Better Than I Used To Be
I wrote this some 15 years ago and covered this with Suno. I will post the original that I recorded as well.
Tell me what you think
Thanks, in advance.
Here is the Cover:
And here is the original:
https://soundclick.com/song/10812325
“Better Than I Used To Be”
By Tom Tognaci
V1
He started off a preacher’s only boy
The only time, in his life, he knew joy
But a gun brought his daddy down
On some dirt street in Illinois
He stood scared while he watched his father bleed
And picking up the six-gun at his feet
He aimed to have his vengeance there
But was too young to do the deed
He hung his little head in shame
And cried the tears no one could read
And while the church bells rung,
And while a choir sung…
…He swore, to himself, that he’d be,
“Better than I used to be”
V2
From the everglades to the desert sands
He turned outlaw, wanted, in the badlands
Some say the demons in his head
Fanned the fury of his hands
Yea, the last thing Sheriff Dillon saw
Was the blur of his right hand
And while the church bells rung,
And while a choir sung…
...A tattoo on his right hand reads,
“Better than I used to be”
V3
It’s a mystery that’s still misunderstood
It’s a story of how the bad was turned to good
Where a woman gave her heart to
The man who’d steal it, if he could
He was an outlaw, hardened by his trade
And the deal with the devil he had made
Some say she bartered her own soul
Others say, it’s how she prayed
Some say she was an angel
Explaining why he seemed afraid
And the church bells rung,
And the choir sung…
…he promised her, that day, he’d be,
“Better than I used to be”
V4
He earned the reputation as a thief,
A scoundrel who would lie right through his teeth
But, in that church, a miracle
Had turned over a fresh new leaf
Now, it’s said, he disappeared in ole Paris
But, it’s whispered that he died in Tennessee
Where it’s rumored that his headstone reads,
“Better than I used to be”
Comments
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Thanks, B... I've always liked the original work...With great exception to my vocals. I wanted a Sam Elliot or a Jhonny Cash vibe. i just couldn't do it. Suno's cover vocal is just fine.
Thanks, again!
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Hey Tom either version , it's written well . Cool story
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hay Tom, nice song well written. I liked it quite a bit.
My best to you
Tex
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Strong story! I like the finger picking off the original, and the vocal off the new.There's always the option of getting Suno to split it into multiple tracks and mixing and matching between the two versions, but maybe that's just extra work for little benefit.
I dare say there are men who have been redeemed by a good woman, but that part felt a little unsatisfying for me. But I'm not expecting you'll want to change it!!
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What in the world?? Am I in the wrong thread? Did you say Suno? I thought you hated my Robots??
Waitttt! I have to comment first and then listen because I can't believe what I'm reading. LOL. The new year has brought a shocker!
BTW: Happy New Year, Tom!!
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Tom, I love the storytelling, it grabs the listener's attention. I agree with RDM with the Suno vocals, but your melody felt more heartfelt to me and told the story better.
I noticed forced rhyming, but it wasn't distracting enough to point out, and besides I'm no expert.
I got confused on v3 on how he'd steal her heart but then he was and outlaw afraid of her?
Anyway, I thought it was an amazing song and I enjoyed listening to BOTH versions.
Overall: It's a touchdown for me!
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Hello, Happy New Year!!
I've only listened to the original version; I prefer it that way, and I've enjoyed it. That recording has something special: its naturalness, its flaws, its warmth... I don't know, the point is, it's a beautiful song, and when the second voice comes in, wow, how lovely! A beautiful story, full of light and shadows. @IronKnee
This line is unique
And cried the tears no one could read
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Thanks, guys!
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Thanks, Rainy...
Unsatisfied? How in the world could I change it? Please illustrate to me what is missing.
Hi Tammy...
Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you liked it. But I would like to clarify that with my robot cover, as you can see in the differences of the versions, that the melody, lyric, atmosphere, and the heart and soul of the song is mine. And it's those elements that I guard. I couldn't care less where the production elements come from, as long as they are affordable. Where my problem with suno lies is with people solely writing lyrics, and tasking suno to entirely do the rest. i understand that it's a great relief for lyricists, but lyrics are only half a song.... and some would argue one third of a song if you are counting the arrangements work.
And if you would, I would like for you to point out the forced rhyming, please.😁
With concerns to V3: He was/ is a thief. But before he could steal her heart, she gave it to him. And it was through her, that he began to see the light. Remember (v1), his father was a man of God. V3 further explains that she was a prayerful person herself.
And as with most men who dearly love their woman, if he digs deep enough, there's always a little fear, tempering that monster within him.
I hope this helps a little. and thanks, again!
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Hi M...I'm sorry, but I can't post your "quote"
Nevertheless, thanks for listening. I'm glad you liked the song and tickled that you preferred my version. However, it's a treat to listen to the suno production, especially with earphones!
Thanks again... You are the best!
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Oh okay, got you! Thanks for explaining v3 to me. It seems like the cliche on how women love faster, but men love harder.
Yes, I enjoyed it very much and I'm glad you're taking your art to the next level and implementing Suno. I can't wait to hear more!
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Ha... Life is a cliche, Tammy... it's how we present it that matters. 😎
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Where exactly is that line in the sand now ? I guess its you write melody , Your all good . But if not you have a problem with it. What I hear peoples melodies are no better than Sunos really . Unless I got it wrong , You can correct me
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You know exactly how I feel Elvis..Frank...whoever you are. We've argued this ad nauseam for over a year now.
And yes! You are dead wrong 😎
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I'm not arguing I'm asking you a question . So Suno is alright now as long as you write the melody ,You answered yes
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You sure can beat a dead horse.
I write the lyric, the melody, the rhythms and soul of my music. Suno covers it with a fine production. And what I've noticed, suno melodies aren't as good as the best melody makers. Not even close... Not yet, anyways. Maybe never!
My problem with suno is that it leads some people into a delusion that they are writing a song. I don't have that problem because I write complete songs. I let suno produce those complete songs. I have no delusions that I'm actually playing and singing on those covers 😉
With that said, I couldn't care less what anyone does. If you want to crank out suno written and produced songs, then knock yourself out. I've talked to you over and over again about this....sheeesh.
As far as I'm concerned, I LOVE suno productions. It beats the hell out of paying hundreds of dollars to people I don't even know to produce my songs.
I hope I've answered your question (for the umpteenth time) 😎
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Not really , I was just curious what crosses the line in 2025 now . I mean 26 , I wonder when I say my name is Ben , people think I said Dan ?
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"Not really..."
Really??? 🤪
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relax I'm just kidding ya
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I liked the original. I think that's the first time I heard it. I've not really heard many of your songs that I didn't like a lot. This one was no exception. I LOVED the Suno Cover of that song. I don't know if you kept the vocal or removed it and sang it yourself. It's a bit of a tribute to how far Suno has come since I was first on it. A year ago I'd have immediately known the difference. The Suno vocals are immensely better than they used to be. The arrangement and production on the Suno cover was far more lush and full than the original. For me, using A.I. to cover my old and inadequate songs is the primary and best usage. Ocassionally I'll use it for something else. . . but I love what it does for my old stuff, and I love what it did for this song of yours. One thing I'm doing with covers is listening to what comes out, and if I don't think it's exactly what I want, I'll just sing the vocal in Acapella, and ask Suno to cover that. Sometimes that works better than including the instrumentation. Sometimes it doesn't. Anyway, I'm really amazed at the quality of the writing on the original, and what the cover by Suno helped it become. Nice work. I love that it remains fully YOUR song while getting better.
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Hey there, Hardtwistmusic!
Good to hear from you, and I'm glad you understand my goals with making work demos to produce Suno covers.
I don't have a band, and I'm tired of listening to my own voice, so using the Suno vocal is just fine. If I had a band, this would be a wonderful tool for potential arrangements.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Suno is still in a limbo state. The music industry wants nothing much to do with it, and the amateur world would rather hear their own nails-on-the-chalkboard productions. I can tell you true, I'm tired of listening to myself 😎
But I understand the world, and it's love of the performance arts. Regardless weather my songs are great or not, writers, like me, will always be in the shadows of the performers... And even that would be awesome.
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The music industry wants nothing much to do, Actually they do , if ya read about it
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RIIIIGHT!
Let me rephrase, Elvis...They want nothing to do with me, you, and all the others on all the sites like this one.
You let me know when their interest in Suno extends beyond their own crap.
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thats true
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