Human Being

Vic Holman

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Description

sometimes it's the simplest of tunes that are the hardest to mix. my first intention was to have a keyboard in this song. at first i started with a rhodes, but soon found out it was taking to much sonic space and and competed with the 2 acoustic guitar tracks. so i eliminated one guitar track but it just getting a clarity very well. so i switched the rhodes to a electric piano. almost same problem. narrowing down the vibrato and chorusing effect helped and eq'ing helped some more. it wasn't until I got a sweet spot in the panning that it started to shape up.

after doing the first vocals i noticed i had recorded to hot. so i had to toss those out and start over, which wasn't to bad since i did manage to record the 3 tracks in one pass each.

it did take me quite a few evenings just on panning to get a good balance and some clarity. all this hassle just for the keyboard in here.

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Lyrics

Human Being

I am all thoughts withdrawn
didn''t hear angels sing a song
echoes murmur what's right or wrong
no answer as I hold my tongue
but the sight of the moon makes me feel change tonight... tonight

I will try to change my world one day at a time
I' ll stand up to the things that really drag me down

I am pain that made you suffer
I tear you're heart out over another
I am greed you won't get over
I am human like any other
but the sight of the moon makes me feel change tonight... tonight

I will try to change my world one day at a time
I' ll stand up to the things that really drag me down

feel so misaligned
out of place and out of time

I repeat mistakes from the past
easy to judge and talking trash
I had my say on humanity
being human is a part of me
but the sight of the moon makes me feel change tonight... tonight

I will try to change my world one day at a time
I' ll stand up to the things that really drag me down

Song Stats

Hits: 4179
Comments: 61
Fans: 36
Plays: 219
Downloads: 95

Uploaded: Jan 10, 2010 - 02:32:35 PM
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2010 - 02:32:35 PM Last Played: Jun 30, 2019 - 05:57:13 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Hardware:

iMac, presonus firebox, Ibanez acoustic, schector bass, gibson sg, m-audio keyboard, audio techinica mike, digitech gnx2 pedal board. glass slide.

Software:

Logic Pro 9

Comments

FEEL	FEEL said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Nice effect The way you panned the lead on the intro. The lead effect sounded a lot like a patch I use to use on my old Zoom 9030. Always an attention grabber. Mix sounds great. Enjoyed. Check out my latest song called A Second Life with Scott Carmicheal

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Thanks John actually the solos are 2 guitars, one is played up a fifth. it would of been easier to run it through a pitch shifter, but i like figuring out that kind of stuff. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

Skean	Skean said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Mix master You're a mix master my dear friend. It sounds perfect, but then again it's a, Vic tune, and I always love them... Thanks for this... Cheers Check out my latest song called Dusk and gone

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Thanks Kenta usually the mixing process is quick and painless. but this one took some work to nail down. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

Z293	Z293 said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	The things we do for progress But it will be so much easier next time right? It's amazing how a simple pan can open up things for a better fit. Your efforts paid off everything seem to fit in nicely. The slide really is a nice touch. Check out my latest song called La Pavillon

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Thanks Gary yes, a very big lesson learned. originally i had a ebow in place before switching it out for a slide. i added a large cathedral echo from space designer to give even more distance. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

jiguma

jiguma said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)

Shifting guits
I just came over from Smokey's new one, and found a continuation of his "aural vertigo" in your first few bars. Maybe I need to get my hearing checked.
Are you doing something different with your vocal here Vic? Sounds more immediate than usual - not a bad thing at all, just different. I like it! Always enjoy your guitars, and I like the bass lines you've chosen a lot. Ditto drums. Great production too.
Have I missed anything? No, all good.

Check out my latest song called Le Chemin De La Vie

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Thanks Neil regarding vocals, it depends on what time of the day i do them. not much of anything different, except no reverb on the main vocal. and have started using a limiter with the gain up to 5 and dropping the level back to -3.5 db. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

egobandit	egobandit said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Tonight tonight There is a very cool keyboard going along in the back ground following and filling in the overall mood. Great composing on this! Downloaded thanks! Check out my latest song called Cook the goose

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Thanks Tim yeah, there is a additional synth that i tweeked. it gives it a little more brightness overall. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

Feter	Feter said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Human Being This is a nice prog psycho rockin song ... a powerful bass the guitars as always a superb stamp of yours ..glad what you reached to with your mixing here and putting the guitar instead the heavy Rhodes ..maybe moog will be more freaky a top notch production my friend ...thnx alot for sharin !!!!!!!!!!!! Check out my latest song called Roll with it

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Thanks Feter sometimes it comes down to a evolutionary process to get something good going in a mix. the rhodes sounded good on it's own but didn't want to play fair with everything else in this case. i went through a dozen keyboard sounds until i found the final one would fit in nicely. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

TG said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)

WEREWOLVES! :D
Yeah good one Vic. I like all the guitar sounds used in this, I can hear 4 of them, my favorite is the dry guitar line during the chorus and I like how the wet left sided guitar segway after the chorus offsets it, very nice for a sense of depth.

Man there is something so Robby Kreiger about some of your songs, gotta love that. Great job on the airy vox as well!

Check out my latest song called Slow Train [with Vic Holman & KTB]

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Thanks Tom actually five guitars. the lead is doubled, one is playing in harmony up a fifth. the dry guitar is pretty minimal, just to add some sugar. I added a huge echo to the slide so as like you said to give a bit of depth and contrast. thanks again Tom Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

TG	TG said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	ahhh... I had a feeling I was missing one, never thought about the guitar harmony! very cool! Check out my latest song called Slow Train [with Vic Holman & KTB]

Reggie_Pole	Reggie_Pole said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Sight of the moon All your hard work paid off in creating a unique sound. I appreciate it when contributors here say a few words about their process. Really like the song construction here. The lyrics --- so forlorn but with some optimism coming through. The doubled leads sound great. Well done. Check out my latest song called UnerSpizm

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	at first i thought "well I'll knock out a simple and quick tune". wasn't quite the case as it turned out. there were also quite a few things that i had added then deleted, i could of made a entire song out of the scraps.:-) Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

SmokeyVW	SmokeyVW said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	keys! i like the keys - glad you went to the trouble to fit it in - it came out great i can relate to the lyrics... thanks Check out my latest song called Farther

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Bill keys- I new if i kept it simple I could handle it. even with the key going from C to D at the guitar solo. but don't expect any grand piano concerto in the future,:-) Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

MarkHolbrook

MarkHolbrook said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)

Well Vic
I like it... The opening lead... I didn't like the back and forth panning much... It was so good.. I wanted it spacially centered and withdrawn a bit... Personal taste I'm sure. A usually the drums kicked in this...

There is a key that plays along at times that seems in a different space than the rest to me... Almost like someone played it in a room while listing to this tune in the stereo. Not bad... Just noticeably different. I noticed it before the break somewhere around 1:49 or so...

All in all Vic this kicks... Great work man!

Check out my latest song called Corn Whiskey

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Mark one of the lead guitarists had a cramp in his foot and had to walk it off. the extra synth was to brighten up the overall thing and have a little contrast. I didn't want it to be to predictable. Thanks again Mark Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

Dadai.2	Dadai.2 said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	I'm a human... ... you are not. OK, you're not yet E.C., but I had to just say that. Vic, a real 'human' expression in the lyrics. Your singing really kept my attention. As par-usual, the sound you create is a delight here. Nice, real nice keyboards. I can only imagine the work you put into this one. Kudos to you and the band. Jack Check out my latest song called Into The Down...

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Jack I hope we passed the audition. I knew the lyrics where going to be pretty heavy. but, we are all human whether we want to admit it or not. p.s. the paul didn't make it on this song. the music was all ready done by the time i bought it. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

fasteddie	fasteddie said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	So far This is my favorite song that I've heard of yours. The cool sliding guitar is awesome. The lead that has an octaver? or some other effect is cool as hell. Check out my latest song called On Borrowed Time

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Eddie i had a ebow in the beginning but switched over to slide in the end, i think it worked better. no octaver. just 2 guitar tracks playing in harmony. one was played up a fifth. and that's what you get sound wise. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

scofugate	scofugate said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	Nice Vic You always seem to pick out the coolest vibes and moods in the plethora of music the world has to offer. Very classy. Nice mix...The work paid off man. Check out my latest song called DreamKiller

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Scott i took a lot of extra time on getting the sound together. i tried quite a few different things, different keyboards, guitar tracks, etc. it took a while to nail it all down on what worked together. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

particledots	particledots said 3572 days ago (January 10th, 2010)
	well worth the effort vic for some reason i really like the way the acoustic guitar sounds and the way you have got it to sit in the mix so well excellent Check out my latest song called I caught my scarf in the sputnik

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Bryn the acoustic against the keyboard was my biggest problem on this song. they either wanted to muddy up or phase one or the other out. I came pretty close to just dumping the acoustic all together. but i sent them to their rooms until they would play nice. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

Calchas

Calchas said 3572 days ago (January 11th, 2010)

Funny...
I was scanning the Fans Picks and I saw the title HUMAN BEING. Somehow I KNEW instantly that it was gonna be a new Vic Holman tune. Don't ask me how...I just knew. Sure enough! It's you in all your glory bro.

So here I sit, into my third Pale Ale, and grinning ear-to-ear. LOVE the chord change at "but the sight of the moon." REALLY love the entire chorus.

This is a beautiful and honest song Vic. Color me moved my friend.

Be well!

Check out my latest song called LOWLANDS OF HOLLAND/THE FOGGY DEW

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Mike its not easy to write and sing about humans. but i thought the chorus was a good example of optimism that we try to achieve to over-shadow human nature.... just being honest Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

lavalamp	lavalamp said 3572 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Don't be a human being... ...be a human doing. I heard you had a new one up and thought I would drop by for a down load, comment and a listen. Like the laid back approach regarding the vocals, along with the keys playing that melody. Signature guitars. GOOD ONE LL Check out my latest song called The Shallow People

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Dave just doing those human things. being laid back and taking a afternoon nap on the weekend is my thing. thanks again Dave Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

michaelkoppenheffer	michaelkoppenheffer said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	A well-burnished mix of a good song--what a pleasure to hear! Recalls a lot of different artists without seeming too much like any of them. I like the lead guitar fifths, and I think the EP is perfectly seated in the mix. Glad I listened. Check out my latest song called Till the Tap Runs Dry (album version)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Michael i would have to say that i am a melding pot of quite a few influences that i grew up on aver the years. steal from the best! Thanks again. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

dave_b	dave_b said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Human Being I like the lyrics. You are good at packing a lot of meaning into a tight space with a well turned phrase. Great guitar parts, and they are all playing nicely together. The boomy bass anchors the bottom and provides a nice contrast to the brighter parts. Vocs are sounding good, and production is stellar. Check out my latest song called Llarions Blues

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Thanks Dave one thing that i more then often run into is after i record the music, i have no ideas at all about lyrics. i let it sit for a week. started ad libbing a chorus just to get a feel. after a point the words came down fast. lyrics are always a tough one. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

jibes	jibes said 3571 days ago (January 11th, 2010)
	Vic, you don't have to explain, were diggin' it! Most definitely!!! Check out my latest song called Early Evening

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3570 days ago (January 12th, 2010)
	ha ha! and i could of gone on and on. thanks for the listen! Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

echoroom	echoroom said 3571 days ago (January 12th, 2010)
	Cracking Your mixes always sound great, its nicve to know you have to sweat a bit for it! great tune, but i particularly like the lyrics on this- very poetic, sir! Check out my latest song called Light Sleeper

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3570 days ago (January 12th, 2010)
	Thanks Steve oh, I do have moments of "why isn't this working". thanks on the lyrics, a little deep maybe but optimistic as well. i hope that's how they are perceived. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

DWL	DWL said 3571 days ago (January 12th, 2010)
	Classy I'm amazed at the continuous high levels you maintain. Great lyrics and excellent choice of sounds. Cheers Dick Check out my latest song called Revelation

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3570 days ago (January 12th, 2010)
	Thanks Dick i think it's the assembly and recording are what i like the best. after i post it, chances are i won't listen to it for quite a few months after hearing it 100 times or more in the mix process. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

lengold	lengold said 3569 days ago (January 13th, 2010)
	Human Being Great title for a great song. Top notch Vic. Cheers len Check out my latest song called Decent Girl

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3569 days ago (January 13th, 2010)
	Thanks Len i was also thinking hummus beans Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

tempie

tempie said 3569 days ago (January 13th, 2010)

tears of a clown
i really like that keyboard sound, and the way you play the lyric melody on it during the chorus, it gives the tune a playful character. solo is also more light hearted than usual for you - man it sounds nearly pop! really appreciate the lyric concept too - most deliberations on the human condition come from a 3rd person narrator but i like how you're self consciously at the center here. man it takes a heavy concept to wring a pop song out of you lol

Check out my latest song called The Double Helix

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3569 days ago (January 13th, 2010)
	Thanks Craig i thought by having the hang ups in the verses and the more optimist thoughts in the chorus made for a nice confessional. I originally was thinking lighter on the the lyrics. clouds, unicorns and peppermint trees. but i got to much of a sugar rush just thinking about it. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

five_extra_arms	five_extra_arms said 3569 days ago (January 13th, 2010)
	Vic Holman - Human Who'da thought? Terrific job on the mix, Vic, you old "human". Check out my latest song called Draw

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3569 days ago (January 13th, 2010)
	Thanks Bob human...holman...human, see how that works. Thanks Bob and I like the neck scarf you're wearing, classy. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

Sigmund

Sigmund said 3569 days ago (January 13th, 2010)

Human Being
Funny how you started the song out with what sounds like electric piano - very interesting and different. I am noticing your vocals are more breathy than usual, which is a good thing - reminds me a bit how Neil (Jiguma) sings. I like how you double the vocal in the chorus with the elec piano. Sounds to me like you are trying some new things, and I like the direction - keep up the good work,
Sig

Check out my latest song called Running with the Wind by Peter B, feat rok41

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3568 days ago (January 14th, 2010)
	Thanks Sig yup electric piano. i had that planned from the beginning... as long as it's simple i can hang in there. :-) yeah, I think Neil and I have a somewhat grainyness to our vocals. it's always there no matter how i hear it in my head. Thanks again. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

moorlandt	moorlandt said 3566 days ago (January 16th, 2010)
	the whole holman Not only am I jealous about the consistency you spread out in your complete oeuvre, but also about that unique Holman sound, the distinctive and so recognizable way of 'singing on the chords' style. This one's another sweety in the window of Holman's Delicatesses shop. Great tune, mate. Check out my latest song called Free (remix)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3566 days ago (January 16th, 2010)
	Thanks Walter i ride those chords like a cowboy in the saddle. ;-) thanks for the listen Walter. Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

Bob Rodgers	Bob Rodgers said 3565 days ago (January 17th, 2010)
	I Love the sound of the keyboard and how it sits in the mix along with your vocals and great guitar sounds. Another excellent tune Vic and very much enjoyed! Bob Check out my latest song called The Lonely Man

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 3565 days ago (January 17th, 2010)
	Thanks Bob seems like it took me forever to get the keyboard and the acoustic guitar to set right. they were being fussy in the mix with each other. thanks for the listen Bob Check out my latest song called Life In A Car

ShadowofNine	ShadowofNine said 3564 days ago (January 18th, 2010)
	Very cool song: will try to change my world one day at a time I' ll stand up to the things that really drag me down me 2 Vic... Check out my latest song called Alone

VicDiesel

VicDiesel said 3557 days ago (January 25th, 2010)

headphones
It's amazing what you can hear in a good pair of cans. What on earth is that screaming guitar doing at 0:14? Do you switch to a different take? It also does something to the panning.

After that, it's a great song, as is usual for you.

Ok, why is that trumpet-like sound playing along with the melody in the chorus? If you insist on doing that, I would do it on alternate lines or so, not throughout.

Check out my latest song called Frippery

TERRAPLANE	TERRAPLANE said 3553 days ago (January 29th, 2010)
	late to the party again Really nice track Vic..You have a unique sound ,, I really enjoy your arrangement ,, dig those guitars,, keep on keepin on,,T Check out my latest song called Little Drummer Boy

BirdmanWayne94	BirdmanWayne94 said 3552 days ago (January 30th, 2010)
	It's not fair... ... to see all of these stupid bands out there getting famous when there's a one-man-band like yourself making incredible music. Why can't I see you among the featured bands of TV shows? Grammy's are this Sunday, where's your name?! Thanks for a great ride. This piece is totally awesome! Check out my latest song called Groove #7 (SoloMe-o Challenge)

bud	bud said 3552 days ago (January 30th, 2010)
	It was worth it te keys are really good here and a necessary part of the sonic landscape. Glad you stuck it out til you got it right. Excellent tune Vic. I love the way you bend a line to your will and make the music work too. Check out my latest song called mixer 2

Mcboy	Mcboy said 3551 days ago (January 31st, 2010)
	i could hear JH singing this ....the choice of tones are a good fit for the song....always dig u r lyrics.....peace n love! Check out my latest song called Bluesphemy (MJRF 2010)

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Artist Info

Name: Vic Holman
Location: spokane washington usa

My alter ego band "Horses Undecided" albums are available at all music outlets. itunes, amazon, google play, spotify, etc. I've also been fortunate to collaborate with Bud Streets of Dehli Everyday And a few get ... [see more]

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