This is just a pretty rough headphone mix, and needs some background vocals.... I thought I may just go ahead and post this & maybe work on trying to improve and polish it at a later date. I just enjoy writing, but have never been comfortable with the technical aspect of recording & mixing music.

I do want to thank an anonymous forum member who REALLY gave me some encouragement and help on the whole process. I have a long way to go, but am at least starting to get the hang of it. There are some very talented and super kind and helpful artists here - this is a great place to learn, and you guys (and gals) are awesome.

Thanks for listening!

Live Like Yesterday
Copyright (c) 2015, Curt Young

I remember many years ago
On the front porch with my folks back home
How the neighbors smiled and waved when they walked by.
Supper time came after chores,
We didn’t need to lock our doors -
We were rich in things that money could not buy.
Life was pure and simple then,
If I could I would go back again.
But no one gets to turn the hands of time.

One and one still equals two
And a thousand lies don’t change the truth -
No matter what this troubled world may say
It used to be we helped our brother
Trusted God, and loved each other.
Some say what we need is hope and change
I think I’d rather live like yesterday.

We pledged allegiance in our school
And learned about the Golden Rule
And the price our fathers paid for speech that’s free
Showed respect when folks grew old
And a man’s word was as good as gold
When a promise made was a promise meant to keep
If we could live a better way,
I’d like to live like yesterday
When men worked hard and raised their families

Realtracks:
519 Bass, Electric, Pop Half notes Ev 120
1725 Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBalladJohn Ev 065
Realdrums, Nashville Even8^3
1676 Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CountryBrent Ev 065
405 Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev120
621 Pedal Steel, Background Easy Ev136
618 Fiddle, Background Allis Ev 120

Curt,

This is terrific..

A solid write. Terrific arrangement. Excellent mix.

Your vocal is confident and clear. Really nice.

Enjoyed several listens. Looking forward to more...

-floyd

Yes. This is very nice. Well written, sung well and a good arrangement and choice of backing tracks.

This one's easy on the ears.


Charlie

Really nice tune Curt!! I agree with the sentiment. I'm always telling young people how much better the past was, except that there was no BIAB then!

Some say what we need is hope and change

Not sure if that was meant to be a jab at someone, but if so, I concur! Nice job on this! Take care. Greg

Floyd,
Thanks for the kind review... I must admit that I am a huge fan of your music, and the encouragement is much appreciated. I'm a long way from where I'd like to be, but it's sure enjoyable working at it.

Charlie,
I sure appreciate the listen and comments!

Greg,
I know that not everyone would agree with the message, but this song is just one guy's commentary on what's gone wrong with society. I'm glad you like it.
Yes, I guess that the "hope and change" reference was a bit poignant, but I felt like it worked here. Not trying to be mean spirited at all - just pretty skeptical of how it's worked out so far. Not a big fan of most politicians today.
Thank you!

Your production sounds very polished to me. and the melody and song style and your vocal are all smooth and calming.

Very good write and I really like the outro of guitar at the end. Nice touch.

Hi Curt,

great song!
Good lyrics, arrangement and mix.
I especially like your vocals.
Very enjoyable listen.

Guenter

Curt -

I'll echo what's already been said - good stuff. Makes me wish I had a time machine.


Regards,

Bob

Nice job.... well done.

I like the song, it's a good write. The mix is nice and clean, vox are easy to hear.

I only found one small nit in the phrasing .... a case of I'd have phrased (sung that one line) it a bit differently, but not a big deal.

The one thing that did stand out to me was the fact that the pre-chorus (PC) sounded good, but the chorus that followed it sounded nearly the same as the PC. That diminished the impact of the chorus considerably. The thing about a prechorus, as I understand and use them, is that it lifts you out of the verse and raises the energy level and builds tension and expectation for the chorus that follows. The chorus that follows a PC has to deliver the goods, and that means it needs to be bigger and have more energy.

One of my own songs I refer to in illustrating this is the song COME & GO on my music page.

Personally, I would take this song back to the woodshed, rework the PC/Chorus interaction and see what you can come up with that makes it better. A different PC melody or rewrite the chorus melody to give it more impact...either would work.

DO NOT misunderstand my comments.... I like this song and think it has a really good story and it has potential, but that if you take the time to work on it can move it up several steps towards a much better version/write of the song. I understand the aversion to changing a song that one thought was a finished project..... however, once I saw the value that came from a rewrite of what I thought was a finished song....I'm hooked on rewriting. Come & GO started out as a nearly 5 minute song with 4 verses, PC, chorus and a bridge. It was rewritten and rerecorded completely somewhere around 5 or 6 times.... I stopped counting and just focused on the job at hand. I never give advice that I would not take or do in the same situation.

Hope this helps you.

"But no one gets to turn the hands of time." Amen.

I often wonder if my good old days reflections are valid
or if perhaps I'm now living in the good old days (a hook? ).
Never resolved it.

Irrespective of those musings we both really like the theme
of this tune...a lot. The imagery is wonderful and well supported
by the vocal and the production. Don't sell yourself short.
The selection of RT's and the mix are in our opinion right
in the pocket.

Nice!

J&B

Hello Curt,

This song is very nicely done.
It's really telling a story.
The pedal steel works great in the song.

Rob & Anne-Marie

Lawrence, Gunter, Bob,
I really appreciate the kind words. To be honest, I had a great deal of help in the arrangement of this. And the outro just happened, thanks to BIAB, I think. But I like the outro, too.

Herb,
Your comments are MOST helpful... that is what I like about the interaction here. Any constructive criticism is more than appreciated.
I did listen to "Come and Go..." and will listen a few more times. Excellent track.
I'll try to process your suggestions and see where it goes. Along with a variation in the chorus, I really think that BGVs in the chorus would make a significant difference. I'm just starting to focus on how that is done, and have gotten some pretty good advice to get me started.
Thanks!

J&B,
I'll admit that the song may exaggerate the "good old days" a bit. Especially since in real life I managed to stir up more than my share of orneriness growing up. Rotten to the core sometimes, actually.
Just artistic license, I guess. : )
Thank you for the kind comments

Hi Curt,

I've listened to this a few times now. I really enjoyed the journey. It is clear that a great deal of thought has gone in to writing this. The melody is exceptionally good and the lyrics are very well crafted. I love the AABCCB rhyme scheme found in the verses. Nice!

For what it's worth, I think the Herb has some good thoughts on how to take this song to the next level. I've been to a few songwriting sessions with Steve Seskin and at every one of them, Steve says that he saves the highest note for chorus and avoids using it in any of the melody that comes before the chorus. If you have a look at Steve working on a song at the below link, it might give you some thoughts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzNB4Fbzjjk

Bottom line .... I enjoyed your work and will be going back again for another listen!

Regards,
Noel

• a song I co-wrote with Steve Young: When I Wake Up In The Morning

Noel,

I can't thank you enough for the recommendation. Mr. Seskin is amazing... I watched several of his videos, and will certainly be watching more.

I've always struggled with composing melody lines, and between you, Herb, listening to Floyd Jane's (and others) compositions here - I may be able to see some improvement. I've got a handful of things I've set aside because they need work, but could never really put my finger on the problems. This has been a great learning experience for me.

Btw, I would recommend anyone who has never watched Steve Seskin's videos to do so. A lot of good and very enlightening information there.

Curt,

I'm glad the link was of use.

Steve is brilliant. If you ever get the opportunity to attend one of his seminars, don't hesitate. I can guarantee you'll enjoy it and learn a great deal. (In case you're unaware, Steve's co-written 7 x number one hits.)

In addition, you'll find Pat Pattison very worthwhile. Pat, professor of songwriting and poetry at Berklee College (Boston), also has a free 6 weeks course on Coursera (see link below). Lots of people on these forums have taken that course and have found it valuable.

https://www.coursera.org/learn/songwriting

Regards,
Noel

• recent song: Walk With Me

Good video.... yup, it makes the point I was talking about when I referred to the energy levels, just using other words to do so but the point is the same.

Small things that many writers miss..... when you know them and use them they take your songs up a few levels.

Curt

I really enjoyed that and boy can I relate to the words.
Good vocals and the ending is rather good, if not perfect for the song

keep them coming

Alyn