In 1994 Dawn Clark Netsch ran for governor of Illinois. (She didn't win). Thought of as ugly by many, she once quipped that it doesn't take a pretty face to manage the government, or something to that effect. That gave me the idea for this one.ANOTHER PRETTY FACE

There you are in your finery
Looking pretty as can be
On display for all to see
Another pretty face

You have countless dreams untold
Maybe win a starring role
And all the treasure that you can hold
With your pretty face

Another pretty face
Isn’t enough
For anybody to maintain a true love
It isn’t all that dreams are made of
Another pretty face

You can turn heads
Wherever you are
But to really be a star
You need a whole lot more
Than another pretty face

And while in your chosen trade
There is money to be made
But true love is never for sale
For another pretty face

Another pretty face
Isn’t enough
For anybody to maintain a true love
It isn’t all that dreams are made of
Another pretty face

You can turn heads
Wherever you are
But to really be a star
You need a whole lot more
Than another pretty face

ANOTHER PRETTY FACE

There was a woman I worked with during the 1990s. Had conversation with her where she had mentioned being into the going out late night scene back in the day. Obviously her lifestyle had changed considerably since that time. Inspiration for this one coupled with some novelty piece which contained the line "I now get up at the time I used to go to bed". I did share this one with her, yet she stated that it really didn't describe her though.

STILL DREAMIN'

this one not inspired by any particular incident or episode. Just a positive upbeat modern country song.

SOON I WON’T FORGET HER NAME

Her wits were sharp
And she was quick to make her points
When I met her
On that sunny June day

In a leadership position
She did excel
But as one of a crowd
She wasn’t at all that way

She was feeling thwarted
And underappreciated
Not knowing how to play
This new social game

Yet there was something
About her that sent a spark
Soon I won’t forget her name

I’ve been one to guard
Against choosing companions
On the basis of
Social standing alone

And I’ve never cared much
About current achievements
I swear that wasn’t 
What turned me on

All her accomplishments
Would become insignificant
When I get on her
Wavelength in all ways

I am out to make
A good impression
Soon I won’t forget her name

Set your sight high
And rewards will come
They more you try
The more you are going to get ahead

I can’t be satisfied
With routine results
Soon I won’t forget her name

The sun was high
On the Fourth of July
When I met her
On the beach by the lake

I resolved I would
Be open to new ideas
No matter what
I would have to take

I knew the minute
That I took her hand
That my life would
Never be the same

By the time we walked
The beach at sunset
I knew I won’t forget her name

Set your sights high
And rewards will come
The more you try
The more you are going to get ahead

I can’t be satisfied
With routine results
I am out to make
The most of what I have
Soon I won’t forget her name

SOON I WONT FORGET HER NAME

Haunting piece in folk music style.

VOICES OF THE SURF

When we met you let me in
On the ground floor
Of a new opportunity

I wanted to know
What you were capable of doing
But you took advantage of me

It was an offer I knew
Wasn’t going to be repeated
So I let you have your way

I did not expect
To finish anything completely
Soon I knew I couldn’t stay

So I’m out here by the ocean
I am now on neutral turf
Waiting to be lulled to sleep
By the voices of the surf
By the voices of the surf

Making inroads should give you
A sense of satisfaction
That you had not counted on

But even though there was
An immediate attraction
We never could form a bond

It has often been said
That cooperation
Is the only way to get ahead

But I don’t regret at all
Leaving the situation
As I lay here on my bed

So I’m out here by the ocean
I am now on neutral turf
Waiting to be lulled to sleep
By the voices of the surf

6930

VOICES OF THE SURF

One day my favorite librarian at my local library pulled into the library lot with her burgundy van at the same time as I pulled in with my blue Kia. Then a light switch went off and I eventually sat down to see what i could come up with this title, and this is the result.

BURGUNDY AND BLUE


The rain is falling from a sullen sky
As I turn to thoughts of you
Issues of self-worth also arise
In burgundy and blue
Burgundy and blue

I sit here alone with my glass of wine
Although It might not be wise
Over the last four weeks I’ve been undone
By burgundy and blue
Burgundy and blue

Watching a movie is a way to escape
For a couple of hours tonight
A surge of vitality is yet to be found
In burgundy and blue
Burgundy and blue

Attempting a difficult crossword puzzle
May serve to chase you from my mind
Breaking out of old habits doesn’t come easy
Round burgundy and blue
Burgundy and blue

Focusing on tasks that require solutions
Can’t shake your memory
Support from others may be close at hand
With burgundy and blue
Burgundy and blue

6943

BURGUNDY AND BLUE

To the best of my knowledge there was no outstanding inspiration for this piece that I can recall.

IF I SHOULD DIE BEFORE I WAKE

I got caught in excitement
You really opened my eyes
To the wonder of everything
It was a pleasant surprise
In the midst of the hubbub
To just relax and enjoy

There is time for the quiet
And to make plans for the coming year
To do what makes you happy
And more relaxed and secure
To provide countless enjoyment
And leaving no room for fear

When I take time to catch up
During quiet interludes
I try to offer a reason
For wanting to spend time with you
And if the first isn’t worthy
I make up a better excuse

I may then give you a phone call
Just for a happy surprise
And then be making arrangements
To bring a sparkle to your eyes
Just to be glad that you are able
To spend a lot of good time

There is no simple answer
To the world that we make
And though we try to avoid it
We’re go make some mistakes
So just remember the good times
If I should die before I wake

So just remember the good times
If I should die before I wake

6936

IF I SHOULD DIE BEFORE I WAKE

Thoughtful romantic ballad.

JUST ANTOHER DANCE


The final stop of a world tour
Would get me thinking more about her
Later in the day
She’ll pour herself some wine
When she gets home from work

I call her up and we go out
To a place where there’s live music
As I prepared to leave she wanted to dance
And I said it wouldn’t hurt

It was just another dance
But it was then I knew I loved her
When I took her on the floor
It would open every door
I knew she was the one

I’d make sure to listen so
There’d be good times in the future
And now nothing could get in the way
Of showing her love every day
After just another dance

Temptation won’t get in the way
I now have my marching orders
Even if others don’t know theirs
Mine are to stay beside her
Each and every day

No one on Earth is going to
Get in the way of what we’re building
I don’t know about others
But I’ll be faithful to her come what may

It was just another dance
But it was then I knew I loved her
When I took her on the floor
It would open every door
I knew she was the one

I’ll make sure to listen so
There’d be good times in the future
And now nothing could get in the way
Of showing her love every day
After just another dance

Closer and closer we became
Life would never be the same
After just another dance

6927

JUST ANOTHER DANCE

Back in 1996 I was working at a company where my department was dissolving after working there for three years. While written in the style of a broken love affair, song actually had a dual purpose at the time of its inception.

TAKE THE PICTURES DOWN


The only way to keep a secret
Is not to tell anyone at all
That I got a different number
On the night when I had made the call

I gave in to the temptation
Just to call and find out how you’ve been
So you’re living with a new love now
And I’m on the outside looking in

I guess it’s time to
Take the pictures down
Now it’s time for me to
Take the pictures down

Getting over a broken romance
Doesn’t happen very fast
You must ruthlessly get rid of
Painful reminders of the past

I won’t be reading old love letters
Or looking through old photographs
As I’d be constantly reminded
Of something I had hoped would last

I guess it’s time to
Take the pictures down
Now it’s time to
Take the pictures town

I’ll make certain to avoid old haunts
Which are full of memories
I’ll make some social arrangements
Calling friends who aim to please

This is not a time for living
In the past in any way
Yet I’ll still think about our love
Which once appeared so promising

Now, babe, it’s time to
Take the pictures down
Yes it’s way past time to
Take the pictures down

Likely to go on much longer
As the memories grown stronger
We were just too close together
I can’t begin to heal until

I make the time to
Take the pictures down
Yes I must make time to
Take the pictures down

TAKE THE PICTURES DOWN

inspired by the title of a book, story emphasizes that very often you think you are completely over someone but then realized that you are really not.

THEN AGAIN

This song was inspired by a woman friend who has since passed on. On a bitterly cold winter day in Chicago we want to see a play I had won a pair of passes for. The day was also quite windy and thought there was a sexy vibe about the way her hair was blowing that day as we were walking toward the theater.


YOU AND THE WIND


Seeing your hair in the wind had an impact
On my life wishing I could go back
To that winter day so long ago
When we were bundled up against the cold
And it would be easy to fall into sin
Just remembering you and the wind

Living up to commitments can stretch your time
Making you long for a simpler life
Seeing you just that way had a calming effect
You were at your very sexy best
And it would be easy to fall into sin
Just remembering you and the wind

Our trials may have reached a critical stage
Busy, stressed to turn another page
That day really helped to grease squeaky wheels
Amusement and relaxation at our heels
And it would be easy to fall into sin
Just remembering you and the wind

With our relationship at a crisis point
Suggesting we meet at some local joint
To be given the once-over yet again
To see if it is worth salvaging
And it would be easy to fall into sin
Just remembering you and the wind
Yes, it would be easy to fall into sin
Just remembering you and the wind

Brian Beecher

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