Soundcloud: What it takes
YouTube: What it takes
Soundcloud: Original Band-in-a-Box .MGU _BRITPOP.STY

I realise not everyone wants to read this - TLDR!

DEVELOPMENT
The importance of smiling. Just a small thing, but it can help people who are struggling - letting them know there are others who are for them and not against them. Back when I worked in a school, all staff were encouraged to smile and say 'hi' to all students because it might make all the difference to a student struggling with mental health, bullying, or domestic issues. So this is all about the power of humans making a difference - no matter how small. The video starts with crowds - smiles - pensive smiles ... reflecting the mood swings we each can experience. There is something very captivating about seeing people's faces up close. This song was a definite attempt lyrically to write a song that takes a positive outlook 'to make the whole world smile again'. Being a natural pessimist, I've had to work my whole adult life to cultivate a positive attitude and I can now say that it comes naturally to me.

I've lost track of when I wrote this song exactly, but I think in 2022 or 2023? The chord progression for verses and chorus came first, followed by lyrics, with the bridge chords and lyrics added later. Many times, I start with a blank BIAB chord sheet, plug in a major or minor chord depending on how I'm feeling, then go 'style shopping'. Often, the style might give me an idea. I'm pretty sure that is how this one started. Usually, I start with a chord progression, then melody, then see where that takes me. On the recording, I played all instruments except the drums, with some rudimentary keys in the choruses based on the _BRITPOP style (see Soundcloud link to original .MGU from BIAB). I wrote the verse chord progression specifically using the minor iv chord which I can be accused of over-using: the progression goes E - G#m - D - A - F#m - Am. I will often use borrowed chords in my songs.

Just recently, I decided the song was recorded too slow and needed a harmony in the chorus. Unfortunately, I lost access to the original mix in Cakewalk Sonar in what I refer to as my 'great Cakewalk core suite plug-in conspiracy' of February 2026. In this remix, I imported the mp3 into Reaper, sped up by 5 BPM and added a harmony line to the chorus.

RECORDING
Style is _MESSIN.STY (Messin Around Funky Blues). I initially dabbled with the idea of using _BRITPOP.STY, but as I had used that style twice before, I decided not to overplay a good thing. I have attached a link to the export from BIAB using that style.

RealTracks in style: 2260:Bass, Electric, FunkyGroove60s Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 1998:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm JazzFunkGroovin Ev16 110
RealTracks in style: 3245:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm FunkyBluesSol ev16 090
RealDrums in Song:FunkRock^01-a:Closed Hat , b:Open Hat

Me:
Main vocal - triple tracked but with 2 and 3 panned L and R with subdued volume
Harmony vocal on the chorus
Bass
Rhythm guitars x 2
Lead guitar arpeggio in the bridge
Acoustic piano in choruses using LABS 'Acoustic Grand' virtual instrument
Mixed originally in Cakewalk by Bandlab and tweaked in Reaper using the Cakewalk mp3.

LYRICS
It’s probably best that you don’t study these lyrics too closely – they’re not 'cohesive'. The main message of the song is best understood by viewing the YouTube video. I've attached a chordsheet.

VERSE 1
Will I have what it takes to make the whole world smile again?
Please won’t you join me, or support me?

VERSE 2
This place is prone to mistakes, but them’s the breaks – I’ll give it a try
It won’t destroy me, or send me under…

CHORUS 1
Grounded through my own noise, I come up for air and I’m lucid as hell
If only I could hear my own words, they’d give me the wind to fill my own sail

VERSE 3
The cut and the thrust – it’s all bluster and dust, and I’m looking it in the eye
To see who blinks first - it won’t be me

VERSE 4
The ghosts they follow me through forests and hallways, I don’t look sideways at them
They think they have the power, but they aren’t…

CHORUS 2
Grounded through my own earth, I have no illusions, I have no myths
Determined to drive this thing through, I’m steadfast in heart, determined in mind

BRIDGE
Will it take me anywhere? Am I lost? I don’t care.
Taking steps is more than half the fun
What will I find? I don’t know. Never will if I don’t go
I’ll write back and tell you when I’m done

VERSE 5
Will I have what it takes to make the whole world smile again?
Please won’t you join me - for another round?

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
What it takes chordsheet.png (37.08 KB, 98 downloads)
Regards,
Andrew D
Adelaide, Sth Aust
Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/SQE4btVvNVkLq74e9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewoftheantipodes