Hi Forum friends. WOW!! 2020, and we lived to see it! I continue to be blown away by some of the wonderful stuff being posted here. This is at least the 3rd song written with this title. Years ago on the forum I said I might write a song with this title since I had a lot of memories about the place. Alyn James (Gibson) apparently liked the title too and wrote his version ahead of me. Brian Wilson, on a release a few years ago, had an instrumental with the title, apparently about the same place since he is also a Californian. Half Moon Bay is a beautiful stretch of coastline about 20 miles below San Francisco. This song is quite autobiographical. It was, and continues in my mind to be, a very magical place. Hope you enjoy it!
BTW, I did a 50 song release on CD Baby which came out on the first of Jan. The youtube link is for that..if you start a song, other songs will show up. It has songs you all have heard and others you have not yet. I'll continue to post them on the forum over time and on Soundcloud. If you have Itunes or Spotify, I'd love it if you could listen through those services. I'd like to get some listens and hopefully one day make it to a playlist. Self promotion is not my thing and I find it uncomfortable.

Take care all. Greg

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PT3FBG5?tag=sa-b2c-new-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/greg-johnson-half-moon-bay-10-half-moon-bay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nerWBoig25A

Half Moon Bay

When I’m driving up on Skyline
And see that old, familiar hill
Sometimes I think of heading down there
But I know I never will
‘Cause I’m afraid of what I’d see there
The reality I’d find
I know it’d never match the image
Painted in my mind
Some wonders just reveal themselves
To the eyes of seventeen
Through the clouded lens of older years
The hills don’t look as green
As on those days
In Half Moon Bay

I remember Summer mornings
Heading over to the beach
No obstacle could hold us back
No star was out of reach
We were body surfing three-foot waves
We were riding grander schemes
And the music on the radio
Was the soundtrack of our dreams
“Taking it Easy” with the Eagles
Raspberries “Going all the Way”
And life was like a Summer fruit
Growing sweeter every day
As we made our way
To Half Moon Bay

Living in the moment
Taking chances just because
Truly being free
Before we knew what freedom was
Oh, there’s nothing quite as pretty
As a sunset on the coast
Pastel waters, that’s what I miss the most

When I’m driving up on Skyline
On a warm and sunny day
I’m 20 minutes from the ocean
I feel a million miles away
And I think about the simple life
That once that young man led
Many years before this tangled web
Was created in his head
And I’ll always hold a little place
In the corner of the screen
For the part of me that still can see
Through the eyes of seventeen
And find the way
To Half Moon Bay

Greg
That was stunning. An instant classic.
Superb vocal, evocative lyrics and a lovely overall sound & production.

Excellent songwriting & performing.

(Saved the album(50tracks!)on Spotify.

Peter

AAAA

Hey Greg,
I'm new around here and just gave you song a listen.
Well done!

As a would be singer/song writer I envy your smooth vocals.

Greg,

Gorgeous lyrics--poetically perfect, the narrative precise and touching. And some brilliant lines, my personal favorite being "truly being free before we knew what freedom was". Wow! Your talent continues to amaze me.

Production wise, so stellar. For fine tuning, though, there are spots between lines when your intake of breath comes across pretty apparent on the mic, which makes the vocal a little less clean. An easy fix--I usually look to dampen the volume in between. Just something to thing about.

Killer tune, Greg. Really, a songwriter's pride and joy--well done!

Humble regards,

Deej

I cheated and read through the lyrics first - something I try not to do, but once I started I couldn't stop.

That's some mighty fine lyric writing.

And the song didn't disappoint. You've got a fantastic voice that brings longing for yesterday. The backing is excellent.

This is the sort of music I could only aspire to. Really fantastic.


But... I'll mention the fade seemed a bit abrupt, but perhaps only because I wanted to last longer.

Oh my word! On listening to this, I did something I've never yet done on listening to a song on this forum: I actually cried. The music is stunning, it always is when you post a song on here, but - on this occasion, at least - the lyrics: my word.



There's no human being alive who can't relate to some of this, at least - one would have to have a heart of stone not to - and you articulate this so well, you bring it to life through your lyrics so vividly - it seems a shame to dissect it and analyse it. Suffice it to say: through your imagery, you have brought these experiences (that everyone can relate to) to life. I can almost taste the sea, hear the songs played on the radio, remember what it was like to be seventeen and supposedly carefree and know what it is to be looking back on that time. In short - well done ... another masterpiece from you. If I had your formula for creating magical songs, I'd either bottle it and sell it for an exorbitant price or hide it in my own cellar and only partake of it myself, haha. Anyway, superb job - well done.

Hi Greg,

Well I've been listening to music for 50 years now and this is one of the most beautiful, mesmerizing and blissfully magical songs I have ever heard. By anyone!!

As far as songwriting goes, this is as good as it gets. I truly can't imagine hearing a song as good as this anytime soon.
I just can't praise it enough. I actually love the breathy sound of your vocals, it brings an intimacy that matches the sublime melody and the hauntingly nostalgic and captivating lyric.

I'm a huge Eagles fan and I can hear their influence here, but this is all yours and every bit as good as anything they wrote.

I'm done. I'm gonna press play again and sit back and wallow in this piece of nostalgic gold.

Martin

Lovely stuff.

Beautiful song, Greg!

You are without doubt one of the top songwriters on this forum, and man, your vocals are always just so good!

I would be happy to listen to your music over on spotify, I have an account (I also have our music up there) but you didn't provide a spotify link. I'll also subscribe to you over there, every little bit helps! Maybe update the song description with that info?

Amazing work on this - a fantastic display of songwriting, and the mix and performance is top notch too. I wouldn't bat an eyelash hearing this on the radio. The lyrics are so poetic, and the entirely tune forces a feeling nostalgia on you.

Truly outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing

As an English teacher, I'll give you an A+ for your lyrics. I were a music teacher, I'd give you an A+ for your melody composition and vocal performance.

Heavenly beautiful song.

Parts of the lyric reminds me of my growing up on the Michigan shores of Lake Michigan.

Greg,

You know I am a BIG fan. This one song would explain why, and yet, you have a whole catalogue to back this up. You are the real deal.

I will quote what YOU wrote in my current thread:



I simply replaced the lyric and the signature...'cause RIGHT BACK AT YA, buddy. Even MORE so.

GORGEOUS lyric.
GORGEOUS melody.
GORGEOUS production. (What IS that piano????)
GORGEOUS vocal.

And I have to repeat...It does NOT get better that that!!

I know you are a Dianne Warren fan. She would be envious of this, I'm sure.

In a just world, this ONE song would make you a star.

fj

Thanks so much Peter!! Really appreciate such a wonderful review! Take care. Greg

I'm very impressed with your ability to write some really amazing lyrics.

And, you're not a slouch on the musical part or mixing either.

I loved the simplicity of the music in this. Piano was an excellent choice. Was this live or a RT?

I completely agree with Floyd. This is your best to date. Everything about this is air play ready and yes you should be a star.

No disrespect to anyone else on this forum, but that's probably the best song I've encountered in the last 8 months. The beautiful simplicity of the chord progression, seamlessly flowing vocals and some of most poetic lyrics I've ever heard. Very, very impressed. Some savvy music producer needs to snap you up and present your work to the world. Can't wait to hear what else you share with us in 2020.

Think this should be on page 1 for anybody who hasn't heard it yet.

Peter

Greg,
beautiful write. Very poetic.
Performance and production shine. Enjoyed this a lot.
Thank you for being here and sharing!

Misha.

Hi Greg,



This a is really, really, really fine listen.

I love the wistful, nostalgic, and sadness-that-time-passes feelings that rolled over me as I listened. You are an amazing writer. You have pulled out all stops with this one, just like you do with all the others, and you've created a wonderful musical and lyrical journey.

Such strong writing and performing made it impossible for me to be critical. All I could do was listen and travel along with the images that passed through my mind.

Beautiful music.

All the best,
Noel

Greg,

what a wonderful tune !

Great song-writing, professionally arranged and produced. And, yes, your singing is simply amazing. Very, very nice !

Take care,

Stefan

Lovely song Greg. Super lyric. Mix was perfect. Well done

Really stunning. To make a song this good with just a few instruments and mainly vocal driven is very impressive. I really liked the change up at around 2:00 mark. Great lyrics too - they really fit well and tell a vivid story. Keep up the great work!

A beautiful song Greg...
Lyrics, melody, vocals, & recording...
All seem pleasant to my ears.

I'll wager you are really pleased with this one...
And you should be!

Greg, I feel this is some of your finest work. Your vocal is flawless but that's not uncommon for you! The decision to exclude a rhythm/percussion section was a wise one. It would have been a distraction in the song. The bridge part was excellent and the extra bar for a pause at the end of it was effective! Top notch work my friend! Thanks, Torrey

Anything we say will be at this point at the risk of redundancy

The write, one of your best, is stunningly visual. Janice said that
she could see that coastline and hear the waves crashing.

Your hint of Henley in the vocal was perfecto.

And the piano seemed tailor made for the tune.

Sublime.

J&B

Man, this is good, Greg! You know I am a big fan of yours, and every time I hear your latest, I think it is your best! This is no exception. Great job on the lyrics (as always), and your vocals sound as good as ever!

Love this!

Steve

I'm listening to this song now on Spotify, I'm really happy that your music can be heard now also there, so I can better support your work and show appreciation to your talent - you are one of the best songwriters and singers on this forum, and very high on the global scale also! This particular song is an excellent example of your skills, Eagles-type of ballad with soothing melody, mellow romantic lyrics, classic chord progression, simple but effective arrangement and top quality vocals. I surely will be listening your album a lot during the coming years!

Janne

Another great one, will be listening on Spotify from here on in. 50 tunes, that's quite a body of work!

Hi Greg ...

It's my opinion that the art of music was created because those powers knew you would some day work your magic with it. This is beyond stellar. Your vocals are so smooth and pleasant. And that arrangement is just awesome. We need to invent new superlatives to properly annotate your musical genius. I'm simply sitting here in total awe of this ... can't event hink of anything else to say as my mind bathes in the joy of this song.

Wishing you everything good.

Alan

Greg,
Janne summed up my thoughts very well "This particular song is an excellent example of your skills, Eagles-type of ballad with soothing melody, mellow romantic lyrics, classic chord progression, simple but effective arrangement and top quality vocals."

I have a soft spot for that stretch of coast too-you sent me into my own reveries!
One of your best.

Robert

Thanks RichMac!! Glad to see you back around! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much Captain!! Much appreciated! Take care. Greg

Thanks Deej!! Yeah, that was actually my favorite line too! I appreciate your kind review! Take care. Greg

Thanks so much David!! Love your latest! Take care. Greg

Greg,

Great vocals and great melodies as usual!
I like the chord progression of the bridge.
The strings arrangement matches this song very well.
The use of oboe is also wonderful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Thanks so much for that incredibly flattering review James!! It really means a lot to me! Take care. Greg

That is one of the nicest reviews I've ever gotten Martin!! I am so happy that so many people related to this song! And, yes, I'm a huge Eagles fan! Take care. Greg