A song about my high school girlfriend.

This uses several of my most favorite RTs (or MIDI SuperTracks)

MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2066:Piano, Rhythm NewAgeAnswers Ev16 110
RealTracks in song: 2200:Guitar, Nylon, Background CountryBrent Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085

plus...
RealTracks in song: ~518:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2105:Piano, Rhythm PopShiningSync Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2337:Violin, Background, PopHigh Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection)
RealTracks in song: 2338:Violin, Background, PopLow Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection)


STOPLIGHT ON NORTH MAIN STREET


we used to watch that stop light
shout commands up main street
no one there, it just went right on calling
I left you on that porch swing
loaded up the back seat
somewhere along the road i just stopped falling

   weren't we young, weren't we foolish
   talking like we meant it
   i had a list of reasons
   i guess i never sent it
   there's a time when innoncence must fall
   your faith can't stay so blind
   there's a stoplight on north main street
   that keeps changing it's mind

dark movies, lonely roads
we went as far as we could go
the radio playing songs we never heard
didn't you know it wouldn't last
it was just an even trade
love never more than a handy word

   weren't we young, weren't we foolish
   talking like we meant it
   i had a list of reasons
   i guess i never sent it
   there's a time innoncence must fall
   faith can't stay so blind
   there's a stoplight on north main street
   that keeps changing it's mind

that was a lifetime ago sometimes I think of you
I wonder do you wonder about me, too...

   weren't we young, weren't we foolish
   talking like we meant it
   i had a list of reasons
   i guess i never sent it
   there's a time innoncence must fall
   faith can't stay so blind
   there's a stoplight on north main street
   that keeps changing it's mind


Thanks for listening.
Comments welcome.

floyd

Floyd,

This song is really outstanding and quite beautiful.

"dark movies, lonely roads
we went as far as we could go
the radio playing songs we never heard
didn't you know it wouldn't last
it was just an even trade
love never more than a handy word"

Lyrics do not get much better than that...

Bob

Floyd,

Very fine.
Your vocal reaches a new level here - so tender in the bridge.
Crystal clear production and I liked it that you kept the backing restrained.That`s an amazingly real sounding midi piano.

Robert

floyd,

I watched Neil Diamond for a few minutes on TV a few nights ago and thought that he was trying to copy your vocal style

I like this.
The American way of talking really lends itself to songs because in my town the title would be "There's a traffic light on Prince of Wales drive" which sounds ludicrous as a song title.

I enjoyed that with the door open, volume at 11 etc

you excelled yourself this time

Alyn

One listen and it's my all time favorite song of yours.

Well done.

This is just beautiful. You keep hitting home runs! Great vocals!

Steve

Floyd

A beautiful song. Great production - excellent use of the strings and the mix is crisp and clean.
Lovely vocal - a nice set of lyrics - all so well done.

Peter

Hey Floyd,

Well there's a lot to like with this one! It really takes me back to my H.S. girlfriend... My first true love!

I love the piano part and the other RT's have a nice synergism that just works. Excellent vocal (as usual) and mix.

A good job of songwriting! I thought the bridge part at the end:

"that was a lifetime ago sometimes I think of you
I wonder do you wonder about me, too..."

...Was damn tasty!

A fine job!

Greg

There is for me, nothing as lovely as a good song, well sung, where the piano is the dominant instrument
This song satisfies everything in me, for listening pleasure.

Well done Floyd

Paddy G

We have to say, you've really outdone yourself here!
Definitely your best ballad so far. And definitely one of the best songs posted on the forum ever.
Terrific atmosphere, and beautifully (controlled) vocal.
The interaction between the piano and guitar is very professional.

Rob & Anne-Marie

Floyd.

Well, what can I say? More poetic genius.

Sensationally thought out lyrics.

"there's a stoplight on north main street
that keeps changing it's mind"

Wow... Just how good is that?

Thanks Floyd for your continuing genius delivery.

Another feather.

Great song that deserves all the accolades. Top notch write, mix, performance and production. Masterful ballad.

I grew up in a town so small the main street wasn't big enough to have a red light to separate north main from south main. But I still get it...

The song did invoke memories of a fellow several years ago telling me "weren't" isn't a 'real' word. You showed em'.

Enjoyed my listen.

Charlie

[quote=there's a stoplight on north main street
   that keeps changing it's mind


floyd [/quote]

Wow!! Floyd, this is totally awesome man.!!!

I love this stop sign changing its mind line!!!

Killer!

Beautiful FJ!
Great imagery.
Love the vocal and that piano sound is wonderful.

Really appreciate those words, Bob - especially coming from a strong lyric guy... Thanks...





Thanks, Robert. The MIDI SuperTracks are great! Especially if you pair them with the right piano... this is 4Front TruePianos...

Another beautiful tune Floyd. Loved the vocal and lyic

Bob solved our problem on which of so many fine lines to quote -- that'll work.

We were grabbed from the get-go. That super midi piano is terrific. It filled up our room like we were sitting next to it. And the strings are terrific.

The way both the strings and piano support your outstanding vocal is amazing. It feels like the entire instrumental grouping was brought into the studio to support your write and vocal. The attention to detail in selecting and mixing RT's to work in that manner is a hallmark of your productions and one we never take for granted.

Lovely!

J&B

PS "there's a stoplight on north main street
that keeps changing it's mind" Now that will stick with you.

Floyd, I enjoyed your song. The scaled down instrumentation was perfect for this song and sounded great! It cradled the vocal perfectly and the vocal and lyric delivered! Thanks,Torrey.

It is amazing what this program can do in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, and Floyd knows how!! Of all the wonderful arrangements I've heard on this forum, this is my all time favorite. The interplay between instruments is magical. The ONLY thing I like better than the arrangement/production is the song itself. SO BEAUTIFUL!!! This is a lovely bittersweet reflective song about the past we miss and long for, and the only thing more emotionally powerful than that period of young innocence is the intensity of the emotion with which we long for it. This is so wonderfully written, it would make Jimmy Webb jealous. If I ever get a record deal (don't hold your breath), this song is going on my first album, maybe as the title track. Absolutely WONDERFUL Floyd!!! Take care. Greg

Can't top what Greg Johnson posted. Big thumbs up.

Free

Great lyrics and vocal! This is as good as it gets, wonderful!

Next time I see Neil, I might deck him...steal my style will he?...

I'm pretty sure a gibsonated "There's a traffic light on Prince of Wales drive" is a masterpiece just waiting to happen.





Kenny - you have a way with words.. thanks...

Don't get much better than this! Astounding piano sound. Fantastic write and vocal. One of my favorites from you. Fantastic use of your favorite real tracks. I can guarantee you that I will be giving this one multiple listens. The rest of the world simply turns off when listening to this. Super, Tom

Thanks.




Appreciate that, Steve.

Thanks, Peter...appreciate all of that...




Greg - thanks... the bridge is a favorite of mine - so I appreciate you pointing that out...

Hello, floyd

Very beautiful song with great vocals.
I t is so nice not to use too much instruments.
Very properly allocation to RealTracks.
I like this song and arrangement very much.
I really enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best Regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks, Paddy...




Rob and Anne-Marie - thanks so much for that. There are SO many good songs posted to this forum (all of yours included), to call this "one of the best (ever)" I take as a HUGE compliment...

Excellent. The use of the various RTs or MIDI super tracks is outstanding. Touching lyrics and very nice vocal. Just outstanding over all.

Trevor - thanks for stopping by for a listen... and for such a nice review..





Thanks, Charlie... This is a true story... we really did sit on the porch swing late at night, watching the light change - with no traffic, long into the night...

Thanks, David...




Josie - good to see you around...thanks




Appreciate you stopping in, Scott...

Very melodic Floyd.
These real tracks are really great.

Sergio

Thanks, guys... you are most kind...




Torrey - thanks for stopping by for a listen...

floyd
stopped by for another listen as this is a great song!
and to say that re: The only wait now will be for my other songs to get off page 1 as it's finito!!

Mr Diamond isn't going to be copying my style

Alyn

Greg - this might be my all-time-favorite review... (heck... no "might" about it!)

Wow. It doesn't come much better than this.
A beautiful setting for a beautiful song, vocal delivered perfectly.
Another wow.

John

Hi, Floyd !


This is one of your best
but then again, everything
you do is top notch !
I enjoyed listening to this
beautiful music truly very
much and that goes for all
of your music !

Cheers
Dani

Hi Floyd,

Not a lot left to say that hasn't already been said.

Definitely one for your Greatest Hits album!

Rec

Free - really appreciate that...




Thanks, Dave!




Thanks for that very nice review, Tom... hard keeping up with you these days - you are hittin' 'em one right after the other...

Shigeki Adachi - thank you for listening...




Appreciate you stopping by, Marc...

I am late to the party but extremely glad that I came. This is your best to date. I couldn't say it better than what Greg said:



This is a keeper.

Thanks, Sergio.





Cool! I am truly looking forward to that!!...




Thank you, John. Appreciate you stopping by... I hope this means you have one about to be posted??

Thanks, Dani - you are most kind - as always...




Thanks, Rec. I hope you will continue to post to the Showcase now that the styles contest is over...your music shows a whole different side to BIAB (which is what the showcase is all about)...

Thanks Floyd. Yes I hope to continue posting and listening to all the wonderful songs and tips posted by others. Apart from an album, I am working on a song for my child's school to help raise funds which I might post here for feedback.

All the best,
Rec

Thanks for dropping in, Mario. Could not ask for nicer review than that.




Good to hear, Rec...




Thanks, again to all who listened and commented. I do appreciate it...

floyd,

This morning, I noticed that "The Right Track" with Janice and Bud, is up to 999 views. That made me realise that I'm incredibly late to the party with commenting on "Stoplight On North Main Street". Believe it or not, I started writing about "Stoplight" quite a while ago. I think it's time to complete those notes.

"Stoplight" is such a great song. Like all your works that've come before it, everything thing sits together neatly and precisely and showcases both the individual and the whole. From your writing through to your arranging, mixing and performing, I can't imagine how any aspect of this song could be improved to strengthen it. It's a terrific listen.

Even though it's taken me a while to finish this post, after listening to this song, shortly after you posted it, I went on yet another journey of lyric discovery.

I guess I'd better follow Julie Andrews' advice in The Sound Of Music and “Start at the very beginning”...

When I first heard 'Stoplight', the first thought that occurred was, “That's really very clever how floyd has used personification of the stoplight to capture the angst of young love.” As a consequence, I reached for The Songwriters Idea Book by Shiela Davis and had a read through the chapter on personification (page 95, to be exact).

Davis talks about about personification as a sub-category of Metaphor and mentions three ways in which personification can be used.

One
The first technique is to use verbs, and other attributes, that are related to human qualities and apply them to the inanimate object. These are usually simple phrases that are often only a line or maybe two lines longs long.


Two
This approach applies personification to the entire lyric. Davis refers to “Blue Moon” as being a classic example of this application. It's a more advanced lyric writing technique.

Three
This third technique raises the bar even higher and the singer becomes the personified object. “I Write The Songs” is an example of this approach.

So, armed with the above, let's head back to 'Stoplight'...

By the end of line 2 of verse 1, the stoplight is “shouting” commands up Main Street... personification has begun! Because this occurs right at the start of the song, it now colours all lyrics that follow. What a fantastic way of setting the scene! By the end of this second line, the stoplight is an established character within the lyric in just the same way that the moon is a character in “Blue Moon”. Great writing

As I'm sitting here thinking about the closing lines of the chorus...


… it seems to me that these serve three purposes.

1. They provide an effective long-distance relationship with the opening lines and help unify the lyrics.

2. Considering verse 1 and the first chorus together as a single song section, these last two lines of the chorus are the most powerful in the entire section. In this regard, these lines provide very effective lyric development.

3. The third purpose of these last two lines of the chorus is that they move the stoplight from being a purely personified object to a symbol that represents the ambivalence, joy, frustration of young love. Using metonymy in this way and taking an attribute of the (personified) inanimate stoplight and using that attribute to show the relationship between the two young lovers is a stroke of genius! Again, what great lyric writing!

My attempts at using personification seem to stop at the first technique. I've got a long way to go! You've inspired me to apply myself a little more enthusiastically to developing my ability in this area. Thank you for that!

I really enjoyed this song, floyd, and I greatly appreciate the lessons contained within it.

All the best,
Noel