The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => Feedback on Finished songs => Topic started by: Buc McMaster on July 21, 2016, 03:17:04 AM
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This one was written sometime in the 1980s....darned if I can get any closer than that! An attempt to capture the feeding frenzy media often displays, this is specifically about newsprint (there was no 24hr news cycle or internet in the 80s!) but certainly applies to what goes on today..........
The Front Page 198?
It's on the front page of every newspaper in town
They got the details from a secret source they found
It's all there, and the word is gettin' 'round on you
They took your picture and they put it on page one
They're asking questions and they've got you on the run
Like a wolf pack and brother you're the one they want
Everyday the front page is the same
They always seem to know who to blame
An anonymous tip will put them on your trail
Sooner or later the media will prevail.........
There was a scandal and the lawyers took their time
Outside the courtroom the reporters stood in line
To get the story please tell it one more time for me
And now it's over and you've straightened out your life
You read the front page and it cuts you like a knife
Because the same thing just happened to your wife
.....oh yeah
https://youtu.be/fRHAf6nqMF8 (https://youtu.be/fRHAf6nqMF8)
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I get a southern rock, sweet home alabama vibe from the song. Good solid result, well played and sung.
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Good song. Very nice country feel to it and very well performed. Bit short though!
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Nothing wrong with short! I could have happily gone for another chorus though - with perhaps a few change ups to make it really stand out?
Nice work!
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Definitely got that Sweet Home Alabama feel.
Like the guitars again and the lyrics
Another good song.
Sandeep
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nice!
great performance and a great set of lyrics
short but sweet :)
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Buc,
Hi nice acoustic rocking feels to this and your vocal delivery is really likeable.
Good tune think i'll have another listen.
:)
Neil
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This was a great performance. I love the feel of the guitar. It gives me this feeling of time passing. Like a clock ticking maybe. Like a clock counting down to a deadline. It really fits the lyrics well in my opinion. I really enjoyed watching you perform. I listened to it twice. I could've had a couple of more verses. Thanks for sharing.
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Nothing wrong with short!
Quite right, sir. Writing more verses, singing another chorus.......just filler and time wasted when what needs saying has already been said. Brevity. Economy. I suppose there are times when a long drawn out story-telling lyric is called for, such as Marty Robbins' El Paso, but this is generally not my style. Say it short, say it right, go home.
Thank you for your comments! Much appreciated!
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Great tune Buc, and it was very cool to watch you play :) You seem so comfortable in front of the camera and your voice is really listenable and soothing ;) Love the lyrics
This song has definitely got that cool Southern rock vibe, which I love :)
The ad-lib at the ending, "Lord have mercy" is priceless :)
Nothing not to like about this one :) Good luck in the comp :) :)
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Enjoyed this a lot. Cool style - both guitar and vocals, and I'm a sucker for that southern groove. Enjoyed the lyrics, too. Great song and great to have you on the forum!
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Really nice groove and I dig the vocal performance. Short but effective, not exactly ground breaking but very enjoyable nevertheless. Btw, is it a radio or TV that can be heard in the background during the last few seconds?? ??? ??? ???
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Buc,
Really like the direct style.....rockin' acoustic groove keeps the story moving along to it's ending punch....an elegant tune with a clean delivery....Yeah!
igg
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wotcha buc..good to hav you aboard
love the delivery , great song and vocal .. tone & soulful
im often struck by you colonial musos..you have this cool unhurri d but precision timing ..
works a treat
extremely listenable..
working so well as a guitar/vocal, can only imagine the groove with a band
terrific
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Nice and bluesy. :) And bare as they come. ;-)
Fun song, Bye Wolfi
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I'll get my one tiny nit out of the way first...and keep in mind, I'm unusually picky about certain kinds of details that aren't always important to others, so--of course--feel free to decide this doesn't apply to you.
The nit: the word "newspaper" is not sung with stressed syllables as it would be spoken. I (that's me, personally) think it's important to find a way to make the lyric work without giving words unnatural stresses unless it's used for a specific effect.
Other than that teensy detail, I like this a lot. It's another song I would love to add to my personal play list when I go out playing somewhere. It has a very nice catchy rhythm and melody that makes me want to tap my foot and sing along. And I am quite partial to the message of the lyric, as well.
I hope you do well in the competition. This is a very worthy piece. And, I may have said this before, but I really need to get guitar lessons from you.... ;)
Vicki
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This one really swings along. Great rhythm and vocals. Lovely blues and great live performance :)
John
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The nit: the word "newspaper" is not sung with stressed syllables as it would be spoken.
As in a previous post, I still disagree with this thinking. It is my belief that such a rule stands in the way of lyrical and melodic exploration. But I do understand that we all approach writing in our own unique way, so speak on! and thank you for the positive comments! Guitar lessons?!? I should have done that myself 45 years ago!
Thank you for the love people! Much appreciated!
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Lord have mercy! :)
Cool rocker - great guitar sound and authoritative vocals.
I can see Elvis doing this one with some raunchy guitars, even horns behind him. No nits from me - good stuff and good luck!
Paul
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The nit: the word "newspaper" is not sung with stressed syllables as it would be spoken.
As in a previous post, I still disagree with this thinking. It is my belief that such a rule stands in the way of lyrical and melodic exploration.
Actually, I do agree with you to a point. I believe the rules should be understood and, when I break one, it should be on purpose to achieve a particular goal, not because I was having trouble figuring out something better.
I have no finesse, and I seldom understand anything symbolic or cryptic, so I am likely to complain about every rule broken by others, even when done with specific purpose and fully intentionally, so don't mind me too much.
The bottom line is, I do like this song a lot. :) It's one of my favorites.
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Nice track, with a great swing to it.
Your guitar playing is steady and satisfying and vocal delivery very strong.
Really liked it.
Tom.
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I'm hearing Sweet home Alabama....very derivative song, had to pass on it after 1 minute mate...
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Good song but i thought some lyric lines didnt flow as well as they could have, just a matter of taken out some words i think but yeah good song.