MacJams.com - Song: All I Ever Hear by dajama

All I Ever Hear
by dajama

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Guest profile visits: 791
Member profile visits: 0
Song comments: 72
Tokens: 0
Plays: 102
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Downloads: 33
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Submitted on: Apr 13, 2008 - 12:22:40 AM
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Description This is a song I wrote about eight years ago, and have been playing around with ever since, never quite figuring out how it should sound. I recorded an earlier incarnation of the song - much, much longer and with quite different lyrics - in a friend's home studio (this was before GB) shortly after I wrote it. It had multiple tracks, soaring harmonies and I think there were even some bells. Anyway, it wasn't what I wanted it to be. I attempted another version a couple of years ago filled with distorted guitars and thumping drums, and a few synth sounds thrown in for good measure. That didn't work either.

So I pick up the guitar and play it every now and then, trying to imagine how it would sound as a kind of salsa thing, or wondering if perhaps it should be a reggae song. I pick it out on the acoustic, sing it, and wonder how I can lengthen it, since it's only about 2 minutes long following some rather drastic cutting I did in the lyrical department after the bombast of the first recording attempt. And sometimes I wonder whether I should just scrap it, and chalk it up to experience.

Now, at the moment I'm working on another song with a lot of tracks, and a lot of different parts. It's a simple song - one of those "straight ahead vibes", as an old friend of mine would say - but, for me at least, sometimes it's hard to make something simple sound, well, simple! I think at the moment I have about 28 or 29 tracks, and I'm spending a lot of time I don't really have trying to make it come out right. The song is in there somewhere, and I'm not giving up until I dig it out. But of course this gets tiring, and sometimes dispiriting. Songwriting and recording for me is a very erratic, unpredictable process. Sometimes they fall into your lap; sometimes you have to hack them out of the mountainside. And when I'm working on a song like this, I often end up shutting the program down, putting the guitar back on the stand and slinking away, disheartened, thinking maybe I should stop kidding myself and go read a book or something.

And sometimes I pick up the guitar and just play a different song.

Today I started noodling around with All I Ever Hear, and as I played it, I started wondering again, as I usually do when I play this song, if perhaps I should try to write another verse, and maybe a middle eight, and try to massage it into a standard song shape. I was thinking of the other song I'm working on, which has a fairly standard shape. And then I thought - why? Compared to the complex, multi-layered track I've been working on, All I Ever Hear suddenly seemed refreshing in its bare bones simplicity.

So I recorded it, for the umpteenth time.

But this time I left out the bells, the distorted guitars, and the harmonies. There are no thumping drums, no maracas, and I even left out the bass. There is no third verse, no middle eight, and instead of 28 or 29 tracks, it has 4 - two guitar tracks, and one vocal track doubled, culled from 3 vocal tracks I recorded and 4 guitar tracks. It clocks in at about 2:16. Basically, I recorded it the way I play it.

It's short, it's bittersweet, and it kind of stops before it gets going. But I guess I kind of like it that way, and maybe there's nothing else there to be "found". Lyrically, at least, it says all it needs to say (I won't bore you with the details, but hands up anyone who's jumped into a rebound relationship and then realized you have absolutely nothing in common with the other person, beyond an interest in horizontal folk-dancing...nobody? Really? Just me then, I guess. Ahem...) and musically, this is the core of the song; everything else is just window-dressing. If it sounds crap like this, then it'll sound crap with 25 tracks laid on top of it - it'll just be louder, longer, and possibly more annoying.

So that's the story. Hope the bare naked vocal and repetitive guitar doesn't grate. And if you think I'm wrong, and that this would benefit from some more instrumentation, or even rearrangement or lengthening, please let me know, or if you feel so inclined, feel free to have a go yourself.

Peace.

Lyrics All I Ever Hear

I don’t know how you’re broken-hearted
I don’t know why you’d want to wish upon a star
This ship was sunk before we started
Hey I’m amazed that we have even got this far

I don’t know how you say you’re lonely with all those voices on the phone

You’re going to drive me to distraction
You’re going to break my heart when I walk out that door
You’ve got your chemical reaction
But while you’re flying high I’m sinking through the floor

I’m sick of all this silence
I wish you’d make some noise
I really don’t know what you want
Just give me a choice
I’m sick of all this silence
I wish you’d make some noise
I’m sick ‘cos all I ever hear is
The sound of my own voice

Fan List

Ejh

SJB

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	Feter said 222 days ago
	All I Ever Hear Man its perfect like that ...you sing with great passion ..definetly dont need anything more ...its so cool..thnx alot for the song and the thoughtful lyrics as well !!

	dajama said 221 days ago
	Hey Feter First again - you are tireless! Thanks so much for stopping by to listen and thank you for your kind words about the singing. If you hear feeling there, then I must be doing something right! Glad you like it, and thanks for your encouragement. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	blaky smith said 222 days ago
	4 tracks Nice vocals and guitar playing. Short and simple but so well executed, so pleasant to hear. I like this, to my opinion change nothing. And I read your description with interest... Thanks Marc

	screamalexz said 222 days ago
	pretty this is very pretty i like it accoustic. your voice is beautiful and the playing is great. to lengthen it you can repeat part of the lyrics at the end. the accoustic definitely fits this nicely.

	dajama said 221 days ago
	Thanks, my friend I appreciate your taking the time to stop by and listen. Thank you for your nice words about the sound and performance. Yeah, I thought about repeating the verses (or one of them) and you never know, I may well revisit this again, knowing me! Thanks again for taking the time. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

screamalexz said 216 days ago

...
i found my way back to this song again. and after another listen i'm still not sure where it could repeat. it'd be nice if it were longer, but at the same time as you said in the description it says all it needs to say. as for the "repetitive" guitar it gets the point across and is beautiful. if a song wont sound good with 3 chords it wont sound good with a hundred. its the simplicity and passion that makes this beautiful as it is.

	dajama said 215 days ago
	Thank you, my friend I'm delighted you came back to this. Yeah, I don't know that I would do it again repeating lyrics. I may reapproach the song sometime in the future and lengthen it musically. I never close the door on a song. BUt right now, I think this is where it's at. Thanks for your very kind words about the song. It's very encouraging. Cheers. Peace.

echoroom said 222 days ago

60's vibe
Your voice has a real 60's/70's vibe on this. I enjoyed your commentary - when you have a musical idea there are so many ways you can take it, but sometimes it just doesnt want to go ... but ultimately the sng will find itself, you're just there to support it, not force it.

There are a lotta things you could add to this, a lot of different ways to take it, but this raised the hairs on the back of my neck, and it lives as it is. Time for it to go out into the world.

	Peter Bauckham said 222 days ago
	I like it just as it is. Your singing just keeps getting better. Really good sound - the guitars sound excellent. Peter

	Moviz said 222 days ago
	Dave It's perfect as it is. Lovely fingerstyle and your voice is sounding really great. The song is about your loneliness so the sparsity of other instruments/vocals suits it best.... and short and sweet sums it up nicely.The lyrics are excellent and I can identify with them totally; Lovely stuff, regards M

	Dee1962z said 222 days ago
	Fantasic I love this what a beautiful song Wow!! your voice is fantastic and what gorgous lyrics very emotional and heart felt. This is a winner. Download for my Ipod as all yours usually are :) Thank you for sharing another Gem. Peace Dee .

MarkHolbrook said 222 days ago

Well Sir
My comment is it is PERFECT as is.

Not every song needs a ton of backing. Your vocals are so strong, and as Feter said, so passionate. I think this one remains acoustic and solo.

I really like it!

I know what you mean... Mediocrity fell into my lap. I wrote the lyrics in 15 minutes. Hacked out the guitar in another 10 or so. I recorded a rough version in another 5 minutes and I shipped it off to Gail. I had visions of strings, horns, me singin with her and well... that one fell in my lap.

Currently I'm hacking the mountain side and I've hit a wall of granite. (Hum... I do need new kitchen counters...)

But seriously this song is beautiful, you sing so strong and amazing. You play equally well basically you are loaded with talent and I think just about anything you chose to record will come out well.

This is just one example! Don't always set the standards for yourself so high!

	lengold said 222 days ago
	Sometimes David you can't see the wood for the trees. This is one of those cases - it's a lovely song that stands perfectly on its own and is a delight to listen to. Cheers Len

	magnatone said 222 days ago
	All I Ever Hear Dajama - this is absolutely beautiful. I love the lyrics, your vocals are gorgeous, guitar is lovely. This is just the perfect song!

Ejh said 222 days ago

It's a lucky thing...
...that at this point I absolutely trust you. You, your taste, your chops, your songwriting abilities...

SInce I can't seem to get MacJams to play for me today, I just downloaded it on faith, and I'm not disappointed. This is great the way it is. I love the lyrics, the melody and the vocal are great, and the simple two guitar spread is just enough...

You're getting a very nice acoustic guitar sound. Nice balance of wood and bronze.

Don't ever visit New England without dropping in...

Ed

	Vic Holman said 221 days ago
	sometimes simple is all you need. it also makes a nice contrast for the song collection. guitar work really fills it out. vocals really nice and present. I think this is where the song really wanted to be after all.

	egobandit1 said 221 days ago
	all I can say Is I picked up the new cheap guitar I just bought and started to play on top of your arrangement and let me tell you its a good one! keep it clean I didn't hear any other versions but now that I have heard this It will be hard in my mind to top this version.. Enjoyed!

	lavalamp said 221 days ago
	Great song I didn't have the attention span to read your description, but I love the relaxed feel of your playing. Good, really good lyrics. Vox sounded good. I could hear a female voice on this, too. Dave

	SJB said 221 days ago
	All I ever hear This doesn't grate at all - quite the opposite. Over producing this would spoil the feel and having heard this version it would be hard to take to a beefed up 24 track reincarnation. The guitar playing is sweet and clear and fits the vocal perfectly (the guitar tone is fantastic). Nothing else to say - great song, great arrangement and I really enjoyed listening! Cheers Steve

jiguma said 221 days ago

Fantastic Dave!
I wouldn't mess with this at all - the guitar tracks sound really good (nicely recorded and well played) and your voice sounds brilliant - especially like where you hit another level later in the song. Your vocals are just getting better with each post.

It would be easy to extend this, to build it up through the choruses, throw in a solo on the verse, add instruments, harmonies and a driving kit, but why would you want to go and stuff it up :)

Really good post - you must be pretty pleased with this one!

Neil

	peacepiano said 221 days ago
	Song Love the lyrics and the recording is clear and crisp. Very enjoyable song! Thanks Bill

	composerclark said 221 days ago
	Expressive and powerful Your voice is unbelievably expressive! I would LOVE to be able sing anywhere near this well... It reminds me a bit of Steven Page of the Barenaked ladies, and, when you go higher, of Bryan Ferry. The song itself is very powerful, and I feel very emotional listening to it. I think the way it ends is fantastic. All tens.

	that80sboy said 221 days ago
	beautiful! sounds like you put some heart and soul into this...nice track dajama!

	Doadars Uncle said 221 days ago
	David! Very nice moment... This is perfect, as is! Clean production!

	davisamerica said 221 days ago
	right then i could have listened to alot more of the same ... your vocals are great and the lyrics are wonderful ... if this song wants to dress up more it will come home for some more allowance .. as it is it is dressed just right to me .. wonderful tune man ... very, very nice tune and loved your guitar...

	Micheal_Wark said 221 days ago
	Stripped down... ...and clean. Minimalism rules herein! Sad, sad song... Really lovely guitar work. Excellent job on the singing. Wish I could sing like you friend.... Be well friend!

	stevel said 220 days ago
	Good acoustic performance Nice acoustic guitar playing and a good clear vocal performance...classy stuff! Seve

	J.A.Stewart said 219 days ago
	So Who Says... you can only record ONE version, David? Music evolves with the musician. Playing live, I saw it happen almost every night. But this works very nicely unplugged and uncomplicated. That only means it could work in any number of varied arrangements. Leave it be and then revisit it in a few months and see what you think then. ;) Well done. --- Joe

	Ibstrat said 219 days ago
	This is a great song beautifully recorded. Thanks for the music!

	Heightened said 218 days ago
	Loved it! And it reminded me of something. Who? Just a second. Stills, Crosby and Nash. That's it!

	chipan said 217 days ago
	All I ever Hear Really nice playing here. Your voice sounds great! I like the simple instrumentation. peace, chip

	massa said 217 days ago
	Great lyrics! Really dig your lyrics man! song goes great with it too. But the lyrics are pro!

	craft said 216 days ago
	beautiful passionate song.. Simple and effective... Great vocal...

	DrToasty said 216 days ago
	I like your voice I'd say your voice is like a mix between david byrne and billy joel!! Keep it up man!

kassia said 212 days ago

Thank you
for the beautiful song. I'm all about minimalism and acoustic. This is wonderful, your voice and the guitar. It doesn't need anything more than that. The lyrics - heartbreaking. Honestly, someone who is going through this - are they going to be jamming with a band? No. They are going to take their trusty, reliable beat-up old guitar and go sit on the rocks, staring out at the ocean, feeling the cold salt spray on their face, mingling with their tears. And they are going to sing this song. You did it perfectly.

And thanks for the awesome decription of the journey of this song. It was great to see where it's been and how you've come full circle with it. I think it's a testament to how powerful this song is. Thanks again for sharing.

	timothy devine said 211 days ago
	Dvid, cool tune. Nice clean recording. Such crisp guitar. I don't know how you do that. "It's the great playing tim." The lyrics are brilliant! Your voice is real quality....the performance...outstanding. What a great find. tim

	Birdman Wayne said 208 days ago
	Ah..... This is great tune by all means. I loved its simple by one guitar track and a vocal. I also feel that it's not in need for anything else. Your performance was great and full of feelings! Killer track bro. Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

	Leon said 183 days ago
	Change... This is just lovely as it is. Your clear, pure voice resonates with understated sentimentality, and the acoustic guitar compliments it perfectly. This is a refreshing change of sound from you, and quite a pleasant one.

	asconejar said 172 days ago
	tsada I listen to this song twice already; I'm very intrigue on how you get it so right. i have the same dilemma on one of my song. I try to do electric, multi track, but it seems not right. Maybe, It will end up like this way, pure acoustic. One thing for sure mate, you got a great voice. Very pretty to me.

	dajama said 221 days ago
	Hi Marc Thanks very much for taking the time to listen and comment. Glad you enjoyed the song, and happy you think the approach works. After I posted this, I almost immediately started thinking that maybe I should reevaluate it and I almost took it back down again! Your kind words make me glad I didn't. Many thanks, my friend. Peace.

	dajama said 221 days ago
	Thanks, Peter Glad you liked this one. I'm still never happy with my voice, and I lack confidence in my singing, so your words are very encouraging. Glad you also liked the guitar sound. Thanks as always for your support. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 221 days ago
	Thank you kindly Glad you like it, and thank you for the download to the iPod - I take it as a great compliment. Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 221 days ago
	Thanks, my friend I'm very happy you enjoyed this one. I was just listening to your latest and it's excellent. You've really created a magnificent sound there, and it's a great song. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to check this one out. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 220 days ago
	Thank you very much You are way too kind. I'm very happy you enjoyed this, and I really appreciate your taking the time to listen and comment. Angel Convention is a wonderful piece of music, by the way. Thanks again. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 220 days ago
	Thanks, Ed You are unfailingly supportive as always. Glad you were not disappointed after downloading blind! Happy you enjoyed the arrangement and minimal performance. Especially glad you enjoyed the guitar sound - I love the description: "wood and bronze"! Nice. Thanks as always for listening and commenting. I really appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 220 days ago
	Thanks, Vic Glad you like the approach, and thank you for your kind words about the voice and guitar. I know what you mean about the contrast with my other songs. It's good to change it up, and I'm glad this song took me in this direction. Many thanks, man. I appreciate your listening and commenting. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 220 days ago
	Dude I love that you played along with this - if it makes you want to play, then there must be something there. Glad you like the arrangement and the arrangement. I'm beginning to think this is where it needs to be. Thanks for the listen and the comment. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 220 days ago
	Hey Dave Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked it. Interesting idea about the female vocal. It would give it a whole different vibe, I think. Thanks for the compliment on the guitar playing, too, by the way. I appreciate it. Thanks again, man. Peace.

	dajama said 219 days ago
	Thanks, dude Glad you enjoyed this one. Most pleased you like the song - that's what it's all about, really, isn't it? Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

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	dajama said 219 days ago
	Thank you very much Wow! You are way too kind. I'm so glad you enjoyed this, and thank you for your cool comparisons on the vocal. I'm glad the feeling of the song came through in the vocal. I'm delighted that this song resonated with you. Thank you for taking the time to listen and for expressing your opinion about the song so eloquently. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 219 days ago
	Thanks, my friend If it doesn't have soul, it's got nothing. I'm flattered that you get that vibe. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 219 days ago
	Thanks, my friend I guess that's what it is - a moment caught in time. I'm delighted you enjoyed this one the way it is. I'm starting to get attached to it! Thanks for the listen - I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 219 days ago
	Hey there Thanks for stopping by. Glad you liked this one and happy to think you could have listened to more! When is enough enough? The hope is that the little there is of this will, I don't know, do what it should and then bow out gracefully. Well, that's the hope! Delighted you stopped by. Thanks for listening and for your always encouraging words. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 219 days ago
	Thanks, Michael I'm so glad you enjoyed this. Yeah, it's sad for sure. Hey, life throws you lemons and you write a song about it that takes eight years to mature! Thanks for listening and commenting. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 219 days ago
	Thanks, man I'm delighted you liked it, and thanks for the complimentary words. I appreciate your stopping by and taking the time to comment. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 218 days ago
	Thank you very much for the music yourself! Glad you enjoyed this one. The next one may be a 30 track juggernaut, you never know, so enjoy the quietness while it's here! Thanks for listening and commenting. I appreciate your encouraging words as always. Peace.

	dajama said 218 days ago
	Hey there Wow, I'm flattered (and amazed!) that this reminds you of CSN. If I could sing like any one of those guys, I'd be doing well! Thanks for the listen. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 215 days ago
	Thanks Chip I appreciate your nice words about the voice and glad you think the simple approach worked. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to listen and comment. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 215 days ago
	Thanks, man I appreciate it. One of the reasons I was leery of extending this song was because I reckoned the words that were there had said what I wanted to say. I'm glad you enjoyed them. Many thanks for stopping by and commenting. I appreciate the encouragement. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 215 days ago
	Thanks, craft If passion comes across, then I'm happy. I must be doing something right. Thanks for listening and taking the time to comment. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 215 days ago
	Hee hee Love it! What a great comparison. I take that as a great compliment. If only I could live up to it. Thanks for stopping by to listen. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 211 days ago
	Thank you so much for your thoughtful and evocative comment! I'm delighted you enjoyed the song, and I'm happy you think the approach I took was the right one. It's been very encouraging to have so many people say they enjoyed this "stripped down" track.I appreciate your listening and taking the time to make such a considered comment. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 210 days ago
	Hi Tim Thanks so much for stopping by and listening to this effort. I'm delighted you like it. As for the playing, I think it's more a case of sheer luck that I manage to get a deccent sound! Now, your latesdt - that's musicianship! Thanks for listening, my friend. I appreciate the encouraging words. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 208 days ago
	Thank you, my friend I'm happy you enjoyed this, and glad you think it sounds right the way it is. I appreciate your taking the time to go back and check this one out. Cheers. Peace.

	dajama said 183 days ago
	Thanks, man I'm really glad you liked this one. And thank you so much for your very nice words about the singing. You have a wonderful voice, and I'm flattered you got the approach right on this one. Thanks for going back and checking this one out. I appreciate it. Cheers. Peace.