JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum ***GUARANTEED***Gail King / Mac Charles***

Hey everybody,

I'm sure most of you have heard the expression, "Don't be sleeping when opportunity comes knocking"... well.... I am certainly glad I was still awake when I just happened upon a post by Mac Charles a few weeks back! It was entitled, "Just one time", so of course I was intrigued. In this post, Mac said to send him over some lyrics and he would work with them and put his own touches(may trim or add some) and melody/music. I was thrilled at the chance to work with him and immediately had a lyric in mind that I felt would be perfect for Mac to work with. So... we tossed ideas back and forth...and we now have a finished song for you.

I want to add that Mac is such a pleasure to work with. He is so professional and so very kind and courteous. He is top notch... no doubt about it! I am indeed honored to have had this incredible (and generous) opportunity to work with Mac. Mac, thank you so very much!

So...without further ado... I give you Mac Charles..."Guaranteed"

(Thanks in advance for listening & any and all comments.)

Gail



***********************************************************


GUARANTEED

(c) 2009 Mac Charles/Gail King

Lyrics : Gail King/ Mac Charles
Vocals, Music, Production: Mac Charles


I don't need to be a genius
I don't need a PhD
I don't have to read a lot of books
To know what you need from me

With a little hands on training
I'll pick the lock on your desire
Girl, I got my secrets
That will set your world on fire

(Chorus)
Put yourself in my hands
I'm your man
What you need
I have to give
Guaranteed

I can see your future
When you look my way
My smoldering intentions
Almost bursting into flames

(Chorus)
Put yourself in my hands
I'm your man
What you need
I have to give...
Guaranteed

(Bridge)
Oh girl, there won't be any doubt
When you lead me to the garden that you hide
Woman I'm your sinner for tonight
Give me the keys and just enjoy the ride

(Guitar Solo-----------------)

When you're finally overtaken
by the flood that fills your skin
I'm gonna take you places
I know you've never been

(Chorus)
Put yourself in my hands
I'm your man
What you need
I have to give...
Guaranteed

Nice sounds. The guitars sound great in here. Was that "delay" added into the lead? Very Beatle-esque bridge. Lyrics look solid, too (although I did listen first without reading the lyrics). Little "tape hiss" at the beginning, but that disappeared as soon as everything kicked in. Loving the nice riffs that are keeping the song rolling forward.

Nice collab and good uptempo, positive tune!

Kevin

Hi there Kevin,

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look and listen. Thank you for the compliments too! I am so glad that you like it.

I think Mac did an outstanding job. He really is a musical genius. He "tore it up" in this one with his awesome guitar playing!

Mac is absolutely the nicest person to work with. He has a fabulous sense of humor. I thoroughy enjoyed working back and forth with him on this song.

Thanks again Kevin.

Gail

Hi Mac and Gail

What a cool song and rocking arrangement.... Love the guitar variety .... man you're a Darn Good picker !...... Hard to find anything to pick on --- your vocal really fits the style and the arrangement has lots of twists to keep the movement and interest up. High marks all around.
Gail great hook and writing -- I know you took the opportunity as it arose --- but you also gave him a song that seems well suited to him.

Put yourself in my hands
I'm your man
What you need
I have to give
Guaranteed


this is TOTALLY believable in his hands -- Ha Nice work --- thumbs up --- as with all that I have heard from you Mac -- I'd buy it ; )

Best wishes.
jm

Kevin,

Yes that was a little slap back on the tele.Thank you for the thumbs up.

Joice,

Kind words as usual,and you have it right when you say Gail gave me something strong to work with.Thank you again.

Gail,

"musical genius"?.....ha ha...Don't you think that's a bit lofty a description for what I do?I would think that was reserved for Prince or Andy Partridge or Neil Finn or Mozart....heh heh ,thank you.
This was a very easy write due to you being so open to a few re-wires (so to speak).I had fun with it.

Keep on,

Mac.

Great sound and arrangement! Great dynamics!

Kinda song I wish I could hear more often

Nice work to both of you. Music is a great fit to the lyric. Love the bridge.

Nothing for me to pick on here - was diggin' it start to finish.

Scott

Hi there Joice,

I really appreciate you coming by and giving this song a listen. I am so glad you like it.

Thank you soooo much.......I told Mac when I sent him over the lyric, that this song would be absolutely PERFECT for him! ( I knew the girls would LOVE hearing him sing it)......and everyone would love his incredible guitar "pickin'".

Mac brought some terrific lyrical ideas to the table.....he was so great to work with.

Thanks again Joice....you've always been so kind and supportive.

Gail

Hi there Mac,


.....musical genius???.....well I must admit.....you make a good point....yes, old Amadeus does have most of us beat...but don't sell yourself short, as far as those others go... You are a monster on that guitar!

Thanks so very much Mac......you were a joy to work with.

Gail

Hey Gail and Mac,

Wow, I had no idea what to expect on this one...but I was very pleasantly surprised! In fact, I was compelled to play it again as soon as it ended.

Anyhoo, you two have put together a real gem here. GREAT hook and storytelling Gail, and Mac, your musication really SOLD it. I'll agree with Kevin, I was thinking Beatles-ish too -- rocked out, but in a groovy way.

I enjoyed reading the back story on this as well -- so sorry I missed the post! Maybe, Mac, if you get enough positive feedback on this one, you'll try tossing the offer out again!

I'll concur on the great chorus, Gail:

Put yourself in my hands
I'm your man
What you need
I have to give
Guaranteed

Since it's such an honest lyric, it would have been very easy to "cornball" them, but Mac, you made the story engaging and appealing.

So kudos to you both for pulling off ANOTHER great collaboration here at JPF!! And it's surely a pleasure to hear two members speaking so highly of each other and enjoying their work together...

Thanks a bunch for sharing,
Beth

This was awesome. Can you make this downloadable so I can have a copy? Gail, this is a great lyric. Mac tore it up, so to speak. Dang, wish I'd seen that post too.

Gail/Mac,

I really liked this! Not particularly for the individual elements in it, but for the unity of the expression. It just click's, and everything is one.

After reading the lyric, I thought it wasn't quite there and started thinkin' about how to write that, then I listened and first note in my speakers just sold me. Kickin' production, stellar performance, and Mac's phrasing just made a world of difference. Mac, you sure can play the click.. this is tight as hell! As a mix note, as now it's mixed for pop/rock, but I wanted to hear Mac's vocal a notch more present in the verses, mixing it more country, in line with the music. Perhaps I also would prefer the solo a little bit more dry, as you've got a great tone on that Tele, and the reverb enhances the Tele 'mud' too much here IMO..

After the verses, I really thought "whooo, Mac's going country", but as the chorus had Mac's trademark vocal, it ended up americana if my ears can classify it.. Love that! Could even sound country, if you stayed with the verse vocals all throughout, but I overall think you've made the right decision to go with your trademark sound, as the lyric might be a drop too poetic for country.

I don't agree this material is great, as I'd like to reserve that word for special occations to preserve it's meaning, but I think you've made the most of it, and excellently delivered. It's basically another 'I wanna love you' song with a solid hook and well performed music, but in the end I feel very well entertained after listening twice! It's a feel piece.. and Im gonna give it another go, as it mediates the good ones :-)

Very uplifting to hear another succesful collab here. Thanks for sharing it! Now you're in demand for MORE

Hi Scott,

I appreciate you coming by and taking a look at this song. I'm glad that you like it.

You said you loved the bridge....well I have to give the credit to Mac for that one, as well as the first 2 lines of the last verse.

Mac certainly did a great job injecting this with lots of energy. I'm glad you like it.

Gail

HiDee Mz Gail & Mr Mac!

Right Off, a FINE Collaboration! SO good I hadda listen Thrice, so I could gel my thoughts here.

Lyrics: A-Plus! Guitar: Ditto. Production: Real Good, but I've always got a few Sugs...herewegooo...

V/Ch 1 & 2: Smoothly Rocks Along
Bridge: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!
Solo: Smokin' HOT!
Then..(alas IMO)..psychologically/musically/vocally..it dropped maybe TOO Quietly-DOWN for that Last V/Ch..I found myself yearning for MORE of that HEAT ya generated us earlier. This being a Pop Number, I'd recommend a listen to the Close of Elvis' "Hunka Burnin' Love" & re-do this Ending.

Punched-Up, I think a Hit is GUARANTEED, Folks!

Oh,..I pondered whether "vision" might be a better word than "secrets" in the line "Girl I got my secrets". K-O-S, all the Above...& Thanks Both of Yas for a Great Start to My Day/Keep up the Good Work!

Big Hugs,
Stan

Hi there Beth,

I hope this finds you doing well.

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on this song of ours! I am glad that you liked it. I appreciate the very nice compliments.

I agree....it does have a Beatles-ish rock sorta groove to it! It was hard to pin down the genre for this one! I finally settled on pop and pop/rock.....but Mac and a few others have noticed a slightly "country" feel....well, anyway....I am certainly glad that you enjoyed it!

Mac took my lyrical ideas, incorporated some of his, and tweaked, trimmed.....and wrapped his wonderful music around it. I am still amazed at all the guitar variety and nuances he incorporated into this.

Thanks again for stopping by Beth. I do appreciate it so much.

Take care.

Best wishes to you,
Gail

Hi there Wendy,


Thanks so much for coming by.....I'm so glad you think this song is awesome!! Of course, you can have a download of it. I just made it available for download on soundclick.

And yes...you are right....Mac did "tear it up" in this one! lol

Thanks again Wendy.

Gail

Hi there Magne,

Hope this finds you doing well.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look at our song. Mac and I had fun collaborating on this, and we are glad that you enjoyed listening to it.

Gail

Hey there Stan,


Gosh....it's been awhile.....How has life been treating you?

Always great to hear from you. Thanks for coming by and taking a look and listen to our song and for your nice compliments on it. I am so glad that you like it.

You have offered up some great suggestions....about keeping the song musically "punched up" instead of doing the choke down. That's a great suggestion....and is very much appreciated. I'm sure Mac will keep that in mind.

Well....summer is almost over.....time sure marches on doesn't it? Don't know about you, but I'm ready for some cool weather. I love fall.

Well Stan, thanks for your very kind visit....and take care.


Best wishes to you,
Gail

Greetings All,

I am a newcomer, but I'll spare the story of how I got here and get to the song.

First Impressions: This is cool. This song has a blend of elements and tones from multiple paths of music. It successfully synthesizes (as opposed to juxtaposes) those elements in a clever way. This is a bit of a feat since many songs end up sounding like the writers were trying to be clever and lose their punch by doing so. This song avoids that trap. While it's easy to pick out influences in many songs, this one manages to keep from being pigeonholed into a specific vein.

Details: The acoustic has a good tone; I like the upfront sound with some natural space in it. The Tele (I think) is a good counter to the acoustic, it augments nicely. The quick stabs and descending lines keep the song from becoming predictable, and on subsequent listens are what give the song's 'vibe' its distinctive character. I think the gtr going up a semitone on a note here and there for tension is a great flourish. I like the mellow delivery of the vox in the verses, and the ADT effect (or actual double track) of the chorus vox.

The lyrics work here, but I will be honest and admit that when I first listen to a song I listen less for lyrics and more for phrasing and to hear if the melody keeps the tone of the music and improves the song. These lyrics accomplish that, since the music hints at sounding exploratory/expectant and perhaps a little "hmmm? Well, what do you think?" The words match the tone and the feel, so I like them as is.

If I would do one thing differently, it would be to add a little extra percussion to the chorus, keep it low though. Just something to give a bit more lift. It's not really glaring, but to my ears it would make it sound more chorus-ey and a little less like a bridge to a chorus.

I also tend to see a setting for a song when it is played, and I hear this song (and an album of similar material) being great for a gray, rainy afternoon. Not that this means one thing or another, I just thought you may be interested to how I hear it against a backdrop.

Great song, if you do not mind I will throw it in rotation on my MP3 player in my car.

Cheers,

Gary

Gail and Mac,

This is a marvelous song and production! I loved it. I haven't a single nit ot offer...well, except I wiash it were my song!

Mac, love the reverb and sap-back on the guitar. As usual your vocal and guitar performance is spelndid. I'm in awe of your talent. Hope you don't get tired of hearing me say that. I've been saying that for close to three yeasrs now. You are one of the artists whom always gives an A-Plus pergormace in all you do.

Gail, great lyric. It says everything that needs to be said without a single unnecessary word. You made a fvery good choice with Mc. I've been listening to him and appreciating his music ofr about theer years. I met him on another site and think he is one of the most gifted composers and performers I've had the privelege to know.

Super song all around. Loved it from first note to last. All the best to both of you.

Alan

Folks,
this is very well done all the way around. Very entertaining with it's own style.

have fun,
John

Hi Gary,

Welcome to JPF. It's great to have you here. I have only been here a few months myself and I have learned so much from being here and have met so many wonderful and talented people, including my collaborator on this song.

Thank you for coming by and listening to our song. I appreciate you taking the time to listen, break it down, and give us your thoughts and nice comments. I am very glad that you like the song....( and pleased that you like it enough to download it, so that you can play it in your car).

I am thrilled with this finished song. Mac took my concept and lyric...and brought them to life with his wonderful and ingenious musical talents.

Thank you again Gary....it is nice to "meet" you.

Kind wishes,
Gail

Hi Alan,


I always look forward to hearing from you....and you truly made my day by stopping by with such a nice and kind visit.

I am humbled by your nice comments, as they hold great merit to me, coming from such a talented songwriter and musician as yourself.

Yes, Mac is indeed a talented composer and musician. When he presented this opportunity, I immediately thought of this lyric. I was familiar with his ingenious guitar work and his wonderful voice...I felt it would be a perfect lyric for him to work with. Needless to say...I am delighted with the finished song. It was indeed a honor to work with him.

Alan, you are such a gentleman and are so kind and generous with the time you give us here at JPF...and I for one...am very grateful.


My best to you always,
Gail

Hi Gail and Mac,

Mac your guitar work is just amazing on this, and I love your choice of chords, though I thought the bridge went a little too far into "Taxman" territory.

This is like Gerry Raffery, if produced by a Rodney Crowell, a great idea, and musically this is perfect...your vocals are soo Gerry Rafferty, I am tempted to believe that you are really he. Are you?. Lol, I honestly was expecting a hot sax solo, somewhere in the bridge area!

Nice choice of chords, and smokin' guitar work, the syncopated guitar work in the chorus is simply amazing.

I think your bridge could use a nice keyboard "pad" or organ sound, this would build up nicely, and make a nice contrast to the musically stark last verse.

Gail, this is a very sensual lyric with great details, I think you have a winner here!

Mike

Hi John,


Hope this finds you doing well.

Thanks so much for coming by and taking a look and listen to this song... and for your nice comments. I am so glad that you like it.

I appreciate you coming by.

Take care.


My best to you,
Gail

Mac and Gail...

This is simply fabulous...Mac If John Lennon was alive...he'd take notice.....Gail you have certainly cemented yourself as a wonderful songwriter...just a fine effort from the both of you..


Larry

"This is simply fabulous...Mac If John Lennon was alive...he'd take notice....."

Larry:I dig the comment but think if John lennon were alive he would not even blink.

keep on,

mac.

Mac,

Regarding your reply to Larry....

You're right, Lenon probably wouldn't even blink. It's very difficult to blink when you are wide-eyed in awe in response to such a wonerful piece of music.

Alan

Hi Mike,


I hope this finds you doing well.

Thanks so much for coming by and giving a look and listen to our song. I always look forward to your visits and reviews! You really are so generous with your time and knowledge... and truly offer such fabulous, indepth advice....as well as... much appreciated support.

I am so glad that you like the song.


My best wishes to you Mike,
Gail

Wow...Gail and Mac....What can I say that hasn't already been said about the lyric, arrangement, vocals, production. It sounds pretty country/pop to me.....would certainly be a crossover though. It is simply awesome in every respect.....what a great collab.

Mac....I don't think that we've actually met. Don't know how I missed your outstanding talent....just super vocals and guitar. I will be listening alot more now.

And Gail.....this is a great lyric....sensual without going too far....very well done. I sure wish that I was able to say as much in so few words. You are great at that. Could you give me lessons....?

Fantastic job all the way aroung you two....

Jan

Gail, that intro was outstanding - I just knew that the song would be good. I love the instrumentation and arrangement of the music. It really has such nice textures and layering. The melody and music are great. The vocals are outstanding. The lyrics are so natural and flowing. This is an extraordinary song. One of the very best I have ever heard here. I love it.

This really deserves to go places.

Tom

Hi Larry,


Hope this finds you doing well.

Thanks so much for coming by....and I appreciate your very kind compliments....IMHO you are a wonderful songwriter too.

I'm so glad you like the song.


My best wishes to you Larry,
Gail

P*S*
Did I hear it through the "Forum" vine....that congratulations are in order ?

Hi there Janice,

I appreciate you coming by and taking a look and listen to our song. I am so glad that you like it. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree with you...Mac is an awesome musician...he did a fabulous job.

Thanks Janice, for all of the very nice compliments....but I will end this note by saying....you definitely do not need any songwriting lessons (but that was a sweet comment...thanks!). You are a wonderful songwriter.

My best to you,
Gail

Hi Tom,

It was so nice of you to come by and listen to our song. I am so glad that you like it. Thank you for your very kind compliments.

It was wonderful working with someone as talented as Mac.

My best to you (and Justice),
Gail

wow-

You are all very kind!..Some things said here have truly surprised me,thank you all very much indeed.

Al,

Your boundless enthusiasm for the many things I have been involved with is really quite overwhelming...thank you sir,the feeling is mutual.

I just checked in on this thread to say thank you to all who have commented....again,many thanks.

I also would like to say how unbelievably easy it was to work with Gail.She is very professional and open to where the song wanted to go,never so married to a lyric that she wasn't open to another route.

I admire that and had a lot of fun working this piece with her.Thank you Gail.

Great days,

Mac.

Mac,


How nice to come over here and see the very kind comments you left for me.
I do appreciate them. They really mean a lot.

Thank you Mac, for extending this wonderful, and very generous opportunity. I am
a fan of your incredible music, and I do feel very fortunate to have had this chance
to work with you. To watch my lyric evolve into the song that it is today, wrapped
in your music, was certainly a fascinating experience.

I am so grateful for the thought, time and all the hard work that you put into this
project.

Along our life journey, there are people who cross our paths and touch us with
their kindness and their generosity...this was one of those times for me...and
you are one of those people.

Thank you, Mac.


I wish you all the best,
Gail

Gail & Mac,

I really like the sound of this…both lyrically and musically!

Enjoyed the melody, guitar, and soft singing in the verse after the guitar solo. I like the lyrics a lot Gail…the chorus has a nice contrast to the verses and sings so well.

It’s a very enjoyable song!! Great job all around!

Kristi

Hi Kristi,

Hope this finds you doing well.

I appreciate you coming by. Thank you for your very kind comments...I am so glad you like the song.

My best to you,
Gail

Very nicely done....hard for me to say anything that I would do different...good vibe all the way around...imho....very enjoyable listen......Bob

Hey Gail...not sure what congratulations are in order but I managed to convince a very beautiful woman to marry me after 5 years..(I am persistent if nothing else...lol)Oh God..I hope I didn'k drink too much vino the other night and devulge my Sicilian wife's well guarded meatball and red sauce recipe..She is a bit touchy about that...
Anyway...to keep on topic, I have listened to your and Mac's tune
at least 30 times and I have to tell ya guys..for me, it is truly infectious...I sincerely hope to hear good news when ya pitch this one.

Larry

Hi Bob,

I truly appreciate you coming by and listening to our song. I am so glad that you enjoyed it.

I also thank you for the very nice compliments.

My best to you,
Gail

Hey Larry,


What a nice surprise to see that you came back by!

It makes me happy that you like this song......at least 30 times, huh?! Gosh....what nice comments. Thank you, Larry.

And yes,when you are blessed enough to find that perfect someone you can share your love and your life journey with....then congratulations are in order! I wish you both every happiness.

Thanks again, Larry.

Gail


P*S*

Gosh...I hope you didn't let your wifes "secret recipe" out of the bag. That's ONE of the two things we women don't like revealed! lol !!

Hi Gail & Mac,

Very cool song! Lyrically, there's a sensuous urgency going on and the driving music just propels that forward. So well played and produced, too.
"Give me the keys and just enjoy the ride"
Gotta love it when a singer can make you believe a line like that!

Ricki

Hi Ricki,

Thanks for coming by and listening to our song. Thank you also for your kind comments...but as far as the line you mentioned (in the bridge)...well, I'll have to let the credit go to Mac for that! Yep...the bridge and the following two lines were his creation.

I'm so glad you like it, Ricki. Isn't Mac a fabulous musician?!

Kind regards,
Gail

WARNING!!....DISCLAIMER!!!....this is an ancient bump,a tasteless bump,shameless and sentimental.


I have been without my recording gear for a month now,and am listening to old demos and such.


Please enjoy.

WHAT!! Why is this lazy song still hanging around here for? Why is it not out working in some tv show or film!!?? Get a grip, folks! :-)

Awesome song, Gail & Mac. When can we hear the next one? Are you letting your fans down?

Still LOVE everything about this : )

Mac, you shameless bumper you! Yep! It still has IT! Now get to work and write something even better.

Ricki

Mac and Gail--

ABSOLUTELY A GREAT SONG--AFTER LISTENING SEVERAL TIMES--STILL GREAT!

THE SOFT PART MAY BE A LITTLE LOW FOR OLD EARS LIKE MINE, WITH A HEARING LOSS.

YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF THIS ONE--THUMBS UP YOUALL--

Mackie

Mac,
it is a shame you are without your tools but this is still a fine piece of work by you two. Wonderfully entertaining song. Hope you find the right place to pitch it.

John

Hi everyone,

Mac had told me that he was waxing nostalgic the other night...but I was a bit surprised to come over here and see this song popped back up!

MAGNE, JOICE MARIE, RICKI, JOHN: Thank you for "revisiting," and for your nice comments.

MACKIE: Thank you for coming by, listening, and commenting also.

I give a big heartfelt thanks to EVERYONE that has listened, commented, and told us how much they have enjoyed this song. We certainly appreciate it.

Mac is a wonderful and talented addition to the JPF family. I feel honored to have worked with him.

Best wishes to you all,
Gail