Rock n Blues

Jazz, Orchestral, Christian

Ambient / Rock / Comedy

Singer-Songwriter

Sweet memories, regret, love lost ... Thanks to Volen Milchev for his heartfelt vocal and Adonis Tsilimparis for his acoustic guitar work.

LYRICS:
Watching as the dawn awakes
And turns the night to day
The dew and mist disappear
From the warmth of the sun’s rays

If only life was simple 
It would be easier that way

Words were said
That we both regret
While I watch the dawn
You’re a thousand miles away

The sunlight warms the morning
The bright rays kiss the sea
What is all this beauty worth
When you’re not here with me?

Like the last notes of a song
Our time’s come to an end

Words were said
That we both regret
While I watch the dawn
You’re a thousand miles away

Terry Gorka ... a few new ones

A Thousand Miles Away

Getting away from people who bring you down or mean you harm. Mutual respect is essential in a healthy relationship. Vivian Pondella is to thank for lyrics, melody and vocal performance. 
LYRICS:
Leave me by the roadside
I don’t need the games
Talk your talk and say what your going to say
I’m bruised, confused
Nothings getting clear
That’s why I told you to leave me here

It’s the same thing
It’s automatic
Perpendicular to how you’ve had it
It shouldn’t take you long to understand it
Respect is how I have to have it

I’m drunk in misery
Do you really?
Do you want to get close to me?
I’m not what you want me to be
I got edges
Sharp enough to make you bleed

Don’t try to call me, don’t try to sneak
This push and pull will make you weak
A damaged heart will leave you in the dust
And mine is ashes, no room for trust

Viv and the Abandoned - down for it

I Got Edges

Friendship, support, I got your back ... thanks to Beraud for her lyrics, melody and vocal performance.
LYRICS:
yeah it’s gonna take some time          	
i know you feel so far be- hind	 
Your body’s weighed down from the load	
of carrying this burden on your own	
 
but i've been watching through the sidelines 	   
i know how hard you’ve had to fight
just know there isn't any guidelines
no perfect way to live this life
 
so when you can’t hold on
just know i’m cheering u along
you’ll always have a place to go
cuz you never have to feel alone 
 
i know you think you have to prove 
that you don’t need no one but you
so many voices in your head
all telling you what you should do instead 
 
but i just need you to remember
comparison’s the devil’s throne
and though their May is your December
don’t second guess, just let it go

so when you can’t hold on
just know i’m cheering u along
you’ll always have a place to go 
cuz you never have to feel alone 

Ooh’s
you never have to 
you never have to 
you never have to feel alone

No Perfect Way

To The Limit

Thanks to Armand Tambouris and Ken Stange for their excellent collaboration on this powerful sports rock with orchestra.

Let the Games Begin

NO ROOM FOR ME
© 2021 Terry Gorka. Armand Tambouris, Vivian Pondella

Verse 1
Sit quietly still
Hold my breath
The maniac’s on the stairs
I’m the first attack
Pray for a faded gun
Bag packed for the run
If you have to ask …
I’m never coming back

Pre Chorus 1
You know what you’re doing
How you talk to me
You know what you’re doing
Raising your hand to me
And if I rise up
And speak my truth
You cut me own, cut me down,
Beaten on the ground

Chorus 1
Too bad you’re just as sad as me
You’ve taken a toll
And I don’t wanna sink
I’m guilty of a lot of things
But this hard love
Has no room for me
It has no room for me

Verse 2
Footsteps
Rushing to my door
Hands shake
I know what’s in store
Her voice is getting louder
Stomach turning faster
Time for another
Brace for disaster

Pre Chorus 2 and Chorus 2 – same as 1

Breakdown
Just got to break through all the madness
The chaos will end and I will begin

Chorus repeat

Down for It

No Room for Me

Push & Pull 2

Rayzor

Thanks for Armand Tambouris who did a great job singing this one. Yeah!

American Dream

Straight ahead rock instrumental. Thanks Armand Tambouris (guitars) and Dustin Kithcart (drums).

Fearless

Special thanks to Armand Tambouris (guitars) and Dustin Kithcart (drums).

Heavyweight

Hot Ride

Great vocals by Amy Ward-Wurst. Special thanks to Armand Tambouris (guitars) and Robin Ryder (drums).

Can't Stop the Fire

This song was written and produced based on "Alright Now" by Free. I had a brief to write and produce a song at the same tempo with the same general vibe. It is now licensed (below).

For music licensing and clearance please contact Imaginary Friends Music Partners, Beth Wernick, bethloopz@aol.com

Feels So Good

This song was written based on a brief with the reference track "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge. I had to write and produce the song in the same vibe with the same tempo and instrumentation. It is now licensed ... see below.

For music licensing and clearance please contact Imaginary Friends Music Partners, Beth Wernick, bethloopz@aol.com

Working Together

140bpm
For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Forceful Reckoning

Featuring Ken Stange on piano

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Nobody Knows Where She Stops

Featuring Ken Stange - keyboards, arrangement, sound effects

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Wacky Radio

100,000 Voices

Surf's Up, baby ... thanks to Armand John Anthony and Joe Baugh for fleshing out the guitar melodies and Mario Calire for his tasteful drums. Good times. Cowabunga!!!!!

Surfer's Point

Thanks to Ken Stange, arranger-composer-musician extraordinaire. And Nola Shepherd for her tender vocal. Jim Quealy for his lyric. 

Next To Me

Thanks (again) to Bill Flores for his lap steel work on this one. Mahalo!!!! The song title means "Maui is the best" but, we are big fans of the Hanalei Bay area on Kauai ...

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

maui no ka oi

Had a lot of fun with Armand John LIzzy on this one (guitars) and beatmaster, Tony Cicero - King of Zombie drumming. 

Over the Falls

Thanks to 3 great musicians - vocalist Joe Wilson, cellist Paul Stouthammer and pianist Ken Stange. 3 good friends and good guys, too.

Brisk Evening Air

Haha! This track has been a lot of fun ... I wrote and produced it really quickly for a compilation CD. Well, the good people of New Zealand really like the song. The weird thing is I never produced anything but this demo. I'm working on some 'real' drums now which will help. But, thank you, New Zealand, for all the airplay on your TLC Radio stations ... It's a twist on the usual reflective story about home. For those who have good childhood memories there's no place like home, right? And that's how this song starts. Trouble is ... this poor dude is going home to face his crimes and it sounds like he's in a load of trouble.

CASTLES IN THE SKY
© 2015 Terry Gorka 

VERSE 1
Oh, oh, whatcha gonna do?
Now that your dreams didn’t come true
You had it planned … you spent the bread
But here you are lost instead

PRE 1
Don’t you cry 
It’ll be alright
Did you learn your lesson
There’s no more messin’ ‘round

CHORUS 1
Building castles in the sky
Daydream the time away while your life passes by
Building castles in the sky 
With your grand imaginings ever satisfy?

VERSE 2
You know whatcha gotta do
Now that your dreams didn’t come true
Reach out your hand – don’t turn away
You might help someone some day

PRE 2
On your feet
Do it for me
When someone’s kind
You don’t have to mind at all
    
CHORUS 3
Building castles in the sky
Daydream the time away while your life passes by
Building castles in the sky 
Will your grand imaginings ever satisfy?

BRIDGE
Stop! Stop your mind from wandering (just for the moment)
Stop! Let yourself be right here where you are
Stop! The real world is what it is … but you make the
Best of it and shut out the rest of it

CHORUS 3
Building castles in the sky
I guess I do it, too … and there’s a reason why
Building castles in the sky 
Is the only way to be satisfied



Castles in the Sky

Thank you to 3 talented gentleman - Ken Stange on keys, Paul Croteau on tenor sax and Rick Riso vocals. A joy to work with you guys.

Candlelight

Thanks to Peter D'Angelo for his lead vocal performance on this one. Great job, Peter! And Ken Stange, my collaborator and good friend. Thanks for your help with it. Also, thanks to Bill Conn for his contributions with piano and bass. Good work team!!!

My Sweet Angel

Man, did we have fun putting this one together!!! Enjoy ...

For music licensing and clearance please contact Black Toast Music, Bob Mair, www.blacktoastmusic.com, 818-882-9062

VIVERE RIDERE AMORE (Live, Laugh, Love)

Enjoying my collaborations with Ed Smith - monster musician, mixer and all around good guy. And Ramon Stagnaro who replayed my clumsy bossa guitar parts and made them sound magical. Thank you, boys!!!

For music licensing and clearance please contact Black Toast Music, Bob Mair, www.blacktoastmusic.com, 818-882-9062

Holiday In Rio

Thank you to Ed Smith and Ramon Stagnaro for their great work.

For music licensing and clearance please contact Black Toast Music, Bob Mair, www.blacktoastmusic.com, 818-882-9062

Brazilian Moon

Thank you, Rick Riso, for stepping up to this vocal. Ed Smith for your work on it. And, most of all, to Jimmy Buffet who has been an inspiration for a lifetime.

For music licensing and clearance please contact Black Toast Music, Bob Mair, www.blacktoastmusic.com, 818-882-9062

Living Down By The Sea

Gigi Worth - thank you, girl - she is something else. Stepped up and did a nice job on this one last minute. And Ed Smith - my gosh, I use your name a lot these days! Thanks, maestro!

For music licensing and clearance please contact Black Toast Music, Bob Mair, www.blacktoastmusic.com, 818-882-9062

You Must Be An Angel

I know the best music people ever ... and the coolest and hippest ... Aaron Orbit, Armand Tambouris, Dustin Kithcart. Armand and Dustin have stage names but I don't remember them. These three guys burned it up on this track!!!

For music licensing and clearance please contact Black Toast Music, Bob Mair, www.blacktoastmusic.com, 818-882-9062

I'M ANTI - HUMAN

Thank you to Armand Tambouris, my partner in crime. And Dustin Kithcart on drums.

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

SPEED KILLS

Thank you, brother Edward Smith ... a talented lad you are indeed! Thank you, as well, to Ramon Stagnaro for your excellent guitar work.

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Bourbon On The Rocks

Special thanks to my collaborator, His Awesomeness, Edward Smith. And his pal, Ramon Stagnaro, who makes the guitar melodies sing a sweet sweet song.

Friendly Skies

Al DiCicco ... you da man ... thanks for your tasteful accordion work. Nice to think about Paris ... one of the world's most beautiful cities. Yes!

I'm Going to Paris

Armand John Anthony, my brother from a different mother, collaborator and good friend. And kick ass guitarist and engineer. Thanks, my friend.

OPEN FIELD

Thank you, Armand, you're the best - collaborator, guitarist and all around good guy!!!

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

RECKONING

Thanks to Maestro Ed Smith for his superb collaboration as well as Ramon Stagnaro for his smooth classy guitar style.

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Gentle Persuasion

Armand Tambouris (guitars and production), Dustin Kithcart (drums) and I have too much fun doing these Sports Cues. Uptempo, straight ahead, no nonsense, in your face ... thanks guys!!!!

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Ready To Ride

Armand and I had fun doing this one. Thanks to Ed Smith for his solid drums.

COMEBACK

Thanks to Ed Smith and Brad Kirsch for their collaboration.

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Do You Feel It

Thank you, Cory Smith, for a great vocal and your papa, Ed, for helping so much with production.

For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Something Good Is Gonna Come

Merry Christmas!


For music licensing and clearance please contact Heavy Hitters Music, Cindy Badell- Slaughter at (818) 246 – 1250. www.heavyhittersmusic.com

Let's Deck the Halls

Quiet Dream

Thanks to Aaron, Armand and Robin for your performances. This is a song about displacement, despondence. The modern-day story of a thousand images amidst a search for something solid and true.

THE STRANGEST DREAM
© 2020 Terry Gorka,  Armand Tambouris, Robin Ryder, Aaron Johnson

VERSE 1
Hope departed leaving only pain
The soul grows weary of hiding out again            
In the confusion just float along
Over the fields listen to little quivering drops of song.

PRE 1
Streams of twilight flying in the wake of day.
The pale blue mantle of the mountains so far away
For earth’s age of pain has come, and all her sister planets weep,
Think of her fires of morning passing into dreamless sleep.

CHORUS 1
Take this kiss and make a wish
Is that all there is to this?   
Some things are not what they seem 
Must be a dream within a dream

VERSE 2
This cycle of great sorrow forces memories that will last
Linked by weeping to the greatness of the past:
But the coming race won’t know and the source of tears will dry,
And the arid heart will be arid as the desert sky.

PRE 2
Night comes too soon – follow in her flight
The fiery dust of evening, shaken from the feet of light,
The barriers between the pure, the good, the true,
That our weeping eyes may strain to see but we will never after view.

CHORUS 2
Same as Chorus 1

BRIDGE
The sun faded and the night conquered the day
Looming far within the shadowy shining of the Milky Way;
Finding in the stillness joy and hope for all the sons and daughters of men;
Now what silent anguish fills a night more beautiful than then:

CHORUS 3
Take this kiss and make a wish … Is that all there is to this?
I had the strangest dream … don’t know what it means
Oh, the night closes in … here we go again
Things are not what they seem … must be a dream within a dream
CHORUS 4 - Same as Chorus 1

The Strangest Dream

Thanks again to Aaron, Armand and Robin for adding the juice to this track. Was going for a sound similar to Dead Weather, The Raconteurs and/or Queens of the Stone Age. I don't know if we got there but we had a lot of fun trying!

Jack Rabbit

Special thanks to Maygen for her vocals and help with the lyrics and my close collaborator and friend, Armand Tambouris.

NEVER STOP
© 2021 Terry Gorka, Armand Tambouris, Maygen Lacey

VERSE 1
Rainy in the morning; sunny in the afternoon
Some days there are clouds of doom
Whatever you’re going through
Don’t let it get to you

If the showers make the roses grow
(Then) why be sad at all?
Hope is alive and well 
So listen to what I tell ya

PRE 1
Run your finger ‘round the edge of the glass
Listen to it  sing at last
Its own sweet song
With a voice of its own

CHORUS 1    
Never gonna stop
No. Never gonna stop
Gotta push, keep on trying
Never gonna stop
‘til you get to the top
Of the mountain you’ve been climbing

VERSE 2
Hold on a little bit longer
It’s gonna make you stronger
Looking further down the line
There’s gonna be come a time

When the circumstances of your life
Change from dark to bright
Whatever you’re going through
Don’t let it get to you

PRE 2
Remember how that old saying goes …
Gotta swim or (else you) sink (just) like a stone
So, jump on in
Little voice says asingin’, “Here we go again!”

CHORUS 2 (same as 1)

Never Gonna Stop

Terry Gorka is a composer/songwriter who specializes in 70s,80s and indie rock, blues, country, singer-songwriter and instrumental compositions (orchestral,jazz, ambient). You are welcome to visit his company website at www.terrygorkamusic.com. 

Terry Gorka

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