All the discussion about the news inspired this song. It has been so doom and gloomy for so long, and nowadays so polarizing it made me think about a song to soothe our worried minds before bed.
I consider this a social song. It is so simple, but I can’t place having heard it before.
G G C G D D D D
C G D D D D D D
C G D D D D D D
C C G G D D D D
C C G G Em Em Em Em
C C G G Em Em C C
C C Am Am D D D D
Lullaby for the Evening News by Steve Bancroft
When I turn you on I hope for
Something good in the world these days
Just one small thing to bring about
A little smile upon my face
Is it just too much to ask for
I suppose that is the case
For peace and love we have lived without
So long there’s hardly any trace
And the cycle relentlessly continues
In a pattern of self abuse
And winding down is what I can use
With a lullaby for the evening news
Lullaby for the evening news
You explain away the confusing details
You soothe my worried mind for a while
You take me down lovely mountain trails
Before mentioning the bloody entrails
For that I should be relieved, I guess
Not leaving me deceived, I confess
Is better than not knowing about them
Yet some memories, oh I could live without them
And the cycle relentlessly continues
And winding down is what I can use
To clear the mind of unpleasant sights
With a lullaby for the evening news
Lullaby for the evening news
And bedtime beckons on its heels
Fodder for nightmares and restless nights
Mostly forgotten once I close my eyes
With thoughts in motion like spinning wheels
Perhaps a late night talk show host
Will wash away the day’s distractions
Perhaps a silly monologue
Will help me sleep just like a log
And the cycle relentlessly continues
And winding down is what I can use
And clear the mind of maddening frights
With a lullaby for the evening news
Lullaby for the evening news
I wonder if the lyrics/ vocals were given a bit more space between phrases, to give the voice a bit of time to breathe , maybe it would benefit the listener. The singing is quite constant and unrelenting. The music has a nice feel, so I’d like to see that shine through between some of your vocal phrasing. I think the song could really shine if you added a chorus, especially if that chorus was really big and different from the verse.
Thank you for your insightful suggestions, Wicked! I think I was trying to sound a little relentless, to reflect the way we get worked up by the media and news as entertainment stirs the pots. It does have a long chord progression, no chorus, aside from the lullaby refrain. I often do not have a chorus in mind with a song, and often that’s what a collaborator will provide that I cannot, and after it seems so natural I almost forget I had nothing to do with it!
I’m with wicked on this @steban , it’s all pretty well done and as usual the lyrics are great but it all runs together musically without some variation. The standard chorus/bridge structure would work but some different instruments here and there would help or maybe just a quiet interlude or two?
steban,
Thank you for the reviews! Now your song: Vocals sound similar to Pink Floyd and a bit like Ray Davies; fine by me! Nice old piano! Reminds me somewhat of a honky-tonk piano vinyl album that my grandparents gave me about 50 years ago, and the record was probably a lot older than me. Instrumentally, it reminds me of The Kinks somewhat, as far as rock bands go. Cool song, I like it!
