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For several months now I've been hoping to finally have a brand new recording to present here on FA. It was looking like another month was going to go by without that happening, when today, I just decided to go for broke and make an attempt to record something new. The result is my first new song in over ten years.
Well, sort of new. I first wrote "The Politicians" in 1990, and made multiple attempts to record it over several years, but I've never put any of the early versions of this song up on FA. This is a brand new version, recorded on September 29, 2007. It's the first song I've made using the 8-track recorder that
justinjackrabbit gave me. Accordingly, you'll hopefully notice a marked improvement in the recording quality over most of the songs I've been uploading for the last year-and-a-half.
That's not to say it's perfect, by any stretch of the imagination. I'm still learning how to use the 8-track, for both recording and mixing. Also, I've yet to acquire an effects processor, so I wasn't able to put any kind of echo or other effects on my voice (which could definitely benefit from some tweaking lol). Also, it seems to have come out a little quieter than it maybe should have, so you might have to turn it up a bit. Think of this song as a practice recording, as it will most likely be re-recorded (again) at some point.
So, like I said, this song dates back to 1990, and the first Gulf War. Back then, I thought the first Bush administration was bad. We didn't know how good we had it lol. If anything, this song is even more relevant today than when I first wrote it. Anyway, I really hope you all enjoy it. I'm really excited to have something new to share with everyone, even if it's just practice. ^_^
This song is dedicated with gratitude to Justin, without whom it would not have been possible.
"The Politicians" (5:59)
Written October 4, 1990
This version recorded September 29, 2007
We are the politicians
We're the ones who make decisions
You don't need to think, 'cause we'll do it for you
Why bother anyway, when the world will ignore you?
We are the politicians
See us on television
We talk about our problems, and how we can solve them
We talk and talk some more, while your children go to war
And you may think we're crooked, that we cheat and lie
But it's sometimes necessary to control your minds
And if things aren't always quite what they appear
Just remember, you're the ones who put us here
We are the politicians
And we're in a tough position
Where everything you do, and everything you say
Ends up on the front page of every paper in the USA
Don't forget we're only human
What more can you expect?
And everybody makes an occasional mistake
It's just that ours are harder to correct
We are the politicians
And our primary ambitions
Are liberty and justice, for all who believe
That the American Dream is easy to achieve
And if it takes a little money
Well, you know nothing comes for free
In order to live, you know you've got to give
So you might as well give it to me
And you may think we're crooked, that we cheat and lie
But you're just looking for someone to crucify
And if we can't always solve everything
Just remember, you're the ones who made us kings
You made us kings
You made us kings
Well, sort of new. I first wrote "The Politicians" in 1990, and made multiple attempts to record it over several years, but I've never put any of the early versions of this song up on FA. This is a brand new version, recorded on September 29, 2007. It's the first song I've made using the 8-track recorder that
justinjackrabbit gave me. Accordingly, you'll hopefully notice a marked improvement in the recording quality over most of the songs I've been uploading for the last year-and-a-half.That's not to say it's perfect, by any stretch of the imagination. I'm still learning how to use the 8-track, for both recording and mixing. Also, I've yet to acquire an effects processor, so I wasn't able to put any kind of echo or other effects on my voice (which could definitely benefit from some tweaking lol). Also, it seems to have come out a little quieter than it maybe should have, so you might have to turn it up a bit. Think of this song as a practice recording, as it will most likely be re-recorded (again) at some point.
So, like I said, this song dates back to 1990, and the first Gulf War. Back then, I thought the first Bush administration was bad. We didn't know how good we had it lol. If anything, this song is even more relevant today than when I first wrote it. Anyway, I really hope you all enjoy it. I'm really excited to have something new to share with everyone, even if it's just practice. ^_^
This song is dedicated with gratitude to Justin, without whom it would not have been possible.
"The Politicians" (5:59)
Written October 4, 1990
This version recorded September 29, 2007
We are the politicians
We're the ones who make decisions
You don't need to think, 'cause we'll do it for you
Why bother anyway, when the world will ignore you?
We are the politicians
See us on television
We talk about our problems, and how we can solve them
We talk and talk some more, while your children go to war
And you may think we're crooked, that we cheat and lie
But it's sometimes necessary to control your minds
And if things aren't always quite what they appear
Just remember, you're the ones who put us here
We are the politicians
And we're in a tough position
Where everything you do, and everything you say
Ends up on the front page of every paper in the USA
Don't forget we're only human
What more can you expect?
And everybody makes an occasional mistake
It's just that ours are harder to correct
We are the politicians
And our primary ambitions
Are liberty and justice, for all who believe
That the American Dream is easy to achieve
And if it takes a little money
Well, you know nothing comes for free
In order to live, you know you've got to give
So you might as well give it to me
And you may think we're crooked, that we cheat and lie
But you're just looking for someone to crucify
And if we can't always solve everything
Just remember, you're the ones who made us kings
You made us kings
You made us kings
Category Music / Pop
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 115 x 120px
File Size 5.48 MB
Listed in Folders
Nice to listen to something new from you. Music with an actual message isn't too common on this site.
That said, I like the somewhat confusing sound quality in this one. The monotoneous singing fits the topic and message rather well. The mood somehow reminds me of
indigojferret's music to a certain degree. The synth background sounds extremely confusing in a good way, which also contributes to the song's atmosphere. The long repetitions of thythm after the end of singing also do a good job of driving this home.
Now, may I suggest doing a song on the Harding administration? ;)
That said, I like the somewhat confusing sound quality in this one. The monotoneous singing fits the topic and message rather well. The mood somehow reminds me of
indigojferret's music to a certain degree. The synth background sounds extremely confusing in a good way, which also contributes to the song's atmosphere. The long repetitions of thythm after the end of singing also do a good job of driving this home.Now, may I suggest doing a song on the Harding administration? ;)
Glad you liked it! About the monotonous singing, I wish I could say that it's *supposed* to fit the topic and message, but that's just a subpar vocal performance LOL. No, seriously, I'm not sure this was the right key for this song to be in for my voice. Also, since this was pretty much intended to be "practice" on how to use an 8-track, I'll admit that I just used the first vocal take I did. I could've tried for better, but I was working on a self-imposed deadline.
You flatter me with the comparison to indigojferret , as I enjoy and respect his work greatly.
A song about Harding, hmmm... I don't know, the last thing I'd know anything about is a "return to normalcy" lol. Thanks again! ^_^
You flatter me with the comparison to
indigojferret , as I enjoy and respect his work greatly.A song about Harding, hmmm... I don't know, the last thing I'd know anything about is a "return to normalcy" lol. Thanks again! ^_^
Very nice! I've spoken out against the government in my own music as well, I think the inspiration comes naturally to us once we get pissed off enough... ;) I wasn't really old enough to understand what was going on during the first Bush administration, but I sure as hell see a pattern going on now... And all we can do is inform and enact a different way of living that will damage this machine perpetually in construction around us before it makes societal zombies of us all.
Thanks very much! Yeah, my first couple of stabs at "socially aware" songs didn't really come out as well as I'd hoped. This was kind of the first one where I said what I wanted to say, the way I wanted to say it.
I was just checking out your gallery; you've got some good stuff going on over there! I'm always a little jealous of guitarists. My stuff has always been pretty much keyboard-based, but more and more, I hear guitars in my head when I write songs now. It'd make my life so much easier if I knew how to play lol.
But that's where my friends come in ^_^ . Thanks for the comment!
I was just checking out your gallery; you've got some good stuff going on over there! I'm always a little jealous of guitarists. My stuff has always been pretty much keyboard-based, but more and more, I hear guitars in my head when I write songs now. It'd make my life so much easier if I knew how to play lol.
But that's where my friends come in ^_^ . Thanks for the comment!
Anytime, yo! Comments are what I'm all about. :D Good to see people making attempts at removing the blindfolds of delusions our culture has wrapped around our eyes, I strongly believe it's one of many duties we were put here to enact as musicians. I appreciate you diggin' my material as well, if ever you should run into me at a convention (I'm never too hard to find since I always carry my hand drums around) then we'll tear the place up with a mighty jam! I'm not used to rocking out with keyboardists, but you're damned good with your craft yourself so I think we'd hold up pretty well together. Stay tight!
*Just* well enough lol. I'd still probably like to record this with you sometime. I like this version, but I feel like it should have some sort of guitar on it.
More layers definitely helped. I still only used 5 of the 8 tracks, but I didn't want to just throw on stuff that I didn't feel it needed. Plus, I was getting impatient and anxious just to *finish* something lol (even though I guess I don't consider it 100% "finished").
More layers definitely helped. I still only used 5 of the 8 tracks, but I didn't want to just throw on stuff that I didn't feel it needed. Plus, I was getting impatient and anxious just to *finish* something lol (even though I guess I don't consider it 100% "finished").
You can color it in with something higher toned. Maybe some sort of piano patch tapping out a light melody over the strings? A solid melodic bass line would fill it in nicely, underneath, adding to the layers. Vocal harmonies in strategic spots will also add some dynamics.
The song, all in all, is very good, hon. >"^_^"<
The song, all in all, is very good, hon. >"^_^"<
Yeah, I chose to forgo a bass line until 2:22, where the synth-bass kinda melody comes in. I worked pretty hard on that track, so I probably should've made it more prominent in the mix, but there's a story behind that, too. But yeah, there's definitely more things I could put in... I was just racing to get something finished by the last day of the month.
As much as I *love* vocal harmonies and always look for places to use them, I've just never "heard" them on this particular song. Thanks so much for the comment and the +fav! *hugs*
And hey, I'll be seeing you in just a couple of weeks! ^_^
As much as I *love* vocal harmonies and always look for places to use them, I've just never "heard" them on this particular song. Thanks so much for the comment and the +fav! *hugs*
And hey, I'll be seeing you in just a couple of weeks! ^_^
Indeed you will! >"^_^"<
BTW, since I now have a working studio in my house, Me, Belic and Sedge may start recording the Paw Offs stuff again. There are two songs that need finishing and I'm sure we all have new tunes ready to start in fresh on. You will be most welcome to join n on keys. >"^_^"<
BTW, since I now have a working studio in my house, Me, Belic and Sedge may start recording the Paw Offs stuff again. There are two songs that need finishing and I'm sure we all have new tunes ready to start in fresh on. You will be most welcome to join n on keys. >"^_^"<
Sympathy nothing LOL. But sometimes I find it interesting to try and write a song from someone else's point of view, especially when it's a point of view that I myself couldn't espouse. I wrote another song that I don't know whether or not I'll ever share on FA (although now that I can record a better version of it, I just might), called "You Asked For This". It's about domestic violence, and it's sung from the point of view of the abuser. It was an interesting exercise, to try to get inside the head of someone who'd do that, and imagine how they'd try to rationalize why they do the things they do.
Thanks for the comment! ^_^
Thanks for the comment! ^_^
Nice jorb. The retro-future synths and the repetitive melody kind of remind me of Gary Numan or something. I like that busy synth bass line that starts up in the middle too.
I think your vocals would probably sound a lot more polished with some compression and a hint of reverb. And, if it were me, I'd probably introduce more layers toward the end to give it more of a crescendo feeling, probably with a new synth melody taking the spotlight somewhere in there once that snare drum thing is well established, but that's just me, haha
I think your vocals would probably sound a lot more polished with some compression and a hint of reverb. And, if it were me, I'd probably introduce more layers toward the end to give it more of a crescendo feeling, probably with a new synth melody taking the spotlight somewhere in there once that snare drum thing is well established, but that's just me, haha
Thanks, Indy! I wasn't going for a Numanesque vibe with this one, but that doesn't mean I won't accept the comparison lol! I do have another song that's only half-written, which is pretty heavily influenced by Gary Numan. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it up sometime in the near future.
I'm glad you like the synth bass line, because it was definitely the hardest part of the song for me to do. It makes all the endless takes worth it when someone singles it out :) . This is probably my fourth or fifth stab at this song, and that bass line is a new element in this version, not having appeared in any of its previous incarnations. I have to admit that I really like it quite a bit myself.
The vocals... yeah, they need work. I don't know anything about compression. Really, nothing at all. And you're right, the vocals would benefit from some reverb, but I don't have an effects processor, and it looks like it's going to be a while before I can get one. So, yeah, any vocals I do from home are going to be on the 'raw' side for a while.
Again, spot-on suggestion on the extra layers towards the end. Originally I was going to fade this song out at the end, so some of that stuff at the end was never intended to even be heard... but in my eagerness to get something finished (coupled with my unfamiliarity with the recording equipment), I got lazy slash impatient slash complacent, and didn't end up bothering to fade it.
Wow. Long reply.
Thanks for listening and for the comment! ^_^
I'm glad you like the synth bass line, because it was definitely the hardest part of the song for me to do. It makes all the endless takes worth it when someone singles it out :) . This is probably my fourth or fifth stab at this song, and that bass line is a new element in this version, not having appeared in any of its previous incarnations. I have to admit that I really like it quite a bit myself.
The vocals... yeah, they need work. I don't know anything about compression. Really, nothing at all. And you're right, the vocals would benefit from some reverb, but I don't have an effects processor, and it looks like it's going to be a while before I can get one. So, yeah, any vocals I do from home are going to be on the 'raw' side for a while.
Again, spot-on suggestion on the extra layers towards the end. Originally I was going to fade this song out at the end, so some of that stuff at the end was never intended to even be heard... but in my eagerness to get something finished (coupled with my unfamiliarity with the recording equipment), I got lazy slash impatient slash complacent, and didn't end up bothering to fade it.
Wow. Long reply.
Thanks for listening and for the comment! ^_^
Hmm, compression is tricky to give tips on without just physically showing people how to do it. Even once you have the idea, it takes a bit of practice to make it sound best. How do you record things? Do you do it on a standalone device, like a multitrack recorder, or do you mix it in a computer program? It takes more effort and money on a recorder than on a computer, unless the thing happens to have built-in effects and stuff.
Yeah, I have a couple of friends who I'm sure would be able to teach me a bit about compression.
As to how I record things, that's a tricky question. My old material, the stuff I've been posting for the last couple of years, was mostly recorded with a Walkman-sized tape recorder straight out of the open air lol. Now I've got an 8-track to work with, but I've only recorded one song with it so far-- this one. I imagine I'll graduate to using computer programs at some point, but they haven't entered the picture for me yet.
As to how I record things, that's a tricky question. My old material, the stuff I've been posting for the last couple of years, was mostly recorded with a Walkman-sized tape recorder straight out of the open air lol. Now I've got an 8-track to work with, but I've only recorded one song with it so far-- this one. I imagine I'll graduate to using computer programs at some point, but they haven't entered the picture for me yet.
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