Saying goodbye to good friends...


HERE'S TO YOU

i don't take well to strangers
you didn't need another casual friend
we talked music, we talked movies
over my beer and your gin
for some reason i impressed you
i thought you were older, too
we thought we had a lot in common
strangers usually do
it wasn't true
here's to you

it's a bond not easy to come by
between friends it needn't be explained
some call fate, some call it a love
call when you're caught in the rain
we called each other buddy
we'd talked the whole night through
it's not often a man's allowed to cry
but i feel i can with you
sometimes i do
here's to you

   but the climate here doesn't suit me
   i've got wings and i must fly
   i don't care much for this city
   but i hate to say goodbye

i don't take well to stangers
you're all i leave behind
should it be so hard to let go
of what we never expected to find
let's say adieu
here's to you



Old song.
1978, I think.


New BAND:

RealTracks in style: 1825:Bass, Electric, PopModernGrooveHeld Ev16 075
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2066:Piano, Rhythm NewAgeAnswers Ev16 110
RealTracks in style: 1595:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Pop8thsSteady Ev 065
RealTracks in song: 2780:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Songwriter8thsBrent Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 1856:Cello, Background PopCountry Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2338:Violin, Background, PopLow Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection)
RealTracks in song: 2337:Violin, Background, PopHigh Ev 085 (1TrackStringSection)
RealDrums in Song: BossaBrushesPerc^1-a:Congas, No Kit , b:Congas, Shaker, Triangle, No Kit
Additional Beat created in Studio One.


Comments of any color.


fj

BEAUTIFUL modulation on "I've got wings ..." .

You have the talent of saying something without decorating it. It shows in every single song of yours that I've heard so far. That "getting to the point" is one of the main things, in my view, that makes you the musician you are. That, and a certain hue of experience that we all wish we had.

Hats off, again ... what can I say?

Man...this may be one of the most emotional songs I've heard on the forum. The vulnerability of this is amazing! Truly, truly amazing!

Quality-wise it has everything I would expect from you on production and performance. As always, top notch.

The lyric and structure I didn't see coming though. I really like it. You very effortlessly made your rhymes work without having that sense of "he wrote that line to get to that rhyme" kind of a feel. That fake forced from lack of word rhyme choices kind of thing.

Your lines sound completely intact on their own and that they happen to rhyme sounds like was a happy coincidence...but not nursery rhyme-y at all. Your treatment of suprasegmentals shows your attention to intent. The progression and retraction of instruments, the lift in melody and management of energy all complimenting the intent of lyric.

Out of this world song! Loved it!

Cool song indeed. I really liked that false modulation you did .... that's unique. I don't think I can name any other song where it sounded like it modulated then you realize, it didn't.... it's still in the same key. Brilliant move.

Is there a time you didn't write excellent lyrics?

I have this image of little baby floyd jane clutching a crayon and scrawling out masterpiece lyrics on the wall of his bedroom.

Love it! Exceptionally good.

Really, I could quote every line, because you manage to make everything pay off one way or another, like trying to figure out what to say. Do you say "love" in a man-to-man conversation?

some call fate, some call it a love
call when you're caught in the rain

Yes. Yes you do. And then effortlessly turn the meaning of "call" while you're at it.

The "nothing in common" is nicely developed:

we talked music, we talked movies
over my beer and your gin
for some reason i impressed you
i thought you were older, too

It's a confessional that draws me in deeper as the song goes along. I really like how it adds additional details that take the idea further than expected, or somewhere unexpected. Like:

we thought we had a lot in common
strangers usually do

Good line! But then:

it wasn't true

The twist of the knife!

Or:
it's not often a man's allowed to cry
but i feel i can with you

Again, pulling into the confession, but then:

sometimes i do

Much deeper than expected.

Your voice is perfect for this - expressive and emotive.

There's nothing obviously flashy about the arrangement, but just a bit of focus of attention from the vocal - which the arrangement keeps the focus on by being understated - shows off some really nice elements. There's the subtle but funky kick and the congas, for example. Elements which wouldn't be expected in a "classic" country arrangement but fit right in.

The build of the arc is also subtle, but impressive. The strings rise from solo cello to violin, and then a small section, and then back down again. The vocal becomes more intense and the harmony grows. Really nice.

I won't mention the structure or chords (because I was busy paying attention to other stuff), other than to say that takes the song another level. But it was noticed!

I'm too lazy to come up with any new adjectives, so I'll just repeat: exceptionally well done - even for you.

FJ,
Nice harmonies. Musical bed is awesome! From hand drums and simple guitar strums to all those strings. Really opens up toward the end. Vocals & Mix is PRO level. Listens very well, and that what I think matters the most. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

floyd

A lovely ballad that flows effortlessly. Superb storytelling and performing.

Great mix and production.

Another top notch effort (but I was expecting that).

Peter

The power of friendship is a beautiful thing, and I think you did a really lovely job with this song. Thanks for sharing!

Excellent tune Floyd. Loved the message in the lyric. Super vocal and harmonies. Drums were very cool.. The conga drums was a nice touch..

You are a true artist, Floyd.

Another high quality piece of writing, Floyd. Terrific vocal, full of emotion and the band sounds great.
Regards,
Leon

Wonderful song on all levels.
The hand claps don't excite me but that's me.
A voice that simultaneously radiates hurt & healing.

Hi Floyd.
Wonderful song, well performed and written.
On the downside, for me the congas were distractingly cheerful though.

Vic

Absolutely love this, floyd!

The music bed is perfect, great choice of instruments. Vocals and harmonies are your usual high standard.

The mix sounds fabulous though my studio 'phones, couldn't possibly be better.

And then we get to the write. 1978, really?! Sheesh!

Hi, Floyd. You should know that (other than working on songs of mine and others) YOU have become my go-to artist to listen to for inspiration and --well, really good songs. Ok. 1978. So now I'm getting the picture of your birth as you popped out singing and strumming. You're a natural, man.

Enjoyed this one a lot. Every element comes together perfectly.

Man what a beautiful song. Perfectly mixed, I could listen to it all day!!

A fine write Floyd; wise and vulnerable at the same time.
Vocals, arrangement and production all serve the song so well; very, very good.

Robert

Thanks, James. "...getting to the point" is kind of the point, isn't it... any time you can "paint pictures" AND "tug at the heart" in as few words as possible, you will find yourself on the right track...

Good one, Floyd. Sweet arrangement...especially that bass moving down. This is more thoughtful than "bro country" and I really appreciate this intimate portrait on a theme seldom written about. In fact, I don't know of another song that explores this off the top of my head.

Man, this song is great Floyd. It gave me goosebumps!

Hey, I see it is on the Floyd Jane website and is marked as 2017. Is there a new version with new instrumentation--sorry if I am being dense!! I see the original original goes way back.

But it sounds really great man, I love it.

There are a lot of great things to say about this one. I like the open ended lyrics. It might be a man or a woman you’re talking to. It doesn’t matter as the human emotion comes through. What some called a modulation seems to be a well conceived bridge and it is a standout moment. Of course the mix and the vocal are top notch. It is everything we’ve come to expect in a fj song. I wouldn’t have any idea how to rank your songs. They are all so very well done. We are lucky to have you here, Tom

David C & HTL pretty much collectively set the piano on fire and exited stage left They were both insightful and articulate.

The "simple" band is wonderful and we place that in quotes because it is much harder than many realize to create a soundstage like this. It sounds terrific on the monitors. The cellos and acoustic guitars sound and work together superbly. Again, it was David that alluded to the wonderful arc. We much like the congas as the timing/tone of them adds to the overall, as Ray said, feeling of hurt and healing.

All of the above sets up the outstanding vocal and write. We've said it before but you are a master at expressing emotional songs like this without ever crossing that "angst ridden" line. Powerful and passionate.

The production sounds ageless ... those of all ages who admire singer-songwriter songs will immediately be engaged by this.

1978? Wow!

J&B

A beautiful write!!! So sweetly sad!! So emotional!!! And, I love the vocal delivery........it's hard to sing a track in a way that feels like you're thinking of the lyric as you sing it, but you pulled it off!! Love the strings and piano! To me, the percussion may have been a little intrusive at times. I feel it could have been a bit softer, more compressed and wetter. A beautiful, beautiful song Floyd!! Take care. Greg

Nice tune. Lovely ballad. The band performed good too.

That alone would have been enough to brighten my day!!


I know you know how important lyrics are to me. So these comments are especially satisfying...



Couldn't ask for more... THANKS!!!

So beautiful and emotional! Your song really touched my heart and brought up memories from my own life.

Very well done (as always)!

Will

I think the percussion adds a lot to this song-- it is different that i would expect with this song and it worked..

Thanks, Herb. Appreciate it...

Sometimes the vocals in a song are just another instrument and sometimes the vocal is the song.
This is one of those that makes me want to listen to every word.

Very nice!

moto

David - it is hard to even respond to your comments - you floored me.
Your insight into the lyric is very much appreciated. It's where it all begins for me - so it is always nice when someone "gets it" and notes it.
Your comments on the production/arrangement is "icing".
Thanks for the outstanding review. I could hang that on the wall!!

Misha - thanks for the very nice comments...

Thanks, Peter!!




Ember - Always nice to have you stop by...

Thanks, Scott...




Nice of you to say, ed...

Thanks, Leon!




Thanks, ray. The hand claps were a bit of an experiment...to give a little "new life" to an old song. Not for everyone, I know...I questioned them when I first put them in, but after a few listens they settled in, so I went with them...

Hi floyd Jane,

Very beautiful orchestration which brings your lyrics to life. It's a beautiful story that you tell us. Life is weird, you meet people you meet for the first time and that you seem to know. Well done.

Kindly regard

Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Hi Floyd,

You make beautiful songs for a very long time I see!
Maybe I asked the same as i saw David s did; is this the original song from 2017 or a remake?
If it was the old one, I'm amazed even more. It sounds so bright, like I'm sitting next to the guitar.
I liked that chord progression in it. Giving the song that nice twist in tension (if you understand what I am trying to say).
And of course your vocals are very good, but that's nothing new. Same for the lyrics. You never fail in making this music.

Love it all,
Hans

Thanks for having a listen, Vic. Can't say I agree about the drums. I suppose it is what one is accustom to listening to...




Thanks, Dave. A bit surprised by your very positive reaction...I would not guess that this would be one that tickle-you-fancy. Goes to show - you never know...



Marty - What a nice thing to say!! Thanks you!! Glad that you found your way to the Showcase - your music is great to listen to...

Thanks, Charlie!




Appreciate that, Ronnie...

Thanks, Robert...




Thanks, Tangmo. I was a lot more "sensitive" in my youth

Mr. Snyder - Goosebumps is always good.
The 2017 date is when I recorded this version - maybe. It might just be left over from another page on the site that I copied to create a new page for posting it. It has been done and out there for a while...




Thanks for all of that, Tom. I appreciate the note on the bridge. (we are lucky to have you here, too...)




...and this is a much appreciated "review" to add alongside David's and Caaron's...




Greg - I always enjoy reading your comments!! Thanks!!!

Thanks, jpt...




That's nice to hear, Will... thanks...

floyd,

Nice guitar intro.
Great vocals and harmonies.
I can't think it was written more than 40 years before.
Wonderful listen.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

Good to have you drop by, Bob.




Thanks, moto!




Thanks, Derochette...




Thanks, Hans! This recording was done a couple of years ago... I just looked at the folder that holds the BIAB tracks - they were generated in December 2017 - so that is when I did it... (the song was written 40+ years ago...)

Shigeki Adachi - Thanks for having a listen...

I think this is a song that would best be listened to at a quiet time of the day or night because of the intimacy of the lyrics and the laid-back, lost-in-thought feel of the music, which combine to create a thoughtful and unexpectedly emotional experience. It's a good example of the meaning of the phrase, "Still waters run deep." Introspection is what's going on here and with that, you get some insight. A fine musical expression of things usually unseen on the surfaces of our lives.

Loren - Your review truly captures the essence of the song. Thank!

Hi Floyd,

I know I'm impossibly late to this one and basically it's all been
said already, so many times.

Let me just say that I got lost in it, with the music carrying me along
and the lyrics throwing up images and scenes in my imagination.

It was a good trip.

ROG.

Heartwarming lyrics and song. So clear and engaging. And original all the way. So well done.

ROG - thanks for dropping in...




Lawrence - always good to see you around...

Floyd,

I am always impressed with your ability to write thought provoking lyrics. Little twists on phrases like "we thought we had a lot in common strangers usually do". I would have never come up with a line like that! The fact that you wrote this so many years ago shows the true song writing gift that you have! The backing band is arranged in such a lovely manner that perfectly carries this tune along! Your vocal is delivered in a genuine manner that does the lyrics justice! As always, some of the top level stuff that we always get from you! You post so much great material that we tend to take it for granted! You are greatly appreciated by your forum family here! Take care! T