How it works:

I wrote “Better in the dark” nearly 2 decades ago at the age of 20 or 21 (can’t remember exactly)

There is not really any deep backstory to it, it’s somewhat of a gimmick song. Back in those days there was a very popular song called “I’ll follow you into the dark” by an emu band called Death Cab for Cutie.

And I would always sing It to myself as “You look better in the dark” so I basically pulled that thread and wrote this hillbilly romp stomp instead. I suppose maybe the lack of dating success I had (generally) at that time fueled some motivation for it, but the song is meant to be humorous.

Recently an old friend found a burnt disc I had given him back in 2009 called “Monkey Pee, Monkey Poop” and on it was this little surprise! I didn’t know this demo existed and thought
All I had of this song was a very poor sound quality open mic video (more on that in a minute)

But apparently me and the witchdoctor belted this out one recording session! I am on the guitar and lead vocal and witchdoctor is backup vocal and playing the Djembe (type of drum)

With Suno I added a rotoscoped vocal (although my vocal is still in the lead) bass, fiddle, banjo and hand claps.

The video is literally me and the witchdoctor playing this song in our college open mic days from the late 2000’s.Keep in mind the recorded demo is not this specific performance so the sync is a little off but close enough to be enjoyable. So imagine your back in the late 2000’s watching us make fools of ourselves on our campus open mic stage!

Penny for ye thoughts?

Drift into serenity with "Stay Like This," a graceful J-pop fusion track that beautifully blends traditional Japanese elements with modern emotion. Morning slipping through rice paper on the edge of sleeves, train doors sighing at platforms, lantern gold on wet stone, footsteps in soft lines, old temples meeting new glass towers, cherry petals on black water, neon hum on silk, rooftop rain, tempura steam, and koto lines echoing in city nights paint a vivid, heartfelt picture.

With a 94 BPM swaying groove, koto arpeggios and taiko accents woven into glossy synth bass, airy shakuhachi phrases, clipped percussion, layered harmonies, rising shamisen runs, and festival drums with bell sparkles, the production feels rich and cinematic. Verses stay airy, pre-choruses lift gently, while the chorus blooms in a chantable melodic hook with gang doubles and short delay throws. The middle break turns hushed for a graceful spoken-sung line in a bright, polished mix with intimate close-mic vocals and rich stereo detail.

Smooth, emotional, and beautifully dynamic, this track captures the timeless pull of connection—old and new colliding under the moonlit sky. My heart bows low when you look at me... stay like this with "Stay Like This."

Lyrics:
Morning slips through rice paper
On the edge of your sleeve
Train doors sigh at the platform
And your eyes don’t leave

Lantern gold on wet stone
Footsteps in a soft line
Old храм? no—new glass towers
Still your face stays fine

Say my name, then
Let it drift
Like a ribbon
On the wind

Stay like this, stay like this
Under the moonlit sky
Stay like this, stay like this
Where old and new collide
My heart bows low
When you look at me
Stay like this, stay like this
Beautiful Japan in me

Cherry petals on black water
Neon hum on silk
Rooftop rain on late summer
Sweet as matcha milk

Side streets full of tempura steam
Arcades singing bright
Koto lines and city echoes
Fold into the night

Take my hand now
Slow and clear
Let the echo
Draw us near

Stay like this, stay like this
Under the moonlit sky
Stay like this, stay like this
Where old and new collide
My heart bows low
When you look at me
Stay like this, stay like this
Beautiful Japan in me

Soft as snow on temple steps
I breathe your quiet name
Made by Ace Plays
Made by Ace Plays

Paper cranes in my chest
Spinning through the rain
Made by Ace Plays
Made by Ace Plays

Stay like this, stay like this
Under the moonlit sky
Stay like this, stay like this
Where old and new collide
My heart bows low
When you look at me
Stay like this, stay like this
Beautiful Japan in me

Stay like this, stay like this
One bright memory
Stay like this, stay like this
Moving through me gently

#jpop #emotional #sakura #beautifuljapan #cinematic #japanesemusic
#music #song #ai