Close Your Eyes

Community Recordings Originals (Not Covers)
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There is a whole story behind this song. It started out as a children’s song for an elementary school talent show. I dont think the children’s version made it into the talent show but Byron can address that & tell his story.

We took the children’s version, changed up the lyrics & added lots of other stuff. Here’s what we came up with:

Aly: Sparse finger picked electric rhythm & muted electric chug rhythm, lyrics, initial mix
Byron: All vocals, acoustic finger style, electric drone rhythm
Dominique: Bass, distored electric chug rhythm, final mix
Steve: Solos, parallel harmonies
Drums: Drums, shakers, & tambourine tracks all from youtube

To all who listened to the numerous versions & to all who offered suggestions-this was a collaboration of many talented people. Thank you to all who participated out front or behind the scenes. Great job everyone!

Special thanks to Dominique for the final mixing & all the bells & whistles he applied to really make the song pop. There were so many tracks, I had a hard time with it & was so happy for his expertise!

Enjoy the song, kinda like our own JustinGuitar talent show :)

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I thought everyone did so well on this!

The children’s song Knock It Out Of The Park may not make it to the talent show sadly. Its gotta be approved by some higher ups at my work/school before it can be taught and sang. I mean everyone loves it! But its up to the music teacher as well, but she hasn’t even looked at it yet!

Anyways great job everyone! This was really fun putting together! :slight_smile:

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That was really good, nice to wake up to on Sunday morning!
Congrats to all involved, you done good!

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Thanks @DarrellW

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Thank you Darrell!

There’ll be an updated track with a few improvements soon.
Mainly I am unhappy about accidentally putting a shimmer reverb on the guitar solo in the center.

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Thanks Darrel glad you liked it!

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Lovely song, I enjoyed it. The production was excellent, it sounds really professional. Well done guys.

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Oh, I see . the new version is up now! :slight_smile: Thank you for your compliments, Boris!
Now that I see you - I’ll have to get back to do more blues practicing! :blush: cu soon!

And @AlyKat Aly and Byron @Bytron08 - thank you - it was nice to work with you!

Thank you for the credits… well… “expertise”, haha, now I’ll have to live up to it on the next mixes…

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Allison

Very good: well sung, well played and well produced. Sounded like a lost Byrds song! Encore!

Brian

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To each of you, this was an enjoyable listen. Great vocals, Bytron. Your vocal tone seemed a little different to me in this song. Not better or worse; just different. I’m assuming some FX used? Or maybe just my new AirPods. Anyway, the total package was great.

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Thank you. Pamela! Your hearing is fine! :slight_smile: There’s a little distortion on Byron’s second vocal, the background harmony, a bit like talking into a megaphone, not as strong.

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Thank you for listening ! I appreciate you!!

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Thank you so much for the nice comments!

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Thank you @pkboo3 pkboo3
We can all sound good thru the magic of DAWS & effects & virtual vocals :slight_smile: I guess we should add a disclaimer !
Thanks again for listening!

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Thanks everyone!

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I have to say something I forgot in the rush before!
I was invited to take part in the song by Byron and Alykat. Thank you both for inviting an trusting in me!

I liked all the contributions of everyone! So thanks through the ether to Steve (the only of us four not being here on the forum) for the nice solo and outro!

And one last special thanks to Alykat - you did such a great job with your songwriting and really make working together easy every time!

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You are so welcome & you are also a pleasure to work with-so friendly & patient !

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NP Dom! Anytime was fun working with you! Thank you!

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‘Original Collaborations’ is my favourite category in the AVOYP section (even if it doesn’t exist :laughing:)
You guys did really well here-
The final result is well-balanced and moves along nicely with everyone’s contribution clearly audible.
Bravo! :sunglasses:
I hope some positive criticism won’t offend (as this is a learning site :grimacing:) and I’m very aware it’s subjective.
I felt the melody could have benefited from more variation, or otherwise a bridge or a chorus would have been interesting. I’m not sure AGDA with the same vocal melody repeated throughout is enough to hold the listener’s attention. The guitar solo clearly demonstrates melodic capability in spades.
Oh, and if you go to the trouble of writing lyrics, share them. Lots of us enjoy not missing out
Overall, great job though, and look forward to the next one :smiley:

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@brianlarsen My favorite category too !!!

Agree 100% with everything you said!

This project started as a 1 person, acoustic, original song, created for an elementary talent show. It had to be very simple & it had to be able to be taught & sung by a class of 4th graders in a very short time period. Think acapella & clapping with kids singing gleefully, lol.

We took that & converted it into an adult version with new lyrics, several people were added, drums, guitars, leads, etc. We just kept the original chord progression & structure from the children’s version.

Thank you for listening & for all the feedback, I appreciate it !!!

HERE ARE THE CHILDRENS LYRICS

VERSE
When the mountain seems too tall
Look ahead & you wont fall
When the road is way to long
Close your eyes & sing this song

CHORUS
Don’t give up
Make your mark
Hit that ball right out of the park
Put a smile
On your face
Hit that ball into outer space

VERSE
When the river seems too wide
I am always by your side
When it all just feels so wrong
Close your eyes & sing this song

CHORUS
Don’t give up
Make your mark
Hit that ball right out of the park
Put a smile
On your face
Hit that ball into outer space

VERSE
When you’re feeling really sad
Think of all the fun you’ve had
When all you want is to be long
Close your eyes & sing this song

CHORUS
Don’t give up
Make your mark
Hit that ball right out of the park
Put a smile
On your face
Hit that ball into outer space

VERSE
When the sunshine seems too bright
Look around & don’t lose sight
When you’re feeling not so strong
Close your eyes & sing this song

CHORUS
Don’t give up
Make your mark
Hit that ball right out of the park
Put a smile
On your face
Hit that ball into outer space

CHORUS
Don’t give up
Make your mark
Hit that ball right out of the park
Put a smile
On your face
Hit that ball into outer space

HERE ARE THE ADULT LYRICS

VERSE
If the mountain, seems too tall
Don’t look down or, you will fall
If the road is, way too long
Close your eyes &, Ill be gone

CHORUS
When you wake up, Ill be gone
Down the road at the, break of dawn
Shoulda never, stayed so long
Close your eyes &, Ill be gone

VERSE
If the river, seems too wide
And there’s no where, left to hide
If you think that, this is wrong
Close your eyes &, Ill be gone

CHORUS
When you wake up, Ill be gone
Down the road at the, break of dawn
Shoulda never, stayed so long
Close your eyes &, Ill be gone

VERSE
If the skies all, seem too gray
There is nothing, left to say
If your feelin, not so strong
Close your eyes &, Ill be gone

CHORUS
When you wake up, Ill be gone
Down the road at the, break of dawn
Shoulda never, stayed so long
Close your eyes &, Ill be gone

VERSE
If the sunset, seems too slow
I think it’s time for, me to go
If the birds wont, sing their song
Close your eyes &, Ill be gone

CHORUS
When you wake up, Ill be gone
Down the road at the, break of dawn
Shoulda never, stayed so long
Close your eyes &, Ill be gone

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