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Hello Will, MarioD, Stefan, TuneMonger, Noel96, Misha and Peter,

What very nice words you all used to describe your opinion on this song! If I wasn't 65 years for some days now I would have blushed by them. So thanks a lot!

Will, I let my wife read your letter in the hope that she would now look up at me with full admiration... that didn't happen, but she expressed admiration to your words instead. I could only agree, that htey were very very nice words. Though, I am sure you wrong yourself by saying that you cannot do something similar. You're the expert!

MarioD, you used the word 'Brilliant' two times. Take care with that. I almost start believing I am. Luckily my wife hold my feet to the ground. But thanks!

Stefan, I doubt if I did the right thing dedicating this song to you, after your post. You say i haven't seen you strict, but how to explain your reaction on my lyrics then? Only red markers in it, telling me what I did wrong. I only persist in keeping the word 'Jailish' in the lyrics, where you cried out you haven't heard of that word. Me neither, but I thought everyone will understand and so new words are born ;-)
And if one becomes 65, it's not logical to connect that age to the topic in this song. So you are not only (too) strict, but also mean.

TuneMonger, you expressed it exactly as it was; A bold concept. I thought I made all kind of songs, why not try a waltz? They are nice to listen to, but very complicated to com[pose. Well you told me I succeeded. Thanks for that.

Noel, your question about me having a fan club, intrigued me. But after consulting my wife and sons I have to give up this idea. They think it's already very heavy for them that I terorize them from the atic with my music and want me to keep it like that (at the most).
So I fear I don't have enough supporters... But I was very honored with your message.

Misha, calling my song a Vaudeville on heavy steroid is some kind of expressing. Even if I had to read it 'in a good way'. I think I will use your expression as a title for a new song. Love it (although I don't understand one syllable of it). My real aim was to raise the bar with making songs. Can I make a kind of waltz. And on my terms. And I agree, in my life I always tended to find my own paths. If that is similar to stepping away from norms? Not really.

Peter, your words I do understand (more than Misha's Vaudeville [teasing you, Misha]) and are so true. That's also why I hesitated so long to come with this song (the concept was made in march 2017), how would you all respond to a waltz, that kind of things. But I'm glad I did it (with Stefans' help on the lyrics), because your responses are all so kind.

Hans


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Superb arrangement, very simple but still very rich, everything works and at right times: cello at the beginning and in the end and also in the interplay with the nylon guitar, good drums, light piano calms the song nicely before the chorus and the accordion is introduced in slow speed before that wonderfully working faster tempo chorus.

The touching story and your interpretation are really elegant and fragile. A waltz suits excellently for that melancholy mood.

Janne


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Very nice work Hans! I like the complexity of the different rhythmic patterns in this! I kind of puts me in mind of something Billy Joel would do! Great lyrical composition and your vocal was excellent! Thanks, Torrey

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Hans,
On second listen the way the song `s story evolves to the first time change came through- very well realised writing!
Your vocals always command attention- and the variation of intensity here is great.
Not sure about the ending...otherwise I very much enjoyed your waltz into your "golden years"!

Robert

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Hi Janne, Torrey and Robert,

Thanks for your very nice replies and huge compliments. I was pleasantly surprised by this.

Janne, it was like you say, this story needed a waltz. I had never done this before, so it took me some time to make it then in 2017, and later in the last months of 2019. Thanks!

Torrey, now we both have a waltz! But when you compared my song a bit with work of Billy Joel, well... that is some compliment. Thanks!

Robert, I was impressed how you listened to the song, really! You know why? You are completely right with what you said about the ending. I was hesitating writing those lines there. Originally the character faded away, later on I didn't mention his ending at all, and here I wrote he becomes a star in 'your' sky. 'Your' wasn't really good, because there wasn't someone he was talking/singing to. I think it better could have been 'the' instead of 'your'. Unless this was not what you meant. Then let me know.

Hans


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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!

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With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!

Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
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Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.

Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.

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  • 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)
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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
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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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