I have been out of pocket for the past several months. Some of you are aware my wife was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, the end of November last year, after being hospitalized several times and misdiagnosed. She has been in the battle of her life for the past 7 months. We have been in Phoenix, AZ since the first of March for her to have a stem cell transplant. She had the transplant on 3/24, and now the real battle begins. She has been in and out of the hospital here at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, and is currently in the hospital fighting rejection of the transplant. Our faith is strong, and we are confident she will recover and be stronger than ever. I have been overwhelmed with all the efforts to take care of her, as I am her full time caretaker. Your prayers are so appreciated!

Meanwhile, I finally had a few hours to write a song, so here it is! I didn't want to write a sad song, so this one is pretty upbeat. I have one of my computers here with me at the hotel in Phoenix (we will be here until sometime in July at minimum), and used BIAB for all the instruments. I recorded all the vocals here with one of my lesser mics I brought along with me. Didn't want to bring all my UAD interface equipment along so I have my old trusty Focusrite 2i2. This one was done all in Logic Pro X, without all my familiar UAD plugins, and an old set of headphones I brought along. I think the mix turned out okay. I'm glad they didn't throw me out of the hotel for singing too loud! I hope you enjoy this one. Your comments are welcome...

Soundcloud - I'll Keep Singing My Song

I'll Keep Singing My Song
©Stephen W. Young

Some folks remember
Some folks forget
Some folks are happy
And some have regrets

In the eye of a needle
A rich man can fall
And the poor man has nothing
Blames the rich man for all

And the state of affairs
Is up in the air
But this world keeps moving along
It's up and it's down
And changing around
So I'll just keep singing my song

A song of redemption
Where all can be free
Beyond comprehension
The way it should be

And the state of affairs
Is up in the air
But this world keeps moving along
It's up and it's down
And changing around
So I'll just keep singing my song

---

RealTracks in song: 3551:Bass, Electric, AmericanaShuffleSteveB Sw 120
RealTracks in song: 3689:Guitar, Lap Steel, Soloist Funky70s Ev 100
RealTracks in song: 3609:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm NashvilleRadioShuffleDanny Sw 110
RealTracks in song: ~~951:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBoogieMuted Sw 110
RealTracks in song: 2729:Organ, Rhythm BluesShuffleMike Sw 130
RealTracks in song: 3441:Guitar, Electric, Soloist BritPsycRockMarch Ev 110
RealDrums [in Song:RockHardShuffle^01-a:Closed Hat, Snare, b:Open Hat, Snare

Steve

Sorry to hear about your wife's ongoing health issues, best wishes to you both.

Really nice song, a very polished write and catchy chorus. Liked the lap steel solo, very nice.

Excellent vocal (on the number 2 mic) and top notch song writing.

Peter

Steve your wife is in our prayers, as are you.

I really like this song. The stops were perfect. Loved your vocal and lyrics as well as the mix.

Great job on this song.

Steve,

It is really great to hear you again. This sounds wonderful.

I am sorry to hear about your trials, but stay strong. Faith is powerful. I will definitely hold you and your wife up in prayer.

Hang in there bother. A big bro hug from afar.

Don't know how you managed to produce such a fine song under trying circumstances.
"I'll just keep singing my song" is such a great metaphor to use in the face of such upheaval and adversity. May the Universe send you both copious ammounts of health and energy. Loved the song Steve.

I'm so sorry to hear about the fight that your wife is facing. I, too, will pray that the very best outcome is what will take place, that the transplant is indeed 100% successful and that she makes a full, complete recovery. I hope you'll remember to be kind to yourself, also, in the meantime - if at all possible.

Beautiful song, your signature sound follows you around no matter what equipment you use :-) - which is great news. The lyrics in particular convey a strong message, but the whole production is excellent and made me grateful for having started my morning listening to it. I hope you get the chance to create more - you really bring a breath of fresh air with your songs on here. Thank you.

Steve,

So sorry to hear of all the issues you have had to face... You and your family are in my thoughts.

The song is great - you sound wonderful and the mix has a nice edge to it.

Glad to hear you singing again.

Bob

Steve,

Always glad to see you back!

Wonderful message! Terrific production. A lot of punch. LOVE what you did with the bass through the whole thing.

Excellent vocals, as always. Good mix (as always).

fj

Wishing you and Rachel both the absolute best, of course!

Great tune and singing, love the stops, your usual pro job here. Hoping your wife wins her battle with the rejection and she can get to the point of healing. Glad you can still put out some great material like this, despite the trials. Hang in there.

Steve,

Right out of the gate, really engaging intro. Your voice is crystal—sits beautifully in the mix; accentuated by the percussion. Love the organ riffs coming in that second verse. Terrific vocal; outstanding production. Your reserve to pull back on that second verse and dim it down—brilliant . . . and just makes that second chorus resonate all the more. Very impressed with this.

A more amazing thing is that given what you are going through personally, and how weighing that must be, to write such an upbeat song . . . and do it so well--amazing really. Please know I'm sending my best wishes and kindest thoughts your way. Stay strong and never give up hope!

My very best to you!

Deej

Always a treat to hear your songs, even when they're made under less than ideal circumstances. Prayers for both of you.

Lead guitar is a great intro to the song. I've tried that before (and failed miserably), so it's nice to hear it done right!

Love the change up in texture throughout the song.

Catchy chorus - upbeat while recognizing the hardships of life - not an easy write. The lack of a strong cadence makes the chorus work even better when looped.

Glad to hear you back on the forum!

Thanks, Peter, for the kind words and the good wishes for my wife and me. Means a lot!



Mario, it is always so nice to hear from you. Really glad you like this one, and thanks so much for your prayers!



David, really appreciate your comments. I agree, faith is powerful. Thanks so much for your prayers, and I'll take that hug!

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Steve

Howdy Steve....

Good job on this one.
Well put together and well performed.
Clear, up front lead vox.
Well done.

My best wishes to you and to your wife's rapid recovery.
Look forward to hearing some good news on that front.

Have a great day....

Nice to hear another pearl from you. Simple message in a light upbeat package works well, I hope you keep singing your songs for a long time to delight us.
Great intro and the poppy rhythm really wake up the interest.
Simple instrumentation with nice details. Nicely mixed bass and the vocals sound great.
Best wishes to you and your wife!

Janne

The treasures in life come to us sometimes in the blessing and sometimes in the breaking but each one reveals our true character...I appreciate the contemplative nature of the song in the midst of your trying circumstances...every part of the song is excellent...it's good but what makes it special is knowing the place that you're writing from...and while most if not all of us can't fathom the challenge for you and your wife at this time we can appreciate "your song" and offer our faith and prayers for you both...this was a great listen...thanks...just keep singing your song!
Dan

A masterful write and production, Steve. Great band and outstanding vocal. "The state of affairs is up in the air, but this world keeps moving along." Love it!! Those folks in Phoenix are amazing people. A couple years ago a very good friend of mine went through similar treatment there. Today she is in the 2nd month of a 3-month driving tour across this country with her husband. In addition to all the driving, they've walked over 100 miles through the beauty so far. May you and Rachel be blessed with similar adventures.

Thank you, Gary! Appreciate your kind words and well wishes!



Musician17, thank you so much for your encouraging words for my wife! And thank you for your generous comments about this song.



Hey Bob, it is always so nice to hear from you! Your words mean a lot to me, and I truly appreciate your kind thoughts and words!

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Steve

Steve,
Sorry to hear about your situation. I hope everything goes well.
Good to see you back! Very cool and inspirational tune. Vocals are great, especially considering "hotel" production. Mix is A+ Thank you for sharing and best to you and your wife.

Misha.

So good to hear from you Steve. I think the recording is top shelf. Excellent vocal and backtrack. Very cool lyric. Wishing you all the best for you and your wife. Music sooths the soul. Well done

Hi Steve
As someone else commented, I don't know how on earth you managed to write such a polished, up-beat song in such trying circumstances. Lovely vocal and the lap steel solo is a prefect fit.
Best wishes to you both,
Leon