A collection of songs ideas and snippets that didn't quite go anywhere, most likely all from the mid-1970s. I wrote a lot of these while working at a grocery store. We used the inside of cigarette cartons as scratch paper, so a number of them were preserved in their original form. My fake album cover reflects that origin.
Most of these snippets had no titles. As I enter them here, I have added a title suggested to me by the lyric theme or keywords.
I couldn't tell you why Nor could I tell you how But when it comes to who You just might be right There is a man in England I don't even know his name But he will have an influence on me just the same
I thought the endless summer would never pass The few days we spent together were the worst years of my life And I'm glad I never asked you to be my wife
I can give it a light touch I can make it a heavy beat I can do anything Even play it with my feet
Check 'er out While you're checkin' out But smile at most Don't get too close Just check 'er out
Rio Linda, named for the river Where the sparkling waters ever shine With a few people, in the beginning Now a thriving town that I call mine I have lived here for a long time And memories I'll keep a long time still
You say you feel dejected I'm not what you expected Well you ain't no pretty piece of meat yourself I may not be prime filet And (I/you) may have been (your/my) first lay But I ain't had complaints from anyone else
People are dying of cancer And they tell me there isn't an answer But the answer you see Is so plain to me You cure it with LSD I was once laid up with a head cold They told me I would have them 'til I grow old But the answer to me Is as plain as can be You can cure it with Vitamin C It's the age of the miracle cure If you've got something then you can be sure That there is a pill to cure all of your ills.
People look at what you've done The world is in turmoil The streets full of crime Hatred for our brothers and sisters Man, it seems there's just no time Why can't we live in peace? The war drags on forever We'll be there for years And when I think about pollution My eyes just fill with tears I've heard this race is a waste of time Well, I'm beginning to believe that now But I don't cop out like that other cat We need a lot of change, and how Well, get out and petition And don't blame the politician It was you that put him there Or maybe because you didn't care Enough to vote at all He won You say you have nothing to vote for Then you have something to vote against Power to the people, we say Yes, get out and petition For the things that you want or need May be within your grasp But first get out and sow the seed People we do have a choice Make up your mind and use your voice Get out and vote in November Or your hopes may become a burning ember
Rattlin' chains batter my brain, but I can't be free I took the blame, there's nothing but flames and I can't see The man comes up to me and asks my name I tell him and he welcomes me to the game There's fire all around but I still feel cold Why couldn't I wait to die 'til I got old? Sin and hate inside this gate I can't get out Greed and fear, it's always near it's all about There's fire all around but I still feel cold Why couldn't I wait to die 'til I got old? I'd die ten times more if I could get to the place in the sky The man comes up to me and asks my name I tell him and he welcomes me to the game There's fire all around but I still feel cold Why couldn't I wait to die 'til I got old?
Like the wind I must fly before I die I must flee so I can be
I look at a map of the U.S.A. I try to remember what it used to be A country dedicated to the freedom of man Where God could carry out his master plan
Do you turn your head Or burn your head?
Mike was Guitar and Cece was Arden There was Mom out in the garden Dad was a figment of imagination Subject to Jung's final interpretation This was a dream, one that had me in chains Trying to find meaning, racking my brain Images that in no way relate Sleeplessness being my only fate Waking in sweat from a story unfolding Trying to get back to sanity boldly Wondering if there's a crack in my mind Wondering if there's a message to find Night after night I lay down in my bed Hoping against hope, fearing the dread Will it be nightmares, will it be nice Can I control it, do I have a choice? Working a scheme using some meditation Will it make sense given some medication? Only desiring a decent night's sleep Praying should I die, my soul to keep The dream still haunts me during the day Of that I find I really have no say Only to wake as the memory fades Going away as in flowing cascades
Horror in the eyes There is nothing normal In the mind of one who seeks it Digging in the grave We are only searching For the soul of he who once lived Fear itself is feared There is nothing lurking Behind the door that you won't open Open it and see You will find but darkness Nothing where you thought was something Stepping out onto the graves we go Suddenly our souls are saved, we know
There are no words to this song So don't try to make them out For if there were any lyrics You wouldn't know what I was talking about The words you think you are hearing Are only in your ear And thus no use in fearing What you won't be able to hear The music you imagine And words just don't exist
Never been to heaven I don't know what it's like Been to Hell three times before I hate it worse than life But I'm never going there again Never goin' to be a sinner I'm going to live my life just right this time I'm going to be a winner I'm around for number four Three times were all mistakes I couldn't go through this again A clean life's all it takes But I'm never going there again Never goin' to be a sinner I'm going to live my life just right this time I'm going to be a winner I don't know where I went wrong I've got to do it right this time Livin' it clean I'll be making the scene in the sky I've tried before and all has failed But I can do it this time 'round I've found the man I know I can get by
There's a tune in my heart and it sings of you And the sparkling in your eyes The song that we play together Will lead to eternity I can't sing it to you, but I'll play my guitar For the sight of your bright smile The life that we'll live together Will lead to eternity
If I raised any doubts in your mind Search your soul carefully and you'll find That your doubts and your fears 'midst the pain and the the tears Will disappear in a short time I love you, that you ought to know Though the knowledge of that may come slow In the spring, summer, fall And winter, love's all That I'm able and willing to show
People from another time, another place Seen but not seen; unknown, but familiar, face Silently, quickly, transformation Another time, another place, restoration Knowledge is within me, but not abused I know nothing; it can't be used I've returned
I didn't know where I was On this Sunday afternoon But I knew that I need never Be alone again
Richard Nixon used the people for bait So he could plan his Watergate Now the truth's come to me and you Watergate was his Waterloo We all like Uncle Sam He put the President in a jam When Nixon refused to testify We knew it was because he had lied
People in the sky? Gladiators? Aviators? Tell me who am I To question what is seen? Visions from up high Dreams or reality? What brings this to my eye? Who has brought this strange scheme?
What can be done to hide the love that was never meant to be? The kind of love you talk about is not for you and me
Why does the sun shine? I couldn't say I suppose it does So there can be day But there is more a simple reason That we are together We are here for a purpose Not only to love one another
The sky is blue they say But today It is grey I don't look at it as unhappiness But for new life it is a special day
Take flight little bird, rise into the sky Let me know if you can find dry Bring back something that will let me know But if you can't find it, don't cease to go
Guitar at hand, I try to bring Melodies to the ears of others
Today is the last day of my life as it is But I will begin again tomorrow The last twenty years Have been filled with tears Hate and pain and sorrow I've found someone So I'm not alone But it's not only that, although that's a lot I'll be a different person Everything will be changed Would you think me deranged If I told you I'd be a new version?
I once thought that I'd found love But that was in the past But now that I've discovered you I know it's going to last
In the void, a cry is heard Isn't it nice to be here? A son cries out in the darkness As he flies out in the darkness His mind is dead, it's overfed He ends up as a mass of blood A daughter screams out of the night While fire beams with flaming light She takes a trip, she really flips She ends up as a burning ember Isn't it nice to be here? Make your mind up, use your head You learn one thing from dropping dope Your drop the pill, you might drop dead
Early morning meadow dew is on the ground The summer days have let me know what once was lost is found The farmer in his field, turning up the ground The humming of his tractor is the world's only sound
Have a drink, but don't slip away Time to think, you still have one day
Gentle lady of my heart Without you I couldn't start to see the day Come with me New horizons we will see Gentle lady of my heart I set my boat out on the water Sounds of the sea and gentle laughter The birds soar in the sky I must ask why
Hey girl, give me your love I'll give you mine if you do Good times are just up above I can give you a good time, too Take a hold of my hand We'll climb on a cloud Where the sea meets the land Where the rivers aboundChorusHey girl, here's where I stand Come over to me if you will My love outnumbers the sand If you'll be mine, what a thrill Baby, take to the sky, we can fly Baby, you can if you try, when you're high On love I've search my whole life for someone to depend on And I found you Too good to be true I'm in love Listen to the waves on the shore They're calling out our names I won't have to look any more I'm finished with playing games Take a look at the sky And imagine the stars Are the years in our lives The days and the hours Baby, take to the sky, we can fly Baby, you can if you try, when you're high On love
Baby, take to the sky, we can fly Baby, you can if you try, when you're high On love
I've found that when you want to think There is just too much going on around People running down the road Heavy loads Too much on their minds They get screwed into the ground Why don't we just sit down and take it light? We have each other to last the night We may be able to think of what's to come Why not stop and stay at home Endless running, getting nowhere Trying to get to the other side Why go? I'm happy right where I am
VerseIn '71, a band emerged, Ambush was their name, the world they stirred. With electric guitars and voices strong, They played their music, rocking all night long.Chorus
Oh, Ambush, the legends of the past, Their music, forever, it will last. In '71, they set the stage ablaze, Ambush, forever in our hearts, they'll stay.VerseTheir melodies soared, like a wild bird's flight, Their lyrics spoke truths, shining in the light. Their rhythm section grooved, never missed a beat, Ambush, the sound that made us move our feet.Chorus
Oh, Ambush, the legends of the past, Their music, forever, it will last. In '71, they set the stage ablaze, Ambush, forever in our hearts, they'll stay.
BridgeWith passion and soul, they rocked the crowd, From city to city, they played it loud. Their energy contagious, their presence grand, Ambush, the band that we all understand.VerseThrough ups and downs, they stood tall, Ambush, they gave it their all. Their music lives on, a timeless art, Capturing emotions, touching every heart.Chorus
Oh, Ambush, the legends of the past, Their music, forever, it will last. In '71, they set the stage ablaze, Ambush, forever in our hearts, they'll stay.
OutroSo let the music play, their legacy's bright, Ambush, a band that still ignites. Their songs forever etched in history's scroll, Ambush, a rock 'n' roll band for our soul.
VerseIn the heart of the city, where dreams take flight, Golden Fingers emerged, shining so bright. Led by I Mall, with his bass so strong, A band destined for glory, where they belong.ChorusGolden Fingers, they light up the stage, Their music, a symphony, pure and engaged. Spike on the drums, with rhythms that soar, Isaac's guitar wails, leaving us wanting more. Osgood's keys, like magic they flow, Golden Fingers, a band that steals the show.VerseSpike Jones, the heartbeat that never fades, Drumming with passion, a rhythm that cascades. Isaac Daly, the lead guitar's wizardry, His solos, a journey to eternity.Pre-ChorusOsgood Martin, the keys he will play, Melodies dancing, taking us away. Together they unite, a musical force, Golden Fingers, a band with no remorse.ChorusGolden Fingers, they light up the stage, Their music, a symphony, pure and engaged. Spike on the drums, with rhythms that soar, Isaac's guitar wails, leaving us wanting more. Osgood's keys, like magic they flow, Golden Fingers, a band that steals the show.BridgeIn harmonies they blend, a sonic delight, Their melodies, like stars in the night. With each note they strike, they capture our souls, Golden Fingers, a band that forever rolls.VerseThrough the highs and lows, they stand tall, Together they rise, never to fall. I Mall's bass thunders, anchoring the sound, Golden Fingers, a force that will astound.ChorusGolden Fingers, they light up the stage, Their music, a symphony, pure and engaged. Spike on the drums, with rhythms that soar, Isaac's guitar wails, leaving us wanting more. Osgood's keys, like magic they flow, Golden Fingers, a band that steals the show.OutroSo let their music play, let it soar, Golden Fingers, forever we adore. Their legacy lives on, their songs never fade, A band that forever, in our hearts, is laid.
Reality screams, interrupting my dreams Nothing, it seems, is the truth Sometimes I sleep, but inside I weep Only to waste away youth
The truth has now been spoken My lights no longer shines All hope has now been broken They've all left me behind
Crawling on the floor Or standing at death's door What am I here for? I'm just crawling on the floor.
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