If It Was Up To Me - new version (1-7-16)

I haven't been able to get much time to hang out here for a while, but I did manage to complete a new song recently.  It's about a guy who's in love with Mary.  She's somewhat flawed and doesn't even know he exists, but he loves her anyway.  Hope never gives up.  Here are the lyrics:
 
 
Mary doesn't understand how her life has come undone
It's like she went to bed one night and woke under a different sun
Everything can change so fast, especially if she's not on guard
And, now she keeps on looking back cause looking forward's getting hard
            If it was up to me I'd shine a light for her
            If it was up to me
 
Mary lies awake at night cause sleeping doesn't ease the pain
Her future used to look so bright, but now she only sees the rain
Losing someone that she loves is all she ever thinks about
Depression fits her like a glove, some things she just can't live without
            If it was up to me I'd never let her go
            If it was up to me
 
Mary sure could use a friend cause lovers never stick around
Every time she meets a someone he ends up in the lost and found
Time will take a toll on her, you can see it in her pretty face
As long as she keeps getting hurt no one will ever leave a trace
            If it was up to me I'd be the one she loves
            If it was up to me
 
 
            If it was up to me I'd be the one she loves (4x's)
 
I apologize for the Dim Pro horns, but they're the best I have right now.  Many thanks to Dan Cumpian for his arranging suggestion.  Thanks for taking the time.  It can be found here:http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=13281260&q=hi
 
 
 
 

Lynn, this is a mover! Nice to hear you back, and cool tune.
 
I'd say good work on the mix - the vocal is niiiiice and up front. I don't know if I have called you a dead ringer for the lead singer of the Radiators before, but if he ever croaks off, you step right in as the replacement. They are a New Orleans band I think.
 
Anyway, mix-wise, one suggestion could be, bring your guitar solos waaaay up when they are soloing, they sound tasty but louder please!
 
toes are still tappin' long after the playback has stopped. Good sign!
 
cheers,
-Tom
 

Nice rocker – would be a fun song to do live – lots of energy.  Bring that guitar out a bit on the solos (2:10). Vocals are terrific – controlled but with just enough grit to add some intensity.  As long as we’re throwing names around – a bit of Bob Seeger to my ears. Good stuff. 

Lynn,
 
Really solid song and performance.   I would push the guitar solos a bit, not sure if you need to boost the volume or just add some more stereo delay to bring it forward a bit.  
 
The Dimension Horns are pretty awful but the rest is really good.   NI Session Horns or comparable samples would sound good on this track, I am sure if you linked your horn MIDI file someone would render down a horn section for you.  Definitely worth an update.  
 
Great song though...thoroughly enjoyed it.
 
Regards

Nice!!    Catchy song, well arranged, punchy mix, and really solid performances as always.   Though I agree with the comments above that the guitar solos could be bumped up a notch to really make them pop.   Love the vocals. 
 
 
Hey, as Mark mentioned, if you want to send some MIDI over I'd be happy to render them using Kontakt session horns if you want.  Even though they're not really a focus of the song, it's a good song, so...
 

Thanks to all of you for responding!  As always, your ears are terrific and so helpful to a do-it-yourselfer.
 
Allan, it's good to hear from you again.  I agree that the drum pattern could use a little attention.  Since drums are my weakness, I used a couple of MIDI patterns from Addictive Drums and forgot about them.  I'll remove some of the snare rolls and try to make more sense of them.  Good catch.
 
Tom, I've taken your suggestion and turned up the guitar solos.  I'll post the new mix in a few days.  I'll have to check out the Radiators!
 
James, I'll turn down that part in the verses on the next pass.  Good one!
 
Manny, thank you for your reply.  I'm flattered to be compared to Bob Seeger.
 
Wookie, as always, thanks for your listen.  You've been a great help to me over the last 3 years.
 
 Mark, the solos are up in the next mix.  Thanks for your time.
 
Tony, thanks for the kind words.  Your own music has always inspired me.
 
Steve, thanks for your kind word and offer to improve the horns.  I may take you up on this, in which case, I'll PM you.  If not, then that's because I'm considering getting the same program that you have because I do like to write horn parts.
 
John, thanks so much for joining the party.  Best of luck to you in the new year, and I hope you have a thousand more songs in you!
 
 
 
 

Hey Lynn,
 
Nice tune! This mix is pretty good, everything is audible. My only suggestion would be to not have the rhythm guitar on the left play all through the song. For example, I'd leave it out of the first verse altogether (maybe substituting a few clean guitar notes here and there). Then bring it in on the second verse.
 
Good job all around, and the horns aren't the worst things I've ever heard, lol.
 
Regards,
Dan
 
 

OK, here is mix #2 where I drop the rhythm guitar in the first verse as suggested by Dan.  I think I like it.  Thanks, Dan.
It can be found here and in post #1: http://www.soundclick.com...ngid=13291504&q=hi

Lynn,
 
Good mix and performance.  Still not a fan of the horns but the rest is really good.   I would give the Bari Sax a little more emphasis and some more bottom end to get a more classic 70's Rock Bari sound, that would be well suited for this style of music.   Super solid song and performance, really like it.
 
Regards

Daryl, thanks for your time and response.  Keep up your own good work this year!
 
Mark, I hear you.  Unfortunately, I don't have a baritone sax sample in my palette.  I am seriously thinking about getting Session Horns which does have a trombone and would cover the low horn part.  Thanks for listening again.
 
Tim,  I take your suggestions seriously, so I'll give this some attention on the next pass.  Thanks for your time and kind words!