I think there is a third approach on saying 'je t'aime'; It was demonstrated in a song from Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg; 'Je t'aime, moi non plus'. That approach was not the one I had in mind, but if I sang it how you wrote it, it could have confused everyone in the forum what I was singing anyway. Now you will tell me you already have these confusions with my songs, don't you?
But thanks a lot for your compliments. I liked it, like your skills of the french language... Hans
What a nice post you wrote. Thanks for that! And one of the nice parts was what you wrote about the lyrics. It was my intention to leave room for interpretations on the who, what and why in the story and you did it. Nice!
I didn't realize the sound of an accordion makes you smoke bad cigarrettes. Sorry for that! I only wonder what you would have done if it was a citar? But thanks a lot for your nice compliments!
Actually the lyrics were not meant to make it a 'French' song. The woman in the story came from Paris to me, in the Netherlands and we wandered near the sea close to my home. But I can imagine it's more romantic to situate yourself in Paris. I think it's less chilly.
This is really beautiful! The Koto works well, as does the accordion. What I liked most, though, was the atmosphere you created here. It's as if I was somewhere by the sea, like a "fly on the wall", with both the characters of the story - and see it all unfold. Beautiful, with just a hint of sadness ... well written, well produced, well performed ... what's there more to say than "bravo"? :-)
It's a cool song. You'll find the Bardot version is closer to your pronunciation than the Birkin - but Jane was a Pom and Bridget Gallic so, probably, the more accurate use should be handed to BB.
I wonder how the pronunciation has morphed in the 45 or so years since.
Last edited by rayc; 02/03/2111:37 AM.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Hans, This is excellent! The instrument choices are inspired. Great vocal and some fine lyrics. It certainly reminded me of my travels through France. It is a great listen, Tom
Thanks so much for your nice reply on my song! Floyd did quote those lines, but I liked it you felt the same fibe in them. I can understand Janice picture herself in one or two french cafe's, but I have to dissapoint her; She left France to visit me and I live in the Netherlands and it was close to the sea. Actually it was Zandvoort, close to Haarlem (look it up on Google Maps). Not as romantic as Paris, though ...
But for me it doesn't matter what you fantasize as long as the song does something to you and that was the case! Nice day, Hans
Guitarhacker: I like it when listeners fantasize about the lyrics or the atmosphere the song evokes. and you wrote that process in a nice way. Thanks!
Scott: That is a nice compliment you made. Appreciate that!
Mario: See what I wrote to Janice about that cafe, but I liked it that an accordion does this. I thought I got her from Paris to me (and back unfortunately). But who cares! I was thinking about your compliments about my English in the lyrics. It sounded as a big compliment, still I wondered if and what kind of mistakes I made. would you mind telling me?
Thanks for your nice words. I enjoyed reading them. It gave me a special feeling maybe it is a good song after all... I bought me a new microphone, a Neumann U87 AI (man, they are not cheap!) and this was the first song recorded with it. It was a complete different experience! And your compliments underline the correctness of my decision to buy it.
Peter, I'm glad you enjoyed Listen. When searching for inspiration for a new song I had some Blues in mind, but while experimenting with some BIAB styles, I got stuck to some tune that eventually became Listen. So nice to see how these things go. You recognize these situations?
Ezekiel, More people talked about the sphere/ atmosphere this song evokes. I hadn't expected that when making it. I had my doubts about the story, the kind of chorusses and also that Koto. There were some parts that were really out of tune and I had to cut them. But all the time I came back to my first thoughts on this song. I'm glad I listened to myself...
Alan, so nice words you wrote! Because of your precious memories I don't dare to repeat what I wrote to Janice and Bud and Mario. The Koto was a bit unexpected, but I never intended to use a mandolin or whatsoever on the solopart. It had to be something exotic. And the sound was just right in the sphere of this song. Just what you said. I hope it will not stay my best song though!
Greg, Thanks for your description of the sphere it gave and what you said about the Koto. As I wrote to Alan, I hope it won't stay my best song. I take your words as a challenge, okay?
Yeah, I like this one. Really strong production and a write that conveys an emotion deeper than the words themselves. Haunting in its way. Love that accordion. Great story—cool tune.
ery beautiful romantic composition. The atmosphere of a promenade by the sea is well reproduced by the instruments chosen. The accordion and the koto have all their charm. It's very pleasant to listen to.
Thank you all for your comments on Listen. And thanks for waiting for my reply. Took too long. I have only one excuse; we're in the middle of a snowstorm (first time in ten years) and I was a bit dissapointed by this event. I was promissed a climatechange (tropics) and not this. I froze...
Originally Posted By: Alexander Paul
So many things I enjoyed with this song! Your voice, the choice of instruments, the melodies.
Alexander: thanks for mentioning everything in the song. I thought the song was -maybe- a bit dull, but looking at the reactions it wasn't.
Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Your best yet I think, Hans, not only the song but also the production. Well done!
Dave: I'm sure it isn't my best song. That has to come yet, don't you think? But thanks for this huge compliment from you!
Originally Posted By: dani48
Hi, Hans ! This is a superb tune so well performed and sung and mixed too ! The orchestration is also absolutely extraordinary super !
Have you been down to Spain ? I was about to go but then I didn´t due to the lockdown !
Cheers Dani
Dani: Well thanks Dani, nice to read these words from you. No I haven't been to Spain, but to Mexico. My son has a relation with a Mexican girl, and we had to visit her family. It's getting serious I think. but the Corona meassures makes it a challenge (my wife hopes). I made some songs about Mexico and my son. You can hear how it began and devellopd till now ;-) More serious; Mexico was nice and there was no real lock down. And we didn't get infected after all!
Originally Posted By: CaptainMoto
Very romantic. If you could put that in a bottle, you could sell it as a fine perfume with powerful a aphrodisiac.
Captain: You are a true romantic, Captain. What nice words! Even my wife was impressed...
Thanks for your nice posts and words. And sory for the delay in my replies to them. As I said in a post earlier I was frozen, because we are facing an icy cold period right now. That frozen me...
Originally Posted By: musician17
This is really beautiful! The Koto works well, as does the accordion. What I liked most, though, was the atmosphere you created here. It's as if I was somewhere by the sea, like a "fly on the wall", with both the characters of the story - and see it all unfold. Beautiful, with just a hint of sadness ... well written, well produced, well performed ... what's there more to say than "bravo"? :-)
Musician: I am very happy that you liked it and especially the image you got of it. And that sea was near to where I live (not pleasant at the moment). But I like how you describe that: 'a fly on the wall'. Very nice indeed!
Originally Posted By: Robertkc
A very engaging story song,Hans- nice close and restrained vocal gives the song an intimate feel and the arrangement fits well.
Robert: It was a bit of a guess to use conga's, a Koto and an accordion together, but it turned out well and I like it a lot to read you enjoyed it, thanks!
Originally Posted By: dcuny
Excellent! Well done vocally and musically. But more importantly, it did a really good job of transporting me into the story.
David: What nice of you to write this! And I am delighted to read you have 'entered' this story and made it yours...
Ray: I couldn't import your reply here. I think it's because of video's of Jane and Brigit. But I think you are misled by those two women (UK and French). They had another pronouncation, but mine is more sexier with my dark voice and Dutch accent... The moment I wrote 'je t'aime' I had to think of that song. That's not why I used it, but it was a nice 'bridge'. And see where it leads to; your videos and discussion on how to pronounce those words. I think I was the best, don't you agree?
Thanks everyone and for those who have not yet been vaccinated, stay safe! Hans
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana, Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes, MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano, Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7, Playable RealTracks Set 4, RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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