A new song based on a title I derived from my dysfunctional family situation and love of my withheld children. The lyric is somewhat autobiographical. Creatively, this project marks a new twist in my evolution as a songwriter, incorporating A.I. tech and an old 4 track mindset. (More later...)
Lyric & Music - J.S. Stephen King (c)2022
All rights reserved.
Socan/Ascap
100% Master & Sync Rights
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca

The Blog that became the song:
https://loveisa2ndhanddress.blogspot.com/2022/09/love-is-2nd-hand-dress.html


Turn off the fridge
Thumb through this scribbler
Hold tight
I have a story to share...
I grew up with disco balls
With old cars
45's
I grew up an only child
I'm happy to half the cost
She's sending him off running through the woods

I grew up with disco balls
Turntables and old jars
Needles and threads disposable cameras that clicked. Then made you look thin

I knelt down to hear you whisper
To reach you for a month, a day, a year
A few days are all we're allowed...
She held life like a slave that she had made

We looked for a broader world
Where bears and cougars never bite children
"Do you know why they are so overwrought?", I asked.
Yeah, because the parents talked, the adult talk
So ignorant

Shut up! Eat your cereal
No, you! I'm going out mom
Shut up! Eat your cereal
She through that jam jar so fuckin' hard
it cracked the plastic wall phone and the receiver dangled from the twisting cord
Utter disarray
You held on for another day
Love is a 2nd hand dress

Look out for your brother 

I grew up with disco balls 
Parties in basements, 8 track tapes and Star Wars
After school we'd get together and kiss
Find out about all this, the wealthy, the privileged judge 
and the blue collar he hid In the closet with the Playboys

Love! is a 2nd hand dress
Love, is a 2nd hand dress

Alterations, black bows & ribbons
What's the difference? When...
Love! is a 2nd hand dress 

And my feet are sore with welts, water blisters
I need better shoes not stilts or cheap inserts
I like the ones you used to get, Dad
If I could take you back to where you had your first haircut
Down by the creek so cold I think there in North Van 

The welfare mothers are asking for a new handout on Wednesdays before
Bingo Halls and meat draws
When Love! Is a second hand dress 
She made the Trailer Park Boys look like Disney 
He cracked a joke and broke his collarbone on the rusty playset
Kicked a bike along the fence cause he missed his Dad and friends, bad.

J.S. Stephen King (c) 2022
All rights reserved

Love Is a 2nd Hand Dress (4 Trk Demo)

"Truth is stranger than fiction" seems to apply here, in a tale of two parallel cities and divergent lives as told by an AI reader from an alternate reality.
If you feel moved by the music or story let it heal your soul on the journey. Peace & Love with more to come... 


Content & Original Score - J.S. Stephen King (c) 2023
Music Excerpt from the film: "My Son - The Search for Truth"
SOCAN/ASCAP
All rights reserved.
100% Master & Sync Rights
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca

View the latest trailer to the forthcoming documentary here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co39wDArc0v/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A Parable For Children Withheld (Chapt. II)

An extended choral cue from the short film entitled, "Judgement"  
Writer/Director - Marc Almon,  Producer - Russell Wyse
Recorded Live at Saint Matthew's United Church, Halifax, NS
Sound Recordist - Stephen Outhit
Conducted by Kapellmeister John Hudson 
Music Composed & Arranged by J.S. Stephen King
(c) 2000 All rights reserved. SOCAN/ASCAP
Made in Canada (MAPL)
100% Master & Sync Rights
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca

Judgement

Bedside Prayer (Remastered)

My Children's Theme** aka Leif & Vivian's Theme
All Music Composed by J.S. Stephen King (c)2023
Content Created, Written & Produced by J.S. King
All rights reserved.
Socan/Ascap
(MAPL)
100% Master & Sync Rights**
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca

(NB: Read by AI.)

A Parable For Children Withheld (Chapt. IV) -   My Father Walked Before Me

The continuing saga, theme & variation on my piece "Science To What End?" and subjects surrounding familial strife in our world, toward a positive outcome for all.
Music, lyric, arrangement and mastering.
Read by AI based on a prompt of J.S. Stephen King (c) 2024
Socan/Ascap
All rights reserved.

A Parable For Children Withheld (Chapt. V) -   "Nor Have They Borne Children"

A song found in my demo archive to be continued...
I'm proud of this tune and its continued relevance. The plan is to re-record and possibly arrange for a "single" release. I wrote the lyric on my first tour while in Toronto where unbeknown to me my "people" were to enjoy legendary Gordon Lightfoot play at Massey Hall. Thankfully there was an 24hr Tim Horton's to crash and dine in post "Cloak & Dagger" gig. (No word of a lie but a song is true as an arrow flies.) 

https://ucantsleephere.blogspot.com/

Music, Lyric & Photo - J.S. Stephen King (c) 2005-2024
All rights reserved.
Socan/Ascap
100% Master & Sync Rights
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca

You Can't Sleep Here (Demo)

The continuing saga, theme & variation on my latest suite "Dawn of AI (Planets Align)" used in the context of subjects surrounding familial strife in our world, toward a positive outcome for children denied all paternal connection. Godspeed. Peace. Strength through truth and communion.

Music, lyric, piano, arrangement and mastering. 
Read by AI composed by J.S. Stephen King (c) 2025
Socan/Ascap
All rights reserved.
100% Master & Sync Rights
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca

For more information view the documentary "My Son - The Search For Truth" trailers here:

https://youtu.be/ypMI9n_M9LA?si=fI1hLL0vMXxpU6oy

Thank you for your support!

- S

A Parable For Children Withheld (Chapt. VI) - "Where Does the Time Go?"

Call it a twist of fate or my first foray into country & western music...
Whilst 'troubadouring' across country via rail and thinking about my 
withheld kids this tune rumbled to life. To be continued - Happy Easter!

April 25th - International Parental Alienation Awareness Day 

All Music, Lyric & Performance -
J.S. Stephen King
Acoustic, Electric,  Slide, Guitars, Vocals, Backing, Harmony
Artwork concept created with A.I. prompt of S.K. aka Stephen King
Produced, Performed, Recorded, Arranged, Mixed and Mastered by
John Sidney Stephen King (c) 2025 chaos music publishing
SOCAN/ASCAP
Made in Canada (MAPL)
100% Master & Sync Rights
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca

Watch the alternate live acoustic take here:
https://youtu.be/ELlZtUP7HxU?si=V7OM4Ol624r-fTX0

Science To What End? - EP

Thief In Town

Thief In Town (Demo) Excerpt

Socan/Ascap
All rights reserved.
Music & Lyric - Stephen King (c)2014

- At the end of it all, comes a new direction...
(Piano recorded live at the Squamish Music Academy)
NB: Looking for possible collaboration with beat and remix artists.
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca

Watch the demo writing session and video here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4nEZ8nLqea/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://youtu.be/xu-4ru2VVwA
https://vimeo.com/206098842

Joy On The Landing (Demo)

Tiger With A Heart (Instrumental)

Dedicated to all those children who are affected by being taken from their families, and held at bay, as an abuse of power by agencies beyond their control. Also, to the fathers who have endured, beyond measure, the injustice that is Family Law and bias which is archaic sexism. Everyday somewhere men are vilified, who are innocent and not the perpetrators of abuse. Time to put the shoe on the other foot, folks. Enjoy & Think! Thanks for listening. Peace.

Music & Lyric - J.S. Stephen King
All rights reserved
SOCAN/ASCAP
All rights reserved.
%100 Master/Sync Rights
Contact: chaosmusic2004@yahoo.ca
Lyric at: https://nohitdaddy.blogspot.com/

No Hit Daddy, He's A Good Man

No Hit Daddy, He's A Good Man (Demo)

A versatile composer, songwriter and performer, Stephen has always felt music plays a vital part in life...

A Parable For Children Withheld (Chapt. VI) - "Where Does the Time Go?"

chaosmusicpublishing2012

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