Feb 2022 epic rock anthem guitars vocals harmonies pop power-ballad
This was a doozy. I wanted to write a Jim Steinman/Meat Loaf type song which I knew would be daunting. I think it turned out a little more Polyphonic Spree? It took me the past 2 days to write, record, and mix. But it was worth it.
I'd planned to write a song for my friend Penelope. She is my dearest, closest friend and I wanted to make sure she knew how I felt about her. I love you Penelope!
Originally I wrote: if this is our last embrace. Then it occurred to me (Jeff Buckley reference opportunity!) so I changed it to: our last goodbye. So much better.
I'm pleased with how this turned out. The vocals get a little distorted I know but I still haven't figured out how to mix well after all these years. :)
Verse 1
Before you go
Want you to know
That your love means everything to me
Before you leave
To fly back east
I will pray you have an easy landing
Pre-chorus
All the years we’ve been together
Knowing you has been a treasure
It’s true
Verse 2
Before you go
I must compose
A tune to show how much I love you
Before you leave
Let me repeat
A thanks for always loving me
Verse 3
Before you go
To the unknown
I will keep your love within my heart
Before you leave
To the unseen
Know that we will find each other there
Chorus
Life is going by so fast
We don’t ever know
If this is our last goodbye
Or if we’ll grow old
While we’re in this mortal coil
While our blood still flows
Want to say that I love you
Now before you go
@terrianndriggs1 Feb 2022
Belongs in a movie soundtrack.
@arthurrossi Feb 2022
Great, poignant lyrics and your vocal delivery is mesmerizing! Gorgeous tune as well! "I will keep your love within my heart" - there is nothing else to add, this sentence says so much...
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
Wow well i think you pulled it off. I adore your expressive vocals on this and the lyrics are so so heartfelt. A real stir of emotion from a song that sounds like its been around for years
@sephelie1 Feb 2022
OMG I am Penelope and my heart’s exploding!! James I love you so much and this is one of the BEST presents of my life! You’re so talented and that pre chorus and the lyrics and story….️️️
@ductapeguy Feb 2022
Hi James: This is Mr. McGaughey. I listened with my grade 4 music students from Mrs. F.'s class. Here are their comments.
O: I really liked the beat.
O: I liked how you took your feelings and made them into a song.
H. I like the beat.
M: I liked how he expressed all his feelings and put them all together in one song..
C: I really like the drum beats.
W: You have good rhythm.
L: I like the lyrics.
L: It reminded me of all my friends when I lived in Brampton and then I moved away.
L: I liked how much passion you put into making this song.
G: I really liked how all the instruments blended together harmoniously.
R: I really liked your voice.
@gm7 Feb 2022
Time well spent.. Great build up and a great tribute song
@billwhite51 Feb 2022
lots of space here filled with the kind of emotonal density that meatloaf was so good at, i can imagine him singing it, and as you sing, i can almost picture the video.
@davidtaro Feb 2022
I love the structure here man. Holding back that chorus until the end. Bold and it totally pays off! The piano line is pure Steinman/Loaf, some great soft rock moments with the little linking/descending chords between phrases. Nice!
@leakyplusme2 Feb 2022
Wow you put a lot of hard work into this song i love it.
@ayehahmur Feb 2022
Definitely a fitting tribute to both Meat and Steinman. Love the iconic, simple melody it's constructed, and love the build up from solo piano/vocal to full blast for the final choruses. More than that though, the message and the feeling behind the song come shining through. You nailed it!