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Telling A Story Two years ago, I thought that I should try to write a hit song, something like Ed Sheeran. Listened to his songs, but I quickly realized that his chord progressions and melodies didn't interest me. So, instead, I decided to write a song my own way, but with simpler chord progressions than usually and lyrics bigger than life but still relatively easy to relate to. I wrote the melody and the chorus lyrics quite fast, and had the story idea clearly in my mind, but it felt like too challenging task to write it down. Finally this year I had enough courage to finalize it. Probably nothing like a hit on modern standards, but here it is anyway. Definitely more instruments than usually, but I had fun when arranging it, trying to capture several moods. I hope you like it  RealDrums & Loops:DjembeKeitaEv16: a: Basic b: Busy RumbaFlamencaBalladPerc^1-a:Ss, b:Snr BongoEv 16 Single MarkTreeFills Loop:House-Techno-Trance\House - crunchy_120_b drums ev16.wav Loop: House-Techno-Trance\House - main_room_128_drum_loop_c_sharp_minor ev16.wav Loop: World Tabla-busy_120a ev16 Loop: MarkTree RealTracks: 3278:Vocal Mmms, Rhythm RockNRollGospel12-8 4-part Sw 065 3064:Vocal Oohs, Rhythm Pop3-part Ev 085 1849:Bass, Electric, ModernCountrySync Ev16 100 2904:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrittyBluesyPopBrent Ev 100 3239:Guitar, Nylon, Rhythm RumbaFlamencaBallad Ev16 090 2932:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking SongwriterAlternating8thsQuinn Ev 110 3642:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm DublinPopSlowLowSteady Ev16 105 1838:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopModernGrooveSync4s Ev16 075 594: Fiddle Chops 2549 Fiddle Soloist 3383:Fiddle, BackgroundSoloist OldTimeHappyDance Ev16 125 3385:Fiddle, BackgroundSoloist OldTimeBonfireAndy Ev16 110 3267:Cello, Background CelticAirFlowingNatalie Ev 085 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085 2338:Violin, Background, PopLow Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection) 2336:Viola, Background, Pop Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection) MIDI/VST instruments: Garritan World Instruments, Elysion, West Africa, Cantus, India Vocals by me (and some Vocaloids backing) Mixed in Cakewalk by Bandlab Lyrics:Once upon a time there was a blank page a story about to be told the quill of time wrote the elegant title in the cellular ink Life began to unfold from algae and ferns to all trees through mammoths and queen bees up to the thought of me. I am telling a story from the magical dawn through the turmoil of times to the next generations I am passing it on. Once upon a time there was a book store this young man about to be charmed she was selling me a novel when suddenly the wary eyes met the prologue into her arms connecting her story with mine so much written about love still we can fit new lines. We are telling a story from the magical dawn through the turmoil of times to the next generations we are passing it on. Once upon a time there was a duet a baby about to be born another chapter in the marvels of moments where the pages of new days she'll come to adorn. The fables of bedtime we've heard will be her source of verve when growing in her own words. You are telling a story from the magical dawn through the turmoil of times to the next generations you are passing it on. We are telling a story from the magical dawn through the solace in sorrow to the tales of tomorrow we are passing it on. we are telling an age-old story of all the grace ever penned it gives meaning to smiles to the littlest lives wishing for a happy end. ---------------------- Janne
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Really cool, Janne. Man, I really like the band you "hired," and the way you mixed them in so I can close my eyes and imagine the video. This must have taken quite a long time to get each track so perfectly played and blended. I really like the whole story in these lyrics, and you came up with a progression and melody that is far better (IMO) than the "hit" moguls can muster. Their angle is money, yours is music. I'm with ya all the way.
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Love the vibe in one Janne! Super job with the melodic structure and production on this!
I would much rather listen to new tunes based on the more complex melody and chord structure from yesteryear any day! Maybe I'm out of touch and getting old but I make NO apologies for that! Keep on rocking! Thanks, Torrey
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Janne
That list of tracks is very impressive! Nicely put together and mixed.
Good catchy chorus and I liked the vocaloid singing along with you.
A clever and entertaining song.
Peter
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Love the vibe you've captured here!!! A bit like some of Paul Simon's stuff! I have also thought of trying to write in the current "hit" styles, but realized that I can't get excited about writing something which has no interest to me. I'm an old school guy! You've come up with a really cool and interesting piece here!! Take care. Greg
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A really interesting narrative and a very up backing.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Really cool, Janne. Man, I really like the band you "hired," and the way you mixed them in so I can close my eyes and imagine the video. This must have taken quite a long time to get each track so perfectly played and blended. I really like the whole story in these lyrics, and you came up with a progression and melody that is far better (IMO) than the "hit" moguls can muster. Their angle is money, yours is music. I'm with ya all the way. Thanks Marty for your kind feedback I fully agree with you, money talks not music in today's music world. I just wonder why they have to follow the same pattern all over again, ok maybe it sells and listeners are not asking for a change, but could they be more innovative, write at least some surprise chords etc per song. Well, same goes with movies, I'm tired of zombie movies and superhero movies, could we have something else, at least a superhero zombie Janne
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Love the vibe in one Janne! Super job with the melodic structure and production on this!
I would much rather listen to new tunes based on the more complex melody and chord structure from yesteryear any day! Maybe I'm out of touch and getting old but I make NO apologies for that! Keep on rocking! Thanks, Torrey Thanks Torrey for your encouraging words You have shown a very good example how to write very modern pop music with interesting melodies and chord progressions, and you don't sound old in my ears Janne
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Don't let Ed Sheeran hear this, he's not worthy.
Nice one!
moto
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Awesome tune Janne. Loved the backtrack and instrument selection. Cool lyric and vocal. Well done.
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That list of tracks is very impressive! Nicely put together and mixed.
Good catchy chorus and I liked the vocaloid singing along with you.
A clever and entertaining song.
Peter Thanks Peter for your kind and very positive comment I didn't have a female or child vocalists available, so I had to use Vocaloids, but I'm glad to hear they worked well together with my voice Janne
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Love the vibe you've captured here!!! A bit like some of Paul Simon's stuff! I have also thought of trying to write in the current "hit" styles, but realized that I can't get excited about writing something which has no interest to me. I'm an old school guy! You've come up with a really cool and interesting piece here!! Take care. Greg Thanks Greg, it's pleasure to read your nice words Thanks for mentioning Paul Simon, I like his music and appreciate him as a songwriter, he has had courage to experiment successfully. You are an excellent 'old school guy', besides being one of the best singers on this planet, you are making ageless music that really interests me Just today I listened to your Imaginary Dance album once again. Janne
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Great lyrics, nice progression, terrific use of BIAB. Wonderful work!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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You told this story very well indeed, Janne. From your accent is suspect that English is not your 'mother-tongue'and yet you write so eloquently. I'm also impressed with the way all those instruments and tones were woven so skillfully into a cohesive and enjoyable soundscape.
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Janne,
A good write. The chorus is very catchy.
Good use of BIAB. Big list of RTs, well mixed for a cohesive sound. The percussion loops really drive the piece well.
Good vocals and BGVs.
Well done.
fj
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A really interesting narrative and a very up backing. Thanks Ray for your nice feedback Janne
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Don't let Ed Sheeran hear this, he's not worthy.
Nice one!
moto Thanks Moto for kindly commenting Yeah, I won't  Actually, I listened to Ed's latest album and I think there was only one that had something interesting to me (melody/chord progression). Janne
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Awesome tune Janne. Loved the backtrack and instrument selection. Cool lyric and vocal. Well done. Thanks Scott for your kind and positive feedback Janne
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Great lyrics, nice progression, terrific use of BIAB. Wonderful work! Thanks TuneMonger for your kind comment I'm especially glad that you liked the lyrics. Janne
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Janne,
This is my favorite track so far from you. I love what you did with all those tracks, yet the production doesn't sound or feel overwrought. Love the rhythms, chords structure, and melody.
I'm glad you went with your instincts and not Ed Sheeran's.
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