Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108



Can't Put Down Roots in Sand
Words & Music by Mark Rhodes
26 August 2021

I was born
Miami, F-L-A
Where it's flat and straight
And iguanas play

Don't stand too close, I just might explode
Dying to drive on winding country roads
Wanna eat a peach from a roadside stand
You can't put down roots in sand

[CHORUS]
Where you're from---you had no say
Where you'll die—well that's another day
A man lives to turn his hand
You can't put down roots in sand.


I don't like the beach.
There, I said it out loud
It's just hot sand
And an oily crowd

That leather skin is a tragic look
Put me under an old shade tree with a book
Working my jawbone to some song by The Band
You can't put down roots in sand.

[CHORUS]

I don't know why
I want the things I do
But what I love
Is all I know of true

The question why makes no sense to me
I do the best I can and let it be
Good music is the promised land
You can't put down roots in sand

[CHORUS]


"If I knew where the good songs came from, I'd go there more often." Leonard Cohen
User Showcase
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,347
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,347
Hello Mark
Cool song
And just as cool sung ;-)
The background track is super successful
Also the sound is good
If you plan to improve this demo even more
this is already a very very good basis
Well done Mark
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,639
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 6,639
Hi, Mark.

Good write and production.

Tonally, it's wasn't quite angry, or bitter, or bitingly sarcastic. Sort of a middle-of-the-road song of dissatisfaction. laugh

Your explanation on YouTube of this being mostly allusions helped explain what the song was about, but I'm too lazy (and bad at remembering lyrics) to play that game. frown

I enjoyed listening!


-- 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: Mar 2012
Posts: 187
A
Apprentice
Offline
Apprentice
A
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 187
I think the mix is really good for a demo! I like arrangement and singing style. Maybe a solo or something in the later part of the song for some variation could be a good idea since it's is almost five minutes?

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,253
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,253
The vocals remind me of Richard Hell around the 1st Voidoids album...but with a slower song obviously.
The lyrics have some funny parts. I struggled to find the link between the hook and the rest though.
I assume the main rhythm guitar is you but can't tell. It's solid.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 1,749
Nice write.

Has potential.

moto

User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108
Originally Posted By: rayc
The vocals remind me of Richard Hell around the 1st Voidoids album...but with a slower song obviously.
The lyrics have some funny parts. I struggled to find the link between the hook and the rest though.
I assume the main rhythm guitar is you but can't tell. It's solid.


Thanks.
The main rhythm guitar is me.
Hadn't thought of Richard Hell in 40 years. My older brother was a big fan.

Perhaps the lyrics make less sense to others than to me. It wouldn't be the first time! ;o)


"If I knew where the good songs came from, I'd go there more often." Leonard Cohen
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108
Originally Posted By: Alexander Paul
I think the mix is really good for a demo! I like arrangement and singing style. Maybe a solo or something in the later part of the song for some variation could be a good idea since it's is almost five minutes?


I thought about adding a solo but it's already nearly 5 minutes long---I didn't want to make it any longer.

Though perhaps I could cut a verse. Something to think about. Thanks for listening!


"If I knew where the good songs came from, I'd go there more often." Leonard Cohen
User Showcase
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 108
Originally Posted By: PROJECT M
Hello Mark
Cool song
And just as cool sung ;-)
The background track is super successful
Also the sound is good
If you plan to improve this demo even more
this is already a very very good basis
Well done Mark
Many greetings
Andi ;-)


Thank you!


"If I knew where the good songs came from, I'd go there more often." Leonard Cohen
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,797
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,797
Mark, this is a super demo. The backing tracks and your guitar are spot on. Your vocal was good. However those lyrics are fantastic! I wish I could write lyrics like that. They took it over the top for me.

super demo


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
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

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
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!

Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!

Learn more about this free update for PowerTracks Pro Audio & download it at www.pgmusic.com/support_windows_pt.htm#2024_5

The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!

The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!

Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.

This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245

The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option

Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!

Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!

For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.

Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.

Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!

Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.

Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!

Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!

With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!

Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111

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."

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!

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,604
Posts735,001
Members38,512
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
BroDon, Xtian, michael07716, Ronsei, McYann
38,511 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 186
DC Ron 108
DrDan 77
dcuny 71
Today's Birthdays
DORUMALAIA, Rayblue69
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5