[Yodasdad]

Hi All,

This is the first song I've written that I can really say is autobiographical.

https://soundcloud.com/my-idiom/strength-in-me-m-blair-2017

Edit:
Slightly newer Mix and minor change to 2nd Pre-Chorus   Link should now work

https://soundcloud.com/my-idiom/strength-in-me-v193-mastered-in-mix-1

It's to/about my dad who passed away suddenly when I was 12.

I've relaxed the reigns on myself a little bit with this one in order to write what I wanted to, so for instance the rhyme scheme doesn't stay the same.....I know, blasphemy.

I've also kept the instrumentation and production quite low key.

I plan to give a copy to my mom and my brother, probably as a christmas present. We're not an emotional family, so this will be the first time I've really expressed anything regarding my dad since he died 25 years ago. (And in typical fashion, I still haven't really expressed anything in this)

Okay, enough of the X Faxtor style sob story, don't let any of this sway you from giving your honest thoughts.

Thanks to all who listen

Yodasdad

Strength In Me - © M Blair 2017

V1
Just a child in 92
I rode my bike like any other summers afternoon
I watched you fall and just lie still
I tried my best to bring you back but you already gone my friend

Pre-Chorus
But no matter how long it takes
I will reach you someday I know I’ll see your face

Chorus
I want you to know I never let you out of my life
I may not see your but I hear your voice sometimes
I hope i turned out half the man you hoped I’d be
Do I made you proud I feel your strength in me

V2
We picked up the pieces from our hearts
We learned the ropes and tried to cope
Coz life just pushed us on
You left a whole that can't be filled
We held on to your memories
They helped us to rebuild

Pre Chorus
And no matter how long I wait  
We’ll be reunited I’ll meet you at the gate

Chorus
I want you to know I never let you out of my life
I may not see your but I hear your voice sometimes
I’ve tried to fill your shoes and walk the way you’d lead
It’s been some journey but your strength has guided me

Mid 8
I lit you candles in the church
And sat beside your grave
I’d sit there every day if I could only see you smile again

Chorus Outro
I want you to know I never let you out of my life
I may not see you but I hear you voice inside
Did I do you proud do you think I got things right
I may not see you but I feel your strength in me  
So much to tell you face to face when we finally meet
It’s not been easy but I’m thankful that you’re always near.
You didn’t leave us coz I feel your strength in me
  

[pompeyjazz]

A tough thing to do and a wonderful tribute Yoda. I can really hear the emotion in your voice. This is lovely and melodic and I think low key for the instrumentation works very well.

Top tune

[Bill Saunders]

I really enjoyed this. Not an easy subject, and even harder to avoid it sounding cheesy, but you've pulled it off. A class piece of music, and a wonderful tribute. I'm sure your mum and brother will be touched. Once again your voice is absolutely top notch, as is the production.

A song to be proud of.

[shadowfax]

Yeah..beautiful song and tribute to your dad...difficult thing to do but done very well..

[Krysoe]

Great Song, composition and tribute.

one line frame it all

"I tried my best to bring you back but you already gone my friend"

Keep on the good handcraft

[Martinswede]

Hi!

With every song you post you show what a great musician you are. The lyrics are full of details that make it memorable. Some times a song is way too short to say all the words, you picked the right ones.

My only concern is that I think it has a bit too much brightness. Mostly in the vocals. The Sss-es are a bit sharp.

Martin

[Paulski]

A true song from the heart this.
Hard to hold back tears when listening to it.
Sounds like a wonderful man - a great tribute to his memory.

Glad you could finally get this out for all to appreciate.
Paul

[Silver Machine]

Dude, ballads aint my thing, and emotionally wrought ones I have a deep mistrust of.
Probably because of the manipulative way it's used in TV and Film to sledgehammer an emotion into the increasingly numb masses.
Now I can't use that as an excuse here, with the very real tragedy of your father. The song was very moving and beautifully constructed, man. Obviously it's something you should be proud of.
Your family is gonna cry, man.  Hope you're ready for that.

[PaulAds]

This is really brilliant. And it has real substance too.

It must be so difficult to do something like this...and you’ve done it fantastically well.

A perfect 10 from me.

[Morefrog Jones]

Thats the winner of November song of the month sorted then.
Lovely stuff.

[montydog]

This is an example of how perfectly music can be used to share, remember and celebrate the lives of those who are no longer around. I thought the vocal was particularly effective - full of honesty, warmth and passion.

Difficult to write about death without sounding banal and cliched but you've avoided those traps and come up with a wonderful piece of music. I am sure it will raise a tear in your mother's and brother's eyes.

Cracking piece of writing and performance.

M

[Darren1664]

Beautiful lyrics and music and a lovely lovely tribute to your Dad. The performance is so superb and captures the emotion so well. This is a corker of a track, excellent stuff Yoda.

[Skub]

Yo Yo Da.

Some songs transcend critique simply because they are obviously part of a process of catharsis. This is one such example.

I know the emotion of carrying a wound for life,it makes us what we are,for better or worse. I went through the same process on the 50th anniversary of my mother's death,also at the age of 12.
http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=13684.0

Like myself,I'm sure you found it difficult to do,but really glad when it all was finished. Like you,I shared with my sister and made her cry lots. Only right,since I cried plenty making the song. 

Anyway,sorry for the ramble Yoda,your song is a beautiful tribute to your Dad and he'd be proud to be remember in such fine style. I'm glad for you that you didn't wait 50 years to do the song,as I did.

Your song touched me and left me raw once again. That's what good music ought to do. 

[PaulyX]

Wow, thanks for sharing this one.
Raw, and uncontrived... so very powerful.
Even putting the lyrics to one side for a moment, it's got a great chord progression and lovely production.  The percussion was just right too - nicely restrained.
Combine that with the message, and it's a knock out.  I welled up too.

[Binladeda]

 Beautiful song....loved it 

 If art is about expression and messages, then this is a mighty fine
 example of what we all should be striving for. I can't see how this
 would fail to move/touch anyone who's had a father

 I cried...of course