a few songs where I take a turn at the singy part, either the lead, or backing harmony, or just a little noise here & there.


Playlist photo by John Curley; iPod Photoshopery by me

Singing stuff (songs with voices)

from many years ago. messing around with some weird voice modulator stuff. you didn't think those were real chipmunks singing did you?

Lyrics:
So why do you want to go
Down where the chipmunks live, oh yeah 
Say why?!

[Repeat]

Unorthodox Explorations 

Down Where the Chipmunks Live

an excerpt of the intro of a song written by my good friend Dyniss from back in the day when we were in a band together (lead vocal - Dyniss, harmony - me). It's a good example of our vocal tandem when we sang together. 

Here is a cover of Dyniss's band covering "We Can Work It Out", with me on vocal lead: 
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/we-can-work-it-out-with-dyniss-vocal-mark?in=user-432503709/sets/singing-stuff

Here is a medley of Dyniss tunes recorded from our rehearsal sessions:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/dyniss-ditties-bestest-bits?in=user-432503709/sets/compilations

For more about Dyniss, visit http://dyniss.com/

Live in the Studio

Less Than Me (intro harmony / song by Dyniss)

I think this was the only cover tune we did back in my band days playing with my great friends Dyniss, Morris, and Alex. Here I take a turn at lead vocals with Dyniss on harmony. This is a ‘live’ version recorded in Dyniss’ studio (I believe in one take), though we performed it live on stage often.
Them wuz some good ol' times.

Dyniss Band members:
Dyniss - acoustic guitar, backing vocal
Mark - keyboard/accordion, lead vocal
Alex - 6 string fretless bass
Morris - Drums

Written by Lennon, McCartney

We Can Work It Out (cover; vocal mark)

The title and middle chorus (the only lyrics in the song) came from the fact that after recording, i felt it needed another section, like a bridge, but got too lazy to find something to fit. Thus the line “I can’t find the bridge to New Funk City”. 

Still can’t find it.   ;O)

This can probably be considered the 3rd in a trilogy of tracks created almost entirely with short loops and sound samples in Garageband ('Dark Roast', and 'Sneaky Reggae' are the other 2). My part, besides the vocals and a bit of organ, clavinet playing, and drum fills, is arranging the pieces together into this song. Pretty fun experimenting this way.

***Warning: your toezies might get sore from all the tapping they’ll be doing.


lyrics / chorus:
"Everybody tells me I got to go
but I can't find the bridge to New Funk City"


All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve. :)

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Mark's Album (post-2020)

New Funk City (where’s da bridge at?)

My grandma's favourite song. that's papa on guitar, me taking a turn at vocal. I also do a pretty lame job trying to strum accompaniment while dad plays the middle solo. Originally recorded around 2014 with my phone mic, I also recently (in 2024) used AI tools to isolate the vocal & guitar into separate tracks so I could better adjust the balance. happy with the result. 

This song’s got a lot of meaning in our family. About as close to a perfect country song as it gets for me. 

(written in 1946 by Fred Rose. covered by the likes of Hank, Roy, Charlie, Elvis, and of course, Willie.)

Here's one other song we did together around the same time: 
- Back Home Again: https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/back-home-again-cover-take-2-collab-with-dad 

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve. :)
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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Voice Memos, country

blue eyes crying in the rain (cover, with Dad)

This upload is only the 'drums & sound effects' track, of the full song Cut 2: "The Chase" (movie/car chase version). Here's a link to that full version, with the description of the movie & car chase concept explained:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/cut-2-the-chase-1

I'm going to upload 4 versions of this song:

1) The full 'movie/car chase' version (including story/concept)
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/cut-2-the-chase-1

2) the 'drums & sounds effects only' version (no music)
    (this track)

3) the 'music only' version (no sound effects)
    (upload pending)

4) the 'original' music only version (recorded around 1999 or 2000)
    (upload pending)

I thought some folks might find it interesting to see this thing deconstructed and evolving from original to now. maybe not, lol.

I strongly recommend listening with headphones to get the full panning effects. The image is a combo of AI generated and cut & paste from my photos.

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve. Like, “hey Mark, your car chase idea really sucks”. 😜

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Cut 2: "The Chase" (FX only) [*see description for story]

One of my fave comedy scenes in a movie is the "this poem sucks" beat poem in 'So I Married an Axe Murderer'. Written & performed by fellow Cannuck Mike Myers, the visual performance is as much of the fun as the lyrics. Here's my take (apologies for the vocal quality, which was recorded at different times & locations with just my phone mic). All instruments played by me on keyboard; I kind of like the realism of the snare drum brushes in particular. still needs practice tho. 
Hope you find this song "love...ed"  ;)

here's the original video from the movie: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XgmTYm-6x4

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve.   :)

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Harriet ('this poem sucks') - cover

Arrite... dusting this one off again for another year.
First, to answer the question I know everyone wants to know about this one - "Is that your real hair?!?" 
No. No it's not.   😎 
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I lived in Japan for a year between 2002-2003 doing the teaching English thing, and made some good friends at one of the schools I worked at. We sometimes went out for Karaoke (of course!) and on one such night around Christmas I took a turn to sing one of my faves - Blue Christmas, the Elvis version. 

This is a live recording of me that night. The exuberant reaction from the group is partly due to the fact that I was/am normally a pretty quiet & reserved fellow, especially in crowds, and they were both shocked and seemingly quite impressed by my getting up to sing Elvis, and by how much I apparently sounded like him. 

I could translate some of what they're saying here, but you'll get the idea. For example though, the word "Sugoi" means "Cool!". In another spot, someone walks into the room mid-song, and another person says "hey hey, this is cool, it's Elvis!... watch this..."
See what you think.  ;)

Happy holidays everybuddy!

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here's some pictures I took: www.flickr.com/photos/mark_boucher/
my best photos on 500px (safe site): 500px.com/p/mrmark?view=photos

Blue Christmas (Karaoke in Japan)

same as previous upload, but with (my) voices added. see which you prefer...

See the original for details: https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/flute-loops-jam

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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

Flute Loops & Jam (*voices version*)

back when I was recording the John Denver song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" with the fine gentlemen in The Eclectic Collective, my 8 yr old daughter loved the song so much she began singing it ALL THE TIME. This is a quick little recording of us harmonizing the chorus. Pretty amazingly expressive singing for a youngster if I do say so myself! 

Here's the full recording with The Eclectic Collective:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/take-me-home-country-roads-eclectic-collective?si=124fd64d50bb42bca0caa9b197a975c2&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Country Roads  (daughter & dad harmony)

back when I was recording the John Denver song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" with the fine gentlemen in The Eclectic Collective, my 8 yr old daughter loved the song so much she began singing it ALL THE TIME. This is a quick little recording of her singing the chorus. Pretty amazingly expressive singing for a youngster if I do say so myself! 

Here's the full recording with the Eclectic Collective:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/take-me-home-country-roads-eclectic-collective?si=124fd64d50bb42bca0caa9b197a975c2&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Country Roads (daughter sings chorus)

Like most of the guys playing parts on this song, this one's a pretty special one for me, because of my dad's love for country music and being an amazing guitarist who was a big influence on me to play music. Thanks to Josh for reaching out to invite us along for this one, and to all the guys for putting their hearts into the performances here!

Dedicated to Dad.

Cast of Characters:
mistermark-- @user-432503709 -- Lead and harmony vocals, synth guitar intro, auxiliary percussion, mix, arrangement, and production
TexMex Shaman–@texmex-shaman –Stephen– guitar, banjo, and mastering
Llanpsych -- @llanpsych -- Tez – mix and production
J.J. Terrell–@j-j-terrell –piano 
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara -–Ken–drums and vocal harmonies
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)–@josh-clary-1 –-four string fretless bass, mandolin, and lap steel

This song began when Josh asked the rest of the guys if they'd be willing to put together a couple of songs for his father as a Christmas present. His dad is from West Virginia, and Josh was born there, too. The original version featured his son, Marshall, singing the lead with him, and hearing his grandson sing a song about West Virginia really meant a lot to elder Clary. Of course, everyone was enthusiastically generous in giving their time, effort, and skill to Josh's family for the holiday. 
 
 The story of the song itself is a little convoluted. After Josh asked for everyone's help, Ken laid down a rudimentary beat, to which Josh started the tonal part with the bass. Stephen added the guitar and banjo soon after, and Josh added the mandolin shortly after that. JJ inserted his piano around this time, too. We pretty much had it working enough for Josh and his son to sing it for his dad. Tez mixed that version perfectly suited to the occasion. 
  After presenting Josh's dad with the present, it sat for about a month, until we asked Mark if he'd get in on it, too. Mark not only sang it better the John Denver, but also arranged it so there is an instrumental break in the middle now. He also added the guitar lick around the beginning. Ken took the opportunity of having Mark's great vocals to sing against to add his terrific harmonies. Mark threw down a harmony line as well during the verse, and one of the 2 high chorus harmonies. Then Mark, being the perfectionist that he is, noticed that the slide part was missing from the second verse. So, Josh added it. Mark also mixed this version, with Stephen doing some mastering at the end. 
  We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed putting this personally meaningful piece together.

All comments welcome, and don't be shy to be critical or suggest ideas to help me improve. :)

(song written by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert, and John Denver)

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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

Take Me Home, Country Roads (cover - with Eclectic Collective)

Well, I finally finished working on one of my all time fave songs, In Your Eyes, by Peter Gabriel. This is a straight up cover that's as faithful to the original as I could get. It's definitely the most time and meticulous effort I've spent on a song trying to do it justice. All instruments are played by me on keyboard, as well as the live talking drum and spotty singing, besides some backing synth pads and additional backing vocals by @remnant60. Bill was also instrumental in giving feedback and offering suggestions, and providing the mastering duties. 
There's also a bit of a surprise remix version I did that highlights all the layers of sounds that go into this masterpiece of a song. See link below.

Song written by Peter Gabriel

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Here is a very different REMIX version to highlight all the sounds and instruments you may not notice in the original version:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/in-your-eyes-remix

And here’s a funny ‘cluck’ version by acarboni:
https://on.soundcloud.com/RVCa1PY1HgvriWsE7

(image is a mash-up of my face on the album cover, done in Photoshop)

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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

In Your Eyes  (cover)

I'm only doing the singing on this one (trying to anyway). Not the greatest vocals but I just think this is a special song, one of Peter’s best, and wanted to share it, especially with those who haven’t heard it before. It's partly about growing old and getting your cherished memories in order while you're still able. 
Music downloaded legally from YouTube. 

'Playing for Time' - song by Peter Gabriel, from I/O album, 2023

Art by Annette Messager

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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

vocal cover of Peter Gabriel song

Dedicated to some folks in my life who've picked me up along the way, especially through music...

This is one I'm pretty proud of.  Oddly, it's the first time I’ve written a full original song with me singing my own lyrics. I'm joined by the uber talented @TexMex-Shaman, who is wielding the lead electric guitar starting at the first verse through to the end. (this is the second time now where my vocal melody is partly inspired by his magical playing!) He also lends his mastering skillz to great effect here. Thanks TMS for truly bringing this to life with your playing! 
All other instruments are played by me on the keyboard - acoustic guitar, bass, organ, Wurlitzer electric piano, 2nd electric guitar (the higher one in verse 2), horns, drums & percussion, words and voice. The chorus is supposed to sound like a 60's soul song, like Marvin Gaye meets Van Morrison. 
If you play this more than once I'm sorry but I'm afraid you'll be stuck with it in your head all day.  :)

This one's a personal one for me, so thanks for listening, and for picking us up with your music!

LYRICS: 

Verse 1
alone in the corner, that old six string whispers to me
ah but when daddy played, he could set your spirit free 
like the drops in the rain, or a forest tall and green
there's music alive all around
and mamma she told me, you must listen for more than the sound
and hear with your heart

Chorus     
(And then she’d) 
pick me up higher, pick me up higher, pick me up higher
pick me up, lift me up, build me up,  
pick me up higher, pick me up higher, pick me up higher
pick me up, lift me up, build me up, 
pick me up higher 

Verse 2
Now I’m writing my own song… makin’ music with old friends and new
But the joy of my days, are my beautiful daughter and you
And when you play that song, she would close her eyes and sway
all the while as she sings
And man when I hear her, whispered memories they lift me up still
like a bird on the wind

Chorus  

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Other credits: 
-second verse sample of 'Take Me Home, Country Roads' (by John Denver), performed by my 9 yr old daughter
-image design by me using Chat GPT
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here's a link to just the final chorus vocals and horns isolated: 
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/pick_me_up_vox_isolated

and here's a link that features mainly the sax solo & horn section:
https://on.soundcloud.com/y1PR8xv69y77n5CY5w
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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

-mark

Pick Me Up (with TexMex Shaman)

Dad & me making music together. took us over 40 years but we did it! This was recorded around 2014 or so I think. 

dad - acoustic guitar
me - voice

We tried this in 2 takes. The 2nd take had a bit louder, stronger sounding vocals, but the singing wasn't quite as subtle and soulful as this one, which is the 1st take. Even with the funny botched ending, this was always my preferred of the two versions. Unfortunately the vocal recording on this 1st take was too quiet (gotta find a better way to record singing than in the basement with my phone mic!). But after looking for years for a way to bump up only the vocals, I finally made use of one of the many AI tools popping up these days for isolating instruments from audio recordings. The tool I used is called 'Splitter AI / vocal remover', but there are others out there. Finally, I was able to isolate the vocals & guitar into separate tracks and make the voice  louder. 

(Song by John Denver)

I'm happy to be sharing these examples of my family making music from back in the day. :) Here's the other song we did around the same time. This is a very special song in our family, and I was super glad I got to sing it with my dad playing.  

Blue Eyes Cryin' In the Rain: https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/blue-eyes-crying-in-the-rain?si=29d81db0b84147ab9c54e6a0062a498f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

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here's some pictures I took:
https://500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

Back Home Again (cover - take 1) [collab with dad]

(Firstly, apologies for being away from SC for a while, I'm not able to be as active on here these days, but looking forward to catching up with all your latest creations...)

A few months ago, I posted a cover of one of my favourite songs, 'In Your Eyes', by Peter Gabriel. Here's that version:
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/in-your-eyes-cover

The original song is so rich in sounds and instrumentation that I had always intended to post a remix version that showcases all the other things you may not catch in the main song. So, I've finally uploaded the remix version. This remix is quite different, and includes an extended intro that Mr. Gabriel always does in his live performances. There's also a sneaky sample of another PG song in there if you can spot it!

Almost all instruments are played by me on keyboard, as well as the live talking drum (not on this remix) and spotty singing, with the exception of some cool synth pads and some backing vocals by @remnant60. Bill is also a fan of the song and helped me a lot with suggestions when I was working on the original cover, so many thanks to him again! And thanks to you for listening. 

Song written by Peter Gabriel
Synth sample from 'Sledgehammer', by Peter Gabriel

(Image is an inverted version of original cover I posted. It's Gabriel's 'So' album cover, where I've superimposed my face over his in Photoshop.)
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here's some pictures I took:
500px.com/p/MrMark?view=photos

In Your Eyes  (MAJOR REMIX)

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

Llanpsych-- @llanpsych -- Tez – Initial composition/seed idea, foundational acoustic and electric guitars, distorted electric guitar
Mistermark – @user-432503709 – Mark – vocals, lyrics, high organ, toy piano, percussion, sound effects, production, editing, mix
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– 5-string banjo solo, electric rhythm guitar
J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- low organ, piano, synth flute, sound effects
K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums, percussion 
Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – 4-string fretless bass
Composition – The Eclectic Collective

This song began as a haunting guitar chord progression that Tez came up with and shared with the rest of us. He also did an additional accoustic accompaniment and that crunchy distorted guitar once some of us started adding parts. Ken was first up, adding his reggae-tinged drums, then later his pots and pans percussion. As he was doing that, Josh was coming up with his bass line, and they did their little dance of back and forth until the rhythm section was set. Mark then came up with some dark lyrics and added his unique, Tom Waitsian vocals. He also added the high organ during the banjo solo, followed by a toy piano which you can faintly hear right after the solo. Also for the solo he created a clanky percussion arrangement, blending in elements from Ken's percussion sound too. Stephen followed shortly after with the atmospheric reggae-style guitar chords, and also came up with the amazing banjo solo you hear around the middle. Last, but not least, JJ came in with his trademark organ sound and paired up a piano and flute track to seal the deal with some melodic ambience. Then he and Mark added the cool creaking door & rain storm effects that open and close the song, and in other spots. Mark filled the main production duties on this one. He has proved himself to be a masterful editor, producer, and mixer, and we are lucky to have him as part of the team. Both Ken & Stephen provided a choice of mastering options to choose from… a nice gesture to put a bow on this one. 
This song is an homage of sorts to the great Tom Waits - we're all big fans, and tried to do something in his unique style. We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed creating it.
 
ORIGINAL LYRICS BY MISTERMARK:

I got something hidden in my closet 
that I don’t want you to see 
a little like a shady deposit
and it’s bound to incriminate me

Well now some might call it a skeleton 
like a raincoat filled with bones
see I been hangin’ it there since I don’t know when
and I just can’t leave it alone

Me and Bill rolling bones in a gambling hall 
I threw snake eyes but Bill counted three
I took his accusation just a little too far 
then everybody went quiet as they stared at me

Now the finger bone’s connected to the trigger
and the hand bone’s connected to me
and every day my secret’s gettin’ bigger
soon enough I’ll be swinging from a tree

(swing it boys)

Coz I got something hidden in my closet 
that I don’t want you to see 
I done made a shady deposit
and it’s bound to incriminate me

Well now some might call it a skeleton 
like a raincoat filled with bones
see I been hiding it there since I don’t know when
and I just can’t leave it alone
(repeat)

Bones (The Eclectic Collective)

(apologies for not being on Soundcloud much these days... I plan to get back to replies & checking out as much new music out there as I can soon!)


This is a stripped down version of a song written by J.J. that the Eclectic Collective gang made a few months ago. A few differences include no drum or bass, no sax solo, no slide guitar intro, an alternate guitar take, and alternate vocal performance by J.J. A sign of a great song is how it still sounds great even with just a simple instrument arrangement, and JJ's original song is a good example! 
Thank you for listening   :)

here's a link to the original version (which includes the rest of the EC gang):
https://soundcloud.com/user-432503709/that-dusty-road-the-eclectic-collective

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Cast of Characters:

J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- Original piano composition, vocals, lyrics
TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– electric and acoustic guitar, production
Mistermark – @user-432503709 – Mark – harmony vocals, organ, shaker, mix, production

That Dusty Road - 'unplugged' (Eclectic Collective)

CAST OF CHARACTERS: 
>TexMex Shaman– @texmex-shaman –Stephen– acoustic and electric guitar, production, mix, mastering, seed idea 
>Mistermark – @user-432503709 – Mark – lead vocals, vocal harmonies in chorus, lyrics
>Llanpsych-- @llanpsych -- Tez – electric guitar 
>J.J. Terrell-- @j-j-terrell—JJ-- organ, piano, and synth 
>K2 and the Three [and the Four]--@k2andthe3, @k2-kara –Ken–drums, percussion, vocal harmonies (verse & chorus)
>Entheogenic Psychonaught (Josh Clary)– @josh-clary-1 –Josh – 4-string fretless bass, vocal harmonies in chorus (including chorus lyric & arrangement) 

Composition – The Eclectic Collective 
This song began its life as a beautiful guitar chord progression from Stephen. He wrote it with the idea the The Eclectic Collective would bring it to life, which we were all excited to do. First up was Tez, who added the distorted guitar you hear adding the edge to the entire thing. Ken added his lively foundational drums next. Josh, of course seized on that, and followed shortly after with his four-string fretless bass. JJ came along next and added the expressive organ and dancing piano, along with the big choral vocals at the end, which he did with his new synthesizer. Now that we had the music done, it was time for Mark to add his distinct singing to the mix, and original lyrics based on what Stephen had in mind for the song. Josh decided to come up with some very simple lyrics for the choruses and arranged some harmony parts for them, too, which he also sang. Once the song was in the can, Stephen meticulously edited, mixed and mastered it for us, very ably, as always. This was a seemingly large project, which took us almost two months from introduction to finished product. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it. 

Original lyrics by Mistermark:

Watching the city lights getting smaller 
while I’m looking through my rear view 
Leaving it all behind hit me harder 
than I thought that it could ever do 
Sometimes a man gets lost on the road 
like a wheel spinning round in his brain 
It’s not what you said but it’s in the way you said it 
Now it’s stuck in my head and I’m never gon’ forget it

I’m moving on 
Away from home 
(Away from home, that’s where I roam)

Well home is where the heart is as the saying goes, 
but my heart ain’t in it no more 
But I remember all the times smelling grits in the hall 
as the morning sun hit the floor 
Old picture frames, and every toy’s got a name, 
now they’re packed up and stored away 
Turning that key for one last time 
keeps turning around & around in my mind

I’m on the road 
Away from home 
(Away from home, that’s where I roam)

Now I’m pointing these wheels toward the setting sun 
we’re flying straight up ahead like a bullet from a gun 
Just you & me kid and this old guitar 
we got dreams to dream and we’re gunna go far 
Like stars in the sky there’s city lights up ahead 
and I’ll keep driving toward ‘em till the day I’m dead 
Closing one door just opens up another 
there’s plenty of world just waiting to discover

I’m moving on 
Another home… 
(Away from home, that’s where I roam)