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/middletown

https://tommyadamsmusic.com/music



RealTracks 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

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

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

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.

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?

Excellent in every way.

To my ears, it's got a strong Warren Zevon vibe.

Great stuff.

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!

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.

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

We certainly appreciate your review Peter. Thank you from all three of us, Tom

We

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

Bob, Thank you for the wonderful comments, Tom

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

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)

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.

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

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.

Yep..... got to agree, this is a really poignant song about a topic that is difficult at best to write about.

Thanks much. The drums were cut from loops, Tom

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