Dandelions are a symbol of healing in physical and emotional ways, representing an ability to survive through all difficulties by standing strong and proud.  The new album is clearly influenced by a turbulent year but is optimistic for the America that was, for looking forward, not backward and a belief that better ways and lessons can and have been learned. Rockier than previous outings, Oxygen shares Randall's British perspective with a raised eyebrow to a decade moving from Boston, New York and now Vegas.

Oxygen (Album Sampler) Released May 2021

STOP FALLING DOWN
Words and Music Stephen Randall

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

I can’t seem to focus
On the images that float
Around inside my head
Inside my head

I can’t seem to hear the words
As clearly as I used to
Hear the words you said
The words you said

CHORUS
I can’t stop falling down
No I can’t stop falling down
Excuse me while I kiss the ground
I can’t stop f f f f falling down

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

I can’t shake the feeling
That history is repeatuing
And I took the wrong pill
I took the wrong pill 

I can’t stop the motorcade
From changing its direction
Then the world stood still
The world stood still

CHORUS
I can’t stop falling down
No I can’t stop falling down
Excuse me while I kiss the ground
I can’t stop f f f f falling down

Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah
Nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah nah

CHORUS
I can’t stop falling down
No I can’t stop falling down
Excuse me while I kiss the ground
I can’t stop f f f f falling down

Stop Falling Down.

OXYGEN
Words and Music Stephen Randall

I breathe your oxygen
And you know
You know that I want you
I breathe your oxygen
And it feels like
Feels like I am you

CHORUS
I need your oxygen
I need to breathe you in

I breathe your oxygen
And I’m there
I’m right there next to you
I breathe your oxygen
And it feels like
Feels like I’m in you

CHORUS
I need your oxygen
I need to breathe you in

I can breathe again
I can breathe again

CHORUS
I need your oxygen
I need your oxygen
I need your oxygen
I need your oxygen

© & Ⓟ 2014 Stephen Randall

Oxygen

Thanks to Bethany Sky Whitman @bethany-sky-whitman for her production and arrangement help.

MISSING AMERICA
Words and Music Stephen Randall
 
Millions of people looking West
Dreaming of meaning or being the best
Escaping poverty or wars and unrest
For a safe place to work and a safe place to rest
 
Is the dream an illusion after all?
Was it Hollywood and admen and rock and roll
That made us believe that that wide open road
Took us to freedom not urban sprawl

CHORUS
We’re missing America
Land of the proud and the free
We’re missing America
We want the American dream
We’re missing America
Home of opportunity
We’re missing America
And the promise of equality  

Kennedy men with square cut jaws
Land men on the moon and fight far way wars 
The napkin plans of entrepreneurs
When impossible was just a word to ignore

Steam from subways blowing up from the street
Lifting Marilyn’s dress and a million heartbeats
Mustang screeching down Russian Hill
Left my heart where there’s a homeless landfill

CHORUS
We’re missing America
Land of the proud and the free
We’re missing America
We want the American dream
We’re missing America
Home of opportunity
We’re missing America
And the promise of equality

Missing America

Video: https://youtu.be/aRxjCsrTRN4

LEAVE THE YEAR BEHIND
Words and Music Stephen Randall

We could get on an plane
Or we could go on a cruise 
Or sit in a movie
And ignore all the news 

And we’re eating out tonight
‘Cos that’s all we really want
‘Cos we’re missing all the noise
Of a crowded restaurant  
Let me tell you a secret
‘Cos you’re my confident
  
Pack your bags let’s go 
Let’s go Lets go
Let’s go go go go go

CHORUS
Leave the year behind 
It’s been a really bad one for everyone
We’re not alone in feeling alone, alone, alone
Leave the year behind
Leave the year behind

We’re talking to strangers
We’re shaking their hands
We’re laughing and we’re happy
To be making all these plans

And we’re running to the shops
To buy so many things
‘Cos the sales are all on
Yeah the sales are in full swing  
So grab your credit card
We’re gonna buy everything

Start the car let’s go 
Let’s go let’s go
Let’s go go go go go

CHORUS
Leave the year behind 
It’s been a really bad one for everyone
We’re not alone in feeling alone, alone alone
Leave the year behind
Leave the year behind

Pack your bags let’s go 
Let’s go let’s go
Let’s go go go go go

CHORUS
Leave the year behind 
It’s been a really bad one for everyone
We’re not alone in feeling alone, alone, alone
Leave the year behind
Leave the year behind

Leave the year behind 
It’s been a really bad one for everyone
We’re not alone in feeling alone, alone, alone
Leave the year behind
Leave the year behind

Leave The Year Behind

Thanks to Bethany Sky Whitman @bethany-sky-whitman for her production and arrangement help.

GO BIG OR GO HOME
Words and Music Stephen Randall

Every day is Sunday
So I’ll stay in bed ‘till noon
I’ll make some plans to call my friends
In the afternoon
But my motivation so to speak
Needs a little shake
‘Cos the world won’t wait forever
There are plenty on the make

I know you know that I know
The creeps and the geeks and the freaks will steal the show

CHORUS
So hold me like you used to
And tell me so I know
Unwind me if I’m going too fast
And wind when I’m slow
Oh slap me to my senses
If I’m feeling low
Go big or go home
Go big or go home

Even if I’m not the most
Energetic type
I’ll be the first to fight for you
I’ll be the first to strike
Truth be told I love you
I don’t mean that to sound trite
But just because I love you
Doesn’t always make you right

I know you know that I know
The creeps and the geeks and the freaks will steal the show

CHORUS
So hold me like you used to
And tell me so I know
Unwind me if I’m going too fast
And wind when I’m slow   
Remind me ever so delicately
There’s room for me to grow
Go big or go home
Go big or go home

CHORUS
So hold me like you used to
And tell me so I know
Unwind me if I’m going too fast
And wind when I’m slow
Oh slap me to my senses
If I’m feeling low
Go big or go home
Go big or go home

So hold me like you used to
And tell me so I know
Unwind me if I’m going too fast
And wind when I’m slow   
Remind me ever so delicately
There’s room for me to grow
Go big or go home
Go big or go home

GBGH (Go Big or Go Home)

I'm a Brit in America.

I've released eight albums - Naive in 2014, Above The Rain in 2015, Heartlands in 2016, The Freaks and the Brave in 2017, Nashville When I Rise in 2018, Retropolitan in 2020, Oxygen in 2021 and Rock Paper Scissors in 2023.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/oxygen/1567362004
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/retropolitan/1505508938
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/nashville-when-i-rise/1422418349
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-freaks-and-the-brave/id1278535762
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heartlands/id1131404464
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/above-the-rain/id1023879301
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/naive/id882888725
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/na%C3%AFve/id1202021941
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/StephenRandall

I also released a tribute song for the victims of the Boston Marathon, We Will Run Again, (100% of the proceeds go to the victims) which is also available on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/we-will-run-again/id858791917

I used to write songs for other artists and thought that getting covers was what it was all about. Whenever I heard the end results of what other artists, producers or A&R people would do with my songs, I mostly found it soul destroying, so I allowed myself to I get distracted for a while - inventing a digital guitar (The Stepp DG1 and DGX) and getting involved in mobile computing (Symbian).  Then about eight years ago I started writing again and this time I wrote for myself and rediscovered my passion. So here I am, a songwriter again. 

I record on a MacBook Pro using Logic Pro X, and play a Fender Jazzmaster (my current go-to), American Fender Tele, '59 Epiphone semi acoustic, Taylor 614ce acoustic, Paul Reed Smith PRS Custom 24, Epiphone Sheraton II Pro, Fender Jazz Bass, Line 6 Variax JTV, Stepp DG1 (of course!), Nord Piano 4/MIDI keyboard, Gretsch Lap Steel and am learning pedal steel on a Sho-Bud Pro pedal steel guitar. 

The Soundcloud community has fostered my motivation for songwriting and music discovery. Thanks for listening - every comment, constructive or otherwise inspires me.

Cheers,

Stephen