Music Lesson: "Feel" Track Analysis

Introduction

Today, we're going to look at the tracks for "Feel," which was put together in Los Angeles in a studio that posed some challenges due to its terrible monitors (speakers). The monitoring situation was so poor at one point that we placed the speakers on the floor, thinking they sounded better there than on stands.

Despite the stressful environment, we managed to put this track together.

Song Composition

Initial Concepts

• We probably started with the piano first.
• I came up with that piano part, but I didn't think I could play it well enough, so I hired a session musician named Andy Wallace, who I felt had a better feel than I did.

Lessons Learned

• Key Lesson: Don't always assume you're the best person for the job regarding your songs. Seek out musicians who can play the instrument better than you.
• I'm always open to stepping aside if someone can improve a song, regardless of who originated the part.

Drums

• The drums evoke a very 90s sound, reminiscent of Soul to Soul's song "Back to Life."
• I'm not sure if we deliberately tried to emulate that sound, but the swingy feel works well with the piano.

Instrumentation

1. Bass:

   • The bass is very sustained and simple, just laying down the roots without getting in the way.

2. Guitars:

   • We layered three guitars in the solo section, particularly in the slide guitar.
   • This layering gives it a bit of a wider sound.
   • Important Point: Not everything in a track needs to be perfectly in tune. This "wide" sound, which might feel a bit off, adds character and makes the song memorable.

3. Memorable Hooks:

   • There's a guitar part in the chorus that's quite memorable, a nice hook that feels reminiscent of U2.
   • This part helps break up the chorus, enhancing the overall dynamic.

4. Choir:

   • The chorus features a gospel choir that warms up the track significantly.
   • They add a lovely shimmer of soul with something very simple.

Recording Process

• The recording process is often a journey full of tangents.
• Initially, we tried featuring an artist named Ms. Dynamite for a guest spot, and here's an excerpt from her contribution:

"Smiles and laughter, in a pain so deep, what are you running from? From what your life's become..."

• Although we were excited initially, we felt it distracted from the song's mood. I prefer having instrumental sections over wall-to-wall vocals, even if that style is less fashionable today.

Additional Experiments

• We also experimented with having an opera singer come in.
  • Although her original part didn't work, she contributed something extraordinary that enhanced the end of the chorus.

Strings

• We recorded real strings for the track, which are very simple yet fulfill the need for pads, perfectly appropriate for this song.

Conclusion

• Let's play the last chorus so you can appreciate Rob's vocal performance:

"I just wanna feel real love, fill the home that I live in. I got too much love running through my veins to go to waste..."

• In my opinion, this is one of his best vocal performances, and his contribution truly made this track the classic it's become.