The evolution of the song – working backwards
I realise this is a long summary - I know some of you like that, but if you want to cut to the chase, just listen to my latest Soundcloud version immediately below. Otherwise, I have summarised and linked earlier versions in in reverse chronological order.
Soundcloud - Lift my eyes
I first wrote this song back in 2001/2002 and it was called 'Ordinary' (see below). I made a recording of this in 2016 - still available to listen to on my Souncloud account - but always felt that the lyrics were negative, despite quite liking the song musically. In 2025, I rewrote the lyrics in a more positive light about the theme of self improvement and this is the basis of this recording. Some elements of the original song remain, such as the BVs and some rhythm guitar parts, albeit re-recorded. New elements have been introduced, such as the synth bass, piano and a new guitar solo. This song is a nod to Keane, whose album 'Hopes and fears' is a favourite. The change from A minor in the verses to A major in the chorus is used to illustrate musically the shift from negative to positive thinking.
This recording has helped me with some new skills: I used time stretching in Reaper to better align the phrasing of duplicated vocals and solo guitar, and reversing audio items - heard in verse 2. For the solo, I used this opportunity as my response to challenge with Knee Wobbler and another to think through how we approach writing a guitar solo. I started with a phrase used in the first line of the verses, then added a slide down through successive notes. This sliding was then re-used in other sections of the solo. I also wanted to use features such as bend/release, hammer/pull, vibrato and the slides down and up. I octaved the solo, and also tried (unsuccessfully to get a Stranglers ‘Golden Brown’ solo effect.

I haven’t produced a video for this song yet but will do so over the next couple of weeks. For the time being, I need some time away from this song – a sentiment I am sure many of you can relate to.
Soundcloud - Ordinary 2018 recording
This is the first audio recording of 'Ordinary' which ultimately became 'Lift my eyes'. It is more of a guitar driven song recorded slightly slower with the rhythm guitars doing a 'boom boom tish!' style of strum. There are some backing elements here (BVs, rhythm guitars) which are carried forward into the new production. Ultimately, it was the negative lyrics and my pronunciation of 'ordinary' that drove the change to a new theme and words. This recording also reveals some naïve mixing – like panning doubled vocals left and right, so I hadn’t quite understood balance, panning and dynamics. The song has features that I use in other songs - a downwards or upwards line, usually in the bass but also in the chorus Ooos which are my 'go to' BV device.
Soundcloud - Ordinary BIAB midi
This is the midi original version of 'Ordinary' rendered to mp3. It typifies my songwriting workflow in the early 2000s - start with a chord progression, add melody, then develop in BIAB and/or on guitar. Words would usually be one of the last pieces. If I recall correctly, I had the phrase 'Don't want to be treated like I'm ordinary' over the last bar in the 4 chord progression: A - Amaj7/G# - A6/F# - A/F. I created my own BIAB style for this which I did a lot of back then - albeit a hybrid of an existing style with somethings I added. There's a faux midi guitar solo in the middle - which was replicated by my guitar in the 2018 audio recording.

Song Summary
Style is _SOUTAMP.STY (Amplitube Southern Rock Electric)

RealTracks in song: 1268:Bass, Electric, PopUplift Ev16 120
RealTracks in song: 2578:Bass, Synth, RetroPop Ev16 085 – with EQ removing anything below 100Hz and phasing applied
RealTracks in style: 666:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SouthernRock Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 663:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SouthernRock Ev 085
RealDrums in Song:RockBritDrivingEv16^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

My parts
Keys – M-Audio Oxygen49 playing Spitfire Audio LABS Autograph Grand – my ‘plonking’ was quantised to correct.
Rhythm guitars strumming the ‘boom boom tish!’
Lead guitar octaves with IK Tonex ‘Bright Loud Clean’ plugin with reverb and delay
Main vocal – doubled
BVs – doubled

LYRICS
INTRO

VERSE 1
It’s the luck of the draw I guess or the hand of fate’s caress
Or it’s grip around my neck Ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo
But I won’t be portrayed in a negative kind of way
I’ll give that doubt away Ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo

CHORUS 1
I lift my eyes to see, the man I’m meant to be
I’m stepping past the shadows that once followed me
I won’t speak that way again I’ve left that voice behind
I’m leaning on hope to clear my clouded mind

VERSE 2
I know I can think the worst Of that I’m well-rehearsed
But that’s gonna be reversed Ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo
I’m looking for the good each day for uplifting words to say
And no bad thoughts in the way Ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo

CHORUS 2
I lift my eyes to see the habits I will form
I’m growing past behaviours that became the norm
I won’t go back to doubt I’ve found a brighter way
I’m learning how to be the light in every day

BRIDGE
I have realised that unless I change I’m done
And thinking about others is better than number one
Sometimes when I lie awake and ponder who I am
Accepting the notion to be the man I plan

SOLO

CHORUS 3
I lift my eyes to see the habits I will form
I’m growing past behaviours that became the norm
I won’t go back to doubt I’ve found a brighter way
I’m learning how to be the light in every day

I lift my eyes to see, the man I’m meant to be
I’m stepping past the shadows that once followed me
I won’t speak that way again I’ve left that voice behind
I’m leaning on hope to clear my clouded mind

OUTRO

CHORDS
Intro and chorus: A | A/G# | A/F# | A/F |
Verses and solo: Am | C | G7 | C F7 | Am G | Esus E7 |
Bridge: C G | F G | Em Dsus4 | F Am | Adim Db | E |

Regards,
Andrew D
Adelaide, Sth Aust
Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/SQE4btVvNVkLq74e9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewoftheantipodes