Old recording of this song with Bernie Fallon on drums (who you can see in the picture at the back)

A comment of the binge drink culture of the time, it's still very relevant today.

Weekend

A song about a bad breakup with the title stolen from my favourite John Buchan novel.

Based around a Stewart Copeland-inspired drum part it's in the style of late 70's Rock-Reggae which I think perfectly complements the bitter lyrics.

39 Steps

** new re-recorded version **

New song that came from a London Songwriters meetup collaboration.  I took the song away, rewrote the chorus, added a middle 8 and changed a few lyrics here and there.

Secret Of My Success

A song about escaping the noise of the city and finding peace at the seaside.

Down To The Coast

A song about the ruinous state of global politics.

Many thanks to Richard Foehn for his wonderful cello playing on this track.

This is the full version.   A shorter "Radio Edit" version is also available.

https://soundcloud.com/steveclarke-1/villains-kings-radio-edit

Villains & Kings

A song about the ruinous state of global politics.

Many thanks to Richard Foehn for his wonderful cello playing on this track.

This is the "Radio Edit" version.   A full length "Epic" version is also available.

https://soundcloud.com/steveclarke-1/villains-kings-epic-version

Villains & Kings (Radio Edit)

Unhappy Birthday is about disquiet with the state of the world and fear of impending mortality.

Unhappy Birthday

After The Storm

A song about legacy acts that are still performing well into a pensionable age.

Lyrics:
Verse 1:
Up at the front of the queue
To stand in line
pitch up a sleeping bag
by the red stop sign

Pre-Chorus 1:
Switch on the mic
Pull up the faders
The show is about to begin

Chorus:
The comeback king
He’s got an answer for everything 
The comeback king
We’ve come to him sing

Verse 2:
Ominous clouds in the sky 
And I’m tired and cold
Patiently waiting in line
Before it’s all sold

Pre-Chorus 2:
Turn up the lights
Fade in the music
The show is about to begin

Middle 8:
It’s the same old story
A document signed and dated
Rumours of their retirement
Have been greatly exaggerated 

Verse 3:
Up goes a shout from the crowd as we all turn ‘round
Panic in the stampede as I’m pushed to the ground

Pre-Chorus 3:
Fade up the lights
Open the curtains
The show is about to begin

The Comeback King

A story of a phone conversation with my ex

Lyrics:
Verse 1:
I was working in the lab late one night
I heard the telephone ring and saw the blinking light
I picked up the receiver and I said “who’s there?”
I heard a voice the other end and felt a chill of despair

Pre Chorus 1:
An uncontrollable urge to hang up the phone
I really had to stop and think twice

Chorus:
It was my ex-wife
It was my ex-wife
ex-wife

Verse 2:
A voice like fingernails down a chalk board
There’s only so much alimony I can afford
She said would you like to see David Bowie
I have two tickets, wanna go with me

Pre Chorus 2:
While it’s tempting to get to see the thin white duke
I really had to stop and think twice

Middle 8:
If it wasn’t for the words of advice from my mother and all my close friends

Verse 3:
You know I’m not the kind of guy to hold grudge
There was no violent behaviour as I explained to the judge
We spent most of our time together arguing and disagreeing
It was a serious drag on my mental well being

Pre-Chorus 3:
While it’s easy to see the way that things worked out
I didn’t have to stop and think twice

Ex Wife

Chorus:
Cor blimey strike a light, guv
It’s your round mine’s a pint, bruv
Would you like a white wine, love
Cor blimey strike a light

Verse 1:
Mrs Brown you got a lovely daughter
I have thoughts about her I know I didn’t oughta
Are you going to Barnet Fair 
Catch the train I’ll meet you there
Cor blimey strike a light

Chorus:
Cor blimey strike a light, guv
It’s your round mine’s a pint, bruv
Would you like a white wine, love
Cor blimey strike a light

Verse 2:
Mr Brown goes into town on the 8:41
He gets home each evening just in time for currant bun
You should see the things I see
A window cleaner I would be
Cor blimey strike a light

Chorus:
Cor blimey strike a light, guv
It’s your round mine’s a pint, bruv
Would you like a white wine, love
Cor blimey strike a light

Middle 8:
I read an article in the Walthamstow Echo
Some girls prefer to drink a glass of Prosecco 
A few of those and you’re flat out on the decko
Cor blimey strike a light

Verse 3:
Mr Richmond Hill of Richmond Hill went driving in his car
Problem with the crankshaft, he hadn’t gone too far
Got stuck in a traffic jam
Came home and had some bread and jam
Cor blimey strike a light

Chorus:
Cor blimey strike a light, guv
It’s your round mine’s a pint, bruv
Would you like a white wine, love
Cor blimey strike a light

Verse 4:
Christmas lights in Isleworth are the pride of West London
The Duke is in his Jam Jar on the Westway doing a ton
Ride the 117 bus 
All the way to Shepherds Bush
Cor blimey strike a light

Chorus:
Cor blimey strike a light, guv
It’s your round mine’s a pint, bruv
Would you like a white wine, love
Cor blimey strike a light

Verse 5:
When I heard the Russians put a dog in outer space
Had to grow a beard to decorate the old boat race
Through the skies, a shooting star
Could score a goal at QPR
Cor blimey strike a light

Chorus:
Cor blimey strike a light, guv
It’s your round mine’s a pint, bruv
Would you like a white wine, love
Cor blimey strike a light

Strike A Light

Lyrics:

Verse 1:
I got the room at the top - window in an office block
I'm gazing out on the river at night bathed in neon light I stare
I got everything I need I got the brains to succeed
So why do I feel the walls closing in got me living in my nightmare

Chorus:
But if I could be half the man I wanted to be to try
To gaze out to see looking for the key to the door of my 
Glass cage

Verse 2:
I gotta house in the sticks - invest in mortar and bricks
I gotta work to keep paying my way the same every day and then
I got my toys in my room - a technological boom
But there's no reason to try anymore more I still remember when

Alt Chorus:
I saved up to buy my guitar and played every bar to see 
It's sad to reflect as reflections shine from the bars of my glass cage

Middle 8:
Its the way of the world - you can write every word - you can be that 
all the songs that you heard - Sad and slightly absurd - I can see that and to me that

Verse 3:
A drink with friends in the bar - pick up the keys to my car
I'm pulling out of the back street at night halogen so bright I see

Chorus:
But if I could be half the man I wanted to be to try
To gaze out to see looking for the key to the door of my 
Glass cage

Glass Cage

Inspired by George Formby's catchphrase "Turned out nice again".  Looking at the the world today, It hasn't turned out nice again.

It Hasn't Turned Out Nice Again

Second Thoughts

This is a song I wrote during a period when I was suffering a long bout of creative block. I figured the best way to tackle creative block was to write a song about it. 

The original recording I made was dull and uninspired.  When I came to re-record it I thought what can I do to improve it? What would Bowie do?  Well, he would make it more funky and add some weird Robert Fripp-like guitar (In his case, actually using Robert Fripp). The end result is much improved I think (My clumsy attempts at Frippertronics are on the fade out).  Enjoy

Downtime

Most of this song is based around a simple four chord pattern.  It describes the intangible nature of inspiration as "white noise" on our creative conciousness

Studio Stuff

White Noise

Updated version of this song with Moog synth and improved guitar sounds.

Also has my wife (who is an infinitely better singer than me) doing backing vocals

Positive Outlook

I wanted to write a song about my football team QPR.  I wanted to avoid the usual "we are the greatest team the world has ever seen" cliche (we clearly aren't).  I ended up reminiscing about growing up in West London and attending games and tried to describe the events and emotions.  It's kind of difficult.

West London Boys

Based around an XTC riff.  I thought it sounded discordantly uneasy like when you want to get off a merry go round (It's a metaphor).

Merry Go Round

This is a very old song that I have updated with a different feel as well as writing some new lyrics and a middle 8.   All of the the things in this song have happened to me me at one time or another, just not in the same day ;)

SteveClarke

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks