Small Town Boy (What Am I Doing Here?)

I can relate to these lyrics (not mine) about the duality of the big city. Spent most of my life working in big cities, but still consider myself a small town boy...

Haven't used a LOT of soul styles, though most of them sound really good to me. I just don't normally compose organically in soul styles. Not this time though. Every instrument in this song is from the 2026 _SWOLLEN.STY soul RealStyle.

The song is a bit longer and more simple in construction than most of ours, so I I'm selectively resting instruments in each section for dynamic effect. And for the bridge I'm switching the pair of guitars to held notes for variety. Am also using harmonies and BGVs to keep the arrangement from lying TOO flat. Not sure I succeeded in sustaining interest, but I didn't want to pump the song up TOO much dynamically. It's just not that kind of song...

When we release the single we'll probably cut the 3rd verse/chorus to be more radio friendly. Ha!

THANKS in advance for any listens and comments!

R.W. Davis: lyrics
Me: music, arrangement, vocals, mix, master
AI: not employed

Style is _SWOLLEN.STY (Swollen Americana Soul Groove)
RealTracks in style: 4855:Bass, Acoustic, SoulJazzGroovinFunk Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 2906:Piano, ElectricVintage, Rhythm BluesyPopMike Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 4233:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Soul70sRelaxed Ev 100
RealTracks in style: 3716:Guitar, Baritone Acoustic, Rhythm AmericanaFolkStrum Ev 110
RealDrums in style:Americana16GroovinBrushFred^1-a,b:Brushes,Toms

SMALL TOWN BOY (What Am I Doing Here?)

The sidewalk is crowded
All the girls are pretty
What am I doing here
In new New York City?

Time Square is glistening
The lights are all too bright
What am I doing here?
The big city at night

You know, I’ll always be a small town boy
That this metropolis tries to destroy
The life they offer is hard to enjoy
Chasing their shiny things like a decoy
Running out in traffic, oh boy

The Rockettes are dancing
And they’re sold out tonight
What am I doing here?
I must not be too bright

Broadway is gearing up
For a well-reviewed show
What am I doing here?
I just don’t want to go

You know, I’ll always be a small town boy
That this metropolis tries to destroy
The life they offer is hard to enjoy
Chasing their shiny things like a decoy
Running out in traffic, oh boy

The taxis are yellow
No one waits for the light
What am I doing here?
I better grab a bite

The food on the corner
Is expensive at best
What am I doing here?
You never would have guessed

You know, I’ll always be a small town boy
That this metropolis tries to destroy
The life they offer is hard to enjoy
Chasing their shiny things like a decoy
Running out in traffic, oh boy

Like a dog who catches a car
What do I do now?
It doesn't matter anyhow
It doesn't matter anyhow
Everything I see seems a little highbrow

You know, I’ll always be a small town boy
Running out in traffic…

DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)