Feb 2022 epic anthemic arena_rock collab
From Berni:
I have channeled my inner Meatloaf on this one. It has that epic Meatloaf feel and even the kind of theme he’d dealt with, someone reluctantly falling in love so soon after breaking up with another person.
From John:
I had a full arrangement for an "Epic Arena Rock Song" but had very few ideas how to complete it. I posted in the Collaboration Classifieds and Berni answered the call!
The idea for this was, as I said in my "ad": to be like one of those songs that people would break out the lighters/cell phones for as the wind swept, just right, through the massive outdoor festival and the clouds cleared to reveal the moon (or something like that).
I think that, thanks to Berni's lyrics and vocals, we did it!
I attached the project file screenshot for this because holy crap is this thing layered. Berni sent me a choice vocal track, I added about six layers of background vocals at one point, there are harmony guitars throughout, including an epic solo, and oh man, it's something. So you can see for yourself:
Nothing says "harmony guitars" more than this metallic green Jackson MG Series DKMG Dinky with reverse headstock and active EMG pickups. At one point I got really peeved at it and was like "I'm going to sell you" and then it was like "no you're not, but I'll be really nice" and it was. Thanks, nice guitar!
The Rebound
Lyrics by Berni Armstrong
I was caught on the rebound
Thought I'd never bounce back
She was a runaway train
That just came off the track
Oh but you.... you appeared from nowhere
You had a vision in your eyes
It was like you had come from elsewhere
From some planet with two suns in its skies
I could see it coming - oh yeah
I could see it coming - oh no!
Why would I want to fall in love?
I know the way that it will go
Why would I want to fall in love?
It'll only deal me a death blow
Slow - gotta take it slow
Don't want to let her know
She's found a route right through my defences
I could see it coming - oh yeah
I could see it coming - oh no!
I haven't got the strength to refute it
There's no way I can dispute it
I'm falling head over heels for you
I could see it coming - oh yeah
I could see it coming - oh no!
Why would I want to fall in love?
I know the way that it will go
Why would I want to fall in love?
It'll only deal me a death blow
I know it's a big risk I'll take
I know it could all be a mistake
But I'm gonna do the best I can
To be your loving man
@gm7 Mar 2022
I can see that your Studio One screen shot was full...great mix!!
Berni great lyrics. This is an arena classic! So many great part drums, guitars, bass....well done well done.
@timfatchen Mar 2022
@Berni, this is sooo far away from B Armstrong +ukulele :D
Epic arena song absolutely and the lyrics/vocal organically work with it. And I'm inspired to grab my DAW , multiple instruments, VSI, tape etc and do a super-multilayered-beyond-Oldfield except it's now 11:30pm and not a hope. Besides, I've never been able to pull something like this off.
Yes, all those lighters and phone lights are out their, slowly waving as the clouds show the newly risen moon and the fruit bats fly out for their evening forage...
@elainedimasi Feb 2022
Can't say anything more in addition to the other comments - you absolutely hit the specs in the liner notes!
@nadine Feb 2022
I read your topic. If I were a singer I'd say yes yes yes cause I dig epic rock arrangements. So glad that you two found together. Berni is a damn good lyricist and John, this rocks! Thanks for sharing a picture of the DAW. These vocal layers make it. I'm such a arrangement nerd... *_*
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Original edited now
@berni1954 Feb 2022
Fabulous "final" edit, @jlampson .
Love the oohs and ahhs chorus additions.
@davidsnyder Feb 2022
This is epic! A great sounding tune!
@keithcuts Feb 2022
“I could see it coming” on the drum hits = awesome!
@kahlo2013 Feb 2022
This is an awesome collaboration! I love the guitar and always love Berni’s writing and his vocals! I am swaying with my lighter in the air! Love this groove and the song!
@jtsteam Feb 2022
Yes, I can hear Meat Loaf singing this! Some songs seem like they'd work best in a tiny room with an audience of ten people, and some seem like they'd work best in a stadium with massive speakers, fireworks, and so on. This is definitely the latter!