A co-write with
Brett Jones.
This one almost got there.
It was put on hold by Clay Walker (or his "people", really) the day it was demoed.
They kept the hold (for the "Hypnotize The Moon" album) for 3 months
(A "hold" is a verbal agreement, basically saying "we're considering recording this, so do not let anyone else have it".
Quite often holds don't last more than a week or two, while they make up their minds).
The producer (James Stroud) didn't like it, so they finally dropped it.
It was immediately put on hold by Jeff Carson.
They had it on hold for 11 months.
That entire time, they insisted they were going to record it (for the "Butterfly Kisses" album).
And... they did record it.
Unfortunately, when the record was released, it had been dropped.
No cigar.
Lyrics on the web page.
TWO LEFT FEET (there is a Volume Control on the page.
You might want to turn it down before hitting the Play button.
It's quite loud on my computer...)
This might be the least amount of BIAB tracks I've ever used...
3513 Bass, Americana16thsSteve Ev16 075
I created a drum kit by loading samples into Impact - the Studio One drum synth.
I then programmed the drum track
I played the piano parts.
I programmed the main acoustic guitar using Ample Sound Martin Lite (free). Emulating the way I play.
There are 2 (very subtle) acoustic guitar tracks from NI Picked Acoustic (patterns)
There are 2 electric guitar tracks (also, subtle) from NI Electric Vintage (patterns)
There is a 3rd e. guitar track (all the fills) using the Melody Instrument portion of NI Electric Vintage that I played/programmed.
Comments of any sort.
Thanks for listening.
fj
Very lovely song Floyd.
Perfectly professional.
They were really stupid not to release this one.
It would have played forever
Beautiful love song with soft yet expressive vocals and wonderful lyrics.
And, as expected
, great arrangement and mix.
I think (from the producer's point of view) that the reason (or at least one of the reasons) why this song was dropped twice might be that the melody contradicts the lyrics.
Especially in the second half of the chorus, the melody suggests that someone is losing someone close to them, while the lyrics say the opposite.
It's not 'happy' enough. I don't think it's a bad choice per se, but it might not work in the context of the rest of the album.
But who knows what's going on (or not) in a producer's head
Hi Floyd,
Another quality song from you.
Good first line to the chorus.
Best Regards
Nigel
Hi Floyd
The song is really good
The song structure and melody are nice
Your singing supports this also excellent
However, I would have let it crash even more from 2:24 ;-)
A slightly distorted rhythm guitar and a really rich drum sound with some reverb.
I come there really rave, Floyd
However, an absolutely great song
Many greetings
Andi ;-)
Hey B.D.,
I very rarely contradict anything that is said on a song forum thread but this time I feel I have to.
I don't agree with what you just said. This was a different era and the music was meticulously crafted to that era. In my opinion it would have played at every country wedding during that time.
Today, where the lyrics are oooh baby, oooh baby, oooh baby, give it to me baby, give it to me baby, oooh baby, you might be right, but not in the context of the era he submitted it in.
FWIW.
Hey B.D.,
I very rarely contradict anything that is said on a song forum thread but this time I feel I have to.
I don't agree with what you just said. This was a different era and the music was meticulously crafted to that era. In my opinion it would have played at every country wedding during that time. Today ... you might be right, but not in the context of the era he submitted it in ....
(I think there's no problem discussing different opinions, especially when it comes to the music posted here.)
I guess you're right, I'm either (again) too young or don't know the genre well enough, probably both. There's not a lot of country music where I grew up.
the lyrics are oooh baby, oooh baby, oooh baby, give it to me baby, give it to me baby, oooh baby
Too bad there's no ROFL smiley here.... hey, you should team up with Max Martin
Excellent song Floyd. It really frustrates me when I hear something like this that should have made it, but didn't. Yes the production was a little loud in my speakers ( it distorted in a couple of spots), but the balance and arrangements were very good I thought. You've got more experience in pitching songs than I, but I really do think this is a good song and still worthy of pitching. It might (should) be picked up.
Brad
I deliberately avoided looking at the other comments, once this one started, so as not to be influenced by them, of course.
MASTERPIECE.
Full stop / period.
Congratulations, both Floyd Jane and Brett Jones. Whoever wrote the lyrics is a genius, and whoever wrote the music is a master.
If I was still together with a certain special someone, I'd want to play it to her - and I can't think of a higher compliment than this one. Yes, the lyrics are universal enough for many (if not most) of us to be able to relate to them ... but they come across so effortlessly and sound so sincere, wrapped in these wonderful melodies ... hats off. Wish I wrote this song myself, haha - IF I'd had the skills to ;-) Congratulations :-)
These oh-so-close stories are fascinating, I'm sorry none of them have a happy ending but you were in the game and that's more than any of us can say. The piano really stood out for me on this one, but the whole thing was wonderful (of course) on every level. Loved the story, certainly related to it. Great song!
I think it was right for that period, Floyd and you only missed it by a whisker.
It's a nice write, particularly "i always thought i had two left feet
until i danced with you".
From such near misses, empires are made.
Vic
FJ.
as always brilliant.
a classic song. loved the astaire reference.
great lyrics.
merry xmas
om
There loss is our gain
This is the perfect wedding song
AS usual everything is done to perfection
An outstanding song
The rim click is so gentle in the beginning of the 1st verse that I thought you'd left a metronome on.
it makes sense soon enough but had me wondering...no one else seems to be bothered so 0,0001 grams of NaCl.
Holds end up being a constraint of business it seems. There should be a weekly fee.
LOVELY song and a very lovely vocal performance.
The band is unobtrusive, picks up around the dance and falls back in a terrific demonstration or restraint & dynamics.
The narrative is a very sweet variation of "a match made in...".
I enjoyed this most thoroughly.
I don't know what they used for the Butterfly Kisses album, but I'm quite sure I would not have agreed with them.......I've heard very few albums in my life where this song would not have made is stronger!!!!!! It is SO difficult to write a sentimental song that finds the balance. Very easy to overdo it, be trite, or fall into any one of a million traps, but this avoids all of them and completely shines!!!! Brings a tear to my eyes!!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!! Take care. Greg
Excellent write, soulfully sung. An arrangement that stays out of the way of the vocal, so subtle I barely noticed the build.
The language is natural, but has nice inner rhymes that hold it together. And the story has real heart and emotion.
Nice playing on everything. Beautiful piano.
Expressively sung, from a quiet introspection to a plaintive cry.
I see how "Two Left Feet" is a more interesting title, but "Till I Danced With You" seems the more natural title.
So good! Really, really nice!
FJ,
I am not too familiar with country, just know music of a dozen of big shots and forumers here, but I do have a pretty good feel if the song is done well or a passthrough. After I read the backstory and listened to Two Left Feet, I headed to youtube and listened to Jeff Carson song (from 97 album). I honestly don't know why they passed on yours. In my view of just a listener, it would have been a very good fit. While Jeff's tune was recorded very professionally, but I liked drive on yours better.
In any case, excellent lyrics/storyline. Ace vocals. Nice piano lines. Neat work on NI stuff (take a look at "Mint" if you don't have it yet) . Great mix and listens well. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.
floyd
Lovely song - excellent piano parts.
All the guitars sounded good with wonderful vocal harmonies.
Excellent song writing.
Peter
floyd, I am pleased to hear how far you’ve progressed on piano. You played beautifully on this. A great write that was missed by Nashville. It would have been a good fit for Carson. The mix of course was fantastic. The vocals among your best! We opened for Jeff in the late 90’s and coincidentally our guitar player was named Clay Walker. Ha! This no doubt a beautiful ballad and I hesitate to even mention this but it crossed my mind on the first and subsequent listens. Although Fred Astaire is a cultural touchstone for us and older generations, I wonder if the younger generations are even aware of him. I wonder if that came into play in their decision. Although on the other hand Marilyn Monroe and other icons are still frequently used in lyrics. Just sayin…. This personal observation should not detract from the fact that this is a wonderfully written, performed and produced piece of art, Best to ya, Tom
The title is quite intriguing. What is he gonna write about that? Then you, in typical Floyd Jane fashion, make it such a perfect hook. Sucha good write, so well performed and mixed. My thoughts on the producer who likely owed someone a favor and passed on this beauty is he missed a golden opportunity to snag an up-coming brilliant song writer and performer. If he was any good at spotting talent, he would have said, "Never mind the song, bring in the singer who wrote this and let's cut an album." So glad he didn't actually because I likely would've missed all this magic you make.
David Snyder - thanks for the nice words....
B.D.Thomas - Thanks. I can't say I agree with the idea that the lyric and melody don't "fit". But, that doesn't negate the fact that you do. And that's fine. I don't think that had anything to do with the song losing its spot. VERY few songs made it as far as this one did and they would have listened to 1000's of songs to get to the the final selection (and, as David noted, this was pretty much "the sound" of 90's Country).
Thanks for listening - and for commenting...
NigelSpiers - thanks for having a listen....
Hi floyd jane,
I really enjoyed this song. Very romantic with a perfect orchestration. The piano really plays in symbiosis with you. It's perfect. Well done.
Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackflash
Sounds great Floyd, love the nice and bright piano as well.
You're taking a bit of a risk with the high-pitched vocal here and there, but it works out really well.
Rob
Hi Floyd,
Man, so close! I enjoy reading these stories about your musical journey.
Love the piano part, excellent playing, and interesting to read how you built the rest of the track.
Vocal of course is top notch.
Excellent song, enjoyed the listen.
Floyd,
A beautiful write- original enough to make the universal feelings expressed worthy of close listening to the story... with very visual images nicely expressed.
Its an excellent vocal too- love your voice in the upper register on a song that has some ache!
Fine, fine music in any era.
Robert
PROJECT M - Andi - Thanks.....
Brad Williams - Appreciate that...
.
musician17 - James, thanks for the very nice comments...
TuneMonger - Bob - thanks for noticing/mentioning the piano
vicarn - Thanks, Vic...
Mario - thanks! we always thought this would be a good wedding song...
Hi Floyd,
The feedback on your song so far has been overwhelmingly positive and insightful. I don't believe that there is anything I can add that has not been said already.
Great song. Well done.
Ghotgum
Floyd...this is gorgeous both lyrically and melodically...the melody is so pretty and the sentiment of the song causes anyone with a heart and a memory of young love (and mature love for that matter) to feel it's touch...today's my daughter's (Amber)birthday and this song made me reminisce about dancing with her at her wedding...very tender and touching...so well done!
I can see why they held the song and eventually recorded it, but I don't understand why they didn't release it.
I love this song. The lyrics spoke to my heart. Marvelous write.
Floyd,
Beautiful song all the way! The fact that this was held by the Walker people for a while shows that this has great potential and still may see an opening for it down the road somewhere! Your vocal performance on this is one of your best!
You are an inspiration to whole BIAB community!
Thanks, T
rayc - thanks. My wife insisted I turn the rim down, so it's her fault
Greg Johnson - thanks for the great comments.
dcuny - thanks. I appreciate the mention of the piano.
You are a clever and resourceful fellow.
There are reasons for the choices that I have made.
We'll discuss them someday over a beer...
Till then
Rustyspoon# - Misha - thanks for the nice comments. Much appreciated. Thanks for noting the piano...
PeterF - Thanks, Peter... appreciate the mention of the piano and the guitars....
A lovely tune indeed! Such a great story.
tommyad - Tom - Thanks for the nice comments. Pretty cool that you opened for Jeff (he passed away this year). Re: the Astaire reference - I did have one publisher suggest that "the kids today may not get the reference..." but, the long holds would suggest that those camps weren't concerned about that...who knows. I always wondered if the song had too much range (it has gotten hard for me to handle that range myself...)
BabuMusic - Marty - Thanks! I did have a few folks suggesting that I should be working towards the singing end, but I had decided by then that songwriting was the better choice (old guys can do that).
Derochette - Thanks....
RnAM - thanks. I did have some trouble singing this one. Getting too old for this....
BlueAttitude - Dave - Thanks for noting the piano... a relief that it seems to be passable anyway...
Janice said, “can we quote the entire lyric as our favorite lines?!”
What a beautiful song, floyd.
It’s a real tour de force with all of your performances here.
Just the soulful vocal and piano performances alone are standout!
Reading the backstory got us wondering just how many gems like this song there are that the public is missing.
Bud said, “sadly, a lot.”
Wonderful! Happy Holidays!
J&B
I loved it - not much else to say - here in Australia we'd say 'good-on-ya'
Robertkc - Thanks, Robert....
Ghostgum - Brian - thanks for stopping in...
firesong - Dan, Much appreciated...
Ezekiel's Storm - Thanks. It's a town with a million good choices every day...so it's tough...
Torrey - Thanks. "Those days" are long in the past. These days, it's simply nice to have a few nice folks (here on the forum) listen and comment on our work...
MusicStudent - Dan - nice of you to stop by for a listen...
Beautiful song Floyd. Awesome vocal. Excellent collaboration. Should have been a hit. Well done
Floyd,
Just a lovely and brilliant song. I think the melody, mood and lyric work very well together—just excellent. Wonderful hook on that two left feet line. Not sure how this one slipped by. Lord know there are so many other songs that made it that are far from the song this on is. Excellent tune!
Deej
Janice & Bud - as always, thanks for the nice comments...
nevnbron - Thanks for having a listen...
Scott C - Thanks!
Deej56 - Appreciated...
Hi Floyd,
As I also write to other members of the forum, I try to catch up with the songs that were placed on the forum for the last couple of weeks, because I lay in my bed coughing my lungs out.
I read the story about the song and why it couldn't become the hit it had to be.
Especially on the lyrics it had to be a hit. You are the master on writing lovestory lyrics. Haven't seen anyone better..., ehh..., in English.
About the band/recording I had the same feeling as Ray described about the percussion. Nothing bad, but I think I prefer a less dryer 'tick'.
But it was nice to hear you start with a piano. Mostly it is your guitar.
And about the vocals; they got very high. Amazing! Do you still reach that hight? I can't anymore.
Altogether, a lovely song that should have been a hit. For me it is!
Hans
Floyd, I don't know how I missed this one but in my opinion this is absolutely marvelous. Your vocals, the lyrics, the band, everything. TOTALLY professional.
PS> Nice job in Impact, I'm just getting started with it.