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#883975 Yesterday at 08:52 PM
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Soundcloud: Worth it in the end
YouTube: Worth it in the end


TLDR

INSPIRATION and DEVELOPMENT
This song is my response to our group songwriting challenge to use the chord progression C - G - D - A - E featured in 'Hey Joe' by Jimmi Hendrix. You can see K-Dub Ya’s response to that challenge here.

I was inspired by the Neil Finn penned song 'One step ahead' by NZ band Split Enz which inspired the bass, rhythm guitar and synth parts - the latter being a nod to Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner. For those interested, here is a link to One step ahead where you can hear the wonderful synth work by Eddie Rayner.

Lyrically, the song is about how my wife and I made sacrifices (not purely financial) from our younger years - a classic 'hare and tortoise' tale, thus giving rise to the thumbnail pic used. The style of music has a [?] feel to it, and while the message of the lyrics is a positive one, I can sometimes look back on my past with feelings of grief or loss that I will not live those times again. The guitar solo is used to move time ahead quickly through life events, and this is also reflected in the bridge 'Time can move at two speeds – sometimes fast, and meanwhile slow'.

RECORDING
Style is _FRAGMNT.STY (Fragment Torpid-Strum Slo Grunge) - tracks with strikeout were not used.
RealTracks in song: 1009:Bass, Electric, HardRockThrash Ev 085 – replaced by my bass
RealTracks in style: 667:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SouthernRock Ev 085 (A:sync)
RealTracks in style: 3736:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm GrungeSlowDistPower8ths Ev 080
RealTracks in song: 5020:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm HardRockSlowChugAB ev 90
RealTracks in song: 4157:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModCountryPopSoftPowerChug Ev 090 - replaced by my rhythm guitar
RealTracks in song: 3348:Guitar, Electric, Soloist HazyBallad ev16 070 – used during Solo and chorus 4 only with 'Doubler' impulse response using ReaVerb
RealDrums in style:RockSouthernEv^1-a:Snare, Open HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Other RealTracks used in song:
The following synths were only used in sections of the song:
VERSE 2
2582 Synth Rhythm Muted Melody Ev16
CHORUS 1
2265 Synth Bell Pad Rhythm 80s Pop Melodic Ev
2267 Synth Bell Pad Rhythm 80s Pop Melodic Ev
VERSE 3
2326 Synth Background JazzFunk Lead Ev
5047 Synth Rhythm Hyperwave Edge 16 Pulse Ev16
5051 Synth Background PinkLights Bendy Melodic Ev16
SOLO
2581 Synth Rhythm Pop Bell 8ths Ev
CHORUS 2
1742 Synth Rhythm Modern Dance PopRave Strings Held Ev
BRIDGE
5045 Synth Rhythm Hyperwave 16 Stabber Ev16
5046 Synth Background Hyperwave Simple Melodies Ev16
CHORUS 3
2746 Synth Rhythm AltHipHop Pad 8ths Ev16 – Chorus 3
CHORUS 4
2746 Synth Rhythm AltHipHop Pad 8ths Ev16 – Chorus 3
1749 Synth Rhythm Modern Dance PopOctave 16ths A-B Ev

My recordings used in song:
Rhythm guitar – chugging style + double in Bridge
Guitar tremolo in Bridge
Bass – with low pass to remove fret noise
Vocal doubled, but second set -7.5db and 18% left
Harmony vocal in Verse 3

Mixed and arranged in Reaper.

LYRICS
(Lyrics and chords in attachment)
VERSE 1
Though it took its time and I sacrificed so much
It’s given all I touch
I don’t have to pretend, it’s all worth it in the end

VERSE 2
Walking by my side, you kept the dream from red
The wound was in my head
Scars will start to mend, it’s all worth it in the end

CHORUS 1
Seems such a long time ago, what did we see? What did we know?
Appearing such a long way to go, who would we be? How would we grow?

VERSE 3
Playing hard to get, our pockets filled with hands
But it wasn’t sands
We never were to bend, it’s all worth it in the end

CHORUS 2
Seems such a long time ago, what did we see? What did we know?
Appearing such a long way to go, who would we be? How would we grow?

BRIDGE
Time can move at two speeds – sometimes fast, and meanwhile slow
Love can also take its time and moving quick will turn out fine for all

CHORUS 3
Seems such a long time ago, what did we see? What did we know?
Appearing such a long way to go, who would we be? How would we grow?
Seems such a long time ago, what did we see? What did we know?
Appearing such a long way to go, who would we be? How would we grow?

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
Chordsheet - Worth it in the end.png (37.63 KB, 17 downloads)
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Cool song, Andrew. Definitely captured that Split Enz vibe. The Finn brothers are amazing.

Super theme and lyrics. A very clean arrangement, though I can see/hear that a LOT of work went into building the sections. It all fits together seamlessly and sounds GREAT.

Love your vocals and vocal FX chain on this. Quite a lovely sound and worth repeating in my opinion.

Another bright, shiny pop gem. Love it.


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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Andrew,

You have an amazing ability to create these pop wonders. This is an awesome song and performance. Love the arrangement and mix as well.

So well done!

Bob

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Pretty cool song, even though I wasn't quite sure what to make of it at first.
But it really grows on you.
A good story of life well told (and sung) in a slightly mysterious way.
Interesting (and I mean that in a positive way) smile

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