Hello Tano, Wao, Janne, Andrew and Noel,

Thanks for your very nice comments on my song. I’m still on holidays (traveling around in Belgium a France), so not always able to respond to you and the forum.
But I enjoy what you all wrote!

Originally Posted by Tano Music
What I liked most about this was your vocal doubling at the chorus, very effective. Kudos to you for changing up the key and the instruments to get what you needed—that really shows mastery of BIAB toolkit. Enjoyed my listen!!

Hi Tano, thanks! I was hesitating about adding that delay in the chorus (last line), but it turned out nice. And you noticed it 😄

Originally Posted by WaoBand
Lovely production and instrumentation in this theme-wise sad but oh too real song. Great use of the strings. I totally empathise with the lyrics. Today's faux democracies - the marriage of the corporate and the state and little to do with citizens - have always been insane and it's just getting worse. Writing as a qualified counsellor and someone who's studied analytical psychology and human consciousness for decades I can say, as others have, that it's all literally insane. There aren't any good guys in white hats anymore.

Hello Wao, thanks a lot for your reply. Your last line could be used as a title for a song. Very nice (and sad at the same time)!
I love strings and add them to my songs when possible. In my first version I let the girl die, but then changed my mind; maybe keeping some hope in the song was a better image…

Originally Posted by jannesan
What a sad world we live in, you have captured that feel with heartbreaking lyrics. "No color left to witness/just ashes, black and grey/I hear the moans of fallen souls/their sounds won’t drift away" - that's really touching. And "Why do we follow these sick minds?", that's the question I've asked many times...

Nice arrangement, cello always works for me, fits well with the dramatic content. Guaranteed Hans vocals with strong emotion, the second voice creates nice contrast.

I'm really glad that you are back, I truly appreciate how you have shared your feelings with such a very fundamental song. I can feel the same disbelief.
Janne

Hi Janne, what a nice and thoughtful response! Yes, more and more I become amazed (or angry) about the politicians we have in this world. Luckily there are good ones too, but the course of the world lies more in the hands of the evil ones.
Whatever, we can make songs about it…
And I am glad you like it and we share the same feelings. Thanks, Janne!

Originally Posted by Andrew Dee
Hi Hans!
It doesn’t feel right to comment on how good the music was when the message in the lyrics is so important. Both are good, and the music serves the message very well.
Andrew

Hello Andrew, for me it feels right you did comment on the song 😁
But of course I know what you mean. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Noel96
Hi Hans.

This is one of the most powerful songs that I have heard on this forum. I found it impossible to listen to without images of the devastation of Palestine and its people cycling through my mind.Your chorus is incredible, and your production soars. Incredible work! This is the kind of song I would love to be able to write but my ability seems to reach a roadblock every time I try to. Kudos on a fantastic effort.
--Noel

Wow, Noel, that is a huge compliment! Thanks for that. On the other hand it is also sad that we have to make these kind of songs, don’t you agree? And I think, that ‘roadblock’, you mentioned, appears every time you (or I) press yourself too hard. What made it easier for me, was making the topic ‘small’, like that barefooted girl in a filthy dress, instead of a whole country. Well…it’s a bit more complicated than this of course (I had a lot of versions of the song), but it works good as a start.

So, thanks again everyone. I wish you all a very nice day!
Hans

Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130