No One But Ourselves.

[SteveB]

This short hoofer is basically to test the onboard pick-up of the HB acoustic, and hear how it sounds coming back across the Web.

Result: it sounded lousy. Extremely discordant. 4 various acoustic guitars with pick-ups - all sound shit when recorded.


This will end up a campfire singalong with Beat Buddy or something.

Eventually recorded and cobbled-together 3/8 verses.
BR1200, Kontakt & Sonar used.




No One But Ourselves.

It seems like Time's been breaking-bread
With the End-of-the-World.
They've come to some solution, like:
'The Good Guy Gets The Girl'.
Forget our rough injustices
Forgive our selfish ends
For when we have all the world to dream of
We dream for no one but ourselves.

You could scour the largest mountain
Or you could sweep the ocean floor.
It's those little jobs which bring you back
To where you were before.
You could use a cosmic crystal ball
To see how the story trends.
And when we have all the world to dream of
We dream for no one but ourselves.

I wanted to Disneyfy the Project
I wanted to tickle those Florida keys.
But the schmaltzy-waltz became a sonic assault
And stamped down like a Cuban heel.
So we shall leave the rest to providence
'Cause sometimes words offend, for
When we have all the world to dream of
We dream for no one but ourselves.

[SteveB]

I apologise for this singular Bump, (no one has replied as yet), but for context, I've been having tests for memory-loss as well as physical ailments – which are now slightly described in the Book-Reading thread. And whilst I'm in the midst of these medical shenanigans, I remembered (which is a VERY good thing given my variable symptoms and sat in a hospital dept that treats Parkinson's disease), that the reference to 'Cuban Heel' in the lyric was sparked by a time many years ago when I helped to compile a crossword puzzle for our local 'Free Sheet'. One of the better clues I had accepted was: Havana Low-life (5, 4.). Best wishes, All. 

[OdilonGreen]

The first two lines of lyrics are so evocative, I would've had an overall positive response to this song even if it went nowhere after that. But there's so much more to it as well; the lyrics throughout are really interesting, and I quite like he charmingly laid back guitar work and the wistful tone to the vocals.

Also, I appreciate that you're not getting the guitar tone you wanted, and know how frustrating that can be, but it sounded fine to me and certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment at all.

[TPB]

aacoustic tone for me are always hit or miss this sounds good in my head phones
Tim

[StephenM]

maybe you don't like the guitar sound but I love it... and to be fair all plugged in acoustic guitars never can or will sound like a truly acoustic guitar.  If you want that you got to mic it.  For me though a plugged in acoustic can sound good... I don't know if you used any eq or anything but I like what happened here.

sorry to hear about your medical issues... those are scary things... my thoughts and prayers are with you on that.  time is no respecter of persons.

for me I like the guitar sound the best of everything in the song.  you could easily take just the guitar and do a hundred great songs with it... and I am not saying this isn't a great song... I haven't bonded with it yet... and for me that might take at least 15 listens..
the lyrics and singing for me on this kind of defy the guitar... but I don't know anything so don't take my word for that.

I was happy to see your name pop up with a new song though...

looking at the lyrics I get some of the conclusions here... good guys lose and being a decent human gets you nowhere... kind of thing not sure if I am right but what it seems like to me.  I do like the lyrics... they are deep actually and very reflective if not a bit of self pity too... and I am a fan of those things.  However it is bigger than that as it is as if the author pity's the human race for the pathetic things that we can be and indeed are.

I might be trying to reach too deep here but I think there is alot of frustration and even a bit of angst in the lyrics... so that is powerful.. almost like the vocal delivery is a nice person saying "we are all fucked up"... I kind of dig that.

I am continually going back to the basics of my life... being grateful to each human who does anything for me whether it be making me a hamburger at McDonalds to sweeping a floor at the local Y to doctors working hard to try and help us be better when sick.  I also attempt to bring good things to others.  I think the colder the world gets the hotter we must become... and love conquers evil. 

sorry if I went to far... it is a real nice song.. I just did listen 3 times...
pulling for your best outcome Steve

[SteveB]

I didn't want to but-in with 'Thanks/Replies' and stuff, but I had a chance to get on here this evening and look around (couple of wonderful song uploads by the way), and I wanted to thank people and clear up some PM's concerns about health etc – yep, it's a health thing and these things happen, but at the mo I'm fine. Thanks for the comments on this song, and I really have to single out StevieM among others. Your replies, Steve, I've noticed, seem to have an erudite and incisive strobe to them, a depth beyond the perfunctory, and a searching yearn for understanding culminating in your deep sense of worth for the person behind the product. It's a real pity that Humanity doesn't have more of you! Thank you.
OdilonGreen & TPB, I've mentioned elsewhere that it is SC Members such as yourselves that are the lifeblood of this small, encouraging community. Please continue your input. 

[DarrenG / The Devil's Toupee]

Nice song Steve, I think the guitars sound ok to me. Sorry to hear about your health issues. That catchy bass note melody reminds me of Mull of kintyre a bit. The lyrics are really nicely written and thought provoking too.

[Farrell Jackson]

I'm on my fourth listen and I find no fault with the acoustic guitars plugged in tone at all. The words are very thoughtful without the need for rhyming. My favorite lines are "I wanted to Disneyfy the Project
I wanted to tickle those Florida keys." I like how you doubled the vocal on the last two lines on each verse (Chorus). Good vocals and melody Steve! I wish you well with your health issues and hope for a successful outcome. Getting old sux for sure.