Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Here's the first pass of a song I wrote in the bad old days. Times were so hard that writing this song felt like the only way I could strike back at the world somehow. Anyway, time passes and things change, and now that I'm a generally happy guy, the damn thing actually lifts my spirits. I'd love to hear any suggestions or comments. Thanks!



http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7217120

The Only Joy

Listen to the squawking of the winners and the losers
On the all night party line
True love's hard to come by, I pray for anything to save me
From the boredom or the wine

You're the only joy
You're the only joy

Comfort's for the comfortable and money's for the wealthy
And the violence is free
Wisdom's for the elderly and pain is for the victim
And a lonely voice for me

You're the only joy
You're the only joy

And maybe I'm just reacting to the side effects of time
Or believing that I'm just another name
But when I think I cannot pluck a note or stand another rhyme
Your beauty overwhelms me once again

When telephones are blasting, when the television's screaming
When the last best friend leaves town
When man is on the rampage while God is in His Heaven
When the walls come tumbling down

You're the only joy
You're the only joy
You're the only joy
You're the only joy

Copyright 2009 by Mark Kaufman

Good melody, a strong lyric. Yeah, that's a keeper, all right. The only thing I have a question about is the sort of Native American kind of chant going on in the middle of the song. (I don't know what else to call it.) I wonder if that's necessary to the song. Is it optional? Would the finished product survive on its own if that were omitted?

JimK

Very beautiful, nice bittersweetness. Love your voice.

The bagpipe bit carried me right away.

You've done it again you devil (sigh)

jimk wrote:Good melody, a strong lyric. Yeah, that's a keeper, all right. The only thing I have a question about is the sort of Native American kind of chant going on in the middle of the song. (I don't know what else to call it.) I wonder if that's necessary to the song. Is it optional? Would the finished product survive on its own if that were omitted?

JimK

Thanks Jim! Yeah, that bit just sort of happened this afternoon when I was almost finished recording. I was thinking I needed some sort of fill in the long hang of the last note of the bagpipe thing, and found myself warbling like Dan George on a ziggurat. No time for thought, gotta be to work in 45 minutes... But yes, the finished product would certainly survive without it, and probably will.

Wish I had real bagpipes instead of the cheesy VST. In fact, I wish I had about a dozen bagpipes--that's the ticket...but they probably wouldn't be able to play it since I make the drone play shifting chords.

Thanks for the help, I want to get this one as close as I can.

Cheers!

-Mark

kiramdear wrote:Very beautiful, nice bittersweetness. Love your voice.

The bagpipe bit carried me right away.

You've done it again you devil (sigh)

You've got no reason for sighs, Kira Moon, you've got the goods. I've been extremely busy in the last month, now it's time to check out what you're working on lately. I really dig your songs and sound. Maybe we should do a song together online sometime this year for kicks! With all the talented people on this forum, it might even be fun to do a group song...record a random drum track, pass it on, someone throws down guitar chords or a bassline, passes it on, etc, until there's a song...? Could be fun.

Thanks for sweet words and that little yellow cat-devil dude! -mk

lyle_from_minneapolis wrote: With all the talented people on this forum, it might even be fun to do a group song...record a random drum track, pass it on, someone throws down guitar chords or a bassline, passes it on, etc, until there's a song...? Could be fun.

That does sound like fun.

JimK

Sure, count me in

I just relocated my studio to the bow of the boat and I'm not sure if everything is plugged in right yet ... I'm enduring a forced reprieve since Thanxgiving to slightly rewind the mortal coil, ouch but hope to be back in the saddle soon.

Mark: really enjoyed another of your songs Listening on my laptop could really hear some cool stereo seperation especially with vocals........Liked the bag pipe break maybe a bit hot in the mix........good lyrics could tell from a deep time in life.Keep em coming..........I hope to have something to contribute soon still getting the studio setup and learning to control the beast....Peace

Nice one, Mark. I think THIS is your country hit! Great melodies and vocal harmonies, and I love the bagpipe sounds. I actually got a decent bagpipe sound out of my old Prophet 600 synth on a recording I did many moons ago, but never finished. I may post what I have of it sometime. But I digress - you must have omitted the "Native American vocal chant" by the time I heard this. Hard to imagine what that would have sounded like, but I like this version of the song. Just put on your best beat-up cowboy hat and tish kickers, and you'll be a country sensation with 'The Only Joy.'

Thanks peeps. Brem, yes, the pipes are too hot now...and you'll never fully control the beast from what I've seen and heard.

Mark W...this is country?? Maybe in Scotland... that's an interesting thought. Just can't see George Strait being interested. But I do remember Glen Campbell's excellent version of "Amazing Grace" with about 1000 bagpipes involved. The chant is still in there, at the end of the bagpipe section, just back a bit in the mix now. I kinda like it...I titled that track "Arab Dude".

Cheers!

-Mark