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Richard, my song writing pal, wrote some great lyrics on the theme of breaking away from a bad love affair, and I found some perfect backing for them on a Drums On Demand My Co-Writer collection I bought a long while back. I added a MIDI organ track from BIAB using a 70s rock style, TURNING.STY. I added lead guitar fills and vocals. Links: SoundcloudYouTube Video Technical Notes I can handle anything I see on my horizon. I’m the man who can, the one with no flies on. Don’t try to catch me out, you know I won’t let it. You’ll get it back in spades; you know you’ll regret it. You always held me down and I’m mad that I let you, I rolled over so I didn’t upset you. Your love was selfish and I’m done with forgiving, Get outta my life now, I want to start living. I struggled through the dark and found the light. I found that you were wrong and I was right. Don’t mess with me, just let me be, I’ve been to hell and back but now I’m in control. Don’t mess with me ‘cos now I’m free, My life is back on track, I’m on a roll. So now it’s over and I see you come crawlin’, With your tears a-flowin’ and your old caterwaulin’. I smile and shrug and say that you had it coming, It’s time to leave my dear, you’d better get moving. You put stuff in my life to strangle and choke me, To get my back up, to poke and provoke me. Don’t mess with me, just let me be, etc. I deserved better: a little respect. I stood up to you and that’s something you didn’t expect. Don’t mess with me, just let me be, etc.
Last edited by Skyline; 12/10/18 04:35 AM.
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Apprentice
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Listening....superb intro, a very nice voice, makes the lyrics believable. And great harmony.
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John (and Richard)...
A really nice song. Good lyric. Really nice melody.
Excellent tracks.
The vocal and harmonies are well done. They need to be brought up in the mix (I think). In a few spots the tracks overpower them...
Enjoyed the listen.
fj
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Another good collaboration from you - I like the positive outlook in the lyrics.
Vocals and harmonies are well done.
The arrangement works - those Drums on Demand are quite different from RealDrums somehow.
I enjoyed the video too- some fun and startling images!
Robert
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John, What a truly, sensational video! Definitely your best till date (and the previous ones you posted were always top notch) I like the song, but to be completely honest, I liked some of your previous audio recordings better. For some reason they had more clarity and dynamics... But that's just a small nit  Rob
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Thank you for sharing, Skyline -it is a very nice song!
I don't understand "the one with no flies on" - what does "flies" mean in this context? Sorry for my lack of knowledge of the English language.
Will
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Hello, "Skyline"...
The first thing I wanted to relate to you about your song, "Don't Mess With Me", is that the lyrics really pack a punch! They so simply communicate the idea of finality, of the end of a relationship, that's its like having a door slammed closed in your face -- WHAM!!!. Actually, they seem like the kind of lyrics that a battered woman would write about her abuser.
The music has drive, is tuneful, and was produced in way that filled my ears with its punch and "presence". It sounds as though it was performed "live" in front of an audience.
Strong stuff from any angle you approach it!
LOREN
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
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John
First off that was an amazing video. Nice song and went really well with the visuals.
Enjoyed it all, vocals, playing and composition.
Peter
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Good song! Love the vocals and harmonies. Production is top notch, sounds great.
I listened first on soundcloud then watched the video, man, great job on that!!
Also enjoyed reading your technical notes, nice to see that you also use the Lurssen Mastering Console.
I always enjoy listening to your music, John, well done.
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What a wonderful clean and well mixed sound you have here John! Your work always has this quality to it and this is just another great effort from you! Thanks,T
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John (and Richard)...
A really nice song. Good lyric. Really nice melody.
Excellent tracks.
The vocal and harmonies are well done. They need to be brought up in the mix (I think). In a few spots the tracks overpower them...
Enjoyed the listen.
fj
Very well done. Enjoyed your song. Good work on the mix. Rob
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Hello, John
Nice and catchy song!
The melody is wonderful with the very nice use of 9th tension note on Tonic chord!
All the arrangement is splendid.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
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Thanks Marty, floyd, Robert, Rob, Will, Loren, Peter, Dave, and Torrey.
floyd: You're right on the vocals in the mix, I'll tweak and do a remix. I did use Waves Auto Leveller but I'm not sure it does what I think it should. Maybe I should use its 'Write' facility to create a volume envelope and then manually adjust that.
Loren: I know what you mean re. the lyrics. (I haven't pressed Richard too much about his inspiration on this occasion...)
Will: That's ok! We say here in the UK "there are no flies (the winged variety) on him/her" to mean they're smart, aware of things, unlikely to be fooled by anyone or anything.
Many thanks for listening and commenting guys!
Regards
John
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I've changed the mix following floyd's valuable comment and I think it's far better now! Same links apply.
Regards
John
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John,
This is such an awesome song... Love the mix and your vocal is outstanding. The chorus is especially cool and really delivers the message.
Loved it!
Bob
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Cool song!! Really good lyrics, and nice music! Excellent job on the vocals/production! Everything works for me!! Take care. Greg
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Very nice song.
Excellent performance and vocal.
Very well done.
Sergio
Sergio
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Really enjoyed this one John.
Loved the vocals, and the mix. A very sweet sound. Great job man.
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John,
The re-mix sounds Great!
Nice job.
fj
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I enjoyed the song - well done! Good rhyme with crawlin’/caterwaulin’. 
-- 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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