[Alan Starkie]

Very rough demo for an acoustic song that's been lying around for years waiting for me to finish it:

https://soundcloud.com/alanstarkie/back-street-kids/s-f4iew


'Backstreet Kids'


Backstreet kids don't know the good from the bad
They think they're happy when they're sad
But they know life
Backstreet kids don't know the days of the week
Just wondering what there is to eat
When they get home

A row of terraced houses fills up the grey sky
And dirty kids with trousers reaching for waist high
And all the mothers sit
And wonder what becomes of the kids

CHORUS

The innocence of the child soon becomes apparent
In the eyes of the ones that love them
Left to find their way
Into another day

SOLO

CHORUS

When they get home
When they get home



Thanks.

[hardtwistmusic]

After one read through and listen, a couple of things REALLY stand out. 

1.  Your sincerity and genuine concern. 
2.  The seriousness of the situation you describe. 

I'll have to listen again to get a better sense of the music and prosody.  This has the feel of a song that grows on you with repeated listens, so I'll give it repeated listens before giving feedback on the musical aspects and lyrics.

[benjo]

 hey alan,

 love the raw feel this has to it
 makes you drift back in time and think of
 that kind of life,

 it did me any way
 
 big fan mate well done again,

                         tony.

[Jamie]

Great acoustic guitar sound. I think I can see what you're trying to get to with this lyric, and don't get me wrong, you are a talented writer, but the lyric wasn't as good as the backing and the melody didn't emote. It wasn't a bad melody, but to my ear (IMHO) they didn't quite fit together as well as you've managed with the other songs I've heard you post. I'm being picky because you set such a high standard with your writing. It's still in the top tier of what is posted on this forum though 
Cheers
Jamie

[tina m]

love the guitars ...how do you record them to sound so good? you are a triffic acoustic player
the lyrics were quite touching ...  simple but they worked....  the line that had 'apparent' in it sounded a little bit clumsy
to improve it i think you should have a bunch of delinquents banging on your door & windows & interupting the song half way thru while you shout abuse at them ..make it gritty & real !!

no i cant see how it can be improved if its a work in progress

[Alan Starkie]

Got an idea for a video for this song :

Black and white with dirty smiling kids.

Gonna try it maybe at some point....

[Neil C]

Alan,
I read the lyrics, they had some nice lines in there, but wasn't entirely sure how it would all hang together. And then I had a good listen and too be honest I'm not sure I'm able to be particularly objective with your songs anymore...
Observant, it has a delicate, melancholic way about it without being maudlin. 
As Tinam says super guitar playing and sound ( as ever) , lovely strings and great chord change at 0.54. And do tell what your acoustic guitar and recording set up is?
 
Neil

[Alan Starkie]

Thanks Neil.

Set up :

Tanglewood Ovangkol Deluxe (I tried 3 different versions of this guitar until I found the right one)

I searched this guitar out because of the very woody natural sound.

Mic is a large diaphragm valve condenser made by Superlux (was £700 but you can pick one up for around £300 I think)

[Paulski]

Really nice song and recorded well - kudos are due!
Not a top 40 hit IMO - but what is anymore?
Can see this played behind a b&w movie short - now that would be sweet!
Best
Paul