Waiting

This song started as a Christmas blues with a thought about prison cell feeding hatch as an advent calendar. But Christmas went by and I still had only some bluesy chord progression. I started a new approach and wrote the lyrics quite easily, probably because the waiting has been a close theme lately. There is this pandemic going on, winter seemed to last forever and then I've been waiting for a work related resolution - feeling that the outcome doesn't matter, just that the wait would be over and I could go on. I managed to say everything I wanted, here is finally the end result, I'm back to my normal style Feel free to tell if something is not working

I used the _MY_AMP.STY style as the starting point and added some extra RTs. The most difficult selection was the soloist. The guitar soloists didn't work, I tried also a sax, but there were no good ones in this tempo/feel. Finally I found the harmonica which also fits the prisoner mood. After many multiriff generations I finally had a working solo.

Instruments:
RealDrums in style:BluesRock128^3-a:SideStick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride
RealTracks in style: 2674:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm Blues12-8Brent Sw 065
RealTracks in style: 1924:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasBluesRockSlow12-8Sol Sw 060
533:Bass, Electric, 12-8 Crystal Sw 065
2733:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm BluesSlow128Mike Sw 065
2856:Harmonica, Background CountrySlowSwingJellyRoll Sw 085
3278:Vocal Mmms, Rhythm RockNRollGospel12-8 4-part Sw 065

Vocals by me

Mixed in Cakewalk by BandLab (Neutron 3 used on drum and bass)

Lyrics:

Droplets falling down
on the stone floor
squeaking when opened
the hatch of the door
Still no decision
just my daily meal
somewhere in a court
my ultimate appeal
the exit or the chair
the end is all I care.

Waiting is a clock face
forever ticking round
when your days are numbered
but you don't know the count (you don't know the count)
Waiting's a horizon
only eyes can reach
when your March is a long wade
through the snowbanks on the beach (snowbanks on the beach)

Flakes are falling down
on the walled yard
winter prevailing
its grip is my guard.
Still no dismissal
I wish I could just walk
to the eve of no return
but the cold front doesn't talk
who's to make a move
one's portion to approve.

Waiting is a...

Most of the life waiting for
starting from Santa Claus
the summer's arrival
the end of the lockdown
the amnesty
exes to call.
In life's many prisons to sit
if the wait is the key
then in where does it fit?
Even if learned
how to cope with a puzzle
the next wait might
call for more grit.

Waiting is a...

------------
Janne

Janne,
The imprisoned theme is a strong one for the times and you explore it well.
I enjoyed the bluesy swing style - it gives that ticktockticktok feel of stretched locked-up time... which can lead to fantasies of calling those exes!
Yes, the harp is a good fit.
A thoughtful and original song.

Robert

Cool tune Janne. Loved the backtrack and excellent vocal and lyric. Well done

This song has a really lovely tone to it, and I think that the particular arrangement you chose was an excellent choice! I'd be curious to see if you end up revisiting it again closer to Christmas time for a twist on the mix. Awesome job and thanks for sharing.

Very cool!! You have such a unique and wonderful sense of melody......always love hearing the changes you come up with!! I really like the vocal arrangement and processing you used!! Nice work!! Take care. Greg

Super song! Great chord progression. Excellent choice and mix of RTs. Love that lead harp.

I would have liked to have the vocals a tad louder but that is just my opinion.

Good job! It was all clever (and a nice listen), but I thought the ending especially so.

Excellent write Jan. Cool song and one of your best lyrics.

Josie

"forever ticking round
when your days are numbered
but you don't know the count
Waiting's a horizon
only eyes can reach" very well written.
Well done.

Interesting subject matter, juxtaposed against your unique progression. The harp was a natural, could have used even more of it, I think. Not sure how I felt about the ending, will go back and listen some more.

Hi Janne,

There's a heap of fine imagery in these lyrics. You've really excelled yourself! The "Blues" were definitely a great starting point for a song like this.

COVID sure is an experience that the whole world shares. Whatever country I watch shows from, there is a consistency in language surrounding COVID that transcends everything... flatten curve, quarantine, social distancing, etc. That feeling of imprisonment that you write about is also shared.

Nice work!

All the best,
Noel

Love the groove happening on this one. Very well written also!

Good production and mix.

Not sure about the ending, but, quite clever what you did there.

Overall very good, enjoyed!

Captivating melody and well sung, Janne. Love the way your changes move the song in an enjoyable groove. The harmonica sounds great. I usually get lost picking pieces of Multitracks. I kinda like how the one guitarist doesn't realize the song is over, but feel it should be faded.

For me, first lines are extremely important for drawing the audience in, and you have hit the mark with yours: "Droplets falling down/on the stone floor." That sets up the tone of the lyrics.

The music/instrumentation contrasts with the mood of the lyrics, yet it works so nicely.

Thanks Robert for your nice feedback Glad you noticed the tick-tock feel, I was almost leaving out that guitar until I realized how well it fits the theme.

Janne

Thanks Scott for your kind words I wouldn't call my vocal excellent, but I did practice more than usually before starting recording.

Janne

Thanks Ember for your nice comment Glad you liked the arrangement. Thanks for the Christmas idea, I thought blues is not a good style for Christmas song, but maybe with some decoration it could work

Janne

Janne

Very strong write, especially the chorus.

As usual an interesting chord backing track and the harmonica works well.

I like the ending, seems to fit the song mood.

Well done.

Peter

Thanks Greg, always a pleasure to receive your heartwarming positive feedback

Janne

Thanks Mario for your kind words Always pleasure to hear that my chord progression is great Right, my vocals could be louder, it's always difficult to mix your own voice.

Janne