https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:55:08 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264742 Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:21:02 +0000
This is just superb - great song for this assignment and a really well done MP3.

Loved it

Bob :wink:]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Bob https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264742 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264244 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:13:45 +0000 It's hard, with amateur level gear and minimal experience to get a recording that will speak for itself, without the need to write out the lyrics. Many of the mp3s I hear on websites have vocals that are just too muddy to be able to hear what the heck the story is, and the lyrics have to be read separately to find out what was supposed to be going on. :? Yesterday I tried to record a song to submit this week, and it was all thoroughly muffly and muddy. Being able to record the instrument and vocal separately and then mix then together makes a huge difference with my set-up. Comparing Keep It Simple which was done quickly on Cubase using separate tracks, to my competition entry Rest In Peace which was just played and sung in one go with a Sony Walkman mike on my PC monitor speaks volumes.

If you have a computer to record on there are some very cheap and effective programs like Sonar and Cakewalk and I know where you can get some very acceptable small condenser mikes for under £10 - PM me if interested]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Raystrack https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264244 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264177 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 05:40:59 +0000
I liked the balance between a story that was straightforward enough to follow, yet had room enough for plenty of imaginative imagery. And I particularly liked the clarity of the vocals, and the recording in general.

It's hard, with amateur level gear and minimal experience to get a recording that will speak for itself, without the need to write out the lyrics. Many of the mp3s I hear on websites have vocals that are just too muddy to be able to hear what the heck the story is, and the lyrics have to be read separately to find out what was supposed to be going on. :? Yesterday I tried to record a song to submit this week, and it was all thoroughly muffly and muddy. So today's task is to try again and see if I can do a bit better. I won't get anywhere near your clarity, but it was great to hear anyway.

As a Pop/Rock fan I'm a little concerned my first two efforts have ended up as Country songs :shock:
I think this is probably an officially recognised Syndrome.

When I try and write songs I sit down as Tom Waits, but always seem to stand up again closer to John Denver.... it's a worry. :shock:

Cheers,

Chris]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Chris C https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264177 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264158 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 03:18:29 +0000
I like oblique rhymes rather than full-on ones where the last syllable has to match exactly - nevertheless 'that's how it all began' is a good substitute.

'Two heads, four arms and legs' is I feel, the best alteration to the original line, as it was a bit of a tight fit.

Keep It Simple Stupid has given me an idea for a more complex song which I hope to finish this week.]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Raystrack https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264158 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264148 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:55:16 +0000
:D :D :D

Vic]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Vic Lewis VL https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264148 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264076 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 20:07:53 +0000
Two things I might suggest are:

The last verse, you might find it sings a little smoother by reversing the legs and arms:

two heads, four legs and four arms
fitted in one bed

"Legs" just seems a little garbled when it comes last. Another idea would be to substitute "feet" and "hands" for their respective limbs.

And in this verse:

the first bad thing in history
was the loneliness of man
the recipe was she for he
and the story had begun

Call me silly, but I miss the rhyme and it would be easy enough to do:

the first bad thing in history
was the loneliness of man
the recipe was she for he
and that's how it all began

These are truly little things. I like it fine enough as it is!

Looking forward to more.

Peace]]> Sunday Songwriters Group David Hodge https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-264076 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-263885 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 19:42:56 +0000 Sunday Songwriters Group Corlenya https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-263885 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-263860 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 17:36:09 +0000
Loads of MP3's I want to comment on, this being my first, but this was a great start!

I liked the pre-chorus as well, I thought it would be sweet if you found someone to sing that part with you. That's what I was expecting to hear, so I just thought I should mention that.
Also, I feel like the melody is playful and the words go right along with it. Both the meter and the rhymes were really good.

The only thing I had to nitpick on was the last verse, but the more I read it, the more I like it. I think it was all the legs and arms in a bed part, but I get it now. I do :) Also, it fits progression of the lyrics. I take back the nitpick.

:)
.man]]> Sunday Songwriters Group manontheside https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-263860 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-263818 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 09:22:08 +0000
Nice one!

I find the pre-chorus interesting It's pretty basic logic
when you pare the whole thing down On first reading this seems like it shouldn't work but when you listen to the MP3
it's the best part of the song

The chorus itself is pure Nashville

Good Job

John]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Celt https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-263818 https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-27971 Tue, 11 Sep 2007 07:42:25 +0000
http://www.soundclick.com/util/getplayer.m3u?id=5762675&q=hi

"Keep It Simple"

God rested on the Sunday
everything he saw looked good
just one mean thing that spoiled the scene
in that Eden neighbourhood

the first bad thing in history
was the loneliness of man
the recipe was she for he
and the story had begun

It's pretty basic logic
when you pare the whole thing down

keep it simple, keep it plain
keep it fun and play the game
after all these years I can't complain
it's corny but it's true
I'm so in love with you

the maths were pretty simple
in those empty pocket days
two hearts and one ambition
no setbacks could erase

two heads, four arms and four legs
fitted in one bed
have halved the costs and doubled fun
in the life that we have shared

It's pretty basic logic
when you pare the whole thing down

chorus + repeat


(©2007 Ray Stroud)]]> Sunday Songwriters Group Raystrack https://guitarnoise.forum/sunday-songwriters-group/ssg-wk-45-keep-it-simple-mp3/#post-27971