Four years ago Tom Adams and I co-wrote a song which, by coincidence, was posted on my birthday.
But the BIGGER coincidence was... it was Tom's birthday, too.
So, I have made it a "tradition".
A few weeks ago, I realized birthdays were approoaching.
So I wrote a song.
Figured I was giving Tom plenty of time to add a solo guitar track to it, since he's been busy lately.
He didn't need the time...2 hours later, he sent 2 guitar tracks - 1 electric, 1 acoustic.

Our birthday is actually March 4th (Saturday).
But, I'll be in Key West, celebrating, so it will be difficult to post.
Celebrating. Heavy. It's Key West.
So this is a few days early.

Tom - Happy! Birthday!, bro.



A HOLE THE SIZE OF TEXAS

i often forget what I was planning to do
like there's a hole in my head that things fall through
a torn left hand pocket in my favorite jeans
guarantees I'll lose most everything
   
   so why can't I lose this heartache
   why does this empty weigh me down
   try as i might I can't shake these blues
   what's that all about
   there's a hole the size of texas in my heart
   so why won't you fall out
   why won't you fall out

i lose my way from a wandering mind
i can lose myself and my sense of time
misplace my wallet, my keys, my phone
things disappear, no idea where they've gone


The Players:
RealTracks in style: 366:Bass, Electric, Country Ev 065
RealTracks in style: ~~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2780:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Songwriter8thsBrent Ev 085
RealDrums in Song: DrivingPop8ths^02-a:Kick, b:HiHat, QuarterKick

Tom Adams - Acoustic fills and electric lead


Hope you enjoy it.
I'll catch up when I can.

floyd

Hi Floyd,

Unless someone slips in while I'm putting this reply together, looks like we have a front row-center seat for this performance.

You and Tom absolutely killed it! This is just so danged good. The arrangement is fabulous and the lead guitar (Tom?) cuts a perfect swath of emotion right through the middle of this. I don't think we've ever heard a bad mix from you and this is one pro all the way.

What a great song and performance. We loved everything about it. Thank you both for the top shelf entertainment. We're still smiling.

BTW, My youngest brother's birthday is March 3rd and mine (Alan) is March 22nd. I'll be 70 ... Holy smokes! Yikes! Di beat me to 70 back in October. She's my favorite cougar!

Best to all of you and thanks again for this great listen.

Alan & Di

Floyd, another "hit" here! I really like the imagery in this one. Very well written lyrics, and you always nail the vocals. Tom has a way of laying down really tasteful guitars. So this one really works!

Happy Birthday to both of you!

Steve

Hi Floyd.

I happened to listen to this whilst my wife was looking over my shoulder, so you get two reviews this time.

I loved everything about it. Your usual super story line - very much in the style, but always with a twist. Great vocals and harmony over a very professional backing track. Your usual excellent mix. Tom's guitar is sublime. Superb.

My wife's comment - "Obviously very good, but too much in the "Sad & Lonely Club" for me".
I get the same treatment. She likes Rock & Roll!

Cheers, ROG.

Floyd & Tom
Happy Birthdays.

Really pretty song - wonderfully performed. Nice laid back vibe with some really nice dynamics and a good set of lyrics.

Beautifully sung and very tasteful guitar playing.

Peter

Really good, as usual! Great solo from Tom! Nice one guys, enjoyed the listen.

Floyd / Tom,

Excellent! Outstanding arrangement and mix. Great vocal by Floyd and killer guitar work by Tom.

Loved it!

Bob

Great collaboration bringing on a top notch write, arrangement, dual performance and production. Enjoyed this one a lot and will be back for more.

Happy birthday to both of you.

Charlie

Fourteen years on this forum and I've seen VERY FEW songwriters who could match your lyric writing. Seriously. Nice job on production, vocals, guitar work too. Keep 'em coming.

Happy Birthday, guys.

Rob

good job to you both.

Top notch writing as always.

Happy early birthday to you both! I love the lyrics in this one, Floyd. You've got a real way of grounding lofty ideas with little, real-world details that just immediately resonate (hole in my jeans, etc!). And the lead guitar line is absolutely perfect. Talk about emotive! Beautiful tone, too.

Excellent one. Great production.

Happy birthday

Sergio

Happy Birthday floyd and Tom! Hope Saturday is a great day for you both.

I agree with everything Steve said. Top notch (as always)... very listenable (as always)... musicianship shines in every aspect (as always). Your songwriting, arranging, producing and performing continues to inspire me in so very many ways.

All the best,
Noel

Fantastic! this sounds commercial to me (like a hit song)
love the arrangement touches, unexpected chord changes
all subtle and effective.
Great guitar Tom, I've been missing your presence here
No waste in the lyrics, just the words that fit in the story
I was a little hurt by the small letter used for Texas but I
know there was no malice intended and the title has it in
Capital.
You set the bar here for me and you make it a lot more fun
I always try to write a better song to raise my personal bar
but I don't feel competitive, I feel more of a brotherhood.
I may not write this well but you inspire me to always try
for better, There are others here that inspire and motivate
but you're the one that drew me here with great writing and
singing just like this.

Kenny

Oh yeah, Happy Birthday guys!!!

Happy Birthday Floyd and Tom. Excellent song. Super vocal and excellent guitar. Really cool lyric and backtrack. Well done

A clever lyric sentiment, and a beautiful musical setting. Nice work guys, and many happy returns!

John

Man, this is just great all around! Fabulous work guys!

I lOVE the chorus.

There's a hole the size of
Texas in my heart
so why don't you just fall out..

Ha ha

Love it!!!

GREAT singing and playin' y'all.

Happy Birthday to both of you!

Happy Birthday floyd! May we share many more. Thanks for the invite. This song keeps playing in my head. (as many of yours so often do) Hope you are having a good time in Key West. Hoist one for me. Many thanks to all that have commented on my small part here. Tom

What a great tradition to start. Pity if we have to wait a whole year before we get another collab between the two of you....
Very nice. Enjoyed it.

Hello, floyd & Tom
Happy Birthdays.

Very good song with medium tempo.
I like the first chord progressions.
As Charlie said,
Great collaboration bringing on a top notch write, arrangement, dual performance and production.
Very nice vocal as always and the lead guitar line is absolutely perfect.
Very pleasant listen.

Best Regards.

Shigeki Adachi

" there's a hole the size of texas in my heart
so why won't you fall out
why won't you fall out



Great line! Happy Birthday to both of youse. (That's Jersey lingo)



Regards,

Bob

Kenny stated that so well and it is amazingly reflective of our feelings. The growth (I hope) of our writes and productions are absolutely a result of our collabs with you and Tommy.

Happy birthday you two!

You have an always impressive way of breathing new life into themes of heartache. This is no exception. And then to pull it off with two verses and a chorus. Your write, vocal, BiaB band, production and Tom's guitar just shout "real deal!"

J&B

I don't know if this answer is timely... probably not... but happy birthday to both of you! Two good people and great song writers!

Lots to like here, but a few quick observations before I rush out the door:

I like whatever it is you do to draw the snare out like that. It makes a real difference

I liked the use of the adjective EMPTY as a noun. It adds enough cognitive dissonance to make the line unique, and by using an uncommon grammatical construction it increases the likelihood that the line isn't a song writing cliche.

Nice guitar solo ... but that's almost redundant, since we already know it's by Tommy! (I couldn't tell what he played on the acoustic)

I like the very country-esque idea of a hole the size of (what else?) Texas!

And I like the use of metaphor to ask a question... indeed, why are some things so easy to lose while others are impossible? It might lead to some introspection... or not... but at least the seed is planted. I think that one function of art is to symbolically ask questions, and this song does that.

Great tune Floyd, as others have stated this song is very well written and your performance is great as usual. Tom's parts were also very good and by the way happy birthday to both of you God bless! Thanks, Torrey

Floyd, Tommy

No words can explain, 'cept to say that you nailed another one.

This is more sombre, delivered through marvelous lyrics, builds exactly where needed, but not one too many.

Perfect vocals. More genius from the team.

Thanks

Thanks, Alan - glad y'all enjoyed this. Happy (early) B-day!... you'll need to post something on your 70th to celebrate!..




Thanks, Steve. Appreciate all that. Tom did a terrific job on this...

ROG - appreciate that! We'll have to "catch" Mrs. ROG next time around...




Peter - thanks for dropping in on this one...




Thanks, Dave...

I hope you both enjoyed your Birthday celebrations!

Really enjoying listening to this song you two collaborated on - what a nice tradition..

This is today's Hot Forum Topic!

Appreciate that, Bob...




Thanks, Charlie - always look forward to you dropping in...

We are a little late to the party.....
Happy birthday to you both guys!
And a very gentle song to go along with it.

Nice work.

Second song with "Texas" in a row as I'm listening to songs on the forum, and another beauty!! Cleverness is a big part of songwriting. So is heart. To do either well is very hard. To capture them both together is magical. That is what Floyd has done with this song. So clever, so sweet, so sincere, so emotional! And the music just carries the story perfectly. Vocal is just what's needed. This is a GREAT SONG!!! A beauty Floyd! Take care. Greg

Hi Floyd.

Very enjoyable. Liked the way the hole in a pocket idea developed.
Great lead Tom and the bass part comes through real nice.

So smoothly done it sounds relaxed and effortless. Late birthday Cheers.

Rob - I do truly appreciate that...




Thanks, Herb...

Thank you, Will....I really appreciate that.. Yes, Tom lead is extraordinary!...




Thanks, Sergio...

Hey Floyd,

Happy belated birthday!

Your a machine man. This is a fine write. (do you have any that aren't?)
I liked the production as well. Kudos to Tom for his guitar tracks. I really like the drum sound you (consistently) get... The drum track here almost seemed a little dry, but I still liked it.

Nice Job!

Noel - Thanks for all of that. I've enjoyed (and appreciated) your support over a number of years. It is truly amazing how this forum has grown over those years - and the level and amount of the talent that has found their way here. You are a big reason for that...




Kenny - What a very nice review. Thank you. This is a truly incredible forum. I am glad you found your way here...it is just that much better because of your shared talent...

Thanks, Scott...




Appreciate it, John...




Thanks, David... (where is your next one?)

We need to plan a Birthday Celebration in Key West some year!
Try the jambalaya at Carloine's (or the burger)! Hog Fish Grill and Blue Heaven were great. Don't miss the Firelfly.
I had my bachelor party in what is now the Hog's Breath (The Monster in '77)). We were married at a private residence on Duval Street which is now the Casablanca Hotel. Things have changed!

Love your solo work in "A Hole THe Size Of Texas", Tom! Especially the last couple of phrases... exquisite! Thanks, buddy! Let's do it again...

Thanks, Joanne.




Shigeki Adachi - thank you for the nice review... appreciate it...




Appreciate it, Bob...

I always enjoy your reviews! IT is a wonderful family we have here, eh?




Hi, Pat! Always a delight to see you drop by... and like J&B's reviews, I always enjoy reading what you have to say about a song (both write and production). The snap of the snare in this one is mostly because of the RealDrum itself - DrivingPop8ths - one of the new Shannon Forrest tracks - they seem to be recorded with a bit more "pop". I drop a Presonus preset for stereo drum tracks on it and then "leave it alone"... Thanks for noting the use of "empty". Always nice to have people pick that kind of thing up. Tom's work on this was icing. (the acoustic is the little signature lick that begins the song and repeats throughout)...."a hole the size of Texas" is where the song began - the phrase occurred to me ad seemed a natural for a Country heartache song... Thanks for a delightful review...

Thanks, Torrey...




Trev - always appreciate your nice reviews.... thanks!

Callie - thanks for having a listen - and for puttin' it on Page One...




Thanks, y'all...





Greg - I really appreciate the way you "listen". You always make my day!! Big thanks...

Thanks, Richard. Always glad to see you dropping in...