Since July 2014, I’ve been recording, arranging, and writing some music, and I’m ready to share about 8 songs.
This is the first time I've done an album of songs. Usually I do short little instrumental pieces of varying complexity, but never have I written lyrics and sung them, etc. More of my music can be found here: Original Music
I wrote the music and lyrics to 6 of these, with 2 being covers (one being an old time standard), but I’ve arranged all the music myself.
I’ve liked the process quite a bit, and I have a feeling there will be more song albums in my future. I like the little world you create in just a 2 to 5 minute space of time. Most of my music is short anyhow, so why not continue writing songs!
Why love songs?
Because we can all use some joy!
And if you’re going to write lyrics and sing something, more than likely, it’s about love anyway.
Do listen with good headphones, if you’re on your computer or mobile device.
Each track is different in style from the other. I tried to do many things: synth disco/club, unplugged acoustic-ish, Tori Amos piano’ish, pop ballad, 60’s groovy, Mexican/Country, old timey, and bits of everything else!
The One It Was You
file: MP3
So tall, so svelte I needed to know You, who had me then From the first encounter, melt. Our eyes they met The room, it got small You who smiled widely In that dingy bar, we dealt.The one, it was you From there until till now. Always and forever, You had my heart then and whenever.The others, who? The time it flew by. I didn’t care none, My destiny was all gone. Smart you were too. Wow, gorgeous and sharp. How lucky I got To have found you on this spot!The one, it was you From there until till now. Always and forever, You had my heart then and whenever.So time has passed I have way less hair. But you still smile On our couch or in our bed. We love our home, Our friends perfect too. I knew this all then, You tall, beauty with those eyes.The one, it was you. From there until till now. Always and forever, You had my heart then and whenever.
Have you ever met someone and space and time warps into a long, throaty, lumpy heart beat?
…a magic moment.
The One It Was You tells the story of when I first met my life partner, Tracey.
Musically, I wanted to create a clubby atmosphere.
I used synthesizers to give it an Erasure like sound, and added simple large bass drum with a muffled effect, similar to the sound of being off the dance floor. The relentless beat pattern also mimics somewhat of a clubby sound. I wanted the synthesizer chords to be interesting enough to keep the song moving along.
The lyrics tell a flashback story, so I used a Megaphone filter to give it a an old time, mono recording flavor.
The chorus is a sing-along, joyful anthem
Mirrorball
file: MP3
I plant the kind of kiss That wouldn't wake a baby On the self-same face That wouldn't let me sleep And the street is singing with my feet And dawn gives me a shadow I know to be taller All down to you dear Everything has changed My sorry name has made it to graffiti I was looking for someone to complete me Not anymore dear Everything has changed You make (we made) the moon our mirrorball The street's an empty stage The city's sirens, violins Everything has changed So lift off love So lift off love And we took the town to town last night We kissed like we invented it And now I know what every step is for To lead me to your door Know that while you sleep Everything has changed You make (we made) the moon our mirrorball The street's an empty stage The city's sirens, violins Everything has changed Everything has changed Everything has changed So lift off love Lift off love
Not written by me, this song by Elbow melted me the first time I heard it.
I knew I had to sing it, so I recorded myself doing so!
I credit Elbow and this song with inspiring me to try my hand at writing my own songs and producing this album.
Using the original piano sheet music, I entered it in with MIDI, and added strings and light percussion. Also I recorded my singing in one take without any multi tracking or dubbing. Not a perfect singing performance, but I like it.
Music by Elbow, from The Seldom Seen Kid. Lyrics by Guy Garvey.
El Camino A Mi Corazon
file: MP3
There is a road I know That took me a while to find. Pot holes and pit falls, It was never easy to use. With stop signs and crossing lights, I was going no where at all. Then one day, you were there; That road turned into the smoothest of all! El Camino a Mi Corazon With us together now As we shall go on and on Nothing will stop us We’ll keep motoring up ahead If we tire and lose our way We can take turns taking the wheel From now on I am set On course and filling my heart with your love! El Camino a Mi Corazon
Growing up in Southern California, I've always loved the sounds of traditional Mexico. This is my mini homage to Mariachi music. It's also a bit of an old fashioned country crooner sort of song.
This music gave me a chance to play with my various guitar samples.
The lyrics are nothing extraordinary, but I wanted to make the chorus fun and memorable, and also wanted to belt it out a bit like a Mariachi singer. Who I might add are amazing performers. They all can play an instrument and sing with mucho gusto, all the time being vaqueros guapos.
Love is Just Love
file: MP3
Before you understand Before you know the score Before you have a clue And you don’t know the question Then comes all their answers With dogma thrown over you While saying they know better And abusing you with their fear Love is just love It’s all there is to know. It’s obvious to us Why isn’t there more love? Why is there so much hate? Could this world become Hell? Destruction comes from the Right. Hate is never the answer. The past can’t excuse the deeds So live out life, here and now Release the love inside! Love is just love It’s all there is to know. It’s obvious to us Our love is that which lasts Not hate, it can’t get past The love will not be denied The Hate is overrun by Love Love will last on forever It's love that's right all the time Hate will not win ever and never So fill the heart, with love. Love is just love It’s all there is to know. It’s obvious to us
This is one of the more serious tracks of the album.
I wanted to editorialize on the evils of denying love. It doesn't make any sense to keep people from loving, and denying it for abstract, dogmatic reasons. It more than likely takes a lot of effort and internal trial to find love from within.
In other words often you have to love yourself first before you can find love with someone else.
One of the more important lines:
Before you understand,
Before you know the score,
Before you have a clue
And you don't know the question
refers to the time in a younger person's life when others tell them what they must do before they really know what their own feelings or understandings are. Indoctrinating hate starts young. Enough!
I also wrote this song during the intense fighting and bombing of 2014 between Israelies and Palestinians. I wish it was as easy as saying don't deny love, but it couldn't hurt trying.
This is my anthem therefore to celebrate and explain the simplicity of true love when it actually happens.
The sound of this song is something like a mix between Pink Floyd, Enrico Morricone, and Led Zepplin, and yet with a cold digital driving baseline.
Why Did I Say Those Things
file: MP3
Why did I say those things, To make you wonder where I've gone, That have me in a funk, And made you feel like junk. I love you dear We were never meant to tear. You are the light Of all that I've ever felt was right! I try to be the guy Who can bring us to new great heights. But sometimes it's harder To be loved than to love. I love you dear We were never meant to tear. You are the light Of all that I've ever felt was right! I can’t say any more. What is there left to really do? It was a big mistake. So please come back to me. I love you dear We were never meant to tear. You are the light Of all that I've ever felt was right!
It’s never continuous smooth sailing in a relationship. There are occasional rough patches.
You can have a pretty heated argument, be the cause of the rift, but not realize it.
This song asks the love interest for forgiveness and questions why this kind of thing can happen when you both know the love is there.
I wanted to do an unplugged style accompaniment, with simple guitar, bass, piano, and very simple drum kit.
I used simple, but moving arpeggiated guitar like chords, and some tension in the harmony, but I wanted the lyrics and vocal line to do most of the work.
The chorus, however, harmonically keeps the song moving between the verses.
Make Up Sex
file: MP3
Love it, Kiss it Work it, Twerk it Have you got it? Oh, you got it. You are hotness I can’t stop this. Don’t be derpy Lets get dirty It’s that look in your eyes Time to stop our denies. Here and with each other No, don’t want any other. Touch it, Feel it Oh my goodness That's the spotty Such a hottie. Can not help it You have done it Here we go now It's all there now. That automatic smile Which didn’t take a while Was all it took to see That you’d be here with me. Did you miss me I have missed you It just feels right Lets just do this Stay together And forever I do love you I’m so on you
You have to ease your way back into the bedroom.
Sometimes it takes just the suggestion of a smile to make you both want to take your clothes off again!
I got into this bass groove and played with loops and used the GarageBand automated drummer who was amazing!
I wanted to make the chords and syncopation of the perc./rock organ interesting. I LOVE the rock organ sound. This is a bit of a 1960's groovy throw back, hopefully making this fun and light hearted.
Where the gothic chords came from, I have no idea. But the organ lends itself to that kind of thing.
Notice that this is the only song where it's all spoken word without real singing.
The final word, is spoken by my girlfriend/partner Tracey, lifting a line from drag queen extraorinaire: Alaska ThunderF*&#.
YOUR MAKE-UP IS TERRIBLE!!
You're the Cream in My Coffee
file: MP3
You're the cream in my coffee, You're the salt in my stew You will always be my necessity, I'd be lost without you. You're the starch in my collar, You're the lace in my shoe You will always be my necessity, I'd be lost without you. Most guys tell love tales, And each phrase dovetails You've heard each known way, This way is my own way: You're the sail of my loveboat, You're the captain and crew, You will always be my necessity I'd be lost without you. Most guys tell love tales, And each phrase dovetails You've heard each known way, This way is my own way: You're the cream in my coffee, You're the salt in my stew You will always be my necessity, I'd be lost without you.
This is one of my favorite old time songs. It's been redone and covered many times throughout the decades, but I like best the 1920's version, with a distinct dance band tuba sound on bass.
When We're Getting Old
file: MP3
The leaves are gone The sky is grey The air is getting bitter cold Our friends are falling far behind. It’s hard for me To really think That our time’s running quickly out That you may have to go away.I’ll be with you Right here through times The good and bad When we're getting old.How can this be? Why can’t we fight? We did not realize soon enough We aren’t the masters of our lives. I’m losing you This can’t be so You have meant all there is to know And I want more for you to show.I’ll be with you Right here through times The good and bad When we're getting old.Your eyes are dazed Are you still there? I see you fight your mind’s not right Your smile is full of fear and tears Why have you gone And left me here? I know I need to soldier on, But what’s left without you right here?I’ll be with you Right here through times The good and bad When we're getting old.I look back now And feel the love That was all yours and is so strong Of what we shared all through the years I’ll be alright We had the light To lead us through the darkest night For our love to burn on bright.I’ll be with you Right here through times The good and bad When we're getting old.
Always and forever means it, even when you're getting old.
This song tells the story of when one partner is facing their natural mortality. What a terrible sadness that will be surely! However the love you've had together is the important thing. Also the love your partner had will survive in you. It will never go away.
I was influenced by the great songs of Tori Amos, but I am no where near the pianist she is. I can barely play well in time consistently let alone come up with great pianoisms like she does. Therefore, the piano accompaniement is basic arpegegiated chords, but I throw in a couple violins and cello to help tug on the heart strings. (no pun).
Also, I wanted to make sure the voice completely covered the melody without it being doubled, except by the strings in the last iteration of the chorus.