Hi everyone,

I was away for a while due to health problems. Before that started I was busy making a song on the state of our earth. But I couldn't finish it for some time. I asked the help of Ray and my (Australian) brother in law on lyric issues, and Marty and Wolfgang, Andi's brother, to advice me on issues in the song. Before I got ill, I wanted a sitar in the song. Well everyone was against that idea, but I was a bit of a hardliner on that. So it stayed in. And afterwards they liked it... (Ray didn't know about that).
When I was thinking of the lyrics, it crossed my mind that a lot of people say the are concerned about what's happening in the world, our environment e.d., but on the other hand aren't changing their way of living. for instance; we never flew more than last year. And than I thought, but what about me? Well that is the content of these lyrics.

I hope you like it, but tell me what I could have done better or so.
Hans

The song: Troubled Times, link: https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/troubled-times

The lyrics:
Troubled Times
(c) HWBerkhout, dec 18, 2022/ Jan14, 2023
*(People who value freedom most, are most often deprived of it,
Ales Bialiatski, Belarus)

I see dark clouds on the horizon, growing darker every day
Still we act indifferently while they are approaching
Is this how we battle global warming, with more words than deeds?
When every forty seconds someone dies because of this?

Chorus
Troubled times engulf the world
And solutions seem complex
We have to change our lives, but still I hear:
"Not me! I change nothing"

People who value freedom most, are most often deprived of it*
It's where tyrants rule in rogue states, and they laugh in our faces
Do you see democracy dying, while extremism thrives?
This will destroy societies before our very eyes

Chorus
Troubled times engulf the world
And solutions seem complex
We have to change our lives, but still I hear:
"Not me! I change nothing"

=solo=

bridge:
Conspiracy theories are the new truth, but they will never save this world
and in front of my mirror I wonder: does that apply to me too?

Chorus 2x
Troubled times engulf the world
And solutions seem complex
We have to change our lives, but still I hear:
"(Not me!) I change nothing"

Outro /Solo chorus
Troubled thoughts engulf my head
And solutions seem too complex
I know I have to change my life
But I hear the whispers:
"I do nothing, nothing, nothing"

Troubled times engulf the world
We have to change our lives (2x)
but still I hear: I change nothing

The instruments:
Style is _RADICAL.STY (Radical Disco Funk Blues). Key: D Tempo: 110 bpm

RealTracks in style: 2937:Bass, Fretless Electric Pop8thsRene Ev 085
RealTracks in song: 2021:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBalladJohn Ev 120
RealTracks in style: 2905:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BrightBluesyPopColin Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 3164:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm BluesyPopSteady8thsCleanBrent Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 4231:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SoulRock70s Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 4044:Sitar, Background SlowSwing16thsAnwar Sw16 075
RealDrums in Song:FunkDisco: a: Kick, HiHatb: Kick, Closing HiHat

Beside this I used my keyboards in my DAW and loops for the fx.

Hans and collab team,

It doesn't matter what style of song you do, your vocals always make a song work well! You've got a great voice for Pop/Rock tunes! Your collaboration team you put together served you well! I like the experimental nature of the instrumentation you used and feel it worked well!

Thanks, T

Hans and company, you hit the nail right on the head with this song.

"People who value freedom most are most often deprived of it*
It's where tyrants rule in rogue states, and they laugh in our faces
Do you see democracy dying, while extremism thrives?
This will destroy societies before our very eyes"

That is so true and happening as I type.

Outstanding song in every way.

PS - loved that sitar!

Hans, you sure chose a good collaboration team - and the results prove it. Personally I usually don't like the sound of a sitar, but along with your comrades, I think it works very well in this song. Good for you for sticking to your guns. I thought the mix was also very good, and that it was a very good write as well. I think the specific topic is interchangeable with many topics, and as a result becomes relevant to a vast array of people. Good job on a good song.

Brad

Really Cool song man!

Excellent instrumentation, idea, vox, playing, mix, everything.

This is quite moving.

Loved it.

Hans

Nice work - strong vocal and a good driving song, with a strong lyric.

Sitar was good - I've got one in a song I've been updating.

Excellent.

Peter

I'm glad you are back, hope you are feeling much better now. This new song is really strong one. Very important but sad message, you have managed to build strong lyrical content around it, using even statistics and that nice Bialiatski's quote.

The melody and the chords are very enjoyable.

The arrangement sounds very interesting and full of small details, so much happening, must have taken lots of work. The combination of several styles, soul, rock, disco, shows your enormous talent and creativity. The sitar blends nicely in the tapestry of those styles.

Your voice is as strong as ever, excellent performance.

Janne

Hey Hans, I'm not sophisticated enough to fully appreciate the music as it is quite complex and not in my limited wheelhouse [yet?]. But man, I give you more credit than I can express for the messages in this song.

Here in the US one could argue we are the worlds leading exporter of expertise-denialism including climate denial and vaccine denial. Remember hydroxychloroquine, bleach and beams of light? Not to mention our Jan 6.

We babyboomers may have contributed a lot to progress but I'm looking forward to when Gen X takes the baton.

Keep speaking the truth brother!

Hi, Hans. You KNOW I loved the somewhat-out-of-place sitar right from the start. That's the only credit I deserve for this masterpiece. I really like how you work, how you build a song and keep changing it to make it even better. You vocals are always SO GOOD. Pneumonia has nothing on you. Well, you already know how much I love this song, and how good you are at including dynamics.

Wow! That was really something. A powerful message wrapped inside a great vocal and surrounded by a unique arrangement. My old brain had a bit of trouble trying to follow the quickly changing chord progression but you were on it the whole way. I liked the sitar for it's worldly appeal. After all it's a global problem. The drums sound great and the mix is outstanding. I loved it from start to finish, just glad I didn't have to play on it. Lol, Tom

Hi Torrey, Mario and Brad,

Thanks a lot for listening and commenting a song about doing nothing ;-)




Torrey, the collab team was complaining they had not much to do. But I told them they did a wonderful job for me. I liked what they did!
Sometimes it lead to nothing, but then the song changed and that was because of them. The only instrument that was not exchanged for another at all was the sitar.
Their resistance was fierce at first, till that moment most of them loved it...
But they had to be patience on the final song, because first I got the flew and later that turned into pneumonia. That was heavy stuff! And I also got the wrong medicine...




Mario, ha! You liked the sitar!!!
To tell you the truth, I never used that instrument in my songs. I knew George Harrison used it in a song with a Maharadja. It wasn't my cup of tea...

Yes, those sentences you've quoted took me a lot of time. Not because of the message, but how to make them fit in the song. And while I was ill, I read the papers and saw that line from Ales Bialiatski from Belarus and I thought "That's what I need!" The other lines I already wrote, but couldn't sing of course.
But that sentece of doing nothing is actually a bit true. Well we use less meat, don't fly often, but on the other hand...
And that was the main message. Thanks you liked it, Mario!



Brad, if you read my relies to Torrey and Mario, you'll see I didn't like it either. But sometimes you have to take a step out of your own groove, at least I think like that. And you are right, the topics I 'touched' could have filled a song from 6 hours. No one would have listened to it, but there is a lot to worry about. I haven't named your country...;-))
Thanks a lot for this nice comment, Brad!

I wish you all a very nice musical day,
Hans

Nice one Hans,
a complete success...love the vocal & message.

Hello Hans
Really cool song
I was partly present at the creation
And you really managed to improve the song again and again and to make adjustments respectively
And that was certainly not an easy task with this song
And your idea with the sitar, which you had from the beginning, was the right idea.
Great work my friend
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

David, Peter and Jannesan,

Thanks for listening to this song with that odd instrument.
I was afraid people would appreciate it, but so far I'm wrong.



David, what a lot of compliments from you! Thanks for that.
I am glad my voice came back just in time.



Peter, thanks for this. I am curious how your sitar song will sound.
You know, I never liked the sound of that instrument. I was experimenting a bit with sounds and so I used the sitar too. Not expecting any use of it, but to my surprise, with a strong beat it sounded surprisingly well. Then I decided to use it, although a lot of people were shocked to hear about that decision...



Janne, that pneumonia came out of nothing, well, I was coughing a lot the last month or so. And at first I had a wrong medicine. So, not a very 'nice' start of 2023.
Because of this the (almost finished) song was rebuild in bits an pieces. I changed it all the time. Mostly in my head, because I stayed in bed. I read about Bialiatski and decided to make way for it my lyrics. And then I changed the intro, later also the outro. My wife went crazy. Luckily my music partners did not!
But because of that the song became like it is now. And I'm very glad you liked it!

Hans

Hi Hans,

Very pleasant composition. The use of the Sitar is original even if it only intervenes discreetly

Kindly regard
Derochette
alias JaniJackFlash

Hi, Hans, awesome work to all involve, love the vocal very well done and changes are excellent thanks Eric

Hans,

A good write. Serious stuff.
Good vocals.
Cool BAND.
Excellent mix.

Good stuff.

fj

Good song, Hans, message is right on point.

Good vocals as always, also like your arrangement and use of dynamics.

Sitar? Why not?

First, we’re sorry that you were ill and very happy that you are better and back to the forum!

This is a powerful song for your return, Hans, and we’re glad you held out for the sitar. Janice said she immediately thought of George Harrison when she heard it and of the optimism that so much of his music evoked. Hopefully such optimism will return to the world stage.

Bud said he was reminded of, "if you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem."

Your vocals are soulful and the dynamics in the song are very effective with the lyric message. Those ominous sounding guitar chords that appear occasionally are a great bookend to the sweet, hopeful sitar.

Welcome back, John!

Kudos to the entire team!

J&B

Weird, my earlier post seems to have disappeared.

I'm glad you're doing better!

Good write. Cool feel for the song. Interesting backing, good vocals.

The sitar is an interesting choice for a solo, but then, when does a sitar fit into a mix? Still, it grows on me. And I think it works really nicely as a backing instrument.

I hope your health has changed for the better, Hans.
I think the chord changes flow well and I don't mind the sitar.
The mix and lyric is good too.

Vic

Good job by all involved.

I like your song ... despite the Sitar

Hi Hans and others,

Very good music, lyrics and vocals.
Powerful song!

Anne-Marie

Hans,

First off, I hope you are doing better health wise, and that this is a sign we’ll hear more from you. What I like about this right off from a production standpoint is the percussion and bass, this really keep this song driving forward. Thematically, the write delivers . . . and your vocal is terrific. Always has me thinking of Al Stewart when I hear you. Good mix and production choices . . . though I’m not sure I’m sold on the sitar. I think another instrument might serve the song better . . . but that said, it works far better than I would have thought. Good stuff!

All my best to you,

Deej

So glad you are feeling better Hans. I think the sitar was a cool add to the song. Super vocal and excellent lyric. Trying to pay attention to all the craziness in the world is tiring. Excellent backtrack and chord progressions. Well done.

Your message speaks true and to the heart of the problems we face.

And I really like the sitar! Good job!

Hi Steve (Bass Thumper), Marty, Tommyad, Ray and Andi,

I took a week off to recover a bit more, but then I got nervous because I had not yet responded to your kind and thoughtful responses!
And then I also saw you weren't waiting at all, but busy making new songs. So I have a lot to do.
But of course I am very happy with all your responses. No misunderstanding about that!



Hi Steve, I didn't know my music was that sophisticated to not fit in your wheelhouse. But you did learn me how to say these things. I had to look it up on Google Translate. Thanks for that! The only 'alien' instrument I used was that sitar, I thought. All other stuff was from BiaB, my keyboard and some loops.

But you are right, we have a lot of troubles to face. And I'm not looking forward to seeing Generation X deal with that. I'm afraid it takes some kind of disaster before we're willing to learn from what goes wrong. But I enjoyed making the song and you appreciated the lyrics. Thanks for listening!



Hi Marty, well... you are a little modest about your role. But you were also fighting a blizard when I was changing the song all the time. and i'm glad you always stayed positive during that process. It is nice working with you, Marty!



Hi Tom, the song wasn't that complicated. I always try to make songs I can play if I was on stage. I'm not doing that anymore, but it still is my starting point. And the guitar players were having a 'lazy'job, (one or two strokes on a bar). Only that bariton had a heavy job. And the singer! ;-)
Thanks for this nice review



Hi Ray, thanks for the compliments and the actions from you on the lyrics. Sorry I then changed all lyrics...



Hi Andi, sure you were partly engaged in the song. And even an important part. I met your brother because of that! I also was amazed he didn't explode on all changements I made in or according to the song. On the contrary; he told me it was a very nice thing to do.
The changements were sometimes coming in an odd way; f.i. in a dream I heard the intro of a BeeGees song again and again and then I knew I had to alter my intro. Not like that BG song, but in the build up. That's also why I changed the outro. And the Sitar... I am not fond of the sound of a sitar, but I wanted to try it. And it worked out well when trying it in BiaB. That's what I love about that program.
So, thanks for your so kind respons and cooperation for the making of the song!

Here, things are going better every day. I hope with all of you too,
Hans

Hello Derochette, Eric (FMM), Floyd ad Dave,

Thank you for your nice comments on the song and even on the sitar (Derochette and Dave).
I'm very glad you liked it and the message!
So, no more flying this year?

Hans

Hello J&B and David,

Thanks for your nice replies. Even though strange things have happened to at least one reply...



Janice and Bud, thank you for caring about my health. And it was indeed something I don't want to happen again.
When I had that idea of the sitar, I said to myself: "as long as it does not sound like the one from George H."
And now you cared for the reminder of it...
But a nice thought about the optimism, because I couldn't find it in me yet. Even with the sitar.
The only joy I had was that the sitar fitted more in the song then I had expected.
And that the doubts of the others in my team disappeared. But they kept doing a great job!

And so nice of you to see John again ;-)




Hi David, in spite of the disappearance of your first post, you managed to reach me! And that is great. I'm feeling much better, also because of that phenomenon!
And what you wrote about that sitar was precisly what worried me. I don't think I use it again this year, unless...

I wish you all a very nice day (and more),
Hans

Hi Vic, BD Thomas, RnAM, Deej, Scott and mr. Storm,

It had taken a while, but here is my reaction to your so nice posts.
The sitar was a discussion. Do you like it or not?
I think the majority choose in favor of it. And no one jumped out of the window.
So, so that's a win for the sitar!



Hi Vic, you said you don't mind the sitar, I saw that as a win for that thing (in this song)
But at first, I feeling better every day, but it was a nasty thing. Thanks for asking.
And also thanks for your nice words!




Hi BD, I take your words about the sitar as a win for it. Couldn't you let Natalie play (musically) with that thing in a new song?
I think it would be a surprise in your genre, don't you?




Hi Anne-Marie, I was afraid the vocals would be bad because of my healt issue, but they were getting better just in time.
Thanks for your compliments. You didn't say anything bad about the sitar, so I think that's a win for that thing too, doesn't it?




Hi Deej, yes, you will here some more songs from me, it's getting better. Thanks you asked.
Al Steward... well that's nice to read! I've never compared me with him, but I like the idea...
And all the other compliments are also very nice. I can't see your words as a win for the sitar, but try it in one of your songs. It would definitely fit. And I am no fan at all of that instrument. So, don't be afraid, let it make your new song, along with a Harp?



Hi Scott, thanks for your concern about my healt. But it is improving! Thanks also for the compliments on the song. And yes, I have that too, becoming tired of all those problems. But we must do something, I think...



Ah, Ezekiel, the final post is from you and also a win for the sitar. Maybe something good comes from all the mess of today...?
Thanks for your compliments!

Wish you all a lot of creativity (and try a sitar too in a song...)
Hans

Hmh, Sitar-Punk. Sounds sexy and new.
I don't like the Sitar sound, but maybe through a nasty amplifier...

Hans, et al ...

This is quite a song you folks cobbled together! Great message, great song, great enthusiasm - yeah, great in all respects! Loved the sitar. You did good by being a hardliner about that. Strong vocal, too!

Good to hear you are feeling better!

Alan

A worthy subject and great mix, Hans.
If you were ever to change anything, have another look at the chorus to make it a little different in rhythm and sound to the verses.

Vic

Hi BD,



I also didn't like the sound of a sitar, but in the capable hands of someone who uses BiaB it can prove to be a great instrument.
So... feel challenged!!!

Hans

Hello Alan,



I noticed I am a hardliner on a lot of things, but still my wife and my cats love me.
And you know what, the others involved in this song also still like me. Not love...
Thanks for your very nice comment. I'm glad you are back.

Hans

Hi Vic,



You had your chance when you were on the support team ;-)
But seriously; after every chorus I have introduced all sorts of changements, even in rhythm and sound.
If I had more variations in the song I was afraid that would be feeling as too much, 'overkill'
But of course I will think of what you say, I just want to tell you what my hesitations were.

Thanks for this tip,

Hans