Hello everyone,

This is our new song:

LADY MYSTERIOUS

It's our second collaboration with South African songwriter Paddy Gobel, and I'm very proud of this one.
Although it may not sound like it, this definitely also is BIAB, but with a little help of two VSTI synths.
The 80s synthpop style has always been one of my favorites, so is the era, both musically and lyrically.
In an attempt to create the definite retro song I experimented with completely different styles, soloists and drums. The soloists used here is a Jazz (!) soloist, which works surprisingly good in the song.
I doubled my vocals, slightly to get that 'thick' 80s sound. Anne-Marie's vocal contribution has a completely different angle this time, and enhances the 80s feel even more. It may remind you of songs of Laurie Anderson and the Human League.
Paddy's lyrics give the song the nostalgic feeling, it needed.
The video was constructed of public domain material and edited in MoviePlus X5.

I hope you like it! As always: comments are welcome.

Rob.

Song specifics:
2273 synth rhythm disco digibell
2326 synth background jazz funk lead
1850 guitar electric rhythm pop shining gritty muted
1851 electric rhythm pop shining gritty
CDiscoladies (real drums for Biab)
additional VSTI on piano, guitar and strings miditracks: Ultra Analog, Z3TA+

Lyrics:

oh lady mysterious
why did they give you that name
was it because of your Garbo looks
or the men you burned with your flame

oh my lady mysterious
why do you dance on your own
even in a crowded room
you still look oh so alone

can you shine a light on your past
or does a shadow remain
does he drift through your mind like your fine perfume
the love that caused so much pain

why so sad mrs mysterious
why the tear in your eye
was there someone you couldn't have
way back in those years gone by

oh my lady mysterious
why do you dance on your own
even in a crowded room
you still look oh so alone

and won't you shine a light on your past
or does the darkness remain
does he drift through your dreams like your fine perfume
the love that caused so much pain

they say you dined with princes and kings
and walked the catwalks of Rome
your face was in every magazine
a Monaco yacht you called home

but won't you shine a light on your past
or will the darkness remain
will you stay in your dreams like a fine perfume
the love that caused so much pain

This is reminiscent of AbbA.
Good work guys. The video adds a nice touch.
Keep up the good work.
Rob

everything you do is so well produced and thoroughly enjoyed the video

Alyn

Hi Rob & Anne-Marie.

You certainly captured that 80s electro-pop feel and as you say, the Human League influence is quite pronounced.

Great backing and vocals and everything fits nicely with the moving images.

Enjoyed this one.

ROG.

Rob & Anne-Marie, The video is well done. A very retro sounding track that is very well sung and produced as usual. Up to your high standards. I enjoyed it. Tom

Another excellent tune and video.

Hi Rob & Anne-Marie,

another high standard production.
Enjoyed listening.

Guenter

Rob & Anne-Marie,

Y'all do this style of music very well.

As always, good choice of instruments, good vocals, good mix.

floyd

Hi Rob,

That must be Anne-Marie's sampled voice, haha.
well, I've always been a big fan of ABBA, so the comparison is completely fine by me!

Rob

Thank you Alyn!

Hi ROG,

Thank you!
Good to hear that there's more 80s synth pop lovers on the forum!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Hi, Rob and Anne-Marie !!

You can really be proud of this
mighty tune so well produced and
sung !!! I sure am happy not to have
a mysterious lady myself anymore (lol) !!

Cheers
Dani

Thank you Tom!

Thank you Scott!

Nice collaboration. Everything is top notch. Definitely captures the R&AM style.

Enjoyed this.

Charlie

Hi guys, very well performed piece. +10 to all said.

Mike B.

Very cool song!! Really captures that 80's feel. Synth parts are perfect. Vocals sound great, as usual. Another top quality production! Take care. Greg

LOVE the doubled vocal effect on your voice. Great sound and cool video.

You are a master at creating intriguing videos
with old PD clips. The lyric and vocals
are really effective. To my ears it sounds
like the arrangement took a lot of thought,
planning and execution. RnAM OWNS
this type of production. Pro sound all
the way around. You guys have both a
signature sound and a signature video
feel. Things, in my estimation, to be proud
off. Yeah, we enjoyed it.

J&B

Thanks Guenter, Floyd and Dani!

Hi R&AM. This is definitely up to your usual standard.
Done with style and so well sung. Cheers.

thank you Charlie!

thank you Mike!

Hi Rob and Anne-Marie,

Everything you submit to this forum has such a professional sound. Your consistency at achieving the highest levels of musical presentation (performing, arranging, producing, video) is outstanding. I tip my hat to you!

I really enjoyed listening.

All the best,
Noel

• previous song: Walk With Me

thank you Greg!

Thank you Josie!
I duplicated my vocal track in Cubase and then nudged it a little to the left in order to get a 'doubled' effect.

Rob

Thank you J&B,

you are right, indeed this on took quite an effort, a lot of thinking and a lot of time.
We were very lucky to get our hands on some public domain videos that fitted in very nicely.

Rob & Anne-Marie

Thank you Rich!
Much appreciated.

Rob & Anne-Marie

Thank you Noel,

like we already told Janice and Bud, this one took a lot of effort and time. And we are also very proud of the lyrics Paddy wrote for this.
thanks for your continuous support.

Rob & Anne-Marie

Wow! I feel like I'm back in high school!

All I need to do is listen to this on cassette in an old beat up pickup truck, and the illusion would be complete.

Great job!

Thanks for the music,
Dan

Thank you Dan!
A good thing our song gave you these nostalgic feelings!
Our aim was to create a retro song

Rob and Anne-Marie

You have a right to be proud. That mix is perfect and the song is so very well produced. There is a lot going on in this and your expertise is on full display. Professional in every respect. Wow!

Thank you Olemon,

yes, we had a lot of work on this one, both arranging editing and especially the vocals. But I'm very proud of the final result and also of the lyrics written by Paddy Gobel.
The 80s retro sound is something I love to reproduce.
There is another one coming, quite a large production, even for our standards. It will be posted within the next two months. Hope you'll like that too.

regards,
Rob

I enjoyed the retro feel of the song. Well done!

Thank you David!

Why Rob, almost missed this one! Simply gorgeous. Great production all around.

Regards

Mike B.