this was the last song i wrote… about six weeks ago.
and i’m looking for someone to re-record the keys for me.
any takers? i just need a clean piano recording of this… flowy…
Nothing Ever Stays the Same – April 2008
I’ve been chasing tomorrows to let go of yesterday
When I find something to hold on to – it always slips away
‘Cause we both know, nothing ever stays the same.
With spring comes summer that ends with a fall
Each season that passes we walk through it all
But we both know, nothing ever stays the same.
Chorus:
The road of good intentions is paved with regret.
I’ve walked a mile of forgiveness and still can’t find the next
Bend in the road.
But we both know
We both know
But nothing ever stays the same.
We have to keep on walking or we’ll never find our way.
We face every heartache, embracing each change
‘cause we both know, nothing ever stays the same.
55 responses so far ↓
Mark // May 27, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Very nice. Your voice is really good too. I’d like to hear it arranged for a full band sometime.
As for a piano, you can record my $135 eBay piano if you want. (That’s a bad idea, in case you didn’t pick up on the sarcasm.)
TheNorEaster // May 27, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Sorry. I need lyrics if you want feedback.
christi // May 27, 2008 at 4:51 pm
i didn’t get to listen to it all the way through yet… but what i heard so far… my favorite you’ve done. yeah. fo real.
about the keys… what you mean- diff piano? you said you need flowy? you were using the pedal right? sounded like it. sounded good.
tam // May 27, 2008 at 5:07 pm
yah - one of my faves now too! for sure.
love, love, love your voice on this one also! Really nice girl!
um, I know B has one of your other songs right now (slacker) but i’m gonna ask him about keys on this one too…
you are too good miss mandy pants!
Becca // May 27, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I’m in a coffee shop, so I can’t listen to it right now, and I also wish I played keyboard. All I know is Coldplay’s “Clocks”, which doesn’t help you at ‘tall.
Looking forward to listening to it, though.
tam // May 27, 2008 at 5:22 pm
i know its only been a few minutes but i can’t get the melody out of my head. and that’s good!
@ngie // May 27, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Wow - you have a wonderful voice. Thanks for sharing this bit of your soul with us.
ramsey72 // May 27, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Great song! I agree with favorite so far. Can’t wait to hear the finished version.
Fred McKinnon // May 27, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hey,
Send me the MIDI file to the piano part and I’ll throw a spiffy sample on it for ya. Otherwise - got a chord chart? I would do it myself, but as of tomorrow, I’m “Mr. Mom” through Sunday afternoon.
Fred
alece // May 27, 2008 at 6:09 pm
it’s “my” song.
i love it. a lot.
just like i love you. a lot.
Michelle // May 27, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Beautiful.
I’m still hummin’ it…beautiful
Becca // May 27, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Mandy-
I got a chance to listen to it in the coffee shop! I just put my ear to the speaker. Haha.
This is my favorite song you’ve written that I’ve been privileged to hear. It is absolutely gorgeous in its simplicity, and it shows in your voice. You have a few notes in the beginning that are a bit flat, but you even out quickly. I understand what you mean by a more flowing piano, but the way you started it out was beautiful. If you want flow, stick an acoustic in there if you can’t find another pianist. You just want some sort of subtle rhythm in the background keeping time with those other notes. Your reverb is perfect on this- it doesn’t sound dull or flat, or too much like you’re in a completely empty auditorium.
It would be nice to hear more of crescendo or an additional base element or something on the chorus, because there’s no story musically. There’s certainly a story lyrically, but not as much musically.
Becca // May 27, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Oops.
I really, really liked it.
Thank you for being so vulnerable.
Jenni Clayville // May 27, 2008 at 7:05 pm
WOW!!! That’s awesome, Mandy!
I’ll offer to record that for you (just send me chord charts) with this trade in mind - can I use this song for a special? You’ll get full credit of course.
Lemme know, sistah!
Jenni Clayville // May 27, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Nevermind about the chord charts - I just figured them out.
cathi stegall // May 27, 2008 at 8:17 pm
s
p
e
e
c
h
l
e
s
s
.
[fyi...my uber-kazoo skills are negotiable]
mandythompson // May 27, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Jenny: heck yes! ITS A DEAL!!!! by flowy i mean not so stiff… that’s all.
Fred: i don’t know how to do the midi thing yet. we still need to have that tutorial lesson.
its y’all’s FAVORITE? really??!? i’ve gotta listen to it again… why is it a favorite?
mandythompson // May 27, 2008 at 8:18 pm
i just told drew that the feedback is that its y’all’s favorite.
he said: really?? what do you think about that?
my answer: i’m completely shocked.
seriously.
why is it the favorite??
Jenni Clayville // May 27, 2008 at 8:26 pm
You got it. I’ll record in the next couple of week in the studio for you. Is there any rush?
traciejane // May 27, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I listened to it twice. there is a vulnerability in your voice. and I think the song touches the very depths of the person’s soul listening to it. the part we are afraid to admit that we hide behind the mask. the discouragement, fear, or hopelessness. but then you carry us to a place of hope and beauty that is in the mystery and remind us we are not alone. my favorite because of the overflow of compassion in it!
ramsey72 // May 27, 2008 at 8:39 pm
The first line hooked me in….incredible lyrics and the tune is one that stays in your head. It fits your voice perfectly.
tam // May 27, 2008 at 9:07 pm
it’s your voice. there’s something different about it. raw, inviting. and the melody just sticks. like pregnancy fat. but your melody is a good kinda stick
cathi stegall // May 27, 2008 at 9:17 pm
[great quote Tam!]
mandythompson // May 27, 2008 at 9:18 pm
like pregnancy fat? i’ve never been so flattered in my life.
this was a demo that i threw together RIGHT after i wrote the song. wrote in 30 minutes, recorded in 15 minutes… its the early morning - voice hasn’t warmed up - sound.
maybe i should do that more often!
still floored that y’all like this one so much. seriously
Jenni: i just emailed you - no rush. and you can definitely use as special music, as long as you know there’s little “spiritual” in that song for me. its definitely a grass-roots, feet-on-the-pavement-of-life kind of song.
Jenni Clayville // May 27, 2008 at 9:21 pm
WORD! Would you also email me the mp3 so I can get it cemented in my head before I MacGuyver it up for you?
cathi stegall // May 27, 2008 at 9:21 pm
hey, if the “just get up in the morning and record” method works for you, do it…some people drink a shot of JD, others a cup of milk…whatever to get the desired effect, just don’t eat any elmer’s glue, that might hinder the sound a bit.
mandythompson // May 27, 2008 at 9:31 pm
cathi: what about a pop-sickle that uncannily resembles a glue stick??
Jenni: emailing shortly. oh i’m so excited!
cathi stegall // May 27, 2008 at 9:37 pm
make it a flintstones push pop, and we have a deal!!!!
mandythompson // May 27, 2008 at 9:38 pm
DONE!!!!
cathi stegall // May 27, 2008 at 9:45 pm
ok, so let’s hi-jack the ice cream truck! I have the perfect bandana for the job!
Fred McKinnon // May 27, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Mandy -
The piano - in ProTools - did you record a real piano (audio), or did you do MIDI? If it’s real piano (ie. you stuck a mic on it!), MIDI won’t help.
mandythompson // May 27, 2008 at 9:52 pm
yeah. no midi here. i plugged the keyboard’s quarter-inch into my M-Box and hit “record”…
cathi: oh this could be fun! so, your bandana + my bandana = ???
alece // May 27, 2008 at 10:02 pm
yeah… it’s my favorite because your voice sounds so pretty in it. you make singing sound/feel easy. and it seems to come from your heart — from the very depths of it.
cathi stegall // May 27, 2008 at 10:03 pm
well, i have one stipulation…I get to lipsinc to your music every other monday. k?
mandythompson // May 27, 2008 at 10:37 pm
alece: definitely from the depths… way down there. i wasn’t trying to sing - just get the feelings out.
cathi: ONLY if you turn it into a music video!
TheNorEaster // May 27, 2008 at 10:49 pm
That. Sent a. Chill. Down. My spine.
I literally shuddered when I heard your voice.
God, that was BEAUTIFUL!!!
(And thank you SO MUCH for putting up the lyrics!
)
tam // May 27, 2008 at 10:56 pm
THIS JUST IN…
This song is CLEARLY everyones favorite!
Mandys got it goin on!!!
hislifeformine // May 27, 2008 at 11:12 pm
This is beautiful. Love it!
gchyayles // May 27, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I have some serious chills; could totally relate to the lyrics and the emotions in your voice. Care to develop the soundtrack to the movie of my life?
tam // May 27, 2008 at 11:41 pm
just listened to it. again.
ahhhhhh…
i still love it.
Michelle // May 27, 2008 at 11:46 pm
It speaks to us, I feel, because it’s true and the melody is haunting.
It feels like we’re taking a walk together and discussing life.
lovewillbringustogether // May 28, 2008 at 12:33 am
Yup - we’re all creatures of feelings all right!
way down deep.
Seems many here can relate with yours, Miss M.
That is a pretty pure, raw, voice, btw
You could probably do great things for Him with it
(dang! - did i just go and give you a compliment??? i need to watch that!
)
<B
inWorship // May 28, 2008 at 12:36 am
Fred needs t do the keys on this!
Mandy, beautiful and simple, I love it.
So, I did pre-produce your song. I have it in some players hands. We should hear something soon
cathi stegall // May 28, 2008 at 3:26 am
once i assemble the band, THEN we’ll do the music video…band first, video second.
mandythompson // May 28, 2008 at 7:35 am
cathi: spoken like a true musician.;
inWorship: he wants midi - i don’t have midi.
looking forward to hearing something from ya soon!
love: i was waiting for your comment. made me smile!
theNor: you’re welcome
michelle: it is very wordy. haunting. hmmmm… i like that adjective for this one. thank you
gchyayles: i haven’t disclosed WHY i wrote this one, but i don’t wish that kind of circumstance on your life to justify these words being a reflection of your reality. but, i know you know pain, and i know you know broken relationships, so it’s yours, dear friend.
traciejane // May 28, 2008 at 8:47 am
i forgot to say it feels like a song about encouraging perseverance
traciejane // May 28, 2008 at 8:52 am
perseverance to love deep despite having no control and being completely surrendered to possible pain and loss… still loving myself and others. that’s what I get from it. thanks for sharing.
inWorship // May 28, 2008 at 11:30 am
Do you have a click track? See if he can work with that. Make him play it live
mandythompson // May 28, 2008 at 12:02 pm
inW: i know i know!!! i don’t have a click - just set up the click track in protools to play along with recording. you and fred are cracking me up!
inWorship // May 28, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Next time you setup a click track in Pro Tools, add it as a track so that you can record it and it will always be available.
mandythompson // May 28, 2008 at 12:34 pm
help me understand - why record it? its just a beep beep beep beep plugin to whatever tempo i set…
inWorship // May 28, 2008 at 12:59 pm
It then allows an actual click track to be handed to anyone at anytime to add to your work. So in this case, If there was a track with Piano, Voice and Click, Fred could go in and play to the click and replace your Piano track without needing midi. You sent me your click track file for your other song and that allowed me to do whatever I wanted with live musicians and be in time with your vocal track.
It’s probably easier to understand while looking at it, but hopefully that makes sense.
mandythompson // May 28, 2008 at 5:23 pm
gotcha. yes. it does make sense now. and, i pre-programed a track to work with the other song because the stiff quarter-note beat just didn’t give me the groove i needed for the rhythm.
thank you sir.
beth // May 29, 2008 at 4:43 pm
love it….if jenni doesn’t work out for whatever crazy reason, I’ll do it…ready to go….
Fred McKinnon // May 29, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Mandy -
U want the piano part exactly - note for note?