In the studio, the Carpenter brothers are nervously recording their second record. They've been recording for a week, and this record is the same as the last, it's the same cover, it's an original.

The cover is that the song is very famous, it is a classic work by Jimmy Davis, the song is called "YouAreMySunshine". The song was recorded on February 4, 1940, and a month after its release, it sold more than 1 million copies in the United States. After its release in the UK, then King George VI said the song was his favourite.

As a classic song, many people have covered it at one time or another. It is also the anthem of Manchester United in the English Premier League.

When Alex said that he wanted to cover the song, Mark was also worried that the song would be too famous, and he was afraid that the Carpenter brothers would mess up, and if the cover was not good, the audience would be disgusted. Alex, who is in the limelight, doesn't listen to persuasion and has to ask for this song.

In desperation, Mark had no choice but to give in. The company only got permission to cover the song and didn't have the copyright to the song, so they had to pay a fee to the copyright owner.

The reason why Alex insisted on covering this song was that, in addition to the good quality of the song itself, he happened to have heard a children's version, which was launched by Disney. He plans to use this song to have a children's chorus with Richard, which should be good.

This song and another song, "YourFriend", are relatively soft songs. Similarly, the latter song still lets Alex sing solo.

Mark wanted to record "YourFriend" first, and in the eyes of his many years of producer, the song was of very high quality. It's much better than Alex's first "original" song, "A Song for Mom", and he wants to record this song first, and then take his time to record "YouAreMySunshine".

"Record the original song first, and then record the cover the rest of the time, and if you don't put in the effort to cover the song, it's easy to mess up." Mark said to Alex.

Unexpectedly, Alex resolutely refused: "Record the cover first, and the original song can be put later." ”

The two sides argued for a while, but Alex didn't let go. Mark had no choice but to agree, he couldn't convince a stubborn person like Alex.

"Listen to me, this cover song, I already have an idea. It doesn't take much hassle and can be done in a few days. Alex comforted Mark like that.

Mark doesn't like to hear this kind of talk the most, and he thinks that every song should be treated with sincerity. You can't have the idea of getting by, so you can't record a high-quality product. His style is one to be refined, not messed around.

Unexpectedly, Alex really came up with a solution. He borrowed a cover version of that song from Disney. Highlighting the childlike style, it is simple and fun, and everyone who has heard it will have a feeling of smiling.

Who hasn't been innocent? Just listening to this song can remind him of when he was a child.

The only instruments that accompany this song are accordion, guitar, and drum kit, and it is very simple. It is estimated that in any kindergarten, you can find these things.

Richard played the accordion merrily, Alex played the guitar, and a black uncle played the drum kit.

At first, Mark thought Alex was crazy, but when he listened to it, he immediately felt that such a simple style had an indescribable taste. After listening to it a few more times, he gradually became fascinated, and he realized that he was wrong, and Alex was right.

In the recording studio, Alex and Richard were only heard singing in childish children's voices:

You are my sunshine!

Honey, another night, I drifted off to sleep.

In my dreams, I took you into my arms.

But when I woke up, my dear, I messed up again.

I'm crying, I'm stuck in this emotional problem again!

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine!

……

My dear, you never knew how much I loved you,

Please don't take away my sunshine!

"It's great, you guys sing very well!" Mark waited for the sound to stop, then stopped recording, and then clapped.

Richard was very happy to be praised and looked at everyone with a smile. Only Alex frowned, he touched his chin and thought about it.

"No, we're going to re-record!" Alex said.

Mark asked puzzledly, "You guys sing so well, you don't need to re-record it!" ”

Alex shook his head and said, "The voice is too thin, and the duet can't reflect that flavor at all." We need four or five kids to sing along! ”

Mark was taken aback: "Want to find other kids to sing along?" ”

"Yes, Mr. Mark. You should quickly let someone do it. We can record another song first. Alex replied.

"Do those kids' names have to be on the album cover? What is the identity of the singer? Mark said questioningly.

Alex thought for a moment and said, "Just think of it as the harmony of the backing band, let me and Richard lead the singing, and the other children's voices can be used as background music." ”

Mark thought about it and thought it was okay. So he quickly asked the others to find the children who could sing, and at Alex's request, the children they found were all about six or seven years old.

Because the people who need it won't arrive all at once for the time being, they will record Alex's original songs first. The song is sung by Alex soloist, with Richard in harmony.

It's a softer song. Even so, the rhythm of this song is still very strong, coupled with Alex's unique voice, the child's crisp voice, and the harmony of everyone, it is still a high-quality music.

Alex sings with all his heart:

If you're feeling lonely,

If someone makes you sad,

Don't worry!

I'll wipe the tears from the corners of your eyes,

Everything will be better.

……

No matter where you are, you can find me.

I will always be your best friend!

After Alex finished singing, he felt that he had performed beyond his level this time. He hadn't sung so seriously before, and sometimes he would use his "simulated memory" superpower to fish in troubled waters. When the others heard this, they also felt that their hearts were as warm and clear as if they had been basking in the sun.

"Again, Alex! Well done! Mark asks him to keep singing, and he thinks Alex's strength hasn't been brought into play.

Alex frowned, he didn't say anything, so he sang again.

After listening to this, Mark asked Alex to start singing from one of the passages, which he didn't think was up to the mark. And so on and so forth, several times. The song was recorded for days, and Mark kept saying no.

Alex was almost driven crazy by him, and he threw the guitar in his hand to the ground: "Don't record, rest today!" ”

Seeing this, Mark knew what Alex was thinking, and he released the first recording: "Alex, listen, this is the first time you sang it." What do you think is the difference from what you just sang? ”

Alex listened carefully, and sure enough, it was different, very different. So he hurriedly took out the songs recorded these times in his mind and compared them one by one, and now he understood that Mark was helping him correct his bad singing habits.

In general, everyone has their own singing habits, which can be good and bad. Alex is a special person, he has a superpower that others don't have, that is, he can sing other people's songs through "simulated memory". It's just that this method is a shortcut, and going too far will cause problems. Other people's singing habits will slowly leave an imprint on Alex.

Good habits are hard to learn, but bad habits are learned. If you're not an experienced and attentive music producer, you won't really find out. Mark discovers that he admires Alex's "talent" very much, but also quickly sees the bad habits that loom in the eye. So he planned to let Alex change it in the process of singing it over and over again.

After such a time, Alex was convinced, he put away his heart of underestimating others, and no longer used his abilities indiscriminately. Honestly listened to Mark's arrangement and learned a lot from it.

When Alex was tortured by Mark every day, all the children they were looking for came. Mark looked at Alex's state and knew that there was no problem now, so he let it go.

"Let's not record this one today, let's record another cover song." Mark suggested.

Alex has no opinion, and Richard won't say anything.

This time, after the addition of harmony from six children, the song's infectious ability has reached a new level. After a few collaborations, everyone played very well and was able to finish the song in a matter of days. All that's left is the grinding, mixing, post-processing, and so on.

After finishing this song, it was time for Alex to sing solo. After Alex had been singing for an hour or two, Mark finally said, "OK! Excellent! Alex, you can come out, we've got the recording. ”

"Huh? It's over? Alex was a little surprised, and he thought he would need to keep recording for a few more days before he could finish it.

Mark laughed, "What, do you like to keep singing?" Actually, the song was already available days ago. You're singing really well, I just need to piece the perfect pieces together and the song will come to fruition. ”

Alex suddenly realized that it seemed that everything Mark had done was for him. He said with some gratitude: "Thank you, thank you." ”

After these two songs were recorded, Alex did not leave. He followed behind Mark and learned how to mix and post-fine. Although I followed Rudy to do it last time, Rudy did it very rough in order to be in a hurry. This time there was another opportunity, and he would not miss it.

Just as Alex and the others were busy with the post-production work of the record, Rudy suddenly called them.

"Hey, hey! Brother Carpenter, your luck has come. Rudy's voice showed that he was in a very good mood.

It was Alex who answered the phone, and he asked, "What's wrong?" Is there anything good? ”

Rudy said loudly on the phone: "There's a TV station that wants to give you an interview!" ”

Alex asked, somewhat surprised, "Really?" What TV station? ”

"CBS (CBS)! They're going to broadcast this show in New York! Rudy said excitedly.

He really needs to be so excited, knowing that CBS and ABC (National Broadcasting Corporation) and NBC (American Broadcasting Corporation) together dominate domestic television broadcasting in the United States. Being on this kind of TV show means that the popularity will be further enhanced, and it is a very good publicity opportunity for the Carpenter brothers.

"When!" Alex wasn't overwhelmed by the news, and he asked again.

"Three days later! You're going to get ready now, they're going to interview your family, yes! Your whole family can be on TV, and your little sister Karen is going to be on it too. Rudy continued to babble.

Alex estimated the time in his heart, and then asked, "Bart, do they know the truth?" ”

"Well, not yet, I haven't had time to tell them yet." Rudy didn't understand why Alex was asking this question.

"Well, don't tell them. We can't be on TV after three days. Alex explained, and after a moment of thought, he added, "Unless they're willing to move the time to next week!" ”

Rudy was stunned by Alex's words: "How is that possible, it's impossible for them to adjust the time of the show just to wait for you." ”

Alex's answer was also very simple: "Then don't go up!" We'll talk about that next time. ”

"For what, why wait until next week?" Rudy asked, he really couldn't figure out what could be more important than this.

Alex calmly said on the phone, "Record! Our records need to be focused on what they do, and we can't be distracted by other things. ”

Rudy laughed and said, "When did you get so nervous about the record!" You weren't like that before. ”

"Recently! I've only recently done this, and I figured out that records are what I am now. If I do well enough on my records, even if I reject them, they will eventually come back to me. What if, I say, our record messes up, then what if it's on a TV show? That would be self-defeating! Alex patiently explained.

Rudy was dumbfounded by Alex's words, and he said viciously, "Then you can pray that the record will sell well!" ”

Alex said, "I'm sorry, I'm afraid God won't hear my prayers!" ”

What he means is that if you don't believe in God, you can't communicate with God no matter how much you pray.

Rudy didn't understand, but he could hear the determination in Alex's words, and hung up the phone.

A few days later, on Monday, the Carpenter brothers' second record was released. They named it The Carpenter Brothers - Second Strike! 》。