FAWM: "Just For Today"

Just For Today

1 week ago by @sapient

Just For Today

sapient

00:00

Liner Notes

As I outlined in the forums the other day (https://write.fawm.org/forums/3224), my singing teacher set me a challenge this week: use a set of random numbers to generate a melody, work out what chords support it, then write lyrics and get it sung.

She suggested listening to Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars as reference tracks.
Once the bleeding had stopped, i used dice to set it all up, which was fun.
Recording it wasn't.
But 166 vocal takes later, here it is!

I'm so tired of this song...

#melodicchallenge #pop

Lyrics

Open to the light
I have no sense of time
I know I am alive
Stars flicker in my eyes

Just one day
At a time
Just for today
Make it shine
Just one day
At a time
Just for today
I’m alive

The universe at play
Waiting for the night
I have no need for sleep
These feelings run so deep

Just one day
At a time
Just for today
Make it shine
Just one day
At a time
Just for today
I’m alive

Comments

@bo0m3r31337 1w

lol "one the bleeding stopped" lmao I mean you making a pop song is dope it's always fun to try different genres gets yourself thinking in different ways and looks like you came out with a bunch of stuff that works

@nadine 1w

You listening to Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake? Guess I entered some strange parallel universe. The chorusis catchy

@ryuu 1w

That backing is so beautifully crafted synthpoppy goodness!

@gordon 1w

Digging those harmonies Pete. Very, er...modern sounding? Have to agree with Bill white though! Good stuff!

@bamsekarhu 1w

Very good harmonies!
I think with a different arrangement this song could be a post punk banger! I think your vocal style in this would fit that aesthetic very well.

@coolparadisoMod 1w

my head is struggling when I don't get my head.blown off by metal. but... kudos from trying different and very good different. I always enjoy doing different and at the least it expands the tool.kit. but this is much better than just that.

@bijou 1w

Cool idea! Recording vocals isn't as easy as it should seem!

@dhiatt 1w

Great vocal harmonies! There's some very solid writing here.
The first "just one da-ay" of the chorus feels awkward to me -- was that done to fit the random number sequence you generated?
Love how you put this out there and fought your discomfort. Great job sharing!

@billwhite51 1w

i would never trust a singing teacher who suggested i listen to Justin Timberlake or Bruno Mars. But this teacher seems to be working for you, as I have been loving your vocals. For me, I spend a lot of time studying singers' mouths....Ive learned a lot about singing from watching Barbara Streisand and Dionne Warwick's moths when they sing. I also learn a lot from copying other singers because I learn how they feel physically when they sing, and thus learn muscle memory from them,

@zecoopMod 1w

It's got a deep groove and you've put a bunch of excellent sparkles in there to catch our attention. I could mistake this for a Vom Vorton song, if I hadn't known it was you. You really nailed the assignment, as hard as it was to "study" for it. Seems like it came quite naturally to you. It's a bop and has so many pop song hooks. Well done mate!!!

@burrMod 1w

this is a departure, but it feels kinda dark/gothy for a pop song, so that still feels on-brand? 😅 i like the harmonies you sprinkled in, particularly at the end of the choruses. makes me want to try this challenge...

@beacon 1w

Sapient has turned into a pop singing? Wow, I guess our collab last year opened up something. Some nice vocal stylings here, and so unexpected!

@carleybaer 1w

That ascending harmony in the background on the verses catches my ear every time. Well, all the harmonies actually. This has a great throwback 80s feel, and I love the hook. Worth every vocal take, haha. You should do this style more often!

@aeye 1w

Nailed it. That's crazy it was 166 vocal takes to get this where you wanted but I think it worked out well.

@metalfoot 1w

Not gonna lie I was waiting for the sudden break and snarling guitars and guttural vocals. But this is a fun musical departure for you. It sounds more fun than the recording apparently was!

@sploiber 1w

@sapient this is really cool - you made it work - and I like the keyboards and especially the background vocals. It doesn't sound like a random pattern any longer!