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Below are lyrics, samples, and artwork for songs I've recorded for my eventual sophomore album, Tougher
Than Flannel, as well as the covers I've done; for lyrics, samples, and artwork from my first album,
Joy in the New, click
here. More info under the Music menu item
above...! You can also view some of my music-related videos on YouTube.
Original Songs
"Loster" is more bitter than most of my songs, in its treatment of both the
protagonist and the woman he lost. I'd laid down a brief demo of the song many months before I got
around to really doing it, but I hadn't left myself any notes on what exactly I was playing on the
guitar, so I had to spend fifteen minutes to figure it all out before I could record. I don't use much
piano in my recordings, but coming hot off the heels of my cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows," this session
found me adding a few keyboard touches.
This was probably the first time that I'd had a complete set of lyrics, and almost
a complete musical recording, that I put together without either having been written specifically for
the other. I'd written "Rockhopper" several weeks earlier, intending to record it but not really
having thought about how the music would sound. In mid-March 2007, I came home from work one night
determined to get some recording done, and I slammed together most of the guitar part, saving it as
"No name yet." It wasn't 'til the next day while thinking about the bass part that I considered
fitting the "Rockhopper" lyrics to the song.
I started piecing together the music that would become "Drabbard" shortly after
buying my PowerBook in 2005 and becoming acquainted with Apple's GarageBand software. I tinkered
with the tune a few times over the next two years before deciding to put the idea of writing a song
about writing songs together with that particular musical experiment.
While I had a specific world leader in mind when I thought up these lyrics, there
are plenty of others, past and present (and future, no doubt), who fit the bill, too. The twelve-string
gets a bit of juice in this recording, a reminder that it's an acoustic/electric. A few
weeks later, I remixed the tracks into the "decider mix."
I'm just full of silly love songs... or something. The idea for this song came
to me after about three or four months, I started writing it at six months, and I finally finished
it after a year, coming full circle for my birthday. I like the keyboards, they remind me a little
of the Who; not so much the middle bit, but certainly while I'm singing. Probably just me, though.
After my friend Theresa mentioned to me that 'Rock and Roll Day' was coming up
(yes, it's a real holiday in early July, at least as far as the greeting card companies are concerned),
I was playing some of my older songs on the Danelectro when the intro came to me. I quickly figured
out the rest of the music, and came up with lyrics a week later, using Theresa's suggestions as
a cue; I recorded it the same day.
C'mon, you can figure it out... This song was undeniably influenced by the
Offspring, though I don't think it sounds much like them. The vaguely Arabic lick is a nod to
Dexter, and the lyrics are more radio-friendly than the punkers' own "trendy" song. After
my last few recordings, it felt good to rock when I did this in mid-February 2006.
Begun just before New Year's Eve 2005, this happy little number was completed
a week later. I hadn't intended for it to become electronic, but... :::shrug:::
That's how it turned out. GarageBand was an invaluable tool for this one.
I thought up this song in December of 2004, but only wrote a line or two,
until the following November when I finished the lyrics and recorded it. This is the first song
I recorded using my Ovation 12-string, and I really like the sound.
I used to make fun of Paul Simon for trying to squeeze extra syllables into
his song lyrics, but forgive me, Rhymin' Simon, for I'm occasionally guilty of the same pleasure.
I wrote this song in the spring of 2004 while my baby was away, during one of my "heavy waits"
for her return. I believe I was actually walking unencumbered down the shady side of her street
when that particular line came to mind...
Too Loud to Be Eaten with the Naked Eye [2005]
[listen]
[lyrics]
One of only two instrumentals I've recorded during the modern (read: good)
period of my musical career. The name came to me several years before any concept of the music
did, though I knew I wanted it to be moody and jazzy.
I was told of a DJ's quest for the perfect beach song, and while I don't think
"Down the Shore" really fits the bill, I was inspired to write it anyway. I think the techno bass
works pretty well with the surf guitar and drums, and the lyrics make it clear that I'm a Jersey
boy.
Gina and I were talking one night about children's music, and I joked about
recording some. I put together these lyrics about her daughter and laid down a track with a vague
"All Together Now" feel to it. Maybe I'll try another kids' song at some point...
A remix; the original is on Joy in the New.
Troll Doll (in dem Haus) [1999]
[listen]
[lyrics]
"Troll Doll" came about as a result of some voice mails I was asked to retrieve.
Hearing the content, I found some sound bites that presented themselves as perfect for a techno-style
song, something I'd never done before. I threw in a few Metallica samples, too, and this gabber-fest
was born.
Victory Samba [1994]
[listen]
[lyrics]
After watching Brazil's victory in the 1994 World Cup with a number of Italy fans,
I went home to quickly compose this one.
Cover Songs
Tomorrow Never Knows [2009]
The Beatles' Revolver is the first album I ever really got into, but the idea to do this cover just popped into my head one day,
and I recorded it just a few days later. In fact, it kick-started the recording process again; I did this one on a Saturday, and "Loster" on Sunday.
Fourth of July [2006]
Another holiday song... I've always enjoyed the original by X; I recorded this 12-string rendition on the 4th, and you can hear some of Lyndhurst's
fireworks crackling in the background
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) [2004]
U2's cover has always been one of my favorite Christmas songs, and I recorded it myself while missing my
baby during the holiday season; I ended up seeing her on Christmas Eve :)
Dirty Water [2003]
An old Standells song about Boston; they weren't actually from there, either
Powerhouse (excerpt) [2003]
You probably don't know "Powerhouse" by name, but the odds are pretty good that you've heard this part of it before!
Rockin' in the Free World '03 [2003]
I redid this cover, partly at the request of a friend, and coincidentally I recorded it the day Dubya started
his Illegal War
How Much More [2002]
Yes, a Go-Go's song; hey, the Go-Go's kicked some major ass! I've wanted to record this one for a long time
Rockin' in the Free World [2002]
Maybe it's because there's a war (of sorts) on, or maybe just the fact that there's another Bush in the White House,
but I've been thinking of this song for weeks now, so I finally broke down and recorded it. While it is a cover, this track holds two distinctions: it's the first I recorded directly to the iBook, using
my iMic USB audio converter, and it's the first time I recorded myself singing and playing the guitar at the same time. lol It's got a very unpolished live sound, but then that's what I was going
for
Just Like Heaven [2001]
She almost did run away with me
Happy Xmas (War Is Over) [2000]
if you want it...
Terrible Lie [2000]
Hey, God, this has always been one of my favorite NIN tunes
Not Fade Away [1999]
I take on Bo Diddley and George Thorogood (and some others) in this rockin' Buddy Holly cover
Rebel Rebel [1997]
I know, it sounds like I borrowed the Human League's drum machine...
(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone [1997]
Yet another punk rendition of the Monkees' classic; kiss this, Johnny! ;)
Can't Stand Losing You [1997]
An early Police tune
Rainbow Connection [1996]
The 'Muppet Movie' song, featuring a Commodore 128 playing rhythm but no frogs
