The "Make Me Feel" project started far from Southern California's shores. Alexei Ustinov, a composer, music producer, and technologist based in Siberia, approached Rick Paul, whom he knew as a music technology writer and recording artist, about writing English lyrics to a song he'd written in Russian. The song would initially be used to demonstrate virtual vocalist software. Paul's take on the lyrics played off the idea that the song would be sung by "robots", but it also constructed a scenario that could fit any mature romantic relationship gone stale.
Once the initial virtual singer duet was recorded, Ustinov approached Paul about the possibility of recording the song himself. The initial idea was for Paul to duet with a virtual female singer, but they eventually decided it would be best to use a real human singer, and Paul approached his friend, Beverly Bremers, who was happy to participate. Ustinov produced most of the instrumental tracks in Russia, while Bremers and Paul recorded their vocals, and Paul's keyboard tracks, in Orange County, California.
lyrics
Make Me Feel
music and original Russian lyric by Alexei Ustinov, English lyric by Rick Paul
Oh, your hands are as cold as steel
And your glare could make fire freeze over
Any heart that you once revealed
Hides like April in late October
Once you only had eyes for me
Made me feel like your gift from heaven
Oh, but lately we barely speak
Or we rage just like Armageddon
Darling, show me what’s on your mind
What’s in your heart
What do your eyes conceal
Maybe we could cry in the night
Laugh ’til it's light
Darling, just make me feel
Give me just a glimpse of your heart
Tear me apart
Show me that you’re still real
Maybe we could scream, hug, and shout
Work it all out
Darling, just make me feel
You’re so near but so hard to reach
And I so want to know your story
Are you crying beneath your sheets
Do you ever feel longing for me
Oh, when I’m lost within myself
Maybe you could come out and find me
If our love lingers on the shelf
Could a kiss from your lips remind me
Darling, show me what’s on your mind
What’s in your heart
What do your eyes conceal
Maybe we could cry in the night
Laugh ’til it's light
Darling, just make me feel
Give me just a glimpse of your heart
Tear me apart
Show me that you’re still real
Maybe we could scream, hug, and shout
Work it all out
Darling, just make me feel
from Make Me Feel,
released September 16, 2008
Music and original Russian lyric by Alexei Ustinov, English lyric by Rick Paul.
Vocals by Beverly Bremers and Rick Paul.
Produced by Alexei Ustinov and Rick Paul. Musicians and other credits: Alexei Ustinov (arrangements), Andrey Galushko (drums), Anton Ilyashenko (bass, engineering, mixing), Andrey Orlov (guitars), Nikolai Panchenko (saxophone), Rick Paul (keyboards, engineering, mixing, mastering).
Rick Paul's songs combine memorable pop/rock and country melodies with mature, often thought provoking, lyrics on life and
love. His singing has drawn comparisons to Dan Hill, Randy Newman, and Neil Young, while his piano playing is most frequently compared to Rick’s biggest musical influence, Elton John. Rick performs frequently in Orange County, California....more
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