Hi everyone,

It's june, so I had to post a new song: https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/they-say
No, that's not true. I worked hard on this song and considered it ready to share with you.
There is a message in it, but that's the problem with most of my songs. It's a habit, I'm afraid.
But apart from that message, there is a catchy beat in it.
I surely hope you like it.

I used the BB-style Mist in the key of Db/Eb. The tempo is 85.
I used the following instruments:
Bas, 1759, Piano, 1837, Drums, PopRock 16ths, Git1, 3057 Fingerpick, A Synth for the flutes 2364, a Bariton guit. 3164, a Mandolin for the solopart 3079 and a Komplete keyboard for some other sounds, but in my DAW.
For the first time I used a delay for the vocals (Replica, from Native Instruments) and a Warm47 microfone.
The latter is new. I always use a Gemini II from SE, but it sounds very good (to me).

The lyrics
They Say

In the past ages,
people were more religious, they say
In all kind of temples
to their gods they pray

Can you imagine
their time was evanescent?
But did it cause
our end?

When do things become precious?
And why are they so dear for us?
All things of value have no defense
They vanish unless your heart prevents

You fell in love once
This sometimes happen, they say
You got butterflies
inside your stomach, that day

Can you imagine
this time was evanescent
But did it cause
your end?

When do things become precious?
And why are they so dear for us?
All things of value have no defense
They vanish unless your heart prevents

Why does live is so confusing?
It's all about winning or loosing
All things of value have no defense
They vanish unless your heart prevents

Solo

Now you have your answers
You'd seen the most, they say
You lived your live
and found your God, you pray

Could you imagine
if you weren't evanescent
Would your butterflies
still fly their bends?

When does live becomes precious?
What makes it so dear for us?
All things of value have no defense
They vanish unless your heart prevents
I say

Very philosophical lyrics for all of us to contemplate...
Good write...
And I enjoyed the way you delivered them with your exquisite melody & vocals!

First of all I really like this, very good song IMHO.

Good lyrics and your vocal sounds great. I thought you had too much reverb the first time I listened but it grew on me for the second listen. I also liked your choice of instruments.

The line "Why does live is so confusing" doesn't make much sense to me. I think "live" is a typo, should be "life", but it would be better English if it was "Why is life so confusing" IMHO.

But a good song, enjoyed!

Well done Birchwood, thanks for sharing this! This is beautiful and I dig the overall timbres. Fantastic work on the vocals. Thanks for sharing!

Hans,

An interesting write.

A BIG sound - really nice production. Good vocal. Good mix.

Well done.

fj

There is a lot of profundity in the lyric. Things that have been contemplated since time immemorial.

As floyd said it is a big sound. We cranked it up loud and it all held together quite well. Nice mix and vocal.

Kudos!!

J&B

Hans,

This is so well done. I almost hear a hint of John Lennon in your vocal delivery...

Great song and great mix!

Bob

Hans,
Good write! Loved this:
"All things of value have no defense
They vanish unless your heart prevents"

Composition/arrangement is fluid and listens well. Minor note. Most of the backing I think falls under electronic rock/ hip beat, but mandolin parts have concert acoustic feel to them, which is not a bad thing at all, but I would use some sort of fx to blend them little more into the mix.

Thank you for sharing!
Misha.

Glad you decided to share this one with us. Thanks for taking the time to post it up!

This flows very well. The rhythm and progression work well together to carve out a great and varied listening space. I like the FX on the vocals and they sit nicely in the mix to my ears. Thoughtful lines and thoughtful production. I like this a lot.

Hi Ember, Janice, Joe, Tangmo, Misha, Bob, Bud, Floyd, Dave and Jim,

Thanks for your effort listening and responding substantively to this song. I cherish your nice compliments, suggestions and critics.
But at first I must say I was wrong with the words 'live' and 'life'. It's Dave who told me so in the politest way possible (!).
I will also change the line he mentioned in a new version of the song. This will take some days.

At this moment I am very proud to read Bob heard John Lennons'influence somewhere in my voice! But more so because you all mentioned the vocals were ok. It must be that new mike and the delay (?).

Misha, it was meant to have extremes in the song (the mandolin vs the beat/ electronic instruments). In the new version I will look what kind of FX I can use to bridge acoustic and electric more. but I liked the pure sound of that mandolin. Makes it so vulnerable. I had more doubts with the 2 kinds of beat I used; the drums and that keyboardsound.

Thanks for all your compliments about the lyrics. At first I wanted to have some jokes in it, but that wasn't a very good idea. The subject was too serious. I couldn't resist leaving one joke about that 'falling in love that sometimes happen'.

Finaly, I was surprised Janice, Bud, and Floyd (I presume) tested the song 'to the crank'. I wouldn't dare doing this in my place. I would be sleeping on the couch, I'm afraid. But I got impressions with a lot of wine coming along. Am I right?

We'll speak again...
Hans

Really nicely done Love the lyrical aspect, and thought the backing tracks fit perfectly. It has an ethereal, lush, and vibrant feel to it. Very easy on the ears, and just the right level of catchy as well.

Wouldn't change a thing - thanks for sharing!

I just change some things, Deryk, despite your call...

I changed the mistakes and sang it again. I just placed it on Soundcloud.
I hope you still like it.

But thanks a lot for your so positive comment,
Hans

Super vocal. Loved the lyric. Very big sound. Sounded very cool on the head phones. Well done..

I found the lyrics thoughtful and the "message" not at all dogmatic, so no need to apologise for having something to say!
The mandolin sounds good and helps rein in the pop feel of the backing.
My personal preference would be to hear a little less reverb/delay on your vocals- its a very good performance and there are times, eg when you sing with more emphasis on
"All things of value have no defense
They vanish unless your heart prevents", (good lines!) where the effects make the sound a bit harsh to my ears.

Robert

And that's a problem, how?

So long as it doesn't feel like the song is trying to get that point across in the least subtle way possible, that's no problem at all.

As someone else mentioned, it's got a sort of John Lennon vibe. Partly because of the subject, partly because you really do sound a bit like him, and partly because of the effects on the voice. (John apparently didn't like the sound of his voice, so was always looking for some way to disguise his voice).

The mandolin helps give the song a distinct sound, I like it.

Plus, you made me look up the word evanescent.

Well done!

Hi Scott, Robert and David,

Thans a lot for your comment. Gave a good feeling to me.
But... it also made me record, mix and master the song again. At first I discovered another languageproblem: 'became' must be 'become'. And because of that I could do something about the harshness to protect Roberts' ears. But you might follow Scott's advice on the headphones? I prefer them too.

David, I liked your anecdote about John Lennon. Didn't know it, but I also have problems liking the sound of my voice. And I was proud -of course- to read that you had to look up that word. That's the other way around, ain't it?

So thanks for your remarks. As we say in my country: '3 times is shipping law'. Must have to do with our history when we sailed a lot. But it means the 3rd time is the best (version).

Hans

Had another listen, sounds good to me!

Very nicely done!

Hans, you did such an excellent job with this! Your vocal is wonderful and it reminds me so much of the great Al Stewart who is one of my favorite vocalists! Thanks, Torrey

Another essay in values and value - thanks.
I think the 1st beat/note is too sudden - I reckon you could fade in the 1st bar.
The same is true of your 1st sung note - loud & sudden.
the blend of organic and electronic is pretty cool. The melody works well and you sing well.
By the way loosing - refers to letting some thing loose as opposed to losing which refers to misplacing etc.
Best use of evanescent since the band Evanescence.

love the backing tracks! a good band

I really like the vocal effects - kind of a John Lennon sound

good write, good vocals

enjoyed,

Kenny

Hi Torrey, Ray and Dave,

Dave, thanks for listening again and your final conclusion.

Torrey, From John Lennon to Al Steward... I'm getting confused but also honored with these comparisons and I like cats! so thanks a lot.

And Ray, I like the way you started your post. It's a very nice line. One I can use in another song. But the following two lines were also very instructive. I think you're right about the first one, and I'm still hesitating about the second one. I tried singing softer at the beginning, but then one can easely mis what the line is about (ok, they can read the lyrics, but still...)
And the lines following made me shine. But Loosing is also the opposite of winning or gaining succes. Like in 'looser'. There is a president who's using this very much in his tweets.

But thank you all and have a very nice weekend,
Hans Lennon-Steward

Nicely done! I really like the feel of the music, and you have a really cool voice.....comes across very well, and is nicely processed. I also like the sentiment of the tune. Nice job!! Take care. Greg

"There is a message in it, but that's the problem with most of my songs. It's a habit, I'm afraid."

What problem? I hear no problems.

I really like your backing tracks! Super blend. Your vocal was outstanding as was your lyrics.

You should post more often!

You have a great sound, there, Hans. The distinctive vocal delivery is fabulous, though with my aging ears and cheapskate's studio monitor there were a few syllables I had to strain to make out. Other lines were crystal clear, so, go figure. Instrumentation was up to the same quality as the voice. Go, Hans!

What Janice & Bud said. Big song, big message, big listen. Loved the drum track - profound yet not overbearing. Nicely done!

ALan

Hi Kenny, Greg, Mario, Ed and Alan (and all other readers),

Thanks for your compliments about the voice, the song, the drums and the lyrics!
I enjoyed reading your posts.
Kenny, you also heard that 'Lennon-sound'. I didn't (yet), but it's works good on my ego ;-)

Greg, Thanks for calling it a 'cool' voice. Did my best on the mike. Misha and Ray gave me hints that worked out well.

Mario, thanks man, I will post more. I promise! Maybe this weekend, cause I'm mastering a song now. It's about my son wanting to go to Mexico because he fell in love.... Watch this forum for my post!

Ed, I'm sorry not all my words could be clearly heard. I know this happens to me. It's probably the way I sing. Now I'm working with two mikes to get a more clear sound. And I practise on my pronunciation. But a lot of songs also have that problem. Example: 'I gotta get a message to you', from the BeeGees. I thought they sang "Oh Lord", but it was "Hold on". So I sang it wrong al that time.

And Alan, Thans for that drum-compliment. I like working with 'fat' drums because they give a nice tough to the song.

A nice weekend to you all,
Hans