I didn't see it coming - IanR

[IanR]

Here's a new one by me called "I didn't see it coming".

Its about a "Nick Hornby - Hi Fidelity" situation.  Its not biographical.

I heard it in my head as a Billy Bragg song but when I recorded it the sound was more like me than Billy.  Funny that!

I tried a few different effects for the guitar before I settled on the twangster effect. I'm playing my el cheapo fender acoustic.   The bass is the acoustic through the bass crunch effect.

I've tried to do some vocal layering.  Its worked ok but in the end the main vocal is drowned out a bit.   I'm still learning when it comes to mastering.  I might go back and try to do it again but I worked on this song for a couple of weeks longer than I normally would and I just wanted to get it finished and move on.

I hope you like it.  My wife says its mournful.  I kind of hope so.

I didn't see it coming
© Ian Robertson 30 August 2011

She said she didn't want to ever see me again
She said she didn't want to offer to be friends
Whatever we had it was dead and gone
She looked me in the eye and called it an end

There was nothing about "it's not you, it's me"
There was nothing about "needing to be free"
All she wanted was a clean break
And could I please return her front door key

I, I didn't see it coming
It snuck right up and slapped me in the head
I, well I had no idea
I'd be doing it solo in our double bed

She took her favourite books and her CDs
She even took a loaf from the deepfreeze
Everything was done in an efficient way
To quickly get her life away from me

She drove off in her mini cooper s
Wearing her favourite TL Wood summer dress
All I had left were the flowers I had bought
(The day after her birthday)
And some empty drawers and some serious regrets

I, I didn't see it coming
It seemed she'd erased everything we'd shared
I, well I had no idea
That the promises we made could be undeclared

I, I didn't see it coming
I thought that we would settle down for life
I, well I had no idea
I'd be watching her reversing down my drive

[SwanSong]

hi Ian  what a terrific. song loved the harmonies of vocals
wonderful guitar sound..this song has a superb feel it
was well executed. meaningful lyrics.. thumbs up CHEERS NEIL!

[IanR]

Thanks Neil.

I was still getting the post right while you were listening.  That must be a world record.

Ian

[Tony W]

Delightful song Ian. I really liked the harmonies. The music was fabulous and so is your vox.

[Geir]

excellent

a fabulous song ian

[The Gobi Desert Canoe Club]

Hi Ian, it was time well spent, you've produced a well produced and excellently written and played song..........Willie

[Redler]

In my opinion, this is one of the best by you!! Very 60's wibe!! It's a classic! pie pod stuff...into the best of Songcrafters...

Kari

[Hook]

Well crafted tune, I dig it alot!
Rock on!

[IanR]

Thanks for the comments.

I wrote the words first for this one and I had a lot of trouble getting the music to fit.   I came up with the melodic riff early on and I tried lots of chord variations before I just settled on a 3 chord cycle: E D A E.   Then I mixed up the chords by adding sus 2 and sus 4 and a few 6ths and things.   It almost sounds like I know what I'm doing.

I also used Audacity to chop off the noise in the front before the song starts and to do the fade out.  I am going to train myself to use Audacity to mix a song.  I may redo this song I think.

Anyway, thanks  for the encouragement

Ian