JPF Home Page Forums Lyric and MP3 Feedback MP3 Feedback Forum Hell Bent (Hopkins & Kemp)

Hi Folk's

Janice mailed me the lyrics to this track on Thursday last week and asked if I could write some music for them. So Saturday morning came and I sat down and wrote this. It's still a very rough scratch tape with my crappy vocals all over it as a guide.
As some of you already know I can't sing! I'd love to be good at it but I just don;t have the time to practice. So for you listening pleasure I'm singing on this track as well as playing all the parts.
So without further a do here is the link to the track:

http://soundcloud.com/m0rk/hell-bent-work-tape

Hell Bent © 2011 Janice Hopkins/Andy Kemp

Verse 1
I’ve been a seeker of thrills
Born strong willed
Unsafe at any speed

I keep temptin’ fate
Stop too late
Leavin’ wounded souls to bleed



Lift:

As the planets spin so fast in space
I’ve left the mainstream……
Gone without a trace

Chorus: 1 2 and 3

‘Cuz I’m Hell Bent….Hell Bent
Life’s a game I asked the devil to play
I’ll repent….but not yet

‘Cuz I’m Hell Bent….Hell Bent
For now he’ll have his way
I’ll repent….but not yet

Verse 2

Burned the night up in flames
Can’t be tamed
Fed wants and not my needs

I start all the fires
My wild desires
Won’t release their hold on me

Lift 2:

Like eagles soar above the Earth
I’ve flown so high….
Since the day of my birth…..and I’m still……

Chorus 2

Instrumental section

Chorus 3
End

Well Andy, I don't think your vocal is as crappy as you think. It showcased the song and gave me a feel of what it supposed to sound like.

A few points as a lead guitarist....You accent stops on the verses with that 1 guitar. I'd stop the 1st two times, then let the chords hang the next 2, stopping on the last--if that makes sense. It's already staccato in verse spots so maybe a little bit of a different texture would make it stand out.

I'd lose that Freebird type thing you have going after the 2nd chorus. It come out of nowhere and adds nothing--actually takes away from the feel of the tune. Go right into that breakdown right after that.

Add some soloing during that whole last chorus...high notes....nothing distracting. Also, if you brought the drums up in the mix it would kick more, and this needs to kick a##.

Good start.

Zeek

Hi Zeek, Thanks for taking a quick listen to the track.

Some cool ideas. Specially coming from a "lead guitarist" lol sorry man just not heard someone call them selves a lead guy since I was at school. All the guitarists I know these day just fall into the "I'm a guitarist" camp. But you hang in there with the lead title as I'm sure the chicks dig it

Any who..The accents idea was something I was going to try that out during the week as I thought the same. I think I'll just do it with the acoustic to make the second section on each verse build a little better to the lift.
I tried going right into the breakdown yesterday when I recorded, it just didn't feel quite right. Maybe that's because my ears are used to hearing a big change in a bridge. I shall re-visit this section and see if my ears can be convinced.

Man I had to hold my self back in this mix from adding a solo guitar over the last 8 bars. SO tempted as it really cries out for one. Maybe it will make into the last mix.

Kick drum will be made bigger.

Thanks for the great feedback Zeek cool to have you on JPF.

No prob...what I do when I can't think of words for a bridge because basically everything has been said in the lyric, is to play with different chord changes instead of the bridge--usually within the groove--and solo over that....maybe some minor chording in here--it breaks it up and will sound sweet once it hits the breakdown.

Zeek

Hi Andy

Nice track, all good advice given to you already.

Quick notes get those drums in sooner, right on the second line even... or don't do anything until the chorus, the rim shots leading in are weakening it.

I liked the chorus, leading up to it wasn't as effective as we'd like it to be. The mellow change was terrific. Could be a good song for film/TV in my mind if pitching it eventually is something your thinking about. Waited for the "Freebird" thing to come that Zeek mentioned and it never came.

All the best

Cool song! I think that chorus is going to be in my head for a while. Also, you are waaaay too hard on yourself as far as your singing goes.

Mike thanks for the feedback man. All taken on board and will aplly it to the track. Cheers mate hope you're doing good.

Hi Rob Thanks for the kudos. You're right about the chorus, I think it's got a cool hook.

cheers guys.

Thanks to all....who have offered some great encouragement and suggestions for us, so far. We appreciate it so much. It all helps to move this one forward.

Andy is great to work with. I've wanted to work with him for awhile now. Finally had a lyric that I thought he may hear something for.....and I was sooo right.

Thanks Andy!!

Jan

Hi Andy & Janice

I'm on my learners, but I can tell you I can't wait to listen to this great song finished. It's certainly on the right path.

Hugs Michele

Thanks Michelle....We're so glad that you stopped by.

Hey, I would hardly say that you are still on your learners though.

We appreciate it, my friend.

Jan

A new version is on it's way

Voices for courses Andy. Stick to it.
Vic

Hi Andy and Janice,

How did I miss this? That chorus kicks butt! I think I'll be humming it all night. The end felt a little abrupt to me, was that intentional? Also, you might want to correct the lyrics, that's not the chorus you're singing. Overall, I like it a lot, great match of music to lyrics. Nice collab!

Ricki

Hey Janice & Andy...


Really like this one.
Janice, I knew you had a rock 'n' roll chromosome
in there somewhere.

Larry

YOUALL--

I'm diggin' this ONE BIG TIME!

LYRICS AND MUSIC ARE FIRST CLASS--ANDY HAS THE CHOPS--

GOOD LUCK ON THE FINIAL CUT!

Mackie

You Two ROCK!

Vocals seemed a bit Back in the Mix, Amigo..(Which always happens on My Stuff when a Guitar Man does the mixdown..heh~)

Maybe even More Reverb on the Vox, too...worked well for Lennon, & Tom Petty...

VERY Catchy Hooks all over the place...Good Luck with a Good'n'!
Best Wishes & Big Hugs,
Stan

Hi AndyJanice,

yeah, this is catchy as H E L L, get it...H E L L :-)
I see you've been given some nice suggestions already, soI 'll be listening for your update of the song.


Nice work.

Calvin


http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/calvinstewart

Thanks for stopping by for this one, Vic...much appreciated.

Jan

Hi Ricki,

Thanks for all of your encouragement on this one. When I first heard Andy's work, I knew that I wanted to send him this lyric. He has not disappointed me...at all. He is working on a revised worktape right now....and I hope that you will come back and listen when we have it posted.

So glad that you liked that chorus!!

Jan

Hi Larry,

Oh, I definitely have a rock chromosome. I write mostly country because I love to tell a progressive story, whereas rock is pretty much in the "now", but every once in awhile I channel Bob Seger (even though he's still with us), Freddie Mercury and Janis Joplin and a few others to help bring out that other side of me. It's great fun!!

So glad that you gave this one a listen for us....hope you'll come back again when we post the newer version of the worktape soon.

Jan

Mackie.....so glad that you liked the pairing here. Andy is a good guy to work with and so very talented...IMO. I love his work.

Come back and listen to what he does next on the second worktape, okay?

We appreciate it, Mackie

Jan

Sounds good Andy and Janice. Drums are a bit back in the mix but you sing it fine.

Stevie

WOW! Thanks guys you're the best. I've just finished tracking the final session and done a quick mix for you delicate ears.

Here's the link to the new arrangement.

http://www.box.net/shared/vezh561l6p97d18kd1jo

Jan I manged to squeeze the "I'll repent but not yet" line into the chorus and it sounds cool as fook. Check it out.

Cool as fook???

It was very cool before and now it's getting cooler with each listen. Andy, you did a great job with Jan's fine lyrics. And yes, you CAN sing.

Ricki

Well it works for me Andy. Great job IMO.

Douglas

very good lyrics and music

in my opinion if you got a demo singer with a strong deep voice like Bob Segar-this would be an almost certain pickup by a music licensing catalog.......they are always needing music about "Rogue"
types for all the films and tv........

this song would-I believe be a perfect lead in or trail off for an action drama-man against the world type thing...Janice did a great job on the lyrics and Andy did a great job on the music-just get the demo singer you need to take it over the top.....

best of luck with it

Tom

Seems like all the good advice has been given and taken. Now, it's a simple matter of sitting back and enjoying the heck out of this. Which is exactly what I did!

I'm not at all surprised Janice has a rock n roll streak in her. She rocks as a writer anyway.

Andy, killer job on the arrangement and vocals. Take a bow.

Greg

Ricki - You're to kind thanks for taking a listen.

Douglas - If it works for you then it works for me Thanks man.

Tom - You totally on the money with this one man. I feel the same.

Greg - Thanks mate. Looks like a bought out the rock in Janice.

I've just sent a final scratch tape mix over to Janice so when I get the all clear I'll post the track and the revised lyrics.

Thanks again to all that took the time to listen all the feedback was very helpful.

All of your feedback surely has been helpful. Andy did send me yet another scratch track and I have listened to and have approved. This one has a much less abrupt ending....we decided to go with more of a fade out.

He should have it posted when he gets the first chance, I'm sure. So please be looking for it today or so. We hope that you'll come back and take another listen before we go into the next phrase and search for a rock vocalist and a studio.

Again....thanks all for really coming through for us on this one.

Jan

re: a demo singer and studio

I would think Mike Caro would know some great rock demo singers and of course his studio skills are just amazing...

course its up to y'all-whatever y'all decide

(such a hopeless redneck he even types y'all)

Tom

Tom....that is a great idea. I have worked with Mike some and I don't know why he hadn't come to mind....just an oversight, because he does do an outstanding job, especially with rock.

Thanks so much for jarring my memory there....y'all.

And for your information....no redneck is hopeless!....HA

Jan

Ok Folks here's the link to the work tape with a nice fade and a bit less tom. thanks again for all the fantastic feedback on this one guys it's really appreciated by both of us.

http://soundcloud.com/m0rk/hell-bent-work-tape

Hell Bent © 2011 Janice Hopkins/Andy Kemp

Verse 1
I’ve been a seeker of thrills
Born strong willed
Unsafe at any speed

I keep temptin’ fate
Stop too late
Leavin’ wounded souls to bleed



Lift:

As the planets spin so fast in space
I’ve left the mainstream……
Gone without a trace

Chorus: 1 2 and 3

‘Cuz I’m Hell Bent….Hell Bent
Life’s a game I asked the devil to play
I’ll repent….but not yet

‘Cuz I’m Hell Bent….Hell Bent
For now he’ll have his way
I’ll repent….but not yet

Verse 2

Burned the night up in flames
Can’t be tamed
Fed wants and not my needs

I start all the fires
My wild desires
Won’t release their hold on me

Lift 2:

Like eagles soar above the Earth
I’ve flown so high….
Since the day of my birth…..and I’m still……

Chorus 2

Instrumental section

Chorus 3
End

Andy just posted the current lyric, as sung....and has faded out the ending.Link is just above this posting. See if it works better now....thanks so much.

Jan

Morning Andy! This sounds really good. Your voice isn't bad at all and your guitar work is always a joy to hear.

Thanks Jen....I'm not Andy...HA....but the other half of the collab.

Thanks so much for stopping by and giving this a listen for us.

We really appreciate that. And I agree....his voice is not too bad at all....and isn't he a great guitarist!!

Jan

Thanks for stopping by and taking a listen Jen. Who said my voice was bad? lol Cheers Jen.

You did, silly!! It sure wasn't us....LOL

No...you are way too tough on yourself.....you do just fine!!

That guy lol well I never listen to him any way ;-)

When you start listening to that voice in your head....we will have to get someone for you to tell your life story to....or something.....HA.

Janice and Andy ..I would say get a singer that has a scratchy/raspy voice for this one .. the singer to me just doesn't quite say I'm Hell Bent and make me believe it: ) it fits right in with the 80's classic rock style i think !

Andy,

Get off the bike, smoke some Camels or Lucky Strikes, take a shot or two, and then sing this. Just kidding..but I do agree that a raspy sounding singer would sound good on this.

Overall, it does have kind of a classic rock style. I had a thought that maybe a bit of a Southern style guitar bent might also kick it up a notch; something like The Black Crowes type sound..with some keys, perhaps.

Hi ANdy,

Hey you got some real cool music on this song. Oh yeah--and for not being able to sing--ya all did fine--a heck of a lot better than what it would sound like if i tried. LOl. Nice beat all the way thru--liked it a lot. And Janice--well you always send out nice lyrics so the two of you got a good one here for sure. Nice job,
Roger

Hi Heather...Yeah, this is just a worktape and will be sung by another artist....hopefully one with the grit and growl that you suggested, as I agree with you. The singer needs to really "sound the part". I hope you'll come back when we get the full production ready.

Thanks for stopping by to listen,

Jan

Wendy, I totally agree with you. Very good insight there, my friend. We will see if we can drag someone off their "big hog" long enough to stand on the corner stage in a little back woods dive....to give this 'lil baby the one, two punch that it needs.

We so appreciate that you gave it a listen for us, Wendy.

Jan

Well, thanks Roger...that is all very encouraging and we appreciate it so much....hope you'll come back when this one evolves a bit further yet.....

Jan