JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum I'm Singing Country Tonight

I don't write lyrics and I don't sing unless I have to LOL Well I did both on this one. You might find verse three a little uneasy but then so is the subject matter. it's a work in progress so if it's that bad I'll turn it into an instrumental.
I know it's not a Country song but in the right hands perhaps it could be.

Track 1 as usual http://www.ampcast.com/Gerry

I'm Singing Country Tonight

Vs 1
I need to get back into work
Knowing I have to face - the hurt
Ignoring all the memories lying there
Each one a heartache that I must - sadly wear
There’s no need to turn on a light
Cus I’m playing Country tonight

Vs 2
You liked me to play Rock & Roll
Lots of Blues and deep down - Soul
Songs we shared in harmony
Now they’re my biggest – enemy
There’s no need to turn on a light
Cus I’m playing Country tonight

Chorus
I’m playing for you way up there
With notes to say how much I care
Feeling your Angels wings
Drying the tears from broken strings
That’s why I’m playing Country tonight
That’s why I’m playing Country tonight

Vs 3
I watched you grow thin in bed
Counted every hair that fell from your head - yes I did
Your sweet lips always in a grin
You never stopped fighting so hard to win
There’s no need to turn on a light
Cus I’m playing Country tonight

Chorus
I’m playing for you way up there
With notes to say how much I care
Feeling your Angels wings
Drying the tears from my broken strings
That’s why I’m playing Country tonight
That’s why I’m playing Country tonight

© 2003 Gerry Cooper


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http://www.ampcast.com/Gerry

[This message has been edited by Gerry (edited 03-14-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Gerry (edited 03-15-2003).]

Hi Gerry,

This is pretty darn good for someone who isn't really into country. The lyric is 80% countrified. I definetly think it's worth the effort to pursue this one!

Rob

Gerry,
Warm and well layed out backing track for the lead vocals. Your singing style sounds more "pop", but makes this just as lovely!

I'd like to share a few thoughts "out loud" as I'm thinking this through...
I'm wondering if this might work a bit better in a "blues" motiv. For example: "That's why I'm playing you my BLUES tonight".

Or to fit your "pop" style voice, maybe: "That's why I'm playing LONELY tonight".
Then you might want to change the instrumental flavor to suit. (Keep or sweep!)

Either way, this has a nice melody and flavor-full backing track going; and by the way, NO nits on your touching story/lyric message.

I'm constantly amazed at your versatility! You never seem to tire of your muse's spirited company!

Michael


[This message has been edited by Michael Borges (edited 03-14-2003).]

Thanks Rob that's a real compliment my friend.Perhaps a little picking or some riffs in there might help it along a little. It's only guitar and Drums at the moment.
Thanks Michael the reference to playing Country Tonight was deliberate as it was the one Genre that they never shared. Hence when she died it was just about the only music he could listen to without any association to her. Having mentioned she liked him to play the Blues in verse 2, was I thought a clue. Regarding music it has become a passion almost to the point of obsession over the years. Listening or playing I'm in a state of bliss, well most of the time LOL.
Just to mention I do not enjoy singing and genuinly get stage fright even when I am on my own. Writing lyrics is also not much fun for me but occaisionaly I get the urge to scribble. So this one is really an odd ball and one of the very rare occaisions where I have ventured to write, play and sing (Croak).

Thanks for the comments,

Gerry

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http://www.ampcast.com/Gerry

[This message has been edited by Gerry (edited 03-15-2003).]

Gerry
I'll speaj
I think this one should be developed but without the country reference as Michael observed
It IS a pop song and I think in the style of Bread. Its not just the Maj7th chords. You should try singing it in the same style as David Gates but it needs to be speeded up. The outro is ~40 secs long so with a little more tempo it should be about 3:45 in the end
I hope you understand what I mean because the basic subject is great
You will of course need to put in some tasty pop Bass Lines to support it.
My honest opinion is to go for it in this style. have you haerd mark Knopfler sing. Your tone is excellent so some work on the phrasing style will give you a fantastic end product. Less flowing and more punctuated if you know what I mean
The mix also does not seem 'together' but that can be doen later
I'm impressed
Tony

amasin wot a few beeers duz to yeah tiping scils..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Tone,
I'm glad you noticed the Bread similarity it was not by design but an added bonus. I have now shot the Drummer LOL put in some laid back strings. You're right on the mix partly because this whole thing was played real time and I am still in a learning curve with Sonar. I have a whole lot of reading to do.
Sorry on the lyrics if anyone wants to do a cover and change them that's fine by me. It was written on pure sentiment and in part experience, so you will understand why I'm not changing them.
Appreciate the listen and comments and I hope you enjoyed the BEER.

Cheers

Gerry

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http://www.ampcast.com/Gerry

[This message has been edited by Gerry (edited 03-15-2003).]

Gerry.....just listened...and the emotion...comes through so well...
You have a nice voice.....and I enjoyed the listen.

Kaley

Gerry,

Unique song!

The chorus sounded more like a bridge, or just not a chorus sounding chorus.

The hook is in the last lines of the verses, cool, I like that way in some songs.

Real deep meaning song! That third verse says a lot, and solidified the previous verses.

This song is growing on me. You are a unique writer and player. Very refreshing to hear your style......Lots of heart! NO fluff, as we can sometimes get into. You have someting to say,,,, and I'm hearing you loud and clear!
"Broken strings",,,,(HURT!) That is a great way to say it! About death, but in such a cool way! So different, and for the better!
Congrats on this VERY artful piece!

John



[This message has been edited by dhsongs (edited 03-15-2003).]

Well thank you Kaley I appreciate that very much. I honestly do not know why I have this hang up about singing. It possibly goes back to childhood and being told by a music teacher that I couldn't sing at all and at 57 it has still stuck LOL
Thank you John for your words of encouragement. Apart from being very nervous about singing I have the same problem with lyrics. I want to write what and how I feel and that calls for soul searching and if you like opening up a little. I read somewhere that you should divorce your lyrics from personal feelings.
I can't do that so I very seldom try and write anything.
Thanks again,

Gerry

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http://www.ampcast.com/Gerry

Gerry really dig your music!best regards mjm

Thanks Michael I just wish you would stick some on Soundclick or somewhere that allows Media Player so that I could return the compliment.

Gerry

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http://www.ampcast.com/Gerry

Gerry,

Very nice relaxing song...and a good hook line. Great for slow romanting dancing. Not bad at all for a one man band. And who says you can't sing, you have a great voice.

Cheers,

Stan

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Having Fun!!!!
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/stanlohmusic.htm

Gerry, I totally empathise with your "Hang-up about singing" - For most of my life since my childhood I have refused to sing around others. Being laughed out of a band audition in my early 20's did nothing to help my fears. It was only about 5 or 6 years ago that the singer in my band left and I decided to take a few lessons a just do it! I'm gonna tell you the trick I learnt to give myself (and yourself) a bit more confidence....

When I was learning a new song that my teacher gave me I would always record myself and listen back. At first it was a total cringe but then I noticed that the occasional phrase didn't sound all that bad. I figured that if I could make those bits sound OK it was just a matter of working harder at the parts that weren't working. That approach was a revelation for me! At 46 years old I know I'll never be a great singer but at least I'm not too terrified to sing my own songs anymore.

Anyway, to the song....

This is a truly emotionally naked song. It sent shivers down my spine with it's honesty and it's poignancy. It doesn't sound "Country" to me but rather some kind of hybrid genre (always a good thing in my book). Kinda "pseudo-country" perhaps? But that's appropriate for the sentiment of the piece.

You say you shot the drummer and added some strings? I'm listening to the version with drums (I downloaded it a while back but have been too busy to get around to listening) and I LIKE the drums! Anyway, I'm downloading again as I type so I can hear the new version for comparison.

Anyway, I want to hear you doing more of this kind of thing AND singing!! You've got a great voice! It doesn't really remind me of Knopfler - it's far much rich and musical than that! Absolutely nothing wrong with it that a bit of vocal training and breathing technique wouldn't fix. Sing more, Gerry, sing more!! Please! I don't know how old you are but if I can learn to have a teensie bit of confidence in my singing in my 40's them I'm sure you can too

Cheers

Simon

Hi Gerry

I had a listen to the 'string' version and it is even more haunting (better) than the prev one. I realise its an emotional connection for you and changes may come difficult but I kept wondering what a classy session Piano player would put 'underneath' this together with the slight stylish Vocal phrasing I mentioned in my last post - It really is a great song.
BTW, concerning my last post, there seems to be a misunderstanding
Sorry to be a pain but Re; Simons message " It doesn't really remind me of Knopfler - it's far much rich and musical than that! ")
What my quick & probably poorly worded message (the wife was getting jealous of the computer while I was typing!) actually said was that 'your tone is excellent' and suggested you sing in the 'style of David Gates' using the phrasing (story style?) of Mark Knopfler. I would never suggest you sound like Knopfler! [ although I bet you wish you had his industry connections eh? ;-) ]

Of course I would not have said anything if it was not for the 'voice confidence' thread within the topic which can be a tad 'touch insensitive' when typing the discussion ( I'm sure Simon doesn't mind this minor correction )

Still think the structure and entertaining style of the song deserves the approach I mentioned. With regard to Michaels comments on the lyrics side (not my strong point unfortunately) I think we all respect your reasons to keep the words as they are if that is your wish.
Congrats again - a truly emotive and entertaining piece.
Good composing all
Tony

Many thanks Stan, Simon and Tony,

Perhaps someone might pick this one up and do a cover version. Glad you liked it Stan. Simon the singing I'm afraid I have poured too much booze down my neck over the years and smoked far too many cigarettes to start training my voice now. I guess I must remain a Croaker. I'm sure Tone that you are right about the lyric change as first suggested by Michael and I really do appreciate the suggestions.

On to the next one.

Gerry


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http://www.ampcast.com/Gerry

Hi Gerry,
I didn't get to hear the drum version but I really dug the string pads..maybe a brush swept snare and a closed hi-hat clicking along might be cool...nothing slamming...just augmentive.

This is a damn fine lyric Gerry....
for a guy who doesn't write lyrics...
ya done good

Take it easy man,
Joe



[This message has been edited by joro (edited 03-20-2003).]

sorry friends this song is good but not country. im shock at all you rednecks calling this country. real cool song gary i don't know what style this is, and you have yourself a find song but not country, real good production all tracks crispy clear but not country good luck gary.

bald bob