The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat
Songwriter Forum => Competitions => Topic started by: adamfarr on June 02, 2016, 07:14:03 PM
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So here it is, a new competition aimed at getting everyone to squeeze out a new song or two during the Summer and maybe get slightly outside their comfort zone... The Winter/Valentine's competition was a great success with over 20 entries - let's see if we can outdo that.
"The Rules"
The theme is "Bare Bones". You use your imagination to decide how to tackle it, it could refer to arrangement, title, lyrics, whatever. Just explain what your take is.
A new song please. Except you can also choose to do a "bare bones" version of a song already posted on the forum before 1 June (with the writer's permission of course if not your own).
Open to all current forum members no matter how many posts etc.
Entries to be submitted by 31 July 2016.
You can have one solo entry and one colab. Or two colabs instead. (Plus, as a bonus, one stripped down version of a previous forum song as noted above.)
Please add your name to this thread if you're in. If you want help teaming up with someone, say what you offer (e.g. lyrics, melody, instruments, vocals, music theory, production capability) and what you'd like from the collaborator.
Please put Lyrics, WIP and Finished songs into the relevant thread on the forum, as usual, not here (so normal 2 weeks rules apply). For voting we'll gather them all together here.
By the way, just to keep things orderly, your competition song won't be eligible for song of the month!
Voting:
- will be for your top 3 (or maybe top 5 if we get lots of entries) in order of preference.
- all entrants must vote, but not for themselves, which is only fair. (Or penalties may be handed out!)
- try to vote for concept, melody, lyrics and structure - this should be all about the songs.
Mr. PaulAds has kindly volunteered to be the other organiser. AUAA (ask us anything ... almost)
Good luck everyone...
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Well done guys. I'll be in - one way or another.
:)
Neil
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I'm in. I'm also open to collaborating if someone who's into any aspect (but particularly instruments and production) of the process is interested and currently has no collaborator. I am able to work on any combination of lyrics, melody, vocals, music theory, and possibly a little instrumental (guitar strumming, easy keyboard).
Vicki
:D
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I'm not out. I mean I'm IN :) (unless the bill collector's at the door in which case I'm definitely out). One thought I had is this : We should also consider how well the "bare bones" theme has been interpreted when judging. That way no-one gets a free ride if they don't play along..
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I´m in! Here is my entry:
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I´m in! Here is my entry:
You're already done???!!??
Cripes! I got my computer turned on...and then I got side-tracked, baking a loaf of bread...umm...and melting a crystallized jar of honey. <<sigh>>
Well, at least I can eat my bread and honey.
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Don´t do it Vicki, it´s not worth the bandwidth :D
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Oh, okay. I'll eat the bread but not the honey.... ;D
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I hereby solemn swear to enter a solo (or perhaps "so low") effort and would also fancy a collaboration with anyone who'll have me...I have a few half-written songs that could maybe be banged into shape...and also a few lyrics lying around, currently doing nothing...
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I'll take the oath too. Hopefully this competition will result in a finished song rather than the three non-starters I struggled with for the last comp.
Maybe a colab would spur me on so I'll be up for doing music to lyrics if anyone's interested?
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Im kind of interested in this but to be honest the rules is like, i lost interest after "You use your imagination to decide how to tackle it" kind of put me off even before i start, just me but kind of feels like one sided if you know what i mean.
"The Rules"
The theme is "Bare Bones". You use your imagination to decide how to tackle it, it could refer to arrangement, title, lyrics, whatever. Just explain what your take is.
A new song please. Except you can also choose to do a "bare bones" version of a song already posted on the forum before 1 June (with the writer's permission of course if not your own).
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I understand "bare bones" as a sparse arrangement of one instrument and one vocal......or any 1+1 arrangement, really ;)
But I do think that July 31st is an ocean of time to cross.
And so, I'll enter, "Lost" to be my ark in setting off towards the edge of my new found disaster :'(
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11894390
Thanks,
8)-Tom
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Hi oldbutyet - some people don't like a competition that's very restrictive and some think flexible is too easy - what's a forum to do?!
This one is very inclusive so lots of scope for different entries - it's a bit of fun. Another time we could do a more traditional competition with more limits which might be more challenging. I'm just a volunteer so next time there'll be another organiser with other ideas (you could do it too if wished!)
Hope you do finally get some inspiration from this one and want to participate - I see there's already an entry and as they come in I'm sure they'll get us all thinking...
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Hi oldbutyet - some people don't like a competition that's very restrictive and some think flexible is too easy - what's a forum to do?!
This one is very inclusive so lots of scope for different entries - it's a bit of fun. Another time we could do a more traditional competition with more limits which might be more challenging. I'm just a volunteer so next time there'll be another organiser with other ideas (you could do it too if wished!)
Hope you do finally get some inspiration from this one and want to participate - I see there's already an entry and as they come in I'm sure they'll get us all thinking...
Thanks for explaining this Adam sorry if i came across in a picky sort of way but i just felt the rules had a bit of that off putting feel to them, but i dont feel that anymore, will definitely enter something either a new song or one of them i got studio recorded a few years back, bare bones of course, looking forward to it and thanks again.
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In.
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I wrote a 3am lyric last night. Its got bare bones in the chorus. Im on a roll...
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I'm similar. Last night I came up with a lyric that featured "Bare Bones". No other words, just "Bare Bones" so far, so still some work to do before I can declare whether I'm in or not.
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I'm similar. Last night I came up with a lyric that featured "Bare Bones". No other words, just "Bare Bones" so far, so still some work to do before I can declare whether I'm in or not.
The only way is up from there...
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I'm IN - Just hatched an idea :)
John
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Me too - solo entry idea has entered the building... (Just need to learn jazz guitar comp to go with it :P)
Don't forget rule 63.3(g)(iv) "habitual finger pickers must use boxing gloves at all times". It's only fair...
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i recorded mine over the weekend but i dont like it now
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I'll be in with a (probably) spooky solo effort (though it's very early days for the tune and i haven't written any lyrics yet) and have hatched a plot to hopefully get a collaboration entry in too :)
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I'm in. This gave me the motivation to make something out of a scrap I've had lying around for ages. Just got to make a decent recording....ooh, my fingers :'(
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This gave me the motivation to make something...
Sounds like you're not the only one. Competition mission accomplished!
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Don't forget rule 63.3(g)(iv) "habitual finger pickers must use boxing gloves at all times". It's only fair...
Ted Hawkins!
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dYduHB_X-Ig/hqdefault.jpg)
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Don't forget rule 63.3(g)(iv) "habitual finger pickers must use boxing gloves at all times". It's only fair...
Ted Hawkins!
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dYduHB_X-Ig/hqdefault.jpg)
Hey! Wait a minute :o..........what about his right hand ??? :-\
8)
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OK...you can count me in for at least a solo effort, maybe a collab ::) No inspiration yet, but I seem to
do best when under the gun...pressure...two days before the deadline ;D ;D ;D
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I´m up for a colab as I haven´t done one for a while. I have a full set of lyrics and a basic verse which I think works quite well. I need someone to make a cracking tune out of the chorus though. Any takers?
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This competition has been most inspirational already! I seem to have an entry practically writing itself! Probably put the mockers on it now by boasting. Oh well, I'm having fun at least.
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I'm up and running with this now...
Got a bare bones acoustic guitar + vocal murder ballad on the go...I thought I might as well make it a little unsettling, seeing as it worked so well for me in the last competition (Adolf + Eva, anyone :-X)
I figured i'd go totally bare bones this time and record it all on my iPhone...figuring how to do that now and finalising lyrics...
Might even chuck in some whistling. Dixie, perhaps ;)
Keep those entries coming...and remember...
New songs, please :)
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Nice one Paul. Murder, whistling, acoustic and your killer lyrics sounds like a winner to me. Still singing Honeymoon at Home every day :)
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Nice one Paul. Murder, whistling, acoustic and your killer lyrics sounds like a winner to me. Still singing Honeymoon at Home every day :)
Cheers, John. I've got a kitchen cupboard full of wooden spoons, but there's always room for one more :)
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my entry is done...
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11378.0
Thanks to Adam for the inspiration :)
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I'm in. Song finished and I'll post it up as soon as my current 14 day period is over. 'Twas a very frustrating experience for reasons I'll explain when I post.
Cheers
Derek
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My entry to the bare
boobs bones competition is in:
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11434.0
Only about 4 weeks left - get your entries ready, if you like!
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Hi
Love to enter something for this, but am very busy atm,
and don't want to commit.....but if I've got till the end of
July I might get something together. If any vocalist/lyricist
out there fancies a collab, drop me a line. I've got the
bare bones of a backing track that might be suitable for
this.....
Already some really good songs in this. Going to be another
good one ;D ;D
Good luck all....
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Just posted my effort over in the Finished Songs section:
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11452.0 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11452.0)
Cheers
Derek
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I am in and here is my entry:
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11461.0 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11461.0)
Bye Wolfi
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great work, fellas...keep those entries coming...this is shaping up to be another great competition :)
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Only 4 weeks to go! Who said an ocean of time? Where did it all go [Emily]?
So far if I am right the list of entrants looks like this (please, please, please let us know if anyone missing!)
- Delb0y
- Ironknee
- Montydog
- PaulAds
- Tinam
- Wolfini
- Adamfarr
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Hello my fellow composers.
Link to entry below:
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11472.0
Good luck ;D
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Yup! I'm into the bones.....
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11477.0
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adam i have done a second entry ...can i have 2 entries ? :)
if not i will take out my first entry as my new one is better
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For my entry in this challenge, I was considering a kind of spoof on "Scarborough Fair". It uses the same chords and it's easy to tell it's kind of a knock-off, but the melody is a bit different. Is this acceptable? Or should I put my time into something that isn't a muck up of something else? The first verse sounds like this: https://soundcloud.com/caliamoko/never-going-to-scarborough-fair.
I do have another idea, but the Scarborough Fair one is a lot closer to being done and more likely to be ready on time. Still, I don't want to cheat. :)
Vicki
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Tina - eek, rules seem like the antithesis to creativity and I wouldn't want to be the keeper of the rules in that way. However, in this case I think they are there to give everyone a fair crack of the whip so what they said was you can have one solo and one colab, or two colabs, plus a bonus of bare bones version of an existing song.. I doubt this actually will hold you back :) but there you have it - over to you....
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Vicki - the only really relevant thing is it should be "a new song"... I'd say go for it if you like and let the voters decide...
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Hello
Vicki (CaliaMoko) and myself have done a duet together as our collaboration entry for the competition...'tis here...
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11493.0
Vicki's fab...it's been great fun :)
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Only two weeks to go!
On the list so far are:
- Delb0y
- Ironknee
- Montydog
- PaulAds
- Tinam
- Wolfini
- Adamfarr
- Tboswell
- PaulAds & Vicki
- Flux Identity
- Pompeyjazz
- Igg
- Paulski
Any more for any more (or that I have missed off, sorry if so, please put me right)
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Here's my entry - cheezy lyrics and all :)
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11530.0
good luck everyone!
Paul
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Sorry Paulski for missing you off - added now!
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Hi Day2take1 - great to have you along. This one needs to go in Finished Songs. Maybe one of the mod fathers can move it, please?
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I'm in! First time entry for me.......slap me if I've screwed up somehow and set me straight!
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11545.0
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Apologies,
Here's my entry, and the correct link.
Adam Harkus - You'll Find a Way.
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11549.0
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hi adam
myself and neilc just posted an entry for the bare bone comp so put us on yer list.
comp seems to gaining some momentum ..
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Cool beans! Only one week to go now... anyone pondering an entry, I say go for it!
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Adam,
Just put up my solo effort http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11567.0 (http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11567.0)
:)
Neil
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Neil - thanks!
And thanks everyone - I make that 18 entries so far... Will we make it up to the giddy heights of the Valentines competition with 20?! Still a few days to go.
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Will all the songs in the competition be complied in one place for easy listening and evaluation? or will we have to go and find them individually?
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LOL - I will make a page with links. Ideally we would have a playlist but not everyone has them on the same platform (Soundcloud, Youtube, Soundclick etc.)
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Can all entrants try to make sure they listen, review and vote on all the other entrants, please?
Quite an undertaking I know...but there are such a lot of great songs...it's very worthwhile.
The playlist would make an excellent Forum Showcase Album.
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Stupid question I know, but how do you vote ?
Sorry ???
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Once the competition closes and the full list of entries and links are posted, etc...you need to send a private message to the organisers (adamfarr and his anything-but-glamorous assistant, myself) with votes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place...then, when voting closes, we'll count them up and announce the winner.
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Great thanks Paul.
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I try to download them (the downloadable ones, anyway) as they're posted so I have them ready when I set to voting. I keep them together in a folder.
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Here's my solo entry: http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11579.0
I gave up trying to get it the way I wanted it and just did it. It's "bare bones", after all.... :P ;D
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I'm in!
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11587.0
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I can't believe it. I've actually completed a song to enter. Just need to record it now. Thank goodness it's bare-bones 'cos I've got to go out in a couple of hours ... Frantically recording!
Not too late am I? (this is just like when I was at tech college)
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We all want you to be in! Minimal mixing needed, for sure... #hustle!
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Thanks Adam,
Here it is then http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11589.0
Definitely minimal mixing .... minimal writing, playing ability, singing ability and talent. Minimal everything!
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Here's my entry :) I hope I squeaked in at the last minute :o It's 2 PM on the July 30th here in BC,
Canada :o Lyrics are on SC ;) This is as bare bones as I could do with this song ::)
How do I copy the link in finished songs, and past to this post? Other people seem to know :-[
https://soundcloud.com/crystalsuzy/first-night-1
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Hurrah for the last minute entries!
I am on them and getting everything together. I think we have 22 - so even more entrants than for the Valentine's comp.
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Help!
I'm in the UK. (It's 9:40am on 01/08/2016).
When does the comp close? the tension is killine me :-[
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I think we're all done and dusted now for entries...
All present and correct, I believe...
For my part - as half-baked co-host - I'd like to offer a few of my own considerations when voting...
Songs that fit the brief lyrical, musically, or, perhaps, both.
We did ask for new songs where possible...we didn't make it a stipulation...but it's something to bear in mind.
But above all...please pick whatever songs you like the most and please vote :)
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Sorry if I'm being thick and have missed it but, is there a single, definitive list of entries? I'm trying to get through them all and have done 16 so far.
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http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=11594.0
Good luck!
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paul & adam I want to change my name to aardvark annie till the competition ends ;D
no I am not serious but thinking about it with a list that long & the number of part time posters in the comp who wont bother working their way all the way down that huge list people at the end are at a disadvantage
so i think we should get bonus points for having names near the end of the alphabet ;D
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paul & adam I want to change my name to aardvark annie till the competition ends ;D
no I am not serious but thinking about it with a list that long & the number of part time posters in the comp who wont bother working their way all the way down that huge list people at the end are at a disadvantage
so i think we should get bonus points for having names near the end of the alphabet ;D
Ooooooo, competitive ! :)
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Last time we did alphabetical by song title. Also not fair!
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new song "Ants are Amazing" by "aardvark" gets you to the top either way!
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ok.. but i cant take replies from people called Adam seriously :)
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I am working my way through the list, and I will consider every single song before I vote. Because of my bandwidth issues, I download the entries as they are announced (if they can be downloaded) so I can go back and listen as often as I need without adding to my usage every time.
Then I make a spreadsheet which I use to compare each song to every other song. The song that wins each pairing gets a point. I add up all the points for each song and voilá! I have my ranking. If I have any ties in points, all I have to do is check those two songs to see which won the pairing. It takes awhile, but it works for me. And it's fair! :)
Vicki
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Maybe we aren't even called Adam at all :-X
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I am working my way through the list, and I will consider every single song before I vote. Because of my bandwidth issues, I download the entries as they are announced (if they can be downloaded) so I can go back and listen as often as I need without adding to my usage every time.
Then I make a spreadsheet which I use to compare each song to every other song. The song that wins each pairing gets a point. I add up all the points for each song and voilá! I have my ranking. If I have any ties in points, all I have to do is check those two songs to see which won the pairing. It takes awhile, but it works for me. And it's fair! :)
Vicki
:D The scientific approach!
I sit here in my rotating leather chair,in my smoking jacket and you have exactly 40 seconds to impress me mothertruckers,so get busy already 8)
That's how it's done Vicki.
;)
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I sit here in my rotating leather chair,in my smoking jacket and you have exactly 40 seconds to impress me mothertruckers,so get busy already 8)
That's how it's done Vicki.
;)
;D
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LOL! ;D ;D I always go from the bottom up, so you're one of the first, Tian ;D ;D
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I printed out a list, cut each song out onto a little sliver of paper, and threw them out into the summer breeze. The three that the wind blew back through my French windows are the three I shall vote for. All the songs are so good that seems like the fairest way to do it.