Hi, all:

A new collaboration with John Vaughan. A couple of months back I asked John to come up with some lyrics I could have some fun with. While the melody came quickly on this one, it took me a little bit to get around to doing a BIAB version (July just wasn't a very productive month for me ) Anyway, with a few tweaks to the original lyrics, here’s where we ended up. Appreciate as always comments on the production aspects. And thanks in advance for the listen—hope you enjoy it!

My best to you all,

Deej

Here’s the song:

LET'S LEAVE BEHIND THIS CRAZY WORLD

Here are the lyrics:

I’m tired of putting on my city suit,
that same old rat race I run everyday.
Fender to fender and boots to boots—
Come on, buddy, get out of my way!

I daydream about us breaking away,
sailing off to the great seas beyond.
There’s nothing here to make us stay.
We’ll be castaways chasing the sun

Let’s get a slow boat, and sail the seas—
forget about this crazy world.
Lift our faces to that ocean breeze
and leave behind this crazy world.

We’ll drop anchor off exotic isles;
walk barefoot across silver sands;
where palm trees grow, and there’s no one for miles—
Just you and me with no better plans.

Let’s get a slow boat, and sail the seas—
forget about this crazy world.
Lift our faces to that ocean breeze
and leave behind this crazy world.

On the beach till midnight,
a crackling fire and salty kisses,
as we dance across the moonlit shore.
Then back to the boat
to spend the night on deck—
I’ll tell you all my dreams, then you’ll tell yours.

Let’s get a slow boat, and sail the seas—
forget about this crazy world.
Lift our faces to that ocean breeze
and leave behind this crazy world.

And here’s the band:

RealTracks 1417: Bass, Electric, RootsRock
RealTracks 2767: Cuatro, Rhythm PuertoRicoAguinaldo
RealTracks 1606: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Pop16ths
RealTracks 1608: Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm Pop16ths
RealTracks 3523: Marimba, Rhythm IslandGroove Ev16 100
RealTracks 1947: Mandolin, Rhythm PopModern
RealDrums: SynthDrumsDisco^4-a:Snare Busy, Kick , b: Muted Bass, Snare

It is a style of music that I am not very comfortable with when it comes to commenting, so I can just say that it was a pleasure for me to listen to. And in my opinion your vocal is really good.

Will

Deej

Very enjoyable, loved the chorus, superb vocal (and harmonies) throughout, liked the lyric and melody.

A top quality production.

Peter

Cool song. I love the arrangement. Good lyrics and vocals. Country-Reggae. Nice touch. Good job to both of you.

Deej,

It is a very interesting BAND that you put together. It combines to create a nice get-away-island kind of sound while being "fresh" and original.

Nice vocals throughout. And a good mix.

fj

Sounds good to me, Deej, nice melody and I always enjoy your vocals.

Good collaboration!

Yay - Deej is back! :-) You know I'm useless at commenting on the production aspects of a song, but ... I really enjoyed the song. Beautiful, tropical sounds ... upbeat, great singing from you ... loved it. If I had a girlfriend/partner I wanted to convince to drop everything and run away with me, this is the song I'd use :-) . I'm always, myself, but a step away from dropping everything and disappearing onto some remote island ... that step away being called simply: money. But I digress. Superb lyrics, too, from John Vaughan ... I love it when a song has its lyrics as well crafted as this. All in all, a wonderfully upbeat song, professionally done in every way from where I'm standing ... and scarily convincing to get one to do just what it says :-) Well done!

Deej,
Your vocal captures the upbeat vibe of the lyrics and music so well.
Its an irresistible package that had me singing along.
Well done!

Robert

Cool band. That marimba player doesn't want to quite. I like the chord structure of all three parts. Speaking of 3 parts, the harmony is perfect. Great vocals, Deej. Really catchy song. The verse lets us know we got a fun song to listen to, the chorus gets us to realize it's a great sing along, then the bridge take us to a new level where we happily let it up to the professionals to wow us.

I have to say well done all the way around.

Nice toe tapper. Catchy melody, and isn't that what most songwriters want? Good vocal as usual. I too like your choice of band--an nice, pleasant, feel-good sound.

Deej & John
Good one. Easy listening getaway tune. Excellent, clear vocals and production. Enjoyed it!
Thank you for sharing.


Misha.

Oh yeah, I know that feeling. Lovely piece of escapism. Great lyrics and (of course) excellent vocals and harmonies. Much enjoyed.
Regards,
Leon

The verses seem to exercise your county leanings.
The verses are also very narrow in the stereo image...the chorus break out wider and that's an interesting dynamic that sets them apart.
Excellent vocals and the harmony section was even better.

Great vocals and a most cool band.

"Let’s get a slow boat, and sail the seas—
forget about this crazy world.
Lift our faces to that ocean breeze
and leave behind this crazy world.
"

And a cool write that makes us want to hit the road, or the air or the water or ANYTHiNG!

Love the band ... island hints, reggae hints, country hints -- just a great mashup.

Nice!

J&B

Deej, I am a big fan of your vocals. You can really deliver a lyric! Great low harmonies on the chorus. Perfect choices on th real tracks and the write is terrific. Bravo, Tom

AMEN!!!! Ready to depart!! This is a really catchy, pleasant, happy tune!! A 3 minute vacation...just what I needed!! Take care. Greg

Deej....I’ll echo all my friends commented on the unique nature of the band to put together… I think it works great! The melody was fun, the lyrics easy on the ears, and the production is just right. Very enjoyable listen!

Nice happy, interesting song Deej. The chorus harmonies are great. That refrain near the end ("On the beach till midnight..." etc) is terrific.
Cheers,
Mike

Great vox as usual, nice hooky song with a great bridge, it all came together well.

I'm late and everything that I wanted to say already has been said. Outstanding groove, vocal, lyrics, and mix. I could see Jimmy Buffett doing this one.

Deej,

Superb vocal and harmonies as usual!
The song is very happy.
A unique sound like a tropical country folk with a British rock feeling somewhere is wonderful.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Hi Deej ...

Uh, what time does the boat leave? I'll pay for my passage when I get there.

Everything about this is top notch. Great and interesting band, terrific mix and your vocals always inspire. Love the EQ you've settled on for your vocals. you really found the sweet spot!

Great song ... thanks for a terrific listen! best to you. Be safe ...

Alan

Hello Deej,

Very nice song you made, with that tropical touch!
You sang about an old dream of me, but now that I have my cats... it still stays a nice dream.

I told you before I like your kind of music and the vocals. This song is no exception on that.
You done it again with making this nice, catchy song!

Hans

A solid write with a fun, island groove befitting the lyrics. Well done.

Will, Peter, jpt3, Floyd, Dave, James, Robert, Marty, Toucher, Ezekiel, Misha, Leon, rayc, J&B, Tommy, Greg, Tano, Mike, Tunemonger, Mario, Shigeki, Alan, Hans, and olemon:

Sigh . . . I’ve been away from the board a bit too long (again!). But really pleased the song seemed to work for everyone. Two of my favorite songs that I have done with John were lyrics he wrote in 15 minutes (and a melody that I wrote just as quickly). So looking for something fun to do, I challenged John to write a song in 15 minutes and this is pretty much what he sent (I altered only a few lines). I like it as much as the other two—and it was a fun song to work on. Thanks again for the listen and kind feedback.

My best to each of you,

Deej