Men, a child’s lullaby becoming a Rock Song
Music Reports from JM Musique - Demo Talk Music Art No 5 - #demoTalkMusicArt
#demoTalkMusicArt (DTMA) is the name of a musical project that aims to launch a first EP available on the virtual market. The whole thing is operated by Jeff Maheux, the music composer.
Here Is the 5th Report of the DTMA Project
I’m excited to tell you about the first ballad of my compositions. When I was putting together the tracklist for #demoTalkMusicArt. For this upcoming EP, I wanted four songs. I also wished to include a slower track at the ending.
Having already presented an instrumental version of a slow rock piece called Men, the lyrics not yet recorded, I now reveal this song.
This little melody, written a while ago, had passed so quickly from child to adult.
Let’s look above the stars…
A production JM Musique.
Photo, music, author and composer Jeff Maheux. The hashtag is #demoTalkMusicArt. The production company’s website is www.jmmusique.com and the artist’s website is www.jeffmaheux.com.
Financing DTMA
In the form of instrumental frames of 15 seconds, thirty seconds and one minute serving as sound and musical tracks for publications, clips and videos, JM Musique tracks will be sold with the aim of financing the DTMA musical project.
You can already listen to new tracks, programmed regularly and announced on JM Musique’s social media sites. Visit the track gallery, the Pop Rock Tune, which will become an e-store this fall 2024.
Under the Clouds - Instr 15-second Jingle from JM Musique.
Redirection to the link of the JM Musique partner site.
The JM Musique YouTube channel presents the video teaser of Men (instrumental)
The premiere of the video on the YouTube channel launched January 14, 2024.
Men
Words and music by Jeff Maheux. Arrangement JMaheux and Angelo Labbate. Guitars ALabbate. Productions ©JM1998-24.
A child’s lullaby when composed in 1998 with a classical guitar
Men, oh Man… A song written on April 11, 1998. An acoustic lullaby. Arrangements and a drum and bass compositions were recorded in the studio in Saint-Léonard; Montréal with the guitars from Angelo. We then produced an instrumental version of over eight minutes for a possible soundtrack in a documentary. This was in 2002. The acoustic guitar track was also featured for advertising and was used as a soundtrack on a video in 2005.
The melody of the chorus comes from my invented humming sounds from my childhood. It’s a hymn I’ve always murmured at home when alone. It’s one of the first compositions I wrote with a classical guitar while learning to play after my CEGEP years. DTMA will unveil the piece with the voices later this year. This piece returned to the studio for a rearrangement.
Example of the mix console of the guitar tracks of Men. There are a few…
The Writer’s Note
Men is my biggest challenge to date as a composition. It’s at the level of interpretation. I’m not used to singing slow rock songs. With my slower melodies, I usually employ Hindi and folk arrangements. I’m much more rhythmic in everyday life too!
The original lyrics were written when I arrived in Montréal while learning English actively. Early versions included funny language errors.
The text served to demonstrate to children cheating isn’t a good thing and rather do your best, even if you don’t win this time. It could fit many situations in sports or event professionals in an office sometimes!
I perform the verses in a crescendo and in the chorus, I leave room for Angelo’s guitar with a simple phrase in the chorus to let the listener think.
At the moment, I’m still experimenting in the studio with vocals and interpretation for Men. In recent months, the track has shortened than the instrumental version and it’s followed by a jam recording session of singing with guitars played with a faster tempo. It isn’t the ending I anticipated, but sometimes it happens like this, as starlight in the sky…
Men
(Words and Music by Jeff Maheux)
You have opinions or repeat what you hear
And claim it at loud to raise your esteem.
We sure are champions sparing ourselves.
Loud opinions and sparing ourselves.
Like champions sparing ourselves, it could be long!
Above the stars, a hole for some
A place for all thoughts and wisdom
To be who we are and have our reasons
To be different, to be our own.
It may take time, it may be long
You will be loved and you will not
No need to lie, no need to run,
The first arrived, the one who won! THINK!
To be the best of the men! THINK!
To be the best of the men! THINK!
Rather do your best boy than pretend to be the best man.
Rather do your better than pretend, pretend, pretend, pretend and pretend.
April 11, 1998
Conclusion
Sometimes songs are done in a day. Sometimes they require more work and time to develop. Oh man!
I used to leave these most insightful compositions in a drawer and never touch them again. And it’s usually because they’re not very good. But this isn’t the case with Men. I don’t know who will ultimately record this song, but I’m trying my luck because I love this rock lullaby.
I’ll keep you posted.
Thank you for reading, and for listening!
Jeff
Images credit: Jeff Maheux
The Exclusive Music Reports from W+M, it’s a A+ of Rock!
Info Links.
Music Production: JM Musique
Media and Contact: https://www.jmmusique.com/contact
Follow the Socials of JM Musique - Jeff Maheux
The 25th anniversary version. Here is Credits 25. Musical report of the rock instrumental score written by Jeff Maheux and produced by JM Musique.