[Paulski]

Time to move this out of the wip section and expose it to the learned ears here  
Yeah, cheesy I know - but it's for the FFHS and Christmas  
Comments on how to improve it would be greatly appreciated!

https://soundcloud.com/paulcanuck/christmas-on-the-road

Christmas on the Road (Home is where my Heart Belongs)
Copyright © 2016 Tennyson Road Music

I drive by city lights
Flashing neon signs
A warning on my dash says "LOW ON FUEL"
I can't believe tomorrow's really Christmas
I hadn't noticed it was glowing in the distance

A motel offers rest
I check in at the desk
Toss my weary bags across the room
I spend most of my time here on the road
But home is where my heart belongs

A melody appears
Awakened in my ears
The carol that became our favourite song
This tear that's on my cheek's a cold reminder
That home is where my heart belongs

I close my eyes and I see you there
Your loving smile, your flowing hair
Soon we can talk on the phone
But home is where my heart belongs

So I'll watch another Christmas come and go
But home is where my heart belongs

And in my mind, I see you there
Your loving smile, your golden hair
Soon we'll be talking on the phone
But home is where my heart belongs

It's Christmas eve
And I'm stuck here on the road
But home is what my heart needs
Home is where my heart leads
Home is where my heart belongs

[CaliaMoko]

Cheesy works great for Christmas. I have no nits. Well, except you have a tendency to drop off the ends of your words, but it's usually, maybe even always, easy to intuit what the whole word is. 

[IronKnee]

Hey Paul....love the song.....the piano is a bit overwhelming, however. The playing is great..it's just that the volume is a little too great
Want to listen again....
                                                       -T

[Movin Flavour]

Wow Paul,

Great Xmas tune.

Love those strings and your vocals comes out really well.

Just waiting for Meg Ryan to meet Tom Hanks..

....suitable for Toy Story 4👏👏👏

[ScottLevi]

If you asked me what the most important element is to create a good Christmas song, I'd say it's having a strong melody at the forefront.

The first three lines hit that for me right off the bat - then I was glad to see this consistent throughout. Naively I thought a Christmas song could just be a family-friendly song with Christmas in the lyrics, but you've captured more than that and opened my eyes in what it takes to create a real seasonal gem.

Lovely message too, top marks from me!

[Paulski]

Thanks for listening everyone - even if it is a bit early for Christmas songs...

@CaliaMoko

Thanks Vicki - and thanks again for the help on the lyrics and draft versions. I get what you mean about clipping off the last of words. Partly that's me and partly my compressor, but I'm going to blame it ALL on my compressor 

@IronKnee

Hi Tom and thanks for the kind words. Agree about the piano being a bit forward. It insisted on this and after a heated argument I capitulated.

@Movin Flavour

cheers Sandeep - I'll take the sync fees for Toy Story any day  Your encouragement is appreciated this side of the Atlantic.

@ScottLevi

Thanks Scott - glad the melody worked for you. It's always a challenge not to "borrow" one - isn't it? 

[Skub]

Hi Paul.
Expertly and confidently played and sung,plus a great overall sound. Very Christmassy,so your remit was successful.

Craftily crafted to suit the season.

It's a cracker. 

[igg]

Hi Paul,

Pulls on the heartstrings...Beautiful melodic construction with a great prosody and a well supported sense of yearning ..Move over Kim Gannon and Bing (I'll be Home For Christmas)...There's a new Santa in town....Sincere vocal delivery with a great build!!!!  Well done, Paul!

igg

[IronKnee]

Thanks for listening everyone - even if it is a bit early for Christmas songs...

@CaliaMoko

Thanks Vicki - and thanks again for the help on the lyrics and draft versions. I get what you mean about clipping off the last of words. Partly that's me and partly my compressor, but I'm going to blame it ALL on my compressor 

@IronKnee

Hi Tom and thanks for the kind words. Agree about the piano being a bit forward. It insisted on this and after a heated argument I capitulated.

@Movin Flavour

cheers Sandeep - I'll take the sync fees for Toy Story any day  Your encouragement is appreciated this side of the Atlantic.

@ScottLevi

Thanks Scott - glad the melody worked for you. It's always a challenge not to "borrow" one - isn't it? 

A heated argument.......I hope you talking about it by the fire place 

[adamfarr]

Hi Paul - actually I thought you managed to avoid cheese well here. I think the only thing that stuck out for me was the "golden hair"...

For me the melody had enough predictability but enough twists to make it confortable and interesting. My only nit was maybe the BVs clashed slightly with the main vocal around 2:24?

Enjoyed it, a nice take on a theme that just inevitably has to be a bit traditional!

[MartynRich]

You little crooner you.

Now I can't wait to get the chocolates out and watch rubbish TV. Beautiful Christmassy atmosphere all the way through this. The production is great and I love the guitar bits especially...it is again, a real show tune and could be in a Christmas musical/film and stand up with the rest of them. Santas hats off to your sir!

[tina m]

goodness gracious paul you belong on a stage in a liberace suit with a huge sparkly piano!
superb song ,fab voice & such beautiful piano...you are a terrific crooner you know!
seriously you could get a residency somewhere doing this quality stuff 
im not surprised you put copyright tennyson music under the title ...someone could have a huge christmas by stealing this ..
now are you sort of round? ,have you access to a red nose & white beard? call yourself Bing Crimbo..youd be a sensation! 
yes it reminded me a bit of early tom waits before the ironmongery ...fabulous!
Oh & I realy liked the guitar break that was cool 

[Jamie]

Hi Paul, great Christmas song! Love the crooning and the classy piano. Nice melody supported by some lovely subtle chord changes. The guitar solo fits very nicely and the vocal harmony build works very well too!
Nice one!
Cheers
Jamie

[richmon]

Hi Paul. Fits the time of year beautifully.  Nice bridge / chorus and vocal.

Richard

[pompeyjazz]

Great stuff Pauski. I thought I was listening to the Andy Williams show with special guests The Carpenters. Gave me a lovely fuzzy Xmas feel like when I was about ten and before reality kicked in. Great songwriting as usual and always something different