A Change of Direction (G. Di Nunno)

Slammed the door on an angel
Much later I felt ashamed
Tore her feelings to pieces
While hearing her call my name.

Felt my shadow escaping
So snake-like by shedding skin
Couldn't figure the motive
Or moods that had pulled me in.

Entered the waters, polluted with pride
Baptized in shame; the sins never dried.
Carry transgressions to bury them deep
The reasons why 
The scars remain
Refuse to heal
I never tried
To halt the flow, and let it roll on.

Gaze on this reflection, these ways never questioned
Drag through all these stages, nothing ever changes.
Some mistakes repeated, inner-self defeated
Start a full dissection--a change of direction.

Rip the heart open, that wave raging ocean
Look deep inside--I got to--look deep inside.
Threats that caused mayhem, finding where I got them
Look deep inside--I got to--look deep inside.

Stumbling blocks now removing
A growing of senses lit
There was nothing quite soothing
As coming right out of it.

Jumped from the waters, a gentle air glide
Erased mistakes, and skies are now wide
Self-help in sessions, with moments of sleep
The reasons why
The scars remained
Refused to heal
I never wish
To halt the flow, and let it roll on. 

Lyrics, composition, and performance by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2024.

#1. A Change Of Direction

DISTRACTIONS ALL AROUND (G. Di Nunno)

Feel the pull of more routine and all that must be done
With little left to feed the self, a grinding down that tires
Hours fly then disappear; I watch the good times run
A struggle to make the moves, while tangled in the briars.

All seems rushing onward
Trips without directions

Went down to the river's edge to gather up my thoughts
To take apart and sort them out, then put them back once more
Back to life a list to-do and let the bad things rot
I'll make peace with choices made, disguises I once wore.

Past no longer haunting
That's not where I'm going.

Distractions all around
A pent-up feeling grips
As dreaded days approach
Anxiety at play.

Toss around and write it out with something left behind
Own it as I've lived this span, reveal these mountains climbed.

Answers soothe the raw nerve
Calming waves around me.

All thought explains the ways
Found peace with what I've done
And tamed the rattled mind
That brings me here today.

So moving from this point
I'll learn by saying no
Without an ounce of guilt
My life and time my own.

All lyrics, composition and performance by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2024.

#7. Distractions All Around

Punching Bag (G. Di Nunno)

I looked inside my heart, found it wasn't cold
My head feels quite heavy from bullshit I've been sold
The longer that I gaze, listen to advice
All well-meant with feeling while trying to be nice.

I'm holding all the keys, money down the sink
A beat-down and losing before I even blink
Be positive and smile--Oh, for goodness sake!
I'll stay put and wallow; that's one thing they won't take!

Understand I have to vent
Nothing more than let it out
Sailing smooth a boat comes first
Mine has holes and nothing worse
Than feeling like a punching bag!

Learn to duck
A step a move
Take a punch
Counter strike!
Get knocked down
Get back up
Feel the rage
Knockout blow!
Start the count
Raise my arm
Victory!

In every life you'll wear the dirt
Bear the scratches and the scars
Favored odds with dramatic tales
Doused the flames beneath the stars.

Battered about by endless storms
Credit earned--the grounds soon dry
Yes it's true that it all works out
Look back just to wave good-bye!

All lyrics and music composed and performed by Gino Di Nunno
Any mistakes discovered were left in on purpose.
Copyright 2025.

#1. Punching Bag

#3. Grip (G. Di Nunno)

Never saw the waiting trap
Drained from struggle, this secret plan
You once was able to adjust
Now you don't know where you stand.

Live for working
Mass consumption
Social framework growing small
Does she want you? 
Lack credentials!
Your devices hold control, and all those apps are free.

Pass the evenings
Hours scrolling
You must show up tomorrow
Reputation is the key.
Money draining
You must have it
Here's another payment plan with the chains you can't see
In isolation's grip.

Interest in the day to day
So mundane as it's like the last
Imagination's smothered cry
With creation's gloried past

Where is thinking?
Can't face boredom
Always something you must do
Where's connection?
Where's the meeting?
Do they really talk to you? Substance bows to trends!

Be productive
Stay compliant
We're not paying you to think
Now get your ass back on track!
All these worries
All these stressors
Is this part of the dream
That you traded for your mind?
At some point you wonder how you're squeezed by the grip. 

As part of the gear required to run the great machine
You're one of the few in the crowd to ask what all this means!
You sit with your thoughts within this world you gaze upon
And wonder where this danger is--have the good times gone?

A robot cannot feel, neither can it breathe
Have to earn a wage; living isn't free!
Moving on the belt changes must be small
Of grabbing back what you lost--all you're meant to be
And human after all!

All lyrics and composition written by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2025

#3. Grip

Gino Di Nunno is a 66 year old guy from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He can't sing, but since starting writing and recording his songs in 2016, he is improving. He is obsessed with Rock Progressivo Italiano, Orchestral music (Beethoven, Mahler, Shostakovich), Jethro Tull, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, and Philosopy. Gino started playing guitar in 1976, but two years later he suffered a left-hand accident and lost 3 and 2/3 fingers (He also started dabbling with piano in 2016, though he doesn't consider himself adept he knows enough to make it sound good). He did not start playing again (as a left-hander) until 1980, and with very long practice sessions, he was able to start a band, taking the hard road by writing original material with his brothers and a few vocalists, where they played everything from Punk, Blues, and a mix of Progressive Rock and Metal.

The band of brothers decided to end their music pursuit in the early 90's to catch up with life. Gino decided to give music another try in the early 2000's and didn't start recording and releasing music until 2016, releasing versions of albums on Soundcloud where he had no idea what he was doing; however, each album saw improvement (yes...even his vocals) by learning through trial and error experimentation. 

Gino said the best advice he ever received was when a guy told him, "if you can't sing, make sure your lyrics are good so people will focus on them instead of your singing." Gino writes deep lyrics dealing with life struggles and predicaments, yet always with a bit of hope. He prefers to write small symphonies within a song, with lots of changes, added dynamics, and a breaking away from familiar forms and structures. He realizes he is not unique in breaking new ground, and that aging and long practice sessions has given him (at times) an aching right wrist which has taken away the speed he once had, and even with his spotty vocals his only request is that you dive deep into the songs because he insists something beautiful can be discovered.  (Antonella Gaspari)

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