Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
#555041 09/15/19 11:32 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
PeterF Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Bitter Pill

A little Bitter Pill to end a relationship.

Leon – Lyric & Vocal

I played guitar (and sang a little) – thanks to Brent Mason for trading licks with me at the end.

The Rest Of The Band
RealTracks in song: ~2475:Bass, Acoustic, HeldSimple Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2854:Harmonica, Background CountryBalladJellyRoll Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~689:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2816:Guitar, Electric, Soloist SmoothSoulSlowBrent Ev 085
RealDrums [in Song:Soul60sEv^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Bitter Pill
You say it’s over, and that’s OK
Sometimes there simply isn’t any more to say
Doesn’t matter how hard you wish upon that star
Things have a way of staying just the way they are

They may tell you that facts are not important
Reality can somehow bend to your will
You may be headed for a major disappointment
Soon may be swallowing a very bitter pill

Say what you like about the pain of separation
Put it down to fate - or mistranslation
You saw a starting out, she saw a culmination
Watch her train as it pulls out of the station

You say it’s over, and that’s a fact
So much I gave you, I’m never getting back
What was the point of pretending that you cared?
So much I told you that I never should have shared

You say it’s over, and that’s Amen
Everybody has to have a little setback now and then
Still got some dignity, still got some other friends
Call my travel agent, see what she recommends

Sure, I was hooked on you but hey - I gave up cigarettes
All I have to do is figure out how to forget
That bitter pill
That bitter Pill
Oh, oh
That bitter pill

PeterF #555044 09/15/19 11:45 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,660
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,660
Hi Peter,

I saw this song coming in on the forum and listened immediatly. No bitter pill for listening to it!
You did a nice job with this song. I liked the way you sing. No real highs or lows, but singing the lyrics as a fact (I you know what I mean). There is one thing that specifically got my attention; when other instruments come in, I had the feeling a little more widness in the mix make you here them better. Now they stay to close together. But beside that your song gave me a good feeling listening to it.

Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
PeterF #555049 09/16/19 01:37 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,955
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,955
Yeah, I like this! Maybe my new favorite from you two.

Love the lyrics, and very good vocal from Leon. I also really like the processing you used on it, sounds really good.

Nice melodic solo in the middle, great tone. And the tradeoff at the end was fun.

Very good Peter and Leon, enjoyed!

PeterF #555074 09/16/19 05:02 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,800
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,800
Peter & Leon,

Nice opening!

I agree with Dave - Leon's vocal on this is outstanding. Smooth, comfortable. Filled with emotion. Nicely processed.

The production has a "gentleness" to it that allows the message to shine. Nice mix.

Nice ending - sweet guitar. It all made me think of Bread (a truly under-rated band).

Sweet!

fj

PeterF #555123 09/16/19 01:25 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,063
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,063
Peter & Leon
Very airy, easy listening tune. Sweet guitar!
Enjoyed it.

Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

PeterF #555126 09/16/19 01:56 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,200
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,200
That's a lovely, easy, gentle pain.
The ONLY thing I'd observe is that the narrative perspective changes oddly for the verse that reads...
"Say what you like about the pain of separation
Put it down to fate - or mistranslation
You saw a starting out, she saw a culmination
Watch her train as it pulls out of the station"
No biggie, no probs.
Lovely song.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Birchwood #555141 09/16/19 09:43 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
PeterF Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Originally Posted By: Birchwood
Hi Peter,

I saw this song coming in on the forum and listened immediatly. No bitter pill for listening to it!
You did a nice job with this song. I liked the way you sing. No real highs or lows, but singing the lyrics as a fact (I you know what I mean). There is one thing that specifically got my attention; when other instruments come in, I had the feeling a little more widness in the mix make you here them better. Now they stay to close together. But beside that your song gave me a good feeling listening to it.

Hans


Thanks Hans

Peter

PeterF #555142 09/16/19 09:59 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,390
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,390
Peter and Leon,

That was an insightful journey through resigning oneself to a relationship's being over. Some terrific lyrics. My favourite line is

"Sure, I was hooked on you but hey - I gave up cigarettes".

There's an awful lot of information contained within those words and I really like how it puts this relationship into perspective.

The whole presentation appealed to me.... Leon's singing, Peter's playing, BIAB's ensemble!

Regards,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
PeterF #555148 09/16/19 11:58 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,226
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,226
Loved Leon's vocal delivery on this tune. Super harmony as well Peter. Excellent backtrack. Guitar was very cool love the two guitars together. Well done


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
PeterF #555156 09/17/19 01:59 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
Really well done on this one - as others have mentioned, the vocals on this are fantastic. Really attention grabbing, and the harmonies are top notch. I loved the way it flowed - the instrumentation is lush as well, and the guitar work caught my ear right away as well.

Thanks for sharing smile


Cheers,
Deryk
PeterF #555166 09/17/19 03:45 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,677
Hi Peter and Leon,

well, I can only acceed to what the others wrote: a fabulous song, Leon's vocals are top-notch and your playing, Peter, is as superb as it always is.

You're a fantastic team and there will be many more songs from you - no doubt about that!

Regardsm

Stefan

PeterF #555174 09/17/19 05:26 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357


Peter & Leon,
There`s always some humour in the pain with Leon`s lyrics- some great lines here, my favourite:
"Still got some dignity, still got some other friends
Call my travel agent, see what she recommends"

I agree the vocal is both a very good performance and well processed.
The intro is cool ( is that the RT acoustic guitar or Peter?) and the drums come in at the right place.
Super middle guitar break.
This bitter pill was most enjoyable!

Robert

PeterF #555183 09/17/19 06:29 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,511
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,511
I surely enjoyed this harmonious pill. Strong lyrics without too much bitterness but with honest acceptance and nice humor. Great vocal delivery, beautiful chording and the band has enjoyable smooth sound.

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
PeterF Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Yeah, I like this! Maybe my new favorite from you two.

Love the lyrics, and very good vocal from Leon. I also really like the processing you used on it, sounds really good.

Nice melodic solo in the middle, great tone. And the tradeoff at the end was fun.

Very good Peter and Leon, enjoyed!



Thanks Dave it was good of Brent to play the outro with me..

Peter

floyd jane #555273 09/17/19 05:02 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
I'm a pretty harsh critic of my own singing so reading the nice comments about the vocals is very encouraging. Thanks!
Leon

PeterF #555278 09/17/19 06:42 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,148
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,148
This is great - excellent bittersweet writing with self-aware irony. Lovely chord progression, nice balance between single and thickened vocal line, almost call and response. Nicely sung as well. laugh


-- 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.
PeterF #555386 09/18/19 10:58 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,034
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,034
I liked the whole thing, especially the guitar work. You used the harmonica well in the beginning, I would like to have heard more of it throughout the piece.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
floyd jane #555429 09/18/19 03:24 PM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
PeterF Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Peter & Leon,

Nice opening!

I agree with Dave - Leon's vocal on this is outstanding. Smooth, comfortable. Filled with emotion. Nicely processed.

The production has a "gentleness" to it that allows the message to shine. Nice mix.

Nice ending - sweet guitar. It all made me think of Bread (a truly under-rated band).

Sweet!

fj


Thanks floyd appreciate the comments.

Peter

Rustyspoon# #555537 09/19/19 09:46 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
PeterF Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Peter & Leon
Very airy, easy listening tune. Sweet guitar!
Enjoyed it.

Thank you for sharing!

Misha.


Thanks Misha.

Peter

PeterF #555548 09/19/19 11:02 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
B
Expert
Offline
Expert
B
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,193
'PeterF'...

This song, 'Bitter Pill', has wry lyrics, but they are also pensive and self-reflective to the point of becoming hypnotic. The Real Tracks -- particularly because they're performed at such a dreaming tempo -- carry each word down a gentle musical stream that permitted this listener to hear the lyrics from 'all sides', so to speak. Mr. Leon's singing reminded me of men I've met who spoke as though they felt they had all the time in the world to tell their stories.

- bluage -


"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

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
Topics85,788
Posts796,150
Members39,959
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
Newest Members
Dobrnjac, MaxxFV, jwagner51, thecabinfever, astroashton
39,958 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 181
Noel96 121
DC Ron 109
rsdean 104
dcuny 102
DrDan 91
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5