Hangovers and heartaches.


TAKE THE PAIN AWAY

an empty bottle by my pillow
leaves a bitter taste and a head crackin' throb
our final moments coming back to me
so jim beam didn't do his job

i find myself wonderin'
why the hell the sun came up today
you'd think that someone would know better
and make the damn thing go away
   
   don't they know without you i got nothing but misery
   nothing that makes me want to face the day
   take it any way you choose all i know is i need something
   to take the pain away

you were more than my everything
can't be clearer than that
now you're gone so there's nothing left of me
just a shadow where i once sat
   
   don't they know without you i got nothing but misery
   nothing that makes me want to face the day
   take it any way you choose all i know is i need something
   to take the pain away




Tracks:

RealTracks in song: 1684:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopPromiseCrispHeld Ev16 100
RealTracks in song: 2585:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PunkHeldPlus Ev 165
RealTracks in song: 1037:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065
RealTracks in song: ~~688:Organ, B3, Background Pop Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 2690:Guitar, Electric, Soloist Slow16thsPopBrentSimple Ev16 075
Royalty Free Loops




As always, comments of any kind are welcomed.
Have at it.

fj

Really excellent Floyd.

What a great mix, perfect levels, and a top band you got there.

Lyrically quite sensational. 'so jim beam didn't do his job', 'just a shadow where i once sat'
What a fantastic lines.

floyd

Really great build, captivating, and immediately memorable.

Excellent lyrics, vocal, and song structure a really enjoyable thoroughly professional song.

The bass followed the song really well was it a RT?
Also wondering about the guitar that starts at 1.34 playing a riff not credited - one of the loops?

Superb.

Peter
(who did the artwork?)

Good tune, a bit dark but not too much. Jim Beam line is great. Vocal and mix is outstanding as always.

As frequently happens with an FJ song, I copied a few lines I wanted to paste, and quickly realized that they didn't stand out (like pulling a 7 footer off the NBA court before you realize they're all that size)!! Just an excellent, excellent write!! A dark, poignant lyric and a haunting melody! And Floyd, how does someone who's been in music forever get better at singing in their 60's? Damn!! Great stuff!!! Take care. Greg

Floyd, what a picture you painted with these lyrics! The overall sound of this song is at the top of your work that I have heard! It has such a beautiful feel to it....everything here is sitting in the perfect place to my ears!! That chorus is over the top great! Thanks, Torrey

Ah! Those hangover days. Aching head and heart.
I see you have both. Great production.
Really enjoyed my listen Floyd.
Thanks for posting. Rob4580

This song really hit me in the feels. There was definitely a depth of emotion to this particular song that I really enjoyed. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us.

Floyd,

The band and build of this edge-of-darkness song is a thing of beauty... a little British folk in the acoustic moving into Southern rock by the time the organ comes in.
A fine,slightly restrained vocal that suits the mood of the lyrics.... very professionally produced,of course!

Robert

Mr. Jane:

"Have at it." "Have at"...what ???!!! What could anyone "have at" this song of yours, Take The Pain Away ???

I deliberately, intentionally, purposely, never, ever read other listener's comments on a Users' Forum member's song post, because I do not want anybody else's thoughts and opinions to influence my own. But in this case, because your song rendered me literally speechless upon listening to it for the first time, I abandoned the above-stated rule and chose a statement by another listener, "robertkc", to fill in for my temporary loss of words:

"The band and build of this edge-of-darkness song is a thing of beauty..."

Obviously, you are one of the most prolific songwriters on the forum, and if being prolific could offer anything to other songwriters that they could use to sharpen their craft, then Take The Pain Away would be an outstanding, peerless example of how staying on a steady path while working towards a goal -- songwriting, in this case -- will eventually lead that hard-working, midnight-oil-burning songwriter to produce songs that are, as 'robertkc' illuminated, things of beauty.

The brevity of the song's duration only serves to point out the economy of expression you employed in the song's construction. The lyrics go straight to the bleeding heart of the drama in the song, as swift and as unrelenting as heartbreak causes tears to flow from the eyes of the one whose heart has been shattered. The PAIN described by the title is as immediately felt as a knife wound. You're not playing around, here, Mister. Not. At. All. The suffering is so real that even a person who had not experienced such hurt could feel it simply because of the empathy that the words and the music plant in the listener's heart.

Those Real Tracks you selected were waiting for you to put them in a song in which they could reveal their power as musical accompaniment for your anguished lyrics.

It would be too easy for me to say that this song 'is one of your best', but I believe that would be the wrong thing for me to say, and only because, as far i'm concerned, you've been producing your 'best' for as long as I've participated in this forum.

LOREN

Hi Floyd

Like Greg said, one shouldn't cut and paste lines when they're all so good, but I'm going to anyway.
I was particularly taken by this stanza (and the way you sang it):

i find myself wonderin'
why the hell the sun came up today
you'd think that someone would know better
and make the damn thing go away

All up, yet another beautifully written and performed song.

Regards,
Leon

Dear Floyd,

the first thing I noticed was that brilliantly sounding mix - so bright, so clear.

And it's a good song, too (wouldn't have expected anything else...), the music captures the mood of the lyrics very well, and it's being sung jusrt 'floydish' (which I would like to propose to include in the synonym dictionaries as another word for 'extremely well-sung').

All the best,

Stefan

Hi Floyd,
Your song is very well built.
Each instrument is in place when and where it is the more efficient. Your voice takes us in your universe. Christian

An excellent melody, narrative & arrangement.
the best part for me, other than your voice, is the bass: I really like the way it works through the verse and preps for the chorus.
Stellar.

Nice song FJ! Loved it. The shakers throughout the song were a nice touch. I really like your ability to tell your story through vocals/lyrics. As others said, very well produced. Keep 'em coming sir!

Really nice work on this one - really sincere in it's delivery, and your vocals are top notch on this one. I love the instrumentation as well - it all flows tremendously well. Thanks for sharing

Hi floyd,

This is my new favorite from you I think. I wonder how many times I've said that over the last few years?

Everything is just "right" about this.

Great opening with just the acoustic and vocal. And then the build in dynamics adding the shaker then the bass (great bassline), and holding off on the drums until the chorus. Obviously a lot of thought went into the arrangement, and it paid off big time.

Love your vocal, and great writing too. Favorite line "so jim beam didn't do his job".

Really, really good, floyd!

There is nothing about a hangover that I miss. HA, Enjoyed this one Floyd, your harmony carried well in the background, that little shaker stands out in a nice way also. Cliff

Dear Floyd.
My goodness you do an awesome job with your songs.
And you cover such a wide range of topics and do it so well.

This song sure brought back old feelings and I'm so glad to not have had any whiskey for many many years.

Thanks for what you do here in this forum.

I have this vision of you toiling away every day in the studio working on several projects at the same time.
Gotta be some thing like that going on to have so many great tracks on this forum.

Trev - I always appreciate having you stop by. Thans for the great comments...

Very good song. Great arrangement and vocals.

Rhythmically reminds me of Sweet Home Alabama, but definitely nothing sweet in this song, dark but familiar story. Great arrangement and mix, nice acoustic intro, organ fits perfectly and the solo guitarist is the final icing on the ca... bottle. A snap at 3:17, soundcloud addition, perhaps?

Janne

Peter - thanks for the nice comments. Both the bass and the riff are loops - been fiddling around with more loops lately to help get a few new sounds and to conjure different writing styles - gives me "something new" over just picking up my guitar (which tends to end up similar chords patterns over periods of time).

Appreciate that...thanks!

Floyd this is a stand out piece, You had to have put a good bit of time on this, But it shows in the quality of it all.

Nicely done.

Thanks

Floyd Jane, you are exceptional! I am not talking about production values here. but more about the way you compose, the way you just always make a completely fitting and convincing arrangement and composition for your lyrics... it is truly unique... I just love the way you work with music (even if you work in completely different genres from me)!

Will

Thanks, Greg!! You made me feel 7 feet tall!!

I've lost a few notes from the top of my range (you should have heard me when I was 24...)...so I have to make up for that somehow...

Excellent lyrics with numerous vivid outstanding lines...
Strong delivery...
Wonderfully simple mix...
With nothing getting in the way of your poignant vocal...
I really enjoy listening!

Torrey - thanks for that very nice review. (Your new one is killer!)

Very cool vocal Floyd. Boy does your backtrack ever stand out as well. All the instruments so well balanced but all identifiable. The guitar was very cool as well.

Outstanding use of BIAB. Powerful song. Great lyrics. Vocals convey the message of the song peferctly. Good one!

And thanks for listen and comments on my song. I appreciate it.

Thanks for listening, Rob...





"...really hit me in the feels." Ember, that is a great line!!

Floyd,

Love the clean guitar opening, then followed by that shaker in the left ear. Terrific vocal on this (as usual). Catchy chorus, with a sweet harmony behind. Really crisp throughout—and, wow, that lead guitar solo. Might be on of my favorites from you (among many). Awesome track!

My humble regards,

Deej

Hi Floyd,

Since you were in my hometown Haarlem, you make only good songs!
I'm glad you make songs concerning pain and sorrow, because you're at your best then. No, I'm joking.
I really like this one about your hangover. You better use Havanarum or red wine (still joking).

What I like even more than your good songs is the bright way they sound. I'm convinced you can learn me something here...
So, I have nothing to complain about, or give you advise in (except the rum). You made a very good piece of work here!

Thanks for that,
Hans

I appreciate that, Robert...

A delightful review. Thanks for that, Loren...

Before we get to the goodness of the song in it's totality we'd like to
point out that this mix is over the top good. The soundstage and
the dynamics are as good as anything we listen to...and we listen
a lot.

OK, some specifics:

From our perspective the tune is square in the middle of our
Americana wheelhouse and you sing the heck out of it.

Your mashup of BiaB and the loops is outstanding. The drums
and the bass line are immediately attention getting in a
very good way.

Any songsmith can write a heartache song. Very, very
few can write one like this. As Janice said you can immediately
feel the darkness.

"i find myself wonderin'
why the hell the sun came up today
you'd think that someone would know better
and make the damn thing go away"

Janice laser beamed in immediately on how powerful
that verse is.

Just when one thinks the mr jane bar couldn't be
moved any higher....

J&B

PS Nice album cover too!

I like the sparse instrumentation you start the song with, especially the lone acoustic. This is my favorite melody I have heard from you. It evokes a haunting melancholy mood. Masterful lyric writing!

Leon - Thanks! Always nice to have a guy who write well quote some lines...




Stefan - "floydish"... HAHAHA!! That's great! Thanks...

Christian - thanks for stopping by and having a listen...

Thanks, Ray. The bass is a loop and I used it "as is" - no extra processing - it just seemed so "present" as it was...





Steve - nice to have you drop in on one of my songs... as I recall, you are not a fan of Country (or the singer-songwriter thing...)

More-so on the Country part...

I still like to hear an awesome recording though, and you have a very high standard on yours.

Nice work. Good lyric write and the tracks are spot on. I really like the harmonies in the chorus.

Yep...a good one.

Hi, Floyd !

Been away too much and when
back what do I hear, one of the
absolute best tunes you´ve done !

Cheers
Dani

Top shelf Floyd - the song, the band, the vocals, the sound!
I think we can all identify with the sentiments in your song, still, you make it sound so fresh.
You had me from the first verse: Rhyming "throb" with "so jim beam didn't do his job".
Cheers,
Mike

I really am not sure where to start. I know for a FACT, I am going to leave something out.

1st off-This is my favorite song from you. That's been said a lot, but I have a specific reason for it. I absolutely love your songs that are built with a story. You are a master of that; and have done it more times than I can count. This song is not that style of writing.

To me pretty much everything about this song is you going in a direction that is different. The entire song sounds new. That being said, it also sounds like you've been writing this way for years.

With this style, trying to say a lot without the lyrics doing it can be a challenge. Then it turns more to interplay of phrasing with every element. It relies MUCH more heavily on orchestration and arrangement in a way that really builds. That argument could be made for many genres of music; but to this is essential. It's not only building instrumentation for the sake of adding emotion to a song. It focuses much more on keeping the ear interested as well. However, you don't want it to be distracting. It shouldn't take you out of the song.

All of that being covered (like you didn't know it) brings me to the finer points :

Your vocal fits this perfectly. There's some great emotion to your singing. It's haunting, which I love.

The interplay between the vocal melody and guitar parts are fantastic! There is a groove that's established that compliments and supports the vocal as though it were written specifically for this song.

The picked the perfect real band styles to make it sound real. By no means does this sound like it's out of the box.

Those drums are placed and chosen so well that I sat here thinking "Yeah. That's how it's done." Looking forward to every fill. The entire time thinking it was just a really well played part. Great choice. The sound of the drums was excellent as well.

The shaker, the organ, every part building to keep interest and bring the song forward until the final few measures. What a great way to bring it back down to the essence without it just having a blunt ending. The release was a truly great choice in my book.

Man, I could go on and on; but at the heart of it I am really drawn to this song. I love the mood. I love the groove. I wouldn't change a thing. Ok, I would maybe lower the shaker slightly when it first comes in. That would change nothing; but at least it's not all compliments all the time.

Thank you for not only sharing this; but writing this. Is a new direction that I'm really liking. The cool thing is; there's room for the new creations along with the others. I hope you had fun with it!

(Spoken into my phone, so I'm positive there will be errors. Just had to post something about this great song.)

Very nice track! The music and lyrics just works very well together.
Enjoyed listening to this!

Thanks for sharing!
Will

Deryk - always nice to have you drop by...




Dave - I do appreciate such a flattering review... If I could make every new song your "new favorite", then how could I ever complain about that!!! Thanks for your continued support...

Impressive track - well written!

Thanks, cliff...




Marty - thanks for all of that. I do spend a good deal of time working on music... writing is most important... but production is a close second... it's my "happy place"...

I'm late to the party and everything I wanted to say already has been said. IMHO this is one of if not your best to date. But it seams I say that after hearing every song you sing!

I do have one question for you, how in hell can you keep coming up with winners after winners? Your songwriting, instrumentation, and processing skills are second to none.

T - thanks!




Thanks, Janne. I did not hear that snap until you pointed it out. I believe it is a bad edit on my part - the cut to add that last chord strum... I'll fix it (but won't re-load)...



Thanks, beatmaster!!....

Floyd,

This song is truly awesome! I love the country-rock feel...

Your vocals are always superb and your lyrics put the listener right in the scene.

Loved it all!

Bob

Will - what a nice thing to say...not the "usual"... I really appreciate that...




Thanks, Jim. Good to have you back around...





Scott - thanks for your continued support. And thanks for mentioning the solo guitar (which you often do). Getting that "right" is always something I strive for - and BIAB almost never lets me down in that regard (although it does sometimes take a while to get the pieces to fit just right).

jpt - thanks! Nice to see ya in the Showcase!! Been a long time...




Thanks, Deej...

Thanks, Hans...





I appreciate that, Scott...

HAHAHA! I'm so accustom to you guys being a part of my music, I nearly skipped over this without a response... Thanks for pointing out the write!... AND the mix...AND the genre...

I noticed early that I forgot to respond to Peter's question about the art work (album cover - HA!)... It was done by a guy who worked with my wife - after we had gone on a rafting trip down the Chattooga - Section 4 - of "Deliverance" fame...(I provided entertainment around the campfire that night).

Thanks, Herb...





Good to see ya, Dani....

Pro work, as usual.

Love this line:

our final moments coming back to me
so jim beam didn't do his job

But I'm disappointed you didn't use this rhyme:

take it any way you choose
all I know is I need some booze...

When I saw the title of the song, I thought How do you write a song about a hangover?

Of course, I'm asking the wrong question.

Because it's about why there's a hangover, and the answer is a broken heart, of course.

Thanks for showing me how it's done!

Mike - thanks for the listen. (I kinda dug that rhyme, too...)

I like hearing that a song is a "favorite". That generally means they are getting better - or at least staying consistent.
New? Maybe not "everything" - or else it certainly wouldn't sound like I'd been doing it this way for years



Over the last several years, I've focused as much on production as I have on song writing. So, this means a lot to me.


Thanks!


Again...it is nice to have the subtlies of production appreciated (and noted).


Ah...please do! HA!


Thanks!! Yes, the shaker could have been more subtle...


Thank you! for listening and for all the great comments. It's nice when someone "goes a little deeper" than normal....




Well, that is just impressive. I need to figure out a way to "speak" comments... would sure save a lot of time...

Floyd,

This is an awesome song man! Another winner dude.

Will - thanks for coming again




Thanks, Jim...

Mario - always glad to have you come to the party regardless what time it is...

Thanks for the very kind words...




Thanks, Bob. Glad you came by to catch this one...




choose...booze... missed that one...

Thanks for raising a glass to this one, David

Mr. Snyder - nice to see you drop by!!... New year coming - and a new BIAB version... that ought to get some music juices flowin' for ya...



Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a listen and a comment or two.
I do appreciate it...

fj