Weekly Update #21 - What If (Run Free)

Hey Everyone,

I hope you're having a great week! Today, I've got an update on Run Free (& few words about Oath if you missed it).

First off, the title for the song is "What If" - based off of the lyrics. I'm working with Alex Holmes on this one and she really did an amazing job on this one. Before we get into details, I want to mention that this is absolutely still a demo, so there is still a bit of rough edges to smooth out. I also need a few more things from Alex before I can finalize the mix and master.

Originally, I wrote the instrumental about new relationships and balancing the feeling of excitement with the fear of opening up again. Then, I put together a list of references for vocals which included things like power, emotion, rhythm, and melodic themes in the vocal. From there, Alex ran with it and came up with an initial idea. Her and I then chiseled away the parts we didn't like to get this version that we are really happy with. Here are the lyrics:

I’m walking slowly towards you
I want a tour of your world and what we can do
But I’m a little overwhelmed ooh
My heads full up with what if's, and what if this all falls through?

I let you in, our world begins
I open up, I break your heart
What if you do it first? I’ll be heart broken
If heaven's kind and you are mine
Not like the rest, we’re for forever
But we’ll never know, until we know

I’m walking slowly towards you
I want a tour of your world and what we can do
But I’m a little overwhelmed ooh
My heads full up with what if's, and what if this all falls through?

It feels so good
I don’t wanna run away, I don’t wanna run away,
I wish I could
Give you every part of me,
But what if?
But what if?

I open the door to see you
The blinds are shut but I’m trying to let you through
I know the light that’s inside you
Will light up my world but what if it this still falls through?

I let you in, our world begins
I open up, I break your heart
What if you do it first? I’ll be heart broken
If heaven's kind and you are mine
Not like the rest, we’re for forever
But we’ll never know, until we know

We got this feeling in our hearts we’re healing
from a little love, from a little love
This could be heaven if I just let you in
for a little love, for a little love

I’m walking slowly towards you
I wanna tour of your world and what we can do
But I’m a little overwhelmed ooh
My heads full up with what ifs and what if this all falls through?

I’m walking slowly towards you
I want a tour of your world and what we can do
But I’m a little overwhelmed ooh
My heads full up with what if's, and what if this all falls through?

It feels so good
I don’t wanna run away,
I don’t wanna run away,  
I wish I could
Give you every part of me,  
But what if?
But what if?

Here's a few notes:

• We cut the first drop in half because with vocals it felt too long. Doing this also makes the last drop feel like a "super drop" because it's longer. Essentially that drop functions as a refrain; an exclamation that punctuates the entire song.
• "But we'll never know until we know" is one of the parts that needs a some extra takes from Alex. Currently, it sounds pretty phasey - I left that in on purpose because I want that section to be a bit bigger to emphasize the line. I tried doing this with plugins when I was dropping the vocals in, which can sometimes work but in this case it ended up sounding too phasey. Once I get extra takes I'll layer them with the main vocal to create the effect. Doing this with extra takes makes it sound like there's more than one person singing and creates emphasis on the phrase. You can actually already here this effect in the song on the phrase "I wish I could" in the chorus section.
• In addition to a few spots where I need some extra vocal takes, I need to layer the entire song with vocal FX. Things like spot delays, extra reverb/delay to emphasize a phrase or 2, some layers of the vocal in the drop, reverses, and any extra FX that might fit in the build or drop. I usually leave this until last in the vocal stage because it's easier to work with a final vocal that already has everything you might need to pull from.
• Overall, the whole song needs a better mix. I've been saving this for when I feel comfortable with the vocal and so once I finish the vocal two tasks above, I'll do a proper mixing session where I clean everything up. And yeah - if you're in the Creative Crew or Executive Producers... there will be more bass, haha.
• Lastly, I may adjust a few transitions here and there. The song overall is coming along nicely, but after having had a break between listens there are a few things I'm thinking about taking out/adding.

So yeah - "What If" is almost done! I'm really happy with where this went and I hope you like it. 

A few words about Oath: I spent the first half of this week working Oath (it's included in the attached audio - starts at 3:30). I combined the 2 ideas from last week, arranged the song, and then worked on bringing the quality of all the elements up. If you want to read more about "Oath" check the mid-week update that I posted that has all the details. 

As always, thank you so much for the support. Both of the songs I worked on this week are getting close to finished and I'm super happy with the quality. 

Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week :)

- Andrew

PS - Song of the week: https://open.spotify.com/track/5RmwoBPyw9N5Lr14jCRc4K?si=WPIIVCjNRO6OmTrEM6ubtg

Artwork: https://www.deviantart.com/1nfin1ty/art/Bright-sunset-Wallpapers-HD-FREE--734463040