If You Have A Friend

A cautionary tale.
Leon lyric and vocal
I sang & played one of the finger picked acoustics, electric rhythm and lead guitars.

The Band
This is close but there is a few patch changes going on [size:14pt][/size]
RealTracks in style: ~~684:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~~405:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~~522:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~686:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 408:Guitar, Resonator, Background Allis Ev 120
RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven8^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
There is also an Accordion & Tamborine in there.

If you have a friend

Verse:
I met her for the first time at a wedding
She was there on someone else’s arm
She said I like your smile, I said I like yours too
Didn’t seem to be cause for alarm
We danced a little, later in the evening
I liked the unselfconscious way she moved
I thought there was a chance, she could be a friend
And to begin with that was how it proved

Bridge:
But if you have a friend you shouldn’t kiss her
And run your eager fingers through her hair
And if you say I’m sorry, I’m entangled with another
Your friend should never say she doesn’t care

Chorus:
A friend should never say let’s throw caution to the wind
And if it feels so right what can be wrong
A friend should never say I don’t believe this is a sin
And lying skin to skin’s where we belong

Verse:
She was staying at a house out in the country
A million stars at night wheeled overhead
Standing naked in the river, she looked like Aphrodite
There were soft white sheets upon her bed
Saint Augustine, he prayed he could be chaste one day
But Lord, if it pleases you - not yet
We spend a whole lot longer underground than up here breathing
Denial wasn’t in her alphabet

Bridge:

Chorus:

Verses:
Well I told her that I needed to accept the fact
It wasn’t just my happiness at stake
Other people’s futures were hanging in the balance
The decision wasn’t mine alone to make
She got herself a job, way up in the Pilbara
She always liked her men a little rough
I was the exception, I guess, that proves the rule
But love alone is never quite enough

I met her for the first time at a wedding
She was there on someone else’s arm
She said I like your smile, I said I like yours too
It was strange, but that was part of her charm
We danced a little, later in the evening
I liked the unselfconscious way she moved
I thought there was a chance she could be a friend
And to begin with that was how it proved

Bridge:

Chorus:
A friend should never say let’s throw caution to the wind
And if it feels so right what can be wrong
A friend should never say I don’t believe this is a sin
And lying skin to skin’s where we belong
No, a friend should never say I don’t believe this is a sin
And lying skin to skin’s where we belong

A cautionary tale, indeed and a fine write to tell it.

This tune has a very engaging arrangement with the build and different feels...particularly the end of the solo.

The RT choice really nails the production and Bud has to admit that the bass is a favorite RT.

The standout vocals and guitar pickin' top it all off. You two are a machine! And we enjoy them all.

J&B

An excellent song guys, great lyrics, backing and arrangement. Well placed guitar solo work, nice.

John

Peter & Leon...

One of my favorites of your. A solid, interesting write with a good, singable melody....

Nice arrangement and production...good vocals, nice solo... good mix...

I enjoyed this. I like how you brought it back to "sparse" for the repeat of the first verse. I thought that would have made a good ending - just repeat the first half and end on "her charm..." at 3:36.

Another strong offering from you two.

fj

Very cool tune. Loved the vocal and lyric. Great story telling

PeterF, you sir are a talented writer and musician. story telling in the verses and advice in the chorus. Really liked the guitar work in this one. Take care, Torrey.

Hello, Peter

Very excellent Song.
Verse, Bridge and Chorus are very well constructed.
All parts have good melodies respectively.
Guitar solo work is so good.
And vocal is also great.
Very enjoyable listen.

Best Regards.

Shigeki Adachi

I agree! The guitar and vocal are really good. I liked it a lot. Tom

Peter and Leon,
I went to a wedding once in the 1980's, and an extremely short marriage, when the bride *ahem* was the female in your song. We were on the groom's side and it only became funny many years later.
A cautionary tale indeed
A great solo as I have become to expect from you
Wonderful vocals and lyrics
Keep on producing these masterpieces

Alyn

Janice & Bud
Thanks much appreciated.

Peter

Beautifully done guys! Such a nice fullness in the choruses (with that organ).
Good vocals, lyrics and a nice and bright mix.

Rob & Anne-Marie

Peter,

Really enjoyed this. Great lyrics which tell the tale perfectly!

The songs builds really well and I also enjoyed your guitar solos.

Good job,
Jez

Could not agree more!! This is excellent. This is a little more folky than your usual Peter. "Singable" as Floyd said. Some really interesting lyrics. Great stuff!! Take care. Greg

John
Glad you liked it.

Peter

Peter,

A great song... Love the vocal by Leon. Nice job all.

Bob

Floyd
Thanks for all the comments and the arrangement suggestions.

Peter

Scott
Thanks a lot

Peter

Torrey
Thanks for the kind words.

Peter

Peter and Leon,



I really like this. It's outstanding musically and lyrically.

As the song progressed, I found myself completely hooked by the lyrics. They sit incredibly well on top of the musical rhythm... first class prosody.

What stood out to me?

• An interesting and effective introduction.
• I have never ever come across the word "unselfconscious" in a song before.
• I don't think I've heard Aphrodite in lyrics before, either.
• The chord sequence that begins with a minor sound on "If" in "But if you have a friend..." in the transitional bridge section is a perfect fit.
• I thought that twisting the concept of "friend" worked really well.
• I loved the musical flow of the internal rhyme sin/skin/skin.
• Great guitar playing.
• These lines really appealed to me...
  Quote:

  We spend a whole lot longer underground than up here breathing
  Denial wasn’t in her alphabet
• By the end of the song, I couldn't believe how quickly those 5 minutes had passed.

I bet that when this is played live, the audience is in the proverbial 'palm of your hand'; they'd be captivated by the (im)moral of the story.

As I hear it, this is really clever writing!

All the best,
Noel

hi peterf nice write everything well done love the solo and the vocals nice work guys eric

Shigeki

Thank you very much for the nice review. Much appreciated.

Peter

Thanks for the comments Tom.

Peter

Alyn
Thanks for the review the story and the nice comments. Much appreciated.

Peter

Rob & Anne-Marie
Much appreciated.

Peter

Thanks a lot.

Peter

Like the organ on this one - that and the story of course!

Was a bit surprised at how quickly the piece develops (musically speaking).

Thanks Greg

Peter

Thanks a lot Bob.

Peter

Noel thanks for the encouraging comprehensive review.
Leon is however Noel spelt backwards but I'm assuming it's you!

Peter

Thanks Eric.

Peter

Thanks for the comments.

Peter

The solo around the 3 minute mark is awesome - it really caught my attention!

Thanks for posting this song - it's our "Hot Forum Topic" for today!

Good song! Nice job with the guitars, loved the solo.

That lyrical story made me laugh. Love the satirical wit.
Vocal fit perfectly. Cool production and guitars.
I agree with FJ about coming back to the soft part and ending with it.
Fun song.

Thanks Callie

Dave

Much appreciated.

Peter

Josie
Thanks for the comments much appreciated.

Peter