Sometimes the song writes itself.
…and sometimes the guitar writes it for you.
My 12-string definitely wrote this song. Take a listen:
I hadn't held my 12-string in well over a year. I took it out of the case to take a "family photo" of all my guitars. Yet during that entire photo shoot, it's like this 12-string was calling to me, “I HAVE A SONG THAT NEEDS TO BE HEARD”. After I put all the other guitars away, my 12-string kept calling, sparking something in me that I knew I should play it.
I knew something special was in store since even though it had not been played in so long, the strings were still bright. It’s like it was keeping ready until I heard it’s beckoning.
I tuned it to standard tuning but 1/2 step down, in Eb, like I have since I bought it in 1995. That’s how it was tuned when I found it at a used guitar shop in Excelsior, MN, and it seemed to sound bigger and better not wound up so tight. And don’t be fooled: that 1/2 step lower is a BIG DEAL. Most Van Halen songs are a 1/2 step lower, and it just adds a unique tone, a freedom, and in this case, the chance to sing a melody that would have been just a bit too high in standard E tuning.
“On My Way” is such a fun, rockin’ song. The chords and outline of the song poured out from the guitar quickly. The lyrics, as usual of late, took longer. Seems I am quite creative in what I want to play, but have a harder time deciding what I want to say.
The 12-string helped me write the lyrics, too. In a way, the guitar was demonstrating to me how important it is to have unity in our lives. If you’ve never owned a 12-string, it is much more challenging to tune. Each string has an important role, but they all must play off the other strings in order to sound full, make an impact, and not distract from the song. But interestingly, the slight variances of the strings, the unique attributes that cause imperfections, are actually the magic that makes 12-string guitars so awesome sounding! The beautiful, full, chorus effect is actually a result of these imperfections and if each string were exactly in tune, removing those uniquenesses, it wouldn’t sound the same. Further, each string supports the full sound. Without string 11, string 12 would sound weaker. Without string 2 adding octave higher tone (and harmonics), string 1 wouldn’t sound as rich.
I think that’s what this song is trying to say. As a family, a community, we need to embrace our uniquenesses, recognize our differences, yet support each other and love each other…and that could, just possibly, make each other more successful, and whole communities more successful.
The Scene
As a dear friend suggested, “On My Way!” could be an awesome Movie opening or an inspiring short!
I imagine the scene:
~~~~
> Lights up: Wide open plains. Silence with just a slight sound of wind. Close-up of a cool car's front wheels on a gravel road “looking out over a curving, winding road that cuts through the openness and disappears on the horizon“.
> A sudden commotion! Boots in gravel rush towards the car and open the door.
> A driver jumps in, peels out, and the song starts.
> Driver is racing down that winding road
> drone shot from on high zooms into the driver window.
> driver starts singing “I’M NOT OK!”
> …song plays, communicates, tells the story, inspires, gathers, unites, connects.
> …song ends.
> Credits roll, in the background a 12-string acoustic in the background strums the chords of the song…like the mission will never end, there is always more work to do, more ways to communicate, inspire, connect.
> During credits, a long list of teams, neighbors, communities, societies that were changed for the better because of the message this song delivered.
> Fade out
~~~~
THAT is what I wish the video would be. A visual paired with the lyrics… a call to action…a call to unify…a call to care about one another.
Power of a 12 string
Now that you heard the full version, take a listen to this acoustic version. I really like this since it speaks volumes of how a 12-string with passionate vocals can deliver a song with nearly the same intensity as the full band version.
12-string and Vocals version:
If you're interested in how I recorded the song, here are the technical specs:
Technical Specifics:
- Recording Unit: Logic Pro
- Drums: Logic Pro
- Handclaps: Greg and Jack
- Acoustic Guitar: Ovation 12-string Ultra Series 1515
- Electric Guitar: Paul Reed Smith Starla
- Guitar Amp: Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
- Bass: "Thumb Bass" Logic Pro
- Acoustic Guitar Mics: 12th fret: CAD E100, 3ft back: Rode NT1
- Electric Guitar Mics: close: Shure Beta58
- Vocal Mics: Sure Beta58
- Tracks:
- Drums
- Acoustic: One guitar, stereo recording, hard panned
- Electric Rhythm: 2 tracks (doubled) - panned
- Lead guitar: 2 tracks (doubled)
- Vocals: Lead, sometimes doubled
- Vocals: harmonies 3 tracks: High, Low, HEYs
- Claps: 2 tracks, doubled
Lyrics
The lyrics were finished during vocal recordings. I find that some word choices just don’t feel right in the mouth as I sing them, so I’ll make some subtle changes to the phrase so it says the same thing but in a better way. In the end, I am quite happy with what it says, and even the vocal performance.
Intro:
V1
I’m not OK! I woke up on the other side of
disaster end of days
But not Today! through my epic failures I will find what i’m
after
Bridge
and there I see a tiny glimmering of light
I clear my head, sharpen my faith, and say “HEY!”
Ch 1
I’m on my way
Don’t get in my way
my inner healing starts today I’m on my way!
Intro:
V2
We’re not OK! It’s you against me against him in
meaningless chatter it’s got us frayed
This is our Day!
It’s time to Lift each other up it’s what
Matters
Bridge
together we can climb these mountains filled with hope
just follow me I know the way “HEY!”
Ch 2
We’re on our way!
nothing will get in our our way!
our inner healing starts today We’re on our way!
Break
V3
We’ll be OK! it’s you and me and him filling up with
laughter it fills our days
From now until the end of o-u-r time
we’re traveling together
Bridge 2
and if you ever drift off course
I’ll grab your hand, pull you close HEY!
Ch 3
We’re on our way!
nothing will get in our our way!
and now our journey starts today HEY!
We’re on our way!
