Lyrics:
Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died
Everybody talking to their pockets
Everybody wants a box of chocolates
And a long stem rose
Everybody knows
Everybody knows that you love me baby
Everybody knows that you really do
Everybody knows that you've been faithful
Ah give or take a night or two
Everybody knows you've been discreet
But there were so many people you just had to meet
Without your clothes
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
And everybody knows that it's now or never
Everybody knows that it's me or you
And everybody knows that you live forever
Ah when you've done a line or two
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
And everybody knows that the Plague is coming
Everybody knows that it's moving fast
Everybody knows that the naked man and woman
Are just a shining artifact of the past
Everybody knows the scene is dead
But there's gonna be a meter on your bed
That will disclose
What everybody knows
And everybody knows that you're in trouble
Everybody knows what you've been through
From the bloody cross on top of Calvary
To the beach of Malibu
Everybody knows it's coming apart
Take one last look at this Sacred Heart
Before it blows
And everybody knows
Everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Oh everybody knows, everybody knows
That's how it goes
Everybody knows
Everybody knows

Everybody Knows (Leonard Cohen Cover)

No one comes back,
when they're lost in the lack, 
of a need to have something to prove.
I can't believe, 
that you offered your sleeve, 
with a heart that is bleeding for two.
Both sides are compromised,
Brain dead lobotomized,
Hammered and bolted tight,
Nothing behind the eyes,
Check the pulse, no signs of life,
Excavating all the time to prove, 
Just to prove.

Excavated Proof

This track was part of a larger experimental collaboration that ended up being its own little song idea. Josh brought the awesome slide guitar, keys, and organ to really liven up this idea. I always love working with Josh and am honored to be doing so. Thank you Josh sincerely for the continued enthusiasm as it shows in your music and all of your interactions, my friend.

Lyrics:
You need to be quiet, 
you don't want to wake, the sleeping giant. 
When you go, tip toe, around his bed so, you don't wake that tyrant. 
(hmmm hmmm hmmm) x 2 
I think it's time now, 
We can change his mind around, 
the stupid giant. 
I'll whisper in his ear, 
we're the only one's he should fear.
There's far too many of us, you don't need to cause a fuss or be defiant.
(instrumental-ish) into trippy part
(hmmm hmmm hmmm) x 1
So when you wake tomorrow,
you'll be filled with sorrow.
You're just a giant.

Sleeping Giant (Collab with Josh Clary AKA Entheogenic Psychonaut)

Lyrics:
......................................
Take these little seeds,
Water them please.
Upon the window sill.
Are you still asleep?
Roots need the dark,
Digging down deep.
Soaking up the light,
So we can be leaves.
So... We can believe.
So... We shall be.
💦💦💦💦💦💦💦💦
Shaking brittle trees,
In the breeze.
Were once big and strong.
Now they fall with ease.
All of these demands,
Blood red hands,
Grab ahold of life,
Soiling all the land.
☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️
All these evil men,
Selling you sin,
You try to turn the dial,
They control the wind.
🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱
Oh so many ways,
Burning through the days,
Harvesting your time,
Leaving you dismayed.
We... Made to lay down.
Sow... All you have now.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

It's All Over Now - (Dylan Cover)

This started out as a simple acoustic idea that I recorded a while back and shared with eddyoffline for a collaboration. I sent eddyoffline a few ideas and told him to do whatever he wanted with these and there’s no rush on any of these. Eddyoffline added a sweet bass line to this idea we call “No Rush.” Then eddyoffline asked “TexMex Shaman” to collaborate on this track with us. Having collaborated via the Eclectic Collective on some previous song ideas with Stephen, aka TexMex Shaman, I definitely wanted to get him involved on this idea. Stephen recorded some amazing guitar, added some percussive elements, synth and fx, and Stephen mixed the whole thing! 
Having it all start with an acoustic idea and then hearing the transformations provided by amazingly talented and willing musicians such as eddyoffline and Stephen, well… I’m blown away at the final result and very appreciate for every single opportunity to work with these gentlemen. Thank You guys!!! I love these little projects!

eddyoffline: Bass  
https://on.soundcloud.com/Z6sGbjtVrSUHBbyR8

TexMex Shaman: Lead Electric Guitar, Percussive Elements, FX, Synth, Post Production Mix
https://on.soundcloud.com/AZ7YW1jRGHZeN71MA

cgmaness: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Lyrics



"No Rush"
Lyrics:
I don’t know where we went wrong.
Did we ever get off?
As the train moves along,
I’ll sing my railway song.
There’s no time to rush,
Should we get out and push?
No hungry mouths to hush.
I’m done hiding in the woods.
No rush, take your time.
There’s underdogs on the mainline.
No need to heed the signs.
We roll slow on this grind.
No rush, I’ll say it again.
You river rats that cooled my hand.
A blank stare and a grifters grin.
“You’re just bluffing” said the drifter's friend.

No Rush *feat. (eddyoffline & TexMex Shaman)

The Unseen Circus

Lyrics:
Keep yourself busy,
It's all you can do.
Forgive us for turning,
our back on you.
I've cast for a future.
The rains coming down.
Who could surrender underneath these clouds?
Under this sky,
It's always been you and I.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Keep your head steady.
Take in the view.
This we are yearning,
A lack of truth.
Die-cast Heart and Suture.
Pain by the pound.
Do you surrender now?
Wondering why, 
this always is do or die?
It's always been you and I.

ū & ℹ︎

Solace in the Apocalypse

Lyrics:
Coffin nail tooth and bone,
Refurbished lives we rent to own,
Tweedle Dee's Tweedle Clones,
Snow-White witches throwing stones,
Jadis seized everything she's owed.
Pretentious dreams, so grandiose.
Adios, Adios my friend.
You're very close,
So very close to being real.
Painted face mask & clown,
Jaded Joker's smoking out,
Nothing sells finder's fee,
10% spread equally,
a third of that give to me,
sit atop the pyrenees.
Pretentious dreams, so grandiose.
Adios, Adios my friend.
You're very close, 
So very close to being human.....................................
........................................................................................................

Adios

Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @user-419254289-15129531 – Chris – bass, guitar, synth, main drums, percussion, composition, production and mix

TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen–  electric sitar

Llanpsych-- @llanpsych -- Tez – electric guitar

J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ and electric piano

K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken– percussion, additional drums

Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – traditional gourd form body sitar and lap steel

This is a song that I wrote on the drums, bass, and guitar and shared with the collective. I wasn't able to collaborate with the "E-Collective" for some time, so we all enjoyed working together on this. Josh was up first with his lap steel, which he weaves throughout. He also added the sitar at the beginning and the acoustic sitar at the end. Stephen stepped in and added the gnarly electric sitar at the end. JJ also made his presence heard by adding the thrilling organ and electric piano throughout. Ken then augmented the original drums with his own in expert fashion. Last, but not least, Tez added his electric guitar magic to the stew, as well.
These guys are all amazing musicians, producers, artists... and great people to play music with. I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to crank out another sweet collaboration with The Eclectic Collective.
TY guys (EC) 🙏❤️

We all hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed making it.

New String Theory (The Eclectic Collective)

Cast of Characters:
 
Cgmaness – @user-419254289-15129531 – Chris – foundational acoustic guitar and seed idea
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ, electric piano, lyrics, and vocals
Llanpsych-- @llanpsych -- Tez – electric guitar
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken– drums and percussion 
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – four string fretless bass
The Eclectic Collective — composition and mix

 This is the second song in a row that The Eclectic Collective is releasing in as many weeks that was written by Chris. We love working on his songs, and all jumped at the chance to play with this one, as well. He wrote it on an acoustic guitar, onto which he also put some heavy reverb, giving it an ethereal, chordal sound. To that bare bones, Josh fist added his four-string fretless bass to a click track, of all things. Luckily, Ken swooped in soon after and gave it a proper beat with his lively percussion performance.
Once the rhythm section was complete, Tez added his melodic, golden-tone guiar in there. Then, it was JJ's turn. He added not only the piano and synth, but wrote the lyrics and sang it, as well.
This song was actually mixed by the group, as we all added our parts, although Ken did some final adjustments, too.
JJ's lyrics tell the story of the first people to reach Easter Island, millenia ago. The wonder of the journey and the discovery of a new home, while using the materials available to survive. Here are his original lyrics.

Original Lyrics by J.J. Terrell:

Through the eyes of the gentle rain
Monuments raised where the Lapwings stay
All the sand, the hourglass of man sifts here
A traveling band of gypsies in this land appear
Crowd the fire as the night sets in
Listen for tales of enlightenment
Until dawn
The flowered down of a bird so true
Pure as heaven, the chosen few
It's all waiting for the night

"Unabashed" (The Eclectic Collective)

Lyrics:
A mystery to me,
is how you move,
through the flames,
so easily, it seems.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A mystery to you,
is how you move,
through the flames,
so easily, it seems.

It Seems

Lyrics:
Everybody breathe, and be easy.
Everybody breathe, and no cheating.
Everybody Breathe
Don't take it lightly,
Don't take it at all.
Don't even mind me,
Baby on Board.

Everybody Breathe

Cast of Characters:

Cgmaness – @user-419254289-15129531 – Chris – bass,  acoustic guitar, drums, and composition
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen–  mix, production, and mastering
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – mandolin and lap steel

This song began as an idea that Chris came up with on his acoustic guitar, and shared with Josh. Josh, loving everything that Chris writes, jumped at the opportunity to work on it. 
  Josh first added the melodic lap steel you hear throughout. Then, in the same session, came up with and recorded the mandolin track. He believes Rick Rubin's mantra, when it's flowing, keep it going. This song was the first of about half a dozen that Chris shared with the Eclectic Collective back at the beginning of summer. So, it sat dormant for about five months, until Chris revived it by adding the impressive rhythm section of bass and drums to complete it. Chirs is always a multi talented part of the team. 
  When it was all in the can, we asked Stephen to mix it for us, because his mixes are always so pro sounding. He also mastered it for us, too. 
  This is the fist song that Chris and Josh have recorded as a duo in almost a year. However, they love recording together and feel this is a great way to start the New Year with some magical music. We all hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Dance of the Tryptophans (with Josh Clary, produced by Texmex Shaman & cgmaness)

Rosewood & Main

Recycled Visions (One Last Look)

Lyrics:
I fell down a rabbit hole,
while looking for someone with soul,
but no luck. 
I'm here stuck holding a rabbit's foot.
Well, good luck.
Well, good luck.
Well, good luck.
I fell down into a well,
a voice said, "welcome to hell."
But the word is law,
He began to crawl, 
clutching a human foot.
Well, good luck
Well, good luck.
~~~~~~~~
I fell down a rabbit hole,
while looking for someone with soul,
but no luck. 
I'm here stuck holding a rabbit's foot.
Well, good luck.................

Good Luck

Cast of Characters:
Cgmaness – @user-419254289-15129531 – Chris – acoustic guitar, drums, lyrics, vocals, and composition
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ and piano
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 – four string fretless bass
This song started all the way back in October, when Chris came up with lyrics and a vocal melody to go over his acoustic guitar composition. He also added the drum beat that carries it along, and contrasts Josh's bass part, which he added next. JJ came along shortly after and added his twinkling piano and ambiance thickening organ. 
  We had all these parts down, but for some reason this sat on the shelf for a few months. Finally we decided to dust it off. Chris mixed it for us expertly, as always, and we decided to put a ribbon on it. 
 This is an example of Chris's brilliant songwriting, shared with a couple of other musicians who are mutual admirers of his work. This is also a trio within the Eclectic Collective family, as we sometimes do side projects with different iterations of the group. We all hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.  
Original lyrics by cgmaness:

Let the night tuck you under,
When you feel you can't go on.
When you want to be happy,
I will be what you want...
And, it's you that makes me happy.
When I'm down on my bad sign.
Washing out all the tie-dye from the blue sky.

Let the Night (The Eclectic Collective)

I'm okay with being wrong,
I just didn't want to hurt anyone. No No
I'm just a man caught up in his own head.
I'd rather be somewhere over the rainbow instead.
I'm okay with shedding tears in front of you,
it's the least of all my fears.
I'm just a man, no I don't have a plan.
Open arms, open hands, I hope you understand.
I won't announce it again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't mind being wrong,
may I never forget this here.
Yet I don't want to sink your boat.
I only want to be somewhere in you.
In your heart and in my hand.
I don't mind if you try, just to slight.
I'm only a man.
May my eyes stay open.
Never to seal again.

Just Caught Up

Place Your Bets

Lyrics:
Everything clicks like clockwork,
I can hear it all around.
Never been one for stealing,
I just found it on the ground.
I just found it on the ground.
Moments blur together seamlessly,
I forgot to choose a side.
Comatose, you're somewhat reeling.
Got a dagger in your eye.
Can't you stop what you're doing?
Words Jumbled up; you lie.
Words Jumbled up; you lie.
Collecting all the reasons,
You never ever try.
Let the wind blow you over,
Or let the sun get you dry.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fabricating all your feelings,
makes me laugh and then I cry.
Wonder what it is you're dealing,
Will it live or will it die.
You're staring at the ceiling,
I just found it on the ground.
I just found it on the ground.
Moments blur together seamlessly,
I forgot to choose a side.
Comatose, you're somewhat reeling.
Got a dagger in your eye.
Can't you stop what you're doing?
Words Jumbled up; you lie.
Words Jumbled up; you lie.
I just found it on the ground.
I just found it on the ground.

On The Ground

This is a free-flowing sort of acoustic song idea done on an acoustic guitar with some light organ accompaniment. 
Hoping you enjoy this track! 🙏❤️♾️❤️

Never Give Up

The Blues Abduction

Lyrics:
I didn't mean to leave my integrity,
lying around you.
Not where it could be easily stolen,
Or vanished into the Aether.
You've got a lot of nerve by coming here,
And trying to tear into me.
I thought you knew that you're not welcome.
Why don't you vanish into the Aether?
And I've been watching all this time.
I didn't mean to feed your vanity.
I thought you were someone true.
It turns out you're a devil.
Why don't you vanish into the Aether?
Why don't you vanish into the Aether?
While you sell only lies.
Keep on knocking, 
I won't buy.
Keep on knocking I won't buy.
I won't buy.

Into the Aether

Cinch

............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

cgmaness

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