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https://soundcloud.com/funsongs-1/i-felt-lead

Not terribly surprised by the critiques that accompany the returns for this song submitted for a Country listing..."contemporary", being one of the main hurdles that got in the way: with this song sounding, among other things, too dated and NOT contemporary. The are other aspects that were deemed old-school about it besides.

Not complaining, and not gonna bother posting the listings, etc.
Just going to report that it's a bit of a confirmation that what is popular in the New Country radio & artist scene is unappealing to my tastes; and so it's just never gonna be a good fit for this old dude.

The fact that the song sounded too old-school is actually a compliment, since that's what I was after when it was birthed... prior to the posting of the listings.

I'll leave the contemporary/New Country stuff alone in the future; and have fun with the other old-school peeps.

That's part of the learning process. Figuring out what you are good at, how you interpret styles, and whether or not the listings fit the brain.

Besides... today's country ain't country. It's more like mid 80's pop.

Hey Pete,

This one could be "worth a shot"

TAXI #Y150929TC

It's really not a problem if the sound and style of a song dates back to the 60's, 70s ect. Lot's of people love that, there's a big live scene for music people know, it's on the radio, it's on the streaming services, on tv, commercials and film ect. So there's absolutely no issue with music that sounds like it's released in a specific time period.

There is an issue with labelling it as something else, though. That would be like saying your name is John, when you in fact are Peter. Doesn't work.

Being able to identify what elements and styles in your writing and compositions that makes others associate it with music from a certain time period, can also enable you to expand what you can do. Robin Frederick talks about being able to "reverse engineer the competition" in her books about songwriting, which is about identifying elements in music and make appropriate descriptions of them. If you can do that with both your own, and others' music, you will become more confident with what you have, and can begin to develop as a musician trying to emulate parts and styles from music you admire and want to be able to do (not to forget, pitch "on target").

Then you are Peter, but can also play John if someone should ask..

Paulie wrote:That's part of the learning process. Figuring out what you are good at, how you interpret styles, and whether or not the listings fit the brain.

Besides... today's country ain't country. It's more like mid 80's pop.

I knew that going in, Paulie. Figuring that the artist seeking a song-fit would re-record it anyway,
I figured I'd take a shot with what I had, based on the merits of the humor & word-play.

Turns out: when a trend is "working" (per radio & marketing & making $$),
they're gonna stick with its formula until it doesn't work any more; which has its positives and negatives... until something, or someone, comes along with the next new twist.

lesmac wrote:Hey Pete,

This one could be "worth a shot"

TAXI #Y150929TC

Thanks, Les... I'll take a look at it (if it's not one of the 3 I already tried goofed).

You might try targeting Americana listings instead of Country listings. I find that was is referred to as Americana now is much more Country than modern "Country". And it's a genre I feel comfortable and enjoy writing/recording for. And it encompasses many styles and eras, anything from old school country sounds to more modern, almost indie sounds.

Just my 2 c's...

eo

eeoo wrote:You might try targeting Americana listings instead of Country listings. I find that was is referred to as Americana now is much more Country than modern "Country". And it's a genre I feel comfortable and enjoy writing/recording for. And it encompasses many styles and eras, anything from old school country sounds to more modern, almost indie sounds.

Just my 2 c's...

eo

Great suggestion, Ethan; I'll chew on that one; thank you.
There's probably more fiddle & pedal-steel, slide guitar & Dobro, there than one would find in New Country.

There's probably more fiddle & pedal-steel, slide guitar & Dobro, there than one would find in New Country.

Absolutely.

Every time I see the title, I think it says "I Felt Lead(Leed)" or that it's misspelled "led", although I do get it, lead as in a bullet.