Time to mothball one of my better songs

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joe44850
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Time to mothball one of my better songs

Post by joe44850 » Mon Mar 24, 2025 2:05 pm

Sometimes we write a song that just isn't going to find a home. In my case, the song "Firefly" got a lot of good remarks from reviewers, but I made what to be looks like an obvious mistake to myself now (wrote this 6 months ago): not universal. This song tells a pretty specific story, and can't be easily plopped into a sync situation. I've learned a valuable lesson: if you're writing for sync, write for sync :-)

Anyway, won't be pitching this one again:

https://soundcloud.com/joe-linstrum/firefly?in=joe-linstrum/sets/taxi-material

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douglasricketts
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Re: Time to mothball one of my better songs

Post by douglasricketts » Mon Mar 24, 2025 5:35 pm

Hello Joe! Every once in a while I see a listing asking for songs that DO tell a story, whether it be about lost love or a happy morning or the like. You may find a sync home for it down the road. It's a nice tune.
My instrumental rock, jazz, orchestral, and electronic albums are streaming now - Most include a link to download for personal or commercial use: www.douglaswaynericketts.com


Recent sync submissions at www.taxi.com/members/douglaswaynericketts

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Re: Time to mothball one of my better songs

Post by joe44850 » Mon Mar 24, 2025 8:01 pm

douglasricketts wrote:
Mon Mar 24, 2025 5:35 pm
Hello Joe! Every once in a while I see a listing asking for songs that DO tell a story, whether it be about lost love or a happy morning or the like. You may find a sync home for it down the road. It's a nice tune.
Thanks, Doug, thanks for being so supportive. Looking forward to meeting you in person some day!

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Re: Time to mothball one of my better songs

Post by Casey H » Tue Mar 25, 2025 4:59 am

Hey Joe
I have had songs like this for which I simply wrote different lyrics for to use for Film/TV. This is a very nice song! :D

However, it needs shortening (Over 5 minutes is way too long!) and re-structuring. You need a strong chorus that you get to in under a minute, preferably even less. What you label as chorus early on in the song does not stand out as such. However from the bridge on, you have great chorus material and you finally get the hook. If it were me, and I wanted to make it usable for sync, I'd do those things--- shorten, re-structure, and change to universal lyrics based on some of the good lines you have in there.

PM me if you'd like to work together on it.

Best,
:D Casey

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Re: Time to mothball one of my better songs

Post by joe44850 » Tue Mar 25, 2025 3:53 pm

Casey H wrote:
Tue Mar 25, 2025 4:59 am
Hey Joe
I have had songs like this for which I simply wrote different lyrics for to use for Film/TV. This is a very nice song! :D

However, it needs shortening (Over 5 minutes is way too long!) and re-structuring. You need a strong chorus that you get to in under a minute, preferably even less. What you label as chorus early on in the song does not stand out as such. However from the bridge on, you have great chorus material and you finally get the hook. If it were me, and I wanted to make it usable for sync, I'd do those things--- shorten, re-structure, and change to universal lyrics based on some of the good lines you have in there.

PM me if you'd like to work together on it.

Best,
:D Casey
Fantastic advice, as always, Casey. I'd be more than happy to collaborate on this with you. One thing I could do even before we start is take your suggestions and get it restructured. What do you think?

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Re: Time to mothball one of my better songs

Post by douglasricketts » Tue Mar 25, 2025 8:19 pm

joe44850 wrote:
Mon Mar 24, 2025 8:01 pm

Thanks, Doug, thanks for being so supportive. Looking forward to meeting you in person some day!
You're very welcome! Were you at last year's Road Rally? Let's make sure to have a brew this November.
My instrumental rock, jazz, orchestral, and electronic albums are streaming now - Most include a link to download for personal or commercial use: www.douglaswaynericketts.com


Recent sync submissions at www.taxi.com/members/douglaswaynericketts

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Re: Time to mothball one of my better songs

Post by joe44850 » Tue Mar 25, 2025 10:00 pm

douglasricketts wrote:
Tue Mar 25, 2025 8:19 pm
joe44850 wrote:
Mon Mar 24, 2025 8:01 pm

Thanks, Doug, thanks for being so supportive. Looking forward to meeting you in person some day!
You're very welcome! Were you at last year's Road Rally? Let's make sure to have a brew this November.
Yeah i was just there for one day, but i'll be there for a couple this time around, I'll see ya there!

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