Tom Adams (tommyad) and I share a birthday - March 4th. Today!
We discovered that on our first co-write/collaboration post.
On our birthday! Pure coincidence.
It is now our tradition.

I was wanting to do something with a baritone guitar.
Poking around the Styles (which I don't often do), I found a BAND that I liked.
_MIRE.STY (Mire Swampy Blues)
I tweaked the demo a bit and used that to set up a song.
And then wrote a lyric (another "topline" write).
Reflection of having had SO many birthdays...

It seemed like a good song to have some Tom Adams magic on...
So I sent him the stems including a vocal and the SGU and let him take it from there.
He dropped one of the original guitar tracks and added 3 or 4 of his own.
And harmonies. And spent time tweaking the drums.
And mixing. And mastering
(His fills, leads and solos on this are heavenly!! The stuff he did under the chorus is killer.)

Tom can correct me if I'm wrong...and further explain...

And we have Birthday Song, 2021...



ESCAPE VELOCITY

long as i can remember
i been looking for some way out
and still i'm seeking answers
i kick, i scream, i shout
it's all nebulous, so ambiguous
someone tell me "what's it all about?"

confusion and delusion
spinning my head around
washed in illusion
i swear i'm about to drown
should i try to make an exit
or just hit some bar downtown
   
   i need a little help
   i need a safe place to be
   or a good running start
   so i can hit escape velocity

i look over my shoulder
i don't like what i see
i look in the mirror
and wonder "is that really me?"
so doc gave me a card
so i can fly legally

one moment i think i'm immortal
the next i think i'll die
don't know where this [*****] comes from
but you ain't never been this high
now i know what jimi meant
when he talked about kissing the sky
   
   i need a little help
   i need a safe place to be
   or a good running start
   so i can hit escape velocity



The BAND:
RealTracks in style: 2903:Bass, Acoustic, BluesyPopByron Ev 100
RealTracks in style: ~~674:Organ, B3, Background Blues Roadhouse Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 3351:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm SwampyBluesBrent Ev 095
RealDrums [in style:FunkSanFran

Tom Adams: electric guitars, harmonies, mix, master
fj: vocal


Happy Birthday, bro! Hope you have a great one.
Going camping.

fj



Here are the previous Birthday Songs if you are interested...

Tell Her - March 4, 2014
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=242609#Post242609

She's Going Through Some Changes - March 4, 2015
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=286531#Post286531

Too Dangerous - March 4, 2016
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=338948#Post338948

A Hole The Size Of Texas - March 4, 2017
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=398420#Post398420

Pier Pressure - March 4, 2018
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=459749#Post459749

I Want You To Know Me - March 4, 2019
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=527305#Post527305

One Sure Thing - March 4, 2020
https://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=583565&page=1

I was just thinking the other day that the annual Tom and floyd birthday collaboration must be coming up soon, and here it is!

You two never disappoint, excellent track as usual! Great vocals and playing.

Man, love that chorus!

Happy birthday!

Hi foyd Jane
Hi Tommyad,

I wish you both a happy birthday. Lots of love from those around you, good health and the creation of lovely melodies. This one is well done, the playing and the voice are very pleasant with a well done arrangement. Very pleasant.

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Happy Birthday to the two of you!

floyd jane, your vocal sound a bit different here - maybe a different range, or perhaps a different stylistic approach. In any event, it sounds great!

Tom, the mix is impressive - nothing sticking out, everything fits into place. The guitar solos and harmony are top-notch. Everything is clear, and balanced - sounds awesome in my headphones.

I enjoyed this a lot - a fun song!

Thanks for the present!

Alright guys I love that swamp rock/bluesy thing going on this! Yes Floyd the additions Tom put in this are killer!! Floyd I like it when you venture into these genres a little distance away from the Country sound! You handle all of this stuff like a pro! Great song and collaboration! Take care, T

Hey Dave. Thanks for the birthday wishes and for commenting. Happy birthday floyd and happy camping, Tom

Happy Birthdays, Fellers. Thanks for the gift!

Happy Birthday. Nice track... I enjoyed listening!


Take care,
Will

floyd & Tom

That came around quickly - Happy Birthdays.

Excellent work by you both, wonderful guitars, top notch vocals and a great mix.

Just superb professional songwriting and playing.

Peter

The first beat told me that there was something good coming along.

Great driving delivery.

I think you came close to 'escape velocity'. Drivin' Blues, yes.

APPEE BURPHDAEZ,
Very cool collaboration..the Tommy touches really are magic ones.
The drum massaging REALLY is cool.
That held note at the end really shows how relaxed and into the song you are fj.
Excellent stuff gentlemen.

Thanks much for stopping by and giving it a spin. We appreciate the birthday wishes and the kind words,Tom David, it’s fun and easy to collaborate with floyd. His lyrics and vocals are always so good. Thanks for the wonderful review and the b’day wishes, Tom

I love "a safe place to be". Reminds me of where I live.

Nice one Floyd and Tom.

Vic

Happy Birthdays!
Wow! excellent tune. I have heard several of your colabs, this one definitely stands out!
Super vocals, playing and production! Radio quality stuff. Ohh yeah, lyrics are great!
Best to both of you, don't get too drunk. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Cool rocker, fj. Great guitar playing Tom. I am always impressed with your:

a) songwriting
b) production
c) vocals
d) Use of the band
e) All of the above

Correct answer: e - All of the above.

Oooo, I'm telling. You said the "S" word. Safe. I can't say that I know what a "topline" write is, but it was tops, alright.

This was great fun to listen to. Great groove, a real funky dancer. Vocals and guitars rode it hard and put it away wet. That last vocal note killed me. Nothing swampy about the mix, even at it's busiest. Nice work.

A happy belated birthday to the both of yas.

Thanks Torrey. floyd is a pro and I always look forward to working with him. It’s almost too easy, Tom

Thanks, Dave!!

Thanks, Derochette!!

David - thanks for the fine review...

Well,
That's a fine happy birthday gift to us all!

"kissing the sky"? Well excuse me, Is it tomorrow or just the end of time?

Cool lyrical write and well put together band.

All the extra touches come together in a great mix.

Nice job gents!

moto

Happy birthday! Your musical wine just tastes better when getting older.
Lyrics and melody flow together flawlessly. Catchy groove really flies, does not matter legally or not. "Kissing the sky" reference and the funny story made me smile. Mix and vocals are top 10 radio friendly, excellent band selection - love the BIAB baritone guitars. The guitar solo couldn't be better for the song, excellent collaboration all together.

Janne

Top notch yet again from you two. Two of my favourites on this forum. What can I say - you've knocked it out of the park yet again. Whatever you're doing - keep doing it :-)

Happy Belated birthday Floyd and Tom. Another cool birthday song. Loved the lyrics. Well done...

Happy Birthday to both of you. Thanks for sharing such a great tradition with us each year. Another year and another great song and performance.

Hi Floyd & Tom,

Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY greetings guys.

A super rolling blues track, with excellent vocals and superb guitar work.

A BIG sound in the chorus, which was my favourite bit.

A nice clear mix, but still powerful.

Cheers,
ROG.

I really like the rhythm of the lyrics which you did a great job on

Thanks Ed. Glad you liked it,Tom Thanks for listening and for the birthday wishes,Tom

Thanks, Torrey...


Thanks, Ed...


Thanks, Will....

Floyd & Tom,
Love the tradition you honor musically, that swamp style and edgy lyrics; the "escape velocity" phrase is cool.
As others have noted: Killer Chorus!

Robert

I've got to try that topline writing method sometime.

Solid song and production. Great vocal and love that guitar. Very enjoyable all around.

Peter, yeah too quick! Thanks for the birthday greetings,Tom Thanks Trevor, Tom

Thanks, Peter!!


Thanks, Trev!!

Happy belated Birthday Gents! What a great way to celebrate!

Love the change in the chorus!

Great job!

Happy somewhat belated birthday, gentlemen. You've marked the occasion with a very enjoyable song, as one would expect. Great writing, playing, singing and mix. A lovely gift for us all. I was one of those, incidentally, who on first hearing Purple Haze thought Jimi was singing 'scuse me while I kiss this guy' - now a commonly cited example of a mondegreen.
Regards,
Leon

Happy birthday to both of you! Mine's coming up real soon (22nd). #74 - YIKES!!!!!!

I expect nothing but the very best from either of you - and together, well, it's just magic in a song. For me, on the music side, the baritone guitar and drums put this on a path to some really good stuff. The vocals, mix, lyric ... and all that technical stuff ya'll know how to do (I don't know) created one fabulous song. I could keep raving on and on, but I'll wrap it up and say if it gets much better than this, then new boundaries will have be established for greatness in a song.

Best to both of you. Take care and keep entertaining us.

Alan

Thanks for the positive review Ray, Tom Thanks Vic, Tom

Wow, that chorus really adds the cherry to this outstanding birthday celebration. Love that guitar --those guitars. As I was reading I figured I was going to have to do some research to find your previous birthday collabs. Wow, thanks for that, too. Happy belated birthday, Tom & Floyd.

Thanks, ray...


Thanks, Vic...

Misha, Thanks for the birthday wishes and for the fine review,Tom jpt, thanks for all that,Tom Thanks for the belated birthday wishes and for the comments,Tom

Why do we have to wait a year to hear two of the finest writers and producers on the forum collaborate?

Spin the high accolades wheel and pick one...it will apply.

We hear two great vocals (nice blues feel fj) and superbly tasteful guitar.

And the write? A clinic in How. To. Do. It. Well. Period.

We could randomly pick a line and it would be a fine one.

We hope y'all had happy birthdays 'cause you two certainly gave us a fine gift!

J&B

Thanks for the nice comments, Misha...


- Thanks, jpt3...

Cap, thanks for the very kind comments,Tom Janne, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to listen and comment,Tom

Thanks, Tangmo!!


We appreciate that, moto...

Thanks your comments are appreciated,Tom Scott, thanks for stopping by,Tom Charlie, it’s always great to hear from you. Thanks, Tom

AND I forgot to wish you both Happy Birthdays!!! Argh ... Happy Birthdays, belated wishes as they may be :-)

Hi floyd and Tom.

I'm a little late but my good wishes for you both are still intact



This is a stunning collaboration!

Whether I focus on the words, the melody, the chord progression, the backing, the guitars, the singing, the production, etc., the thought, "Wow! This is good." just keeps on appearing in my mind. Relentlessly.

I love the way you've used "Escape Velocity". I'd be too caught up in the physics of it's meaning to ever find a creative use like this! Kudos to you. Also, rhyming every second line in the verses really appealed to me. This triplet of rhymes is a nicely subtle way to add some emotional oomph to the lyric flow. It helps add to the feeling floating round and round.

I totally enjoyed this journey.

All the best,
Noel

I guess God just feels musical on March 4th!!!! Always a treat to hear two forum masters do their combined thing!! This sounds like something Joe Walsh could have written, on a good day!!! Would have liked to hear Tommy chime in on the vocals! GREAT STUFF GUYS!!!! Had me laughing and dancing at the same time!!! Happy belated B-days!!! Take care. Greg

ROG, thanks for the fine review, Tom Bob, thanks for stopping by and commenting,Tom

Thanks for the nice comments, Janne...


We appreciate that, James...


Thanks, Scott...

Man, the songs just keep getting better and better, sounds so professional, I'm in awe!!

floyd did a great job on the write and it is always fun to work with him. Thanks, Tom Thanks for giving it a listen, Tom

Thanks, Charlie...


Thanks, ROG. Tom did a great job on the guitars and the mix...


Appreciate you stopping by, Bob...

Thanks Lawrence. We appreciate it,Tom Thanks Leon. And thanks for teaching me a new word, Tom

Thanks, Robert!!


Thanks, Scott!!

Thanks for all that Al, Tom Marty, thanks for checking in. We appreciate the kind words,Tom J&B, We enjoy our tradition and we are glad when others enjoy it along with us, Tom

Thanks, Lawrence! Always good to see you around...



Thanks, Leon!!


Thanks, Alan!! And an early Happy Birthday to you!!

Noel, thanks so much for your generous review,Tom Greg, it’s always great to hear from you. Thanks for the nice comments,Tom Ronnie, glad you liked it. Thanks,Tom

Hey Guys,

Happy Birthday!!

Sorry I am so late to the party!!!!

Well, I love this song and it sure does seem timely. I hope you guys have a great year!!

Thanks, Marty!!

Thanks David for stopping by,Tom

Hi Floyd en Tommy,

Well, a little late to wish you both a happy birthday, but not to congratulate you on this song!
I really enjoyed it, especially the chorus (and the rhythm of course).
I think I would have sang that last chorus at least 3 times till the end. With the bg-vocals this sounds really cool
(i need a little help / i need a safe place to be / or a good running start /so i can hit escape velocity)

I also like the use of a bariton guitar and the 'swamp'-instruments and rhythm a lot. The sound of them is very nice.
Very well done, you two!

Hans

Noel - always great to see you jump into a Showcase thread these days. You are missed. I'd say it's about time for another song post from you!!!



Thanks, Greg!! I like the Joe Walsh reference. I told Tom take one of the verses...but he did a great job on the harmonies - and all the rest!!!


Thanks, Ronnie...

Thanks, David!!


Thanks, Hans...