Christmas greetings from Adelaide, Australia! As I am likely to experience Christmas Day before most of you - at the same time as Knee Wobbler and Ghostgum, but after Izzy, Noel96, Audiotrack and rayc et al, I will let you know if it's not all that it's cracked up to be. As at time of posting, 7.5 hours to go. This will probably be my last song posting for 2025 and my last using BIAB2024. I’m about to upgrade overnight – downloading it through my chimney as it were. I have been a member of this User Showcase forum since 10th March this year and have posted 32 songs excluding this one – a combination of new songs and songs from my stockpile. I made the fatal early mistake of posting 3 songs in 3 days, and so those early song postings disappeared off the first page quickly. I can say in all honesty that I have appreciated all the feedback and comments, and hope that I have contributed back to you as well. In a strange way, I feel like I have made friends from all over the world but without actually having met or spoken to any of you – apart from Knee Wobbler whom I have known since we were lads. I’ve even listened to some country music! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!
DEVELOPMENT The music came at the same time as I was working on another song – both used the RealStyle ‘MESSIN’ so I had to get the idea down for this second song quickly before it disappeared! In my first mix of this song recorded in 2023 – which was used for the YouTube video – I recorded everything and also used my own acoustic guitar. On this remix, I have kept everything but added rhythm guitars 1259 and 4164, as well as importing a new stereo mix of the BIAB drums. The ‘run down’ in the chorus was written while doing the first recording session. It’s one of those unplanned, random ideas that has worked. The lyrics were inspired by stream of consciousness writing. I usually just let the lines fly then knock them into shape afterwards. I can be pleasantly surprised by the odd good line that comes out of this – 30% fluke; 70% hard work. The song's about activities I've been involved in over a long period and coming to the realisation it's not working – partly informed by my tiredness with work and looking forward to retirement (‘until a new day is dawned’). In summary, my creative timeline was …
BIAB Style discovered
Chords for verse and chorus
Lyrics for verses and chorus
Bridge music and lyrics
Chorus ‘run down’ line during recording
RECORDING SUMMARY Style is _MESSIN.STY (Messin Around Funky Blues) RealTracks in style: 2260:Bass, Electric, FunkyGroove60s Ev 100 Replaced with my own bass RealTracks in style: 1998:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm JazzFunkGroovin Ev16 110 RealTracks in song: 3245:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Funky Blues Sol Ev19 090 RealDrums in style:BluesRockFunky16ths^2-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Busy Snare, Bouncy Kick Utility tracks: RealTracks in song: 4164:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RockNewWave80sPowerChCleanMute Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 1259:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningRockA-B Ev 120
Me: Midi piano added via piano roll to BIAB Soloist track used in Chorus run down Bass Electric guitar x 2 used in Chorus run down Main vocal triple-tracked with tracks 2 and 3 subdued volume and panned L and R Backing vocals x 2 used in the Bridge Recorded and mixed in Cakewalk Sonar
LYRICS VERSE 1 Is it real or my imagination? When it comes to proof, am I wanting more? Fact and data – I’ve amassed a fortune, But on insight, I’ve been left poor
VERSE 2 Truth be told, I’ve told the truth but haven’t gotten nowhere This strange afflication’s got me rotten to the core This spinning wheel has left me feeling giddy And my thoughts scattered on the floor
CHORUS I can’t go - my hands are tied and weary, my fingers cut and torn I’ll keep it all inside me until a new day is dawned
VERSE 3 When I think about it, I have to laugh about it I can’t refute that it’s done me more than good I look for cues to speak despite me feeling breathless But I can’t say I would
CHORUS I can’t go - my hands are tied and weary, my fingers cut and torn I’ll keep it all inside me until a new day is dawned I can’t go - my hands are tied and weary, my fingers cut and torn I’ll keep it all inside me until a new day is dawned
BRIDGE Would I do it differently or would I choose the same if l had my time again? I can’t ignore the good it’s been; searching for the hope unseen, I can’t let go!
VERSE 4 Is it real or my imagination? When it comes to proof, am I wanting more? This spinning wheel has left me feeling giddy And my thoughts scattered on the floor
Merry Christmas, Early Bird. I better say Happy New Year now, too, because this planet must be spinning faster every day.
Love how this song builds --like apparently random thoughts that when put together in lyrics and with a ton of cool music accompaniment and your vocals it creates a fun sing-along. Thanks for all you do, Andrew.
Enjoy whatever happens! marty
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
Love the steady driving rhythm of this! It has a very strong mid 60's beatlesque vibe that evolves into a late 70's ELO vibe in the chorus. Love the chorus melody! You've done a fantastic job on this one!
Andrew, a belated Merry Christmas! It's Christmas Eve here.
Groovy little pop gem you've got here! Nice composition and arrangement, and love the way you've got the band supporting. Just a cool, classic rock/pop sound. Super playing and vocals, too! Don't hear many songs in the key of F# either. So A+++ for originality all the way around.
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Andrew, another catchy little number from you, you're quite good at these type of songs. I also liked the lyrics quite a bit - for a guy who says he struggles in that area, you did really well on this one. On my third listen...
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
Merry Christmas, Early Bird. I better say Happy New Year now, too, because this planet must be spinning faster every day. Love how this song builds --like apparently random thoughts that when put together in lyrics and with a ton of cool music accompaniment and your vocals it creates a fun sing-along. Thanks for all you do, Andrew.
Thank you Marty! Only early because of my geography – otherwise, musically I’m a late bloomer (or is that a late boomer?). Regarding random lyrics, one rationalisation is that with so many of us mis-hearing lyrics anyway (e.g. CCR ‘There’s a bathroom on the right’), who said they have to make good sense! My mind is full of random and quirky thoughts, so it would be wrong to hold them in! Merry Christmas to you and yours – and thanks for your listening ear, welcome, and encouragement over the last 10 months!
Originally Posted by Torrey Bliss
Andrew, Love the steady driving rhythm of this! It has a very strong mid 60's beatlesque vibe that evolves into a late 70's ELO vibe in the chorus. Love the chorus melody! You've done a fantastic job on this one! Take care, TB
Thanks Torrey! I’ll take The Beatles and ELO references any day – two bands that significantly shaped my musical ear. I taught myself how to play guitar by learning the chords to all songs from Sgt Pepper’s and Magical Mystery Tour albums, and Blue Jay Way introduced me to diminished chords. Merry Christmas and thanks for listening. Looking forwards to some more good stuff from you in 2026!
Originally Posted by DC Ron
Andrew, a belated Merry Christmas! It's Christmas Eve here. Groovy little pop gem you've got here! Nice composition and arrangement and love the way you've got the band supporting. Just a cool, classic rock/pop sound. Super playing and vocals, too! Don't hear many songs in the key of F# either. smile So A+++ for originality all the way around.
Thanks Ron – I am writing to you from 10:53 AM ACDT on Christmas Day and can confirm that Christmas Day is worth pursuing! I’ve never received an A+++ before, so I am wondering if I can retrospectively ask for a reappraisal of my final year high school music results – where I scored C-. Cool classic rock / little pop gem – I think the addition of the BIAB rhythm guitars (same ones I used on ‘Nervous’) have given this song some added drive. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and here’s hoping you don’t run out of your brother’s lyrics in 2026! (because I want to hear more.)
Originally Posted by TuneMonger
Andrew, another catchy little number from you, you're quite good at these type of songs. I also liked the lyrics quite a bit - for a guy who says he struggles in that area, you did really well on this one. On my third listen...
Thanks Rob! Yes, my musical mission is to write and record catchy melodic songs that distract listeners from my lyrics – but glad you liked them. Thank you for introducing me to ‘prosody’ during the year – I’m not perfect but the concept is front lobe for me now. Thanks for the multiple listens!
Originally Posted by rsdean
Andrew, Another awesome pop song. You have such a great touch with this style of music. Great stuff! Bob
Thanks Bob! I hope to keep pumping out more of this in 2026 and listening to more of yours as well – such excellent lyrics from you – amazing how much you can portray in a few words. My mother reckons I told her I have 2000 songs – no, drop a zero – but I still have quite a few to record, if only I could stop writing more! It’s a cross I have to bear. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and for your encouragement during the year – you are such a good encourager!
Merry Christmas to you all! Andrew Dee (Davies) Andrew of the antipodes
Cool Pop Sound. Nice use of BIAB and your additions. Good arrangement. Very catchy. Especially the chorus. Ear candy in the best sense of the word. Your vocals fit the style nicely, too. A very enjoyable song. Glad you found - and became a part of - the "community"...
Merry Christmas. Have fun (and share the results!) with your BIAB update...
One look at the waveform on SC and we knew we would like the mix. Moderate compression, subtle dynamics and no tracks stepping on each other ... yeah man.
We enjoyed the "connect your own dots" write and the cool band.
Fine performances by you.
And we are always down with a 70's classic rock sound.
Enjoyed it!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
Andrew a fantastic pop song. Super vocal. Great arrangement, loved that chord progression. Super mix. One of your best.
Thanks Mario! I knew I was onto something when that chord progression came out and I had some initial thoughts about the melody. I think the remix additions have served the song well. Thanks for listening!
Originally Posted by floyd jane
Cool Pop Sound. Nice use of BIAB and your additions. Good arrangement. Very catchy. Especially the chorus. Ear candy in the best sense of the word. Your vocals fit the style nicely, too. A very enjoyable song. Glad you found - and became a part of - the "community"... Merry Christmas. Have fun (and share the results!) with your BIAB update...
Thanks Floyd – yes, I think the descending line in the chorus worked really well, and there’s a couple of notes in there which are outside of the chord that give it some spice. Having been using BIAB since 2000-ish, I was surprised I hadn’t stumbled across the User Showcase forum before – but now glad I did. BIAB 2026 program installed and okay, but waiting for the hard disc delivery before I copy the new RT and styles – I have to rationalise my storage to fit it on. Thanks for listening!
Originally Posted by Janice & Bud
One look at the waveform on SC and we knew we would like the mix. Moderate compression, subtle dynamics and no tracks stepping on each other ... yeah man. We enjoyed the "connect your own dots" write and the cool band. Fine performances by you. And we are always down with a 70's classic rock sound. Enjoyed it!
Thanks for your good comments about this track. I’m really pleased with your mixing comments as that is one area I am relatively new at and constantly learning. This year, I honed my skills on space and dynamics, and learned about LUFS and limiting – thanks to this forum. Thanks for listening and your SC like as well.
Hope you had a good Chrissie and are now enjoying the post Christmas heat!!
You've been hard at work again with another song. The opening starts off nice and sedately, then builds with the bass pre-verse. I like the way you triple track the vocals, i just wonder if in this instance your vocal needs bringing forward. To my ear it sits back in the mix, but that could just be the effect of triple tracking and panning. Your vocal especially in the chorus is very strong and clear, excellent. I love the bass run down in the chorus. And then you've got a good change in musical and vocal direction in the bridge. Then the tempered outro works well and counters the intro. Another good one Andrew,
So if you've knocked out 32 in 10 months, we can expect 40 for all of 2026, right?
Catch up soon buddy. Struggling to knock together my next assignment...
Happy 2026 to you and all forum members. Hopefully we can all make our little pocket of the world a better place this year through music.
… Hope you had a good Chrissie and are now enjoying the post Christmas heat!!
You've been hard at work again with another song. The opening starts off nice and sedately, then builds with the bass pre-verse. I like the way you triple track the vocals, i just wonder if in this instance your vocal needs bringing forward. To my ear it sits back in the mix, but that could just be the effect of triple tracking and panning. Your vocal especially in the chorus is very strong and clear, excellent. I love the bass run down in the chorus. And then you've got a good change in musical and vocal direction in the bridge. Then the tempered outro works well and counters the intro. Another good one Andrew,
So if you've knocked out 32 in 10 months, we can expect 40 for all of 2026, right?
Catch up soon buddy. Struggling to knock together my next assignment...
Thanks Lee! Bracing myself for 39ºC tomorrow (102 ºF), so I’ll need to do an early morning walk.
The vocals might be the delay FX, or maybe I didn’t adjust them after adding the guitars? Probably not 40 in 2026 - I’ve still got some more to record and remix - so who knows!
Yeah I haven’t touched my idea for the next assignment for several weeks - I think because it’s a lyric assignment, I’m procrastinating.
Merry belated Christmas, mate! and happy New Year too! This track is a proper Britpop jewel— I’ve got to say, this one’s got legs… and by that, I mean groove, soul, and a proper British Invasion swagger that Ray Davies would probably lend you his spectacles to inspect.
Right from the intro, that MESSIN’ style kicks in like a mod stepping out of a 1965 phone box — all gritty cool and understated funk. The verse melody? Stone-cold brilliant. So strong and characterful that I found myself thinking: Do we really need multi-tracked vocals here? Your lead vocal already carries the weight of wisdom, weariness, and just the right amount of wry hindsight — like a man who’s seen too many spreadsheets but still remembers how to rock. Maybe save the doubles and pans for key lines you want to punctuate, rather than blanket coverage. Less chorus choir, more pub philosopher.
And the chorus — catchy as a wool jumper in a mulga bush — could really soar with just a touch more harmonic lift. A little 3rd or 5th in the backing vocals (especially on “I can’t go…” or “until a new day is dawned”) might give it that extra lift into the stratosphere. Right now it’s shuffling along nicely; with a bit more harmony, it could fly.
Lyrically, you’re doing something really relatable — that mid-life hum of “Have I been building something… or just running in circles?” It’s self-aware without being self-pitying, and lines like “Fact and data – I’ve amassed a fortune, but on insight, I’ve been left poor” are the kind of truths that sneak up on you between sips of tea. Classic case of stream-of-consciousness hitting the bullseye — 70% craft, 30% fluke? More like 100% resonance.
May your upgrade be smooth, your holiday restful, and your retirement (whenever it comes) gloriously loud.
Keep making excellent sonic art, as you’ve been doing so beautifully all year. I’ve loved the journey. Happy holidays, mate — enjoy the dawn of that new day, musical and otherwise.
... Merry belated Christmas, mate! and happy New Year too! ...
And to you too, man. Keep cool over your way and hopefully not too much tropical weatherwise coming your way.
Quote
...This track is a proper Britpop jewel— I’ve got to say, this one’s got legs… and by that, I mean groove, soul, and a proper British Invasion swagger that Ray Davies would probably lend you his spectacles to inspect. ...
Wow! You've named my sweet spot - so pleased you've plonked me in with esteemed company!
Quote
... Right from the intro, that MESSIN’ style kicks in like a mod stepping out of a 1965 phone box — all gritty cool and understated funk. The verse melody? Stone-cold brilliant. So strong and characterful that I found myself thinking: Do we really need multi-tracked vocals here? Your lead vocal already carries the weight of wisdom, weariness, and just the right amount of wry hindsight — like a man who’s seen too many spreadsheets but still remembers how to rock. Maybe save the doubles and pans for key lines you want to punctuate, rather than blanket coverage. Less chorus choir, more pub philosopher.
And the chorus — catchy as a wool jumper in a mulga bush — could really soar with just a touch more harmonic lift. A little 3rd or 5th in the backing vocals (especially on “I can’t go…” or “until a new day is dawned”) might give it that extra lift into the stratosphere. Right now it’s shuffling along nicely; with a bit more harmony, it could fly. ...
Hmmm - maybe I need to come out from the cover of my vocal insecurities and go single-track from time-to-time. You've given me some things to think about - I might have a go at those when I am looking to finalise the 'album playlist' this will be on. A man that's seen too many spreadsheets? Yep. There is a certain creativity in spreadsheeting, but it won't write or sing songs for you. Neither will accounting for off-balance sheet financing through compliance with recognition of right-of-use assets and liabilities! Glad I've left that world behind.
Quote
... Lyrically, you’re doing something really relatable — that mid-life hum of “Have I been building something… or just running in circles?” It’s self-aware without being self-pitying, and lines like “Fact and data – I’ve amassed a fortune, but on insight, I’ve been left poor” are the kind of truths that sneak up on you between sips of tea. Classic case of stream-of-consciousness hitting the bullseye — 70% craft, 30% fluke? More like 100% resonance. ...
I've always been strong on introspection and it's reflected in a number of my songs. I've been thinking I need to write a story song for a change, like ... 'there is a barber showing photographs of every head he's had the pleasure to know' kind of thing.
Quote
... May your upgrade be smooth, your holiday restful, and your retirement (whenever it comes) gloriously loud.
Keep making excellent sonic art, as you’ve been doing so beautifully all year. I’ve loved the journey. Happy holidays, mate — enjoy the dawn of that new day, musical and otherwise. ...
Thanks Izzy! Retirement has already arrived, and I hugged it like an unmarried secretary of the local church women's auxiliary would hug the local vicar. Looking forward to more of your songs as well! Andrew
The music seems to revolve like a spinning wheel. That's pretty clever how you did that. Great chorus! Nice slowdown in tempo at the end. How did you achieve that in your DAW?
My favorite line: "Truth be told, I’ve told the truth but haven’t gotten nowhere."
The music seems to revolve like a spinning wheel. That's pretty clever how you did that. Great chorus! Nice slowdown in tempo at the end. How did you achieve that in your DAW?
My favorite line: "Truth be told, I’ve told the truth but haven’t gotten nowhere."
Thanks Scott - I didn't set out to make the music 'revolve' other than it being a repeating 4-chord progression - chord progressions normally come first for me with lyrics and bridge competing for last place. While I can't remember exactly, I would have had the title before the lyrics and after the chords because I normally write to a title. So, any circular feel to the music is a fluke - or at best subconsciously created. It's not actually a slow down at the end - instruments still keep time but move to half bar notes - see attached screenshot from Cakewalk Sonar. This existed in the BIAB chords by using a hold for each two-beat chord as shown in the BIAB screenshot attached. I don't know about Cakewalk Sonar for tempo changes, but I mostly use Reaper as my DAW and I know that it can do tempo changes because I've stuffed up a song before by incorrectly using it. I've also been known to slow a song so that I can play and record a guitar solo when my fingers aren't quick enough to play it in normal time. I'm probably not the only one that does this. Thanks for listening! Andrew
Your music feels familiar, like something I've been gladly listening for decades, and still very Andrew-like. Excellent pop music with BIG and catchy chorus. The chord progression is pure gold. Your voice is genuinely enjoyable and the pleasant band makes it sound even stronger. Very interesting introspective lyrics, I especially felt there was wisdom in "I can’t ignore the good it’s been; searching for the hope unseen, I can’t let go". Hope to get more pop gems from you in 2026
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
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Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
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SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
As at time of posting, 7.5 hours to go.
So A+++ for originality all the way around.
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