Wow, it's been so long. My last song was released August 2020, and this one is released March 2022. I started this song in January 2021, and have sat on it for way too much time. This song is about not being able to write one despite all the pieces being there.

Special thanks to @donteparis for lending his golden pipes to this tune.

Released on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/18HcDBHtN3oHUQrYoQG4gw?si=46b5419d6ae44ef5

Lyrics:
(Sam)
It's okay that it's been a while since you've played guitar
Even fine that your pen has dried up from the wait
In your head is a song that refuses to grow, I know
Expectation has got you overthinking the notes

I write the melody first, then the words
Then come the chords and the beat, stay in key
I've wrapped up all I can say– nobody will hear this anyway
Something's not right with the verse or the chorus
I think we'll start over, again

(Donte)
And I know it's been so long since I called
Ain't no way I can lie or try this time
I've been caught up in things
I've been caught up with me
I don't want anyone else, so believe me that

I write the melody first, then the words
Then come the chords and the beat, stay in key
I've wrapped up all I can say– nobody will hear this anyway
Something's not right with the verse or the chorus
I think we'll start over, again

No Song (feat. Donte Paris)

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/track/0LGKdagYQYLfEhvdMnXI6R?si=f6954a1ff86e4bb6
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GryB5LhxR3w

Cover art made by Kento Iida ! (instagram.com/whykentowhy)

If you can believe it, a new song less than 6 months since my last! Hold onto your hats though... because in the next month, three more new ones are coming! This is the single from my EP, "The Museum Is Closed Now," which will be released on all streaming services on September 15th! I might trickle these songs out on SoundCloud though (algorithm be damned), just a heads up for my friends who listen here exclusively.

Thanks so much for sticking with me over the years! My following is small, but the comments on some of my tunes have touched me in ways that I can't begin to explain here. Your support will always be graciously accepted and reciprocated. My music has evolved a great deal since I started posting instrumentals in 2015, though lately the pockets of time between them have grown deeper. Please know that I have no intention of stopping, my life may change dramatically but the music will always come with me.

Thanks for listening, as always!

--

the song is about boomers in cities who looooove to drive. yeah it's that literal. haven't you heard my other songs?

Lyrics:
You can see the way things are and how it drives me mad,
then how about you stop insisting that it’s not so bad?
“You take this for granted” now that’s what you say
Confronted with the truth and all you do is turn away  

Though we may not quite agree
It’s never too late to change
I find it hard to believe
things are just better this way

You can play defense now up until your dying day,
but tell me if it’s still a win if no one wants to play
Can’t think up a way for you to see the light,
but up until then I just risk dying on my bike

Though we may not quite agree
It’s never too late to change
I find it hard to believe
things are just better this way

I Don't Want to Drive a Car

Track 03 from "The Museum Is Closed Now" EP, released September 15th, 2022. Thanks for listening!

Links:
www.linktr.ee/sambcel
www.instagram.com/sambcel

Credits:
Lead Guitar - Ryan Kawanami
Art by Kento Iida (www.instagram.com/whykentowhy)
Mixed by Vic Cuccia
Mastered by Tom Waltz

Lyrics:
Pasadena, in July,
hotter than the sun
I’ve got beautiful memory,
from summer of ’21 

Well sir I heard you the museum is closed now,
I look at my watch it’s four forty-five
We turn to laugh and say “what’s that guy’s problem?”–
they’re kicking us out though it closes at five

It feels like yesterday
I saw you drive away
With flowers at my feet 
I’m crying in the street

Spending New Year’s in Santa Cruz,
leaving behind the blues
Really don’t have plans it seems
Doesn’t matter with you

Walk ten miles where the cliffs meet the sea 
meets the sky, you and me and a friend made of clay
Without a doubt if we picked Brussels sprouts
then the memory would make them much sweeter

It feels like yesterday
I saw you drive away
With flowers at my feet 
I’m crying in the street

The haze has cleared it’s a beautiful day
and I can’t help but feel that all will be fine
I turn to laugh and wipe tears from my eyes,
though it hurts to endure such a wistful goodbye

Brussels Sprouts

Track 02 from "The Museum Is Closed Now" EP, released September 15th, 2022. Thanks for listening!

Links:
www.linktr.ee/sambcel
www.instagram.com/sambcel

Credits:
Art by Kento Iida (www.instagram.com/whykentowhy)
Mixed by Vic Cuccia
Mastered by Tom Waltz

Lyrics:
Baby, baby, baby, it’s plain to see–
that I get star-struck in your company!
It’s taken a year but you don’t understand
how it makes me feel when I hold your hand

Tell me, tell me, tell me now if it’s true,
a change of pace would give me such certitude
I’m getting restless but pay me no mind,
too much time thinking, get left behind

I’m moseying on, hope to see you again
I will be back but I do not know when
Hope to see you in Paris, New York or the Bay,
but getting your hopes up is a dangerous game

When the day is done and I’m feeling gray
my baby calls me cowboy, I hesitate.
So I saddle up and then ride away,
high-tailing it back to East LA

You’re moseying on now and I’ve lost a friend
No longer your cowboy, but let me pretend
Hope to see you in Paris, New York or the Bay,
but getting your hopes up is a dangerous game

Cowboy

Track 01 from "The Museum Is Closed Now" EP, released September 15th, 2022. Thanks for listening!

Links:
www.linktr.ee/sambcel
www.instagram.com/sambcel

Credits:
Art by Kento Iida (www.instagram.com/whykentowhy)
Mixed by Vic Cuccia
Mastered by Tom Waltz

Lyrics:
Sometimes you’re physically bound down,
but mentally gone, 10 years ahead
You dream up something you don’t really want,
and when you return everyone has moved on
Follow tradition you do this and that
Place a rock on a stone, though it won’t bring them back
You’re mourning, waiting for this pain to pass,
If you needed help then you just need to ask

Will it get easier to cope,
or are you lying to yourself?

Your final memory is her on your bed,
with tears in your eyes, your heart made of lead
No silver lining here to be found,
the storm is your fault and your head’s in the clouds
What can one say other than “I regret?”
Apologies tired, explanations unsaid
Don’t think she loved you but that’s just a guess,
you should have inquired before making a mess
 
Will it get easier to cope,
or are you lying to yourself?

Easier to Cope

Added some piano because guitar wasn't doing the two chords I played justice

Thanks for listening~

--
Recorded in Garageband

Lentil And Kielbasa Stew

Made this a while ago without knowing what the melody was from, so I'm finally putting it up now that I found it. The version I originally heard was jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell's rendition of Randy Newman's song.

So this is a kind of outlandish cover.

I Think It's Going To Rain Today

This one exported really quiet for some reason, you might need to turn up the volume a little more than usual.
Thanks for listening once again~

Conversation

Listen closely. Thanks a bundle, I appreciate you listening as always.


Photo taken at Dodger Stadium on August 5th, 2016, when the Red Sox beat the Dodgers 9-0.

Unforeseen Circumstances (Instrumental)

Late Again

I've broken my streak of consistent uploads, sorry about that.
Thanks a bunch for listening.

Photo by Galen Lei

Glum

I'm still not good at mixing these things so you might need to turn it up or listen with headphones.

Thanks for listening, as always.


Photo taken by the spectacular Galen Lei (IG: galenlei)

Below Average (But That's Okay)

Thanks for listening.

I stole a lick at the beginning of the first solo from my favorite K Pop song.

Westbound

Made for the best smell on Earth.

I've been in an absolute rut, sorry for the long wait between songs.

---

Oh SHOOT man it's been two years since I made my first post. I make these songs for myself because I love making them and playing guitar and getting better, but I whole heartedly appreciate the people who have listened to them with me and have helped me become a better musician. Here's to many more, yeehaw.

Thanks a bunch for listening!

(Photo by Anthony Yin)

--

can you guess the song that inspired this one (it's most prominently heard in the first chords of the intro)?

Basil Scented Hand Soap

A little thing I started a long time ago and forgot about. Probably not as quality as usual but I finally finished it and thought it was worth sharing.

Thanks for listening.

Interlude

(EDIT 2023.08.18, NOW ON SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE, ETC: https://open.spotify.com/album/5WvAkTpC3Bf13BlT5oKd3a?si=FsRyge3NQu24nkbrjy5vZQ)

As always, thanks a bundle for listening.

Photo taken at the SAAM in Washington D.C

**NEW** https://sambcel.bandcamp.com **NEW**
you can actually download my stuff legally now, for free, hooray!

Golden Idea

A little song to end the year on (we'll see).
Thanks for listening.

Fuji, Gala, Macoun

Doris

Sorry it's been so long, thanks for listening.

Ovaltine Sunset

It's been a while, sorry about that. Thanks for listening.

Photo taken in South Boston

Soft-Spoken

This is a cover of a song I love, "水玉模様の片想い" by a YouTube channel called "sundaytube02." The link to the original is below:


https://youtu.be/mjrIeEbyyFg

The jazz arrangement of this cover (from which my version gets its inspiration from) was created by USK, the incredible guitarist behind the YouTube channel "Retro Vending Machine In Japan," and is the 28th track on his album which you can find below. 

http://jihanki.michikusa.jp/CD/ - @onsenjazz

If anyone knows more about these songs then PLEASE message me and tell me about them. Thanks for listening.

Special thanks to Ryan Kawanami for providing me with a transcription.

Photo taken at the MFA in Boston.

水玉模様の片想い (sundaytube02 cover)

As if the wait between songs hasn't grown bad enough, I'm not going to be able to record any music from this August to December, which makes me very sad.

I might bust one more out before I have to leave, but if not then enjoy this one and I'll be seeing you soon. Thanks for listening as always.

Photo taken by my mama in the Swiss Alps

Apricot

Finally back from Sweden, finally able to play guitar but I'm rusty at making these.

Thanks for listening, here's to another great year!

Photo taken in the Scottish Highlands

Often In My Thoughts

As always, thanks for listening.

Photo taken in a plane leaving Bergen, Norway.

Earl Gray Tea

A REMIXED / REMASTERED VERSION OF THIS SONG IS NOW ON SPOTIFY / YOUTUBE / APPLE MUSIC, ETC !
https://youtu.be/n8WBaOzf4oY?si=tIhkQ4DDOths4M3W
https://open.spotify.com/track/1NiPgD0INJUZt5iAOhauQk?si=16031e1f99a1412d

Thanks for listening.

30th track babyyyyy~

--

Free downloads: https://sambcel.bandcamp.com

Photo taken along Hardangerfjord in Western Norway.

Mild-Mannered

Thanks for listening.

Based off of this little video I made in October: https://twitter.com/sambcel/status/1048282869632835586

Photo taken at the Designmuseum Danmark in Copenhagen

Licorice Allsorts

its now on streaming services– cool
https://open.spotify.com/track/2dB1Dawl7X4GlnBo0CyJEy?si=Q3jp6XbnTA6mgCG4vJ679A

------

Howdy, it's been a while.

I present to you the first song I've ever written with lyrics. It's a cover of an instrumental song I wrote nearly 3 years ago, but I've completely reworked it so that it doesn't sound like it was recorded in a tin can (and it's just all around better, at least I think so).

Thanks for listening!

------

every day is like the other
i sit inside and wait.
wait for what i do not know
i’m fragile in this state

i tell you that i’m not happy
with a stony silent face.
you tell me to join the club
sadness is commonplace

new place, again, again,
i have lost count it seems–
unforeseen circumstance
moves me on, moves me on
 
setting changes, i am praying
for the feeling of a home.
you came back into my life
at least i’m not alone

Unforeseen Circumstances

~On streaming services~ 
https://open.spotify.com/track/1TE1DwoF5HyqgyBXGDJcIx?si=pHMwcrhzTci9lcPhRfx8ug

Sorry, it's been a while.
Thanks for listening!

Featuring my good friend Dalton Tran on clarinet.

Photo taken at UT Austin

--

Lyrics:

I heard what I wanted to hear and I can't hide that
You said, "try again next year," and as a matter of fact I might.
Hanging on to a sliver of hope that you might come around
Feeling down is no real way to cope, but maybe this time it works.

Oh, how long can I go? It's all too much for me
Oh, how long can I go, without seeing your face? Without hearing your voice?

Tried to understand the reasons I wait but it never adds up
Swear you off and my unrest abates until this time the very next day.
On the bus heading east downtown, I look at my phone
It wasn't you and my sorrows I'll drown with a song in a major key.

Oh, how long can I go? It's all too much for me
Oh, how long can I go, without seeing your face? Without hearing your voice?

How Long Can I Go?

Thanks for listening!

https://open.spotify.com/track/2CBKIUm0VQIghFKUFxj6dC?si=jdf1ezi2T7-3xrWuVifXIA

Photo taken at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles

--

I want you to know how I feel
Though I may say it I just think that I might have to spell it out
for you, so listen here
I want this all to be crystal clear

I care about you more than a lot,
this feeling I feel is felt deep in my heart
And by chance if you feel just a bit of the same, 
then come over baby stop playing this game

We haven’t known each other long
But god, it’s easier to say what I feel when I write a song
That is, if you don’t mind
I have been thinking of you all this time

A Lot

It's been so long since I've made a song, holy moly.  Thank you to all the friends who I forced to listen to little sections before it was finished. 

Thanks for listening!

It will be on streaming services soon.

--

Unprepared for the final holiday, (a holiday)
don’t want to go but I’ve no choice anyway (we’re going any–)
I try not to cry,  I know that when I’ve arrived  
there won't be pain– but what of me remains?

Life just seemed to start, now it’s falling apart
How could you know it would be so hard to depart?
You’re seeing a light, I’m not far behind 
I guess you really never know when it is your time
Wish I could say that I am not worried (I am not worried)
Would it be a lie to say I'm afraid? (I'm not afraid)

One may even say that I’m envious (he’s envious)
of people who think an afterlife exists (where are we going?)
It’s not that I don’t– I mean, well, how could I know?
I’ll be alright with whatever I find

Life just seemed to start, now it’s falling apart
How could you know it would be so hard to depart?
You’re seeing a light, I’m not far behind 
I guess you really never know when it is your time
Wish I could say that I am not worried (I am not worried)
Would it be a lie to say I'm afraid? (I'm not afraid)

(When life is over, where do we go?) 
(This all is fleeting, my time is low)
(The best has ended, so long ago) 

Wish I could say that I am not worried
Would it be a lie to say I’m afraid?

When It Is Your Time

sammy b's instrumental jams– now with words!
thanks for listening~

talk to me: celentanoguitar @ gmail.com

Sam Celentano

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