This collection is culled from the long list of tunes that Geoff DeMuth and I have recorded at his studio. Geoff is jack of all trades: arranger, musician, engineer. I wrote the songs.

Cool Down

From 1985-1996 I made periodic trips to Mitch Rosenow's ever-evolving studio in the KC area. Recorded a bunch of songs. Will we ever finish? Will fish ever learn to walk, or did they once know but have now forgotten.
We will perservere and ultimately complete the collection. Maybe it's already complete? 
Songs by Roger Bain. Recording direction/engineer/mix by Mitch Rosenow. Copr. 2012
RB

Getouttayermind-the album

A celebration of our human stew: America. The dreamers. The washouts. The writing stretches back to the 1970s. Recordings 1979-2021.

American Dreems

Songs relating to my memoir of work and jobs, Hardly Working.

Hardly Working Soundtrack

In a parallel universe of my own creation, these songs would be hits. In this universe, they are simply songs with the most plays on Soundcloud. (as of 12/12/23)

Roger Bain's Greatest Hits

This is the very first recording that I did with Geoff DeMuth at his home studio. 2011? He provided engineering, pedal steel, bass and back vox. The song is based upon a true, grisly incident that was related to me while I was staying a few miles south of Paamul. ©2011 Roger Bain

Her Last Night In Paamul

I Grew Up In Clarendon Hills

This tune inspired by a friend who is no longer with the living.

06 - Song For Steve

A true description of the male species.
Recorded/mixed 1993-97. Appeared on "Tool Tunes" CD released in 1997. ©1997 Roger Baqin

Men (Tool Tunes version)

A chapter from my soon to be published memoir of jobs, Hardly Working.

THE BOSSMAN EATS GARBAGE

HOT GREASE AND THE ACE FLIPPER

FRIED PIE AND THE REDNECK BROTHERS

A chapter from my soon to be published of my memoir of jobs, Hardly Working.

THE DEAL GOES DOWN

My absurdist nursery rhyme for psychedelic adults. Composed around 1974. Recorded September 2013. Lyrics and music copr. 2014 Roger Bain. Steve Eisen on sax. Chuck Kawal engineer/mix. Song ©1978 Roger Bain

Slumped Over

Kids Songs as of 10/30/08

Beelzebuffo

From studio session in 2006
Song by Roger Bain
Vocals & Guitar: Roger Bain
Electric Guitar: Dan Springer
Bass: Pete Perlongo
Drums: Mike Springer
Engineer: Johnny Purciarello

UTK 4songsFall'06

Under the Kitchen

Too Tired To Fight

Conquer The World

Wanderlust

This song I dedicate to all who are struggling: emotionally, financially, physically. Recorded at Geoff DeMuth's Little Pink Studio in 2015. Mix from April 2016.

All My Hard Luck Friends

Come visit this dewey world of frogs, princes and Egrets.

These three words will set you free—speed - greed - efficiency 
©2012 Roger Bain all rights reserved
Acoustic guitar/vocals by R. Bain
Drums by Mike Springer
all else by Geoff DeMuth

Speed Greed

An anthem for franchisees. I've worked with many in my business life.

A Franchizee

This is intended as a soundtrack for an early 60s, black & white independent film short. Phil Brenner on flute. Mitch Rosenow engineered and played wah wah. Words & music & acoustic by Roger Bain. All rights reserved. Copr. 1990.

Oklahoma Cotton Candy

This is a sampler of DQ songs I've written & produced. All engineered/mixed by Chuck Kawal. He played on most of them too.

DQ commercial song MONTAGE

This is a sketch of snowbird life in Key Largo. 
Under The Gumbo Limbo Tree
Finished 2-24-16  Rock Harbor Club, Key Largo, FL
Recorded with Geoff DeMuth at his Little Pink studio. I sang and played acoustic guitar. Geoff engineered and mixed, played bass and arranged synth parts. His wife Marti joined him on Backing vocals. Johnse Holt on percussion. 
Note: Merry Go Round horses used to be made with Gumbo Limbo wood.
Under the Gumbo Limbo tree  ©Roger Bain 2016
I heard the conch shell blow
As the day relaxed and the sky lit up
In rosy afterglow

Under the Gumbo Limbo tree
Sat my baby and me
Sipping wine from a distant land
And pondering eternity

There’s a dude on his bike, handing out fish 
He caught yesterday on the reef
“It’s Kingfish, ya know. I smoked it myself
It tastes better than beef”

The pelican is comical as he waddles on the pier
And tries to filch a fish
From the folks of the north who’ve travelled so far
To check off this wish on their list

The bay is glass as the sun goes down
And the Osprey seeks its nest
The boats come in in the dying wind
And all eyes turn to the west

Under the Gumbo Limbo tree
I found my pot of gold
The secret of life is having a wife
To share your escape from the cold

Under the Gumbo Limbo tree….

Under The Gumbo Limbo Tree

Grabbed the song out of thin air. Based upon a casual comment made by a neighbor. Engineer/mix/slide backing vox by Geoff DeMuth.

Since You Left My Bed - Mastered

A story of baseball, youth and Chicago Cub Ernie Banks.

ThanksMisterBanks

The enemy of civility and truth is very familiar. He's in charge.
Guitar/vocal by R. Bain
Slide Guitar/background vox by Geoff DeMuth
Drums by David Prusina
©2017 Roger Bain  all rights reserved.

He's The Enemy

An invention of the ad industry. This guy keeps the economy going. He's got a spring in his step as he jitterbugs down the avenue. 2009 recording. 2012 mix by Chuck Kawal.

Mister Upscale Redux 3 9 12

The world has changed, as it always does. Look around. Everybody's staring at a screen.
©2010 Roger Bain  all rights reserved
Acoustic gtr/vocals by R. Bain
Foot stomps by Roger & Geoff
everything else by Geoff DeMuth

Staring At a Screen

I Fell In Love With A Young Young Girl

Title song of my memoir. I retired during my 20s. This song describes my thoughts about work and career during that era.

Hardly Workng

I looked up and everyone had left and gone to the city.

All OF My Friends Are Bizznessmen

Ever get a crush on the TV weather girl? Recorded this in 1979.

Weather Girl

The American Dream is to be rich. Written from the viewpoint of an honest sap. Recorded at Massachusetts Street Studios in Lawrence, Kansas circa 1981. With Ardys, Mary, Denny, Karl and the gang. 
copr. 1981 R. Bain

I'd Love to be Rich

Recorded with Tom Mohbat in his basement.

MEN '91

Since the beginnings of society, most cultures have had a form of class structure. Mister Upscale sprang from America's loins as we became more of a consumer society. Recorded with Mitch Rosenow at the helm back in the mid-80s. 

Here Comes Mister Upscale

Wrote this Barking Gecko classic around 1980. Recorded at Massachussetts Street Studios in Lawrence, Ks around 1982. by Karl or Carl. Featured on "Not For Chowderheads."

Orange Hair

Live recording from 1980 Barking Gecko performance at the Lawrence Opera House in Lawrence, KS.

Frijoles!

Product Promotional song for Chicagoland DQ ops. Offer no longer valid.

I See a Chili Dog In Your Future

Waiting for the Renaissance

Want Ads Blues 1.1.19

Inspired by the book of the same name. Pre-Renaissance minds were mired in superstition and myth.

World Lit Only by Fire

You know the type. You have probably worked with the guy. He aims to please the boss because he has no ideas, no gumption. I wrote this about 1985. Recorded with Mitch Rosenow about the same time. Me on keyboards & vocals. Mitch on everything else, including the wonderfully off-kilter guitar.

Yes Man From Yesco

A loping, snaky tune best listened to after 5 pm. ©2019 Roger Bain
• Roger Bain: acoustic guitar & vocals
•Geoff DeMuth: Engineer/mix, piano arrangement, 
bass & slide guitars, background vocals  
• Marti Bonne-DeMuth: piano
• Terry Garrett: Drums

RB on vocals/guitar, Jack Mazzenga on mando and banjo, Geoff DeMuth on bass.
Murphysboro Blues
By Roger Bain circa 1973  ©2024 RB

I’ve got the Murphysboro Blues
And I just can’t seem to eat a bite
Well my belt’s on the last notch
Still my pants ain’t tight
I better find my good girl
So I can get some sleep tonight

Look at the apple blossoms
Everywhere you go
The Dogwood flowers
Come up right after the snow
I’m leaving this town
And I’m not coming back here anymore

Believe I’ll spend some time
On the courthouse lawn today
Maybe drink some wine
And chase these problems away
I’m going to drink some wine 
On the courthouse lawn today

Break

There’s some people tell you
That the Murphysboro Blues ain’t bad
There’s some people tell you
That the Murphysboro Blues ain’t bad
Then it must not have been
Those old Murphysboro Blues that I had

Murphysboro Blues

One of society's "forgotten." This gent finds himself in a pickle. Lack of job skills? Self-respect? He ruminates his predicament and realizes that he needs to step up his game. 
©2018
Acoustic guitar/vocals: Roger Bain
Drums: David Prusina
Most everything else: Geoff DeMuth
Engineer/mix by Geoff DeMuth.

The Day That Never Came

Honeymoon With The Geckos

I attempted to create an enigmatic fem personality.

Acquired Taste

Electric Guitars

Bald With Glasses

I'm a songwriter influenced by the country blues masters, 50s rock & roll, early Stones (64-68), Velvet Underground/Lou Reed, Dr. Seuss, Mad Magazine, history & literature. Satire, language, rhythm and a sardonic wit seem to guide me. It's been said that I write kids' songs for adults.

Roger Day Bain

Pinned to spotlight

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