The Songwriter Forum - songwriting reviews, tips and chat

Songwriter Forum => Feedback on Works in Progress => Topic started by: flossie on May 03, 2013, 08:52:36 PM

Title: Won Love
Post by: flossie on May 03, 2013, 08:52:36 PM
Hello all,

Really pleased to produce a song after a long break!  I would really welcome lots of constructive criticism here pretty please!  ;D

Unfortunate title I know, so if anyone has other suggestions...?!!!

Thanks
x


https://soundcloud.com/hewood29/one-love
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: S.T.C on May 03, 2013, 09:05:55 PM
How about` UNO AMORE`have it in Italian.. :o

Well what can i say,,it`s very soppy ;)

Romantic ballad in true Flossie style..piano is nice as usual  .

Needs some drums to create some extra dramatic effect .
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: fischermans on May 03, 2013, 10:22:18 PM
Hello
Love this sentimental mood and the wonderful piano. May a beautiful song for a duet in the chorus. Hope the break was the last one for a long time.
Alexander
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: ShinyThang on May 04, 2013, 09:26:40 AM
Just piano & voice and oozing quality. But not content with that you have to write great songs too! Flossie, I'm still catching up with your back catalogue and it's by far the nicest job on my to-do list. This is a lovely song that wouldn't sound out of place in a Disney musical. And I say that as a fan of Disney.

Just a techie point ... What is that thump between 2:33 & 2:34 ? Took me a while to realise it was on the track and not somewhere else in the house :)

Title: Re: One Love
Post by: flossie on May 04, 2013, 11:07:03 PM
@songsthatcry ooh maybe I could get Il Divo to sing it then!!!  Seriously though I am partial to  lovey dovey songs and I am rubbish at metaphorical stuff ,  I didn't record to click with this one but when I do it properly I will try that out!

@fischermans thanks and hello! Yes maybe it could work as a duet  ;D I've missed writing songs and  I'm definitely returning to some proper songwriting for a while now!

@shinythang thank you for the massive compliment and I'm delighted with the Disney reference!  The thump is distracting me, I keep thinking like you it's a noise in the house!  I recorded most of this in one take, with piano and voice and so nothing went through the headphones and we have builders next door - they were making quite a bit of noise, maybe it was them!!!   ;)
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: habiTat on May 05, 2013, 07:06:50 AM
Ahhh Flossie, my heart melts every time I hear that piano  8)

This is just lovely, I really can't fault it at all, I'm sorry I can't think of anything else to say, I think it's perfect. I'd love to have you do some piano work on something of mine one day, it really is something special.

hab..
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: Kafla on May 05, 2013, 01:14:18 PM
Hey Floss,

Everything you do is first class you know  ;D

I wonder if you could build this song more dynamically - try whispering the first verse & chorus - hear a pin drop type thing - I sense you are trying this but it could be more fragile again

Then go for it the way you do from 1.40 - build some orchestration in here

Sometimes I struggle a little to hear the sections in your songs - verse , bridge , chorus etc you always make an impact on me - I would love to know how you write

I always write little section - that's a chorus , that's a verse etc and sometimes when I write a verse I think oh that chorus I had would fit that perfect

Just a little bit of definition in your compositions would really make them instantly hummable

That aside I usually fckn love your songs after 3 listens so feel free to ignore my ramblings  ???
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: Dutchbeat on May 05, 2013, 01:53:00 PM
ha, that amazing vocal....and a great song as always, very musical this one

super....amazing...stunning

as for a title, perhaps..

never gonna find my way back home (without you)

perhaps too long???
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: flossie on May 05, 2013, 05:18:31 PM
@Kaf  Thanks so much for the suggestions, I think that's a great idea, for this one (as usual) I sat at my keyboard and played for a bit then started singing along, I have my DAW set on record so that if I hear anything I like I can go back and modify and expand on it. I then added in some BV's. I usually post songs I have recorded to click, but now we have this great new section, I thought before I spend time doing this I could get some advice from here!
 
I always seem to 'get' the verse quickly and the chorus is more of a struggle.  I know what you mean  and you're completely right about the structure and definition I even had the same feedback from an A&R that I need to be more distinctive and adventurous with chords/melody etc.  I think if I could come up with a stronger chorus in all of my songs I would be satisified with my writing finally. So I promise myself I'll try writing a different way, for instance start with the chorus first, or just sing away to myself and then fit the chords around that, and then I just fall into the same way of writing again.  I don't like change!!! I really need to do this though!

I really value everyone's opinion here and I'm particularly  pleased to receive your help, thank you xxx

@Dutchbeat Thanks for the suggestion!  Maybe a bit too Rick Astley??!!!  Thanks for the compliments as well! xxx

Title: Re: One Love
Post by: flossie on May 05, 2013, 05:22:55 PM
Forgot to say to Hab

Course I will lay down a piano track for you  ;D

x
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: habiTat on May 05, 2013, 06:45:45 PM
Forgot to say to Hab

Course I will lay down a piano track for you  ;D

x

Excellent, thanks Flossie  ;D ;D ;D

I'll be in touch, it might be a while cos I'm working on my concept album 'song by song'.

I have an idea for the final track that I'd love to have your help on...

hab..
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: montydog on May 06, 2013, 05:12:18 PM
Mmmm....sweet. Lovely vocals as ever and that gorgeous piano. I agree with kafla - a little more definition between sections would work wonders but really this is pretty close to beyond criticism.
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: calmlondon on May 06, 2013, 08:16:11 PM
Hey Flossie,

You're clearly a talented pianist and songwriter (prolific too) with a penchant for writing tender love songs that scream song placement.  You seem to be in touch with your emotions in a way I can only dream of. I wouldn't be able to write a song like this if someone held a gun to my head.

Here's my humble feedback on One Love.


- Piano intro just perfect. You got soul girl.

- The first verse, bridge and chorus are very very pleasing and make me want to hear more.

- I would add a breather between the first v/b/c and the next v/b/c

- I think the structure of the first v/b/c works so well - I'd repeat it exactly. I feel you jump to the chorus too quickly on the second section.

- I'm not sure if you should leap to the high notes on the second chorus - I would weave the lower and higher register together. I'd not leap to the higher register until the last chorus (sorry I don't know the exact term - I have no muscial theory whatsoever).

- I'd add a longer transition between the second chorus and middle eight, and maybe make the middle eight a stunning piano instrumental instead of vocal.

- Fab harmonies and lilting piano throughout.

Great song Flo.
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: flossie on May 06, 2013, 09:37:04 PM
@montydog thanks I will definitely try that

@calmlondon without doubt one of the most useful feedbacks I have ever received, thank you so much, by the way I prefer your lyric writing a million times over to mine but thanks  :D
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: crystalsuzy on May 06, 2013, 11:17:37 PM
Hi Flossie...WOW!!...what a voice...man I wish I could sing like that...and the piano is stellar...the whole song and production really grabbed me...maybe you could add 'burning' to the title...there could be a little more separation between the v/b/c/ and I think you could take off with a piano solo in there somewhere, but overall I have noting but admiration for this song 8)...thanks for this share
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: Dogmax on May 07, 2013, 12:01:47 AM
Well Floss  ;D

There's only one word, Yeaaaaaaa, but there's always a but, just rise the volume on your vocal.

Title: Re: One Love
Post by: Binladeda on May 07, 2013, 10:02:59 AM
Hey Flossie,  Another beauty ;D  The emotion you convey in your playing/singing is awesome....and ALWAYS a pleasure to hear.  I'm missing your usual 'build' in this.....I agree with 'more definition', and maybe using more crescendo/diminuendo would help here. I want to hear more of those dramatic 'trademark' harmonies of yours. Musically, I think just piano and vocals suit this perfectly, anything else would be 'over egging'  ;D ;D  Unfortunately, that means there's no room for me to add anything :-\ :-\   Great stuff though, and great to have you back  ;D ;D  Love you Flossie xx :-* 
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: flossie on May 07, 2013, 12:06:36 PM
Hi Bin! I will work on some harmonies and more definition for sure,  thanks for the feedback

xxx
 :-*
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: seriousfun on May 07, 2013, 09:46:46 PM
The harmonies around the 1:50 mark are sensational, and the whole song just reeks of class. As others have mentioned it just needs to have more distinction between sections but I think the addition of some orchestration with the chorus and bridge section will go a long way toward defining that. I love the slow simple start but would like to hear more made of the harmonies on the second verse and then perhaps moving to a higher register after that. This would really help to isolate the sections and then with some additional orchestration for the chorus before finally backing of for the last verse and outro I think you will have a real winner here.

Kudos on the write.

Ps: please post lyrics with songs it's so much easer to critique.
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: Neil C on May 08, 2013, 06:46:28 PM
Great intro and lovely piano.
Really nice melody.
For me you've too much reverb on your voice and I struggle to hear all your words, but you can really sing, so let it shine.
Well worth the wait.
:) :)
Neil
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: flossie on May 08, 2013, 10:13:44 PM
@serious fun sorry for no lyrics  :o  Next time!  Thanks for the lovely comments too x

I am going to try and do as everyone has said, now I'm not sure how I do this, do I need to rewrite or is this arranging or production - I'm confused  :)

Thanks Neil I'm trying to work on the reverb issue, I like to hide behind it but not only does it make my music sound really old fashioned it's not clear what I'm singing! The next version will be better.

Thanks everybody for the reviews, they are so helpful
x
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: Neil C on May 08, 2013, 10:35:16 PM
Re [I am going to try and do as everyone has said, now I'm not sure how I do this, do I need to rewrite or is this arranging or production - I'm confused  :)] I'd give yourself some space to evaluate the comments, work out what you want and what you want to change and the focus. Good luck. N
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: flossie on May 09, 2013, 09:17:50 AM
Thanks Neil, I think I will  ;)
x
Title: Re: One Love
Post by: terrysains on May 10, 2013, 04:35:26 AM
Title: How about 'Won love' just a suttle change may catch people's eye.
Terry
Title: Re: Won Love
Post by: flossie on May 10, 2013, 08:10:05 AM
Bloody brilliant idea thanks Terry  ;D
Title: Re: Won Love
Post by: stephaniedema on May 15, 2013, 09:19:07 AM
Hi Flossie :)

Your voice sounds really amazing on this track, as does the piano (as usual).
Do you plan on adding other instruments? If not, I would say: don't record to a click track. It gives the song more room to breathe, as it does now. If that makes any sense...
As for the title, just shortening the idea given before: 'Find my way back home'?

Greetings
SD