Matt Rees

Great sound. Great topic. I bet a lot of us have been on both sides of that dynamic, so you’ve written a song many people can relate to. Speaking even from the church side, I can tell you I like the song, because it teaches me something to always keep in mind when evangelizing.

The “not like this” line grabs me most of all, in a way that reminded me of Lionel Richie just saying the word “Still” in his song “Still.” I would repeat that as often as possible, and perhaps repeat the whole “Nobody told me” 3 or 4 times as a chorus, keeping the “pamphlets and preachers” as a pre-chorus.

I would also sing through the whole song for 3 or 4 times, deliberately getting your mind into the song, trying to raise the level of emotion, in order to see where it takes your vocal line. It may yield some variations you can use to build momentum into the next part, or at least give you ideas to vamp on at the end of the song.

Thanks for writing this one.

Matt Brent

Matt, thanks for the great feedback!  I will experiment with your recommends.

Charlie Jacob

Matt,

Not sure what your intent is. If you perform in the round, or at coffee shops, this song will probably be well received. However, I’d suggest the singer tries to enunciate much better. I wasn’t sure what some words were. Left me wondering. Somewhat distracting because the song continues…as I’m wondering what was said. The repeated words… confirmed my initial guesses. Seems the words were clearer the second time

Keep working on PLANK. Matt Rees had some nice suggestions.  Charlie J.

Don Nelson

Hi Matt

I liked the song overall – very nicely played and sung - but still I wasn’t sure exactly what you were trying to convey.

While listening - I kept imagining it was from the point of view of (for instance) a homeless guy who is having to endure a sermon from someone about something he doesn’t really believe in – just in order to get some soup from a shelter – but I doubt that’s where you were heading.

If the “plank” is a reference to that thing in the Bible where Jesus says “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” – is the singer/narrator saying that he cannot judge others because his own life is a shambles – or is he saying that others should not judge him so harshly without examining their own lives? I’m not sure. 

So for me at least lyric-wise - especially based on the level of emotion in the vocal delivery - I wish the lyrics were more focused - but still - I enjoyed the song!  - Don

Robert Markham

Hi Matt-sorry it took so long for me to get back to you.  I agree with a lot of what has already been said.  One point that sticks out for me is also the fact that “Nobody told me” would work well, in my opinion as a chorus.  The song is sung in a straightforward format.  A little more dynamics would really help things out.  Otherwise enjoyed it!