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A co-write with Mike LeBlanc The BAND: Style is _ATMSPH1.STY (Atmosphere Country Ballad) RealTracks in style: 1592:Bass, Electric, Pop16ths Ev 065 RealTracks in style: 2542:Pedal Steel, Background ModernBalladAtmosphere Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 1596:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths Ev16 065 RealTracks in style: 1600:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16ths Ev16 065 MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2066:Piano, Rhythm NewAgeAnswers Ev16 110 RealTracks in song: 382:Guitar, Slide, Background Blues Ev 085 RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven16^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride The words: STELLA she's some kind of bird a crow, a raven what rumors have you heard down from new haven she left connecticut heading south on the run a dangling cigarette the breath of sailors rum stella, stella make up your mind the kindness of strangers or a stranger kind stella, stella what do you want more a little sanctuary or the next big score baggage weighs you down friend or foe or faker out of luck, a northern town you almost met your maker these bars on the upper side like a roulette spin they see what you hide dishonesty or sin stella, stella make up your mind the kindness of strangers or a stranger kind stella, stella what do you want more a little sanctuary or some holy war southern boys talk slow just part of their disguise don't think they don't know they're wise to your lies don't get comfortable lady beware your epitaph stella, so shady walked down a devil's path stella, stella make up your mind the kindness of strangers or a stranger kind stella, stella what do you want more a little sanctuary or an exit door sanctuary or some final door.... Just me and mike and biab Say something fj
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Floyd,
You and Mike have created a beautiful piece of musical art...
This may be my favorite song and vocal from you so far - and that is saying a lot. Just an incredible vocal, amazing arrangement, stellar mix and an excellent band.
This is one of "those songs" that I wish I had written. Truly remarkable.
Bob
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I like that. Is this a new write or something you've redone from the past?
Really good mix. I might have to spin this one a few more times to appreciate the details.
I like the echo on the name. My only nit ... I'd put a little more top end air on the acoustic guitar. It's a bit dark.
Nice one
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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Nice and well crafted song, in that familiar and easy on the ears Floyd Jane style.
Always a pleasure to hear you bringing that soothing and gentle touch to the forum.
I would say, in fact, but these types of songs are always Gentle on My Mind.
Hmmmm. That would make a cool title. I think I'm going to try and write a song with that title if it hasn't already been taken.
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Nice one, Floyd! Really well put together, with a strong narrative flow. Love the lyrical twist at the end of each chorus. Super band and a perfect mix. REALLY FANTASTIC vocals, with a lot of vulnerability beneath the surface of the narrator's hopeful front. Stella (Stella, stella...) sound like a lot of trouble, but she could be worth it...
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Hi floyd.
You and Mike have created an outstanding song. I love everything about this. The standouts for me were the lyrics, your performance, your arrangement and your production. The lyric rhyme scheme the and lyric imagery are a credit to you both. While the lyrics are chockablock full of mostly perfect rhymes, the word-imagery flows effortlessly and conversationally, and the rhymes never standout unnecessarily or overshadow the content. In addition, having a different line at the end of every chorus is a master stroke. That each chorus ends with a more emotionally charged phrase than the previous chorus was powerful. Your musical arrangement and its production also shone brightly. I loved the choice of instruments that you added to the production as the musical journey progressed.
For me, this was top-notch listening (and then some).
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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Hi, Floyd. Simple beginning that builds. Nice turns of the phrase: the kindness of strangers
or a stranger kindAnd alliteration: friend or foe or fakerInteresting word choices as well, little gems in an interesting character sketch. Your vocals as stellar as usual - see what I did there?  - and the arrangement is great. It's always a pleasure to hear you sing. 
-- David Cuny My virtual singer development blogVocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
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Hoooraaaay , Floyd's back in the songwriting saddle. ☝️ 😁
Your voice sounds great Floyd. You can hear the emotion in your delivery, but it's never overwrought. It's like you're telling a story, not just singing a song.
The melody is immediately catchy. It's the kind of melody that sneaks into your brain and sets up camp. I particularly enjoyed the phrasing in the verses; it kept me guessing in a good way.
The lyrics are wonderfully crafted. The imagery is evocative without being overly flowery. . Stella is portrayed as a complex, possibly unattainable woman. She sounds like she's simultaneously fascinating and a little frustrating, which makes her all the more interesting. 🌷
Is she a lost love? A muse? We may never know, and perhaps that's the point! It is open to interpretation and encourages the listener to fill in the blanks. ❓🙄
Musically this is like a warm mug of cocoa on a chilly evening. Comforting, familiar, but with a hint of something a little more sophisticated going on. It's got that rootsy vibe, mellow groove. Not reinventing the wheel, but definitely giving it a fresh coat of paint. This point is entirely subjective.
It's a well-executed song combined with your unique lyrical voice that knows what it wants to be, and achieves it with charm and charisma.👏✔️⭐💯🥇🏆
Welcome back, Floyd! "Stella" is a welcome addition my songwriting classroom, and a reminder that sometimes, the best songs are the ones that make you smile while pondering the mysteries of the universe (and the perplexing nature of women named Stella). 😉
It would seem that Mike LeBlanc is a good collaborator for you Floyd.
Regards
Izzy.
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There's a unique resonance to this song. Your voice is the perfect vehicle for such a story as is told here, underpinned by a solid, but never intrusive, backing band.
Stella (whoever she may be) sounds scary and just like the kind of woman my pa told me to steer clear of.
Well done, guys.
ProTools; Ableton Live Lite; Reaper
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floyd,
This is definitely the floyd jane sound.
It's pop, easy to listen to, and a great song.
The vocals are great, and the choice of instruments is perfect for this song.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Best regards.
Shigeki Adachi
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Strong vocals and a well produced song.
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Floyd is back, and back with a vengeance. The voice is superlative, and communicative as always ... it tells the stories of where it's been, and what it has seen along the way. The lyrics are great. The arrangement is, well, stellar ... love how it starts stripped down, almost to the bare bones, and then more instruments join after the first and second time the hook plays. The entry of the piano track is, for me, particularly spot on ... loved the extra warmth and richer texture it brought to the song. Welcome back A joy to hear you sing on one of your songs, once more ... that voice, and the way you use it, is a classic. Everything is excellent, here, in my view ... but that voice is the icing on the cake. Bravo.
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Wow, what a great song! I especially like the shout of "stella, stella". Also the economy of the lyric..in certain spots, you get the feeling that the few, well-chosen words and notes are just perfect. And some of the phrases are wonderful "sailor's rum" and "roulette spin" were some of my favorites. And, as always, excellent delivery and production. You didn't say that you contributed anything live (except vocals)--so the BIAB players gave you an excellent backing for your delivery. Enjoyed everything about it!
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, SampleTank 4, Keystation49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Oh, man, thanks, Floyd. Another beautiful song beautifully done for my Floyd Songs Playlist. That list can sure make a long ride short. Excellent vocal and the perfect band. The other day someone asked me what the songs are like on this forum. Yours were the first tracks I played in reply, and she said, "SHIfT, ma'am. This is BETTER than radio." Then I went on to treat her to others and she was properly floored. Yet when it was all done, she asked, "Who was that first guy?"
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Say something, this is so good I am speechless.
Just me and mike and biab - This is a very powerful trio!
This is absolutely an outstanding song.
Great vocal, lyrics, backing band, and mix
Loved it
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
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Floyd...an amazing piece of music...lyrically and musically so well crafted...and a great performance and arrangement to boot!
www.soundclick.com/firesongBiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10 You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
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Wonderful narrative, wonderful melody, wonderful arrangement too.
The vocals, on my listening set up, seem to get a little crisp as tey get louder with a tiny bit of crunch added when that happens. Probably my set up, (headphones and desktop comp).
REALLY good result.
The delay/echo of Stella seemed an oddity the 1st time I heard it but a necessity when the chorus cam around again - well done for bridging that gap in my head.
When I 1st read the title I, I hope naturally, pictured Brando.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Addendum:
I'm just back from a motorcycle ride to town to hunt & gather for the evening meal.
The chorus of this song ran through my head there & back.
I didn't know the words, after just one listen, other than "Stella, make up your mind" so had to improvise to satisfy my brain's need for resolution.
I spent the trip singing
Stella
Make up your mind
Are you gonna steal my heart
Or just rob me blind
Not good BUT the melody hooked me and I had to work with what was available.
Clearly it's a winning song.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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A mighty fine song. You created an interesting and tragic character. Production is flawless. Excellent vocal.
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Steeeeeellllaaaa!!! (Streetcar named Desire reference just in case you're not familiar with that play or movie). This is a gorgeously rich song, lyrically, vocally, melodically, the band. I don't know all of your work, of course, but this has to be one of your best.
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