The music for "Do It Yourself" was written on April 4, 2013. It's the first Plaid On Flannel song to not use a 4/4 time signature. "Do It Yourself" instead has a 6/8 time signature. On a 1-2-3 / 1-2-3 pattern. Other notable songs that use a 6/8 time signature are "We Are The Champions" by Queen, "Tuesday's Gone" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, & "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica. It was a time signature I always wanted to explore, and GarageBand allowed me to do that while recording the Mission Of Mercy album.
I wrote the lyrics for "Do It Yourself" on April 7, 2013. As a do-it-yourself artist, I wanted to have a song that could be both motivational, and describe the nature of what comes with a DIY approach. "One Man Band" is another tune from the Mission Of Mercy album that illustrates how I handle my craft. This lyrical theme of self-reliance was further explored on Plaid On Flannel's 4th LP Independency. The lyrics in "Do It Yourself" address the type of person who waits for things to happen for them. Rather than just taking matters into their own hands. And a lot of that self-reliant reluctance is based off of fear. People are conditioned to rely on others. It starts with their parents, then school, then the adult job, and then a spouse. People get to a point where they depend so much on others, that they're too afraid to do anything independently. So "Do It Yourself" is meant to be a wake up call for those kinds of people.
After producing 17 songs for the Mission Of Mercy album, I began recording "Do It Yourself" on April 8, 2013. The descending guitar riff is featured 4 separate times in the tune. "Do It Yourself" has an organ playing through the whole song. Providing a fair amount of colour and flavour. This organ prominently plays haunting sounding arpeggios in the pre-choruses of the tune. There is a layer of backup vocal harmonies during the 2nd verse and guitar solo of "Do It Yourself". The guitar solo features 3 lead guitars. One on the left side of the stereo mix, one in the middle and another on the right. In the 2nd half of the overall guitar solo, the left and right guitars play harmonies in unison while the middle guitar fills in the gaps. Here I am performing this guitar solo with just one guitar... youtu.be/MGbazKjIpu8
I finished recording "Do It Yourself" on April 16, 2013, and the entire Mission Of Mercy album was released on May 20 2013. "Do It Yourself" is a song I've never played with a band, but I really want to. It was always on the to-do list with the Plaid On Flannel band, but we never got around to rehearsing it. I think the tune would have to be transposed down to a lower key to fit my vocal range. I'm sure "Do It Yourself" will find it's way into Plaid On Flannel's live repertoire of songs as a band in the future.
lyrics
Words and music by Nolan Randall
Nothing is certain and you'll never know
It's just something you gotta accept
Forcing yourself to hold on and let go
After all the promises you kept
Stick with it now while you're rolling ahead
The distractions will take you away
Don't listen to what anybody said
In your own mind you try to portray
Jumping, slumping, feel that one thing
Picking, tricking, feel like kicking
Fortune telling history gathered in a mystery
What are you supposed to do?
I have got a clue for you
Do it yourself, now do it yourself
Without having to ask for help
Do it yourself, now do it yourself
Take everything off of your shelf
All of your friends are not sticking around
You're running out of people to trust
Do it yourself without making a sound
Your perspective is collecting dust
Taking your time without making a crime
At this point, seems to be your best bet
Don't you decline because of the design
There are some things that you'll never get
Jumping, slumping, feel that one thing
Picking, tricking, feel like kicking
Fortune telling history gathered in a mystery
What are you supposed to do?
I have got a clue for you
Do it yourself, now do it yourself
Without having to ask for help
Do it yourself, now do it yourself
Take everything off of your shelf
Do it yourself, now now do it yourself
Without having to ask for help
Do it yourself, now do it yourself
Take everything off of your shelf
Do it yourself, now do it yourself
Without having to ask for help
Do it yourself, now do it yourself
Take everything off of your shelf
Do it yourself, now now do it yourself
Without having to ask for help
Do it yourself, now do it yourself
Take everything off of your shelf
Plaid On Flannel is an alternative indie blues rock act from Toronto, Canada. With 80+ original songs recorded since 2011,
singer-songwriter Nolan Randall has remained the sole constant member of the band. POF's music is known for guitar riffs/solos, memorable hooks, catchy melodies/harmonies, evocative lyrics, & superb musicianship. While keeping a focus on originality and songwriting quality....more
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