Melody question in this return

[ScottFree4All]

My song, "Best Outta Me" was returned for the listing below with the words of wisdom, "Melody could be more compelling and distinctive. " If anyone here would be so kind as to listen to my song and help me understand what that means in this case. Is Listener ID # 362 recommending a rewrite of the melody - or is a production thing. I honestly wish the distinction was clearer to me - but maybe I am too close to the song. Thanks in advance.
"Best Outta Me" is on my Taxi page - http://www.taximusic.com/hosting/home.p ... ttfree4all

TOP MUSIC SUPERVISOR working on a FEATURE FILM needs MID-to-UPTEMPO ROCK/INDIE ROCK SONGS with MALE or FEMALE vocals for the END CREDITS of a FILM in the spirit of: "Shiny Happy People" by R.E.M. http://bit.ly/9AjRBB "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" by The Beatles http://bit.ly/9FLKpI "Happy Together" by The Turtles http://bit.ly/cYYa9Q They're looking for CURRENT-sounding songs with a HAPPY, POSITIVE, FEEL-GOOD vibe. QUOTING THE SOURCE: "We want the audience to leave the theater feeling good and humming along to the last song that they've heard in this film. We love the feeling of The Beatles and The Turtles songs but we're looking for a much more contemporary sound like R.E.M.'s 'Shiny Happy People.'" Please only use the referenced Beatles and Turtles tracks as a stylistic guide to the feel-good tone and vibe that has been requested. It's essential that your tracks have a contemporary sound to be considered for this opportunity. Please keep your melodies and hooks simple and memorable. Universal and PG-rated lyrics are needed. Vocal performances must be be top-notch in the vein of the referenced artists. The fee for this license is approximately $10,000-$12,000 total. Forwards will be sent DIRECTLY to the MUSIC SUPERVISOR so YOU WILL KEEP 100% of the ultimate fee, and you will NOT give up ANY of your Master, Publishing and Writer's share! You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights to submit for this listing. Original material only, no covers please. Broadcast Quality is needed (excellent home recordings are fine). Please submit one to three songs online. All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS by a TAXI screener Hand-Picked by the Music Supervisor. ALL submissions must be received no later than Thursday, February 7, 2013, 5:30PM PST. TAXI #U130207RK

Thanks,
Scott

[Russell Landwehr]

Hi Scott,

Maybe the screener's comments are just "particular" to this listing. Could be the screener (for this listing) was listening for something that your song just didn't "quite" fit. In other words, "could be more compelling and distinctive (for THIS listing.)" Which of course makes the "rewrite" unneeded if it would be right for a different listing as-is. I've got forwards and returns for the same song, same screener, with opposing comments. I attribute this to the needs of the listing.

The genre of your song didn't sound like "rock" to me... not enough guitars.

When I listened to your song, I saw a happy feel-good TV commercial opportunity, 'specially in the chorus/refrain.

Regards,
Russell

[Casey H]

Russell was right on here. You have to look at things in terms of the particular listing.

This listing was ULTRA, ULTRA high bar, for a feature film paying a $10K+ license fee. That's pretty darn far up there as far as how highly selective the opportunity is. A song that is good or very good but not great wouldn't cut it here. So don't take this as meaning you don't have a good song here, just not undeniably great as required for THIS listing.

Had this been a different listing, you might have had a completely different reaction and results.

Hang in there.

Best,
Casey

[ScottFree4All]

Thanks Russell - you were definitely right on about the guitars (or lack of). I should have made the time to lay down a guitar track just for this listing - so I get what I deserve.

And thanks Casey for the kind words. You are always a voice of reason.

Cheers,
Scott

[songmaster]

Hi Scott

Just my opinion. I think the production is fine. What I think the screener means, is that the song might sound closer in feel to (Happy Together) and I think they stated that they wanted something more contemporary like REM. or later.

Anyway, just my 2 cents. My song was also returned. That will be 3 this week. Oh well.

[crazyhooks]

Scott ,
Aside from the Ultra high bar etc..
This is a well written & performed "pop" song
Overall the mix was a little thin for my ears,
But great singer on this.
well done

J.

[melodymessiah]

i've listened to this song several times before, and i really like it. think it has a sweet melody with a nice retro vibe. when the screener said you should tightened up the melody, i really don't know what he means. i would leave it as it is. think it's well produced too. weather it's "rocky" enough for the listing is a different matter. but i fear that adding more guitars to it would kill the light, happy feel of it. it's a song that needs some air. i would leave it as it is and wait for the right listing. i see this song as something lily allen could record.

[marcblack30]

Hey Scott, I think you have a really strong tune here! Seems most like this production but to me everything feels "over the top", the bed track was just pumpin, it feels way too strong/crisp/compressed for this vocal especially once the chorus kicks in and throughout. I'd love to hear this one revamped closer to a Bublé production, softer bed track and with more dynamics.

The vocal is incredible, spot on, melody is catchy and totally working and I think you have a super marketable song here, I just think the current production is holding it back.

Just my $.02, it's not a lot but I hope you find it helpful.