Tonight

lost in the morning light
safe from the madness that binds the night
I'll be the good man enlightened, abated, anodyne

I travel naked with a mind left to the wind
you won't believe that this is all that is needed to begin
caught inside the wasted life you never know that you're bleeding

I hear the voice  of higher mind
all the rusted wires untied
I'll be the good man invited, elated, held in line

I leave a message to myself just to remind
there is no reason to be learning how to be unsatisfied
or be lonely

why does it seem so hard to find
why can't it last forever

I'm watching the birds go by my window
my heart is believing fire
and all will reveal in time

Play on Spotify

Begin

How Long Does It Take – written by Andrea Brennan – is a song that is especially close to my heart. When I first read the lyrics, I was instantly touched and deeply inspired. I’m incredibly grateful that Andrea entrusted me with this beautiful piece. 
Dear Andrea, once again, thank you so much for your trust. It was a true joy and an honor to set your words to music.

___________________________

How Long Does It Take


Love is the captor I welcomed to find
But now that you're gone, how my heart cries
I'm surviving on memories replayed in my mind

Our home now a house, the warmth faded and gone
Death is the poison nightmares feed upon
And it's cold as Hell, yet a fire burns on

How long does it take to heal this broken heart
Piece together my world that has fallen apart
To feel once more like I did before
How long does it take to heal this broken heart

Sweet remnants of you everywhere that I look
Slippers by the bed, pink robe on a hook
Reading glasses perched on your unfinished book

Things can't dry my tears and they can't hold me tight
Things cannot rock me gently through the night
And things cannot whisper everything will be alright


How long does it take to heal this broken heart
Piece together my world that has fallen apart
To feel once more like I did before
How long does it take to heal this broken heart


_________________________________

Credits:
Lyrics: Andrea Brennan
Music & Vocals: Axel Menningen

How Long Does It Take

I am blessed with a treasured friend whose name is Sue.  

Sue is the very embodiment of humanity.  Kind, selfless, giving, loving, unassuming, warm, smiling, understanding.  Were you lucky enough ever to meet Sue, you’d never know that she carries a heavy burden carefully, and gently tucked away in a very private place within her heart.

This song is for Sue, and all mothers who, like her, have lost a son in the most tragic of circumstances, with no opportunity to help, hold, comfort or say goodbye.

Sue won’t ever hear this, but if she did, I know she’d forgive the rough edges and clumsies because she is only capable of seeing good.  

Originally intended as a quick one-take late night aide-memoire, it comes from the heart more than any of my subsequent attempts to improve it.  I've left it unedited, uncompromised, pure and honest.  Rather like Sue.

_____________________________________________________________________________
Solace

When first you nestled in my arms and my eyes met with yours
A bonding fused in love, that could never be undone.
Sheltered you from harm as childhood lightly ran its course
Giving thanks to God above for the blessing you’d become.

Of your blossoming maturity I watched with glowing pride
Reaching for your touch to find that now we’re worlds apart,
Stolen by fate’s cruelty, that wrenches yet inside
Ever present in my mind, forever in my heart.

As angels wrapped in heaven, soon our eyes shall meet and then
In the clarity of peace we’ll find our solace once again.

And now I live by memory tides that flood tomorrow’s shore
Your picture sitting in my palm, lifts my spirit gently, where,
The strongest, warmest love abides and shall do evermore
A love dispensing soothing balm anoints my silent prayer.

Though the space between is wide as the celestial abyss
There’s a place within my heart, from which I offer only this,
As angels wrapped in heaven, soon our eyes shall meet and then,
In the clarity of peace we’ll find our solace once again.
________________________________________________________________________________
Photo by David Monje on Unsplash

Solace

Sometimes you need a break. That's what the song is about. We hope you all remember in time to relax and forget all the stress!

This is your day!
I'm tired of the noise today
You need to get away
The world can wait just for this day
Let the stress fade away
I walk up the mountain high
Let all of your worries fly
And no phones to distract 
To no one I will react

This is your day
In the world can come what may
Enjoy the view so wide you will be satisfied
It is just you and your day of peace
And beside that there is nothing to achieve

(Only do what you can really enjoy this day
Think of yourself
Yes, it is may day
Just hold what I wanna keep
Hold it tight
Nobody gets on my nerves
No expectations
Today only good situations
Keep the ghosts away
It's you and no one else)

Walk by the lake shore
Feel the breeze and more
Let go of all that you have done
Your peace has begun
Feel the calm in your soul
Let go of all the whole
It's your day

That's it, yes
Today I feel freedom so near
No task to do just cheer
Wander through the city streets
And Watch how the people meet
Get a coffee and take a seat
This is your day now all for you alone
Take a deep breath and do nothing then rest
And forget all the mess
Take more of these days
Escape life's mad haze

I'm walking through the city streets
Where many people meet
I sit down in a café outside
protected from the sunlight
I watch the people pass by
Some are happy others cry
The world moves fast, take it slow
Let life just flow
This is your day
In the world can come what may
Enjoy your time outside 
In the dimmed sunlight
It is just you and your day of peace
And beside that there is nothing to achieve

This is your day

The axolotl named Julio Cortázar watches Julio Cortázar observing the axolotls swimming in the aquarium.
The sister tracks here: https://soundcloud.com/michele-ansani/this-is-them-last-version and https://soundcloud.com/michele-ansani/this-is-us

Here the short background story:https://ambystoma.uky.edu/teachers_materials/axolitbook/AxolotlByJulioCortazar.html
Picture is from Pietro Corrao.

------

Composed by Michele Ansani (2025)
Posted on SoundCloud: 2025, May 1

Is this you? *

Hello guys on SoundCloud, very nice to see you again!
It has been a long time since my last release. Many things happened and gone away around me. And the world can never stop changing, I feel like I’m standing in a storm. 
This is the song of such stormy,confusing world , hope you’re all safe and well.

Lyrics 
Bringing back
Streaming inside
To walk around
Both of your hands

Breaking down
Fall on ground
Grabbing your hands up
Breath again

Now when we hurry out tomorrow
 (never tell you that)
Better way to soon
( take me to the place)
Just one more time together
If we out of tomorrow away 

Left behind out 
Waking crowd
Blowing wind
Where you go
(All fake world)
Let me heard out
Crossing inside
Whisper then
I know your lie
(Don’t look back)
We know your lie

Written, sung by Chihiro MATSUMOTO (JETTT)
Acoustic and Electric guitars played by Chihiro MATSUMOTO ( JETTT)
All the arrangements by Chihiro MATSUMOTO (JETTT)

Out Back Storm

https://soundcloud.com/negative-headphone: many keyboards, drums, percussion, mix, production, artwork.
https://soundcloud.com/ruizzoidman21centurions: original theme, composition, bass, rhythm guitar, drums.

Intimate jam got me this bass theme, which I developed with geometrical tones and fractal rhythmic, and offered to my old friend Negative Headphone. You should know his fabulous response on any musical style, and here is a proof of it. Enjoy!

Fractal Shenanigans (with Negative Headphone)

Dear friends, I am hopelessly in love with swans! But - if I try to hug them, they bite me in the ass!!
These two swans: Daddy - and Mom-swan were busy building a new home in the stream in Simrishamn some days ago!


Busy Times for Swans

I saw them as they found the place where they can build their home
the home is right in the middle of the stream
the lady took the command 
while her dear husband sailed away
and the sound from their wings blowed my soul away

I have heard that swans are faithful to each other during their whole life
they always help each other with all their kids
they put them to bed when the sun 
suddenly goes to rest
and the sound from their wings blowed my soul away

The lady worked so hard with sticks and straws to finish their home
she is so careful that the bed is nice and soft
I suppose that the man supplies with food and all work
can progress with speed
and the sound from their wings blowed my soul away

We will follow this cool and diligent team how they proceed in building their home
and when their kids have been born to our world
all people in this town will come to see 
this happy family of swans
and the sound from their wings blowed my soul away


Häktiska tider för svanor
Jag såg dem när de hittade platsen där de kunde bygga sitt hem
Huset ligger mitt i bäcken
Damen tog kommandot
medan hennes käre make seglade iväg
och ljudet från deras vingar blåser bort min själ

Jag har hört att svanar är trogna varandra hela livet
De hjälper alltid varandra med alla sina barn
De lägger dem i säng när solen
plötsligt går ner
och ljudet från deras vingar blåser bort min själ

Damen arbetade så hårt med pinnar och sugrör för att färdigställa deras hus
Hon är så noga med att sängen är fin och mjuk
Jag antar att mannen som förser dem med mat och allt arbete
kan gå framåt snabbt
och ljudet från deras vingar blåser bort min själ

Vi kommer att följa detta coola och flitiga team hur de fortsätter med att bygga sitt hem
och när deras barn har fötts till vår värld
kommer alla människor i den här staden att komma för att se
denna lyckliga svanfamilj
och ljudet från deras vingar blåser bort min själ

Busy Times for Swans - 2025-06-03 10.22

Zhoca:  Vocals
Ben Juul:  Drums, Mix & Master at Tone Hill, NY
Dirk Taubenheim:  Guitars, Bass Vocals

It' s time now    to worry    'bout all those    sad children
like we were,    two brothers    deported    abroad.

Just sent away
to enjoy your heyday.

INTRO

We should talk    about it,    there' s no time    to keep quiet.
The wound must    be cared for,    it' s your turn,    come on now.

Give up your life lie,    I have no more tears to cry.
Nothing I haven' t tried    but all you did was hide.

Oh, why don' t you love me?
Mhm, why don' t you care?
+ instr.


Don' t tell me    that' s your way    to show your    strange love,
it' s hurting,    just hurting    and I know you' ll    never change

You' re too weak to say the words    "sorry for all that hurt,
I' ve caused deep scars in your heart,    ignored how precious you are".

Sad Children  ft. ZHOCA

Bond-theme meets Rihanna edge. Cinematic anthem of spy-strength and defiance — the legend of Mr39-7.

Mr39-7 No Time to Fold_V1.mp3

Hi, I’m Axel.
After a longer musical hibernation, I started making music again about three years ago – and honestly, it feels amazing! I’ve been hanging around on SoundCloud for about two years now, and I’m constantly blown away by the creativity, variety, and real talent to be found here.

Music is just a hobby for me – which is exactly why I have zero ambitions to make money with it. I’m here simply because it’s fun. So, a small request: Dear annoying promoters with your shady offers – please save us both the trouble, I’m not your guy. I’m not chasing follower counts, click records, or streaming millions. Sure, I’m happy when people listen – but what I value most is connecting with a few honest musicians who feel the same way I do. Quality over quantity, you know?

One thing I do find kind of sad: there’s so much AI-generated music floating around on SoundCloud, often without being labeled. Come on, folks – if a robot wrote your track, at least give R2-D2 the credits.

I play keyboards and have already had the pleasure of creating songs together with some wonderful musicians I met right here on SoundCloud – something I’d love to keep doing. For me, collaboration and exchange are a huge part of what makes music so exciting.

Tech corner, anyone? All my tracks are produced in Cubase 13 Pro. Over time, more and more VST instruments have snuck into my setup – from Spitfire and Native Instruments to Spectrasonics and more. My go-to drum sounds usually come from Toontrack, which have become the rhythmic backbone of many of my tracks. I’ll admit it: I’ve caught a bit of a collecting bug here. Sadly, it’s eating both my wallet and my hard drive space. Will it ever stop? Probably not. 🙄

Style-wise, I love exploring different genres with no limits. For me, the goal is simple: have fun, stay inspired, and keep growing creatively. And every time I stumble upon a track here on SoundCloud that really moves me – the kind of song you’d probably never hear on the radio – it feels like discovering a hidden treasure.

I’m really glad you found my channel – and I hope my music brings you as much joy as it brings me when I create it.

Visit me also on Youtube:
 https://youtube.com/@axelmenningen?si=c01MyCiAEs39qZPZ

On Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/axel_menningen_music/


