B-Major (We're Not In Love Anymore)
(My attempt at a "Chicago" song)
The Backstory
I wrote this song in the spring of 2007. Lyrically, it's pretty much what you think it's about: a breakup......and yeah, we broke up......🙄
Musically, I wanted to write a song in the style of 1970's Chicago, complete with lots of 7th chords, strummy, Terry Kath-influenced rhythm guitars, and real horns......and the horns are indeed real.
I recorded this song using Magix Samplitude. The drums were programmed into Samplitude's sequencer, and I used their stock drum sampler as the sound bank. I also played and edited the keyboards using an electronic piano patch, that sounded like something between a Wurlitzer and a Rhodes. The bass was programmed using a synth bass sample. I didn't have a good-sounding bass guitar that was fit for recording, so I decided to program it, instead.
For the horns, I used a real, garden-variety cornet that I had borrowed, and a Conn student-line trombone. I wanted a really round, dark bold horn sound that resembled Jimmy Pankow and Lee Loughnane's trombone/flugelhorn combination on Chicago's "Just You & Me".
Speaking of Chicago, I got to meet original Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine twice, once in 2009, and once again in 2011. The second time, I asked him if he'd be interested in playing on this song. He told me he'd get back to me because he was in the middle of a move, and didn't have a drum kit at his new place, yet. We never got back with each other on the project. I probably wouldn't be able to afford him now, but I think he'd sound awesome on this track.
I remember sharing the video to this song in a Chicago-related forum a long time ago. I got some positive feedback from a few fans. One in particular thought the vocals sounded like a cross between Peter Cetera and David Pack (of Ambrosia fame). When I went back and listened to the tune and compared it to an Ambrosia tune, I realized he was right. I wasn't even trying to sound like David Pack, but I managed to get a close approximation, I think.
I never really finished this song, by the way. There was supposed to be an instrumental bridge after the 2nd chorus featuring a bright horn line in the key of G major, then leading back to final verse, chorus, and ending, but I never got around to recording it. If I ever do re-record this song, I will most definitely include that version.
This song was never released as a single, but you can find it on YouTube. I've had it there since about 2010.
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