Dirty War (MJ Live Aid)

dajama

Genre: Pop (Alternative)

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Description

My offering for the MJ Live Aid challenge. Peace.

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Lyrics

Dirty War

Sleeping on a bed of broken glass
Crying like a disenchanted baby
Still amazed when snakes bite you in the grass
Still shocked when anyone you know goes crazy

Trying to find a way to lose your innocence
Dealing with the devil on your shoulder
Still arranging every new coincidence
Still sure the world you know is getting colder

And we all end up the same
But honey I don’t see the shame
We drift away like fire to the flame

You’ve got a soul of steel and a heart of stone
But when you close your eyes you’re all alone
You’re tired of living by the sword
You’re sick of waking up to this dirty war

Sleeping like a failed insomniac
Praying like a doubtful disbeliever
Still looking for her face in every sneak attack
Still waiting for the bitter ghosts to leave her

And I don't know what to do
But I think it all depends on you
I think it all depends

Song Stats

Hits: 1225
Comments: 55
Fans: 28
Plays: 66
Downloads: 53
Votes: 4
Uploaded: Jun 13, 2008 - 07:19:59 AM
Last Updated: Jun 13, 2008 - 07:19:59 AM Last Played: Nov 05, 2009 - 06:31:23 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike

Song Actions

Comments

lengold	lengold said 513 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	You have really managed to capture the essence of a real band sound. Really good song and performance/vocal. The production also sounds spot on to me. Loved it David. Cheers Len Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Thanks Len I appreciate your stopping by, and thanks for the kind words. Glad you like the sound. I've been listening to some of the other submissions and I'm just blown away by the quality of the sounds people are making. What a great challenge! Thanks again, dude. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

Peter Bauckham

Peter Bauckham said 513 days ago (June 13th, 2008)

Another
new tune from you - and this is great - tight playing and production - the stereo effect (not sure what instrument it's on) sounds a bit excessive through headphones (I'm listening at work) - I suspect it'll sound fine on speakers. Otherwise, great song with a good hook (like all your songs). Top notch as ever.

All the best
Peter

Check out my latest song called All The Same (CBGB) (Last Chance Challenge)

dajama

dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)

Thanks, Peter
Glad you liked this. I think the effect you're talking about is a kind of tremolo effect on the guitar over the middle eight and bridge. There's also a kind of panning thing going on with the bass, I think. Hope it sounds okay on speakers! Thanks as always for listening so carefully and commenting so thoughtfully. Cheers. Peace.

Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

lavalamp	lavalamp said 513 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Good tune Great lyrics, David. That's the strength of this one. Music's also very good. LL Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Thanks, man Glad you liked the words. I like some of the lines better than others (as usual...) and a couple of the lines are actually quite old, culled from a failed song! Hope it hangs together and doesn't sound too patchwork! Thanks, man. I appreciate your stopping by. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

Relic67	Relic67 said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	great! nice melodic rocker. killer chorus. Check out my latest song called Novis Libris

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Thanks, man Glad you liked the chorus. It's part of the song I was not too sure about. Thanks for listening and commenting. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

rsorensen	rsorensen said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	nice great songwriting and performance. catchy! Check out my latest song called You Are My Whole Life

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Thanks, man Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by and listening. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

	said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	David! Except for the missing crowd, you have achieved an authentic live sound. Great lyrics. Really nice vocal delivery as per usual my friend! Always dig your guitar chops, but that goosey bass lineline deserves special mention! Love it man! Be well!

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Goosey! That's the word I was looking for! Thanks, man. Glad you liked the song. For the bass, I added the Liquid Bass effect in GB; it came out kind of wobbly, but I thought it had a touch of the 80s about it! Thanks for the nod on the singing, and thanks for listening. Much appreciated as always. Cheers, man. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

	said 511 days ago (June 14th, 2008)
	I agree! The bass does have an 80's feel. Very fitting for this tune.

davisamerica	davisamerica said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	right then david.. well i dug all of this ... great lyrics and voice sounding very good ... production is spot on and workable indeed ... yep ... this is dang good! Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	I dig that you dug it! Thanks, man. Glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for the nice comment on the production. I wasn't sure if this ended up with a nice live-ish sound, or if it was just messy! Happy you found it palatable. Thanks as always for your encouraging words. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

J.A.Stewart	J.A.Stewart said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Rockin' and Yet Mellow Good job and good sound on this, David. When it started, I thought we were in for a Neil Young treatment, but the vocals mellow it out nicely. It does sound like some act I remember from the 80s, but the name escapes me right now. Cool production. ;) --- Joe Check out my latest song called A Night @ Neverland

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Thanks, Joe Yeah, I don't know who it sounds like really, but, like you, I have the feeling it sounds like someone! It just felt 80s to me. Glad you like the vibe. I don't think I could even attempt a Neil Young groove! Thanks for stopping by and checking this out. Cheers, man. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

michael2	michael2 said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	good one like the way it starts out on the heavy side and then settles into a nice melodic groove. the guitar work is perfection, really great sounds. and while i'm on the praise train: great lyrics. great track. Check out my latest song called Stars and Dust (space challenge)

dajama

dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)

Thanks, man
I'm delighted you like this one. I was blown away by the track you did with Bud and echoroom - amazing stuff! This one started out heavier, but I toned down the distortion (and the volume) on the guitars, because the contrast with the verse seemed a bit abrupt. Glad you think the change works here. Thanks also for the nod on the lyrics. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace.

Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

tokai	tokai said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	very good track, great production ...an excellent and complete song. Check out my latest song called farriage/Gaylen75

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Thank you kindly I'm delighted you stopped by to check this one out, and I'm very happy you enjoyed it. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

Feter	Feter said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Dirty War WOW .. man ... what a rockin song ..a true suprise !! giant guitar work here ..your singing definetly so much 80s which so unique ...loved this man !! thnx alot for sharin it !!!!!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Thanks, Feter Glad you think I got the 80s vibe with the singing! And thanks also for the comments on the guitar. It's nice to surprise! Thanks for listening and commenting, man. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

	said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Nice! Really a great song, fine guitar and music work and really nice vocals. Loved the picture btw. Fits the atmosphere of Live Aid as well... Cool! Take Care - Yeman A. Al-Rawi

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Thank you, my friend I'm very glad you liked this one. As for the photograph, I think it was actually taken in 1985, or thereabouts, so I thought it might add a bit of context! Thanks so much for stopping by and listening, and for taking the time to comment. Always appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

	said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Dirty War I just love your music and you sing fantastic. I think your awsome this sounds just fabulous the lyrics are brilliant as well. Great production. Well done. I loved it. Peace Dee.

dajama	dajama said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	Wow Thanks, Dee. You are way too kind. I'm delighted you enjoyed this one. Thanks for the nice words about the sound and the song. Loved your latest, by the way. Many thanks for stopping by and listening. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 512 days ago (June 13th, 2008)
	different levels very nicely done David! Has a cool grit and chime contrast of the heavy guitar, kind of a "Money for Nothing" part to the mellower sections with the clean chorused guitar. Singing and lyrics are great! All sound fantastic! Check out my latest song called One Step Over The Line

dajama

dajama said 510 days ago (June 15th, 2008)

Thanks, Vic
Praise for a guitar sound from you is praise indeed! Glad you think I got the balance right. I experimented with a heavier, distorted sound on the verse, but the whole track just sounded kind of stodgy or something. Also I think the cleaner sound I ended up with is really 80s! Glad you enjoyed it. Many thanks for stopping by and listening. Cheers. Peace.

Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

	said 511 days ago (June 14th, 2008)
	Excellent! This really reminds me of an obscure Canadian band called Private Eye back in the day. The guitars slithering around that goosey (Yup, that's the word all right) make for a distinctive, tight sound that also slides loose and easy. Tricky to make that happen, and it's happening here - love it!

dajama	dajama said 510 days ago (June 15th, 2008)
	Thanks, man Glad you liked this. Don't know Private Eye, but I'm glad the sound had that 80s vibe! Thanks also for the nod on the bass sound; I really like it. Your epic track was amazing, by the way! Thanks for stopping by. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

peacepiano	peacepiano said 511 days ago (June 14th, 2008)
	Song Fine song. Guitars well played and placed to support the mood of the song. You write excellent choruses. Good Stuff! Thanks Bill Check out my latest song called I Should Have Known

dajama

dajama said 510 days ago (June 15th, 2008)

Thanks, Bill
Glad you liked this one, and thanks for the nod on the chorus; it was the last part of the song to come together for me. I changed it a couple of times, and in fact almost changed the current chorus again because I thought it sounded a bit 'crammed'. But then I found myself singing it as I walked around, so I took that as a sign that I should just leave it be! Glad you enjoyed this one. Many thanks. Cheers. Peace.

Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

Diviner	Diviner said 511 days ago (June 15th, 2008)
	Very good track It does have an 80's sound to this track, even with the soft vocal. Good lyrics esp the chorus, and I too loved the bassline. Nice one David. Check out my latest song called Space Program (Space Race 2009)

dajama	dajama said 510 days ago (June 15th, 2008)
	Thanks, man Glad you liked this, and happy you got that 80s vibe from it. This was a lot of fun to do; some very cool tracks coming out of this! Thanks again, dude. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

MarkHolbrook	MarkHolbrook said 511 days ago (June 15th, 2008)
	Excellent as usual David!!! Hey can I borrow your vocal chords for a week or two? Mine sound lousy and I've got a duet going with Gail!!! Impressive song my friend... really great! This also came very fast after the coffee house too! Mark Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge

dajama

dajama said 510 days ago (June 15th, 2008)

Thanks, Mark
I'm delighted to see you here; glad you liked this one. Yeah, this did come pretty soon after Struck Dumb. I usually take longer between posts, but I thought this one fit the bill, so I went for it. Glad you enjoyed it. As for the vocal chords - yours are just fine! I'm looking forward to hearing the duet! Cheers, man. Peace.

Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

The Infinites	The Infinites said 510 days ago (June 15th, 2008)
	What a top tune! Vocally, you remind me of Al Stewart (Year Of The Cat). Lyrics are dark and have an overall undertone that was prevalent in the 80s where a wee bit of angst went into a lot of songs. The tune is upbeat and disguises the sentiment. Good call - I like the juxtaposition of the music and word a lot. Jim Check out my latest song called Day-Glo

dajama	dajama said 510 days ago (June 15th, 2008)
	Thanks, man Delighted you enjoyed this one. I love songs that sound kind of upbeat but have that dark undertone, and you're right, the 80s was full of that kind of stuff, even if some of the lyrics were completely obtuse and impossible to decipher! Thanks a million for stopping by and checking this out. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

asconejar	asconejar said 510 days ago (June 15th, 2008)
	tsada nicely done. It makes me feel like dancing with the beat, and nicely woven lyrics. I think it sounds better if you put a little fading echo in the last guitar strum. Congrats mate. topnotch indeed. Check out my latest song called There Could Never Be Goodbye

dajama	dajama said 508 days ago (June 17th, 2008)
	It makes me so happy that this makes you want to dance - not something my music usually makes people want to do! I like the idea for the echo at the end! I might revisit that! Thanks so much for stopping by and listening. I'm very glad you liked it. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

jiguma	jiguma said 509 days ago (June 16th, 2008)
	Great mix/class act! A real touch of Bowie in the phrasing - great drum track, and solid in all other areas. Very Bowieesque chord changes too. I really like this one David. Your voice sounds really classy, and all the guitars are perfect. I like the bass too - what's "goosey" about it? :) Cheers from Oz, Neil Check out my latest song called Under My Skin

dajama	dajama said 508 days ago (June 17th, 2008)
	Thanks, Neil I'm always happy to hear you enjoy something I post. Thanks for the Bowie references! Love it! Glad you enjoyed the bass, especially considering the terrific bass sounds you come up with! Loved your latest, my man. Thanks for stopping by and checking this out. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

paddler	paddler said 509 days ago (June 17th, 2008)
	Well mixed production is excellent and everything crystal clear great driving beat and well constructed lyrics - good stuff Cheers RG Check out my latest song called Tiger Flame (Halloween Challenge)

dajama	dajama said 508 days ago (June 17th, 2008)
	Thanks, man Loved your recent epic on the summer solstice, and I'm happy you liked this one. Thanks for the nod on the production - glad it didn't sound too messy. Thanks for stopping by and checking this one out. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

ktb	ktb said 507 days ago (June 19th, 2008)
	Those guitars! They sound from the era. Slightly sweetly chorused and rockin all the way. Your voice sounds terrific and I love the lyrics. Check out my latest song called off the deck (w/Z293)

dajama	dajama said 506 days ago (June 19th, 2008)
	Thank you much I love that you think the guitar sound is authentic. It's one of the things I really wanted to get right. Very happy you enjoyed this one, and delighted you stopped by. Still marveling at your take on Cult of Anubis. Very, very cool! Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

richardhowardjones	richardhowardjones said 503 days ago (June 22nd, 2008)
	SUPERB BALANCE This is one of the cleanest mixes I've ever heard. A good song, really professionally done. Thanks for sharing. Smokin' guitar! Check out my latest song called GOTTA GO

dajama	dajama said 493 days ago (July 2nd, 2008)
	Thank you kindly Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks especially for the nod on the sound; there's quite a bit going on in the song, and I was worried about creating a cluttered mess! Thanks again for stopping by and checking this out. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

aclarke

aclarke said 500 days ago (June 25th, 2008)

Snake bites you where? heheh
I would have listened to this in the 80's... it has a great melody, awesome hook and hey, you even started with power chords... that's what I call a complete package.

Lyrically poetic with cool wordplay ("Sleeping like a failed insomniac") and delightful irony ("Still arranging every new coincidence"). Extremely solid and much enjoyed!

Check out my latest song called Ballad of The Little Tiki

dajama	dajama said 493 days ago (July 2nd, 2008)
	Thank you Really glad you liked this. I loved your latest, and I'm delighted you like this. Thanks for the nice words about the lyrics especially. I'm always happy when people notice the words! Thanks for stopping by and checking this one out. Much appreciated. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

SJB

SJB said 492 days ago (July 4th, 2008)

dirty war
Hi David,I've not had much time for listening at MJs recently so I've some catching up to do. I'm glad I started with you because this is just great. The lead guitar sound has a real nice luxury texture to it (not sure how else to describe it!). Production as usual is top notch as are vocals. Brilliant song and an obvious download.
Thanks for the music!
Steve

Check out my latest song called Short tune

dajama	dajama said 485 days ago (July 10th, 2008)
	Thanks, Steve I'm glad you liked this one. I really wanted the guitar to reflect the 80s vibe, glad you think it worked. I'm flattered you're downloading this; I always take it as a great compliment. Thanks a million for checking this one out. Much appreciated as always. Cheers. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

sloparts

sloparts said 278 days ago (February 2nd, 2009)

This is one I hadn't had a chance
to check out till now, but it's another classic David Maguire song. Same strong vox. great backtracks and powerful mix. I'm not done checking out your songs David but every one I've heard so far should be on iTunes, or the Radio, being played. This is some very good stuff my friend, when are you going to publish it and get it out there for the masses ?

Ill be back for more my friend.

Be well and be cool,

Ed

Check out my latest song called Just a little Something

dajama	dajama said 277 days ago (February 3rd, 2009)
	Man Man, you are too kind, but it's great to get such encouragement. Glad you liked this one; it was a hoot to do. As for getting stuff out there - who knows? Stranger things have happened! Thanks, Ed; I appreciate your going back and checking out the older stuff. Cheers, my friend. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)