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Greetings Forum Friends I regret my absence for such a long time. I've had my hands full with a difficult 1-year old GIANT puppy and all the challenges from the pandemic. We found time to publish our first EP "Keep Looking Up" back in February. Here the link: Keep Looking Up But this post is for our new song "We're Better Than This" We're Better Than This https://soundclick.com/r/s8dvywThe events of 2020 have been distressing. This song expresses our concern.
Last edited by SpaceDog; 07/24/20 01:25 PM.
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Another excellent song. Very cool lyrics. Well done
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Nice lyric indeed and production to go with it!
J&B
PS Would like to see the RT's, etc and lyrics!
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos are here on our website.
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Scott, Janice, Bud,
Thanks for listening and commenting. I'll post a new version next week after getting more feedback.
Stay safe and well.
SD
Here are the RTs and lyrics
Style is _POPFAST.STY (Fast Pop w/ Dreamy Electric Guit)
RealTracks in style: ~~519:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~~522:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 120
RealTracks in style: ~~406:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Ev 136
RealTracks in style: ~~543:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 120
RealDrums in style: NashvilleEven8^8-a:Snare, HiHat Open , b:Snare, Ride
Added:
1031-String Electric, Fingerpicking Ev 165
We’re Better Than This
7/9/20
Intro: Am G F G Am G F G C
Verse 1:
C F
I stood up to be counted; To keep our land safe and free
Dm C G7
Now the tensions have mounted and they’re taking their aim at me
Verse 2:
C F
This isn’t what I fought for This isn’t who we are
Dm C G7
Together we are much more Than when we’re torn apart
Chorus x2
Am G
We’re better than this. We’re taking a risk
F G
1. We’re on the edge of a precipice
2. Give up your hate and prejudice
Am G
We won’t be dismissed. ‘cause We’re better than this.
E7 G Am
Let’s find a way to coexist
Bridge:
Dm C G
Don’t you know that history can’t be recast
Dm C E7
The only way ahead is learning from the past
Reintro: Am G F G Am G F G C
Verse 3:
C F
I never thought it would be this way The trampled rights for which we stand
Dm C G7
These nightmare scenes ‘cross the USA only fracture our land
Verse 4:
C F
Build a bridge and not a wall Don’t let our differences divide us
Dm C G7 C
Make it great for one an all Let our common dreams unite us.
Chorus x2
Am G
We’re better than this. We’re taking a risk
F G
1. We’re falling in to a great abyss
2. Give up your hate and prejudice
Am G
We won’t be dismissed. ‘cause We’re better than this.
E7 G Am
Let’s find a way to coexist
Outro: Am G F G Am G F G A
Last edited by SpaceDog; 07/25/20 07:43 AM.
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Nicely done! But... who are you addressing? Edit: This isn't meant as a political critique of the song, or say that you should be pointing your finger at anyone. I'm just saying that I couldn't figure out out. Since that's possibly not even the goal of the song, feel free to ignore what follows.  I've read through the lyric multiple times, and it seems like you're trying to tread a fine line without calling out one side or another. For example, "We won’t be dismissed" is what a protester might say, while "These nightmare scenes ‘cross the USA only fracture our land", is how someone might respond to a protester. "Build a bridge and not a wall" sounds anti-wall, while "Make it great for one an all" sounds like MAGA. We're in a political environment where every side claims their rights are trampled, that it's the other side trying to rewrite/whitewash history, and it's the other side that's filled with hate and prejudice. Will the people you're calling to action see themselves in the lyrics, or will they see it as a call for someone else to change?
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Good melody throughout, enjoyed the harmonies in the chorus and overall songwriting.
Nicely done.
Peter
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Nice melody on the piano..I think the push to use the one rhyme in the chorus is a little obvious.
Nice arrangement and performance though your vocal is hesitant in the 1st verse.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Peter, Thanks. I'm glad you liked it.
Ray, Thanks for the feedback. The rhyme scheme in the chorus probably is too monotonous. I'll remember that next time, As for the "hesitant" sound in the first verse, I'll check my timing but I was going for a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability.
Dave, Thanks for your thoughtful comment and taking the time to analyze the lyrics.
For me music and art is about the listener and audience. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So the real question should be, "what does it mean to you?" not what does it mean to the artist. Is John Lennon imagining a better world or was he advocating communism? Was "Puff the Magic Dragon" about a boy and his magical dragon or was it about smoking dope? It's up to us, the listener.
I like the line in the Buffalo Springfield song "For What it's Worth" that goes "Nobody is right if everybody's wrong"
I stand by each lyric in this song. It expresses exactly how I feel, but the important question is, "How does it make you feel?"
Again, thanks for the very thoughtful review.
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Great job, SpaceDog! Nice composition all the way around. Vocal harmonies are first-class, and I liked your lyric and rhyme scheme and selection of words (I think you avoided some "easy" rhymes and got to words that delivered value). Thanks for your work
Windows 11, Intel Core i5-8600T 2.3Ghz, 16 gig ram, BIAB 2025 MegaPak, Kontakt8, Oxygen49 Kybd, Neewer NW-800 mic
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Great sentiment, SpaceDog! I really like the melody. Although I understand Dave's query, and his logic, I appreciate your reply. Yes, we ARE better than this, and rather than a call to arms, this song seems more about a call to calm. I'm so glad that at least on THIS forum we are ALL better than those others. hehe One suggestion will make this better would be to add some reverb or something to your voice. All that aside, great song, man.
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You have some problems in the USA in the moment that I will try not to get involved in...  I will just say that I liked the composition and the performance of this song! Thanks for sharing, Will
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Tano, Thanks I've been a fan of yours for several years. Thanks for listening.
Marty, Thanks for your kind comments. I'll add a bit of reverb to the lead vocal. I was trying to make it close and personal by keeping the vocal dry. Everyone seems to agree it should have some reverb.
Will, Thanks for listening and commenting. My wife and I visited your lovely county many years ago. We have wonderful memories of Coppenhagen and Tivoli Gardens.
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Thanks for your nice words about Denmark. You are of course always welcome again (when the governments open up for travelling).
Take care,
Will
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Cool song. Well done. I didn't try to analyze the lyric too much. Seems like good advice that most people would agree with. If only the powers that be would stop trying to divide us.... And if people would stop listening to them, we could easily coexist in peace.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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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Herb, Thanks for listening. I'm glad you liked it.
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SD ...
Very nicely done. As I think you might know, I'm also an author (got several books on Amazon under my penn name). I always try to leave a little room for the reader to make their own perceptions in places ... that allows him/her to more personalize what I've written and, perhaps, develop a stronger "kinship" with the story. I think that's what you are doing with this lyric. You're allowing the listener to personalize the lyric such that they can better identify with the message on a personal level.
I enjoyed the song a lot. This is, in my opinion, your best vocal in quite some time. Everything sounded great! Nicely done ...
Best to you. Be safe, my friend ...
Alan
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Alan,
Thank you for the kind and thoughtful comment. Leave it to a professional author to find the right words. Yes, that's exactly what I was trying to do: leave room for interpretation and invite the listener to make it personal and their own.
I'm glad you liked the vocal tracks. I put a lot of emotion into the lead vocal. I'm always surprised when the Background Vocals sound good. I have to carefully plan the harmonies. They don't come naturally.
Best wishes and take care of yourself and your family.
SD
Last edited by SpaceDog; 07/28/20 03:54 PM.
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SD, this is very well sung and I liked the signature piano lick. The harmony sounds good also. I agree with the the good advice. Nicely done, Tom
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Well produced song with a catchy melody. Personally I liked the 'dry' vocal sound - thought it lent your voice an immediacy that suited the thoughtful lyrics.
Regards,
Leon
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My favorite line: "Build a bridge and not a wall."
I enjoyed the instrumentation, melody, and overall feel of this song. The mix is clear. Good vocals.
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