I wanted to try writing an 'Old Fashioned' Cowboy song, and this is the result, its not particularly deep but I enjoyed the process and I hope you enjoy the end result!
Pete
LYRICS
In the dusty old saloon, where the memories are strewn, Sits a weathered cowboy with a heartache he can't tame. His eyes tell a story, of a life filled with glory, But the regrets of his past keep haunting him all the same.
Oh, the whiskey trails and cowboy tales, They're all that's left for this lonely soul to hold. Through the desert sunsets, he can't forget, The love he lost and the dreams that turned to gold. Oh, the whiskey trails and cowboy tales, They're all that's left for this lonely soul to hold.
He once rode the ranges, with his heart full of changes, But the wild horses couldn't tame his restless soul. Now he's wandering and wondering, about the love he's squandered, In the lonely nights, where the wind whispers secrets untold.
Oh, the whiskey trails and cowboy tales, They're all that's left for this lonely soul to hold. Through the desert sunsets, he can't forget, The love he lost and the dreams that turned to gold. Oh, the whiskey trails and cowboy tales, They're all that's left for this lonely soul to hold.
In the (moonlight's) glow, he's a (shadow) on the go, Chasing (ghosts) of the past, that he can't outrun. With each (sunset) fading, his (heart) keeps on breaking, For the (love) he let go, and the (damage) he has done.
Chorus: Oh, the (whiskey trails) and (cowboy tales), They're all that's left for this (lonely) soul to hold. Through the (desert) sunsets, he can't forget, The (love) he lost and the (dreams) that turned to gold.
Outro: As the (night) grows colder, he's a (wandering) soldier, In the (wild) West, where his (heart) still yearns to be. But the (regrets) keep on calling, and the (teardrops) keep falling, For the (cowboy) who'll never find his (peace) or be free.
BIAB Info:-
Title: Whiskey Trails and Cowboy Tales V2 File:Whiskey Trails and Cowboy Tales V3.01.SGU Key=E , Tempo 82, Length (m:s)=3:27 8 bar intro, 59 bar chorus, from bar 9 to bar 67. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody Soloist track has 69 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0) Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes, Style is _BYNIGHT.STY (By Night Dreamy Country Ballad)
RealTracks in style: ~2482:Bass, Acoustic, Bowed Held Ev 085 RealTracks in style: ~2503:Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 085 RealTracks in song: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085 RealTracks in style: 2667:Pedal Steel, Background DreamySingleNote Ev 075 RealTracks in song: 3198:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist PopBalladBrent Ev 065 RealTracks in song: 3198:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist PopBalladBrent Ev 065 RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
You're right, Pete. The reward is in the process, and your listeners are rewarded by your creative efforts. Man, I am really enjoying my reward with this one. Excellent lyrics and a great delivery. This song is perfect for the end of the credits to a best-selling cowboy movie, the crowd walking out carrying the magic of the old west with them and some are staying, not to see who played what in the film, but to hear the rest of the song. I sit with them.
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
You're right, Pete. The reward is in the process, and your listeners are rewarded by your creative efforts. Man, I am really enjoying my reward with this one. Excellent lyrics and a great delivery. This song is perfect for the end of the credits to a best-selling cowboy movie, the crowd walking out carrying the magic of the old west with them and some are staying, not to see who played what in the film, but to hear the rest of the song. I sit with them.
Marty, I'm sat here kinda lost for words ( ironic really!!) thank you doesn't seem to cover it imo, but I hope you'll accept it non the less brother.
As over the top as this will sound, your critique gave me a very warm glow!
You hit the nail on the head, as it was after watching an old cowboy movie that the idea came to me lol. I really wanted to have like an orchestral mix but as I'm useless with midi and BIAB is a little short on orchestral styles I decided to go with this.
Bless you and take care
Pete
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
I really think this song has a great potential if performed by a live band. The BiaB arrangement is nice and simple and it doesn't need more than that, but I see a potential in it if it was professionally produce and a little longer.
Some favourite Waoist Adages: #1: Play on the Way. #13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you. #58: Bring consciousness to it. #63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made. #92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
Pete, super job on your cowboy tune! Very strong vocals, and the BiaB backing delivers the goods with just enough variation to keep it interesting. Some added harmonies and/or BGVs would really make the song take off. Just sounds like that kind of song. Do the lyrics in () signify anything for the listener? Tried to interpret them a couple of different ways but couldn't crack the code.
As they said in the Old West, or at least movies about the Old West, "Giddyup!".
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
I really think this song has a great potential if performed by a live band. The BiaB arrangement is nice and simple and it doesn't need more than that, but I see a potential in it if it was professionally produce and a little longer.
Thanks mate, really appreciate your comments. I'd genuinely love to hear it with a live band, I think the dynamics would certainly be enhanced. I'm glad you like the simple arrangement that was my intention at the start of this project. I was thinking of adding a simple guitar break and extending the changes by a bar in places as they seem to run from the verse to the chorus rather quickly. I was just wary of losing the flow, however the more I listen the more I feel there is perhaps room to play with if you get my drift.
Once again, thank you for your comment👍
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Pete, super job on your cowboy tune! Very strong vocals, and the BiaB backing delivers the goods with just enough variation to keep it interesting. Some added harmonies and/or BGVs would really make the song take off. Just sounds like that kind of song. Do the lyrics in () signify anything for the listener? Tried to interpret them a couple of different ways but couldn't crack the code.
As they said in the Old West, or at least movies about the Old West, "Giddyup!".
Thanks Ron, I agree it needs harmonies but they are most Def NOT my strong point vocally!!!
Now as to the lyrics in () ....... I'm so sorry you've been racking your brains as to what the possible meaning is to the listener....... They are just visual notes to myself where I've rewritten certain words, no code to crack my friend!!!!
Pete👍
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Really nice work, so relaxed and enjoyable. I esp liked how you simplified the mix on the last chorus, letting the vocal and lyric stand out.
My only suggestion..the line that starts “But the REgrets keep on calling” puts the emphasis in an awkward place. I’d replace it with “But regrets, they keep on calling”…that would sound smoother and more natural.
Thanks for sharing your high quality work with us!!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
Pete, WOW what a fantastic song Outstanding vocal and lyrics Fantastic chord progression Great arrangement Perfect backing band IMHO this is your best to date
I arrived early to a restaurant. The manager asks, "do you mind waiting a bit?" I said no. "Good", he said. "Take these drinks to table 3"
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Really nice work, so relaxed and enjoyable. I esp liked how you simplified the mix on the last chorus, letting the vocal and lyric stand out.
My only suggestion..the line that starts “But the REgrets keep on calling” puts the emphasis in an awkward place. I’d replace it with “But regrets, they keep on calling”…that would sound smoother and more natural.
Thanks for sharing your high quality work with us!!
Thank you for your comment, you are indeed correct about that particular line... It does sound awkward and I shall drop 'The' from it and run with your suggestion👍
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
Pete, WOW what a fantastic song Outstanding vocal and lyrics Fantastic chord progression Great arrangement Perfect backing band IMHO this is your best to date
Mario, you are much too kind sir! Thank you bro 👍
Sometimes you just have to say f### it and do it anyway!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: 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.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.