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I had a bit of "writer's block" recently.
Spent far too long worrying about it.
Decided I needed to write a song about it.

This is as much about the production as the writing.
(the "block" was, as well...exploring...)
This is best heard using headphones or ear buds...


WASTED

gotta a white board list of a hundred things
half of them there since before last spring
but today slipped by undetected
any motivation, long defected.
   
   the days i've wasted, i've wasted, wasted
   can't get 'em back...
   the days i've wasted, i've wasted, wasted

sometimes i dread even raising my head
getting outta bed, i just lay there instead
thoughts locked, can't clear the block
one eye on the clock tick tock tick tock
   
   the days i've wasted, i've wasted, wasted
   can't get 'em back...
   the days i've wasted, i've wasted, wasted


The BAND and then some:

RealTracks in song: 2578 Bass, Synth, RetroPop Ev16 085
RealTracks in style: 833:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm AltCountryMoody Ev 075 (A:held)
RealTracks in style: 2667:Pedal Steel, Background DreamySingleNote Ev 075
RealTracks in song: 3321:Guitar, Acoustic, Soloist RnBPopDblBrent Ev 055
RealTracks in song: 3159:Guitar, Baritone Electric, Rhythm AmericanaSlow16thsBrentFX Ev16 060
RealTracks in song: 3520:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Americana16thsDelayBrent Ev16 075
RealTracks in song: 3440:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm BritPsycRockMarchGrittyChords Ev 110
RealTracks in song: 3629:Guitar, Electric, Soloist AmbientGrittyDarin Ev16 065

I programmed an acoustic track using Ample Martin Lite (free acoustic VST)
The verses bass track was programmed using SubLab (vst)
Royalty Free Loops
Drums loops came from varios places. Mostly content that comes with Studio One Professional.


Hope you hear something that catches your ear...
Comments of any kind, of course.

fj

Good effort Floyd!

Hello ;-)
I like the song very much.
The idea of writing a song about writer's block is cool.
I especially like the bass work like at 0:32.
It gives it a great vibe.
Really great.
Did you do this with BiaB as well?

I wish you many greetings
and many new ideas
Andi ;-)

Floyd!

Wow. This is so cool. The song is very well done, as always, but the zeitgeist of what you are talking about really interests me.

I think a lot of artists and songwriters are "stunned" right now and feel blockades to creativity around a lot of things, for a lot of reasons. I know because they tell me so in droves. Some people are wondering if it all makes any difference, if anyone cares, if the world is going to blow up, etc. There are as many reasons and stories as there are people.

BUT, if any of us were to succumb to silence, that would be tragic. It would be (to use a fact or a metaphor, depending on your religion, or lack of it) "just what the devil wants."

SO, I always tell people, JUST KEEP WRITING!!! Just go up to the mic and yell, but don't stop. Don't be afraid of feedback either. Just DO IT. Make some noise!! Be yourself! Keep on rockin'!!

I am glad you did it and I hope you do more.

Also, I hope anyone reading or listening will do the same.

Keep singing y'all. We will get through this!!

Go Band-in-a-Box forum!!

P.s. I will be out for a week or so y'all do don't think I am abandoning ya, I just have to go see a man about a dog, as they say.

Floyd,

I love the sentiment and message in this song. I believe we all can relate to this.

Great, great vocal as usual. The moody arrangement and instrument choices really highlight the overall feeling - I know how hard that is to do.

To me, this is just another one of your excellent creations.

Bob

Hi Floyd,

WOW...
In 20 foot letters made of plywood WOW!
Such profound lyrics. You're using a lot of more modern touches in your music and integrated them very well. Really cool tune and usual on the money vocals. Thanks for posting, I enjoyed the listen!

Every man looks at the whole "wasted time" scenario at one time or another. As I look back the thing I view as wasted time was working too hard for people who didn't appreciate me and would have worked me to death if they could make another buck off me. All this just to buy stuff... Worthless stuff! Maybe you could follow up with a song called worthless???

The narrative is cool and I love the way you counter it with the progressive steps forward i the backing.
Sometimes new tools inspire, sometimes the lack inspires but you're out of the dead zone with an ode to it.
It sounds great, you held notes are wonderful, the backing is a wonderful combo.
Exemplary on a few levels.

Well, my friend, I think you blew through that writer's block with a dozen sticks of dynamite......this is brilliant!!!! LOVE the tension in the song, LOVE the lyrics, especially this verse

sometimes i dread even raising my head
getting outta bed, i just lay there instead
thoughts locked, can't clear the block
one eye on the clock tick tock tick tock

That song is very experiential......kind of echoes in the mind/soul!! LOVE your use of the rhythmic lyrics....can't get 'em back.......AWESOME!!! Take care. Greg

Well, this resonated strongly with me - for every song I post on the forum, I've written ten that are mundane and go straight in the can. Many of us here are older and watching our lives just pass us by. Gotta get those songs out, stay alive, keep the circulation flowing. Terrific song that many will relate to vividly.

To Mr. Floyd Jane:

Let's see...You say you got 'writer's block', but then you turn around and write a song about it. Funny kind of 'writer's block' you there, partner. Ha, ha !!!

You certainly brought the frustration thing front-and-center, that's for sure:

"sometimes i dread even raising my head
getting outta bed, i just lay there instead
thoughts locked, can't clear the block
one eye on the clock tick tock tick tock"

Here's what 'caught my ear': Got the full-bodied vocal harmonies workin' just fine as usual. The band you selected sounds like your personal orchestra, as usual. Your vocal track is clear and strong, as usual.

Sure sounds like you cured yourself of your 'writer's block', Mr. Jane. Oh, happy day !!!

Yep, this one speaks truth.

Some nice melodies in the different sections of the song. Nice writing. Very catchy tune. Good use of the band. Good one all around.

Listening in my 'phones. Great use of stereo. The production (your main focus) really shines here.

Yep, it's go repetition. And it works.

The processed claps at 2:42 were a bit too processed for my non-adventuresome ears.

Everything else was just delicious ear candy.

Hi floyd,

Listened a couple of times through the phones, great stereo mix!

Love the intro! And the outro too for that matter

Vocals are top notch, and I really like the melody too.

The chorus is great! One that will stick in your head long after the song is over.

As far as the message goes, wasting time ... yeah, been there, done that!

I always love the attention to detail in your songs, very inspiring, and makes me strive to do more with my productions.

Excellent song, really enjoyed it.

BTW, the first few notes of the lead guitar that comes in at 2:05 reminds me of a Lynyrd Skynyrd song from way back. Can't put my finger on which one, going to drive me nuts until I figure it out!

Ah, yes, worrying about it only makes it worse (true for everything). Man, you took that block and carved out a masterpiece of music, Floyd.

"gotta a white board list of a hundred things
half of them there since before last spring"

Oh, yeah, who can't identify with this song right from the opening. Gave it the first spin with the desktop Bose, but you're right, nothing beats the closeness of the cans. You know you can do no wrong in my ears, so my only advice (a request really) is to erase a couple more from that white board.

Thanks, Dewey



Thanks for having a listen, Andi...

as always nice vocs/talent.

AND YOU KNOW VOCAL DOUBLING TECHNIQUES.
excellent floyd.

nothing matter with repitition.
question is does song warrant it.
in this case it does.

cute ending/song mate.
om

I read the comments before listening and agree with them. Good, cool song and excellent band and production. And yes, great sounding mix in the phones. Enjoyed my listen.

Charlie

Oh, I've been there.
Nice job of capturing the malaise of being stuck in nowhere.
Somehow you've managed to turn it into a great song.

moto

Good one, Floyd. Like the guitar break at 2:25. Overall, excellent listen.

The molasses malaise?

Hi Floyd,

Another good song - well played and sung. Mix is spot on.

Well done
Nigel

Have fun off the grid...

If this is the result of wasted days, you really should "waste" more days.
This song is different from the ones we used to hear from you some time ago, when we were still on the forum (we're back now, btw).
You're melancholy, vulnerable....
And we'll all meet our writer's block some day.
But it is there to vanquish.
And so you did... very well!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Thanks, Bob....




Appreciate that, Bawb....

Well, we can relate to the wasted time notion as we've both thought alot during the last 18 months about the days that we can't get back.

Your vocals are always sublime and this is no exception. You have such a gift for putting together BiaB tracks, loops and programmed tracks and they all, with the layered harmonies, mesh so well. And the percussion and tick tocks had us visualizing the clock hands' motion.

The "dark" atmosphere of the entire production remind us of a southern gothic novel. Move over Dan Tyminski!

Your writer's block brought forth an impressive return all the way around.

Excellent!

J&B

Thanks, ray!!!!




Appreciate that, Greg!!!

When I saw your song's title I had a different subject matter in mind!

Another perfect winner from Mr. Jane!

Loved it.

You know I love the song. Which part? ALL of it!

You have multiple hooks that work from the rhythm, note choices AND repetition. You don't have an earworm with this one, you have a damn earworm farm!

The big takeaway I'm seeing, that I think is the coolest thing ever, is how this song is so relatable for so many.

To me there are two kinds of great lyric writers...
1-Those who can write a GREAT story that you get to witness in a song. There's emotional power in that.
2-Those who write a specifically generic song so that others say "that's me." To clarify, "generic" doesn't mean it doesn't have a subject, it's just more open to include the listener to the point of them feeling it for themselves. That this IS them. There's obviously emotional power in this as well. Just in a different way.

It had a little bit of that "Your Song" concept to me. Just the song about a song concept. I've always like that song an awful lot as well. You took in a different direction and every bit as great. You 100% nailed it with this one my friend. I appreciate you sharing this!

Hey Floyd, Chicago did the same thing with 25 or 6 to 4! Write about the block if nothing else is happening! Somehow I feel that you'll get on a roll again pretty soon! The song sounds really good as always! Those bass slides? really work with vocal part matching it! Take care, Torrey

floyd

Got a bit of writers block in stating the superlatives about your song.

Really good...top notch etc. Deserves all the wonderful accolades it has received.

Great vocal and a superb production.

If Dave is reading this - the guitar at 2.05 sounds like the song Simple Man.

Almost posted our song called "Wasted" - might do so soon - slightly different type of wasted however.

Peter

Thanks, TM. Keep it going...



LOREN - thanks for stopping in for a listen....

What a lovely song Floyd. So different. So many twists and turns in the song. The backtracks very cool. Super vocal and loved your effects and mixing. Well done

Actually Floyd you may have a bit of a problem. You have written so many really good songs it is most likely easy to get stuck and wonder "how am I going to top that"

I think you get better with every new song you write and this one is no exception.

You have become very professional at all this. When I listen to your stuff it is like listening to other icons of the music world. Good as anyone out there.

Some of this will be around long after you are gone.

Best wishes,

Billy

Hi Floyd,

What days have you wasted?
All these days you have in mind were needed to make good songs. And that is what you did again with this beautiful song!
Very good, interesting effects you used too and a nice finale.

I read a lot of the posting collegues mentioned that 'wasted' time of yours. Of course, because you created an open goal for this.
But have more of those days to enjoy us...

Regards,
Hans

jpt3 - thanks!!




Thanks, David. I listened to that spot (2:42) a number of times and quite sure what you are referring to...I don't hear any particularly over-processed clap at that point, though there is an addition percussion loop added in at that point, so perhaps it is simply a case of too-much-busy-loopy-drum thing happening (?) - I can see (hear) an argument for that....

Dave - thanks for the great review. Really appreciate that....
I imagine Brent has a bit of Skynrd buried in his guitar psyche. I set up the RT so that it plays at a much slower speed than it was probably intended in its original form....

Dear floyd,

No day is ever, ever wasted, I personally believe. Sometimes, one has to rest to come back better, no? Se reculer pour mieux sauter, as the French say ...

The song ... Pianobilly said it best: you get better with each song you write. Modern sound coupled with your trademark storytelling style and wisdom-filled voice. Those drums in the background ... perfect. Harmonies: wonderful. Arrangement: well thought out, progressing from simple to more complex. Note repetition in the vocals in the chorus: inspired and modern-sounding. The song is SO relaxing, too ... it's so easy to just listen and forget about everything else - the mark of something truly well done.

In short: you're nothing short of a genius, it's a privilege to listen to you sing your creations. Blocks are irrelevant with you, it seems - carry on creating, thanks for sharing your creations with us. Such a joy to hear.

Ok, so *that's* how you got Brent to play slow! Sounds great, fits the song perfectly.

Really appreciate all of that, Marty...




Thanks, om....




Thanks, Charlie...

Thanks, moto....




Thanks, ed...




the most meaningful musings I can muster momentarily...in a modern mold...maybe mundane ministrations, mostly my mental manipulations...

Floyd,

Great stuff, as always. Can totally sympathize with the writer’s block, but you’ve come back strong with this piece. Really creative arrangement (particularly like the “can’t get em back” quick repeats--catchy). Great choices on the harmonies as well, accentuating the song in all the right spots. Terrific solo! Very nicely done.

All my best to you,

Deej

Thanks, Nigel.




Good to see you guys back. Hope to see some new songs from y'all soon...

Definitely a song many of us can relate to, thoughts locked so many times. Interesting combination of instruments, sounds maybe too modern, but that might be because it is mixed so well. I like especially the basses, good use of loops.

Janne

Thanks for the great review! It is interesting how many of the artists I am listening to these days seem like they used the Tyminski album as a reference or jumping-off-point...




Mario - are you sure that it is NOT about that "different subject matter"???...

...and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this!!! I always SO enjoy your reviews!!

Thanks, Torrey.







Thanks, Peter. Looking forward to hearing your Wasted!!!
(as I mentioned to Mario - there may be more meaning there than folks think)

Thanks, Scott. I appreciate all of the nice comments...

Billy - thanks for the terrific review and comments. Coming from someone with your experience, that means a lot...

Remarkable!

I've got the headphones on.

I see you broke that block. Good lyrics. I like your rhymes, which aren't forced, especially the undetected/defected lines.

Quality production. Sounds modern, at least what is modern to me.

Love this tune. New favorite.

Man,
Your stuff is IMHO the most well written and well crafted I’ve heard in here.
My opinion doesn’t matter too much as I’m an amateur noob at this..
But your stuff is setting the bar as what I would like to be able to do with BIAB and the reason I invested in it (along with a ton of other studio crap lol).
I’m also in Florida (Fort Myers) and if you wouldn’t mind might be sending you some stuff for feedback.
Again, thanks for your work.
Steve

Thanks, Hans.




James - thanks for all the great comments!...





A "trick" that folks might not know about. If you set an RT to Half-Time, you can use RTs that are recorded at a slow bpm in a fast-bpm song. Typically you want to use an RT that plays at half the bpm of your song....meaning that if your song is at 120 bpm, you can use RTs that are recorded at 60 bpm (and they sound "natural"). The slower bpm soloists (60, for example) are always less-notes-more-relaxed playing than the 120 soloists play. In this case I used a soloist that was recorded at 55 bpm (set to Half-Time). So that will work well in a song at 110 bpm. In this case, the song was actually at 85 bpm, so that 55 bpm solo is even SLOWER than the original source. In some cases, that might be stretching too much, but there did not seem to be any artifacts (evident ones, anyway)... so I got a very expressive solo from Brent...

Thanks, Deej!!




Thanks, Janne. This was intended to "sound modern", so I'm not sure how it could be "too modern".
Always appreciate having you stop by for a listen.

FJ,
sorry, late for the party. I jumped into listening and only half way through, started to read notes. First thing first. Excellent tune and subject matter. Well performed and arranged. Production is PRO. Good one.

I can relate to your message as I am fighting the writers brick/block most of the time... as the only way I can do music things are within small windows of free time, which is almost always a compromise with creative process.

Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

Thanks, BT!!!




Thanks, ES!!!

Steve - That is, certainly, very nice of you to say. I appreciate it.
Feel free to contact me at (put this back together):
floyd
@
floydjane
.
com


No guarantees, but I'll help if I can...






Misha - Thanks! Since this one was as much about the production as it was about "the song", I do appreciate the "PRO" label that used regarding the production... Your productions are some of THE most interesting on these forum - so coming from you that means a lot... Thanks!!

This is exquisite.

That Ample Guitar is most excellent. Really enjoyed this.


Regards,

Lefty

As been said Good effort !!.

Writers Block !! .

Did you miss a week ?.



Thanks

Bob - Always great to see you show back up. You kind of dug this one up from the pile.
Have to say, I'm a little surprised that this would appeal to you (pleased, though).

The Ample Martin is a truly amazing acoustic guitar VST. And this is just the free/lite version - which has limitations. I may buy the full version when AmpleSound has their "winter" sale. They have a banjo that I am definitely getting. I just bought the NI Picked Acoustic (50% off). It's a pretty sweet sounding acoustic, too!!






Ok !! ?.