This is a "girl song". I have an earlier recording of this song.
The tracks to that were produced by a top Nashville producer. They were gorgeous.
The vocal, however, was not what the song deserved.
One listener (who KNOWS how to sing) commented, "She sounds like she's READING it!"

So... it needed to be redone...renewed...reborn. With emotion.
So I asked someone who I knew would treat it the way it should be treated...

Janice Merritt. My undying thanks to her for singing this... as it should be sung...

Thanks for listening. Comments encouraged.


THAT OLD CAR


when i was two months shy of birthday number six
my new baby brother appeared
no one had the time to play
i felt like i was in the way
so i ran away to the backseat of dad's chevrolet

if i could just get that old car started
i could drive until the heartache disappeared
just me and raggedy ann
and a kitten we call sam
mom and dad would miss us when we parted
if i could just get that old car started

that fairlane parked in our backyard
would be mine come graduation in june
when mom complained i didn't pull my weight
and dad disapproved of the boys i'd date
the window facing that ford was my favorite view

if i could just get that old car started
i could drive until the heartaches disappeared
i knew a winding country road
that could lighten any load
behind the wheel i wouldn't feel so broken-hearted
if i could just get that old car started

with the radio on and the wind in my hair
i could drive away my cares

i do the best that i can now
two kids, too many bills, too little time
i've got a rambler filled with rust and rot
my mechanic says the rings are shot
but this prayer's been my saving grace since i was a child

if i can just get that old car started
i'll drive until the heartache disappears
when i'm feeling this unsure
the highway holds the cure
when i get back i'll face the world strong-hearted
if i can just get that old car...
i don't need to go far..
i will get that old car started


The Band:
RealTracks in style: ~700:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesPush Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~~2051:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1601:Mandolin, Rhythm Pop16Melodic Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~363:Pedal Steel, Background Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 377:Guitar, Resonator, Background Trav Ev 088
RealTracks in song: 1690:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopPromise Ev16 100
RealDrums in Song: NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

Vocals and Harmonies: Janice Merritt
Additional "Harmony Overtones": the BIABettes


Have at it.

floyd

Floyd,

Another very fine job! Great production and vocals (I never get tired of hearing that girl sing). I really like the mandolin part... wouldn't mind hearing a little more of it in the last verse or chorus.

Good stuff!

Greg

Wouldnt touch a thing - 'cept maybe replace the shot rings!!
I love a song that tells a good story. We've all been there I guess and Janice's voice is note perfection in getting the message over.
The harmonies are feeler gauge close and cut in and out at just the right places too.
Oven-ready production too - just needs some "Air Play".
cheers
ian

Outstanding writing, Janice sang it beautifully; thanks for sharing!

Hi Floyd and Janice...

Is this a great song or what?????? And Janice has the absolute perfect voice for it! love the lyric and the simplicity of the arrangement was a perfect fit. The b'g voices were fantastic. Was that Janice on several tracks?

What impressed us was how real and natural this sounds. It's more like she's telling a story in song rather than singing, per se. It just falls from her lips so naturally. What a great song and a wonderful voice to take it where it needs to be. Kudos to both of you...it was fantastic!

Al & Di

I enjoyed the mandolin intro...

and of course Janice (and Janice) hit it out of the park

great use of BIAB, all instruments in the pocket!

a wonderful mix all around

and how did you get that guitar chord at the end?

Hi Floyd.

You're just a big softy at heart, aren't you? I got all choked up listening to this one!

I hope you put something nice in the mail to Janice, 'cos she really did you proud on this track. A fabulous song and a spot-on backing for Janice to sing to. Another one from the country chart.

ROG.

Floyd, sensational. Really nice listening, and Janice has done an absolutely marvelous job with vocals and harmonies.

That song has received Justice by Janice.

Your work is always fantastic. This is certainly no exception.

Thanks for sharing
Trevor

Hi Floyd (and Janice),

you've done it again. I love your stories.
A great production.
And I've never heard Janice singing so powerfully.
An enjoyment, indulgence, pleasure, relish to listen.

Guenter

Ha Ha! Good one Ian.

Floyd and Janice
All I can say is WOW WOW WOW. Absolutely outstanding. Janice's vocals really suit the style of this one. I hear an inkling of Linda Rohnstad in there...Love the sentiment and the arrangement. Keep them coming...

Another excellent jane/Merritt production.

(Note to self: Add to 2014 Fj Bootleg CD)



Regards,

Bob

I really enjoy hearing Janice song..... great interpretation of the song.

good song.

floyd, Great write. The mix is perfecto. Your usual stellar editing. Janice's interpretation of the lyrics and sentiment is is so perfect I can't imagine anyone else singing this. She absolutely owns the song. I sit back and close my eyes and am transported to another plane. Super job both of you. Tom

Top shelf. A heartfelt, well-written song, great mix and excellent vocals.

Great stuff!! Beautifully written-tangible and real! Love the transition in the song where the car becomes a metaphor for escape from the stresses of life. Again, great stuff!!

Greg - thanks for the listen and the comments...

Ian - Appreciate that! Oven-ready, eh... I know Janice will appreciate that, as well...

Robert - thank you.

Al & Di - you are most kind...Janice did a main harmony (that is beautiful) - and I added 2 others generated using her original lead vocal. She did do a very "natural" sounding vocal on this...

Lawrence - thanks for all of that. That last guitar chord... I played that.

ROG - I guess we're BOTH big ol' softies, then....eh? Thanks...

Trevor - appreciate you dropping in for a listen. Justice by Janice - I like that... she did a terrific job...

Guenter - appreciate the nice words. always do enjoy hearing that you like 'em... we kind of brought out Janice's "big voice" there, didn't we?

Hi, Flyd & Janice !:))


I liked everything about this
production ! :)) A lovely tune
so sweetly played and sung !:))
Just great !:))

Cheers
Dani

Wow, awesome song, Vocals, harmonies, and slide guitar were excellent...

Hey Greg, glad you like the vocal!

Janice



Thank you Ian, I'm happy that you thought the vocal expressed the story!

Janice



I'm happy that you enjoyed it!

Janice



Thanks you two! It's always a pleasure to sing one of floyd's songs. The vocals are me and the BIABettes.

Janice



Thank you Lawrence! And I really love your material.

Janice

Joanne - thanks! I know Janice will LOVE the Linda reference!!!

Bob - Yeah man... we may have to make it a double-album this time...

Herb - thanks.

Tom - appreciate that - your insights are always helpful...

Scott - thanks for that... you covered "a lot of ground" in that short statement...

Greg - Thanks for noticing!!!

Another one to be proud of Floyd and Janice!

What can I say...a perfect fit of singer and song. I might have sped it up a hair but that's just me. Beautiful vocal inflection as the song goes on Janice. One of your best imho.

Josie

Thanks ROG, I'm checking the mail everyday!



Thank you very much Trevor. That was very kind.



Thanks Guenter. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it. I had to really push it to keep up with floyd!



That was very nice of you to mention me and Linda in the same paragraph! I can only wish....Thanks again and best to you on your upcoming project!



Thanks Bob -- he's an easy fellow to work with.

Dani - thanks for the listen!

Scott - appreciate it....

Josie - thanks. The tempo on this one is a tough choice. 2 bpm makes a HUGE difference in the overall feel of the song - mostly how the words "sing" - and the emotions that they impart. It ended up at 80. 82 felt a bit rushed. Went back and forth several times. At some point, you just have to make a decision.... appreciate the input...

Janice......

THANK YOU!!!!!

floyd

Floyd and Janice,

THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!

beautiful

and I am now humming it!! and will have to walk slowly to town to stay in time,

wonderful

Alyn

Alyn - Thanks - really appreciate that - hope you enjoyed your walk

Hi Janice and floyd,

I believe that you've both outdone yourselves this time.

Janice, for the life of me, I cannot imagine how this song could be sung any better by anyone. Full stop (that's Australian for 'period'). I agree with Sundance when she said, "perfect fit of singer and song".

Floyd, this is a wonderful story. The way that you've taken the theme of an old car and have driven it along such a great lyrical journey is testimony to just how talented you are. The melody of "That Old Car" is very poignant and especially well supported by the underlying harmony you've chosen.

I have say that the way that the lyric entered the chorus at the end of each verse really made the first line of the chorus feel very satisfying to listen to. I bet that Janice felt that when she sang it, too. Framing the chorus by ending with the first line is excellent. It boosts the believability factor of the song's character big time. It is so very easy to picture the child/woman sitting at the wheel of the car hoping for it to start.

I'm sitting here on my fourth or fifth listen (I'm just guessing because I haven't been keeping count) and, right now, I'm thinking "This is such an incredibly satisfying musical journey. How has he managed to do that?"

I'll just keep on pondering!

All the best,
Noel