Deconstructed #1

Recording, Mixing and Producing
#1

I’ve just published the first video of my new series of “Deconstructed” songs on Youtube, I thought some of you might like that. :slight_smile:

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#2

Is it deconstructed or simply destructed?? I wish it were the latter… this is a song off the soundtrack to my personal hell. HATE it…

#3

:joy::joy::joy: Sorry to hear, Dave! Love it or hate it, it’s pretty atypical for the band but probably their biggest hit ever. Plus the production and mix are really cool.

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#4

Yeah, I know, I’m the outlier… plenty of massively popular music is on my Personal Hell Soundtrack. Take Billy Joel (please!), for example. Sold billions of records, finely crafted songs, great productions, but I despise his voice and his material. At least with Chicago, I really like most of their work, it’s just this particular song I can’t stand. Also anything where Michael McDonald is lead singer (he’s great as a bg vocalist, as in Steely Dan). All that stuff is just too sappy for me.

Looking forward to the rest of your Deconstructed series Patrick! Just can’t subject myself to this one. And, it’s really great to see you around here after so long away. :smile::+1::musical_score:

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#5

Funny Dave i would agree with everything you said in this post.

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#6

I don’t get the hate on this one. It’s a finely crafted song, with a finely crafted production.

But hey! Everyone has his taste and distaste, and although it’s not my favorite Chicago song, it’s the only one I had good multi-tracks for, and I find it really well done.

Hopefully next videos will be more to your liking, but remember that my goal is to reach the widest public, so of course I’ll be covering hits. :wink:

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#7

oh no i am down with the video. I just don’t like the song myself.

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#8

Well, I liked it. :hugs: It’s not my favorite Chicago song either, but it’s a very pretty and touching song, and great vocals by Peter Cetera *. Interesting to hear the breakdown of tracks and how bounced tracks and overdubs were handled. Good job. :+1:

  • Note: Peter Cetera was given a band nickname, given his habit of going on and on and repeating himself … wait for it … Et Cetera. :grin:
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#9

From the intro I thought it was this:

Needless to say, I’m not a Chicago fan.

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#10

He does repeat himself quite a lot in this song! :joy:

#11

This is cool! Although I have to admit I kept thinking of this. :smiley:

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#12

A big part of it is that “woooo wooo wooo” thing, plus the fact it has been played to death over the years. I don’t have an analytical answer for why I detest the song… I just do. It’s visceral.

I take no issue with your choices! You just happened to pick one of my least favorite songs this time. I’ll be all over the rest of 'em (unless another of my anti-faves comes up again)!

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#13

Loving the concept and execution of this series @ptalbot. Keep them coming!!

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#14

I see. Remember that it’s only one of the 5 NON-DISCO songs to reach #1 in a 9 months period of 1976. Considering the alternative, I take this one any day! :slight_smile:
As to being played to death, I can think of many songs in this case…
“Stairway to Heaven” rings a bell? :wink:

#15

Love it! :joy:

#16

I will! Thanks!

#17

Dude, I get it… like I said, this isn’t a rational reaction, it’s purely emotional/visceral. It’s not a song’s fault if it becomes popular and played to death… (FWIW if Stairway comes on I bail on it-- heard it enough!)

And I have a dirty secret to reveal… there is some disco stuff that I actually like now! At the time, it was definitely Personal Hell material, but some of it I now find to be really good (things with Nile Rodgers come to mind). What’s up with THAT??? :flushed::scream::dizzy_face:

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#18

OK, no problem. Was just surprised by such a strong reaction.
But I suppose we all have these kinds of songs that we just can’t bear.
BTW, Nile Rodgers is a great producer. I’m not a fan of disco but I can recognize his skills and musicianship. :+1:

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#19

Yep, I’m extremely passionate about music… the music I love, I REALLY love, and music I dislike, I REALLY dislike. The good news is that there is way, way more music that I love than that I hate…

The way Nile plays funk guitar has been a revelation for me. Really epitomizes the concept of “less is more”…

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#20

Same here. I’ve been listening to a 70s-80s greatest hits FM station for the last few months while doing the work commute. Now that I am older, I have been enjoying a new perspective on the music.

But if I hear a Chicago song come on, I can’t get the station switched fast enough.

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