Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#514350 01/01/19 07:11 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Happy new year to all the PG Music forumites. I hope that everyone has a productive and musical 2019.

I went away to a fishing spot for New year and since I dont fish I had a bit of time and managed to write two songs. This one is a love song called "For the Last Time". It seems worryingly familiar but I don't know why!!! I cant place what would have influenced it but if anybody has some ideas by all means let me know...

I made a play along video for this so you can take out your guitar and strum along.



Lyrics:

For the very first time in my life
Everything is clearing in my world
Meeting you reminds me of a song
Worries gone, nothing's wrong

For the very first time in my life
I found someone who takes me as I am
never tells me that I need to change
Always stay, just this way

At last the stars are starting to align
At last I've found, at last I've found
Someone that I can fall in love with
I think I've found, think I've found
Someone for the last time

For the very ;ast time in my life
I've looked for one to help me share my load
I've wanted one I'd never want to leave
Through the years, no more tears

For the very last time in my life
I've tried and failed to live my days alone
I've finally found the strength to take my part
From the start with all my heart

At last the stars are starting to align
At last I've found, at last I've found
Someone that I can fall in love with
I think I've found, think I've found
Someone for the last time

Tracks used: I just used the style as is for this one:
Style is _SL16ELG.STY (Lite Pop Ballad w/ Electric Guit)

RealTracks in style: 1592:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 065
RealTracks in style: 1599:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Pop16thsA-B Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 1596:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 065
RealTracks in style: 1600:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16ths Ev16 065
RealDrums in style: RockNorthern^1-a:Snare, HiHat Closed , b:Snare, Crash Ride


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,443

Really nice song Joanne. Beautiful vocals.

Happy New Year!

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Joanne a really pretty song - lovely vocal and arrangement.
Perhaps what you are thinking of is that the first line possibly has a hint of "Whiter Shade Of Pale"?

Really nice work.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,192
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,192
Terrific harmonies Joanne.
No bells or alarms of plagiarism sounding in my head.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,690
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,690
Joanne,

This is a beautiful song. The vocals, mix and arrangement are stellar...

Bob

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,055
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,055
Joanne,

Familiar? Sure!
When good song is born, I believe it is a quintessence of things that one feels close to,
plus a touch of something personal smile

First song at Showcase I listened in 2019 and it was a joy.
Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 723
Love the song, especially the harmonies. Very sweet.

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,218
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,218
Lovely song Joanne. Lovely backtrack and lyric. Loved the vocal and harmonies. Happy New Year


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,497
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,497
Hi, Jo !:))

...and Happy New Year to you !

I think your tune is very
beautiful, maybe even one
of the very best from you !
Vocals are also very, very sweet
and delicious !

Cheers
Dani

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,360
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,360
Beautiful melody and super harmonies

pretty song

and a strong write

enjoyed the listen,

Kenny

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 785
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 785
Yes, excellent song, love the vocal on this!!!

CLiff

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,726
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,726
Nice work.

I'd forgotten how long it has been since I heard something new from you. Glad to hear you back at work again.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add 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.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
B
Expert
Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
Hello, Mr. Cooper...

Right off, I'm going to offer two differing interpretations of the lyrical "message" that I believe you were offering to your audience in your song. The first idea is that you are describing your new-found ability to accept and love yourself as you are. The second thought is that you were telling the story of how you met a person who demonstrated to you that they could "love" you strictly and only as you are, without putting pressure on you to become the person that they want you to to be.

Regardless of which view is correct, your song, "For the Last Time", is a deeply moving and revelatory thing because it seems to have to do with a problem that I think all of us human beings -- male and female -- struggle to resolve everyday, every minute, every second of our lives: who are we? What are we supposed to be doing with ourselves, and most importantly, how in the world do we get the love we absolutely, positively want and need to be confident that we matter to others, to our parents, our siblings, our relatives, our lovers, without doing things to get it that damage us emotionally and spiritually?

Musically speaking, your Real Track choices summon an intropective feeling that is neither sad, or casually upbeat. It is calming in texture and tone, as it creates and maintains an atmosphere of placid self-reflection that leads to inner discovery:

For the very first time in my life
Everything is clearing in my world...


And, this:

I've finally found the strength to take my part
From the start with all my heart...


You even describe the interior sensation of coming into your new self-awareness as being analogous to perceiving the cosmic order of the universe:

At last the stars are starting to align... That's just an incredibly exhuberant insight, almost like being born again, and being fully aware of it.

Regardless of how close I may come to divining the thoughts that led you to compose the song, just know that it inspired me to pay closer attention to the women in my life, in my family, my female siblings, and lovers past and present, so that I may "see" them as clearly, and as affirmatively, as you appear to "see" yourself, through the experience of listening to "For the Last Time".

Sincerely,

LOREN (a.k.a. "bluage")


Last edited by bluage; 01/02/19 09:52 AM.

"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Lovely,Joanne. Deeply felt lyrics and vocal with your signature harmonies.
Good to hear your voice again!

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
W
Expert
Offline
Expert
W
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
Hi Joanne Cooper,

I really hope I don't offend anyone, but this is by far the best vocal performance I have heard on this forum in the 3 months I have been a member.
The melody and the chord progression is wonderful as well - I truly believe you have a hit here! I had an instant "I got to hear this again"- reaction.

There are small signs of Bach-inspiration in the verses (or Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale"), but nothing criminal.
With the millions of songs and compositions that have already been made, it is almost impossible to make a good sounding chord-progression or melody without sounding like somebody or something else, so don't worry about that.

I hope that you will share more music with us in the future!
Will

Edit: Actually I enjoyed the chord progression so much that I felt a bit disappointed that you didn't let it fade out over 8 bars... but that is just me. smile


User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,987
Your voice and writing is especially beautiful, Josie. I've completely run out of superlatives.

User Showcase
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
David. Thanks for the nice comments.

Peter. Thanks for the comments and definitely see the similarity with "Whiter Shade of Pale". I used to play that one quite a bit but haven't for years.

Ray and Bob. Thanks for the kind comments.

Misha. Glad you also found it familiar. Definitely a touch of something personal for me. I have been doing a lot of reading and soul searching recently (on the beach in Mozambique!) so maybe that came through in the song.

Donna. Thank you for listening and commenting.
Scott. Thank you. Always glad to get nice feedback about my harmonies.

Dani. Happy New Year to you too. I hope you have a fruitful 2019.

Kenny and Clifton. Thank you both for listening and commenting.


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
User Showcase
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
Nice work.

I'd forgotten how long it has been since I heard something new from you. Glad to hear you back at work again.


Hi Herb. There is a bit of story here. I took part in FAWM and 50 90 in 2018 (didn't get to 50 and didn't post them all to the forum). In both I "trawled" for lyrics written by other people and wrote the music to those lyrics (mainly because I feel I struggle with writing lyrics and can write the music fairly easily using BIAB).

But something very interesting has happened to me recently. I have started performing my original songs at a twice monthly song-writer's round in Johannesburg, on my own with just my guitar. (This is quite a thing for me since I am not very confident in that particular setting and the quality of the other performers is off the scales good.)

The songs that I am enjoying performing, and the ones that seem to go down the best, are the ones that I have written both lyrics and the music for. I guess I am probably more convincing in my performance because these songs are so personal.

So I have decide for this FAWM I am not going to do any collabs.. I am going to aim to write the lyrics and the music ... Lets see what happens.

I have also decided to perform at our National Arts Festival on my own with just my guitar and tell the stories and perform the best of my original songs. I am also going to record a CD of "acoustic" versions of these songs so that people can buy something to remind them of the performance (thanks to BIAB!)

So thanks for providing me with a bit of motivation! I really appreciate and needed it.


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
User Showcase
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Originally Posted By: bluage
Hello, Mr. Cooper...

Right off, I'm going to offer two differing interpretations of the lyrical "message" that I believe you were offering to your audience in your song. The first idea is that you are describing your new-found ability to accept and love yourself as you are. The second thought is that you were telling the story of how you met a person who demonstrated to you that they could "love" you strictly and only as you are, without putting pressure on you to become the person that they want you to to be.

Regardless of which view is correct, your song, "For the Last Time", is a deeply moving and revelatory thing because it seems to have to do with a problem that I think all of us human beings -- male and female -- struggle to resolve everyday, every minute, every second of our lives: who are we? What are we supposed to be doing with ourselves, and most importantly, how in the world do we get the love we absolutely, positively want and need to be confident that we matter to others, to our parents, our siblings, our relatives, our lovers, without doing things to get it that damage us emotionally and spiritually?

Musically speaking, your Real Track choices summon an intropective feeling that is neither sad, or casually upbeat. It is calming in texture and tone, as it creates and maintains an atmosphere of placid self-reflection that leads to inner discovery:

For the very first time in my life
Everything is clearing in my world...


And, this:

I've finally found the strength to take my part
From the start with all my heart...


You even describe the interior sensation of coming into your new self-awareness as being analogous to perceiving the cosmic order of the universe:

At last the stars are starting to align... That's just an incredibly exhuberant insight, almost like being born again, and being fully aware of it.

Regardless of how close I may come to divining the thoughts that led you to compose the song, just know that it inspired me to pay closer attention to the women in my life, in my family, my female siblings, and lovers past and present, so that I may "see" them as clearly, and as affirmatively, as you appear to "see" yourself, through the experience of listening to "For the Last Time".

Sincerely,

LOREN (a.k.a. "bluage")



LOREN. Reading your comment has brought a lump to my throat. If I have inspired you to pay closer attention to the women in your own life then my job is done. Bless and thank you


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
User Showcase
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,934
Originally Posted By: Robertkc
Lovely,Joanne. Deeply felt lyrics and vocal with your signature harmonies.
Good to hear your voice again!

Robert


Thanks Robert. I appreciate it.


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
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 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!

Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!

We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!

Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.

Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!

Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.

If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!

Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!

We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.

When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.

Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.

Happy New Year!

Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.

Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!

Season's Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!

The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.

Team PG

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®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics85,748
Posts795,703
Members39,948
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Guitarzan26, Metro6, LaneWright55, Diddlysquat, pun61
39,947 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 190
DC Ron 114
Noel96 113
rsdean 106
DrDan 100
dcuny 89
Today's Birthdays
Planobilly
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5