Hi everyone,

This weeks new song:

Far is the Night

I wrote the concept for this about 20 years ago. It never made it to 'real publishing' because I didn't think the composition, as a whole, was good enough. Apart from the fact that the lyrics were quite depressing, it lacked something, didn't quite know what.
Now, with BIAB, a totally new bridge and Anne-Marie's very fine contribution, it finally adds up to something I think.
A song about a breakup where the guy is left behind in sorrow and confusion, while the girl is having fun with a new boyfriend, hhmm...
So, a bit of a tearjerker, maybe....But with four, quite different, components. Supported with another "live" video (with some further simulating of instruments ).

Hope you like it, any comments are welcome.

Regards,
Rob


Style is _CROK12S.STY (ClassicRck w/12str.Ac.Guit(65RS))

366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
686:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 120
1002:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm ClassicRockA-B Ev16 065
803:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm DrivingCountryBalladClean Ev 065
1003:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Rhythm ClassicRockPicking Ev16 065
1007:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment, PopFlowing Ev 120
NashvilleEven16^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride


Lyrics:

He hides a lonely tear
as he's making his way through the day
So many similar nights
Don't it make you feel empty and gray

Some say you might as well live
without reason and die
But far is the night
filled with longing for someone to share

He hides and nasty thought
when he walks to the cellar below
So many dreams came to life
with so little now left to show

In remembering his rage
he still feels the shame coming down
Like a vision of hope or a vision of faith
Built upon some empty words

Wrong is the night
when I feel who's belonging
A bad case of loving
while the radio's playing our song

Mmmm.. words of love whispered in my ear
Words every woman wants to hear
He says the things that you couldn't say
He fills my nights in every way

He hides a lonely tear (words of love)
as he's making his way through the day
So many similar nights (words of love)
Don't it make you feel empty and gray

Some say you might as well live
without reason and die (you can't say)
But far is the night
filled with longing for someone to share (in every way)

I think it adds up to a lot!! Really pretty all the way through. The way the vocals play off each other at the end is great. I think the lyrics are among your best-some great concepts/images. For some reason (just listening on computer speakers) it seems that the vocal is quite wet at times and dry at others (may just be my "monitoring system"). Really lovely song!! Take care. Greg

This is your best to date and you have had some real winners before!

I liked everything about this song and video, i.e. everything was top shelf. I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks Greg,

you're always the first to respond to our songs and we really appreciate that!
The overall FX on the voices should be the same everywhere, since I used the same plug-ins and settings. I will check it out one more time.
by the way: we placed a comment on 'How love is supposed to feel' on your sound cloud account. In my opinion one of the best songs posted here.

Regards,
Rob

Well, I don't know which to compliment more the video or your song - I love the counterpoint harmonies. This reminds me of Simon and Garfunkel in some ways which is a compliment but it's all R & M. Beautiful.

Josie

This is definitely one of your best. Sometimes the timing is not right for a particular song and the long time between conception and production here is a good example of the power of good timing. For certain, the time has come for this song. Good job on the music and video productions.

Charlie

First class song. Lyrics, vocals, harmonies and playing were excellent. The video was very enjoyable as well...

WoW!

This project contains all the elements I Like! A mournful minor key, haunting harmonies, excellent choice of real tracks... and another relationship-based theme! (You are onto something here with that theme... you both bring insights to the equation that are very keen. I hate to think that young people learn how to have relationships through the music they listen to... but I suspect there is a lot of truth to that presumption. If its true, and if you can get your music in front of that group, you have insights they need. )


Once again, Anne-Marie... your video is very well done! And I love where you live! Every time you include pictures of your home, I always feel totally ripped off that I have to live somewhere that isn't as peaceful and beautiful. You are both very fortunate to have each other and to live such a beautiful and cooperative life together. I gather from your music that you both realize just how rare that is, and that it pleases you both!

GREAT project, all the way around... if I had to pick one word to describe this one, it would be "EPIC"

and DAYUM! <--southern word for "damn"
Didn't you just finish a totally awesome project about 2 days ago??? How do you crank out so many high quality projects in such a short period of time??? I'm totally jealous that you can do that!

+1 , Great vocals-love the video and getting to see where you live. Tom

Hi Rob and Anne-Marie,

another perfect production. It has all been said.
Your vocals (I mean both of you) are astounding.
Like others I like the video. It's always great to use original footage.

Guenter

Thanks Mario and.... we won't change it

Thanks Josie. We don't mind being compared to Simon and Garfunkel, not a bit!

Thank you Charlie.
Anne-Marie's contribution here (she also wrote the lyrics for her vocal parts) made the original song 50% better.

Regards,
Rob

Rob and Anne Marie,

that was beautiful. You two are a force to be reckoned with, every song/video I hear/watch is a winner.

The thing that stuck in my mind was the view of Dutch countryside, and enduring memory of the days I spent in Beezum and the walks with "Charlie-dog" in the early mornings.

beautiful

Alyn

R & AM...

As with all of your stuff... good everything.

Writing, production, vocals, mix. And video - I liked what you did in this one - smooth....

You are also really developing an identifiable style all our own.

Very enjoyable.

fj

Hello Patt,

First of all: Thanks for your PM.

And then... thanks for your nice comments!
And yes, we realize we are lucky to have found each other, being both so fond of the same music and of creating it.

Rob and Anne-Marie

Thanks Tommy, appreciated as always!

Thanks Guenter!

Hi Alyn,

Thanks a lot.
Yes, the countryside here (in the northern part of the Netherlands called Groningen) is beautiful and very quiet.
And I also walk the dog every morning!

Anne-Marie

Thanks Floyd !!

Floyd always makes good points... but this bit about developing an identifiable style is huge. Considering the fact that this is a song writer's forum, I'm surprised this doesn't get brought up and discussed a lot more often. But, I totally agree with Floyd that in a random mix of unlabeled songs, I think most of us would be able to identify which ones are yours. Even in a context that extends beyond the forum... I can't really think of any well known performers who occupy the same sonic paradigm as you two. So... cool! Whether its conscious or not... yeah.. keep doing that!

Rob and Anne-Marie,

Very nice. Well done.


Regards,

Bob

Like floyd alluded to you guys have begun
to present a well defined style -- a unique
sound that we identify with you. That in
itself is no small feat. But when that
style is consistently creative and extremely
well produced it becomes even more
impressive.

We much enjoyed the listen -- particularly the
counterpoint harmony.

J&B

thank you Bob, really appreciate it!

Regards,
Rob & Anne-Marie

Thanks J&B,

we always very much appreciate your responses to our songs.
You're right about our sound, getting more distinctive. It's developing more of more, Anne-Marie's layered vocals play a large role in this.
We do our best, and with such a great program it's not all that hard creating songs. Very much looking forward to the 2015 program and the new real tracks!

Regards,
Rob

Hi Rob and Anne Marie.
Your voices blend perfectly together. Great songwriting!

F

Hi Rob & Anne-Marie ...

I think Josie summed up our thoughts very concisely. The video is as wonderful as the song! This is really great music. Congratulations on a great song. The wide separation of the voices on the bridge was a real nice surprise!

Alan & Di

Great work as usual! Everything works, but I especially like the melody and the stereo split of the R's and AM's vocals after the instrumental break. Great moody/minor feel to the whole track. The video is nice too. My only slight criticism is that the instrumental section doesn't have a really strong melodic line like a lead or solo, though the piano does play the melody. It's a bit like the backing track without vocals, and as that, it seemed a bit long to me.

Thanks,
Bruce

Hi, Rob and Anne-Marie !:))


I agree with those who
say this is one of your absolute
best ! :)) What sweet and
interesting variations of the
melody combined with stellar
vocals and harmonies !

Cheers
Dani

Hallo Fred,

Dank je voor je positief commentaar.

Groetjes Rob.

Thanks Al & Di !

Hello Bruce,

thanks for your, generally, positive comment, haha.
you may be right about the instrumental part. I'm usually not in the habit of not doing a solo part in my songs, this one, however, was an exception.
We could have cranked in a guitar solo or something, but somehow I do like the instrumental break as it is now.
Kind of emulates that 'song playing on the radio'.

regards,
Rob

Hi Dani,

well, we are very glad that you liked this one so much.
Definitely a stimulation for us to create even better songs, haha.
Our next contribution will be a 'Jazzy' song which will be placed tomorrow.
And that one is quite different from our usual songs, we think. Wait and see......

Thanks!
regards,
Rob