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#1180401 07/29/22 07:11 PM
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I wrote this song back a few years ago and re-engineered/produced it last year. I got the idea for this song at my 40th HS class reunion when one of my classates brought her sister who was a couple years behind me in school. I had dated her briefly before she and her family moved away out of our town. I hadn't seen her in probably 38 years and just remember although we weren't seriously dating, I had a real "crush" on this gal. Well, I wasn't expecting to see her and when her sister walked over and spoke to me and said, "you remember my sister don't you Ed? I turned and was at a loss for words as old emotions came crashing through my brain! Now I was and still am a happily married man, but I realized afterwards how I'm sure many people have had similar feelings/circumstances etc. I thought it made a great story for a Reunion Song. But of course to make the song a bit more interesting, I dramatized the scenario a bit--(fiction) but isn't that what we like to do as songwriters?

Comments welcome.

Credits: e.swartz vocals/acoustic guitar & production Dom Sigalas: strings/horns/mellotron/piano Drums: Simon Miminis


Reunion Song


Reunion Song--music/lyrics: e.swartz

Intro:


Vs.1 I can’t believe, that you’re next to me
My high school sweetheart and our homecoming queen
Twenty-five years, and only half of us here
It seems like yesterday that you were mine.

Vs.2 Though everyone's changed, you still look the same
I haven’t heard a single word you have said
And I’m trying to hide, these feelings inside
Cause I’m not sure what’s running through your mind

(Chorus-1) I believed in yesterday, but yesterday stayed yesterday
I just feel heartache….

Vs.3 Our friends gathered round, old memories abound
The band begins to play a slow song
My heart skipped a beat, our eyes wouldn’t meet
But then I saw you wipe a tear away

(Chorus-2) I believed in destiny, but destiny abandoned me
I just feel heartache….


Vs.4 We had better not dance, there can be no romance
Our precious families they’re waiting back home
So they’ll be no refrain, we’ll just let it rain
We cannot turn back time it wouldn’t be right

(Pre-Brdg) Heart's colliding recklessly,
One more drink and God help me....

(Horns interlude)

(Bridge) All my life, I have denied, I’ve held back feelings way deep inside,
So deep inside, deep inside

(Mellotron Horns interlude)

Vs.5 As we said our goodbyes, with tears in our eyes,
I'll always wonder, just what might have been
When you walked away, I knew we'd be ok
My spirit tells me, we’ll meet next time around

(Chorus-3) Even though, I may never see her pretty face again—
I, just, can’t, wait, to ... go home….........outro

Last edited by E Swartz; 07/29/22 10:24 PM.
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Great storytelling! SWEET!

And that's why I'm going to complain lol...
This is so light and sweet that "heartache" seems out of place to me, especially repeated. "My mind's in a daze" or something would be more appropriate I think... but hey, that's just me.

At the "Melotron Interlude" I was expecting a key change into the last verse, something to consider.

A lot of work obviously went into this, lots of interesting melody and rhythm changes, and the ending is perfect. Nice job! smile

Last edited by JAPOV; 07/29/22 08:04 PM.
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Thanks Japov.

I guess I chose heartache, as that term seemed to fit how I felt--though trite, yet a universally related expression for sure, I also liked the two syllable word there. I've used key changes in several of my songs--this one for me feels more like a de-crescendo near ending rather than building, then "just get me back home to my present world!" Speaking of these chord progressions, for me this is probably the most difficult song for me to play on guitar--it needed a piano. Thanks for your thoughts, they certainly have merit.

steady-eddie

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Hey Eddie. Don't listen to that JAPOV guy. I never do smile

It does have a sweetness about it but it works. What you are conveying is a bitter-sweet feeling. For me it is really effective, maybe because I can relate to what you describe. I doubt if I'm alone in that. I love all the key changes, which keep it interesting musically while still allowing the lyric to take center stage. You break a lot of "rules" here - the chorus is very understated, not really a chorus in the conventional sense - but you clearly know what you're doing.

There's a lot of feeling here, rather than going through the motions, and that's what gives it its strength.

One thing that puzzles me is the mention of a mellotron horns interlude. Does something that short qualify as an interlude LOL?

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Hey Gavin,

Its good to hear from folks again! Thanks for your kind words, but its fine hearing other's ideas on how they would approach a song.

About the interludes--my answer is that they're just very short ones!

Seriously, I know just from my song notes when writing this song I wrote-in interludes there originally for cello/violin--then after hearing other instrument options--I changed my mind and wanted that "Strawberry Fields" mellotron sound instead within the song, so I opted for the mellotron & horns and just replaced those break title words, and--didn't think about deleting those break titles....technically, maybe I should!

Thanks for stopping in!

steady-eddie

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Yeah, I was only joking about JAPOV. He knows that smile

Good to hear from you too.

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Yeah', I understand Eddie. You gotta' say what you mean.

Oh, and watch out for little whisky soaked leprechauns named Gavin! smile

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So I was listening and thinking about minor lyric changes

I haven’t heard a single word you have said
I’m trying to hide, these feelings inside

and

We had better not dance, no chance of romance
Our precious families they’re waiting back home


when Forever You broke out...like that one lots too.


If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop

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John,

I think those changes would probably be okay "story-wise" but would change the timing on the rhyme lines every other line. As far as "no chance" for romance--if they did dance there would be romance--dancing close is romantic.......and may have pushed them towards further temptation...........

Thanks much for the spin John!

steady-eddie

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Hey E.Swartz, You have captured what so many of us feel when we revisit old haunts and are surprised at just how much we are still attached to those sweet days of youth. Superb work on this.

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Hey Matt. Thanks for the kind words and yeah I'm glad you got that point--there are still a few "romantics" around, but we're getting old!

steady-eddie

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Excellent, love the lyrics and the music/production. I really enjoyed this one. Yeah, those old loves. Thanks for sharing, Eddie.

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Thanks Marilyn!

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I almost missed you as I think you were responding when I responded to Matt. Yeah I had some time in this one, but that's part of the fun!

steady-eddie

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Eddie, .....you might laugh at this, but I got a monkees feel.....and I couldn't tell you why.....or maybe Nilsson? Funny what first listens can bring to mind. Mellotron behind "I believed in yesterday, but yesterday stayed yesterday" ? you're killin' me, clever.

"One more drink and God help me..."

and


"Even though, I may never see her pretty face again—
I, just, can’t, wait, to ... go home"

Made me laugh. Good to hear ya.

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Hey Mac,

Great hearing from you again--thanks much! I'm normally more of a melody guy than a lyric guy, but I think songs that are inspired seem to bring you better lyrics. I think you're getting that last line........basically this poor guy has been on an emotional nostalgic roller-coaster and realizes that the "sooner" he gets back home, the "sooner" his brain can find normalcy again!

Cheers,

steady-eddie

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Lyric wise it's a little sugary for me Ed (I can't help it if I'm not into pop) but it has a good melody.

Well done.

Vic


It's never too late? Yes it is, so do it now.

If, given time, a monkey can write the complete works of Shakespeare maybe there's hope for me.

http://store.cdbaby.com/cd/vicarnold2

http://www.soundclick.com/vicarnold

http://soundcloud.com/vic-arnold

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Thanks Vic,

I'll try and write one a little "saltier" next time. I don't see much lovey-dovey sugar, just heartache and perhaps HS tragedy. How about bitter-sweet?

Appreciate the listen!

steady-eddie

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Sweet is the word. This should go over really well at your next reunion.
A good production of a sweet sentiment.
Nice stuff!

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Hello Eddie,

Nice and clean, well done.

Calvin

https://www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandID=11440

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Tom/Calvin,

Much thanks!

steady-eddie

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Eddie,

What a sweet write—the arrangement really accentuates the story. Like the layered approach to the production—new instruments popping in on each verse, in contrast to the barer stye of the chorus. Really nice harmonies in that chorus as well. Terrific production touches throughout. One of the best tunes I’ve heard from you—really well done!

All my best to you,

Deej

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Hey Deej!

Great to see you around! Thanks for appreciating the arrangement. I spent a lot of time thinking, experimenting, writing, recording, mixing this one. It's one of my favs as well as I like the chords with the song theme. I think when you "feel" a song when writing it, the lyrics marry the chords better.

steady-eddie

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There's a lot of ear candy in this song...love the key changes and chord progressions....really like the timbre in your voice...the arrangement is really nice as well.

Steve


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Almost didn't see you Steve,

Thanks so much!

steady-eddie


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