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This song is the first ever in which I wrote all the music in my head before I put pen to paper (except the bridge which was added later). It came to my in my car (one of my most inspired places for music for some reason-maybe because that's the only place I'm not surrounded by racket). I had the concept and the title for a while. When we were on Spring break in Lake Tahoe, we went to play in the snow. It was a warm Spring here so I just brought my Crocs and no shoes. Up at the higher altitude, it was chilly so I waited on the side of the road in the car while the family made a snowman and had a snowball fight. I pulled the list of activities for the week from the timeshare we were staying at out of my pocket, unfolded it, and proceeded to write these lyrics on the back (I'm frequently unprepared when I get a moment of peace). This is quite contemporary for me-sounds like the 80's or 90's versus 60's/70's. I sent Floyd Jane an MP3 and he helped me tremendously with the mix which was kind of a mess (THANKS FLOYD). Hope you enjoy. I'll post the RTs later. Comments encouraged!! Take care. Greg



CATCH ME (when I fall)


I don’t need someone to tell me I’m funny
To stroke my ego and laugh out loud
I’m no longer seeking the crowd’s approval
No, I’m way beyond that now

What I need now is a friend
A soul to share my beliefs and dreams with
A smile….that reflects the light that shines within
A love that’s warm when days are cold
A strong and steady hand to hold
When my back's against the wall
And to catch me when I fall

I’ve had my fill now of good time strangers
Who three years in, have no idea of who you are
I’m not a child, looking for amusement
But I’m still wishing on a star

I’m dying for some truth
I’m searching for a heart not tainted
Faith, that somehow has survived this world
Eyes that see beyond the skin
That truly see the man within
And find acceptance with it all
Someone to catch me when I fall

When I’m mired in hopelessness
When I’m feeling fragile and blind
I need to reach out
And never have doubt
About the love that I will find

https://soundcloud.com/gjohnson-2/catch-me

Last edited by Greg Johnson; 05/20/15 05:46 AM.
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Now That was worth the wait! A fantastic vocal, a really good strong write, a well planned arrangement, a clean mix, and an inspired ending. This is just super all the way around. A triple A ,five star posting. Now if you don't just absolutely love this, there is something seriously wrong with you. This one's special! Tom

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+1 Tom's comment. Really nicely delivered song. I especially enjoyed the interlude into the sax solo ( and beyond).

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Greg,

enjoyed that. +1 to ALL the other comments.
In my opinion it be great to end the song with just the drums playing and fading out.
But hey good song!!

Lucky you were wearing those crocs LOL!

Alyn

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Right up I got that seventies feel.
Great vocal especially the backing vocals.

This does have a real element of sole searching.
I can also hear a touch of John Lennon in your vocals.
As song writer's I think we all have moments like these.
Loved the outro.
Rob.

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This is an excellent song. Lyrically solid, great message, the music and production match that message and sell it. Love the lead and BG vocals.

Well done!

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Hi Greg,

I really enjoyed this one too. It has a nice breezy California vibe to it that's really easy to listen to. Nice job on the mix as well - very clean. Thanks for sharing this!

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This is SUCH a beautiful song. The write is so very strong. No word out of place and they fall on the ear like magic. There is feeling - strong feeling - in every single line. Delicious melody. This is songwriting at the highest levels.

The arrangement is gorgeous. The vocal drips sincerity. The background vocals - perfectly supportive yet another dimension of their own.

I've heard this a bunch. I like it more and more with each listen.

Love that sax.

You should be a star - you are in my book.

floyd

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A BIG +1 to everything that has been said thus far: great vocals, lyrics, backing tracks and mix.

To really really nit-pick I would eliminate the count in; the song is way too good for that. But on the bright side that is the only thing that I would change.


Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.

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This is a great write, arrangement and production at every level. Enjoyed this one a lot. And, it seems we now have a template and reference for the FJ drum levels....

Good vocals on this one too. I always enjoy your submissions.

Charlie


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Hi Greg,
Originally Posted By: floyd jane
This is SUCH a beautiful song. The write is so very strong. No word out of place and they fall on the ear like magic. There is feeling - strong feeling - in every single line. Delicious melody. This is songwriting at the highest levels.

I especially liked the background vocals.

Guenter

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Greg

You just never fail to deliver.

Having Floyd to conspire with can only value-add to anything musical. I really like your style where you jump triads between notes, perfect 5th's etc. It's a signature that makes your songwriting really stand-out.

I can hear Michael Franks in there somewhere.

The sax break fits perfectly, you could not have been done better. The mix is great with a perfect drum rhythm sitting nicely behind, same as the backing vocals.

You continue to set high standards.

Thanks for another one.

Trevor


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It's all here:

- a strong thought provoking write

- an engaging melody delivered by one of the forum's top vocalists

- a creative choice of RT's - the sax is great

- a mix that allows all of the above to really shine

Yeah, we liked it -- a lot. A fine addition to our
SC playlist!!

J&B

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Hi there Greg,

This is another very cool one with your very own distinctive sound!
A cool write, cool vocals and (maybe even cooler) backing vocals. A great bridge and the sax solo also works nicely.

Rob & Anne-Marie


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


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Really nice.

Ditto on the harmony comments.. really well done.

The part of this that grabbed me was the lyric writing in the choruses. Word smithery at it's finest.

Sax was cool but I'd probably have used it for fills a bit earlier so that it didn't come as a total surprise in the solo. A few notes at the end of the choruses would have introduced it earlier.

Probably one of the better writes in this forum this year so far.



The nits: I can't quite put my finger on it but the drums don't seem to fit right. Maybe too loud, or too busy in places. Or the treatment.... a reverb that puts it in a different sonic place than the rest of the song. Perhaps a combo of several.

Excellent job.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Greg,
I really enjoyed this one. Outstanding from start to finish.
Thanks for giving the back-story as well. It's always cool to hear how songs are insprired.
SD

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Greg,

Let me just add my agreement with everyone who has commented on what a good write this is! I really like this one of yours. Thanks for sharing it.

Steve


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"In order to compose, all you need to do is remember a tune that nobody else has thought of." - Robert Schumann
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Thanks for the kind words my brother. You have no idea how much they mean to me. As one of your biggest fans, your opinion means a lot to me. You are on a roll!! Take care. Greg

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Thanks Patrick. Appreciate you listening and taking time to comment. I was really pleased that the sax fit so naturally into the song. Take care. Greg

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Thanks for the nice words Alyn. The ending with drums is an interesting idea. Could even begin with drums as well and build over a few measures to bring in the other instruments. In a tune like this, the drums are really the heartbeat. You are a very creative thinker! Got a kick out of Fish and Chips! Take care. Greg

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