I’m in a bit of a mixed up place with what I want to write at the moment. I’m torn between Americana and Grunge so decided to challenge myself to write 2 cohesive albums in each style.
After a busy morning this is the first track from the Springsteen influenced Americana album. It’s a bit more inward looking lyrically which I don’t do very often. The song basically wrote itself and I think is one of the strongest things I’ve ever written. I hope I haven’t peaked too early
Am I a pessimist or just a realist?
I see the worst in everything I’m no optimist
And when I really stop to think I can’t catch my breath
I look around me and I see that there’s nothing left
Everybody’s going insane
Everybody’s out there trying to make it work
Everybody’s going insane
Everybody’s trying to find their place in this world
Forever watchful I keep myself to myself
I have no faith in anyone I don’t buy what they sell
Life’s just a game that I was never even asked to play
My body shuts down when I can’t find anything to say
Everybody’s going insane
Everybody’s out there trying to make it work
Everybody’s going insane
Everybody’s trying to find some peace in this
Everybody’s going insane
Everybody’s out there trying to understand
What does all this actually mean?
Who are we and what are we actually doing here?
I just wish I could sleep
Give me permanent peace
Nothing I do is enough
Nothing I do is enough for you
Everybody’s going insane
Everybody’s out there trying to make it work
Everybody’s going insane
Everybody’s trying to find some peace in this
Everybody’s going insane
Everybody’s out there trying to understand
What does all this actually mean?
Who are we and what are we actually doing here?
@bithprod Feb 2022
Good song, and a really solid production. Radio-ready. The chorus is especially strong, and the bridge as well. I don't find this particularly inward looking compared to what I personally usually write (songs of total mental collapse, I suppose), but if Springsteen is the comparison, I totally see what you mean. Anyway, awesome song, well done!
@brisk Feb 2022
This one's really solid too - sounds great; really nice song under the hood. Liked the chorus a lot, and the verse melody I liked just as it is... however it was the bridge bit that stood out melodically. I don't see it as a chorus, just a really great bridge, and it led so nicely back into the chorus again.
@tukayandryan Feb 2022
Oooh this captured my attention from the start! Really cool production. Can't wait to hear more from you!
@klyma Feb 2022
Digging that the verses move musically from minor 6 to 5 setting up that sweet chorus ( 4, 1, 6- | 4, 1, 5 ). The melodic shift at the top of the chorus is really nice. I was singing along with "Everybody's going insane" - HOOK! It struck me that the first two lines of the first verse are kinda saying the same thing. Might be worth lookin' at. I agree with @dancrook that perhaps the verses could be less wordy (space for longer, melodic lines?). On the whole, really strong. And yes, echoing all, fantastic production and arrangement.
@berni1954 Feb 2022
I think you have already hit the balance between your two poles with this one. It starts of like a Springsteen outtake and then gets very British Indy.
I am always struck by how you can get such professional sounding recordings in such a short time period! Where's the kow-tow smiley?
@blainev83 Feb 2022
I LOVE the 80’s pop vibe. Great Chorus! So good! Keep em’ coming, friend!
@bradbrubaker Feb 2022
The synths on the chorus give this a nice summer breeze with the windows down feel. I hope you don't mind compliments by comparison, but War on Drugs came to mind in parts.
@dukongp100 Feb 2022
Nice dream like feel. I like the beginning as it tells what's to come.in the song. It plucks along well and has a very well established sound
@stephentanner Feb 2022
Awesome start. That's right up my street. Can't wait yo hear more.
@beyondthelimes Feb 2022
Really nice! Great hooks, really dig the lyrics. You're on right track -- I can hear the Bruce and Americana -- and I'm from NJ; the Turnpike and the Skyway run through my soul :) Can't wait to hear more.
@dancrook Feb 2022
This is seriously impressive. Great work on the production of this. Synth/strings/bass/guitars and kit blend nicely. Instrumentation is particularly strong. Catchy chorus too.
I think the verse melody could be more interesting and less wordy.
Will definitely be listening to this again- thanks for sharing
@crisp1 Feb 2022
It does have some of the sound of the Springsteen album Magic, for example, and that's no easy feat. The introspection in the lyrics is cool and it's a good tune. Keep it up, man!
@daveyboy103 Feb 2022
Good job Matt, a very fine start
@mandreendjinn Feb 2022
probably going to be waking up to this one for a bit, nice work! I really enjoyed that beautiful bass line.
@celineellis Feb 2022
YES!!! what an awesome production on a great track on day one!! really like the melody and the feel of the track. really cant wait to hear more Matt!
@nadine Feb 2022
This is a quality track. Could be played in the radio as is. It's catchy, the lyrics have a meaning and production is neat. Your style combines the best of the 80s and 90s. Waiting for more!
@jackdawfactories Feb 2022
This is really sweet! I love that guitar/string intro, the whole production sounds great. I can definitely hear this in the Springsteen/Petty catalogue, it reminds me a little of something specific but I can't quite put my finger on it - needless to say it's something I really love!
EDIT - got it! Hints of Crooked Teeth by Death Cab For Cutie in the chorus. Just a tiny feel of it, enough to make me go "wow, these are both great songs"
EDIT EDIT - wrong song. D'oh!
@dreamscuba Feb 2022
Great song. A kind of 80s pop vibe to this. Some great instrumentation and vocals. Good lyrics.
@mikeskliar Feb 2022
This is really wonderful! You nailed that Springsteen late-period big production sound, too, with the strings and all! I wrote about a similar feeling of 'dread at the world' in my first song this Feb. as well, by the way. You took it in a more introspective and personal direction- very well done! Great song, great production! (and I love the mix, with the vocal nicely up-front..)
@meadows Feb 2022
Holy moly! You pulled this off your hat in only half a day? I must admit I am impressed. It is so well crafted, and has hit potential. Love it!
@coolparadiso Feb 2022
link didnt work oh it does now. Nice song! like the strong bassline. i love that full sound! Nice song