Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4
User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
tommyad Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
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

Last edited by tommyad; 03/15/18 12:10 PM.
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,474
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,474
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

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,581
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 6,581
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

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,646
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,646
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.


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.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,520
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,520
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?

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,576
Excellent in every way.

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

Great stuff.


-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,089
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,089
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!

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,664
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,664

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.

User Showcase
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,636
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

User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
tommyad Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
Originally Posted By: PeterF
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

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,979
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,979
We
Originally Posted By: PeterF
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

User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
tommyad Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
Originally Posted By: rsdean
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

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,522
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,522
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


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
tommyad Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
Originally Posted By: MarioD
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)

User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
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 smile You guys should be very proud of this one.


Cheers,
Deryk
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,892
G
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
G
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,892
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

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,311
ROG Offline
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,311
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.

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
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.
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.
User Showcase
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
tommyad Offline OP
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,218
Originally Posted By: Tano Music
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

User Showcase
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,253
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 5,253
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




Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Happy Easter! Holiday Hours...

2024 is well underway - it's already Easter Weekend!

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are:

Friday, March 29: 8-4
Saturday, March 30: 8-4
Sunday, March 31: closed

Regular hours resume Monday, April 1st - no joke!

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,401
Posts732,563
Members38,444
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
Descoward, danielsk, Mark Morgan, zagrajbarke, Ernest J
38,443 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 200
Al-David 132
DC Ron 115
rsdean 84
dcuny 83
Today's Birthdays
(charlie), WobblyGstring
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5