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Ok, so ... I'm ambivalent about this song. On one hand, it's yet another heartbreak song. And I've had enough of writing these. There's only so much juice one can squeeze out of this particular lemon, before it becomes boring, I think  Also, from any genre of song (not just this one), one must also know when to walk away. There's no point in whining, in the same key, tone and way (alike a tomcat on the roof, at night), until one bores the heck out of one's listeners, right? Variation is the spice of life, perhaps. That said, I sat down the other night, and tried to write another song. "Anything but a heartbreak song, PLEASE", I said to myself. Long story short, THIS is what I eventually came up with. Argh. Why do I post it? Because I think that, on its own, it possibly stands up well enough, as a song, that's all. I'd be so curious, also and therefore, to see what you think of it. On one hand, I'm not really in love with its lyrics, etc. - on the other, there's something raw and perhaps sincere about it that I think may be worth posting. But, no spoilers, haha ... see what YOU think, if you wish? Thanks Nothing Without You THE LYRICS: I walked down every path, all of my life, I looked for you, in peace and strife, Alas, you're far away, where I can't go, Not knowing how I feel, which hurts me so ... I traveled every road, and every time I thought I'd find you again, and call you mine ... And now I'm near the end, and you're not here Allow me to share with you what I find clear ... Life is nothing without you,
Love is useless and untrue,
If you're not here for me to kiss your hand,
Then everything I've built, I've built on sand ...I'm getting older, each, and every day, My body, slowly, slowly, is giving way ... Our stunning beauty's now washed o'er by rain ... Whenever I think of you, I'm filled with pain ... I need a miracle for your return God knows that that's all I'll ever yearn For, alas, you're far away, and you can't hear My thoughts and hopes, all I hold dear ... It's been my error, perhaps, to love you so much, But it's too late to make it right, as such; And, now I'm near the end, you're still not here ... Allow me, please, to share what now seems clear: Life is nothing without you,
Love is useless and untrue,
If you're not here for me to kiss your hand,
Then everything I've built, I've built on sand ...So allow me, please, to dream of you once more, For you've been th'only one I've e'er adored ... THE BAND: ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Love Is Nothing Without You - 10 May 2023 File:Love Is Nothing Without You - 10 May 2023.SGU Key=D , Tempo 80, Length (m:s)=3:36 No intro. 68 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 68. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Style is _BOND.STY (Bond Fusion Ballad) RealTracks in style: 1398:Bass, Electric, Soul70sA-B Ev16 100 RealTracks in style: ~1639:Piano, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkBreezy Ev16 075 RealTracks in style: 1840:Synth Pad, PopModernGrooveMellow Ev16 075 RealTracks in style: 3949:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm FusionBalladBrent Ev16 080 RealDrums in style:LoungePop16thsSput^1-a:Closed Hat, Snare , b:Ride, Snare ******************* Voice recorded and mixed with BIAB backing track in Mixcraft Pro Studio 9. Added "On The Phone" preset effect to the voice track.
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James,
This is a very pretty piece of music.
Your spoken word always sounds so nice and sincere.
Great job.
Bob
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James,
I like your chorus.
A pleasant track.
Vocals are clear.
fj
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Very nice use of real tracks beautiful backing track and I like the narration
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This is so hard to pull off I have been trying for years and just can't get it. You nailed it. My only nit pick, and it's reaching, is that the music track never changed volume or dynamics. Your voice is captivating and I wanted to hear more of it using instruments to create dynamic tension. Really nice job, thanks for allowing us to hear it.
Rick
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Bob: thanks. So kind of you!
floyd: thank you.
Elliot: thanks! Glad you liked it!
Rick: yes, volume, texture and dynamic variation is something I can work upon. I tried to do that with key modulations and different harmonic progressions, but yes, I could have done it with variation in instrumentation, etc., too. I'll listen again, see if I can change anything - but, to be honest, chances are I'll leave it like this for now, at least. We'll see! Depends also on how much time I get to tinker with it. That said: thanks so much for listening and taking the time to comment!
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The pleasure was all mine. I look forward to your next effort. You are on the right track.
Rick
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James as always you have created fantastic backing tracks.
Your spoken word puts the icing on the cake.
I really liked this one!
It takes courage for a man to admit his wife was wrong.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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James,
it's another of your good pieces in the genre.
I did notice a fair bit more mouth noise/lip smacks on this that in recent tracks.
You need to drink to keep your mouth hydrated to avoid that sort of thing.
If you record one stanza at a time and have a good sip n swish before the next one you should be sweet.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Rick: thanks Mario: thank you! Glad you liked it! Ray: thanks - and thanks for the tip, re: mouth noise and lip smacks. I usually take my time to edit them out; I think that I was a little sloppy with the editing, this time. But yes - your advice will also help, of course. Between that and the editing, hopefully I get rid of it, if not entirely, then almost?
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James,
Nicely done! I like the production choice on the vocal — nice tone and flavor to it. I agree with Rick that maybe a change up along the way might give it a bit more pop. Maybe come out of that vocal treatment for the chorus . . . and maybe sing the chorus? Dunno. Just a couple of suggestions to mess with. But regardless it’s good work, James. Good write and production. Enjoyed the listen!
All my best,
Deej
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Thanks Deej!!! Good suggestions. I will think about them - at the moment, I worry about breaking the character of the song (which is like a message in a bottle, or like a recorded voice on a cassette tape), if I "come out of character" for the chorus. But - I will try and see what happens, I think. In any case, thank you for listening and for taking the time to comment!
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Another fabulous backing track.
There's nothing wrong with heartbreak songs. It's what sells and most people can identify with them.
My favorite line is "Our stunning beauty's now washed o'er by rain"
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Ezekiel's Storm: thank you so much for the encouragement. It truly means a LOT. Glad you enjoyed the song!
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The band is very smooth and the lyric sounds (and reads) heartfelt and genuine.
Hey, we love 12 bar blues and keep returning with them so don’t worry about returning with heartbreak songs.
As Torrey said in his song recently, “keep singing your song.”
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 are here on our website.
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Thank you so much, Janice and Bud. You know exactly what to say . And I 100% agree - I will indeed "keep singing (or, in my case, speaking - most of the time ...) my song". God bless.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 10 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 21.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 21 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
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