The United Dictators Of Mars - SONG

Voice Of The Past

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(re-evaluated)

Music: Mody, Words: Harris

As the years have come to pass I know what lies behind me now- it was inevitable. Tried to fly with broken wings in search of new horizons. Now I've left that place and know I've lived and I have learned- I did bide my time. Time has come and time has gone. Now I've shed those wings.

It's so distant now those voices of my past. Why did I ever let them haunt me. A gentle whisper told me I must carry on. The hand of God has filled the void.

I now know if I awake at night (at last) my mind is clear. My mind is clear. And I was wrong for keeping it inside. The pain was real it brought me to my knees (The pain I chose.)

This song was originally recorded on the Harbinger CD in 1991. The song was arranged from other segments dating back to 1988. It's the best piece of music I've had ever written at the time and I wanted to bring it to a new decade. The original drum line from '91 broke up the groove so I knew a constant dance beat would keep it flowing through all the changes. Because 75% of the song is guitar harmony a solid core of bass and beat is necessary. I often try to write harmony guitar so that it shifts different harmony pitches throughout the piece. Jeff's original lyrics spoke to some negative moods at the time. He wanted to change things up to reflect his more enlightened state. We sat down and re-evaluated each line, changing a word slightly to adjust to his new outlook. Most notably, the line about his mind being clear at night as opposed to being troubled. The music is rather airy in it's feel so as he often did, he wanted distortion on the voice to flatten things out and It subtly rubs against the grain. As we progress to the chorus I built up the delay and cleaned up the EQ to a meeting point with the openess of the music. I left the break section pure and just let the beat and keys flow. Less is often more.

I have always liked the original version of this song. Now I can listen to this version at any given time and it still excites me. The music, lyrics, structure and melody in the original captured how I was feeling in the period written. Years later, the music, lyrics, structure and melody define how things can change. I like everything about this song. Tom spiced this one up perfect. The only thing I would have done differently if I had my way, of course, is shortened the intro. I obviously didn't pursue it with any degree of passion. Actually, the into seems to fit this version better than the older version, in my opinion. Although I can write and produce actual music, it is more Tom's field and I try and look at it in the following perspective: It is difficult for me as a person, hearing what I know melodically and lyrically is ideal in my head, to oblige to another's ideals which I don't necessarily agree with. In short, it feels like someone is stepping on my toes or invading my space. Tom is a person just like I am a person. To receive, you must also give. Tom and I have worked together long enough to know each others limits. But I also think we have grown more patient, compromising and open to suggestion in our writing. We analyzed and evaluated this song together and re-wrote line by line. I really enjoyed this and look forward to writing this way in the future. Another great collaborative effort. I like the similarities we came up with in lyrical content yet with a different spin on the past, present and future. Tom also did an excellent job on this recording and mastering. Genius.

Tom's Rebuttle: Shorten the intro!! What? Are you F***in' kidding me? Martian Dictators don't compromise, they conquer and take! Jeffrey, I must now melt your brain with my telekinetic mind scanner.

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