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Hi, it's been a long time since I posted anything on here. This is my covid-19 inspired song - hope you enjoy Nigel Whatever 'These Days' Means These Days on YouTube Written by Nigel Quin © 2020I went to the shop, there was quite a long queue Wondered to myself what am I gonna do Then a guy walked past and saw the look on my face He said “That’s how it is brother, these days” Whatever ‘these days’ means these days Whatever ‘these days’ means these days Saw a man with a mask and angry point of view A woman with a buggy just trying to make it through People getting edgy ‘cause they want their own space I guess that’s how it is now, these days Now go and wash your hands And go and wash your heart Take a good look at the world Why not make a clean start? Clap for the nurses and people who clean Clap for the workers and clap for The Queen Keep trying hard, just sticking with the pace We all need a new way, these days It’s no good me doing things by the book Lockdown haircut, my new look Here’s to the future of the human race Even I got a new plan, these days
Last edited by Nigel Quin; 05/26/20 11:35 AM.
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Nigel, I rarely critique but here goes.
The first vs is about a guy who goes to a shop with a long line. That could be about anything at any time. I read your intro but without it, the vs is vague and, I hate to say it, it's not a grabber. And I'm not sure what the chorus means.
The 2nd vs is the same. An angry guy with a mask? Is he a thief? People want their own space? In lockdown, we've got plenty of personal space. Crowds are filling beaches over here. People want human contact.
What is this song about? Think of a relatable hook, then write TO that hook in the vss and, if there's a bridge, add a new thought that sums up the song.
If you make a video to accompany your song, the video can supply all the details (making the song irrelevant). If not, you have to write a coherent song. And even then, you don't want it to be dated two hours after you write it.
Last edited by couchgrouch; 05/26/20 02:29 PM.
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He was trying to write to the hook, it's just the hook doesn't mean anything, it's just a nice play on words. Sounded good so he went with it
I can surmise it's a passive thought that you sputter out when frustrated about what's happening, like "whatever that means", so the guy in the verses says that's how it is these days, but the singer kind of adds to it, by saying whatever these days means, which kind of belittles what the guy in the verses said.
No it doesn't make sense. It's a nice little melodic hook though.although often times in rock, the hook doesn't support the lyrics, doesn't necessarily make it wrong or bad
Couch, I think the days of critiques are gone for many folk. Consider the age of people and what their ambitions are. I will critique certain people if I feel I can possibly steer them the right way, and it seems they are close. Not that I know anything but I take serious, seriously.
You don't seem to critique people for being.......pretty good, and a bit of advice could go a long way, you seem to harp on the glaringly obvious.
Most people are mediocre, let's work with that and try to stretch a double into a triple.
And there's no harm saying something is pretty good, pretty good is...pretty good.
But I don't think you're going to see what these sites used to be any more
As for whatever these days means these days, changing it to whatever THOSE days means these days, would inspire thought and could be made into a coherent lyric.
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 05/26/20 05:28 PM.
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Gone? Look back twenty years. They were never here.
What I said was true. Without the intro, I wouldn't know what this was about. That's fine with Tom Waits but the imagery here doesn't support the lyric on its own. It needs a rewrite to be a viable song.
I suspect this topic will now become about my critique. Too bad.
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Not arguing you said anything incorrect.
I've seen you praise some lyrics written by people nobody knows and tell them they're great. And they werent.
I'll give you some credit, you don't kiss butt to get your own butt kissed, which is so obvious here, so badly overdone, that I wouldn't trust a critique from them. Everybody can't be great
But you do have to consider what the point of your critique is and who it serves.
Last edited by Fdemetrio; 05/26/20 06:20 PM.
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Nigel,
I like the song generally; the melody in particular. And there are some nice touches throughout production wise (like that lead solo, the change in pace in the bridge, and those clap effects in the latter third of the song). And the vocal fits nicely with the tune. There's a catchy, light-hearted element to what you’ve crafted that adds some levity into our current situation.
Lyrically, Coughgrouch makes a fair point. Since you are using the phrase “these days”, for that hook to work and really resonate, perhaps it would help to be more specific as to what’s unique “these days”. There’s a lot of generality that could apply to other situations and times. And while “saw a man with a mask” and “wash your hands” will resonate on their own today, it may (and hopefully will) be more vague down the road. So, something to consider if you are thinking of revisiting the tune.
It's a fun listen, notwithstanding, and I enjoyed it— If you tinker with it more, I’d love to hear the revision.
Thanks for offering it up and welcome back!!
Best regards,
Deej
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The first vs is about a guy who goes to a shop with a long line. That could be about anything at any time. I read your intro but without it, the vs is vague and, I hate to say it, it's not a grabber. And I'm not sure what the chorus means.
The 2nd vs is the same. An angry guy with a mask? Is he a thief? People want their own space? In lockdown, we've got plenty of personal space. Crowds are filling beaches over here. People want human contact.
What is this song about? Think of a relatable hook, then write TO that hook in the vss and, if there's a bridge, add a new thought that sums up the song.
If you make a video to accompany your song, the video can supply all the details (making the song irrelevant). If not, you have to write a coherent song. And even then, you don't want it to be dated two hours after you write it. Hi Couch I guess this didn’t travel well. This song is all about the hook. In the UK we have an expression ‘ these days’, where people talk about ‘ theses days people do this and that’ or ‘you can’t say that these days’, and now, since the advent of coronavirus the world landscape is facing unprecedented change so people aren’t sure what ‘ these days’ (as an expression) means anymore. Politicians, media etc are calling it the ‘new normal’. Everyone talks about the ‘new normal’ but no one is sure what it means, and not surprisingly as we are not there yet. With regards to the verse content, it is all very real for people here and in many parts of the world. I concede that some of the messages e.g. Washing you hands and clapping for the nurses, key workers and The Queen may not mean quite so much outside of the UK. As it doesn’t resonate with you, I can only guess you haven’t seen ‘lines’ of people outside shops, people wearing face masks and concern (even anger) about social distancing. I am aware that this song could be a ‘5 minute wonder’ with regards to a shelf life, but the lyrics do reflect my observations and thoughts on the current situation. Ultimately, I intended it as a fun upbeat song about a new way of life. You didn't actually listen to the song did you? Thanks for taking the time to read the lyric and comment. Nigel
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He was trying to write to the hook, it's just the hook doesn't mean anything, it's just a nice play on words. Sounded good so he went with it Fdemetrio For the most part you seem to be replying to Couch but just to say you are right about me writing to the hook. My partner and I were out for a walk and talking about how life and behaviour had changed so drastically in the last few weeks and she said something like “I don’t think people are allowed to do that these days” and I said “Whatever ‘these days’ means these days” and so the seed was sewn, and a song was born. Thanks for commenting Nigel
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NIgel, I don't think it's a problem if some of the references are UK specific. I would be selective in the attention I paid to what Couch says. Some of it is just Couch being Couch. He knows perfectly well what the song is about and that line about writing to the hook is something he says whether it applies or not. And, no, he probably hasn't listened to it. That doesn't seem to be something he does.
Having said that, he might be right about the chorus. It's a catchy hook, but the meaning is kind of vague and hard to build a whole song on.
I enjoyed listening for the same reasons as Deej mentioned above.
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Hi Nigel, long time no see, I like it, on reading the lyric it looks like more imagery could be used, but on listening to the song I don't think it matters that much, the chorus blends in well and it has nice feel good vibe yes it's weird how this disease has inspired a lot songs/poems, even got me back scribbling, all the best,john.
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Fun song, easy to sing along. I like it _ _ _ Have fun!
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I like the melody. The first few lines of the verse, melody wise reminds me a bit of that old Starland Vocal band infectious hit, Afternoon Delight. It is clearly different, but that is what first hit me so I thought I'd share. I think your hook is the melody. I enjoyed it.
Dave
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Hi Deej I’m glad you liked the song and enjoyed some of the production touches here and there. I accept that there is some generality and that may or may not stand the test of time. My intention was for it to be a fun song (hence the choice of instrumentation) about the changes currently affecting a lot of people. I am not expecting to win an Ivor Novello Award for this just getting a few people tapping their feet. Thanks for your comments Nigel
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Nigel,
If that was your aim, then you achieved it! It's a fun song with a compelling melody--and anyone listening to it today will get it. Again, thanks for sharing.
Stay well, stay safe--
Deej
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Hey Nigel I loved it, thought it was a fun song, it put a smile on my face! I have no need to critique the words, I would only like some of the vocal 's cleaned up on the chorus at the end of each line, " these days" could have been improved by a better melody run down. Other than that good job and very timely. Kevin
Kevin
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Hi Gavin
I’ve known Couch for almost 20 years, so I know what he’s about, certainly in a message board communications context. All I can say about the hook is that there would be no song without it. Whether I successfully painted an adequate picture to support it, or people even understand what it actually means seems open to debate.
Thank you for listening and glad you enjoyed it.
Nigel
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Hi John What a lovely surprise to hear from you, I hope you and yours are well. Yes, I accept that the lyrics are generic in places but also sprinkled with specifics which are maybe more relevant to a UK audience. e.g. Clapping for carers With regards to inspiration, mine virtually dried up, but recently, maybe because of lockdown and different perspectives it has started to make a comeback . So from my personal point of view the main virtue of this song is that I wrote it and got it out there, it’s been a long time coming. Thanks for listening and glad you enjoyed Nigel
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Hi Guy
So glad you liked and thanks for listening
Nigel
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Hi Nigel:
I listened after reading some of the early comments and "conversations" about it. It is a catchy and bouncy song very appropriate of the current Corona Crisis we are all enduring. No nits or suggestions. Will it be remembered twenty years from now? I don't possess a Crystal Ball but "situation songs" usually fade after the initial success achieved. Strike while the "Iron is Hot" if you intend to "pitch it"... and I would not be concerned about the reference to the Queen. Most folks understand this is written from a UK perspective... but is still not far removed from the same situation they are enduring.
Nice work, my friend. Best of luck with it.
----Dave
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I can relate to the TITLE all day long & "Whatever these days means" is definitely a phrase I would use here in Los Angeles...
Whatever these days, means these days...
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Hi Dave Ah yes, I see what you mean with Afternoon Delight, good spot and as you say different subject matter. Good job I left the 5th verse out . Talking of similarities, the reason I made the title so long was that I could think of at least 3 other hit songs which have the shorter title of ‘These Days’. Thanks for listening and glad you enjoyed. Nigel
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Hi Kevin If I put a smile on your face that’s job done for me You are right the vocals could be tightened in places. Thanks for listening and commenting Nigel
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I can relate to the TITLE all day long & "Whatever these days means" is definitely a phrase I would use here in Los Angeles...
Whatever these days, means these days...
Thanks Steve, I’m pleased to hear that it resonates across the pond in some places Cheers Nigel
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Enjoyable listen and for some reason the melody reminded me of "The Kinks". I must be cracking up but then it is These Days.
Best,
Gerry
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Hi Gerry Glad you enjoyed, I'm happy with any Kinks connection Thanks for listening and commenting Nigel
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Keep going with it Nigel. Some of the suggestions made are useful but it's a song for now. Not for years to come. I don't think the chorus part needs to repeat as it is unless you do it more dynamically the second time. Sometimes words don't travel well. Maybe that could be worked on.
Vic
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Hi Vic Write what you feel, or so they say. I suppose the repeat of the title is to emphasise the frustration of not knowing what 'these days' are anymore. As for being a song for 'now', yes it certainly is, whether it has a shelf life, who knows? I'll come back in 10 years and see if it makes any sense Thanks for listening and commenting Nigel
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Very cute song. I wonder how many lockdown songs are being written THESE DAYS. This is a really good one.
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Very cute song. I wonder how many lockdown songs are being written THESE DAYS. This is a really good one. Thank you. I imagine there will be many lockdown inspired songs, even if they aren't specifically about it. I'm so glad you liked it. Nigel
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