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#462350 - 03/15/18 02:50 PM
[User Showcase]
Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
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Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
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Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
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In 2016, over 64,000 people in the US died from opioid overdoses. ( painkillers, heroin, fentanyl) To put that number in perspective, that’s more Americans killed by opioids in 365 days than were killed during the entirety of the Vietnam War. Opioids in America are more than a crisis, they’re a national emergency.I read an article recently in the USA Today about the opioid crisis in Middletown, Ohio. Having lived some of my childhood in small Ohio towns, I had a connection to this type of town. I sent the article to Bud Merritt and then dove right in and started writing. He sent back some lines that formed the basis of the second verse and first pre chorus. Janice then added her brilliant harmony. Thanks to all that listen and comment. https://soundcloud.com/tommyad/middletownhttps://tommyadamsmusic.com/musicRealTracks in song: 1522:Bass, Electric, PopPower8s Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 1038:Guitar, High-Strung Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev065 RealTracks in song: 1037:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm NorthernRockBallad Ev 065 RealTracks in song: ~2503:Piano, Acoustic, HeldChords 085 Royalty free loops Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboard, Tom Adams Harmony vocal, Janice Merritt Recorded in Logic Pro X Plug Ins : Nectar 2, Neutron 2, Ozone 8, Tonal Balance, Waves LinMB, Waves, L3-LL Multi Limiter, Scuffam Amps S-Gear, Waves Vocal Rider Middletown The only sound in Middletown are the sirens screaming in the night Stores closed up and the mill closed down And another angel’s taking flight All we got is family getting smaller everyday Friends have turned up missing guess they couldn’t stay She got that call again you know it’s happened twice All his answers shot into a vein Round here Dying’s just another part of life But No No Not this way she is just Too wasted to turn another trick The kitchen table’s always such a wreck her only son is chasing their next fix And trying to cash her unemployment check lined up at the pawnshop whatever they can sell It’s sad to see how my hometown gave up and went to hell She got that call again you know it’s happened twice All his answers shot into a vein Round here Dying’s just another part of life But No No Not this way ©2018 Thomas Adams/Bud Merritt
Edited by tommyad (03/15/18 03:10 PM)
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#462353 - 03/15/18 03:06 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 4812
Loc: Sydney Australia
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Registered: 12/06/03
Posts: 4812
Loc: Sydney Australia
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Tom , Bud & Janice
Superb, thought provoking lyrics, and a wonderful production.
Tom - loved the vocal, guitars and keyboard - beautiful mix.
Janice - spot on backing vocals and the little haunting lead "no no" part.
Truly exceptional.
Peter
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#462365 - 03/15/18 04:07 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 08/09/10
Posts: 5156
Loc: New York
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Registered: 08/09/10
Posts: 5156
Loc: New York
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Tom, Bud & Janice,
A heartbreaking and beautifully written song. The vocals and production are incredible - pro all the way and really drive the emotional aspects of this song home.
Well done - does not get better than this...
Bob
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#462373 - 03/15/18 06:03 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: PeterF]
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Registered: 12/27/03
Posts: 17392
Loc: Hamlin NY
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Registered: 12/27/03
Posts: 17392
Loc: Hamlin NY
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This is one hell of a powerful song!
These lines really moved me:
"She got that call again you know it’s happened twice
All his answers shot into a vein
Round here Dying’s just another part of life
But No No Not this way"
I think the last anti-drug song that moved me this much was John Prine's "Sam Stone".
This should be the theme song for an anti-opioid campaign.
This is a keeper for sure.
_________________________
You know you're in trouble when you leave a memory improvement class and can't remember where you parked your car!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB and RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software and some hardware
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#462383 - 03/15/18 06:54 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 12/29/10
Posts: 1520
Loc: Charlotte, NC
Expert
Registered: 12/29/10
Posts: 1520
Loc: Charlotte, NC
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Hits right to the heart of the matter..outstanding production, and feels "right" for the topic/lyrics.
My favorite lyric element: "But No No Not this way"
BTW...was the drum track generated with RD's?
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#462393 - 03/15/18 11:20 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 5119
Loc: Sacramento, California
Veteran
Registered: 09/27/10
Posts: 5119
Loc: Sacramento, California
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Excellent in every way.
To my ears, it's got a strong Warren Zevon vibe.
Great stuff.
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#462414 - 03/16/18 04:06 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 4344
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Veteran
Registered: 11/30/07
Posts: 4344
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Wow, such a powerful song! Excellent write, you really brought the story home (it's a big problem here too)
Production of course is totally pro, and it's the little things that really stand out and make it special. The second "no, no, not this way" line for example with just Janice.
Really good guys and gal!
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#462419 - 03/16/18 05:57 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 08/29/14
Posts: 6317
Loc: North Carolina
Veteran
Registered: 08/29/14
Posts: 6317
Loc: North Carolina
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Ouch!
Powerful, and punchy. So close to home for America. Painful subject, but you handled it so well.
The subject matter at hand is so heart breaking for our country. Whenever I read about, and see pictures, I really want to cry.
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#462434 - 03/16/18 06:51 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10214
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 08/10/12
Posts: 10214
Loc: Florida
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Tom, Bud And Janice...
This is STUNNINGLY good.
Songwriting at its very best. Not a wasted word. Every line is excellent. Every line is important. So much said in so few words.
The production is (as always) clean, clear, concise. No fat. Stellar mix.
The vocal has the empathy required. The harmonies are exquisite.
Y'all are all pros.
Extraordinary.
fj
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#462445 - 03/16/18 08:15 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: PeterF]
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Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
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Tom , Bud & Janice
Superb, thought provoking lyrics, and a wonderful production.
Tom - loved the vocal, guitars and keyboard - beautiful mix.
Janice - spot on backing vocals and the little haunting lead "no no" part.
Truly exceptional.
Peter We certainly appreciate your review Peter. Thank you from all three of us, Tom
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#462481 - 03/16/18 12:14 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: PeterF]
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Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11796
Loc: GA USA
Veteran
Registered: 12/05/11
Posts: 11796
Loc: GA USA
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We Tom , Bud & Janice
Superb, thought provoking lyrics, and a wonderful production.
Tom - loved the vocal, guitars and keyboard - beautiful mix.
Janice - spot on backing vocals and the little haunting lead "no no" part.
Truly exceptional.
Peter Thanks Peter! Considering the small contribution I (Bud) made I consider Tom to be very generous in listing me as a co-writer. Janice quickly fell into the harmony and it was Tom’s skillful editing that created her little lead from a harmony line. Appreciate the nice comments! Bud
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#462537 - 03/16/18 05:40 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: rsdean]
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Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
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Tom, Bud & Janice,
A heartbreaking and beautifully written song. The vocals and production are incredible - pro all the way and really drive the emotional aspects of this song home.
Well done - does not get better than this...
Bob Bob, Thank you for the wonderful comments, Tom
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#462555 - 03/16/18 07:17 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 6649
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
Veteran
Registered: 12/08/11
Posts: 6649
Loc: Edmonton, Ab, Canada
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Wow Tom what an awesome song and vocal. Awesome write Tom, Bud and Janice and such a beautiful harmony.
I have to respond to the lyrics separately.
The lyrics were so heart wrenching. It just seems the tragedy we are subjected today just keeps getting more and more extreme each day. That fentanyl just seems so insane why anyone would want to use it. Even the people cleaning up after these overdoses are getting wacked with just trace amounts of it lying around. Sad song awesome delivery
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#462621 - 03/17/18 09:03 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: MarioD]
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Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
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This is one hell of a powerful song!
These lines really moved me:
"She got that call again you know it’s happened twice
All his answers shot into a vein
Round here Dying’s just another part of life
But No No Not this way"
I think the last anti-drug song that moved me this much was John Prine's "Sam Stone".
This should be the theme song for an anti-opioid campaign.
This is a keeper for sure. It is quite the compliment to have a John Prine reference in this review. Thanks, Tom ( back in my Chicago days I heard Prine do Sam Stone before he had a record deal. He remains a favorite)
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#462624 - 03/17/18 09:24 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 02/15/17
Posts: 3414
PG Music Staff
Registered: 02/15/17
Posts: 3414
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Wow - you guys absolutely nailed this. It is so haunting, and so moving. The subject matter of this one really hits close to home for me personally. It isn't often you see this issue addressed. Topic aside - this is a brilliant write and perfectly executed. Your harmonies on the chorus gave me goosebumps. Simply beautiful, and incredibly touching. Thanks so much for sharing this  You guys should be very proud of this one.
_________________________
Cheers,
Deryk
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#462629 - 03/17/18 10:46 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6571
Loc: Davis, CA
Veteran
Registered: 12/21/13
Posts: 6571
Loc: Davis, CA
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Here's one for the forum hall of fame, for sure!!! Powerful and painful, brilliant and beautiful, stellar and stunning!! Easiest way to sum it up.....everything done right, nothing done wrong. My favorite for both of you, and THAT is saying A LOT!!! Love it!! Take care. Greg
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#462641 - 03/17/18 12:41 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 12/12/11
Posts: 3289
Loc: York, England
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Registered: 12/12/11
Posts: 3289
Loc: York, England
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Hi Tom,
A great song, beautifully performed and mixed.
It comes across at first as a really nice rock ballad, until you start to pick up
on the lyrics and then it gets difficult to listen to without being moved.
A very powerful and clever piece of writing.
Cheers, ROG.
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#462644 - 03/17/18 12:57 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 8255
Veteran
Registered: 04/03/09
Posts: 8255
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Yep..... got to agree, this is a really poignant song about a topic that is difficult at best to write about.
_________________________
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. As the sword chooses the warrior, so too, the song chooses the writer.
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#462738 - 03/18/18 04:05 AM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: Tano Music]
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Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
Veteran
Registered: 05/22/11
Posts: 3495
Loc: Florida
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Hits right to the heart of the matter..outstanding production, and feels "right" for the topic/lyrics.
My favorite lyric element: "But No No Not this way"
BTW...was the drum track generated with RD's? Thanks much. The drums were cut from loops, Tom
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#462788 - 03/18/18 12:31 PM
[User Showcase]
Re: Middletown (Tom & Bud Co-Write)
[Re: tommyad]
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Registered: 07/11/15
Posts: 4255
Loc: United States
Veteran
Registered: 07/11/15
Posts: 4255
Loc: United States
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Sad and beautiful Tom! It's packed full of truth that many can relate to! As for the production .... It has the awesome sonic quality an high production level we have come to expect from you! Great work! Thanks, Torrey
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