Original song by Bill Liggett. Produced by Karl Cuttruff/ ruff cutt studio in new jersey. There are many versions of this . It was the opening song to many a late night bar gig. Cheers!

Well I saw that look I can read it like an open book
You think you’ve got my number, you better think it through some more 
At first glance it just might seem that I don’t understand. I’m here to say you couldn’t be more wrong. If you look at me you’ll surely see I’ve been in that very same boat 
And I’ve sailed that sea 

It takes two to tango you know that old cliche. You’ve got a bump on your head just like the one you gave away 
I said you better wake up tomorrow is in your hands, forgive and forget, the past is gone you gotta get back in that groove 

Well I ain’t here to make a name I’m just trying to do my part. Good fortune shines back on the pure of heart. Just do your thing unselfishly cause you’ve been in that very same boat..and you’ve sailed that sea.

SailedThatSea

This song is based loosely on a shopping trip with my wife and daughter. watching them look in the windows and being lured off to another dimension..   Lyrically mixed with other ideas about inner time travel...what does it all mean? Well.. in the words of an old songwriting friend , Tangmo, " Id like to teach a college course on the meaning of the lyrics to my songs ... but nobody would sign up "

Lyrics :
Standing up her body melting..she accidentally reached too far
Startled souls were by her passing…but comfort may be found, not owned
She met with William Shakespeare..out on holiday
She found her favorite character in his latest play

She wished so hard her head exploded..she smiles and snickers at the bits

A healing laugh of deep contentment..among the bits she found her wits

She found some old decisions.. and thoughts she used to think
of long forgotten recipes of healing bright blue drinks

Now she’s Senorita..dancing sexy spins so fast her skirts they fly
Flashing faces fading softly out of reach of lustful calls
She spins so high,,she's magic lightning in the sky
She was wishing she would never come down from this high

She landed right where she had started..a chic boutique in side the mall
She found the dresses she was wearing..yeilded plastic bought them all 
She chose the most peculiar, bright blue cocktail dress
Slipping in her senses reeled by its light caress 

Now she’s Senorita..dancing sexy spins so fast her skirts they fly
Flashing faces fading softly out of reach of lustful calls
She spins so tall.. she’s magic lightning at the mall
she was hoping she would never have to wake at all

Senorita Dancing

This song was written a while back... It was written under my pen name " Greenfleamusic " there is a video of a live demo.. here 

:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acsktosKyg8      

Along with a few other writing demos... some of which is ongoing so it is private for now... but theres a few you can watch...

Its another one of those songs I love to play just because it is a challenge for me with and the voicings and interaction with the vocals.

Lyrics :
sailing forward guided by a boundless line
tethered by a pair of loving unseen hands
A thousand obligations follow in your wake
as sleepless navigators follow you in kind

You may see a face in the morning light
that was breathing you softly
through your sleepless night
you may try to explain but you wont succeed
things are good.. things are fine
when your getting the love you need

and as your sails are filling in your waking dream
youre sailing on a sea of storming memories
the rise and swell of these events may show to you
your self indulgent journeys cluttered up the view

You may see a face in the morning light
that was breathing you softly
through your sleepless night
you’ll know right then that the day is right
things are good.. things are fine
when your getting the love you need

passing one another on the dreamless waves
perusing distant shores that they may never see
the wayward sailors nod and hurry on their way
just when the dawn appears to light the present day

They may see a face in the morning light
that was breathing them  softly
through their sleepless night
they’ll know right then that the day is right
things are good.. things are just fine
when they’re getting the love they need

Wayward Sailor

This is the original Demo of a song written about people very close to me. The recording is about 23 years old. I'm not interested in fixing mistakes on it..
Musically.. I really don't know where i'm going . I'm documenting songs in haste.. But I do know where i've been in a most profound sense.  I'm having a lot of trouble sitting down to play and record something new.. it's a very strange sort of block. There's not a shortage of ideas or material..

so here's this..warts and all..

Hot summer day driving to god knows where
northbound highway his mind blowing in the air
he's building his life again and he's left so many behind
and he's looking for someone of his own kind

two young children.. she's on her own
northbound highway broke down and all alone
they're building their lives again and they've left so many behind
and they're looking for someone of their own kind

Please forgive them they've lost their way 
and they're not of this earth and they're not of this day

but you the traffic is tight.. on the northbound highway
and there's no end in sight on the northbound highway

He needed someone.. she thought she wanted him
on the northbound highway the chance of success is slim
and they're building their lives again
and they've left so many behind
And they're looking for someone else and changing their mind

Please forgive them they've lost their way
and they're not of this earth and they're not of this day

Now there's a new child.. and they're going out of their head
still stuck on the northbound highway and they're hanging by a thread
and they're building their lives again
and they've left so many behind
life on the northbound highway can be so unkind

Please forgive them they've lost their way
and they're not of this earth and they're not of this day

and you know you can't travel light on the nothbound highway
and its always a fight .. on the northbound highway..



Lyrics

Northbound Highway ( Demo )

After listening to many of my new favosites here at soundcloud I decided to record a writing session.. which is basically , for me, taking a few of the new pieces im working on ( in the same key ) and playing them together as a medley while weaving them together and a little improv to stretch the existing boundaries and either combine them or keep them seperate. The tuning on this session is DADGAE... There is NO MELODY added to any of these.. its just the basic theme. I have been in discussion endlessly with other artists as to what constitutes an actual melody as opposed to riffing with some flourishes within the chord progression. To me... A GOOD melody is a MEMORABLE melody. Even accomplished pianists seem to get a bit lazy when it come to developing melody even though they have all the keys of the instrument at the ends of their fingers.Yeah.. I know .. shut up... fine LOL...
This was spur of the moment.. no warmup... so i'm not playing clean all the time..  Some musicians here post improv tracks and they are totally clean and precise.. I don't know if i'll ever achieve that...

But ... here it is... there's at least 4 different pieces being worked on here. Yes.. they wash together a bit.. But ultimately.. if I work hard enough the melody will create distinct differences between them. If... I work hard enough.

Writing Session 26 Dec. 2024

Since november I've been digging deep for anything I had recorded since I picked things up musically after a 22 year layoff..  I had some Idea of what I might find.. but there's way more than I thought. I recently discovered an old computer tucked away in my woodshop...  it is loaded with recordings.. it will yield some surprises.

Theres also a stack of cd's and DVDs of old shows that I have that people recorded and gave me a copy.. 

In keeping with my original intent of uploading as much of my song catalog as possible before moving on .. to other things.. Hers one more. This recording is probably about 23 years old.. It is co-written with an old internet songwriting friend named Tangmo. We each write a line of lyric to music I had.. we traded lyric lines.. although I never met him in person, I really looked up to him.. and still do. He may have other stuff posted here and there. Last I heard he was still living in Vietnam. He had a virtual band called " Far Fetched Tangmo Band " We co wrote a few songs as I recall... If I remember right..LOL
we were both members of a website called " Acidplanet "... way back when..
Lyrics:
Will I ever live up to expectations
do you think that's something I can do
With expectations changing all of the time
on the vine

Will I ever really know it if the truth comes
will I recognize before you do
It'd mean a bunch to know my mind's not out to lunch
its here with you

As I recall it just might be that I remember wrong
As I was sittin down the day I wrote this song
my mind is cloudy now could you help me to remember right
I can only hope   You’ll be glad you did

will I ever learn to keep my big mouth shut
do you think thats something I can do
All kinds of crazy stuff coming out of my heart 
not through my head

Will there ever be a point to what I’m sayin
will reason finally bubble up from scat
well as long as you’re listening ill keep babbling on
imagine that

As I recall it just might be that I remember wrong
as I was sitting down and you were helping me write this song
my mind is cloudy now can you help me to remember right
I can only hope.. you’ll be glad you did

You'll Be Glad You Did ( Archives )

New year. New deal... same BS every time. And the simple things get pushed further away.

Lyrics
Its a borrowed Life for the wife and the kids
its a 5 part special of life on the skids
its welfare on wall-street yes we know that its not smart
but theres no time to use good sense just open up your heart
We cant make it simple and real
we must not make it simple and real
because its the new deal

its buy the lie now and pay over time
low monthly payments affordable crime
its the latest new deal now theres no time to mess around
its pay it no mind cuz you’ll be 6 feet underground
lets not make it simple and real
no we must not make it simple and real
because its the new deal

its a weekend for two with all expenses paid
where nobody says no and everyone gets laid
its a big screen tv set
a brand new red corvette
its a cancer free cigarette oh you bet
taken it to the bank
use it to fill your tank

its a frenzied pace better roll with the hype
its a Christmas card with a magnetic stripe
its no Sunday dinner and baseball for free
and its no vodka and poker with aunt marie
we cant make it simple and real
no we must not make it simple and real
because its the new deal…

children of all ages its the new deal.
there's a sucker born everyday
I wanna be born again..

The New Deal

another from the archives..

lyrics:
I know you’d come help me
If I asked you to
But right now I can see 
that you’ve got other things to do
I can only hope that things will be alright for you
But why must it always be
left in the loving hands
Of just a few

You know the clouds will come 
and they will go
and as the strongest ones
turn away from their own you know
and they’ll come running
to make things good for you
but why must it always be
left in the loving hands
of just a few

now if you don’t point at me
I wont point at you
we all know theres so many things
still left to do
I think we got a chance right now 
to show what we can do
if things weren’t always
left in the loving hands
of just a few

Just A Few ( Archives )

Theres a story behind this one that I am hesitant to share.

But... I just want to continue with my project.... This is the title track of a CD project that never got properly released. It almost didn't happen...and I can hear it in my voice and playing...

Im on Guitar and vocals Carl Cutruff is all other instruments and backing vocals. 

Call me up in the morning
call me up in the middle of the day
if the chance ever comes along
call me up if you need a song.

Its always a good time
its always a good time
its always a good time honey and dont you know
you can call me up..and say hello

Call me up on a sunday
call me up if things don't go your way
call me up because someday
we may not be around

Its always a good time
its always a good time
its always a good time honey and dont you know
you can call me up..and say hello

Call me up if you need a friend
call me up if you need a kind word
call me if you want to share your wine 
im a thirsty son of a gun all the time..
Its always a good time
its always a good time
its always a good time honey and dont you know
you can call me up..and say hello

Always a Good Time

Always A Good Time

This is an old instrumental that I recorded this evening.  The music was written after a family trip to the west coast. Our mini van died on the way up and we ended up renting a conversion van which made the trip even better really.  and as we drove we listened to a book on tape of the life of Sitting Bull,... as we drove through South Dakota.. through Montana... we drove through the Black hills at night.. and into the Scab Lands of Washington state.... We hit montana during the day and we were all struck by its beauty. We thought we could be happy in Helena..  Montana is known as " The Big Sky State  " and it is not an exaggeration. We were thinking of relocating to Washington State.. but it never happened.  
 Almost everyone i've ever met has a song. 
But tonight... tonight im sitting down.. recording. Playing.. a thing I really haven't done in a year. Ive got to get back in practice because on the 14th i'm going into the studio to record... my worst fear is to have a bunch of ragged recording of my songs to leave behind.... 

So this one.. tonight Montana Skies.. The words were written but never sung. I was always against recording and releasing instrumentals as it seemed harder to copyright instrumentals.. So the melody is... well.. under developed.... and raw. But the moment is documented. if nothing else its recorded however crudely . I can always revisit it.
The lyrics were never written till many years after the song was finished. This is the first time I remember recording it
I've shopped this music to many lyricists... they either stole the music or could not come up with anything for it.. Ha Ha...

it is what it is...

Next on the docket... a song called " all you need " it is a song about my old Italian Landlord Lena Leonardi... I will be dedicating it to all my beautiful new sound cloud friends in Italy !!  You guys know who you are .

Lyrics:

i'll put up lyrics later...as I have more id like to do..

Montana Skies

Momma J is in no way shape or form about me and my wife Joyce. That said.. there was this lady... yes... there was this lady.. who lived on a front porch next door to a house we rented while working on an apartment complex paint job in the early 80s. " The Lady " would see us loading into the van to go to work and shout things like  " You goin fishin?!!  I hope you dont catch NOTHIN !! "  or.. " You wanna catch turtles?!  You go on down to the S#$T crick !!!"  or " Suck me sideways"" You all a sorrysight.. tie me to an anthill and smear my ears with jam!!!"

DEMO   Headphone required.. Mixed by a deaf old man with tired feet.. so you git what ya git.

Lyrics:
Circumstances dictate
and so does momma J
She’s got more sense than I do
thats why she call me all those names
like sorry schoolboy..always late
and you know I always hate to disappoint you
Breaking your heart in two

She gives me good direction
thats my momma J
she always knows the right way
but still I go astray
crooked walking two left feet
dead end street 
momma always tries her best for me
but she shows me no sympathy

Suck me sideways!!!
says momma J
I aint seen such a fool in all my days
you aint got the sense
the good lord gave a clam
wont you tie me to an anthill
and smear my ears with Jam

I try to be a good dog
for my momma J
I sit down in my corner
but I haven’t learned to stay
The minute that the cats away
aint no threat of pain
to keep me from my old ways again
all mommas work in vain


Suck me sideways!!!
says momma J
I aint seen such a fool in all my days
you aint got the sense
the good lord gave a clam
wont you tie me to an anthill
and smear my ears with Jam

I know I said my next song was going to be about my old Italian Landlord.. but I lied.

Momma J

This is one of the songs that was converted from its original version to fit into a set with a full band. ( Greenfleamusic ) The original version was and is a sweet and soothing folk song that I love to play when i'm by myself . I will be re-recording it tomorrows how I like it. I think ive got an idea wht im going to record first off. No.. I have not practiced barely at all.. but im not worried...

When I have the new recording I will tell you why it was written... lets just say that its after a night that didnt go well opening for a nationally touring / up and coming headliner..

lyrics

There's a fire under the kettle
thats brewing tomorrows confrontation
about the impossibility of consolation
but in the morning
ten mile wide
your face is stretched into a smile that's ten miles wide

There's a slight misunderstanding
and a mystery depending on who you are
about the cause of the excessive wear on the tires of your car
but in the morning.. ten miles wide
there's a brand new blacktop superhighway
ten miles wide

now there's odd noises in the house
and there's dim lights glowing all night long
there's a grasp you've made at some illusive song
but in the morning
ten miles wide
there's an empty canvas stretched across your mind
that's ten miles wide

now there's a bit of a situation
there's a child arriving without an invitation
but in the morning
ten miles wide
there's a solution in the form of a blazing sunrise
ten miles wide

Ten Miles Wide

I was talking to Vinny Vaccarro today.. Apparently his boys are really into guitar now. They like to do riffs.. He says they dont much care about playing the whole song... just learning the riffs.. like the opening to Zepplin Black Dog and stuff like that..  I told him ... " you know, you can build a whole song around one really good riff.. or one spooky chord.. or one brilliant mistake ".

Thats how this song was born.. the opening chord is this funky twisted dissonant tripe chord with some spastic finger picking... it was as if I wasof I just discovered .. yeah..  And within this song lies the name of one of the bands I formed. " Ruddy Nickel ".. But the theme is a recurring one.. broke and pitiful.

And last but not least.. the title was spelled correctly ... BY ME.. for the first time ever.. that's because the recording engineer was a med student and had any number of $9 college words stashed in his formidable cranium. He used to really like my songs.. and then one day he said  " You know.. I figured out what it is you do "..  I only wish he would have let me in on it..

Lyrics: down there...

Down to my last Ruddy Nickel
Glad I don't smoke cigarettes
This mind could do with an empty space or two
this heavy head is throwing out my back

If times are hard
you better put that sign out in the yard
go all in with your poker grin 
and try again tomorrow
tides got to turn.. and good luck will shine on you

Those goodyear tires weren't the cheap ones
but they wont go a hundred grand
you cant just do, a Fred Astaire soft shoe
and move that line back in the sand

If times are hard
you better put that sign out in the yard
sell the shack and don’t look back 
try again tomorrow
tides got to turn.. and good luck will shine on you

congratulation and happy birthday
muzzle tuff and all of that good stuff
you know its always cause for celebration
when everyday your graduation

so get some sleep if you can manage
and dream about that moonlit bay
endless Hors D’oeuvres and drinks to calm your nerves
Sunday morning cocktails on the beach

If times are hard
you better put that sign out in the yard
dont be sad for what you had
try again tomorrow
tides got to turn.. and good luck will shine on you

Endless Hors D'oeuvres (Take 4)

This song was written in the wee hours of the morning,after a showcase performance for Chicago Acoustic Underground. The music scene can be very contentious. It can get very cliquish and even exclusive to certain political ideologies. leading up to this gig I had really only been a songwriter and was very green as far as a performer. There have been three times in my life where I opened for a performer who was either " somebody " or " up and coming " artists trying to be somebody. In all three cases my show was stifled by interruptions caused by the headliner... be it sound... audience disturbance and in one case the headliner who was " somebody " was back in the green room listening.. didn't like what he heard and actually pulled the fire alarm !!!   LOL...  in all three cases, instead of comradery and mutual respect I got the cold shoulder... completely ignored after the show to the point of just physically turning their back and not making eye contact.. The show in question it was soundboard sabotage.. The most horrendous feedback I have evr experienced sound was squealing so loud I thought my head was going to burst.  But I played through it.

So my advice would be this: If you are an opener for someone who is either " somebody " or somene on tour as an " up and coming artist " . when doing your sound check.. " PLAY LIKE YOU REALLY SUCK " dont lead on that you have any skill whatsoever..  LOL

Strange thing is.. I never.. and still do not " Have aspirations of making it " in the music business. I just mostly enjoy the songwriting process. 

Small consolation that night was that, at the end of the night.. about 2:30 am.. ( the wife and I stayed to respectfully hear the headliner )  we went out to the parking lot to discover that our car had been boxed in.. the owner of the car was nowhere to be found. Luckily... the Headliner and " His entourage " was still out in the lot partying..  Joyce and I recruited them to all get a hold of the car and " PICK IT UP AND MOVE IT.. LOL.. which consisted of rocking it back and forth and skidding the tires and shoving it in one direction leaving enough room to let us squeeze out and go home.. LOL  

anyhow.. This is the original folk version of ten miles wide.. recently recorded at a local studio. It is live.. first take. I am in no way happy with it.. but it was my first visit " meet and greet " and make a plan.. get comfortable with the place. I was sick.. although I did not know it at the time..  but I could not get a breath,,and I was struggling to keep the fancy vocal mic where it could work while doing all the fretwork this song requires.
Im feeling these days like I really cant get a foothold.. I jst want to write songs.. record them for posterity and move on to the next one with whatever time I have left. LOL

The photo is a picture of me and " Cha Cha "... an up and coming artist and daughter of a close friend of the family. I did not get snubbed by her.. She is a bright and darling child !!

Lyrics are posted in the other demo here of the same title....

Thanks for listening..  

Bill

10 Miles Wide ( original version)

tuning EADGAE

This song was co-written with my better half, Joyce. She crafted the poem for a friend of ours. I set it to music. There is a live performance video of it on my greenfleamusic youtube / demo page. Apparently someone did a couple videos of my performance that day.. it is on my " favorites...  I don't know who uploaded it.. but I do remember that day very well.. 

I recently found a profile for Alex Stangl , whom the poem was for,on soundcloud.. I tried to make a playlist of his songs but apparently his settings would not allow it. we have not heard from him for years..

This track reminds me of the connections we make in the course of sharing our music online with each other.. and the effect it has on our live forn real.. we really ndon get to know and care about each other. 

I play for you... you play for me..

Lyrics

The morning light.. In awake
steam arising from my cup
looking for that ray
brilliant cut across.. brighten my new day

Cafe afternoon.. lunch is served
clinking dishes ...room full of words
look out to the street..where are you?

All I need.. is proof of life
just an ounce.. proof of life

the last rays of the sun are falling
night comes calling.. shadows move across the room
im calling out.. calling out to you

Proof Of Life

This is a song that got written.
Listening to my vocals.. seems like a have always had some slight snags in breathing technique. Any ideas of where to get some vocal coaching would be welcome.

This song could really use some bass and lead..

Well i'm staring through a hole of a broken soul
trying to get a sense of what the future hold
am I looking for a world that could never be
while the vision I hold floats away from me

will I be standing in the warming light of your love
will I be standing at the edge of my life waiting for a shove
time may change the way we feel
but honey won't you help me heal 
this broken soul..

Now im lying on the floor looking back in time
living back in the day became a habit of mine
looking at the way things might have been
it might be time instead to find a place to begin

I remember the very first time we made love
I had barely a whisker and you were such a lovely dove
honey some things never change
but it might be time to re-arrange
this broken soul

I won't ever be the one
to say it can't be done
but i'm looking at the way things are today
and the trying times have just begun

Now i'm standing at the fork of an open road
and i'm heading up a hill with a heavy load
while the gage is running low I better take it slow
I might just miss the sign and i'll never know

and there ain't no one around to blame but myself
while im looking through the dusty pages taken from a shelf
although my fate is not yet sealed
im looking for some help to heal
this broken soul

I won't ever be the one
to say it can't be done
but i'm looking at the way things are today
and the trying times have just begun

Broken Soul (Demo / Archives )

Here is a more recent song.. written within the last year. This is what I sound like now.. LOL..  Im really working now to find my new vocal range folks... it ain't easy.. I basically took a year off playing and singing.

Lyrics :

Its a sure sign alright
its time to turn around and see
When Im waking from a crazy dream
To Hear your voice inside 

Then the chains of obligation that I’ve taken on
cant keep their grip on me
reaching out to my only one 
and I remember.. what I need to do

Now I thought I had a better way
I wanted more for you
But mores not always better
Than the simple quiet times 

As I ground myself in truth once again 
And I remember
the truth that as long as we’re together
its alright…

So I’m coming home to you
Im coming home
Yes I’m coming home
Im coming home to you

Now nothings really changed
They only seemed to be
And the light of understanding
Shines so graciously

As I ground myself in truth once again
And I remember
the truth that as long as were together
it’s alright…

So I’m coming home to you…

Coming Home To You

Standard tuning.. 3/4 time
This is another love song written for you know who..

It is one of the RARE songs that I wrote " Lyrics first ".. I was sitting and thinking of what my wife was like when she was a toddler.. she thinks these lyrics are " perfect " LOL

When she is mad at me.. I sometimes sit and play this music on my guitar.. sometimes it works.. but mostly she just looks at me and shakes her head and walks away.. :{)

Lyrics
Shes my Joycie and she lives by the sea
I love her and I know she loves me
she lives down by the water
she was happy then

see her look in the water
dancing diving , loving the day
shes playing and shes swimming around
Joycie down by the sea
She remembers when
she was home again
she lived down by the water
she was happy then

Joycie down by the sea
everybody loves you especially me
if you go down by the water
youll find joycie and youll fine me

because she remembers when
she was home again
she wished the day would never end
she was happy then

Joycie By The Sea

Here's another song built around the opening riff.

there is a video demo of it on my greenfleamusic demo channel
here      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3DlAXvUOsQ

I have scars all over my body.. and in places that you can't see with the naked eye. But I am still strong...although I may be becoming fragile like a singing wine glass.

It can't really always be said that I am a nice guy... but if i'm your friend.. I will be the one standing there when it's no longer convenient for anyone else to be lending you a hand.

lyrics

you licked to the hard candy middle
and the sweetness was just a memory
the sour you tasted was all the time you wasted 
it was only a matter of time

hit the road and keep on walking
aint no time left for talking
hit the road and don’t look back 
theres no time left for you
no time left for you

too late for haircut and shave
the old hat will just have to do
yesterdays news wont fill the holes in your shoes
it was only a matter of time


hit the road and keep on walking
aint no time left for talking
hit the road and don’t look back 
theres no time left for you
no time left for you

Hard Candy Middle (demo)

Here is another song that was never released. Recently recorded. There are a couple versions of it.. I attempted " lead guitar " .. LOL  on it. The original version is extremely " Liggaty " with all the finger picking. But there was a lead guitar track on it that was.. pretty good. Id never be able to duplicate it today.. I would have uploaded it but the recording was NASTY.. just totally unlistenable.. LOL


I hate leaning on people to help me.. I know everyone has their own work to do. I tried to upload this last night but SC would not accept the file.. but it seems ok now.

Here I am hard at work to gather my back catalog.. upload it all in one place.  Its a mess... scattered everywhere... So many of you are so skilled in the studio with sound capture and manipulation. I spent almost 30 years writing.. learning guitar and singing. Then learning how to perform it for people. I could sit in a chair at a gig and keep people in their seats for hours at a time drinking the place dry..but I have the darndest time sitting down to try to get a decent sound recording. Woe is me..


When I began this uploading last november, I hadn't anticipated there would be anyone listening. It sure is good to not be alone doing my music.. its cool to be side by side with great people who also love to try to make beautiful sounds by moving the air around us with breath and motion and electric devices.

The lyrics are what they are :


Paint me on… color me in 
Color me in happy… smile for the season
You should have told me in april .. you should have told me in spring
tell me all your summer lies.. Find me a reason.. to smile for the season
Write me off… shut me out 
As I approach another bitter sunset.. … give me a reason..to smile for the season
You should have told me in april .. you should have told me in spring
Screaming in the moonlight … look for a reason… to smile for the season
Paint shorter conversations… color washed metaphors
As we shut our windows and close our doors… we smile for the season
It was a glorious april .. it was a beautiful spring
Memories in the autumn breeze .. show us a reason.. to smile for the season



smile for the season

Recorded today.. old song. I was having a discussion with some new friends, Beating Edge. about the state of affairs on SC..  What were were working on.. I told them I better get busy recording. Tired or not.. here it is..

Any advice on recording quality will be appreciated. Panning.. mixing.. clipping.. burning ,, itching.. levels.. effects. etc.

Im alone today so I could sing as loud as I want without disturbing anyone.. Im recording vocals on my old stage mic. Shure SM 58

Lyrics: Not sure what brought this song about but I know the music is part of a project called " Heartbeat " compositions in 3/4 and 6/8..  (the rhythm of the beating heart at rest and elevated..)

Flaws and mistakes
confrontations and trivial wake
waving of hands
pointing fingers and kicking up sand
stopping to see
what will they call me when tensions have eased
Im waiting to hear
hit the next volley and wipe the next tear
but ill take time out.. to wake up and shout
my apologies dear

Shame and regret
I wonder just how much worse it can get
dismal and drab.. time for someone to pick up the tab
turn back the clock.. read every line 
re-run the film and lift every rock
look for the reasons but prepare for the shock
ill take time out..
to whisper about
my apologies dear

fighting and hatred are so absurd
can you hear the echo of my last work
its time for someone and why not me 
to say from my heart
as its falling apart
my apologies dear..


My Apologies

Dedicated to my  Friend Carl of The Beautiful Dark here on soundcloud. We were discussing old tracks and he said he has a man drawer full of old demos. I found this one the other day..   I did manage to tweak it in garageband.

 life is good

Lyrics
copyright Bill Liggett 19..long time ago.. back when I was in a good mood..

come monday morning I’m on vacation
and if I don’t return your call
I left my phone in the kitchen
leave a message with you bitchin and complain
all day long

but rest assured now.. I’m feeling guilty
and it is with a heavy heart
that I recline with my ray bans
freeing up my hands to raise my glass
heres to you

I know the rent is due on tuesday
I can hear the landlord sayin
Where is that rat
she’ll have to wait and hold her horses
cause Im on vacation
on vacation..thats where I’m at

I must remember to send a postcard
oh how I wish that you were here
but now its time for my nap
and I forgot to give a crap about obligations
and pressing affairs

I know the rent is due on tuesday
I can hear the landlord sayin
Where is that rat
she’ll have to wait and hold her horses
cause Im on vacation
on vacation..thats where I’m at

On Vacation

This is a track written after a planned writing trip to the north woods of Wisconsin. I was hoping for solitude and space to finish / start new material. It was a solo trip. I was surprised by the fact that once I arrived there I was distracted by the natural beauty all around me and was unable to focus on music. plus.. I got lonely pretty quick for my family.

There is a video done by an artist who goes by the name of " Continued Existence " we did a few videos together.. The whole thing is pretty Artsy.  link 
              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CUDEQrjiEY

And yes... its pretty old.. at least 25 years old..

Lyrics Later... heading to work.

Alone

Heres one I just re-recorded tonight. But it is in line in moving forward with my back catalog....which is going to take some time 😔. It is relevant to the current social dilemma of fighting and division.

Lyrics :

Show me proof of the big bang
shed some light on the missing link
reveal the secrets of the rock upon the hill
and the monster in the lake you say he’s living there still

ill marvel at your stories
and you can snicker sideways at mine
i'll try to get a word in edgewise
if you’d only give me the time

Show me the meaning of the reason
tell me the truth about the lies
open my eyes up to the impending doom
and brush off the tablets resting in the tomb

ill marvel at your stories
and you can snicker sideways at mine
ill try to get a word in edgewise
if you’d only give me the time

Now it all boils down
and it rises to the top
its a never ending song
if everybodys right
then everybody's wrong

Find the pope in the pizza
show me Einstein in the loony bin
say theres no good or evil
then turn around and tell me survival is a sin

ill marvel at your stories
and you can snicker sideways at mine
ill try to get a word in edgewise
if you’d only give me the time

Now it all boils down
and it rises to the top
its a never ending song
if everybodys right
then everybody's wrong

Everybodys Wrong

Another from the back catalog.. recently re-recorded. Around the time this was written I had just resumed playing and writing after a 22 year layoff. It was at the tail end of a whole lot of ugly and nasty moments ... but the dust was finally settling and I needed time to collect my thoughts and heal a bit.  Mid-Life thing..? Yeah...
I remember distinctly writing this in the basement..  Early on I didn't have very good guitar skills ( At least I don't think so.. )  and this song was particularly hard for me to play and sing at the same time. I spent a long time writing it.. maybe a few months. I would sit and drink Dry Red and write songs.. I recall working on this with my song writing companion " Little Penguin ".😆  ( Cheap Australian Dry Red... )...  So that didn't help matters.
I have since, played this live thousands of times and can play it with or without dry red and eyes closed..

Lyrics

Don't you know that I get
Plenty of rest
because you know I know what's best
for these old bones
and don't you know that I drink
A little too much wine
You know i've got plenty of time on my hands
I need someone who understands
I've got to get my rest
so I can look my best
for when Big things start coming my way

Don't you know that I sleep till 10:15
with a couple of snacks and a couple of naps
in between
and don't you know that I sit
and read plenty of books
I might just mosey down into the kitchen and cook
I realize how this must look
but i've got to get my rest so I can look my best
for when big things start coming my way

I am a man.. of limited means
all the fancy things in this world
they don't add up to a hill of beans
I've got to save my strength
you know i've got to lay low
I've got to get my rest so I can look my best
for when big things start coming my way
oh yeah big things..are coming.. my way.

Big Things ( with Merlot )

Re recording of an old song. Solo Guitar and vocals with a little something here and there. Recorded this evening. 

Get up early and start your day
give some time back to yourself today
find the good times all around you
Bring the fun back in your life
leave those old work shoes by the door
you made your share of sacrifice
listen friend take my advice

The time for messing around is in the past
the days are moving by so very very fast
it's time for you to have your say
don't you letting things get in your way
forget about what other people do
and don't you worry about waht they say
cause they don't know you anyway

Save me.. save me.. save me
oh won't you please
won't you save me.. from another day
of doing things in the same old way

So settle up those old affairs
all they're going to get you 
is a head full of grey hairs
you know the folks around
they still love you so
they're gonna smile and wave as they watch you go
so won't you wave goodbye to yesterday
before you get too old and slow
it's time to shine and let it go

Save me.. save me.. save me
yes and carry me along with you
on this beautiful day




Save Me

Music was written long long ago. As it sometimes happens I draw a blank lyrically. At the time In was a member of a website called acidplanet. there were many fine artists, one of which was Panu Moon,  link     https://www.reverbnation.com/panumoon/songs     a very fine songwriter. I discovered that his lyrics fit music I had.. and so I recorded it. He approved saying " That's a good cover " ... so thats how im treating it, as a cover of his song of the same title only with my music AND... my first official collaboration on Soundcloud with the very talented " Single use and recycled "
here is his link   https://soundcloud.com/user-995867230    I have been a follower of his for quite some time and found him to be not only talented, but a classic " Press record and play " artist..  Totally my kind of thing.. Im very grateful he accepted my offer to play on this very fun song and am looking forward to more songs in the future if the stars align.

I hope you can enjoy !!

lyrics
Bubba smith's got a brand new car
brand new house and home
hes got a 7 day job pot belly
and a Smirnoff jones

Hes forgotton about the wife and the kids
and all that living one step up from then skids
thats the way its gonna be I guess
well have to settle for less

Now he’s good for 80 bucks a week
drives a twenty year old car
he cares about a lot of things 
but you cant change the way things are

just give me an old brown chair in the living room
im gonna do my bit for the baby boom
thats the way its gonna be I guess 
well have to settle for less

gonna settle for less
maybe it’ll take a little longer
but in the long run ill be stronger
thats the way its gonna be I guess
well have to settle for less

Now i aint got time for chasing someone else dream
all that glitters aint gold man 
and when you get there it aint what it seems

and it aint no easier to find true love
or keep it either when the push comes to the shove
thats the way its gonna be I guess
well have to settle for less

Settle for Less ( Featuring Single use and recycling )

This is a very old song written when I first picked up my music after a long layoff. It is written about Lena Leonardi, our landlady ( Landlord fit the song better  ) back in 1980. We moved into our new apartment when my joyce was pregnant with our first child. Lena was a sort of Philosopher.. Very hard working and always there to offer advice on whatever. She was very kind to us but she was also tough. I recall times when she would come to the back door when we were late on the rent and pound on the glass , and in her endearing Italian accent she would yell " Liggett!!!  I know you're in there !! PLEASE Liggett! PLease pay the rent !! ".. One time I came to the door and had to explain that we just didn't have the money right at the moment...she took me over to her apartment and sat me down while she prepared a couple of jars of Minestrone soup.. homemade and delicious. She said " Liggett, all you need is a little bread, a little bit of soup and a little bit of wine... that's all you need Liggett "  I never forgot her..Joyce and I talk about her once in a while and quote things she told us.. To this day she is in our hearts and minds.. almost like family. And thats how most of the Italians were to me growing up.. treated me well and looked out for me as I lived in a town called Elmwood Park known as little Italy..  Now, back in november of last year when I made the decision to start uploading all of my songs.. who is there b, among many others of course, but two who have given me the most support and good advice along with wonderful and inspiring music and words? But Michael Ansani and the beautiful folks at The Beating Edge.. From Italy...of course. Oh... and Len Benatti  .. you from Italy too?😊So.. I dedicate this song to them and wish them good fortune and calm seas ahead ! Salute!

Lyrics:

Long ago when I was 21 and I was just out on my own
a pretty new bride and a brand new son
trying hard to make a home
I wasn't ready to settle down and I needed some advice
My old Italian Landlord, she always treated me nice

A simple life and a happy home 
and everything will be just fine
But things don't always go that way 
and you can get a little bit behind
well if you lose direction and you're looking for a clue
my old Italian landlord she always knew what to do

She said:  A little bread and a little soup and a little bit of wine
that's all you need , that's all you need
a little luck and a little love and a little bit of time
that's all you need, that's all you need

I met that old lady, all those years ago
she led a very simple life and she always told you so
she was there when we were hungry 
she was there when we were broke
and even after all these years 
i remember the words she spoke

Now and then I think of her she holds a place in my mind
not too many like her so humble and so kind
I hope there's just a few spread around here and there
looking out for guys like me who need someone to care

She said:  A little bread and a little soup and a little bit of wine
that's all you need , that's all you need
a little luck and a little love and a little bit of time
that's all you need, that's all you need


All you need

Original demo. No mixing.. no doctoring. Probly 25 years ago..,my voice is really high.. the chorus is dumb… I sounded happy and awake. Rare moment…

Lyrics: blah blah Babbity blah.. yeah yeah same old shit different day.. same old van rusting away

Yay!!

same old place

I recorded this at about 4 AM chicago time.  Its spring ahead daylight savings time. We lose an hour and hopefully gain some sun. 
I really have a very small catalog of cover songs I know. This one I used to play live at every show.



Summertime  ( Gershwin )

New Song. Recorded just now.  I’m still working out the lyrics… eventually re-record/ remix

Shine ( one take demo )

New song recorded tonight. Things are what they are.. on the melancholy side.... which i'm prone to wallow in from time to time.

It has come to my attention that I haven't put my pen to paper for a while
I've been burning scented candles that suggested fields of roses for so long
and I've lately come to realize the simple reason for my lack of candor
and the soil of sordid life reveals the blameless grief left floating in the breeze
I opted out of bowing low for fear that I might make a wrenching scene

show me how I have fallen short read to me the judgement of the court
but be careful as you're coming down you're falling from the same high ground
it all comes back around

I thank god sometimes for time alone with cheap guitars and cheaper brands of wine
I avoid my past discrepancies and present time inequities like plague
and it for these very reasons that I held my tongue and stared into the sky
and stole time alone in selfishness for fear without that I might lose my mind
has my silence said enough for you today
you might think you've had it rough sometimes and want to say

show me how I have fallen short read to me the judgement of the court
but be careful as you're coming down you're falling from the same high ground
it all comes back around

Im well aware of failure as Im constantly reminded of it in the mail
and the boat that we were sailing is the one in need of bailing suddenly
have I suddenly become some different soul
and did you become the innocent that fell into the resulting hole
is it such a shocking revelation after all
made to get up off our feet before we lean to crawl

show me how I have fallen short read to me the judgement of the court
but be careful as you're coming down you're falling from the same high ground
it all comes back around


It all comes back around

Songwriter. 

I did a lot of public performance with various talented artists. Im now returning to writing and recording.  UPDATE:  Ive found so many great artists to follow but im afraid I cant keep up. Theres always someone new to hear and I dont think I can keep up with the listening and returning support without some delay...

I really did not expect this much support.. I had no idea about the generosity and warm welcome from this community. I will do my best  🙏🏼

Thanks for listening and providing inspiration via your own beautiful art.

email :   liggettservices@gmail.com

Side Note :  My goal here is to upload my catalog to date... thats something I really want to do before this life is over.. ( Im feeling fine today ). Theres so many people out there like me.. who may not ever get the chance to share the creative spark within themselves ... the small ( or large ) contribution to the culture of humanity . This platform.. as others currently and in the past, brings the entire world together in one harmonious creative voice. And if nothing else, shows us that we can really all get along just fine with each other if left to our individual creative desire to do so..

I am humbled by your kind and generous spirit and your willingness to share it.

Bill Liggett

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks