Less Bad

First of three demos I recorded in a small Atlanta studio back in the early 90's. I had never been in a studio and certainly hadn't ever recorded a song by myself. I played all instruments and sang. When I went into the studio the song did not have a bridge, guitar solo or ending! It was quite challenging to put all that together in one session. I had help from a great engineer, though. This demo is from a cassette tape that got roughed up so there are bad spots.

Lyrics:

I thought our love would last forever
The kind that would last for a million years
Will our love bring us together
Or will we drown in all our tears...

Waiting
For your love
I've been waiting
For your love to come my way
Waiting
For your love

Alone in my room I'm thinking about you
And all the good times that we've had 
(oh what went wrong?)
How can I go on without you
When you're all I've every had...

(chorus)

I never knew that you could lie so well
by the stories you could tell
I never wanted to hear those lies
But I don't want to say goodbye...

I've been waiting
For your love
Waiting...
For your love
Waiting...
I'm waiting...

You know I'm waiting
I'm waiting...

Waiting

The final song I did at I.A.R. Studios in 1994. This was a raw demo, for sure. It's from a cassette that got damaged so the sound suffers in spots. There are a few drops in the very beginning. I no longer have access to the master tapes. It was supposed to be a techno/country song if I ever finished it.

Lyrics

Just one more last kiss before I go
Rivers into oceans
Tears into the flow

Her lips are so soft
The slightest quiver when we kiss
Tongues move in warm dances
She breathes her life into me

We close our eyes to the world
It’s the only time we can see
One final slow dance
Turning round and around and around

Don’t leave me
Don’t let me leave
I could hold you here forever
Don’t you even realize
You’re all I have left to live for

Don’t turn away
Don’t let me disappear
Can’t you hold me here forever? 
Don’t you even realize
You’re all I have left to die for

Just one more last kiss before I go
Rivers into oceans
Tears into the flow

Her body is so warm
Still a shiver when we touch
Our rhythm draws us closer
Her hands hold my head up
To tell me I can let go

In this one night I knew she would be there
We breathe as one body – one soul
My trembling hands reach out to touch her skin
So soft to my touch

I trace every curve, every line, every shadow
From the softness of her hair
To the firmness of her legs that wrap around me

I look into her eyes, without shame, without fear
And knowing there is nothing that can take her away from me
But me…

Now you, you gave so much
So much I couldn't see
But I thought that you should know
Now I see
Now I see…


One More Last Kiss

This song (demo) is for anyone who has struggled with depression or self-esteem issues.  The story is dark but the message at the end is one of hope. 

The song took 8 months to write and record because, like my last song, I am doing it all on my own, learning as I go, and wanting to write something a bit deeper than before. 

Lyrics:

I'm looking for someone to take me out of this place
Not for the night but out of this world
I've had all I can take of a loveless life
Can we get away?

I don't want to be here anymore
Things never turned out like I dreamed
I hate what I've become--
Why do you think I'm here?

Someone has to pay
Someone has to lose
That's the way of the world
That's the way of the world
If you want to change your hell
You have to change yourself
That’s the way of the world
That’s the way of the world

I looked in her eyes reflecting all my desire
I came here to hide from the world
It’s never too late – let’s escape
Into the night
Yes we can get away

I don't want to be here anymore
Things never turned out like I dreamed
I hate what I've become--
Why do you think I'm here?

Someone has to pay
Someone has to lose
That's the way of the world
That's the way of the world
If you want to change your hell
You have to change yourself
That’s the way of the world
That’s the way of the world

Maybe it’s for the best
I never really understood happiness
I’d really like to try…
One pill and it starts to fade
Two pills and I’m feeling no pain
Three pills and I can’t hear you
One more and I’m sailing across the sky

Maybe the world didn't turn out the way you wanted 
But do you really want to give up now
There's always love 
Just around the corner
Always coming over the hill 

Love is always coming
Over the hill
Love is always coming
Over the hill
And that’s the way of the world…


The Way Of The World

Blue Spotted Tail (Fleet Foxes Cover)

I wrote this song back in the 90's but never got it recorded properly. This is an unplugged demo, just guitar and vocals. 

Lyrics: 

Oh Holy Mother
There’s far too many of us dying in your streets
There’s way too many of us crying at your feet
And I keep my head about the water
Take my hand and lead me to the slaughter

There has to be
Something that’s left for me
I can’t walk away
When there’s so much that I need to say
And she only sees
What I want her to see
But don’t turn away
Just hold me ‘til the sun comes up today

Oh Holy Mother
Is there anyone who
Can take away my loneliness?
Is there anyone who 
Can dive into my emptiness?
And I cry myself to sleep at night
And wrap you up in my dreams

There has to be
Something that’s left for me
I can’t walk away
When there’s so much that I need to say
And she only sees
What I want her to see
But don’t turn away
Just hold me ‘til the sun comes up today

There has to be
Something that’s left for me
Don’t tell me what’s real
When all I say is all I feel
And you only see
What you want to see
But don’t turn away…
I’m ready to let you in my heart today

Don’t turn away
I’m ready to let you in
Come in…


What I Want Her to See

I recorded this demo version on my laptop over the past year. Life tends to keep us busy and away from our true passions; and since I write, arrange, sing, play all the instruments, record and mix my songs it takes many months to create one!

My prior songs are much darker, but given the way 2016 has gone it seems like a positive song was in order. This song is for anyone who loves without worrying about what the world thinks about it.

Lyrics:
If I am a good man
If I am a strong man
And if love shines through
These things, they shine from you

If the world shines bright
And if we love the light
And if love shines through
These things, they shine from you

Just let all the others talk
They'll say that we are wandering away
But I don't think they know
The way we love
The way that I love you

If I am a good man
If I am a strong man
If love is forever
These things, they shine from you

Emotions are flowing my love
Thank you for showing me love every day

Just let all the others talk
They'll say that we are wandering away
But I don't think they know
The way we love
The way that I love you

For The Widows In Paradise, For the Fatherless in Ypsilanti (Sufjan Stevens Cover)

Steve Osborne

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