Richard Myers
JPF Mp3 Boards



Hi Richard

Listened to "Just Gotta Be Here" and read your ideas and goals.
I do agree this song is very geared towards film/TV. It's not that songs are usually written or developed for that sole purpose unless (for hire) But certain songs fit well with a variety of films/scenes. So they are easier to place.

I liked alot of things about this song, but I loved the verse music. The guitar part was wonderful.
I don't hear this as chart pop song but I'm in agreement about the film direction.

There are a few obstacles.
The main one was is a bit of inconsistency. Some parts of the vocal sound fine and other parts don't. If the song goes to films it goes "As Is" so whoever sings it is the singer. Nobody looks for artists to re-do anything in this area.
So for one in needs a little better vocal performance.

In films "sections" of a song can be used and not a whole song, so ten seconds to a minute is a good in between average. This song has a GREAT verse, but not a great chorus. On TV a small piece of a song can go round and around and if it has a good emotional and effective impact it enhances the scene.

Even stuff like trailers/previews the music is very important.
Your chorus doesn't have that effect but your verse does.
Which is okay...

What makes this song geared towards film is also your more vague lyric style. That is very important. But you glue it together with a direct feeling - I JUST GOTTA BE HERE with you tonight.

Now that line fits a WHOLE bunch of film and TV possibilities.
From vampire shows and flicks to war stories to everything!

Only your lyric there lacks the the hook to make that the section to use, or keep repeating. The music and melody,mood of that section needs to be as effective as your verse was.

What I would suggest is this. Keep your original version
of the song as you like. Call it version one. Now rework it so that you get that chorus lyric to work over your verse music some how. Or at least close to that same vibe.. Or a new chorus.

After that (I know it's tough work) maybe re-sing or get an alternate singer and then try sections like versions of the song
with just guitar & vocal, then a two minute one with some nice keyboard pad ,vocal and guitar. Or even a fuller band type version.

Sometimes you can just make a full version and make mixes where you take stuff out and have various stripped down mixes.

I think your concept,title and your verses are worth the effort for all this. Re-work it and make the vocal get into our hearts or gut! And this would be a great tune for film placement.

All the best, keep us posted and thanks for the submission.
Mr Knowitall
Sublevel Music NYC

Thanks!
Peace Mike
Sub

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