Ever have one of your best songs not make it onto the album? by Hop On Pop on The Pipeline at IndieMusicPeople

Ever have one of your best songs not make it onto the album?
I have that issue happening right now.
You see,
"Say You Will (A Reluctant Soldier's Plea)"
is being cut from the tracklisting for CHICKEN ON A BICYCLE.

It's not that I think it's not as good as the rest of the material. In fact, I think it may be one of the best 10 or so songs that I've ever written. It's just that, while trying to sequence this album, I cannot find a spot for it. Wherever I put it, it just drags down the momentum of the record. Too much of a downer, I guess.

Anyway, I'm going to replace it with another song that I like a lot. This one is a lot more "up" and, so should continue that momentum through to the end.

Now, I just gotta find a place to record it. And some time.

If it's not one thing, it's another, eh?

Anyway, any of y'all ever have to leave off one of your best songs? It's kinda a nice problem to have, to tell you the truth.

Add Comment

Jeff Allen Myers

8/5/2009 8:05:19 PM

It is a good problem to have Todd!!! Could be worse, you could be short tunes, or have many that are subpar.

I would say you are in a good spot. If you feel the tune is stronger then another, I would add it. I agree sequencing is all important, however I do feel in the age of the IPOD, very few people listen to an album from beginning to end, They usually "cherry pick" songs to listen to. It is so easy to listen to artist after artist without getting off your ass to put another record on...This is progress, but it has hurt creativity and art. Many artists are marginalized and disposable because music has become such a commodity. There are still some music fans that appreciate the whole conceptual package of an album, and how each song flows to the next. The majority however jump from song to song, artist to artist with little thought.

Keep on creating, there is still an audience out there.....you just have to work harder to find them.

Best of Luck, I will buy the Album when you are finished...

Regards

Jeff

Add Comment

Hop On Pop

8/5/2009 8:11:30 PM

Thanks Jeff.
I agree about your comments about the iPod. But I also do believe in the power of the album as a presentation of a complete whole entity.

I will certainly make the song available to the public; in fact I already have, in posting it here at IAC. But, it will be a standalone object, not a part of the greater whole.

Hell, I may even try to pitch it in Nashville, if I can find someone who knows what they hell they're doing with that type of thing. (And if anyone in Nashville would ever come close to touching an anti-war song.)

We'll see.
Maybe I'll even re-record it with a full band, when I get a chance... after the record's been out for a while.

Thanks for the encouragement, Jeff.

Add Comment

Jesse Adams

8/5/2009 8:33:54 PM

Dude. Make it the last song then. Or add it as a hidden track, even better.

Add Comment

Steve White

8/5/2009 9:35:23 PM

Hey buddy :)

Well, I wish I had that problem my firend. I'm still on the recording learning curve and may have a quality CD in a year or so. Glad yours is almost there and best wishes for you and your music.

Steve

Add Comment