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?
This is a good song, Andrew. The lyrics were ingenuous, which I found appealing. I liked both the verse and chorus, and the musicianship was fine. Good work, you're quite the prolific one!
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The sound of your song reminds of the British band from the end of the 1960s, like the Move. Sweet song. I can't give feedback of the lyrics, because English is not my native tanguage.
Another cool one, Andrew. Nice vocals and playing throughout. Especially ike your guitar fills/riffs. You made the right dynamic choice to add harmonies to the chorus. That's a wild bridge and it works perfectly. Craftily crafted and a fun listen...pop perfetion!
I always read your description, mostly because I'm fascinated by musicians who have a coherent method. Something for me to emulate for sure.
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
This is a good song, Andrew. The lyrics were ingenuous, which I found appealing. I liked both the verse and chorus, and the musicianship was fine. Good work, you're quite the prolific one!
Hi Rob! I am so used to hearing ‘disingenuous’, I had to look up the meaning of ‘ingenious’ - thank you! To quote Elliott Smith regarding how prolific I am, ‘Bottle up and explode’ is an apt label - like many here on the forum, I had a lot of pent up creativity which BIAB allowed me to release, realise, and grow. Of my forum posts since being a member, 50% are historic songs recorded or remixed, and the other 50% are newly written. This song was written in 2022/23 and is a remix. Thanks for listening!
Originally Posted by rsdean
Great song and vocals. Excellent guitars and a nice crisp mix. Enjoyed the video as well. You're making some good music these days!
Hi Bob! Yes, I am pretty pleased with my rhythm guitar style and lead fills on this song - the bridge worked out far better than I had imagined. Thank you for your comment on my music - I’m enjoying myself! Andrew
Originally Posted by Brno
The sound of your song reminds of the British band from the end of the 1960s, like the Move. Sweet song. I can't give feedback of the lyrics, because English is not my native tanguage.
Hi Esa! I am a deep listener of The Move / ELO / Wizzard / Roy Wood, so maybe there is a little of that coming out in my style? Probably. Thanks for listening! Andrew
Originally Posted by DC Ron
… I always read your description, mostly because I'm fascinated by musicians who have a coherent method. Something for me to emulate for sure.
Hi Ron! Likewise, I read most introductions and most comments of many posts. It is very interesting to understand what writers are intending and what listeners are hearing. We have contrasted our approaches in the Songwriting forum, and I am impressed at your ability to take another’s lyrics and render them to music while being true to them, whereas my songs are generally music first then lyrics. I have learned a lot both explicitly and implicitly through threads on this forum. Thanks for listening and your support! Love your work! Andrew
I'm surprised you see yourself as a natural pessimist! From my eyes, you always exude positivity to others, which I always put down to being a man of faith. You must disguise it well or lock it away when we get together……which leads me to thinking, what does he really feel about me!! (Kidding). Me, on the other hand, generally I can’t hide my negativity, what you see is the way I am. What’s that Beatle lyric “wearing a face that she keeps in a jar by the door, who is it for?” But it’s not difficult to be pessimistic at the moment…..
Enough chit-chat! Another good song that has a Neil Finn quality at the chorus and bridge. Nice lead arpeggio at the bridge. Oh to be so prolific!
Bloming acronyms, f e w nt t eek n lters I w b k os! I s a z! ….what does TLDR stand for?
Andrew, super guitar work and vocal The lyrics took it over the top for me; we need more smiles and laughter these days Super mix IMHO this is your best one to date
The bumper sticker said "I'm a veterinarian, therefore I can drive like an animal". Suddenly I realized how many proctologists are on the road.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
The song and the vocals really give off a 60s vibe. Very well done! I watched your YouTube video and actually started laughing right away at what you were doing; getting all those gloomy people to smile! And you put a really fun text to it. How do you come to that?
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