Saturday, August 25, 2007
Jam Studio
Cross posted from my own PsychoVoyager Journal...
There are plenty of songs from the past couple of years waiting on the back burner to be completed. However, I realized I haven't written any new tunes this year. I just sorta finished Ménage à Trois with robots, so I figured on getting something new in between that whatever I'll spend the next month or two polishing up.
Always looking for new toys to play with, outta nowhere came ChordStudio.com, now known as JamStudio.com (both URLs work, currently).
A boon to songwriters, musicians, or those of us who pretend to be, this web interface allows you to not only arrange chord progression with a click o' the mouse, but also the musical arrangement as well. Nice sounding samples of drums, bass, guitars, pianos, etc.
Creating songs this way, offers one a way to think outside the instrument and maybe write songs that might not normally result from noodling on the guitar or keyboard. Of course, if you were really good, you'd think outside the box with or without your main instrument. I'm not, so here I am.
I threw some random chords together on the 3rd and 4th of this month, till I got a couple of sequences with melodic potential. Then I started to build on the first one, which I decided was a verse. A chorus and intro was eventually added and I started on lyrics, which I worked on little by little from the 11th to today.
There might be a wee bit of a WTF factor to them, which I'm not gonna get into, except to say there is some element of truth to the words and just leave it at that.
After nearly finishing the lyrics, I then constructed a bridge section, which will probably host a guitar solo or some kind of instrumental break. Too lazy to write more words.
The two big limits with JamStudio are the inability (so far) to record vocals (don't know if that can be done with something like this) and the inability to record your song to mp3 or other audio format. The latter would sorta take care of the former as one could then overly vocals over the mp3 in another program (not the optimal way to record a song, but fine for a demo). Otherwise the share song feature is almost redundant as you're just sharing a chord progression arranged into a verse-chorus sequence, and not really an actual song (words and music).
Otherwise, the website as it is will keep me somewhat honest as a musician, as I'm forced to actually play and record the music to complete a demo. Still, if I could do it all here, and then put it on the shelf til I was ready to record proper, that would be an extra two flavors of awesome.
My JamStudio song can be heard here (and then make your own) until I get around to recording it.
And the lyrics below (I don't think anybody's gonna be able to sing along, just yet)...
Burning Kiss (c) 2007 George-Williams Isaacs
The secret evil
beneath the surface-volitile
but all the while-I stay
politecuzIcouldneverhurtyouorburnyouyoumeanthewholeworldtomebutIstillwantto
because it feels so good
this is where I've stood-the line
between
two worlds
of pain and pleasure
I need you to release the pressure
There is no hate there is no anger
in my burning kiss
I lust to taste your fear
of my burning kiss
Submission
to the power
while my aura
overwhelms-I sense
thetensionincreasingthestrikesneverceasingeuphoriareachingnewheightsneverdreamedof
No safe words spoken yet
smell the latex and the sweat
Awake
the dragon
from hell up to heaven
all our sins are now forgiven
There is no hate there is no anger
in my burning kiss
I lust to taste your fear
of my burning kiss
Thanks to Create Digital Music for highlighting this app.
There are plenty of songs from the past couple of years waiting on the back burner to be completed. However, I realized I haven't written any new tunes this year. I just sorta finished Ménage à Trois with robots, so I figured on getting something new in between that whatever I'll spend the next month or two polishing up.
Always looking for new toys to play with, outta nowhere came ChordStudio.com, now known as JamStudio.com (both URLs work, currently).
A boon to songwriters, musicians, or those of us who pretend to be, this web interface allows you to not only arrange chord progression with a click o' the mouse, but also the musical arrangement as well. Nice sounding samples of drums, bass, guitars, pianos, etc.
Creating songs this way, offers one a way to think outside the instrument and maybe write songs that might not normally result from noodling on the guitar or keyboard. Of course, if you were really good, you'd think outside the box with or without your main instrument. I'm not, so here I am.
I threw some random chords together on the 3rd and 4th of this month, till I got a couple of sequences with melodic potential. Then I started to build on the first one, which I decided was a verse. A chorus and intro was eventually added and I started on lyrics, which I worked on little by little from the 11th to today.
There might be a wee bit of a WTF factor to them, which I'm not gonna get into, except to say there is some element of truth to the words and just leave it at that.
After nearly finishing the lyrics, I then constructed a bridge section, which will probably host a guitar solo or some kind of instrumental break. Too lazy to write more words.
The two big limits with JamStudio are the inability (so far) to record vocals (don't know if that can be done with something like this) and the inability to record your song to mp3 or other audio format. The latter would sorta take care of the former as one could then overly vocals over the mp3 in another program (not the optimal way to record a song, but fine for a demo). Otherwise the share song feature is almost redundant as you're just sharing a chord progression arranged into a verse-chorus sequence, and not really an actual song (words and music).
Otherwise, the website as it is will keep me somewhat honest as a musician, as I'm forced to actually play and record the music to complete a demo. Still, if I could do it all here, and then put it on the shelf til I was ready to record proper, that would be an extra two flavors of awesome.
My JamStudio song can be heard here (and then make your own) until I get around to recording it.
And the lyrics below (I don't think anybody's gonna be able to sing along, just yet)...
Burning Kiss (c) 2007 George-Williams Isaacs
The secret evil
beneath the surface-volitile
but all the while-I stay
politecuzIcouldneverhurtyouorburnyouyoumeanthewholeworldtomebutIstillwantto
because it feels so good
this is where I've stood-the line
between
two worlds
of pain and pleasure
I need you to release the pressure
There is no hate there is no anger
in my burning kiss
I lust to taste your fear
of my burning kiss
Submission
to the power
while my aura
overwhelms-I sense
thetensionincreasingthestrikesneverceasingeuphoriareachingnewheightsneverdreamedof
No safe words spoken yet
smell the latex and the sweat
Awake
the dragon
from hell up to heaven
all our sins are now forgiven
There is no hate there is no anger
in my burning kiss
I lust to taste your fear
of my burning kiss
Thanks to Create Digital Music for highlighting this app.
Labels: fun, good deal, lyrics, music, music making, my music, PsychoVoyager, web apps
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Song Of The Week: When Nightmare Ends
Started out with a rhythm inspired by Keyop's voice from Battle of The Planets, one of three English versions of Kagaku Ninja Tai Gatchaman. It was said by someone (I forget who) that Keyop spoke gibberish because in the Japanese original, he (Jinpei) was a foul mouthed little bastard. I speak very, very, very little Japanese, but I'm not sure there are proper curse words in Japanese. Also, I've later learned that the English versions of this show paid absolutely no attention to the original scripts, choosing instead to create whole new stories based on the visuals.
None of the above have anything to do with the song, however, and my rhythm is probably as much Ricochet Rabbit as it is Keyop.
The song was inspired by the weird feelings I had prior to a recent nightmare and also the creepiness I felt as I was emailing a friend about it, though I'd remembered almost nothing of it.
I looped some of the basic parts of the rhythm, but recorded through others. The chorus lyrics were recorded during the second chorus, then copied and pasted to the first and the last, even before I'd finished writing the second verse. I was afraid of forgetting the melody. I realize that's a bad sign, but whatever.
The song,
the words:
enveloped in light
as though I were
aflame
fiery cherubim
banished in all but name
terrible violence
and evil with
no shame
a prisoner
inside my mind
a pawn in
this game
when i come back
to what is real
can i be sure
when nightmare ends
and day begins
have i closed the door
uncertainty consumes me
and sprinkles me
with fear
an eye kept on shadow
a weapon ever near
my sanity in question
though voices
i don't hear
what is true
and what is false
do i even
care
when i come back
to what is real
can i be sure
when nightmare ends
and day begins
have i closed the door
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
None of the above have anything to do with the song, however, and my rhythm is probably as much Ricochet Rabbit as it is Keyop.
The song was inspired by the weird feelings I had prior to a recent nightmare and also the creepiness I felt as I was emailing a friend about it, though I'd remembered almost nothing of it.
I looped some of the basic parts of the rhythm, but recorded through others. The chorus lyrics were recorded during the second chorus, then copied and pasted to the first and the last, even before I'd finished writing the second verse. I was afraid of forgetting the melody. I realize that's a bad sign, but whatever.
The song,
the words:
enveloped in light
as though I were
aflame
fiery cherubim
banished in all but name
terrible violence
and evil with
no shame
a prisoner
inside my mind
a pawn in
this game
when i come back
to what is real
can i be sure
when nightmare ends
and day begins
have i closed the door
uncertainty consumes me
and sprinkles me
with fear
an eye kept on shadow
a weapon ever near
my sanity in question
though voices
i don't hear
what is true
and what is false
do i even
care
when i come back
to what is real
can i be sure
when nightmare ends
and day begins
have i closed the door
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: Anime, downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Song Of The Week: I Don't Know
About an hour ago I didn't have a song, aside from the beats and background stuff I recorded this morning. I'm still not sure I have one, but whatever it is, I think I can work with it.
For now, it is what it is.
I see what you see
I hear what you hear
I don't know
what you know
I touch as you touch
I feel as you feel
but I don't know
what you know
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
For now, it is what it is.
I see what you see
I hear what you hear
I don't know
what you know
I touch as you touch
I feel as you feel
but I don't know
what you know
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Song Of The Week: What Kinda Man
Started the lyrics to this one some weeks ago and abandoned it. Took it back up, because I got to yesterday and still had no idea what this week's song would be. Inspired by Dokaka (doin' it all a Cappella), I worked on the backing tracks in Ardour. As time was short tonight, I finished the words and recorded the lead vocal in Audacity. This vocal will likely be re-recorded at some point, unless I decide by then that I hate this song, which is a possibility. It is a bit heavy handed.
Here it go.
And the words;
There are compromises
I can never accept
even though you say
they're good for me
There are boundaries
you must always respect
otherwise
I'm not free
you keep asking for concessions
you ask for more than I can give
I've got my most valued possession
the freedom for which I live
What kind of man
would I be
if I gave you
What belonged to me
what kind of man
would I be
trading freedom
for security
There are those ideas
I must always reject
limits on the way
we live
And also those ideals
we must always protect
ever on the
defensive
you use fear as a weapon
to wear down a resistant will
of a people who are stubborn
a determination you cannot kill
What kind of man
would I be
if I gave you
What belonged to me
what kind of man
would I be
trading freedom
for security
Here it go.
And the words;
There are compromises
I can never accept
even though you say
they're good for me
There are boundaries
you must always respect
otherwise
I'm not free
you keep asking for concessions
you ask for more than I can give
I've got my most valued possession
the freedom for which I live
What kind of man
would I be
if I gave you
What belonged to me
what kind of man
would I be
trading freedom
for security
There are those ideas
I must always reject
limits on the way
we live
And also those ideals
we must always protect
ever on the
defensive
you use fear as a weapon
to wear down a resistant will
of a people who are stubborn
a determination you cannot kill
What kind of man
would I be
if I gave you
What belonged to me
what kind of man
would I be
trading freedom
for security
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Song Of The Week: April Fool's Day
I got a Christmas song and a Valentine's Day song, but there are quite a few other holidays I have yet to touch on. April Fool's Day is one of my favorites. Oddly enough, it never occurred to me to write a song about it, so here goes.
It's the 13th song of the week and the 4th written on the PSP with the PSPRhythm homebrew program. I exported the wav from the PSP to the computer, opened it with Audacity, recorded the vocals and added some effects, like pitch change, reverb and delay.
Here is the song.
Here are the words;
hahahah
I gotcha
I gotcha good
there was no doubt
I could pull
the wool over your eyes
I knew
I knew I would
don't be too upset
it's all in good fun
I meant no harm
no harm at all
you know I can't help it
it's just the way I am
You will be my victim
on April Fool's Day
and you will be my mark
on April Fool's Day
It takes a lot to plot
an elaborate sceme
to dream of snaring you
you know it's true
won't be satisfied
till I see that look
in your eye
of confusion
you bought my lie
I won't rest untill
the world is infected
with my temporary chaos
my inner madness
you know I can't help it
it's just the way I am
You will be my victim
on April Fool's Day
and you will be my mark
on April Fool's Day
Eshu is a trickster
Anansie is a trickster god
Pan is a trickster
Bacchus is a trickster god
Loki is a trickster
Sun Wu-Kong is a trickster god
The Coyote is a trickster
The serpent is a trickster god
The Satan is a trickster
Brer Rabbit is a trickster god
Benny Hill is a trickster
Bugs Bunny is a trickster god
Spiderman is a trickster
Donald Rumsfeld is a trickster god
Allan Funt is a trickster
Edshugeo is a trickster too
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
It's the 13th song of the week and the 4th written on the PSP with the PSPRhythm homebrew program. I exported the wav from the PSP to the computer, opened it with Audacity, recorded the vocals and added some effects, like pitch change, reverb and delay.
Here is the song.
Here are the words;
hahahah
I gotcha
I gotcha good
there was no doubt
I could pull
the wool over your eyes
I knew
I knew I would
don't be too upset
it's all in good fun
I meant no harm
no harm at all
you know I can't help it
it's just the way I am
You will be my victim
on April Fool's Day
and you will be my mark
on April Fool's Day
It takes a lot to plot
an elaborate sceme
to dream of snaring you
you know it's true
won't be satisfied
till I see that look
in your eye
of confusion
you bought my lie
I won't rest untill
the world is infected
with my temporary chaos
my inner madness
you know I can't help it
it's just the way I am
You will be my victim
on April Fool's Day
and you will be my mark
on April Fool's Day
Eshu is a trickster
Anansie is a trickster god
Pan is a trickster
Bacchus is a trickster god
Loki is a trickster
Sun Wu-Kong is a trickster god
The Coyote is a trickster
The serpent is a trickster god
The Satan is a trickster
Brer Rabbit is a trickster god
Benny Hill is a trickster
Bugs Bunny is a trickster god
Spiderman is a trickster
Donald Rumsfeld is a trickster god
Allan Funt is a trickster
Edshugeo is a trickster too
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PSP Rhythm, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Song Of The Week: Special Sauce
Once again just under the wire, whatever the wire is. I thought this one would be late, but I got it.
Wanted some guitar on this, but I can do that later.
Made what I thought was a Prince-like groove on my PSP, with PSPRhythm and continued down that road. What follows is something that may seem like a spoof, but isn't.
(Edit: I did start the song with an old Benny Hill joke, though)
The song is here...
and the words
down
here:
if I told you
you had such
a sweet body
would you
hold it against me
did I mention
how easy you go down
like a honey flavoured tea
you fell in my hands
melt in my mouth
you make me go north
when I'm feeling down south
leaving me clues
like cheese for the mouse
just want the keys
to get in your house
you're so hot
and so sweet
you're the special sauce
I put on my meat
the temps are rising
and I'm getting all sweaty
is it hot in here
or is it just you
say the word
cuz you know I'll be ready
for whatever you want to do
You're gettin' me hot
but leavin' me cold
you make me forget
that I'm too fuckin' old
I could be high
but I'm feelin' low
cuz I know one day
you'll let go
you're so hot
and so sweet
you're the special sauce
I put on my meat
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Wanted some guitar on this, but I can do that later.
Made what I thought was a Prince-like groove on my PSP, with PSPRhythm and continued down that road. What follows is something that may seem like a spoof, but isn't.
(Edit: I did start the song with an old Benny Hill joke, though)
The song is here...
and the words
down
here:
if I told you
you had such
a sweet body
would you
hold it against me
did I mention
how easy you go down
like a honey flavoured tea
you fell in my hands
melt in my mouth
you make me go north
when I'm feeling down south
leaving me clues
like cheese for the mouse
just want the keys
to get in your house
you're so hot
and so sweet
you're the special sauce
I put on my meat
the temps are rising
and I'm getting all sweaty
is it hot in here
or is it just you
say the word
cuz you know I'll be ready
for whatever you want to do
You're gettin' me hot
but leavin' me cold
you make me forget
that I'm too fuckin' old
I could be high
but I'm feelin' low
cuz I know one day
you'll let go
you're so hot
and so sweet
you're the special sauce
I put on my meat
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PSP Rhythm, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Song Of The Week: alone in darkness
Another song created with PSPRhythm. This time I'm using version 4.0. Exported the wav from my PSP into Audacity, then overdubbed a vocal, separated its left and right channels and added a delay to one of 'em. I don't remember which.
I started out singing this to the chorus; "and i will always love you
forever and ever", but decided I didn't feel like writing a love song, today.
I hope this doesn't sound like whiny teen aged angst. I'm not a teen, not whiny, and I don't know exactly what angst is. And there's no self pity involved. It's a meditation on something, but I don't know what.
The words.... The recording here.
deep down
underneath the me
more than
any eye can see
multifaceted
duplicitous
there is no you, no me
there is no us
i stand alone in darkness
forever and ever
so warm
like a mother's womb
damn cold
like my father's tomb
the climates change and vary
day to day
and yet we find some things
are here to stay
i stand alone in darkness
forever and ever
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
I started out singing this to the chorus; "and i will always love you
forever and ever", but decided I didn't feel like writing a love song, today.
I hope this doesn't sound like whiny teen aged angst. I'm not a teen, not whiny, and I don't know exactly what angst is. And there's no self pity involved. It's a meditation on something, but I don't know what.
The words.... The recording here.
deep down
underneath the me
more than
any eye can see
multifaceted
duplicitous
there is no you, no me
there is no us
i stand alone in darkness
forever and ever
so warm
like a mother's womb
damn cold
like my father's tomb
the climates change and vary
day to day
and yet we find some things
are here to stay
i stand alone in darkness
forever and ever
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PSP Rhythm, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Song Of The Week: Chi
Actually I just realized "Qi" would be a cooler spelling, but then some people wouldn't know how to pronounce it. Oh, well.
The PSP (PlayStation Portable) can now be used as a songwriting tool, or at least a beatbox with a homebrew program called PSP Rhythm. Excited about this, I decided to give it a shot and write this weeks song with it. Actually, I'd been playing around with it for the last coupl'a weeks.
I've been using Audacity on XP for most of my song demo recordings and this week's no different, except I've never multitracked on it. I exported the wave file from the PSP and then recorded two vocal tracks.
This week's song is a Wu-Xia fantasy. Why not?
A wave of my hand
sword energy
a quickening
of pulses
countered by palms
Shaolin techniques
my body
convulses
I gather my chi,
energy
from the forces of nature
around me
Focus my will
till I'm at peace
and ready to
release
Chi
Energy
My enemies fall
scattered throughout
like waves
in the water
The cracking of bone
spilling of blood
chaos from
order
I gather my chi,
energy
from the forces of nature
around me
Victorious
a stroke of my beard
I laugh
in pride
Chi
Energy
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
The PSP (PlayStation Portable) can now be used as a songwriting tool, or at least a beatbox with a homebrew program called PSP Rhythm. Excited about this, I decided to give it a shot and write this weeks song with it. Actually, I'd been playing around with it for the last coupl'a weeks.
I've been using Audacity on XP for most of my song demo recordings and this week's no different, except I've never multitracked on it. I exported the wave file from the PSP and then recorded two vocal tracks.
This week's song is a Wu-Xia fantasy. Why not?
A wave of my hand
sword energy
a quickening
of pulses
countered by palms
Shaolin techniques
my body
convulses
I gather my chi,
energy
from the forces of nature
around me
Focus my will
till I'm at peace
and ready to
release
Chi
Energy
My enemies fall
scattered throughout
like waves
in the water
The cracking of bone
spilling of blood
chaos from
order
I gather my chi,
energy
from the forces of nature
around me
Victorious
a stroke of my beard
I laugh
in pride
Chi
Energy
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, kung fu, lyrics, my music, PSP, PSP Rhythm, PsychoVoyager, song of the week, wu-xia
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Song Of The Week: What Shall I Do (with a freak like you)
Finished with seconds to spare (though this post may not be finished till after midnight), it's possible that this one will make me cringe a little when I listen to it over the next week. I am happy with it. If I get around to recording it (2007 agenda?), I may attempt a Prince-ish groove.
The song is about the effects of the global economy on contemporary American life, or vice-versa.
Or maybe not.
Listen here...
The lyrics:
What will I do
with a freak like you
what turns you on
is it a freak like me
Do you like pain
or tenderness
when you say no
do you mean yes
What shall I do
with a freak like you
tethered to me
who holds the leash
put you away
in a cookie jar
or on display
cuz you're a star
bridge
Shall I fuck you like a man
is that the way you like it
or will you strap one on
and do me like a faggot
or maybe I will tie your hands
and spank you like a child
then I'll make you swallow me
gag for a little while
(not that crazy about the last line - may change it...in time)
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
The song is about the effects of the global economy on contemporary American life, or vice-versa.
Or maybe not.
Listen here...
The lyrics:
What will I do
with a freak like you
what turns you on
is it a freak like me
Do you like pain
or tenderness
when you say no
do you mean yes
What shall I do
with a freak like you
tethered to me
who holds the leash
put you away
in a cookie jar
or on display
cuz you're a star
bridge
Shall I fuck you like a man
is that the way you like it
or will you strap one on
and do me like a faggot
or maybe I will tie your hands
and spank you like a child
then I'll make you swallow me
gag for a little while
(not that crazy about the last line - may change it...in time)
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Song Of The Week: Baking Soda, Peppermint And Honey
This one kinda looks like I'm cheating because I've reached the end of the week, but that's not it at all. The single verse says everything I want to say (at the moment), and to go on further would just be redundant, I think.
The Lyrics;
Seeing you
in someone else
feelings that were
long forgotten
baking soda,
peppermint and honey
warm, cold,
joyous and solemn
Click on the title or click here for the song.
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
There is a connection between this song and one from about 2001, called If Angels Fly.
The Lyrics;
Seeing you
in someone else
feelings that were
long forgotten
baking soda,
peppermint and honey
warm, cold,
joyous and solemn
Click on the title or click here for the song.
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
There is a connection between this song and one from about 2001, called If Angels Fly.
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Friday, February 17, 2006
Song Of The Week: Open Up My Eyes
I'd started one other song before doing this one. Sorta a reaction to surveillance issues currently in the news, but decided it kinda sucked. I'll see if I can save it for another time, maybe even next week.
This week's song is about being tired and bored and maybe deciding to do something about it. Once I came up with the chorus (after messing about on the keys for a while) it didn't take long for the rest of the song to fall into place (a coupl'a hours).
Click here to listen or download.
Lyrics:
One unvarying straight line
The same colours all the time
no excitement, no delightful
surprises to sharpen
the dull edges of my mind
the dull edges of my mind
I just want to
close my eyes
I just want to
close my eyes
Just A bit more of the same
an unimaginative game
routine after routine playing
in an endless loop until
the song sounds kinda lame
this song sounds kinda lame
I just want to
close my eyes
I just want to
close my eyes
I've got to make
a bold new move
knock this record
off it's groove
I better innovate
or I won't change my fate
what have I
got to lose
I wanna open up
my eyes
I wanna open up
my eyes
I gotta open up
my eyes
I gotta open up
my eyes
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
This week's song is about being tired and bored and maybe deciding to do something about it. Once I came up with the chorus (after messing about on the keys for a while) it didn't take long for the rest of the song to fall into place (a coupl'a hours).
Click here to listen or download.
Lyrics:
One unvarying straight line
The same colours all the time
no excitement, no delightful
surprises to sharpen
the dull edges of my mind
the dull edges of my mind
I just want to
close my eyes
I just want to
close my eyes
Just A bit more of the same
an unimaginative game
routine after routine playing
in an endless loop until
the song sounds kinda lame
this song sounds kinda lame
I just want to
close my eyes
I just want to
close my eyes
I've got to make
a bold new move
knock this record
off it's groove
I better innovate
or I won't change my fate
what have I
got to lose
I wanna open up
my eyes
I wanna open up
my eyes
I gotta open up
my eyes
I gotta open up
my eyes
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Valentine's Day
A song from my 2001 album, Just For Me.
Go here and then click on "Preview this item (MPG)". The mp3 will play in it's entirety.
Lyrics here.
Go here and then click on "Preview this item (MPG)". The mp3 will play in it's entirety.
Lyrics here.
Labels: downloads, holidays, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Song Of The Week: Unspoken Words
Used the keyboard for this. There's something about songwriting with a keyboard that leads me to different places than if playing guitar, aside from the fact that I obviously know even less about playing keys than I do about guitar. Still, I like this one and look forward to recording it again one day.
I recorded 5 or six takes and still flubbed a word or two. Oh, well.
I may spend the whole month recording demos on keys. Not committing myself though. Glad I got this done relatively early. Takes the pressure off what's left of the week.
Click on the title above to hear the tune.
The Lyrics...
Deep within your eyes
there is no place for secrets
deceptions, tricks nor lies
cuz I know your habits
I know when you're in pain
I know when you're unhappy
it drives me so insane
the things that you won't tell me
Filled with deeper meaning
than all the shouts and screaming
unspoken words, they say more
unspoken words they hurt more
No matter what you've heard
Love is never simple
but I won't be deterred
confused by this struggle
Come out from the shadows
so I can really see you
the truth is more than I can know
only so much I can do
Filled with deeper meaning
than all the shouts and screaming
unspoken words, they say more
unspoken words they hurt more
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
I recorded 5 or six takes and still flubbed a word or two. Oh, well.
I may spend the whole month recording demos on keys. Not committing myself though. Glad I got this done relatively early. Takes the pressure off what's left of the week.
Click on the title above to hear the tune.
The Lyrics...
Deep within your eyes
there is no place for secrets
deceptions, tricks nor lies
cuz I know your habits
I know when you're in pain
I know when you're unhappy
it drives me so insane
the things that you won't tell me
Filled with deeper meaning
than all the shouts and screaming
unspoken words, they say more
unspoken words they hurt more
No matter what you've heard
Love is never simple
but I won't be deterred
confused by this struggle
Come out from the shadows
so I can really see you
the truth is more than I can know
only so much I can do
Filled with deeper meaning
than all the shouts and screaming
unspoken words, they say more
unspoken words they hurt more
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Song Of The Week: Just Because You Are Paranoid
Finished this one just in the nick of time. I'd been doing some other stuff, including trying (unsuccessfully) to resolve some issues involving January's (late) cover of the month. That will be posted tomorrow, by the way.
So I was gonna write a song yesterday, but last night's Dateline NBC show was another of those Perverted Justice things where they do a sting operation on pedophiles, and even though I was recording it, I couldn't help but watch it.
So I work late-ish on Saturdays, and though I started something this morning, I was songless till I jotted down a cliche (at work) that I heard on a recent episode of Boondocks and started to build something around it. I continued when I got home and finished just before midnight.
Before "Paranoid" occurred to me, I thought I might do some sort of stream of consciousness experiment to get me through. It's worked for me once before (in my opinion) on a song called Yellow Stories (From The Grave) and nonsense lyrics have worked for countless British bands. I may try this next week, even if I'm not late.
Click here or on the title above to hear it. Again, I warn, it's a rough demo. Guitar and voice, this time into a single microphone.
Lyrics:
Swimming in a river of turmoil
fighting battles
long since lost and won
Defending Your honor on sea and soil
to keep your foes
on the run
who are these voices
from whence do they come
what do they say
whose will shall be done
what are these visions
and do they reveal
truth behind the lies
the fake and the real
Just Because
you are paranoid
doesn't mean
we're not out
to get you
Just Because
you are paranoid
doesn't mean
that we don't
hate you
worry worry worry
that's all that you do
concerned about what people are thinking
hurry hurry hurry
as if there's no time
it seems as though your boat is sinking
look at those faces
do you know them at all
can they help you
will they hasten your fall
and all of these names
do they seem familiar
can you trust them
or will they deceive ya
Just Because
you are paranoid
doesn't mean
we're not out
to get you
Just Because
you are paranoid
doesn't mean
that we don't
hate you
So I was gonna write a song yesterday, but last night's Dateline NBC show was another of those Perverted Justice things where they do a sting operation on pedophiles, and even though I was recording it, I couldn't help but watch it.
So I work late-ish on Saturdays, and though I started something this morning, I was songless till I jotted down a cliche (at work) that I heard on a recent episode of Boondocks and started to build something around it. I continued when I got home and finished just before midnight.
Before "Paranoid" occurred to me, I thought I might do some sort of stream of consciousness experiment to get me through. It's worked for me once before (in my opinion) on a song called Yellow Stories (From The Grave) and nonsense lyrics have worked for countless British bands. I may try this next week, even if I'm not late.
Click here or on the title above to hear it. Again, I warn, it's a rough demo. Guitar and voice, this time into a single microphone.
Lyrics:
Swimming in a river of turmoil
fighting battles
long since lost and won
Defending Your honor on sea and soil
to keep your foes
on the run
who are these voices
from whence do they come
what do they say
whose will shall be done
what are these visions
and do they reveal
truth behind the lies
the fake and the real
Just Because
you are paranoid
doesn't mean
we're not out
to get you
Just Because
you are paranoid
doesn't mean
that we don't
hate you
worry worry worry
that's all that you do
concerned about what people are thinking
hurry hurry hurry
as if there's no time
it seems as though your boat is sinking
look at those faces
do you know them at all
can they help you
will they hasten your fall
and all of these names
do they seem familiar
can you trust them
or will they deceive ya
Just Because
you are paranoid
doesn't mean
we're not out
to get you
Just Because
you are paranoid
doesn't mean
that we don't
hate you
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Friday, January 27, 2006
Song Of The Week: The Big Picture
Continuing my quest to write at least one song a week this year with song #4, not including a hip-hop-ish verse written (but not posted) last week as an inside joke about a co-worker.
A friend of mine wanted me to try my hand at a children's song of some sort for a project he's working on. I accepted the challenge, but haven't yet produced anything. Elements of this song started out based on ideas swirling around my head about the virtues and rewards of hard work, but turned into something else, sorta.
Another rough recording; guitar, vocal, effect, and coughing.
January 18th, 2008 - I still haven't fixed the hamster effect that occurs on the streaming versions of many of my songs on that site. The download versions are fine, though. They may have other issues but aren't sped up.
Lyrics:
Little by little
one piece at a time
completing the puzzle
one day you'll be mine
There is no hurry
I'm straight on the path
moving steady
towards you at last
And when you look upon
the big picture
before you
and not before too long
you'll see that
I adore you
All of my effort
all of my pain
seems so minor
in light of what I'll gain
There is no treasure
that rivals the prize
of all of the pleasures
with you by my side
And when you look upon
the big picture
before you
and not before too long
you'll see that
I adore you
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
A friend of mine wanted me to try my hand at a children's song of some sort for a project he's working on. I accepted the challenge, but haven't yet produced anything. Elements of this song started out based on ideas swirling around my head about the virtues and rewards of hard work, but turned into something else, sorta.
Another rough recording; guitar, vocal, effect, and coughing.
January 18th, 2008 - I still haven't fixed the hamster effect that occurs on the streaming versions of many of my songs on that site. The download versions are fine, though. They may have other issues but aren't sped up.
Lyrics:
Little by little
one piece at a time
completing the puzzle
one day you'll be mine
There is no hurry
I'm straight on the path
moving steady
towards you at last
And when you look upon
the big picture
before you
and not before too long
you'll see that
I adore you
All of my effort
all of my pain
seems so minor
in light of what I'll gain
There is no treasure
that rivals the prize
of all of the pleasures
with you by my side
And when you look upon
the big picture
before you
and not before too long
you'll see that
I adore you
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Song Of The Week: Give War A Chance
A few words (or more) to go with this weeks song.
Give War A Chance is a silly little pop song about a serious issue. The song is
not meant as a joke, but in the the larger scheme of things, it remains, just a
song. There are some who might say it trivializes the issue, regardless of
whether or not they agree with the sentiment. Maybe. Maybe not. I just wanted to
express something not normally expressed by musicians. At least not the ones
I've been exposed to (I don't listen to a lot of Country).
Many who do support the war in Iraq or any of the military actions of the last
ten years or so, tend to shroud their approval in patriotic imagery or in terms
of "supporting the troops". Nothing wrong with supporting the troops, but it
seems that some use them as human shields to protect themselves from criticism,
likewise some of those who hide behind the flag. This song briefly addresses
honoring the troops in light of what may be a hypocrisy on my part; supporting
war, but not becoming a warrior. Perhaps I will address this at a later time,
but I think Cobb said it best.
So anyway, yeah, I think there are plenty of good reasons to be in Iraq,
despite some issues that people are rightfully concerned about. I also believe
that war, in general, while not always desirable, is a useful tool in governing on the
world stage. Some disagree with this totally, and that's fine, sorta.
Yes, I rhymed "freedom" with "be dumb". Just a song, like I said.
This is just a rough demo with voice and acoustic guitar. A proper recording will follow at some point in time.
Lyrics...
Give war a chance
to work it's
dirty little magic
yeah, I know it's tragic, baby
we all want peace
that's automatic
but not all situations
will allow the diplomatic
Give War a chance
to make this
world a better place
so that we can face the future
I may not make that sacrifice
but honor any citizen
who's willing to give up his life
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
to sort the
chaos from the order
tighten up our borders baby
let's not lose site
of our freedom
there will be no trade off
for security cuz that would be dumb
Give war a chance
to prove that
fighting can be righteous
when atrocities rises upon us
it's not desirable
but circumstances dictate
that no other choice is viable
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
The world is changing
right before our eyes
at a quicker pace than
anybody realizes
Give War A Chance is a silly little pop song about a serious issue. The song is
not meant as a joke, but in the the larger scheme of things, it remains, just a
song. There are some who might say it trivializes the issue, regardless of
whether or not they agree with the sentiment. Maybe. Maybe not. I just wanted to
express something not normally expressed by musicians. At least not the ones
I've been exposed to (I don't listen to a lot of Country).
Many who do support the war in Iraq or any of the military actions of the last
ten years or so, tend to shroud their approval in patriotic imagery or in terms
of "supporting the troops". Nothing wrong with supporting the troops, but it
seems that some use them as human shields to protect themselves from criticism,
likewise some of those who hide behind the flag. This song briefly addresses
honoring the troops in light of what may be a hypocrisy on my part; supporting
war, but not becoming a warrior. Perhaps I will address this at a later time,
but I think Cobb said it best.
So anyway, yeah, I think there are plenty of good reasons to be in Iraq,
despite some issues that people are rightfully concerned about. I also believe
that war, in general, while not always desirable, is a useful tool in governing on the
world stage. Some disagree with this totally, and that's fine, sorta.
Yes, I rhymed "freedom" with "be dumb". Just a song, like I said.
This is just a rough demo with voice and acoustic guitar. A proper recording will follow at some point in time.
Lyrics...
Give war a chance
to work it's
dirty little magic
yeah, I know it's tragic, baby
we all want peace
that's automatic
but not all situations
will allow the diplomatic
Give War a chance
to make this
world a better place
so that we can face the future
I may not make that sacrifice
but honor any citizen
who's willing to give up his life
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
to sort the
chaos from the order
tighten up our borders baby
let's not lose site
of our freedom
there will be no trade off
for security cuz that would be dumb
Give war a chance
to prove that
fighting can be righteous
when atrocities rises upon us
it's not desirable
but circumstances dictate
that no other choice is viable
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
Give War a chance
The world is changing
right before our eyes
at a quicker pace than
anybody realizes
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, politics, PsychoVoyager, song of the week, World Affairs
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Song Of The Week: Continue To Believe
The 2006 agenda continues. The 2nd of 52-ish songs. Inspired by a friend.
Download the demo here.
Continue To Believe (In You) by George Isaacs - copyright 2006
I don't think you realize
just how proud I am
Just how impressed I've been
You've got the drive within
you're so long overdue
and you've long paid your dues
no one here gets an apology
sorry won't cut it
It's not in the budget
they want regrets
but they can forget it
you're doin' it your way
your way is the highway
blazin' on down the only road that gets you home
and that's why
I continue
to believe in you
and
you
should
too
takin' it underground
like you're fighting Manchus
showin' off your skills
as though you're good at kung-fu
The Five Deadly Venoms
couldn't get through your defences
forget the seven sins
your top priority is
You but not for you alone
for your strength will set the tone
and lift the hearts
of all of those around you
even those who put you down
and would see your failure crown
the doubts they've always bowed down to
and that's why
I continue
to believe in you
and
you
should
too
you rock well
and nobody does it better
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Download the demo here.
Continue To Believe (In You) by George Isaacs - copyright 2006
I don't think you realize
just how proud I am
Just how impressed I've been
You've got the drive within
you're so long overdue
and you've long paid your dues
no one here gets an apology
sorry won't cut it
It's not in the budget
they want regrets
but they can forget it
you're doin' it your way
your way is the highway
blazin' on down the only road that gets you home
and that's why
I continue
to believe in you
and
you
should
too
takin' it underground
like you're fighting Manchus
showin' off your skills
as though you're good at kung-fu
The Five Deadly Venoms
couldn't get through your defences
forget the seven sins
your top priority is
You but not for you alone
for your strength will set the tone
and lift the hearts
of all of those around you
even those who put you down
and would see your failure crown
the doubts they've always bowed down to
and that's why
I continue
to believe in you
and
you
should
too
you rock well
and nobody does it better
Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
Labels: downloads, lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
Friday, January 06, 2006
Song Of The Week: Listen To Reason
As per one of my New Years Resolutions, I've written the first of fifty-two songs for 2006.
Listen To Reason copyright 2006 by George-Williams Isaacs (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5)
I don't wanna fight you
but you give me no choice
I'm not here to spite you
you can hear it in my voice
Listen to reason
we can work this out
if we come to an understanding
I won't have to slap you
I don't wanna slap you
this has gone too far
you don't wanna slap me
this is tearing us apart
Listen to reason
we can work this out
if we come to an understanding
I won't have to hurt you
how exactly did we get to the point where we have to hurt to express how
we feel by directing aggression towards those who we truly love the most who are the nearest and dearest to our hearts - to our hearts - to our hearts
I don't want to hurt you
Cuz I'd feel it deep inside
nothing to gain if you suffer
or if we give in to pride
Listen to reason
we can work this out
if we come to an understanding
I won't have to fight you
A proper recording won't be made till whenever, but if you must hear what it sorta sounds like here's a link to the demo. Warning; it's very, very rough.
Listen To Reason copyright 2006 by George-Williams Isaacs (Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5)
I don't wanna fight you
but you give me no choice
I'm not here to spite you
you can hear it in my voice
Listen to reason
we can work this out
if we come to an understanding
I won't have to slap you
I don't wanna slap you
this has gone too far
you don't wanna slap me
this is tearing us apart
Listen to reason
we can work this out
if we come to an understanding
I won't have to hurt you
how exactly did we get to the point where we have to hurt to express how
we feel by directing aggression towards those who we truly love the most who are the nearest and dearest to our hearts - to our hearts - to our hearts
I don't want to hurt you
Cuz I'd feel it deep inside
nothing to gain if you suffer
or if we give in to pride
Listen to reason
we can work this out
if we come to an understanding
I won't have to fight you
A proper recording won't be made till whenever, but if you must hear what it sorta sounds like here's a link to the demo. Warning; it's very, very rough.
Labels: lyrics, my music, PsychoVoyager, song of the week
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