Please scroll down to view track lists for the albums. Then click on the song you would like lyrics and commentary for. If you first go to the "listen" tab, you can choose a song and start it playing, then jump back to this page and read the lyrics to the tune.
The Following 3 songs are available on this site, but have yet
to be officially released.
1. Missile
2. Chaos, Love, and Misery
3. Chasing American Dreams
The following 14 songs appear on the EP, "Laugh At Everything" (2005)
1. Feedback
2. Uneven Shoes
3. Ramone
4. Rain Go Away
5. Sweet Little Missy
6. Cold Cold Night
7. There Was Lisa
8. Drinking With Mona
9. When it Rains in Vegas
10. Old Red Wine
11. That Girl
12. Stephen Williams
13. You Can Count On Me
14. Laugh At Everything
The following 11 songs appear on the EP, "A Rocket Made for Me and
You" (1996)
1. A Rocket Made For Me and You
2. Perfect Place
3. Colors of Blue
4. When Day Has Come
5. The Round Song
6. Burden of Change
7. Goodbye June
8. Shadows of the Room
9. The Plains
10. Across a Battlefield
11. Stare
LYRICS - in alphabetical order
Across a Battlefield - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: One of my biggest early influences was Toad the Wet Sprocket. Toad was famous for melodic acoustic songs with reverberated vocals and harmonies. I liked Toad so much that I basically had to stop listening to them so I would not be overly influenced by their work. Their cd, "Fear," is fantastic, and definitely kick-started my desire to write and record music.
Lyrics:
In
the cracks and the pieces I'm lonely but I'll find
the smallest share of silence to ease this state of
mind but even through the quiet the voices ring
aloud where bitter ends shall follow this waging war
around though the nights are long I'll carry through
the buried lies I'll crawl to meet you on the
frontlines, though in spite of it all cause a
whisper of importance rules the silence in the air
where dueling voices shatter with little left to
spare in the cracks and the pieces I am lonely but
I'll find a light in your remembrance to ease this
state of mind.
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Burden of Change - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: Religion can be a touchy subject, and an interesting topic to write songs about. I think religion is wonderful, and to each their own. But there are some fanatics that really give religion a bad rap and push people away instead of drawing them in. That's pretty much what this is about. This was recorded back in the day where I'd never even picked up an electric guitar. Chris Bleill is playing all electric guitars on this cd (including this song). Eric Fricke arranged the bass line and Chris Freson did the arrangement of the drums.
Lyrics:
Don't
talk to me, don't tell me anything no more promises
defined one to unknown, you're tearing me away from
this place I should find I'll walk the break where
the water fills my eyes whispering something voices
pray my body shakes, to the ground i fall in search
of things I cannot find I cannot find alone and I
feel so alone as I tread this earth unknown I will
find this way you've shown can I take this place, my
home bearing repentance will pray tearing the soul
of the day and we all, we all become strange with
the almighty burden of change.
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Chasing American Dreams - Unreleased (2006)
Commentary: I was laid off of my job at Corporate America, and was completely at a loss. The unemployment rate was very high, and I couldn't get another job. I relied on the one thing I knew could make some money - music performance and music teaching. I've been doing that full-time ever since. Being on your own for employment can be scary. I probably wouldn't have done it by choice - I was kind of thrown into it. Now, I wouldn't change it for the world. Comfortingly (is this really a word?), I've noticed I'm not alone. There's tons of people making their livings the entrepreneurial way - by selling their art, jewelry, music, crafts, dog walking services - all are chasing the American dream by any means necessary. It's a far stretch from the norm, and it's not easy, but I don't have to drive in morning rush-hour anymore!
Lyrics:
My life is everything the television said
it should be waking up everyday to an alarm at 6:30 coffee and
traffic jams enough money to barely survive I wrote a song and
called it, "what's it mean to be alive?" now, is it money
that drives our every breath or sexy magazines this could be argued
to death maybe it's fame, a burning urge to be recognized I wrote a
song and called it, "soon you're gonna realize" bending
balloons selling cartoons by the highway reading the news singing
the blues doing it my way and here I come chasing American dreams
this train keeps rolling on much faster than it would seem my hands
are numb my love is pushed to extremes we would do anything to meet
the ends with these means chasing American dreams now in my pocket I
have nothing but an old piece of string if I lose my sanity I will
lose everything the string reminds me that I should open my eyes up
and see that what I seek is down the road where you'll find me
bending balloons selling cartoons by the highway reading the news
singing the blues doing it my way and here I come chasing American
dreams this train keeps rolling on much faster than it would seem my
hands are numb my love is pushed to extremes we would do anything to
meet the ends with these means chasing American dreams I must admit
the stars are shining very brightly tonight the carefree memories of
youth are growing in the light and I can feel this rush of energy
come over me it's what I need, and that is why you will find me
bending balloons selling cartoons by the highway reading the news
singing the blues doing it my way and here I come chasing American
dreams this train keeps rolling on much faster than it would seem my
hands are numb my love is pushed to extremes we would do anything to
meet the ends with these means chasing American dreams.
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Chaos, Love, and Misery - Unreleased (2006)
Commentary: This was written while living in Hawaii. It's easily the most beautiful place in the world, but after a long while you can really miss home if you're originally from the Midwest, because it's isolated, and expensive. I paid quite a lot to live on a 6 lane highway on East Oahu. In fact, if you listen VERY closely, you can hear the cars passing frequently in the background of this song. Kind of sound like ocean waves. The scenery is breathtaking, and the weather is unbeatable. I especially enjoyed the winter - very windy an often stormy, but no snow! One of the best experiences of my life, and I got one of my favorite tunes out of it. Overall, this tune is about the amazement, thrills, spills, chills, repetitiveness, ups and downs, and longevity of life.
Lyrics:
Ending
of the summer, yesterday was June winter winds are creeping round
always way too soon but I am still the same, yes I am still here it
was just another summer, just another year the money is enough to
live out by the highway I may not be the king but I'm gonna do it my
way playing this guitar until the dawn is here it was just another
day, just another year oh why does this amaze me? chaos, love and
misery la da da da...I will grab the money if you control the scene
we can buy a mansion where the grass is green and take a photograph
to say that we were here it was just another dream, just another
year while all around the alleys the prophets they will moan can
anybody hear me 'cause I'm feeling so alone and through the city
streets somebody screams, yeah yeah yeah! and winter disappears,
it's summertime again oh why does this amaze me? chaos, love and
misery la da da da...
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Cold Cold Night - Laugh at Everything, (2005)
Commentary: A song about love gone bad and Ramen noodles. Yes, this was written right after a break-up.
Lyrics:
Colors of Blue - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: My first big hit. I recorded two similar versions of this song. The first recorded with Chris Bleill on upright bass for "Hash and Thrash - The Music of Miami (Oxford, Ohio)," a compilation cd which really helped get the music career going. The second version was a bit more polished and that's the one you can hear on this site. In a somewhat unrelated story, I did this radio interview where the DJ talked to me about an upcoming performance, then played a couple of my tunes. I heard Colors of Blue on the radio as I was driving away from the station. The DJ said, "That was Tim Hirons with Colors of Blue - and now here's some Lionel Richie." I can't remember which Lionel tune it was, probably, "Hello" or something. The point being, I never really thought I would hear myself in the same rotation as modern day Lionel Richie. I was amused.
Lyrics:
Every
hour seems just like the one before and now I can't
remember just when you walked out the door it's just
drowning in my sorrows seems to be the only way I
wasn't slow to learn it's better not to feel the
pain sometimes I wonder if it's all within my mind
it's hard to believe that you could leave this all
behind but I think it's simple, just so easy to see
it's clearly more than something you're afraid to be
now everything is slowly spinning - round and round
it moves I can see it's gonna be another long night
soon now I'm in here drunk again and I'm thinking
about you as the colors that you gave me turn to
blue the picture starts to fade and now Im left
here all alone like bitter in-betweens no longer
trying to hold on but something starts to call as if
to change the way I feel and now it's never quite so
easy just to know if this is real.
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Drinking With Mona - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: The drums in this and most of the songs on, "Laugh at Everything," I recorded piece by piece in a recording studio. Since I don't own a drum set, I'm not really good with the mechanics of all the pedals. So, I lugged my HUGE desktop computer into a studio 3 different times, set up the mics, and recorded everything on a metronome piece by piece. I'd do the fills, then the high hat, then the snare. I recorded 8 different bass drum hits (so that each has a different feel) and with my computer, slice them up and place them where I want them. Many of the cymbals are simply sound files I bought on-line. You just cut and paste them where you want them, and there you go! The ride cymbal in the breakdown, however, was recorded live in the studio. It's hard to do the cut and paste thing when you hit a ride cymbal that many times in a row - it sounds too artificial.
Lyrics:
All night long she
sat up waiting for something the TV warns of
days like you’ve never seen she said forgive
me, I will do right in the morning tonight I laugh,
tonight I am a queen drinking with Mona you can’t
dethrone her, she ain’t never had one you can’t
believe her? Well, I feel sorry for you she
said, take it
slow and maybe you’ll find a new love I said, all I need
is a love from above and friend like you tell me, am I
really drinking with Mona? I pull up to the
walk, I’m sitting here waiting for you you were walking
through the dark without a candlelight or a moon but you keep on
movin’ with round red cheeks and blue eyes and now we’re
talking ‘bout things like cities and girls and we say what we
are thinking, oh I’m glad that I am drinking with Mona.
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Feedback -Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: I came across a burglar in the basement of my apt. building stealing stuff. He not only was arrested, he made it into one of my songs. Also, car stereo's bumping all night in my not so safe neighborhood resulted in some very sleepless nights. Oh well, more time for writing!
Lyrics:
Feedback playing steady beats upon my head, feedback. It’s hard to
keep my style intact, laughing ‘til I’m blue but I can make it
through… it’s what I’ve learned to do stereos are playing
loud, from the car they ring… stereo. late at night I can hear
‘em go, sleep can never hide but I will let it slide… ‘cause
safety is my guide. Doo doo doo doo doo… outlaw makin’ bread on
someone else’s dime, outlaw yeah, soon you know he’s bound to
fall, slippin’ in his shoes and he will sing the blues…but what
was there to lose? doo doo doo doo doo…
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Goodbye June - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: Juno is the Goddess of Marriage (thanks Mrs. Craig, high school Latin). This song is about the cyclical nature of divorces running in families, as well as the cyclical nature of the seasons.
Lyrics:
All this talk was meant to hurt you even sun and moon desert you
passed along they know you'll come back round again seems to me a
little cold close your eyes the day is gone never fails to take the
place where you belong and who will see as we turn this all aside we
were here we've got nothing left to hide very still we read from the
walls we are only here to set up for this fall so goodbye June, I
never waited for the first time but finally we're here goodbye,
June, when all I wanted was to know why now they lay in fear 'til
we're gone we'll be as one find the strength in the setting of the
sun and though these lights will fail away for these eyes, we only
need to say very still we read from the walls we are only here to
set up for this fall, so goodbye June.
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top)
Laugh At Everything - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: Well, I wrote this song when I was having a bad day. But it turned out to be one of my best, I think. It recalls the good times back in high school - hanging out and cruising the Target parking lot was the thing to do. The Taco Bell parking lot was pretty popular, too. I don't really know what the appeal was - we just drove in circles. Ah, the good old days.
Lyrics:
This is a day that I wanna know, I wanna be alive I
wanna take it slow when it seems out of everything in life that you
wanna live has got you on the floor and a pick-me-up a gathering it would be nice when
I’m hit on the funny bone ‘cause I used to know so many things, but that was
long ago a long time ago and you kinda gotta laugh at everything
if you get a little down at times and you try to push a thought away until
you know everything’s gonna be alright then the
pain in the back and the one in the side If we can
push that down we’re gonna be just fine in the
morning In the morning we could hang in the parking
lot just like we did yesterday dance ‘round the
cars, feeling fine ‘til they make us all go away
then a pick-me-up a gathering it would be nice when
I’m hit on the funny bone ‘cause I used to know
so many things, but that was long ago, a long time
ago and you kinda gotta laugh at everything if you get a little down at times…
‘cause we’re leaving here in style but we’re only gonna be gone for awhile
now everyone’s fast asleep the dawn I haven’t seen for awhile
climbing through the window slippin’ through the door with a smile
just like we always will
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Commentary: I don't like to discuss politics, but I may sneak them into a song.
Lyrics:
Missile, someday we'll
learn tell me how to get along show me where the blue skies go
rocket, rock with me roaring over jealousy hey hey, oh another day
is gone come on baby don't let me down crazy as the dream we're in
wild as the river that flows I know we can stay young and free just
love like you do to me and listen when you're eyes are closed
missile of you we sing tell me anything that might make me
understand rocket, jammin' to the radio love me baby nice and slow
hey hey, oh another day is gone come on baby don't let me down crazy
as the dream we're in wild as the river that flows I know we can
stay young and free just love like you do to me and listen when
you're eyes are closed music lights up the sky rockin' to a lullaby
baby stand up tall and say hold on, i can see things aren't like
they used to be hey hey, oh another day is gone.
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Old Red Wine - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: So, I cracked my head on an open closet door in Cincinnati. Figured that was funny enough to throw into a song. And, did I say, "something up in my nose?" in this song? My friend thought I meant drugs - I'm cool, but not that cool. My girlfriend didn't like gross things, so of course I did whatever I could to gross her out. It's a love song.
Lyrics:
I guess you
didn’t notice that I bought you coffee today
of course I
noticed baby can’t you tell by the things that I say
when I see you
standing there I tell you that you look so fine
like old red wine
you’re beautiful all of the time
later in the day
I’ve got something up in my nose
you say it isn’t funny, well I guess that’s the way that it goes
but I know you
like this childish behavior of mine
like old red wine
you’re beautiful all of the time
early in the
morning I’m thinking ‘bout seeing the stars ‘til I smack my
head on a door that is ajar
now they’re
shining bright as if they were divine
like old red wine
you’re beautiful all of the time
now you’re
sittin’ just waiting for things to change
maybe those things
are waiting out there on the range
and maybe they
will help me to keep myself in line
like old red wine
you’re beautiful all of the time
early in the
morning I’m thinking ‘bout seeing the stars ‘til I smack my
head on a door that is ajar
now they’re
shining bright as if they were divine
like old red wine
you’re beautiful all of the time.
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Perfect Place - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: This is about my first apartment in Clifton, Ohio. Better known as, "Dangerville." It was not the nicest place in the world, and my parents and friends were concerned, but I loved it. Their disapproval of the apartment and my living situation really made me even more proud of what I had. Weird how that happens.
Lyrics:
Have
you found the place where they long to be leave me
here if just in a beggar's high she knows that I
can't reach she knows that I don't mind she'll break
my will but what she thinks is fine nearly ashamed,
hey hey something was told there we'll fall together
and they'll say this is getting you nowhere are you
unaware these days are wearing thin I'll take my
fill it's what they're sinking in nearly ashamed,
hey hey something was told there we'll fall together
and they'll say this is getting you nowhere.
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The Plains - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: My friends and I had a trio we called, "Slim Pickins." We were playing a gig, and were asked by some guy if we could play a slow song. So we played this one, and the guy got down on one knee and proposed to his girlfriend during the song. I found that pretty awkward. In fact, I've been witness to no less than 10 marriage proposals in bars and clubs. Come on fellas, at least take her some place nice like McDonalds!
Lyrics:
If I could walk around the sun always laughter when the
day is done and if I could have only made you stay
turn aside and there we'll lie when the morning
takes me away if I could walk beyond the rain it's
now I know they've no one left to blame and I've run
with the shadows but I never will leave them the
stray just turn aside and they're we'll lie when the
morning takes me away if I could walk along the
plains one more smile from you, and you know I'd
stay so why can't they see I never will feel the
same just turn aside, and there we'll lie when the
morning takes me away.
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Rain Go Away - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: My friends think I am obsessed with songs about the sun, and rain, and nature for that matter. I do have a lot of songs that revolve around these topics. But after writing songs for years, you find you've written about just about everything. Love, hate, politics, sun/rain/moon/nature, I hate money, I need money, deodorant (that's more of a B-side tune). Anyways, I say there's nothing wrong with a good tune about the sun and rain, though at this stage I'm doing everything in my power to take a hiatus from those topics.
Lyrics:
Rain go away, don’t take
these blue skies from me rain won’t you go away this water in my eyes
makes you so hard to see rain go away from me and all I wanted was a
little light to lift me when I’m down let me look upon your
face, it always clears away this frown, yes it does, oh yeah rain go away, don’t take
these blue skies from me rain won’t you go away this water in my eyes
makes you so hard to see rain go away from me and all I wanted was a
little light to shine and pick me up now I’m running from the
sky to keep this water from my cup and if it gets into my
ears you know I think I’ll go insane the way it travels to my
head and up around into my brain, yes it does, oh yeah
and the water is gonna
make me slide and the puddles leave nowhere to hide have a wreck, slippin’
on your back if you hurry, there ain’t no coming back.
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Ramón - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: Someone at a bar I was playing at heard me playing the wah-wah on the guitar and said I should write some porn music. I happened to have a recorder going, I threw down a beat, a baseline, and a riff, and jammed out a bit. Took it home that night and put lyrics to it.
Lyrics:
Well, he walks his mile with a rhythm like this he smiles with
style, out the corner like this he shakes his head in a funky direction, with a simple little girl,
the latest kind of perfection and he makes them scream when he does that
thing he likes to play
it all night in his favorite scene and he’s got no time for love
or a kiss if you ask him why, it goes a little like this: you know the money makes him wanna go…
You know the ladies make him wanna go…you know the fame makes him
wanna go…you know they love it when he makes ‘em go…Ramón
well, it crossed his mind on a night like this he closed his eyes
just a little like this he combed his hair in a funky direction, and he walked right up into
this profession you know the money makes him wanna go... You know
the ladies make him wanna go... You know the fame makes him wanna
go... Another roll the day is over for…Ramón.
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A Rocket Made for Me and You - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Lyrics: This was the last song on this cd to be written. I wrote it very quickly, and when it was done I knew the cd was complete. About a girl, of course. Back in the day I was smitten for a young lady who was not quite as smitten for me. My lyrics were a bit more abstract back then. You can thank Toad the Wet Sprocket, and the rest of the 90's abstract lyric pioneers for that influence. Speaking of abstract lyrics, allow me to translate a gem for you. Since this is a song about a girl I know I can never have, I wrote, "I'll meet you on the corner of the parallel streets." Because, parallel streets don't intersect and therefore don't have corners. Meaning, the chance that we'll meet doesn't exist because she didn't really like me anyways. Ah the thought process of my youth!
Lyrics:
I would
like to stay here but I see it in your face all the
thoughts that kill you slowly wanting more than you
could taste standing for tomorrow while they try to
tear you down they have raised above the screams and
no they do not have a sound have you seen the words
here stacked higher than your eyes they are thrown
around at random but their meaning is no surprise
sweet little baby tell me what's the point you see
you could take for granted all your thoughts but
they're gonna stay it seems and I'm waiting by the
phone until that moment has arrived I said I'll wait
here by the phone until that moment has arrived then
I'll meet you on the corner of the parallel streets
with a rocket that was made just for you and me and
we'll fly into the night for a heavenly view as
we're living all the sights by the light of the moon
and we'll take in everything no one dared to see
'cause it never really matters when you wanna be
free and we'll sing our little songs 'cause they're
all that we knew in a rocket that was made just for
me and you just to believe this is a lesson as we go
did we salvage all the pieces have our promises been
sold but we'll raise our hands together for the
words we'll never say and I'll smile as if to reach
the life we're gonna find someday.
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The Round Song - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: One crazy summer... sitting 'round campfires 'til dawn, playing guitar, and having friends from all walks of life coming over and having the best of times. This is one of the first 5 songs I've ever written.
Lyrics:
I'll
pass to you you'll laugh at anything don't mean to
be so loud hold to the offering take it slow my
friend we'll light the dawn this glowing field we
gather slowly moves on as we go 'round look past the
window to see it's clear no one believes that we
have come by here so let us share this room for
anyone to fall it's almost ready for this one to
take us all as we go round this look upon us though
it's not very clear drink to the thoughts we hold
and songs we like o hear and angels' gathered
stories, we'll never find but love and wonderful
it's this that won't be left behind as we go 'round.
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Shadows of the Room - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: A fictional story about a heavy subject. I remember Pearl Jam had a song, I think it was called, "Why Go Home," from their Album "Ten." Anyways, their song was a story about a troubled girl, and I totally dug Pearl Jam. So, I thought I would take a crack at the heavy, dramatic kind of storytelling. Chris Bleill is playing the electric guitars.
Lyrics:
She
looked a girl about seven years or so so proud she
kept herself as if no one there would know but it's
only inside where the anger here will stay she rakes
along her hands, it's just to wipe them all away her
life is a puzzle, she was only falling through
freeing up the pieces she has been too scared to
move maybe they will save her, now they're calling
it ok there's too much her to see, I guess we're
better off that way but soon he will come, with a
bend in his brow my child you mustn't be so scared
for the quiet sets here now and emptiness is
breeding something cold and so unkind in the shadows
of the room, where it all is left behind it's more
than a question where everything is clear a rising
of the voices who will dare to draw here near and
fear is a reason which will lay her down in shame
and they can't understand why she will never be the
same.
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Stare - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: Recorded this back at my parents house - every time they hit a light switch it would send a "pop" through the recorder and I would have to start over. I wouldn't let them turn any lights on for hours, but of course they forgot and did it anyway. Did Tom Petty have this problem?
Lyrics:
I'll
stare at myself, but I'll stare at anyone from the
sea will break the stride of all we've ever known
but I'll talk of this here we're tangled, but we'll
clear up inside I'll stare at myself like I'll do
with any crowd when thoughts are read and gone I'm
not afraid to stare this down and now I'm holding by
my skin to everything I've known, and I'll never stop
for anyone but for you I just might take it slow
I'll sing with myself, but I'll do it without a
sound you can sing along if you are not too loud
'cause everybody knows that with a little time it's
gonna be alright and now I'm holding by my skin to
everything I've known, and I'll never stop for anyone
but for you I just might take it slow.
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Stephen Williams - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: This song is one of my personal favorites. After watching, "Lost in Translation," I was disappointed that yet another movie ended abruptly without tying up the loose ends of the story. So this song was initially called, "Bill Murray." But, "Bill Murray," didn't really roll off the tongue very nicely - plus there may have been some copyright infringements. So I changed it to Stephen Williams. It's about a very famous actor who's been in a few films where there's really no clear ending to the story. It gets a bit deeper than that, you'll see.
Lyrics:
Where did all the people go they’re going down to see
Stephen Williams he was excellent in, “Only Way,” perfect in,
“The Weak Will Never Fall” he’s got a way of telling you a
story that will
keep you there for hours but when it’s over you are left to wonder what the
story was about so tell me, Stephen Williams, what’s the
reason
that the endings never matter? it seems to me they ought to be considered as the
most important thing it leaves us all to wonder what you’re
hiding from
the very ones who love you don’t you know we’re here for you in thanks for
all the happiness you bring? Stephen Williams - he said I’m
not the one who writes the story,
you’ve really misdirected your concern I simply tell the tale as it is meant for the movie,
don’t you know? sometimes I have to wonder what I’m doing in a
story with no ending but every story has it’s ending, though we cannot
always know just how it goes. yeah, Stephen Williams
- on February 21st, Stephen Williams passed away in
Georgia a driver on a curvy road could not keep on their
side of the line it happened unexpectedly like many of these things
often do now he’s up in Heaven looking down upon the world
and doing fine yeah, Stephen Williams.
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Commentary: Just another love song, awwwww.
Lyrics:
Sweet Little Missy,
tell me do I got what you need? he left you all alone
once again when I see you
standing, with your eyes down to your feet I wonder how long
before this thing will end and I can say to you,
sweet darling you can smile again I will never walk away
from you and I would like to
call you my girl and treat you like you
should be treated but you know there’s
only so much I can do I will leave it up to
you and when you’ve got it figured out you know I’d like it
if you let me show you a little love
that’s nice and sweet I
really wanna get to
know you see what your eyes can
see yes I’m saying to
you my dear won’t you spend a
little time with me I’ll show you love
like none you’ve ever seen sweet little missy,
with your eyes so baby blue how could someone make
you feel so bad let me tell you, I
wouldn’t stop ‘til I could do for you all the good things
you know you deserve to have I will shower you with
gold, sweet darling tickle on your feet,
tuck you in when it is time for bed and then I’d like to
wake you up with lovin’ oh so sweet and cover you with
roses white and red my little sleepy head these are things that
I would do come on darling
won’t you let me show you…
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That Girl - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: My parents' farm has an old dirt road. We used to go back to the woods and set up tents and play guitars and have campfires. Good times. Also of minimal importance, back in the day I had a pair of Sketchers for about 2 years. They were such great shoes that they made it into the song. By the way, I tried playing several alternative percussive instruments on this tune (like the tile floor, the metal futon frame) but they didn't sound very good. I did, however, play the coffee mug. It's tough to pick out but at the very end of the song you can hear me rattling the drumstick in the coffee mug handle. Minutes later I accidentally kicked over the mug and spilled the coffee everywhere.
Lyrics:
My baby and me
driving down the road just looking
for a place where the talk is low my baby, can I
have a little water please? I will bring
you every little thing you need that girl she
likes my kind of style and she makes
everything better all the while old jeans and
a hat pulled down to match black wallet
with a long silver chain attached I live down by
the place with the old dirt road my baby her
eyes will light the way as we go that girl she
likes my kind of style and she makes
everything better all the while two years and
a hundred miles in these shoes my baby she
dances while I play the blues watchin’ the
sun beat red and low all night
that’s the way that we like to… we’re gonna
take it slow that girl she
likes my kind of style and she makes
everything better all the while.
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Commentary: I woke up from a nap and the line, "There was Lisa" popped into my head. I went to the recorder and initially laid down more of a feel-good upbeat acoustic song. But then I found a good smooth bassline, and It just went from there. Uncle Jack Finn is actually my friend's Uncle Leon who plays a mean, "Copperhead Road (by Steve Earle)," on the mandolin. There's a lot of canoeing, camping, and out-doorsiness (yeah, it's a word) going on in this tune.
Lyrics:
Green was the
color of the forest as I dove deep down into the
great divide running through
the grass that was growing so fast I
thought I’d
found a new place to hide but a creature
from the deep took a twist and a leap and scared me back
into the world where the fire was
bright, I was feeling alright so I thought about
a beautiful girl and there was
Lisa, sitting by the pool drinking sodas, to
keep herself cool out in the
sunshine, feeling so free she was gently
floating, floating here with me back to reality or
normal if it was I can only stay
for a flash then it’s oh
yeah, want more burn through
the
apple core don’t you let
the sunlight crash cause the water
was flowin’ while the boat was goin’ I think I’ll
switch to the green where the trees
did bend and the music did mend so I jumped back
to the scene and there was
Lisa… just when you
think that the moment is gone it’s peaking
back under your chair then Uncle Jack
Finn with his new mandolin said, son whatcha
doin’ over there? you better come
back soon ‘cause we’re playin’ a tune there ain’t no
worry in sight so I moved my feet
back around in my seat and I looked into
the light and there was
Lisa…
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Uneven Shoes - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: I have dreams sometimes that people are staring at me while I'm walking, and my feet start to get really heavy and I start walking funny. If you're a psychotherapist, please send a free diagnosis.
Lyrics:
Movin’ through the sunshine it was a day for movin’ listen to the street crawl with people lost in a groove
then I think about my guitar sittin’ on the table I can feel my feet turn around as I try to
move but they feel like water in uneven shoes everybody’s watchin’ as I walk under the ceiling
path is getting smaller and birds are singin’ the blues I can feel
the air swell around my head while I’m breathin’
I have told my feet to get ready for some abuse but they feel like water in uneven shoes.
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When Day Has Come - A Rocket Made for Me and You (1996)
Commentary: I seldom re-visit old, unfinished songs. If they don't work the first time, typically they just don't work at all. I usually find that time is better spent just trying to write a new tune. However, every rare now and then I'll give re-working a tune a shot. I think I've had only 3 completions ever with re-working old songs. This is one of them. I remember that right around the time I finished the tune, OJ was running from the cops in his white Bronco. Crazy. Chris Bleill is playing electric guitars on this song.
Lyrics:
Under
this lonely sky, found a yesterday memory when
leaving here was all she cried and it's sending me
but all this time I cannot turn back so I've been
running with the sun when day has come I'll be home
it's been so long I just don't know what's left
behind she's lonely and ready to go it seems so hard
to find a reason to see why this tears me inside
believe in me I never will leave you alone again
tried not to believe this tell me everything's fine
but the words I hear they sound of fear could I be
so blind but all this time, I cannot turn back so
I've been running with the sun we'll be all in the
same try to leave when there's no one to blame but
the self, dear, for if we should try we could take
this so high.
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When It Rains In Vegas - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: This song talks about not putting too much faith in material items. Though I do like material items a lot (especially my Homer Simpson slippers), sometimes you have to wonder what they're really worth in the big picture. Random fact #1 - I'd never been to Vegas before writing this song. Random fact #2: The "tiny little sea" is the creek at my parents' place and "lift(ing) them rocks" is what we used to do as kids looking for salamanders.
Lyrics:
When it rains in
Vegas, well you know the money stays dry
the ladies turn to
water and the fields begin to cry
we ain’t got
nothin’, except a couple of bucks and a diamond ring
and what you find
you better bring on back ‘cause it
ain’t gonna mean a thing when you lift them
rocks, what do you find? A couple of
pebbles that’s waiting there, well it ain’t no gold
mine but, take a look
at this tiny little sea it’s beautiful
and good enough for me when it rains in
Vegas, well you know the money stays dry the ladies turn to
water and the fields begin to cry we ain’t got
nothin’, except a couple of bucks and a diamond ring and what you find
you better bring on back ‘cause it
ain’t gonna mean a thing into the night, we
hit the road searching for a
better way to carry the same load never putting it
down, for fear we’ll lose it all but when this day
is over, will it catch us if we fall? so I’m gonna sit
down, right here in the dirt bargain with the
sun to make it better where it hurts and I will leave
behind the things I cannot use ‘cause what it
is I carry it cannot take away these blues when it rains in
Vegas, well you know the money stays dry the ladies turn to
water and the fields begin to cry we
ain’t got
nothin’, except a couple of bucks and a diamond ring and what you find
you better bring on back ‘cause it
ain’t gonna mean a thing
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You Can Count On Me - Laugh at Everything (2005)
Commentary: This was actually two songs fused together. The beginning part used to be more of a G major folk song. But I came up with the music to this version, and needed lyrics. Seeing as how I have lyrics on practically every piece of paper in the house, I grabbed the lyrics that were on the floor next to me which were from two different songs, and this is what came out. In case you were wondering, there's no non-painful way to play the finger-picking. It's a ridiculous 5 fret stretch, and every time I play it I kick myself in the backside for not coming up with an easier riff. Maybe my hands will grow bigger someday.
Lyrics:
You can count on me when you’re radio’s broke
you can count on me for a laugh a smile or a joke
anything you want I’ll never ask you why you can count on me in the morning
you can count on me in the daytime I couldn’t believe this take me down
you draw me in the water and leave me there to drown
just like I knew all along you’re not a puzzle for my boredom
not a player for this song can I buy another smile for you today
I cannot find the words and I know no other way we could have another glass of foolish wine
and everything would be everything would be just fine
oh yeah you can count on me when you’re radio’s broke
you can count on me for a laugh a smile or a joke
anything you want I’ll never ask you why you can count on me in the morning
or in the daytime.
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