Sit down with me and take a little ride as I knock out a cover of Justin Timberlake’s “Not A Bad Thing” with my Taylor Guitar. Like many people I found out about the song last week when it popped up at #10 on the iTunes chart – when I looked at the chart. It’s actually the first time I had glanced at the chart in a while and I was surprised to see some of the songs in the list. Because of this surprise, I’ve decided that I need to check out the chart each Tuesday so I can stay on top of the changing landscape of the music world. Seeing Justin’s name pop up made me think “Hey, I need to hear that.” I took an instant liking to it. So much so that I grabbed my guitar and started working out the chords.
Later that night I video chatted with my buddy Chris Hellstrom to provide a little sounding board as to how I should approach arranging the song (which is a complex pop arrangement with lots of little parts mind you). Chris made the suggestion that I ought to work it out in an alternate tuning. Thus if your wondering why I don’t look like I’m playing the changes of Gmaj, Emin, Dmaj/F# you now know why. The tuning is an open G tuning (D G D G B D) which actually allows for playing the right inversion voicing of the song’s chords and gives the guitar riff a neat, easy way to play it in the bass register.
I recorded the vocals with a Telefunken C12 and ran the Taylor Guitar 615ce direct into Logic X. I used the Izotope Nectar 2 plugin on the vocal to give it a nice shine. Then blended the direct guitar in with the sound of the acoustic as it leaked into the vocal mic.
If you’d like the Tabs of what I’m playing. Contact me on twitter and I’ll tell ya how you can get it.
Not A Bad Thing
Justin Timberlake
Said all I want from you
Is to see you tomorrow
And every tomorrow
Maybe you’ll let me borrow, your heart
And is it too much to ask for every Sunday?
An while we’re at it throw in every other day to start
I know people make promises all the time
Then they turn right around and break them
When someone cuts your heart open with a knife and you’re bleeding
But I could be that guy to heal it over time
And I won’t stop until you believe it
‘Cause baby you’re worth it
So don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me
Cause you might fuck around and find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just to find out that my love was free
So don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It’s not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Now how about I be the last voice you hear tonight?
And every other night for the rest of the nights that there are
And every morning I just wanna see you staring back at me
‘Cause I know that’s a good place to start
I know people make promises all the time
Then they turn right around and break them
Then someone cuts your heart open with a knife
Now you’re bleeding
Don’t you know that I could be that guy to heal it over time
And I won’t stop until you believe it
Cause baby you’re worth it
So don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me
Cause you might fuck around and find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just find out my love was free
So don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It’s not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Not such a bad thing to fall in love with me
No I won’t fill your mind with broken promises
And wasted time
And if you fall
You’ll always land right in these arms
These arms of mine
Don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me
Cause you might fuck around and find your dreams come true with me
Spend all your time and your money just to find out that my love was free
So don’t act like it’s a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
It’s not a bad thing to fall in love with me, me
Not such a bad thing to fall in love with me
Enjoy and please share it around!
Ah Falling In. This is one of those songs where I constantly get asked to play it. Especially for the girls. Must be something about the acoustic guitar and a guy singing at them that causes them to swoon. Aw who the hell am I kidding. It’s the fact the song is about what every girl or woman on this planet wants. That is, to fall in love. At least all the ones I’ve met. I decided to essentially throw down a live acoustic performance of the song then put up the lyrics on it. What better way to enjoy and ‘read’ the song at the same time. For those out there who’s wondered – how the hell is he playing that song?!? Wonder no more. It’s pretty plain as day to see what it is that I’m doing guitar wise on the song.
Yes, that’s slap ‘n’ pop on an acoustic guitar. It all came down from a dare from someone who felt slap ‘n’ pop couldn’t be effective for playing a guitar. I took that challenge and Falling In was the result. Another tidbit about the song is that major songwriters whom I’ve shared the stage with have always been amazed by the guitar line and how it works with the melody. One of the funniest comments from a star writer was “You’re a victim of your own coolness with that song.” It’s definitely one that people always comment on. In fact, I ask you to comment on it too.
Falling In
In the speechless hush of the 5 a.m.
She’ll spy upon what my sleeping brings in
And if the coffee burns before we see again
The she’d never learn how my feelings creep in
I better grab her with both arms
And hold on tight ‘cause shes’s
Falling in to trouble
Falling in to my life
Falling in to fables
Falling in and it feels so right
In a crowd of thoughts I can wonder how
I’ll ever figure out what may be in her head
And if the world should end before we meet again
Then I’ll never know what two lovers can hold
She better grab me with both arms
And hold on tight ‘cause I’m
Falling in to trouble
Falling in to her life
Falling in to fables
Falling in and it feels so right
Through the course of the day
I think of things to say
And then they fade away
In the course of a fight
I feel things aren’t right
Then it goes all night
We’re falling in to trouble
Falling in to our lives
Falling in to fables
Falling in and it feels so right
Hit me up with your rendition of my tune. Especially want to see all the budding guitarists out there playing along!
A little while ago on Twitter I put it out there asking Tweeps what song they’d like to see me do a cover of. One of the requests that came in was for Tool’s Sober. I thought – hey, that’s an interesting one if I do it with acoustic guitars and a single vocal. I found some time to put a day aside to learn the song, come up with a couple of guitar parts that would work acoustically. I recorded it. Sang it. I put it down for a couple of weeks as I was busy shooting video and recording some of my tunes. A few days ago while taking a little vacation to visit my sister, I spent a couple of hours shooting some video for the cover song. I give you:
Sober
There’s a shadow just behind me,
Shrouding every step I take,
Making every promise empty,
Pointing every finger at me.
Waiting like a stalking butler
Who upon the finger rests.
Murder now the path of “must we”
Just because the son has come.
Jesus, won’t you fucking whistle
Something but the past is done?
Jesus, won’t you fucking whistle
Something but the past is done?
Why can’t we not be sober?
I just want to start this over.
Why can’t we drink forever.
I just want to start this over.
I am just a worthless liar.
I am just an imbecile.
I will only complicate you.
Trust in me and fall as well.
I will find a center in you.
I will chew it up and leave,
I will work to elevate you
Just enough to bring you down.
Mother Mary won’t you whisper
Something but the past is done.
Mother Mary won’t you whisper
Something but the past is done.
Why can’t we not be sober?
Just want to start this over.
Why can’t we sleep forever.
I just want to start this over.
I am just a worthless liar.
I am just an imbecile.
I will only complicate you.
Trust in me and fall as well.
I will find a center in you.
I will chew it up and leave,
Trust me [x5]
Why can’t we not be sober?
Just want to start things over.
Why can’t we sleep forever.
I just want to start this over.
I want what I want [x4]
Enjoy my take on it. Make me happy by hitting the YouTube subscribe button. Share it all around.
Thanks!
Late last week I got my first dose of shooting a music video where I’m being choreographed for movement. That was a very different experience. Yesterday afternoon I got a message from the video director that the footage came out ok. I was a little worried about it, but alas I’m likely worrying about nothing. One thing that was fun and hard was learning to do some dance moves and making it look like I’ve been doing for years – and singing at the same time. New experience.
Having just shot the video for Touch last night and being that there are elements of Touch that sound like they were inspired by Gorillaz, I had to throw in today’s Throwback – Stylo by Gorillaz. One it’s a cool tune. Two, it’s got that indie but high budget feel. I really like how they took the previous elements of their animated characters and moved them into a more “real” world, rather than an animated world. I’m excited to see how Touch turns out, however we have more shooting we’ll have to do. Much like how Bruce Willis gets out at the end of Stylo to check and make sure he has to shoot ’em dead if he finds ’em.
Stylo
[Mos Def:]
Love, electricity, shockwave central
Pummel on the motherboard, yes
Push up, overload, legendary heavy glow
Sunshine, thunder roll, keep it all together
Yes the lantern burn, burn it easy
And broadcast, so raw and neatly
Thunder roll, sunshine, work it out
[2D:]
Overload, overload, overload
Comin’ up to the
Overload, overload, overload
Comin’ up to the
Overload, overload, overload
Comin’ up to the
Overload, overload, overload
Comin’ up to the
Oh Stylo… (juice)
Go forth, blossom in your soul
When you know your heart is right
Electric is the love
When the mako flies (a giant fish)
Up from the bottom in your eyes
Then I know the twilight skies, not so broken hearted (from the end of the line)
[Bobby:]
Yes, this love is electric
It’ll be flowing on the street
Night after night
Just to get through the week
Sometimes it’s hard
Right now
[2D:]
Sing yourself (juice)
Out of depression, rise above
I’ll be searching if I know your heart
Electric is the love
[Bobby:]
There’s only one way
Let it pray a little while longer
It’s got a way of passin through man and woman
In another world
In another world, in the universe
Right now
Here’s what we got to do
Yes, this love is electric
It’ll be flowing onto the street
Night after night
Just to get through the week
Sometimes it’s hard
[Mos Def:]
That’s what I’m talking about
Love, electricity, shockwave central
Pummel on the motherboard, yes
Push up, overload, legendary heavy glow
Sunshine, thunder roll, keep it all together
Yes the lantern burn, burn that easy
And broadcast, so raw and neatly
Thunder roll, sunshine, work it out
[Bobby:]
Right now
Enjoy!
Ah yeah, when I’m in the studio and I’m cooped up for too long, I need to get outside. Such was the case while I was in the studio during the recording of Touch. I needed a break and what better break is there than to get outside and do some light grade mountain biking. Here in this video I’m out in the Pacific Palisades area taking a quick ride up the Westridge trail with my good friend Russell Bowman and his dog Tara.
Mountain Biking
Hey it’s Jody, I’m here with my good friend Russell Bowman.
Hey! Tara. Shhhhh…
You’re part of this too, but yeah, wait your turn. You need to stop barking right now so I can speak.
I’m here in the lovely area of (is this West Ridge?) (West Ridge)
We’re in Westridge this is Russell Bowman and he owns Thunderbolt Spiritual books. He has loaned me his mountain bike.
Normally I’d be on my own. But, mine is somewhere else in the world at the moment.
And we’re going mountain biking today. Join us!
A slow uphill climb up Westridge.
Need a little seat adjustment. We don’t have the tools.
So one of the last times I was riding here with Russell I came down into this ditch.
Right there!
And face planted. When my bike stopped dead in the ditch.
Downhill here. Unfortunately, Russell’s seat clamp has broken so we can’t make it up to our goal which is that little silo looking thing up there on the top of the hill.
We’re going to turn around here in just a moment and go up the single track ‘n’ go back down.
We are, on our way up the Westridge single trail. Russell has got his helmet on I’m solo without helmet. Silly me for being unprepared. But. That’s what you get when you borrow. See ya on the flip side on the bottom.
Russell has to walk ’cause his seat don’t work.
Made it up that. I’m breathing a little bit heavier than I thought I would. But that was exciting.
Next set of downhill we go.
Came down that single track in the center.
Coming back up the hill. Over here Los Angeles covered by clouds. Looks like yesterday when golfing.
Now back down to the end.
Russell and Tara up ahead. As they say – never let ’em see ya sweat.
Come in the studio with me as I work with George Leger III at his Utopia Parkway studio to record the final vocals on my upcoming new single “Touch”. Get a sneak peek of what it’s like in the studio and working with a good friend from Canada who helps create some awesome magic.
Find out who I got one of the guitars used on the song from. Figure out a particular guitar riff I play while waiting for George. Hint, it’s from an amazing guitarist out of Texas.
Enjoy the video:
Back in 2011 I had a song I had cowritten with Johnny Elkins appear in a movie starring Colin Hanks. That movie is called “Lucky”. Ever since it’s release I’ve had people contacting me about the song “Happy When I’m With You” which appears in the middle of the movie as the song playing over the montage sequence. People wanting to know what the words are can now do their own karaoke of it with the video below. The only place to purchase the song is here Buy Now.
Happy When I’m With You Lyric Video
Transcript:
“Welcome. Thank you for stopping by in order to watch the official lyric video for Happy When I’m With You, the song that appears in the movie Lucky starring Colin Hanks.”
Doesn’t matter the time or the place
Only know there’s a smile taking over my face
Always seems to be here when you’re there
Just feel it inside and it’s in the air
I’m happy when I’m with you
I’m hap-a hap-a hap-a happy when I‘m with you
Doesn’t really matter what we do
I’m hap-a hap-a hap-a happy when I‘m with
Happy when I’m with you
Jumping over the sun dancing under the rain
Acting seriously or completely insane
Ain’t no place on earth that I’d rather be
Then with me next to you and you next me
Chorus:
When I’m with you there’s sunshine
In my heart the whole time
Everybody around us is catching the feelings
We’re feeling
Chorus Out:
Wanna know more about the song click here.
Below is a video where I explain how I became the first non-signed artist on iTunes through CD Baby.
Transcript of what I said in the video:
This is the really condensed version of how I became the first non-signed artist on iTunes.
Derek Sivers started a little company called CD Baby a bunch of years ago in order to help independent musicians sell their music on the web. I didn’t want him to sell my music when he first contacted me. So he actually hounded me for four months before I finally relented and started selling CDs on his website.
CD Baby was originally more of a Windows, Linux, kind of a platform and I’ve always been an Apple guy. Any time there was an issue with the website I would contact Derek and have him try to fix it, so that it would work for Apple customers.
Over the course of a few years Derek and I got to be really good friends. One day a few years ago I was driving down to the NAMM show in LA and Derek called me while I was driving in my car. He calls up and he says “Guess where I am?” And I throw out a couple of random answers and Derek is like “No. It’s not there. No, it’s not there.” And eventually he tells me that it’s Cupertino and he’s about to meet Steve Jobs at Apple.
So I’m like “Fuck You.” (laughter). Because I’ve always wanted to meet Steve and unfortunately as we now know, Steve is no longer around. And the reason he was up there is because Apple wanted to bring in the CD Baby catalog to the iTunes catalog. So that they could pump up their numbers and make them sound really big. Because everyone wanted to have a million tracks and nobody had it with all the major label songs.
A couple of months later Derek calls me up again and he says “Are you in front of your computer?” And I say “Yes I am.” I type in the URL that he gives me and low and behold it is a little special place on CD Baby to find out how you can fill out all of your information to send your music to iTunes. I filled out the information. I hit send and Derek calls me back and says “Congratulations. You are the very first person in the database going to iTunes!” And I’m like yeah. Actually I didn’t actually do that, but it felt like I needed to say that just now.
The next step was to wait around until the music actually got uploaded to iTunes. Unfortunately Apple was dragging their feet and Derek was having problems with a guy by the name of Moses Avalon, who was creating all kinds of trouble.
Couple of months later, Derek calls me up again and he says “I’m thinking I want to dump the whole digital distribution thing. Because all I ever wanted to do was sell CDs.” And I’m like, “Derek, you don’t want to do that dude. Digital distribution is the future.”
The decision was made to stick with the digital distribution. Derek decided that it would be a wise idea to return everybody’s money. In the end, what ended up happening was, Derek returned everybody’s money and people still got to go to iTunes through CD Baby. And I ended up being the very first person in the database to go to iTunes.
And that is how you are now able to get on iTunes. Thanks to a guy like me.