(why can’t everybody) live together?

(why can't everybody) live together?

by N G Ross | Recorded circa 1986

Recorded at home on a small four-track cassette machine around 1985-86. This was only my second time using the 4-track. That, and being a bit microphone shy, means the vocals are a bit low in the mix.

In retrospect, this one is a rather naive look at a subject that had been examined fairly thoroughly before this.

It remains, however, a good question.

Below is my best guess at what I used to record ‘Why can’t …’. In addition to what’s shown below I had a Music Man amp (I don’t remember the details). At the time I had two Shure SM58 microphones. I still have one. The other was leant to a friend (of a friend) and was never returned. Mostly, the electric guitar would plugged into the Music Man and recorded, using one of the Shure 58s placed in front of the amp.

This one was recorded again, much later; a more complete and funkier version. I’ll link that here once the track is uploaded.

Vesta Fire MR-10
Personal 4-track cassette recorder.

Rolland Rhythm Composer TR-707.

Ibanez SG copy (some modifications).

Bass Guitar (not this one)*.

Shure SM58.

(Why can’t everybody) live together?

Words and music by N G Ross.

Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live …
Together.

It’s something you could hardly confuse,
Who told you you could play with the truth.
It really isn’t too hard to see
How all people should be,
And if you think very smart
You only have to love with your heart.

Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live …
Together.

Surely it is easily done.
What about the wars that we’ve won?
It’s something you could hardly confuse,
Who told you you could play with the truth.
It really isn’t too hard to see
How all people should be,
And if you think very smart
Surely there is love in your heart.

Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live together?
Why can’t everybody live …
Together.

* The instrument used in these recordings is no longer in my possession. I remember very little about it.

Before you listen …

The best way to listen to this music is with earphones. You will be able to hear more clearly all that’s going on. And, mostly that’s a good thing.