https://soundcloud.com/lawrence-olivier/whos-gonna-light-my-cigarettes (12-24-2010)

I had a girlfriend in 2010 who loved movies. She claimed to be a cinephile. And in one of her favorite movies Cary Grant had two cigarettes in his mouth and he'd light them, then hand one to the leading lady.

So my girlfriend would light two cigarettes and give one to me.

Never mind that the last night we were together she punched me in my face and broke my jaw and I know this because I could not fit so much as a tooth brush in my mouth for two weeks. Still I have fond memories of her. Don’t ask me why.

After we went our separate ways, I wrote this song from an Americana point of view but the rhythm in my right hand … (I’m left-handed but I play a right-handed guitar) … the rhythm in my right hand was always syncopated like jazz. So when I tried to record this song with BIAB it just never worked. After months of searching I stumbled upon …

SAMBA!!!

Key=Dm , Tempo 190, Length (m:s)=4:20


RealTracks in style: ~717:Bass, Acoustic, Samba Ev 190
RealTracks in style: ~720:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Samba Ev 190
RealTracks in song: 1449:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GypsyJazzLatinGonzalo Ev 165
RealTracks in song: 1450:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm GypsyJazzLatinJohn Ev 165
RealTracks in song: 1095: solo Nylon Guitar
RealDrums in Song: Samba^5-a:Brushes , b:Ride Contemporary


When You're Gone (12-24-2010)


Who's gonna kill the monsters neath my bed
Who's gonna quiet the voices in my head
Who's gonna make me laugh when I'm alone
Who's gonna light my cigarettes when you're gone

Who's gonna wake me, wake me with their scorn
Who's gonna make my breakfast in the morn
Who'll turn the stove off when I leave it on
Who's gonna light my cigarettes when you're gone

Life used to be so easy
I use to fly high and free
now lookie here baby you're leaving
I gotta know who's gonna light my cigarettes
when you're gone

Who's gonna dry my tear drops when they fall
or didn't you think I'd even cry at all
don't worry baby I promise to be strong
but Who's gonna light my cigarettes when you're gone


Life used to be so easy
I use to fly high and free
now lookie here baby you're leaving
I gotta know who's gonna light my cigarettes
when you're gone

My suggestion.
Give up smoking and eat out.

Loved it.
Good stuff.
This could be turned into a great blues tune.
Ex smoker Rob.

Larry !

This is a great feel. I really like the choice of Samba for this number.

I got filled with anticipation with the story of your girl lighting two ciggies and handing one to you. Sounded pretty romantic. Pity that bit didn't last for you - sorry, but smoking isn't great for you anyway.

I really liked the lyric lines, and the way you delivered them:
"Now lookie here baby you're leaving
I gotta know who's gonna light my cigarettes"

This whole song is pretty outstanding actually. You've done a great job.

Trevor

Very Cool. When the track started playing, I have to admit I had my doubts about the choice of genres. But man did I get caught up in it. A great display of vocal gymnastics. A solid, solid write. Your ex girlfriend must have loved the movie Million Dollar Baby. She might have been tough but she don't pack a punch like this song does. A super listen. I love what are doing. I am a huge fan. Buenas dias, Tom

Hi Lawrence,

great, what you are doing with your voice. Thanks for the entertaining background story. You made my day.

Guenter

Goes to show that a torch song doesn't always have to be sweet and syrupy. The question to this great tune is rhetorical. You can light your own cigarette, but she's gone. Love it.
-Carolyne

Hi Lawrence.

Another ex-smoker here and another really different one from you. Always enjoy your stuff.

"Who'll turn the stove off when I leave it on". My husband and I just turned around and travelled back an hour because I couldn't remember turning the kettle off (it was on a gas burner because of rolling blackouts. The joys of living in South Africa). I can definitely relate to that one.

Lawrence,

What a GREAT listen! I think I saw you dancing...! (there were girls with fruit on their heads, too...)

Great use of BIAB! Excellent mix. Awesome vocal.

Incredible hook!

I can imagine you playing this for people for many, many years to come...

floyd

Thank you Lawrence.... I just gave up smoking 5 weeks ago and listening to your song gave me some serious withdrawal symptoms, pffffff...

The song:
Very, very well done and completely different from your other work!

Rob and Anne-Marie (who never smoked in her entire life)

Thanks Rob. I started out playing around with some blues vibes but in the end - Samba!


Thank you Trevor, it was really fun to dig into those vocals.




Thanks Tom, I thought I might be taking a risk going with an "old" genre, but when I decided to go with it and played it to my son, he was like "oh yeah, that's it!"



Thank you Guenter, glad to have made your day. Life gives us many strange stories.



Carolyne, thank you. Rhetorical indeed : )



JosieC, thank you. Yes when I wrote the song I was looking for lines that might be relatable in that way. Glad you liked it.



Thank you Floyd. I might not have been dancing but recording the vocal, I was all in.



Thanks Rob and Anne-Marie. Sorry about triggering withdrawal symptoms! : )

It was fun to stretch musically into jazz territory and this song was perfect for it.

This is killer!! As usual, your vocal was a knockout. Like Tom, I was a little hesitant with the "band" choice at first. But it worked perfectly. Love the passion, the attitude, the energy, and the bitter but playful sarcasm. Slam dunk!! Take care. Greg

Great song - love the "kick" of this one. Great mix and vocal as well.

Bob

Lawrence,

Samba!!! The rythm fits perfectly with the style, and your dark brown voice!
You sing with such an enthousiasm!
Quote Floyd: Great hook!

Fred

GR-


Love this one. You could take that lyric and put it to a slow raunchy blues and have two cool songs for the price of one!

"Who's gonna wake me, wake me with their scorn"


Great line.


BTW - could your GF have been thinking about Paul Henreid instead of Cary Grant? It's a famous scene.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-KGiwGn1d8


Regards,

Bob

Hi Lawrence.

This one hit me like a breath of fresh air.

A fabulously entertaining song, so well conceived and with an amazingly good vocal.

Loved everything about it.

Never actually got round to smoking - I was always saving for a better guitar. (Still am, in fact.)

ROG.

This one resonated with me because I live on an active tobacco farm and tobacco farming is not as active or lucrative as it once was. Growing up, smoking was always portrayed as cool in the movies. One day it will be there are no more cigarettes to light.

Nice, enjoyable song.

Charlie

Fabulous! You cutting loose on this one Lawrence.
Great voice there. And the backing blend is perfect.
Cheers.

Greg, thank you. I'm glad the band didn't dissuade you.



Thanks Bob



Thank you Fred, glad you stopped in for a listen



Bob, I played around with many different styles. When I decided to go the jazz route I feel that I got lucky when I ignored my biases and tried Samba on a lark. Thank you.

and you are absolutely right about Paul Henried, that is the scene!



Rog, A breath of fresh air over a song about cigarettes, that's a good one! lol! glad that you enjoyed it!



Thanks for listening, Charlie.



Thank you RichMac!

This is my first post, I'm brand new to BIAB. But, the overall fabulousness of that tune warrants I pipe up about it! Speaking of pipes, the vocals are wonderful; your voice has just the right timbre and tasteful affect (feeling), and the phrasing and timing are also very pleasing to my ear. The mood created by the lyrics are just right, couched in that Samba band; everything just "fits". Good job! It's encouraging to see people using BIAB to such great effect. BTW, was the guitar soloing done by you, or BIAB? That sounds awesome, as well. bravo!

DIOECHOOTO, thank you for the kind words. BIAB is a great product for songwriting. I hope you enjoy using as much as I do.



ps. the guitar is RealTracks 1095: solo Nylon Guitar!