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#760063 04/02/23 05:30 AM
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A Tiny Stone

This song got its inspiration probably from all those tiny stones that fill my shoes while enjoying long walks in nature. It feels quite time consuming to be emptying my shoes all the time, so sometimes I just let them be there, although I know possible consequences in the long run: broken socks, broken shoes, wounds, even other injuries because of bad posture etc. And this song is about that - how very tiny things can have big effect if they are not addressed. People may not realize that when they look only few days ahead. Although not ending into the song itself, I often think of a giant's kettle, how a tiny stone could drill a big hole, maybe unnoticable if observed for a day, but if the time scale is several centuries, you could see the effect.

I'm not very content with the verses, I just couldn't come up with better ideas. Maybe I have to refine them later, I hope that at least the environmental theme fits with the story. But I like how the chorus and the bridge express my thoughts more clearly.

I'm singing this time, but those nice Synth V ladies are accompanying me.

RealDrums: FootStompHornpipe^01-HlTo8,Sw16, CajonFolk16ths, AmericanaFunkyPopFred
RealTracks:
#1036:Bass, Electric, NorthernRockBallad Ev 065
#1602:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16 Ev16 065
#3059:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Muted16thsFintan Ev16 080
#3656:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm IndieGentlePush Ev16 080
#1902 Guitar, Acoustic, Background Bolero Ev 090

Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab with effects: Ozone 10, Neutron 4, Neoverb, VX-64 Vocal Strip

Vocals by me, backing vocals by Synthesizer V Weina & Natalie

Lyrics:

You may think a piece of litter doesn't count
you may think a single man can't move a mountain
maybe you are right
your carbon footprint is small
there are worse polluters
but calculate how tall
your pile of dung will be
after life's long haul.

It could be just a tiny stone
in a walking shoe
but think about the damages
one thousand miles would do.
See it on a larger scale
the gathering of grime
we are all those tiny stones
that warp the wheels of time.

You may think a word of teasing doesn't hurt
you may think that few mean lies are harmless blurting
maybe you are right
your mouth brings just a short strain
but mental gallstones build up
the liver cannot drain
toxic thoughts will subtly
gnaw what's still humane.

It could be just a tiny stone...

It could take a decade
a clam to grow a pearl
it could take a life to heal
a wrong of a wicked world.
A plastic bag degraded
by the Gaia's tears
diamonds are formed in
billions of years.

It could be just a tiny stone...
------------------------
Janne


Hear My Music:

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jannesan #760091 04/02/23 11:19 AM
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Funny song with an unfunny message.
And I LOVE your Finnish accent.
I'm fine with the verses (I'm not a native speaker either, so take this with a grain of salt), but your singing rhythm could have more variation to get a better flow.

jannesan #760107 04/02/23 12:53 PM
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Janne,

Good song and a good mix. I also think this is one of your best vocals.

Well done!

Bob

jannesan #760120 04/02/23 03:56 PM
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Janne,
B.D. stole words out of my mouth. You have a wonderful sense of humor. Very interesting lyric structure. Gets a bit busy instrumentally at choruses, but vocal groove is strong enough to cut through. Cool tune. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

jannesan #760141 04/02/23 09:24 PM
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Musically I really enjoyed the choruses.
The verses were very entertaining - funny story.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
jannesan #760143 04/03/23 12:32 AM
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Mornin' Janne....

This is a creative write and good arrangement.
I'll gladly echo other comments also.

Well done and I enjoyed the listen.

jannesan #760166 04/03/23 04:43 AM
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Hi Janne,

A wonderful song you made. The lyrics are very good!
Like that chorus frase:
"It could be just a tiny stone
in a walking shoe
but think about the damages
one thousand miles would do".

It makes you think about causes and effect again.

And I was waiting for a duet with you and the AI girls (Weina and Natalie).
A very good choice. It worked out very well.

I enjoyed the song a lot,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
jannesan #760232 04/03/23 09:36 AM
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Janne,

A really creative idea for a song . . . I think the verses work well. The chorus melody is catchy . . . nice use of the vocaloids for the BGvs. Is that the Bolero playing the acoustic lead in the break? Works really well for me. I think you’ve done a great job executing on your idea. Good stuff!

Best regards,

Deej

jannesan #760280 04/03/23 01:52 PM
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Janne, a very clever song.
Great vocal and mix.

"we are all those tiny stones
that warp the wheels of time."

That is a great line!


Dad, how will I know when I've become an adult.

When your day is ruined because they rearranged the grocery store.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
jannesan #760312 04/04/23 01:01 AM
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Hi Janne,

Very clever indeed!

Music sounds good, I liked the chorus especially. Guitar solo is perfect!

Enjoyed!

jannesan #760347 04/04/23 04:13 AM
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Once again a brilliant song idea turned into a fun song, Janne. I always thoroughly enjoy your lyrics. Thanks to BD I'm starting to recognize Natalie's voice. Very cool progression, and excellent solo. Well built and presented.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
jannesan #760388 04/04/23 06:43 AM
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Hi Janne
Extremely cool song
Sounds great
The background track is excellent
The guitars are very well chosen
And the vocals are uniquely good
Great work
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

B.D.Thomas #760406 04/04/23 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted By: B.D.Thomas
Funny song with an unfunny message.
And I LOVE your Finnish accent.
I'm fine with the verses (I'm not a native speaker either, so take this with a grain of salt), but your singing rhythm could have more variation to get a better flow.


Thanks B.D. for your positive words smile Glad to hear that the verses work for you. You are right about my singing rhythm, maybe one day when I don't have to pay attention to technical things, I can concentrate on variations and other nuances.

Janne


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rsdean #760656 04/06/23 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted By: rsdean
Janne,

Good song and a good mix. I also think this is one of your best vocals.

Well done!

Bob


Thanks Bob for your kind feedback smile Glad you liked my vocals, at least the song was quite easy to sing, that's why I gave my voice a chance.

Janne


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Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Janne,
B.D. stole words out of my mouth. You have a wonderful sense of humor. Very interesting lyric structure. Gets a bit busy instrumentally at choruses, but vocal groove is strong enough to cut through. Cool tune. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.


Thanks Misha for your kind comment smile I didn't think this as a humorous song, but I feel honored to read your liking about my sense of humor... because I consider myself a humorist smile

Janne


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rayc #760659 04/06/23 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted By: rayc
Musically I really enjoyed the choruses.
The verses were very entertaining - funny story.


Thanks Ray, I appreciate your kind words smile Glad you liked the verses, I was thinking they were not fully expressing my ideas, but good to know that my message was understandable and funny after all.

Janne


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Originally Posted By: chulaivet1966
Mornin' Janne....

This is a creative write and good arrangement.
I'll gladly echo other comments also.

Well done and I enjoyed the listen.


Thanks for your very kind review smile

Janne


Hear My Music:

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Birchwood #760913 04/08/23 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted By: Birchwood
Hi Janne,

A wonderful song you made. The lyrics are very good!
Like that chorus frase:
"It could be just a tiny stone
in a walking shoe
but think about the damages
one thousand miles would do".

It makes you think about causes and effect again.

And I was waiting for a duet with you and the AI girls (Weina and Natalie).
A very good choice. It worked out very well.

I enjoyed the song a lot,
Hans


Thanks Hans for enjoying my song and your very kind comment smile Nice to hear that the chorus part made you think, that was its intention. I wasn't sure how well the AI girls would work with my voice, it wasn't easy to find a right balance between my voice and theirs, because they were so different, but glad to hear it worked out well.

Janne


Hear My Music:

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YouTube

jannesan #760920 04/08/23 09:59 AM
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We agree wholeheartedly with your message in this song, Janne and the below lines particularly got our attention.

“we are all those tiny stones
that warp the wheels of time.”

“toxic thoughts will subtly
gnaw what's still humane.”

You and the girls sound great together too.

Excellent band, mix and we enjoyed reading about your inspiration for the lyric.

Well done!

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
jannesan #761013 04/09/23 01:16 PM
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The chorus is killer and catchy. I like the instrumentation.

Interesting inspiration for your song and good message. I like your lyrics, in particular: "but calculate how tall/your pile of dung will be/after life's long haul." People need to be mindful of all the sh*t they're doing and spewing.

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