Here is my second original song. All my topics seemed to be sad so I wanted to write something a bit more lighthearted. Which turned out to be fun. It may still evolve further, the first chords and melody was sounding too much like wagon wheel and I couldn’t break out of it, I still have so much to learn. This did feel like it came together easier. I like the chord progression of this one, and my voice seems like to wants to sing different, notes to the chords, so I want to play with that. However I wanted to get a simple recording together. There is a slight chance I may get to play it a singer /songwriter circle next week as a variation from the open mic.
Any similarities to people or antics that happen in my house are purely intentional.
Lyrics
I Emerge from my egg a wriggling grub
I crawl on my food it’s yesterdays’ sub
if this is my life I’m not sure that I want it
there has to be more so I’m off to find it
my wings have grown strong I’m ready to fly
farewell my brothers adios and goodbye
I’m looking for fun and a reason for being
a wide world is out there, all ready for seeing
[Chorus]
I circle her head I land on her arm
I know I’m so fast she can do me no harm
life without purpose can be very dull
but flirting with danger gives me such a buzz
[Verse 2]
I enter the house through a left open door
There’s plenty to do here oh so much more
there’s only one danger but a big one at that
the crazy lady and her electric bat
She’s off to the kitchen it’s time for our dinner
I sample each dish but can’t pick a winner
I stomp on her salad and spit on her meat
I know that she hates that I don’t wipe my feet
[Chorus]
I circle her head I land on her arm
I know I’m so fast she can do me no harm
life without purpose can be very dull
but flirting with danger gives me such a buzz
[Verse 3]
She’s trying to kill me I know it’s a war
I land on the windows I sneak out the door
The hiss of the fly spray a fine deadly mist
I dodge right around it, Ha Ha you missed
out comes the towel she flicks it around
I feel the air swirl I wince at the sounds
I duck and I dive I manage to flee
I’m loving this battle it causes such glee
[Chorus]
I circle her head I land on her arm
I know I’m so fast she can do me no harm
life without purpose can be very dull
but flirting with danger gives me such a buzz
[Verse 4]
so while she is eating I dance on her plate
I’m quite a good dancer so why all the hate?
and once she has eaten let battle resume
i’ve never been beaten I fly round the room
then out of the blue a flash and a crack
oh no she got me I land on my back
I crash to the floor look up to the sky
the lady is shouting die bastard die
[Chorus]
I circle her head I land on her arm
I know I’m so fast she can do me no harm
life without purpose can be very dull
but flirting with danger gives me such a buzz
[Chorus]
I circle her head I land on her arm
I know I’m so fast she can do me no harm
life without purpose can be very dull
but flirting with danger gives me such a buzz
From a recording perspective, listening through headphones I had sound only in my left ear. It is also relatively soft.
If you interested in working a little more on the recording, given that I see a dynamic mic and an XLR cable that makes me think Focusrite AI, then share some of the details as to how you recorded and rendered the final video. Maybe some tips that can be shared.
It took me a moment to understand it’s out of a fly’s perspective - made me giggle even more. What a cool idea, and it immediately created pictures in my mind while listening.
Re the sound: same here, only having signal in the left channel. Nevertheless, for a first impression of your song, it was fine. Well done, it will be a good fun in the singer/Songwriter circle.
Hi Phil,
Congrats for getting back into the ring for round 2!
It takes a fair bit of time and effort, (not to mention chutzpah), to write, perform and record a song
The lyrical content works well- an unusual perspective with much humour.
An appropriate chord progression, with tight rhyming and rhythm.
The things I would focus on, if you would like to develop this song would be
Adding some variation to the melody, particularly to the chorus, as it is the same chord progression as the verses.
Perhaps a bridge?
We all have to learn the rules and how to colour between the lines at the beginning, but it will sound more natural if you don’t sing the notes along with the beat and each bar. Try dissociating the two. (It’s also ok not to rhyme)
It’s a long haul, but you’re on the right path.
My favourite aspect of this song is that it ticks the communication-relationship box. You created something that didn’t exist and lured that crazy bat-lady out of hibernation from her dark cave
Vibes!
Thank you everyone for your time listening and your comments @batwoman@Lisa_S@Eddie_09@beejay56 Watching the antics are as fun as the song. I am happy it is lighthearted. @roger_holland@DavidP Yes I definitely need help recording, there is so much to learn. I tried to use OBS because I wanted to crop the video image from my camera, but that only left me with a horrible black bar and non centered image. The audio from the OBS recording was very quiet, so I took it into reaper to boost it. Resulting in the only one ear thing. I will try harder next time and not be in a rush. @brianlarsen Thanks for the pointers. A couple of lines in the song I thought of your performances as inspiration, as I delivered the lines Ha Ha You missed, and Die Bastard Die.
Regarding the song writing, the different dynamic chord progression went into hiding when I pressed the record button. To be honest bridges are a ball of mystery to me, I understand the concept, but not how to put the concept into practice.
I am really enjoying the journey and am in it for the long Haul so I shall improve.
The singer/songwriter event is tomorrow. Not sure if I will get to perform, but I might, in a lightning round of 1 song per person. I need to go and practice.
Thanks again everyone for your listening and commenting time.
I think you can approach the recording of the video and enjoying the benefits the benefits of recording via your mic, AI etc in a number of ways:
You can record everything in OBS using either a webcam or phonecam for video and taking audio from your AI directly
You could set up to record audio through Reaper, routing from AI to Reaper and Reaper to OBS. I think this is the most complicated, to be avoided.
You record the audio in Reaper and the video from your camera, I assume a phone, and sync the two in Reaper.
I make my videos for YouTube using the first method.
I’d skip the second.
In the past I used the third and found it quite easy to sync the video with the audio. Just have to make sure you get the Reaper project frame rate correct before you drop in the video. And you can re-render the video from Reaper once you have Reaper audio synced with the video.
If any of that sounds interesting and useful, we can discuss further and get into details.
Thanks David,
I have read lots of threads, so have some level of understanding. However, when it comes to actually doing it you learn all those things you didn’t pay attention to.
Given my personality I know I will never get to the level of a lot of people on here, but I would like to be reasonably competent at the things I choose to do. So I will persevere, thanks for the offer of help and advice, I will shout when I need it next.
I feel and am exactly the same as you, Phil! So keep on keeping on and you may just wake up one day and realise you’ve achieved more than you imaged . . . . I know I did.
TBH. I have already achieved way more than I imagined. I guess I have levelled up my expectations and as for my aspirations they are way up there. So I just need to keep picking up my guitar every day. It doesnt always feel like progress although i know it is.
I did attend the singer/songwriter showcase and played this song. It was a really enjoyable experience. The more you play in front of people the easier it gets, not necessarily better though I will put more details in my learning log. I did get several comments about it being a fun song.
What a cool idea, and it immediately created pictures in my mind while listening. 
I will put more details in my learning log. I did get several comments about it being a fun song.