Black and White and Grey All Over
Posted by Johnny in Uncategorized on January 9th, 2010
Why is grey all I see? Why are clouds in the way?
Black and White Why are birds just so few?
Moonpub Music
Song was done inspired by a photo. So next time when you show me a picture you know what may happen: it may end up in a song… But it didn’t come easy must say. I just couldn’t think of anything let’s say “poetic”, and finally I thought o well let’s take the picture itself and describe it. So first lines were done with that idea on my mind. There’s black and white and grey all over, a track (life) leading to a housing block (destination), a red traffic light (stop!!), and luckily some birds. There is hope after all, even when all is grey… Song tries to explain that feeling when it all seems a bit too grey and too many things working against you. O yes, you badly need some sun to bring back a smile on your face. We all have that feeling sometimes, don’t you deny it… Recording was originally planned more acoustic but as usual I got carried away in the arrangement… But it will do just fine with just a man and his guitar Someone else had to point out to me that the traffic light is red. I keep seeing it green, no lie. I aways had some difficulties distinguishing between colors but you can tell me anything, I still see that light as green, or orange perhaps but definetely not entirely red. Hey, I should know, no accidents with car so far – knock on wood. Weird. Song now also has a video (Facebook) Song by Johnny Hoeve STYLE: pop, rock, singer/songwriter, country also perhaps, A/C
Photo: Stephania Beati
Why are lights always red?
Something high above
or Something way down low
Doesn’t like me
Doesn’t want me
To see the sun
and make me smile
Something deep inside
or Something I cannot know
Doesn’t like me
Doesn’t want me
and Grey All Over
Colour me green,
colour me blue
But no black and white
and grey all over
I need the dream
and share it with you
It ain’t the season
for them bein’ gone
Something high above
or Something way down low
Doesn’t like me
Doesn’t want me
The Netherlands
January 2009
- or piano.
Baby Look Up
Posted by Johnny in Country, Country Contemporary, Rock on December 22nd, 2009
Except for dutch language songs I’ve mainly been cowriting with lyric writers for some time now. I used to do lyrics english myself but those people I work with now can do a far better job. But sometimes it’s just fun to try something myself. Or it just works out that way. I now also know that I have to keep it simple when doing an english lyric – or just let it come straight from the heart, no grammar or correctness needed for that. Anyway, here’s one that just came up, and before I knew it also the lyric to this song was done. I tried country rock for the music (can’t help liking pedal steel)
0h I know what is missing – a girl’s giggle in break of song. Coming up.
Song by Johnny Hoeve
STYLE: country rock
The Tascam 4-Track Tapes
Posted by Johnny in Uncategorized on December 15th, 2009
The Tascam426 - did cost you some 1500 Euros that time – how times have changed…
I’ve decided to put up some older recordings. They may not have the hifi audio quality of more recent recordings but some are still acceptable quality to get first idea what song can be. They can always be redone later on. And they may give better impression “where I’m coming from”…
So here are some songtitles that were done during 1990s still working with 4track Tascam recorder. With equipment that had to be unplugged and set up twice or 3 times a week because of band rehearsels/gigs. And without digital audio edits, although I did already work with MIDI (still on DOS-computer!!) and drummachines.
 Musclebound Man – only single of band The Mix late 1980s. Didn’t do much I’m afraid… (I’m the one with hat). We played during the weekends mostly, had some successes, lots of laughs, and were famous locally. All cover material, from sing-along to latest chart hits. Went on for 13 years…when we were all tired of it and stopped. There were some other projects & bands after that but I think I’ve found my place with homestudio now.
STORY with this song: Drummer, nearly done with 6 year of “Conservatorium” (highest music education in the Netherlands), found drummachine track already recorded by engineer when arriving at studio. Most of time recording was spent discussing if real drums had to be used or not. “You use the shitty drummachine, I don’t care”, he said finally. He of course never liked the track – well we all in fact hated it. Those were the days… |
Thanks for listening to these old 4Track Tapes!
Waar Zit Je?
Posted by Johnny in Uncategorized on December 13th, 2009
Here’s another Dutch language song (Hoeve & Vandermoor). It’s an old recording (1990s) when Jan Schindler (Vandermoor) and me were working together on dutch language songs as “Klinkers“. Pre-digital period, all analog 8-track recordings.
NOTE: Dutch language songs can always be redone in english – or any language you want it to be. As said in the About section of this site, I have no plans as an artist myself so all songs on this site can be discussed for covers/remake.
Song by Hoeve & Vandermoor
STYLE: Dutch language, nederlandstalig