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#785486 11/30/23 12:30 PM
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Hi everyone,

It's a busy time on the forum! Many wonderful songs towards the end of the year!
And then I also come in with a song and a hopeful title: Make a difference https://on.soundcloud.com/yE5F7
However, the lyrics are both sad and not that hopefull at all. Sorry, but it must be my sunny nature playing with me...

I did an experiment with 3 different BiaB styles (Toss, Demure and Glass).
I found it difficult to mix all the different instruments and 5 drum kits. Before I knew it I was making mistakes where to place the instruments and so on.
But in the end, I think it all sounds good enough to let you listen to it for a final judgement. I hope that turns out well!

Let me know.
Hans

You can take a look at the styles for the used instruments. As an extra I used the drumkits ModCountry 16^02, FunkDisco and Funk70sPop.

The lyrics:
Make a difference
(c) HWBerkhout 2023

A young girl, big dreams in her head
Her mother so proud and smiling
Wrong people entered her life
Now her mom can't stop crying

A boy, with few expectations in life
His father loved to see him smiling
Bad friends changed it all
Now his parents are crying

Chorus
I thought we were more civilized
But I was wrong
I hoped we were no predators
But I believed in a lie
Do we want to make a difference
or let it be?

A young family, children on their lap
On a picture they were all smiling
Deep silence after he used his gun
Now no one there is crying

Chorus
I thought we were more social
But I was wrong
I hoped we were no predators
But I believed in a lie
Do we want to make a difference
or let it be?

=solo=

People are oppressed everywhere around
Even more dictators are now so proud of what they've done
Our environment in despair gives a lot of stress
So, we take a plane to the sun!

Chorus
I thought we were more human
But I was wrong
I hoped we were no predators
But I believed in a lie
I thought we were more social
But look at me; I cry
Do we want to make a difference, you and me?
or let it be?


Hans Berkhout
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Hans, nice tune! Great job putting the band together from the different styles, thought they worked perfectly. Really strong vocals, too. Y'know, this world isn't always a happy place, and I think it's ok to sing about the darker side. So big thumbs up from me!

Last edited by DC Ron; 11/30/23 04:58 PM.

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Hans,

Love the song. Great vocal and a really great mix.

You are in fine form!

Bob

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Oh, yeah, there is a ton of tracks in there for sure, but it sounds like you found them all the perfect place in the mix, Hans. Your sunny nature suits you, especially your vocals. Outstanding. Another well-crafted Hans song. Great presentaion, too.


Enjoy whatever happens!
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Hans, this sounds great.
This must have been a bear to mix however you did an excellent job on it.
Super vocal and lyrics.
"I thought we were more civilized
But I was wrong
I thought we were more social
But I was wrong
I thought we were more human
But I was wrong"

Those lines are so true!
Super song!


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Hi hans ...

Nice song, indeed! I like the treatment you gave the last word of each verse. It's nice to hear something we didn't expect. The chorus brings the the verses together very nicely. Your vocal is excellent! For a non-native speaker, your command of the English language is impressive!

I really enjoyed my listen!

Alan


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This is a really good song, Hans. Your vocals are spot on and the arrangement is really solid!
Well done.

Rob


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Great message. Thanks for posting.


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I like the tone of this Hans.
The lead solo sounds great too.
A lot of work here.

Vic

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I think it's a pretty good song.
The style changes are a bit unusual, but you make them work quite well and it keeps my attention.
I like your lyrics and the way you deliver them.


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Hans...you did a stellar job mixing different styles and their components...I too really liked the solo...lyrically very dark and I suppose ending with a question was the only way to go...maybe a verse or chorus about how to make a difference would brighten the mood? unless the answer is we can't make a difference?


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Hi Ron, Bob and Marty,

Thanks a lot for your comments on the song.
I really enjoyed reading them. Still have a smile on my face when writing my reply.

Originally Posted by DC Ron
Hans, nice tune! Great job putting the band together from the different styles, thought they worked perfectly. Really strong vocals, too. Y'know, this world isn't always a happy place, and I think it's ok to sing about the darker side. So big thumbs up from me!

Yes, it was a little more work than I expected. A lot of instruments and also interruptions ("Hans, you have to cook"! That kind of thing...). Than I had to start counting all over again.
The lyrics were easier, I already had the idea of what I wanted to sing more or less in my head.

Originally Posted by rsdean
Hans,
Love the song. Great vocal and a really great mix.
You are in fine form!
Bob

Thanks for the 'fine form' I'm in! I told it to my sons, but they had their doubts...

Originally Posted by BabuMusic
Oh, yeah, there is a ton of tracks in there for sure, but it sounds like you found them all the perfect place in the mix, Hans. Your sunny nature suits you, especially your vocals. Outstanding. Another well-crafted Hans song. Great presentaion, too.

My sunny nature is there when it comes to making music (and some other things), but when the lyrics come in, I often see clouds.
perhaps a good intentness for 2024?


Hans Berkhout
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Hans, I really like what you’ve done here. Clearly a lot of work has gone into this project. Your use of all the real tracks is excellent as well as your vocals. The lyrics are well written and the overall production is high quality. Good one, Tom

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Good write - not every song should be happy, especially when the topic isn't.


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Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?
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Hello Hans,

At first listen, I felt like I was listening to an unreleased song by John Lennon.
It's very pop and has a nice melody.
The vocals are also great.
Vocal reverb is also very effective.
Enjoyed my listen a lot.

Best regards.

Shigeki Adachi

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Hello Mario, Al, Rob (RnAM) and Gayle,

Thanks a lot for your comments on my song!
I was worried (a bit) it was too dark for this time of year. But I explained why I made and make those lyrics. Bad habit...

Originally Posted by MarioD
Hans, this sounds great.
This must have been a bear to mix however you did an excellent job on it.
Super vocal and lyrics.
"I thought we were more civilized
But I was wrong
I thought we were more social
But I was wrong
I thought we were more human
But I was wrong"

Those lines are so true!
Super song!

Hi Mario, thanks for all you wrote. Yes, it was some work to make it, but what I liked about it was that the tension could grew more with every chorus.
The instruments did a very good job on achieving that.
And so I could sing with more expression towards the end. That gave me a good feeling ;-)

Originally Posted by Al-David
Hi hans ...
Nice song, indeed! I like the treatment you gave the last word of each verse. It's nice to hear something we didn't expect. The chorus brings the the verses together very nicely. Your vocal is excellent! For a non-native speaker, your command of the English language is impressive!
I really enjoyed my listen!
Alan

Hello Al, yes that smiling/crying thing worked well in the verses. And I'm pleased with your comment on my use of the English language, as you said it.
It's always a challenge... But my family like my English songs more than my Dutch songs. Don't know why, but that's why I sing mostly in your language.

Originally Posted by RnAM
This is a really good song, Hans. Your vocals are spot on and the arrangement is really solid!
Well done.
Rob

Hoi Rob, dank je wel voor dit compliment van een zeer goed zanger! (Hi Rob, thank you for this compliment from a very good singer!)

Originally Posted by GayleS
Great message. Thanks for posting.

Hello Gayle, short but sweet! Thank you.


Hans Berkhout
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It's fine to showcase sad and less hopeful songs, I have quite a bunch of them ready (but I have to finish something more hopeful first...). The contrast between the title and the sad story is striking, but that's how it should be to be noticed, "I hoped we were no predators/But I believed in a lie"... I enjoyed the melody and the chorus is superb - the chord progression and your powerful voice give the lyrics big emotional lift.
Nice band once again, interesting changes from a style to another that work well.
I would add slightly more reverb on the solo guitar (in the middle, the intro is fine) to fit with the rest of the band.
You've written a strong song that doesn't pale in comparison to contemporary hits.

Janne


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Love the lyrics. I'm not an expert in this style of music, but you've done a tremendous job with it, I think. No need for "cheerfulness" all the time, of course ... this is excellent in its own right, and it's an honest write. Well done, I liked it a lot!

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Hans,
you're not wrong.
Fabulous song.
GOOD band.


Cheers
rayc
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Hi Hans,

I love the band that you've assembled for this. It's got a great sound.
You song is a terrific creation. The lyrics are very thought provoking.
Everything sits just right in the mix.
You've got my applause!
smile

Thanks for sharing.
--Noel


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