Six years ago, while recovering from surgery, I was diagnosed with an incurable form of Muscular Dystrophy called Charcot Marie Toothe (a condition that deteriorates the muscles in the hands and feet, and works its way up the body). Though the doctors can't cure it, I am looking to a Higher Doctor's report. Every year, I like to do something to sort of "kick the devil in the teeth." This is my kick for this year. I played all the pianos, organs, and synth keyboards (just to keep on doing it), and let BB do the rest. I hope you enjoy this...

VIDEO - Different Point Of View

SOUNDCLOUD - Different Point Of View

Here are the RT's/RD's used...
RealTracks in song: 995:Bass, Electric, HardRockLA Ev 120
RealTracks in song: 2434:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm NewOrleansMardiGrasKevin Ev 170
RealTracks in song: 1850:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopShiningGrittyMuted Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~500:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm StoneZ Flash 1 Ev 140 ('A' only)
RealTracks in song: 1001:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm HardRockLAFuzzySync Ev 120
RealTracks in song: ~~1120:Guitar, 12-String Acoustic, Strumming Ev 165
RealTracks in song: 1171:Guitar, Electric, Soloist RockUpbeatBrent Ev 140
RealDrums [in Song:Rock90s^01-a:Closed Hat, Snare, b:Open Hat, Snare

Different Point Of View
©Stephen W. Young

I won’t go down easy
I'm gonna fight the fight
Not being greedy
I Just want what's right
You may think I'm crazy
I wouldn't take that bet
You may think my better days are through
But I've got a different point of view

A little grey around the temples works just fine
But if you think I'm done, that's where I draw the line
These bones may rattle to the beat of the songs I play
But make no mistake, these bones are here to stay

I won’t go down easy
I'm gonna fight the fight
Not being greedy
I Just want what's right
You may think I'm crazy
I wouldn't take that bet
You may think my better days are through
But I've got a different point of view

It's been a long time since I played my first guitar
Three chords and a prayer got me off to a pretty good start
Those piano keys, they still feel good to me
Give me a few more bars, and you'll be dancing in the street

I won’t go down easy
I'm gonna fight the fight
Not being greedy
I Just want what's right
You may think I'm crazy
I wouldn't take that bet
You may think my better days are through
But I've got a different point of view

Great voice, good energy. Nice keys, keep kicking!

Positively marvelous...
And I emphasize Positively...
Keep looking towards the "Higher Doctor's report"...
And keep kicking "the devil in the teeth"...
BTW...
I like your uplifting songs!

What a treat! It's always great to hear one of your songs.

A very mellow rocker. I loved the arrangement - the tambourine, guitar solo and tubular bells.

Upbeat message, glad you're fighting the good fight.

Even as a rocker, everything in this is so smooth and easy. Actually it makes me want to hear a more gritty mix.

Only one real suggestion, though - the end fade is a bit abrupt.

Thanks for posting this!

Steve,

Love this! Great to hear you rock... Excellent track selection and mix as usual.

A very inspirational song!

Bob

Hi Steve. Your song writing always shines.
As always great production and vocal.

Thanks for the back story.
All the best. Rob

Nice to get a good catchy pop song from you Good way to start with the chorus, to get into fast pace rhythm. I like the soft arrangement/mix, and those little percussion effect are nice additions. Enjoyable singing, you are showing your 'kick' in a very lively way. Really enjoyed the song, keep on fighting!

Janne

" little grey around the temples works just fine
But if you think I'm done, that's where I draw the line
These bones may rattle to the beat of the songs I play
But make no mistake, these bones are here to stay"

Now that's testifyin'!

For a rock song, somewhat counter intuitively, there is a gentle core that
flows through the entire production and it enhances the message.

Your keyboards and the RT/RD tracks make a fine band as always.

The sincerity of your vocals never disappoint. We are all about soul, sincerity, feeling...
whatever you want to call it in vocals for any genre and you have it in spades.

Keep kicking him!!!

We enjoyed both the audio and video versions.

J&B

Excellent key signature choice for this Steve! The different instruments are also layered very nicely too. Keep em coming!

Inspiring, intelligent, and beautiful!!! Wonderful song, and so well played and performed! Wonderful message, wonderfully delivered! Everything done just right! AWESOME Steve!!! Take care. Greg

Steve,
That was a strong kick
Your arrangements are among the best in the Showcase. Vocals and production shine!

Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Excellent voice - you recorded and processed the well sung track really well.
Perhaps you could share your vocal processing secrets?
Strong, driving arrangement with a message to match.
COOL!

Hi Steve,

This is....



... and then some!!!

I really love what you've done. The driving beat, the '10th Dan Black Belt' arrangement, your outstanding vocals and those really engaging lyrics. Everything about this was aural excellence for me... seriously!

As you've probably gathered by now from listening to my songs, I'm a pretty big fan of the interrupted cadence. In many of my songs, I've used this cadence to create an ending.

I'm not sure, but this might be called a 'deceptive cadence' in the States. It’s also called a ‘Surprise Cadence’ in my part of the world. The principle of this music device is to firmly set the audience up for closure and then not give them that closure. This lack of resolution then leads to delaying the final closure for as long as the composer wants. Mozart created some amazing endings using this approach. If you listen to the ending of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (below Youtube clip) from around 19:30, you'll hear what I mean. A number of times, the listener finds themselves thinking that the end is just around the corner but Mozart then teases the audience and it doesn't arrive as expected. When the ending finally does come along, the sense of relief felt by listeners is enormous and this brings with it a huge desire to applaud!



DIRECT LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1FSN8_pp_o


In terms of classical harmony notation, a popular chord progression for setting up this interrupted cadence is "I-IV-I6/4-V7-VI" where chord VI is, in this instance, the interruption to the ending and substitutes for what listeners think will be the tonic chord. Using chord symbols in the key of C major, the above progression translates to C-F-C/G-G7-Am. (For those who read this and who might be interested in translating the progression into a minor key, using A minor as an example, this interrupted cadence would be Am-Dm-Am/E-E7-F.)

The reason I mention the above interrupted cadence is because you’ve taken us on exactly the same ride with the chorus’s lyrics. I love that you started with the chorus and you totally took me by surprise when you got to the second last line.

Up until this second last line, the lyrics' rhyme has travelled in alternate rhyming phrases; namely, ABAB and then we get to “crazy” and “bet” and I was totally tuned-in into the next line (the second last line) rhyming with “crazy”. But it didn’t! You made me sit up and open my eyes with that second last line for two reasons. One: you don’t rhyme as expected; Two: you lengthen the line by an extra poetic foot and create lyric deceleration! Wow! This is very effective for highlighting these last two lines in sun-bright spotlights. This, in turn, makes the lyric content of those two lines stand prominently proud and tall. Amazing stuff and so very, very effective. Then, in true Shakespearean style, you close the chorus by using the last two lines to create a rhyming couplet; more spotlights! How cool is that!

The strategy that you’ve used for writing the chorus lyrics appealed to me greatly. I cannot remember ever coming across this layout before… I tip my proverbial hat to you

This is an outstanding work by every measure!

All the best,
Noel

What a great positive and encouraging tune Steve!! A slick polished production as is the norm for you! Great vocals...lead and background! Loved those Springsteen-esque bells happening at the end! Thanks, Torrey

Hi Stephen,

Very nice, strong song, with a good performance on your vocals!
The lyrics are very personal, but especially the courage that comes out makes it strong
'I won’t go down easy, I'm gonna fight the fight' is an example of that.

I have a close neighbour suffering from the same disease. So I know what a fight that is.
But continue making your nice songs!

Hans

Steve

Wonderful song, superb vocal and arrangement.
Inspirational and entertaining.
After Noels wonderful analysis I'll keep it short. Keep 'em coming.

Peter

Wow - what a tune! I love just about every aspect of this. Super catchy and uplifting, and your vocals soar on this one. Really memorable chord progressions to boot. Having a disease like that has to be tough - I can only imagine. Keep fighting the good fight! At lease it doesn't seem to be effecting your creativity.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks so much!



Thanks, Jim! Glad you like this. I am definitely staying positive, and keeping my eyes on the Higher Doctor!



Thank you so much for your input, David. Glad you like this one. I did lengthen the ending now by a little bit. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and post!

===

Steve

So pro sounding, vocals are great, writing is solid, really enjoyed it!

Good song! Nice arrangement, mix, and great vocal.

Love the positive message in the lyrics also, nicely done!

Steve,

It is always a pleasure to hear your music. Always.

I really like what Bud said (and agree fully):



And like, Torrey, I really like the "Springsteen-esque ending".

Excellent vocals, arrangement and mix.

This has the sound and feel of a Phil Vassar song... because of that, I did wish that the piano was mixed a bit more prominently...

Good stuff.

fj

Great Song Cuz! Hope The Higher Dr fixes you up!

Great melody. Upbeat power pop. Love it. Keep fighting the fight!

Always enjoy hearing your voice. This is a great arrangement and write, down to the end. Perfectly powerful band and message.

Hey everybody! I have been out of the loop for the past couple of weeks. Sorry to take so long to respond to all your kind words! I hope to be more "around" now...



Thanks so much, Bob! Glad you like this one!



Thank you, Rob! Appreciate your kind words.



Thanks, Janne, for your nice comment!



Hey, Janice and Bud! Thanks for your kind words! Always good to hear from you!



Thanks, Joe! Glad you like it.



Thanks, Greg! I'm always encouraged when anybody says anything I do is intelligent! Really appreciate your comment!

Super Rockin' song! So well produced as always. You are in my prayers.


(It's always an education listening to your songwriting skills and your mixing prowess - thank you for that.)

What a cool tune Steve. Intro jumped right in . Loved the driving backtrack and very cool vocal. Loved the vocal as well

I love it steve great and encouraging words well said great production and it inspires me to keep fighting as well I will be praying for you thanks eric

Love it - well done!

Steve, I hope you don't mind that this song of yours is my new ANTHEM! Love this! It's encouragement I sure need to hear. So thank you. You're so talented I'm always moved and inspired by your singing, playing, arranging, writing and producing.
God Bless you.

Thank you to everyone who has posted so many kind words about this song!

Once again, I have been in and out of town and totally swamped with life the past several weeks. So I apologize for taking so long to respond to everyone! Once again, I truly appreciate everyone's positive posts!

Steve

What an uplifting song. Well crafted with great vocals, mix, and production - very professional.

Hello steve,

Very nice to get a good catchy pop song from you!
As always great production and vocal.
Your classical ballad that I listened to before was great, but such a rock song is also wonderful.
Inspirational and entertaining.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Hey Steve. What a lovely uplifting song. Nice to see you back on the forum and well done!

Good one, Stephen !

I always look forward to your posts. This is really good in every level. Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Thanks again to all for your very kind words! So glad y'all (sorry, I'm from Texas) like this one!

Steve

Steve, this song really "kicks". It's a great rock song with a great band. Everything works so well together.
Thanks for sharing your song and your story.
All the best,
Mike