Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#606145 07/12/20 06:14 AM
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Keeping You Afloat

This time I'm trying something completely different style from usual... Sometimes source for the inspiration is just a tiny image from a dream, in this case a look of a drunken person and then a thought that what if that look would belong to your special one and you couldn't change it anymore. I wrote this several years ago, now I finally managed to translate it. The translation was quite challenging, but yet very enjoyable process, because I found many times new ideas to smoothen the flow of words.

I hope you enjoy the song despite the dark lyrics. Some have said that there is a strong contrast between the light music and tough lyrics, although to me the music is also quite dark. One commentator has said that he has been there personally... I hope that's not the case with any of you, although it's rewarding to hear that I have written something that people can relate to.

RealDrums: BodhranCelticJig, GypsyJazzSw

RealTracks:

Nylon guitar #2714
Electric guitar #968
Acoustic guitar #1210
Organ #1467
Acoustic bass #1385
Acoustic piano #2733

Vocals by me

Mixed in Adobe Audition 2020.

Lyrics:

I'm too understanding to withhold from you
what you are thirsting for
I'm standing still by your side
when you founder
beyond employment's shore.

They fill every yard bench in the morning
I still regard them with disdain
when you found new fellowship among them
I begged you to come home but it was vain.

I'm keeping you afloat
because I have vowed
in sickness and in health
to share with you life's rocky boat.
You're my anchor, my lead
that will drag me into your deep
if I don't have strength
to be the spouse in your need.

You lived like a whirlwind to experience
all that life could ever gush
you couldn't be a passerby
when days were numbered and
time flew in a rush.

Drunken empty look has given up now
once I was love-struck by its drive
now you have exhausted all your fire
and my energy to help you to revive.

I'm keeping you afloat...

I'm keeping you afloat...

--------
Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,024
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 6,024
Janne,
Interesting, I assume, supportive tune?
I thought this was pretty neat:
"You're my anchor, my lead
that will drag me into your deep"
Musical bed work well with it. Thank you for sharing.

P.S. I do not know why, but for some reason I thought that Finland had very strict alcohol laws... Maybe that was couple of decades ago?

Misha.

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,116
Nicely done! I thought the chord changes did a good job supporting the lyric, and the enjoyed the lyrics.

I'd use "in" in this line:

I begged you to come home but it was in vain.

despite what the dictionary says. wink

Glad you managed to translate this!


-- 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: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 708
Hi Janne
While thankfully I've no first hand experience, I know friends and family who've been in relationships with people suffering from an addiction. It's incredibly difficult. I like the musical style you've used for this one. (And while I appreciate all the work that goes into making a translation, personally I'd rather like to hear your Finnish version.)
Regards,
Leon

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,520
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,520
Really good vocal performance, and, as I've said elsewhere, I think it's interesting to see the word-chains that come from a person who is not a primary English speaker--you give us combinations and word choices that probably a native speaker wouldn't even think of--that's creativity!

Would love to see the chord chart for your chorus--lots of interesting changes there!

And that "wandering" solo, and slightly dark terminal chord--like a dissolute person walking wobbly away from you!!

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,712
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 14,712
That's a fine tune Janne.

A sad and thought provoking lyric delivered with a good vocal.

The jazzy arrangement was initially a surprise but we think it
was a good choice. It works well.

Well done!

J&B


You can listen to our catalog on Apple Music or Spotify by searching on Janice Merritt
Our Videos are here on our website
User Showcase
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,175
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,175
Yes, that jazzy bed was a surprise, and I agree that it was dark like the lyrics. I like the description you shared for your inspiration process. Good work all the way around with this one.


Windows 10, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 6i6, Komplete keyboard, Sony Acid Music Studio 11, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted By: Rustyspoon#
Janne,
Interesting, I assume, supportive tune?
I thought this was pretty neat:
"You're my anchor, my lead
that will drag me into your deep"
Musical bed work well with it. Thank you for sharing.
P.S. I do not know why, but for some reason I thought that Finland had very strict alcohol laws... Maybe that was couple of decades ago?
Misha.


Thanks Misha for your positive comment smile

Sure the alcohol laws used to be very strict here before the 80's, but they have been liberated, some strange restrictions still (like you cannot buy alcohol in a shop between 9pm-9am).

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted By: dcuny
Nicely done! I thought the chord changes did a good job supporting the lyric, and the enjoyed the lyrics.

I'd use "in" in this line:

I begged you to come home but it was in vain.

despite what the dictionary says. wink

Glad you managed to translate this!


Thanks David for your kind feedback, always pleasure to hear that my chord changes work smile I had 'in vain' there at some point, but it didn't fit the melody line, so I tried to express the idea differently, but obviously not smoothly. But thanks for pointing me out and giving me a reason to revisit that part, although I just can't add 'in' there, would break the melody flow, so I have to remove other words to make room for it... now I have come up with another line: I begged you to come back home but in vain. Hope that sounds better smile

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,742
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 7,742
Excellent tune. Loved the guitar strumming. Super vocal and lyric. Well dine


Scott Collingwood
https://soundcloud.com/scottt709
https://soundcloud.com/spiritlevel-ca
https://www.youtube.com/@SpiritLevel-ge3hm/
User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,403
Hi Janne,

To me you succeeded with your experiment of the song, instruments and, partly, the vocals. Why partly? Because your way of singing is getting familiair for me. Wherever I hear it, in whatever song, I know this is Jannesan!
The recording is very clear. I like that. And the melody itself is pleasant listening to.
And have I mentioned the lyrics? I had to laugh how you got the idea for it. Very creative!

Liked it,
Hans


Hans Berkhout
(Birchwood)
https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130
User Showcase
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,603
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,603
Janne

Inventive and interesting chord progression. A complex piece of music well produced.

Well done.

Peter

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted By: Leon1
Hi Janne
While thankfully I've no first hand experience, I know friends and family who've been in relationships with people suffering from an addiction. It's incredibly difficult. I like the musical style you've used for this one. (And while I appreciate all the work that goes into making a translation, personally I'd rather like to hear your Finnish version.)
Regards,
Leon


Thanks Leon, I appreciate your nice comment smile Let's see, I may put the Finnish version also on SoundCloud one day.

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,994
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 2,994
I'm really taken in by the instrumental combinations and your arrangements. Piques my ears! Nicely done.

I like it when the mood of the music contrasts with the lyrical mood--it makes the lyrics stand out more when done well. Good work.

User Showcase
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,600
Veteran
Online Content
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6,600
Nice melody and arrangement.
I think the translation is very good but I can see that you had to bend some iron to make it happen.
Question...in the lines
"You're my anchor, my lead
that will drag me into your deep"
does lead refer to the heavy metal (Pb) or the guide to follow/control ( pronounced leed)?


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted By: Tano Music
Really good vocal performance, and, as I've said elsewhere, I think it's interesting to see the word-chains that come from a person who is not a primary English speaker--you give us combinations and word choices that probably a native speaker wouldn't even think of--that's creativity!

Would love to see the chord chart for your chorus--lots of interesting changes there!

And that "wandering" solo, and slightly dark terminal chord--like a dissolute person walking wobbly away from you!!


Thanks for your encouraging feedback smile Yeah, strange combination of words can be called creativity, but does it sound good, that's another question wink

The chorus chord chart looks like this:
Bm | A#+ | F#m/A | GMaj9 Gm9 | D/F# G#m7b5 | F#m/A Em/G | D | / / / F#7/A#!| Bm | F#m/A | Em69 | Ebm7b5 | Dm9 | CMaj7 | F#m7b5 | B7 |

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted By: Janice & Bud
That's a fine tune Janne.
A sad and thought provoking lyric delivered with a good vocal.
The jazzy arrangement was initially a surprise but we think it
was a good choice. It works well.
Well done!
J&B


Thanks Janice and Bud, I always appreciate your insightful feedback and no exception this time smile I'm glad you bought the jazzy approach smile

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

User Showcase
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
W
Expert
Offline
Expert
W
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,362
I wouldn't call the music dark... just deep. I like the tone and the atmosphere the whole track establish. Very well done, maestro!

Will

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,375
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5,375
Good song, Janne, I like the changes and also the arrangement.

I agree with Leon, I would also like to hear the finish version. Not that there is anything wrong with the English version mind you smile

Enjoyed!

User Showcase
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Veteran
OP Offline
Veteran
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,982
Originally Posted By: TuneMonger
Yes, that jazzy bed was a surprise, and I agree that it was dark like the lyrics. I like the description you shared for your inspiration process. Good work all the way around with this one.


Thanks TuneMonger for your kind words smile Glad you liked the description, I always enjoy when songwriters tell about their writing and inspiration process instead of just putting out a song without an explanation, it helps to create more personal bond with them.

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To
Page 1 of 2 1 2

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
Generate Lyrics for your Band-in-a-Box songs with LyricLab!

Need some lyrics to complete your Band-in-a-Box song? LyricLab is here to help!

LyricLab (by Joanne Cooper) is an AI-powered tool designed to quickly create lyrics and chords to fit your music. Just enter a rough idea of your lyrics, and let the AI bring them to life. Once you're happy with the results, simply import the LyricLab file into Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or newer. From there, you can pick your style and generate melodies to match your song’s chords!

Learn more about LyricLab here!

Watch the video.


Band-in-a-Box 2024 Italian for Mac is Here!

Ci siamo dati da fare e abbiamo aggiunto oltre 50 nuove funzionalità e una straordinaria raccolta di nuovi contenuti, tra cui 222 RealTracks, nuovi RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 3, Playable RealDrums Set 2, due nuovi set di "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 e altro ancora!

Tutti Pacchetti | Nuove Caratteristiche

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 German for Mac is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 für Mac Deutsch ist verfügbar!

Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK & 7, Xtra Styles PAK 17 & 18, und mehr!

Paket | Was ist Neu

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 French for Mac® is Here!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024 apporte plus de 50 fonctions nouvelles ainsi qu'une importante de contenus nouveaux à savoir : 222 RealTracks, des RealStyles nouveaux, des SuperTracks MIDI, des Etudes d'Instruments, des Prestations d'Artistes, des "Morceaux avec Choeurs", un Set 3 de Tracks Jouables, un Set 2 de RealDrums Jouables, deux nouveaux Sets de "RealDrums Stems", des Styles XPro PAK 6 & 7, des Xtra Styles PAK 17 & 18, et bien plus encore!

New! XPro Styles PAK 7 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

We've just released XPro Styles PAK 7 with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 50 RealTracks and RealDrums that are sure to delight!

With XPro Styles PAK 7 you can expect 25 rock & pop, 25 jazz, and 25 country styles, as well as 25 of this year's wildcard genre: Celtic!

Here's a small sampling of what XPro Styles PAK 7 has to offer: energetic rock jigs, New Orleans funk, lilting jazz waltzes, fast Celtic punk, uptempo train beats, gritty grunge, intense jazz rock, groovy EDM, soulful R&B, soft singer-songwriter pop, country blues rock, and many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 7 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box 2024® with XPro Styles PAK 7! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.

Watch the XPro Styles PAK 7 Overview & Styles Demos video.

XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2024 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Mac!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

New! Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box 2024 for Windows!

Xtra Styles PAK 18 for Band-in-a-Box version 2024 is here with 200 brand new styles to take for a spin!

Along with 50 new styles each for the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, we’ve put together a collection of styles using sounds from the SynthMaster plugin!

In this PAK you'll find: dubby reggae grooves, rootsy Americana, LA jazz pop, driving pop rock, mellow electronica, modern jazz fusion, spacey country ballads, Motown shuffles, energetic EDM, and plenty of synth heavy grooves! Xtra Style PAK 18 features these styles and many, many more!

Special Pricing! Until September 30, 2024, all the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 18 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea)! Expand your Band-in-a-Box 2024® library with Xtra Styles PAK 18! Order now!

Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 18 here.

Watch the Xtra Styles PAK 18 Overview & Styles Demos video.

Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 18 requires the 2024 UltraPAK/UltraPAK+/Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.

Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics82,911
Posts753,159
Members39,028
Most Online3,932
Nov 19th, 2024
Newest Members
Jean-Laurent, dongordo, xaos, sfloyd, Jack Peterson
39,027 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 156
DC Ron 102
jpettit 95
DrDan 88
rsdean 82
dcuny 81
Today's Birthdays
alvaro clemente1, mhill, Rick Hansen
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5