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Superb ballad, Floyd. Great instrumentation and production. I would have loved to have heard an instrumental break in it as both the chord structure and instrumentation is ideal for one
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.
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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 Very nice of you to say, Bob. Much appreciated. 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 Thanks, Herb. 2016. The acoustics.are eq'd perfectly for their place/intent in the mix. 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. Thanks, David...
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I love this, Floyd. Classic stuff from you. You're the best!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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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... very much appreciated, Ron... 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 We are most appreciative, Noel. Thanks...
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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.  Thanks, David. I couldn't resist the "kindness" Streetcar reference ...then the addendum pulls it away from the reference some. (I was pleased with that one). Many of the little gems are from MIke's pen. He's a heck of a lyricist... It often takes me by surprise when someone compliments my singing...so thanks! 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. Izzy - thanks for the great comments. They, too, were like a warm mug of cocoa...
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We always appreciate the rich images in yours and Michael’s collabs.
Love this: “kind of strangers or a stranger kind” and “a little sanctuary or …..”
The lyric immediately had us thinking of A Streetcar Named Desire.
The character Stella has a sister, Blanche, and we could see her clearly.
The session guys are great and we very much enjoyed the steel and piano
No surprise that your vocal timbre and phrasing are oh so good!
Oh, and the mix is great.
Loved it!
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 are here on our website.
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Very, Very good. I have a Step sister named Stella, and this song explains her to an absolute T. Thanks for your talent. You are so talented, I'm gonna re-watch your video about how you write your songs. Very informative. I have been using some of A.I. to craft some of my lyrics. I write an initial story, Then I write a song about it. Then, I have A.I. Do a version of it, then between my song And the song that the A.I. does, I rewrite both of them about 10 times, then I do a final version of the song I write it all out on legal pads so I have proof that it's my song, in this day and age it never hurts to get help from whatever source you can. to me, it's not about being famous or writing the next big hit. it's about doing your very best and using whatever tools you have at your disposal and doing the very best version you can. Then when I get to the final version. I already have a tune in mind so I pick up my guitar, And I craft the chord progression And when I'm finally done with that, I use "Band In a Box" to help me craft the final version, If I don't like the guitar playing I just recorded a track of my own playing in my studio, where I'm playing it. But, you are very talented and I still go to the PG music website and when ever I see a new song come up that you have done, I listen to it. I have heard all your songs that you have posted. Thank you for your songs, you're talent.
Last edited by trapper456; 06/13/25 11:12 AM.
Music is an expression that is a universal language, Never criticize anybody to harshly. They need time to grow but when they do, they do. Always be kind in what you say and do because the man upstairs is watching.
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Music is an expression that is a universal language, Never criticize anybody to harshly. They need time to grow but when they do, they do. Always be kind in what you say and do because the man upstairs is watching.
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Nice to hear your voice again after all the instrumentals, Floyd.
Lyrics and storytelling are right up my alley, and your sparse arrangement works perfectly.
Great mix, and stella vocals (I know, I know, that's a cheap one).
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Wow what a cool song Floyd. Awesome vocal and backtrack. The production of this song was so good on this as well. Love how your vocal sits so front and center and the rest of the instruments are so clear and identifiable. Perfection...
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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. Appreciate that, Brian... 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 Shigeki Adachi - thanks! Strong vocals and a well produced song. Thanks. 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. Very nice of you to say. James...
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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! Thanks for the listen and fine comments. Tom... 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?" Thanks for all the great support through the years, Marty! We have been fortunate to hear a lot of outstanding original music from a talented group of writers and producers. Hopefully, that originality survives in this give-it-to-me-easy world.
Last edited by floyd jane; 06/19/25 04:43 PM.
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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 Thanks, Mario... Floyd...an amazing piece of music...lyrically and musically so well crafted...and a great performance and arrangement to boot! Thanks, Dan....
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floyd
Excellent as always. Catchy hook!
Peter
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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. Thanks, ray. Brando is appropriate, I think. The Stella-shouts were intended as just that. The Kindness line, too - although that was Blanche, I think. Poetic license... 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.
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Hi Floyd,
I'm finally back on the site. It's amazing how much there is to be done when a spouse passes away. It's unbelievable. But I'm almost caught up with that. Now, I have to reinvent myself. She was so much of who I am.
What a wonderful song. You're a word magician and a master composer and arranger. That's quite a ride you and Mike have put together. It's already been said about your vocal. I'll just add an "Amen!" to all of that.
What I enjoyed was a subtle contrast of music and lyric. Not necessarily prosody, but an intangible that buzzed around in my head. The music and soundstage are simple (but not simple to do), but the lyric is a bit cryptic and has a lot of depth. That's a really nice melding of the two facets. A job well done. Hat's off to both of you.
Alan
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Well written story about a mysterious lady, very figurative, yet keeps hidden the relationship to the teller. Excellent instrumentation, small details are introduced almost imperceptibly. The chorus is really strong, echoing Stellas is a clever effect. Great vocals as always.
Janne
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A mighty fine song. You created an interesting and tragic character. Production is flawless. Excellent vocal. Thanks, Scott... 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. Thanks, Beth... (there are other references to the movie... ) Superb ballad, Floyd. Great instrumentation and production. I would have loved to have heard an instrumental break in it as both the chord structure and instrumentation is ideal for one Thanks, Chay... I love this, Floyd. Classic stuff from you. You're the best! Thanks, Bob... We always appreciate the rich images in yours and Michael’s collabs.
Love this: “kind of strangers or a stranger kind” and “a little sanctuary or …..”
The lyric immediately had us thinking of A Streetcar Named Desire.
The character Stella has a sister, Blanche, and we could see her clearly.
The session guys are great and we very much enjoyed the steel and piano
No surprise that your vocal timbre and phrasing are oh so good!
Oh, and the mix is great.
Loved it!
J&B Thanks! Mike knows what he is doing. So do those session guys...
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Floyd:
Another killer tune! The write is flat out excellent . . . and your vocal shines, just the right touch of effects, and sitting right where it should in the mix. Masterful production as always!!
Alll my best,
Deej
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Very, Very good. I have a Step sister named Stella, and this song explains her to an absolute T. Thanks for your talent. You are so talented, I'm gonna re-watch your video about how you write your songs. Very informative. I have been using some of A.I. to craft some of my lyrics. I write an initial story, Then I write a song about it. Then, I have A.I. Do a version of it, then between my song And the song that the A.I. does, I rewrite both of them about 10 times, then I do a final version of the song I write it all out on legal pads so I have proof that it's my song, in this day and age it never hurts to get help from whatever source you can. to me, it's not about being famous or writing the next big hit. it's about doing your very best and using whatever tools you have at your disposal and doing the very best version you can. Then when I get to the final version. I already have a tune in mind so I pick up my guitar, And I craft the chord progression And when I'm finally done with that, I use "Band In a Box" to help me craft the final version, If I don't like the guitar playing I just recorded a track of my own playing in my studio, where I'm playing it. But, you are very talented and I still go to the PG music website and when ever I see a new song come up that you have done, I listen to it. I have heard all your songs that you have posted. Thank you for your songs, you're talent. Thanks for stopping by, trapper. Keep making music. Studio One (ver 5) Nice to hear your voice again after all the instrumentals, Floyd.
Lyrics and storytelling are right up my alley, and your sparse arrangement works perfectly.
Great mix, and stella vocals (I know, I know, that's a cheap one). Thanks, BD. Appreciate it.... Wow what a cool song Floyd. Awesome vocal and backtrack. The production of this song was so good on this as well. Love how your vocal sits so front and center and the rest of the instruments are so clear and identifiable. Perfection... Thanks fro the nice comments, Scott...
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