As you may have noticed, I have been away from the forum for a while. Crisis of inspiration - wasn't able to write anything decent for a while, for all sorts of reasons, so thought that if I can't write, I'd better stay away until I can!

Anyway, long story short, I wrote this this morning ... hope you like it! :-)

https://soundcloud.com/jamesdelsono/independence-day


INDEPENDENCE DAY (lyrics):

You were ever so beautiful
When I first saw you, that July,
The sun, the Earth were standing still
When I could finally call you mine ...

You were ever so wonderful
When I had hugged you, that first time,
The moon, the stars were looking on
As we first kissed, close to midnight ...

And we knew then that nothing would
Stand in our way, oh come what may
Our eyes, our lips, our gentle kisses
Would be there for us every day ...

And, through our smiles and through our tears
We would hold on and keep at bay
All that the world would throw at us ...
This truly was our Independence Day.

***

And we knew then that nothing would
Come in between us, come what may ...
Our lives, our love would keep us close
And keep us standing every day ...

And, through our smiles and through our tears
We would hold on and keep at bay
All that the world would throw at us ...
This truly IS our Independence Day.

***

... our Independence Day.


****** Song Summary *************
Title: 4 July 2020
File:4 July 2020.SGU
Key=E , Tempo 85, Length (m:s)=3:34
No intro. 72 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 72. Repeat x1 chorus
No Melody
Soloist track has 147 notes, Soloist harmony is < no harmony >(0)
Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0,
Style is _HEPNO85.STY (Pop Ballad w/ Held Electric Pian)

RealTracks in style: ~701:Bass, Electric, PopHalfNotesSync Ev 085
RealTracks in style: ~2505:Piano, Electric, HeldChords 085
RealTracks in style: ~362:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 085
RealTracks in style: 838:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm PopBalladClean Ev 085
RealDrums [in style:NashvilleEven8^5-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

*******************

Voice recording and mixing done in Audacity.

James, your lyric work is really top-notch, and I like how you tied it into our national holiday here in the US while keeping it universal. Very effective use of the style and RT's--solo section was especially nice. Enjoyed it!

Thanks so much, Tano! Glad you liked it! :-) Happy Independence Day to you and all that celebrate it!

James,

One of your best, I think. Nice that you "sang a bit" on this. Keep it up!

The steel was a surprise! (a good one). The end of the solo was too abrupt.
A good mix.

A good write.

fj

Thanks floyd jane. It's a fine line here, with my "singing" ... I have to sing a little but not too much, otherwise it sounds dreadful - at least much of the time! Here, I think I got away with it ... ;-)

Yeah, I was wondering what to do with that steel solo ending. I didn't want it to solo for an extra bar, as the option is given for it to by BIAB, because I was worried about harmonies clashing - it's happened in the past. But, if I don't give it that option, then yes ... its ending sounds abrupt. I'll see what to do!

Thanks again for listening, I am really happy when you listen and advise, whether your thoughts are full of praise or full of good advice on how to improve - it always, invariably helps ... so thanks.

Pretty song!! Interesting the way you alternate narration and singing....different but you're very good at it, and it's effective!! Like the band and the progression too! Nice!! Take care. Greg

Thanks Greg!

James it was nice to hear a little singing from you. You should do more.

Excellent mix, nice pedal steel lead!

This is your best to date.

Great piece!

Hello James,

This one is, if I recall it correctly, the first song you really sing in, at least from those you've posted. Am I right?
You made a nice lovesong and also for, or on independence day! you connected both thoughts (I tease a little).
But I agree with Floyd, this is one of your best untill now.

Have a nice day,
Hans

Thank you Mario_D, MellowHoney and Hans!

Hans: I did sing before ... "A Sign of Peace" (on SoundCloud) is an example :-) But I'm really, really glad you liked this one. I took some time off before coming back with this song, so it would have been embarrassing a little for me if, after all this time, I came back with something "sub-standard", haha. So thanks for your very, very kind words :-)

Hello James ...

In my opinion, this is your best yet. Might I suggest just a wee bit of reverb on your vocal ... just enough the realize it's there. I think it would showcase your style even more so than it already is. Just a thought.

That was an enjoyable listen ... as your offerings always are. Wishing you everything good. Please be safe ...

Alan

James,
it was a true joy to hear you sing "...call you mine ."
You've the tool and you're developing confidence to use it.
The vocal is very clear, tidied and cleared of most sibilant, plosive and wet sounds.
Excellent.

James

Liked it when you sang! Pretty song and arrangement.

Good work.

Peter

Alan, Ray and Peter ... thank you!

Alan: I will try a little reverb! Thanks for the kind suggestion!

Ray: I hope it IS just a matter of confidence and not one of lack of ability, but I will try and sing more - thanks!

Peter: thanks! I will try to sing more.

Oh, I must have missed that one then?!?
Still, you made a good song!
Hans

Thanks Hans - I'm glad you liked it!

Cool to hear the singing!

As others say, "more!"

Nice mix also.

The lyric alone is worth the price of admission.
We love the way one can interpret it as a
celebration of the 4th or connect the dots
and personalize it as a love song.

Well done!

J&B

Thank you Janice and Bud! Really appreciate that you took the time to listen and comment!

Yes, I tried to leave the lyrics deliberately ambiguous ... but I think that one can nevertheless tell which would be my preferred interpretation, IF one had to choose ;-)

Again, thanks for listening!

Beautiful song James! Wonderful lyrics and a nice job putting the band together for this one! Thanks, T