A cracking track. I love the vocals. Just because I'm getting used to your amazing instrumentation and production doesn't make it any less praiseworthy! A great listen!

Great track mate Bel sounds so velvety and the layers are slick. You must get a mention also your arrangements, production and music is top draw. Bloody singers get to much praise . Great work from both of you 👍

This is the first collaboration with a good music friend and fellow guitarist, Jonathan Beckenstein. JB provided the first layer of live, improvised guitar work which I then cut, stretched and manipulated, finally adding washes of reverb and some guitar of my own to (hopefully) compliment his. I hope you enjoy it. Please check out JB's brilliant work if you haven't already: @jonathan_beckenstein

The Go-Between

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) - Dance Version

Mr. President, a moment if you please
Let me say to USA as nicely as I can
To leave it along and let us just be friends
Talkin' 'bout my country, my true North, Strong & Free
And like the song says, baby, We Stand On Guard for Thee

I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I stand on guard for thee, that's my fate now
I don't wannabe, your 51st state, no

Friends like us gotta find a way
To make things right for the USA
Friends and family across the border
It's elbows up when we get in the corner
Where we live is happy home
Reaching for something that ain't your own
We understand you want to grow
Our advice, just leave it alone

Mr. President, a moment if you please
We used to be like brothers now you're coming after me
Mm-hmm we fought together, died together too
And I can't believe this nightmare is all because of you
So let me say to USA as nicely as I can
To leave it along and let us just be friends
Talkin' 'bout my country, my true North, Strong & Free
And like the song says, baby, We Stand On Guard for Thee

I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I stand on guard for thee, that's my fate now
I don't wannabe your 51st state, no

C'mon, I don't wannabe
Never wannabe
I really don't wanna be
I like you very much but I don't wanna be your 51st state

I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I stand on guard for thee, that's my fate now
I don't wannabe your 51st state, no

Cover Art: Young King Henry, Todd J McLean

All rights reserved

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) [Dance]

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) - Pop/Rock Version

Mr. President, a moment if you please
We used to be like brothers now you're coming after me
Mm-hmm we fought together, died together too
And I can't believe this nightmare is all because of you
So let me say to USA as nicely as I can
To leave it along and let us just be friends
Talkin' 'bout my home, my true North, Strong & Free
And like the song says, baby, We Stand On Guard for Thee

I don't
I don't wanna
Don't wannabe
I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I don't
I don't wanna
Don't wannabe
Don't wannabe your 51st state now

Friends like us gotta find a way
To make things right for the USA
Friends and family across the border
It's elbows up when we get in the corner
Where we live is happy home
Reaching for something that ain't your own
We understand you want to grow
Our advice, just leave it alone

I don't
I don't wanna
Don't wannabe
I don't wannabe your 51st state, no
I don't
I don't wanna
Don't wanna
Don't wannabe your 51st state now

Cover Art: Cheetah Girl

All rights reserved

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) [Pop/Rock]

I Don't Wannabe (Your 51st State) - Pop/Rock REMIX

Ray and I improvised this song together, only not at the same time and not on the same continent. Go figure.

You can visit Ray here: https://soundcloud.com/user-364196783-552705040

Steady (with Wodwo)

Here's our first real collaboration — two artists and now good friends, trading music back and forth across the Pond. I started with the guitar foundation, and JB added his signature touch with beautiful guitar layers and vocals. We hope you enjoy what we've created together. To listen to more of JB's wonderful work, go to: https://soundcloud.com/jonathan_beckenstein

Would you like a version that’s more casual or more formal?

Steady

WATER TO WINE
 
Words & Music: Goff Johnson
Vocals: Todd J McLean
Keyboards & Rhythm Guitar: Goff Johnson
Drums and Hammond Organ: Kat Hendrix
Lead Guitar: Tim Porter
 
Mixed and Mastered by Kat Hendrix at Absolute Time Studios, Vancouver, May 2025
 
About the Song

"Water to Wine" is a song about the appeal of perfection we often see online, contrasted with the seemingly unremarkable and ordinary lives that most of us lead. It’s a reflection on the emotional toll that comes from chasing validation through likes and follower counts— and the emptiness that can follow when the spotlight fades.

Our value, though, goes far deeper than what shows up on a screen and authenticity holds more power than appearances. Take a deep breath and if we look up from the scroll and take a brave look at the world — and each other — we might find something much more real!

Behind the Song (from Goff Johnson)

Ironically, while the message of the track talks about isolation and the cost of surface-level connection, the making of Water to Wine was the exact opposite of that! It came to life through collaboration with the incredibly talented Todd J McLean, who, in addition to his awesome vocals, and red-hot music connections, also created the cover art (Woman in Yellow Chair) for the track! The overall result is something far richer than either of us could have created alone.

Working together brought depth, direction, and new energy to the song — proof that the best things happen when we connect for real. No filters, just music, shared purpose, and mutual trust!

Final Notes (from Todd)

This is my first collaboration on SoundCloud. I could not have been more fortunate than to work with Goff Johnson, an immensely talented singer/songwriter/musician. When I first came across Goff, I listened to his entire Stories of Stardust album end-to-end and I was so impressed with this concept and significant body of work. I highly recommend checking it out on Goff’s SoundCloud page. https://soundcloud.com/goff-johnson/sets/stories-of-stardust?si=9db35566a42747b9b63a5780334f67ea&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Although Water to Wine is not part of Goff’s Stardust series, it is nonetheless a beautifully written song and it’s been a privilege for me to sing it. Besides, I love to sing the Blues. Thank you so much, Goff!

We owe a huge shout-out to both Kat Hendrix, a master musician and our producer, and Tim Porter, a virtuoso on guitar. It is a real privilege to work with these West coast legends.

Lyrics: 

Verse 1
Someone wrote a playbook for perfection 
with lives of photo ops, their outtakes seldom seen 
today a star, the next you’re a pariah 
“Be Kind” they say, but that ain’t what they mean 
 
Chorus: 
Well I never watched the water turn to wine, 
and i never took a flower out of the desert, 
but i walked until my feet bled, and I looked until I was blind, 
and I reached out for a hand to hold in mine 
 
Verse 2 
Well there’s nothing quite as quiet as “the silence” 
after fame has passed, so flashbulb fast, away 
and i wonder if it really makes a difference 
cos the next in line wait for their time, to shine but not to stay”

Chorus: 
Well I never watched the water turn to wine, 
and i never took a flower out of the desert, 
but i walked until my feet bled, and I looked until I was blind, 
and I reached out for a hand to hold in mine

Cover Art: Woman in Yellow Chair, Todd J McLean

All rights reserved

Water to Wine

i’m already 
goin’ down
to the end of the story now
wind is blowing
to the end of the story now

come away   come away

time is bending 
drifting down
spin the hourglass all around
pulverize it
spin the hourglass all around

i’m comin’ after 
i’m comin’
i’m unembodied
i’m free

i’m already 
leaving town
train is rounding the mountain now
got my ticket
train is rounding the mountain now

come away   come away
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

image from Malcom Shadrach via Unsplash


Quietus

Plinio

The latest offering by Kim and myself , it's a moody rocker , hope you like it !
We entered a song contest with Journey of Discovery , if you get chance give us a vote  http://hofa-contest.com/song/19226/
Next up is a Stadium Rocker with Andrea Brennan , followed by me and Kim , me and Dave Cooper , by myself , cracker with Gaz , Kim , myself , oh how the list goes on and on , just like I am so I'll shut up now !
Don't forget me and Charlotte's album , links are below .
Thank you so much for all the support !
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nWWNcrIRv08J_eEbL7MJ_1UTdMo0MjJLM
https://open.spotify.com/album/78ewrWZjS41XvHT9mFWd6O?si=yDMcRADSSrOdWlanz6UPMw

Love's the Light

Love's The Light

I must get this off my chest . If you are approached by Jacob Gilliland from Alamo Records , please don't give him a second of your time , I checked him out and he is just a lowlife scammer preying on the hopes and dreams of talented musicians like yourselves , pondlife should be named and shamed !
Anyway , I wanted to write an anthemic rocker , so I got in touch with my lyricist pal from New York , Andrea Brennan , and she came up with the goods , we hope you like it ! Me and Kim are still hoping to win a song competition , so if you get chance please vote for us http://hofa-contest.com/song/19226/
Many songs coming up with Kim , Dave Cooper , by myself , and Gaz Brownie.
Lots happening Guys and Gals , thank you so much for your time .
Charlotte and I still have our album out there , links below
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nWWNcrIRv08J_eEbL7MJ_1UTdMo0MjJLM
https://open.spotify.com/album/78ewrWZjS41XvHT9mFWd6O?si=yDMcRADSSrOdWlanz6UPMw

V1
I give half my life to the road
Stadiums and concert halls
I’m running on overload

And with every missed call

 

Pre-chorus
I see your face in the crowd
Hear your voice in my strings

They’re calling me home 
It's been way too long, I miss



Chorus
Your kiss on my lips
Every night, my arms holding you tight

And the world just you and me

The way, (the way) we were always meant to be  

 

V2
The grind is taking its toll
Overdue for a change of pace

Can’t help thinking of you as

I take my place on the stage


Pre-chorus
I see your face in the crowd

Feel your heart in the drums

They’re calling me home
It's been way too long, I miss



Chorus

Your kiss on my lips
Every night, my arms holding you tight

The world just you and me

The way, (the way) we were always meant to be



Bridge
Last show I’ll ever know 

One more encore then hit the road

In twenty four hours, I’ll feel



Chorus
Your kiss on my lips
Every night, my arms holding you tight

The world just you and me

The way, (the way) we were always meant to be

Kiss on My Lips

Great to have done another track with the amazing Bel - a very talented young lady.  Amazing vocal harmonies and delivery, as usual, with some beautiful layers throughout.

We both really love this and hope you do too.  Thanks for listening

Changes     -     Bel & Noobly

Songwriter, producer, musician from Hampshire, England.   

My main projects are “The New Vigos” and "Conscience of Kings". 

Various other collaborations with amazing talented people who I've met along the way - love working with different collab partners (mainly singer / songwriters).

My passion / focus is on the musical composition, instrumentation, arrangement and production whilst my collaborative partners are normally focused on lyrics, vocal melodies and recording which I then incorporate in the mix and produce to completion / mastering. 

Previously in “FGB” and “Vigo Lane”

Main gear:

Fender Strat American Performer
Gibson Les Paul Studio
Gretsch G2622
Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic
Fender Sonoran Acoustic
Lindo Bass
Reaper DAW
Focusrite 4i4 UI
Roland Juno D Synth
Korg Poly 800 synth
ARP Quartet Synth

Thanks for visiting and hope you hear something you like and enjoy

Changes - Bel & Noobly

Andy H - aka “Noobly”

Recent comments

okayox

Gaz Brownie Music Projects

Heliopolis 5

Related tracks