song 2: The moment needs a hero

There have been many times in my life where I have seen that there is something to be done, that needs qualities that I do not have, but there is no-one else present. So I try.

In this case it was song 1 - a task beyond me, but I did what I could.

Open to any musical collaboration.

21:47 17/08/03 The moment needs a hero

Nice Lyric. How do you see it musically?

Thanks.

This is a situation that can happen to anyone, in a small way, or in a lives at stake way. So, it being any mans situation I am prepared to see it in any mans musical form.

I think it would work all dramatic and operatic. I can imagine a steel band version. I can sort of imagine a heavy metal version.

It was written to a fairly mundane treatment at the start, with scary rising dischords in the gap before 'as the moment counts to zero', and an unsettling muted synth backing for the rest of the song - finishing with voice alone on the last line. (all in my head, you understand)

We are looking at 9 minutes work here, from the moment the title line hit me to the end. I am quite prepared to try and adapt and improve the lyric to fit any idea anybody comes up with, although I cannot guarantee that any changes will be for the better. Inspiration still beats perspiration in my work.

I do realise this answer probably confuses more than it helps.

Hi David,

Oh, great lyric as always. I do envy the ease at which you seem to write. It's always the hardest to achieve simplicity, but you always seem to manage. When it comes to the structure of the lyric I have some difficulty seeing what should be verses and choruses. I actually tried for a few minutes to come up with a melody, but got nothing that really worked. I might try again later.

Oh, please no! There's absolutely no reason to imagine a heavy metal version . Besides, I can't really imagine a heavy metal singer express his own weakness. That would be twee metal. A (country)soul ballad in the vein of Nick Lowe or Dan Penn is what comes to mind for me. James Carr (At the dark end of the street - that's the guy) should have sang it.

About the words. I think the general 'thought' has been well expressed, but there's still little detail to make it personal or point at a specific situation.

Good hook! It's absolutely worth another 9 minutes of yours. Oh, and think I spend days at writing crap.

David!

I tried a melody of mine that has been lying around collecting dust for a few months. I think your subject/theme suits it perfectly! It's a soulful (I hope) ballad in the key of E with lots of space within for phrasing. The singer would be able to stretch out a bit. Structure willl be something like verse, verse, bridge, verse.

What I'll do is to change your lyric around a bit (if you don't mind), add a syllable here and there to match the melody. I will also define the structure a bit more. Then I'll send it back for you to go over and polish the lyric.

A verse could look this: (meaning: these are the syllables I need) I know this moment needs a hero a solid man who feels no fear a man with all the strength and skill a mighty heart, a mighty will

The last line could be a bit longer if 'divided in three short parts'. I'll send you an example of that.

And here is the threat: If you don't let me do this - I'll steal it This will turn out great, trust me!

What a friday night!

Sounds good!

I'm hoping to get cable soon, (they keep saying 'we'll be up and running 'shortly' and I may christen it with a listen, (but only IF you ask for critiques ) 'cos I like the lyric already

Its interesting that you matched it with a ballad. I saw this as a driving, faster, desperate/frightened sounding song. It would then be a trick to make it last more than a minute or two if it was fast, but some repetition or dense instrument driven parts or singing with a half-tempo rhythm could help that. But I agree with the soulful part.

Film directors use the concept of long shots - to set the overall scene, medium shots - to tell the story - and close ups - for emotional impact. This works for a lot of songs too.

Here I cut out the medium shot. The long shot is showing that there is some sort of crisis that needs the right action, but not specifying enough detail to specify what the danger is, or what action is required. As you say this lessens the impact, but hopefully has the effect that the song can be applied to any such situation. Hopefully more people can relate the song to their own personal experience this way. I have also gone to the extreme close up - the moment depends on me, alone.

I am not persuaded to change that approach for this song.

David F. Cox