One of my favourite albums last year was Joanne Shaw Taylor's The Blues Album. It reminded me just how much I love all things blues, soul and rock n roll. When I was a lonely 17-year old at sixth form college, that music was a shared interest which led to forming a band and making lifelong friendships. I don't get to play live music with the band much these days, but I wanted to shoot for something that sounds a little like it was recorded by a live band - that's what I'm telling myself to excuse any looseness in the playing anyway! The words are pretty boilerplate... get your shit together, David, that kind of thing. Sometimes you just need to give yourself a mini pep talk, right? Here's mine...
I’m gonna get myself together
That’s what I’m gonna do
Get myself together
Cos I’m tired of being ashamed of you
Pull myself up by my bootstraps
Stand on my two feet
I’m gonna get myself together
I'm gonna get myself together
That's what I'm trying to say
Get myself together
Cos I never loved you anyway
And even though that ain't the truth
It's how I feel today
I’m gonna get myself together
Now I'm feeling strong
You better move along
I’ll say it one more time
I’m gonna get myself together
Make myself brand new
Turn misery to history
This time I'm gonna make it through
And when I come back fighting
You better all look out
I'm gonna get myself together
I'm gonna get myself together
I'm gonna get myself together
@crisp1 Mar 2022
As a lyric writer, I feel like part of what I have to do is inhabit these "characters" I create that aren't really me, but have something I must need to say. Here on this song, you become someone I didn't know you had inside you -- but it's not in the words, it's all in the playing and the vocals. As I listen I'm seeing you rocking out on stage in front of a full stadium and the crowd is going wild. Amazing production, too, but that I already knew you could do!
@ayehahmur Mar 2022
This is also the kind of music I grew up listening to. I think of it as Proper R&B. Which is probably unfair, but...ech. But this really, really is proper R&B. Love that big, big guitar sound and the organ aswirlin' and aswooshin' in behind is superb too. And, man, those backing vocals are insane! Even without the lyrics this bucked me the heck up!
@mandolinda Feb 2022
These are the kinds of bands I used to put earplugs in, and chaperone the high school dances. But now I can adjust the volume and appreciate the lyrics and musicality. It’s nice. The lyrics are positive and moving forward. Like. #tit4tat
@rshakesp Feb 2022
Joyfull blues - yeah!!! Bring on the falsetto screams - this was a great romp - you achieved your aim of a live performance feel - and it’s a band I’d like to go and see.
@arthurrossi Feb 2022
I love the energy of this song, the energy reminds me a bit of James Brown in the best way possible. The guitars are delicious and the tune and the marriage of words and your vocal delivery is fabulous!
@djtjb Feb 2022
An excellent pep talk to be sure. I feel motivated to set some shit done today lol! And you nailed the live band experience, sounds perfect. Great blues song man!
@jeustan Feb 2022
Dude, you it’s together on this thang right here. The guitars rip, I love it all. Nice sub chords back into the blues!
@tseaver Feb 2022
Nice write. Wonderfully bluesy groove, and some perfect sonic gems.
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
This is absolutely fabulous! Love that bluesy groove and the wonderful layers of instruments and the amazing vocal delivery. So hooky and awesome!!!! Wow!!!!
@fonte Feb 2022
Ok. Wait. Hold on. How did I miss THIS!? Jees. This is banging. What a sound! I swear your voice gets bigger every song! Everything about this is quality, but especially the overall vibe/sound. So easy (imo) to make this kind of bluesy/rock track but not get the right groove. But this is totally on point. Not too tight. Not too loose. This is the pocket. And you are IN IT my friend. (amazing solos by the way!)
@hbusse Feb 2022
Awwwww yeahhhhh. This is so rad. Seriously, your FAWM songs always sound ridiculously fully/well produced. Is that you playing all those instruments or do you program any of them?
And that high screamer note…. Loving it!
You have definitely become one of my favorite FAWMers, I always look forward to hearing a new track of yours! (If you ever want to collab on anything or need a female vocal on a track please do let me know!)
@seemanski Feb 2022
Where do you get that soul from and can I have some? Fun factor a plenty in this, I'm loving your stuff. I want to binge but feel I should listen to others. I will popping back later to check out your other stuff.
@mctown Feb 2022
Nice feel and groove.... get myself together... onward.
@themelgoexperience Feb 2022
David we need to start a band
@greengrassgirl Feb 2022
Sounds totally pro! You are pretty amazing! Your own Band-in-a-Brain! From Zero to Fabulous in 6- minutes flat! (Well, nothing flat about this.)
@cts Feb 2022
Mr. Taro - you got soul. You got so much it's...*insert 3rd Bass reference here* I can commiserate with you about needing to get it together in many compartments in my life. A straight blues rocker this is and I think you succeeded in capturing the live 'n loose feel of your band (which I would have loved to have caught a performance of). Nevertheless you brought the house down at the factory with that high note towards the end. This is jelly, my friend!
@jmadison Feb 2022
That intro just pulls me in. What a blues rocker! Dang, yeah!. .. Love the keys... Now you got me thinking I've gotta get myself together too.
@kristi Feb 2022
Amazing song. I think you hit your mark! Your vocals are totally dedicated to the message and demand attention. I think the hook is totally relatable. We can all use a pep talk. Great vibe, guitar, production...the whole package.
@brisk Feb 2022
Ha ha, that's awesome. Can't think of anything to pick at or constructively criticise. Maybe horns. Maybe you should have had a horn section too. No, maybe not. It's such a fun song, and all the performance stuff and technical stuff is so great.
@cleanshoes Feb 2022
Whoa, when your vocals hit it's all over. This is so good, man. That slightly gritty live feel is perfect for this track. Excellent guitars and production all around.
@eas3637 Feb 2022
Awesome! Such a catchy guitar riff and amazing mix - plus also that falsetto! The movement in the bridge is particularly good and propels the song forward in such a great way. Loved this.
@geoff61 Feb 2022
You do blues very well Dave, if I post up a blues number will you consider having a crack at it this FAWM?
@zeekle1998 Feb 2022
I think all superlatives have been used, so damn this is the blues!!
I loved it.
@sunnymae Feb 2022
Dayyam!!! This is the bomb David. RU kidding???? Where have you been hiding your alter ego ?This is wicked good. Your guitar playing is insane. Great arrangement and as always you are the KING of production and in good company with some of your fellow FAWMsters!
Bravo!
PS...I do have a dance card with your name on it should the opportunity arise. :0)
@nadine Feb 2022
Wow David, you're a brilliant blues rocker. Every instrument is doing some cool things. This sounds like a band I'd love to see live. This high vocal belt is insane. Can I have that song to get rid rid my morning blues? Please. I gonna get myself together...
@ferry0123 Feb 2022
Pretty amazed by the quality of this. Maybe I think the line 'I'm gonna get myself together' could be reduced in number just a bit. But yes, like others I can imagine this being played of a huge crowd. And a few black ladies with soulfull background voices.. I would love that!
@katestantonsings Feb 2022
This sounds like a full band, but it's one man! Damn brilliant, you are!! This may sound cheesy, but those licks are so tight, they can hold a credit card. Vocals are full of passion and soul. Well done!! The crowd wants more please!
@kenmattsson Feb 2022
I'm envisioning myself at a summer festival, talking with a good friend and you and your bandmates are cranking it out onstage. I love this and I need to figure out how to tap into this feeling here. I tend to be too bardic, and need to learn to rock out.
@crutherford Feb 2022
Bam!!!! Dyanmite! Turn misery to history indeed!!! Lovely to hear you again.
@halfwayhome Feb 2022
What a groove.... and that chord pattern and harmonies that move through the 'get myself together' hook, off the charts man!
Can't help but imagine the neighbours listening in on the isolated vocal takes - tapping along...
@n24 Feb 2022
These vocals shred man! I also love the guitar, you really nail your mix it sounds fantastic! I love the 70’s style soft and high harmonies in the back. Such a rockin’ tune!
@daveyboy103 Feb 2022
Love it, very bluesy and rockin' vocals.
I'm a fan
@thedutchwidows Feb 2022
Some great riffs going on here! Really good production - everything sounds spot on - and vocally right up there! Those gospelly (?) lines on the title are wicked. And the organ is a super touch. I'd say that's a win!
@richaaaay Feb 2022
Listen to that guitar...Pure groove'n. Sucked me right in. Then the vocals, organ...everything just drive'n me right along on this awesome ride. Just one question...When are you gonna get yourself together? Dude, if you are not together we are all in trouble!
@lyricslinger Feb 2022
Think this is the most fun song I've heard so far this year on FAWM. I love the blues and blues-rock, and this is a great funky example of that genre's awesomeness!
@nahlej381 Feb 2022
Ooooooo ya. There it is. The guitar is so mean! Love it. Your voice is amazing as usual. The keys add a nice layer. You’re really rippin that blues scale. Cool modulations. And the loud quiet loud feel is dead on. You’re the friggin bees knees boo boo
@donna Feb 2022
Wonderful! Got me dancing in my chair here. :) Nice tight lyric, superb vocals. Great to hear you again, David. :)
@sbs2018 Feb 2022
Awesome Blues song. Shows the John Lennon and his Blues influence. Lyrics are so spot on, aren’t they? Great way to wake up this morning, get myself together and work on my next song - lol!
@celineellis Feb 2022
YES! This reminds me of some of the records my dad used to play all the time. really well played and vocal delivery is perfect for this style. really great sound - could see this on a festival stage