Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
#604384 06/29/20 09:44 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
We've all gone crazy in the last few months.... this is my observation on the situation in the world today. Just writing and singing about what I see, think, and feel. This is a song about hoping that we stop being stupid and realize that WE have the power to change our world but it has to be done with love.

I actually have 3 songs start on this topic. All with different points of view. This one is finished or close to it. The others probably won't be heard outside of my studio.... maybe. Still got another idea floating around in my head.... we'll see.

So, here's the song.

Let Our Children Play

The band is:

Drums: P&W even 16
B3: 2692
Piano: 2693
Bass: 3501
Choir: 2975 & 2976

I have 3 vocal tracks and 5 guitar tracks in it. 2 crunch rhythm laying down a bed.... 2 acoustics for grins, and the lead. I actually tried to get fairly close to the lead that BB generated because it was pretty decent. I didn't take the time to get it note for note because that's not generally how I roll these days.

Lyrics:

Let our children play

I set down to watch the evening news.... everything has gone haywire
Cities and police cars.... all on fire
people going crazy and stirring Trouble up tonight

One guy with a sign says burn the whole thing down
Another one has a sign says let's find common ground
Silence all the voices with a different point of view, its what they always do


We've all gone crazy, on youtube seeking fame
Everybody's pointing fingers no one wants to take the blame
We all have our own special cause, our favorite source of pain
Don't worry about tomorrow, forget about yesterday
Tear down all the monuments and hide them all away
Don't count the cost of freedom, We should just let our children play


If we all work together and cast our fears aside
Seek the answers, embrace the truth and walk away from lies
Nothing in the world would stop us, Maybe one day we all will realize.
If you take the hand of your enemy, you'll find that he's your friend,
Close the door to darkness, It's long past due to end
Imagine if you will, for just a moment, the message we would send


We have to, stop acting crazy, calling each other names
No more pointing fingers, because we're really all to blame
Forget about our own little cause, deep inside we're all the same

We have to think about tomorrow, remember yesterday.
Tear down the wall of hatred, embrace a brighter day
Ring the bell of freedom, And let our children play



Feel free to comment after you listen and let me know your thoughts.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,081
Wow! That's one big production. Well done. Your recording has a great tone to it. Good lyrics and vocals. Top notch production (worth mentioning again). Well done. Great use of the band too.

What version of BnB do you use? I'm still on 2012 and I think it sounds like it.


My music can be heard at: The Cracks
User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,520
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 8,520
Herb, This is a great song man.

Really, really, well done.

Bravo.

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,090
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,090
Excellent!

Man, your music has always been good but the last couple you have done ... just great in every way.

Killer job on the guitar too, great tone and feel.

Good song, enjoyed.

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,121
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 21,121
This is a story that needs to be told, to hopefully bring people together - and to to their senses.

Great job, exceptional delivery, and yes, 'we should just let our children play'. Wherever did that go?


BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,258
Oh wow, this is soooooo topical, it's been put together so well. VERY thought provoking and just a wonderful all round song. THIS is the kinda song that should be in the charts, not the crap they have nowadays

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Originally Posted By: jptjptjpt
Wow! That's one big production. Well done. Your recording has a great tone to it. Good lyrics and vocals. Top notch production (worth mentioning again). Well done. Great use of the band too.

What version of BnB do you use? I'm still on 2012 and I think it sounds like it.


Thanks...yeah I spent a good amount of time on this. After I exported the waves I wasn't satisfied with the ending so rather than reworking them, I used audio editing to literally change the ending.

Regarding the version... It's the 2020 ultrapack on SSHD.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 294
B
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
B
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 294
Hi GuitarHacker,

I have to tell you that this "We all have our own special cause, our favorite source of pain" really hit home.

The whole song was excellent, but I especially liked your music production, the drums and guitars all sounded so polished and true.

As far as the whole world going crazy, from my experience, being in the places I've been (not the nicest) this world has been going crazy for a long time and getting worse. It's just now hitting the news because it's happening in first world countries.

A timely, well written, VERY well payed and sung song!

Thanks for posting it.

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Originally Posted By: David Snyder
Herb, This is a great song man.

Really, really, well done.

Bravo.


Thanks David. Coming from you, I really appreciate that.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,665
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,665
Big sound Herb! That intro really sets the stage for the great lyrics that follow! Great job on the vocals! That organ sets so beautifully in there! That lead solo really sound sweet! Nice background effects going on midway through! Last verse really is powerful! If the other 2 are close to this one, they need an audience! Thanks, T

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,965
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,965
Herb,

A good one. A good write.

A big production that holds together well (for the most part)...the drums are a bit loud. When I turn them down to a good listening level, the rest of the tracks - including the vocal - are just a little low. So it is a relative thing. Good news is the cymbals still sound good at that loud level (no harsh high EQ).

Good job.

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Excellent!

Man, your music has always been good but the last couple you have done ... just great in every way.

Killer job on the guitar too, great tone and feel.

Good song, enjoyed.


Thank you. On the guitar tone.... thank you again. Regarding the songs.... I just write what I;m thinking and feeling. And perhaps one day..... anyway, thank you for listening. Glad you enjoyed this tune.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,052
Great song Herb!!! Yeah, things are pretty F'd up alright, and don't seem to be improving. This is a good message but I think there are plenty with agendas who don't want answers. Sad days in the ol' USA. Enjoyed this A LOT!! Take care. Greg

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,204
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 16,204
Well done and timely indeed.

A big production that sounded really epic on the monitors.

Nice vocals and the guitar chops and tone are outstanding.

Dunno about the similar themed songs that reside in your studio smile
but we like this thematically and musically.

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: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Big production, as others have said. Excellent vocal and guitar work. And yes, we've got to keep hoping that a change is going to come.
Regards,
Leon

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Originally Posted By: VideoTrack
This is a story that needs to be told, to hopefully bring people together - and to to their senses.

Great job, exceptional delivery, and yes, 'we should just let our children play'. Wherever did that go?


Thank you. Every now and then I get a streak of compassion .... it doesn't last long, but.... ( just kidding ) And yes, the title line of Let our Children play was all about how innocent our children are and it's what they are taught that is the important thing.... we need to let them play and be kids and not foster the prejudices that are being taught. Little kids don't know black or white, they know friends who they can play with.

Thank you for listening


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Originally Posted By: furry
Oh wow, this is soooooo topical, it's been put together so well. VERY thought provoking and just a wonderful all round song. THIS is the kinda song that should be in the charts, not the crap they have nowadays


Yeah... thank you. I agree it needs to be on the charts and on the radio..... but I doubt that will happen. Just writing what I think and feel. Thank you for listening.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Originally Posted By: Bawb
Hi GuitarHacker,

I have to tell you that this "We all have our own special cause, our favorite source of pain" really hit home.

The whole song was excellent, but I especially liked your music production, the drums and guitars all sounded so polished and true.

As far as the whole world going crazy, from my experience, being in the places I've been (not the nicest) this world has been going crazy for a long time and getting worse. It's just now hitting the news because it's happening in first world countries.

A timely, well written, VERY well payed and sung song!

Thanks for posting it.


We all have our own special cause, our favorite source of pain..... indeed. This is so true and I'm glad you found that line to be poignant. It can be anything. Drugs, alcohol, racism. We go back to it for comfort in a demented sort of way. We like to wallow in our misery. Yeah, I agree, it's been off the rails for a long time now. It's just becoming more evident every day.

I appreciate the kind words on the song. Thank you


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362
E
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
E
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 362
Wow Herb. This is outstanding. It hits on all cylinders. Fantastic production, great vocals and guitar work. Excellent lyrics - so spot on and relevant. And on top of that, all those little bits and pieces that makes a good song a great one are there - the vocal dynamics, the drum fills, guitar solos, the spaces - and it all fits together organically. This is one of those times where you just enjoy the song, and let it roll, and then you have to go back again and analyze and say, whoa - how did he do that?


Ed Z

Soundcloud profile
https://soundcloud.com/user-415064494
BIAB user since 2019
iPad Mini, Garageband for iOS, BIAB for Windows 2020 UltraPAK, Xtra Styles packs 6-9, Windows 10 Lenovo PC, Kontakt Player, SpitFire LABS, SampleTank 4 CS, some Soundfonts


User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,944
Well, I hate to have to roll up several posts into ONE BIG THANK YOU.... but it looks like that's what I need to do here.... so...

Thank you to Torry, Floyd, Greg, Janice & Bud, Leon, and Ed for listening and taking the time to comment. I'll be lurking for the next few days.... but otherwise engaged in other activities..... toes in the sand, beer in my hand kind of things.... yeah, it's a hard life but someone has to live it. I'll be back refreshed and most likely with a new song....or two. Or maybe just a hangover and a bad sunburn.... yeah, just kidding on both of those.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

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
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®!

Forum Statistics
Forums57
Topics86,403
Posts804,415
Members40,113
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
Newest Members
BillyK, Sam Leak, sgsdgsg, bill.mccall, SuperMario20
40,112 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 124
rsdean 93
WaoBand 90
DC Ron 88
vicarn 79
dcuny 69
Today's Birthdays
Bill Shafer, edsullivan1
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5