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#783016 11/19/23 12:02 PM
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Hi All,

Every now and then I like to roam through my old songwriting notebooks.

I came across this particular song that I wrote in 1976. I figured after 47 years it was probably time to record this one... smile

Anyway, this is called I'm Not Bruce.

She talks in code
Likes Thunder Road
But she doesn’t look my way
And it’s just another day

But I play my songs when she’s in the room
Yeah I can’t seem to shake that radio loose
And who am I to her?
I’m not Bruce

Her dress doesn’t sway
Like Mary’s they say
But she’s everything to me
And that’s alright with me

But I play my songs when she’s in the room
Yeah I can’t seem to shake that radio loose
And who am I to her?
I’m not Bruce

She likes to walk
Past my front porch
But maybe love ain’t for free
And I know that he would agree

But I play my songs when she’s in the room
Yeah I can’t seem to shake that radio loose
And who am I to her?
I’m not Bruce

And who am I to her?
I’m not Bruce
Yeah who am I to her?
I’m not Bruce
Oh who am I to her?
I’m not Bruce

BIAB Tracks:
2474: Bass, Acoustic, Held Ev 085
1765: Guitar, Acoustic, High-Strung Fingerpicking Ev16 085
0362: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
2505: Piano, Electric, HeldChords 085
RealDrums: PopPromiseEv16^1-a: Snare on 4, HiHat

As always - thanks for listening!

Bob

rsdean #783018 11/19/23 12:11 PM
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Bob,

HA! Who of us is?

Didn't expect this to be so acoustic. (Figured there would be soaring guitars and rockin' piano).
(Thunder Road is one of my absolute, all-time favorites).

Good stuff. The write, the BAND, the vocal, the mix. Everything works.

If you've got more from back then, I'd love to hear them all...

fj

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Like Floyd when I read Thunder Road I was not expecting acoustic instruments!
But you successfully got me hooked from the first beat.
I agree with Floyd as everything works and sounds fantastic.


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

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

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rsdean #783066 11/19/23 05:46 PM
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Hi Bob ...

Listened to this last night but got sleepy and went to bed before posting a comment.

Man, you know how to write a lyric and choose a band. Your unique vocals are great and work so well with the music you write. You often remind me of John Prine. Nothing wrong with that, as far as I'm concerned! I think you could write a song about someone putting ketchup on their mac and cheese and make it sound like a million $$$!

You are, indeed, quite a talent!

Take care,

Alan


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Floyd,

I really appreciate that - thank you.

I may revisit more of these old lyrics / songs. Although the majority of them are pretty terrible. LOL!

Bob

rsdean #783105 11/20/23 07:36 AM
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Way to go Bob!...glad you dug that one out of your 70's catalogue. The acoustic really shined so i looked at your BIAB content "1765: Guitar, Acoustic, High-Strung Fingerpicking Ev16 085" I wonder if the high-strung track is the same as a 'Nashville tuning'? I have tried that on one of my guitars and it sounds great in a mix. (i.e., using very light gauge strings). The story kept my attention on top of that.
THanks for sharing


Chad
rsdean #783112 11/20/23 08:46 AM
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Bob, another good one and well worth digging it out. I like that it’s acoustic because it supports the idea that you’re not Bruce. I will chime in on Chad’s question about the hi strung acoustic. ( see what I did there? ) I don’t think it’s Nashville tuning more like a capoed sound. And it does sound great. I always enjoy your lyrics, Tom

rsdean #783124 11/20/23 10:24 AM
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Bob...sometimes the past is better left alone but when you can dig up treasure well the past can be quite inspiring...this is a treasure...another great write, production and performance...you have a knack for making the acoustics in your songs sound so crisp and clean...you excel at meter and flow in your melodies...I'm a big fan!


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ChadHC #783134 11/20/23 11:09 AM
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Chad,

Thanks so much. I appreciate it!

In terms of the high-strung guitar - I'm with Tom on that. I believe it's just a capo.

Thanks again,
Bob

MarioD #783192 11/20/23 05:41 PM
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Mario,

Thanks so much.

Bob

rsdean #783211 11/21/23 02:03 AM
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Bob: I don't know the Thunder Road reference, but I think I get the idea of the lyrics. The rest, as usual ... another masterpiece from you. I don't know how you do it, I wish I could write in an as apparently simple a manner as you do (I complicate things all the time, with ever more difficult chord progressions, etc. ... and you write a seemingly simple song, which always turns out to be a masterpiece ... argh wink ) ... but whatever you do works. So please keep sharing your songs, old or new, simple or complex, they're really beautiful.

rsdean #783212 11/21/23 02:07 AM
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A cool song - an interesting look into your younger mind too.
Did you treat your vocals differently? They sound thinner in this song that usual. It may be some freq. conflict with the instrumentation though.
I started writing songs in 76. Prior to that I'd aimed at poetry...my poor poems made better lyrics so was swayed to the dark side.
Nice simple arrangement that allows the narrative to shine.
COOL.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
Al-David #783224 11/21/23 03:35 AM
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Alan,

I always appreciate your very kind reviews. It means a lot.

Bob

rsdean #783240 11/21/23 07:10 AM
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Hi Bob.
Always interesting lyrics from you.
My only sugg. is to lose the "But".at the start of the chorus.
It's not needed and the line would flow better with the extra room.

Vic

rsdean #783270 11/21/23 11:52 AM
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Love everything about this. The acoustic arrangement is perfect and has some nice touches like the drums dropping out. Think the acoustic approach was a cool way to pull out the plaintive lyrics. On the other hand, there are some really nice hooks in here that would work at a faster tempo to make this a more defiant rock anthem. Anyway, GREAT job recovering a super tune, I really enjoyed it!

Last edited by DC Ron; 11/21/23 11:52 AM.

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tommyad #783288 11/21/23 02:12 PM
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Tom,

Thanks very much.

Bob

rsdean #783302 11/21/23 04:49 PM
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Yep.... Put me in the "sure had me fooled" category.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
rsdean #783324 11/21/23 06:12 PM
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Bob,

Cool to hear something from your early years . . . amazing you were writing equally well back then as you do now . . . good tune very much in your patented style. Clean compelling mix—like how the write really picks up some of the pieces of Thunder Road. Good stuff!

All my best to you,

Deej

rsdean #783348 11/21/23 08:39 PM
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Hi, Bob.

Fun listen! laugh

With your voice higher and less raspy, I initially didn't recognize you. It certainly helps emphasize that you're not Bruce.

I couldn't help thinking that you could have brought it David Snyder to your song, since I'm sure he does a mean Springsteen impression:

Deej: I’m not Bruce
David: You sure aren't! wink


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

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firesong #783403 11/22/23 07:52 AM
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Dan,

Much appreciated. Thanks for the kind words.

Bob

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