Written by Terry Reeves
Terry Reeves: Vocals
Hans Albers:  All instruments, Arrangement & Production

SC Version Video: https://youtu.be/uHu4SAWhysc  
Dark Version Video: https://youtu.be/AZQoKfJCTYA 

You may be wondering how this song acquired the title it did.  These very words were actually said to me by one of my wife Jo's three long-standing and very close friends.  Over the years, they had all entered into long-term partnerships which, for differing reasons, ended very sadly, resulting in them being left on their own.  So I was, in a manner of speaking, last man standing.

When they needed a male presence, I was volunteered to help in a variety of ways, e.g. being a pretend boyfriend when one of them was being pestered by someone in whom they were not interested.  There are many more instances I could recount, some of which were definitely in the ‘very unusual’ category but I was always happy to be of help if I possibly could.  Besides which, they often turned out to be exceedingly amusing.

Fast forward a few years to when I was diagnosed with MS, which brought about a condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia, causing pain the like of which I’d not known before.  After a spell taking hefty painkilling drugs that basically turned me into a kind of zombie, my MS specialist suggested ‘Gamma Knife Procedure’.  

This involves (and I kid you not) a metal helmet being screwed directly into your skull at four strategic points, rendering your head totally immobile so that radioactive rays can, with pinpoint accuracy, be fired at your Trigeminal Nerve.  It is indeed a singular sensation to feel blood trickling down your face as said helmet is fixed into place but the benefits that ensued were more than worth the temporary inconvenience.  I was pretty much pain-free for the next two years, after which it did return but all things considered, was extremely pleased with the result.

To celebrate, a dinner party was thrown in my honour, a splendid time guaranteed for all.  It was here that Jo’s friend, whose husband had sadly died, uttered the immortal phrase.  It caused much laughter, as it rightly should have.  I wasn’t in the least offended and, anyway, my very first thought was “What a great title for a song”.

Once again, deep thanks are due to Hans for not only producing two brilliant versions of this song but videos to go with each (links above).  The man has a depth of talent of which others can only dream, myself included.  Thanks so much for listening.  (Terry Reeves)

I was invited to a party
I tingled with the chance
To talk about the future
Step in and out of the past
Who’s that man in the corner?
Wearing a helmet on his head?
This is just my day wear
The gamma ray gun Doctor said
(I heard someone say)

Why ain't you not dead yet?
Why are you still here?
Why are you the only man?
Who smiles and has no fear?

We talked about the weather
And laughed about the grass
The world is tasting plastic
And it doesn't seem to last
Who's that man in the corner? 
With the radiation smile
The glow won't last for ever
Why not enjoy it for a while?
(I heard someone say)

Why ain't you not dead yet?
Why are you still here?
Why are you the only man?
Who has ten layers of veneer? 

We shared some special moments
And showed the battle scars
A pigment of growing older
Figments hidden in a jar
Who's that man in the corner? 
Four holes drilled into his head
Tried to screw me to the wall
Keep me standing and out of bed
(I heard someone say)

Why ain't you not dead yet?
Why are you still here?
Why are you the only man?
Who we seem to volunteer?

Why ain't you not dead yet?
Why are you still here?
Why are you the only man?
Who floats in this atmosphere?

Why ain’t you not dead yet?
I may not be really here
If my name gets mentioned 
I want a smile and not a tear

Keep smiling, I want to smile
Keep smiling, Give me a smile
I want to smile, I want to smile
Yeah, smile...

WHY AIN'T YOU NOT DEAD YET? - Cripple Club & Hans Albers (Video links with description)

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The Letter -The Box Tops "Acoustic Version" By Soli Ko

Mythic Paploviante 2022 / Open Collaboration
Music and Mix Paploviante
Logic Pro X
BPM 95
Free Download
The track is downloadable as a mp3 file!
You can complete what you want!
If you publish it, you have to mention me in the description and title!

MYTHIC - Paploviante-Open Collaboration

Mexico is considered the most dangerous country for reporters outside a war zone. 14 journalists killed this year, and counting!

Dedicado a esos periodistas de México, y de muchos otros países, que han sido asesinados haciendo su trabajo, ya los que continúan a pesar de las amenazas de violencia!
Dedicated to those journalists from Mexico, and from many other countries, who have died violently doing their job, and to those who continue despite the threats of violence!

A special thanks to Ale Destiny, whose vocals added so much to this song. Listen to her latest song "Vincent" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfa7jjZoK0U&list=OLAK5uy_kwTdpzKWQbJ5Xm05Ok3ulGPmfAm_xv7s8

"La violencia contra la prensa en México no da tregua y en solo seis meses, lo que va de 2022, 12 periodistas han sido asesinados en el país, según el recuento de organizaciones como Artículo 19, Reporteros sin Fronteras (RSF), el Comité para la Protección de los Periodistas (CPJ, por sus siglas en inglés) y el que registra CNN."
(The violence against the press in Mexico does not let up and in just six months, so far in 2022, 12 journalists have been murdered in the country, according to the count of organizations such as Article 19, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) and the one recorded by CNN.)
― Rocío Muñoz-Ledo: 4 Julio, 2022, CNN Español

“No society can be free and fair without journalists who are able to investigate wrongdoing, bring information to citizens, hold leaders accountable and speak truth to power.”
― UN Secretary-General António Guterres

Journalists ... have been killed ... in a lot of places where hard rain falls. As readers or journalists, we honor them when we remember that their dying was not part of a plan to make the world cheaper, baser, or dumber. They died to bring us the truth.”
― Pete Hamill (journalist, novelist, essayist and editor)

Lyrics
Aunque sea esto lo último que escriba…. ¡No voy a rendirme!
(Even if this is the last thing I write... I'm not going to give up!)

In the freezer of my fridge
Waits an impression of my teeth
To identify my mutilated remains
If they hear you’re asking questions
See their names in big bold captions
There’s a deadly bullet waiting with your name …….. your name

Caught in the crosshairs of a nation at war
Trying to tell a story with one eye on the door
If they don’t like what you’re saying
You’d better get to praying
Cos only God could be your savior … now
Caught in the crosshairs of a nation at war

I’m married to death,
Hand in hand we stalk the streets
The camera clicks to capture the grisly trail
I try to find humanity
In this crazy, cruel insanity
I can’t tell if I succeed or if I fail …….. if I fail

Caught in the crosshairs of a nation at war
Trying to tell a story with one eye on the door
If they don’t like what you’re saying
You’d better get to praying
Cos only God could be your savior … now
Caught in the crosshairs of a nation at war

I’ve lost so many friends and colleagues
Shot or stabbed or hacked to pieces
By cops or gunmen from the narco
Leaving stains like scarlet day-glo
Craven silence in high places
Bought by money with no traces
No justice for those brave cold corpses
Lost in hard rain down in Juárez
Lost in hard rain down in Juárez
Lost in hard rain down in Juárez

Caught in the crosshairs of a nation at war
Trying to tell a story with one eye on the door
If they don’t like what you’re saying
You’d better get to praying
Cos only God could be your savior … now
Caught in the crosshairs of a nation at war

credits
from the album Urban Tales, released February 28, 2022
Track released July 16, 2022
Music and lyrics: Michael Sellers
Vocals: Michael Sellers; Ale Destiny
Guitars, keyboard, musical arrangement, & production: Sergio Aguilar
Drums: Rodrigo Uribe
Album Cover photo: Image by Mizter_X94 from Pixabay
Cover design: Loretta Sellers Fortuny

Urban Tales

Lost in hard rain down in Juarez

Buy now at Bandcamp

Lost In Hard Rain Down In Juarez (ft. Ale Destiny) 5 Stars/Highly commended rating in the UKSC, 2022

First song written produced and recorded by Jeffrey Lasky in Twenty years.  Jeffrey Lasky all guitars.  Cover art and concept by Joshua Lasky

September Twenty-Fifth

Finally working the Volca Drum back into the mix after not having used it for a little while. I like the lofi effect it gives the drum beat. With this track I leaned a little heavier into the Vital VST I've been experimenting with, also used the old minilogue and microfreak. Thanks for listening!

Homeostatic Imbalance

Cold Combo--hot is lava cold as ice

You can’t go wrong if you leveled up double down 
if you leveled up double down—-and keep it going just for fun
You can’t go wrong if you leveled up double down 
if you leveled up double down—-and keep it going just for fun(X2)

Years gone by still doing  me naturally 
in this maze of confusion ——can’t follow blindly 
somewhere deep inside I find my reality 
still a dream ain’t nothing —-but a fantasy
but believe me I’m the master of my own destiny
breaking the mold is like hitting the state lottery 
A visionary in plain sight for all to see 
Screw the copycats —-mimics—- and wannabes

Next level feed the hype let it sink in 
and I bet you connect with what I’m thinking 
I ain't crazy I ain’t high and I ain’t drinking 
bitch I’m fresh and on the grind like I’ve been Pimping 

next level hype this as I sink into this mix 
hits several don’t miss like a guided rocket ship
flexing finesse coming through legit
And I ain’t satisfied till the track is lit

Throw a flag on the play—— it’s out of bounds 
yeah —I feel your concern cause —-I’m world renowned 
morning —day —noon— and night —I’ve been getting down 
with the levels I’ve display—-for oh so long 
hot is lava cold as ice —-and it’s all said and done—with precision on the mic
check to turn around 
tear the roof down pump it up ——sound on sound 
still repping to this day ——-the deep underground

un—-con—ditional —-always———— original———————-
turn up the volume——-crank it up —and—-listen y’all
———and if you’re feeling the groove let’s——get physical—-
it’s in the culture————not—- stereo—-typical 
carving up —-this track—almost———surgical…
and my nature is on the rise—————yeah ———vertical
Better vibes———————-real —appeal——that’s —-all notable
Higher highs ——that’s the deal cause it’s ——-- magical 
Ride the tide———keep it real——that’s devotion y’all 
Vibing off—-how I feel————that's——-incontrovertible

Cool Combo

Give Love

Folkybluesoul

Call My Name

Låten heter förstå mig och att vara med den personen som alltid ser dig och lyssnar. När ni är med varandra så stannar tiden ! 🌸💫

Förstå mig

Soli Ko is a duo of artists who blend their music with poetic lyrics. Their texts tell stories or feature characters in an introspective manner, exploring inner struggles and the duality of emotions.
Their music combines folk elements with a strong acoustic presence. Their compositions are characterized by minimalist arrangements, where the acoustic guitar is accompanied by a highly expressive voice. Their musical style, both intimate and melodic, highlights sounds that reflect a simple yet profound exploration of emotions.

Soli Ko est un duo d'artistes qui marient leur musique à des paroles poétiques. Leurs textes racontent des histoires ou des personnages de manière introspéctive, explorant les combats intérieurs et la dualité des émotions. 
Leur musique allie des éléments folk avec une forte présence acoustique. Leurs compositions sont caractérisées par des arrangements épurés, où à la guitare acoustique se mêle une voix hautement expressive. Leur style musical, à la fois intime et mélodique, met en valeur des sonorités qui reflètent une exploration des émotions avec simplicité.