20 Questions

1 week ago by @grayslate

Liner Notes

Think you can beat a machine?

This is a song I've wanted to make since 2017 when I was just starting to make original music. The early demos I made of it were in pxtone. This predates how I produce now and even in the Before Time when I used LMMS and Ableton. Now I use FL Studio. I was thinking back to how I wanted to make this song proper and it hit me like, "wait, I know how to do this now!"

I've been using SynthesizerV for the majority of my songs so crawling back to Vocaloid 4 was not fun. I utitlized SynthV's voice to midi feature with my own input for the rapping. Still don't know why I chose to have rap parts, I'm not a rapper nor do I particularly enjoy tuning rap. At least it was made possible by not having to do it entirely by hand.

This is entirely unrelated but Big Al is my favorite Vocaloid of all time and it's really something shameful I haven't done an original song for him yet. At least now he gets his turn. My 17 year old self is weeping right now.

This song is based on the Radica 20Q Challenge tabletop machine I own. It's been in my possession since I was quite young, ever since I bought it for $5 at a church yard sale. It still works (to my knowledge) but I have no new C batteries to put in it at the moment. I'll get some tomorrow.

#8bit #electronic #vocaloid #vocalsynth

Lyrics

Hey, you there, how ‘bout you earn your stripes?
Step right up and I’ll read you your rights
A 20-Question-Quiz, it’s easy, I just guess what you’re thinking
Guaranteed, I can guess anything

A person, place, or thing, decide, lock in
Let my circuits go to work, time for me to start guessin’
Think you can outsmart me? You can’t keep up with machines
I’m built for this game, I’m the code break king!

Person, place it’s all shot down
Think your thoughts can’t be found
Mark my words, I’ll guess that noun
I’ll turn that smile upside down

Creature, tailor, soldier, sailor
In my game, you’re your own savior
Outwit me if you dare, then
Bring on those 20 Questions

No matter what, you can’t stop steel
Take a stab at how I feel
Save your courage for when you need it
You’re no hero, so just face it

The machine is always right
Of course my game’s no fair fight
But trust me, you’ll play again
Just for that chance to win

Question 10, that’s the midway point
Still haven’t guessed it, but to you, I’ll make a counterpoint
Does it fly? Does it swim? Do you shine or are you just dim
I refuse to be defeated, for this round I’ll go all in

Crazier things have happened under pressure, that’s true
But I’ll still break into your mind for the word you came to
Sure win for me, I reckon
Bitter taste of defeat is the only lesson

Person, place it’s all shot down
Think your thoughts cannot be found
Mark my words, I’ll guess that noun
I’ll turn that smile upside down

Your tailor, soldier, sailor
In game, you’re your own savior
Outwit me if you dare, then
Bring on those 20 Questions

No matter what, you can’t stop steel
Take a stab at how I feel
Save your courage for when you need it
You’re no hero, so just face it

The machine is always right
Of course my game’s no fair fight
But trust me, you’ll play again
Just for that chance to win

What’s that? We’re at question 20?
“The game ends here, that’s what you told me”
Oh, I’ve planned for times like this
Go ahead and ball your fists
The testament is right here
Five bonus questions, I fear

Five, time’s running out, I don’t mind
Four, I’m close to the win that’s mine
Three, you’re still not gonna beat me
Two, I’ll guess it right now, you’ll see

Your tailor, soldier, sailor
In game, you’re your own savior
Outwit me if you dare, then
Bring on that final question

I can’t believe it! You stopped steel
Take a stab at how I feel
Yeah, yeah take your victory laps
You’re the hero, I have to face facts

Mystified, I couldn’t get it right
Of course my game’s no fair fight
But trust me, I’ll just again
Just for my chance to win

Eat your heart out, for now
Wild beginner’s luck somehow
I’ll come back stronger than ever
Push your luck again whenever

I just have to think harder
Next time, you won’t be a martyr
Just power me off so I can wonder
Think of your demise as I slumber

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