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*Song Description By Noles*

The music for "Pay Attention" was written on July 11, 2012. Led by a classic I-IV chord progression to start the song, the chord variations actually move around quite a bit throughout the tune. At a mid-tempo with all major chords, I knew "Pay Attention" would be a song with a rather joyous vibe. On top of the music's melodic and harmonic possibilities.

I wrote the lyrics for "Pay Attention" on July 29, 2012. I partied downtown quite a bit in those Peterborough days. After the bars would close at 2am, the streets would be filled with people. Fights breaking out and drunk people stuffing their faces with poutine and hot dogs. The scene eventually got stale for me. I couldn't stand how clueless some people are. Especially when they're drunk. This was around the time the smartphone generation began to take off. And young people's attention spans became minimized. As a result, they further damaged any sense of individuality for themselves. With a new type of conformity. "Pay Attention" is about millennials with low attention spans. But the chorus sheds a light of hope in that "they will someday pay attention" as they mature and get older. I guess it was the optimist in me that said that.

I started producing the Mission Of Mercy album on September 4, 2012. After completing 5 songs, I began recording "Pay Attention" on November 27, 2012. The song is introduced with a whistle. It was an effect I found on my MIDI percussion software instrument. The whistle is there to signify the "Pay Attention" title of the tune. There is a backup harmony vocal all the way through the song. Every word in "Pay Attention" is harmonized. This was inspired by the song "Where I Find My Heaven" by The Gigolo Aunts from the Dumb And Dumber movie soundtrack. Which is a great soundtrack by the way! The Gigolo Aunts song has a backup vocal harmony behind every lead vocal phrase, and that Simon & Garfunkel type of approach inspired "Pay Attention". After all, the simple melodies of "Pay Attention" allow more room for harmonies.

"Pay Attention" has tons of lead guitar fills from front to back. This was a technique I utilized a lot on Plaid On Flannel's first 2 albums. The guitar solo for "Pay Attention" is one of my favourite solos from the Mission Of Mercy album. It moves up the neck and has a very playful tone. I added a MIDI software instrument horn section to "Pay Attention" that comes out in the later choruses and the bridge. This is something I've rarely done in the Plaidalog, but I wanted to give "Pay Attention" a classic R&B type of feel. I would like to add real horn sections to POF's music in the future. While the guitars in "Pay Attention" are rather clean, the organ provides a lot of colour and character to the song. There's an acoustic guitar playing all the way through "Pay Attention".

I finished recording "Pay Attention" on December 3, 2012, and the Mission Of Mercy album was released on May 20, 2013. I've never played "Pay Attention" with a band, and have never really done an acoustic version of the tune. It's a song I've always wanted to sing with backup vocal harmony accompaniment. I would like to bring back "Pay Attention" and finally play it with a Plaid On Flannel band. I feel like it's too good to pass up in the future.

lyrics

Words and music by Nolan Randall

So many people in the street
They're all walking so casually
In time they're gonna realize
They have to improvise
Heading to a destination
It's all for a celebration
The things they want are out of reach
They have all the things they need

I like to believe they will someday pay attention
They want to achieve
But first they must pay attention

It doesn't count if they don't care
All the same hats they like to wear
Too much of mediocrity
It's up to you and me
Go to the places you've never been
You have to stop before you begin
There's still another line of work
Where you don't go berserk

I like to believe they will someday pay attention
They want to achieve
But first they must pay attention
I like to believe they will someday pay attention
They want to achieve
But first they must pay attention

All of these things I say are far from the truth
About as obsolete as a telephone booth
So many reasons I try to mention that way
All of these simpletons have attention to pay

I like to believe they will someday pay attention
They want to achieve
But first they must pay attention
I like to believe they will someday pay attention
They want to achieve
But first they must pay attention

credits

from Vol. II: Mission Of Mercy, released May 20, 2013

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Plaid On Flannel Toronto, Ontario

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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