Happy Together

[billg]

For the third time in as many years I've come across a listing for a cover of The Turtles 'Happy Together". I've always ignored it because I personally think it's a pretty goofy song. I finally figured I would just do one and be done with it!Besides the opp for this particular song I thought I'd submitt to the Taxi classic rock listing . . . although it's not one of the alas so I don't know how that will turn out.I thought it was goofy before I did this cover and I still think it's a goofy song!http://www.billgaunce.com/song/118

[heinsite]

hell billy, i've always thought the same thing, but the poppy structure is pretty good actually as i remember it.... i'm gunna listen to yours now.ok, here's my take--not sure about the doubling of your vocal (or what sounds like it in your lead) but i know this is rough now...--the harmony is dynamite--2nd verse i'd add SOMETHING to build it a bit more. since we all know this tune, (well, some of us farts...) unless the a la is asking for a pretty exact repro, i'd build it up 2nd verse.--now the chorus is quite good, but in the same vein, may i suggest the second time around (well i'll try anyway) i can hear 1/2 note slide/lead guitar going up and then down, as in dah....dah....dah....(on the way up) and the same format but up to down...not too much up front, but i think it would lend interest, and the simplicity of that pop era, it would be in the "simple" area.as usual, very nicely done, that's all i got...the best warrenps: you have the same cold i do? tried to sing this mornng on a new one, and damn very rough (as usual). you sound unusually rough in the upper. but i know it's rough...ok, listened twice, my "suggestions" stand (he said bravely...)

[billg]

Thanks for listening Warren. Ha, and I thought it was finished! I think this is just one of those songs that isn't a perfect fit for my voice but I had to give it a shot since I keep seeing listings for it every now and then.Don't know whether they're looking for a soundalike or something different so I just did it more or less like the original.

[Mark Kaufman]

Can't listen right now, Bill, but I've always been amazed by this song. It's got hooks out the window.For those who don't know, the two main members of the Turtles also went by the name of Flo and Eddie, and they went on to put their signature stamp of very weird, high harmonies to the likes of T.Rex and Frank Zappa. I love those guys.

[eokamura]

Hey bill, I've always loved this tune, but I'm a sucker for hooks! Only issue I had with the vox are some pitch issues when you hold out the last syllable of "together". Loved the harmonies, bg vox in general! If there's a way to make the chorus pop more... maybe hammering those quarter notes on a tele, bridge pick-up with lots of spring verb. Preferably on a black face fender! Dunno, just a thought. Maybe also making the chorus vox a little bouncier? Good luck... eo.

[toddt]

Hi Bill, very well done!The only major thing that stuck right out to me is that the drum fills need to be swung the same way as the rest of the perc. i.e the whole track is pretty much in triplets, but the fills are standard 16th notes (rather than triplet/12ths). IMO you really need to sort that out, but the rest is ace.tt

[billg]

Thanks Etan and tt. I fixed the vox (I think) but I'm not sure if I have the time, tools, or skill to fix the drum fills by the deadline but I'll give it a shot.Why isn't anything as quick and simple as you think it's gonna be?

[silvercord]

i know this isnt constructive feedback, Bill..(thats been posted though: )but i just want to say how much i like the way you mix things!

[k o star]

hi Bill...I felt that the Chorus parts really need to be lifted up... brightened and also perhaps add, hmmm... tryna think of something bright... ok, maybe add higher octave harmonies...The overall mix is ok for me... but I really needed the Chorus sounding bigger... MHO, HTH.Also, if U are gonna re-sing this, I suggest transposing the song 4 semi tones up... I think it'l suit Ur vox better...-Kel

[ideascapes]

Hey Bill,I always liked this song too, but probably "Eleanor" better. I did hear some issues with the drum track and felt the choruses could have been punchier. Still well done, though. Good luck with the submission. Vince