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#600458 06/04/20 08:30 AM
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Hey, everybody:

A solo effort this time . . . I had this melody and a written chorus around for a fairly long time, but it lingered lonely without a verse to go with, and I kept coming up empty. I finally pushed myself to finish it off and here’s the result. I don’t typically do love songs—at least not very well. —but I hope this is worth the spin. Thanks for the listen and feedback.

My best to all of you,

Deej

Here’s the song:

COMPLETE

Here are the lyrics:

I thought I saw you first
from across the bar.
You were standing by the window
lit in neon like a star.
And when you said “Hello,”
I played it cool,
but despite all my bravado
I was the boy you saw right through.

You know I just don’t understand it . . .
Sometimes I think you always knew
that you—you’re everything I want,
the only thing I see.
And with you forever in my heart
I know I’ll always be
complete.

Have I been the love
you’ve always dreamed?
Have I given back to you
everything you’ve given me?
And if I’ve fallen short,
just know this much . . .
If I had a million lifetimes
I could never give enough.

You know I’ll never understand it,
just how you love me like you do.
And you—you’re everything I want,
the only thing I see.
And with you forever in my heart
I know I’ll always be
complete.

You know I’ll never understand it;
it don’t matter if I do . . .
and you—you’re everything I want,
the only thing I see.
And with you forever in my heart
I know I’ll always be
complete.

And here’s the band:

RealTracks 2960: Bass, Acoustic, SmoothBalladNeil Ev16 065
RealTracks 1690: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopPromise Ev16 100
RealTracks. 702: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Spirited Ev 065
RealTracks 1004: Guitar, 12 String Acoustic Rhythm
RealTracks 1167: Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockBalladBrent Ev 065
RealDrums: ModernPopBallad16ths^01-a:Quiet hat, Sync-kick, b:Open hat, Sync-kick

Deej56 #600494 06/04/20 01:02 PM
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Deej, you know what I think? I think that you should do more love songs. This is fantastic. Great backing tracks and a super vocals. This song has all of the elements that make a great song and this is a great song.


Principal: Your child always causes trouble in school.
Me: My child causes trouble at home, do I ever call you?

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Deej56 #600564 06/04/20 09:26 PM
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I love the sound of this. You have a wonderful voice. Really nice love song. Great job. Are all the parts BIAB or are you playing some of the guitar parts?

Deej56 #600573 06/04/20 10:02 PM
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Hi Deej,
This is a great song.
I always enjoy your voice and the guitars are so well found.
Congratulations. Christian

Deej56 #600578 06/04/20 11:06 PM
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Deej,
a REALLY good job of writing and singing. Nice arrangement.
There's an oddity though. I was listening and wondering at the extra percussion ticking away and realized it's the kick drum clicking so prominently that it sounds like a stick hit or wood block.
There doesn't seem to be any bottom to the kick in the mix just that click.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Deej56 #600587 06/04/20 11:30 PM
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Excellent writing, and outstanding vocal! Maybe your best yet.

Good song, enjoyed the listen.

Deej56 #600625 06/05/20 02:36 AM
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Just a lovely song, Deej!
Enjoyed all of it. Very good.
And what great vocals you have.
Did you had a sore throat afterwards?

All the best,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
Deej56 #600627 06/05/20 02:48 AM
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Mario, TexasFrets, Chris, rayc, Dave and Hans:

Thanks for the listen and feedback. Very much appreciated. Hope you are all doing well!

TexasFrets: The song is all BIAB--I'm contributing only the vocal. While I tell myself from time to time that I'm going to play on a song, I often don't simply because, with many an audition of real tracks, BIAB usually gets me close to what I'm looking for.

rayc: I'm not hearing the clicks, but your ears are better than mine--so I trust they are there. In any event, it was worth going in and revisiting the drums which I've done, trying to add a little more substance/bass or "bottom" to it, and upping the volume just a tad I think.

Hans: LOL, no, no sore throat. Falsetto is not something I do very well, but if it sits in the small sweet spot I have it kinda works. I wrote this in G, probably would have preferred to sing it in F, but settled on F#--largely because I couldn't hit the falsetto in F as well as in G. So a trade off, of sorts.

My best to you all,

Deej

Deej56 #600633 06/05/20 03:08 AM
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Deej,

Yes! You have hit that sweet spot for your vocal (with the processing).
I know I have "ragged you" about the high EQing a number of times (the way Ray rags about the lick drum "click" smile ) - hoping that you would do just what you have done here... Mixed/processed your vocal to sit well in the mix, while showcasing your (awesome) vocal AND maintain a "warmth". This is it. Great job!

Great falsetto.

It is only the strongest of vocalist who can make a power ballad work with mostly acoustic instruments to present a solid Rock performance. This is that.

A beautiful write. "Simple", comfortable lyric (well penned) and an excellent soaring melody.

Really nice use of the lead guitar between verses.

EXCELLENT mix.

Your best. Top-notch stuff all around.

fj

Deej56 #600651 06/05/20 04:18 AM
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Awesome song and excellent vocal. Loved it.


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
Deej56 #600665 06/05/20 05:44 AM
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Deej,

Yes! You`ve nailed the vocal processing/balance with the mix here and it lets us enjoy the goosebumps your vocals deliver.
A good write with that soaring falsetto delivering a sweet high.
Well done.

Robert

Deej56 #600668 06/05/20 05:51 AM
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Deej,
This is GREAT in all respects! Really nice vocals & arrangement. I am not sure is this is the "best" tune I have heard by you, but probably the strongest. Thank you for sharing.


Misha.

P.S. In some strange way it reminds me of Soul Asylum.

Deej56 #600693 06/05/20 09:00 AM
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Great ballad. An epic sound even with the acoustic
rhythms tracks. They sound good.

And the lyrics have just the right amount of tenderness without going overboard.

As always you vocal is heartfelt and soulful and the falsetto
ads a cool and effective dimension to that.

All meaning...we really like 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
Deej56 #600694 06/05/20 09:13 AM
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Hello Deej56,

Nice loving song. Like others,your voice is superb and the arrangement good done.

Best regard

Dero13


Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash
Deej56 #600758 06/05/20 06:45 PM
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A beautiful power ballad. It's sunnier than some of your previous efforts :-) The falsetto sections gives it that "this is how I'll remember this song" moments. The voice mix is one of your best so far - not too harsh, not too soft. As far as I'm concerned, I never want you to lose that edge to your voice - everyone tells you to EQ, etc., which is fine up a point, but don't lose what makes you you. And, here, you haven't lost that - well done.

Deej56 #600761 06/05/20 07:30 PM
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Deej,

This is excellent! Everything about it had me paying attention. From melody to arrangement, vocals to production, lyrical flow to storyline, this song jumps some really amazing writing hurdles, and it clears them with plenty of ease. You're on a winner with this write! In addition, your vocals really soar.

I love the way that you set up and then present the word "Complete". That's first class writing!

It's been a while since I've spent any time in Users Showcase. I'm really glad that this song was at the top of the list for me to find!

All the best,
Noel


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2026
Deej56 #600909 06/06/20 05:29 PM
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Wow, possibly the best I've heard from you, right up there with Ooh ooh Baby! Great vehicle for your vocals to shine. Going on my list of tunes to play regularly.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Deej56 #600998 06/07/20 08:37 AM
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Wow, this is a great song with a star-quality vocal performance.

One of your best.

Deej56 #601404 06/09/20 01:31 PM
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Floyd, Scott, Robert, Misha, J&B, Dero, James, Noel, TuneMonger, and Ezekiel:

Thanks so much for given this one a spin and all the really positive feedback. As I mention, it’s a song I had around for quite a while and could never quite make something of it. So I’m really glad that where it went worked. And even more so that the production elements worked as well.

J&B and TuneMonger: I also want to thank you for your comments on “Because I Dream”. I didn’t want to bump up that thread, but also didn’t want to let my appreciation for you comments go unrecognized. Thanks a lot for that.

My best to all of you. Stay safe and well!

Deej

Deej56 #602029 06/14/20 09:58 AM
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Very cool song!! Very passionate lyric and vocal delivery.....always love your vocals!! Really nice melody too......love the jump up on "you"! Great stuff!! Take care. Greg

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