"Break Free" Listing - Arrangement

[RogerG]

Hi all,

Referring to this listing:

TOP NY Ad Agency needs a COUNTRY ROCK/SOFT ROCK SONG for a 60 Second TV Commercial. Actually, it's a TRACK with SOME vocals given by the agency. The ESTIMATED FEE for this will be $25,000! Quoting the agency: "The demographic for this is 60's-70+ yr. olds. The lyric HOOK is 'Break Free.' The VERSE lyric is:

'Nothing's going to hold me back
I can do anything
The world is mine
Can't slow me down'"

The agency further adds, "It would be cool to have an Eagles, or Jackson Browne vibe, or even Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, or John Hiatt. Your members' songs should be about the tempo of the Eagles song 'Take it Easy,' with a touch more modernity to it, but not TOO edgy. "Break Free" should be the hook. There should only be one short verse at the top, and then instrumental break. Sing "Break Free" in between a couple of times. Good to end on the "Break Free" vocal if you can. This will be a :60 spot. The legal disclaimers will go in the middle over the instrumental section." As always, do NOT copy or rip off the referenced artists or songs in any way, shape, or form! It's IMPORTANT that your submissions sound AUTHENTICALLY like a cool, hip ARTIST/BAND and NOT like a production music library track. MALE or FEMALE Vocals are both okay. Give your SONG a title that makes them think you're a cool Indie artist. DO NOT title it like you would for a music library pitch. Faded endings are recommended for this. This is DIRECT-to-the-Agency, so YOU'LL KEEP 100% of this deal with NO publisher splits! Broadcast Quality is needed (excellent home recordings are fine). You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights. If you ARE chosen for this TV spot, the Ad Agency will contact you DIRECTLY. Please submit one to three SONGS online or per CD. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS. NO FULL CRITIQUES FROM TAXI. Submissions must be received no later than 10am, MONDAY, February 13th, 2012. TAXI #Y120213RK

My question: They want the verse up front and then the instrumental part (that much is clear) but the "Break Free" part a couple of times underneath the instrumental? A more standard "donut" with a chorus at the end? Or something else that I'm completely misunderstanding? The line that's confusing me is:

Sing "Break Free" in between a couple of times.

In between what?

Thanks again all. - Roger

[kevinmathie]

Yeah, I had some questions about that listing too. I'm assuming that the "Break Free" lyric is sung between instrumental breaks.

The question I have is: The listing said that it is a track with "SOME vocals given by the agency." I'm assuming the listing means lyrics, rather than vocals, since we'll have to record our own vocals, right?

Also, does that mean that the agency is expecting us to provide more lyrics for the hook than just "Break Free," since the listing is saying that the agency is only providing "some" of the lyrics? Or, do they just want the words "Break Free" in the hook, giving them more time for adding spoken copy in the instrumental breaks in-between?

Signed,
Confused in Utah

[Mark Crozer]

Good questions. I was confused by this too but had a go at it anyway based on my understanding... maybe not on target stylistically or structurally though...

I took the wording to mean that there are some lyrics written that have to be incorporated but there is room for more if needed...

Anyway, if you want to check out my take on it I recorded a song and I called it... wait for it... Break Free! Original eh!?

I'd be curious to get some feedback. It's obviously not country rock but is it soft rock enough I wonder...?

Thanks

Mark

[Manitsky]

Nice job, Mark.

Yeah, I am confused by several aspects of this, like: why are they saying the hook is "Break Free" but then giving advice about coming up with a cool title? Shouldn't "Break Free" be the title?

Also, the verse lyrics have no rhyme scheme. Are we able to tinker with it?

[Mark Crozer]

Yeah... I went with Break Free for mine because... well, anything else would be dumb really! I might email Taxi for some clarification on this.

mark

[crazyhooks]

Hey Guys,

This listing does have some questions.
From my reading , you sing those lyrics and I dont think it will need more
as It says there should only be one short verse, etc
Ill be posting mine as well to get a feel out there.

[Mark Crozer]

Hi guys

I sent an email to Taxi yesterday to see if I could get more clarification and received this reply which does help clear a few things up:

"Hi Mark - All the info we have is in the listing. In answer to your first question, I'd say use "as is" is your best shot." This in relation to the lyrics that were included in the listing.

"Your second question: After you sing the verse at the top, during the instrumental break sing "Break free" a couple times ( in between the end of
the verse and the end of the track at :60). It's good to end with "break free."

Hope this is helpful to everyone.

Mark

[simstar]

Hi All,
Yeah I actually called them and got pretty much the same vagueness as the listing. I too am confused with the "call it something cool" not library, but can you really call it something other than "Break Free" ? Re: the lyric embellishment. the person I spoke with said there is some room for artistic license if you add lyrics that are in the same character, altho it didn't seem completely necessary .. BTW, Mark I really love the feel of your track - thanks for posting. Holy crap you work fast!!

Lucy

[crazyhooks]

I really think were all good with the Break free title
that "call it something cool" like an indie artist, is carbon copy of every lisiting

But with the listing asking for the HOOK should be "Break Free", that says it clear.
If Im wrong or if we were not to be forwarded thru just cuz of title , I think we'd all be writing letters
At this point were not going to call it New York Mining Disaster even though we all know it
the hook is "Have u seen my wife Mr Jones.

[pshamell]

I really think were all good with the Break free title
that "call it something cool" like an indie artist, is carbon copy of every lisiting

But with the listing asking for the HOOK should be "Break Free", that says it clear.
If Im wrong or if we were not to be forwarded thru just cuz of title , I think we'd all be writing letters
At this point were not going to call it New York Mining Disaster even though we all know it
the hook is "Have u seen my wife Mr Jones.

They would have simply called it "Mr. Jones", but their lawyers knew the future members of Counting Crows were in pre-Production.