Eleven (incomplete demo)

INSTANT LOVE
[Unreleased 2004 demo]

Lyrics: Joanna Dong
Music: Don Shiau

Just because we took a long time getting there
Doesn't make it any better (or worse)
Just because there are so many silences
Doesn't make it less meaningful than so many words

Courtships are too long and too much action
Romance is a far cry from satisfaction
Dinners and dates, flowers and fate
Give me a break; give me some instant love

Give me some instant love
Give me some instant love
Give me some instant love
Give me some instant love

Just because 'forever' sounds so good
Doesn't mean you can be deaf to reality
Just because 'loneliness' sounds so bad
Doesn't mean that anyone can keep me company

I'm so sick of pursuing permanence
I've learnt that there is beauty in transience
That perfect mate, well he can wait
Give me a break; give me some instant love

Give me some instant love
Give me some instant love
Give me some instant love
Give me some instant love

Lola (Joanna Dong and Don Shiau) - Instant Love

Early works (2002-2004)inspired by Pet Shop Boys

The Girl At The Window

Can't Get Enough of You

Delirious

SONG FOR MERILYN
(©Don Shiau 2003)

Hey Merilyn, it's been a long time
Didn't think we'd meet again
Isn't it nice to say hello to
Someone from a way back when?
If I seem a little distant
I hope you won't take it to heart
It's been so long, I don't know where to start

Hey Merilyn, I got your message
Didn't think that you'd reply
I'm honoured that you still remember
I'm glad to hear you're doing fine
As for me, it's not been easy
I'll tell you more when there's time to spare
But for now, it's good to know you're there

'Cos when I think of you, I'm reminded of better days
And my mind drifts back to a simpler happier place
When I think of you, there's a bliss I can't explain
Hey Merilyn, do you remember me that way?

Hey Merilyn, it's been a long time
And you know what time can do
I wonder how much I've forgotten
And how much I never knew
Maybe I'm just sentimental
I don't care how you have changed
For what it's worth, I hope we'll meet again

'Cos when I think of you, I'm reminded of better days
And my mind drifts back to a simpler happier place
When I think of you, there's a bliss I can't explain
Hey Merilyn, do you remember me that way?

Don Shiau - Song for Merilyn (Feb 2013 demo)

ELECTRONIC MAIL
(©Don Shiau 2003)

Every morning, I type my emails
Sending them into cyberspace
Information, conversation
Anytime, anyplace

Every hour, I get new emails
Some important, some trivial
I reply them without delay
There are people waiting for me
There's so much to do

Sending, receiving, opening, closing
Checking, attaching, forwarding, composing
Reading, reading, reading, deleting
Reading, reading, reading, deleting
Reading, reading, reading, deleting
Typingtypingtypingtypingtyping...

Every evening, I check my emails
To find out what else I need to do
Life with email is so convenient
Won't you be my...recipient?

Don Shiau - Electronic Mail (Oct 2003 demo)

(A song written, but not actually used, for the first ever Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore in 2010)

Do you dream about the future
About a world that we can share
A world of beauty
Hope and dignity
Do you dream of getting there 

Though the road may be uncertain
We’ll find strength in joining hands
The greatest feeling
Comes from believing
In each other, knowing that we can

Let’s take this
First step together
First loves can last forever
And isn’t that worth fighting for
Our first true endeavour
Let’s make this one to remember
The first dream of so many more
Here in Singapore

Do you dare to dream of victory
Is there fire inside your young heart
In this young nation
We'll seize the occasion
And blaze a trail that reaches for the stars

We’re taking this
First step together
Our love can last forever
And isn’t that worth fighting for
Our first true endeavour
Let’s make this one to remember
The first dream of so many more

I know we’ll still be friends
Regardless of who wins
For no matter how they end
Every race begins

By taking the
First step together
First loves can last forever
And isn’t that worth fighting for
Our first true endeavour
Let’s make this one to remember
The first dream of so many more

We’re taking this
First step together
Our love can last forever
And isn’t that worth fighting for
Our first true endeavour
From here it only gets better
The first dream of so many more
Here in Singapore

Don Shiau - The First Dream

LOCAL MUSICIAN
(©Don Shiau 2003)

I just wanna be a Local Musician
I just wanna play though nobody listens
Standing in the Garden at The Substation
Look at me, the Local Musician

I'm not some Stefanie Star
I ain't going far at all
I'm happy sitting at home
Playing up to my own four walls
I'm not some musical Dick
I won't make it big at all
I'm happy just where I am
Knowing that I can stand as tall

I just wanna be a Local Musician
I'm not into albums or chart positions
A demo and a BigO recommendation
Are good enough for this Local Musician

I'm not some Stefanie Star
I ain't going far at all
I'm happy sitting at home
Playing up to my own four walls
I'm not some musical Dick
I won't make it big at all
I'm happy just where I am
Knowing that I can stand as tall

I'm not some Stefanie Star
I ain't going far at all
I'm happy sitting at home
Playing up to my own four walls
I'm not some musical Dick
I won't make it big at all
I'm happy just where I am
Knowing that I can stand as tall

No matter what they say
I'm happy just to play
Nobody's gonna take that away, YEAH!
I'm happy sitting at home
I'm happy just where I am
Playing up to my own four walls
Knowing who I am
Knowing that I can stand
As tall

Don Shiau - Local Musician (Apr 2013 demo)

This is a live cover of a song by the magnificent Weish. Her version can be heard here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8L9la4WTjs

The background of this performance is: Weish fell ill the night before a gig, and I was roped in by the organisers as a last-minute replacement. For the sheer heck of it, I decided to learn and perform one of her songs. I clearly messed up some of the lyrics...but it was good fun.

Don Shiau - Rushing On By (Weish cover), live @ Blu Jaz 10 Jun 13

I write music, and I write about music. Sometimes, I draw and design stuff as well.

TheFutureNear

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