A love song (what else?)

The BAND:

RealTracks in song: 908:Bass, Electric, SmoothBallad Ev16 065
RealTracks in song: 378:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming DoubleTime Ev 088
RealTracks in song: 1814:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CelticAir Ev 085
RealTracks in song: ~1637:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm JazzFunkBreezyChords Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 852:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NashvillePopClean Ev 120 (B:arp)
RealTracks in song: 1540:Guitar, Electric, Soloist PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealTracks in song: 369 Pedal Steel, Background Ev 065
RealDrums in Song: NashvilleBrushesCountryPopEv16: a: Sidestick, Brushes b: Brushes



LOOKING AT A GIRL

she's got my head spinning around
got my feet just off the ground
she's got a way of touching me just so
maybe i'm reading the signs all wrong
but it feels so right just where i belong
look at the way she smiles to let me know

   i'm as surprised as a man can be
   looking at a girl who looks like she loves me

never thought i was the settling kind
never figured i'd ever find
a woman who could stand the habits i'd grown
but she's making my coffee, making my bed
making crazy thoughts dance through my head
making me consider making her my own

   i'm as surprised as a man can be
   looking at a girl who looks like she loves me

i'd seen it in the movies
bogart and bacall
almost given up believeing
that i'd find that love at all
gets to where bad endings
won't even let you start
then one day an angel
reaches out to touch your heart

   i'm as surprised as a man can be
   looking at a girl who looks like she loves me

she's got my head spinning around
got my feet just off the ground



Comments welcome.
Have at it.

Merry Christmas, y'all.


floyd

Hey Floyd love this song, nice melody and reflection. The only suggestion I have which you can take with a grain of salt as it's your song and you're pretty almost perfect, but don't know if you know MAB from Nashville (had lots of conversations with him) he would point out that "making my coffee, making my bed" wouldn't go over in this modern independent woman world. I might change that to something like "we're sharing coffee, talking in bed". Women like that a man who also wants to talk in bed and spend time sharing. Just my 2 cents. As always a good song.

Floyd,

I really love the chord progression and arrangement here. Very soulful.

The way you put it together, the internal harmonies of the tracks really play off one another well.

It is also very soothing and extremely pleasant to listen to. One I will revisit often.

Great job.

Floyd,

You're a non-stop music machine. As always, just about as good as it could be. The mix is spot on and the vocal is so damn good! Ah, to have a voice like that! And the creative talent - quite a package of talent.

More and more you make me think of a modern-day Ed Bruce. In my book, that's pretty dang good!

Great chord progression, particularly on the chorus. I like how you brought the short (but perfect) guitar lead in 2 bars early, and similarly near the end.

Your lyrics are always some of the very best here or anywhere else. They say more than the "fluff" a lot of writers put out. You seem to have a special line of communication with the human soul. It's truly remarkable.

Alan

Great vocal, excellent arrangement, awesome mix. I love the expression you get out of your voice - a great performance - wonder, surprise, and sincerity all come through.

As Alan pointed out, super effective entrance with the lead guitar. The hard-panned twelve string coming in mid-song is clear, but doesn't compete with the vocal. That's the kind of thing I've not quite figured out, good to have an example of how to do it right.

Love the final held chord with the fade. Not to mention the slide guitar and how the slide guitar sneaks in and out at just the right time. Did I mention it was a great mix?

As for lyrics, you again remind me that it's not about saying anything new, it's about saying it well.

Sooo good.

Donna,

Thanks for having a listen. And the nice words. And the suggestion.
I have known MAB (Marc) since about 1994 (back when he thought he was going to be the next big thing). We ran in the same circles for many years, knew many of the same people, though our paths did not cross all that often (it seemed like he sort of "disappearred" for a few years in that period). I "know and understand" and appreciate the concept of the "modern independent woman". I am well versed in what does and doesn't work in Nashville.

This song was not written intended for "the Nashville market". I view it more as "an artist song".

I don't believe that those lines imply any kind of sexism. The song is not implying that that is "her job" in any way. It's just what she does. I generally make the bed in our house. The few times that I am up first, I make the coffee. I do, in fact, make all the meals we eat (my wife would readily tell you, I''m a better cook than she is - and she's pretty good).

The fact that SHE (the she in the song) makes the coffee and the bed is just a nice thing that she chooses to do. And something that the singer seems to appreciate. It's showing that she has made herself a part of his life - doing things that he would have done himself before... It's still nice that people do things for each other regardless of what that might be and who is doing the doing. It's a connection. It's showing love. In the little things.

You surely know how to write compelling songs...
This one is just another superb example!

This is just one of those songs. It's a mood. I read the lyrics first, and always try to see where I think you are going to go with it. I was WAY off on this...but I like it!

I like the instrumentation build. Simplistic to less simplistic. I am purposely not saying complicated on purpose. You subtly introduce various elements, like the slide guitar. I didn't see the power guitar coming in; but it worked nicely for me. I would have gone slightly lower in volume on it; but that is more than likely what I'm listening on (a laptop)...so take the with many grains of salt. For all of your laptop listeners you MAY have to take it back slightly. Ok, probably not. lol

I really like the contrast of how the lyrics read to the actual sound of the song. It's not "Walkin' on Sunshine"...and Thank God for that.

Well performed, well produced, well written. It's an FJ, no doubt.

I like that you are experimenting. Do you listen to a lot of Bruce Springsteen recently by chance? Something about it reminds me of his mellower stuff. Just curious. I'm probably off on that.

floyd
A very pretty love song with some really nice subtleties. I liked the chord progression and what you did with the guitars. The song has a really nice melody (my wife called out that she liked the chorus on that song).
As always excellent work.
Merry Christmas

Peter

Floyd,

This has your classic signature all over it... You know immediately when you hear a Floyd Jane song. Love the direct lyric and the chorus - the vocal is one of your absolute best.

This deserves airplay... So excellent!

Bob

FJ, excellent song!
Very clear mix.

I liked very much how you turned direction of the song starting 2:10 with vocals, distorted guitar gave it nice kick, but still you held the "mood" of the song through the end. Very nice write.

Thank you for sharing,
Misha.

Floyd I don't know how you do it! Not only do you produce songs so fast but they are always top shelf all the way.

I really like your choice in backing tracks. Your vocals are always super. The lyrics here are some of the best you have done.

This is fantastic!

Donna,

Thanks for having a listen. And the nice words. And the suggestion.
I have known MAB (Marc) since about 1994 (back when he thought he was going to be the next big thing). We ran in the same circles for many years, knew many of the same people, though our paths did not cross all that often (it seemed like he sort of "disappearred" for a few years in that period). I "know and understand" and appreciate the concept of the "modern independent woman". I am well versed in what does and doesn't work in Nashville.

This song was not written intended for "the Nashville market". I view it more as "an artist song".

I don't believe that those lines imply any kind of sexism. The song is not implying that that is "her job" in any way. It's just what she does. I generally make the bed in our house. The few times that I am up first, I make the coffee. I do, in fact, make all the meals we eat (my wife would readily tell you, I''m a better cook than she is - and she's pretty good).

The fact that SHE (the she in the song) makes the coffee and the bed is just a nice thing that she chooses to do. And something that the singer seems to appreciate. It's showing that she has made herself a part of his life - doing things that he would have done himself before... It's still nice that people do things for each other regardless of what that might be and who is doing the doing. It's a connection. It's showing love. In the little things.

Floyd,
Yes, I was pretty certain that's how you meant it as a caring thing. But the words sort of jumped out at me and I was wondering if another female might misinterpret it thinking girlfriends and wives don't wait on men these days and aren't the housemaid. MAB helped me with my lyric writing several years ago and critiqued quite a few of my songs. He would always say I know you're not writing for Nashville, but Nashville is the "gold standard of good writing". He always looked for things that would make the song sound out dated or might alienate half of the audience by misinterpretation. He'ld say you can't get away or say that in today's environment. He was brutally honest about my writing and didn't mince words but I did learn a lot and it made me more aware of the effect of words. Love your song though and thanks for clarifying your intention!!

Very cool chord progressions. So different and original. Loved the vocal and lyric. Very sweet tune.

Nice. This one really sits well with me. There were a lot of directions you could have taken in the production choices and what you've chosen works well. This reminds me of some of the songs Jimmy Webb did for Glen Campbell

Your standard of production excellence is well known in these parts.

And this one? Wow! From the first note to that long contemplative fade outro it is serious ear candy.

This has a serious Americana stamp to us. There is a certain aura of mystery in your vocal and the backing tracks causing one to wonder if there's more to the story than meets the eye. Probably not but we feel it. As Janice said a few bars in "that vocal is sublime."

The use of all those guitar rhythm tracks and the perfect solo RT is a showcase within the showcase of what talent and Biab can produce.

Outstanding in the truest sense of the word.

J&B

This song struck me as sort of melancholy. Not exactly the chords and feeling you expect from a "love song". Maybe if you hadn't said it was a love song I might have had a different first impression.

That aside... it's a good write and a good job on the recording.

It's a crying shame when you have to defend the songs you write with long explanations that you didn't write a sexist song. Imagine the Rolling Stones apologizing for writing Under My Thumb...they certainly would have caught more static these days, as it was they were ostracized back then as I recall.

As Dylan said... the times they are a changing.

Hello Floyd,

just another great composition of yours. It's really romantic in the best sense and very touching.

I love your voice and that laid-back way you use it. Everthing great with this song.

Happy Holidays and all the best for 2019.

Stefan

Love the way you shift the tune and feel in this song Floyd, has an early 70's rock sound to me. Vocal is killer here, the band is just perfect. Great song Floyd.

Cliff

I've run out of adjectives

great write, great vocals

what really grabs me first is the mix and clarity of sound

joy to listen to,

Merry Christmas,

Kenny

Guitarhacker so true, we are living in a different world and things always change and move ahead. I dare say few people would put "Happiness is a warm gun" in their song today. At the time no one thought anything about it or thought John Lennon was so cool. Or how about women are the "N*****" of the world? I think us old timers (me included) have to look at the effect of words in today's world. Sure we can do what we want as we still have the 1st Amendment and Artistic License but maybe our songs won't be well received by some group. That's all I was saying. And if you don't care and it doesn't hurt your sales, then who cares? If you're writing only for yourself who cares, but if you're selling songs or records who buys most of the music, age 20's women. I love Floyd's song but for some reason that line just stood out and I know he meant well when he said it.

I really like the chord progression, especially in the verses. Great lyrics, I wish I could find a girl like that Arrangement, vocals and mix are perfect, that solo guitar fits perfectly. I also wish I had a voice like yours

Janne

This is just about as good as it gets.

But then *all* your songs are just about as good as it gets.

Love the write and the vocal sounds great, one of your best.

I always love listening to your productions, all the little things you do that add up. Like the subtle use of the pedal steel for instance, and then when you bring the electric in at 2:25, I wasn't expecting it but man, it came in at the perfect time. Cool way to end the song as well.

Mix sounds fabulous though the phones!

All the best to you and yours for the holidays, looking forward to hearing more of your music next year!

Herb,

There is a really easy way to deal with this phenomenon of "songwriting advice."

One way that has worked really well for me is this: if the person giving me advice were Mick Jagger or Bob Dylan, I would be listening really hard. If it is not, I am probably tuning out and going to my happy place.

The second is to consider Dylan himself. When Infidels came out (one of my favorite albums of all time) a radio announcer introduced the first hit it by saying:

"So pop music has been changing rapidly this decade and Bob Dylan appears not to have heard anything that's on the radio in the last ten years, or just doesn't give a damn. In either case I am glad. Here is his new masterpiece: Jokerman."

If being completely obtuse to current musical trends or advice from others is good enough for Bobby Dylan it's good enough for me.

David Snyder, I know you're a chapter leader of a NASI group and I suppose you never give your group "songwriting advice" because you're not Mick Jagger. My comment was well intentioned, but I can see not many here can take a constructive suggestion. Only "likes" are allowed. And I did like the song.

Merry Christmas to you FJ!

To me, this is an exotic sounding arrangement and progression with a mysterious spooky melancholy in the music sort of like a Wicked Game vibe. Definitely different from my expectations and outside the usual love song box.

Lots of really cool sounds going on in the production. And my shucks what a great sound on your vocals!

What was your vocal chain on this one?

Donna,

I actually thought your comment was insightful, and made a good point, and was gracefully delivered. I liked the interchange between you and Floyd too. Songwriters have to be able to discuss such things.

At NSAI meetings we offer many such observations. People take them or leave them. I have had some of my stuff shredded by my best friends. Again, I think you were delicate in the way you presented it.

I was totally goofing around with Herb as I often do (he has been a member of my chapter) and I know I have an odd sense of humor.

Sorry if I offended you. I was just being silly. Totally silly.

Happy Holidays.

well, the first quote arguably is true. Nothing like the smell of gunpowder and the warmth of a recently fired gun or two.

the second.... yeah... John was a great writer and well ahead of his time..... Somehow, when that song was out, I don't recall people marching in the streets in protest of his use of that word..... we all took it in stride. Those dreaded and despicable "letter words" and "N" isn't the only one now apparently.

floyd, there is an amazing clarity in the whole production. Especially the vocals. You definitely did something different this time. The chord choices were unexpected and inventive and set the mood perfectly. I didn’t see anything wrong about the lyrics and you presented them very convincingly. You said what you wanted to say-your way. In the end that’s what we all do. It seems to me that writing specifically for the commercial market limits the truly creative process. This is one that is way up your list of great songs. Great use of the steel, especially that repeating line when it first appears. The guitar comes in just right and loud like we like it. A really cool write,performance and production. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Tom

David Snyder I am not offended as you were joking, but sometimes you never know where people are coming from on social media. I go to the Winchester, VA monthly NSAI group and sometimes my songs get shredded also. This is how I handle it, if someone suggests a change and to me it makes sense and makes the song better I'll change my song. Sometimes it's just an opinion of how someone else would do it and I'll just say "Thanks for your input" and let it go. I really did love Floyd's song, the melody was great and I don't know him, but I think he's an honorable well intentioned man. As an independent woman, I was just offering a suggestion on one of the lyric lines and meant no ill will towards him or anyone else. As I said, he can take it with a grain of salt. I appreciate frank constructive advice that makes a song better. Sometimes I feel just likes from everyone although they may be encouraging and polite and I certainly appreciate them as everyone else don't really say much.

Yes, Guitarhacker certainly agree sometimes today it's like trying to avoid minefields. Miranda Lambert is the only one I know who gets away with smoking gun songs and I love her.

Floyd,
I have to listen again- all the discussion has taken me away from the feeling of this fine song.
Its a "mood" song as HearToLearn said;I was expecting euphoria and heard a guy trying to get his head around the realisation of being loved.
A little twist from most love songs and so beautifully sung, arranged and mixed.
Excellent work once again!

Robert

WOW,
it's a great sounding song.
IF I were to to offer commentary/suggestions re the recording I'd say that I think the 12 string sounding guitar over to the side is a little phasey & fizzy plus I'm not convinced by the lead tone for the setting. These things are minor and have no impact I'm sure.
I understand the concern about the lyric as noted by others - there are at least two sides to a story or a position. It's not a matter of P.C., renaissance or unreconstructedness but of writing perspective.
Personally, if I'd written the words I'd be inclined to change "my" bed, "my" coffee to "our" and a few other things but I didn't write them & wouldn't have because I don't write from that general perspective and for all the other personal experience, etc., reasons.
The lyrics, as written, seem to be comfy within FJ's oeuvre and his explanation of his perspective, if needed by a listener/reader, is much more than a listener is due.
Dylan's Infidels, his 1st release after his god bothering phase, included Union Sundown which is a great example of near unconscious, as opposed to subconscious, lyric - the 1st 41 seconds of vocal melody are voiced as de dah dum dum then a half thought through chorus is added. The choice of words can make or break a song for the listener. I think Knopfler may still have been to in awe of the famously curmudgeonly fellow.
Many folk don't give a rat's about lyrics so long as the melody is compelling. Other folk dissect lyrics looking for clues to the writer or the deeper message. FJ did write "Comments welcome. Have at it." so I'm glad Belladonna added a perspective. I know I offered my own. FJ thanked her for her comment and addressed the issue raised as gently and courteously as they were raised. Credit is due to the pair for not being thinned skinned or combative.
It's a great sounding song.

I like a good love song, and this is a great one. As others have said, the vocals are superb, not only in the vocal timbre, but also in expressiveness. Good, fresh lyrics. You obviously aren't writing for 20 somethings because most of them wouldn't understand the allusion: "i'd seen it in the movies/bogart and bacall."

Thanks, David!

Alan - thanks for that terrific review. Ed Bruce was certainly under appreciated!! Merry Christmas to you both!

Hi floyd jane,
I can learn so much from your songwriter style, this beautifully arranged and well sung. A fresh bridge added at the end, that loops well to the beginning. Really enjoyed this song... thanks for posting

The hard thing about writing love songs is that so many things have been done. The great thing about writing love songs is that when you do something fresh, it really stands out, like this one does!!! Very creative angle on this. Without overstating it, the music and the lyric both paint a picture of happy disbelief in a person who has been around the block more than a few times. The music draws you in, the lyric keeps you listening, and the vocal perfectly reflects the emotion. Mix/arrangement are flawless!! Beautiful!!! Great one Floyd!! Take care. Greg

David - I always appreciate your comments/reviews of a song. They are thoughtful. They are "musical". Touching on the things that matter to "make a song work". Thanks for the positive thoughts on this one... much appreciated.

Floyd, this one really sticks with you for a while! Most of your tunes fit in the country genre, but this one is far closer to a classic rock vibe! It really puts me in mind of the Who's "Behind Blue Eyes" same kind of feel, but this one stands on it's own! Such great chord structure and melody, but you lyrics and vocal steal the show once again! Great job Floyd! Thanks, Torrey

Thanks, Jim...




C - I always appreciate how carefully you listen to things (and that you mention what you hear). I can't recall what I was listening to when I did this - though I know it was not Springsteen.... I think it was a rabbit hole that I went down listening to a bunch of Americana stuff. It is SO easy to get lost in the mazes of the internet these days...

Hi, Floyd !

I am late to this masterpiece
of yours but it hits me like
a sledgehammer on the anvil !
To me this is your best, at
least it is my new Floydfav !!

May you have the best Holidays
of your life and may the coming
New Year become even better
still !!!!

Cheers
Dani

Brilliant. Raw, edgy, powerful and yet sensitive. Loved it!

Thanks, Peter! And Merry Christmas to you, too...




Appreciate that, Bob (always loved a "airplay" comment...)

Misha - thanks for dropping by and having a listen...




Mario - I appreciate all the kind words...

Thanks, Scott...



Now THERE'S a comparison that makes my heart flutter. Glen was my first (biggest?) influence - which means that Jimmy Webb was my first "song writing hero"... Thanks, Charlie!!!!

That review made me smile!




Thanks for the listen, Herb.

Melancholy can sometimes work for a love song. "I've Grown Accustom To Her Face" is one of the greatest love songs ever written - and it is quite melancholy...

Thanks, Stefan. Happy Holidays to you, as well..




Appreciate that, Cliff....





Thanks, Kenny. Happy New Year - a very MUSICAL one!!!...

What an ending! C minor if I'm not mistaken. Great writing!

Janne - thanks for stopping in for a listen. Thanks for that nice review...




Dave - thanks for the fine review! You have done so much marvelous music this year - looking forward to the next (year of music)!

hi Floyd this is memorable for sure and I mean that, im not trying sound like Simon Cowell but that's a great production sir vocal and chords were excellent thanks Eric

Josie - nice to have you drop by! The vocal chain - Studio One Pro effects... EQ > Compressor > Analog Delay > Room Reverb and then a Nectar preset - Nectar Country....





Tom - I always enjoy hearing your comments on the thing I do - these were especially nice ones - Thanks! Not sure why the vocals seem to "hit the mark" on this... I can never seem to get the exact same sound when I try to duplicate aany set of effects...

thanks for having a listen, Robert...





ray - I enjoyed reading your take on this. I think electric guitars are always "a matter of taste" as I rather like the "phasey/fizzy" sound of that guitar - and I really like the tone on the lead guitar (it would be rathere silly to add tracks that I did not like after all). Regarding your idea of changing "my" to "our" i those two instances, that would change the meaning of the song -- it is the idea that she is becoming a part of his life - not that it is already "their life" being described...it is the realization (for him) that this is happening - therefore...the surprise!





EZ - I appreciate that...thanks!

Thanks, LPman... glad to have you drop by...




"happy disbelief" - that is a good way of describing it - which isn't surprising considering your songwriting prowess... Thanks for such a nice review!!





Thanks, Torrey. (I can honestly say that no one has ever brought up a Who song in comparison). Looking forward to what you present in 2019!...

Beautiful stuff fj. An amazing set of lyrics, gorgeous chord changes and arrangement, and a stunning RTs setting. Perfectly engineered as always. A wonderful listen. Thanks.

John

Hi Floyd
What a great write and fantastic production as always. Loved it.

thanks, Dani! Happy New Year!




Thanks, James. Nice to have you stop by...





Lawrence - glad to see you around again...

thanks, Eric. I appreciate that...




John - thanks. I always appreciate a good review of the engineering from you!





Joanne - thanks for having a listen to this...

Nice song and performance. I love the surprise lead guitar entry near "then one day an angel reaches out to touch your heart".
Cheers, Mike

Another fine job in every respect!

i like how you ended on the second chord of the 2 chord progression.
( C major to Bb major...i think)
Goes perfect with the lyric about your feet off the ground.


-rob

Hi floyd,

Once again you have struck gold in that mine of music creating and music presenting.

The first thing that appealed when “Looking At A Girl” started playing was the wistfulness of the backing. The effect that you have created by alternating between two chords made me think of “Everybody’s Talking At Me” from Midnight Cowboy. It’s a very effective mood-setting technique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzEY6ZqkuE

In addition, I really like the way in which this ‘rocking’ between two chords serves to draw attention to the lyric content of lines 3 and 6 as well as the lyric content of the chorus. What a terrific strategy for lighting up spotlights and accenting those lyrics that most deserve the listener’s attention.

As I hear these lyrics, the use of the AABCCB rhyme scheme in the verse, in conjunction with the poetic meter of 4-4-5-4-4-5, also supports the mood of the lyrics and acts as an amplifier for lyric content.

For me, in the second verse, consecutive use of the “making...” phrases really drew my focus to that last phrase “making her my own” which is a super trigger phrase for the chorus.

Just in case you’re interested, Google helped me find a quote from Charles Dickens where he demonstrates the power of anaphora – i.e. repeating the same words at the beginning of consecutive phrases.



Every time, I read the above quote, that last phrase, “it was the winter of despair”, makes me shudder!

One last thing that made me sit up and pay attention throughout this “maybe...” section was how you’ve used what Steve Seskin refers to as ‘The Rule of Two’. This principle basically says that once you’ve done something twice, it’s a good idea to do something different. If I break up your “maybe...” phrases, it’s easy to see how you’ve employed this strategy.



Initally: two short “making...” phrases are followed by a longer third “making...” phrase. Then in the second grouping: two short “making...” phrases are followed by the longer phrases of the chorus. I love it when I see theory in action

All in all, you gave me a lot to think about with this song! It’s fantastic.

All the best,
Noel