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Link: That Doesn't Make Sense A brief review of some random thoughts about the year 2025 from the perspective of someone who is not particularly pleased with the current state of the world. A quiet protest song. And, yep, the intro of the video doesn't make sense. That's exactly the point. Comments, advice, and feedback of any kind are very welcome! Some technical information: Lyrical advisor and master of motivation: Marty Style: _PIANOLN.STY The band:Drums, PopCountry16th, SkaSlow70sWes (without kick) Bass: 1592 Guitars: 407, 522, 694, 852, 2x3931, 4158, 4388 Synths: 1265 Piano: 2024 Vocals: AI (at least I was told) Tracks Stats for those interested:BIAB: 13x AI: 1x You can find the lyrics in the next post.
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Title: That Doesn't Make Sense
(Intro)
Experts share insights into the camera light
With sponsored answers, dressed up as facts
Since when does truth start needing a brand?
That doesn’t make sense, their version of right
(Verse)
My country sends money to wars far away
And I have to check my balance before I fill my tray
No one asked me if I’m okay with that
That doesn’t make sense, no matter what they say
(Pre-Chorus)
They say it would be easy if we’d just agree
But I see fakes where facts used to be
Since when is doubt a crime?
That doesn't make sense, at least not to me
(Chorus)
I scroll, I pay, I nod and agree
I’m told it’s all normal, there's nothing to see
I try to keep up with the life I should lead
Yeah, that seems to make sense, but not to me
(Verse)
They change the rules and call it progress
But I am still learning last year's process
Is confusion part of the plan?
That doesn't make sense if this is success
(Bridge)
They say privacy is overrated these days
My phone knows more about me than my friends
It does not make sense
(Chorus)
I scroll, I pay, I nod and agree
I’m told it’s all normal, there's nothing to see
I try to keep up with the life I should lead
Yeah, that seems to make sense, but not to me
(Bridge)
I work, I wait, I do what I’m told
I buy the dream even when it’s old
I’m chasing a future that’s already sold
Yeah, that does make sense, or so I’m told?
(Chorus)
I scroll, I pay, I nod and agree
I’m told it’s all normal, there's nothing to see
I try to keep up with the life I should lead
Yeah, that seems to make sense, but not to me
(Outro)
I work, I wait, but now I'm too old
To buy a dream that’s already sold
And now it makes sense
At least I was told
Last edited by B.D.Thomas; 01/17/26 01:49 PM. Reason: Lyrics added
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Excellent song, Brian, and "That doesn't Make Sense" makes total sense to me in that the state to the world today is totally senseless! Re the MSM - Meanstream Media - there's a cartoon around of a news studio and just before the news begins the producer shouts, "Lights! … Camera! … Fiction!"  Re your reply to my comment on "Winter, Berlin City West" where you mention my poem, "The Lost Ones", you've given me an idea for a future project. It would be difficult, but it could be rewritten as an epic song, or it could be spoken over an apt backing track - a female voice would give it best feeling - though as things decline I'd need to add 3 more verses (!) as the poem was written in 2008.
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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Very cool, B.D.
Such a poetic take on a year that's violently shattered so many norms. I'm an optimist, and believe in my heart that we'll come out of all of this stronger. But at what cost? Time will tell.
The sparce production is quite gorgeous. Love the pathos of your vocalist and the overall vocal performance. I might be hearing a bit more sibilance than usual, but that adds to the intimacy to my ears. Certainly doesn't detract from the beauty of the song in the least.
Didn't watch the video, but REALLY love your song. Songs about something important are...something.
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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Hi B.D.!
A very thought-provoking song - and I was somewhat distracted by the issues raised in your lyric that I sometimes forgot to focus on the music - and maybe that's the point?
Musically, I liked your use of dynamics and arrangement change throughout the song to provide contrast - some passages in anger/frustration - others in reflection and resignation. I detected the I - V - vi - IV progression in parts but didn't follow through to see where else it went - that progression still sounds fresh.
What I don't understand - irrespective of the context - is why people can be happy to support (or at least comply with or tolerate) some of this stuff - and apparently there's a whole psychology to that.
Good song!
Andrew
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As protest songs go, I'd place it up there with the works of Dylan, Simon, Guthrie, and Paxton.
This one has a modern vibe to fit the times we are living in. Insightful and thought-provoking, the quiet, reflective mood of the music adds to rather than detracts from the hard-hitting lyrics (as did Paul Simon's "Side Of A Hill").
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B.D.,
An excellent emotional review of the times we are living in. Excellent lyrics, song production and video.
So well done.
Bob
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Brian, this is a masterpiece.
A protest song about what is happening set to music - brilliant.
Loved the arrangement.
The Synth vocal was fantastic as was the mix.
The lyrics took it over the top for me"
"Is confusion part of the plan?", I think confusion along with control is the plan. When an OB-GYM can't answer can a man have a baby and a Supreme Court Justice can't answer what is a woman I know that were are in big trouble. YMMV
Loved the song.
Love is grand.
Divorce is twenty grand!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Excellent song, Brian, and "That doesn't Make Sense" makes total sense to me in that the state to the world today is totally senseless! Re the MSM - Meanstream Media - there's a cartoon around of a news studio and just before the news begins the producer shouts, "Lights! … Camera! … Fiction!" Re your reply to my comment on "Winter, Berlin City West" where you mention my poem, "The Lost Ones", you've given me an idea for a future project. It would be difficult, but it could be rewritten as an epic song, or it could be spoken over an apt backing track - a female voice would give it best feeling - though as things decline I'd need to add 3 more verses (!) as the poem was written in 2008. Thank you for listening and your nice comment, Chay. Yes, "Fiction" - I should have used this in my lyrics as well. Maybe next time. As for your poem, I wouldn't write any more verses. It's a snapshot of your thoughts and feelings at that point in time.
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Hi, B.D. Excellent sound, but the vocal is uncomfortably crispy to my ears. Then again, I'm getting over a cold, so that might have some influence. Other than that, nothing bad to say: good write, good production, sounds great. Well, the emphasis on the first word feels like it falls on the second syllable instead of the first, because the second pitch is higher, which is weird to my brain. And that's being really nit-picky. Nicely done!
-- 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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Well, that makes perfect sense to me. So what does that say about me?
Good song.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Hi BD.
This is superb listening. I love the music and lyrics and the way you have arranged them. As I listened to the lyrics, I couldn't help but reflect on the turbulent times of today. Currently, it's a world run by the mega-rich at the expense of the ordinary person. Fortunately, here in Australia the impact is less than it is in places like the USA, the UK and the Middle East. That said, we do have some noisy groups of people who try to control what we say and do. This song really resonated with me.
Very impressive writing, creating and producing. Your use of AI was superb. Everything sounded authentic to me.
--Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2026
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As I said over on YT: Wonderful song, and the lyrics are spot on.
I'm a huge fan of your productions, just a pleasure to listen to. Well done!
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The singing is particularly well done, and the variations give the song a great rhythm. The video is also well-produced. It's a beautiful piece of work.
Laurent
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B.D.,
Solid production, good arrangement.
I like the breathy vocal. Emotive.
Good write. Important messsages.
Love the chorus. Catchy with a cool melody.
"Sense" seems to be least of what is driving things today.
That's not going to stop. All "control" has been obliterated
Cool song. Keep 'em coming.
fj.
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Very cool, B.D.
Such a poetic take on a year that's violently shattered so many norms. I'm an optimist, and believe in my heart that we'll come out of all of this stronger. But at what cost? Time will tell.
The sparce production is quite gorgeous. Love the pathos of your vocalist and the overall vocal performance. I might be hearing a bit more sibilance than usual, but that adds to the intimacy to my ears. Certainly doesn't detract from the beauty of the song in the least.
Didn't watch the video, but REALLY love your song. Songs about something important are...something. Thanks Ron, your feedback is (as always) much appreciated ![[Linked Image - Only viewable when logged in]](https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/images/icons/default/thumbs_up.gif) I'm actually a (hopeless) optimist too, I have no idea why I write so many sad songs. Maybe I should read less news... The sibilants (even though I also don't like them 100%) are intentional. When I polish the vocals (as I usually do and have tried to do here as well), the young singer loses her naive and innocent character, which for me is the most important part of her vocals.
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Hi B.D.!
A very thought-provoking song - and I was somewhat distracted by the issues raised in your lyric that I sometimes forgot to focus on the music - and maybe that's the point?
Musically, I liked your use of dynamics and arrangement change throughout the song to provide contrast - some passages in anger/frustration - others in reflection and resignation. I detected the I - V - vi - IV progression in parts but didn't follow through to see where else it went - that progression still sounds fresh.
What I don't understand - irrespective of the context - is why people can be happy to support (or at least comply with or tolerate) some of this stuff - and apparently there's a whole psychology to that.
Good song!
Andrew Thank you, Andrew, for your great feedback! Yes, the lyrics should be the focus of this song. The progression is indeed I - V - vi - IV, with the pre-chorus and the bridge using IV - V - vi - I and I - V - vi - V. Good ears 
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What a great write Brian,
All very relatable to the current era, and I feel you've hit the nail on the head with all the lyrics. It emphasises the current feeling of helplessness and feeling of being sold out by corporate and political greed. As well as the great moral message of the song, the production and feel matched perfectly.
Enjoyed it immensely, kind regards.
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Hi, BD. The melancholy music and the "doesn't make sense" lyrics work very well together. "It doesn't make sense to me" is a line that really sticks and is a very good hook through the song. It's the kind of songwriting our world needs now to show everyone what's really going on.
Thank you...very well done!
John
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An excellent song with your usual impeccable production. Vocal sounded really good. To me, the lyrics are just vague enough that both liberals and conservatives might "claim" this song. I might be off base here. Perhaps neither side has a right to it. Not suggesting a conversation should start, of course.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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