|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616 |
The Groundhog Day This is my first song written completely during this year. It was inspired by birding, my latest hobby, and long unsuccesful walks during dark or rainy days. The point is that sometimes it is difficult to give up your quest, thinking that the prize lies always behind the next hill. There are many other similar situations in life - it would be better to leave than to fight nature, but you are stuck in the moment. I had difficulties to find a word to describe the situation, finally I realized the movie Groundhog Day describes it very well, I hope you notice the similarity I'm trying to express. I made also a chord video. Vocals and video are probably bit rushed to find time for my CoVid song, hopefully I get it finished during this year, or next year RealDrums: RockThrashHalfTimeEv16 Loop: gl_tomtoms 100a ev16 RealTracks: Electric bass #1009 Electric piano #2906 Electric guitar #875, #3230, #3343 Electric guitar solo #3348 Vocal Oohs-Aahs #3552 Vocal Gospel #3627 MIDI: Elysion, TheOrchestra Other: Hand Claps from a real concert, melodyned to 80BPM Vocals by me Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab Lyrics: Birding in a drizzle, if I turned around now, would I miss a whistle? I've decided, no more regrets I just know that the rain doesn't choose who it wets. Can't see a bluethroat, a beauty, any rare only my own shadow follows me anywhere is there a graceful exit from this lair I'm repeating this same long day of wait and despair. I'll never know the right moment to admit that I have done my best it's time to ease off my grit when to leave my shadow, the quest for crests and jays when to break away this groundhog day. Climbing up devotion in the lasting tempest, can I keep the motion? I've been struck down, felt bursts of hell I just know that the wind doesn't care who it fells. am I a fool man because I still believe the peak of my fulfillment I could achieve the ghost on the ground won't allow me to see I'm repeating the same long day of being naive. I'll never know... Life is wilderness, not a feeder in the backyard it won't give me titbits for trying hard. I'm persevering, I won't seek justice, I'll swallow each loss, I'll stand up to nature I'll carry her cross. I'll never know... ------- Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,207
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,207 |
We love birds and that made it easy to fall right into this song.
"Life is wilderness, not a feeder in the backyard it won't give me titbits for trying hard. I'm persevering, I won't seek justice, I'll swallow each loss, I'll stand up to nature I'll carry her cross."
That is a lovely sentiment!
We enjoyed it.
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,372
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,372 |
Janne, fun tune. Excellent and challenging arrangement! A bit dark, but I have a feeling that is partly done for fun. Birding can be tricky. Especially when you go out trying find them. They usually "appear" in random places at random times  P.S. Last week there was a pair of Bold head eagles flying by my place. I was lucky to have binoculars ready, so got to watch them up close. Thank you for sharing. Misha.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,098
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,098 |
Janne,
I love the dark mood you set with this! Nice changes and well written lyrics as always.
Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies BTW.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,373
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,373 |
Loved the eerie backtrack. Cool lyric and vocal. With the title I thought you were going to write about being locked in the house and doing the same thing day after day. Well done
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616 |
We love birds and that made it easy to fall right into this song.
"Life is wilderness, not a feeder in the backyard it won't give me titbits for trying hard. I'm persevering, I won't seek justice, I'll swallow each loss, I'll stand up to nature I'll carry her cross."
That is a lovely sentiment! We enjoyed it. J&B Thanks Janice and Bud for your nice comment  I knew you are into birds, so I'm very happy to notice that you are the first to comment  You probably have much more different species there to see every day, I usually manage to see slightly above 100 species in a year… Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616 |
fun tune. Excellent and challenging arrangement! A bit dark, but I have a feeling that is partly done for fun. Birding can be tricky. Especially when you go out trying find them. They usually "appear" in random places at random times  P.S. Last week there was a pair of Bold head eagles flying by my place. I was lucky to have binoculars ready, so got to watch them up close. Thank you for sharing. Misha. Thanks Misha for your uplifting words  I wouldn't say it was done for fun, although it's always fun to compose a new song. The "fun" part in the song is the solo, it's kind of a dream sequence describing the feeling of success. Yep, birding wouldn't be fun if you could just push a button and the selected bird fly to you. Or you had a map to find the next big one. So the fun (and the pain) is really in the randomness, something that has to be accepted (as I wrote "I'll swallow each loss, I'll stand up to nature"). Congratulations for seeing that eagle, I have only seen a white-tailed eagle here. Your area is probably full of big birds of prey  Janne Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052 |
You are the master of chord changes that completely work and yet are so uncommon!! Makes your music always very interesting to listen to, and this is no exception!! Love the sound of the band! Very imaginative and cool music!! Take care. Greg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,281
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,281 |
Hi Janne, very interesting chord changes indeed. Very good production all around.
Mike B.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,647 |
Janne
Enjoyed the song, it's development and rousing ending. Liked the chord video - some very interesting changes and chords used.
Top quality composition.
Peter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,366 |
Hi Janne,
Wonderful backing track with a fabulous solo.
Loved the lyrics which you can listen to on two levels - either at face value, or if you consider the whole piece to be a metaphor, it takes on a whole new and intriguing meaning.
Yes, we're longtime members of the British RSPB and spotting isn't predictable! The only thing you can predict is that the best sightings are when you haven't got a camera with you!
ROG.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,136
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,136 |
Your lyrics are great, Janne. I sympathized with you right from the title. I love walking through the woods, so picked up the photography hobby. Eventually I came up with a saying: When it rains, shoot rain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3,357 |
Janne, A very cool darkly Hendrix-like intro leading into those dense,introspective lyrics...I always enjoy the seeking for meaning in little things and there are some original insights in your writing here. Catch the joy as it flies! As your songs often bring chord sequence surprises, the subtle changes here are a hallmark of a Janne composition. The arrangement ( especially how you integrate the guitars, is very good).
Robert
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616 |
I love the dark mood you set with this! Nice changes and well written lyrics as always. Groundhog Day is one of my favorite movies BTW. Thanks Dave for your kind and positive feedback  I like Groundhog Day also very much, great inspired idea and Bill Murray is a great actor. Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616 |
Loved the eerie backtrack. Cool lyric and vocal. With the title I thought you were going to write about being locked in the house and doing the same thing day after day. Well done Thanks Scott for your nice comment  Well, you could apply the message also to being locked in the house nowadays, being stuck, writing new songs one after another without getting the recognition you are after - but luckily we have this forum that helps us to escape outside, virtually  Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,313
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,313 |
Terrific production, it started so ominously I wasn't sure what to expect, but eventually it settled into a Janne song, and a nice Janne song at that. When our cats died, we finally put up five bird feeders and we love them. We've had one rare sighting already. So you may want to rethink eschewing feeders. Nice work on an esoteric subject.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,616 |
You are the master of chord changes that completely work and yet are so uncommon!! Makes your music always very interesting to listen to, and this is no exception!! Love the sound of the band! Very imaginative and cool music!! Take care. Greg Thanks Greg for your heartwarming words  They really mean much to me, especially when they come from a super-talented songwriter like you. I usually compose the chords before the melody, so the chords including the inversions almost contain the melody. When the lyrics are finished I can just put the words in and just finetune the melodical details. Janne
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Expert
|
Expert
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749 |
Interesting inspiration! Certainly an unusual song topic.
Well done.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,218
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3,218 |
Janne,
Very nice song! As always, your device for the chord progression is wonderful. I'm always wondering how you can ship your boat to the music ocean. It is great D note pedal point, and the chord progression after key change to Fmajor. Excellent! Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
User Showcase
|
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,703
Veteran
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,703 |
The musical introduction is magnetic. Wow.
A wow on the chord structure too. I found the whole musical aspect/production of the song thrilling. I know some people associate thrilling with upbeat or virtuosic pieces but this was really appealing for me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
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 amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac 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 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed 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 transcribe 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, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
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):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
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.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,413
Posts804,610
Members40,120
| |
Most Online64,515 Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|