(verse)
School days, purple Stingray, banana seat bike
I’d ride, by your house cause you’re the girl I liked
Sometimes, I’d catch you walkin’ and slow way down
At 15, our whole world was our little town now
(half chorus)
  Way back when, we were children
  Way back when, and it was so cool
  Way back when, there was nothin’
  We couldn’t do and so we
(verse)
Tied up, a big ol’ rope in the oak tree
Took turns, playin’ Tarzan, you and me
Don’t know, how we kept from breakin’ our necks
So young, so fun, so what the heck, now
(chorus)
  Way back when, we were children
  Way back when, and it was so cool
  Way back when, there was nothin’
  We couldn’t do and

  Way back when, we had good times
  Way back when, and innocence ruled
  Way back when, we had each other
  And we still do, now Baby
(bridge)
   This, is, the, future and, what’s now was then
   See how these good things, can, all come round again yeah
(verse)
Road Kings, Chevy Stingray, an S.U.V.
Looks like we made it Baby, you and me
Sometimes we’ll take a break and slow way down
Cause these days, our whole world, is our little town yeah
(chorus)
  Way back when, we were children
  Way back when, and it was so cool
  Way back when, there was nothin’
  We couldn’t do and

  Way back when, we had good times
  Way back when, and innocence ruled
  Way back when, we had each other
  And we still do, now Baby
(bridge)
   This, is, the, future and, what’s now was then
   See how these good things, can, all come round again yeah

(tag) 
From way back when
         
Way back when



©   7/05  J. Michael Tracy   All Rights Reserved


Way Back When (s)

Alcohol aficionado. Bacon practitioner. Incurable travel junkie. Troublemaker. Evil social media fanatic.

Bio
Dan Boyko is a seasoned musician and songwriter with a passion for creating soul-stirring melodies and heartfelt lyrics. Hailing from Hamilton, known as a Hammer Town Hellraiser, Dan's musical journey has been marked by dedication and perseverance.
Growing up in the vibrant Hamilton music scene, Dan honed his skills by jamming and gigging with local music favorites like Teenage Head, Forgotten Rebels, Calamity Jane, T.O. Joker, Spec Jennings, and Dan Dyer. During this time, he took vocal lessons from the renowned Brian Vollmer of Helix and the Diana Ropolaski School of Voice, enriching his musical journey.
After making the brave decision to pursue a career in music, Dan devoted himself to honing his skills and creating marketable songs that leave a lasting impression. Music became his true calling, and his songwriting journey has been deeply personal, reflecting his life experiences and the sacrifices made to follow his passion.
As a 50-year-old musician, Dan's dedication to his craft is evident. He has composed a collection of powerful tracks, including "Lost Cause," a soulful ballad that delves into the struggles and self-awareness of a restless spirit, and "Confessions of a Singer," a heartfelt reflection on past mistakes and the search for forgiveness. His lyrical prowess shines through in "It's All About You," a captivating ode to someone who has left an indelible mark on his heart.
Dan's musical history boasts an impressive resume. For 15 years, he toured and recorded with his band Three Ways From Sunday, releasing three full-length albums, "Toy Soldier," "South East Asia," and "Isore." The band left its mark in the Canadian music landscape, recording at prestigious studios like Grant Ave Studios and Catherine North Studios. Additionally, Dan made his mark in the heavy metal scene with the band E.O.R. (Edge of Reason), releasing "The Machine," a 9-song CD that gained popularity on college radio and numerous music websites.
In 2020, Dan's songwriting talents earned him recognition when he won a Niagara songwriting contest with his song "Scream!" This success led to collaborations with musical giants like Dirk VerBuren (Megadeth), Caleb Bingham (formerly of Five Finger Death Punch), Alessandro Medri (formerly of Figure Of Six), and producer Seth VonPaulous from the legendary LA studio "The Boutique." Together, they embarked on "The Unforgiven Album," an ambitious project featuring an off-the-floor recording approach inspired by rock legends like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.
Under the new moniker "Dan Boyko," he embraced a new sound that blended southern rock with country elements, coining the term "Gruntry." This undeniable new sound gave birth to captivating tracks like "Modern Day Nursery Rhyme," hailed by Sleeping Bag Studio Magazine's editor as a song that "rocks the gods."
With unforgettable vocal hooks and a powerful delivery, Dan Boyko's music resonates with audiences, leaving them in awe of the raw emotion and infectious energy. Experience the undeniable passion of Dan Boyko as he takes you on a musical journey like no other. His soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and the unique fusion of Gruntry solidify his place in the music scene, promising a lasting impact on the world of music.

My name is John Michael Tracy I write songs, jmtsongs.com , love photography, hunting, fishing and all of the outdoors. I was born on Jan. 11, 1957 in Elmira, NY.  I’m the oldest of six children, and my family lived, for most of my youth, in Athens, PA., which is right across the border from Upstate New York.   
	My parents had me take piano lessons when I was a kid, and when I was a teenager, I taught myself to play guitar.  Some friends and I had a country band, and we played local spots for a while.
	In my early twenties, I bought a 4-track recorder and enjoyed playing and recording songs that I liked from the Eagles, Jim Croce, Lobo, David Gates and Bread, Dan Fogelberg, etc.  I sent the recordings to my Grandfather, who had a band when he was young and performed all over upstate Pennsylvania and New York.  One day he asked me why I didn’t write my own songs.  The thought had never occurred to me, but once I’d considered it, it sounded like a great idea, and I told him that I bet I could do it.  
	After the first hundred songs or so, I called a few record companies to let them know that there was a new talent ready to take over the songwriting world, and they suggested I join NSAI first to help me hone my craft.  So I did.  In the mean time, I was sending quite a few of my songs to Washington to be copyrighted.
	A Publisher/Writer named Donn Hecht (most famous for co-writing Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight”) had someone working for him in Washington that noticed the number of songs I was copywriting.  Donn contacted me and asked me to send him some material. I did. He became my publisher, mentor and friend until his death in October 2002. He taught me more about songwriting and the business than anyone I’ve ever met.
	In the Spring of 2000, I wrote a song called “The South’ll Rise Again” and sent it to the nationally syndicated “The John Boy and Billy Big Show” as a gift, never imagining they’d ever do anything with it.  They were impressed enough to play it on the air, and it has been on their “Best Of” shows ever since.
	After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, I wrote a song called “Give’m Hell U.S.A.”  and  sent it to President George Bush and some of his staff.  Both President Bush and his Chief of Staff, Andrew Card, responded with really nice thank you notes. 
	I’m also a member of the local and National GTO clubs, own a 1970 Judge, and have written several “hot rod” songs that get regular play at many car shows and cruise-ins.
           My wife Kathy and I lived and worked in Nashville for a year and met many wonderful artists and songwriters who inspired and encouraged me.
	As the successful songwriter, friend and mentor, Jerry Vandiver says, “We write, because we have to”. The music needs to come out so we do what we love, and let it flow.

I love my music. And if there is somebody who likes it, just enjoy.
To support me you can buy my music on bandcamp!