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Hi Vic, Brain, Dan (Firesong), Tom and David, Well, that was a lot of compliments I got from all of you, despite the lack of Christmas spirit in the song. Thank you for listening and giving all that nice comment. I like the tone of this Hans.
The lead solo sounds great too.
A lot of work here.
Vic Hello Vic, yes indeed. I miscalculated the amount of work, but I am pleased with the result. And -the way I read your post- you too. That maked my day, or... still does! I think it's a pretty good song.
The style changes are a bit unusual, but you make them work quite well and it keeps my attention.
I like your lyrics and the way you deliver them. Hi Brain, I became a bit curious by how you meant the word 'unusual' here. But on the other hand it were a bit unusual styles to combine. But it worked out fine. And that's probably exactly what you wanted me to know. Thanks! Hans...you did a stellar job mixing different styles and their components...I too really liked the solo...lyrically very dark and I suppose ending with a question was the only way to go...maybe a verse or chorus about how to make a difference would brighten the mood? unless the answer is we can't make a difference? Hi Dan, it was exactly that, what you said in your question. The song is sad, almost leaves the singer with no hope about humanity, but still has a little hope it can become better. That was the intention of that last line in the chorusses. So, nomore examples of bad things, just that question. So I hope it will not end in a way like your last 5 words. Thanks for your thoughts! Hans, I really like what you’ve done here. Clearly a lot of work has gone into this project. Your use of all the real tracks is excellent as well as your vocals. The lyrics are well written and the overall production is high quality. Good one, Tom Hello Tom, I can only say; thanks a lot for those very nice words. They give me a very warm feeling! Good write - not every song should be happy, especially when the topic isn't. Hello David, a funny remark, but so true. I said to myself, I have to keep that sentence of yours in mind. I'm sure I can use it somewhere... Have a very nice day, everyone! Hans
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"I thought we were more social
But I was wrong
I hoped we were no predators
But I believed in a lie
Do we want to make a difference
or let it be?"
Excellent write as evidenced by the above.
The mashup of styles works very well in expressing the tension in the world these days.
The mix was obviously a lot of work and the result is excellent.
Great use of RTs!
Your vocals are powerful, John, (uh, we meant Hans 😉)
Hopefully there will be enough of us who want to make a difference!
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
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Awesome lyric Hans. The chord progression in the song was really cool. Super vocal and backtrack. Excellent mix and production. Well done.
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Sounds good, Hans.
There's so much sorrow in the world it's impossible not to reflect it in song sometimes. At least the title is hopeful!
Regards,
Leon
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Hi Hans,
Really well done! Love the lyrics.
Excellent vocals, and I really like the way you produced them, the doubling is very effective.
One of your best I think, loved everything about it.
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Hi Shigeki, Janne, James, Ray and Noel Thanks for all your resposes to the song! Hello Hans,
At first listen, I felt like I was listening to an unreleased song by John Lennon.
It's very pop and has a nice melody.
The vocals are also great.
Vocal reverb is also very effective.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi Hi Shigeki, you are the second or third one in this Forum comparing me with John Lennon. Bud (and Janice) do this all the time. You can see it for yourself when you take a look at one of the last posts on this song here. And that did me good! But beside that, the rest of your comment was very nice too. Thank you for that. I know you are critical on strings and reverb, so it felt I was past for the exam (although no strings were involved here). It's fine to showcase sad and less hopeful songs, I have quite a bunch of them ready (but I have to finish something more hopeful first...). The contrast between the title and the sad story is striking, but that's how it should be to be noticed, "I hoped we were no predators/But I believed in a lie"... I enjoyed the melody and the chorus is superb - the chord progression and your powerful voice give the lyrics big emotional lift.
Nice band once again, interesting changes from a style to another that work well.
I would add slightly more reverb on the solo guitar (in the middle, the intro is fine) to fit with the rest of the band.
You've written a strong song that doesn't pale in comparison to contemporary hits.
Janne Hello Janne, thanks for your nice and well-founded comment/criticism on the song. Actually I was thinking of adding more reverb to the solo guitar, but decided not to. I thought it was not necessary, considering the lot of things going on in the song. A matter of taste, I would call it. Can you forgive me? Love the lyrics. I'm not an expert in this style of music, but you've done a tremendous job with it, I think. No need for "cheerfulness" all the time, of course ... this is excellent in its own right, and it's an honest write. Well done, I liked it a lot! Hi James, thanks a lot for your honest comment. And indeed, it is quite different from the songs you make, or I did. I'm trying to come to another level of song making, but I'm not sure I will reach that. Hans,
you're not wrong.
Fabulous song.
GOOD band. Hi Ray, I don't think I've ever seen such short responses from you to a song. And so to the point too! Probably all fx's were correct. Man, was I relieved. Thank you!!! Hi Hans, I love the band that you've assembled for this. It's got a great sound. You song is a terrific creation. The lyrics are very thought provoking. Everything sits just right in the mix. You've got my applause!  Thanks for sharing. --Noel Hi Noel, how nice that you come up with such a response! If I wasn't so old, I'd definitely be blushing! Thanks everyone and have some very nice days, Hans
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Hello Hans
Top song with a great melody
Well sung
The song sounds really cool
Very good and detailed background track
A very good job
Many greetings
Andi ;-)
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Hello Janice and Bud, Scott, Leon, Dave and Andi, Thanks a lot for listening to the song and your posts. And that they were so positive too! Better than the mood of the content of the song. So, now I believe it is possible we can make a difference 😉 "I thought we were more social
But I was wrong
I hoped we were no predators
But I believed in a lie
Do we want to make a difference
or let it be?"
Excellent write as evidenced by the above.
The mashup of styles works very well in expressing the tension in the world these days.
The mix was obviously a lot of work and the result is excellent.
Great use of RTs!
Your vocals are powerful, John, (uh, we meant Hans 😉)
Hopefully there will be enough of us who want to make a difference!
Well done!
J&B Hi J&B, your use of John instead of Hans can't be a mistake anymore. Thanks a lot! In another occasion concerning this song, he wrote I was more close to John than to Paul (same band then), because of the way my lyrics went. And when that happens you know (that's me) you (that's you all) can't be wrong. There is one 'but': my family immediately started yawning spontaneously when I told them this... I don't know why, but it most be some kind of overkill for their (strange working) brains? So, we (the artists around here) have to show them the difference! Awesome lyric Hans. The chord progression in the song was really cool. Super vocal and backtrack. Excellent mix and production. Well done. Hello Scott, Thanks you mentioned that chord progression too. I tried all kinds of progressions to cought that sphere I had in my head for the topic in this song. And when I got it, it went fast. Till the mixing of it all... But I learned a lot from those challenges. Sounds good, Hans.
There's so much sorrow in the world it's impossible not to reflect it in song sometimes. At least the title is hopeful!
Regards,
Leon Hi Leon, you are absolutely right about that. That is what often worries me. Especially in the middle of the night... And, yes the title has a hopefull call in it too. Although we're not that naive, right? That's why I added the Beatles' words (Let it be?), as a little cynical joke. Thanks! Hi Hans,
Really well done! Love the lyrics.
Excellent vocals, and I really like the way you produced them, the doubling is very effective.
One of your best I think, loved everything about it. Hello Dave, thanks a lot! Your nice words made my day (again). But they also raised the bar! I hope I can find the inspiration to achieve that new standard. A real challenge, but I will accept! Also because you used the same words too for another song I made recently. So, I think I'm on the right track... Hello Hans
Top song with a great melody
Well sung
The song sounds really cool
Very good and detailed background track
A very good job
Many greetings
Andi ;-) Hi Andi, a very nice post from you! As I wrote to Dave (above this one) it raises the bar, but I like to accept the challenge. I only need you and the forum to make that difference 😉😉 Hans
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
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