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Despite the title, this song is not about covid. BACKSTORYIn 2020, shortly after the appearance of signs that covid was becoming a pandemic, my part of Australia went into lockdown. And because I was a school teacher, my classes were conducted as remote lessons over the internet. I was teaching senior high school chemistry at the time. To try and make life a little more interesting for my students, I encouraged everyone to do something different as our remote classes progressed and something that was fun and outside of lessons. Some examples of what eventuated include: a boy who took up making fine cheesecakes; a student who developed a trombone-based comedy show; a girl who decided to learn to draw, etc. For my part, I took up trying to teach myself rock piano. I also told my students that since this was most likely my last year at high school, I'd write them a song to send them on their way at the end of the year. My idea for the song was based on what advice I could pass onto my students as they journeyed onto university/college in 2021. I also wanted to encourage them to make the most of wherever they find themselves in the future. This is that song. Please feel free to be constructively critical. Regards, Noel ====== The BIAB & Friends BandBass: 1843, Electric, CountryBoogieRootFive Sw 110 Guitar: 2721, Nylon, Fingerpicking SwingBrent Sw 110 Ukulele: 1142, Strumming FolkSwing Sw 110 String Quartet: 2452, Rhythm PopSwingHall Sw 110 Organ: MIDI using Dimension Pro softsynth Drums: AfucheShakerSw8^01; Hand claps (loop); Woodblock, EZ Drummer 2. Processing in Reaper and RealbandGuitar: CLA Unpluggeed; JS Channel Time Delayer Vocals: Nectar 3, ReaEQ, ReaDelay, ReaFir, ReaComp, ReaTune Harmony: PG Music's Harmonizer in Realband Final Output: Ozone 9
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Noel, it's always great to see you come back around with a song! You've always been one of my favorite artists here! Every song is always put together with a loving touch and are enjoyable! Loved this one! The vocal is super, and the backstory makes it all the better! Take care, Torrey
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Great to see you back!
A great song with a very important message
Super mix and a great vocal
"You’re the captain of keeping happy", what a great line
Two thumbs up
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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This song is just beautifully done. True for all the days of our lives.
Also, you are one cool teacher - wonderful backstory.
Josie
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Expert
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Excellent song/production with a refreshingly positive feel... The vocal sounded perfect to me. The arrangement was very good, but I thought the initial percussion track may have come in a little early and strong, and then ended abruptly, (first impression).
I loved the lyric and performance... Wonderful!
Bandcamp Win-11; BiaB-2026 Audiophile (latest version)
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Swimming against the current, (affairs), with a hopeful and encouraging song.
An uncluttered and solid mix supports a cool melody.
The shaker (?) could be faded in just a tad, remain a tiny bit lower in level and cut clean rather than that tiny fade tail after the 1st round.
It's really important we bolster positivity and you do that in spades.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Journeyman
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Nice to hear a new one from you, Noel. Inspiring backstory and an uplifting song with your usual great vocal. A breath of fresh air in these trying times.
Regards,
Leon
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Love that backstory, Noel. "...a trombone-based comedy show"? Wow! That's worth an A. So is your song here. Great advice from an obviously caring teacher. When the shaker came in without without the kit, it sounded a bit disruptive to me, but later it was perfect. I like the hook in the title.
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Noel, it's always great to see you come back around with a song! You've always been one of my favorite artists here! Every song is always put together with a loving touch and are enjoyable! Loved this one! The vocal is super, and the backstory makes it all the better! Take care, Torrey Hi Torrey, Thank you for taking the time to listen and to comment. I always appreciate your thoughts. All the very best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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It's easy to be carried away gently by this song. Soothing and reassuring.
I love the subtle intensifying on the choruses with superb backing vocals.
Rob
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This has all the hallmarks of your best songs: upbeat, positive and toe-tapping. A bit overly sentimental for my taste - not really a complaint! - but it left me feeling better than before I started listening. So... well done!  I really liked the echo on the chorus. Harmony was nice as well. On the critical side, the mix felt quiet. I kept boosting up the volume. It could just be that you aren't playing the same volume wars that the rest of us are.
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Noel
Both a sensational tribute and wonderful advice that you have offered to your young team.
Prudent advice, delivered with quality guidance: 'And enjoy life like it's a fine wine'
Sensational vocals, including an impressive vocal backing.
You really have delivered, and there must be many young people who are honored to be part of "Noel's Band".
Trev
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.
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Really lovely musical advice, not just for your students but for every one of us. Melody walks nicely with confident and optimistic steps. The instrumentation develops like more people were joining the march forth, pun of today  Very enjoyable vocals. Janne
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Noel,
A nice song. Great positive message.
Cool BAND. Don't think I've heard anyone use that nylon guitar - nice choice.
Excellent vocals.
Great to see you posting!!
fj
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I took a journey back in time a few days ago to have a look at my first ever Forum post. I read forum posts for about six months before ever venturing to post a comment. What prompted me out my shell was to comment a song you posted. Some things never change so it's appropriate to repost my first comment because it's fitting and suits your latest post: "I enjoyed your song and It stands well as it is. The song is well written and produced..."
Charlie
BIAB 2026:RB 2026, Latest builds: Dell Optiplex 7040 Desktop; Windows-10-64 bit, Intel Core i7-6700 3.4GHz CPU and 16 GB Ram Memory.
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Great to see you back!
A great song with a very important message
Super mix and a great vocal
"You’re the captain of keeping happy", what a great line
Two thumbs up Hey Mario! It's always great to read you. I hope that things are travelling along well for you and yours. Thanks for mentioning the lyric line. It took a while to find that one. As always, though, when a comfortable lyric arrives on the scene, I was left wondering why it took so long to find! I appreciate that you had time to have a listen, thanks. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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This song is just beautifully done. True for all the days of our lives.
Also, you are one cool teacher - wonderful backstory.
Josie
Hi Josie, It's super to see you! I don't know about being a cool teacher, it was just a strategy that I thought of to help me keep my students motivated. Learning over the internet is pretty tedious because there is no direct interacting with people. The approach I adopted ended up working great. It gave us all something to talk about and helped keep everyone liking learning. Last year, I came across the philosophy, "Learn to enjoy the inconvenience." I think that was what I was trying to accomplish... That with a bit of creative thinking, it's always possible to find something positive when the going gets tough. Take care. And thank you for listening and commenting. Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Excellent song/production with a refreshingly positive feel... The vocal sounded perfect to me. The arrangement was very good, but I thought the initial percussion track may have come in a little early and strong, and then ended abruptly, (first impression).
I loved the lyric and performance... Wonderful! Hi bloc-head. Thanks for dropping in and for taking the time to listen and to pass on your thoughts. I appreciate the comment about the percussion. You and RayC have similar thoughts regarding the shaker. I'll definitely go back to the mix and have another listen. Thank you for drawing my attention to this. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Swimming against the current, (affairs), with a hopeful and encouraging song.
An uncluttered and solid mix supports a cool melody.
The shaker (?) could be faded in just a tad, remain a tiny bit lower in level and cut clean rather than that tiny fade tail after the 1st round.
It's really important we bolster positivity and you do that in spades. Hi Ray! I hope that all is going well in your part of Queensland. The floods have been terrible. Thanks for passing through the thread. I always appreciate your thoughts. You have a great ear when it comes to identifying those areas of a production that can be improved. Bloc-head also thought that the shaker could be placed a little better in the mix. Now that you've drawn my attention to it, I'll definitely go back and have another listen and play around with the mix. Much appreciated. All the best, Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Bud here: As likely the oldest guy on the forum I can more than appreciate this! J&B here: We love the lyric, the melody, the band and your performances. I (Janice) am reminded of many of George Harrison's songs that always make me smile, as this one does. Your vocals are great and those counterpoint voices are ace. The chorus should be printed on posters and sold to remind folks of the treasure of each day! "Give it your all, my friend." YES! Those sure are some lucky students to have had you for their teacher. And the band choices and mix set up a wonderful open soundstage. Great choice of FX! Excellent. 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! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Peter Gannon Talks Band-in-a-Box with zplane
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