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I Hate Being Broke (grand ol opry challenge)
by michael2

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Submitted on: Jul 18, 2008 - 03:11:17 PM
Last Updated: Jul 18 2008 - 03:14:18 PM
Keywords fake country should have been the genre but I couldn't find it anywhere (1)did anyone here ever listen to Beat Happening? (1)
Description i really love country and wanted to be in the Grand Ol' Opry challenge, but i wouldn't dare try to write a real country song (or actually perform one), so I wrote this. it's ironic in a not ironic sort of way (basically having a giggle over what I can't do justice to). I put it under Indie Rock because I definitely would have pulled this song out of my hat in my last band.

I took the lyrics from an old journal I had and wrote some music for them. The lyrics are from awhile back when I was broke all the time. True life stuff actually.

I've been trying to start thinking like a drummer and programming my own drums (instead of using Drums on Demand most of the time for straight ahead stuff). If anyone has tips, suggestions or critiques for me let me know. The rest of it is supposed to sound off the cuff, you get all the warts you can handle. But it's pretty fun i think.
Lyrics rusty ragged razor blades
tearing up my skin
and i'm getting tired
tired of doing without

my visions getting worse each day
i can't really see
my contact lens is
dry inside my eye

(chorus)
if i had some money
i'd buy a better car
but i ain't got one
so i don't drive far
if i had a nickel
for every dime i don't
i'd be doing much better
about fifty percent

i woke up this morning
to banging on the door
the landlords out there
and he ain't messing around

said he ain't my friend
he got problems of his own
he wants his money
sorry but you'll have to wait

(chorus)
i ain't got no groceries
sitting in my fridge
but that's okay
cuz the powers off anyways
if i had a nickel
for every dime i don't
i'd be doing much better
about fifty percent

i hate being broke
with no signs of improvement
i got nothing left but time
time ain't on my side
i'm just a disappointment
to my family and my friends
i got nothing left but time
time ain't worth a dime
i got nothing left but time
time it ain't worth a dime

Hardware intel mini mac, kay acoustic, a capo, a pick, m-audio 49e keyboard (couldn't be bothered with breaking out the bass),
Software: GB4
Fan List

rsorensen

dajama

Lightman-

Feter

Skean

MarkHolbrook

BossHook

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MJ_Grand_Ole_Opry_Challenge

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lengold

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Heightened
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rsorensen said 173 days ago
dude
oh man do I love this one. indie country. "if i had a nickel for every dime i don't i'd be doing much better
about fifty percent" what an awesome line. great work michael. would love to hear some slide geetar over this. the cow foley at the end is perfect. it almost sounds like they're singing.

michael2 said 173 days ago
thanks
i like that line too. i thought about adding some slide (like really sloppy, sorta distorted, could have been on an early beck record type of slide); but didn't feel like busting out the interface and tuning the guitars. if you want to throw some down, that would be awesome. the song is in F.

dajama said 173 days ago
Very nicely done
Nothing fake about it. I think country's all in the attitude, and the storytelling, and this is a great story in images. Lovely lines in there ("my visions getting worse each day/i can't really see/my contact lens is dry inside my eye" - perfect!) and a nice country melody. Good cow! Very cool. Peace.


michael2 said 173 days ago
thanks Dajama
glad you approve. I like the lyrics in this one myself (which is rare for me). thanks for listening.

Lightman- said 173 days ago
Great
When you sing: "... But that's okay...".. that's so great.. a great melody piece there.... I like the style of music.... And the bass is playing good... Great song...

michael2 said 173 days ago
hey thanks
for listening. so glad you liked it. i had a blast throwing this together. the bass is the motown bass in Gb run through the "deep bass amp." really happy you liked the vox too.

Feter said 173 days ago
I Hate Being Broke
MAN !!!! this is super ...your vocal so cool here ..
is there a style you are not great with it ? you so
cool man ..such a country rockin wish the radio full
of such style man ...would suggest a tele sound with
you answering ..or a honky tonk piano ...a fiddle
a banjo ..to took it away from the petty or the Byrds
..just cool man ..thnx alot for sharin !!!!!

michael2 said 173 days ago
thanks Feter
i would love to have fiddle on this, but don't have one (and hate the sounds of the software fiddles). i think horns could be cool too. i had a good time recording this one, so glad you liked it.

Jim Bouchard said 173 days ago
super!
The drums are pretty nice. I would have thought of going to the ride in the chorus, and maybe in the verses sticking in a little high hat there. Not enough cymbals to my taste, but nice little lead turnaround beats, and it's clear you're thinking like a drummer. Not so fancy that it overwhelms the song but with little change-ups here and there. All-in-all, another super song with a really good performance and production to back it up.

michael2 said 173 days ago
thanks Jim
you know i tried to work in some cymbals, but they just sounded so fake. i think i'm going to try addictive drums and see if i have any luck (you can change the mic placement). as for a ride and high hats, that's where i was having problems thinking like a drummer. so i opted for the stray cats type of setup, although when i listen to it now, there's something faux cajun about it. thanks for listening.



Ejh said 173 days ago
I love the song...
...and relate totally...

I like the way the drums kick the piece along, and to my unpracticed ears they sound like a real drummer. Maybe a real drummer just getting the song under his belt, and the next take he'd start taking some chances and getting fancier, but this might be the take you'd end up using 'cause he kept it in the pocket and supported the vocal.

That said, on my headphones I could've used a bit more of the vocal(s). I accidentally started listening with the volume rather low, and it seemed like the drums were slightly overpowering the singing. I like the vocals and the lyrics, so i don't want that happening.

Really well written tune. I'm glad you have mentioned that essential capo, but a real musician would've told us WHAT capo. What GAUGE capo, huh? And a Kay acoustic...well now... I once had the extended loan of a Kay bass...

Ed

michael2 said 173 days ago
thanks Ed
you're absolutely right about the drums being loud. i don't think the vox are too quiet, it's just that dang snare. i've been getting sick of the drum loops. so I figured i need to learn how to throw something together.

the capo huh? can't remember, but i believe that it had some sort of nature scene on the packaging, it costs $17 and there is no elastic involved. the death metal kid at the counter said "all you guys buy that one."

so glad you liked the lyrics, they're my favorite part. and i would love to get a hold of an old Kay bass. thanks for listening and commenting.

BossHook said 173 days ago
Oh get out!
This is top notch alt country pardner! Great song.

michael2 said 173 days ago
thanks BossHook
really glad you liked the song. thanks for the comment.

Alannah said 173 days ago
Had me ....
.. a toe tappin and a two steppin .... I like the idea of a slide on this too .... maybe a little cowbell .. heh heh .... there was a time where I used to go to the country bars with my cowboy (girl) hat and boogie ... ah yes those days ..... luvvved old "bossie" throwing her two cents in at the end too !

michael2 said 173 days ago
thanks allanah
glad you liked. slide would be good, although i haver to confess my aversion to the cowbell. a cow is way better in the long run. thanks for listening.

Relic67 said 172 days ago
Great!
I enjoyed this one.
Singing, guitars, bass, vocals, melody are right on.
I agree the drums seemed a bit loud.
My favourite line is "my contact lens is dry inside my eye."
This line warrants the designation "classic"...made me laugh

Lennon714 said 169 days ago
Great song
I'm a huge alt country fan and this fits right in there. I, too, am trying to use Midi for drums. I think you've done an excellent job creating a realistic shuffle. Midi can be so mathematically precise that you lose a lot of feel, but you managed to keep this loose. How? Do you do all the drums on one track or seperate each piece? I usually do all on one, but will start doing one piece per track. The cymbals sound awful in GB, but I think if I put them on their own track I may be able to effect them enough to sound at least less like midi cymbals. Keep me posted with your midi escapades.

egobandit said 169 days ago
thats it
Imputtin it onmy Ipod Im singing this everyday and to everyone excellent song the cow is classic! Every one I know is going through this including me! I hope your just singing about it!

bud said 169 days ago
You sly devil -
you didn't tell me you put this up. Great track - perfect bounce and swing to the arrangement. Excellent lyrics - "I got nothing left but time and time ain't on my side" is classic.
It's fun having a face and a vibe to put to the music. Had a great time last night.

bonnieprincejohnny said 168 days ago
I WILL GLADLY... YEA WISELY GIVE IT 10!
Wise lyric,authentic American accent - you fucking nailed it. Mah most positive vibe unto ye and yours.


Bonnie Prince Johnny (May Jah Glorify Him)

said 168 days ago
Sorry...
...I'm so late getting here friend. This is a real hoot Michael!

I love your vocals on this one. The harmonies are so rootsy sounding. And they lay perfectly over the music bed.

Nice toe-tapping rhythm section throughout...Yes...Good stuff!

Be well friend!

davisamerica said 167 days ago
OK!!
i mean it ... write something I CAN LOATHE !! ... reminds me of beaatles 65 album ... dunno why. : -]

michael2 said 167 days ago
nice
comparison. should have sang it like Ringo. thanks for listening.

Heightened said 15 days ago
Got my tail
wagging on this one.

Artist Profile
michael2 photo
michael2

Artist Bio I'm a guy who never wanted to do anything but play music. I grew up with classic rock and prog rock before discovering punk and the new york dolls once I got to high school. As i got a little older (and less angry), I developed a love of all thi...[more]
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