Give it to Me

Note: This post was written in 2025 and backdated to appear on the day I wrote and published the track.

Ohhhhhh what to say about this one? It’s one of my “swing and a miss” tracks – what I had in my head was pretty cool, but the final result is definitely lacking.

On the positive side of things, I think the riff of the hook is pretty solid. Maybe not crazily original, but it gets the job done. Also, I actually played it on guitar not once, but multiple times (there are four guitar tracks: two left and two right), and it’s an actual line, not just chords. I’m happy with that. I also like the hoover synth on top of all of that. The house is a bit odd, but it has good bones.

On the negative, my vocals are meh. The lyrics are ok, and even the melody doesn’t bother me much, but the performance is average at best. Too much scooping and ornamentation. I really need to practice singing more straight notes without sub-toning. I always think I’m being “emotional” or “heartfelt” while recording, but it comes across as “mediocre vocalist” and I often end up re-recording and taking all of that crap out.

Another miss is the drum mix. Listening back now on my new VSX headphones,¹I’m writing this in 2025, remember the kick drum sounds like a friggin 8 foot diameter orchestral bass drum and it rings out forrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeevvvvvvvvver. It’s so muddy, I almost lose my shoes now. When I bypass the VSX, the ringing goes away, but now I can hear the mud. I would absolutely replace the drum kit if I ever revisit it.

So there’s good and bad here. I think it could probably be salvaged, but I’m not sure if it’s worth the effort.

Lyrics

Alone in the dark
I’ve turned out the light
I’ll soon make my mark
I soon will take flight

So don’t tell me not to try
Without telling me why
The stars all left this world behind
An overdone metaphor
Have I become a bore
I wanted something more refined

Give it to me! (Don’t try and take it)
Give it to me! (You cannot fake it)
Give it to me! (I’m through with waiting)
Give it to me! (Not abdicating)
Give it to me! (Not the best timing)
Give it to me! (Continue climbing)
Give it to me! (This vision haunts me)
Give it to me! (This demon wants me)

Alone in the crowd
I see every face
A ghost in a shroud
I can’t find my place

So don’t tell me not to go
Without letting me know
How I’m supposed to be just fine
I can’t be hard to see
This path is killing me
It’s been quite the thrill but now it’s time


Copyright © Ray E. Toler, Jr. All rights reserved.

Colophon

Instruments & Samples

Superior Drummer 3, XO, Trilian, Omnisphere, Eric Whitacre Choir, Squire Stratocaster

Effects, Mixing, & Mastering

FabFilter, Gullfoss, H3000 Factory, MOTU Dynamics, Valhalla Delay, Room, & UberMod, Waves Renaissance Vox, Soundtoys Decapitator, Rocktron Chameleon

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Notes

• 1
  I’m writing this in 2025, remember