Hi, all:

Here’s another collaboration with Carroll Kiphen, who wrote the lyrics (tolerating a few changes here and there by yours truly)—a little pop/rock number that I think I’ve taken about as far as I can without additional feedback. So, as always, your comments and suggestions are welcome and very much appreciated. I hope you enjoy the tune.

My very best to each of you,

Deej

Here’s the song:

RUNAWAY HEART

Here are the lyrics:

Got my past packed in a hefty bag
In the backseat of my car
Got my headlights on the road ahead
My eyes fixed on the stars
And I don’t know where I’m going
I’m just sick of where I was
No sure way of knowing
if I’ll find someone to love

I’m a runaway, runaway, runaway heart

Got my mind set on a happy life
With a girl I don’t yet know
Left my troubles in the driveway
With the last one I let go
She asked me where I’m going
I just answered with a shrug
The restlessness is growing
Gotta find someone to love

No more fights or empty nights
I left them on the drive
A tank of gas, a roll of cash
The endless road to ride

No, I don’t know where I’m going
But I finally feel alive

And here’s the band:

RealTracks 1417: Bass, Electric, RootsRock
RealTracks 3181: Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm AcRockDriving8thsQuinn
RealTracks 676: Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming FolkRockBritEighths
RealTracks 637: Guitar, Electric, Rhythm RootsRockDirty
RealTracks 1835: Guitar, Electric, Soloist PopModernGrooveGritty
RealTracks 1542: Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm PopBelieve Ev16 065
RealDrums: RockHardLA^1-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Loose HiHat

"Got my past packed in a hefty bag
In the backseat of my car"

Wow, great start to this Wonderful adventure. Love all those lyrics. I like the responding harmonies. Very catchy and very well crafted. Amd a smashing presentation, Deej & Carroll.

Deej, love this! Very cool Tom Petty vibe...

Bob

Deej,

I enjoyed the folk-rock drive of this and especially the pop touches you brought to the chorus with those well timed bgv`s.The "runaway heart" refrain is as memorable as a 60`s hit.
My favourite part, though is the bridge,and the way you sing there- even that bit of psychedelic processing on "road" I thought was cool.
Another excellent collaboration with Carroll!

Robert

Cool imagery and a fab chorus.
I'm not keen on the last third of the solo...it seems to lose steam or focus.
Otherwise you've assembled a cool band.

Marty, Bob, Robert and rayc:

Thanks for the listen, kind comments and feedback. Really appreciate you giving it a spin and so happy it seems to work.

Bob: Tom Petty was who I had in mind as I started putting music to Carroll’s original lyric—glad it came through some.

Robert: Carroll would agree—he said the bridge is his favorite part as well. From a production standpoint, I really wanted to change things a bit musically, and that’s what I was shooting for with the more prominent piano in that section.

rayc: You called out my least favorite part of the song—that back end of the solo. I think I’ve been trying to convince myself it works and while serviceable, it’s not ideal. I went back in, generated some multi-riffs, and replaced the back third of the solo. Still not exactly what I would like, but I think better. Thanks for the comment and giving me some needed motivation!

My best to you all,

Deej

Hi, Deej.

Strong start, excellent write. Well sung. The "screams" work nicely.

Love the harmony on the chorus - catchy and fun to listen to hear!

The last part of the solo is still... off. Have you considered chopping those bars out of the song? There's no rule that a solo has to be a particular length. Or lie to it about the chords and see if you get something better.

I like this song a lot - catchy with a 60's throwback sound.

Catchy song with very well-written lyrics. I very much enjoyed listening, so thanks a lot for sharing!

Will

David:

You're right. I took your advice to shorten it a bit, cutting out when the vocal starts up again. And I lengthened the last note by cutting and pasting, but I'm thinking it can still go a tad longer. The biggest obstacle is that transition right around 2:31--the original went high with a somewhat pitchy note, this one goes low. Beyond as you suggest, plugging in some alternate chords and seeing if I get lucky, not sure what else to do. Hopefully the change helps. I've reposted the new version.

Thanks much for the listen and feedback!

My best to you,

Deej

Post-Note Update: Actually, it still wasn't right. I went back to the original version, but stayed with going shorter, and then tried to soften the one high note at 2:31. Boy, what a process--but I think it's where I can at least live with it.

Will,

Thanks for the listen and kind support. Appreciate you taking this one for a ride!

Kindest regards,

Deej

Deej & Carroll,
Nice acoustic rolling rocker. Solid set of lyrics and strong vocal performance. Excellent drive. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Misha,

Thanks so much--appreciate the listen!

All my best to you,

Deej

Hi Deej.
Good one.
I think maybe you could cut that space starting at 1:52 as there's nothing interesting happening there.
Either that or put some accents or riff in it.

Also (with my road safety hat on) "Got my headlights on the road ahead
My eyes fixed on the stars", could be, "My headlights on the road ahead
My head in the stars", or similar.

Vic

Deej,

Like David,I heard a 60's throwback thing...you always do that well..
Cool band and excellent vocals as always...

The last line of the verse melody threw me each time, but the rest was very catchy...

Good mix.

Very cool intro. Awesome vocal and lyric. Loved the backtrack. Well done

Hi Deej56

Very pleasant composition. The chord sequence is well chosen, the lyrics well written and the choirs excellent. I appreciated. Well done

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Hi Deej.

I have yet to hear a presentation of yours that disappoints! Everything I've heard from you is 10 stars!

► I love this production from beginning to end. While the chorus is simple from a lyric perspective, it is incredibly effective and its arrangement and production are outstanding.

► The groove immediately grabbed my attention. Loved it!

► Your singing is amazing. Whenever I hear you perform, I sit here thinking about how I wish I had your ability.

All in all...



I thoroughly enjoyed the ride!
Noel

That is an absolutely killer chorus...pure gold. I would have bought this 45 in the late 70s. Keep working on fixing the solo. Great song!

I absolutely picked up a tom petty vibe. I really like the verses..... So colorful.

The chorus is simple and very effective.

'Deej56' & Ms. Kiphen...

Production-wise, this is an ear-filling song, high on musical energy that matches the urgency of the lyrics as they describe the burning need for a love connection. Mr. Deej56, your singing voice easily projects the power of feelings that seem to grow in intensity as your car accelerates towards a date with romantic destiny. Ms. Kiphen, your lyrics invite the listener to sing along as they put the 'pedal-to-the-metal' down on the steadily escalating and irresistibly needful desire to find that elusive lover. I like the (call and response?) form of the vocal harmony, too. Certainly, this is one for the road...and a radio wouldn't hurt, either!

Hello Deej and Caroll,

What a nice song a restless heart can make!
Very entertaining; the guitar, the rhythm and of course the vocals!
Also very nice lyrics from Caroll, easy to follow and sing along, especiallly the chorusses.
It's easy to imagine you driving your car and sing them along as loud as possible, together.
If Corona wasn't there...

And, as I wrote many times before, I like your songs and vocals very much.
This one is certainly no exception to that!

Have a nice day,
Hans

Deej

Wonderful chorus - extremely catchy. Good song all round nicely performed and arranged.

The guitar solo ending does sound strange - sounds like it does not want to play over those chords (odd).

Peter

Outstanding rocker. Great lyrics. I love your vocals. The band rocks. I love that solo guitar. Way to go!

"And I don’t know where I’m going
I’m just sick of where I was"

We are one long time happy couple but we both tend to like these get outa Dodge songs

And this is a great one.

Janice noted in particular how good the harmony arrangement is.

There is a great feeling of movement, i.e., getting out, to the whole tune. Excellent.

A good team y'all are!

J&B

Vic, Floyd, Scott, Derochette, Noel, Ezekiel, Guitarhacker, bluage, Hans, Peter, jpt3 and J&B:

Thank you all for the listen; the gracious feedback and support. It’s so very much appreciated.

Vic: Good suggestions. I actually focused on the space at 1:52, and wondered whether I should delete a bar. I didn’t, because I didn’t want to move to quickly into the bridge. Adding a riff is an good idea, although I didn’t want to “show” the lead guitar before the solo, and I’d have to think about what else I could put there. On the whole, I’m inclined to leave it as is, but you’ve got me thinking. Might do something yet. Thanks.

Noel and bluage (and really all of you): Gosh darn, you are far too kind. But you have my endless thanks for the kind words!

Peter F (and others): I’m sure I can improve that guitar solo yet, but I’m content enough with it as it stands—and I’m not sure what more I can do with it than I’ve done. But a little space from it might give me some new perspective—so I’ll definitely revisit this and that solo at some point to see if a better alternative presents itself. Thanks much for the feedback—greatly appreciated.

My best to you all,

Deej

Hi Deej.
I hope you're well.
Doesn't have to be a lead guitar riff. It could be rhythmic or just a total lack of rhythm. Just to announce that something different is happening.

Vic

Super catchy super-rocker! Your vocals suit the song perfectly.
Cheers,
Mike

A great driving melody all wrapped up in an excellent set of lyrics.

This material is really great, all delivered with a great dynamic production.

Sounds like a classic hit straight from the first beats. Great acoustic start and rolls forward to the stars.
Strong catchy chorus, beautiful bridge, The solo lacks something, maybe you could try with another RT? The story is a well-known road song told convincingly.
Very good vocals, you have clearly put lots of work in harmonies, I even hear some early Beatles there.

Janne

Catchy song, both in terms of melody and lyrics! Although the lyrics are simple the rhymes don't seem forced.

Cool song......great vibe and energy, and some really interesting changes!! Always like your vocals! Well done!! Take care. Greg

Hi Deej and Caroll,
This is a very good song.
It reminds me when I listened to The Who or Jethro Tull.
Kudos to you. Christian

What's the matter with you two?? You and that other song machine, floyd jane, have bowled me over tonight. He wrote a slow, love song - you wrote a mid-tempo "get the heck out" song, haha.

Superb stuff. Seriously, you touch gold with everything you do. This is by far one of your best, so professionally produced (you're mixing better and better and better every day!) - and the skill involved in writing such a song is off the charts. Luckily, we're all musicians here, so we can appreciate just how difficult it actually is to make it seem so, so easy. Bravo - you're getting better and better with every song, which is quite a feat - since I'm always wondering how on Earth you're going to improve on your last song, and you somehow do it anyway! Sincerest congratulations - carry on! :-) and a special shout-out to Carroll, your lyricist!

What a great song! The interplay of the vocals in the chorus is fantastic. Clever AND really catchy. I have a fear it may be too catchy. LOL Congrats on a first rate earworm my friend.

Mike, VideoTrack, Janne, Alexander, Greg, Chris, musician17, and HearToLearn:

Thanks all for stopping in and giving this a spin. Really appreciate all the kind and supportive feedback. So glad you all seemed to enjoy it!

Vic: I hear you, buddy. Definitely something I’ll consider when I head back in.

Janne: Yeah, that solo. I am happy enough with it for now, but I’ll play with it when I open the hood back up on this one. Appreciate the feedback.\

My best to you all,

Deej

Late to the party on this it seems.

Yeah, I love this!

Powerful verses, infectious chorus. As always, love your vocal.

A tip of the hat to you and Carroll, good song, enjoyed the listen.

Hey, Dave:

Never too late to join a party! Glad you came and hope you had a good time! Appreciate the kind comments very much.

My best to you,

Deej

Great song, great singing, great everything! Super hook, I sure get the Petty thing. Another effective bridge. Excellent work as usual.