Helena

This one is a bit of an experiment in several ways. It's written for a male & female singer doing counterpoint, so for obvious reasons I wasn't able to record it myself. So I've thrown Suno AI at it to see how it might come out. Not perfect, but honestly much better than I expected.

Helena

Lyrics: Owen Hovenden, Music: Suno AI

Music: https://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=14955445


[Verse: Male vocal]

Can you hear the sea?

1000 bright sails in the sunset

The long years between

Mean nothing to me

The passion runs too deep


[Chorus: Male Vocal]

Oh Helena, do you still yearn for Paris?

Will you burn much brighter there?

Oh Helena, nothing lasts forever

The swell of your lips, tint of your hair

Till time distorts the mirror


[verse: Female Vocal]

Can you feel the love?

The warmth of a world that adores me

I will shine like the sun

The roar of the crowd will ignite me

Our time is done


[Chorus Female Vocal]

Oh, to be, in the book of history

More than just one line

An image of eternal beauty

Can the love of one man signify?

Till time distorts the mirror


[Verse: Male vocal]

Say you still love me

And I will give the world to you

No tricks or deceit

I love the very heart of you

Beauty is skin deep


[Chorus: Male Vocal with female doing background]

Oh Helena, do you still yearn for Paris? (Set me free)

Will you burn much brighter there?

Oh Helena, nothing lasts forever (let me be)

The swell of your lips, tint of your hair (who I am)

Till time distorts the mirror


[Verse: Female Vocal]

A spark of the divine

Has been gifted to me

A muse for mankind

A deep mystery

To love and inspire


[Chorus: Female Vocal with male doing background]

Oh, to be, in the book of history (Come to me)

More than just one line

An image of eternal beauty (Be my love)

Can the love of one man signify? (For eternity)

Till time distorts the mirror


[Chorus: Male vocal with female vocal singing concurrently]

Oh Helena, do you still yearn for Paris? (Oh, to be, in the book of history)

Will you burn much brighter there? (More than just one line)

Oh Helena, nothing lasts forever (An image of eternal beauty)

The swell of your lips, tint of your hair (Can the love of one man signify?)

Till time distorts the mirror (Till time distorts the mirror)

Comments

  • @RainyDayMan - This works perfectly. I'll have to try this next time. I like how your lyrics flow and tell a great story. simple yet powerful.

  • sidshovel
    sidshovel merseyside

    I'm a big fan of historical songs, like Bill's Caesar, and Light Brigade, also fond memories of your Fanny Adams, lovely pieces.

    So seeing the title, I wondered is it, and it was, Helen of Troy.

    Quite a challenge and kudos, you pulled it off.

    Very impressed with the technical aspects you incorporated into the mix, challenging by any standards.

    Laid back on the rhyming structure throughout which adds to the mystique of the whole ambience.

    Good power map at every stage kept the momentum moving along smoothly.

    Well done, like to see more of this genre.

    Sid

  • RainyDayMan
    edited March 3

    It is indeed Helen of Troy. In fact what I was trying for was a modern couple where she has gone to Paris -the city (will you burn much brighter there) but where all the references mirror the historical events, hence time distorts the mirror. I don't think I've pulled it off 100% but it's not bad.

  • sidshovel
    sidshovel merseyside

    That for anyone, would be a huge ask in the time frame you've got. Considering what you did take on, I highly commendable effort.

    I like the concept a lot, but I'd probably only take the most recognizable slice of the pizza and play with that.

    I like the new pathways you're venturing down, not too abstract or you'll lose me.

    Technically, an amazing piece of work.

    Thank you

    Sid

  • Ha! You're probably right. I made the verses and choruses all 5 lines too, just to give Suno something else to do!

  • sidshovel
    sidshovel merseyside

    On an aside, could you look at Bells of St Clements and see if you can see what the others missed!

  • @RainyDayMan Lovely song. I looked up the beautiful name, Helena: "The name Helena is of Greek origin and means "light" or "shining light"...not that you obviously didn't know that. "Til time distorts the mirror" my favorite line. You really don't need "Beauty is skin deep" tho' it does reinforce nicely.

    Renee 💌

  • @HummerWisdom I knew it was of Greek origin. I didn't know that it meant shining light - that seems very appropriate. Thanks for checking it out, Renee!

  • needs lots of condensing to make it within 3 mins, tell it in simple words like you'd tell an 8 year old kid, hope this helps good luck

  • Not you, RainyDayMan, using AI!

  • pretty song of a romantic time , Did you use v4 Owen ?

  • RainyDayMan
    edited March 6

    @ElvisNash Yes, it was v4. Only on the free plan though.

    @yeahbuddy Sound advice in general. This one isn't radio material in any case. It would be somewhere on a conceptual album if it went anywhere - which it won't!!

    @robwills What horror eh? I like writing my own songs, but there are times when that isn't practical - like when I need a female vocalist. I don't mind using AI, I just enjoy playing guitar more and making you suffer through my singing!!

    Thank you all! Appreciate you taking the time to listen and comment.

  • bhengen
    bhengen usa
    edited March 6

    @RainyDayMan - At least you can carry a tune.. your singing really isn't that bad. I've been told i sound like a dying cow when I sing. and most recently, my dog put her paw over my mouth the last time I belted out a tune 😂

  • @bhengen Bill, I so now want to hear you moo out a song! I love the image of your dog putting her paw over your mouth!

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