I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

[Kosh Naranek]

My girlfriend and I recorded an acoustic cover version of "Personal Jesus" in summer 2013.
We had a few recording sessions, but she wasn't satisfied with her vocal performance on the first go, so she came over a couple of weeks later and sang the whole song over again. That second session yielded a great vocal performance that we ended up using on our acoustic version of the song.
But at the earlier session, she tried singing in this very soft, breathy style. I kept all those takes. Later, I could hear the song in my head as a synth pop song. So I took those unused vocal tracks (they were recorded to a click track) and added electronic drums, synths, and a little textural guitar.
Recording the guitar was a challenge because I tend to like to hear how each note of a given scale (and some passing tones) sound (briefly) against the background harmony. But this song called for a one note wonder. I got close, but it was a challenge.

This style is one of my guilty pleasures. I didn't like it when I first heard it in the 80s, but I like a lot of the newer music that newer artists are releasing in this genre. Thanks for listening.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

Bookmarked.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

That was great!

 

[Artie]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

Wow! I loved that. But I'm not clear on something . . . is this you and your girlfriend doing a "cover" of another song? Or is this an original composition? You say something about not liking it when you heard it in the "80's".

Regardless . . . very nice.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

If he wrote Personal Jesus, I don't think he would be posting here! =p

It's a cover.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

dude, where did this salmon-colored blazer with huge shoulderpads come from?

Exxxxxxxcellent 80's sound capture. FIRE UP THE ROCKMANS

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

Artie, Depeche Mode apparently wrote "Personal Jesus" and recorded the original version. Johnny Cash recorded a version of it too. His version was the one I was most familiar with. Other than changing the instrumentation (Johnny Cash's version has acoustic guitar whereas Depeche Mode used synths), Johnny's version sounds a lot like the original. I wanted to reharmonize it. I kept the basic melody but changes some chords.
I also recently posted our acoustic cover of the same song. I reharmonized it on that version too, but our acoustic rendition is more of a minor key jazz style.

I hated synth pop/new wave in the 80's. I was into prog rock, shredder instrumental rock, and jazz fusion. When I heard the Cars, Blondie, and the rest, I thought it was dumb music. But over the years, I've realized that these bands had a knack for great melodies and cool synth sounds. It might not be "serious" music but it's fun to listen to.

Thanks for listening, you guys.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

Artie, Depeche Mode apparently wrote "Personal Jesus" and recorded the original version. Johnny Cash recorded a version of it too. His version was the one I was most familiar with. Other than changing the instrumentation (Johnny Cash's version has acoustic guitar whereas Depeche Mode used synths), Johnny's version sounds a lot like the original. I wanted to reharmonize it. I kept the basic melody but changes some chords.
I also recently posted our acoustic cover of the same song. I reharmonized it on that version too, but our acoustic rendition is more of a minor key jazz style.

I hated synth pop/new wave in the 80's. I was into prog rock, shredder instrumental rock, and jazz fusion. When I heard the Cars, Blondie, and the rest, I thought it was dumb music. But over the years, I've realized that these bands had a knack for great melodies and cool synth sounds. It might not be "serious" music but it's fun to listen to.

Thanks for listening, you guys.

I totally get you on that. The Cars especially; they really managed to create wonderful tunes. I keep finding a lot of joy in INXS, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, Huey Lewis, and the other sort of high-energy pop rock of the day.

Depeche Mode is pretty heavy duty. I like the chunk of time from Music for the Masses to Ultra where they are pushing a lot of boundaries with their style. It's also great music when you're writing songs about your singer's heroin addiction.

This is why I like covers so much. Applying some modern style to a rock-solid song makes for some great music.

 

[Artie]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

Double-ditto to both of the two above posts. I cut my rock-'n-roll teeth on Jimi, The Doors, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, QuickSilver Messenger Service, etc, etc. 90% of my current listening is techno/dance. "Serious" music is whatever I like.

I'll have to look up the original version of this song. I've never heard it before. I love it.
Be that as it may, I love your cover of it. I'll add this to my "playlist".

Artie

 

[jtougas]

Re: I recorded a new wave/synth pop song

The guitar work in Depeche Mode songs is both solid and sparse - good stuff to listen to for songwriting craft.