Never Break Your Heart '65

[clonsberry]

I'm going to try and shoot this to that listing for the '63 - '68 era pop/rock/soul. It's a broadcast quality listing though. And.. well I just don't know. Not that $5 is a big deal to toss into the wind as a gamble but I thought with some feedback, I might be able to either better my chances or opt not to go for it. I've got plenty of time for changes.I tried to keep everything fairly simplistic in the theme and the mix for the time period. Not sure if the 'verb works. And vocally.. well I still don't know.The audio's up on my Taxi page: http://www.taxi.com/clonsberryNever Break Your HeartChris Lonsberry / 2007I hear you're having troubles keeping love in sightI hear you're pretty close to giving up the fightI hear that love's eluded you and just left fearIt seems that you've been looking every where but hereI may never be the one to turn your head(walking down the street)I may never be the one that your friends said("you just have to meet")I may never be the one you're thinking of(when your morning starts)But I'm the one.. who'll never break your heartI heard he left you standing feeling all aloneI heard he tossed you out like so much garbage thrownI heard the way he dumped you hurt so painfullyHe would have never done that if that guy was meThen you would be the precious treasure that I keepAnd I would never hurt you.. never make you weep

[squidlips]

Hey Chris:Well, it's definitely got that 60s feel to it. It's got the melody and harmonies of that time. Maybe you could eq some of the hollowness out of the snare and bring up the vocals a little, add a little high end to them (the mikes back then were horrible and high-endy)....that might lend some more authenticity to it. I liked the melody and harmonies on it.I don't know......it's only $5, right? I'd shoot it to them, what the heck!

[johnhampt]

This sound like it could be a Gin Blossoms tune. Follow you down???? Yes, it has a 60's feel but the recording is too clean and, I don't know.... not old sounding. You could pitch it as a songwriting idea but I have to be honest that it's not broadcast quality. Not a bad little tune, Bro. That one part of the song where the vocal doubles, I would bring down the second vocal and pan it. And when you get to the "Never make you weep" part, I think it would sound cool to have the doubled part say that phrase holding on C for each note. So, C C C C C. Kind of makes it more Beatlesy. I think the thing that takes away from the 60's feel is the drum machine. As I have mentioned in other threads, I am sold on drum loops. They sound like a real drummer (because they are) and get rid of the mechanical feel that drum machines always add to songs. Again, not a bad tune Bro. Not bad at tall!!!!

[clonsberry]

Quote:Maybe you could eq some of the hollowness out of the snare and bring up the vocals a little, add a little high end to them (the mikes back then were horrible and high-endy)....that might lend some more authenticity to it.Done and done. I went easy on both but I think it's a definite improvement. And, you're right. It's only $5. I'll roll the dice. Thanks much for your input!

[clonsberry]

Quote:This sound like it could be a Gin Blossoms tune. Follow you down???? Yes, it has a 60's feel but the recording is too clean and, I don't know.... not old sounding. You could pitch it as a songwriting idea but I have to be honest that it's not broadcast quality. Not a bad little tune, Bro. That one part of the song where the vocal doubles, I would bring down the second vocal and pan it. And when you get to the "Never make you weep" part, I think it would sound cool to have the doubled part say that phrase holding on C for each note. So, C C C C C. Kind of makes it more Beatlesy. I think the thing that takes away from the 60's feel is the drum machine. As I have mentioned in other threads, I am sold on drum loops. They sound like a real drummer (because they are) and get rid of the mechanical feel that drum machines always add to songs. Again, not a bad tune Bro. Not bad at tall!!!!Thanks for your input as well. I'm not sure I agree with the Gin Blossoms thing but it's definitely a compliment. (Now if I can just get them to get back together and sing it...)I know exactly what you mean about it sounding too clean but I don't know what to do about it. I've tried EQ'ing it to death and back. I've tried about 50 different reverbs. I just don't know. I could add scratches but that's kind of cheesy in this application. Everything I've tried to make the track sound 'not as clean' just makes it sound 'horrible'. I even tried eq'ing it to match some Monkee songs. No good. So, unless I stumble across something between now and then, I'll just have to hope the intent of the listing was a 60's-ish type song and not a 60's-ish sounding song. I'm going up to my old studio on Monday. Maybe I'll drop the question on him. He's a genius.Technically, I didn't use a drum machine per se. I midi'd them in via keyboard. (I used to do bass the same way until I bought a bass and started playing for real. Now I'll never go back)I agree that loops sound more natural but I've had drummer friends comment before when I use loops. so, either there's a time and place for them.. like everything else. Or I'm really not good at using them. I do need to expand my drum sounds though. I just picked up TruePianos for my piano sounds. Drums are next.I'll probably redo that doubled vocal and hold the C. I think it would sound good too.Thank you a lot for your time and input!

[rick]

Hey man real nice job.I think this is a classic style 60's song.I grew up on that music and this fits right in both musically and lyrically.Production wise I believe you are ok because it is a clean recording and sounds like it was recorded in that period.(that really is a compliment)As for the vocal will we still be friends if I say I think you should have someone else sing this.I really believe this song can get forwarded,and you should give it every opportunity available.

[clonsberry]

Thanks very much, Rick!Yes, we're still friends. One of the reasons I decided to pursue being a songwriter, as opposed to a performing artist, is because I'm aware my voice is.. just 'not horrible'. 'not horrible' doesn't really put you in a position for a singing career. Depending on the song and the key, sometimes I can even pull off 'adequate'. But this wasn't one of them.I'm not really sure where I'm going to come up with a singer for this. I've just sent out a feeler out to a singer buddy. $5 is one thing to gamble but the cost of a real vocalist for something that may or may not be forwarded and, whether it is or not, I won't get a critique on.. oofff.. that's a tough call. This is a one-off and not exactly my Stairway To Heaven.But.. I've got some time and, thanks to people here, I know I'm in the ballpark and what the weaknesses are. We'll see if I can make the pieces fit together. It's all good.

[geo]

Hi, ho Geo here. Chris let me start by saying unfortunately I really don't like most country music, BUT, when I clicked on Poorboy and the Princess I actually made it to the end of the song (a first for me on the forums), LOVED SAGA, great title. Funny I was going to take a run at this listing as well (punk/rock & roll song I plan to tone down) I mean it is only $5 bucks. Liked your song, great bass sound, I would experiment with a slightly faster tempo, most stuff I hear on here could use 2 beats/min more (I mean the forum, not your site ) I have to rerecord the vocals (rewrite) on my song but I should be able to have the old version up in a day or so. I would submit yours, regardless. You got good stuff there mate.....Geo