JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum IT'S YOUR MOVE

I'm sure most of you have heard of Lydia Salnikova , the former lead vocalist and keyboard player for the Grammy-nominated band Bering Strait . Lydia was featured in a "60 Minutes" episode as well as a full-length documentary, "The Ballad Of Bering Strait". You may also remember her duet with Kenny Rogers "We Are The Same" , included on his "42 Ultimate Hits" release.

Today Lydia is busy in the studio preparing her solo album , and I feel very fortunate to be able to feature Lydia's vocals on this demo .


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=596505

Lyrics - Don Martin
Vocals - Lydia Salnikova
Studio - Gator Hole (Nashville)


IT'S YOUR MOVE
©-2006-Don Martin


[verse 1]
friends for a long time
you thought you knew me like a book
there were pages you didn't see
for things to be different
you need to take a closer look
you need to see me differently


chorus]
when it's time you get stage fright
my hesitations end the night
you act like you have to be told
I'm not the one who's wasting time
I need to know what's on your mind
I need for you to take control
I'll abide by what you choose
friendship's not the part you'll loose
and it's your move
it's your move


[verse 2]
spending time together
but just playing wait and see
I need to know that this is real
acting like a stranger
choosing words so carefully
when all I want is how you feel


[chorus]


[bridge]
innocent kisses happened when I got the chance
thoughts of you have always filled my dreams
taking our friendship to the point of romance
could be as easy as it seems


[chorus]

.

--------------------------------------------

previous song posts -

http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=505882&page=1#Post505882

http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=506398&page=2#Post506398

http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=507203&page=1#Post507203

.

Don....Another good one....Bob

Hi Don,

Although it's a topic that's been hit more than once, you did a very good job of it. You also picked the right singer. To make this a lot shorter, I like it!!! Good luck with this one.

Thanks Bob, and John

I target most of my lyrics right down the middle between "Old Era Pop" - and - "New Country" , and then let the melody/vibe and vocal delivery go either way , but in this case the song ended up going where I originally aimed LOL .

Several articles by producers have suggested that the importance of video in todays music - has made it necessary for songwriters to also act as screen-play writers , and in the case of this song I tried to invision a new TV sitcom situation as my video back-thought .... as if intentionally scripting the song for music library , TV/movie use .

With the increase in cartoon-like sitcoms (developed by the networks as a means of avoiding huge actor salaries), I guess I should switch back to novelty-based writing LOL .


Glad you enjoyed the listen guys


Don
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Nice one Don, great vocalist for this.. I can see the video now

Thanks Louis

Lydia ( http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=66034984 )is a very talented performer, musician, and songwriter .... and I wish her all the success in the world !


Don
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This is excellent... Great vocal! Loved every minute...

Thanks Bob,

Appreciate the kind words .


Don
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Don, I like the song. To be completely honest with you I'm way more impressed with your songwriting than I am the vocalist. I know that I'm in the minority on this one: The singer is great but I prefer an artist that is distinguishable rather than a-typical(artistic rather than commercially viable). Your song is right on target w/ the current country atmosphere, and you could have a hit on your hands!! I do believe your intentions have been realized, because I really can see this song as a theme to a sitcom.

The Don

Good to see ya... and hear ya.

I think I remember this song in an earlier stage. Very good! well crafted and nice demo.
Easily a hit especially if the artist is already established. If not it will still be close.
I can't stand that we have to kill ourselves everytime out and they don't.
But once you're in that position you have other priorities as well i guess..

Your a good writer and I hope you can break through soon

Hi Don....nice to meet you...a very good write.i have noticed your lyric writing in the past,you have a natural penchant for it my man....This cut is well executed,and a good production,sits easy on the ear...like everything else in this complicated songwriting game,the balls don't run even...I wish you well with it,in all honesty there is not a lot more you can do in this type of situation,it has everything going for it...just needs doors to open..was once talking to a pal of mine a few years back,a fellow Scot, Dougie McLean..good songwriter...i said how do we get our songs out there?..he said all you gotta do is throw it up in the air..see where it lands ..and hope for the best...i hope it lands lucky for you...Good Luck..Terry Moore..

Solid craftsmanship on this one. Very professional demo. Hit -- who knows?, those things are impossible to predict, but definitely a solid CD cut.

Good luck with this one. What's your next step? Do you send it out or use Taxi? I'd be interested to know how you plan to "sell" this one.

Kevin

Hi Don....This one is over the top! I am impressed and proud to have known you. You'll soon be rollin' and not just OTR.

Hey JD

I had an interesting discussion with a publisher about how radio-ready a demo had to be .... and his answer was surprising !

The key to gaining a recording artists attention with a song , is to present it as a high quality song that the artist can then "see" his talents being capable of easily improving it to a hit level song . In other words sell the sizzle until you make them "commit" to thoughts of doing that -- then hope that commitment stays in his mind long enough to drive him crazy so he will sign .

I know that was just one guys opinion -- but it made sense to me , given the fact there are soooooo many ways to make a demo radio-ready today ..... and soooooo many great songs floating around that aren't getting cut .


Appreciate the compliment about the writing !


Don
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Hey Mike

("The Don" - haha)

Unlike you (and so many other multi-talented members here) , I'm one of those "lyricist only" guy that has to be creative enough to make good use of the "means" available to try and compete , and while it's a disadvantage in so many ways -- it can also be a motivating plus as well - in terms of "lyric focus" .

I was once just a lyricist who did nothing but write boxes of lyrics .... because people kept telling me I hadn't written a "hit" song worthy of demo cost . Once I made up my mind to ignore that advise and demoed a few , I then realized the value of meter and flow .... and my writing perspective totally changed -- making my lyrics more musician and singer friendly as a result of what I learned by demoing my own work .

They call it "spending money" for a reason -- and I still spend less per year on my music than my son does playing golf . He won't be a tour pro - I won't likely be a hit writer either .... but we both enjoy our hobby as a result of competing more seriously .

Looking at it from a Nascar point of view ----- I may be too old to finish this race (haha) , but as long as my lap-times are getting better , I'm doing all I can !!


Appreciate the listen, and the words of encouragement .


Don
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Hi Don

I enjoyed the listen. Great job !!! and much success

Hey Terry


Technology of today has made it easier for virtually anyone to come up with a demo that sounds like something just played on the radio a minute ago ...... and no two publishers or recording artists will answer that question the same each month they are asked , as they struggle to find the answer themselves !

IMHO - the key is to spend less time wondering what to do , and more time focusing on the development of a larger portfolio of songs that are ready to be heard . The labels and music industry are in turmoil trying to sorting out what to do themselves right now .... and (songwriter) competion is plentiful .

If you ever do show up at the farmers market and get invited to show your product ..... and you walk in with one or two beautiful tomatoes that get their attention -- you better have a truck load of similar high quality products at the ready .... so when they say "what else have you got ?" .... you'll be ready to make the most of what might be your only presentation opportunity. It's about having what they need today , not just a single great song with potential .


Sorry if I'm using your critique as a discussion threads Terry , but there is some really great things happening today in the music industry that songwriters need to know about .

THE SINGLE IS BACK !!!!

Not since the 60's and 70's .... (remember the "one hit wonders") has there been such focus on single songs .... which now count for 2/3rds of all sales in the new song stores (the internet based sales platforms) ...... and the industry has stopped trying to fight this trend , and decided to join in instead . Hell , ring tones alone sold over 54,000,000 units last year - and radios and music audio devises are now pocket sized and used 24/7 .

In March of this year Universal/Republic Records signed a trio called "Candy Hill" to a two-song record deal (not an album) ... and this trend will continue . The highly talended Indie artists out there will get their hands on great songs -- and they will eventually get industry attention singing them , when the labels see single-song earning potential in them !!!

Who the hell ever heard of a songwriter named Bobby McFerrin before his one-hit wonder in 1988 "Don't Worry Be Happy," walked off with the Grammy for "song of the year" haha .

Tighten your seat belts , and keep writing LOL .


Don
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Oh, and thanks for the kind words Terry .
.

Hi Kevin


Hey Kevin

It sells everytime I get one of those email notices from soundclick saying my account there just increased by another 52c cents haha .

I'm not a TAXI member , but it appears to me (from their monthly tip sheets) that they are heavily focused on "music library" forwards (rather than major artist presentations) , but I could be wrong .

Right or wrong .... my focus is on Indie singers and bands , who are both accessible and eager , and hopefully I'll catch a rising star in that way .

Appreciate your comments , it's the support of site members on internet songwriting forums that got me started , and JPF was (I think) the first I joined .


Don
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Hi Marlene


Wow, I don't know whether to thank you, or to suggest that you need to get out more haha .... but you made my day !!!

I have to say that my OTR (over the road) job has been a big plus when it comes to songwriting .... with my writing studio being located in the solitude of the sleeper-berth of a Freightliner while I roam North America singing the lyric ideas aloud as I write them .

Thank you so much for your kind words !!


Don
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Hi Jan

You need to check that link to your soundclick site within your signiture , or visitors will miss out on hearing "Daddy's Night Out" -- a beautiful write in my opinion !!

Glad you enjoyed this one .

Don
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Nice one, Don.

The vocals really delivered on this - man what a difference a pro can make

Good luck with it!

Scott

Thanks Scott

Lydia has the vocals, the looks, and performing experience, to go along with being an accomplished pianist and songwriter .

When an artist like this is looking for a label ..... what does that say about there being any room for any of us ? (LOL) .


Don
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Don,

Great song and a great production of it. Great title.

Don

In general al the things you are saying and your angles are right on.
You really have a grip on things I'm so glad for you.

Yes Taxi is a music libraries A&R man. The day they write in just one of those listings
Josh Grobin is looking for a song and etc... They can have my $400 a year again.

All The Best!

Hey Moose

I could listen and enjoy Lydia singing the ingredients label of a soup can LOL .

Appreciate you giving this one a listen .



Hey Mike

Learning all you can , and developing a larger (and varied) portfolio of "ready-to-be-heard" songs works into anyones theory of what happens next ..... and my views beyond that obvious prep is completely the rambling thoughts of an outsider from that point on -- but I like discussions and do ramble at times (LOL)


Michael deserves full credit for seeing the explosion in the numbers of internet wannabe songwriters and the advancement of home studio productions ...... and he left an industry inside position to capitalize on it (good for him) .

One has to wonder about a few of the listed offerings from time to time , when a seemingly neutral or wide-ranging listing appears (that will knowingly generate thousands of instant song submission + $5-$15).... but membership is definitely a means of gaining connections in the music library business ...... which is a great way to pitch a song to major artists who want to benefit from a song that has already had public exposure (so it could easily be more valueable than just the couple of thousand useage reward) .


Josh Grobin is a class act for sure ..... but why wait for a listing that says ala Josh Grobin ? I wrote a lyric specifically for Shania T a few years back as an exercise - and it won a runner up award in an international song contest (lyric only division) . A friend of mine suggested I was waisting my time ('cause Mutt doesn't allow outside writers in) ...... and my response was "how many Shania wannabes do you think there are now" ? Myspace is loaded with very promising "Indie" singers ala Josh -- and granting them non-exclusive licence to use a song for demo or EP purposes (stipulated minimal cut numbers), is a great way to get an alternative demo for yourself .... and it would be a song that the Indie hopeful would be pitching as he trys to break in ...... a win - win .


Okay enough rambling (LOL)


Don
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p.s. - It used to be $300.00 to join and $200.00 renewal -- has that gone up ?
.

Yep,your ramblings are quite constructive Don...and taking the time, effort, and expense of making "radio friendly" quality demo CD's can only add to your CV...then gettin your product to a potential "indie" who is kicking down doors to get heard,well i dare say that is where the luck comes in...When they are kicking in the door,and it opens..they gotta have your CD in their clutches,ready to be heard...and next,the right pair of ears has gotta hear it..so the potential is there to make it a win-win situation..it is just that Lady Luck has got to smile on that situation, at the same time.....if it is meant for you...it won't go past you.....the Songwriting dream takes a lot of kickings..but it won't lie down....Good Luck..Terry Moore...

Hi Don,

Great lyric and great vocalist. This is very good but I think if you cut out the first 3 lines of your chorus it would make it even better. The reason is two fold. It will shorten your chorus and give it more punch and secondly (and perhaps it's just me) I think it's alittle confusing right there. If she is hesitating then that would explain his stage fright. If he pursues after her hesitation would that be considered too aggressive. It is his move (and it is) but she is hesitating, that's why he's got the stage fright. I hope I'm explaining this right.

So for those 2 reasons (clearing up mixed signals in the lyrical content and streamlining your chorus for more of a punch) I think it would service the song to condense the chorus to:

I'm not the one who's wasting time
I need to know what's on your mind
I need for you to take control
I'll abide by what you choose
friendship's not the part you'll loose
and it's your move
it's your move

I would also change "and" to "Baby it's your move" or "and it's your move, baby it's your move"

Just one woman's opinion. Great song and demo.

Best,
Lynn
P.S. Also in the 1st verse she is saying to him, you don't know me all the way that you could know me, you need to look closer, so if she is saying that in verse 1 why would she be hesitating in the chorus. Another reason to remove first 3 lines of chorus and still have a great chorus.

Hey Terry

You bet luck is a key ingredient , but luck will always accept help !

3P = (Preparation, Persistence, and Patience)


Don
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Hey Don,

This is one of my favourites, I have it permantly placed on my JPF playlist. I often play it in the background when we have folks over, and it quite often gets a "Wow, Who's that ?" It's a great song, harmonically and structurally spot on. It's a winner, good luck with it.

cheers, niteshift

Hey Lynn

Appreciate you giving this one a listen ,
as well as offering your thoughts .

What I was implying by the hesitations , was with respect to the situation they're in ..... she's trying to make it clear she wants their friendship to become a romance (relationship)-- but her hesitations are with respect to his inability to say he wants that too . In other words , she doesn't want to loose the friendship (or to change it to just booty-buddy status)!

All he has to do is speak his mind and confirm he wants a meaningful relationship -- to find her more than ready and willing to "get-it-on" -- if not , then she wants the friendship to continue - without any loss of respect .


Thanks for pointing out (questioning) that uncertainty - guess I'll have to re-visit the lyrics and see where that can be made more clear .


Don
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Thanks Nite

I've been reading/studying all the ins-and-outs of library licencing , and I'm hopeful a few of my songs would work as back-drop audio placements for possible TV spots .

I'm an OLD DOG trying to teach MYSELF new tricks (LOL) ....
but I'm trying !


Glad you enjoy it .

Don
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