[Paulski]

A bit of a tear-jerker here - you may want to cry after hearing this performance
Any feedback welcome - too theatrical?

https://soundcloud.com/paulcanuck/itsoktocry

It's OK to Cry

My Dad was my hero when I was a kid
And I tried to copy everything that he did
But one day I saw him hide his face in his hands
A heart isn't something that a child understands

He said "Son, I'm feeling sad because your Grandpa passed away"
Then something fell out of his eyes I was supposed to learn that day

It's OK to cry
It's OK to cry
Pour out the pain you bottle up so deep inside
To help you pull through when life makes you blue
Sometimes you've got to do what grown-ups aren't supposed to do

It was twenty years later, almost to the day
I'd started a family in much the same way
My uncle came calling in the cruel light of dawn
He said "I'm so sorry, but your father is gone"

Like an earthquake in my soul the words he spoke shook up my world
Then I lost my cool composure when the voice of my little girl said

It's OK to cry
It's OK to cry
Pour out the pain you bottle up so deep inside
You have the key to set your heart free
Would it really make a difference if someone were to see?

When life has been unkind and brings a heartache at my door
I close my eyes and I can still see my Dad's teardrops hit the floor
I see his teardrops hit the floor

It's OK to cry
It's OK to cry
Pour out the pain you bottle up so deep inside
You have the key! Set your heart free!
Would it really make a difference if someone were to see?

My Dad was my hero when I was a kid..

[moraamarolaloba]

Hol, cómo estás?
No, its not theatrical, it is how you feel the story you are delivering here. Wonderful lyrics and wonderful feeling. Now I will cry a little, they say it's good to wash ashes of soul.
Y además, it is very well well sung.
Stay safe @Paulski

Mora

[pompeyjazz]

Delivered like a true Pro @Paulski You have such a fine knack for honing songs like this. It's a real weepy for sure   

[LilPeeper]

Your deeply personal lyrics pack an emotional punch, the time jump in the second verse shows story progression and highlights the unstoppable passage of time, the whole toxic masculinity theme seems very-2021. Vocals-wise, my personal favourite moment was the final "it's okay to cry" with the higher pitch. Lyrics-wise I really loved "A heart isn't something that a child understands"

If I had any negatives it would be the repetitive talk of tears rather than going a little deeper (eg specific memories of times shared together that nobody else would know about.) I also found the "You have the key to set your heart free" to be cheesy and perhaps too easy.

Overall, an enjoyable song with just a few improvements possible.

[Jamie]

@Paulski


Hi Paul, I knew how I'd feel about this before I read the lyric. You have a way of delivering an emotional lyric that makes it believable and not too syrupy sweet. I had a lump in my throat listening to it. Well done.

No more to be said.....

Cheers

Jamie

[rightly]

not too theatrical, no

it's alright to cry, but not to leave it at that.

Nice to hear you back on the piano
very well executed song
good stuff

[MichaelA]

It’s always dangerous for a songwriter to tackle these massive life stages, but this stripped back delivery certainly helps with the authenticity. The song builds really well, and the soaring vocals at the end are fabulous. Not your fault, @Paulski , but I did feel a bit miserable by the end, as inevitably ourselves and all who we love are only here temporarily. In some ways it’s a hard listen for that reason, but this song is a very humble and artistic vehicle for carrying a difficult truth and how it affects us all. I’m off for a good cry now! But thanks for your honest performance!

[5 guys named Lars]

I echo the previous comments that the stripped back production stops it becoming too theatrical @Paulski . Some excellent lyrics & your vocals & piano playing are marvellous.

[OleAnders]

Such a powerful topic with loosing once father and nicely put in a generational aspect as well. I dont think I have heard that before and those particular lines are very powerful.

If it is too theatrical is a matter of taste. You are very theatrical, especially in the choruses and that is part of what makes it interesting.

If you want to make something less theatrical you need to compensate with more fine tuned nuances. Maybe select which lines you want to have more or less dramatic effect.

[ChrisPrice]

Lovely piano playing and chord work and great vocal delivery. A really touching song

[man made material]

@Paulski  cripes, I appear to have something in my eye... and a lump in my throat... this took real guts... I don’t know how you managed to give such a great vocal without cracking... very touching, both lyrically and in performance... one thing I felt was a blemish that I think it’d be better without is the spoken repeated line ‘if someone were to see’ just before the key change, which just felt a little corny to me, but the final key change refrain really packs an emotional punch! Great vocal!... damn fine, now excuse me, I need to find a tissue...

[Wicked Deeds]

Hey @Paulski,

You've been away from the forum for a little while and you music has been sorely missed.  I really enjoy the melody here.  I love to hear a song that stands on it's own two feet with a strong melody and quality lyrics.  This one certainly ticks both of these boxes. 

Paul

[Melusine2]

Hello, when I start to listen  i was wondering if I like it or not and then the melody, the emotions catch me. Great song.

[montydog]

Hi @Paulski
If someone asked me what was so great about your music, I'd play them this. Beautifully written, crafted and played song. The vocal is so subtle over the chord changes which gives it real authority. Some notes in there I don't think I've heard you hit before. Too theatrical? Is that a thing? I don't think so but having said that with a full orchestra I can see this bringing the house down at Carnegie Hall.
M

[PaulAds]

Aw...this is lovely. I don’t think anyone else on here could have done this.

I remember being on holiday and the weather was awful, so we were stuck indoors and my brother and I were fighting like cat and dog...to such a degree that my Dad (after many previous attempts to get us to knock it off) eventually said to us “will you two please stop fighting with each other” and I noticed that he was (as discretely as possible) crying.

I’ve never felt so ashamed of myself either before or since. Nor do I expect to, as long as I live.

So yeah...it’s ok to cry. But only if it’s genuine. Otherwise, it’s despicable.

I’m sure this is genuine...

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