Somewhere Toward The Back

When we first started writing songs together we thought we’d keep it simple but found the allure of a full band sound too tempting to ignore. This song, about the destructive patterns we get locked into, is us fulfilling that original intention - just acoustic guitar, violin and vocals. The riff that underpins the song could have gone another way….that’ll be the next release.

Sugar Trail

Hey Mr Postman

This Is Not The End

In this extended version of Old Saint Nick we finally added all the things we wanted from the start but didn’t have time for. There’s a lovely intro by Mauro using Omnisphere, some backing vocals from Tom who handled production and mix, and a final instrumental section to put the cherry on top of this amazing musical cake created by the awesome Joe Stroffolino (https://soundcloud.com/joseph-stroffolino/old-saint-nick), of which we carved out a delicious Chiptune slice (https://soundcloud.com/beatingedge/old-saint-chip-instrumental-chiptune)!
Enjoy! We’ll be back in a week with one of our own songs. You can find the teaser here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPFKANVV9Us

©2025 Beating Edge & @Joseph-stroffolino

Credits:
Main Vocals, music and lyrics: Joe (@Joseph-stroffolino)
Guitar & Backing Vocals: Mary
Backing Vocals: Tom
Synths: Mauro
Bass & Synth Bass: Davide
Drums & Percussion: Valerio
Mixed & Produced by Tom

Lyrics:

St Nicholas was born in Turkey in the fourth century AD.
He became the bishop of Myra, and was known for his generosity.
They say he tossed three bags of gold into a poor family's dwelling,
And he raised three boys from the dead — it’s a legend, but it sure sounds compelling.

How did a man who lived in Turkey,
In a land that’s warm and sunny,
End up in the North Pole with flying reindeer
If you think about it, it’s kind of funny.

Nicholas died of old age in Myra in the year three forty-three.
They buried him in a tomb expecting him to rest eternally.
The years went by, the tales grew taller and his legend continued to grow,
And it was a fact that relics of a saint could earn you quite a bit of dough.

It’s good to give gifts to family and friends,
And people in need,
But sometimes it feels
Like we’re being manipulated
To buy things we don't need.

In 1087, there were sailors in two cities, Venice and Bari.
They decided they wanted St Nicholas's bones so they raced across the Adriatic Sea.
The sailors from Bari got there first and they took those bones by force and deception.
They brought them back to Bari and they were greeted with a heroic reception.

You can take all the bad parts of the story that happen in real life,
Remove the uncomfortable dark parts and keep only the light.
We sing our Christmas carols and say it’s the most magical time of the year.
For a few days we ignore all the bad stuff as we spread the Christmas cheer.

Old Saint Nick, Old Saint Nick, he tried to help those in need.
Old Saint Nick, Old Saint Nick, now he’s a mascot for corporate greed.
Old Saint Nick, Old Saint Nick, he tried so hard to help the poor.
Now he’s a giant plastic figurine who smiles as you walk into the big box store.

As we sit there ripping the paper off our presents underneath the Christmas tree,
It’s good to remember there are people out there who are less fortunate than you and me.
Maybe we can be a little bit more like Old Saint Nick — maybe we can.
Maybe we can be a little bit more like Old Saint Nick.

Old Saint Nick Extended Version

Cast of Characters:
The Beautiful Dark -- @thebeautifuldark -- Carl — vocals, lyrics, acoustic guitar and composition
Mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Mark –- VST strings and mellotron
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – upright double bass, plucked and bowed
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken -- drums
J.J. Terrell– @j-j-terrell – piano
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen — Tom Anderson custom T model electric guitar, Danelectro baritone electric guitar, and e-bow
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – production, mix, and mastering

Carl came up with this song at the beginning of November on his acoustic guitar, and shared it with the rest of us shortly after. Carl is a songwriting supernova, in case you're unfamiliar with our newest addition to the team. We're always excited and grateful to get to work on his music.
Mark was first to add his parts, although he tweaked them throughout the process. His work can be heard in the dramatic string arrangement and mellotron at the crescendo. Josh was next to jump in, adding his new upright bass to the song. He played not only the plucked part, but the bowed part in the strings section, too. Ken came along next with his perfect drums to complete the rhythm section. JJ wanted in on this, too, so he added the foundational piano you hear throughout. Last, but not least, Stephen dropped in his electrifying guitar solo and the accompanying textural chords using is Danelectro baritone guitar, followed at the very end by his magical e-bow part.
Once it was all in the bag, we asked Tez to produce and mix it for us, which he did in his always expert fashion.
This is our latest song of which Carl is the author. He's been making music with us for the past half a year now, and we can't get enough of his abundant creativity. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Also, Carl had this to say about his lyrics, "Labels and putting each other in a particular box is causing big problems on the planet. The song's meaning is born from trying to take labels out of our lessons. In a polarized world, the song pines how we will likely learn lessons properly if we leave ego out of what we are trying to learn. Maybe our art has more relevance for future generations if we do that instead of bolting it to the current people or ideas causing us problems."
Original lyrics by The Beautiful Dark:

Let's play cards
You lying runt
Word poker perfect
A joker to hunt
Motor makeup mouth
Dadless brain itched
Our sith can shout
Cycle of old child bewitched

Leave out the names
Remove their power
Lessons find refrain
Fake turned to flower

All liars die
'As honest tongue
Dinnseanchas signs our true right and wrong
Transmutation
Time understood
Truth trump card for hate
More blossomed love

Leave out the names
Teach tomorrow's hour
Lessons find refrain
Pure honest power

Lies from power
Carry hidden agenda
Justice can save us from these malady members
Unless they break our sacred norms
They've changed the game with iron fisted porn

Leave out the names
Control our stream
Lessons mute ego
Brutes turn to dream

The system protects us from crazy one
One system collective
Agreement by sum
Normals described
Standards of power
Transmutation of evil
Never named gives real flower

Let's label our love
Let's teach that today
Let lessons of dove
Show us our way

Leave out the names
Remove their power
Lessons find refrain
Fake turned to flower

Leave out the names
Teach tomorrow hour
Lessons find refrain
Pure honest power

Leave Out the Names (Eclectic Collective)

🎄 Merry Christmas – A warm acoustic wish
A simple acoustic melody, a soft voice, a few bells ringing like memories.
This isn’t a grand show—it’s a quiet gift. A whispered wish for peace, wrapped in light.
The voice carries the emotion of a memory. The chorus, subtle and angelic, opens a window towards others—without shouting, without glitter.
Just love, just presence.
This track was created in the spirit of Christmas—gentle, timeless, and filled with hope. For all who need a moment of calm, or a reason to smile.

Merry Christmas

This song is a quiet account of living with chronic pain after the worst has passed—and realizing the pain stayed anyway. It speaks from the inside of isolation, where no one else can feel what you feel and strength is something you practice, not something you’re praised for. There is prayer here, but no bargain—only the presence of God who does not remove the pain, yet refuses to leave. It’s a song about endurance without romance, faith without answers, and choosing to rise again when staying in your own skin takes courage every single day

***** Lyrics *****

Verse 1
I thought morning might give back more of me,
but it offered no mercy that I could see.
The pain is softer, but still it stays,
Clinging close enough to cloud my days.

Verse 2
I thought by now I’d be finding some rest,
the throbbing keeps time, I'm doing my best.
I pray to God to please tame the pain,
dreaming of when my life I reclaim.

Chorus
I carry the weight, and I’m still waiting here.
The storm’s long gone, but its mist is still near.
If pain’s the price for what I’ve known,
then I’ll grit—and bear it — I’m on my own.

Verse 3
It walks beside me, this ghost I despise,
Blurring my truth while feeding me lies.
Some days it wins, but come what may—
I’m a stubborn soul who can’t get away.—

Verse 4
I am in this alone— there are no others inside,
There’s no comfort to hold, no safe place to hide.
Not one other person can feel what I feel,
No one need tell me I got a raw deal.

Chorus
I carry the weight, and I’m still waiting here.
The storm’s long gone, but its mist is still near.
If pain’s the price for what I’ve known,
Then I’ll grit — and bear it — I’m on my own

Verse 5
I’m hoping this season gives me a reprieve—
Enough quiet in my bones so I can believe
I’ll sit with my family, not fading away,
Not tucked in a corner just surviving the day.

Bridge
The outlook’s dark, I cannot win.
I ask myself, “Do I want to stay in my skin?”
But somewhere a Spirit demands to make way—
He whispers, “I’m here with you, so you can stay.”

Final Chorus
This blessed pain still has more to say,
So I rise again, to another new day.
If strength’s the lesson carved in stone,
Then I'll claim that for my future gravestone.

My Companion

une petite blague musicale pour changer un peu : mon nain de jardin m'a demandé un morceau pour fêter Noël; je me suis souvenu alors de mes premiers cours d'allemand au collège où on apprenait à chanter ce qui est resté pour moi un des plus beaux chants de Noël : "Ô Tannenbaum". je suis resté, hélas depuis, un très mauvais élève de la langue de Goethe, mais cela m'a permis quand même  ici une petite variation rococo de ce chant ( en imaginant le sapin transplanté aux Antilles : un coup de soleil sans soleil sans doute!!! )   

caraïbo-rockcoco variation sur Ô Tannenbaum

Suckers for the Night


Verse 1
Something’s got a hold on you, a restless feeling,
Windows everywhere, but no room for breathing.
Worn out by the rhymes, the words we’ve spoken,
We melt into the wild, the spell is broken.
Chorus
And your shadow’s fading out,
My heart is ripped to bits.
Paradox is back in style,
And we’re suckers for the night!
(It’s all about the night!)
Verse 2
No, don’t you try to stop the motion,
It wouldn’t work, don’t cause a notion.
I’m handing you the keys, I’m setting you free,
Give it legs now, while the coast is clear!
Chorus
And your shadow’s fading out,
My heart is ripped to bits.
Paradox is back in style,
And we’re suckers for the night!
(Suckers for the night!)
Bridge
(No walls, no ceilings)
Just these feelings...
(No walls, no ceilings)

And your shadow’s fading out...
My heart is ripped to bits...
Final Chorus
Paradox is back in style!
And everyone falls in love at night!
(At night!)
At night!
(At night!)
Outro
(Yeah! Get in!)

Suckers for the Night.mp3

This song is a quiet conversation from a father to his grown children about gratitude and responsibility.
It comes from the place of getting older and realising that time is no longer endless.
The words remind them how much their mum carried without ever asking for recognition.
It accepts she may not have been perfect, but she was always present, steady, and giving.
The message asks them to stop taking her love for granted and start showing it back to her.
It is about stepping up, easing her load, and being there the way she always was.
The emotion stays gentle but firm, grounded in respect, love, and lived experience.
At its heart, it is a reminder to look back, say thank you, and be there for her now.

🎧 Listen on your platform:
Push.fm: push.fm/fl/ugzbhjwo
Spotify listeners — I need your help.
If you enjoy my songs and want to support them on Spotify, please do this:
Go to Spotify, search Jonesy200 (look for the eagle with the golf club), choose a song, and if it hits you, save it, add it to your playlist, and follow.
That small action tells Spotify real people care — and it makes a huge difference.
SoundCloud: @keith-jones-281413858
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@KeithJones-xs1jr
PayPal: paypal.me/KeithJonesTorquayQLD

Look Back and Say Thank You

I want to tell you this while I am livin
When I am gone look after your mum, she deserves it
You’ve had a life that for a long time was on a platter
So remember it is your turn to give, not taking
Remember to look back and say thank you, to her

She might not of, got it all right
I can tell you she was in their pitchin
Had to duck a few of her throws
Always thinkin of you, it never missed a beat
I come a distant second, so I’m tellin you
Remember to look back and say thank you

Don’t let her do the heavy lifting
Don’t let her pick up after you now
It is your turn to be there for her
Like she was for you through your life
Remember to look back and say thank you
Remember to look back and say thank you

Doing these things make you realise
How precious all she did for you was
You do not need to be Einstein to see
This is how your Mum was, so what am I sayin

Always, remember to look back and say thank you
For everything your Mum was, she is so special
Your turn to show it, and make it real
Always, remember to look back and say thank you

This song is for all out there
For most of us it was a Mum who shone
Yes and for some it was their Dad but one thing
Always, so many times they were there for you


Always, remember to look back and say Thank You
It is your turn to be there for her (ah hah mmmm mmmm)
Always, remember to look back and say Thank You
It is your turn to be there for her (ah hah mmmm mmmm)

Keywords
quiet conversation, grown children, gratitude and responsibility, getting older, no longer endless, their mum carried, ever asking, always present, love for granted, showing it back, stepping up, easing her load, gentle but firm, lived experience, say thank you

#countrymusic #countrylife #newmusic #livemusic #nashville #countryside #music #artist #countryartist #countrymusiclover #southernmusic #countryvibe #countrygram #traditionalcountry #altcountry #contemporarycountry

Look Back and Say Thank You

Look Back and Say Thank You - Always thinkin of you, it never missed a beat

post smooth jazz / proto chamber punk; profile photo courtesy of Christopher Mosley

Somewhere Toward The Back

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