Hi all:

Here’s another collaboration with Carrol Kiphen, who wrote the lyrics. As a songwriter, who knows well the likely fate of all my musical efforts, this lyric really resonated with me (though not that it stops me from keeping on, lol!). I hope I’ve done well by it. As always, feedback and suggestions are welcome. Thanks much in advance.

Hope everyone is safe, well and happy!

My best to you all,

Deej

Here’s the song:

I WAS ONLY ME

Here are the lyrics:

I don’t have a special talent
outside my way with words.
I’ll die alone a great unknown
that no one’s ever heard.
A song that never found its voice
that’s waiting to be sung.
A steeple with a silver bell
that’s waiting to be rung.

Gathering dust;
they turn to rust—
Isn’t it just
a waste of time?

All these songs I’ve written:
footprints in the snow.
I never was somebody
anybody knows.
They’re just words in passing.
much the same as me—
I never was somebody . . .
I was only me.

I’ve no wish for fame or fortune.
I just want to be heard.
I’ll die alone a great unknown
along with all my words.
A hope to no fruition;
A seed that never grew;
these words and songs I’ve written—
dreams that never came true.

Gathering dust;
they turn to rust—
Has it been just
a waste of time?

All these songs I’ve written:
footprints in the snow.
I never was somebody
anybody knows.
They’re just words in passing.
much the same as me—
I never was somebody . . .
I was only me.

A whisper in the wind,
I’m the morning dew.
The shadow of a man
you never knew . . .

Gathering dust;
I’ve turned to rust—
Ain’t it just
a waste of time.

All these songs I’ve written:
footprints in the snow.
I never was somebody
anybody knows.
They’re just words in passing.
much the same as me—
I never was somebody . . .
I was only me.

And here’s the band:

RealTracks 1190: Bass, Electric, ModernRnBRock Ev 065
RealTracks 1006: Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment, PopCalifornia Slow
RealTracks 3184: Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GrungeSlowQuinn Ev16 060
RealTracks 1037: Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065
RealTracks 2457: Strings, Rhythm CelticAir Ev 085
RealTracks 1543: Synth Pad, PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealTracks 1856: Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
RealTracks 2336: Viola, Background, Pop Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection)
RealDrums: PopRock16ths^05-a:Brushes, b:Snare, HiHat

Good message: being able to create is enough for many and with others creating is a tool and means to an end.
Good melody and appropriate backing.
Champion vocal performance.
I'm not fussed on the kick drum though.

"A song that never found its voice
that’s waiting to be sung.
A steeple with a silver bell
that’s waiting to be rung."

Nice!! And that's just the first that jumped out at me, just top notch writing.

Excellent vocal too of course, track also sounds good.

Enjoyed!

You did good on this one Deej.
The chorus was refreshing.

Although the lyric is a bit sad it will ring true for many.

Vic

Hello Deej56,

Very endearing composition both in the lyrics and in the arrangement. The use of the violin is excellent and the piano fingering is very good. Well done.

Best regards

Dero13
alias JaniJackFlash

Your vocal is excellent - as always.

The production is nice, the mix is well done.



fj

Well done you two.

Your soulful vocal sounds like it was born for that lyric.

Nice band - the strings were particularly effective.

And the melody was most engaging.

Yep, we enjoyed our listens.

J&B

Great song sung well. I really got a strong Jim Steinman vibe from this, especially with the piano and your exceptional vocals. The sadness of the lyrics added to that. Excellent work!

Wow, very nice melody and a really good and impressive vocal performance!
Only little critic I have is that the drums is not so interesting... you could have chosen a better sample for that in my opinion.
But overall a great track!

Will

Very fine vocal (as always) to a lovely backing. As an inveterate scribbler of words I too can identify with the lyrics, but it doesn't stop me, either!
Regards,
Leon

Deej

Lovely vocal and a great sound. The piano sounded very good.

It's a big sounding song(I could hear a spot for a thundering drum and searing guitars near the end).....

Well done to you and Carrol.

Peter

rayc, BlueAttitude, vicarn, Dero, Floyd, J&B, Tunemonger, Will, Leon and Peter:

Really appreciate the listen and kind comments. Glad it seemed to work for the most part. I realize it's not a commercial song by any means, but the lyric really resonated with me personally . . . just kind of how I feel about the time I spend on the songs I work on. A practical sense of reality. Happy it seemed to come off OK.

With regard to some of the comments:

rayc, Will, and Peter: The drums on this track are what I struggled with most. They are mostly what I was looking for, but I'll admit I'm not overly in love with them. What I really wanted, particularly at the end of the tune, on the last "Gathering dust" pre-chorus, was, as Peter said, a "thundering drum". But I couldn't find it in BIAB. I was thinking of those big bassy kettle type drums (whatever they are called). So while I looked for something better, I failed and ultimately settled. I think what I have works well enough, but is it exactly what I wanted? Honestly, no. Drums continue to be the bane of my producing existence, LOL!

Thanks again all for the giving this a spin.

My very best to all of you,

Deej

Hi Deej and Caroll,

A very soulfull voice that fits like a glove in this very nice song. I think Caroll understands very well what kind of singer you are!
The lyrics are very nice. I think almost every word could be written by/for me: "All these songs I’ve written, footprints in the snow". Just beautifull.
And the band did very well. Especially that piano was great. I like it, but I like all your songs (till now...).
Continue the making of these footsteps, Deej.
And you too Caroll!

Hans

Lyrics really touch me personally, "I never was somebody...I was only me.", simply beautiful, great write. Great collaboration, definitely more than 1 plus 1 in this case - this song has really found its voice. Vocals really express the "rust", powerful interpretation.

Strings, guitar and piano work very well together, none of them is too dominant, classic rock ballad melody, nice chording with pleasant surprises at "waste", "the same" and at the bridge. Great break after the bridge before the chorus.

Janne

Deej,
Very strong performance, good lyrics. Composition A+ Enjoyed it!

I have seen some mentioning of "drums" above, but did not read the comments not to derail my thought. I think Piano is overpowering drums a bit. I would try to balance these two and find EQ peak of bass of kick drum and spike it somewhat, so it is more pronounced. Just a side opinion.

Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Deej,
A quietly powerful lyric that will resonate with all creators and especially songwriters; the market is saturated and then some, but we keep ourselves company, respond to the muse and keep going.
Another stellar vocal performance, which for me eclipses anything but admiration for your work... and very astute choice of collaborators.

Robert

I like everything about it!! A very thoughtful write and an excellent delivery!! One of my faves of yours!! Take care. Greg

That's some good stuff!
Love the vocals......nice job.
Lyrics are fantastic.

As a writer myself, this really spoke to me.
This could be the song writer's anthem.

Great lyrics. Great vocal.

This is melodically engaging. Mix sounds good to me: well-balanced and each instrument is clear and placed well.

This is one of my favorites from you.

Hans, Janne, Misha, Robert, Greg, CaptainMoto, and Ezekiel:

Thanks so much for stopping in and giving this one a spin—always happy to see a song well-received, but this lyric, as noted, really hit home for me. Glad they spoke to you all as well.

Misha:

Drums are my kryptonite, lol. Really good and much appreciated suggestions on enhancing them here. Thanks!

Stay safe, stay well—all of you!

Deej

Loved the song. Vocal was awesome. Very cool lyric and the backtrack was perfect. Well done

Well brother,

I ain't going to lie, this brought tears to my eyes...
To say this was just absolutely superbly heart-felt is an understatement!

https://makeagif.com/gif/purple-rain-head-nod-qlXJok

Hopefully this can sum it up...

BRAVO my friend, BRAVO!

Scott and Bawb:

So nice of you each to give this a listen. Really appreciate the kind comments and, Bawb, that purple rain head nod. Very cool!

My kind regards to both of you,

Deej

Hi Deej ...

Terrific song you and Carroll have put together. The lyric is so good! And Deej, your vocals are unique on the best of ways. There's never any doubt who's singing after a word or two. A signature sound is always a good thing!!!

The song is still swirling in my head as I write this. really cool!

Best to both of you. Take care and be safe ...

Alan

Janice and Bud said it perfectly, in my view: "Your soulful vocal sounds like it was born for that lyric". Absolutely.

The lyric is of the very highest level. Your writing matches that perfectly. Your singing - you know what I think about the sincerity in your voice and delivery ... right up there. I couldn't care less about the production aspects ... who gives a so and so whether the drums are a little louder or quieter? haha. I know that those are important aspects of things, too, but ... the WRITING (both music and lyrics), the SINGING here is what I feel matter.

In short: tremendous job ... says it all about all of us musicians trying to wring out our hearts in songs - all of it said in a deceptively simple-sounding four minute song.

Oh, and - whatever you do: KEEP GOING. Please. Thanks.

Outstanding production. Great lyrics Carrol. Emotional vocal delivery is wonderful. I can really feel this one. I love the band too.

Writing songs is my hoppy/art/craft. I do it for I must. One day I may stop but not yet. It's still fun for me.

Hi Deej, Just saw this one. Beautiful lyrics from Carroll and so true. You deliver it with the honesty it requires. Nice!

Really enjoyed your song, DJ. It is stirring and beautiful. I love the lyrics.