20 Questions
by @grayslate
Liner Notes
Think you can beat a machine?
This is a song I've wanted to make since 2017 when I was just starting to make original music. The early demos I made of it were in pxtone. This predates how I produce now and even in the Before Time when I used LMMS and Ableton. Now I use FL Studio. I was thinking back to how I wanted to make this song proper and it hit me like, "wait, I know how to do this now!"
I've been using SynthesizerV for the majority of my songs so crawling back to Vocaloid 4 was not fun. I utitlized SynthV's voice to midi feature with my own input for the rapping. Still don't know why I chose to have rap parts, I'm not a rapper nor do I particularly enjoy tuning rap. At least it was made possible by not having to do it entirely by hand.
This is entirely unrelated but Big Al is my favorite Vocaloid of all time and it's really something shameful I haven't done an original song for him yet. At least now he gets his turn. My 17 year old self is weeping right now.
This song is based on the Radica 20Q Challenge tabletop machine I own. It's been in my possession since I was quite young, ever since I bought it for $5 at a church yard sale. It still works (to my knowledge) but I have no new C batteries to put in it at the moment. I'll get some tomorrow.
Lyrics
Hey, you there, how ‘bout you earn your stripes? Step right up and I’ll read you your rights A 20-Question-Quiz, it’s easy, I just guess what you’re thinking Guaranteed, I can guess anything
A person, place, or thing, decide, lock in Let my circuits go to work, time for me to start guessin’ Think you can outsmart me? You can’t keep up with machines I’m built for this game, I’m the code break king!
Person, place it’s all shot down Think your thoughts can’t be found Mark my words, I’ll guess that noun I’ll turn that smile upside down
Creature, tailor, soldier, sailor In my game, you’re your own savior Outwit me if you dare, then Bring on those 20 Questions
No matter what, you can’t stop steel Take a stab at how I feel Save your courage for when you need it You’re no hero, so just face it
The machine is always right Of course my game’s no fair fight But trust me, you’ll play again Just for that chance to win
Question 10, that’s the midway point Still haven’t guessed it, but to you, I’ll make a counterpoint Does it fly? Does it swim? Do you shine or are you just dim I refuse to be defeated, for this round I’ll go all in
Crazier things have happened under pressure, that’s true But I’ll still break into your mind for the word you came to Sure win for me, I reckon Bitter taste of defeat is the only lesson
Person, place it’s all shot down Think your thoughts cannot be found Mark my words, I’ll guess that noun I’ll turn that smile upside down
Your tailor, soldier, sailor In game, you’re your own savior Outwit me if you dare, then Bring on those 20 Questions
No matter what, you can’t stop steel Take a stab at how I feel Save your courage for when you need it You’re no hero, so just face it
The machine is always right Of course my game’s no fair fight But trust me, you’ll play again Just for that chance to win
What’s that? We’re at question 20? “The game ends here, that’s what you told me” Oh, I’ve planned for times like this Go ahead and ball your fists The testament is right here Five bonus questions, I fear
Five, time’s running out, I don’t mind Four, I’m close to the win that’s mine Three, you’re still not gonna beat me Two, I’ll guess it right now, you’ll see
Your tailor, soldier, sailor In game, you’re your own savior Outwit me if you dare, then Bring on that final question
I can’t believe it! You stopped steel Take a stab at how I feel Yeah, yeah take your victory laps You’re the hero, I have to face facts
Mystified, I couldn’t get it right Of course my game’s no fair fight But trust me, I’ll just again Just for my chance to win
Eat your heart out, for now Wild beginner’s luck somehow I’ll come back stronger than ever Push your luck again whenever
I just have to think harder Next time, you won’t be a martyr Just power me off so I can wonder Think of your demise as I slumber
Comments
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I always enjoy 8bit music. This is well done. The way I look at 8bit music is "how would I feel if I heard this in an old video game" -- and I have to say this has a nice vibe to it. I could definitely see this being used somehow in a game.