Once in a Million Years
May 22, 2021  All Rights Reserved

Once in a million years
Stars align just to make it so 
Laying aside the fears
A feeling that we can’t let go

All through the day
It’s just like dreaming
Time slips and slides away
While we are scheming

Once In a million years
Fates are tellin you hold the phone
Pushing away the tears 
Believing that there’s no one home

Drift through the days
We’re only dreaming
Time slips and slides away
As we are scheming

Once in a million years
It’s crystal clear the time is now 
Leaving it in the rear view mirror
A time that never knew just how

All through the day
It’s just like dreaming
Time slips and slides away
While we are scheming...

Once in a Million Years

Photo: Physically choreographed charcoal art by Heather Hansen

The Price (Round And Around Go The Days)
August 19, 2021 All Right Reserved

Round and around go the days
Reaching for something that slips away
Is this the price we must pay

Speaking of things that you don’t understand
It’s a crying shame
Lingerin’ too long like an overplayed song
it’s a fools game

Over and over we go
Hoping for reason to take control
Try not to let it all go

Tellin me this and you’re tellin me that
to ad nauseam
I’m goin my way and you’re going yours
To the bitter end

Round and around go the days
Reaching for something that slips away
Is this the price we must pay

The Price (Round And Around Go The Days)

Reasons Why
11/12/2021  All rights reserved

The reasons why we turn away
From all that’s seen…
A complication for another day
And the lies between…

The living daylights up the darkest night
And places we have been…
Raise a glass to our prosperity…my friend 

The reasons that we go out late 
And stay too long
A complication for another day
What could go wrong…

The vapid prattle and another beer
As the clock strikes half past two
Tell me everything I long to hear, would you…

In the season of obscurity
Lines will fade
A complication for another day
We’ve got it made

The living daylights up the darkest night
And places we have been…
Raise a glass to our prosperity…my friend…

The reasons why we turn away
From all that’s seen…

Reasons Why

All rights reserved 3/29/2022

All is Fair

You won’t take a chance and
due to circumstances
keep the color well within the lines

how come you don’t care and
Won’t be made aware and 
stick with birds of familiar hue

Can’t you see
It’s killin me…

You don’t lend a hand and
cannot comprehend when
It ain’t jumpin off your tv screen

Like a crow without wings
You cannot believe things
If it ain’t standing right in front of you

Don’t you see
It’s killin me…

On and on…
You sing your song
Won’t be long
until it’s gone

All is fair
In love and tears
Hold on tight
Through the years…

Times they come and they go 
Many things we don’t know
Wipe the mist from the camera lens

Fear still grips so tight and
Keeps us up at night then
Builds a wall made of razor wire

I can see
We won’t be free…

All Is Fair

Guess I'm Doin Fine

Katmandu

Everybody Knows

This House Is Not For Sale

This one is a bit of a jumble about the elusive search for truth.
How real clarity tends to emerge when we are on our own, in the natural world, away from the allure of the constant messages and distractions coming at us in the modern world.  Something like that anyway:)

All rights reserved 9/15/2022

Standing in the station
The moon is shining low…
With a touch of revelation
And nowhere else to go

Waiting by the ocean
For answers to reveal…
You beg, steal and borrow
For the things you cannot feel

Beauty isn’t wise
No matter what they say
if you see through the disguise
In the light of day
fate is on our side 
If we let it in…

Cruisin through the canyon
With the sunlight in my eyes
I recall the conversation
Was it all a pack of lies

Beauty isn’t wise
No matter what they say…
if you see through the disguise
In the light of day
Fate is on our side
If we let it in

Light of Day

Might need to turn it up a little:)
**remixed 12/23 to fix boomy guitar and adjust eq on multiple tracks:)***
All rights reserved 12/5/2022
Artwork by Robin F. Williams 

I know… if I look away
I’m better off to see…
Time in a different way
And how it should be…
The minutes move so slowly
And sow their seeds…
Morning takes away the darkness
Eventually…

And if…I don’t miss the chance
To take it all in inside
Before walls come crumbling down
And we run and hide…
The hours show so little mercy 
Don’t you see
That we’re given what we need
Eventually…

The hours show so little mercy 
Don’t you see
That we’re given what we need
Eventually…

Eventually

Get Home
Written and performed by Todd Brown
Sonic adornments provided by Boxy https://soundcloud.com/boxy-683069948
All rights reserved 2/18/2023


All that we are
is not near or too far
all that we do
will not make us brand new

Take the ruby from my hand
and see how it glows
a thousand yesterdays will hold on tight
until we get home

We've travelled so far
not to know who we are
Curtains will fall
making clear to us all

Take the locket from my hand
and see how it shines
a thousand yesterdays won't make it last
until the end of time

I've waited so long
just to find
If you'd just

Take the ruby from my hand
and see how it glows
a thousand yesterdays will hold on tight
until we get home

Get Home

This song brings to mind my beautiful daughter's whimsical approach to life and the wonder of it.  Something she continues to teach me daily.

From The Morning

This one started out as 2 different incomplete projects (in different keys) after failing to fully actualize either I thought I'd fuse the 2 into one piece with lyrics that touch on longing and loss.  
All Rights Reserved 5/16/2023

Into the crystal light
a deep and satisfying sight
then I'm in your arms once more

Over the distant range
a tale that never wants to change
can you see it now, with me

Under a mystic spell
the ole familiar parallel
to be in your arms again

After the driving rain
the landscape never looks the same
now I'm back again this time

We will remember
never surrender
We will remember now

Once we discover
Love in forever
we'll make it through somehow

We will remember
never surrender
We will remember now

Into the crystal light
a deep and satisfying sight
then I'm in your arms once more

In Your Arms

Flight

*Please note that the unfortunate soul portrayed here is completely fictional and is a depiction of nobody in particular.  More accurately a hybrid of individuals encountered or observed.
Enjoy:)

All rights reserved august 12, 2023

Tequila
He takes a sip and lets it gnaw
On dreams that never will take form
He's slippin' away

Morning light
The new day ends another night
Of nothing but another fight
That takes him away

He never knows the plans he should make
Or chances that his heart wants to take
He's heard it all before 
But not anymore
It's slippn' away

No reply
His efforts never get him by
So baby don't you even try
He's slippn' away

Sweet Charlotte
He gives it everything he's got
Then orders them another shot
She turns him away

He never knows the plans he should make
Or chances that his heart wants to take
He's heard it all before 
But not anymore
It's driftin’ away

Albatross 
It's like a train you can't get off
He's sees the stop but not the cost
Of slippin’ away

Slippin' Away

Written on a trans-Atlantic flight wishing to be distracted from the gentleman beside me with questionable body hygiene :-)

No Other Story 

When I try to reconcile now
The randomness I can't explain
Just when you think its in your hands now
The skies will bring a new refrain

Guess there is no other story
As the sheets come down
The memory becomes an eddy
I'm tryin' so hard not to drown

I'm only staring out the window
The sun it wants to break on through
thinking bout the reverie some
Back to a time that I once knew

Guess there is no other story
As the sheets come down..
The memory becomes an eddy
I'm tryin' so hard not to drown.

The kettle's singing on the fire now
But I can't hear the melody
Shades of yellow through the glass now...
A striking sight that I don't see

Guess there is no other story
As the walls come down
The memory becomes an eddy
I'm tryin' so hard not to drown


No Other Story *Free Download*

All rights reserved December 5, 2023
Music composed and performed by Todd Brown

Life, drives you to the ground
Kicks you when you’re down
Wants to wear your crown

Love, comes as no surprise
Right before your eyes
With truth instead of lies

Stop explaining
Days are waning
Then you realize
That it’s your time to fly

We have travelled through this life 
Through the tears and strife
To the other side

Dreams, elude us when we sleep
And rivers run so deep
The secrets they will keep

Lives are taken
Plans, forsaken
Then you realize
That it’s your time to fly..

It may be we’ll never understand
Building castles in the sea and sand…

Love, comes as a surprise
Right between the eyes

For the Love of Life

Undertones

This was unavoidable for me.  Politics aside, I think we can all agree that the mounting innocent victims of global conflict are a tragedy beyond measure.  These casualties should not be ignored as we sit in the comforts of our cushy little lives.


All rights reserved 6/6/2024

So far away 
It rumbles Iike a thundercloud
Eyes to the sky
Illuminated all around

Awaiting a world
to look and see
I cannot believe
what’s goin down
And what will be
I cannot conceive

The smoke in your eyes
Does not mask the tragedy…
don’t mind the flies
Images in front of me…

Temperatures rising
In the towns 
And over the fields
So many dying
And for what
I do not believe….

Moonlight and shadows
Paint the town
In shades so disarming..
the look in their eyes…
never to see the next morning 

Calling your name
In the pile of rubble under me…
I don’t here a sound
The silence is so deafening…

Awaiting a world
to look and see
I cannot believe
what’s goin down
And what will be
I cannot conceive

Missiles are raining
From the sky
It’s never ending…
mothers are wailing
like a choir
the tears they are sending

Six thousand miles 
Isn’t really far away…

Awaiting A World

All rights reserved 11/12/2024

Time and again
We’re drawn to the light 
Til it fades away
Into the night….

Do you see what could be 
If we work a little overtime 
I can hear the whistle callin me
Don’t slow down or we will fall behind…

One more time let’s do it..
Let’s get right down to it now…
There’s no time for wasting
Take a chance and take it now…

Time and again
We’re drawn to the light 
Til it fades away
Into the night….

Pack your bags and do not look back….
Everything you wanted, wait and see
Day by day, that’s what they’ll say..
The taste of honey is so silky sweet

One more time let’s do it..
Let’s get right down to it now…
There’s no time for wasting
Take a chance and take it now…

Time and again
We’re drawn to the light 
Til it fades away
Into the night….

Into The Night

I had the pleasure of collaborating with the talented 2 Way Street aka Laurie on this little known Ryan Adams song and here is the result.  Please check out Laurie's page @ https://soundcloud.com/2-way-street 

Dirty Rain (Collaboration with 2 Way Street)

Bridges

When I told you of the chapter
you said you would read it 
now I sense that you are weary
and you couldn't feel it
every now and then I wonder 
are you comprehending?
this one aint gonna turn out nicely
got no rosy ending

Wish that I could build that bridge
that leads me to your heart
knowing that the way to you
leaves its mark
when we gonna find a way
it's a ribbon through the dark
wading through your deep dank sea leaves a mark

Maybe I should reconsider
true my expectations
its so clear that you cant hear me 
there's no revelations
the sun is sinking on the sky now
another day is ending
think that I'll be on my way now
gotta stop pretending

Wish that I could build that bridge
that leads me to your heart
knowing that the way to you
leaves its mark
when we gonna find a way
a ribbon through the dark
searching through your deep dank sea for a spark

Bridges

An original track- the lyrics of which explore the many transitions we all work through on this journey of ours (wow, does that sound a bit pretentious:)) or more likely my tendency to ramble on in a stream of conscious-like manner and jumble a bunch of words together.  Extended use of effects pedals on the guitars in search of expressive tone quality:)  Thanks for listening.  Todd

Passage

This one is a mild departure for me. 

Take a look inside
Then you’ll realize
Moons will be in phase
With the coming of each night ablaze

Take a look at me 
Tell me what you see
Sleight of hand in spades
It’s a battle of which I must wage

Then I glance in your direction
This feeling starts to wane
Take a walk with me now baby
We’ll step above the frame

Dance the night away
Dance the night away
Dance until the break of a new day

Tell me something new
So that we’ll undo
Periods of strain
Wanting to remain

Then I glance in your direction
This feeling starts to wane
Take a walk with me now baby
We’ll step above the frame

Dance the night away
Dance the night away
Dance until the break of a new day



Dance Until

All rights reserved February 3 2018 

Waiting in line
For a chance to find
What lies ahead and what's left behind 
Evermore 
Your door

Here we are trying to put it all away
killing time just to make it through the day
Save time for love
Make time to love

Waiting in line
For a chance to find
What lies ahead and what's left behind 
Evermore
Your door

Counting days in a murky misty haze
Clinging to the things that I once knew
Save time for love
Make time to love

Standing in time  
For the chance to find
Nowhere to run and nowhere to hide
Evermore
Your door

Evermore

All Rights Reserved'  October 22, 2019

The streets are so dark and dire
What are we doing here...
A strong cup and a smile
Or maybe just disappear...

Seeking asylum from
a shade that you cant unsee
White light clouds my head
I’m Diving in too deep...

Words they elude me now...
You take 'em right away 
Why is the one that led you here...
Lookin the other way

We’re far away from home
oh so far away we roam
So far away...here to stay
Oh so far away from home...

What are you thinking now 
Behind that vacant stare
The weight of the world somehow
upon your face so fair...

Words they confuse me now...
You take 'em right away 
Why is the one that led you here
Lookin the other way...

The streets are so dark and dire...
What are we doing here

Night Owls

All Rights Reserved April 23, 2020

Artwork by Walter Piehl  

The rodeo’s in town
You gotta head on down
And check out at all the painted faces
Just head on down the line
To places you will find
Will ease the memories and traces
 
The things you say I can’t believe it
Tell me one more time
 
Just head on down the line
To places you will find
 
Come in out of the cold
The tokens bought and sold
No longer held in long embraces
You came into the room
In ended all too soon
As if there were no time and spaces
 
Tell yourself if you believe it
Listen to the sound
 
You came into my room
It ended all too soon
 
The rodeo’s in town
You gotta head on down
And check out at all the painted faces
Just head on down the line
To places you will find
Will ease the memories and traces
 
The things you say I can’t believe it
Tell me one more time
 
Just head on down the line
To places you will find
 
The rodeo’s in town
You gotta head on down…

The Rodeo's in Town

This song is my attempt to process the wrenching incident that took place in my hometown on Memorial Day.  My hope is that real change will come from George Floyd’s murder though 2020 is seeming eerily similar to 1968.  
Tech note:  the jet plane heard in the recording was not intentional, just bad timing.  ***Updated with live drum kit 3/26/2023.***

All rights reserved June 11, 2020

Close your eyes
Til you can see it
look inside
Til you believe it 

A weight is upon us now
Digging itself a hole...
When it seems it’s beyond us now
It’s time to take control..

Free your soul
Til it confounds you
Take the time...
As it surrounds you

I see you lying there
Reaching for your last breath
Your future is dyin there
While the whole nation wept

A city cries
Beneath the skies
We gotta try 
To get it right...

Get It Right

All rights reserved 9/7/2020

Late to the Show

You came in from the pouring rain
And stepped into the light...
Worn and frayed
That stormy night...

You slipped up to the microphone
Held with all your might
Quarter past ten
That Tuesday night....

The kit it fell silent
The bass man he froze 
Echos through the rafters
Straight to the soul...

The silence was so deafening
Until you let it go...
Rich and arresting
How could they know...

The teardrops rolled like thunder
From your eyes into theirs
Rivers of emotion 
For all to hear...

The kit it fell silent
The bass man he froze 
Echos through the rafters
Straight to the soul...

Late to the Show

Tomorrow
December 27, 2020  All Rights Reserved

Shadows stretch upon the avenue in time
And echo chambers pass the time away...in rhyme 
With repetition by design...
Right before our eyes
One more time

When the mourning comes before the dawn
Underneath electric skies 
There’s a place where we can run and hide
A place for you and I...

Tomorrow holds the second hands...of time 
The past will leave itself behind...this time
The wheels of change will turn from yesterday 
Roll on down the line 
One more time...

The forest lies somewhere beyond the trees 
If we could get there that’d be fine...
Reason’s just another casualty
of a truth so undefined...

Shadows stretch upon the avenue in time
And echo chambers pass the time away...in rhyme 
With repetition by design...
Right before our eyes
One more time

Tomorrow

I am amazed at the level of talented artists encountered on this site.  Sharing and providing feedback is such an effective way to nurture the creative process.  I am so inspired by many of you.  My songs consist of mostly live instruments and voice.  An organic approach to song writing with a few surprises in the mix.  Please feel free to comment and download if you like!  Todd

tbone711

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