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https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/stranger-in-my-houseHi everyone, It took me a while, but here I am with a new song 'Stranger in my house'. Just before the weekend! In this song I used two styles: Dryad and Doomed. Both had a cello in it, but that is about the only thing they have in common. It was a bit a challenge to combine them, but not so much as working with the backgroundvocals. That took me some time to get that right, although I'm sure it can be improved. But that will be a challenge for a new song. The melody has two parts, a soft one and one more heavy. That symbolizes the mood of the singer... I changed some instruments in the Dryad-style. The drums are bluesRockFunk, there is a synthesizer included as well as a piano and a fiddle. I haven't changed any instruments in the Doomedstyle. The lyrics are about someone seeing a stranger in his house, wearing his clothes and more, but read for yourself. I hope you enjoy the song. Let me know, and don't be shy on critics. I can learn from it. Hans Berkhout Lyrics: Stranger in my house(c) HWBerkhout, mei 2019 I have a stranger in my house He's wearing my blouse Yes, there is a stranger in my space But not someone you would embrace All I know I have a stranger that won't go He doesn't smile, looks so hurt and never say one word I saw a stranger in my clothes I wonder how he knows I never seen him before or maybe I ignored He shares his live with me That happened suddenly In the bathroom I first met him He's always there when I come in All I know I have a stranger that won't go He doesn't smile, looks so hurt and never say one word I can't believe why he doesn't leave In the mirror I can clearly see his face Further more he leaves no trace Why is that stranger in my house? He looks familiar, a bit like me but I'm sure that cannot be All I know I have a stranger that won't go He doesn't smile, looks so hurt and never say one word I can't believe why he doesn't leave Than one day I realized Why he entered my light 'cause he is the image of my heart My mirror showed it me right from the start All the time that stranger, it was me But it took some time to see
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Nicely done  Really catchy with a great groove. Really interesting lyrics that really catch the ears too. Definitely a memorable tune. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Deryk
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Great song... Something I can definitely relate too About the only critical helpful input I can make is ... perhaps slowly fade out that wonderful strumming on the ending.
Jim
†=☮&♥
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A clever lyric Hans, with a catchy choice of instruments and chord changes. I like the gradual build from wistful into something heavier, reflecting the anxiety in the lyric. Nice job!
John
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Great melancholy lyric with a hint of eeriness -- well done!
It's obvious that a lot of thought and effort went into the vocals and the result is a very effective and strong delivery of the lyric.
Thanks for the background info on the mashup of the two styles. That's one of the things we love about BiaB...styles, no styles, mixed styles or just pick and choose and it can all work for you.
This is a big production that sounds BIG on our monitors!
We enjoyed the listens...a lot.
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.
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Hi Hans,
That is a truly great song and composition. I think the music compliments the lyrics in a close to perfect way - and your vocal performance is just awesome!
I really enjoyed listening to this. Thanks for sharing!
Will
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Having a random stranger in your house is one of my biggest fears, but having that stranger being you I think is a more frightening concept (you as in ... myself, not you as in you who posted the song, haha!).
This song was thought provoking. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers,
Ember
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Hans, Very cool song! As far as composition, lyrics and vocals.. there is nothing to say, except for good things. I enjoyed it very much! I see that you dedicated a lot of EQ spectrum for vocals on higher side. I am a learner myself, so do not listen to me too much Just an opinion, on your "Forlorn" vocals sound much fuller. Thank you for sharing! Misha.
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Hans,
This is a fantastic listen.
Your writing and your singing are awesome and your arranging and production are the icing on a really terrific cake of musical creativity. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Soundcloud.
A superb listen!
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Very nice work on this Hans! A great choice of instruments that are mixed well! I like the build up of instrumentation as the song goes along! A great set of lyrics and vocals! Thanks, Torrey
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Hello Birchwood, this was wonderful! The arrangement is wonderful to the ears and rhythm is easy to follow. The vocals harmonize well with the other instruments. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Joe
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Thanks Deryk, Jim, John, Janice and Bud, Will, Ember, Misha, Noel, Torrey and Joe for your very nice replies. They really made my day. There was a big smile on my face after reading your remarks.
Ember, it was such relief to read you were not thinking of me as an unwanted stranger...
It was my son who thought it was a bit sad that Jim recognized the text personally. I told him that is what life experience does to us. And it makes you that nice person you must be, Jim :-)
And Noel, have I told you your voice reminds me of Robin Gibb from the BeeGees? If I try to sing like Barry Gibb, we can make wonderful songs, while all the others help with a cool melody and backgroundvocals? Or am I asking too much now?
Bye,
Hans
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Hans,
This is my favorite song from you. I love the build and vocal power.
Great mix as well. Excellent!
Bob
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Super arrangement, love how it builds and builds
I have a stranger in my house
He's wearing my blouse
I thought this story was gonna get a little weird cause
around here it's blouses for females and shirts for guys,
no matter, i enjoyed the write, it does have a eeriness
like a slow slide into madness
great vocals,
I really enjoyed this!
Kenny
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Hi Bob and Kenny,
Kenny, Ray told me about that Blouse-issue. I didn't know that, but I could have known. In Dutch it's nearly the same. But there was no good word rhyming on 'House' in this case. And there must be boys/men wearing blouses, don't you think? Me too!
But sure, there is some madness hidden in this song. When you can't accept your real ME, he will stay a stranger (in your house). And getting older sucks a bit...
And Rob, I'm pleased to read that you don't mind about that blouse. Thanks for your compliments! It could be that I may replace the version of this song, because of the 'little help'from Ray. I made some grammar mistakes and sang the song again today with the correct words. Still have to mix and master it again.
But thanks a lot for your nice comments on my song,
Hans
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Hans,
REALLY cool arrangement and mix.
Blouse was a general word for a peasant or loose shirt until after the 1820s or so.
It then transformed into a loose shirt for women and children before, finally, becoming the feminine version of shirt and the buttons moving to the other side.
Excellent narrative.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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