regrets, he thought it ended When they told him the old man was dead They found a letter his daddy had written Never sent, he wept as he read I hope you will come when you're able Maybe Autumn, when the leaves start to turn We'll laugh and forget all our troubles And remember the lessons we've learned Remember the lessons we've learned Now, it could be pride or foolishness Keeps a good man from doing what's right In his heart, he knows of forgiveness But it's so easy to keep it inside I hope you will come when you're able Maybe Autumn, when the leaves start to turn We'll laugh and forget all our troubles And remember the lessons we've learned Remember the lessons we've learned Now the memories and pain fade away As he kisses his little baby's head Asleep in his arms, in a moment of grace He whispers the words that he read[b][/b]
Steve Young Music"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
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Steve, Oh my goodness... this is such a wonderful journey in lyrics and music. I found myself sitting here and just staring at the monitor when the song had finished. Absolutely everything about this is outstanding. So much skill and talent radiating from every aspect of this production. You've created something very, very special with this composition. The arrangement led me along like I was travelling on a boat drifting downstream. I love the way that you've shaped the emotional contour of the instrumental backing so that it frames the lyrics, the melody and your singing for maximum impact.  (AGAIN!) I'm heading back for a few more listens, now! All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Steve,
This is beautiful and the mix / vocal is outstanding... So nice to hear from you!
Bob
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Hi Steve,
There have been lots of excellent songs on the forum recently, but this
stands head and shoulders above them all. It's simply in a class of it's own.
I called my wife in to listen to it and we both sat there with tears in our eyes.
So emotive, so beautiful.
I don't think there's anything more I can add.
ROG.
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Steve,
How do you do it with every song you write/sing??
3.33 the crash cymbal was perfect, absolutely perfect.
Yes there are some great songs on the forum these days and this is at the top
good to hear you again
Alyn
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What a beautiful song  You really did an amazing job with this. It sounds sincere and lush. The kind of tune you can close your eyes and get completely lost in. The lyrics too - oh boy, I can imagine this being played live and there not being a dry eye in the house. You should be really proud of this one - thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Deryk
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A beautiful piece Steve in all respects, oozing sincerity and meaning. A perfect vocal. And impeccably arranged and engineered as usual. Above first class.
I'm glad you're on the mend Steve.
John
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Lush and lovely.
It's a wonderful write and it would be hard to imagine anybody singing this other than you. Each listen takes one on a remarkable four minute journey.
The theme of the lyric, your vocals and the crystal clear production are ear candy of the highest order.
Congrats on a stunning production. Wow!
J&B
PS It's great to see you back here and we hope the sinus issue doesn't linger (Bud has experienced a similar issue).
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
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You really should warn a guy. You made my driving a bit difficult.  What an amazing song. The chimes, strings, cymbal swells were all perfection. The lyric and vocal go without saying. ...and mixed SO well. Don't make me pick a favorite part. I would rather pick a favorite Grandma kind of thing. This song truly moved me. Thanks you for such a wonderful perspective.
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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What a beautiful song. The vocals were especially brilliant. Thanks for taking the time to share!
Cheers,
Ember
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Love it!  The writing is amazingly good - each verse gives the chorus a different meaning, and you've built a story arc of redemption out of a minimum number of words. The opening of stares/swears is nice. Great orchestration as well, and as always, heartfelt vocals. Soooo good. Sorry to hear about the hearing issue - hearing loss is always frightening for a musician! I'm glad you're doing better. It's always a treat to hear one of your songs, and as impossible as it seems, you just keep getting better.
-- 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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Beautiful, Steve.
A thoughtful, touching write. Extraordinary arrangement and mix (as always!)
You always "make it look easy". Everything in the perfect place...
Your vocals are SO well recorded. I would love to hear what your equipment is AND how you process them. I'm sure everyone else would, too. I recall you wrote up a Mixing Tutorial years ago - if it is in there, perhaps you could just point to that here again?
fj
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Your vocals are SO well recorded. I would love to hear what your equipment is AND how you process them. I'm sure everyone else would, too. I recall you wrote up a Mixing Tutorial years ago - if it is in there, perhaps you could just point to that here again?
fj
+1
Chad (Hope that makes it easier)
TEMPO TANTRUM: What a lead singer has when they can't stay in time.
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The Mixing Thread is here: http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=162045#Post162045I bumped it in the Tips forum - worth another read (or a first read for those who haven't seen it).
... I do everything "in the box" - I my computer for all my recording/mixing/etc.
...I use a Focusrite Saffire 6 USB interface, and have a couple decent mics that I use - Audio Technica 3525 and a MXL. They're not too expensive $200 or so, each.
... Usually record 1 track for Lead Vocals verses, and a separate track for Lead Vocals choruses (maybe a 3rd for bridges, transitions, etc.) When I record my Background Vocals, I record usually at least 3 separate tracks for each harmony part.
...I also send all my Background vocals to a bus where I put reverb/delay, etc. I also eq the BGV pretty thin, with a High-Pass filter taking out everything below around 200Hz or so - sounds drastic, but I don't want my BGV's competing with the Lead Vox.
I believe that is everything you wrote about vocals. Good information, but I'm not sure it tells "why do Steve's vocals sound "SO RIGHT"???". Clean, clear, natural... Are your mics going directly into the Focusrite and straight to your DAW (no other outboard equipment)?
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Steve
Beautiful work - a truly lovely composition. Superb arrangement and an excellent vocal.
Deserves all the accolades from others.
Peter
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Beautiful song, a super write
and your vocals and mix are so good!
enjoyed the listen very much
Kenny
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Steve this is simply beautiful. Gorgeous arrangement, and great lyrics and vocals. Extremely poignant.
I am sorry to hear you weren't feeling good but it's great to see you back in the game!
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That is some nice work.
The lesson here, from the song, is, don't put it off.
I enjoyed that.
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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Hi Steve, Great work on this! I enjoyed the overall tone of this and find the chord progression wonderful. Great use of EFX on vocals too. Glad to hear you're feeling better!
Cheers,
Joe
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Steve, Oh my goodness... this is such a wonderful journey in lyrics and music. I found myself sitting here and just staring at the monitor when the song had finished. Absolutely everything about this is outstanding. So much skill and talent radiating from every aspect of this production. You've created something very, very special with this composition. The arrangement led me along like I was travelling on a boat drifting downstream. I love the way that you've shaped the emotional contour of the instrumental backing so that it frames the lyrics, the melody and your singing for maximum impact. (AGAIN!) I'm heading back for a few more listens, now! All the best, Noel Thanks, Noel! I always look forward to your comments. They are always so uplifting. Very much appreciated, my friend! Steve,
This is beautiful and the mix / vocal is outstanding... So nice to hear from you!
Bob Bob, it is always a pleasure to hear from you! You are one of my favorite writers, and an inspiration to me. Your kind words mean a lot to me. Hi Steve,
There have been lots of excellent songs on the forum recently, but this
stands head and shoulders above them all. It's simply in a class of it's own.
I called my wife in to listen to it and we both sat there with tears in our eyes.
So emotive, so beautiful.
I don't think there's anything more I can add.
ROG.
Rog, thank you so much for sharing that with me! I have always had a lot of respect for your work. As a writer, particularly of this type of song, it is my greatest desire that the song would touch people's hearts like you have described. Thanks again! == Steve
Steve Young Music"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
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