Can I Still Love?
Music and Lyrics by Mike Krath

I see a shadow,
on the wall,
is it her?
I don’t know,

I hear a hand scrape,
across my door,
is she back?
I can’t guess. 

On and on,
life goes on,
I’ve gotten old,
and the beat of my heart is weak,
can I still love?

I smell a face 
from distant past,
is she here?
Not a hint. 

I feel her pains, 
that once were real,
by me?
I don’t know. 

On and on,
life goes on,
I’ve gotten old,
and the beat of my heart is weak,
can I still love?

Can I Still Love?

Come with me,
Like you did before,
But this time,
When you take my hand,
I’ll never let it go.
I won’t promise you we'll be rich,
But I’ll promise we'll never be poor.

Brief Music and Suggested Lyrics: Mike Krath

I'll Never Let It Go

I Have A Woman
Music and Lyrics by Mike Krath

I have a woman who believes in today,
As long as it is tomorrow 
I have a woman who believes in yesterday 
As long as it’s not the one that gave her sorrow.

Don’t cry, woman, don’t cry,
Leave your tears for another day,
And make your face pretty
And come and show me your smile. 

I have a woman who never had children
As hard as she tried. 
I have a woman who wanted to raise them,
But life just seemed to pass us by.

I have a woman who tries not to cry,
But her tears won’t stay away.

I Have A Woman

My Son's Pill
Music and Lyrics by Mike Krath

I woke up with another ache,
Took my son’s pill by mistake. 

My son’s pill,
What a thrill,
Off to a planet
And still there still. 
My son’s pill,
What a thrill,
Off to a planet
And still there... 

interlude

Mama will you love me
Now that I’m a druggie
Will you?
Will you?

Mama will you leave me
Now that I feel unworthy.
Will you?
Will you?

interlude

If I had wings,
I would fly,
Just need to find,
a higher rise.
If I had wings,
I would soar,
Across sugar fields to a candy shore.

interlude

I came down with another ache,
Gave me an excuse for another mistake.

My Son's Pill

CALL ME
Music and Lyrics by Mike Krath

Call me
Call me,
Any time
Any place,
I’ll always take your call. 

Call me
Call me,
When you need help
When you need friends
When you need someone
To take time to hear you out

Call me
Call me
As your friend,
I’ll be there 
Waiting for your call. 

I’ll take your call,
When no one’s around
And there’s still hours left before dawn,
I’ll be your help
When there’s no help left for you at all. 

I’ll take your call
When your dreams are cold,
And your life has taken a bad fall,
I’ll be your friend,
A friend that won’t leave you on your own. 

I’ll take your call,
When your watch has stopped,
And your chance to rewind is gone,
I’ll be your time,
The time you need when time has passed on.

Call Me

This is the third release of this instrumental.  Xien3 has the voice needed for this type of music so I asked him if he wouldn't mind adding his lyrics and vocals.  

WRONG DICHOTOMY
Music: Mike Krath
Lyrics and vocals: Xian3

Background: The two quoted sentences are from Der Jasager (1930, translation mainly by machine), a play by Berthold Brecht (1898-1956), Elisabeth Kaufmann (1897-1973) and Kurt Weill (1900-1950)

Lyrics:

A - B - A - B  			(2)

You still can turn around
Get your hooves back on the ground
You still can grasp, A was wrong

You still can realise the fraud
Get your hooves back on the ground
You still can grasp, A was wrong

You still don’t have to be proud
Get your hooves back on the ground
You still can grasp, A was wrong

A - B - A - B           	
A wrong dichotomy		(2)

"Whoever says A 
Does not have to say
B. 
He can also see 
That A was wrong."

And about this is this song

A - B - A - B  		
A wrong dichotomy		

You still can turn around
Get your hooves back on the ground
And still can grasp, A was wrong

You still can realise the fraud
Get your hooves back on the ground
And still can grasp, A was wrong

And still don’t have to be proud
Get your hooves back on the ground…

Released August 14, 2023

Wrong Dichotomy (collab with Xian3)

Motif

Crank up the little drum machine, put oil on your overhead projector, and AWAY we go!

Another Groovy Time For All

I asked Xian3 if he'd like to add his input to a previous dance song instrumental.  IMHO, his vocals give it an 80's on-the-dance-floor feel.

Music and Lyrics: Mike Krath
Vocals: Xian3

Lyrics:
There are chords D, A, C, E, 
But no N. 
where’s N?
On the dance floor,

Again,
These chords D, A, C, E, 
But no N. 
where’s N?
On the dance floor.

There’s E as a solitary chord,
But where’s L, O, V?
Where’s its companions? Huh?
On the dance floor,
On the dance floor. 

D, A, C, E,
L, O, V,
N side,
The dance floor. 

N, R, Y,
with E and G,
And B and T
With E and A,
Where?
WHERE?
On the dance floor,
On the dance floor.

D, A, C, E,
L, O, V,
N side,
N side,
N side,
The dance floor.

D, A, C, E.

If you don’t like?
Then you can…
L, O, V it,
Or L, V it. 
If you don't like, 
then you can,
L, O, V it
Or L, V it,
On the dance floor 
On the dance floor.

On The Dance Floor (collab with Xian3)

Music: Mike Krath
Lyrics and Vocals: Xian3

Brief Background: Bunker was a granite-fist of the early nineties in Berlin's techno-underground.

Bunker

Du kannst schon mal zum Bunker gehn’ (2)
wo die Sonne sich rückwärts dreht
Du kannst schon mal zum Bunker gehn’
wo die anderen sind
Du kannst schon mal zum Bunker gehn’
wo all die anderen sind…
Du kannst schon mal…
Ich komme später nach…
Da lang, da lang, na da lang…
Du kannst schon mal zum Bunker gehn’
Wo all die anderen sind
Du kannst schon mal zum Bunker gehn’
Ich hab’ noch was zu erledigen, aber Du,
Du kannst schon mal zum Bunker gehn’,
Da lang, da lang, na da lang, Du kennst den Weg.
Du kannst schon mal zum Bunker gehn’
Bitte sei nicht traurig,
Wir werden uns da wiedersehn’


This is more than less an adequate translation by machine... :

Bunker

You can already go to the bunker (2)
where the sun turns backwards
You can already go to the bunker
where the others are
You can already go to the bunker
where all the others are...
You can already...
I'll catch up with you later...
That way, that way, that way...
You can already go to the bunker...
Where all the others are
You can already go to the bunker...
I've got things to do, but you..,
You can already go to the bunker..,
That way, that way, you know the way.
You can already go to the bunker...
Please don't be sad,
We'll meet there again

Bunker (collab with Xian3)

Get The Freedom

Moments of Reflection on a Lazy Day

Dance, Baby, Dance

DAW: Reason
VST:
Nexus
Omnisphere
VPS Avenger 2
Vocal Loops: Splice

Kiss the Night Goodbye

I'M DANCING ON TV
Music and Lyrics: Mike Krath
DAW: Reason 12
VSTs: Falcon, Nexus, HZStrings, Omnisphere, et al.
Vocal Loops: Splice

Lyrics

I'm dancing on TV,
Can you see me?
I'm dancing in front of the camera,
You can't miss me.
I'm dancing,
Showing off my steps,
Let's see you do this...

I'm dancing all over the dance floor,
In and out of the shadows,
In front of all the mirrors,
Everyone has stopped talking,
They are staring,
And some are shouting,
Look at that man,
Look at him dancing,
Dancing on TV.

Won't you join me,
Jumping up and down,
Showing off all my steps,
On the TV.

I'm dancing on TV,
Can you see me?
I'm dancing in front of the camera,
So you can't miss me.
Showing off all my steps,
on the TV,
Look at me,
I'm dancing,
Dancing on TV.

I'm dancing,
Dancing on TV,
Dancing,
Dancing,
Look at me, dancing.

Dancing,
Dancing on TV.  (x4)

Dancing on TV

Your Love Never Grows Old
Music and Lyrics: Mike Krath
DAW: Reason 12
VSTs: Falcon, Nexus, HZStrings, Omnisphere, et al.
Various Loops: Splice

Lyrics:

I'm singing old love songs,
cause I'm old, old,
About our love,
that really wasn't that long ago,
About the birds and the bees,
That are really the same so,
Not much has changed,
but the reflection of our faces, oh.

I'm singing old love songs,
About our love so,
It's gone on so long,
It's still new, oh,
I'm singing about you,
About the love we had when young,
It still is true, so,
The love,
that we have between us,
Still is young,
I'm singing old love songs,
that really don't feel so old.

I'm singing old love songs,
cause I'm old, old,
about the love we dreamed when young,
that came true, so,
But the love,
The love you gave me so,
still is young,
never grows old,
I'm singing old love songs,
that really don't feel so old.

Your love never grows old.

Your Love Never Grows Old

Took my old dance tune "Dance, Baby, Dance" and sent it to Xian3 to see what he would do with it.  He came through (as always in my opinion) with these nice dark vocals and lyrics.  I then mixed it in a semi-dub mode to give it an edgy feel.

Music: Mike Krath
Lyrics and Vocals: Xian3
DAW: Reason 12
VSTs: Nexus, Omnisphere, and other Synths.
Dub loops and off-beats: Splice

The Same

1.
This same complacant attitude
The same intrusive looks
The same clucking of the tongues
Those same obscene gestures
The same superior habit

Simply disgusting
Who taught you that? (rep)
How disgusting

2.
The same aggressive smell of greed
And derogatory words
So mean and vile
The same hateful comments
Bring out only the worst truth (social)

Simply disgusting
Who taught you that?

ref 1
Brows may crease in sorrow
If it only were tomorrow
That you were to decide again

Brows may crease in sorrow
If it only were tomorrow
That you would have to decide again

Huh,
That would never be the same

ref 2
Eyes narrowed in sorrow
If it only were tomorrow
That you were to decide again

Eyes narrowed in sorrow
If it only were tomorrow
That you would have to decide again

Huh,
Or would it just be the same ?

The Same (collab with Xian3)

DAW: Reason 12
VSTs: Omnisphere, Nexus, HZStrings, Avenger 2
Vocal Loops: Splice

Can I Have Your Number?

DAW: Reason 12
VSTs: Omnisphere, Nexus, Avenger 2
Loops: Splice

I Don't Depend On You

Lyrics derived from Antonio de Guevara (1480-1545). The text was written around 1539 in Latin. De Guevara had already had his experiences at the court of Charles the Fifth. The section from which the text is taken was a treatise on the government court, a critique.

Music: Mike Krath
Lyrics and Vocals: Xian3
DAW: Reason 12
VSTs: Nexus, Omnisphere, and other Synths.

Lyrics:

Farewell world, 
`Cos you are not to be trusted
Still nothing to hope from you
In your house the past has already vanished,
The present disappears under our hands,

The future has never begun,
The most enduring falls,
The strongest thing breaks,
And the most eternal thing comes to an end; thus,
That you are a dead man among the dead,
And in a hundred years you will, not for an hour, 
Let us live 

Farewell world,
`Cos you will take us captive,
And will not let us go again,
You bind us and do not dissolve us again;
You afflict and do not comfort,
You steal and give nothing back,
You accuse us and have no cause,
You condemn and hear no party;
So you kill us without judgment,
And bury us without dying! 

With You there is 
No joy without sorrow,				
No quietness without discord,
No love without suspicion,
No peace without fear,
No abundance without shortcomings,
No honor without blemish,
No good without evil conscience,
No status without complaint,
And no friendship without falsehood,
(Farewell World)

(Farewell World)
...

God bless you world,
`Cos in your house the great lords and favorites will be overthrown,
The unworthy brought forth,
The traitors with mercy regarded,
The faithful placed in corners,
The wicked left alone,
And the innocent condemned,

The wise and qualified are given leave,
And to the unskillful great pay,
The obstinate are believed,
And the honest and upright have no credit,
Everyone does what he wants,
And no one what he should do

(God bless you World)
…
for no one is content or satisfied with you, 
if he is poor, he wants to have; 
if he is rich, he wants to count for much; 
if he is despised, he wants to rise high;
if he is wronged, he wants revenge; 
if he is in favor, he wants to command; 
if he is vicious, he only wants to be of good courage.
(Farewell World)
(Farewell World)

Farewell World (collab with Xian3)

DAWs: Reason 12, Studio One
VSTs: Omnisphere, Vengeance, Nexus, Falcon, HZStrings
Vocals: Splice

We Still Kiss Goodnight

One city I'm not fond of driving through is Louisville, Kentucky.  The only way I survive the drive is to play ambient music while going through the city.  In my next trip through Louisville, I'll take this track out for a test-drive. :)


Daw: Reason 12
VSTs: Radical Piano, HZStrings, Padshop

Driving Through Louisville

DAW: Reason 12
Lyrics and Vocals: Mike Krath
VSTs: Hans Zimmer Strings, Nexus, Synthmaster
Loops: Splice

Lyrics:

When you're not around,
I'm lost.
I need your love, 
I need your love.

You know I need your love,
I need your love.

I Need Your Love

Daw: Reason 12
VST: HZStrings, Vengeance, OPUS
Whistling and Wind Loops: Splice

Whistling Walk on a Windy Day

Music: Mike Krath
Lyrics and Vocals: Xian3
DAW: Reason 12
VSTs: Nexus, Omnisphere, and other Synths.

Leitmotif

Lyrics

1
Every time 					(3)
I got you on my mind
Got you on my mind
I have to smile				

2
All symbolism i drew
All the songs i sang
All symbolism i drew			(2)		
I sang them only for you
I drew them only for you
Only you					
I swear it’s all true			

3
All the words i threw
All the letters i choose
All the words i threw
I threw them only for you
Only to you
I swear it’s all true
I have to smile
I have to…

„break“
Every word, every note	
They come back				
Every word, every note
They come back
Every word, every note,
They reflect

4
Also right now, this time
It’s the same clue
It’s the same clue:
This song is for you
Hope that you like it a bit, too…

Leitmotif (collab with Xian3)

DAW: Reason 12
Music and Lyrics: Mike Krath
Vocals: Mike Krath and Vocalist.ai
Various layered synths

Lyrics

Not here,
Gone again,
Not apart,
But you know the feeling.

When you ever die,
Will I be able to turn the television off,
Watch in silence. 

The television is on,
Always on,
Filling the empty silence,
The times we have, 
Not gone,
But soon…

As it always is when you are not around,
Watching not to feel alone,
So soon,
And you have gone away,
But when the time comes,
And you take that part of me away,
Will I finally turn the television off,
In silence again.

Will I ever feel comfortable,
By myself,
In a house filled with memories,
And silence.

Watch in Silence

Music: Mike Krath
Lyrics and Vocals: Xian3
DAWS: Reason 12 and Ableton Live
VSTs: Nexus, Omnisphere, VPS Vengeance.
Various loops: Splice

Lyrics

Oh, ohh
Well, well,
There are many things, that we can talk about
And there are lots of things
And there are lots of things that we don’t talk about
And there are some things
There are some things completely covered out
And there are not many things
And there are not many things that i would sing out loud
Not so many things

And when I close my eyes
It's nearly out of sight
And when I plug my ears
the words are barely to hear
And when i shut my mouth
There’ll be no coming out
Without a mouth
There’ll be no coming out, (3)
No…

Well, there’s so many things, we can’t talk about
And there’s so many things we’ll never figure out
But there is one thing, i love to sing out loud
But there is one thing,

But there is one thing,
I’d love to sing out loud
I love to sing out loud…

One Thing (collab with Xian3)

Only Call Me If You Want Me

Worked on the music first. Then wondered if operatic loops would fit. It was worth a try. If I was writing for an opera, I would have an operatic singer just ad-lib to the music hitting the highest range possible so your glass would break on the opening note. 

DAW: Reason 13
Opera Loops: Splice
VSTs: Strings, strings and more strings.

Deux Oiseaux de la Nuit

DAW: Reason 13
VSTs: Dune 3, E/W Opus
Loops: Splice

Maybe Tonight

Update: I had chronic fatigue, no drive to make music. Went to doctor and discovered I was anemic.  The iron suppements are thankfully kicking in.  :)

I'm a keyboardist with a love for layering sounds to create ambient, ethereal atmospheres and composing simple piano pieces to embellish. I love all genres of music, and find myself composing different types depending on my mood of the day.

I’ve never had formal training. As a teen, my parents wouldn’t let a piano in our house in Egypt, so I studied piece-meal at friends’ homes. When I got to college, I learned by going to university piano practice rooms. In my 40’s, I met my birth-mom who turned out to be a child prodigy, winning a Van Cliburn competition by playing Rachmaninoff at age 11. Most of what I play today, I learned from the techniques she taught me. 

I’m an American who has lived abroad for a good part of my life in Egypt, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Taiwan, and now back to Texas.

Mike Krath

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