Hold My Hand
I tend not to write personal songs but this is about my autistic wife’s abusive family. The main reason I want to re-record is the appalling harmony in the first ‘hold on’ section. I don’t know how I let that through! Additionally I go out of time in the middle eight when the clavi comes in. I’m using a different set up so will start from scratch. All advice welcome.
https://m.soundcloud.com/lee_boyes-128832399/track-5?in=lee_boyes-128832399%2Fsets%2Fdeep-lee-mad-lee%2Fs-haB6fMgLITp
*I’m posting from mobile and can’t see a way to get the link to work in browser- my apologies!*
Lyric:
I want you on the ground
I want you screaming loud
A stationary target
No room to move
A punch bag
That you can always use
Hold on
So you think you can take me?
Where are all your friends?
This ain’t about you and me
That’s not how it ends
I know it’s all seems simple
Just a little cry for help
But you’re backed in a corner girl
And you’re by yourself
Hold my hand
I understand
We’ll build our home
You’re not alone
Come closer
You’re out of reach
I need you
Like a leech
You’ll get no more blood
Out of her
To you she’s a carcass
Her kids are like her fur
Hold on
Now take my hand
Please take my hand
I understand
We’ve built our home
You’re not alone
Comments
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A great, driving tempo! Lots of energy and kick! I like it! That's terrible about your autistic wife's abusive parents. Your comments about that situation in your intro paragraph helped me to understand the lyrics. I think the vocals are very good overall. You've already identified potential improvements to the harmonies in the one section you mentioned, but overall, it sounds very good. I look forward to hearing the changes you make. Nice work! 😀
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Real punchy, driving sound with those cutting guitar riffs and stabs. Nicely done.
And an awful thing for your wife to have experienced.
Just for your consideration, you might play with a second vocal (separate from harmony) doing a delay/echo effect on short phrases like "screaming loud"
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Hi @icystorm & @RainyDayMan
Thanks for your feedback - it’s sincerely appreciated.
I hear what you’re saying re echo- that’s a good shout and I’ll hold that in mind.
Looking back at the lyric, perhaps the title should be ‘You’re Not Alone’? Either probably works. It’s been a few years since I recorded this so it’s entirely possible I’ve misremembered the title!
Ta again.
CCB0 -
Autism. There's no such thing as normal in my book but it gets difficult when some of us fall wide of a certain spectrum. There's no simple solution but it gets tough when family and friends just don't get it. The song is great on all levels. I love those blistering solos. I'm playing it a second time to get right into it. Well done😀
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Hi @ChrisPrice
Thanks for your kind feedback. I’m always a bit ashamed of my guitar playing so I particularly appreciate the compliment.
Re autism - I agree, no such thing as normal and moreover if there was - who would want to be average instead of unique?!
CCB0 -
You've got nothing to be ashamed of in the guitar playing department. I totally enjoy this. SO much good. The playing, production, vocal work with its different characteristics all join together to make a very exciting listening experience.
😀John B
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Hi @Johnb68
Thanks so much. I’m pleased you enjoyed this. Touch wood I’ll be able to improve on it - though I no longer have the excellent drum loop I used for the song, so that will be interesting - an opportunity.
CCB0 -
The intro is already powerful by itself, I loved it and it captivated me!!! Good guitar!!!
A good song, as usual, very special in terms of the concept of the voices and choirs, its color is very personal and the lyrics are full of good lines!!!
Whoops! Sounds great!!!!!!
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Thanks for listening @MoraAmaroLaLoba. I'm glad you liked it.
As a little update to this song- 5 days ago my wife got her official autism diagnosis through - it took a long time - as well as finding out she has learning difficulties. I doubt it will change our lives but it doesn't hurt to have it confirmed,
CCB
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I think you'd have to get the autistic in there to make it make sense , I'm not sure where , either the verse or chorus
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Cheers for the feedback @ElvisNash . I think it worked 'ok' as a anti-abuse song. The autism is relevant from my angle but I don't think the reason for the abuse needs to be specified for the message to carry. Indeed I think it's vagueness helps it have broader reach. The problem I have is I think the delineation between the (at least) two speakers should be clearer. There's the abuser and the friend who is helping - I'm not convinced it's always clear as to who is speaking. To my mind there is the 'voice effect' abuser and then an angry retort by the singer. The singer then sings more softly in compassion to the victim. I know on another forum someone said the whole song should be angry but I disagree. It's both about anger and compassion, in my opinion. Food for my thought - as people say.
CCB
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Depends if you want get autism in the story I guess , Since it's your life you might
I might set apart from other abuse storys that have been done , The angle has been done a few times
But I don't think I've heard autism in the angle
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Fair point well made @ElvisNash . As and when I come back to this (I've started rerecording a lot of old tracks recently and I am trying to focus on more new material) I'll bear your comment in mind. I think it's a good shout.
CCB
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I also have a degree of autism, I take refuge in rocking. I fully understand that it's good to know!!! My son also has it, although more accentuated... it suits him great for his acting job!!!
Hyper-sensitivity and soul scarring are major components here! and song is full of all this!
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I thought for a moment you said you had a degree IN autism (as in a doctorate) - there is no end to your talents! 😁
Cheers
CCB
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Very inspirational..............fresh and..............dark!
Didn't quite expect the darkness to descend like that.
Great recording..........😉
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