The Value Of ME

I composed this song in 2009. Since then I have made several versions of it, usually when new Vocaloid launched, I tried how it would sound with this song - so I have LEON, BigAl, Oliver and Ruby versions. I made the Ruby version in 2015 right after Ruby was launched, published it on YouTube and Vocaloid community found it, thus it has got quite many likes, comments and viewers (almost 1000 now, you can help me to reach that milestone ).

This year, I decided to do the new version with my own voice, so I made a bit more "adult" version. I have liked bands like Simply Red, and this song is similar kind of blue-eyed soul.

It's amazing how quickly it is possible to create a different but still professional sounding version with Band-in-a-box. Although this song has the strangest chords I have ever used, like B7susb5b9/A, and I couldn't use many instruments because BIAB didn't play well those chords, there were enough RTs that managed to sound good with my chording. So it's my perfect tool - really a stable and reliable companion, the cornerstone of my music-making, constant like love described in the lyrics of this song... I hope you can find that message among all those mathematical references

All comments welcome!

RealDrums: Cowbell, LatinFunkAlex
Loops: chillos_100a

RealTracks:
Electric bass #3111
Acoustic piano #2424
Electric piano #2526
Electric guitar #1638, #3255
Electric guitar soloist #1651
Strings #2953
Cello #1856, #3267
Vocal Mmms #3278

MIDI (style??):
Electric piano (SampleTank 3)

Vocals: Janne S

Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab

Lyrics:

The Value Of ME

A stone is rough and old
what if I could turn it to gold
and make you see the value of ME.
It's not alchemy
an equation of the third degree
X, Y or Z
just the constant value of ME.

Calculate, evaluate,
always in range, you cannot change

A stone is...

Measure and rate, appreciate
always the same, permanent name

Not a diamond, not a prime,
just average every time,
not an approximation of pi
just easy to divide and multiply
a stone in the abacus
the basics of your calculus.

A stone is...

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Janne

Hi Janne,

I love the premise of 'The value of me' and how you've worked the concept of 'value' from a maths and measurement perspective and ended up with some very cool lyrics... nice And what a backing!!!! It's funky, smooth and very engaging.

Also, your singing really grabbed me. I compliment you on a fine performance! Your vocals sit perfectly and so confidently in the mix that I'm hearing in my headphones here in Melbourne at 3:20 a.m.

Great stuff!

All the best,
Noel

Love it! Clever lyrics, great sound, nice singing. Clear mix, love the arrangement.

I had a quick listen to the Vocaloid version. Your singing is much better.

Janne,

A clever lyric. Good arrangement - nice instrumentation. And a good mix.

Nice "mellow" vocal...

A pleasant listen. Enjoyed it.

fj

Janne

Very nice arrangement, really has a Simply Red vibe.

A very good piece of writing with a clever lyric and some excellent dynamics.

Really well done.

Peter

Can't say I've ever heard a math-nerd easy-listening piece. Unique and very lovely.

Very cool, Janne, clever lyrics and nice arrangement.

I had a listen to both versions, the vocaloid version is better than I thought it would be, that technology is getting pretty good.

But I like the new version better of course

I didn't know the Finns used the American version of the alphabet.
The backing track is pretty funky & cool.
You've treated you vocals quite well.
I like the ideas in your lyric.

Thanks Noel for your uplifting comment, especially concerning lyrics and vocals - you really give me confidence for my singing I'm glad the song worked also in the early hours of the morning.

Janne

Thanks Dave, I really appreciate your kind feedback, means a lot to me I'm very glad to hear that I can sing better than a Vocaloid, I never thought that could ever be possible

Janne

Thanks Floyd for your kind words You are such a great songwriter that a word like 'clever' from you is really rewarding

Janne

The lyrics are really fantastic, and I think people perhaps often don't value themselves enough, so it has a great message.

Thanks for sharing!

"I love the premise of 'The value of me' and how you've worked the concept of 'value' from a maths and measurement perspective and ended up with some very cool lyrics... nice smile And what a backing!!!! It's funky, smooth and very engaging."

Quoting Noel above because it is so well stated and we agree with it!

Janice pointed out she's hearing a bit of a Steely Dan vibe.

A "B7susb5b9/A" chord? That is so far over our heads that it's somewhere in outer space

We like this a lot...the cool lyric, laid back vocal and the BiaB parts.

Most enjoyable.

J&B

Janne,

This is an excellent set of lyrics and a great vocal. I love the harmonies and the laid back performance.

Much enjoyed!

Bob

Nicely done! Really enjoyed the harmonies and the lyrics here. Your vocals soar, and the instrumentation works perfectly with your vocal delivery. It's nicely catchy too, and I thought the mix was concise and professional.

Thanks for sharing

Janne,

Fun and humorous tune! I like your "strange" cords, arrangement flows very smoothly. At times, strange chord progressions sound the most interesting...well at least to me. Mix and production is very good.

Thank you for sharing!

Misha.

Thanks Peter for your kind review

Janne

Thanks Tangmo for your kind words, nice and funny description

Janne

Thanks Dave for your kind feedback Certainly technology is getting better and will replace all of us in singing and playing some day, but before that, let's enjoy the human way Nowadays I use vocaloid only when I create the vocal track from the MIDI melody, it helps when trying to find a natural flow for the words or modify the melody for a better vocal range.

And thanks to all video viewers, I have now reached my first ever 1000 limit

Janne

There was a lot I liked in this. The math kept rubbing me the wrong way, but that's just me. Still, a lot of skill and talent here.

As a bit of an engineering nerd myself, I appreciate the math references. You did a great job with the vocals. I did like the Vocaloid version also. Well crafted and produced.

Thanks Ray for your positive feedback I don't quite get what you mean with your first sentence…

Janne

Thanks Ember for your very kind words about my lyrics I'm really glad you found a message there.

Janne

This is WONDERFUL!!! Such a creative lyric, and a jazzy tune that brings it across perfectly! Love everything about it Janne!! Probably my fave of yours! Take care. Greg

Thanks Janice and Bud for your kind words, I'm glad you liked it a lot, although my chords are, as usual, from another world Extra thanks for mentioning Steely Dan

Janne

Hi Janne,

this is a very good song! Love the lyrics and the vocals (esp. those BGV parts) are simply excellent . I love the changes of tone of your voice. The solo is perfect chosen.
Very fine harmonic progressions, a great arrangement and a good general flow.
A very enjoyable listen !

Take care,

Stefan

Thanks Bob for your kind feedback

Janne

Thanks Deryk for your very positive words I'm especially glad what you said about my vocals

Janne

Thanks Misha for your kind words To me, finding strange chords that still work well is one of the most enjoyable things in songwriting, so I'm glad to hear that it sometimes pays off

Janne

Thanks TuneMonger for your positive words Sorry for the mathematical approach to the subject

Janne

Thanks Mark, glad you were not put off by the math You have done good work with the vocaloids, so I appreciate your nice feedback concerning that version too. I like Ruby most from the Vocaloids, it is the clearest Vocaloid to me, although her voice is bit thin and child like.

Janne

Thanks Greg for your kind feedback, I appreciate it very much

Janne

Thanks Stefan for your positive words I'm glad you managed to find so many things to love in my little song, especially my voice. This may have been first time I sang one backing vocal part an octave higher than the rest - I thought it sounded bit awkward, but good that you liked it.

I agree, that soloist is great. In the previous version, I used two different soloist at the same time, they were both good but here I chose something more AOR. BIAB has great selection of super soloist.

Janne

Janne,

Excellent Chord Progression!
A very beautiful melody is on a somewhat complicated chord progression.
Exactly Janne Sound.
This tune is one of my favorite in your works.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks Shigeki Adachi for your kind feedback I'm very happy that you rank the song high among my songs and that you liked my progression. "Janne Sound" - I really like that description

Janne

Very creative lyrics wrapped in a cool mix...
I enjoyed listening to your tune!

Excellent! You have a great voice. The instrumentation is super as was the mix. What took it over the top for me were the lyrics. I liked the way you inserted math references into this song. I liked the Pi reference because my password is the last 5 digits of Pi!

This is and excellent song.

Thanks Jim



Thanks Mario for your very positive words Yep, last 5 digits of Pi are very useful in many ways, too bad nobody seems to know what they are

Janne