Johnbee58 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 (edited) About two weeks after I met the girl who became my first wife in September of 1979, I wrote this song on a 12 string guitar and put it down on a cheap reel to reel recorder. She loved the song and I always wanted to re record it better but I never had much of a chance. Even though I had advanced a bit in home recording by the 2000s, I never re did this. In January 2014, after almost 34 years of marriage I lost her to ovarian cancer. The grieving period was horrible. After the initial shock I soon settled into a depression made worse by the deafening silence and realizing I would never hear her voice again in this world. That was the worst part of the grieving, suddenly not hearing the voice of a loved one I heard every day for 34 years. I finally recorded the song two months after her death as part of the grieving process. I lost the original tape years ago, but the song never left my head. Last week, I found the original MIDI files and vocal track that I made in Magix Samplitude Music Studio in 2014, but it had been so long since I mixed it I had forgotten how to navigate SMS and through all of the missed updates, it didn't run the same anyway, so I exported the MIDIs out and re created them with what I have today with my Cakewalk set up. I know the vocals in this are rough, and I was considering re recording them, but realized that for as bad as they are, they capture a time I never want to forget. I was extremely depressed when I sang this in early 2014 and I'll probably never capture that feeling again. In my voice here you're hearing all the heartbreak. I ran some Melodyne over the real bad spots, but I want this as part of my memory of her. We had a beginning, a middle and an end of our relationship. This song captures the beginning and the end. The picture was from a photo booth on our honeymoon in Niagara Falls, Canada in July of 1980. You don't know how much I wish she could've heard it this way. I wrote it as an up tempo pop song. Here, I adapted it as a bluesy ballad in 6/8. I hope you enjoy this. ?John B https://johnbowen.bandcamp.com/track/the-only-right-thing Edited October 25, 2019 by Johnbee58 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wave Function Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 I've been married for seven years so I cannot really relate. But I did loose my father 6 years ago. It's great you were able to recapture what once was lost. I hope it floods you with memories everytime you listen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjornpdx Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 John I was trying to imagine what it was like to record that song during the grieving process. Not sure I could do it. Kudos to you for having the strength to so. I thought the vocal was quite good actually and not rough at all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnbee58 Posted October 25, 2019 Author Share Posted October 25, 2019 @Wave Function-Thanks so much. I lost my father early in 2018. Since I lost my wife in 2014, I lost both my Dad and Mom, my brother and two uncles who I loved very much and in January of this year I lost my beloved puppy. I don't have much family left, but I still have the memories of all the fulfillment those people gave me over the years of my life. I'm sorry for your loss of your dad.❤️? @bjornpdx-Thanks! If you listen close you can almost hear the tears. ?John B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daryl1968 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 beautiful John - lyrics are very touching and the vocal is spot on 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Douglas Kirby Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 That's a really touching song John - from your heart - very nice. I thought it sounds pretty good as it is. I would have liked strings added to it earlier in the song, perhaps for the chorus to give it a bit more bite. Great job - sorry for your loss. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garybrun Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Very nice John. Many times on here I have read you state about your vocal ability etc. etc. I am sorry... but no one could do that song justice and could compete with the way you sang it. Honestly... that's my favorite of all the songs you I have listened too that you have written. Your composition skills are fantastic.. how you can think those in your head... I couldn't even stand a chance. Well done mate... very moving song when you know the back story. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnbee58 Posted October 26, 2019 Author Share Posted October 26, 2019 (edited) Thanks @daryl1968 , @Douglas Kirby & @garybrun! It took me hours to record the vocal because I couldn't stop crying. I think the best songs by any artist are the real ones. ?JB Edited October 26, 2019 by Johnbee58 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennywtelejazz Posted October 27, 2019 Share Posted October 27, 2019 WOW John , very heartfelt expression and performance on all levels . One thing I enjoy about your Music is in a way it is like a thinking mans Music . You use sophisticated instrumentation and harmonically you have a good grasp of chords and what can be substituted and altered . Sorry about your loss . May you find comfort in music and song , Kenny 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegaltieribrothers Posted October 28, 2019 Share Posted October 28, 2019 Hi John, This song really works - great lyrics, interesting chord changes and heartfelt emotion. Thanks for sharing. Good Job! regards paul 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnbee58 Posted October 29, 2019 Author Share Posted October 29, 2019 @kennywtelejazz, & @thegaltieribrothers Thank you both so much for listening. ?John B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddy j Posted October 29, 2019 Share Posted October 29, 2019 What a beautiful song John. Losing someone that your dearly love is always tragic. I am indeed sorry for your loss. My wife and I have been together since we were 18 and I just can't imagine losing her. I wouldn't change a thing on this song if I were you. You have captured a moment of great emotion in this song. You can feel the sadness and distress in this song. Your vocals ---- they are perfect in this song. They captured a moment, a feeling and a loss of a tragic time. I don't think that this could be captured if you re-did it or if someone else were to do it. Really good work John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnbee58 Posted October 30, 2019 Author Share Posted October 30, 2019 Thank you, @freddy j ?JB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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