PG Music Home Forums General Discussion User Showcase Stuck in France, a true story

Hi everyone, I was away for some time from this forum. About the 'why' I made a song called Stuck in France. It was some kind of adventure! The idea for this song came up to me in France. I was very busy assisting my wife and everything else, so it took some time finishintg the song. In the end I had 2 versions of it, Could not decide which one I like most. I also made 2 video's on YouTube
The swing version, https://on.soundcloud.com/FPZyy3iWicGErCiV7
Videolink:

Or the rock version: https://on.soundcloud.com/Fn8Tr4L7VqyHiq8b6
Videolink:

The lyrics are in the songs. Like the songs the lyrics are a bit different from each other.
But after hearing/seeing them you'll know what happend.
I am curious to hear which song you prefer. There are 4 options: none, 1st, 2nd or both. Let me know.

And I will catch up later with your songs. I promise!

Hans

Hans,

Great song! Love your vocal and production. I think both cuts are excellent - hard to decide between them. If I had to choose, I would select the rock version - love the edge and attitude this one has.

Excellent all around!

Bob

Hullo Hans. I like being stuck in France but not for the reason you were.
I hope that wine wasn't the reason for her misadventure.
I trust your wife is well on the mend now.
It's a very interesting story and hard to choose between the two arrangements.

Vic

Hello Hans, Sure sorry to hear about your wife's accident - but it did provice inspiration for one of my favorite songs of yours. I thought it was very well done. Personally I liked the one that is less of a rock sound the best. Video is well done too. Great song.

Brad

Hello Hans, Sure sorry to hear about your wife's accident - but it did provice inspiration for one of my favorite songs of yours. I thought it was very well done. Personally I liked the one that is less of a rock sound the best. Video is well done too. Great song.

Brad

Hans! Ha, quite the adventure for the two of you! Hope you are both recovered from your vacation.

The first one reminds me of vintage Arthur-era Kinks and Ray Davies' sly humor.

The second reminds me of early Nick Lowe and HIS sly humor.

But both are wonderful, and reflect YOUR talent and...sly humor. So I'm voting for BOTH.

Welcome back!

Hi Hans,

I knew a bit about your situation, Marty told me about it. Quite an ordeal, happy it worked out ok for you two!

Song wise I prefer the first version. I tried to listen to the rock version, but found that accordion too distracting for my tastes.

Good to see you back!

That right there is a road trip song. Nice work. Looks like y'all had a great time cavorting through the French countryside.

Hello from an American expat! I moved full-time to France 3 years ago. I'm really sorry about your wife's accident, but I'm not surprised by the time if took for the docs to get around to the surgery. I love it here, but there is some serious bureaucracy. I had planned to build a small house (by American standards) on a piece of land I was going to buy from my niece, but after innumerable delays and cost overruns, I wrote off the 100K € I'd already spent and rented an apartment in the heart of the village center of Arcachon on the Atlantic coast, 45 minutes from Bordeaux and 2 hours north of Spain. Best move I ever made, except bringing my 3 small dogs with me from the States. They love it here, too. France is a super dog-friendly country. I hope you and your wife get another chance to visit. It's got to be better the next time, right?

Re the two song versions...I gave them both thumbs-ups on YouTube. I slightly prefer the second, rock version. Nice job!

Hi Bob, Vic and Brad (2 times ;-),

Thanks for listening to these songs about our holiday adventure. They were stressful days, but now I have 2 songs...



Hi Bob, I had the same when making both versions. It wasn't my intention to do so, but when working on the swing version I got annoyed a bit. I heard it too much then.
So I tried a straight song and used (for the first time) a steel guitar. And I liked the sound of it a lot.
But then I turned back to the swing version and liked it too. My wife as well. So we couldn't choose.
Thanks you made a choice in the end, while giving your compliments for the other versio as well.
The same dilemma plays out in your songs I heard.


Hi Vic, no, the wine wasn't the cause. We had some terrible rainy days and this was the first dry day. But I forgot we have a certain age. I decided to cycle on a country road, but there were some potholes and rainwater there and then my wife slipped with her bike. The ambulance couldn't find us at first. And yes, my wife is going better. Now she only uses 1 crutch when walking, but full recovery will take almost a year, they said.
I noticed you chose 'both', so till now the rock version is in the lead!


Hi Brad, I'm glad you sent me 2 messages to convince me of your enjoyment of the songs. But with a slight preference for the swing version. Is that right?
Thanks for that!

Thanks for posting these nice posts,
Hans

Hans, sorry to hear about your wife's accident. I know about the pain broken femurs because as my wife broke hers right at the hip joint. Now she has a metal rod in her leg and our long walks are now a thing of the past. I pray that you wife has better success.

Both songs are great but I like the rock version the best.

Hans,

True life is the best inspiration for song . . . you’ve put together a good one here. Noted it on your Facebook page, but I prefer the swing version. Well done!!

And credit to you for doing two versions . . . these days I barely have the energy and inspiration to do one, LOL!!

Deej

Oh, man. An unforgettable story told in two styles as only you could do it, Hans. As you know I like the swing version --humor in contrast to tragedy. Great job on the videos too. If you were in this country, I'd figure the problem wasn't the language barrier but the insurance coverage. You fill these both with your talent for comging up with some humorous lyrics (sorta), the perfect melody and a dynamic presentation.

Fun story, nightmarish situation handled with great irony, oh la la! Isn't it nice to use music to express your true experience and feelings
I enjoyed the swing version more, maybe it has better vacation & cycling mood, although I enjoyed the piano and guitars in the rock version. Enjoyable melody and chord progression. Vocal delivery is well nuanced and soulful. Very creative!

Janne

Now, THOSE are some interesting lyrics, you really did a great job of putting your adventure into a song.
Love it!
I prefer the rock version, but I guess you expected that from someone like me

Hope your wife is well again.

Hans...that was quite an adventure for sure...I love the swing version...this would be the week to be stuck in France (Olympics and all)...but not in a hospital with a broken femur (a very serious injury!)...great story telling!!

I really like the swing version. It has a McCartney-esque quality to it.
What an adventure you had! I'm that they finally fixed her leg. I appreciate the humor you interjected into your song.

SUPER confident vocal with some cool bvox.
The mix is aggressive and loud but that's cool too.
Modern tourism...online translators really are cool.
I hope all has out well.

Hi Ron, Dave, Herb and Mario,

Thanks a lot for your comments on the songs. I enjoyed them very much!
And I think it helps my wife's recovery too. At least it helps make my lot more bearable in taking care of her...


Hi Ron, that sly humor is what I have in common with them, I see. I thought it was my own handicap.
Sometimes my sons say: "Dad, stop joking all the time". But they say that when I am deadly serious for once...
And does that swing version really reminded you of king Arthur???
But I see why Nick comes in on the rock version. He too loved the sound of breaking glass...
And your voting went wrong. I too love the both, but it seems the swing version won.


Hi Dave, right after reading your post I turned down the volume of that accordion in the rock version on SoundCloud. On YouTube that wasn't possible.
I don't want to risk your ears with my songs. You know that!
Yes, Marty was one of the first to see the actual footage of the accident and that helicopter. In the video, of course, I only used a small portion of it.
Did he shared them with you? And I really thought I was stuck overthere. I did both the songs, because I liked them both.
Marty preferred the swing version from the start. I couldn't change his mind. Stubborn guy I guess...


Hi Herb, well, not exactly a great time The songs explained it all. And no more cavorting as far as my wife is concerned. The countryside took care of that...
But thanks for your comment!


Hi Maartian, what a story you have! And yes, there is some similarity with regard to bureaucracy and/or hierarchy. That is still very much present there. In the Netherlands we are not used to that.
But over the years we've been to France a lot. It is a lovely country and most people are very friendly.
Thanks for your thumbs on both the songs. But is seems that swing one is nr. 1...


Hi Mario, So you had the same experience with broken femurs. My wife also has that long iron rod or pin in her leg, because it was also broken at her hip. Fortunately we didn't go on long walks because of my back problems. Longer bike rides. It will take about a year before she can walk properly again, but she already walks with only one crutch. And thanks for your compliments on the songs. The swing version will win though, I think...

I wish you all a very nice day (or more),
Hans

Hello Hans
Hope all is well with you and your wife is doing better.
I prefer the rock version of course ;-)
Really cool job.
Your videos are getting more and more elaborate.
Partly using the real footage makes it
really exciting.
Great song and great video.
Top work
Andi ;-)