Videos: My Songs

The following videos–with one exception–are all original songs. The first 21 were recorded between April and June 2020, during the Covid-19 “lockdown” period, as a way both to keep me busy and entertain others stuck at home.

Categories

Ballads
The Cherry Tree
Paris Café
Leaving is the Hardest Thing I Know
Some Things Never Change
Mississippi
The House on the Corner
Forever
I Will Be There For You
Memory

Bossa Novas
Wish Upon a Star
Don’t Ask Why
Let’s Get Lost
What Are You Waiting For?

Blues
Searchin’ Outside for My Soul
Give Me One More Chance
Talkin’ ‘Bout Love

Rock
King of No Regrets
Agua Pura
Let It Rain
Cupid’s Arrow
Let Me Fall On You
Up On the Roof (Goffin-King)

“Leaving is the Hardest Thing I Know” is a soulful jazz ballad that recounts the emotional distress we feel when a lover has left us. (Written by me with lyrics by Dave Bingham)

LEAVING IS THE HARDEST THING I KNOW

If I stopped and thought about it,
I would never even go.
Leaving is the hardest thing I know.
But there’s no way I can stay here
Though I wish it weren’t so.
Leaving is the hardest thing I know.

It’s so hard to tear myself away.
There’s so much about you
That’s tryin’ to make me stay.
Still I know in time this feeling’s gonna pass,
And when it’s over, I’ll be goin’ on my way.

A last goodbye will not be easy
To what was once our happy home.
Leaving is the hardest thing I know.
I got to close the door behind me
And head out on the road
Leaving is the hardest thing I know.

[instrumental break]

Still I know in time this feeling’s gonna pass,
And when it’s over, I’ll be goin’ on my way.

So I’ll start another journey
And I’ll make it on my own
But leaving is the hardest thing,
Leaving’s just the hardest thing,
Leaving is the hardest thing I know.

“The House on the Corner“: Haunting ballad; we may want to go back in time but are afraid of the ghosts we may encounter. (Piano: Jeff Taylor (Nashville, TN))

The House on the Corner

There’s the house on the corner where I used to live
And the girl I loved lived right next door.
Sometimes I come here to just look around
But she don’t live here anymore.

No use pretending that she’s still around;
Both of us long ago moved from this town.

But there’s something that draws me right back to this place
Like a ghost…that’s wearing her face
Like a ghost…that’s wearing her face.

The paint is all peeling, the grass overgrown
The fence posts have rotted away
But I can still see her out in her yard
Like it was just yesterday

I shouldn’t come here—life has moved on
No use in holding to what is long gone

Yet there’s something that draws me right back to this place
Like a ghost…that’s wearing her face
Like a ghost…that’s wearing her face.

Bridge
The face in the window/ I dreamed shared my pillow
The love of an angel still haunts me
As I pull from the drive/ in the mirror I find
Reflections of what used to be

Yeah, there’s something that draws me right back to this place
Like a ghost…that’s wearing her face
Like a ghost…that’s wearing her face
Like a ghost…that’s wearing her face.

“Mississippi“: The story of a man driving away from a long-time relationship, and his thoughts about it as he does so.

Mississippi

I left her down in Mississippi
With a teacup in her hand
Sitting there in her ruffled cotton apron
A tear-stained letter on the stand

Driving through rain in Mississippi
Heading north to Tennessee
Counting the miles still to go between me and Memphis
I see her face in every tree

Should I have stayed behind
Tried to change her mind
Worked harder to make it right?

But sometimes you never know
You just head down the road
And get on with your life

Driving away from Mississippi
As fast as the limit will allow
Country radio just brings back our time together
Maybe the silence is best for now

[Instrumental break]

[Repeat chorus]

For all that time in Mississippi
What have I got to show?
A trunk full of clothes and a couple broken guitars
And lots of memories to hold

“The Cherry Tree“: This lyric video poetically explores lost love, comparing it to the loveliness of the cherry tree and its changes through the seasons. Includes some beautiful orchestral accompaniment, fitting for this modern “art song.”

The Cherry Tree

The cherry tree
Blossoms like the snow
In springtime when we met
Its loveliness
Takes my breath away
And it helps me to forget

The cherry branches
Overhead
Surrounded by the bees
The perfumed air
It draws them in
Just as you did to me.

Oh to be held
And safe in your arms
I long for the warmth of your care
But just like the seasons
There’s no going back
To a time that’s no longer there.

The cherry tree
Dazzles with its blooms
Yet soon they fade away
Some comfort yet
I can take from this
As I face another day.

“What Are You Waiting For?“: Based on a real situation, where the guy was just moving too slowly for his girlfriend, who wasn’t sure what kind of relationship he really wanted with her.

What Are You Waiting For?

She’s standing right before your eyes
What are you waiting for?
Don’t let another day go by
Tell her you want her now
You may not have a second chance
She may be gone tomorrow
Leaving you at the dance

Why don’t you say what’s on your mind?
Better yet, hold her close
She wants to feel you at her side
Don’t make her wait too long
You may not have a second chance
She may be gone tomorrow
Leaving you at the dance

Hiding your heart won’t keep you warm on windy winter days
Play it too cool and you may find you’ve let her slip away, ….so..

Turn to her now and take her hands
Give her a gentle kiss
Now she is sure to understand
That you want more like this
You may not have a second chance
She may be gone tomorrow
Leaving you at the dance
What are you waiting for?
What are you waiting for?

“Memory“: Her memories were so powerful she blocked out the good things in their relationship, while he remembered ALL the details.

Memory

Is there nothing left of us that you can still recall?
Or have you pushed it down inside to just forget it all?

I can see it clearly
But you’ve blocked it all from your mind

CHORUS:
Oh…it’s a memory
And sometimes…it’s a mystery
But to you it’s a luxury / you can’t afford

I remember every little thing you said to me
Every touch and glance and every night you spent with me

Call it stored emotion
Love has got a way of hanging on.

[Repeat CHORUS]

BRIDGE:
Sometimes the pain comes back at night and haunts you in the dark
The lessons learned have burned you–but made you what you are

CHORUS:
Oh…it’s a memory
And sometimes…it’s a mystery
But to you it’s a luxury / you can’t afford

“Don’t Ask Why“: Based on my advice to a friend whose three-year relationship suddenly ended. A gentle bossa nova.

Don’t Ask Why

Don’t ask why
It’s one of life’s great mysteries
I’ll never really know the reason [s]he left me

Don’t ask how
Why does it even matter now?
I’ll never learn the way love sometimes plays its hand
I’ll never understand
If it’s all planned

Like a rainbow
That shines in the sky
We just don’t know
All the reasons why
Things just happen
It’s out of our control…so

Don’t ask who
Strange as it is even I don’t know
I thought I knew her[him] since we met so long ago

Don’t ask when
I’m not prepared to start again
I’ll find another if the time is right for me
When I can hardly wait to see
What life brings to me

Like a rainbow
That shines in the sky
We just don’t know
All the reasons why
Things just happen
It’s out of our control….so

Don’t ask why….

“Forever“: Great wedding song! “Forever” relates to a couple promising to be together to share their lives, “forever.” It is a sentiment we all can relate to!

Forever

She won his heart, completely
He fell for her, so sweetly
Now they’re together always
Counting their Valentine Days

CHORUS:
Sometimes hard, sometimes easy to love
Bound up in life together
Hand in hand, with commitment to be
One single pair, forever (forever, forever…)

Looking ahead to share one life
Holding each other so tight
Now they begin a love song
That lasts for all their lives long

CHORUS:
Sometimes hard, sometimes easy to love
Bound up in life together
Hand in hand, with commitment to be
One single pair, forever (forever, forever…)

Bridge:
And when the time comes when one of them must go
At least there’ll be a lifetime of mem’ries left to hold

CHORUS:
Sometimes hard, sometimes easy to love
Bound up in life together
Hand in hand, with commitment to be
One single pair, forever (forever, forever, together, forever…)

“Let’s Get Lost“: Gentle bossa nova with beautiful tenor sax, about wanting to take your partner and disappear on a tropical island or mountaintop. No phones, no cards, no letters, no internet!

Let’s Get Lost

Let’s get lost
We’ll fly away.
No one will know where we are
But just / the two of us/ so in love
So let’s get lost.
Let’s get lost!

Let them guess
Where we went
Was it to a mountaintop in France
Or a land….scape in Rio?
So let them guess
Let’s get lost!

“Wish Upon a Star“: We often look to the heavens or stars to guide us or grant our deepest desires. This song of mine expresses that situation when one part of a pair is gone and we wish they could come back so that things could be good once again.

Wish Upon a Star

It was our time some time ago
But something went wrong for us and so
We headed for a fall.

Now that our chance has come and gone
Only the mem’ries linger on
We could have had it all.

So I, wish upon a star.
To go from where we are
To where we were before

The sky with all its stars at night
Can surely make it right
To bring you back once more

Never the one to walk away
I tried to work it out and stay
But soon enough you know

(When) two people sing a different song
Sometimes it’s best to move along
(But) I just can’t let go…

So I, wish upon a star.
To go from where we are
‘To where we were before

The sky with all its stars at night
Can surely make it right
To bring you back once more

“Cupid’s Arrow“: A song about sudden love and missed opportunities.

Cupid’s Arrow

I was down at the local bar when she caught my eye
There was something ‘bout the way that she held her glass
A shiver ran up my spine and across my face
I didn’t know that love could feel that way

As I watched her laugh at things that others said
I could only hope to stand right next to her
To look into her eyes and call her name
I didn’t know that love could feel that way

Oh, cupid, of all the men on planet earth
Why’d you have to point your bow at me
I’m not sure that I can stand the memory of that night
When you hit me with your arrow and ruined me for life

I was frozen to my seat like the fool I was
When I thought a shot of whiskey might help out
But by the time I took a drink, she had escaped
I didn’t know that love could feel that way

Many years have now gone by and I’ve moved on
There were others whom I’ve held tight to my breast
Though I have found sweet pleasure in their embrace
I never found a love that felt that way
Though I have found sweet pleasure in their embrace . . .
I never found a love that felt that way.

BACK TO TOPc

“Give Me One More Chance“: Rockin’ blues! This song of mine features my resonator guitar, plus upright bass, two pianos, drums, and percussion.

Give Me One More Chance

I’m sorry baby for the things I done
I never meant to hurt anyone
So come on, baby, give me one more chance!

Before you leave me for another man
Think of all the good times we had
Come on, baby, give me one more chance

Is there nothing I can do to win back your lovin’ heart?
I’ll buy you roses, I’ll even cook and clean
Just show me where to start

It ain’t part of God’s holy plan
To expect perfection from your man
So come on, baby, give me one more chance

[instrumental break]

Is there nothing I can do to win back your lovin’ heart?
I’ll buy you roses, I’ll even cook and clean
Just show me where to start

My body’s achin’ and I need a rest
But I’m ready, put me to the test
Come on baby, give me one more
Come on babe, give me one more
I’m beggin’ you baby please just give me one more chance!

“Talkin’ ‘Bout Love“:

Talkin’ ‘Bout Love

Everybody’s got some, but it’s never enough
I’m not talkin’ ‘bout money, I’m not talkin’ ‘bout luck
I’m just here to say, I’m talkin’ ‘bout love!

There’s the girl in the office, flashin’ you that smile
Watching her in those tight jeans, about to drive you wild
I’m just here to say, I’m talkin’ ‘bout love!

Everybody tries to tell you, it’s best to hesitate
Guess you’re too impatient, to have to sit and wait!

So you send her a message, how ‘bout dinner at 9?
But you start to get worried, when she never replies
I’m just here to say, I’m talkin’ ‘bout love!

It’s the thing we all dream of, the thing that money can’t buy
From the day you turn 15, to the day that you die
I’m just here to say, I’m talkin’ ‘bout love!

“Let It Rain“: Bluesy song of unrequited love. (The super-high vocals almost killed me!!)

“Some Things Never Change“: Song about a dad whose mental health is declining, and the family’s response. Yet Dad is still Dad….

(Features the Veillette Avante Gryphon high-pitched 12-string guitar.)

Some Things Never Change

He’s not as sharp as he once was
Sometimes he forgets my name
But he laughs and carries on like he always did
I guess some things never change

Mama confides that her hands are full
The old man’s not easily tamed
He’s stubborn but sometimes he’s gentle, too
I guess some things never change

I really should visit
I really should call
I’m caught up in my life
I’m giving my all…

He used to sing with the best voice in town
Now a whisper is all that remains
But he is still humming his harmonies
I guess some things never change

We finally moved him to Manor Rest Home
Sometimes I feel so ashamed
He flirts with the nurses, he hates the food
I guess some things never change!

I really should visit
I really should call
I’m caught up in my life
I’m giving my all…

He can be selfish or angry or rude
But I love him just the same
He’ll never say that he loves me, too…
I guess some things never change,
I guess some things never change.

“Paris Café“: A beautiful song about a man who tries to forget about his ex-girlfriend by going on a trip to Paris. He strolls along the boulevard, drinks some wine, eats some cheese, but he keeps seeing her face everywhere he turns….Such is lost love!

(I particularly like the sound of the Avante Gryphon (by Veillette) used as an accompanying instrument. It works well against the guitar!)

Paris Café

It was my first day in Paris
I didn’t know a soul on the Seine
So I wandered up and down the streets
Hoping I’d forget your name
I drank a glass of Muscat
And ate some reblochon
But everywhere I turned
I felt that you were gone

Chorus:
Why did you have to say goodbye?
Why did you have to leave that day?
I thought we had the best in life
But life got in our way.
You finally closed the door
And left me standing there
With nothing left for me to do or say–
That’s why I’m in this French café

It was my first night in Paris
The lights all glowed like pearls
And everywhere I looked I saw
Those pretty Paris girls.
But I just walked right by them
And toward the Notre Dame
Hoping that this big ol’ church
Would take away my pain

Chorus:
Why did you have to say goodbye?
Why did you have to leave that day?
I thought we had the best in life
But life got in our way
You finally closed the door
And left me stranded there
With nothing left for me to do or say–
That’s why I’m in this French café

Bridge:
How many times have you been on my mind?
I couldn’t count the memories left behind.

Repeat 1st Chorus
Tag:
With nothing left for me to do or say–
That’s why I’m in this French café
Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo.

“The King of No Regrets“: Describes those types of people who act badly without regret or remorse.

The King of No Regrets

I know a man who lives just for himself
Never thinking about nobody else
Never mind if you’re right
‘Cause he’ll go home tonight
Telling lies about that jerk he met
That’s why they call him the King of No Regrets

I remember the trip we took to Spain
When he told me if I would pay his way
He’d pay back every dime
A little at a time
But somehow he always did forget
That’s why they call him the King of No Regrets

Sometimes you’ll see him on his knees about to pray
But I’ve known him way too long….
That man will never change!

All his girlfriends I never could explain
He could hardly remember all their names
He’d make moves on his dates
Get slapped across the face
But he’d just shrug his shoulders when they left
That’s why they called him the King of No Regrets.
Amen!

“I Will Be There for You“: Song about commitment, even if one partner “needs some time alone”! Mellow, melodic, with a solo played on the Gryphon Veillette 12-string high-pitched guitar.

I Will Be There For You

Words seem so easy to say
When you’re all alone
Then they just go away
When you pick up the phone
There are no words for this
But one thing is clear
I will be there for you
Even if you’re not here

I know you had to go
To sort things out
You needed time alone
You had so many doubts
And it just tears me up
That I can’t hold you near
But I will be there for you
Even if you’re not here.

[instrumental section]

And it just tears me up
That I can’t hold you near
But I will be there for you
I will be there for you
I will be there for you
Even if you’re not here.

“Searching Outside for My Soul“: The secret of happiness lies within….” say the masters. This song preaches the same message, that searching outside for your soul is not the answer. It’s also a rockin’ blues shuffle!

Searchin’ Outside for My Soul

I was drivin’/ thru the mountains
Lookin’ high/ and lookin’ low
I didn’t find/ what I was after
‘Cause I was searchin’ outside for my soul

I made money/ filled my pockets
With lots of silver/ and gold
But I never/ felt happy
‘Cause I was searchin’ outside for my soul

Bridge:
Everytime I try to take control
Seems I find [2d time: dig] myself in a bigger hole!

I tried teaching/ I tried preaching
Working hard/ or not at all
But I never/ found fulfillment
‘Cause I was searchin’ outside for my soul
‘Cause I was searchin’ outside for my soul

“Up On the Roof“: A trio of me! Classic song by Carole King and Jerry Goffin, first recorded by the Drifters in 1962.

“Agua Pura“: Written to support Caminos de Agua (www.caminosdeagua.org), a charitable organization based in San Miguel de Allende. Originally sung by me as part of a presentation by them at the SMA Unitarian Universalist church.

Agua Pura

Everywhere we look we see the beauty of our town
From cobblestones to streets with walls of yellow, red or brown
But there’s another side of things we sometimes fail to see
Not all of us can live in places where we’d like to be.

Not too long ago the water flowed so clear and pure,
Yet now the children suffer from diseases we can’t cure.
Arsenic and fluoride can destroy our children’s health,
And damage teeth and bones and minds, send cancer to their cells.

Yet we can catch the rain / We can use the wind
We can learn the science and make it pure again
Then we can drink the water /
And save our children’s lives
But we must start now, we’re running out of time.
Yes, we must start now, we’re running out of time.

If every one of us helps out a little at a time,
We can make the rivers free of toxins, mud, and slime.
By harnessing the rain as it falls—free—from the skies,
We can improve the health of all and make a better life.

Yes, we can catch the rain / We can use the wind
We can learn the science and make it pure again
Then we can drink the water /
And save our children’s lives
But we must start now, we’re running out of time.
Yes, we must start now, we’re running out of time.

“The Ballad of Joey and the Bottle of Booze“: A fanciful tale about a hapless yokel who got into a little trouble and what the judge did to him.

(I hired an animation company in India to make this video for me. Pretty cool!!)

The Ballad of Joey and the Bottle of Booze

Joey said he didn’t know right from wrong
Said he didn’t know a thing
When he broke into that jewelry store
And stole that diamond ring

Might as well make a good night of it
So he stole that bottle of booze
Now his lawyer’s try to tell the jury
Joey didn’t have the mind to choose

CHORUS
Sometimes in life things ain’t what they seem
Take it on faith from me
When you’ve been ’round the block a time or two
Life can look a little crazy!

Well, Joey took the stand in his self defense
And he did one hell of a job
When he stepped down everyone was sure
Joey didn’t have the brains to rob

Well, the judge wasn’t havin’ no part of this
He threw out the jury’s call:
“Six months in the slammer ought to straighten you out.
You can stare at the damn cell wall!”

[repeat CHORUS]

So they took Joey down to his jail cell
Slammed that metal gate closed
Ten minutes later his cell mate
Had punched him square in the nose

They had no choice but to take him
To the jail infirmary
Where somehow the papers got all messed up
Joey walked out of jail scot free!

[repeat CHORUS]

“Let Me Fall On You” This is from a party I performed at in 2010; Terry Pinnegar adds a nice touch on organ.

Let Me Fall On You

Everybody tells me I’m living way too fast
They underestimate me, I’m built to last
But if I’m gonna fall, let me fall on you

I know you’re worried; you’ve seen me slide
But you’re just seeing my weaker side
If I’m gonna fall, let me fall on you.

Chorus:
You’re the rock that’s always there
You bring me comfort and loving care
You seem to know when times are tough
You’re the one who always holds me up

I know I’ve been drinking more than I should
Hanging ‘round these bars ain’t doing me no good, no
But if I’m gonna fall, let me fall on you

Got me a steady job, a-workin’ nine to five
Don’t pay much money but it’s keepin’ me alive
And if I’m gonna fall, let me fall on you

(repeat chorus)

Nobody’s perfect, no one’s a saint
I’m a survivor, just making my own way.
But if I’m gonna fall, let me fall on you
If I’m gonna fall, let me fall on you
Let me fall on you.

“Paris Cafe” [See above for lyrics, etc.]

“Memory“: (solo version) [See above for lyrics, etc.]

“Ballad of Joey and the Bottle of Booze” (solo version) [see above for lyrics, etc.]

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