Soundcloud: Pool of choices
YouTube: Pool of choices
DEVELOPMENT
A song about having the courage to step out, particularly in terms of mixing with others. The pool and ‘diving in’ are about the courage, but I’ve got no idea about the lines on coke, drinking and winking in the first and second verses. Maybe I’m saying subconsciously that mixing with others is like dating and buying someone a drink? Maybe that’s my quirky superpower again.
The music for the song was written in 2007 or maybe earlier, and originally used a midi rumba style. The title ‘Pool of choices’ was there from the start – I often have a word or phrase while I’m working on the music, then I build lyrics around this title after the music is written. It’s abnormal for me to write lyrics and music at the same time, and even more abnormal for me to write the lyrics first. The competition to be last is usually one between the lyrics and the bridge – if there is one.
So, it sat in my pile for years and I would occasionally come back to listen and say ‘I must do something about that one.’ In the last month, I pulled it out – both the song and my finger – and recorded it. Most of the band is BIAB, other than the programmed piano ‘riffs’ in the bridge and doubled lead guitar in all choruses other than the first – the latter being a highlight that added some icing on top. I did my usual thing of bringing in instruments in layers, and I still get delight when the drums and bass enter part way through verse 1.

RECORDING SUMMARY
Style is _DUETPOP.STY (Latin-Beat Piano Duet Pop)

RealTracks in style: ~~700:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 1275:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopUpliftHeld Ev16 120
RealTracks in style: 1276:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopUpliftPulsing Ev16 120
RealTracks in style: 2933:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking SongwriterFolkSlapQuinn Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 3582:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm PalmMuteRockPushSlow Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 4196:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm SongwriterGentleStrum8ths Ev 100
RealDrums in Song: Tambourine8thsAccent2and4 - I added the tambourine for the choruses
RealDrums in Song: ElecClapSlow[single]^2-Clap2&4 - I added the claps
RealDrums in Song:Pop rock drum beat and salsa percussion [Multi] - I removed the multi percussion

Recorded and mixed in Reaper.
My main vocal, doubled - it's a little strained in parts as I attempt to sing outside my 1+1/8 octave range. I seem to have an ongoing problem singing words containing a long 'o', like 'Coke'.
Harmony vocals, doubled
Spitfire LABS Autograph Grand – programmed in Bridge
I played my Ibanez Vintage Artcore AMV10A semi-hollow, doubled in the choruses

LYRICS
INTRO

VERSE 1
There’s a shrinking pool of choices but plenty of possibilities
All it needs is the will to act and the desire to please
I pull out a glass and ask what to pour in
They might not like Coke but as long as they’re drinking?

VERSE 2
I’m not one for coining phrases - it’s not who I want to be
They come across like a joke - they say “What was he thinking?”
I quickly retreat and hide myself away
I might regret that I spoke but as long as they’re winking?

CHORUS 1
I should just dive in. It’s a case of sink or swim
Going out on a limb - it’s all the same

VERSE 3
I’m limiting what I pack these days, I don’t go out half as much
I’m trying to shake how I’m set in my ways, without the need of a crutch
My superpower is to demonstrate the quirky side of life
I’ll be myself in mixed company like I’m walking the edge of a knife

CHORUS 2
Come on in – it’s warm. You won’t know you’ve been born.
You won’t have to perform - it’s all the same

BRIDGE
Oh - to be in the midst of voices with rich and varied harmonies
And through the air they’d float on our choices, carried on the wings of life’s melodies

CHORUS 1 & 2

OUTRO

CHORDS
INTRO:
F | Dm | F | Dm |
VERSES:
F | Dm | F | Dm | x2
Bb | Dm | Bb | Bbm | F | Dm | F | Dm |
CHORUS:
C | Bb | C | Bb | C | Bb | F | F |
BRIDGE:
Bb | C | F | Am / / F | Bb | C | Dm | G7 |

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