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Hi Forum Folks, Did you know that 2026 is the Year of the Sun??? This I did not (until after I wrote this song which was originally titled Sun Song). It's basically written as if the sun were singing it. Quite a long time in the making as I wrote the lyrics ages ago for a friend's instrumental, but it never came together. I have since rewritten the lyrics inspired by a quote by Rumi “And still, after all this time, the Sun has never said to the Earth, "You owe me." Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the sky.” and came up with a new melody. Listen and comment if it brightens your day. I appreciate nitpicky mixing comments. Thanks! Soundcloud Year of the Sun Style is _PSHINIH.STY (Shining Pop w/ Held Guitar) RealTracks in style: 1255:Bass, Electric, PopShiningA-B Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 1264:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopShiningA-B Ev 120 RealTracks in style: 2535:Guitar, Electric, HeldChords Gritty RealTracks in style: 1259:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningRockA-B Ev 120 RealDrums in style:PraiseWorshipShine^01-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride Added RT4206:Autoharp, Rhythm OldTime8ths Ev 120 Vocals several tracks of mine with dynamics, reverb, and Vocal Rider Lyrics: With each solar flare Reaching down, are you there (does anybody care?) So much light and heat Isn’t my love sweet? I am always near Always shining here But you never say hello Will you ever know? I shine free rays on everyone everyone Not once have I ever asked for anything in return I shine on everyone Feel my fire in your soul Rivulets of gold Fire, source of life Shining on so bright Beating like a drum Watching like an eye (how you suffer so) Making everything glow As you reap what you sow Everything I do It's because of you I'll burn this light until You reclaim your will I shine free rays on everyone everyone Not once have I ever asked for anything in return I shine on everyone Feel your fire in you soul Rivulets of gold Fire, source of life Shine with all my might
Last edited by BYOBand; 11/22/25 01:47 PM.
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Beth, this is an outstanding song. Great vocals, harmonies, and lyrics. You picked the perfect backing tracks. Great mix. I could find nothing to nitpick about.
IMHO this is your best to date.
OK, a random thought;
Why does toilet paper need a commercial? Who's not buying it?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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"Feel my fire in your soul
Rivulets of gold"
Very good song, and I really dug the lyrics! Of course, a lot of pre-christian religions worshipped the sun. And then there's Stonehenge. But yes, since then, we've taken it for granted. Great vocal as always.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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Beth,
This is such and excellent song and arrangement. Your vocals are absolutely stunning - some of your very best. The mix was perfect. I would not change anything.
Bob
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Wow, Beth. Super song! Always love your vocals, but especially love these. Something about the little vocal details, like your selective use of vibrato, gives the song an extra rhythmic, soulful heartbeat. Sweet harmonies and BGVs, too. Nice backing arrangement that provides all the necessary support but never gets in the way. Top shelf in every detail. Sorry for the lack of nitpicky comments. I'll try harder next time. 
Last edited by DC Ron; 11/23/25 04:32 AM.
DC Ron
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Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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Hi Beth!
Good one!
This is a different lyrical theme - the sun in the first person - I keep reading the lyrics and feel it could be a metaphor also - someone constantly giving out - not seeking in return - but being taken for granted? Maybe or not. I’ve had three listens now and it’s pulling me in - like there’s a new layer each time.
Cool song!
Andrew
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Very cool song from the sun to us mortal immortals. No nitpicky mixing comments.
Nitpicky Year of the Sun comment: there appear to be different uses of the term, one if I recall correctly is a tropical year as opposed to a sidereal one (just the amount of minutes in the year/s are slightly different). Another is to do with around 11 year solar cycles and 2026 (I think) is one in which sunspot activity reaches it active peak around August; but I've also seen 2024 given as a year of the sun, which if I recall correctly was to do with a total eclipse. I'm not aware of any culture having a Year of the Sun or years of planets in the solar system. Where does your Year of the Sun come from?
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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I think this is the first song I've heard that was written in the first person about the sun (which is sorely missed here right now). Very interesting lyrics, and as always, your singing is the highlight. Good work ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif)
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Uplifting lyrics with imagery full of light. Lovely vocal. Harmonies add a sweet complement to the gentle melody.
Last edited by Ezekiel's Storm; 11/24/25 06:19 PM.
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Hi, Beth. Nice song and vocals! I enjoyed listening. You said "appreciate nitpicky mixing comments", and I'm happy to oblige.  For me, the key question of mixes is: Can I hear everything?In this case, I can, so it's a success. But, if I were to be super-picky (my default mode), there's a certain "sameness" to much of the song. It's pleasant to hear, but the delineation between sections could be stronger. The song isn't "glued" together as tightly as it could be. The vocals are great, but a bit out of sync. For example, the opening lyrics "With..." at 0:25 and "solar" at 0:28 comes in a bit after the beat. I'd have gone back and shifted the vocal to land on the beat. At 0:52, the guitar chugs over the same chords while the piano does a riff. But since the guitar overpowers the piano, so it sounds like the song is treading water. At 1:11 at "ever shine", there's a sudden jump in volume. At 2:08, there's a nice change as you go into the verse again - excellent! But the guitar is chugging moments later. I would have liked to have more of a change - perhaps even dropping out the guitar for the entire verse, as substituting something else. That would make the return in the chorus even stronger. At 2:57 when the chorus kicks in, I'd have liked to hear drums. But they are mixed way, way in the back - so far that I wasn't sure they were in that part of the song. Without the lift the drums give, the chorus feels more like a continuation of the verse. I'd consider bringing the drums up in general, and as nice as the chugging guitar is, back it off more. Perhaps solo the piano, as it's constantly being buried by the guitars. I'd have put the cadence after 3:56 for a stronger ending. I'd probably also move the vocals more to the front, and turn down the reverb on the background vocals to make them a bit more subtle. Anyway, good job!
-- 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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Beth, this is an outstanding song. Great vocals, harmonies, and lyrics. You picked the perfect backing tracks. Great mix. I could find nothing to nitpick about.
IMHO this is your best to date. Thanks, Mario!
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"Feel my fire in your soul
Rivulets of gold"
Very good song, and I really dug the lyrics! Of course, a lot of pre-christian religions worshipped the sun. And then there's Stonehenge. But yes, since then, we've taken it for granted. Great vocal as always. Thank you!
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Wow, Beth. Super song! Always love your vocals, but especially love these. Something about the little vocal details, like your selective use of vibrato, gives the song an extra rhythmic, soulful heartbeat. Sweet harmonies and BGVs, too. Nice backing arrangement that provides all the necessary support but never gets in the way. Top shelf in every detail. Sorry for the lack of nitpicky comments. I'll try harder next time. The older I get, the less "selective" my vibrato is, but I'm glad it works here. Thanks for listening.
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Hi Beth!
Good one!
This is a different lyrical theme - the sun in the first person - I keep reading the lyrics and feel it could be a metaphor also - someone constantly giving out - not seeking in return - but being taken for granted? Maybe or not. I’ve had three listens now and it’s pulling me in - like there’s a new layer each time.
Cool song!
Andrew Could be metaphorical...though in this case, it isn't meant to be. Glad it pulled you in. I like a song that unfolds with listens.
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Very cool song from the sun to us mortal immortals. No nitpicky mixing comments.
Nitpicky Year of the Sun comment: there appear to be different uses of the term, one if I recall correctly is a tropical year as opposed to a sidereal one (just the amount of minutes in the year/s are slightly different). Another is to do with around 11 year solar cycles and 2026 (I think) is one in which sunspot activity reaches it active peak around August; but I've also seen 2024 given as a year of the sun, which if I recall correctly was to do with a total eclipse. I'm not aware of any culture having a Year of the Sun or years of planets in the solar system. Where does your Year of the Sun come from? Hi Chay, I had to look it up myself. It's a sun year in numerology. 2+0+2+6 = 10 1+0=1 Go figure!
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Thanks for listening and commenting, BD and Scott.
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Hi, Beth. Nice song and vocals! I enjoyed listening. You said "appreciate nitpicky mixing comments", and I'm happy to oblige. For me, the key question of mixes is: Can I hear everything?In this case, I can, so it's a success. But, if I were to be super-picky (my default mode), there's a certain "sameness" to much of the song. It's pleasant to hear, but the delineation between sections could be stronger. The song isn't "glued" together as tightly as it could be. The vocals are great, but a bit out of sync. For example, the opening lyrics "With..." at 0:25 and "solar" at 0:28 comes in a bit after the beat. I'd have gone back and shifted the vocal to land on the beat. At 0:52, the guitar chugs over the same chords while the piano does a riff. But since the guitar overpowers the piano, so it sounds like the song is treading water. (fixed this I hope)At 1:11 at "ever shine", there's a sudden jump in volume. (fixed this I hope) At 2:08, there's a nice change as you go into the verse again - excellent! But the guitar is chugging moments later. I would have liked to have more of a change - perhaps even dropping out the guitar for the entire verse, as substituting something else. That would make the return in the chorus even stronger. Yes, good suggestion!At 2:57 when the chorus kicks in, I'd have liked to hear drums. But they are mixed way, way in the back - so far that I wasn't sure they were in that part of the song. Without the lift the drums give, the chorus feels more like a continuation of the verse. I'd consider bringing the drums up in general, and as nice as the chugging guitar is, back it off more. Perhaps solo the piano, as it's constantly being buried by the guitars. (fixed the drums I hope)I'd have put the cadence after 3:56 for a stronger ending. I'd probably also move the vocals more to the front, and turn down the reverb on the background vocals to make them a bit more subtle. Anyway, good job! Ah, thanks, David. I can always count on you to catch the things my ears can't. Thanks for the generosity with that! Appreciated and I'll see what I can improve.
Last edited by BYOBand; 11/27/25 09:34 AM.
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I finally learned how to quote comments!!!!!! It's only been over a year. 
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Hmmm. Another way to see it is that the Sun doesn't look for thanks, but rather gives it to all in gratitude for giving it a reason to be. Nah.
What a wonderful song, Beth. Your vocal is terrific, and I love the harmony you add. Such a good write and excellent production.
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Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Mac Videos
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