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The idea for this song is encouragement to avoid negativity - both from within and outside - and have belief in the course of action you have chosen for yourself. Naturally, I can be a pessimistic person, and I remember having a good, hard talk to myself in my thirties about cultivating a more positive outlook, and that has been my life’s work. For those watching the video, the idea for the text messaging came about upon realising that the lyrics were 'preachy', and the back and forth of the messages - as though two people are sharing wisdom by SMS - was an attempt to diffuse this.

The song was written in September 2022 using BIAB and recorded in March 2023 using Cakewalk to record, arrange and mix. I am fairly new to DAW work, and learning as I go, so some of my 'areas of improvement' are evident in older works but still in my DAW work today. I am an impatient recorder/arranger/producer and can't stand fiddling and tweaking to get a perfect sound. (Can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear) so I usually aim just to illustrate what I was thinking creatively.

Musically, I like the guitar backing on the repeat of the bridge (in between the reverse cymbals). This was inspired by the style of the bridge to ‘Don’t let me down’ by The Beatles (I’m in love for the first time …’).

****** BIAB Song Summary *************
Style is _DREAMYP.STY (Dreamy Pop Quintet)
RealTracks in style: ~684:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120 – replaced with my own bass, plugged directly into my Focusrite Scarlett interface
RealTracks in style: ~686:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120 – replaced with my own guitars
RealTracks in style: ~543:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 120 – replaced with my own guitars
RealDrums in style:NashvilleEven8^8-a:Snare, HiHat Open , b:Snare, Ride
*******************
LYRICS
INTRO

VERSE 1
Some people might be jealous of the things you have
These people might want to see you go down, down, down
Enjoy your time while you’re on this earth
Make it count for all it’s worth
And may you use your time quite wisely before it’s frittered away

VERSE 2
Some people might criticise the way you live
Be careful these people don’t drag you down, down, down
Rise above it before you speak
As they say in the classics ‘turn the other cheek’
Unless that person’s your partner, in which case, listen to what they heed

BRIDGE
Rise to the level of your own aspiration – don’t let your guard down
Surprise yourself with your determination – get what you’re going for
See yourself shine through – know what to do

VERSE 3
Some people want to know what’s going wrong
They don’t feel good until others go down, down, down
Disingenuous beyond belief, beware the company of those we speak
Keep your mind upbeat and focussed on small things that are good

BRIDGE
Don’t give negativity consideration – don’t give it any room
Fill your mind with thoughts of regeneration – learn to be grateful
See yourself shine through – know what to do

Rise to the level of your own aspiration – don’t let your guard down
Surprise yourself with your determination – get what you’re going for
See yourself shine through – know what to do

OUTRO