So here is a song that I just can't seem to find a way to bring it to life.
The lyrics are incredibly topical given the events of the weekend and the subsequent discussions today around our slave trading heritage. The importance of the topic really makes me want to be sure I do it justice in the final mix.
Neil wrote the lyrics a while ago and I sat on them for a few weeks before coming up with the verse part around a month ago. I parked it then as the Chorus didn't leap out at me but I finally got that in place a couple of weeks ago.
When I wrote it, it was just me and my acoustic guitar, and I still like it played that way, but recorded I felt it was dull.
The drums are just an Apple drummer dragged through, I haven't tried to change that yet as I usually do that at the end when I have a better feel for the song and that will definitely help with the final sound.
The vocal is very raw and was a single demo take so less than perfect, we do have some minor lyric revisions to include in the final version and the end was created by removing the guitar whereas when I sing it again, I will slow the vocal back a little.
My problem is that it's all a bit samey. I have tried a number of things and some work better than others but thought it might be interesting to get the views of some of you guys on where to go with a simple acoustic song that needs to be bigger.
It feels like bearing my soul sharing something as early and raw as this but hey, that's what we're all here for right?
Thanks
Pete
https://soundcloud.com/user-942989024-835749728/imperial-past-v3a/s-dzWVpVPIOLMVerse 1
Here is a tale, a distant memory
A guilty land, a previous century
With naval waters and blooded hands
Fight for glory in far flung lands
Verse 2
Fight for honour, king and country
Medals are won, bugles and gentry
Jewels in the crown, colonies and trading
Settle the locals, they’re for the taking
Chorus
Imperial past, conquests and slavery
Imperial past, empires and legacy
Imperial past, claims of false sovereignty
While the empire’s been slain, the emblems remain and the legacy stays the same
Verse 3
Blind patriot games rally the faithful
Stuck in the past, violent and hateful
Wrapped up in flags, red, white and blue
Inciting today, is that anything new?
Chorus
Imperial past, conquests and slavery
Imperial past, empires and legacy
Imperial past, claims of false sovereignty
While the empire’s been slain, the emblems remain and the legacy stays the same
Mid 8
I’ve no sense of faith, or becoming
I’ve no time for Great, or succumbing
Chorus
Imperial past, conquests and slavery
Imperial past, empires and legacy
Imperial past, claims of false sovereignty
While the empire’s been slain, the emblems remain and the legacy stays the same
Imperial past, conquests and slavery
Imperial past, empires and legacy
Imperial past, claims of false sovereignty
While the empire’s been slain, the emblems remain and the legacy stays the same