Lyrics

This is a list of all my lyrics which have not yet been paired with the right music, up to and including December 2007. I will periodically make updates. A few are actually in the hands of musicians who are working on them.

They include successful lyrics and half-baked sketches, hopefully more of the former. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Serious writers and performing musicians are welcome to ask if a lyric is still available.

Country

AlbuquerqueHonky TonkLoud raucous salute to the city
A Dog Named BlueComic"Anti-country" song in a country style
Four WidowsBallad2006 Muses' Muse Lyric of the Year
He's Got YouSlow BluesHard hitting dramatic lyric
It's My FuneralTwangyComic country lyric
Lost Souls in TucumcariBallad, mournfulGhost story
Morning EditionAlt-rock-countryA rough-edged song, fast paced
On The RocksGeneralOr could be a brothel barrelhouse song
Sad StoryBalladFeels like a starter lyric....
Three BrothersGeneralClosest I've come to "real" country
The Voice of ReasonComicGood solid country tune
You're Wearing My PantiesHonkytonkGender-bending country tune

Folk

Away From AmarilloClassic CountryOld-style classic story ballad
BalalaikasBalladWritten for a guitar, Spanish or Russian
Inn of the Travellers' RestTraditional balladCreepy folk song
Karma En PassantHistoric balladWriting exercise
LazybonesPopular, GeneralLaidback song
MoabDramaticActually an environmental protest song
Mr. Deja VuMusic HallFun, kickaround lyric

Folk Rock

(And The) Wind Blows OnBalladVery, very old lyric, simple
And There's GodGeneralHappy and comfortable
Clear Case of PerjuryCoffee HouseThe politics of a relationship
Cold Day in HellQuiet, dramaticOne of my favorites
In The DarkAcoustic guitarA little mournful, bluesy
MythsBalladA museum exhibit and a breakup
OverdueGeneralUptempo ballad to a friend
Rosie and AshleyBalladSimple, plaintive lyric
Someone Else's DreamingGeneralSinger/songwriter
When I LovedBalladSad little piece
Work of ArtBalladNice piece, quite short

Indie Rock

CalculusGeneralMathematics and love
Cinco de MayoLatinParty song with a serious twist
Course of Human EventsIntrospectiveSlice of life drama
Cross My PathCoffee HouseBasic "unable to forget you" song
FountainAcoustic guitar"Down on my luck" song
Halcion DaysSinger/songwriterKooky, offbeat, comic
Hesitant Elegya la Mountain GoatsEdgy "Goats" type song
Last of the Irish QueensMystical BalladSomewhere in Decembrists' territory
One Way StreetsGeneralUnfinished or undeveloped idea
ParenthesesRelationshipSecret languages spoken in the margins

Jazz

Cassandra BluesFrishbergian, playfuA Frishberg-type riff on expectations
Curable RomanticCabaretRodgers/Hart sort of tune
Curse TabletBlues12 or 16 bar blues
Flirting With IntentCabaretHeavy blues type
Limited LanguageCabaretRodgers/Hart, writing exercise
Little Jack HornerBig BandNasty and fun big band sound
Looking for Love (in All the Wrong Places)CabaretComic duet
MatchboxesCabaretTorch Song
Recovery16 bar bluesA "screamin'" blues song

Pop

Constant RomanceDanceAttempt at a dance floor song
Kiss and TellDanceDark dance-beat sort of pop tune
LiquidDanceAnother dance floor song
The Mind's EyeDance rockRomantic with offbeat lyrics
Take a Ride With MeFor young girl singeWritten on request for a teen singer
The GirlBouncy girlpopA little obscure, but fun
Your NameDance, rockCryptic dance floor lyric

Rock

An Afternoon AwayBeatlesPaul McCartney's "granny rock" style
Bertram R. Harrison's Ace Removal ServicePopA Sgt. Pepper sort of vibe
BrokenBalladRandy Newman, tinkly-piano
A Cry In The DarkPat BenatarRock/Sex song
Falling AngelsGothicThe death of hope
The First DayLight ClassicSoft rock ballad (could be jazz cabaret)
Helen W.BluesOne-joke song with a big sound
If The WordsalternativeDarker and fraught stuff
IlluminationBalladSweet and romantic
Inconceivable JoyGeneralBallad, one of my better ones
Let's Make a DealGeneralMore Elvis-Costello-type words
Lost on the Way to HellLoudNasty "I hate you" song, screamer
Luv SuxHeavyHeavy Funk (PG-13!)
Me and My Purple MonkeyReggaeJust as silly as it sounds
Me and the Vivian GirlsGeneralBased on the art of Henry Darger
My Poor HeartGeneralEarly attempt at a generic rock lyric
PersephoneBalladSatisfying early ballad
Shiny New Karma1950's styleLots of car references
ShipwreckedGeneralLots of drowning imagery
Slice of LifeBilly Joel styleAn "epic" lyric -- adults vs. youth
The Stunt ManHeadbangerGood loud piece, strong lyric
SuncatcherPower BalladThe neighborhood of Celine Dion
UnresponsiveGeneralAnother early experiment

X-Misc

SuccubiCabaret/TheatreJacques Brel-like lyric
Whatchamacallit MamboMamboA lot of fun, very silly
You Can't Eat The MoonChildrens' SongJust a fun kids' song