Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#493269 09/28/18 05:58 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Boy In The Mirror

This style was a new discovery from last years BiaB.. I`d already written the verses to this song and listening to the fretless bass helped find the chorus.
Childhood memories & reflections are a common theme in my writing - as long as I keep finding new angles on the theme I`ll keep hoeing that row!

Style is _KIRKLND.STY (Morning in Kirkland Pop Ballad)

RealTracks in style: 2937:Bass, Fretless Electric Pop8thsRene Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 1765:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop16ths Ev16 085
RealTracks in style: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks : ElectroFlutes Pop Ev085
RealDrums in style: NashvilleBrushesCountryPopEv16: a: Sidestick, Brushes b: Brushes


Boy in the Mirror

sleight of hand
a magician`s trick folding time
the fading man
meadows in his heart morphine his mind
looking at the boy
looking at the boy
in the mirror

you slipped away
I put on my father`s hat
on the last page
can we turn the story back
talking to the boy
talking to the boy
in the mirror

underwater
hiding behind the sky
getting clearer
the thief the hero of your life

don`t end this way
my world never lost its shine
lets go play
the grass blade flute make silly rhymes
listening to the boy
listening to the boy
in the mirror


underwater
hiding behind the sky
getting clearer
the thief the hero of your life
the hero of your life


© Robert Cordrey Sept. 2018

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,172
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,172
What a cool song. One of your best vocals Robert. Production was excellent. Loved your effects.. Really neat instrument selection.


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,381
What a great listen. I think there must have been a strong West-Coast late-60's influence on this. Very nice lyric that conjured up more than the words said. Nicely done. I enjoyed this very much.


BIAB 2021 Audiophile. Windows 10 64bit. Songwriter, lyricist, composer(?) loving all styles. Some pre-BIAB music from Farfetched Tangmo Band's first CD. https://alonetone.com/tangmo/playlists/close-to-the-ground
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,728
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,728
Robert,

Another interesting write - fun to follow along and speculate at the origins/meanings... a psychedelic ride...

I wasn't aware that BIAB had ElectroFlutes!! A cool addition for this... intriguing vocal, a good mix..

fj

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,528
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,528
Your first few lines blow me away:
sleight of hand
a magician`s trick folding time
the fading man
meadows in his heart morphine his mind

Fabulous lyrics!

Last edited by Ezekiel's Storm; 09/28/18 01:31 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,170
The flutes lend an acoustic/folk/psych feeling to the choruses making them seem quite Pearls Before Swine/Tom Rappish.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: Scott C
What a cool song. One of your best vocals Robert. Production was excellent. Loved your effects.. Really neat instrument selection.


Thanks Scott!
After two years of posting a song every couple of weeks I`m ready to actually figure out how to get the best from my voice...so no more just plugging in a preset and saying "good enough".A ways to go, but
I appreciate that comment.
Just wait `til you hear the effects on our new collaboration.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,085
Thought provoking deep lyrics with a really cool arrangement and vocal. Great job on the production too Robert.

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,888
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,888
Hi Robert,

I like the arrangement and I also like the vocal treatment you used, and of course your lyrics are always clever and well written.

Enjoyed!

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: Tangmo
What a great listen. I think there must have been a strong West-Coast late-60's influence on this. Very nice lyric that conjured up more than the words said. Nicely done. I enjoyed this very much.


Yes, my influences ( Uk folk or US hippie era) can`t be hidden.
Glad you found the lyrics interesting- thank you for listening!

Robert

Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Robert,

Another interesting write - fun to follow along and speculate at the origins/meanings... a psychedelic ride...

I wasn't aware that BIAB had ElectroFlutes!! A cool addition for this... intriguing vocal, a good mix..

fj


Floyd,
Those electro flutes have been there for a couple of years ( I used them before but can`t remember where now).They were a late change out for a cello track; I used strings a few times lately so time for something different.
Meanings always open for interpretation - one of the secret joys of songwriting!
Thanks for your comments.

Robert

Originally Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm
Your first few lines blow me away:
sleight of hand
a magician`s trick folding time
the fading man
meadows in his heart morphine his mind

Fabulous lyrics!


First verse, get the attention & set the scene.
Glad you liked that.

User Showcase
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,067
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 4,067
Robert,

Never the easy way out, that's for sure.
Love the complexity of this one.
Beautiful vocals and I especially like the vocal reverse backings.
And the electro flute of course.

Rob


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,217
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,217
Robert,

It's enthusiastic 'thumbs up' from me for this one.

Your production chops on this song show lots of skill and musicianship, and a well-developed sense of how to use arrangement to shape a very engaging, emotionally-charged audio journey. You had me hooked from start to finish.

I loved the line "meadows in his heart morphine his mind". It is so clever on so many levels. Firstly, to take 'morphine' (a noun) and use it as a verb to indicate soothing or calming is an incredibly adroit lyric writing strategy. Then there are those 'meadows in his heart' -- what a wonderful way of showing that he is remembering back on life, to a time when he was much younger. I'd love to be able to think of phrases like this! You have a very versatile mind!!!

Thanks for sharing this composition. I really enjoyed it.

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2025
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: rayc
The flutes lend an acoustic/folk/psych feeling to the choruses making them seem quite Pearls Before Swine/Tom Rappish.


I`d agree with that- Mr Rapp was very underrated in my opinion.
Thanks for listeing.

Originally Posted By: Sundance
Thought provoking deep lyrics with a really cool arrangement and vocal. Great job on the production too Robert.


Thank you, Josie!

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,989
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,989
Nostalgia is a really fantastic source of inspiration. I think this song proves that.

Thanks for sharing!


Cheers,
Ember
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,565
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,565
That was fantastic Robert! I know it is not my imagination that you are getting more accomplished every day in using the BIAB program and achieving wonderful results! This in combination with your great lyric writing abilities is helping to produce some very good music! Congratulations on another great song! Thanks, Torrey

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,854
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 15,854
You are a poet with an extra gift of being able to musically express your writing.

This is excellent.

You are lucky, indeed, to have such an imagination and the ability to reflect so deeply on childhood memories. Janice has that...Bud not so much.

We so much like the arrangement and what you did with your vocals.

We much enjoyed this powerful production...in all aspects.

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 are here on our website.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,368
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,368
Robert..I found the title beckoning me to listen. From the beginning, I wasn't sure where you were going melodically--then I decided to just sit back and listen without being hung up on strict song construction rules. Once I did this, I was able to consider your work as a type of
stream of consciousness. I enjoyed the instrumentation and the texture it created. Your lyric is mystical, and I also found myself trying to listen 'too hard' to fully get your meaning. Listening to your work showed me that I'm probably too bought into conventional song construction to be a fair listener to work like yours, and some others. I need to let go of my expectations, then just listen and absorb. Once I did that, I enjoyed 'the ride' of your track. Great work!


Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Hi Robert,

I like the arrangement and I also like the vocal treatment you used, and of course your lyrics are always clever and well written.

Enjoyed!


Thank you for those positives, Dave.
As mentioned, I`ve taken awhile to learn about vocal processing from scratch- still not entirely happy with the results, but feel I`m headed in the right direction.

Robert
Originally Posted By: RnAM
Robert,

Never the easy way out, that's for sure.
Love the complexity of this one.
Beautiful vocals and I especially like the vocal reverse backings.
And the electro flute of course.

Rob


A thumbs up on vocals from one of the best singers around here is something I`ll take- with a big thank you!

Robert

Originally Posted By: Noel96



Robert,

It's enthusiastic 'thumbs up' from me for this one.

Your production chops on this song show lots of skill and musicianship, and a well-developed sense of how to use arrangement to shape a very engaging, emotionally-charged audio journey. You had me hooked from start to finish.

I loved the line "meadows in his heart morphine his mind". It is so clever on so many levels. Firstly, to take 'morphine' (a noun) and use it as a verb to indicate soothing or calming is an incredibly adroit lyric writing strategy. Then there are those 'meadows in his heart' -- what a wonderful way of showing that he is remembering back on life, to a time when he was much younger. I'd love to be able to think of phrases like this! You have a very versatile mind!!!

Thanks for sharing this composition. I really enjoyed it.

All the best,
Noel


Noel,

I`m always amazed at how you listen to lyrics: its a more scholarly perspective than mine and I learn from your explanations and insights!
Its also cool to hear that lines that came to me in a "goosebumps"moment have meaning for others.
I`m happy you liked this!

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: Ember - PG Music
Nostalgia is a really fantastic source of inspiration. I think this song proves that.

Thanks for sharing!


Nice comments - thanks Ember!

Originally Posted By: Torrey Bliss
That was fantastic Robert! I know it is not my imagination that you are getting more accomplished every day in using the BIAB program and achieving wonderful results! This in combination with your great lyric writing abilities is helping to produce some very good music! Congratulations on another great song! Thanks, Torrey


Torrey,
All the great productions posted here have both been a source of inspiration and driven me nuts ( how do they get that sound!!?) for the past two years.
In a slap dash way I`ve learnt some tips & tricks and really appreciate your positive feedback!

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
You are a poet with an extra gift of being able to musically express your writing.

This is excellent.

You are lucky, indeed, to have such an imagination and the ability to reflect so deeply on childhood memories. Janice has that...Bud not so much.

We so much like the arrangement and what you did with your vocals.

We much enjoyed this powerful production...in all aspects.

J&B




J&B,

That`s very kind- especially coming from folks who really listen and contribute so much to this forum.
Production is getting easier ... and harder, as the standard set by the music I hear coming from home studios just goes in leaps and bounds.

Robert

Originally Posted By: Tano Music
Robert..I found the title beckoning me to listen. From the beginning, I wasn't sure where you were going melodically--then I decided to just sit back and listen without being hung up on strict song construction rules. Once I did this, I was able to consider your work as a type of
stream of consciousness. I enjoyed the instrumentation and the texture it created. Your lyric is mystical, and I also found myself trying to listen 'too hard' to fully get your meaning. Listening to your work showed me that I'm probably too bought into conventional song construction to be a fair listener to work like yours, and some others. I need to let go of my expectations, then just listen and absorb. Once I did that, I enjoyed 'the ride' of your track. Great work!


I`m glad that somewhere in the listen you got something from this.
It actually has a very clear construction, in my expanded, make it interesting, circle of fifths universe!

Robert

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window

In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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.

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

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!

These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!

This Free Bonus PAK includes:

  • The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK: -For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles. -For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
  • 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)
  • Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)

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)

Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Video: New User Interface (GUI)

Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!

Watch the video.

You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

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.

Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Windows & Mac 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.

Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!

Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.

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!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!

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.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,385
Posts791,514
Members39,872
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
digitalboy381, Womyner, FK Engineering, vewc, PauliniusQ
39,872 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
jpettit 272
MarioD 210
DrDan 161
DC Ron 149
Noel96 128
Today's Birthdays
Gabby, wavemusic
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5