Growing up in California, the seasons really didn't change much. It wasn't until I moved to Colorado that I experienced the stark differences between winter and summer. As much as I love the snow and all of the beauty that winter brings, my heart belongs to the summer. I wrote 'Dancin' in the Sunshine' in the dead of the Colorado winter. It was literally frozen outside and just couldn't wait for summer again. This song is about everything I love about summer and was longing for at the time: BBQ's, dancing, singing, drinking, relaxing and just having a downright kickin celebration just because it's summertime and you can!

....and yes, the 'Maitai' reference in the third verse is to my lovely wife!


Lyrics

I seen you dancin' in the sunshine

I got me sippn' on this red wine

in the winter it was cold

but in the summertime it's just not so

and the way you're movin' to the baseline

and I got my hands upon your waistline

and the way you're moving makes me say, "oh oh oh"

would you like to let me know?

 

Girl whatcha want? Whatcha really wana do?

Do you wana dance with me?

Cause you know I wana dance with you!

I got two left feet, but this is the best beat

and I am confessing, this is the best thing for me

and for you

 

Now we're dancin' in the moonlight

and these crazys got me drinking moonshine

in the winter it was cold

but in the summertime it's just not so

We don't have to be so tied down

so I'll just let go

cause you and me, we are so damn free

cause love is all we know

 

Girl whatcha want? Whatcha really wana do?

Do you wana dance with me?

Cause you know I wana dance with you!

I got two left feet, but this is the best beat

and I am confessing, this is the best thing for me

and for you

 

In the winter it was cold

I was frozen to the bone

but at the slightest signs of spring

oh... I had to sing!

 

Cause now we're dancin' in the sunshine

and I got my hand around this Mai Tai

in the winter it was cold

would you like to let me know?

We don't have to be so tied down,

so I'll just let go

cause you and me, we are so damn free

cause love is all we know!

 

Girl whatcha want? Whatcha really wana do?

Do you wana dance with me?

Cause you know I wana dance with you!

I got two left feet, but this is the best beat

and I am confessing, this is the best thing for me

and for you


Dancing in the Sunshine


Story

It's funny how we often freeze ourselves in time. We convince ourselves that the moment we are in will last forever. We think that who we are in a given moment is who we will always be. The truth is we are ever-changing and who we are is ephemeral.

I wrote this song in a time of difficulty, but in writing it I was freed from my attachment to the pain.

Enjoy!


Lyrics

It was pouring yesterday,

when I stepped into the rain.

Moments after I had let you down.

Frozen like a photograph now

Frozen like  photograph now

It was a quarter after four,

when I came back through the door.

You had gone and take all your things...

Frozen like a photograph it seems,

but deep inside my heart I still believe

 

You're destiny for me and that's for sure

We were barefoot and dancing on our living room floor

To you my princess, whom I do adore,

please don't leave me...

 

It was four o'clock in the morning

and outside it was still pouring

I could barely get myself to breathe

Frozen like a photograph you see

Frozen like the photograph you see

They can talk amongst themselves,

they can criticize as well...,

Only you and me can live this dream

Let's turn this into what we want to see,

because deep inside my heart I still believe...

 

You're destiny for me and that's for sure

We were barefoot and dancing on our living room floor

To you my princess, whom I do adore,

please don't leave me...


Photograph


I vividly remember the smell of fresh rain on dusty California roads growing up in Fresno. I love the rain. It has a way of cleansing and renewing even the heaviest of days.

I originally wrote the lyrics to "Beautiful Rain" as a poem that I gave to my wife. I may own the copyrights to this song, but it will always belong to her in my heart.

This particular recording is my most recent incarnation of a song that is so very close to my heart. You will notice the sound of rain throughout the recording. This is real Colorado rain that I recorded during the very wet part of the year in 2013.

This song was recorded in the garage of our last house and brings back a lot of memories for me. The keyboards, vocals and guitar were all recorded by yours truly.

Enjoy!


Lyrics

Her spirit is painted with the ink of a different hue

From a land far away,

She sees this world from a different view

He longs to see that well from which her ink was drawn

Her eyes are dark and sparkling, but they seldom tell of her homeland’s song

And I sing…


Beautiful rain, you drench my sorrows

Beautiful rain, I pray you’re here tomorrow, yes I do

Cause you’re beautiful (repeat)

 

His journey through this desert was long arduous and dry

It toughened up his skin an dried the water from his eyes

He spent two years in that desert

Lord how he missed the rain

His shoes were worn, his clothes were torn

His feet were in so much pain

But then she came

 

Beautiful rain, you drench my sorrows

Beautiful rain, I pray you’re here tomorrow, yes I do

Cause you’re beautiful


Beautiful Rain

Music by Tony Dollar official release on June 12th, 2015

MUSIC

The Let Go Fly E.P. was written, recorded and produced by Tony Dollar at TDM Studios in Denver, CO. It is Tony's freshman effort and contains 5 tracks.

Soar

Hands Off My Time

Dancing In The Sunshine

Afternoon

This is a tune I wrote about the power of nature to transform us spiritually. I love the Rocky Mountains, and that is what inspired this tune for sure.

Bird's Eye View

Music is my deepest passion.

I am a simple songwriter. What gets me out of bed each day is the joy of creating my art, spending time with the people I love and doing my best to make the world a better place. I am committed to endlessly following the dreams in my heart, doing everything I can to nurture love & compassion in my community, and using music to heal and empower the world.