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This I suppose is a song of hope for after the virus has gone away.
Once again, not sure what genre it comes under.

Vic

https://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold/changing

Changing ©2020 Vic Arnold

Everybody is a stranger
No one trusts a stranger's word
Round every corner there is danger
In this new and changing world
Pre Ch.
There is silence in the city
but a little short on peace
Neon lights, they show no pity
to those sleeping on the streets

Chorus1
But we're changing
All around us rearranging
I see colours in the shadows
I hear singing in the meadows
and we're changing ...

I'll take life as it comes
Not too much for us to bear
A much harder life for some
When they have no love to share
Pre Ch.
Where there's new breath in the oceans
there is hope in someone's heart
that the storms one day blow over
if we all can play a part

Chorus2
And we're changing
Rearranging
Bluer skies, cleaner rivers
Mother Nature strives to give us
and we're changing ...
Inst.
Br.
What can we do now to make it
better for the children ....?
Chorus1

Vic,

This is beautiful, really nice lyrics & melody with a great hook too! Let's call it soft-pop. With this tempo, I think you can go right into the bridge without the long rest/pause, especially since the bridge is a strong break unto itself. You also could easily fade this one out at around 4 min. or 4:10. - Food for thought.

I think you have a top shelf song here--enjoyed it!

steady-eddie

Thanks Ed.
Those comments brightened my day. I'll think about the bridge and fade out suggestions.

Vic

Both of your suggs taken up Ed.

Enjoyed my listen, Vic:

That Eddie has pretty good ears, eh? Hope you are staying away from crowds, wearing a mask in public and keeping yourself out of harm's way!

All the best, ----Dave

Really nice, Vic. A really good way to approach the subject IMO. I hear a soft female "ooh" backing on the chorus. Not that it needs it - I just hear it

Thanks Dave. Not been out in public for nearly two weeks but tomorrow I need to replenish the wine stocks.
I hope you're keeping well.

Vic

Thanks Gavin.
Glad you liked it and thanks for the comment. I prefer this approach to the direct one such as quoting the obvious.

Haha! You are addicted to the soft "oohs". I think you mentioned those in your last comment on one of mine. I was trying to not put too many extras in this one.

Vic

Lovely vibe in this one - and I love the lyrics - as they say change is the only thing we can be sure of.
Who'd have thought this would happen a year ago?
Super vocals and the chorus has a good lift and memorable melody.
The only nit I have is I think the vox could use a D-esser in places. Could be just my crappy speakers though.

Good work
Paul

Thanks Paul. I had trouble with the sibilance on this. Can't seem to get rid of it. Tried all areas of EQ without making it too dull.
Had another shot at it just now but it's still there.

Vic

What a fantastic lyric Vic. Totally enjoyed. the lyric is complimented by a great melody that goes hand into hand. But the star, as is all of your tunes is that vocal to sell it. Really enjoyed it.

Dave

I always seem to have the same problem, Vic. De-essers don't seem to work for me (anyone know of a good one?) and playing with the EQ manually is only partially effective. I end up going in and individually lowering the volume on the worst parts, which helps, but is not really a solution.

Hi Dave.
You're very generous with that comment so thank you.
Good to know I was on the right track.

Vic

It's a neat tricky master. I read that sibilants lie in the 6000 to 12000 hz range but sometimes, to me they seem to be elsewhere. The answer is I suppose to control the voice not to do it.

Vic

Vic,

Killer tune . . . killer vocal. And stellar production as always—crisp, clean, magnetic. There are a couple of things I might have opted for, but it’s totally artistic preference, subjective things:

One, I would have liked a bit more grit musically in the chorus—a little more rock, maybe a deep, bassy type electric guitar going underneath.

And then, lyrically, the “better for the children” in the bridge was a bit of a curveball for me—just unexpected and for me a bit disconnected. But again, that’s a subjective thing, so maybe not even worth noting.

But it’s a great, great tune, Vic. Your songs are always top notch, and, with no disrespect to what’s come before, this is among my favorites from you.

Enjoyed it immensely!

Best regards,

Deej

Thank you Deej. Glad you liked it.

Re your suggs, I understand what you mean about the rocking chorus but I wanted to get this close to how I would do it live with acoustic instruments so rock bass is out.
The bridge is a wistful thought to what should come after the disaster and maybe needs to sound disconnected although musically it is a bridge like the instrumental between the choruses.
One's train of logic thought is so difficult to explain. :-(

Vic

I'm wondering if sibilance issues can be improved using a different mic. I've never seemed to have an issue with it - and I always use an old dynamic Shure mic. Seems to me the electrostatic/condenser mics are more "toppy" and contribute to boosting the "S" frequencies. I'm no expert but might be worth a try?

Hi Paul.
Thanks again.
I did lose some of it since you last mentioned.
Trouble with Shure dynamic mikes is that you lose some of the clarity on vocals too.
Maybe I'm just particularly ssssssssssy on this one. I may redo some of the vocal.

Vic

I think it's getting better Vic. I've got a tinny voice so I guess dynamic works for me

Vic,

I DID like it . . . actually an understatement, it truly is one of the best I’ve heard from you, IMHO (and I’ve heard so much I like). It just has a hook that totally resonates with me. My suggestions were just that, and I totally understand your approach—thanks for the insight on your thought process. Stay well, friend, and keep the tunes coming!

All my best,

Deej

I like this a lot. Nice song structure and build to a strong chorus. Only thing throwing me off is the the first verse mentioning the city, neon lights, danger around corners and people sleeping on the street, then the chorus mentions people singing in meadows. It seemed a bit abrupt. Maybe more consistent visuals would help, or the first verse/chorus being about the city and the second verse/chorus moves to the country/meadows/oceans.

..ant

Thanks again Deej.

Vic

Hi Ant.
An interesting observation.
As I see it the singer sees or hopes changes are happening now.
Thanks for that alternative view. I'll have to think about that for a while.

Vic

Liked this Vic! The one area I didn't care for was the "meadows" line which seemed a little too...fancy free?
I feel comfortable and safe leaving a suggestion, (as a possible direction) as Canada's a long way from the U.K.

But we're changing
All around us rearranging
I see shadow(s) losing out to colour(s)
People caring for each other (people aiding one another)
Yes we're changing ...

All the best!
-Mike

Thanks Mike.
I understand your not caring for that line. Strangely though, a couple of people I know like that particular line.
I will think about it though.

Vic

Good song and theme Vic
Cheers
John

Thanks Travis.

Vic

Loved listening to this again.... So well written and performed with all of the emotions of the descriptors...Love that lift to the chorus...effective fade out at the end....What a great song, worth multiple listens...but I always do.....I'm a big fan.............

Hi Tammy, old pal.
That's very kind of you so thank you very much.

Vic*

Just got on to this one Vicarn, I am liking it a lot. Great lyrics. song sounds commercial. Great job!.

@Irwin

Hi Irwin.
Thank you. Glad you like it.

Vic