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Hi JJF, Andi, Steve and Mario, Thanks a lot for commenting on this sad song. It's still a sad situation, he did not come back. but your comments were very, very kind. I read in other posts people thought the title of the song was the name of the cat. But he is called Steep (stripe) because of the white hairs on his nose. The titel reveres to the color of that day and my mood. But anyway I'll respond to you: Hi Birchwood,
We realize the importance of our animals who are truly part of our family. It is true that these bring us joy, sweetness in happy moments but also in unhappy moments of our lives. Your composition is very pleasant because it really makes us feel your feelings about your cat. Well done, I enjoyed it.
Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash JJF, so true what you wrote. I have cats all my live, when I was a kid we also had dogs, a horse and a donkey, but when I had to earn a living that wasn't practicall. And never a cat had disappeared. But it's a long story, so I concentrate on your remarks on the song. Thanks for your very kind words. Hi Hans
Many years ago my cat disappeared from one day to the next.
Have searched for her with newspaper ads.
But everything has brought nothing...
I know how you feel.
Nice that you made a great song out of it.
That helps in any case to come to terms with it.
But I keep my fingers crossed that she will come back.
Many greetings
Andi ;-) Andi, yes, you know how it feels. I did the same kind of things, but nothing. It's worse when the just are away. You never know if they are alive or whatever. And of course, there are worse things than a missed cat, but it takes time to heal. Thanks for sharing your feelings. Hey Hans,
Isn't music a wonderful thing that allows emotions to be released and then conveyed to others? I can certainly feel it in this work.
Nicely done indeed.
Someone once said "If you love something, let it go." (or something like that).
Cherish the memories with a healing teardrop or two and stay healthy my friend.
--Steve Hi Steve, I agree with you that it is nice we have our music and we can share it too. Often about painful events. I'm not shure I like to let things go when I love them, but I think I know what the meaning is of that expression. Hans not a cat lover (allergic to them) but a dog lover thus I know the pain when they are gone.
Outstanding sad song about a lost pet. That is something most all of us can relate.
Great vocal - I could feel your pain, harmonies, and mix.
Mario, thanks for sharing you are allergic to cats. But it doesn't matter what animal it concerns. I think it's their achievement to make us go crazy on them. And thanks a lot about the compliments on the song. On the one hand I was afraid to make this 'tearjerker', but on the other hand I tried to stay close to my feelings. A bit too close, I noticed, because I got health issues, but they are gone now (I hope). I wish you all a very nice day, Hans
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I'm very sorry to hear about your cat and how him being missing has affected you. But I'm glad to hear new music from you and the story behind this sad song. Never had one, but I appreciate cats, they are more mavericks than blind followers  Touching lyrics and very emotional vocals, I can really feel your pain. The arrangement supports the feeling, especially the solo guitar is a perfect selection. I hope another cat steps into your life and you can write a happy song called White Angel about that incident Janne
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Hi BD, Floyd, Peter, Misha and David, Thanks for your nice replies on the song. They were good for me, but didn't help to get the cat back... I'm getting old, I think. It has nothing to do with age.... it has always broken my heart and always will when I lose a pet. You expressed your feelings in this song, I hope it helps you a bit to get over your pain. Since you asked: the guitar on the right plays some sour notes, BIAB can easily fix that. BD, your answer made me feel young again, but I never had an animal walking away from me. But this one was sick. I left him unattended for 20 minutes. Gone... I listened several times trying to hear what you heard concerning the guitar, but I haven't heard sour notes. I think you have to help me a bit more on this! Thanks! Hans,
Hopefully, Pitch Black will hear this lament and return to you...
Good tracks. Good vocal.
Sad song.
fj Floyd, you were the first thinking my cat was called Pitch Black! This is the name of the song and it's about the day the cat went missing. He is called 'Streep' (phonetically in English: Strape), meaning Stripe, because of the white stripe of hair on his nose. At first I was a bit surprised, reading my lyrics again, but couldn't see how this misconception could occur. But then I had to laugh. My cat would have been proud to be named like that. And thanks for your compliments on the song! Hans
Sad song - well composed and sung.
Had the same thing happen with our last cat.
Hope you are feeling better.
Peter Peter, yes, in a way it's getting better. Time heals... But having a cat vanished is something different from seeing him death. Thanks for your post! Hans,
Sorry to hear about your cat. Sometimes they come back. I had a cat once, that run away and came back after 2 month. Sweet and sad dedication. Solid arrangement and very balanced vocals. Good mix too. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
P.S. Cats are the best. Certainly better than a some humans. Misha, of course I hope that story of yours comes true here too, but I doubt it. He was ill that day. We had to go to the vet, but 20 minutes before the appointment he was gone. Thanks for the compliments on the song. We'd gone a long way to get to that, don't we, Misha? Hi, Hans.
Good song, and catchy chorus - I really like how it shifts the rhythm. Good write and vocals, too. David, thanks for this comment on the song. Like what you wrote! Have a creative day today! Hans
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Man,
I hope you get that cat back! So sorry for your loss!
This is a good sad song though. Very well done.
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Pets are family, so we are distressed when they are gone.
I like the stereo spread. Good placement.
Good vocal as I would expect from you. I like the the "stops" you placed in the song. Very effective.
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Hey Ray, Marty, ChicagoBob and Dave, Very nice of you to react on this tearjerker. and not only that, but your reactions are very heartwarming too! The song sounds cool...the ramp up and backing vocals that start the chorus really suggest a major key blast of joy but the lyrics tell a different story.
You've manipulated our emotions well.
Ray, from you I also expected something like "the eq settings are too sharp, the drums are too soft" or whatever. But you have only very nice compliments! Am I improving my skills or are you getting more polite??? Anyway, thanks a lot for your nice observations. I have not only manipulated your emotions, but my emotions did manipulate me. That's why I ended up in hospital with an ambulance (but only for a day and nothing wrong...) Appreciate it? My wife and I were with you right from If Only. Right about the same time, two of our 3 housecats found themselves outside. One finally came home after 3 weeks, and his sister just returned last Saturday after nearly 4 months. It was harrowing, but with a relatively happy ending. God, I can't handle the thought of what you're going through. I kept telling Barb and our granddaughter that some sweet little girl a few miles away found her and is giving her the 2nd best home possible.
What a beautiful song with such sad emotion. I'm on my 5th listen now, and there's no way I can say anything wrong about it. I can't tell you how bad I feel for you --good that you had such a strong connection, and so sad for this disconnect. Please let me help you in some way when you write of the reunion.
Marty, what a wonderful post you wrote. And what happy end for your two lost cats. I'm still 'praying' Streep finds his way home again, but because I'm not a religious person, the praying will not be heard, I'm afraid. And my grandchild is 1,5 years old. She missed SAtreep, but after that forgot he was there. Thanks for the nice compliments on the song. I hope you are still listening. And thanks very much for your offer and your private email. I'm glad we will make a song one day... Thanks for writing this.. Songwriting make us vulnerable but for me it can be healing. Thanks for putting it out there. Our pets do become members of the family.
I really like the guitar fills-- was that BIAB? Hi ChicagoBob, I'm glad I can make songs about things that have an impact on me. In a way that is the 'healing' part you mentioned. Yes, both guitars are from BiaB. Some other stuff is from my keyboard with Native Instruments-software or other software. Thanks for your comment. Good song, Hans, nice vocal as always and a good mix.
Sorry to hear about your cat, always a sad thing to lose a pet. We have lost a few over the years, and it's never easy.
All the best!
Dave, thanks for your compliments on the song and your words about my cat/pet! I never lost a cat like this. Only because they died of age. So, it still takes some time to overcome. I appreciate all your comments and hope you'll have a very nice day, Hans
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Hans,
Sad story, well sung.
Awesome music.
Hans, wij wonen op een klein bungalowpark en hier zijn vreselijk veel katten, waaronder de onze.
Je wil niet weten hoe vaak er een zoek is. Briefjes in alle brievebussen enzo. Foto's op de bomen geprikt.
Je wil ook niet weten hoeveel er na een tijdje weer boven water komen. Ook die van ons!
Dus geef de hoop niet op.
Anne-Marier
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So sorry for your loss Hans. Some people cannot understand how important and loved our pets or fur babies are to us. Lovely song and super vocal and lyric. Well done
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We’re so sorry about your cat and can relate to the heartbreak. We have always had dogs (for 40+ years) and wish so much that they could live as long as we do.
Your song, however, is a beautiful tribute to your cat. You are definitely channeling John Lennon in this song, Hans, and it sounds great.
The band is really good and the guitar solo shines.
And as always a very fine mix to wrap it all up in.
Hoping for your cat’s return home!
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
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Hello Torrey, TuneMonger, Leon, Al & Di and Vic, Very nice of you to drop by and also say some nioce things about the cat. He never came back. Presumably death, because he was ill. But that life. [*****] happens all the time. See what happens in the world... Hans,
I really appreciate your song! I totally understand about how you feel for pet! I have 4 that are treated like babies! I love them and they love me and I don't care what anyone thinks about it!
Your tune was beautiful and I hope you find a sunny day soon!
Thanks, Torrey Hi Torrey, thanks for your nice comment on the song and for understanding what pet lovers go through if things go wrong with them. The sunny days will come again! Good song in your distinctive style. I like the hits on the words Pitch Black. True-life lyrical content is a heart breaker. Hope you get a break and your cat returns. Thanks TuneMonger, yes I liked those hits too. They came by accident when I was messing with the chords ;-) I hope I don't have to make much songs for these kind of reasons... Great sounding song, Hans. Had a cat when I was young who went missing for quite a spell but eventually turned up again. Hope yours does the same.
Regards,
Leon Hi Leon, I heard a similar story about a missed cat. It was missed for two years and they saw him walking in the citypark. He responded to his name, so they knew it was him. I doubt if such a story will become reality for me, but we searched in that park too. Thanks for your nice comment on the song! Hi Hans ...
So sorry Pitch Black hasn't returned. Maybe one day ...
Yes, sad. But you composed and presneted thgis song so good. Your vocal is exceptionally good. That acoustic guitar on lead is just perfect - excellent choice.
Although sad, I enjoyed listening to your song.
Alan Hello Alan, thanks for you nice post about the song. I was very pleased reading it! Only, my cat isn't called Pitch Black, that was the name of the song. It became a very dark day the day he was gone... It's a very bad feeling when a loved pet dies but when it disappears you have it staying in your mind without being able to say goodbye. I feel for you having been through that myself. Hope she returns.
Vic Hi Vic, thanks for your so true words. Missing is worse than death. Have a very nice day everyone, Hans
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