The Wagtunes Corner (Featuring My Best Yet)

[wagtunes]

3rd track from my upcoming CD "Jerry And Company"

In this track, Jerry sings about how he's not settling anymore. It's all or nothing. Either he makes it or he doesn't. Some of my better lyrics on this one.

Lyrics:

It's All Or Nothing

It's all or nothing
Nothing for me
It's all or nothing
You can disagree
I'm tired of scratching and clawing for scraps
I'm tired of snake eyes when I'm playing craps
I'm tired of living like those other chaps
It's all or nothing for me

It's all or nothing
Shoot for the stars
It's all or nothing
The fanciest cars
I'm tired of dreaming with nothing to show
I'm tired of scheming and losing my dough
I'm tired of living oh Lord don't you know
It's all or nothing for me

One of these days it's all gonna fall in place
One of these days a smile on my face
One of these days I won't be a disgrace
It's all or nothing

It's all or nothing
Now my last stand
It's all or nothing
In the palm of my hand
I'm tired of being the last one in line
I'm tired of working and breaking my spine
I'm tired of hearing that it will be fine

It's all or nothing
It's all or nothing
It's all or nothing
It's all or nothing
It's all or nothing for me

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... or-nothing

Another catchy little number - melody is once again very strong, although very much creating a different mood to the first one...love those pauses in the melodic flow...perfectly timed!

Miles Davis: "In music, silence is more important than sound"

You have the 'silences' nailed in this one....especially just before that dramatic final section.

Did I miss song number 2?

Thanks for the listen and the feedback. Glad to hear I can nail something aside from my shoe to the floor.

Nope, didn't miss song 2. That was "When Will It Be My Turn" with the acceleration in the verse that you commented on. You might have missed the overture, but quite honestly, it's a little disjointed. Those are something that I have to work on, stringing all those different songs together seamlessly. I'm not very good at it yet. I think it's an art in itself.

[Frantz]

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... or-nothing

Bravo! The lyrics and music worked perfectly together.

The characterization of Jerry was also very effective. A whiny guy with an old fashioned New York accent. Quite enjoyable.

[Frantz]

Right now, I have all my music (tons of it) on Soundcloud. Should I try to get it on Spotify or some other platform where I can maybe make some money from it?

It is very unlikely you will make any significant money from streaming services. YouTube requires at least 1,000 subscribers before it will show ads on your channel. Spotify is notorious for what they pay artists -- a fraction of a penny per stream.

Release to streaming services to reach a wider audience but don't expect profits unless you are doing something very hot and trendy.

[wagtunes]

Right now, I have all my music (tons of it) on Soundcloud. Should I try to get it on Spotify or some other platform where I can maybe make some money from it?

It is very unlikely you will make any significant money from streaming services. YouTube requires at least 1,000 subscribers before it will show ads on your channel. Spotify is notorious for what they pay artists -- a fraction of a penny per stream.

Release to streaming services to reach a wider audience but don't expect profits unless you are doing something very hot and trendy.

Thanks Frantz. That's pretty much what I figured.

[wagtunes]

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... or-nothing

Bravo! The lyrics and music worked perfectly together.

The characterization of Jerry was also very effective. A whiny guy with an old fashioned New York accent. Quite enjoyable.

Thanks for the listen and the feedback Frantz. Leave it to you to pick up the NY accent. LOL.

[wagtunes]

4th track from my upcoming CD "Jerry And Company"

In this one, Jerry and his friend Chuckie sing about how if they're going to make it, they have to be unique. Cute little duet with me singing both parts with two different voices. Keeping them straight was not easy.

Lyrics:

You Gotta Be Unique

You gotta be unique
You gotta be so outstanding
You gotta be unique
Do a quintuple axle landing
A little razzle-dazzle footwork
A rising star and not some dumb clerk
Or else you'll come off like some big jerk
You gotta be unique

You gotta be unique
You gotta show 'em what you got going
You gotta be unique
Get in that boat and start your rowing
A little soft shoe just won't do it
A little tap dance won't get to it
Less than awesome and you blew it
You gotta be unique

You only get one chance to make a first impression
You gotta learn all the tricks and so class is now in session

You gotta be unique
You gotta make the lights go flashing
You gotta be unique
So that those great big checks you're cashing
A song and dance won't get them clapping
A magic show will leave them napping
A catchy beat won't get them tapping
You gotta be unique

Repeat B Section

You gotta be unique
You only get this one chance Jerry
You gotta be unique
Forget the train and hop that ferry
Forget the cane forget the top hat
Forget the dog forget the back cat
A big finale will leave them flat
You gotta be unique

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... -be-unique

[Saffran]

The songs are amazingly good.
But in my eyes your excellence lies in the lyrics.
Forgive me asking, but do you have any archived unused lyrics in a box somewhere that could work for a slow blues?
I've been thinking of going back to my roots to be able to produce something...anything.
That means acoustic guitar and a blues. Until i have lyrics i don't know if i can sing to the blues but it needs to be sung to give it that really bluesy feel.

[wagtunes]

The songs are amazingly good.
But in my eyes your excellence lies in the lyrics.
Forgive me asking, but do you have any archived unused lyrics in a box somewhere that could work for a slow blues?
I've been thinking of going back to my roots to be able to produce something...anything.
That means acoustic guitar and a blues. Until i have lyrics i don't know if i can sing to the blues but it needs to be sung to give it that really bluesy feel.

Whenever I write something, I put music to it. But I'd be more than happy to write something especially for you. We can each do our own version and see how different they are. Tell me what subject matter you'd like me to cover and I'll give it a shot.

[Saffran]

Whenever I write something, I put music to it. But I'd be more than happy to write something especially for you. We can each do our own version and see how different they are. Tell me what subject matter you'd like me to cover and I'll give it a shot.

I don't know.
Maybe face the times and have it mention influenza/sickness/death and something positive to end it with.
Could have an humoristic edge to it if death is too dark.
Or if you get inspiration that leads you in a completely other direction. Go with that. I'm only greatful to get a text to work with.
A blues version from each could be entertaining.

[BertKoor]

Hi Wags, happy New Year!

I don't watch the Music Cafe forum, but I saw you posted again in Production Techniques and I just had to know how the musical project turned out. Having listened to some of it, it ain't bad. I truely wonder why you ask us bunch of muppets any advice on how to pull it off. It seems you can do this on your own without trouble.

There is something about the Ouverture I have to get off my chest. To me it sounds like it's not finished yet. Sonically I'm missing something in the lowest register, at times I hear just two instruments in a bar and that's too sparse for my taste. There's a percussion section in your orchestra eating out of their noses all the time. At some points I hear instrument combinations playing melodies that clash with each other. Yes, it's part of the genre to have some dissonance at times - make some tension to resolve - but here at times it feels uncomfortable to me.

In the intro of your last song I hear some annoying clicks. Lips smacking? Or some claves you played just earlier but put away? Can you hear it as well? I'd try to get rid of it.
Do you work with a click track, or started with only the piano track? Playing a full orchestra is difficult, I know. The timing seems to be off at points, as if the orchestra players don't watch the conductor. Some sections need to be shifted forwards or backwards, I don't know. It's important to place notes by ear. Each instrument has a unique lag between note-on event and you hearing it started. That is very difficult to get right, and what I hear here is that there's room for improvement.

Otherwise it's great for what it is. You wrote something like "CD published" - is that like a physical disk shipped through the mail, or just figure of speach?

[wagtunes]

Hi Wags, happy New Year!

I don't watch the Music Cafe forum, but I saw you posted again in Production Techniques and I just had to know how the musical project turned out. Having listened to some of it, it ain't bad. I truely wonder why you ask us bunch of muppets any advice on how to pull it off. It seems you can do this on your own without trouble.

There is something about the Ouverture I have to get off my chest. To me it sounds like it's not finished yet. Sonically I'm missing something in the lowest register, at times I hear just two instruments in a bar and that's too sparse for my taste. There's a percussion section in your orchestra eating out of their noses all the time. At some points I hear instrument combinations playing melodies that clash with each other. Yes, it's part of the genre to have some dissonance at times - make some tension to resolve - but here at times it feels uncomfortable to me.

In the intro of your last song I hear some annoying clicks. Lips smacking? Or some claves you played just earlier but put away? Can you hear it as well? I'd try to get rid of it.
Do you work with a click track, or started with only the piano track? Playing a full orchestra is difficult, I know. The timing seems to be off at points, as if the orchestra players don't watch the conductor. Some sections need to be shifted forwards or backwards, I don't know. It's important to place notes by ear. Each instrument has a unique lag between note-on event and you hearing it started. That is very difficult to get right, and what I hear here is that there's room for improvement.

Otherwise it's great for what it is. You wrote something like "CD published" - is that like a physical disk shipped through the mail, or just figure of speach?

Thanks for the listen and the feedback.

CD - Figure of speech.

Happy New Year

[wagtunes]

5th track from my upcoming CD "Jerry And Company"

In this song, a girl Jerry likes promises to help him out for a piece of the action. Of course Jerry caves in to her extortion because, well, you know...boys.

Lyrics:

A Piece Of The Action

There's enough to go around
So let's get this show off the ground

I want a piece of the action
A piece of the pie
A piece of the action
It's my turn to fly

You're going places
I want to go too
Give me a piece of the action
So I can go with you

I want a piece of the action
I want my fair share
A piece of the action
You know it's only fair

You're gonna make it
I want to make it too
Give me a piece of the action
So I can make it with you

I can see it all now
Fortune and fame
Just around the corner
Gonna win this game

I want a piece of the action
A slice of the cake
A piece of the action
My fortune to make

You're gonna take me
With you on this ride
A piece of the action
With you by my side

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... the-action

[wagtunes]

6th track from my upcoming CD "Jerry And Company"

In this one, Con man Stu and his flunkies Dexter and Adrianna plot to get Jerry to sign this ridiculous contract that leaves Jerry with practically nothing. Adrianna is the bait who is going to woo Jerry with her feminine charms.

Lyrics:

Whatever It Takes

We gotta make this deal
We gotta get this nerd to sign
It's gonna be a steal
Why give him ten when we can get him for nine

Do whatever it takes
Use all your charms
Do whatever it takes
Set off all the alarms

I'll do whatever it takes
I have my feminine charms
I'll do whatever it takes
I'll set off all the alarms

This is gonna be a real winner
Stu you really are the worst kind of sinner

Instrumental Break

We'll do whatever it takes
We'll take him for all he's got
We'll do whatever it takes
Because why not

This is gonna be a sure thing Stu
There's only one guy who can do it and that's you -

I'm gonna do
You're gonna do
We're all gonna do
Whatever it takes

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... r-it-takes

[wagtunes]

7th track from my upcoming CD "Jerry And Company"

In this song the girl who likes Jerry laments about how Jerry doesn't even know she's alive.

Lyrics:

He Doesn't Even Know I'm Alive

Even blind men see
Tell me why can't he
Is something wrong with me
Or is it just him

He doesn't even know I'm alive
I walk into the room
Might as well be in a tomb
I'd have a better chance if I was still in mother's womb

He doesn't even know I'm alive
It's like I'm just not there
He doesn't seem to care
I wonder if he'd notice if I lost my underwear

If he only knew how I felt
How I hang on every word
Like a wounded baby bird
Can't he see that he makes my heart melt

He doesn't even know I'm alive
Invisible I am
He doesn't give a damn
He'd pay me more attention if I was a Christmas ham

He doesn't even know I'm alive
Looks at other girls
With their dainty little curls
Maybe he would notice me if naked wearing pearls

Instrumental Break

Repeat Bridge

He doesn't even know I'm alive
It's not inside my head
I might as well be dead
He doesn't know
He'll never show
He'll never ever know I'm alive

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim ... w-im-alive

[wagtunes]

8th track from my upcoming CD "Jerry And Company"

In this one, Jerry brags about how he's a great businessman. Joined by Chuckie and Avanna to make the trio.

Lyrics:

Mr Businessman

If you need a keen eye to spot that lie
That's me Mr businessman
If you need a sharp mind for that loophole to find
That's me Mr businessman
If you want the best deal so your dreams they don't steal
And toss in the trash can
If you want to win big and get the best gig
That's me Mr businessman

Instrumental Break

If you need the top gun one who's second to none
That's you Mr businessman
If you need a real shark who won't become a mark
That's you Mr businessman
If you want the whole thing dare to grab the brass ring
And succeed with your plan
If you want to be rich not end up in a ditch
That's me Mr businessman

Instrumental Break

If you want the whole thing dare to grab the brass ring
And succeed with your plan
If you want to be rich not end up in a ditch
That's me Mr businessman

https://soundcloud.com/steven-wagenheim/mr-businessman