I Wish I Had Religion

A somewhat lyrically dark rock tune.
Leon - Lyrics & Vocals
I played a number of rhythm & lead guitars(and sang a little).

The Band:
RealTracks in style: 1268:Bass, Electric, PopUplift Ev16 120
RealTracks in style: 1278:Synth Pad, PopUplift Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 1272:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopUpliftSyncA-B Ev16 120
RealTracks in style: 1853:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopUpliftA-B Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~522:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120
RealDrums in style: PraiseWorshipUptempo16^1-a:Snare, HiHat, Kick , b:Snare, Ride

I Wish I Had Religion

Somebody creeping into my dreams
Grabs my hand and I wake with a scream
I don’t know how this ties into
What I’m working through, in my subconscious
My subconscious
There’s a feeling that I can’t pin down
Turn that frown upside down
I’d like to say it’ll be alright
I’d like to go to sleep tonight,
unconscious
unconscious

I wish I had religion
At least that way I could pray
I wish I had religion
At least that way I could pray

The wind is blowing hard again
However much that we pretend
Fanatics, fools and demagogues
let slip the dogs of war
The dogs of war

They pay me for what’s in my head
I’d like to build something instead
So obsessed with how we look
Eyes on phones, never read a book
Unconscious
Unconscious

She drove her car out to the lake
Kissed their cheeks, released the brake
Couldn’t see a future bright
Said kids we’re going to sleep tonight
Unconscious
Unconscious

I wish I had religion
At least that way I could pray
I wish I had religion
At least that way I could pray

Got a feeling that I can’t define
Looking over my shoulder all the time
I’ d like to say it’ll be alright
I’d like to sleep right through the night,
unconscious
unconscious

I wish I had religion
At least that way I could pray
I wish I had religion
At least that way I could pray

I liked a lot the passage after the first chorus where the music seems to stops.
Well done.

Peter and Leon,

That enlivened my evening!

It's very different from your usual and I found it mesmerising. To my ears, the chorus is great and has a lot of potential to be an anthem. Have you thought about using it with this in mind?

I congratulate you on all the effects wizardry too. It's something that I've started playing around with lately and it overwhelms me most of the time!

All the best,
Noel

Nice!

Cool lyrics and very strong chorus.

Love the break down after that first chorus, very effective, and after the last chorus leading into the guitar solo.
Twin lead guitars during the solo is very cool too!

Well done Peter and Leon!

It seems like it pretty cool but the vocals are completely swamped for the 1st few lines and gets lost again in the refrain.
When things drop back a little the vocal seems well set but it doesn't lift when the backing surges.
It's a terrific song, the arrangements are cool too - moving away from the obvious.
The solo is cool - and the movement in the parts is a treat.

I really like the song. Loved the guitar solo and the production. Really intriguing lyric, as well. I agree that much of the vocal got buried in the effects. Awesome write and nice use of the backing tracks.

Dave

Really nice work! Really interesting from a conceptual standpoint. I'd personally turn up the volume on the vocals a bit, but that aside this is incredible. I love the lyrics, and the vocals are powerful and unique.

Great work and thanks for sharing

Great!

cool song, love the layers of sound

interesting progressions

strong contrasting chorus

enjoyed!

Kenny

Very cool and VERY interesting.

It has inspired my next song.

"I Wish I Didn't Have Religion."

Hello Peter, I thought this song was very well done! It may just be my musical tastes, but I feel this is probably your best to date when you take into consideration every facet of the song, production, instrumentation and musicianship! Someone use the word mesmerizing and I could not agree more! I enjoyed every second of it! Thanks, Torrey

Peter & Leon,

SUPERB!

Y'all have both out-done yourselves on this one.

An excellent ""Dream Rock" write.
An excellent "Dream Rock" vocal - cool processing.
An excellent "Dream Rock" production.

I like the mix. It has a dream-like quality - Perfect!

This sounds GREAT really loud.

Excellent Music.

fj

Hi Peter & Leon !


I too find this tune
outstanding !!!!!!

A superb
co-work from both of you !

Congrats & cheers

Dani

Good lyrics, interesting little twists. Similarly, the changes throughout the song kept me interested to hear what would happen next.

Nicely done all around!

Thanks glad you liked it.

Peter

Peter & Leon,

I don`t usually repeat immediately on a song, but there`s no way to get all that`s going on here in one listen.
Its ambitious; prog rock with excellent lyrics, daring changes ( love that shift to the acoustic guitar at 1:30) and superb guitar layers.
On phones the vocals aren`t too far back for me - and there are some nice effects on them.
One of your best -and one of the most original songs I`ve heard here for some time.

Robert

Wow, what a dark mood! I like the dynamic flow of the song From a calm acoustic to strong chorus. Interesting chording and melody. Great arrangement completed by that solo guitar work.

Janne

We agree with Dave.
The song, the guitar solo and the production are very cool. But the vocals could do with a little less effects.
Anyway, a very interesting song.

Rob and Anne-Marie

Thanks for those comments Noel much appreciated.

Peter

Glad you liked the guitar parts Dave (tried not to overplay!)

Peter

Very cool tune Peter and Leon. That intro just grabbed me. I am really liking Leons vocals. Excellent guitar work on this Peter well done...

Thanks Ray looks like the mix has split the opinions. Glad you liked the song.
Peter

Dave thanks for the comments appreciated
Peter

Thanks Deryk appreciate the comments.

Peter

Thanks a lot Kenny.

Peter

Yea this is a great song no doubt about it.


Could it be Better ?, yea the comments about the fx burying the vocals, the vocals are too good to be buried simple !!.

Enjoyed my listen.

Looking forward to it David.

Peter

Really appreciate those kind comments Torrey.

Peter

Thanks Dani.

Peter

Thanks David.

Peter

Thanks Robert appreciate the nice review.

Peter

Thanks Janne.

Peter

Thanks Rob & Ann-Marie.

Peter

Thanks Scott.

Peter

Thanks for the comments.

Peter

Very cool!! Drums sound huge...how did you process them? Cool Doors style guitar in there. Very trippy, dreamy, 60's vibe to this. Great sounding track with eery feel. Wonderful job guys!! Take care. Greg

Peter / Leon,

This is a very cool song! A great vocal and production - so much going on, but such a clear balance and mix.

Great job!

Bob

Very musically ambitious! Five of five stars!

I think I here a touch of Robin Trower lurking in the echos.

very much enjoyed!

Thanks Greg - use Sonar still - pro channel on the drums - probably the Tape Emulator boosted the drums.

Peter

Thanks Bob appreciate that.

Peter

Thanks Lawrence - saw Trower in I think the late 70's good show.

Peter

Hello, Peter

Very strange and dark mood!
It's very different from your usual.
The chord progression and the modulation are really unique.
While I hear bitter screams throughout the tune, I feel that clean electric guitar solo is a kind of salvation. The phrase of this guitar solo is excellent.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

floyd nailed the feel with the word "dream."

It's an amazing and mesmerizing four minute adventure each time we listen.

The nuances and textures obviously took a lot of thought and work.

You and Leon are a very creative team and this is a wonderful example of the best of a collaboration with the standout write, vocals, guitars and arrangement. And you wrapped it all up with a production that sounds pro level and HUGE on our sound system.

Kudos guys!

J&B

Thanks for the nice review Shigeki

Peter

Beyond cool! Dark - yes. Downer - no.

Loved the unexpected twists and turns. The chorus is fantastic and the passage afterwards is fantastic! Yeah, the vocal's somewhat buried, but that's not uncommon in this sort of anthemic song. Kind of adds to the mystery!

Musical production and delivery is spot on. Thanks for a terrific listen!

Alan

Peter and Leon,

Great job. I agree with all the comments about bringing up the vocals. To me, this is a mix of Moody Blues and Pink Floyd, both some of my favorite bands.

Steve