Live recording of me performing at The Sun Inn, Stockton-on-Tees, on 20 April 2012, with Andyx (http://soundcloud.com/andrew-davies) on backing vocals and the audience joining in too.

The recording was made direct to stereo microphone and is far from perfect, but I think it captures the, erm, revelry of the occasion.

Thanks to David Gunton (http://soundcloud.com/david_gunton) for recording the gig and also for the excellent photographs he took of the show.  Check out his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/gruntysworld.

There's a live performance of this song available on YouTube at http://youtu.be/4pBNR5bb6LM, though it was filmed at a different gig.

ALRIGHT FOR SOME

A luxury home to maintain
Stocked your cellar with champagne
You know how to entertain
Mix in circles so urbane
No trespassers in your domain
It's alright for some

Lots of servants you employ
Rooms reserved in the Savoy
Live the life of a playboy
Think that you're the Real McCoy
Stimulates your little toy
It's alright for some

Always choose the plat du jour
Washed down with the best liqueur
Social problems you ignore
For poverty you blame the poor
Pity you're so immature
It's alright for some

You always wear the best cologne
Don't care about the ozone
Inject yourself testosterone
Pay enough, she'll always moan
Keeps your ego overblown
It's alright for some

Oh, aren't you the big success?
Your friends let you win at chess
Indulge in every known excess
Never mind who you oppress
Don't let the plebs know your address
It's alright for some

At private schools your kids are taught
No privilege that can't be bought
Well connected with the court
Joined their hunt, your bloody sport
Shame your mother didn't abort
It's alright for some

You know all the head of state
Your workers you intimidate
No time to waste on debate
The media you manipulate
I hope that you asphyxiate
It's alright for some

The competition's looking sparse
Now you've got branches out on Mars
Attending parties with the stars
A member of the ruling 'clarse'
You can kiss my fuckin' arse
It's alright for some

Words and music by Steve Cooke 
© Steve Cooke 1992

Alright For Some (live at The Sun Inn)

The very first track I uploaded to SoundCloud, now available as a free download.

This song, which I still perform regularly as part of my live set, was inspired by Stanley Milgram's experiments on obedience to authority and its resonance with the excuse often given for war crimes and human rights violations.  I made this recording at Durham Street Studio, Hartlepool, way back in 1993 and it features Alan Williamson (http://soundcloud.com/alan-williamson-1) on guitars and Lythan Nevard (http://slightlysquiffy.blogspot.co.uk) on backing vocals.

There's a YouTube video of me playing it live at www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVnIw9zG3zA&feature=share&list=PL3421A8861A66BE39.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

www.stevecookemusic.com
www.facebook.com/thestevecooke
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OBEYING ORDERS

Press that button
You must obey
The subject is wrong
So he must pay
Obeying orders, obeying orders

You came to this place
Of your own free will
Signed the contract
And it binds you still
Obeying orders, obeying orders

Chorus:
The same old excuse
Again and again
We're just obeying orders
So we're not to blame

A shot is fired
From the top of the wall
The bullet's on target
And a young man falls
Obeying orders, obeying orders

He shrugs his shoulders
As he closes the oven door
Saying: "What you do you expect
"In a time of war?"
Obeying orders, obeying orders

Repeat chorus twice

It's always the same
It's always the same
It's always the same
We're not to blame

Words and music by Steve Cooke
© Steve Cooke 1992

Obeying Orders

Words adapted from a poem by David Bateman (used with permission).  Music by yours truly.  Thanks to Jon O'Neill (http://soundcloud.com/badjazztrio) for playing guitar on this track.

Recorded in 1999/2000 on a  Yamaha MD8 multitrack MiniDisc recorder, using a Yamaha QS300 synth workstation, an SU10 sampler and various Behringer effects.

There's a YouTube video of me performing it live at www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9MnKm6Usqc&feature=share&list=PL3421A8861A66BE39.

Please check out my Facebook page (www.fb.com/thestevecooke) or follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/steve_cooke) for news of future releases and gigs.

You can read more about the inspiration for David Bateman's poem here: www.theburgessproject.blogspot.co.uk/2006/10/you-blister-my-paint.html.

YOU BLISTER MY PAINT

I thought that love was like a gentle rain
Like the sun up above shining down on the grain
But your kind of love must be a different strain
Let me tell you ... soft and gentle you ain't
You blister my paint

You drive me too hard, then you blame the machine
You take me apart just because you're feeling mean
I could do with some armoured plating in between
I can tell you ... kind and cool you ain't
You blister my paint

Can you imagine the way that I feel
When my surface is cracking and it's starting to peel?
I've got some bad news that I think you should know
You blister my paint and it's starting to show

You got a blowtorch sun, you got an acid rain
I can feel my skin melting away down the drain
I want to go underground and not come up again
Let me tell you ... loving and tender you ain't
You blister my paint

Words by David Bateman
Music by Steve Cooke
© David Bateman and Steve Cooke 1999

You Blister My Paint

Now available as a free download, this track, written by Jeff Whiley and myself, is a tribute to the funky soundtracks and theme tunes of 1970s police television shows.

I played all the instruments in this recording, which was produced way back in 1999 on a Yamaha MD8 MiniDisc multitracker, using a Yamaha QS300 synth workstation and a Yamaha SU10 sampler.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

www.stevecookemusic.com
www.facebook.com/thestevecooke
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© Steve Cooke/Jeff Whiley 1999

Cop Car Chase: imaginary TV theme

A quirky song about 'new age' beliefs, recorded in 1999.  You will probably recognise people you know in the lyric.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

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SHE BELIEVES

She believes in astral projection
Wears a lucky charm for protection
She’s convinced the Government’s talking to aliens
Who abducted her sister for strange experiments

Chorus:
She believes ... but this time it’s true
She believes ... but this time it’s true
She believes ... but this time it’s true
She believes ... she believes in you

Always checks the horoscopes to follow the stars
Plans her whole life around Jupiter and Mars
She’s sure that crystals have the power to heal
Yeah, she’s got lots of crazy ideas, but this one’s for real

Repeat chorus

She knows there’s evidence for reincarnation
And can recommend a herbal cure for any situation
Her furniture’s arranged to conform to feng shui
She’s got tarot cards and Ouija boards, thinks she can foresee and ...

Repeat chorus

She believes in you
This time it’s true
She believes in you
This time it’s true
She believes in you

Words and music by Steve Cooke
© Steve Cooke 1999

All vocals and instruments by Steve Cooke.  Recorded in 1999 on a Yamaha MD8 MiniDisc multitracker at home in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.

She Believes

In these times of austerity, jobs are difficult to find.  This song is about getting a job.  But a very unusual job.

I wrote 'Scorpion Farm' in collaboration with performance poet David Bateman (www.publishingnorthwest.co.uk/author/39), with whom I have worked on several tracks.  Joel Braverman (http://soundcloud.com/jbrave) contributed bass guitar and live drums to this recording.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

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SCORPION FARM

It's not the job he wanted
But he says he doesn't mind
He'd rather work on motors
But he took what he could find
Happy just to have a part
Happy in his role
He says the pay is crappy, but
It's better than the dole

Chorus:
Daddy's got a job
Daddy's got a job at last
Down at the scorpion farm

You have to be realistic
Cos this isn't paradise
And anyway, statistics
Show that scorpions are nice
Happy just to have a task
Happy with his prize
Filling up the poison-flask
And hoping for a rise

Repeat chorus

Now he's polishing up the pincers and he's sharpening up the sting
He's making sure the breeding pairs get on with their own thing
He's shining up the segments and he's cleaning up the claws
He's marketing the poison through all the usual stores

Repeat chorus twice

Words by David Bateman
Music by Steve Cooke
© Bateman/Cooke 2010

Scorpion Farm

Time for a bit of silliness - a 'banjo versus keytar' duel between Mark Davies and Steve Cooke.

As part of an Xmas 'Hootenanny' gig at Harper's Bar in Stockton on 23 December 2011, banjo player Mark Davies (from brilliant band The Broken Broadcast - http://soundcloud.com/thebrokenbroadcast) and I paid homage to the famous 'dueling banjos' scene from the film Deliverance.

This is a very rough live recording, warts 'n' all.  We took quite a different approach from the original during the speeded-up section of the piece.

I was playing a Roland Lucina AX-09 shoulder synth (aka keytar), and Mark was playing a late 1960s GDR-manufacturered Kay KB54 banjo.

You can follow Mark Davies' adventures in banjo land via his 'Great North Strum' blog at http://thegreatnorthstrum.blogspot.com.

Please check out my Facebook page (www.fb.com/thestevecooke) or follow me on Twitter (www.twitter.com/steve_cooke) for news of future releases and gigs.

Duelling Banjos & Keytars (live)

A collaboration featuring a lyric by Paula Wright and the soulful voice of Robert Pickens (http://soundcloud.com/terribob).

There's a YouTube video of me performing this song live at www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrGtv0jzp24&feature=share&list=PL3421A8861A66BE39.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

www.stevecookemusic.com
www.facebook.com/thestevecooke
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FOLLOW THE RAIN

It doesn't matter how late we sleep
We always wake up on time
We have an understanding, you and me
What's yours is yours, what's left is mine

But tears are dried in the blink of an eye
Replaced by a smile and a little white lie
And you know it's not the same
As you head for the sun
I will always follow the rain

Chorus:
Follow the rain, follow the rain
Running in circles, trying to escape the pain
Follow the rain, follow the rain
One day I'll run into you again

My heart jumps with the record playing
Don't know if I'm going or staying
The pictures have changed, don't recognise that look
Don't recognise goodbyes

But tears are dried with a passing glance
Replaced by a smile and a new romance
And you know it's not the same
As you head for the sun
I will always follow the rain

Repeat chorus

Words by Paula Wright
Music by Steve Cooke
© Steve Cooke/Paula Wright 1999

Follow The Rain

'Job Club' was inspired by my experiences on a government scheme for job seekers and is written in opposition to the exploitation of free labour through workfare programmes.  The song starts innocently enough but builds up to an angry finale.

I am grateful to Kevin Morrell (http://soundcloud.com/kevin-morrell-1) for playing guitar on the track and to John Hodgson (http://soundcloud.com/fast-cakes-1), Ian Ramsden (http://soundcloud.com/mystic38) and Graeme Robertson (http://soundcloud.com/vortexia) for providing backing vocals.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

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JOB CLUB

Job Club – Got no job?  Don’t worry
Job Club – You’ll soon be in the money
Job Club – There’s a place for you, so hurry
Job Club – Ticket to milk and honey

You thought there was no hope
But Job Club’s here to save the day
Get you off the dole register
Hip hip hooray!

Job Club – Your future’s looking bright
Job Club – Now we’ve got you in our sights
Job Club – Come towards the light
Job Club – Just sign away your rights

You thought there was no hope
But Job Club’s here to show the way
Get you off the dole register
Shame about the pay

Job Club – Don’t be lazy, we know the jobs are there
Job Club – You can conjure them up out of thin air
Job Club – Cold-call companies everywhere
Job Club – Wear a suit, shave your beard and cut your hair

Job Club – Add some lies to your CV
Job Club – Change your ethnicity
Job Club – Take a role working somewhere for free
Job Club – Suppress your individuality

Words and music by Steve Cooke 
© Steve Cooke 1992/2012

Job Club

A collaboration with Trev Teasdel (http://soundcloud.com/trev-teasdel) – his words, my music.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

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UNDRESSING FOR THE DRONES

All the pubs are closing down
And there's a peep show in town
Watching you in a crowd
Watching you all alone
Undressing for the drones

Movement is restricted
District to district
And if they feel inclined
They watch the pictures in your mind
Undressing for the drones

They're working undercover
Spying on each other
They'll be making arrests
For all this corporate burlesque
Undressing for the drones

Words by Trev Teasdel
Music by Steve Cooke
© Cooke/Teasdel 2012

Undressing For The Drones

'The Money's Arrived' is a song about payday for us wage-slaves.

It was written in collaboration with poet David Bateman (www.publishingnorthwest.co.uk/author/39), with whom I have worked on several tracks.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

www.stevecookemusic.com
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THE MONEY'S ARRIVED

I’ve been staying indoors for what seems like a year
I’ve been waiting on wage clerks, but now look what’s here
I can make a splash
Cos the money’s arrived
I can pay in cash
Now the money’s arrived
And all those things for which I’ve strived –
I can buy them now, cos the money’s arrived

Do this, do that, and don’t be late –
But when it comes to pay, they make you wait
But I’ve got off the hook
Now the money’s arrived
I’m well out of schtuck
Cos the money’s arrived
And all those things for which I’ve striven –
I can buy them now, cos the money’s arriven

Ninety-nine of the time, I feel like a slave
But this is the one, now the money’s arrave
I can take myself out
The money’s arrived
It’s the end of a drought
The money’s arrived
And all those things for which I’ve strove –
I can buy them now, cos the money’s arrove

I can go to the bar
Now the money’s arrived
And my pocket’s a star
Now the money’s arrived
And all those things for which I’ve strived –
I can buy them now, cos the money’s arrived

Words by David Bateman
Music by Steve Cooke
© David Bateman/Steve Cooke 2010/2012

The Money's Arrived

Another collaboration with poet David Bateman (www.publishingnorthwest.co.uk/author/39), with whom I have worked on several songs.

This track also features backing vocals by John Hollingum (http://soundcloud.com/john-hollingum) and my first, and probably last, attempt at a melodica solo.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

www.stevecookemusic.com
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LESS TO ME THAN MEETS THE EYE

My eye is clear, my voice is smooth:
Decisive tones that lull and soothe,
Ideal for meeting someone new.
I’m pleased to meet you. How d’you do?
My skin is clean, untouched by germ,
My chin is strong, my handshake firm,
My manner, clothes and mind are smart;
My conversation – like an art;
But still you’ll guess, as time goes by,
There’s less to me … than meets the eye.

My bosses love the way I work
And seize upon my useful quirk
For meeting strangers, closing deals,
Smoothing feathers, oiling wheels;
They urge me on to give my most;
Then move me round from post to post.
Promotions come; but all the same,
Not one of them recalls my name.
It makes no odds how hard I try.
There’s less to me … than meets the eye.

At social functions, parties, sprees,
You can’t help but be at your ease.
We loved tonight so very much.
We really ought to stay in touch.
Who knows? Perhaps you will at first,
But soon you’ll find I’ve quenched that thirst.
Your first impressions are the best.
Beyond that I’ll fail every test.
Those who know me won’t deny
There’s less to me … than meets the eye.

An easy word, a winning smile,
Can carry you a long, long while.
A job well done. A pleasant chat.
Success – there’s none can argue that.
But still I wish I could ignore
That sense I should be something more;
And as I play the perfect host,
Yet drift through life more like a ghost,
Sometimes I almost wonder why
There’s less to me … than meets the eye.

Words by David Bateman
Music by Steve Cooke
© Bateman/Cooke 2010

Less To Me Than Meets The Eye

'20-20 Vision' was co-written with Liverpool-based performance poet David Bateman (www.publishingnorthwest.co.uk/author/39), who was has worked with me on several songs.

For news of future releases and live dates, please visit my website and follow me on social media:

www.stevecookemusic.com
www.facebook.com/thestevecooke
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20-20 VISION

The way you wear that smile, I could watch your face forever.
Won’t you tell me what you’re thinking – cos I don’t have a clue.
Some people say that body-talk’s a thing that’s cute and clever.
Some say they’re telepathic, but I don’t think that’s true.
I want eyes that recognize lies, as clear as perfect weather.
I want eyes that see right through into the heart of you.
Not some vague misty glimpse –
I want perfect precision,
When I look inside your mind
With my twenty-twenty vision.

We’re all reading our stars, the racing tips and the Footsie.
We all want something comforting to trust in we can see.
We try to look for patterns in the giblets and the tea-leaves.
But it’s a blurred, blurred, blurred, blurred world to me.
So I want my seven senses all fine-tuned in twenty-twenty.
I want to read the small print, and I want the guarantee.
They say we can’t see fate –
That it’s a done decision,
But I’ll stare it in the face
With my twenty-twenty vision.

Some say the past is dead and gone, just like an empty victory.
Some say whatever’s happened is still always here to stay.
Some say the day we’re born, we’re always doomed to live in misery.
But I can’t even tell quite why you look at me that way.
How on Earth did all of our paths connect this way through history?
How the hell did we end up the way we have today?
I’ll follow the tracks
Leading up to this collision,
As I look back for answers
With my twenty-twenty vision.

Words by David Bateman
Music by Steve Cooke
© David Bateman and Steve Cooke 2010

20-20 Vision

John Hodgson interviews funk maverick Steve Cooke for the Teesside Band Archive 'Local Heroes' podcast series, originally released in February 2013. 

This podcast features three exclusive live performances, plus chat about songwriting, creative influences, favourite artists and bands, most loved music gear and more.

The full series of podcasts can be found on @TeessideBandArchive's website at www.teessidebandarchive.weebly.com.

"Teesside Band Archive exists to document and curate the Teesside music scene.  It promotes the present and archives the past for all Teesside musicians."

Free download link

Teesside Band Archive interview with Steve Cooke

A funk maverick from the far left of the leftfield, keytar-wielding activist Steve Cooke blends sharp-witted lyrics with sleazy funk, geeky electronica and spiky new wave.

Popular tracks by Steve Cooke #FunkMaverick