'My 1970's Girl' - nostaligia ain't what it used to be!

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MichaelA

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« on: June 07, 2018, 08:46:19 PM »
Hi everyone, well I am in this little phase right now of trying to right songs in a kind of more 'entertaining' style, less of the slightly gloomy introspection. I'm enjoying it!

Here's a song about a decade people either love or hate - the 1970s. If you were there I hope it brings back good memories. If you are too young to have been there, well I simply hope it captures a mood for you. Cheers for any feedback.

https://soundcloud.com/michael-a-duffy/my-1970s-girl


Lyrics:

'My 1970's Girl'

You were sat on your space hopper
Looking at your Mickey Mouse watch
As I rode by on my Chopper
Thought your Farah Fawcett hairdo was top notch
I said I like collecting stamps
You said you liked staring at lava lamps
When I took you home to see mine
And my mirror disco ball, I took my chance

CHORUS (with variations)

I'm singing out cos I love you, I love you
My (Princess Leia/ Daisy Duke/ Charlie's Angel)
Ah my head’s a whirl
I'm singing out every (Abba/ Bee Gees/ Eagles) song for you
My 1970's girl

I'm singing out cos I love you, I love you
My vinyl 45s are all yours to twirl
I'm singing out every (Led Zep/ Bowie/ Blondie) song for you
My 1970's girl

We still cruise in our Cortina
On the windscreen, our names stickered ‘cross the top
Step out on the palm treed dance floor
In platform shoes an old guy should not bop
Still we do the Hustle smooth
YMCA, we remember the moves
Then you whisper you still love me
Trapped forever in our Seventies groove

We watch old TV
Mork and Mindy
Kangaroo Skippy
Fawlty Towers
This amazing colour TV is ours

Oh my 1970s girl
My latest novel: pls check it out!

‘Gavin & The Bodysnatchers’, a quirky comedy crime thriller. Easily found on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09GZ7C8M7?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Skub

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« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2018, 11:08:45 PM »
Yo Michael.

I love the imagery conjured by the lyrics,I lived through the 70s as a teenager and I'm afraid I do remember them!  :D

A totally charming song.  8)

MichaelA

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« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2018, 11:39:35 PM »
Thanks @Skub, the 70s is such a distinctive era I really enjoyed doing this - and also surprised many more songwriters haven't done this too! Cheers!

M
My latest novel: pls check it out!

‘Gavin & The Bodysnatchers’, a quirky comedy crime thriller. Easily found on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09GZ7C8M7?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

jacksimmons

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« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2018, 12:02:59 AM »
Hi there!

I really like this. As soon as it started I knew I was going to enjoy it, your voice is lovely and slightly idiosyncratic like Bowie or Bolan - which suits the 70s theme. The production is lovely. That piano sound! Is that a real piano or MIDI? Either way it is lovely.

I like the melody! Nice and simple but still melancholy and owns the track. The strings on the chorus are great, love the way they swell. Everything is in the right place. Particularly liked the Bee Gees reference. Think they get overlooked. I am a little bias though as I make my living off of them...

My only real nitpick would be the way your voice tracks the main melody in the harmony lines. The tracking comes apart a bit a couple of times, particularly in the first verse it is noticeable. I would go back and fix that so you're hitting the marks and the harmony and melody blend perfectly.

But yeah. REALLY liked this. Great tune. FOLLOWED.

PS. Bit of an aside, but I also love The Dog, The Cat, The Mouse, The Rat, The Snake, The Bat.
« Last Edit: June 11, 2018, 12:10:39 AM by jacksimmons »
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jack-simmons-1/albums
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"When I play a dope melody, anything less than the best is a felony." - Robert Matthew Van Winkle

MichaelA

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« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2018, 10:17:54 PM »
Hey Jack, @Jack Simmons well thanks for writing such a detailed review of my song. I Googled you after you made that Bee Gees comment, so I now can see you are in a crazily sought after tribute band - and lucky for me you are in Liverpool at the end of June, so that's one cool night out sorted for me and the missus!

Which then is no surprise you pulled me up on my harmonies, as from YouTube it sounds like you guys are masters of that! Yes I will have another crack at that - and actually it has only been in the past few months I've even tried harmonies on my songs at all, so yes, I understand that I may be still in the development stage!

But thanks for all the other positive comments etc, much appreciated! It's great to hear you sometimes strike a chord with someone, especially when you are just a songwriting hobbyist like me!
My latest novel: pls check it out!

‘Gavin & The Bodysnatchers’, a quirky comedy crime thriller. Easily found on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09GZ7C8M7?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Paulski

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« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2018, 11:04:30 PM »
Aww - took me back to the 70's bell bottom pants and all  ;D
Some lovely lyrics and the vocals are as skub said charming!
Just two listens and you gave me an ear work - so thanks for that!
Not a fan of the midi bass though - bass needs more sustain than that to solidify the bottom IMHO.

Enjoyed it!
Paul

jacksimmons

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« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2018, 10:24:41 PM »
Hey Jack, @Jack Simmons well thanks for writing such a detailed review of my song. I Googled you after you made that Bee Gees comment, so I now can see you are in a crazily sought after tribute band - and lucky for me you are in Liverpool at the end of June, so that's one cool night out sorted for me and the missus!

Which then is no surprise you pulled me up on my harmonies, as from YouTube it sounds like you guys are masters of that! Yes I will have another crack at that - and actually it has only been in the past few months I've even tried harmonies on my songs at all, so yes, I understand that I may be still in the development stage!

But thanks for all the other positive comments etc, much appreciated! It's great to hear you sometimes strike a chord with someone, especially when you are just a songwriting hobbyist like me!

Ah amazing! I look forward to seeing you there, then!

Yeah, I really like your stuff. Strong melodies which is THE most important thing to me. I will be keeping up to date with your releases.
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jack-simmons-1/albums
Bandcamp: https://jacksimmonsmusic.bandcamp.com/

"When I play a dope melody, anything less than the best is a felony." - Robert Matthew Van Winkle

MichaelA

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« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2018, 09:37:52 AM »
Thanks for the comment @Paulski, good point on the midi-bass - had never really thought of that!  ;)

Good luck with the shows @Jack Simmons and thanks for that!  :D
My latest novel: pls check it out!

‘Gavin & The Bodysnatchers’, a quirky comedy crime thriller. Easily found on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09GZ7C8M7?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Jambrains

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« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2018, 09:11:41 AM »
Being of the the right age to completely get the lyrics, I think they are absolutely fab, I more or less forgot about the song  ;D
Think I'm pretty much with @jacksimmons initial comments, not much to add really except once again, loved the lyrics!

Cazrolina

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« Reply #9 on: June 18, 2018, 11:29:27 PM »
Cool concept and really great vocals! I love your tone.
I'm in agreement with Paulski re the bass, but mainly as it detracts from the lead melody a touch. But there's so much to like here. It's a fab song and the vocal melody is brilliant. cx
Caz
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MichaelA

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« Reply #10 on: June 20, 2018, 05:37:16 PM »
Thanks @Jambrains , I am glad you enjoyed a bit of 70s nostalgia!

Cheers also @Cazrolina, good point on the bass and am glad you like the melody too, as it is usually the lyrics that get the most thumbs-ups! Ta! :)
My latest novel: pls check it out!

‘Gavin & The Bodysnatchers’, a quirky comedy crime thriller. Easily found on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09GZ7C8M7?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Neil C

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« Reply #11 on: June 27, 2018, 05:14:00 PM »
I was there and loved the words, you go them just right and deliver them with a great other worldly vocal delivery.
A touch of bowie in there perhaps?
Lots to like here.
 :)
Neil
songwriter of no repute..