Before And After – "Goodbye Ordinary"

Hey folks how’s it going? Well it is time to add a new segment to our blog called, “Before and After”. We thought it would be funny, and cool to show you the difference between our first ideas for a song and the finished product. Sometimes there are very little changes, and sometimes it is a night and day difference. Hopefully our first one will explain itself.

The first recording, the “before”, is our earliest demo of what is now known as “Goodbye Ordinary.” Notice whenever we start writing a song, I simply mumble noises to get a feel for what the melody might sound like. Then, when we are happy with the general idea, I go back and complete the lyrics. A little out of the ordinary, but I say GOODBYE ORDINARY! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

What is amazing about the demos, is that the guys are playing it for one of the first times with no fixes, and they rock…in a very raw sort of way. Oh and the second recording is the finished product, the “after” if you will, in case you did not figure it out.

Before:

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After:

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Posted in Before And After on October 2, 2008 by

MercyMe

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  • http://www.trgckeathley.com Toby

    Awesome idea…Are there other bands out there who involve their fans as much as you guys?? I think not. You guys rock!!

  • http://cathy-davis.blogspot.com Cathy D

    I can’t tell a difference in the singing…

    tee hee hee

    I love this idea! First you give us CTGB and now this??? It’s too much I tell you! But don’t stop!!!!!!!!!

    I heart MercyMe!

  • http://boomama.net boomama

    This is very cool, especially since I love the finished product so much.

  • Randy

    I like it.

  • Kim the SLOB

    First, I want to say thank you to all of you in MercyMe. Your music, this website, everything about you gives my family such joy. Many artists don’t put themselves out their for their fans, but you all seem to go out of your way. You let us into your band life, your home life, your lives in general. You make it so personal, it’s like we actually know you. We get to know your wives, your kids, the things you like to do. You entertain us, make us laugh, at times make us cry (the sweating Bart.. LOL) & all in the name of Jesus. I know I must sound like a groupie (and I think that’s a good thing!)…. But I just want to let you know how much we love you guys & appreciate all you do. My family & I sure don’t take anything you do for granted & I thank God everyday for the gift you bring us.
    One last thing…. For your families…. I can’t even imagine (yes I did mean to say it that way! lol) how hard it is for your husbands & dads to be gone so much. I want to thank you for letting us into YOUR lives, for giving up some of you precious family time so they can minister the way they do. So Bart, Barry, Nathan, Mike, Jim & Robbie…. I hope God continues to bless you all. We love you!

  • http://www.johnsellscadillac.com John

    What a cool idea. I just found your site a few months ago and have really enjoyed the glimpse into your lives. Every day when I fire up my RSSReader, I’m hoping for another cover tune grab bag. You guys are great.

  • kristina

    VERY cool, guys! Love how you shared that with all of us! You ROCKED it out on the demo version, too and I would totally buy a MercyMe cd even if you were mumbling. :D You guys are SO talented. Thank you for caring about us fans so much! God bless ya’ll! :)

  • kristina

    P.S. Would “Goodbye Ordinary” happen to be the next single? Has that decision been made yet? Hint, hint. ;)

  • Robbie Paisley

    I agree with Kim, I thank each of you for sharing with us. She is right in that many artists don’t put themselves out their for their fans. And it really does make us feel like we know you. It actually makes me feel like I am a part of their family.

    I thank you Bart, Nathan, Mike, Jim, Barry and Robby for all you do!

  • buzz

    wow Bart!!! totally enjoyed that. i played sax all thru school, and think im a little bit musical, but what a neat process, and something i couldnt ever do, not talented that way, LOL thanx for the insight into your music. love you guys!!!!!!!

  • http://cathy-davis.blogspot.com Cathy Dee

    Just had to come back and ditto my thanks and appreciation for allowing us into your family. Yall praise the Lord, sound great and have quirky loveable senses of humor! You ROCK!

  • http://tightywhitey.blogspot.com George

    This is one of the coolest things ya’ll have posted. Please continue updating this segment when you can. It is really inspiring.

  • Stacey

    I liked the demo it was really cool and the finished product i liked even better. Thanks for sharing with us S.L.O.B’s it is been wonderful getting to know you guys. Your music is just amazing may god continue to bless you and your famlies. Keep up the wonderful work and labor you do for the Lord. Thanks again guys!

  • http://www.toonin.com Jimmy Z

    Hello!

    Bart, you are totally an over-poster. But I love it because I basically have no life except that reading your blog really cheers me up.

    Just kidding, I do have a life. I paid a nickle for it.

    Love, Jim

  • Emma

    That was super cool! I was pretty much fascinated. And I’m sure I looked like a very strange individual because I was trying so hard to figure out what you were mumbling… my ear was pressed up to the speaker and everything. Then… I realized that you weren’t always really saying anything at all. Still, very cool and I look forward to hearing more! :D

  • Brenda

    That was pretty cool!!!!—- i was trying to figure out what the heck you were singing but then i read the verbage again… very cool how you guys create your music and lyrics…. GOD must speak to you all when you create your songs …because every song…has such meaning & emotion simply amazing !!!! I LOVE your music…… Thank you ALL for what you do!!! GOD BLESS :)

  • http://www.sunnysideofthestreet.squarespace.com Lisa

    I definitely like the finished product with the lyrics better. Although, I’m so tired right now, the “before” sounded more like what my brain is hearing in general.
    I do love this glimpse into MM, but it does present a quandary. I feel like I know you guys personally. So, when
    I see you on that big stage in concert, I wonder why you’re not looking my way and waving hello. That’s the weirdness of blogging. You can get to know people without ever meeting them.

  • http://cathy-davis.blogspot.com Cathy Dee

    Lisa…I understand your quandry!

  • Cassandra, a S.L.O.B.

    I love that song! It was great to listen to the demo to see how you all brainstorm. Hehe Thanks for sharing!!

    I still want to see you all in the Des Moines area though! Pleeeeez!! *puppy dog eyes*

  • Tammy~S.L.O.B.

    What a gift!! Thank you for all you give us. You GUYS are truly one of a kind! I will cheat now by saying I second what each has said! See you in Iowa, the five hour drive will be so worth it!!

  • Sheryl

    It definitely would sell either way. I know my husband (who usually makes up the lyrics as he goes along to almost everything) would be able to keep up. Thanks for sharing your “process” with your fans!