[igg]

Hi,

I've been putting this together over the last few weeks.  I'd like to get your impressions on anything that might occur to you....Lyrics, arrangement, vocals, mix...
Sort of a hybrid jazzy feel I'm going for...Please tell me what works for you....
Made a few very minor lyrics changes from the version in the lyric forum.....

https://www.reverbnation.com/ihor/song/24420499-the-billboard-life

The Billboard Life
©Lyrics/Music 2015   I. wolosenko
Arrangement  Igg and Tony
Vocals :Igg
Guitars; Tony DiGregorio


Verse 1
The signs in the sky                               
All high heels and skin                     
Pictures of prizes                 
That I'll never win                                         
Oh, they show me
How good my life could be                   

Verse 2
I try to ignore them
It's so hard to do
Pushing my buttons
When I'm feeling blue
I could try a little harder
If I knew that I could win                                   

Chorus
While the girls with perfect voices
Arrive in their Rolls Royces
Sing  blessings from behind the darkened glass
They've run out of loaves and fishes
So they feed us dreams and wishes                                   
We all watch them .......waving...... as they pass                             

Verse 3
Celebrity faces,
Look down and grin
Selling their secrets                   
Of how they stay thin                               
Oh, they show me
How to be a better man                                               

Bridge
Where is justice hiding
Love cannot be found
Rising up together
Alone
We ....all..... fall..... down

Verse 4
Marvelous messages
Sacred and real
Showing the wisdom
Of all you can steal
I keep looking up
I'll give the wheel another spin

Chorus
While the girls with perfect voices
Arrive in their Rolls Royces
Sing blessings from behind the darkened glass
They've run out of loaves and fishes
So they feed us dreams and wishes                                   
We all watch them .......waving...... as they pass

[johnlondon]

Outstanding Igg, Who new you were a smoothie?

I remember these lyrics turning up a couple of weeks ago, I was keen to hear them to music. You do not disappoint, you do however surprise! I never imagined those lyrics to this style, excellent work.

I will not comment on production or the music overall there are far better qualified people on this site who can do that for you. But I will say the guitars were outstanding. A really enjoyable listen, thank you.

[pompeyjazz]

Clever song Igg. Love the laid back feel and the voices  / royces is excellent. This is  a top tune in my  opinion. Looking forward to seeing how it develops.

Cheers

John

[adamfarr]

Great stuff -  clever lyrics, convincingly delivered.

One teeny suggestion relates to the repetition of "win" at the end of verse 2. Unless you are deliberating circling back to the concept in verse 1, I think I would try to avoid that.

Otherwise this is well past work in progress if you ask me and competes with finished songs (I got a little noise on my speakers but that could just be me or a mastering thing).

Cheers!

[igg]

Hi John,

A smoothie?  Tell you the truth it's not a familiar style... but I tried hard to not go too far into my broken down Tony Bennet impression. LOL...
Thanks for the nice words.... I really wanted to create a hypnotic ride through the surreal landscape that passes for our lives ... and sending the lead guitar through the roto leslie got that groove going for me.

[PaulAds]

I loved this when I read it in the lyrics section and I think you've done yourself proud with the music to go with it, too...not what I was expecting (although I have no idea what I was expecting!) but very good indeed

Great work, Igg 

[igg]

Hi Pompeyjazz,

Thanks for the listen ...I really went for molasses texture of the music to trap you in the same glamorous fiction of celebrity aspirations that we all have to fight off everyday...... I'm glad you liked the voices/rolls royces line.... it is one of my favorites.... 

igg

[Paulski]

Lovely laid back jazzy style totally suits the lyrics IMO.
I really like the rhyme scheme esp in the chorus.
Drums were realistic sounding and nicely sitting in the mix as were the vocals.
If I were to nit about anything it would be the backing vocals were a bit distracting in the chorus but I realise it's a WIP and they might change.

But that's scraping to find a nit - otherwise great song and performance!
Paul

[igg]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for the feedback.  The return to the concept of winning was intentional...  In this celebrity -winner take all- culture, I guess the idea is you've got to win .... rather than working your way to fulfillment and success...

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment....

[igg]

Hi PaulAds,

Thanks....glad I could surprise you with the treatment.  I hope it supported the cynical stance of the lyrics... by wrapping it in some glittery tinsel...

igg

[igg]

Hi Paulski,

Thanks for the listen and the good feedback...  I'm glad the whole package worked for you....
So what would your suggestions be for the backing in the chorus? 
I think I did hear a little misalignment....I'll try to tighten them up a bit ....maybe sparser or quieter?

igg

[sundaysongsmiths]

Hi,
Really liked the way the song captured a kind of '30s jazz vibe.  Well crafted and performed.  Had the thought that perhaps the song could use a more melodic hook in the chorus but overall really enjoyed it.

Regards,
Jay and Mike

[Doodles]

Love the style, love the laid back vocal, like the lyrics a lot, love the solo.. in fact I think its pretty fabulous. Look forward to hearing the finished thing. 

[igg]

Hi Jay and Mike,

Thanks for the listen.... I think that the chorus sets itself apart melodically ...But I think I see what you mean. 
I didn't write this as a chorus driven (hooky) song...more as a complete texture moving through the parts. 
I'm so close to the song, I'm not sure I know what you come away humming after a listen (if anything at all)?.....
Thanks for the feedback!

igg

[olivergearing]

Some really strong imagery here:

"Run out of loaves and fishes", gives me a Jesus feeding the 500 vibe. This suggests that celebs are our modern day religious figures. Sadly true for many...

I think this song doesn't need much else, keeping it simple will support the message in the song. Make sure you're clear on what you're trying to achieve from the backing vocals, it felt like these were not as consistent as the rest of the song.
Thanks