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This lyric first came to me a few days ago while I was driving back from town. Genre is probably country crossover.
What do you think?
Comments appreciated as always.
Vic

Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold/im-no-quitter

Soundclick http://sclk.co/s7nnii

I'm No Quitter © Vic Arnold 2014

I may be sort of reckless. A little too bold
I always never do what I'm told
I do with my life what I like to do the most
and most of my life I just love to coast

I may be steady but I'm no big hitter
You're hard to catch babe but I'm no quitter

I run this race with a good head start
One step ahead of a lonely heart
You come up fast as a rabbit on that outside lane
Seems I'm riding a horse and you're flying a plane

I may lose this time but I won't be bitter
Third time unlucky but I'm no quitter

Inst.

I'll won't ask the referee to have a word with you
I'm playing by the rules but there's more to do
Gonna take a good while but I'm sure to find a way
This is a game that only two can play

I may be steady but I'm no big hitter
You're hard to catch babe but I'm no quitter

I may lose this time but I won't be bitter
Third time unlucky but I'm no quitter

i'm likin' this one Vic!I hope he gets the girl.Mike

Like it, Vic. Catchy melody

Bill

Hi... New guy here, jumpin' in the fray:

Sounds mostly traditional Country until the electric guitar comes along, which I like but wonder if he oughta stay - back off, but still in the mix after that entrance.
Solid message kinda song, sung like Marty Robbins I guess. Like the fiddle.

Vic,

Really enjoyed that. Maybe my favorite of yours...

Really nice production on this! (I like Daniel's suggestion of keeping that guitar in the background of the mix after the solo - somehow...playing casual and easy...)

Good job!

floyd

this is well thought out, a good hook with the title and the way it's sung. the only thing that seemed to stick out for me was the horse and plane line.....that seemed forced, but that's an easy fix with a little simmering.

classic case of sounding familiar, but I couldn't tell you what was familiar about it.......well done, as usual.

Mike.
I do try.
Thanks for the comment.
Vic

Thank you Bill.
You took away my doubts.
Vic

Hi Vic!

I'm really digging this one a lot. Feels sort of Dylan/Eagles to me. It feels country/rock to me. This song has a very good melody that stays with you. I really like the bass track as well. Good performance, nice arrangement here, congrats!

steady-eddie.

Hi Daniel and welcome.
Thank you for that.
I'm still thinking on that. Maybe too much going on there as that's where the piano comes in too.
Also the whole guitar may be out of place, not sure.
Vic

Hi Vic , I really enjoyed the listening and your way of telling a story .
Keep up the good work !!
All the best
Jan

Vic--

This is a one of my favorite songs from you. I'll agree on the plane couplet!

I think lots of folks can identify with this story: WIN, LOSE, OR DRAW!

Keep up the good work!

Mackie

well it does seem to change from old country to Eagles with that electric guitar, so if it's entered the fray the song needs keep some of that new vibe, having upped the ante. Otherwise, cleaner guitar - or maybe a fiddle solo?

Another winner, Vic....as always, good, good stuff!!
-Tom

I just got done listening to this one and Johnny Cash.I agree with everyone else very nice job on this one.I think my favorite of yours is still Johnny Cash just because it is so damn cool..

Thanks Floyd.
Still trying out things on it.
Vic

Hi Mac.
Thanks for listening.
Not sure what to change that line to.
Maybe:
"Like I'm riding a truck and you're flying a plane".
The thing is it has to be related to the rest of the verse and the race idea.
Vic

Hi Vic:

This one does it all for me and has too many good lines for me to highlight. I can think of at least a dozen male country artists who could chart with this. Best of luck with it. I really enjoyed it.

Dave

Hi Eddie.
I did get Dylan in my mind while I was arranging the music so probably influenced it at that time. Later it reminded me in some ways of "She belongs to me".
Thank you for listening.
Vic

Thanks Jan.
I do like a story.
Vic

Thank you Mackie.
I'm thinking on that line.
"Like I'm on a bus and you're on a plane" may sound better.

Vic

Daniel, thanks again.
I thought I may change it to a piano solo as the piano is already there.
Vic

I like the non-chalant setup, wasn't sure where you were going initially, but it made it.

You have an honest delivery, and this is an interesting song.

Kind of Dylanesque, and yep Warren Zevon!

P.S. the guitar solo might be a smidge too loud, but it dont bother me terribly either.

Good one Vic. I like the horse/plane line as it stands.

The electric guitar tone is similar to what is heard in modern country all the time.....I wonder if there should be a bit of the electric in the intro just to establish that it exists, and then drop it out until the solo. That way it's not a shock when it reappears.

Good lyrics and vocal as usual.

Colin

Thank you, Tom.
I'm glad you liked it.
Vic

Hi Vic,

Very nicely done as always.
I'm never disappointed in your performance.
The electric guitar sounds really nice to me.

Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Hi Jimmy.
Thanks for listening. Johnny Cash lives!
Vic

Thank you Dave.
Send their names and numbers please.
Vic

Thanks Bugsey.

I'm glad I got there in the end. :-)
Ahh! Warren Zevon. I accept.

Vic

Hey Vic,

I enjoyed it. Great lyric. I second the Zevon nod. It immediately reminded me of Zevon's later stuff ... Keep Me in Your Heart comes to mind ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMTKb-pgxGI

You have a really good tune here. Congrats on a wonderful write.

Dave

Hi Colin.
Now I'm confused. I couldn't see anything wrong with that line either until three folks mentioned it.
I was going to change it to "like I'm driving a truck and you're flying a plane" but now I'm not sure.
Re the guitar, I wanted to keep the start simple and build it up along the way.
Thanks for giving it a listen and for you're suggs.
Vic

Of course, your Johnny Cash man-in-black feel is spot on whether you like it or not ha! LOVE the feel of this but I had a few problems with it:

~ There seems to be the same amount of music instrumental after each line, every line, and that's ok, but maybe a steel guitar or little fill to fill the space, or make line 2 into 3 a bit quicker.

~ The 'chorus' does the same thing and you really need to differentiate that from the verses, even if the verses stay as is.

~ I needed more from the chorus...more oomph. It feels like a pre to me Vic. I've heard you elevate choruses before so I know it can be done. It was so short, like an afterthought.

Honestly too bad because the feel of the song is so good, and that's half the battle.

Zeek

Vic,

Initially sounds like a sad song but this guy is really an eternal optimist...

"I may be steady but I'm no big hitter
You're hard to catch babe but I'm no quitter"

One of many great lines in this song. Nice write!

Tom

Hi Calvin.
Nice of you to visit.
Another vote for the guitar then.
Vic

Thanks Dave.
Very nice to hear your comment.
Vic

Good song Vic all round enjoyed the listen, best of luck with it
Travis

Zeek.
Something maybe I should tell you.
When I was in one of my early pro bands about the age of 18 or 19, I used to call myself "Zeke". Never thought I'd find another one even if it was spelled different.
Thanks for your input, I appreciate your knowledge on the production side. Actually there is no chorus, just a link between verses. The "oomph" I hope, is in the lyric.
Could be wrong though.

Thanks for taking the time.
Vic

yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Not every song is a top 40 pop song, not every song has a chorus at all. The structure of the song dictates what the song will be.

Sure, there could be a big chorus, but that would change the mood of the song.

Hi Vic,

how many hands do I need, to count the number of Dylan songs with an actual chorus, lol? For me anyway this is good just as it is. I do agree the guitar should be re-mixed a bit, but otherwise I like it. Nice work!

David

Tom.
That's very generous of you. I appreciate it.
Vic

Thank you Travis.
Pleased you enjoyed it.
Vic

I have to disagree with this. How many songs that you like, respect, can listen to even though they may not be your cup of tea, etc that do not have a chorus? It's the hook. It accentuates the verses. Who said anything about a big chorus? Even a change in chording and voice inflection for the 2 lines with the tag could serve as a chorus, but not as is, and it needs it. It's "pleasant" enough as is, but is that the goal?

Zeek

I love many songs with no chorus. Bob Dylan's Ballad in Plain D is one of my favorites, which is 8 minutes long, and no chorus.

It's true that I may not notice a song without one, but that is because it's being played with songs which do have one. I cant compare this to songs for the radio or songs looking to be marketed to other artists, I can only listen and see if I like it.

Im sure the average listener only hears hooks, but again, thats pop and hit radio.

This is not one of those songs, and it wasnt meant to be.

I know exactly what you mean, but sometimes people just write songs.

Vic,

I think it is wonderful all around friend...always happy to hear your voice, great write and music!

Tammy

Bugsey, thanks for that view. I think maybe sometimes a chorus is there just because "It is written that in a song thou shalt have a verse and then a chorus".

I've heard some choruses that drag a song down and you get the feeling they are just shoved in there as space fillers.
Vic

Thanks for listening, David.
One of my favourite un chorused songs is Dylan's "Not dark yet".
I never tire of listening to it.
Vic

Tammy my pal.
Thank you for the kind words.
Vic