You Had It All

[Mr Clean]

Here's my latest recording. Another old song, which was originally written as a faster, almost punk, song but when I used to play it solo or with my old band it became a slow.....whatever it is. I'm going to do it again after this in the original style. This song has been recorded a number of times over the years and I've never been happy with it so I thought I'd have another go, on my own, with total control over it.

This is very much a work in progress at the moment, only started it yesterday and this is just a faders up, quick tweak mix to get an idea. I treated myself to a new EZX Indie Drums Expansion pack and used that on this. I really like them so far though.

That's about it. The vocals are shoddy and I'll be doing them again. I have more organ to add and possibly remove some guitar from it. But you get the idea.

*EDIT* The massive amount of reverb is intentional

Thoughts, opinions, advice, as always, most welcomed.



LYRICS

You've had it all, you've had it now
And you can't complain
You read the signs, you took your time
And you got your fame
Now everybody knows ya name

After all is said and done, your star will shine
Oh so bright
And if your fortunes come undone, you won't get mine
Because they're mine
So don't waste my precious time, just walk on by

You had it all, you had everything now
All that you wanted to be
You had it all, you had it all
You had it all, you had it all

You've had it all there is no more
You squandered all and every other thing
You've had the lot now whatcha got?
Nothing at all from what I can see
I guess you never should've doubted me

You could-a had it all, you could-a had it all
You could-a had it all, you could-a had it all
You could-a had it all, you could-a had it all
You could-a had it all

 

[Mr Clean]

Jeez Louise, is it really that bad? or do I have body odour?

I'll get me coat.

 

[Greg_L]

Well, I can't really hear this as a punk song. Lol.

They way it is though, it sounds pretty good for a quickie. The bass is really rumbling on my setup. I'd look to tighten that up some. Kick is really masked in all the low end. Guitars, keys, and vocals sound pretty good.

 

[Mr Clean]

Well I say punk-ish but I just mean faster, offbeat chops on the guitars and a snarling, in your face bitch, vocal. That was how it was originally. I'm working on that version tomorrow.

Having a listen today with a fresh ear I can see what you mean with the bass. I'll address that. I may even re-track it with a different bass. I think the Hofner's tone is just too deep for this.

Cheers Greg

 

[robgreen]

Had a quick listen to this yesterday, but didn't get chance to comment. Not on my listening setup now, but the bass was my main issue from memory too. It just didn't sit well with the guitar - the bassline itself and the performance were fine, but the bass sound needed more body and bite, and less flub and resonance (if that makes sense?)

Vocals were good as usual and a strong tune. I'll listen back when I can play properly again. No body odour as far as I can tell - you are Mr Clean after all...

 

[DM60]

I missed this before. To Greg's point, bass is rumbly, I can hear the kick, but its not as pronounced as I figure you would want it.

On the vocals, I wonder if pushed back would work better on this tune, except on the chorus. Keep the chorus as it is, and the verse just slightly tucked behind the instruments. Maybe even a bit more verby. I'm not sure it would work, just a thought.

On the drums, you think a quick roll like right at 1:42 (quarter or half bar's worth) would push it?

I like that bam, bam bamp, thump (good place for the bass to slide into the note to lead it back the verse). Song kind has that bass is the king vibe.

Cool tune dude, look forward to hearing the next round.

 

[Mr Clean]

Had a quick listen to this yesterday, but didn't get chance to comment. Not on my listening setup now, but the bass was my main issue from memory too. It just didn't sit well with the guitar - the bassline itself and the performance were fine, but the bass sound needed more body and bite, and less flub and resonance (if that makes sense?)

Vocals were good as usual and a strong tune. I'll listen back when I can play properly again. No body odour as far as I can tell - you are Mr Clean after all...

Cheers for listening and commenting Rob. I'll re-track the bass tomorrow. The bass was the first thing I recorded for this tune but it grew more than I intended when I started. I'll get a better tone for this.

I missed this before. To Greg's point, bass is rumbly, I can hear the kick, but its not as pronounced as I figure you would want it.

On the vocals, I wonder if pushed back would work better on this tune, except on the chorus. Keep the chorus as it is, and the verse just slightly tucked behind the instruments. Maybe even a bit more verby. I'm not sure it would work, just a thought.

On the drums, you think a quick roll like right at 1:42 (quarter or half bar's worth) would push it?

I like that bam, bam bamp, thump (good place for the bass to slide into the note to lead it back the verse). Song kind has that bass is the king vibe.

Cool tune dude, look forward to hearing the next round.

Cheers Dave. As above, I'll address the bass issue. I can hear the rumble myself now with a fresh ear. Yesterday I was a bit burnt out with it all after listening for so long. I also think the vocals are a little high. I will drop them a touch in the next mix. Hopefully get on that tomorrow.

The drums were easy on this one as I literally just copied the beat my old band drummer used to play, he kept it it simple on my instructions of the kind of beat I wanted. Mallets on the floor tom and snare giving it that drum rumble. I really liked it. I'll look at that roll you suggested.

Cheers

 

[fat_fleet]

do I have body odour?

No body odour

In America we know how to spell odr. I dunno, I think I hear what the other guys are talking about.. a little bass flub off to the right- unless that's a floor tom hit? Listening on shitty ear buds. Good song though, like the changes, nice smoky vibe, cool call and response vocal thing in the chorus. Guitars sound crisp, dig the acoustic strum sound. Muted strings? Slightly pitchy on the complain/fame in the first verse, don't know if you care...just noticed it because the rest is pretty tight. Enjoyed the listen, thanks for posting it!

 

[Greg_L]

In America we know how to spell odr.

lol

 

[Mr Clean]

In America we know how to spell odr.

I'll let you off with that

I dunno, I think I hear what the other guys are talking about.. a little bass flub off to the right- unless that's a floor tom hit? Listening on shitty ear buds. Good song though, like the changes, nice smoky vibe, cool call and response vocal thing in the chorus. Guitars sound crisp, dig the acoustic strum sound. Muted strings? Slightly pitchy on the complain/fame in the first verse, don't know if you care...just noticed it because the rest is pretty tight. Enjoyed the listen, thanks for posting it!

Thank for listening mate, glad you enjoyed it. It's the little bits like complain/fame that make me want to re-track the vocal. To be honest though it was only a one take wonder. The acoustic is just strummed normal, no muting. It's just low in the mix with the low end shelved. There are two acoustic tracks in the there. One strummed and the other is picking the same as the electric track.

Cheers.

 

[jiff 41]

Really like this Mr Clean
It sort of reminds me of BJH from the 70/80's
I think DM60's comment about bass being king is bang on!

looking forward to hear what you do with it next?

 

[fat_fleet]

lol

Am I too hip for the room?

 

[Mr Clean]

Really like this Mr Clean
It sort of reminds me of BJH from the 70/80's
I think DM60's comment about bass being king is bang on!

looking forward to hear what you do with it next?

Thanks jiff, glad you enjoyed it.

Am I too hip for the room?

Nah, you're sound. Or is that sond?

 

[Mr Clean]

Updated mix on the first post but will post it here also for ease.

New vocals/bass. Tightened up the low end as much as my ear tells me to. Also tweaked the drums a touch but not sure if the toms are too loud now. Just a general tidy up from the first mix really. I think it sounds better but my ear can be deceiving.

 

[TripleM]

Not sure how I missed this.

I didn't hear the original, but the bass sounds OK now. I think it's a bit loud. Might also have a peak somewhere around 100-140hz or so. Maybe notch it out somewhere in there.

I liked the vocals. I liked the guitars a lot. Even with all the reverb. Drums sound pretty good - snare's a little boxy. But not bad at all.

 

[Mr Clean]

Cheers Trip. I'll have a look at that peak on the bass.

The snare is actually two snare hits for the majority of it, just slightly off each other. I just copied the way my old drummer used to play it, mallets instead of sticks. He did a rumble on the floor tom and then both mallets crashing on to the snare. Maybe I just need to adjust one of them a touch. I'll have a look at it anyway.

Cheers

 

[DM60]

If the bass is too loud (I disagree), then just small amount.

On the vocals, have you tried it lower pitch? (I'm not sure octave is the right word), Seems like it is such a dark song that a lower vocal would really work well here. Just a thought.

I thought the mix was great, I liked the bass, but I was looking for more bass to begin with. Nice job!

 

[Mickster]

Wow.....I really enjoyed that!! Nice mix. Thought the main vocal could use a tiny bit more presence......so to speak. The background vocals seem to have just the right touch that the main vocal could use. The only other thought that struck me was that the snare was a teeny bit too bright. A little less bright and it sits in the mix just right. Again........awesome job!! Thanks for the listen.

 

[PDP]

I thought that was quite good, early 70s feel to it. Other than some clutter between the kick and bass, the mix is very good. Pretty unique sounding tune. Really enjoyed listening!

 

[Mr Clean]

If the bass is too loud (I disagree), then just small amount.

On the vocals, have you tried it lower pitch? (I'm not sure octave is the right word), Seems like it is such a dark song that a lower vocal would really work well here. Just a thought.

I thought the mix was great, I liked the bass, but I was looking for more bass to begin with. Nice job!

Cheers Dave. I tried singing a low vocal to myself over the backing after reading your suggestion. It doesn't quite work out in my head though. I think it's probably due to playing and singing this version of the song the same way for so many years.

Glad you like it

Wow.....I really enjoyed that!! Nice mix. Thought the main vocal could use a tiny bit more presence......so to speak. The background vocals seem to have just the right touch that the main vocal could use. The only other thought that struck me was that the snare was a teeny bit too bright. A little less bright and it sits in the mix just right. Again........awesome job!! Thanks for the listen.

Thanks Mickster. I'll have a look at giving the vocal a touch more presence. The original vocal had a lot more reverb and delay on than this one. I'll see if I can find a happy medium.

Glad you enjoyed the track

I thought that was quite good, early 70s feel to it. Other than some clutter between the kick and bass, the mix is very good. Pretty unique sounding tune. Really enjoyed listening!

Thanks PDP. I know what you mean about the kick and the bass. I still have a few spots of editing to do with this, just to get that bottom end nice and tight.

Glad you enjoyed it.