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After working for over 39 years at a German-American IT company, I retired in 2020. Due to the coronavirus, I wasn’t able to say goodbye to my colleagues in person. Simply sending an email didn’t feel personal enough, so I decided to say farewell with a song: “Time to Say Goodbye.”
At the time, I recorded all the instruments myself and put everything together in a personal video. Since I sang live in the video, the vocal performance wasn’t my best. Recently, I decided to re-record the song using my new AI tools - and it sounds much better now. Same chord progression, same melodies. I just wish I’d had these tools six years ago!
TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
[Intro]
I’m moving on, late November
The time has come to say so long
Time spent with you, I’ll remember
Every time I hear this song
[Pre-chorus]
I’d like to thank you
I know I’ll miss you
But all good things come to an end
Whatever I do
I won’t forget you
With a little luck we’ll meet again
[Chorus]
I’m sending you my best wishes
I’m sending them with a sigh
Auf Wiedersehen, tschüß and servus
It’s time, time to say goodbye
[Break]
[Verse]
We’ve worked together all these years
We were close, almost like family
Shared all the good times, all the fears
When in need you all supported me
[Pre-chorus]
I’d like to thank you
I know I’ll miss you
But all good things come to an end
Whatever I do
I won’t forget you
With a little luck we’ll meet again
[Chorus]
I’m sending you my best wishes
I’m sending them with a sigh
Auf Wiedersehen, tschüß and servus
It’s time, time to say goodbye
[Bridge]
I enjoyed every minute
Of this rollercoaster ride
My new life, now I’ll begin it
And watch you guys from the outside
[Final chorus]
I’m sending you my best wishes
And trying hard not to cry
Auf Wiedersehen, tschüß and servus
It’s time, time to say goodbye
[Outro]
Time to say
[Spoken]
Goodbye -
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I love the way you put horns in your music......sounds like the theme song for a TV show. That's not easy to do! I hope your co-workers hear it!
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Good job here Rob...
I love the way you always make anything easy to listen to...
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What a brilliant idea! You could make an industry out of personalized messages through songs.
I too loved the choice to use horns, gave it that big band feel.
Hope your colleagues appreciated the effort Robert, I sure did.
Sid -
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Hey Kay-lynn, Tex and Sid,
Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it.
Over in a different forum, someone mentioned that the version in the video performance sounded better because it felt more honest. I don't agree but if either of you has the time, I’d really love to hear your thoughts on that as well.
The original recording is here: https://youtu.be/fZpFc03Qxd0?si=fc3dPhva0jfsFiiD -
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In the video version, that lump in your throat 10 seconds from the end says it all.
Sid -
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Sid, thank you for the feedback. I understand exactly what you mean. The live video performance worked very well back then, and a few viewers even told me they shed a tear near the end. It was also a very emotional moment for me personally, and I think that definitely came through in the performance.
At the same time, I feel the emotion in the video plays a big role in how the song is perceived. If you listen to the audio recording by itself, without the visuals, I’m not sure it comes across as strongly. That’s why I keep asking myself which version would work better purely as a song, especially in a setting like radio play. My guess is that the more polished Suno version would probably connect better in that context.
That said, I’ll always cherish the original video because it captured a very real and personal moment. But if I were relaxing on a beach with a beer in my hand, I’d probably choose the polished version for casual listening. -
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Hey Kay-lynn, Tex and Sid,
Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it.
Over in a different forum, someone mentioned that the version in the video performance sounded better because it felt more honest. I don't agree but if either of you has the time, I’d really love to hear your thoughts on that as well.
The original recording is here: https://youtu.be/fZpFc03Qxd0?si=fc3dPhva0jfsFiiD
I love this version too........ your co-workers would love it and I think all the photos are great!!! I wish I could put together clips and videos of some of the fun things I did at my jobs.......just really great.
Obviously for radio or pitching the suno version is smoother, but your original voice is so personal......... wheww
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What a special tribute for your co-workers!
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What a special tribute for your co-workers!
Yeah Monty, it was my way of saying thank you and goodbye from a distance.
39+ years is a long time - a huge portion of my life.
I really noticed that when I started collecting photos and video clips. A lot of memories came rushing back. -
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Love the song, Rob. I'm hoping retirement is all you thought it would be.
Sounds like you had a great career.
Again, good song, man! -
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I love this version too........ your co-workers would love it and I think all the photos are great!!! I wish I could put together clips and videos of some of the fun things I did at my jobs.......just really great.
Obviously for radio or pitching the suno version is smoother, but your original voice is so personal......... wheww
Thank you Kay-lynn,
That video was a lot of work. Especially the recording of the live vocal performance. I'm a studio guy and never perform live. I had to sing the whole thing in one take! I agree with you that the Suno version is much smoother. Thanks for the feedback. -
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Love the song, Rob. I'm hoping retirement is all you thought it would be.
Sounds like you had a great career.
Again, good song, man!
Hey Tom,
I'm glad you like the song. I really loved my work and the people there were/are the greatest. Yeah, retirement is awesome. I'm enjoying life to the max. If you want more details you should listen to my "Florida" song that I recently posted here.
All the best - Robert -
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After working for over 39 years at a German-American IT company, I retired in 2020. Due to the coronavirus, I wasn’t able to say goodbye to my colleagues in person. Simply sending an email didn’t feel personal enough, so I decided to say farewell with a song: “Time to Say Goodbye.”
At the time, I recorded all the instruments myself and put everything together in a personal video. Since I sang live in the video, the vocal performance wasn’t my best. Recently, I decided to re-record the song using my new AI tools - and it sounds much better now. Same chord progression, same melodies. I just wish I’d had these tools six years ago!
TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
https://soundclick.com/song/15229622
[Intro]
I’m moving on, late November
The time has come to say so long
Time spent with you, I’ll remember
My family is from Germany , came over when World War 2 hit
Sounds good Rob
Every time I hear this song
[Pre-chorus]
I’d like to thank you
I know I’ll miss you
But all good things come to an end
Whatever I do
I won’t forget you
With a little luck we’ll meet again
[Chorus]
I’m sending you my best wishes
I’m sending them with a sigh
Auf Wiedersehen, tschüß and servus
It’s time, time to say goodbye
[Break]
[Verse]
We’ve worked together all these years
We were close, almost like family
Shared all the good times, all the fears
When in need you all supported me
[Pre-chorus]
I’d like to thank you
I know I’ll miss you
But all good things come to an end
Whatever I do
I won’t forget you
With a little luck we’ll meet again
[Chorus]
I’m sending you my best wishes
I’m sending them with a sigh
Auf Wiedersehen, tschüß and servus
It’s time, time to say goodbye
[Bridge]
I enjoyed every minute
Of this rollercoaster ride
My new life, now I’ll begin it
And watch you guys from the outside
[Final chorus]
I’m sending you my best wishes
And trying hard not to cry
Auf Wiedersehen, tschüß and servus
It’s time, time to say goodbye
[Outro]
Time to say
[Spoken]
Goodbye -
SoundClick