Originally Posted by TuneMonger
There's a whole lot to like here. The intro really drew my interest and the ending was very good. The chorus was a bona fide, beautiful bit of music. You really outdid yourself there! I can't say enough good things about that chorus. BIAB's piano solo really fit well into the arrangement. Prosody was fine, BTW. The verse was where things fell down a bit for me. It didn't ruin things, it just wasn't up to the rest of the piece. It was a bit unmusical. Fortunately your arrangement repeated the chorus a lot and downplayed the verse. Smart move! Overall, the verse issue really didn't detract very much from what I agree is one of your best efforts to date. I really enjoyed this. Well done!
Thanks Rob! As alluded to in my summary, this song has a history in terms of verse vs chorus. I remember being so enthralled when the chorus dropped out of nowhere into my head, so it's always been a case for me of what verse should sit alongside it. In the end, I was happy that the verse was a contrast to that bright, sunny chorus. I also want to thank you for your encouragement about prosody - I am on the watch out for my lyrics now to have a 'smooth' lyric - I dropped a few syllables and unnecessary words in this version which were cluttering up the flow.
Originally Posted by rsdean
One of your very best. Such an interesting progression and a wonderful vocal. And an excellent mix tops this it off.
Thanks Bob! I like the negative harmony chord progression in the verse, but LOVE the chorus chords and melody. This reminds me of objectivity - we as songwriters become very familiar with our own songs and their history, and sometimes we hear it as an amalgam of that history, whereas a new listener has pure first-time exposure. I know it's not possible, but I'd love to be able to hear my songs as others hear them for the first time.
Originally Posted by MarioD
Andrew, this is fantastic
Loved that intro!
Great piano lead
Super vocal, lyrics, and mix
This brought be back to the 60's summer of love!
Thanks Mario! Yes, I think that intro sets the scene - I had it this way from the first recording I did. I fluked it with the piano solo - I was looking for something that 'rang out' and percussive in nature, and that piano solo popped up in my first search in BIAB and remember thinking 'That'll do'. Also, the section of the soloist in the solo section of my song worked really well without slicing and dicing, so all I then did was use automation to swing the track back and forth from right to left. While I was only 9 - 11 y.o., the period '69 to '73 is my own historic summer - it just feels like that period held a lot of enthusiasm, positivity and beaches - and songs like this take me to that era. Of course, I realise that time can be rather dark for veterans and others.
Originally Posted by K-Dub Ya
What an uplifting song, that chorus lifted my sombre feeling this morning….what with the cold night, grey yesterday and other happenings. I thought the intro was going to take us down a Strawberry Fields path just for a moment, or take us on another instrumental. The melodica fits in and suits very nice indeed.
Thanks Lee! Yes, it is uplifting, and I know what you mean about our miserable weather ATM (for Adelaide anyway). There have been a couple of times in the last few weeks when the sun has been out and I've gone out the back of our place and just let the sun warm me. Being an early riser, I love it when I can lift the blinds and let the morning light come in the windows. My mum always said she felt she suffered from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and one of the reasons that they emigrated.
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I know you were still a fledging songwriter back in 2001, but you still had all the hallmarks then. I can only imagine the number of songs you still have to plunder and can refine even more.
I can see how my songwriting has evolved over the years. Back in those days, I struggled to find lyrics which is why I have a few instrumentals lying around awaiting attention. I also have lots of half-finished songs over the years (e.g. a verse looking for a chorus and vice versa), so my work is never done.
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Nice to see you out and about promoting the state too on the video, has SA Tourism got you on a retainer! Can't beat Granite Island and Victor in the sunshine.
I was pleasantly surprised to see Granite Island and Victor Harbor appear in the Clipchamp video library, and like many of us, we've spent summer holidays in that town. Fond memories.
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Looking forward to getting some sunshine and heat in England….can’t believe that I'm even saying that! It’s been so cold (by our standards), I have just about had enough of winter this year.

Thank you for such a positive song, I needed it…. everyone needs it.

Anyhow, must fly….literally! See you soon buddy.
You're welcome! Safe travels, and hope to hear from you occasionally while away. Maybe a pic from you drooling over a guitar at Noisy Hammer? (I can't find many guitar shops in N*****k).

Andrew

Regards,
Andrew D
Adelaide, Sth Aust
Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/SQE4btVvNVkLq74e9
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewoftheantipodes