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Careful Of The Undertow (version 1)
by jiguma

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Song comments: 45
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Submitted on: Aug 06, 2005 - 06:39:33 AM
Last Updated:
Description Another location song. We moved to the isolated south coast of NSW in '79, courtesy of the government - planned to stay 3 years but got hooked by the sea and the bush.

When I was a kid, my mother was always concerned about me drowning, and always told me to be "careful of the undertow". Even when I was a teenager, she used to say it when I was going out to parties, the pub or (still) the beach.

I began to interpret that as a warning about becoming seduced: drugs, women, the surfing culture etc.

This song is about getting seduced by a place. 25 years later we are still here, loving all sorts of things about it - the surf and the sometimes heavy weather made it to the song.

I love doing this stuff. OK so its a bit 70s, but so am I!

Hope you enjoy it.
Lyrics Careful Of The Undertow
© Neil Porter 2005

Headed south to address some consequences
Thought we’d stay here for a while
You move away and you lose your best defences
Take a card and look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”

Big swell coming from the south
Tide is getting low
There’s action at the River Mouth
Paddle hard and look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”

Chorus
Loving each day
Living the coastal life
We’ve been here for quite a while
Someone said “beware of the dolce vita”
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow

Heavy weather in the air last night
Lightning sheeting ‘cross the bay
Red sky morning was a perfect sight
Stay on guard look out for the undertow
Mama said “beware of the undertow”

Not much hope of leaving Hotel California
Haven’t checked out for a while
City life has become inconsequential
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow

Chorus
Loving each day
Living the coastal life
We’ve been here for quite a while
Someone said “beware of the dolce vita”
Mama said “beware of the undertow”
Going down with a smile in the undertow
Hardware Seagull S6 acoustic
Maton 12 string acoustic
Fender Precision bass
Yamaha PSR300 keyboard
iMac G4
Shure mic
Behringer UB802 mixer/preamp
Software: GarageBand 2.0.2
Fan List

Tadashi Togawa

bronco

holyparsnip

snowdragon

thoddi

Cori Ander

jpfeiff

Bad Smells
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Tadashi Togawa said 1215 days ago
And, it turns back.
Your mother was correct.
Your vernal years, and, then, grew up.
And, this song was made now.
dear 70s.
Vernal years of hopes and fears.
Beautiful melody.
The wave surges.
And, it turns back.

jiguma said 1214 days ago
And, it turns back.
Thanks Tadashi-san. I really appreciate your comment and support.
Neil

bronco said 1215 days ago
Nice Life
This song makes me jealous. Always wanted to live on the
coast or an island but never made it. There is nothing
quite as soothing as the crash of the surf in the
background and this music reflects the peacefullness and
fullfillment of the life you have had there. And if your
music can do that then it has completed it's mission.

jiguma said 1214 days ago
Nice Life
Thanks for dropping by Bronco. It's always good to get your comment -
much appreciated! It is very relaxing here.
Cheers,
Neil

holyparsnip said 1215 days ago
Word this up
Reminds me of Sam roberts a bit. This is great. thank god you are here to mix things up on the site! any more bad rush rip-offs and I was obout to chunder out my vegemite sandwhich. i miss Perth.

Love the vocal sound. How many track layers did you use?

jiguma said 1214 days ago
Word this up
Thanks for the comments HP. I used 5 separate vocal layers on this one - a
"lead", and high and low harmonies right and left. I do this to give some
strength to my vocals, which are not the strongest around here (I'm always
amazed at what other people here can do). My main musical background has
been in country rock, and although I only played bass (never sang), the
harmonies are always there when I listen to all sorts of music. MJ has allowed
me to do them for real - still a little hit and miss, but I really love doing it.
I must get to Perth someday - heard so much about it, but its a few days
drive from here.
Thanks again,
Neil

snowdragon said 1214 days ago
I'm a bit 70s too
Marvellous tune, guitar work, bassline, song structure,
lyrics. But again, jig, it really sounds to me that the vocals
are too quiet. However, I'm am prepared to accept that
this is the way a jiguma tune is supposed to sound, if
that's the way it is. I do, nevertheless, have a high opinion
of your vocal abilities and would like to see them featured
more prominantly. But, if it's a conscious decision and
that's your sound, then so be it and you won't hear
anymore whining about vocal volume from me.

All in all, a great tune and don't forget to wait an hour
after eating before swimming.

jiguma said 1213 days ago
I'm a bit 70s too
Thanks again snow. The vocal thing is still something I have some
apprehension about (carefulof the undertow!). I think you first made a
comment about this on my second post, and that gave me confidence since
to up the vox on each song. Maybe I just need to hear it often!! I'll be doing
a remix (as usual) on this to fix up a guitar note I'm really unhappy with, so
will look at the vocals again then as well. I really appreciate your comments!
Cheers,
Neil

thoddi said 1214 days ago
Some "eagles" in this on:)
Your guitar work and harmonies reminds me of the eagles. You made a solid production on this. Steady groove, great guitar picking. It has a certain summer breeze feel to it.
You have a pleasant voice and I like the almost whispery sound of it.

Very nice:)

jiguma said 1213 days ago
Some "eagles" in this on:)
Thanks Thor, great to get your visit and comment. I certainly spent a lot of
time listening to the Eagles many years ago. It wasn't a conscious decision
for it to sound that way - once I start recording I just let the harmonies fall
into place.
Cheers,
Neil

jiguma said 1213 days ago
Some "eagles" in this on:)
I guess the "Hotel California" line was a bit of a giveaway!

thoddi said 1213 days ago
Some "eagles" in this on:)
actually I noticed that after I wrote the comment:)

---
Imagination is more important then knowledge!
- Albert Einstein.

HGB said 1213 days ago
Good~flowing~music
Like~your~song~alot~HGB

jiguma said 1213 days ago
Good~flowing~music
Thanks for visiting HGB, and for leaving a comment.
Neil

astronomyfan78 said 1212 days ago
WOW!!
Awesome track!!! =) Great job!!!

Shawna

astronomyfan78 said 1212 days ago
WOW!!
Awesome track!!! =) Great job!!!

Shawna

jiguma said 1212 days ago
WOW!!
Thanks Shawna, appreciate your visit (and comment),
Neil

Myshkin said 1212 days ago
Grooving
Love this. Especially the vocals. It bubbles and flows along quite nicely.
Have you read "The World According To Garp"? His mother also warned him about the undertow except he mishead it as 'under toad' and thus had a fear of this large toad.
Well done.

jiguma said 1212 days ago
Grooving
Thanks Myshkin. I have to admit that Garp was in the back of my mind when
the lyrics happened, but had to watch out for using cliches which I have been
very gulty of in the past. Glad you liked the tune - thanks for listening and
leaving a comment.
Neil

jiguma said 1209 days ago
Grooving
My mum actually said "look out for rips", but I thought I'd put it in more widely understood language. "Rips" has limited rhyming opportunities! : )

Cori Ander said 1212 days ago
Woooooo - super COOL
This is super cool! Either you've saved us the best pieces till
now ... or you are just getting better and better! This is sooo
good a mood! A tune I could listen to many times a day! As
soon as it ends I have the urge to start again from the
beginning!

One of the best tunes at the site alltogheter! Will be 10:s
involved in my voting ... which I'm gonna commit right now!

Cori Ander said 1212 days ago
Woooooo - super COOL
And so refreshing! This music puts me in such a good mood! Playing again and
again....

jiguma said 1211 days ago
Woooooo - super COOL
Thanks Curry,
Really glad you liked it. Thanks so much for your support and comments, I
really appreciate your opinion.
Cheers,
Neil

Ejh said 1210 days ago
I watch Discovery Channel...
...you guys are supposed to be watching out for SHARKS,
dagnab it!...

Okay. Don't listen. Who am I? What do I know?

This is a great song. Great vocal, great doubling. Bass
does something truly excellent between the steady drum
beat and the territory of the acoustic guitars. I really like
the bass more and more the longer I listen.

'Going down with a smile in the undertow'

There's a line for ya.

Ed

jiguma said 1210 days ago
I watch Discovery Channel...
Thanks ejh,
Don't worry, after white pointers being spotted locally, looking out for sharks
is definitely now a part of the game! Glad you like the tune - and that the
last line of the chorus was amusing for you. Do I have to send a fee for
consultation?
Appreciate your comment, thanks for visiting!
Neil

Ejh said 1208 days ago
I watch Discovery Channel...
Preparing the consultation bill as we speak...just doing the currency exchange...

Ed

obbster said 1210 days ago
Great song
This is really cool. Performed well, Produced well.

Keep it up.

jiguma said 1210 days ago
Great song
Thanks obbster, appreciate the comment and your visit.
Cheers,
Neil

Macaudion said 1209 days ago
Umm...Deeply Cool
You should know what I mean by this. I knew I'd get a
chance to throw it back at ya. I really like the way this
GROOVES along. You might even say, that it's deeply
groovin. Definitly sweetened my mood this morning. It's
all quite yummy to my ears, but I do have to mention how
much I love your vocal work and guitar playing. Also, I
liked the simplicity of the drum beat and thought that it
was the perfect side dish.

A very nice way to start my day Jiguma - Thanks!

Cydniko

jiguma said 1208 days ago
Umm...Deeply Cool
Thanks Cyd,
Thought you might like this one - glad it started your day in the right
direction. I really appreciate your visit, and especially the comments about the
vocals. It sure is encouraging.
Take care,
Neil

Hapster said 1208 days ago
70s
70s rule. hehe

jiguma said 1207 days ago
70s
Thanks for the visit!
Neil

laine said 1204 days ago
beachy
Hi I really like the feel of this the sound is great kinda chris
rhea?prob spelt wrong feel and ALSO Pet Shop Boys like
where your singing mana said etc the sound there reminds
me of Pet Shop Boys. ANYWAYS what I am saying is I like
your sounds and song very much it is really cruisey with
grooves and I think you could be a lot more confident of your
voice and put it out there because you have a really nice
quality and weak is not the word for your voice I think it has
an appeal that people tune into . Its is soothing thanks for
sharing your sounds chey from aus

jiguma said 1203 days ago
beachy
Thanks Chey, Glad you liked it. The voice thing is something I'm slowly
overcoming - comments like yours help, that's for sure. Have a new one
coming in the next week or so.
Cheers,
Neil

said 1200 days ago
fantastic
i absolutely love this song!!!! what a killer melody and groove. really well done mate!
i have to say that this is the best thing that ive heard on macjams yet!

the vocals could be upped a little in the mix but imo this is no less than a billboard top 40 song if produced in a studio...

jiguma said 1200 days ago
fantastic
Thanks arcifus,
I'm really glad you liked it so much! Thought I was off the radar now, but
very pleased to get your feedback. I have a new one submitted - guess it will
be up tomorrow. Thanks again,
Cheers,
Neil

selters said 1200 days ago
Laidback
this one grows as it goes on. Almost make me wanna move :).

jiguma said 1199 days ago
Laidback
Thanks Selters - glad you like it.
appreciate your comment,
Neil

lilhank said 1186 days ago
Very Pleasant
I was hoping to hear a little Jimmy Buffet influence in the
lyrics - I think you missed anm opportunity to put a little
humor in the lyrics. Nevertheless, it's quite nice and easy
to listen to, Your guitars sound very good and the overall
mix is very good, too. GB makes it hard to mess up,
though - gotta love it!

jiguma said 1186 days ago
Very Pleasant
Thanks for stopping by lilhank, and for leaving a comment. I guess lyrics are
a personal thing - I'm just happy when I have a lyric that sounds good at this
stage - maybe humour will come one day. Haven't listened to hardly any
Jimmy Buffet, but will do so when I get a chance.
Cheers,
Neil

said 1049 days ago
great tune
This is a solid piece of work. Really. It flows. The vocals waft. Lovely. If I
ever screw up enough courage to do a vocal I may try your recording
technique. I still haven't figured out microphones.

Scott Carmichael said 984 days ago
produced very well
I love how the subtle guitar arpegio works with the drums under
everything to keep the song moving.... great word picture analogy... I
think the song is wanting a bridge... I'm not saying adhere to formats,
but i usually find my songs neading one, and it's a great opportunity to
approach your subject from the opposite dirrection... I can see that you
are an clever enough writer to pull it off... (i still scored you above your
average)

it's hard to critisize people you don't even know, but my fav comments
have been ones I've had to mull over and let help me along

jiguma said 983 days ago
produced very well
Thanks for the comment Scott - a nice surprise after all this time. You might
be interested in listening to the more recent version of this at http://
www.macjams.com/song/17192
Cheers,
Neil

---
<a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/9855"> Avec Vous </a> & <a href="http://www.macjams.com/song/19298"> Unreliable Remedy</a>

Bad Smells said 925 days ago
A very
smooth vibe. Close my eyes and I'm back in Oz sittin on the beach with a
bottle of bundy rum. Excellent.

Bad Smells said 925 days ago
A very
smooth vibe. Close my eyes and I'm back in Oz sittin on the beach with a
bottle of bundy rum. Excellent.

Artist Profile
jiguma photo
jiguma

Artist Bio The Jiguma Is Up - Blog by Tobin Mueller - click here Find this artist in drop-down: -- MY FAVORITES -- "Jiguma" (pronounced with a short "u" - as in "up", NOT jigOOOOma!) is the local Aboriginal name for where I live on the "Deep South Coast" of ...[more]
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