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Link: Down My Personal Hell In my pre-BIAB times, I wrote a nice little piano motif (simple chords, terribly sad melody) and successfully forgot about it. Well, until a month ago. I fell in love again with it, and decided to write some matching sad lyrics to it during my well earned vacation in Southern France. While sitting on the porch at the beach, Mrs. inspiration came over to kiss me and after 2 hours and half a bottle of really good French wine (could also be 1 hour and two half bottles of really good French wine) this song was born. It's sad. Really sad. Sadness and silence instead of drums and drama. No power-vocals, just a fragile girl who regrets. And surreal lyrics, with lots of images and stuff. As a fan of Roger Waters' Pink Floyd lyrics I've always wanted to do something like this. Feedback (the good, the bad and the ugly, I'm here to learn) is, as always, highly appreciated. The usual technical information: Lyrical, mystical and surreal advisor and French wine connoisseur: Marty Style: PNOFLOW.STY (the piano's gone, though) The band:Bass: 3786, me Guitar: 2666, 3435, 3731, 3738, 4584, me Synth: 1265, me Vocals: 1x Suno, BG vocals 4x Synthesizer V Track-Stats for those interested (Hi Ron  ): For those who have read this far: After much discussion and consideration, I've come to the conclusion that it's not good for the future of this forum to post songs where most of the tracks were created with AI. That's why I've decided for myself that, apart from vocals and _maybe_ an instrument that neither BIAB nor I can deliver, I will only release songs here that come exclusively from BIAB. And, of course, my own noodling. I'll still create other songs, but I will not post them in the PG forum. You know where to find them. You can find the lyrics in the next post.
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Title: Down My Personal Hell
(Intro)
The dust on the floor
Still shows two sets of footprints
But only one leads through the door
The door is closed now
(Verse)
The marks left by our glasses
Are still visible on the table
Just like the scars in my soul
Your heart has been broken
By words
By words
That cannot be taken back
(Chorus)
For every wound
I have sown in your soul
I'm left with a scar as well
Every wound
I have sown in your soul
Drags me one step further
Down my personal hell
Down my personal hell
(Verse)
The keys of the piano sound different now
Their notes bend under the weight of my pain
The clock hands move, but without direction
As if time itself refuses to go on without you
(Pre-Chorus)
No direction
Time stands still
(Chorus)
For every wound
I have sown in your soul
I'm left with a scar as well
Every wound
I have sown in your soul
Drags me one step further
Down my personal hell
Down my personal hell
(Bridge)
The horizon bends inward
As if the world has given up
On being vast
Nothing lasts
I try to drink from the river of sleep
But the water is muddy,
Too dark and too deep
Guilt drips through the ceiling
Pooling in corners I cannot reach
(Pre-Chorus)
No direction
Time stands still
(Chorus)
For every wound
I have sown in your soul
I'm left with a scar as well
Every wound
I have sown in your soul
Drags me one step further
Down my personal hell
Down my personal hell
(Outro)
For every wound
I have sown in your soul
I'm left with a scar as well
Every wound
I have sown in your soul
Drags me one step further
Down my personal hell
Last edited by B.D.Thomas; 11/07/25 09:15 AM. Reason: Lyrics added
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I want to start by saying that I am a long time member of this forum, but I've been away for a long time, so I'm out of touch with the current topic of drama here. Apparently it's now the use of AI. I get it.
People who use an AI production as the whole thing then say "Look what I did" the only possible response is "no you didn't!" I see this topic as one that can be seen as a difference in KIND or as a difference in DEGREE. If we take it it to the full degree and present a fully generated product as our own, that's pretty lame. But there are many possible uses along the spectrum that add value to a song writer with the talent to build on it.
Music generated by AI is the new Band In A Box. I remember when it was considered cheating if you didn't play every track yourself. It raises the possibilities to a level that people playing by the old paradigms are highly unlikely to match. And anybody who has achieved any degree of success or reputation under the previous paradigm will certainly hate the new, and refuse to participate in it or even acknowledge it. You can instantly see what's going on here simply by noting who refuses to comment on any post that even mentions AI. If reviews were food, I'd say your contribution is being starved to death on purpose.
Pretty much ANY AI generated song is impressive, because it's trained on all the best music in the world. Your song is no exception... it is stunningly beautiful, and the lyrics you wrote and presented to SUNO are a feather in your cap. You already know this is beautiful, and you don't really need to be told that by others. You used SUNO as a tool in much the same way as the rest of us use BIAB as a tool... contributing a little and generating a lot. "Let he who has no sin cast the first stone."
What I think is particularly interesting when we hear how SUNO fleshes out an idea we present.... that possibility was already one of many. Why aren't WE coming up with similar arrangements on our own? I think the answer is because most of us are older and steeped in musical paradigms that we haven't deviated from for years. We use the same old chord progressions with slight variation. It's OK to stay in the bucket as long as everybody else is there too. But the crab who tries to climb out of the bucket will always be pulled back by the other trapped crabs. It's why you don't need a lid for the bucket of crabs... it's a self-enforcing prison.
All change goes through a FORMING, STORMING, NORMING and PERFORMING stage... and the use of AI is currently in the storming stage. Eventually people will agree on what constitutes "acceptable use" and it will normalize. Until then, it's the wild west. Some people will cave to peer pressure, others will press on, learning to master the new potential. Pick one path and run with it.
I find that the more tech that's available, the more I go back to playing everything myself. But even if you play it all yourself, you still need new ideas.
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Hi BD, this is now my favorite of yours. I think the sadness and silence speak louder than drums and drama. It has a very moving eloquence. Well done!
As for the AI thing, frankly I don't want to see (or listen to) a bunch of AI-created tunes here. Maybe there can be another section of the forum just for that? If that's how some people create, no judgment. I can see the value and fun in it. But I think part of what I admire and appreciate in listening to people's songs is the process, the inspiration, and the struggle. AI just makes things too easy, too perfect and too... je ne sais quoi! The key it seems to me is keeping the distinctions clear and honest.
That said, when songwriters need a vocalist, I don't see that as an issue here. It's mostly the chord progression and lyrics aspect to which I am referring...or the entire song process.
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Hi BD!
You’ve done really well to create a song of a person numbed by their personal circumstances. I love the instrumentation choices. I was listening for a piano, given the origins of your song and the reference to it, but couldn’t hear one - but if I was listening without any other information, I wouldn’t be looking for it. The video is supportive also - the stillness of the image apart from the flickering flames reinforces the singer’s state of mind.
Great song!
Andrew
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I want to start by saying that I am a long time member of this forum, but I've been away for a long time, so I'm out of touch with the current topic of drama here. Apparently it's now the use of AI. I get it.
People who use an AI production as the whole thing then say "Look what I did" the only possible response is "no you didn't!" I see this topic as one that can be seen as a difference in KIND or as a difference in DEGREE. If we take it it to the full degree and present a fully generated product as our own, that's pretty lame. But there are many possible uses along the spectrum that add value to a song writer with the talent to build on it.
Music generated by AI is the new Band In A Box. I remember when it was considered cheating if you didn't play every track yourself. It raises the possibilities to a level that people playing by the old paradigms are highly unlikely to match. And anybody who has achieved any degree of success or reputation under the previous paradigm will certainly hate the new, and refuse to participate in it or even acknowledge it. You can instantly see what's going on here simply by noting who refuses to comment on any post that even mentions AI. If reviews were food, I'd say your contribution is being starved to death on purpose.
Pretty much ANY AI generated song is impressive, because it's trained on all the best music in the world. Your song is no exception... it is stunningly beautiful, and the lyrics you wrote and presented to SUNO are a feather in your cap. You already know this is beautiful, and you don't really need to be told that by others. You used SUNO as a tool in much the same way as the rest of us use BIAB as a tool... contributing a little and generating a lot. "Let he who has no sin cast the first stone."
What I think is particularly interesting when we hear how SUNO fleshes out an idea we present.... that possibility was already one of many. Why aren't WE coming up with similar arrangements on our own? I think the answer is because most of us are older and steeped in musical paradigms that we haven't deviated from for years. We use the same old chord progressions with slight variation. It's OK to stay in the bucket as long as everybody else is there too. But the crab who tries to climb out of the bucket will always be pulled back by the other trapped crabs. It's why you don't need a lid for the bucket of crabs... it's a self-enforcing prison.
All change goes through a FORMING, STORMING, NORMING and PERFORMING stage... and the use of AI is currently in the storming stage. Eventually people will agree on what constitutes "acceptable use" and it will normalize. Until then, it's the wild west. Some people will cave to peer pressure, others will press on, learning to master the new potential. Pick one path and run with it.
I find that the more tech that's available, the more I go back to playing everything myself. But even if you play it all yourself, you still need new ideas. Thank you, Pat, for taking the time to write in detail about your thoughts on AI and its use. I really appreciate that ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif) Personally, I don't see the current situation as "drama", but rather as a kind of "Wild West" confusion about how to deal with this new technology. I suspect (and hope) that over time a consensus will emerge (in general, but also here in the forum) about what is acceptable and what is not. I hope for the best, whatever that may be
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B.D., nobody loves a smart a**. Well, nobody but ME. THANKS for the track summary. Cool song! Nobody I've heard achieves more delicately nuanced synth vocals, and these are extraordinary. Whatever level of effort this result required, I'm impressed even more than usual. The backing track has a lovely thrum that underpins the vocals perfectly, and has plenty of clever dynamic shifts that keep the song moving and the listener engaged. A real master class in songcraft. I could do with a little French wine-on-the-beach inspiration myself. Can't argue with results, RIGHT??? Suspect PGMusic will drop a big, hairy AI engine into BiaB 2026. In the words of Jane from Firefly (2002), "Well...that'll be an interesting day." Thanks for the fun music!
Last edited by DC Ron; 11/08/25 02:36 AM.
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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Cool.
I'd love to hear a "real" voice doing this but for now Synth vox can stand in.
Lovely construction, production , mix and master.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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BDT - utterly amazing song, stunning production/mix/master
and very beautiful lyrics. Like others I would love to hear
this with a real voice - anyway, this is your best to date!!
Extraordinary stuff,
Best, Carl
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B.D.,
Another amazing piece of music. Beautiful songwriting.
The production is tremendous. Great stuff!
Bob
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Well, you never fail to blow me away with your productions, and this is no exception!
And the fact that none of the music was AI generated makes it even more impressive, shows your production chops.
Excellent song, enjoyed!
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You are a fun creative human, Brain. I'll be listening to whatever you music you create, however you create it. This is another outstanding example of what can be done adding elements available to you. You write and produce magic. I dig it.
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Hi BD, this is now my favorite of yours. I think the sadness and silence speak louder than drums and drama. It has a very moving eloquence. Well done!
As for the AI thing, frankly I don't want to see (or listen to) a bunch of AI-created tunes here. Maybe there can be another section of the forum just for that? If that's how some people create, no judgment. I can see the value and fun in it. But I think part of what I admire and appreciate in listening to people's songs is the process, the inspiration, and the struggle. AI just makes things too easy, too perfect and too... je ne sais quoi! The key it seems to me is keeping the distinctions clear and honest.
That said, when songwriters need a vocalist, I don't see that as an issue here. It's mostly the chord progression and lyrics aspect to which I am referring...or the entire song process. A new favorite - thanks, Beth, you made my day And yes, since I am the only member of an all-female band, female vocalists are desperately needed...
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Hi BD!
You’ve done really well to create a song of a person numbed by their personal circumstances. I love the instrumentation choices. I was listening for a piano, given the origins of your song and the reference to it, but couldn’t hear one - but if I was listening without any other information, I wouldn’t be looking for it. The video is supportive also - the stillness of the image apart from the flickering flames reinforces the singer’s state of mind.
Great song!
Andrew Thanks a lot for listening and for your detailed feedback, Andrew. Much appreciated! My original piano recording was used for the chord progression in BIAB and the singer's melody, but the main lick suited a clean arpeggio guitar sound much better, so I ended up leaving the piano out completely.
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Fantastic song and production, BD! I thought it would crescendo into a grand, sweeping chorus but you went in the opposite direction and it was equally effective, if not more so. Those breathy lines of "Down my personal hell" ripped my heart out. Great job - I'm not usually a fan of this genre, but I love what you do!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Brian, you set a new high bar for music on this forum. A beautiful sad song with the perfect title. You did a fantastic job on that synth vocal and on your parts. IMHO this is your best to date.
FYI - many years ago a discussion on what could be posted on this forum, some wanted only tracks that used BiaB. I was one whom replaced BiaB tracks with my own. It was determined back then that any song that started in BiaB, regardless if any of those tracks remained, was OK to post. I will assume that still is the policy.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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B.D., nobody loves a smart a**. Well, nobody but ME. THANKS for the track summary. Cool song! Nobody I've heard achieves more delicately nuanced synth vocals, and these are extraordinary. Whatever level of effort this result required, I'm impressed even more than usual. The backing track has a lovely thrum that underpins the vocals perfectly, and has plenty of clever dynamic shifts that keep the song moving and the listener engaged. A real master class in songcraft. I could do with a little French wine-on-the-beach inspiration myself. Can't argue with results, RIGHT??? Suspect PGMusic will drop a big, hairy AI engine into BiaB 2026. In the words of Jane from Firefly (2002), "Well...that'll be an interesting day." Thanks for the fun music! Thanks for listening and for understanding my wink, Ron  And double thanks for mentioning the vocals; it really was a lot of work to get the right sound. A lot of automation is required to achieve the right dynamics and expressiveness. But I like this process, the big puzzle, until everything fits together. The beauty of being an independent artist is that you don't have deadlines.
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Cool.
I'd love to hear a "real" voice doing this but for now Synth vox can stand in.
Lovely construction, production , mix and master. Thanks Ray And, yep, I'd love to hear someone like Billie Eilish sing it, her voice would be perfect for the song. But she probably has other things to do 
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BD, A Stunning Production. Your use of space is gorgeous. Stunning tracks and stunning vocals. Love how you use pads (I'll be stealing that ) Nice use of BIAB. LOVE your bass. Immediate replay. fj
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Hi BD
With or without AI, this is a superb song both lyrically and musically. The way the lyrics flow so naturally, I wish I could emulate that style and talent.
Fantastisch
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