My sister (Janet) and her boyfriend (Gary) were one of those high school couples that everyone knew would marry - sooner than later...
Gary joined the Navy right after graduation, as was always his plan.
We all figured at some point they would tie the knot and Janet would follow him wherever...
But, things change...

This is their story. From Janet's POV...

Fewer RTs this time

The Band....
RealTracks in song: ~518:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
MIDI SuperTracks in song: 2066:Piano, Rhythm NewAgeAnswers Ev16 110


HOLD ON (JANET'S SONG)


four years ago gary joined the navy
that last night we cried every tear we ever had
and it seems silly now
remembering how
we made a vow
to hold on, hold on
the first letters came the next week postmarked hong kong
he'd send snapshots of his buddies from japan
when at sea
he'd write poetry
to send to me
hold on, hold on,
hold on

my girlfriends all got married and they moved away
the school kids get younger every year
all that pulled me through
was a heart that knew
my sailor blue
hold on, hold on
the letters slowed to once a month, then slowed again
the few phone calls were too short to talk
it's been a boring day
i don't know what to say
you're so far away
hold on, hold on,
hold on

i've moved again, it's this job i'm in, the money's good
i'm a women now, i meet the world head on
this city's fun
i've dated some
when the chance has come

i heard somewhere that gary's coming home next week
funny, i couldn't tell you how i feel
a lifetime's slipped by
should we even try
or hold that last goodbye
hold on, hold on


Comments encouraged.
Thanks for listening.

floyd

Gorgeous!! This song bleeds emotion, from the piano, to the bass, to a powerfully delivered vocal. What powerful melancholy. Incredible job Floyd!! Take care. Greg

Hi Floyd.

A very moving song which the minimalist production suits perfectly.

I was left with an enduring feeling that I needed to know more. Very clever writing.

I'm not even going to mention how good, as usual, the recording and production was.

ROG.

Good song.... it might have worked better with a female singer..... it is from a woman's POV after all...

Reminded me of some of the melancholy Carol King songs...filled with emotion.

The real tracks are amazing.

Hi Floyd. This is a very interesting write. I grew up in the Navy town of Charleston, SC and new many naval families. Although your sister didn't marry into that wayward life of a sailor, she still managed to become entangled in it. Strong emotions from the journey along the highway to "what if".


Charlie

floyd,
What an emotional song, the piano was perfect to portray the feelings.

I'm with ROG.

That was beautiful

I feel so sad now your lyrics spoke unspoken feelings, if you see what I mean.

Well done

Alyn

floyd, Excellent choice of just piano and bass backing. Very nicely sung. Of course the write is terrific as well as the usual stellar production. I have to tell that your last post Real Life Cowboy has a couple of lines that I can't get out of my head. The opening line "A weathered man with one closed eye squinting at a western sun" and the equally brilliant " his jeans were worn and faded but for where a gun might cling". How in the name of Roy Rogers do you come up with these words? Back to this song "or hold that last goodbye" = great closer. Wraps up the package and puts a little bow on it. Over the last year you have quickly leap frogged up my list of all-time favorite writers. It's like back in the 60's- after a while we all came to realize that the next Beatles song was going to be just as great as the last one. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Tom

Hi Floyd,
Powerful song, genius in what might look like simplicity.
A story told by a very good writer. The POV of your storyteller makes that I believe every word. Maybe a good idea of guitarhacker to let a female have a go with this story... Josie?

Best wishes, and a bow for your craftsmanship. (Who played that piano part? Loved it!)

Fred

Hi Floyd,

beautiful song with lots of emotion.
That piano was a good choice.
You've outdone yourself with the vocal delivery.
Merry Christmas.

Guenter

Wow, Floyd.

I don't even have words for this.. I'm gob-smacked.
It's unlike anything else you've presented here.. for most people that would constitute an experiment. And For most people, it wouldn't even be expected to succeed at an experiment on the first try.

But...wow.

Amazing Song as Usual!

Very sad song. Very emotional vocal. Awesome..

Hi, Floyd !:))


......... This was just too good,
made me cry (well after all I am
very sensitive) !

Just can´t find any fitting words
for this, it is just so sublime !

Regards
Dani

Beautiful song Floyd!
Lots of emotion. The lyrics had better be sung by a woman though, or....if you just change some words (I'm a woman now) sing them from a man's POV about his boyfriend.
Even in America this must be possible nowadays
The song doesn't need more than these two RT's, they are perfect.

Rob and Anne-Marie

So sad. Beautiful vocal and production.

Josie

Very touching. Love the minimalist treatment.


Regards,

Bob

A BIG +1

One might say that you were out of your comfort zone but I'm starting to believe that all genres are your comfort zone!

This is a keeper.

Greg - thanks. you are always most generous with your comments..

ROG - appreciate that...

Thanks, Herb...

Charlie - appreciate you spinning this one...

Alyn - thanks for stopping by...

Well, Mr jane as a songwriter I think you've pretty much
set the piano on fire, walked off the stage, and left the
next act cowering behind the curtains.

That would be sufficient for about anybody....but when you
add a great voice, a mega studio sound and the sheer
consistency of all your projects it is simply a tour de force.

And have babbled all of the above I'll simply say that this
one certainly maintains the high bar level. Beautiful.

J&B

Powerful stuff!

Echoing all the other comments - minimalist, melancholy, beautiful, lovely piano (that last chord, mmmm).

I don't always make it to the end with some songs here but this one definitely held my attention.

Who would know that BIAB was even involved.

Inspiring, thank you.

Rec