Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#554393 09/12/19 12:33 AM
User Showcase
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,936
On 50 90 I was approached by Tony McGlinchey to have a look at his lyrics to see if there was anything I fancied putting to music. The title of this one immediately caught my eye because, in South Africa, we have recently been experiencing the scourge of gender-based violence so this lyric was quite topical.

https://soundcloud.com/joannecoopersa/like-a-woman-feels-with-lyrics-by-tony-mcglinchey

Lyrics:
how many stones does her love weigh
how many boulders has she had to break
how does she carry all
the weight and the pain
the slave to love has a quarried face

how many roads has she explored
torrential rains has she endured
too many floods her eyes have poured
she goes hungry so you have yours

all this from the will of a woman
she's cast from the iron and the steel
rose up from the wicked and stubborn
coz, nobody loves, like a woman feels
nobody loves, like a woman feels

she shakes the coldest nights like a blanket
fakes the passion, though she can't stand it
even holds you when it's her who's hurting
she makes the cogs and wheels keep turning

too many years has her heart bled
the love she craves, just lies there dead
twists and turns every word she said
her back is broken so the world is fed

The tracks:
RealTracks in style: ~2320:Bass, Acoustic, JazzWaltzRonHeld Sw 140
RealTracks in style: ~1431:Pedal Steel, Rhythm PopWaltz Ev 180
RealTracks in style: 900:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming FolkRockWaltz Ev 150
RealTracks in style: 1108:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking BluegrassWaltz Ev 140
RealDrums [in style:PopRockWaltzBrushesEv: a: Brushes b: PopRockWaltzBrushesEv
RT994:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm CountryWaltzGrittyStrum Sw 14
RT860:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm HardRockWaltzSustainA-B Ev 14


LyricLab – Where words become music https://www.lyriclab.net/
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
Wow Joanne - you certainly did these lyrics justice. Very powerful stuff - your vocals soar on this, and really punch at your chest. Excellent instrumentation to match as well. It makes for an attention grabbing piece.

I wouldn't change a thing - really great work, thanks for sharing smile


Cheers,
Deryk
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,269
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,269
Joanne, Tony,
Nice work on this tune. Dark subject, but poetry is very strong. Opening line is very strong. Singed and produced at pro level.
Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
B
Expert
Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
Dear Ms. Cooper...

I find Mr. McGlinchy's lyrics to be blindingly, unavoidably, inarguably truthful, while being at the same time depressing because those truths seem to have not been universally recognized, appreciated, or reciprocated.

Based on my memories of my mother, my on-going relationships with my sisters, the women I interact with at my job, and the fleeting, yet unfailingly meaningful encounters I have with the women behind the cash registers, who answer the phones, who 'wait' on me in restaurants, who attend to me while I'm waiting on the doctor to arrive, and more, I have come to believe, to know, as surely as I know I am typing this, that women exist in a waking, active state-of-mind of loving kindness -- meaning that they seem always to respond to the needs of others before attending to their own -- every, single, second of every single day of their lives here on this planet Earth. The only exception to this, as far as I'm concerned, would be women whose hearts (and bodies) have been so abused, that their capacity to give and receive love has been effectively stamped-out, shut down, or locked away and the key hidden out of fear. These are the women who end up being called 'crazy b*****s', of course.

If that sounds patronizing, well, then, so be it. I know what I'm talking about.

You emote those lyrics with a clarity of voice that keeps its composure in spite of the sorrow, or anger, they could provoke. Is that the sound of hope, or of weary resignation to 'the way things are'?

- bluage -


Last edited by bluage; 09/12/19 09:54 PM.

"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,276
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,276
Joanne,
VERY strong interpretation of strong, confronting lyrics.
you do this sort of thing so well.
The "band" supports the narrative very well.
Wonderful stuff.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,340
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,340
Wow what a stunning lyric. Does hit you right in the chest. Your vocal really did the lyrics justice. Well done.


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Joanne,
Powerful unflinching lyrics ( particularly the verses) and a good driving folk rock band behind your excellent vocals.
Very fine. deeply felt song and performance.

Robert

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,784
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,784
Hi Joanne,

As I said on your Soundcloudsite; chilling story, but a stunning performance!
It's a hard indictment, feels like a bolder.
But... accompanied by a pedal steel. Very good.

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Some really nice music put to some really good lyrics!! You did a great job with the vocals! I think those real soft BGs could be a bit louder. Nice arrangement and mix! The rhythm really drives the story in a message song such as this. Great build in the arrangement! Wonderful job!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,205
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,205
Nice arrangement, and well sung! The instrumentation did a great job supporting the lyrics, as did your vocals.

The triplets in the melody against the marching snare were especially effective.

To be honest, any song that has the first three lines in a row starting with "How many..." immediately brings me fear of sounding even a little like "Blowing' in the Wind", which would scare me away from even thinking about arranging it. (Not that I'd come close to what you've done).

And of course, your arrangement sounds nothing like it. In my book, you've earned pile of extra kudos for that bravery as well. smile


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,670
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,670
This is an exceptional set of lyrics. Your vocal carries the music and the depth of the words extraordinarily well.

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Hello Joanne,

excellent lyrics perfectly interpretated by you and your wonderful voice.

The backing track fits the song like a glove, love the use of the pedal steel guitar.

Very impressive in all aspects.

Cheers,

Stefan

User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,594
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,594
Hi Joanne,

I'm always a fan 12/8 time and I'm really enjoying listening to this at around 5:30 am.

I have to say that you've developed very admirable skills at taking the words of others and creating mighty fine works of music. I love what you've done here. The mix is super and your singing carries us, the listener, along on a very satisfying musical journey.

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,145
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,145
Originally Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm
This is an exceptional set of lyrics. Your vocal carries the music and the depth of the words extraordinarily well.


There is very little to say other than what is in that one sentence.

We completely agree and only add that we thought the mix sounded excellent on our monitors.

Powerful.

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
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

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
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

With your version 2026 for Mac 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)
  • iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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 PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!

XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!

All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!

It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.

What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?

XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!

Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!

The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.

The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.

Note: 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.

The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos

With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.

Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.

Check out this forum post for "One Stop Shopping" of our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Videos!

Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.

Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!

Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.

2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.

Holiday Weekend Hours

As we hop into the Easter weekend, here are our holiday hours:

April 3 (Good Friday): 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT
April 4 (Saturday): Closed
April 5 (Easter Sunday): Closed
April 6 (Easter Monday): Open regular hours

Wishing you an egg-cellent weekend!

— Team PG

Update to Build 10 of RealBand® 2026 for Windows®!

If you're already using RealBand 2026 for Windows, download build 10 to get all the latest additions and enhancements.

Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!

If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,246
Posts802,307
Members40,073
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
Elle, bechda, geswho22, Orchestr8, dimtass
40,073 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 131
zedd 111
DC Ron 92
rsdean 90
Noel96 64
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5