After (finally) watching Floyd's "The Birth of a Song" video where he mentions that every song should be a love song I decided to, well, write a love song. A simple, cheesy love song. With a simple, cheesy video. Blame Floyd, it's all his fault!
The song is basically about the same problem as in the movie "Harry and Sally": a boy and a girl are best friends until one of them falls in love with the other and from then on everything gets complicated.
Feedback (the good, the bad and the ugly) as always highly appreciated.
Some background information that no one asked for:
I'm sorry to start 2 songs in a row with a piano arpeggio, but that was the only way my chord progression for the intro (C#m A D G# G#m G) creates this enchanting mood that made me write this song.
the arragement started with tons of instruments (mostly guitars, as usual), and during the mixing/production phase the song became better with every instrument I removed. Now I know how John Cage wrote 4′33″ :-)
I was never 100% happy with the song, but not 100% unhappy either. But it wouldn't make sense not to release a finished song just because of the author's usual doubts.
As always, a BIG "thank you" to Marty for linguistic advice. Love ya'
Some technical information: Style: BACH_1.STY (yes, really!)
Title: A Fool (How to Cause a Complete Disaster, Part 1)
(Verse 1) I look at the sky At the fading sound Of what I never said Never said to you Sadness all around The unspoken thoughts That never found a home A home in your heart In your heart Can't look you in the eye Afraid to say a word Ashamed of what I feel
(Chorus 1) You've always been my friend My little brother from another mother That is why I thought I can't love you But I do I don't wanna stay Your sister from another mister I want more, I want your love I'm a fool Such a fool
(Verse 2) When I am at home and the night is long I feel alone, but it's different from before We know each other so well But you never realized That there's something deep inside That friendship can't satisfy
(Chorus 2 ) That's why I don't wanna stay Your sister from another mister I want more The worst case that could be for me That I would be the master of a big disaster Then I'd lose it all, my friend, my love I'm a fool Such a fool
What a marvelous song (again) you made here, wow!!! In all what happened in the song, What I most admired was the ending with different twists in Natalie's singing as she sang 'a fool' several times and always a little differently. I am really impressed by this song, and I already was impressed by your former songs... And I almost forgot the very nice video-impressions and the lyrics. Yes, I enjoyed this song!
Floyd was saying that the song should be in the key of G with a maximum of four chords, and should focus on an egocentric but heroic male character who drives all beautiful women crazy so they leave him and then beg him to come back to him because they miss his greatness, but he says he is too busy for them now and writes a Band-in-the-Song about them as punishment.
The song you wrote is more in line with the lessons provided here:
You should be thinking:
Tight silver spandex pants An over-inflated Codpiece a Trapeze Act A five minute synth solo hair implants Groupies Gratuitous Sex The Max Martin secret hit song recipe* * If you do not know what that is please stop writing songs
However, I think you are getting very close, and your wife should be pleased that you are very close to being the Eurovision winner of 2024.
Good job old bean.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Brain, this is really good. Great job on that vocal synth, she sounds so real! There are really good dynamics in this one. Great backing band! Super mix,
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal". Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Yeah, I think that Birth Of... post should be required listening. You are one of the masters of controlling those synth vocals. Really outstanding, Brain. I like how you worked in the "master from disaster," but my all-time favorite is "sister from another mister." Very cool vid, too. In our discussions about the lyrics did I ever mention how muc I like th song. Very good write. I like how the melody keeps bringing us in, and then we are rewarded with the lyrics.
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
This is excellent. I didn't realise it was vocal synth until after it finished and I read the background in your post. Wow! I love the tone you managed to create for Natalie. In addition, the way you shaped her performance was superb. The production is awesome! You've amazing arranging chops. Loved it! --Noel
You’ve done a great job on this . . . your arrangement and production is super clear . . . and your use of the vocaloid is first rate. Very moody, rich sound. Yeah, simply and cheesy are two words that definitely do no apply to this. Excellent!
I enjoyed everything but two lines... "My little brother from another mother" & "Your sister from another mister ". Those lines took my brain away from the narrative and music to a place where i self debated the use of them. Probably just a thing I do - sorry. fab arrangement, good general narrative and well mixed. Natalie was very well done.
Cheers rayc "What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
What a marvelous song (again) you made here, wow!!! In all what happened in the song, What I most admired was the ending with different twists in Natalie's singing as she sang 'a fool' several times and always a little differently. I am really impressed by this song, and I already was impressed by your former songs... And I almost forgot the very nice video-impressions and the lyrics. Yes, I enjoyed this song!
Hans
Thank you for your kind feedback, Hans. Synthesizer V sings the same word differently depending on the context, but you can also do it by hand, and I use that extensively. And when the instruments play different chords each time (here G Gm F Fm), the perception of the vocals also changes.
That’s a fine love song. We love the piano arpeggios and they help set the mood.
The build and dynamics throughout are the signs of a great arrangement and mix. And this is one indeed.
As always, your video is very supportive.
Natalie sounds great!
Enjoyed it!
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
This is neither simple OR cheesy. A very original Love song.
LOVE those guitars!!! A great sound, well done!
You always make Natalie sound good.
Excellent Mix. Nice Drums. An Excellent Arrangement, too..
I'll gladly take the blame for that.
fj
Glad you like my little love song, Floyd. This time the guitars were quite a job to make them sit well the mix, they were EQ-ed to death, and then some...
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