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Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:45 am
by mikeknight123
I've never had this until today.. I wrote a bassline that I was really happy with, but then started almost panicking that I had just heard it somewhere and copied it. It felt like I was writing it as I went but when it was done it sounded kinda familiar. I have looked through loads of songs that it could be and haven't found it and I'm starting to think it's just in my mind.. but how embarrassing would it be if I showed it to someone when it's done and they thought I was just some thieving little pikey!?!

Anyone ever had this before? Or am I going insane?

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:47 am
by collige
I wrote an entire tune and sent it out to people before I realized it has the exact same sample as Jack Sparrow - I and I. I like to think I used it better though.

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:48 am
by christthetiger
me and my buddies wrote a whole intro to a song in our hardcore band. and it was a Trash Talk song. lol.

we played it at shows and everything. people were like, dude that song is soooo good.

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:53 am
by mikeknight123
collige wrote:I wrote an entire tune and sent it out to people before I realized it has the exact same sample as Jack Sparrow - I and I. I like to think I used it better though.
Haha that must have been irritating. I've had that before with samples actually but I usually talk to people about them so most of the time they tell me about songs that already have them. I have a friend who knows way more songs/artists than me so I will probably just show him and see if he recognises it.
christthetiger wrote:we played it at shows and everything. people were like, dude that song is soooo good.
haha

"that was an awesome cover!"
"cover?"

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:02 am
by nowaysj
Dood, I've done this several times. Some I'd heard, some I hadn't. Just got my lady a bunch of old Cure for christmas, everytime this one track comes on, I'm like, "oh we had a great time recording this..." then the singing starts, and I become very embarrassed.

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:05 am
by mikeknight123
nowaysj wrote:Just got my lady a bunch of old Cure for christmas, everytime this one track comes on, I'm like, "oh we had a great time recording this..." then the singing starts, and I become very embarrassed.
Hahaha I bet. Glad to know I'm not alone with these things!

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:11 am
by deadly_habit
it becomes subliminal from your influences :wink:

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 4:49 am
by upstateface
I always play terrorist on my midi controller whenever I make a reese.It's become second nature.

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:18 am
by ketamine
I'm the opposite. I make stuff, think its garbage and delete it, then hear the same melody / sample / drum pattern 6 months later on a tune that blows up. I have "never good enough disease"... like Ikonika. ??? what ??? Not to hate, but her tunes sound like my 16 bar loops that go in the trash bin

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:23 am
by Tangka
haha always, and it's a horrible feeling everytime :lol:
nowaysj wrote:Dood, I've done this several times. Some I'd heard, some I hadn't. Just got my lady a bunch of old Cure for christmas, everytime this one track comes on, I'm like, "oh we had a great time recording this..." then the singing starts, and I become very embarrassed.
what's up man. do you like cure as well? you got me started cause i'm really into that early digi-goth whatever stuff

if so, check out "sisters of mercy", as well as "clan of xymox"

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:28 am
by Tangka
ketamine wrote:... like Ikonika. ??? what ??? Not to hate, but her tunes sound like my 16 bar loops that go in the trash bin
funny you just blurted that one out for no apparent reason haha

that's literally exactly how i feel 99%, those loops you work on for 5 minutes when really really stoned and then go oh god this is crap what the hell am i doing, delete it, then go pass out, but there's something unique going on, i'll give her that. and it has a good feel to it i think. not that that's all that matters lol.

ah crap sry for the double post i forgot it was this thread i had just posted in. bed time haha.

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:49 am
by grooki
I do sometimes at the start of a track but if I persevere it usually takes a different turn...

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:53 am
by basicanarchy101
Clan of Xymox for the fuckin win!

I didnt know anyone else even knew those guys existed...

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 7:55 am
by Tangka
basicanarchy101 wrote:Clan of Xymox for the fuckin win!

I didnt know anyone else even knew those guys existed...
haha, dopeness to the max :w:

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:22 am
by nowaysj
Tangka wrote:what's up man. do you like cure as well?
So so, not my fav, but I'm down. 17 or so years ago I was in a band, and our rhythm guitarist was into the cure (along with alice donut/dead kennedys). I wasn't into the cure, was unaware of how much an impact he, and by proxy the cure had on our music. So funny looking back at it now and seeing the whole picture.
deadly habit wrote:it becomes subliminal from your influences :wink:
But sometimes, I've and others I've known, haven't heard the line or the hook or whatever, and reduplicated it nonetheless. Maybe it's more like there are lines and hooks out there, implicit in the nature of our musical system, that will find expression in many different artists minds/hearts?

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 1:05 am
by narcissus
ketamine wrote:I'm the opposite. I make stuff, think its garbage and delete it, then hear the same melody / sample / drum pattern 6 months later on a tune that blows up. I have "never good enough disease"... like Ikonika. ??? what ??? Not to hate, but her tunes sound like my 16 bar loops that go in the trash bin
well dude, maybe you shouldn't throw them away?

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:29 am
by kejk
ketamine wrote:I'm the opposite. I make stuff, think its garbage and delete it, then hear the same melody / sample / drum pattern 6 months later on a tune that blows up. I have "never good enough disease"... like Ikonika. ??? what ??? Not to hate, but her tunes sound like my 16 bar loops that go in the trash bin
I feel ya mate

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:53 am
by tavravlavish
christthetiger wrote:me and my buddies wrote a whole intro to a song in our hardcore band. and it was a Trash Talk song. lol.

we played it at shows and everything. people were like, dude that song is soooo good.
haha dude im all abou trash talk i love that band, fun to see live.

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 2:55 am
by tavravlavish
narcissus wrote:
ketamine wrote:I'm the opposite. I make stuff, think its garbage and delete it, then hear the same melody / sample / drum pattern 6 months later on a tune that blows up. I have "never good enough disease"... like Ikonika. ??? what ??? Not to hate, but her tunes sound like my 16 bar loops that go in the trash bin
well dude, maybe you shouldn't throw them away?
I save just about everything i do, just cause they are all good ideas, sometimes im just scared or lazy to expand on them and fuck up to og idea.

Re: Ever feel like you're making a song that already exists?

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:02 am
by ketamine
tavravlavish wrote: sometimes im just scared or lazy to expand on them and fuck up to og idea.
Wow. That's just deep. And true.