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Posted By: Steve Young Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/11/21 06:12 PM
Hi all! I have been extremely busy as a full-time caretaker for my wife while we are in Phoenix for her to have a stem cell transplant. So many ups and downs, but we are confident we are winning! I did have time to write a song recently, and asked my good friends Bud and Janice if she would consider singing with me on it. She very graciously agreed.

This song is loosely based on an old acquaintance of mine, who as a young man fell hopelessly in love with a girl. She initially showed interest in him, but nothing ever came of it. Both went through some withdrawals, but time is a great healer. He is now very happily married to a beautiful wife, and is a pastor of a very successful church today. RT's/RD's listed below. I played the piano parts, and the percussion. Janice did an outstanding job on vocals, and all the bgv's. Special thanks to Bud for capturing her voice.

Over You - SoundCloud

Over You - BandCamp

Over You
©Stephen W. Young

I've played my share of solitaire
Wishing I was anywhere
I realize I've been a fool
To think that I'd get over you

I thought I had a thing with you
You had to be my dream come true
I guess I'll blame it on the truth
That now I have to get over you

I should have seen the warning signs
I'd know that you were never mine
I wish that I could find a school
To teach me how to get over you

If I could just go back in time
Before my heart was on the line
I wouldn't be a lovesick fool
I wouldn't need to get over you

I should have seen the warning signs
I'd know that you were never mine
I wish that I could find a school
To teach me how to get over you

-----

RealTracks/RealDrums used...

RealTracks in song: ~2317:Bass, Acoustic, JazzWaltzSlowRonHeld Sw 085
RealTracks in song: 3654:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking IndiePickingBright Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 3184:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GrungeSlowQuinn Ev16 060
RealTracks in song: 3356:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm Moody128Brent Sw 060
RealTracks in song: 3099:Organ, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsMike Ev16 060
RealDrums in song: AmericanaSlowRockFred^2-a:Sidestick ,HiHat , b:HiHat ,Snare
Posted By: Rustyspoon# Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/11/21 08:38 PM
Steve & Janice,
beautiful romantic tune. Flows soft as a lullaby. Excellent vocals from both of you. Good musical bed, loved those musical pauses. I think this is a first collaboration I have heard featuring both of you. This is a winner. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.
Posted By: CaptainMoto Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/11/21 08:48 PM
You two sound great together.
Nice song, love the performance!

Well done.

moto
Posted By: TuneMonger Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/12/21 12:39 AM
What a great line, I wish I could find a school to teach me how to get over you. So songworthy! And any excuse to hear Janice sing, I'll take it. Good collab, I enjoyed it.
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/12/21 09:39 AM
Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Steve & Janice,
beautiful romantic tune. Flows soft as a lullaby. Excellent vocals from both of you. Good musical bed, loved those musical pauses. I think this is a first collaboration I have heard featuring both of you. This is a winner. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.



Thanks Misha. We've been friends for quite a while but this is the first collaboration. We are happy that you like it!

Janice
Posted By: BabuMusic Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/12/21 09:40 AM
Great opening lines: "I've played my share of solitaire Wishing I was anywhere" And it only gets better from there. Excellent choice of musicians, especially Janice. Man, she can brighten any song --even the sad ones. A wonderful write and production, Steve. Glad you mentioned the happy ending.
Posted By: floyd jane Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/12/21 09:53 AM
Steve,

A beautifully written song.

A gorgeous production. You ALWAYS make me look at your list of instruments - several times - while listening..."what was the guitar?"..."what was that piano?"..."what were those drums?". A wizard when it comes to finding the perfect tracks (and adding your own).

Gorgeous vocals from both of you. It sounds like you and Janice are standing beside each other using the same mic. That is not an easy thing to do in this day of long-distance collaborations.

And a beautiful mix. Nice drop.

Good everything. As always.

fj
Posted By: rsdean Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/12/21 09:56 AM
Steve & Janice,

This song is a complete heartbreaker...

An amazing piece of music performed so beautifully by you both.

Nothing else to say - a new favorite. I could listen to this all day.

Bob
I really hope things go well with your wife. Wishing all the best! As far as the song is concerned, it's a really great piece that has a wonderfully nice flow to it and some catchy lyrical choices. Thanks for sharing!
Both vocals sound superb, and also blend well together in harmony.

What a bittersweet song! Performed and produced well.

Very nice listening. Good write.
Posted By: PeterF Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/12/21 08:25 PM
Steve & Janice

Beautifully done. Gorgeous harmonies and superb lead vocals by both of you.

A wonderful collaboration, a good narrative and no doubt an enjoyable experience for all concerned.

Top notch all the way.

Peter
Posted By: F.M.M. Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/12/21 09:09 PM
Hi Steve and Janice super vocals! great arrangement great job on the mix glad to hear from you Steve wishing you and your wife well and prayers Eric
Posted By: musician17 Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/13/21 06:59 AM
Beautiful. This is a little alike a Mozart piece to me ... so clean, requiring such crisp and clear intonation, etc. . In short: you've kicked it out of the park here. Superb end result. Congratulations to all involved: Janice, Bud and, of course, yourself. Loved it.

Sending good thoughts for your wife's speedy and full recovery.
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/13/21 10:36 AM
Originally Posted By: CaptainMoto
You two sound great together.
Nice song, love the performance!

Well done.

moto


Thank you!

Janice
Posted By: ROG Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/13/21 12:16 PM
Hi Steve and Janice,

This is stunningly beautiful.

Such a clever but simple arrangement giving space for two of my
favourite singers on the forum.

A wonderful backing track and superb emotive performances from you both,
with your voices complementing each other perfectly.

This is exceptionally good.

ROG.
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/13/21 06:35 PM
Originally Posted By: TuneMonger
What a great line, I wish I could find a school to teach me how to get over you. So songworthy! And any excuse to hear Janice sing, I'll take it. Good collab, I enjoyed it.


Thank you! That was very kind.

Steve certainly is a fine writer.

Janice
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/13/21 10:39 PM
Hello Everyone,

Steve and his wife are dealing with a little setback regarding her health but he wanted
you all to know how very much he appreciates your comments on this song. He hopes
to be responding in the next few days.

Thank you.

J&B
Posted By: Gary Weder Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/13/21 11:06 PM
Perfection.
Posted By: rayc Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/14/21 06:46 AM
Lovely song and performances.
The 1st chorus seems to have Janice somewhat lower in level that your own voice but that seems corrected in the 2nd one.
The sparse parts really make the song and the full band parts provide important dynamic differences.
Unreal!
Posted By: Scott C Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/14/21 03:23 PM
Two of my favorite vocalist. Can't get better than that. Voices perfectly matched. What a lovely song. Just loved the vocal and the piano was such a nice down. Well done
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/14/21 03:27 PM
Originally Posted By: BabuMusic
Great opening lines: "I've played my share of solitaire Wishing I was anywhere" And it only gets better from there. Excellent choice of musicians, especially Janice. Man, she can brighten any song --even the sad ones. A wonderful write and production, Steve. Glad you mentioned the happy ending.


Thank you Marty!! It was a pleasure singing with Steve.

Janice
Posted By: firesong Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/14/21 04:42 PM
Great song and performance...your voices blend so well...ah! unrequited love is always a great theme for a song...full gambit, expectation to angst...gotta love it and we do...especially in a great song and this was one of them...I really enjoyed it...Dan
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/15/21 09:46 AM
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
Steve,

A beautifully written song.

A gorgeous production. You ALWAYS make me look at your list of instruments - several times - while listening..."what was the guitar?"..."what was that piano?"..."what were those drums?". A wizard when it comes to finding the perfect tracks (and adding your own).

Gorgeous vocals from both of you. It sounds like you and Janice are standing beside each other using the same mic. That is not an easy thing to do in this day of long-distance collaborations.

And a beautiful mix. Nice drop.

Good everything. As always.

fj



On behalf of Steve and I that is greatly appreciated! Your kind words well describe what we had hoped to achieve.

Janice
Posted By: BlueAttitude Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/15/21 10:01 AM
Wow, so good!

Excellent vocal, Steve, and then Janice comes in .... just sublime!

Love the lyrics and production is just top notch.

Very, very good!
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/15/21 10:26 PM
Originally Posted By: rsdean
Steve & Janice,

This song is a complete heartbreaker...

An amazing piece of music performed so beautifully by you both.

Nothing else to say - a new favorite. I could listen to this all day.

Bob


Thank you so much Bob. Steve is so good with emotive writes that as Bud says it will peel the paint right off of your heart!

Janice
Posted By: Leon1 Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/16/21 03:47 AM
Beautifully written song, Steve and the vocals from you and Janice are just superb.
Best wishes to you and your wife.
Regards,
Leon
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/16/21 04:10 PM
Originally Posted By: Ember - PG Music
I really hope things go well with your wife. Wishing all the best! As far as the song is concerned, it's a really great piece that has a wonderfully nice flow to it and some catchy lyrical choices. Thanks for sharing!


From both Steve and I, thank you Ember!

Janice
Posted By: jptjptjpt Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/17/21 12:40 AM
Fantastic! What a lovely recording. The vocal recordings from both of you are so clear. Wonderful collaboration. Great song. Great recording. Great band.
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/17/21 09:53 AM
Originally Posted By: Ezekiel's Storm
Both vocals sound superb, and also blend well together in harmony.

What a bittersweet song! Performed and produced well.

Very nice listening. Good write.


We very much appreciate that. Steve made my part very enjoyable. Thank you!

Janice
Posted By: Birchwood Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/19/21 07:12 AM
Hi Stephen and Janice,

A nice, sensitive song and so well performed by the both of you.
The lyrics are very good. You can see this 'struggle with love' happening before your eyes.
And all that in 'close harmony'!

I have listened with great pleasure,
Hans
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/19/21 03:27 PM
Originally Posted By: PeterF
Steve & Janice

Beautifully done. Gorgeous harmonies and superb lead vocals by both of you.

A wonderful collaboration, a good narrative and no doubt an enjoyable experience for all concerned.

Top notch all the way.

Peter


Thank you Peter!

Janice



Originally Posted By: F.M.M.
Hi Steve and Janice super vocals! great arrangement great job on the mix glad to hear from you Steve wishing you and your wife well and prayers Eric


Thank you Eric!

Janice
Posted By: MarioD Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/19/21 08:44 PM
That was absolutely outstanding, loved it. The first thing to come to my mind was this is something that John Prine would sing!

I really like the backing tracks and especially the lyrics, very poetic. I loved how Janice change harmonies during the choruses, brilliant.

This should be on the radio.
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/20/21 10:29 PM
Originally Posted By: musician17
Beautiful. This is a little alike a Mozart piece to me ... so clean, requiring such crisp and clear intonation, etc. . In short: you've kicked it out of the park here. Superb end result. Congratulations to all involved: Janice, Bud and, of course, yourself. Loved it.

Sending good thoughts for your wife's speedy and full recovery.


Thank you! Steve is a master of clean sparkling productions. It was so much fun to participate in one of them.

Janice
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/21/21 03:58 PM
Originally Posted By: ROG
Hi Steve and Janice,

This is stunningly beautiful.

Such a clever but simple arrangement giving space for two of my
favourite singers on the forum.

A wonderful backing track and superb emotive performances from you both,
with your voices complementing each other perfectly.

This is exceptionally good.

ROG.


Thank you ROG. I'm so happy you liked the blend!

Janice



Originally Posted By: Gary Weder
Perfection.


Thanks Gary!

Janice

Originally Posted By: rayc
Lovely song and performances.
The 1st chorus seems to have Janice somewhat lower in level that your own voice but that seems corrected in the 2nd one.
The sparse parts really make the song and the full band parts provide important dynamic differences.
Unreal!


Thank you Ray! I love dynamics and Steve is a pro at that.

Janice
Posted By: vicarn Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/21/21 04:16 PM
It is a lovely song.
I was reminded of "Old church hymns and nursery rhymes" flow wise.

Just one sugg to keep or sweep:
shorten the pause between the third and last line here and there.
Not sure if it'll add interest but may be worth a try.

Vic
Posted By: David Snyder Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/21/21 05:47 PM

Sounds great Steve!

Lovely breakdown arrangement, and gorgeous harmonies with Janice.

smile
Posted By: dcuny Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/22/21 04:22 AM
What a pleasure that duet is to listen to! smile

Great vocals, Janice and Steve. The openness of the arrangement really lets them shine. The ticking clock was especially inspired.

Really nice bits on the piano, too.
Posted By: Guitarhacker Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/22/21 03:45 PM
That's something you really don't hear much of anymore. Good country duets.

Nice work from both of you.
Posted By: edshaw Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/22/21 06:39 PM
I like how Janice went into character.
Posted By: Greg Johnson Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/23/21 08:54 PM
Lovely, lovely song!!! Great to hear two of my forum favorites collab!! I've always liked duets. Wish we heard more of them these days! Beautiful job by both of you!!! Take care. Greg
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/24/21 10:05 AM
Originally Posted By: Scott C
Two of my favorite vocalist. Can't get better than that. Voices perfectly matched. What a lovely song. Just loved the vocal and the piano was such a nice down. Well done


Thank you Scott!

Janice

Originally Posted By: firesong
Great song and performance...your voices blend so well...ah! unrequited love is always a great theme for a song...full gambit, expectation to angst...gotta love it and we do...especially in a great song and this was one of them...I really enjoyed it...Dan


Thanks! Steve invited me in on a gem for sure.

Janice


Originally Posted By: BlueAttitude
Wow, so good!

Excellent vocal, Steve, and then Janice comes in .... just sublime!

Love the lyrics and production is just top notch.

Very, very good!


Thanks Dave! We’ve always admired Steve’s productions and it was a pleasure to participate.

Janice
Posted By: Jim Fogle Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/24/21 04:18 PM
Steve,

Best wishes to your wife as she goes through the stem cell therapy.

What an incredible song you and Janice created. Can't enough good about it. I hope you'll continue to collaborate.

Again, good luck to your wife.
Posted By: Steve Young Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/25/21 02:59 PM
Hi everybody,

Just wanted to drop in and thank all of you for such kind words about this song, and especially for your well wishes for my wife (Rachel). This has been a rough journey for her with a lot of ups and downs. I got her out of the hospital over last weekend, and we have been in clinics and dr visits a good bit of the week. Her numbers are holding good, and she is finally starting to get an appetite (after 9 months.) We have one more visit with her transplant specialist on Tuesday, and if all is still well, they will remove her port on Wednesday morning, and we will be free to drive back to Texas. Once back home, they will resume regular clinics and treatments as needed in San Antonio. We continue to ask for your prayers, as this is about a 2 year journey. I am so proud of my wife. She has stayed positive and full of faith throughout this very difficult time. We are confident of victory.

About this song, I have been wanting to work with Janice for a long time. Bud and Janice have been good forum family friends for some time, and they both do incredible work. Janice knocked this one out of the park, and Bud did a superb job (as he always does) of capturing Janice's voice. I am very grateful that they agreed to add to this song. This was fun, Janice! Let's do this again, when we can...

Once again, thank you to all my forum friends for your kindness. And thank you for your patience with me, as I go through this journey to victory with Rachel. I especially thank Bud and Janice for stepping up, not only with the recording, but with responding to your comments.

All of you guys and gals (I apologize for breaking any woke/cancel culture laws) are awesome!

Steve
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/27/21 12:55 PM
Originally Posted By: Leon1
Beautifully written song, Steve and the vocals from you and Janice are just superb.
Best wishes to you and your wife.
Regards,
Leon


Thank you Leon!

Janice

Originally Posted By: jptjptjpt
Fantastic! What a lovely recording. The vocal recordings from both of you are so clear. Wonderful collaboration. Great song. Great recording. Great band.


Thanks!

Janice


Originally Posted By: Birchwood
Hi Stephen and Janice,

A nice, sensitive song and so well performed by the both of you.
The lyrics are very good. You can see this 'struggle with love' happening before your eyes.
And all that in 'close harmony'!

I have listened with great pleasure,
Hans


Thanks Hans! It was an enjoyable project working with Steve.

Janice
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/29/21 09:31 AM
Originally Posted By: MarioD
That was absolutely outstanding, loved it. The first thing to come to my mind was this is something that John Prine would sing!

I really like the backing tracks and especially the lyrics, very poetic. I loved how Janice change harmonies during the choruses, brilliant.

This should be on the radio.


Thank you Mario. I appreciate you mentioning the harmony!

Janice

Originally Posted By: vicarn
It is a lovely song.
I was reminded of "Old church hymns and nursery rhymes" flow wise.

Just one sugg to keep or sweep:
shorten the pause between the third and last line here and there.
Not sure if it'll add interest but may be worth a try.

Vic
Originally Posted By: David Snyder

Sounds great Steve!

Lovely breakdown arrangement, and gorgeous harmonies with Janice.

smile


Thanks y’all!

Janice
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 06/29/21 10:01 PM
Originally Posted By: dcuny
What a pleasure that duet is to listen to! smile

Great vocals, Janice and Steve. The openness of the arrangement really lets them shine. The ticking clock was especially inspired.

Really nice bits on the piano, too.


Thanks David. I too really liked that clock!

Janice

Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
That's something you really don't hear much of anymore. Good country duets.

Nice work from both of you.


Thank you Herb!

Janice

Originally Posted By: edshaw
I like how Janice went into character.


Thank you Ed. Bud often says the same thing!

Janice

Originally Posted By: Greg Johnson
Lovely, lovely song!!! Great to hear two of my forum favorites collab!! I've always liked duets. Wish we heard more of them these days! Beautiful job by both of you!!! Take care. Greg


Thank you Greg!

Janice



Originally Posted By: Jim Fogle
Steve,

Best wishes to your wife as she goes through the stem cell therapy.

What an incredible song you and Janice created. Can't enough good about it. I hope you'll continue to collaborate.

Again, good luck to your wife.


That is much appreciated Jim!

Janice
from a lovesick fool:
simply beautiful song, so true
you made my day !
yes, the clock was a nice idea; in commercial speak we would say it is a nice hook for the song
I love another song of yours but I don't remember the title right now
It is in my bookmarks, though
I wish the best to your wife and you
best regards
Posted By: Noel96 Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 08/06/21 05:31 AM
Hi Steve and Janice smile

Oh wow! The first thought that occurred to me as I sat at my computer listening was "This is magnificent." And I write that without any hint of exaggeration.

To explain what I mean, here is the definition of "magnificent," courtesy of Google.



When I read through this definition, my head nodded non-stop.

✓ extremely beautiful
✓ impressive
✓ very good
✓ excellent

Steve, your production and presentation are superb. You have a knack for being able to home in on the important elements of a melody and lyric and to mix and create exactly the right sound and right strength of sound to highlight the performance. The way you perform and craft your mixes is something that I admire greatly.

I love the AAA format. It's not one I have a lot of experience with. You've shown us all how it's done.

Janice, your vocals are wonderful. Your countermelody in duet against Steve's melody sent shivers down my spine. The sound of the two of you together is THAT good. This was marvelous listening.

This song and its performance and production are a joy to listen to. Yes. It's definitely magnificent.

All the best,
Noel
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 08/07/21 01:52 PM
On Steve’s behalf as well as mine thank you so much Noel for that magnificent review! I was delighted to be a part of this beautiful song and also happy to help Steve with a bit of music therapy. Although he and Rachel are back home he still is pretty busy with her care but I know he will appreciate your comments immensely. Thank you, my friend.

Janice
Posted By: beatmaster Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 08/07/21 05:48 PM
Yea This is a lovely song.. arrangement simple!!, the vocals came through clear and smooth , You both done a tremendous job on the vocals .

One to be proud of a would say !!.

Thanks
Posted By: Planobilly Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 08/07/21 08:13 PM
Bravo, you guys did an outstand job with this. One of those songs I will go back and listen to from time to time in the future. Both of you are doing a really good job of vocal recording. Good job Bud and you also Steve. Oh, and I am not forgetting you Janice. I have just come to expect that everything you do will be great. You always live up to my expectations.

All the best,

Billy
Posted By: Janice & Bud Re: Over You - Duet with Janice Merritt - 08/25/21 10:35 PM
Originally Posted By: Bernard Rasson
from a lovesick fool:
simply beautiful song, so true
you made my day !
yes, the clock was a nice idea; in commercial speak we would say it is a nice hook for the song
I love another song of yours but I don't remember the title right now
It is in my bookmarks, though
I wish the best to your wife and you
best regards


On behalf of Steve, thank you Bernard! He is back home in Texas with his wife and I'm sure when he gets back to the Forum he'll be happy to read your comments. Thank you!
Janice


Originally Posted By: beatmaster
Yea This is a lovely song.. arrangement simple!!, the vocals came through clear and smooth , You both done a tremendous job on the vocals .

One to be proud of a would say !!.

Thanks


Thanks so much on behalf of Steve and myself. Like you, I loved the arrangement and was happy to be a part of such a beautiful song.

Again, thank you!
Janice


Originally Posted By: Planobilly
Bravo, you guys did an outstand job with this. One of those songs I will go back and listen to from time to time in the future. Both of you are doing a really good job of vocal recording. Good job Bud and you also Steve. Oh, and I am not forgetting you Janice. I have just come to expect that everything you do will be great. You always live up to my expectations.

All the best,

Billy


Thanks so much, Billy, on behalf of Steve, Bud and myself! I know that when Steve gets back to the forum he will be pleased to see how well received this song was. We appreciate your support!

Janice
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