That Wasn't In Our Plans

This is one I wrote back in 2012 using BIAB 11.5. As most of you know, my vocals leave a lot to be desired, but I think this one turned out half-way decent. But you can be the judge of that.

I intentionally wrote the lyric about reflecting on the agony of a good love gone bad, rather than the reason the relationship fell apart. Dealing with the grief of love lost is a separate set of dynamics from the cause. I chose to focus on the former rather than the latter in this song. All comments and suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance for the listen. Ya'll be safe out there!

I no longer have a list of the RTs as the files were on a computer that bit the dust many years ago. That was before I was smart enough to keep a copy on an external drive. But, it's all BIAB other than the vocal.


That Wasn’t In Our Plans – Alternate Lyric
© 2012 Alan D. David, BMI

(v1)
We talked about all the years ahead
And we ignored what the all doubters said
We partied on the beach, Casablanca later on
We owned the world till everything went wrong

CHORUS
The morning dew, the twilight glow, the ocean and the sands
We had the world in our grasp right there in our hands
But there you are and here I am
That wasn’t in our plans

INSTRUMENTAL VERSE

(v2)
Our dreams were big we wanted everything
No holding back, take all the world would bring
Love filled the air, it hovered all around
Till one day it all came crashing down

REPEAT CHORUS
The morning dew, the twilight glow, the ocean and the sands
We had the world in our grasp right there in our hands
But there you are and here I am
That wasn’t in our plans

BRIDGE
Then right before our eyes it somehow fell apart
Miles between us now as we’re patching up our hearts

REPEAT CHORUS
The morning dew, the twilight glow, the ocean and the sands
We had the world in our grasp right there in our hands
But there you are and here I am
That wasn’t in our plans

Oh my word. Wow. I am genuinely speechless. This is nothing short of a classic, people ... please listen to it. For me, this is right up there with the best songs this forum has ever brought to light. I'm going to listen to it again now, but thank you for sharing this - it's struck a nerve in the best way possible with me. And your VOICE ... just tells a story in the most natural way - a stunning, heartbreaking story. Please never be humble about your voice ever again ... this, again, is incredible and I'm genuinely trying not to cry.

A really good lyric:
"We had the world in our grasp right there in our hands"
The 2nd half reinforcing the the 1st - works a treat.
The melody is top shelf.
Backing tidy and supportive.
Done Good - Played Hard!

Alan,

A really nice song. A "gentle breakup song" - not something that many folks ever do...

Nice backing tracks. I like your vocal (on my monitors, which are very detailed, there was a tiny bit of high-EQ-ness - so small it's almost not worth mentioning - but you did ask - in earbuds, that disappeared.).

Well done.

Y'all stay safe!!

fj

Alan, love the lyrics and presentation. It moves so nicely.

I really like your treatment of the concept. It doesn't sound bitter. The idea of not hitting into the "why" side I found very refreshing.

It's stuck in my head now.

Great job!

Really pretty song Alan!! And very well written!! You did a good job of getting the song across too!! ENJOYED IT!! Take care. Greg

Yeah!

I like this one a whole lot.

Excellent arrangement, nice singing, great song.

Hi Alan
Well written (I do like a love gone wrong song) and personally I very much enjoyed your vocal.
Regards,
Leon

Wow, that is one of the most professional sounding songs I've heard. Love it!!

Hello James ...

You are much too kind, my friend! But I'm delighted the song touched you so significantly. A composer can't ask for much more of a review than what you said. I am humbled ... seriously.

Wishing you everything good.

Alan

Ray ...

Thank you so much. Your encouraging words and kindness put a smile on my face. Many thanks! Wishing you well ...

Alan

Hi Floyd ...

Thank you very much for the very nice comments. I sincerely appreciate them. Regarding the higher EQ on the vocal: I recording the using a cheap, $79.00 dynamic Peavey microphone. I didn't have access to my AT 2035. When I cut back just a bit on the higher EQ and tried to boost the tone with a bit of mid EQ, the tonal quality almost disappeared. So, I left it as it was.

Thank you again. You and yours be safe.

Alan

Hi!

Many thanks for the nice review. Sure do appreciate it! This was actually a pretty quick project ... less than three days from concept to finished track. When a song sticks in the listeners head, that suggests it was a pretty good song. Thanks for that! Best to you. Stay safe ...

Alan

Greg ...

Thanks you so very much. Such nice comments from an extraordinarily gifted composer and artist such as you are is most humbling. I sincerely appreciate those words. Wishing you and yours the best ... and be safe.

Alan

Hi David ...

Well, thank you so very much! You're a talented guy and such nice comments from you put a big smile on my face. Many thanks for that! Wishing you and yours the very best ... and be safe!

Alan

Hi Leon ...

You are very kind with your words and I sure do appreciate that. I'm delighted you enjoyed your listen. Wishing you the best and stay safe ...

Alan

Hi Ronnie ...

My older brother's name was Ronnie. he passed away almost a year ago. Apparently a lot of good folks got that name.

I am very humbled by your wonderful comments. That's quite a compliment and i do not take it for granted. I appreciate all that ... I'm so glad you enjoyed your listen. Thank you for your kindness.

Again, many heartfelt thanks. Wherever you're located, please be safe ...

Alan

Alan ... thank you so much for your kind words. I guess one of the reasons that this song struck a chord with me - and will no doubt strike a chord with so many - is that you've managed to articulate so well (in a sublime manner, for me) what so many of us have been through at one time or another in our lives. I hope you won't mind the comparison, because I feel there is a touch of the Carpenters about your song and especially about the way of its delivery ... but that's just a thought, because it's 100% you and your own style and story.

You tell this story so beautifully, so calmly and yet, to me at least, the heartbreak of the person/character of the song comes through immensely - again, beautifully so. Also - for me, this is like listening to the story of my life - for too many personal reasons :-) But - howsoever that may be - one's got to be made of stone not to react emotionally to this song and storytelling of yours. It's the story of so many - too many, perhaps - lives.

A personal thank you, therefore ... you've put in a song what I (and so many like me, of that I'm sure) have been struggling to articulate and put in a form (musical or otherwise) for a while now. For that, I myself, at least, can only be grateful.

Dear Alan,

let me put it the simple way: You are a heck of a song-writer !!!!!!

Such a nice tune - a really excellent composition and brilliantly arranged.

Your lyrics approach is just the right one - who couldn't relate to those feelings you expressed.

You mention all the time that you're not satisfied with your singing - I think you shouldn't complain. Your vocals on this track touched me so convincingly.

Thanks for another wonderful song, my dear friend.

Please give Di a big hug and STAY IN AND STAY SAFE !

All the very best,

Stefan

Hi Al,

I see the reaction of Stefan here above mypost I'm writing to you.
We in the netherlands are more down to earth than his words, but I do think he is right with his compliments to you.
You made a very nice song. I'm glad is wasn't lost after all these years and new pc's.
Your vocals are very strong in it. Nothing to worry about, but I can imagine you worry about the loss of vocal quality. I do that all the time. A mean person would say now that I'm right worrying about my voice. they do it too (about my voice).
But you are not such a person. I hope you make more of these songs if you can. It was very nice listening too! Made me a bit peaceful in my mind...

Hans

Yep Al, top notch production all around. Your vocals always gives me the Willie Nelson vibe (I hope is a good thing).
Thank you!

Mike B.

Oh, such a sweet melody and soul-searching lyrics. What a great song, Alan, and beautifully sung. If you had someone else sing it, it would certainly lose some sincerity that only you could bring out.

What cool intro. Guitar was excellent. Super vocal and a lyric . Well done Alan

Good song, Alan!

I listened the other day but didn't have time to comment.

Listening again today through the monitors, mix sounds good to me as does your vocal. And great writing too!

Enjoyed!