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Did a Remake Improve My Song "Good Morning to You My Sweetheart"
This article is a "before and after" comparison that asks a question. Did I improve my song "Good Morning to You My Sweetheart" when I used pro songwriting techniques to remake it? Let's find out.
In the following paragraphs, I tell how I put to work the suggestions of a great songwriter who has many super big hits to his credit. My aim was to learn more about songwriting by remaking the original indie-folk style guitar-and-vocals recording that Tom and I originally made of "Good Morning to You My Sweetheart." It's a cute little song with clever lyrics, and Tom's guitar rings out cheerfully as I sing it. So, I started with a simple and sweet song in my journey to extend my abilities in arranging and recording.
First, have a listen to my original recording.
Can't see or hear it? Click here...
"Good Morning to You My Sweetheart" is a charming little song. Ever since I composed the song, I have been singing the first couple of phrases to Tom whenever we wake up and start our day. It's a catchy little tune with clever lyrics that we also sing for folks a our local gigs. However, the song never did get much attention from music streaming websites, having a few views on Youtube and definitely not making it to our Top 10 Downloads list. So, I thought it might benefit from a remake, and after the remake the views are up considerably, which means a lot to me, because I think it's nice to share upbeat cheerful music that can make people happier.
Now, Good Morning to You My Sweetheart is no longer super obscure and ignored, and truly everybody who hears it puts on a smile and tells us they love my little song.
Improvements to my song all started when I attended a local workshop for songwriters.
The Songwriting Workshop
When I attended Songwriters Workshop, I announced that my musical offering to the group would be this way uncool but sweet little cheerful song, I was amazed when Tom and I performed it to see the other songwriters smiling, laughing, and swaying along with my music as we sang! My goodness! The other songwriters were super encouraging and everybody told me they loved my song! I have to say that was super encouraging to me as a kind of obscure songwriter!
Before the workshop I had been working on a new version of this song, because I had found many interesting songwriting suggestions in Jimmy Webb's book, Tunesmith. (Just in case you don't know who Jimmy Webb is, think Wichita Lineman, Galveston, MacArthur Park and numerous other super great Pop hits that he wrote.) I had made several additions to the original simple version, which was really just a ditty: a little Verse-Verse-Chorus "sing it two times through" composition.
Here's a list of the ideas I added to my song while working through Tunesmith:
- a prolog with a fun little bass line and accordion accompaniment,
- an introduction with lyrics that set the stage,
- a couple of 7th chords at the end of the intro, with the last of these being on the 2-chord, to peak the listener's interest,
- a bunch of short little fills throughout the song, which I played on my happy little accordion,
- a bridge that I also played on my accordion, to lead into the second verse,
- a bass line. These days I think songs just really gotta have a bass line,
- vocal harmonies on the chorus, for Tom to sing with me.
That's a lot! It was a lot of composing and twiddling on my part, but it sure was fun to put the suggestions in the book to work to improve my song. And, I think if you compare my new version to the original, you will agree. Especially if you are into songwriting, like me. Perhaps you may even find a Before and After comparison educational and inspiring.
Since I posted the After version at the top of this page, let's check out the original version, now...
The Before and After Comparison: The New Version
Here's my remake, with all the new songwriting elements, added instrumentation and a music video.
Can't see or hear it? Click here...
Did The Remake Improve My Song?
What do I think about the results of my remake? When listening to Tom's and my first recording, I still love it's simple indie-folk vibes. I wonder if the original is actually still more cute than my new recording. Yet, the new recording may have more polish with elements that pro songwriters put into their recordings. I like it, too. Both versions are listenable and evoke a happy feeling while listening, and that's what this song is supposed to do. And, the new version does benefit from having a cheerful colorful music video of us performing it.
Therefore, my answer is, "I will toss a coin to decide, and leave you to decide for yourself, too."
I hope you have enjoyed this page. If you like my music, please head over to our Facebook page or our Youtube channel @tuneytwosome, and leave a comment. Thanks for listening!
