Lyrics by Antonio Di Nunno and Gino Di Nunno). All music and performance by Gino, which even includes a few errors and pitchy vocals at times. From the  upcoming album, SOULKILLING. Copyright 2021.

UNCERTAINTY (A. Di Nunno-G.Di Nunno)

Background willows sway, the vision of my years,
With fingerprints, a lasting touch.
Morning rustle comes, a yawning signal flare, 
Where shade is sought beneath its wires.

Should the treasure map provide relief of need,
Where sun-baked bones crave repose.
Vultures stalk and swoon, and take their part for free,
Or break the deal and take it all. 

I've known silence in the webs that held me,
Studied crowds from city heights, 
Then drove onward once disease broke rampant,
Through the fires to run again. 

Prophets walk the highways as masters of demise
To tell of things to come.
I just want an exit when experts take the field;
There is no normal now!

Here's uncertainty--your shelters blew away;
existence lies in ashen hills.
Lanterns burning bright in present ugliness;
The current draws beneath our feet.

I sought solace in the scenes so stunning;
Something came and stole those rights!
The days dragging with a clock that's racing,
May I last to see it end.

Uncertainty

2nd track from the album, SOULKILLING. Copyright 2021

WIZARD BEHIND THE CURTAIN (G. Di Nunno)

Deeply troubled, the power's out
In sudden darkness all is lost
Bad intentions, a shot of doubt
Must get it back despite the cost. 

A wizard behind the curtain
Pulling strings--a whole lot more.
No trust in the system's failing
With the snakes outside the door.

Cyberworld where we all agree
Where facts are born without research
Drowning deep in conspiracy
And feeling high like after church.

Repeat chorus: A wizard...

Conversations all politics
On every topic, every thought
Free me from this infernal mix
Of contents in this chamber pot.

Repeat chorus: A wizard...

Wizard Behind The Curtain

Written, arranged, and performed by Gino Di Nunno. Eighth track from the album, SOULKILLING. Copyright 2021.

WORN AND BURNED OUT (G. Di Nunno)

The changes seem quite sudden
With mounting overload
Thorns to backside made this mark
As you feel yourself erode.

It's open floodgate damage
And every day alike
Throng assault with countless tasks
Body, mind, unhealthy strike.

Ponder every motive
All the walls are closing in
Worn out--you feel it!
Best to keep it hidden
Much depends on how you spin
Burned out--you feel it!

Complaining to a statue
'Cause no one cares to hear
Worries on what is left undone
Sleepless nights and future fear.

Your feet are held to fires
Somehow it must get done
Once you're freed at end of day
Minutes earned 'til setting sun.

Ponder every motive
All the walls are closing in
Worn out--you feel it!
Best to keep it hidden
Much depends on how you spin
Burned out--you feel it!

Once around the circuit
Temper short but mind your tongue
Worn out--you feel it!
Days of freedom coming
Tired and broke beyond repair
Burned out--you feel it!

Worn And Burned Out

Written, arranged, and performed by Gino Di Nunno. The final track from the album, SOULKILLING. Copyright 2021. The track was inspired upon the death of my cousin, Dawn Jankovic, yet little did I know there would be a string of family members and close friends to follow her. Live to fullest!

SCENES FROM LOSS (G. Di Nunno)

I felt the world dropped a heavy weight down
True it was but still an unwanted shock.
How this could happen, we're never quite prepared
Dark these passages break the hardest rock.

Floods of past the present stops right here
Future goes alone and shows our fear.

Calls in disbelief, please say this isn't so
Even some nightmares might have better ends
Now the room closed in, we spoke just yesterday
Gone in one quick flash, a sadness descends.

I'll carry all of you through my days
Feel out surrounding blocks in life's maze.

Even wounds from soulkilling weights
You'd say, "there's no cause to brood,
'Cause your alive, and what a gift!"
Off the course in walks subdued.

Scenes from loss when all doth change
Look inside to find that place
Most afraid to talk this out
Non-existence leaves no trace.

Revolving door with all faces new
Another page, the future age
Death out of hiding, taking in mass
A coming call: I miss them all.

I'll live with time I get
Take in all I see
Touch another soul
Give the best of me.

Landscapes from mountain tops
Shared with whom may care
Rivers are flowing by
Where they go I'm there!

Scenes from loss
Life an amazing journey
Yes it is!

Scenes From Loss

PRELUDE TO OPUS 8 (I. Di Nunno-G. Di Nunno)

A lie is like poison to the mind 
Eroded innocence now lost
The former self I may never find
To fix always involves a cost. 

All former beliefs now cast aside
Those images have gone along
Even the wonderful past has died
You bear the fault, admit no wrong.

Those actions stung, so I haul the trash
Nowhere to leave it but in my soul
My mind races; my heart beating fast. 
That's my reward--You'll never know.

So easy to deny those events
Easy with no one else around
Walk with me through the holes in the fence
Welcome to Mental Minefield Playground. 

Words by Isabella Di Nunno (age 15). Music by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2022.

#1. Prelude To Opus 8

Once Upon A Time (G. Di Nunno)

Found your keepers waiting, to teach and mold
Lessons retained forever on.
Progress started early, a star is earned
Play through the day, senses will grow.

From holidays to lights on screens
Celebration, balloons on string
Break out in songs, the visits warm
Soon to return on summer swings.

What pictures tell when it's story time
A journey onward, a happy end
A moment's passing that never returns
Events will alter, a course will change
Once upon a time...
Once upon a time...

Nursery Rhymes--Fairy Tales
Good and Evil--Heaven and Hell
Holy visions--Golden Rule
Common Sense--Carried to school

All information, a heightened perception
A sponge with opinions stores them inside
Reliance on senses, visions constructed
How it's measured being punished or praised.
Somethings are good
Others are bad
Juggle and feel why this is sad. 

Heard through the floorboards, comes through the walls there
Voice tones in anger, a mind overdrive
Made the connection something's not right here
Coming and going, confusion goes live.

Back to my stories, gaze at the pictures
Guess at the meanings, can't read the words
Feel I'm surrounded, wallpaper madness
With a sickness wanted not. 

Written by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2022.

#2. Once Upon A Time

Mental Playground Minefield (G. Di Nunno)

A rush from place to place
A clock that runs the show
Sense a different tone
Knowing what it means

With programs end to end
And never cause a fuss
Break a simple rule
Silence never fine

Reading the eyes, all that's inside
Arrive, depart, telling me more
Locations change, more run about
Mental Playground Minefield

Buying love, wanting time
Life's a swinging motion
Store it deep, never touch
I won't taste that potion

Then at times my heart will race
Mind is whirling fast and free
Lights are dimmed, yet sleep is hard
Filing what was given me

The hour when I leave
Tomorrow back again
The gaps in years apart
Are pulling from both ends.

Written by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2022.

#3. Mental Playground Minefield

Cast Out Cold (G. Di Nunno)

So much to decipher now
Contention in making friends
Misunderstood target now
Though trying to fit in well

No questions asked, no words exchanged
But faces tell the hidden signs
The body language doesn't lie
Alerts my senses anyway

Racing fast and clutching tight
To catch a breath and flee
Rather pass, remain alone
Than guessing what it means

Something weird is going on
And all do act their parts
Make up scenes and carry out 
A view from wounded hearts

The missing childhood
Raised in shadows cold
Relations suffer short
Visits cast out cold.

Written by G. Di Nunno
Copyright 2022.

#4. Cast Out Cold

Merry Go Down (G. Di Nunno)

TV's on, a waiting trance
Sitter free with audience
I'd go to play; take me there
Not today

Stuck within coma sleep
Anger dwells a bit too deep
It's silent treatment, harsh despair
No one cares

I'll keep it all within
As you sit and grin
Making it my fault

For what it matters now, you had to drive the wedge
The rope was cut with ease and going dark unseen
You're getting what you want, the points were hard and clear
What was with no return, so watch me disappear

Fingerprints
Scars remain
Can't shake off the stain
Thinking no wrong was DONE

Where's the faith
There's the lie
Make believe, say good-bye
My load weighs on...

Written by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2022.

#5. Merry Go Down

Tilted World (G. Di Nunno)

A vice-like squeeze and some racing thoughts
Gotta get out of here
It's such a ride, feel my soul explode
Waiting for all to clear

No words explain how it came to this
Such is my burden's crawl
And when alone, calms the rising surge
Help an unanswered call

Talk it out and follow plans
Occupied, stay positive
When it fails just stay the course
Falling short, so try again

Fallen through the safety net
Dropped by those once thought would care
Trying hard to measure trust
Strings of lights replaced by glare

Letters twisted did no good
Seemed the sky came crashing down
Here's reward, the gift's returned
Spaces block the going round

I must retain
All slipping by
Or winding up
A copy of you.

#6. Tilted World

Bitter Aftermath On An Upswing (G. Di Nunno)

It's up to me to make it out
With any help I get
If I'm ever to reach the surface

With rooms in need of quick repair
A step will start it all
Transformation to halt this circus

Hear the raging voice
That scrubbed the remnants raw
Healing comes by choice
Forgiveness, endless fall

I ride the upswing to and fro
The hill I leave behind
Fingerprints with a different label

A different version will be told
And which will be believed
Then discussed all around the table

Bitter aftermath
With all you did create
How does justice taste?
No going back--too late

I must be free to rise again
Back to the books to write the end.

Written by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2022.

#8. Bitter Aftermath On An Upswing

Love Teaches You Everything (G. Di Nunno)

I fell for her beauty and couldn't believe
How such luck came to a fool like me
The places we went
The things that we did
Had me happier than I'd ever been.

It was a struggle to keep her
Even my friends tried to steal her away
Saying they would give her
The moon and the stars
Even with all that she never was swayed.

I was stricken by love
One look from her, that magic touch
Oh, how I felt that I could do anything.

Soon she was trying to get me to change
Told me to put all that music stuff down
Work for that money
Do this don't do that
Finding misery was always around.

I did all I could just to please her
Seems our love was like grass cut by the blade
Said I changed too much
And soon she was gone
Guess she didn't like the man that she made.

Sacrificed who I was
All for her love, now nothing left
Better that she's gone
And now love will come again.

Sometimes I miss her so
A story line I won't repeat
That's the way it goes
Some things must come to an end.

And now as I look back
The pounds are gained and beauty fades
Doors always open
Love teaches you everything. 

All content written and performed by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2023.
From the upcoming album: Songs Rescued From the Slushpile.

#5. Love Teaches You Everything

Could Have Been... (G. Di Nunno)

Said she had to leave as the wind stroked her hair
You've had all these dreams that never took you anywhere
I need something stable if I'm to settle down
Someone with a future who likes what he has found.

Eight month romances like hotel lobby doors
Where the turning is completed once they've seen my core
I've been guessed on, figured out, analyzed so well
Instead of letting on, they kiss but never tell.

Hard to put a dream to rest
"Give it all up," say the ones you love best.
'Cause when it's in you it won't let you sleep,
And when it falls flat there's not much you keep
Except for the wounds once your face hits the floor
I could have been a working stiff,
But I wanted something more.

Time for starting over though ten years behind
Trying to close the gap that is looking mighty wide
Hard to find my old friends, for most have moved away
After exchanging stories, there's not much to say.

Hard to put a dream to rest
"Give it all up," say the ones you love best
'Cause when it's in you it won't let you sleep,
And when it falls flat there's not much you keep
Except for the wounds once your face hits the floor
I ended up a working stiff,
But I wanted something more. 

All content written and performed by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2000, 2023.

#6. Could Have Been...

Fireflies (G. Di Nunno)

He felt he could die now that he's seen Cooperstown
Which looks so beautiful in the fall
Everything quite expensive, maxed-out credit cards
He knew someday his ex-wife would call.

Hand out for money, yet he wants to see the stars
Dream again as he did when at twelve
Put off dying until he sees the Grand Canyon
Another souvenir on the shelf.

Chorus:
Gotta water the roses, wanna watch something grow
Gotta see the kids, can't wait until tomorrow
Have to feed the dog, can't ignore those sad eyes
Day soon done, and the night
Gives way to fireflies.

Beating the blues with an approach to her front door
The lights are out, guess nobody's home
Chat room banter fills the small void before bedtime
Can't see a face, but he's not alone.

Relationships are hard but having no one is worse
And searching for someone takes too long
Once angry with the world, but now he's got a best friend
Just searching for a place to belong.

Repeat chorus:

Glanced through high school yearbooks when he used to be cool
Era now dust from a dashboard view
Everything's a memory depending on recall
Can't help himself finding a clue.

Face in the mirror isn't what it used to be
In pace with the watch hands moving around
Having so much to do before the doors get closed
Jump in the car and see another town.

Repeat chorus:

All lyrics and performance by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2000, 2023.

#8. Fireflies

They're At It Again (G. Di Nunno)

They fell in love almost from the start
Solid enough couldn't break them apart
Had to slip away when things got hot
Made a decision to tie the knot.

Learned the script for sweet success
With jobs, home, someday kids
Off to find their happiness
From their purse-filled wedding day.

Through the ups and downs as days passed by
She began to nag, and he'd roll his eyes
Each found faults they pulled to leave a mark
Didn't take too long to strike a spark

Soon throughout the neighborhood
The silence would be gone
This eruption is getting good
As all of it could be heard

With eyes wide and mouth's agape
They're at it again
Cussing vile, a crushing storm
Oh, they're at it again.

That look of love replaced by disgust
Both had their affairs that blew out trust
Doesn't seem it could get any worse
Going nowhere might as well divorce

Both with lawyers in a room
A sense it could explode
Some cutting words, and it went boom
While the lawyers shook their heads.

With eyes wide and mouth's agape
They're at it again
Cussing vile, a crushing storm
Oh, they're at it again.

All lyrics and musical content by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2023.

#11. They're At It Again

No Revenge (G. Di Nunno)

I thought it couldn't get much worse
Told she was talking crap on me
And all around they think I suck
Now gotta stick my head in sand.

She hoped I'd crawl, and so I must
Build up with all the damage done
A molded truth with crafty lies
Can't fight against those versions there.

I thought it out
Made the better choice
There will be no defense
I won't be making noise

She may want a fight
I've nothing here to send
Gotta disappoint
I'm taking no revenge.

Now have you heard there are two sides
We both brought about the end
I know she has no angel soul
Yet all of that was dumped on me.

So pick your sides believe or not
Bad news you'll never hear from here
As things will change and hearts have healed
Good times existed long ago.

Go my former love
I'm wishing you the best
Memories are all
What's gone is put to rest

Nothing left to hold
The separate ways we go
Time cannot suspend
I'm holding no revenge.

Repeat: So may former love...
Repeat: Nothing left to...

#13. No Revenge

Bad Social Mirror (G. Di Nunno)

A glance about
No thought to give
Chances good that all goes well.
The crowds about
Among them flow
Different mental states don't tell.

What will be met
Or who will be
Coming from the darkest den.
From place to place
To get all done
Nothing happens, home again.

Sometimes you wonder
The news often bad
As it makes no sense
Cannot hide away

Fear creeps in to bring a pause,
For fate has final say.
Surprise, surprise, there's nothing worse
Being caught in the wrong place, wrong time.

The TV brings
Alarming scenes
Strikes the heart, and shakes the head.
The talk about 
How this could be
Losing purpose, finding dread.

The arguments
To bring an end
Pointing fingers, have a say.
Are easy said
With nothing done
Hard to make it go away.

Sometimes you wonder
This mess never cleaned
Will not set us free
Seek a better light.

Fear creeps in to bring a pause,
For fate has final say.
Surprise, surprise, there's nothing worse
Being caught in the wrong place, wrong time.

All content written and performed by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2023.

#14. Bad Social Mirror

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

THOUGH FORGOTTEN (G. Di Nunno)

Fallen out of favor
At least that's how it feels
All the evidence is there.

Can't compete, not worth a try
Your proof of love is small
That is all you have to give.

Give the taste of luxury
Above that status line
Once those bills come due
Sent to past is that good time.

Who's forgotten?
What's your worth?
The scenery 
Impression grand
Who's forgotten?
Dwell apart
All past good deeds forgotten soon.

Glass is filled to the brim
Compared to yours it shines
Left to ponder where you stand.

Gave your time, the value worth
Much more that's felt and known
Under lamp posts glowing bright.

Falling short no matter what
Your heart is all you've done
Better than you know
Gave what money cannot buy.

Though forgotten
Feel your worth
That scenery 
Is beautiful
Though forgotten
Dwells intent
Of what you gave 
Forgotten so...

All lyrics, instrumental composition by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2024.

#2. Though Forgotten

Reflections of Mind (G. Di Nunno)

Stare down from these hills and then catch a breath
The tension past and present bind a knot
Ran the gauntlet out with these wounds as debt
While trying to hang on with all I've got.
Tired of all
Demands on time
Social cliques
Status lines
Reflections of mind.

My days grow short there's so much waste
That angst has bloomed with pending haste
In traffic stuck and always a line
All of this weighs on my flying time
So much to do
Surprise to learn
Lighting a fuse
Watch it all burn
Reflections of mind.

Signs with some pointing
Whom are you joining?
Money the new god
The public applauds!

Refuse to suffer
A tempting offer
I feel it open
Without suspension.

What's it all mean? I've passed the years
Lost in a fog that never clears
Oddest thing is I made it so hard
Hit re-set, and then fire the guard.

#3. Reflections Of Mind

Thoughts of Failure When Alone (G. Di Nunno)

A final call takes a bow
Stuffs complaints inside a box
With false romance ripped in two
Passed on through and left some signs.

Of when this life was going well
Can't think on what must change
All that arriving soon
First: to feel the worst of this
It's setbacks, fever tone
Thoughts of failure when alone.

Feel it all awhile
All this wracking doubt
Then lift-off once more
A strengthened return.

All these ramblings kick a dead horse
Gives an aura bitter blue
No one cares to hear the struggle
Off with dark shades--different view.

Had you listened, maybe offered
Open discourse all would end
Thus the tension, face revealing
Eyes withholding, moods descend.

Those hurdles gone the race is on
Until the next to do the best
With better ways the past decays
A small demand you understand...

All lyrics and music written and performed by Gino Di Nunno.
Copyright 2024.

#4. Thoughts Of Failure When Alone

PLAY A PART (G. Di Nunno)

All evidence to prove existence of happy days
They line the walls and rest on shelves, undisturbed like dust
No telling when the dark clouds came
When passing days would feel the same
Wondering when this stranger moved in, shaded eyes adjust.

And love still sticks around, degrees of a lesser form
A couple times per year, no highlights, no shooting stars
A critic from an armchair bites
This doormat sinks to lesser heights
Dinner served, the clothes are clean, with feelings stored in jars.

Pieces scattered and discarded
No way leads to where once started
The bottom of the box holds no surprise.
Hurled through space, quite lost once landed
Through the years and now can't stand it
The stagnant strains of boredom doth arise.

The answers to the question
Of what upsets the cart
Aren't easy as their hidden
As both still play a part.

Converse in shortened phrases, little to talk about
The TV does it all, always a nearby phone
The glimpse of lives lived on the screen
A sinking here, the cause unseen
Tomorrow's routine like the rest in this place called home.

Found the will to kick the habit
Skip the class and always have it
But isn't it nice to dream about?
One by one in order to list them
Make a note to shock the system
If never tried there won't be an easy way out.

The answers to the questions
Of what upset the cart
Aren't easy as their hidden
As both still play a part...

All music and lyrics written and performed by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2022.

#5. Play A Part

This Life Is Short (G. Di Nunno)

Wasting life and know the cost is steep
A slave to habits, sinking deep
Dust collected, dreams and plans were made
Forgot the spots they last were laid.

This life is short
Catch the solid blow
Throwing time away
Soon you come to know.
This life is short
Littered landscapes swell
What you can't get back
Drips inside a well.

Seems things are the same every day
The boring routine, all are alike
What would you do if you had your way?
Could you name them or apply them?

Sit in traffic on your way to work
Dinner, clean-up, television, sleep
Weekend catch-up, then the Sunday blues
Asking yourself is this all there is?

Spoken part:
Seneca said: "it's not that we have a short time to live,
but that we waste a lot of it."
Am I going through an existential crisis?
I feel I'm wasting time
Wasting
Life is so short
Only so much time
A crisis I must defeat
I want to go on.

Want to sit and watch the world unfold
And to do all those things that we used to do
Want to do much more before we're old
A different outlook, better view. 

This life is short
Grabbing all that's left
Sending off the stress
Clean the mental mess.
This life is short
Pull the joy from past
Place it on the now
Living all that's left.

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

#6. This Life Is Short

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

Rising For Air (G. Di Nunno)

It's now to throw aside and bleed
Out the poisons I've collected
That span that took more than gave
Open arms to leave rejected

All that pressure building
Attempts at fitting in
Followed scripts as written
Left stricken from the spin
That rise for air
Rising.

Remembered how you laughed me down
Once the aura lost its luster
And joined the band of lonely ghosts
Isolated, cold, to shudder.

Friends fled through the back door
As scissors cut the ties
Got the hand-down remnants
With footprints left by spies
That rise for air
Rising.

It all depended on a former vision
The effort given rewarded with tension
A lightened hatred as the months were flying
Became a new scene; tell me how that happened?

Where stares were hard
A lightened mood
Has entered here
And washed away.
What led to this
Is memory
To part and go
Not looking back.
Rising
Rise for air
Rising
Rise for air.

All lyrics and musical performance by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2024.

#8. Rise For Air

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

Until The Distance (G. Di Nunno)

When all was well the times were filled
Close together, a love in bloom
You gave it all as life stepped in
Chipping pieces, stagnant room.

So hard to guess where all went wrong
Little things weren't seen as clear
Within that span connection waned
Slowly losing what held here.

Once that spark has fizzled out
The cups are empty, nothing left
Subtle changes, grew apart
Until the distance swallows it.

Recall the effort, what mattered most
Talked for hours, laughed and teased
Remember when you felt as one?
Knew the meaning, aimed to please?

The fall was slow each day some more
Taking short-cuts, habits born
Her interest fades and knows not how
Time to move on, past to mourn.

All these small things added up
And why you stopped them, reasons dry
Now she's checked out, cleaned her hands
Until the distance made here cry.

No words would bring her back again
Left before she laid it bare
She knew well why; one part is sure
Let her go though you still care.

All lyrics, composition, and performance by Gino Di Nunno
Copyright 2025.

#2. Until The Distance

#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

An Oasis Was All Mirage (G. Di Nunno)

The wisdom of dead writers whisper through the ages
Possessing these thoughts fired, strikes the latest rage
To wither a soft passing falls on deafened ears
A doorstep, the knock hollow, made routine by years
It feels that nothing makes any sense
Most everyone just walks about tense
With questions formed there's reason to ask
Discover what's there behind the mask
Gazing at stars in pitch-darkness. 

Damaged by the viewing while white-light blind
Missed the whole unveiling--they're not your kind
Sure and firm in belief so tough to sway
Might be a better road--it's not the way
Walk the line for fools.

All around the change that
The doubt creep in to
Wander the unknown and
Not get taken in. 

Stomp the shadows; break the walls down
Parasites with shopping lists come around for tea
Can't be trusted, crush that problem
Ban them from the neighborhood, signs that nothing's free.

Peace be unto you
Live the golden rule
Seek the good in all
Love is all around
Give a helping hand
A smile from the heart
Always give your best
In all things be kind
Please say these are not lies.

The crumbs are laid, the promised gold
With open hands, the grand reward
The slogans rise; the myth is born
Becomes the truth all else ignored
An Oasis was all Mirage. 

"It's like it all just goes around and around and keeps on going.
To make you wonder."

All lyrics and performance written and composed by Gino Di Nunno.
Copyright 2025.
The final quote above was taken from the John Williams novel, "Stoner (1965)".
Page 90. 

#4.An Oasis Was All Mirage

Music, Lyrics, Performance, Drum Programming, and Mistakes by Gino Di Nunno. Copyright 2018.

Land of Broken Toys

Light the madness, crushing ground,
Ugly all around
Clutch their angels tight in dirty hands.
Waste reward by thumping pulse, 
Revelations false,
Traded all for nothing's sunken lands.

Chorus: 
Something's gone awry,
The category--bare,
Those headlights in the eyes,
In this land of broken toys.
Nothing's worth a try,
Still feel the spiteful stare, 
And nary a surprise
In this land of broken toys.

Streetlight saviours pawn their dreams for nothing in return.
The world still spins, though they watched drought without concern.
Wither fields of flowers; you're weeds to pull and cast aside.

Living forms, yet passed as ghosts, reasons feared to know,
As books unread on asphalt fields, drop the trash and go.
Comfort at the station--ignore those places where they hide.
Ahhh come on!

Repeat chorus:

Locked Doors Open Rooftops

Land of Broken Toys

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)

Gino Di Nunno

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