There are times when something I experience during the course of a day triggers a memory.

Also it’s a fact that I spend a lot of time around campfires. Both of these entered into this song.

RealTracks in song: 2921:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm FolkSlowSw16Mike Sw16 060
RealTracks in song: 2547:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GroovinFolk Sw16
RealTracks in song: 1582:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm Folkie16ths Sw16


Recorded in Logic Pro X
Plug Ins : Nectar 2, Neutron 2, Ozone 8, Tonal Balance, Waves LinMB, Waves, L3-LL Multi Limiter, Scuffam Amps S-Gear, Waves Vocal Rider, Waves Bass Rider
Royalty Free Loops

Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Tom Adams


https://soundcloud.com/tommyad/i-still-smell-smoke

http://tommyadamsmusic.com/track/2563947/i-still-smell-smoke



I Still Smell Smoke

next time you see her won’t you give her my best

I should have said that the day that she left

seems i’m at a loss on matters of the heart

When trying to put together all the broken parts


Back in the day
Before it all went to hell
We wrapped ourselves in love
And wore it so well

When I think of her now I still smell smoke

we laid by the fire burning seasoned oak

The flames were hot it ended all too fast

Before I knew it she was in my past

seems kinda funny but it ain’t no joke

When I think of her now I still smell smoke


If you ever hold on to a little bit of sand

the tighter you squeeze the more it runs through your hand

once we were close as one is to two

there’s only so much air to breathe in a room

Back in the day
Before it all went to hell
We wrapped ourselves in love
And wore it so well


When I think of her now I still smell smoke

we laid by the fire burning seasoned oak

The flames were hot it ended all too fast

Before I knew it she was in my past

seems kinda funny but it ain’t no joke

When I think of her now I still smell smoke


©2020 Thomas Adams

Wow! What a sound! Solid,descriptive writing delivered really well.
I have to say, you are great at picking RT's that work well with loops!
I'm all around impressed. I'm not sure this could be written any catchier either!
#StuckInMyHead

Hi Tom
Taste and smell are renowned for generating what Proust called involuntary memories, as opposed to those we consciously try to recall (his most famous example provoked by the taste of a madeleine). You've constructed a beautiful lyric around the concept and delivered it via another great song and performance. So good.
Regards,
Leon

Tom

What Leon said!

Excellent songwriting and performing.

Peter

Hi Tom ...

Another super terrific song! Leon stated it very astutely. All I know to say is that the smell of smoke can trigger so many emotions, whether we intend for that to happen or not. And your song also leaves a long-term imprint in my memory ... and that's a good thing!

Everything cooks on this one. Great song and great listen. Best to you & yours. Be safe.

Alan

Great idea for a song!

Strong chorus, love the "When I think of her now I still smell smoke, we laid by the fire burning seasoned oak" line.

The song, performance, and production are top notch, and as always, a pleasure to listen to.

What are you using for drums if you don't mind me asking, they sound great!

Tom,

"If you ever hold on to a little bit of sand
the tighter you squeeze the more it runs through your hand"

Great line. Excellent write start to finish. Excellent hook idea!!

Excellent backing.
Excellent guitar. Nice mandolin.
Excellent mix.

A great listen.

fj

This is a class act of a song. The musical writing and performance are wonderful, but the lyrics make it go that all-too-crucial extra mile. The memory of the smoke and the line about the sand are particular highlights. Wow. Nothing else to say - just that this song made me feel as if I was there with the character and his memories. And that's something special to convey to a listener, I feel. Thanks for sharing this and sincerest congratulations.

Olfactory memories, like Leon said, can catch you off-guard and- in this case, prompt you to buy a pack of Lucky's. Love it, Tom. Everything about it. Really top-notch.

CAM, thanks for giving me a moment of your time. I appreciate the great review, Tom

Several great lines in this song: 'if you ever hold on to a little bit of sand
the tighter you squeeze the more it runs through your hand' and 'We wrapped ourselves in love and wore it so well' were my favorites. And sung so well! Excellent work!

Thanks for those insightful comments. I had to look up Madeleine. Coming from such an accomplished lyricist it means that much more,Tom

Glad you liked it. Thanks Peter, Tom

Another quality write. Everything is top notch.

Beautiful song Tommy. It is amazing how powerful our senses are. A sound, a fragrance can take you back to a place in time. Beautiful lyric an awesome vocal and guitar work. Well done

Big drums, good instrumentals, nice mix. Subtle backing vocals, nice sound!

I like the phrasing, especially the I still smell smoke.

Favorite line: Before I knew it she was in my past.

I really enjoyed listening!

Hello tommyad,

It is a beautiful composition. I enjoyed the introduction of the mandolin. The melody and the mix are well done. And everything pleases the ear. Well done.

Happy new year

Kindly regards
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

What the heck to say?
Leon set the piano on fire and exited the stage after his comments

You threw it all out there ...
Great vocals, write, instrumental performances and your always high production values with those RT's, loops and TA.

Cool to hear the mando in there too.

"Back in the day
Before it all went to hell
We wrapped ourselves in love
And wore it so well"

Janice wanted to single that out as it flowed so well...

J&B

Thanks Alan. I sure do appreciate you coming by and commenting, Tom Dave, thanks for all that. The drums are loops run through CLA drums. I sometimes use Neutron2 as well as Logic Pro x , which has some amazing tools that can double, change kits or individual drums ( kick, snare etc.) and then route everything to 3 individual busses, so before you know it you have a lot of tracks. I pay extra attention to drums. I think it makes a huge difference in the end product. Also, I played many many years in a band that played country music as well as blues and our long term drummer was a Rock drummer with a capital R. So I now have ingrained in me the penchant for turning them up. Sometimes way up. Happy Holidays to you and yours,Tom

fj, thanks for very generous review. I always look forward to hearing from you,Tom

I know I'm in for a treat when I see a new Tommyad post!! ALWAYS SOOOOO GOOD!!! Great song all around! Love the heavy snare sound throughout.....just the right sound and processing!! Some great lyrics throughout. Love this:

Back in the day
Before it all went to hell
We wrapped ourselves in love
And wore it so well

GREAT STUFF Tommy!! Take care. Greg

That is a terrific review. Thank you much,Tom

Hi Tommy another great peace love it. really well done great lyrics and clear crisp mix Eric

Marty, the thought of cigarettes never entered my mind. I, like many of us I’m sure have put that type of smoke far in the past. Although a good cigar does keep away the mosquitoes. As I recall she wasn’t a cigar smoker either. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate the comments coming from a fine musician as yourself, Tom

TM, I thank you for the very thoughtful comments, Tom Glad you liked it Herb, Tom

Gret big. Really well put-together country song and band. Extra-fine song-sized lyric delivered with flair. Really enjoyed this.

Hi, Tommy !


This is one of your
very best IMHO !
I like everything about
and most of all your
vocals ! WOW !
Have yourself a great Christmas

Cheers
Dani

Tommy,

Magnetic from the start—really crisp, fulsome sound. Terrific write, great lines throughout—love that pre-chorus (both the writing, but also the melody that goes with—great lead in to the chorus). Nothing not to like here . . . just a really excellent country tune. Impressive tune.

All my best

Deej

Scott, I’m glad you liked it,Tom David, thanks for pointing all that out. I appreciate your support,Tom

Thank you for your kind comments. I appreciate it, Tom

A true country song, I love it!!

Tommy,

This is powerful and great! Well done!

I remember my first girlfriend. I still smell smoke too, but I think it was a different kind of smoke.



Merry Christmas.

Thanks for all that. Reviews like this make it easy to continue this creative journey. Your support means everything,Tom

Greg, thanks for all that. I’m glad you liked it,Tom

Eric, thanks for the nice review,Tom

I like everything about this song and the production. The electric guitar solo is perfect. Great lyric lines.
Bob

Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate it,Tom Good to hear from you Dani. Thanks for the kind words,Tom

Deej, thanks for the wonderful review, Tom

Olfactory reminiscence is a powerful thing.
I woke from a dream yesterday with the smell of smoke in my head.
I blame you.
The pre chorus & chorus really work a treat building and lifting.
Ace Tommy, ace.

An enjoyable listen top to bottom.....great all round IMHO!

Ronnie , thanks for coming by. Tom Haha, memories are wonderful things most of the time. Glad you enjoyed it. Both the song and the memory,Tom

Tom,
Wow, such a big sound! Strong lyrics & excellent vocal drive.
Mix is very PRO level. Ace mandolin and guitar work!
Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

That's a good one !
Nicely put together.
Nice performance.

moto

Hey Bob. Good to hear from you again. Thanks for your comments, Tom

Ha ha, I’m glad it was my song that triggered that and not the real thing. Thanks for your comments,Tom Your opinion is appreciated. Thanks, Tom

Another top shelf production Tom! All the tracks meld together in such fine fashion! The lyrics are such a great example of superior songwriting! It's all capped off with a super vocal performance! T

Tommy, I'm late to the party but glad I could make it.

Everything that I wanted to say already has been said so all I'll add is that this is one fantastic song, maybe your best to date, and that you are one multi-talented musician, singer, arranger, and mix master.

Misha, thanks for the very generous review, Tom Cap’n thank you for giving it a spin,Tom

Torrey, thanks for the very thoughtful review,Tom Mario, I sure am glad you made it by. Thanks for the very nice words,Tom