PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Leaving The Leaving Up To You

A co-write with Reid Richmond.

Through the '90's (and beyond), almost every year a rumor would run through the Nashville writing community that "Country radio is moving back to a more traditional sound".
And that never really happens.
It just keeps moving forward.

But...during one of those rumor periods, when Reid and I got together to write (which we did a bunch) we figured we'd throw one out there to "catch that coming traditional wave". HA!

This one got enough interest that it was published and pitched (by Sony/ATV).

I'll post a link to the Nashville demo in the post right below this.



Anyway... I'd thought I'd do my own version of this.

Needless to say, the perfect choice for a harmony partner was Janice Merritt.

The BAND:
RealTracks in style: ~535:Bass, Electric, Pop Sw 085
RealTracks in style: 2918:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryFolkSlowSwingBrent Sw 085
RealTracks in style: 3173:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CampfireSlowSwing Sw 085
RealTracks in song: 2876:Fiddle, Background AmericanaSlow128Andy Sw 040
RealTracks in song: 2043 Mandolin, Soloist CountryWaltzAndy Sw 085
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2657:Piano, Rhythm CountryBentNoteJohn Sw 085
RealDrums [in style:NashvilleSwing8^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Harmony: Janice Merritt



LEAVING THE LEAVING UP TO YOU

i introduced myself the night that we met
it's always been up to me to take the first step
you couldn't give your love 'til i gave you mine
but if there are hearts about to be broken
it's your turn this time

   i'm leavin' the leavin' up to you
   that's the one thing... i can't do
   i'd do anything you'd ask me to
   but i'm leavin' the leavin' up to you

if there's a chance for us, i'll ask you to stay
if we can fall back in love, i'll lead the way
i'd be the first to say at times i've been wrong
but there's no mistaking just where and to whom
the next move belongs

   i'm leavin' the leavin' up to you
   that's the one thing... i can't do
   i'd do anything you'd ask me to
   but i'm leavin' the leavin' up to you
   i'd do anything.. you'd ask me to
   but i'm leavin' the leavin' up to you



Hope you enjoy the trip back.
J&B - Thank You (again!!)

fj

You should consider commenting on the BIAB version before listening to this if you are so inclined.

I have little doubt that there will be the usual "I like this one better" thing.
But comparisons are a personal choice and a rather moot point.
Shannon is one hell of a singer. And the players on the demo are as good as they come.
I am quite satisfied that BIAB rendered a useable recording and I would have no problem pitching it.

I detailed the demo process in another thread - where I did the same thing...sang my own version of a song that was demoed and pitched in Nashville.
You can find that here if you are interested:
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=554750#Post554750


So.... here is the Nashville demo.
TURN THE VOLUME DOWN before you hit Play here. For some reason it is really loud!!

We got Shannon Brown to sing the demo. She was signed to a record deal shortly after that (she had several deals over the years, none of which took flight) and we hoped that she might carry this one along for the ride, but her sound was geared to the newer stuff at the time (of course).



LEAVING THE LEAVING UP TO YOU - Nashville Demo


And here are a couple videos of Shannon "doing her thing"...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFFeLU8xDw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9rh6Alhq6w

Hi Floyd,

You're one of those people in the world who prove that the music that is "played" by the industry doesn't necessarily reflect those who are the most talented. Only those who are pushed on people to listen to. I can picture your song being played on the "Urban Cowboy" soundtrack just right there alongside of Mickey Gilley...

A great tune that lends well to your country crooning...

Nice opening!

Good vocal and man, those harmonies! Sitting perfectly in the mix along with your vocal. And of course it is Janice so it goes without saying that the tone is pure perfection.

I also listened to the Nashville demo, sounds awesome! But then so does yours, just different is all; I wouldn't say I like one better than the other.

Very good song, I can see why it was picked up.

Man, that is so country --all the best of what that means-- right from the title. What a well-written song, Floyd. Love the harmony, Janice. This band sounds great, but I'm now off to hear the other one. Hey, all I got is opinions, but I ain't got no bad opinions 'bout you, Floyd. I won't tell ya how much I like either better because... nevermind.

FJ,
Very good (re)write. Yeah, traditional! Excellent vocals by you and Janice. Everything sounds BIG and clear. Fiddle was a nice touch. Mandolin (Andy Leftwich) added whole dimension to this. Radio quality stuff.

I am not going to compare the versions as they are completely different animals, but they both are top notch. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Floyd,
This is my kind of country - a heartache inside a clever turn of phrase,a simple melody that gets you humming along and a relaxed and strong upfront vocal.To those good things you bring Janice for lovely harmonies and great production skills.

Hard to believe your demo singer didn`t have a successful solo career; her vocal is faultless.
I enjoyed both versions and the look into your back pages.

Robert

ditto!

We have some very talented people on these forums and Floyd and Janice are at the top of them.

This what country music should sound like!

floyd

I enjoyed both versions.

I'll just comment on yours, - wonderful vocal and you and Janice sounds superb together as always.
An obviously professional piece of songwriting, great lyric and damn catchy.

Really top notch all the way.

Peter

Excellent song. The sound of the "demo" is built to siut that female vocal - a little brighter and sparkly maybe.
The recent one is a perfect fit for the voices. The way Janice blends with you is sibling good.
I enjoyed it and, becasue it's more trad country AND western fare I enjoyed the narrative as well.
Could I hear Patsy doing this one? Absolutely.

Hi Floyd,

The BiaB version immediately took me back about fifty years to when I once played "Dep" bass in
a Jim Reeves cover band for three months, whilst the bass player recovered from a broken arm.
It just had that easy relaxed feel and I could imagine the late, great, Jim singing it.

The other version I liked just as much. It was a lot more "in-yer-face" and the mix was about
twice as loud, but that's only what you'd expect from a radio mix. That Shannon has an amazing
voice and it's a shame she never made the breakthrough.

Both excellent.

ROG.

Well, gee, Bawb... That is really nice of you to say! It is always nice to hear stuff like that.... Thanks!!




Thanks, Dave. (as always)




Thanks, Marty... sometimes you just have to find your way back to where things began...

Yep..... good song. I won't make the comparison but I will say you can certainly tell the studio version from the BB version sound. Both are good, but different.


Looked at the videos from Shannon.... I remember one of those from the old days.

Yep.... the rumor that country is returning to it's roots..... mostly not but on occasion you have artists like Chris Templeton come along that gives rise to the hope that maybe.... just maybe there is some fact to the rumors.

The song itself was squarely in the solid country category. I could easily hear that on a Lori Morgan CD and stage show.... in fact Shannon has a lot of Lori's vocal timbre as well as Martina McBride. The girl can sing. Unfortunately, talent only gets you so far in the industry in recent years.

Yep... I really enjoyed that old blast from the past.

Dave and Marty,

Thank you for mentioning my harmony. It was my pleasure.

Janice

Hi Floyd.
Very nicely written, with a clever turn of phrase for the chorus. Both versions are great (can't really go wrong with you and Janis collaborating). Checked out those clips of Shannon. That she didn't achieve more commercial success just goes to show how fickle the music biz can be.
Regards,
Leon

This is an outstanding country song. (If it didn't sell in Nashville, that's why - they aren't playing country any more.) Lovely harmonies from both of you and Janice. That title hook line in gold Great job.

Misha - Thanks for the very nice review. Thanks for mentioning Janice's part - she did a great job and fits in perfectly.

Nice that you called out Andy, too. The fiddle RT is his as well. So he was essential to putting this together. He is an extremely talented musician. AND... I played golf with him a number of times - he's good at that, too!!! A real sweetheart of a guy, too... Nice as they come.

Hey Floyd,

This is great man. And SO Country.

Really a textbook song on how to write a classic country song. I love it.

Regarding the versions, you know I always love to hear you sing and I love your BIAB arrangements. They are so WARM. Very warm man, and you know I love that warm sound.

The Nashville demo is awesome, but you always ask us a version of the following question:

So, which is better, this butterscotch mint condition '57 Tele, or this gold top mint condition '57 Les Paul?

The question isn't fair and I'm bowing out.

Robert - Thanks for the nice comments...

That is very nice of you to say, Mario. Thanks - from both of us....