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I was thinking about how we only have a limited time on this earth to be a good person and make a difference, and the phrase "we're all living on borrowed time" popped into my head, followed soon after by its melody. Then I worked forwards and backwards, filling in the rest of the words and music: Soundcloud link: https://soundcloud.com/user-61562267/living-on-borrowed-time-ver-5?si=442cda90296542bfb928a7386170da28&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharingLiving on Borrowed Time Put a smile on someone’s face, make the world a better place, A friendly word can brighten someone’s day. Do the things you wanna do, time to make your dreams come true, ‘Cause don’t ya know, we’re all Living on Borrowed Time. Find a problem, make it right, spread some sunshine, be the light, Try to be the best that you can be. Help your neighbor, lend a hand, find a cause and take a stand, Make a difference, ‘cause we’re all Living on Borrowed Time. Think of all the pointless things we spend our time pursuing, Let’s give a little thought to all the good we could be doing. [Instrumental break] Greet a stranger on the street, spread some cheer to those you meet, They’ll feel better, and you’ll feel better, too. Tell your friends you’re thinking of them, tell your loved ones that you love them, Be the sunshine, we’re all Living on Borrowed Time. The clock is ticking, we’re all Living on Borrowed Time. Make a difference, 'cause we’re all Living on Borrowed Time. All instrumental tracks are from BIAB, and I found the singer on Fiverr: Style is _SHUFBRT.STY (Country Shuffle w/ Brent Mason) RealTracks in style: ~539:Bass, Electric, Pop Sw 120 RealTracks in style: ~372:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Hank Sw 120 RealDrums [in style:NashvilleSwing8^4-a:Snare, OpenHat , b:Snare, HiHat Fiddle 2120 Mandolin 2223 Mandolin 2121 I used Audacity as my DAW for mixing.
Last edited by BobLMusic; 07/18/25 07:10 AM.
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BobL,
This is good song and message. Love the old time folky feel. Your vocal delivery is a great match.
Very nice mix as well. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Bob
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What is it with all these positive uplifting songs?
Very nice song with another good message. Get busy living, as Morgan Freeman would say.
The song and production are good. My only suggestion would be to use a little bit of reverb on the song/ vocal to give it some depth and space and be careful with using artificially created harmonies because they can easily sound like an abused auto tune. Part of that was, I believe, from the high level of the harmony voices in places and that they were stacked. Just my opinion.
All in all, nicely done
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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Thanks for the kind words, Bob, glad you enjoyed it!
I originally used a Dixieland style, but my daughter seemed unenthusiastic when I played it for her, so I switched the style to a folky shuffle. Luckily, it's easy to change styles in BIAB.
Bob
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Thanks, Herb, glad you liked it!
I appreciate your suggestions about adding some reverb for depth and space, and being careful not to overdo the harmonies. Pretty good advice, coming from an Overbrook guy (IIRC that you went to school there). I was a Triton High 1974 grad ;-)
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Thanks, Herb, glad you liked it!
I appreciate your suggestions about adding some reverb for depth and space, and being careful not to overdo the harmonies. Pretty good advice, coming from an Overbrook guy (IIRC that you went to school there). I was a Triton High 1974 grad ;-) Yessir I did. How do you happen to know that little tidbit? I have no clue what Triton high was. In school I didn't concern myself with the other local schools
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 one, Bob. Could see Kermit singing this one on the Muppet Show. Nice vocal arrangement, especially how the BGVs transition from "ahs" to "living on borrowed time". Very perky band arrangement as well. Nuthin' wrong with a warm little ray of sunshine brightening our forum. 
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Hi Herb,
Re: Overbrook, I think I asked a general "how-to" BIAB question, either in a PG Music forum or in the Band-in-a-Box user group on Facebook, and you answered the question. Maybe 10 years ago? Not sure how I knew you went to Overbrook, unless you had that info on your Facebook page or mentioned it in a post.
Triton High is another South Jersey high school that was in the same athletic conference (the Olympic American conference) as Overbrook in the early 1970s. I ran cross country in high school at Triton, so I used to run against kids from Overbrook. Triton was the high school serving the towns of Runnemede, Bellmawr and Glendora.
Last edited by BobLMusic; 07/18/25 02:35 PM.
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Thanks for the kind words, Ron, glad you liked it!
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Hi, Bob. Nice song, good message, and the arrangement and vocals fit. You mentioned your daughter not being especially enthusiastic about the Dixieland arrangement. If I had to rely on my kids' (now all young adults) enthusiasm about my music, I'd never get anything done! 
-- 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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Hi David,
Thanks for your kind words, glad you liked the song.
Yes, most of the time, I just try to make a song I'm happy with, and let the kids hear it when it's finished. I think this time, I was already thinking that the Dixieland version didn't work very well, and her faint praise ("Well, I like the lyrics!") convinced me to try something else. I think people, me included, are more likely to accept and act on advice that confirms what they were already leaning towards.
Last edited by BobLMusic; 07/18/25 08:26 PM.
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Where can I borrow more? Cool song, Bob. I like the vocal, and the choices and execution of the harmony lines. The mandolin and fiddle are so well done --more excellent choices. Melody is fun and the lyrics are wonderful teaching tools.
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Thanks Marty, glad you liked it!
Most of us don't make any money on our songs, so it's great to get a few listens and some positive feedback on them from nice people like you.
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Re 100% of the song lyrics it's 100% out of 100%. Re 100% of the music and the mix it's 100% out of 100%! … I think that means it's a 200% song!
BRILLIANT.
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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Thanks, Chay, glad you enjoyed it!
I'm happy to hear your kind words on the lyrics, music, and mix!
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Hi Bob!
This is a very enjoyable song to listen to, and with such a positive message we could all do with more of in today’s world. I love the ‘borrowed chord’ which is the second chord in on the first line - really pushes the chord progression in a cool direction. Man - the timbre of your voice is so pleasing to listen to, and if I understand correctly, you’re using a harmoniser for the BVs? There are parts where it is too perfect and creates an ‘effect’. It would be good to hear you do your own BVs and you’d beat the harmoniser hands down!
I’m gonna go exploring your catalogue!
Andrew D
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Hi Andrew, thanks for the positive feedback!
Yes, the verse chord progression goes like this:
C E7 Am C7
Put a smile on someone’s face, make the world a better place,
F G C
A friendly word can brighten someone’s day.
C E7 Am D7
Do the things you wanna do, time to make your dreams come true,
F G C
‘Cause don’t ya know, we’re all Living on Borrowed Time.
I came up with the melody first, so I needed to find some chords that fit the melody.
Thanks, but I can't take credit for the pleasing vocals, because I hired a singer on Fiverr for this song. As for the BVs, I don't know if he's using a harmoniser, but I see your point about the harmonies sounding a bit too perfect. However, I think most folks would rather hear these "too perfect" harmonies than my own "very flawed" harmonies, haha!
Last edited by BobLMusic; 07/19/25 06:36 PM.
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… Yes, the verse chord progression goes like this:
C E7 Am C7
…
Thanks, but I can't take credit for the pleasing vocals, because I hired a singer on Fiverr for this song… Bob - the I - III7 - iv manoeuvre - never grows tired. Good recruiting for the singer! He has ‘They Might Be Giants’ vibes. I notice you used him a few times - sounds good. I didn’t know Fiverr vocalists was a thing - who would’ve thunk? Andrew
Last edited by Andrew Dee; 07/19/25 08:02 PM.
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Hi Bob,
Good find with the vocalist. Great job with the lyrics. Nice folky band. I just love music that uplifts my spirit and speaks to being kind. We all need to hear these reminders poking through the constant noise of fear.
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