This Summer Ain't Much Fun

JEANNE (HIDE THE MAGAZINE)
a song by gary sunshine

gotta go out and get a new pair of sneakers
so I can walk around see if I see ya
look up and down the street
but I knew you were over at your job

you smirk when you talk
and I crumble when your mad
and I love ya when your happy
and your happy when I'm sad
and I wave to the kind police 
I need help now (I wave to the kind police)
they keep walkin' I keep walkin'

oh no hide the jewelry 
here comes Jeanne
she's hotter than hell
it's the middle of December
and she's cold to me

I could hardly keep from dreaming about ya
well you hide your hair, brush it back in the winter
in the spring you were sweeter 
than a found petunia
like nothing I'd ever known (never seen)

I cried and I cried no I never really cried
I lied and I lied yeah I might of just lied
but I hope you're happy with the man that you chose
with the crooked nose and that stupid walk
what's with that stupid walk

oh dear hide the magazines
here comes Jeanne
she's hotter than hell
it's the middle of December
and she's cold to me

oh no hide the medicine
here comes Jeanne
she's hotter than hell
and she's madder than the devil
and she's looking at me

hide the medicine... hide the magazine 
hide the magazine ....hide the medicine


Jeanne (Hide the Magazine)

Do You Still Live In Houston?

A PIECE OF YOUR HAPPINESS
a song by gary sunshine
remastered by gabriel vanore

I bought polka dots and plaid pants and a sweater that looked like crap.
can I have a little piece of your happiness
have a little piece of your happiness

A Piece Of Your Happiness (remastered by Van Gabriel)

My Lovely Letterbox
Written by Gary Sunshine and Steph Casey
https://soundcloud.com/steph-casey
 
Steph Casey – Vocals
Gary Sunshine – Vocals, Guitar
Craig Terris – Drums
 
Mixed by Lee Prebble at The Surgery Studios, Wellington, New Zealand. Mastered by Mike Gibson of Munki Masters at Bonfire Audio, Wellington.

My Lovely Letterbox w/Steph Casey (& live drums-remix) !!!!

Take This Broken Whiskey Bottle

Rolling in New Orleans (DEMO)

All the Cool Girls Were Listening to Neil Young

BELIEVE (THERE'S JUST A LITTLE SECRET)
a song by gary sunshine

a rough & unfinished tune about a secret in the city so it's vague but maybe that's how it should be if it's just a little secret. believe.

Believe (There's Just A Little Secret)

ANNA DON'T LOOK
a song by gary sunshine

I reached for the wheel and I turned to the right
and the moon was shining but the night was alright
I remember a time when you could almost hear the sound
of a songbird whisperin'

anna the lights are blinding..me
anna the love is fading..too

I knew you really cared by the words in my hand
they were written in stars engraved in the sand
the wind was a blowin' and the trouble was a comin'
but I've run out of time 

anna the lights are blinding me
anna the love is fading too
anna don't look anna don't you

suppose we were young and we run out of excuses
and we talk and we talk and oh what's the use then
you can wander and wander but this ain't no place to be lonesome
you just like to be cruel 
ain't no place to be lonesome 
you just like to be cruel
just like to be cruel

anna don't look 
anna don't look

anna the lights are blinding me
anna the love is fading too
anna don't look anna don't you


Anna Don't Look

A simple and rough demo of a new little tune. Unfinished

Rock & Rolla (test)

November had come & gone
We made our plans to get away
And think about it then
December had lost it's charm
We made a pact to get along
See how far we get

I bought you a brand new cigarette case
Lined in gold & wrapped up in lace

But I've got this Cracked Guitar in my hands......

The city is closin' in
We walk uptown to get away
& go back down again

I bought you a brand new cigarette case
lined in gold and wrapped up in lace

I got this cracked guitar in my hands
& no one to play it for

Cracked Guitar

The Great American Blues demo 1 - electric guitar to be added

The Great American Blues (demo)

A rewrite a restructured idea, noisy, crispy, but this is the one. Crunchy acoustic guitars a loop and me.

Even the Dancers (Had Guns)

Written about life in the city, more directly life at the Holiday Cocktail Lounge in NYC. Not literally, but the flavor comes directly from there. A little bar where many nights began/ended in the very late 1980's early 90's for me and my pals. I lived one block away on 7th Street between 1st and 2nd Ave. The Holiday had a great jukebox and so much more. A few doors down from Stromboli's Pizza, a great slice with a very sweet sauce open until around 5 in the morning if I remember right? Had a popular band in NYC no day job a free "in" to most shows an income from music record deals dreams hopes a wide open future girlfriends ex-girlfriends nice guitars the city was the greatest place on earth to me, Joey Ramone was at most of the cool shows, I met Iggy, all of Blondie, all The Ramones, The Dictators, Richard Hell, Bad Brains, The Dead Boys, Johnny Thunders, Lenny Kaye, The Cult, and more. Got to see Public Enemy, Alice In Chains, Nirvana and many more during those few years (1987 thru 1992). I need a drink or a nap. 

Yeah But It's A Good Night (Drunk, Blessed, Cursed & Stoned)

I was thinking of the "real" last time I saw Dylan, he was walking 3 or 4 feet from me midtown NYC westside, maybe 15 years ago. I walked along trying to be cool and observe amazed that he was walking on the same street I was walking at the same time having a conversation with his buddy (I suppose), I walked very quickly to a pay phone called my buddy Daniel also a big fan (not sure if he answered or I left a message or what happened) but what the f*ck, what do I say, was I even awake (I was). There was one other "walking in NYC" sighting, I was either about to leave town or arriving to play a show with an old band and he was walking past our bus or van, just a sighting but you just don't forget that. He was walking down the street just like you or me. Well he was cooler.... My first Dylan record was Highway 61 Revisited when I was very young, but I may have first heard him on the radio, may have been Like A Rolling Stone. I probably had some early Stones and Beatles maybe the Dave Clark 5 maybe the Monkees at the time, not sure of the timing of much of anything anymore. But how can you look so cool, I asked myself at the time, I imagine? And how can you possibly sound so cool? And how in the world can you write those songs? Those words? What do they even mean? I was a young impressionable kid, cool mattered. I wasn't that smart yet.
I was thinking of this and The Last Waltz, Don't Look Back, record covers, bootlegs, shows, photos, friends. apartments. bands, family, life, memories, things ..I went into my cold damp basement studio and posted the song about an hour later.

The Last Time I Saw Dylan

I had the Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers record when I was in my late teens as I remember. It was cool and a rocker of a record. I wanted to play some slide on this tonight but couldn't find my slide. Well, here's a little version of a fun song made famous by the legendary Hound Dog Taylor.

Respect and gratitude to the late and great Hound Dog Taylor.

 

Give Me Back My Wig (Hound Dog Taylor)

Quick late night take on Guitar Slim's classic song posted for a Sunday afternoon.

Ray Charles produced and arranged the original Guitar Slim hit in 1953. 

Yeah it's been covered by many many artists but I wanted to try a version since this is another one of those records I had in my late teens when I was searching for and trying to learn every blues record I could find.

Posted with deep respect for Guitar Slim and certainly Ray Charles as well.

The Things That I Used To Do (Guitar Slim)

IF YOU SEE THE DEVIL
A chipped front tooth and an old crack habit
Blood spilled on her brown jacket
With The Eagles on the back
With The Eagles on the back
It’s my own fault 
I should’ve known
Life is rough

Met her in an elevator upstairs
She was working in a mall selling underwear
With a smile on her face
A crooked smile on her face
It’s my own fault
I wasn’t looking for love

If you see the devil walkin’ across from ya
In all my travels with Cynthia
In all my years I’ve never seen her 
In the light (dim the light)

She had a faded tattoo in the corner of her neck
Said love sucks and who’s next
With the glare in her eyes
A confused stare in her eyes
I wasn’t looking for love, love, love

If you see the devil walkin’ across from ya
In all my travels with Cynthia
In all my years I’ve never seen her 
In the light

If you see the devil walkin’ across from ya
In all my travels with Cynthia
In all my years I’ve never seen her 
In the light, never seen her in the light

If You See The Devil (I Met Her At The Mall)

A late night take on the great Elmore James classic. I always knew this from the Albert King version, but Elmore wrote it and besides being known as the King of the Slide Guitar, could sing better than most anyone. Probably have seen Albert King do this a half dozen times live and that memory will always be with me. It does not get much better than that. I wouldn't dare do my Albert King licks here. Great great respect to Albert King and to Elmore James of course.

The Sky Is Crying (Elmore James)

I recorded this one day. Another great song by The Cure.

Friday I'm In Love

Beer, Picks & Old Records
 a song by gary sunshine

I bought a new guitar
she bashed the side of my car
stole a dirty magazine 
got arrested in her dream ....
I gave her your old wedding ring
she stole the rest of everything
she left beer, picks & old records ....
I shoulda gone to college
made something better of myself
got a half old tattered wallet 
you gave me with a picture of myself
she left beer, picks & records
bills, pills & coffee cups 
i’ve taken down your photograph
holding tom petty’s autograph
there goes another fantasy
running in an empty dream .....
I shoulda gone to college
made something better of myself
got a half empty wallet 
you gave me with a picture of myself
she left beer, picks & old records
bills, pills & coffee cups

Beer, Picks & OId Records DEMO

The Sex Pistols & The Ramones  
A song by Gary Sunshine

New Album coming,  follow for info https://www.facebook.com/gsunshinemusic/

I was leaning by the window trying to get a glimpse of you
all I could see was that shiny new tattoo
it looked like it had some color in it
some things hard to read
she brushed right past me I could read God Save The Queen
said you love The Sex Pistols
and I love The Ramones
said you love The Sex Pistols
yeah well I love The Ramones

said baby baby baby come here
baby baby baby come here

I was from Detroit  you said  you were from East London
I'd never been there but I heard it was the one, dear
I gave you my phone number
you gave me a little peek
into what I wish I could have no words to speak
said you love The Sex Pistols
but I love The Ramones
said you love The Sex Pistols
but I love The Ramones

this could never work, this could work

I'll meet you down, the record store
we'll ask that guy over there he seems to know more
about all the things that matter most
like The Sex Pistols & The Ramones of course

Now we fell in love that day
near the record store
we had lots to talk about
music and more
now she just lost her cousin to a drug overdose
and I just had some things to figure out myself....a lot of things

I'll meet you down, the record store
we'll ask that guy over there he seems to know more
about music and life and things and shit
he handed us some records and said wait 'til you hear this

We got married in the summer
got along alright
she had twins and we were happy
and we began to fight
but love doesn't conquer all
love doesn't conquer all love doesn't conquer all
love doesn't conquer all love doesn't conquer all
love doesn't conquer all love doesn't conquer all

she loves The Sex Pistols
but I love The Ramones

I'll meet you down, the record store
we'll ask that guy over there he seems to know more
about music and life and this and that
how love conquers all

The Sex Pistols & The Ramones (A Love Story)

Got to see The Clash when they played "Broadway" in '81, 2 nights. If I remember correctly the Slits opened one night and Grandmaster Flash the other night. I saw them again one more time later in Florida. I have the greatest respect for the band but especially for Joe Strummer. The epitome of cool and substance and Rock n Roll. 

Bankrobber  (The Clash) by gary sunshine

New record out now! Here's a little sampling. 13 Songs about Losers & Lovers, Bars & Guitars, Crime & Troublemakers, Disappointment & Hope, Rock & Roll & America. Feel free to share, repost and say hello! go to https://garysunshinemusic.com

Beer, Picks & Old Records Sampler

HAPPY DAYS (ARE NEAR AGAIN)
a song by gary sunshine
you just dance & then lament, ah
one big pile of discontent, ah
happy days are here again
monday tuesday never ends, ah
kind of lost in a big old mess, ah
happy days are here again ……..

Happy Days (Are Near Again) - DEMO

Hurricane Blues (Someone Got Shot)

THE RAMONES ARE COMING (WHO'S GONNA COME SEE US?)
a song by gary sunshine

Well we're way outta tune and shit outta luck
and probably won't get paid
and the van is parked in a tow away zone
and the tattoos are starting to fade
7 more days 'til we get to play
it's a good bill but of course
The Ramones are playing across the street
who's gonna come see us?

etc....


The Ramones Are Coming (Who's Gonna Come See Us?)

HOLD MY HEART-YOU WORE A CHOCOLATE MINISKIRT (PT.1)
a song by gary sunshine

well half the moon was shining
and the other half was not
you sure look awfully pretty
on your Saturday walk

don't say I didn't ever warn ya
I would never ever haunt ya
I caught you with that broken umbrella
I saw the rain on the television 

you hold my heart, my heart 
in your arms
you hold my heart, my heart 
in your arms

so half the room was drunk
and the other half was not
I wrote you a love letter 
and I ripped it up tonight

don't say I didn't ever warn ya
I would never ever haunt ya
I caught you with that broken umbrella
I saw the rain on the television 

you hold my heart, my heart 
in your arms
you hold my heart, my heart 
in your arms

I dreamt that I was dreaming
all about the night with you
you wore a chocolate miniskirt
and I was dressed in blue

you said that you never warned me
I might just be just forgetting
you would never ever hurt me
you said you might always love me

you hold my heart, my heart 
in your arms
you hold my heart, my heart 
in your arms



Hold My Heart -You Wore A Chocolate Miniskirt (Pt.1)

I Was Gonna Start A Band With My Ex-Girlfriend

Ride Down To Nashville Tennessee

I Don't Like It (Any More Than You Do)

The Wonderful Disappointments

Former member of NYC’s own Circus of Power (Columbia Records, RCA Records..)I am both excited and anxious to get back out there to promote last year's record, “Beer, Picks & Old Records". Gritty sounds & colorful stories of America, equal parts Country, Punk, Blues & Pop.  13 tunes about losers, lovers, thrill seekers & troublemakers. Working on a new record for 2021; many of those songs are included here with new ones added weekly.

Along with my years with Circus of Power I was with NY Loose , The Silos and the punk/pop band Screaming Sneakers. Having  worked with such diverse artists as Guns N’ Roses, Gravity Kills and New Zealand’s Steph Casey, you might say dues have been paid and then some.

Nice review for the record...
https://veglam.com/2019/08/27/gary-sunshine-beer-picks-old-records/

I've completed collaborations with Pall Of A Past World "Winnebago", Shoemansky "Homesick", Bergman "Ian Brown" & "Stoned Butterfly", Steph Casey "My Lovely Letterbox" & "A Love To Stay In For", "The Sandman's Orchestra "To Haunt You", and Sink\Sink "Hardbitten".

I had a great time doing these and I look forward to exploring more opportunities to collaborate as time allows.  

Thanks for stopping by. Means a lot. I appreciate your comments a great deal.

Gary Sunshine

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks