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MY SECRET HEART Every night you steal into my dreams And every day I wonder what it means You have worlds to conquer You've a life to live But all you seem to do is give and... (chorus) That's the way, that's the way Into my secret heart That's the way, that's the way Into my secret heart Once in a life you find that blue moon love And when you do you hope you're strong enough It's a major gamble But you roll the dice And never once did you think twice (chorus) (Inst. bridge, solo) Repeat first verse Repeat chorus twice Words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: I've always valued 'stand-up' people as opposed to 'flakes' and fair weather friends. This is a simple song illustrating the fact that loyalty is AWESOME. I DIE A THOUSAND TIMES Here they come- walking down the street He's such a lucky guy Oh, and her smile is still as sweet And her eyes could still light a million skies But now they've seen me and I cant just duck away Like some vandal in the night Oh, there must be something I can say To make them think everything's alright (chorus) I die a thousand times For her love once was mine I smile, but deep inside I die a thousand times Sure enough, he goes to shake my hand And so I do the same Oh, I'm just a shadow of the man Who stood so proud and would not share the blame But it is she who deals the final blow Without intending to She did it all with just a casual hello Then touched my arm the way she used to do I die a thousand times But I've got to walk that line They'll never see me cry, but I die a thousand times (repeat first chorus) words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: Written awhile back, this does have a backstory, but it's a composite of 2 different women. No names! I think the title sounds like a late 40s crime drama. MARCELLA Hey-aay Marcella, hey-aay Marcella She's mi-mi-mine, hey hey Mystic maid small and soft and sexy She can mess my mind with the stuff That she knows Her new found beauty goes beyond her covering And sets a flame in her soul. (chorus) One arm over my shoulder, sandals dance at my feet Eyes that knock you right over Ooh Marcella so sweet Hey-aay Marcella, hey-aay Marcella She's mi-mi-mine, hey hey Brave new woman standing proud and dazzling Grips the goal that eluded her soul Direction bringing her two 'nows' tomorrow And my love for her still grows (chorus) (instrumental bridge) (repeat chorus) Marcella hey, scooby-dooby doo! words and music by B.Wilson, T. Almer, J. Reilly copyright © all rights reserved NOTE: My friend Pat Murphy posted this Beach Boys song (originally on Carl and the Passions- So Tough) on FB and I'd forgotten what a killer song it was, so I gave it a shot and was persuaded by a couple of friends to put it on the CD. DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL (chorus) She's Daddy's little girl, stone cold kisses She'll never be a Mrs., always on her own You can't get close enough to teach her You'll never reach her, she's Daddy's little girl She's all there on the outside She's a smooth ride at a slow glide But don't accelerate her too fast 'Cause she won't last, she'll just choke and die (chorus) (solo) I guess he taught her not to get close Stay a prim rose, strike a rich pose But all his money can't provide her And deep inside her I think she's always known (repeat chorus) words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: I had a friend with a daughter who was attractive, but as pretty women often do, she put up walls and was very standoffish to anyone who tried to crack her veneer. I guess she felt she had to be that way. Anyway, I observed this and the song came rather quickly. I'm proud of the fact that I got it all said in right around two minutes.. WARM WATER Relax, it's okay Write it off as just a bad day Now's the time to float away Close your eyes and escape to (chorus) Warm water, put yourself in warm water Let it take you where you began Let it make you feel good again Midnight- you're lying in bed Unanswered questions fill your head The path you chose and where it led Has you crying- but instead, get in some... (chorus) (bridge) Remember this from me When the going gets tough Don't be so hard on yourself Or the ones you love When you start to feel the pain And your cries for help are all in vain Stop the clock and call the game Come in from that freezing rain, into some... (chorus) words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: I laughingly refer to this as the 'Great Lost Carl Wilson Single.' I give it the full Beach Boys treatment on this CD. I got the bridge lyric from a message that was scratched into the vinyl of a BB album. If you look at some of your old 70s vinyl records, there are often little messages hidden there in the play-out grooves next to the label. This one said simply, 'Don't be so hard on the ones you love.' I have no idea who put it there, but it's mine now! WHAT DADDY USED TO DO My four year old's playing on the floor And flashes me a grin Now I know I couldn't want for more Yet every now and then I want him to know that should I have to go (chorus) What Daddy used to do- he used to sing and play He felt a lot of things that way At first he thought he'd find wealth and fame But sometimes things just change What Daddy used to do was heartfelt and pure The music was its own reward His soul came shining through When Daddy did what Daddy used to do It's not about if you win or lose Not if you love the game It's more about what means most to you And taking pride in same I'll pass it along, so when he's big and strong he'll know (chorus) What Daddy used to do- he used to sing and play He made a lot of friends that way At first he thought he'd find wealth and fame But sometimes things just change What Daddy used to do was heartfelt and pure The music was its own reward No matter what you do, please don't forget What Daddy used to do (instrumental bridge) And when he's grown, I hope he'll tell his own... (repeat first chorus) words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: Well, the truth is not everyone can 'make it' in the music biz. I've survived in it so far, had a couple of songs in films, a few other significant things have happened, but never made it 'big'. It was kind of gut-wrenching writing it, but many of my musician friends can relate. Also, it's something to 'leave behind' for my kids. ANOTHER HONKY TONKER Well, it's Monday and I'm headed down the road And I hope I get to Friday 'fore I explode 'Cause I got me some wild oats I gotta sew Man, I'm lettin' go (chorus) I'm just another honky tonker Howlin' at the moon Dancin' and a-rockin' to some old cowboy tune From nine o'clock on Friday to Sunday afternoon I'm just another honky tonker Howlin' at the moon There's a little bar they call the Shady Pine Down a gravel road right off of highway nine Where I'll go to raise some hell With some friends of mine 'Til closing time. (chorus) (solo) Now the waitress there's as cute as she can be And she always saves the slowest dance for me And I ain't nobody special as you can see But man, I'm free. (chorus) Meanwhile, I'm still drinkin'...responsibly! words and music by Steven Beasley copyright 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: This song was in a film called Dill Scallion. My next CD will be mostly country rock, and this song really should go on it, but I wanted to end the CD with something 'up' and decided to use it. Musically, it's influenced by two songs- the Rodney Crowell song, 'Ain't Living Long Like This' and the Dire Straits song, 'Solid Rock'. At the end I do a little Chuck Berry reference ('Meanwhile, I'm still drinking- responsibly...).In Chuck's 'Little Queenie' he says, "Meanwhile, I was thinkin'). I added the 'responsibly' 'cause I thought I should. As for me, I haven't been a drinker since the late 80s.

DOG ON A CHAIN She keeps me waiting I go for days without a walk Nonetheless anticipating Won't she ever stop-ever stop? Stuck here in the backyard On a scrawny piece of rope Not much to do tomorrow but tell myself There's a little bit of hope (chorus) I'm just a dog on a chain You cheat me, you beat me, you're so inhumane Just a dog on a chain You kill me, you thrill me Call my name Pace the fence at midnight Wonder when you're coming in Haven't fed me anything now Since hell, I can't remember when You make me wear this stupid collar And the band is so tight But I'd bet my only dollar You'll stay out again tonight (chorus) (instrumental bridge) (solo) (Repeat first verse) (Repeat chorus) words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: I was house sitting my parents' home and had to hang out in the back yard with my dog because the exterminator was coming to service the house. I got to thinking how boring most dogs have it. You know, basically being stuck in the back yard and sometimes ignored. Wrote it very quickly and it still sounds fairly spontaneous. I LOVE this one. No modesty here! lol. BLACKHAWK BLUES Blackhawk flying over, blocking out the sun Casts it deathly shadow on each and everyone Do you feel it too? Do you feel it too? I can sense it coursing through me, creeping up my spine But once that shadow hits you, it's too late to run inside When the blackhawk's flying over I asked the gypsy lady - I said 'Tell me what you see I dreamed I saw that blackhawk flying after me Do you see it too? Gypsy lady, do you see it too?' She gazed into her crystal, then slowly raised her eyes But everybody knows the gypsy lady lies When the blackhawk's flying over (solo) I headed down to Gainesville to try and ease my mind Feel the gulf breeze blowing, leave these blackhawk blues behind Do you feel it too? Do you feel it too? I was laying in the water, soaking up some rays When I felt that shadow hit me, and I looked up through the haze There was a blackhawk flying over. words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: There's a street not far from here named 'Blackhawk St.' I always loved swampy songs about voodoo, hoodoo and doo...anyway, the lyrics are like something from a 'B' horror movie, but the music is pretty cool, I think. I play this one live and have for several years. I'M LOSIN' SUSAN There's a lie with her name on it There's another guy with her claim on him There's an ex best friend You've heard the story time and again Oh, but still the blade cuts deep Another night without a wink of sleep, and... (chorus) I'm losin' Susan I can see it hiding in her eyes She doesn't know I've realized I'm losin' Susan And she doesn't even know I know Oh Lord I'm gonna miss her so But what can I do? Oh Susan I love you I don't know why I'm surprised at her There were always guys flashing eyes at her So, with a sideways glance she went and took The perfect chance. But why did she want to be untrue You know I've had my chances, too, still... (chorus) (instrumental bridge) There's a lie with her name on it There's another guy with her chain on him And in time he'll find Susan is the thoughtless kind Learning like me and all the rest Maybe after all it's for the best that... (chorus) Oh Susan I loved you words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: This was the first song I wrote that I actually liked, and it goes back a ways. I made the mistake of having my girlfriend at the time join me in a band. She played keys and sang. Big mistake. We got a new guy in the band and they had a fling behind my back. Great. Ever since then I've NEVER worked with someone I was involved with. Bad idea! But a good song! Musically I was trying to write a 'Hollies' sounding song. Did I succeed? COOL WIND You're a cool wind, refresh my soul Paint the moon in your autumn gold Through a shade tree, down a dusty road You're a cool wind It's a short walk through this field of time It's a shared trip through a lovers mine Go down so deep, all at once we find A cool wind (bridge) Summer skies are fading We are trading songs again The pleasure's in the playing What we're saying with our friends (solo) (2nd bridge) September skies are fading We are trading songs again The treasure's in the playing Couples swaying 'round again. You're a cool wind, refresh my soul Paint the moon in your harvest gold Through a shade tree, down a dusty road You're a cool wind You're a cool wind words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: I thought it would be fun to write a song that sounded like something that might've been on the first Eagles album. I do little exercises like this occasionally. I've gotten comments from listeners that I succeeded. It's a fun song. The lyrics are kind of 'train of thought', and don't necessarily go together. A slight 'in-joke' is where I repeat the first verse and say 'paint the moon in your Harvest gold', a Neil Young reference. Yes, I KNOW he wasn't in The Eagles...lol. SQUARE IN THE MIDDLE It wasn't romantic-we'd been friendly all the way With nobody pushing from behind We were just talking, like we do so many days Something she said set off a bell I looked around- that's when I fell (chorus) Right square in the middle Square in the middle of love Right square in the middle of love In less than a heartbeat it was all that i could do To capture a breath and clear my mind Waiting and wondering, hoping she had felt it, too Watching her eyes, trying to tell Slowly she smiled, finding herself (chorus) (instrumental bridge) (repeat chorus) words and music by Steven Beasley copyright © 2012 all rights reserved NOTE: No real story here, but i think many can relate to the fact that attractions can develop from everyday relationships. All instruments and vocals by Steven Beasley on all songs.