Here is a new song that I've been working on. Well, in truth, it was written way back in 1999 in collaboration with Paula Wright but we never recorded it at the time.
Paula wrote the lyric and I set it to music. We played 'Follow The Rain' in a five-piece band for which she was the singer and I played keyboards. Unfortunately, the group didn't last very long. However, I got in touch with Paula recently to ask if she would be okay about my reviving the song and recording it, and she was happy for me to do that.
At this point, I have uploaded a rough mix of a provisional arrangement with a scratch vocal. There's a bit of clipping on the voice, particularly during the chorus, due to my recording with the levels a little too high. I shall put that right in due course and hope to add some female backing vocals (would anyone like to volunteer for that, by the way?).
Constructive critiques would be very much appreciated. I've described the genre as soul/r&b/funk/alternative/pop. However, some have suggested 'adult contemporary', which is not a term used very much here in the UK. It's definitely not as 'funky' or as 'alternative' as most of my other stuff. So any thoughts on the most appropriate genre tags would be useful.
It doesn't matter how late we sleep We always wake up on time We have an understanding, you and me What's yours is yours, what's left is mine
But tears are dried in the blink of an eye Replaced by a smile and a little white lie And you know it's not the same As you head for the sun I will always follow the rain
Chorus: Follow the rain, follow the rain Running in circles, trying to escape the pain Follow the rain, follow the rain One day I'll run into you again
My heart jumps with the record playing Don't know if I'm going or staying The pictures have changed, don't recognise that look Don't recognise goodbyes
But tears are dried with a passing glance Replaced by a smile and a new romance And you know it's not the same As you head for the sun I will always follow the rain
Repeat chorus
Words by Paula Wright Music by Steve Cooke @ Steve Cooke/Paula Wright 1999
Performed and recorded by Steve Cooke in September 2010
Just started, so far sounds a bit jazzy. Cool sound, funky and fun. I would say, r&b after it gets going. But, I'm not really anyone to ask, so I hope someone who knows what they are talking about offers some input.
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." Thoreau
Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it... Professor Albus Dumbledore
I'm not sure I get where the lyric is going. I'm not the sharpest tool, probably missed something.. 'going our separate ways' would be the theme?
Hmm, I'd have to admit to some ambiguity on that one, given that I didn't write the lyric. I think you're broadly correct in your interpretation, though.
On that point, Paula (the lyricist) has written this in the comments part of the track: "it brings back memories of a very bad relationship - I'm old enough to laugh now!"
I found myself quite surprised by how emotionally affecting it was to sing this, as I got more and more into doing that during the recording session. The strings that I added later in the day, for the final chorus, seemed to make it seem more sad, or maybe 'resigned' is the best word, in that respect. Good old strings - always useful for emotional manipulation. ;-)
This Aussie girl really enjoyed listening, and I agree with the others, R&B, but I feel the lyrics still needs some work.
What stood out for me in the song was "What's yours is yours, what's left is mine" theirs your HOOK! My only suggestion would be to re-work the lyrics, and sorry that I can't offer you much help with that, cause I've still got lots to learn regarding songwriting hey.
Good luck with it, and hopefully others here will jump on board and give you a helping hand.
Another super little tune from you nice melody and your 'scratch' vocal sounds pretty darn nice to me... I like the hook - intro and change up early on.....if I could suggests anything production wise it is to have the conga (or bongo?) reappear in your softer interlude later in the piece.. I liked that bit and wanted it to return --- maybe outro too....
and I particularly like this thought ..... My heart jumps with the record playing
as always Good Stuff from you ! - jm
perfection is unattainable, excellence is totally within reach
if I could suggests anything production wise it is to have the conga (or bongo?) reappear in your softer interlude later in the piece.. I liked that bit and wanted it to return --- maybe outro too....
Thanks Joice. Looks like you are auditioning for the percussion gig there (in your profile pic).
I liked it, the backing track is very funky and put together with a lot of skill. This might only make sence to Steve but for some strange reason I can hear Jimmy Nail singing this song.
Overall I think the production and feel of the track is very very good and it's made go and listen to the rest of your tracks.
Rgds Andy
Work for hire Producer. I will also produce and master any old/new work tapes up to demo standards. :-) Just PM or email:
Steve , I would love to listen but everytime I click play nothing happens . Have to check my browser settings . Later....
All the best Jan
"You have to react to what's around you in the moment, whatever the music is. Just think of it as some place you have to enter and you need to find the key."
Issues with playing tracks on SoundCloud are usually related to flash players being out of date or ad-blocking plugins. It's not that there are any advertisements on SoundCloud - there aren't - but rather that it relies on the same sort of motion graphics technology.
SoundCloud's FAQ page gives this advice:
"Tracks won't play what can I do?
"Always make sure that your browser and Flash player are updated to the latest versions; if you've installed any flash or ad-blocking plugins in your browser, please add soundcloud.com to the exceptions list in the plugin settings.
"Also always try to reload the page fist and double-check using a different browser as in most cases, playback hiccups are only temporary."
Steve , this is fab !! Even with such a sparse instrumentation I really got in to Your groove . Man , You got the X factor in this genre .
I really enjoyed the listen and performance .
Keep up the good work .
All the best Jan
"You have to react to what's around you in the moment, whatever the music is. Just think of it as some place you have to enter and you need to find the key."
![[Linked Image]](http://i1.soundcloud.com/artworks-000002449033-rayljl-crop.jpg)
