I'm the Decider (the Good Old Days) Most of the songs on my album are blatantly political, so to avoid ruffling feathers, I’m not planning to post them here. This song is also political, but it’s much older, so hopefully not as likely to rile anybody up.
I originally wrote this song in 2007, back before BiaB had RealTracks. In 2019, I rejiggered the lyrics and updated the song using two different RealTracks Ska styles. I rendered both of them out and combined selected tracks in Logic Pro. Rather than go to the trouble of setting up my good mic, I recorded the vocals with a Shure mic I keep mounted next to my computer monitor. It gave quite a different character to the vocals.
Style is _RUDEBOY.STY
RealTracks in style: 3486:Bass, Electric, SkaClassicAB Ev16 100
RealTracks in style: 1155:Organ, B3, Rhythm Reggae Ev16 100
RealTracks in style: 3492:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SkaSlow Ev16 100
RealDrums in Style: SkaSlow70sWesPerc^2-a:Sidestick , b:Hat, Busy Snare
Style is _RUDEGRL.STY
RealTracks in style: 1156:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm Reggae Ev16 100
RealTracks in style: 3492:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm SkaSlow Ev16 100
The horn section comes from Punk N Ska sample pack by wesoundhuman.com
Mixed in Logic Pro
FX:
Vocals: Logic Compressor and Channel EQ, PSP Easy Verb, medium plate preset
BG Vocal: Kind of threw the kitchen sink at this - Compressor, Channel EQ, Waves Butch Vig Vocals, NI Replika, PSP Easy Verb and Autotune.
Bass, Guitars, Piano and drums - Logic Compressor
Organ and horns - Logic Compressor and Channel EQ
Ran entire mix through PSP EasyVerb and Mastered in Ozone 8
No pitch correction on main vocal. I used Auto tune to lower BG vocals an octave.
Lyrics:
Look at me, if ignorance is bliss
I'm the standard test.
When Christ talks to you, what wrong can you do?
If you're a bit reckless
No one's ever called me the great communicator
But look now who's an insider
I make the decisions I don't care if they're wrong
‘Cause I'm the decider
As long as I am resolute
Faith based government
Everything I say is wrong
Everything I do is wrong
But God is on my side
Informed decision, you won't get from me
I go with my gut
Loyalty trumps failure in my administration
Even the ones who suck
Got people to tell me what to do and to say
But not a puppet on a string
Competent, incompetent, what do I care
The big guy's on my team
In other words...(chorus)
I'm the decider (He's the decider)
I'm the decider (He's the decider)
Decision maker, problem solver
That's not my game
I'm the decider
They call me a cowboy, there's nothing wrong with that
As long as you're not gay (Don't ask, don't tell)
Enemies of freedom are easily emboldened
So do what I say
Wish my words didn't sound quite so idiotic
I need a great scriptwriter
I make the decisions so what if they're wrong
‘Cause I'm the decider