FAWM: "What's It Anyway?"

What's It Anyway?

1 week ago by @andrewjtaylor

What's It Anyway?

andrewjtaylor

00:00

Liner Notes

#fullproduction #poprock #didNotUseAI

My second entry. Whew! About 1 every 4 days at this rate, which would be acceptable if I have 7 solid songs.

A lot of new things learned here. Playing around with Electric Mint VST guitar from Native Instruments. Pitch bends, aftertouch ("channel pressure"). Still doesn't sound quite real, but close.

Also used Steven Slate Drums for the first time. A lot cooler sounding than Logic drummer, but I'll get better at programming parts. A lot of organizing just getting all the midi notes next to each other, which you can do in Reaper, grouping similar kit pieces.

Enjoying the capacity of Melodyne Studio to "compress" the vocals in a pretty natural way (decrease loud notes by x%, increase quiet notes by x%). Really helpful if you're not looking for a crunchy or breathy compression tone.

This piece started with the muted Guitar part. Then MIDI programmed a basic drum pattern because I was having a hard time keeping it in time with the click! That was always my method with Logic, but I had the convenience of using the automated drummer. The rest just developed gradually.

The chorus came early as my “Ouija boarding” (John Mayerism) to ensure I had a lyrical anchor. Haven't written in this style before, pop rock I guess, but I quite enjoyed this one.

Lyrics

The lyrics here aren't fully reflected in the recording (the choruses are different) because I don't have sufficient privacy to give it the kind of gusto it needs.

VERSE 1A
We've got this thing runnin' through us
Like what's it to us?
What's it anyway?

VERSE 1B
Can't let this string go, undo us
Like we knew us.
Over in a day

--------------

CHORUS 1A
And I feel
I feel like
Taking out all my pain
Laying down all my blame

CHORUS 1B
And I feel
Like you're gonna do (or)
Wann a do the same

--------------

VERSE 2A
I got my sling, (ya) got your bruises
But we been cruisin'
Payin' as we play

VERSE 2B
But you got them blue colored shoes &
(Ya) Keep 'em movin''
Buffin'/brushin'/Rubbin' out the stains

--------

CHORUS 1A
And I feel
I feel like
Chasin' down all my blame

CHORUS 1B
And I feel
Like you're gonna do (or)
Wanna do the same

--------------

BRIDGE
(Guitar Solo)

--------------

CHORUS 1A
And I feel
I feel like
Taking out all my pain

CHORUS 1B
And I feel
Like you're gonna do (or)
Wanna do the same

--------------

VERSE 1A (Outro)
We've got this thing runnin' through us
Like what's it to us?
What's it anyway?

Comments

@oddbod 1w

Fantastic tight production.Has a kind of a 80s feel to it overall. Superb vocals and the melodies are sweet. Nice song

@nadine 1w

Good to see you back. This arpeggio is so haunting. And the moment the other instruments enter is so magical. Crazy Good arrangement!

@gbar 1w

Andrew, great sound! Guitars, vocals, upbeat, catchy tune, I like the title. Thanks!

@iamcatelliott 1w

Ooh, this is rad! Got a reggae undertone or something! Really nice uplifting vibes and interesting production! 🙌😍

@hamiltonpoolhall 1w

Oh man, very captivating from that open arpeggiation (is that a word?), and by the time you hit the chorus with those vocal harmonies and the full groove, it's completely persuasive. Really, everything about this is pretty epic and thoroughly satisfying. If your mission is to make complete productions like this throughout the month, I for one will keep coming back to check them out!

Also, that's a pretty freakin' tasteful guitar solo...