Home Music Articles Forums Blog Chat More...      

The Likes of Us


by

DWL

 Genre: Pop Orchestral

Get Flash to see this player.

Description
Graeme Hobbs wrote the song and sang it. I orchestrated and arranged.

We had very little time to record when he was visiting from Spain so this is a one-take, no click and no guide tone. I wish we'd had more time but it gets the message across.

My thanks to Paul Page for listening to this and offering suggestions that I never quite managed to make.

It's part of Amokopera 3 - A Distant England

It was finished a while back but somehow I dropped out of the MJ loop for a while and never got round to posting it. I also spent far too much time trying to fine-tune and just making it worse so here it is warts and all.

Cheers

Dick
Leave a Comment
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
Song Stats
Hits: 3627
Comments: 71
Fans: 42
Plays: 223
Downloads: 61

Uploaded: Jul 30, 2013 - 11:33:11 AM
Last Updated: Jul 30, 2013 - 11:33:11 AM Last Played: Jul 01, 2019 - 10:23:32 PM
Song License
Creative Commons License:
Attribution-NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Creative Commons

Song Actions
share on facebook share on twitter download song
Comments
Symphony101 said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Nice song !
And I like the arrangement Dick, very cool. I think it worked out really good.
Check out my latest song called Standing On The Brink (w/ Mosaica)
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Thanks Yves!
It's a song I think I'll be constantly thinking I could do better!

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
Loob said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Love the orchestra Dick!
Fine work chaps! One to be proud of!
Check out my latest song called Hanging With Me
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
I would love
to get access to a real orchestra.

Thanks Freddy, I wasn't happy with the string sounds (everyone else seems to get a lot of clarity when all I get is mush ;-) )

Much appreciated

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
Bob Rodgers said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Wow!!
A great arrangement and an excellent vocal Dick!

Such a wonderful song!

I love the orchestration and just superb in every way!

Very much enjoyed.

Bob

Check out my latest song called The Lonely Man
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Not me singing!
That was a one-take Graeme effort with no click track but I'm sure Graeme would be pleased you liked it.

Thanks for the listen, comments and the heads-up and hope to see you at the end of August.

Cheers

Dick
Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
hackneybloke said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
likes of us
very good song.....and very good lyrics. good variation on the arrangement so the repeated them never gets repetitive.
really solid vocal delivery dick....you always manage to sound like someone waving the socialist worker :)
keep the flag flying
Check out my latest song called If Symptoms Persist
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Thanks Julian
I don't whether I should feel flattered or Graeme should be worried that we're starting to sound like each other ;-)

Thanks for noticing the variations. I tried all sorts of arrangements before ending up with this and tried to vary it a little.

Maybe see you at the end of August as well.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
davajonah said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
The likes of us
Indeed! Start of this I thought "Kevin Koyne" oh he the madman from Derby, but then the orchestration comes in. You do sound a little like him actually, but he was saner than you. Not bad, I would say, for "warts and all"! Great lyrics Dick. The likes of us, yes.
Check out my latest song called Lost and Found
davajonah said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Erratum
*Coyne. :-)
Check out my latest song called Lost and Found
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Saner than me?
Very possible actually ;-)

I'm sure I've got a vinyl album by him (or am I thinking of Kevin Ayers?)

Whatever, I must check him out as that's a name from a dim and drug-fuelled past.

Many thanks for the listen and comments!

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
guygrooves said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
No
warts here
Peace

Check out my latest song called Last Day Here 1998
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 31st, 2013)
Thanks Guy
I've got some ointment if you do find any.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
alackbass said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
The Likes of Us
Powerful lyrics! Very well orchestrated! Extremely impressive!
Check out my latest song called Mean Miss Teacher
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 31st, 2013)
Much appreciated Andrew!
Thanks for the listen and comment

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
MacFerret said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Love it with every listen
Works at every level - another Hobbs/Langford classic. Big Like for this.
Check out my latest song called Sad Ronnie
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 31st, 2013)
Thanks Tim!
Good of you to stop by :-)

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
TheComfortLeaf said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Nice
Superb vocals the combination with the orchestral elements makes it a real treat great work mate.
Check out my latest song called This is my Demo
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 31st, 2013)
Hi Vijay
I think I can thank Bob for the heads up!

Many thanks for the listen and comments. About time for a new one from you?

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
Philip18 said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
The Likes of Us
Using the vocal unaccompanied at the start is a good idea - it makes sure the lyrics are front and centre throughout, as they should be. Supportive orchestration. The drums are used to good effect. I works well - makes the listener think and the the title sticks in the mind. As you say, it gets the message across. Powerful work, Dick and Graeme.
Check out my latest song called Refuge
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 31st, 2013)
The message
was the most important thing. I just tried to support the melody without overwhelming it.

Thanks for the listen and comments.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
bud said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
I love this series
great atmosphere and grit - earth and spit - humor and wit. very effective.
Check out my latest song called mixer 2
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 31st, 2013)
Thanks Kevin
a subject close to all our hearts I would think.

More to come (but rather slowly)

Thanks for your support :-)

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
paul f. page said 2243 days ago (July 30th, 2013)
Suggestions...?
...Hey, this stands on its own, period. Strong vocal that's out front; unencumbered backup accompaniment; no frills; just a plain old honest song that delivers its message with clarity. Who could ask for more?
Check out my latest song called Caprice
DWL said 2243 days ago (July 31st, 2013)
One day
I'll get your clarity!

Thanks for the listen and the comments and your advice :-)

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
J.A.Stewart said 2242 days ago (July 31st, 2013)
An Ode To Everyman...
... and somewhat in the vein of Buffy Sainte-Marie's "The Universal Soldier."

Pithy lyrics and a rich vocal performance by Graeme with a subtle, punctuating orchestral build by Dick. It makes for a simple, but stirring anthem about social inequality.

Nicely done guys! ;)

--- Joe
Check out my latest song called Crankenhurst Challenge - Verse 1-7 (Inst. Break)
DWL said 2241 days ago (August 1st, 2013)
Thanks Joe
Ode to Everyman - I like that as will Graeme.

More to come....

Thanks for the listen and comments and it's about time you had a new one isn't it?

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
lengold said 2242 days ago (August 1st, 2013)
Wonderful to
hear you both again, you make a fantastic team.
Graeme's lyrics are always spot on, straight to the point and forcefully delivered.
Your orchestration compliments Graeme perfectly and builds without encroaching.
This is a total pleasure to listen to Dick and would work fantastically on stage. One day, you never know.
Cheers
Len

Check out my latest song called Decent Girl
DWL said 2241 days ago (August 1st, 2013)
Very kind of you Len
and you'll have the chance to tell Graeme himself at the party!

We really appreciate your support.

One day .....


Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
KCsGROOVE said 2242 days ago (August 1st, 2013)
the likes of us
really good song
dig the vocals
wonderful arrangements
very much enjoyed!
KC
Check out my latest song called WORK
DWL said 2240 days ago (August 3rd, 2013)
Thanks Cees
your listen and comment are much appreciated.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
johnwhitehead said 2241 days ago (August 1st, 2013)
Likes
What a wonderful song. Powerful vocal performance, Dick. Love your arrangement touches and the way it builds. Feels theatrical in a good way...got to me emotionally, in other words. If you had a budget, I could hear a chorus (children's chorus?) kick in at 2:04.
Excellent piece of work, man.
Check out my latest song called Wandering Blues
DWL said 2239 days ago (August 3rd, 2013)
Nice to see you John!
I love the idea of a children's chorus. I think you're right, it would work!

Many thanks for the kind comments.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
grah3am said 2240 days ago (August 2nd, 2013)
Brilliant production
Radical lyrics and lovely arrangement. I'm sure you're aware that this is professional standard, so I wish you and your chums well on your way to well - known - dom, if there is such a thing.
Check out my latest song called Pretty Penny
DWL said 2239 days ago (August 3rd, 2013)
Getting a bit old
for well-know-dom but I appreciate the sentiment!

Thanks a lot for taking the time to listen and comment Graham.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
Vic Holman said 2240 days ago (August 2nd, 2013)
The Likes of Us
excellent. great job on the orchestral arrangement, very dynamic
Check out my latest song called Life In A Car
DWL said 2239 days ago (August 3rd, 2013)
Dynamics
was one the things I was trying to get so I'm pleased it worked out.

Thanks Vic

Cheers

Dick

Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
davisamerica2 said 2239 days ago (August 4th, 2013)
Likes of Us
Love this Dick! I think the orchestration is great. Great voice. My feet are wet. I'm must have taken a walk to the old country. Peace. T
Check out my latest song called Road to Yourself/with Abandon Style
DWL said 2237 days ago (August 5th, 2013)
Thanks Jack
Old is about right!

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
MarkHolbrook said 2238 days ago (August 4th, 2013)
Spot on great
Love this kind of ballad! Very nicely done guys!
Check out my latest song called Corn Whiskey
DWL said 2237 days ago (August 6th, 2013)
Thanks Mark
much appreciated!

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
egobandit said 2238 days ago (August 4th, 2013)
food on your tables
this soars, love the horns it has a thump your chest sound !
Check out my latest song called Cook the goose
DWL said 2237 days ago (August 6th, 2013)
Thump your chest
that's a good line!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and listen.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
jiguma said 2238 days ago (August 4th, 2013)
An instant classic Dick!
In my experience, obsessive fine-tuning is never a good idea. But then, this sounds great!
Cheers from Oz,
Neil
Check out my latest song called Closing Down
DWL said 2237 days ago (August 6th, 2013)
Fine-tuning
as you say, a curse and rarely a blessing ;-)

Thanks for the listen and comment Neil.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
Outtaorbit said 2238 days ago (August 4th, 2013)
More than you
KNOW......Why to hang babe
Check out my latest song called My Last Great Depression
DWL said 2237 days ago (August 6th, 2013)
As enigmatic
as your music ;-)

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
Doug Somers said 2238 days ago (August 4th, 2013)
The likes of us
A strong song. Kudos to Graeme for the clarity of the message in the lyrics and of course your vocal which by now we have come to expect will be top flight and this doesn't disappoint. The departure to orchestrate this song (vs. your rockers) makes for a nice contrast and I think it's bloody brilliant. Just enough, nothing there for show.

Maybe recording without click or guide tones makes the performance more 'real', more vulnerable, and therefore more approachable. We are all the singer. We are all the sung about.

Cheers Dick. Appreciate the dload too!
Check out my latest song called Western Stranger
DWL said 2237 days ago (August 6th, 2013)
Thanks Doug
it's one of those that went through various incarnations from orchestra to guitars and back again. I'm pleased it seems to have gone down well.

Your comments are very much appreciated.

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
CIASM_ZENABI_ said 2238 days ago (August 5th, 2013)
the like os us.
this has been very well done dick/greame. lots to be interested in in here. cheers graham
Check out my latest song called GLOWING IN THE DARK (2012 REMIX)
DWL said 2236 days ago (August 6th, 2013)
Thanks Graham
we appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
damiengh said 2237 days ago (August 5th, 2013)
gritty
I love the wart-making, cause it sure paid off.

These are potent lyrics of the working man, best thrown at the 1% , though they're surely not listening. (Walmart etc.)

I'm loving this anger at a low boil but sooner or later, it's gonna have to boil over.

Check out my latest song called Tea and Scones
DWL said 2236 days ago (August 6th, 2013)
It will boil over
the question is when.

The poor are being hit so hard and so often now that they either retreat into ghettos or they start to fight back.

My fear is that they are being so badly beaten that all confidence and fight is being systematically removed.

Thanks for the listen and comments Damien!

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
stevel said 2237 days ago (August 5th, 2013)
Bold and Brassy
Very enjoyable track Dick..Graeme's vocals do sound a bit like yours on this one. The melody reminds me a bit of that old Peter Sarstedt song "Where do you go my lovely' but given a more hard hitting political subject. Very nice arrangement with the brass
Cheers
Steve
Check out my latest song called Out of Reach
DWL said 2234 days ago (August 8th, 2013)
Thanks Steve!
Sounding the same? I'll be interested to hear what Graeme says about that ;-)

I'd never thought of Peter Sarstedt but now you come to mention it...

Thanks a lot Steve

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
PeterB7858 said 2237 days ago (August 5th, 2013)
The Likes of Us
Fine vocal work, Dick. Graeme has written a fine song and your rendition conjures up images of an indignant worker singing at a pub (that has an orchestra :-)). Powerful post. Thanks, Peter.
Check out my latest song called The Parting Of The Ways
DWL said 2234 days ago (August 8th, 2013)
Much appreciated Peter
it took a lot of work so I'm pleased it all worked out!!

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
MartinD28 said 2235 days ago (August 7th, 2013)
"Us"
Love the song (and vocal) and the production bears your professional touches Dick. The orchestration is wonderful, slowly building and growing in interest. I love these english songs!
Check out my latest song called Don't Lose Me Lord
DWL said 2234 days ago (August 8th, 2013)
Thanks Bradford
your listen and comments are much appreciated :-)

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
woofer3 said 2228 days ago (August 15th, 2013)
The Likes of Us
Great song Dick, superb vocals as well - all appealing with it's gorgeous 3/4 gait, such a refreshing approach as indeed most of your music exhibits. Although it's run time is just under two and a half minutes which is as a rule a sensible duration for the average song this one really could have gone on much longer as far as I was concerned. Excellent work Dick, really excellent. Oh and I apologize for my late response - I am a disgrace, I will eat three raw leaks as recompence for this.
Check out my latest song called Drunken bakers [08-01]
DWL said 2225 days ago (August 17th, 2013)
I hope
you will stay away from the leeks. They are only any good in a potato soup.

Thanks John, I always appreciate your comments. You're right, two and half minutes is about right. Say what you've got to say and get out. I did think about extending it but we didn't have any more lyrics and I really couldn't add anything more to the song musically as it was already doing what it was supposed to do.

Many thanks for the comments!

Cheers

Dick



Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
ste said 2221 days ago (August 22nd, 2013)
poignant
message for modern britain. strong vocal performance here. good stuff
Check out my latest song called songbreak
DWL said 2218 days ago (August 24th, 2013)
Thanks Ste
Much appreciated.

A message without a doubt but it's a pity that so few people will (or want) to hear it.

Thanks again

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
mfwmiles said 2204 days ago (September 7th, 2013)
great song.
it builds so nicely. glad i stumbled on you here..the theatricality is wonderful.

your music is magnificent.

Check out my latest song called The Strange Cafe (Ennead #9)
DWL said 2179 days ago (October 2nd, 2013)
Thanks Michael
much appreciated :)

Talking of theatrical Songs of Freedom is exceptional!

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
richard13 said 2179 days ago (October 2nd, 2013)
Sometimes the warts make things more human.
A rather pointed piece (but then, what of yours and Graeme's isn't?) simply and effectively delivered.
Check out my latest song called one last night with you
DWL said 2166 days ago (October 15th, 2013)
Thanks Richard
Graeme and I don't really do un-pointed stuff (although we did once ;-) http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_songInfo.cfm?bandID=409319&songID=3703379 )

Many thanks!

Cheers

Dick
Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
Bob6stringer said 2168 days ago (October 13th, 2013)
Righteous indignation
Dick, it's good to hear you again. Sounds great. While the song is broader in scope, the line/s about holding on to anger coincidentally cap a conversation I had over dinner with some friends last night about whether one can mature and become "enlightened" and still hold onto righteous anger. BTW regarding your intro notes: Click tracks can ruin a good, non-digital performance, glad this one can "breathe.")
Check out my latest song called Happy Birthday (Na Na Na Na)
DWL said 2166 days ago (October 15th, 2013)
Click tracks!
Interesting that I hadn't realised the last two songs I posted were made without click tracks. Hmm...

Righteous anger. I've "cut-off" an old friend on Facebook. He really was a friend once, I went to school with him, listened to Trout Mask Replica with him, smoked dope and took acid with him. I was getting sick of the right wing drivel he was spouting on FB but the final straw was when he told me I should have grown out of all that left-wing agit-prop stuff by now.

Hey ho eh?

I know I shouldn't let my anger subsume me but there's so much fucking inequality in this world I find it difficult to have any other response. AT least it keeps me in ideas for songs!

Cheers

Dick

Check out my latest song called California Snow Day
Bob6stringer said 2166 days ago (October 15th, 2013)
Those pearly whites temper your indignation.
You can't be THAT angry THAT often...or you would be flashing that smile (on your current profile pic)! As for injustices and the politicians who don't do much about them...politics often seems like a game planed by very large ants on a very large anthill. You'll get no arguments from me.
Check out my latest song called Happy Birthday (Na Na Na Na)
say said 1491 days ago (August 22nd, 2015)
The likes of Us
God I would love to hear this LIVE!! Do you play it out ? You should, great performance & the lyrics are spoton !

Thankyou
Fan List
Artist Info
artist photo
Name: Dick langford
Location: Everywhere and nowhere baby
send a note
11 years here (at time of writing!) - it doesn't seem that long ago I wrote "it doesn't seem that long ago I wrote 5 years"... Older but no wiser. The musical projects that make up Amokopera (The Lottery of Life, Celebrity Torture, and Dist... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

More songs in Pop Orchestral:

Chat
Who's Online
Invisible Members: 0
Visitors: 67
Links