Drove two miles
With a woman from the gas station
I’m a lover-trucker with a fly on my windshield

Go to the Bob Evans
Chatterin’ away with a sad mothersucker who’s talking like a pinwheel

Just a big basket case
Have you never seen my place?
Man without a plan, no attention to the details
Never had a lotta grace

I shouted her name out loud
Frowns on the faces lookin’ at me
“Boy, you better shut your mouth”
I’m tryna do right, can’t everybody see?

My old lady put me out
I’m stayin’ at the Hampton on 83
If my character’s in doubt
I got good friend who can vouch for me

But it’s hard to do right when it looks wrong on me
Easy for you when it comes naturally
I’m askin’ for a little bit of charity
Cause it’s hard to do right when it looks wrong on me

Drank two drinks
With a buddy on the bad side
Talking over top of the cracks in a friendship
Spending all my time like a man on the run
Got some greens in your teeth 
Gonna get ‘em with a toothpick

Didn’t see the cop in the dark
When I rolled a big fatty up with two zig zags 
Took the dog for a walk in the park
But I left the shit there cuz I forgot to bring a dookie bag
Said a mean thing to the man
Running his mouth in the delicatessen 
Try to do what I can 
But I can’t turn my cheek when I’m teachin’ them a lesson

Gotta thing to confess 
I’m a little bit of a scatterbrained mess
I try hard to get it right 
But the way I come across is anybody’s guess

But it’s hard to do right when it looks wrong on me
Easy for you when it comes naturally
I’m askin’ for a little bit of charity
Cause it’s hard to do right when it looks wrong on me

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Fresh Candy

Hard To Do Right

My ode to the Big Apple and its environs.

I go downtown in the morning
I go uptown in the afternoon
I go to midtown in the evening
But in the nighttime when it’s cooking
That’s when I head over to Brooklyn, yeah

Walk over to the east side, do some "cook-ing"
Roll over to the west side, riding in the rain
Take the train to Jersey City, eat some spicy food
I’m in a big city state of mind, let me tell you what I do

I go downtown in the morning
I go uptown in the afternoon
I got to midtown in the evening
But in the nighttime when it’s cooking
That’s when I head over to Brooklyn, yeah

Made my way to Queens, I’m gonna catch up with some friends
Spill some coffee on my jeans and tie up some loose ends
End up in the Bronx, man I got totally immersed
Tried to find the center of the New York universe

I go downtown in the morning
I go uptown in the afternoon
I got to midtown in the evening
But in the nighttime when it’s cooking
That’s when I head over to Brooklyn, yeah

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Cookyn In Brooklyn

Sometimes we're all the Relaxer.

My mind’s on vacation
It’s off to the beach
My body’s true location
It’s just out of reach

The current perception
For what it is worth
My life is a sensation 
Between death and birth

I got a few things
That I should be tryin’
A lotta loose strings
That need some tyin’
But oooooo….I’m relaxing right now

Got a honey do list
Got stuff on my plate
But my apathy will doom it
Right out of the gate

Got some shit brewin’
It’s up in the air
Stuff I should be doing
But I just sit here and stare

Back in real life there
‘Bout to be fractures
But I can’t make myself care
‘Cause I’m the relaxer
Ooooo 
Tryna make it easy baby

Words and music by David F Wagoner

The Relaxer

Rockstone, he was the guy who
Squared up to the police
Home grown, down on the bayou
Got away like Cochise

The cops couldn’t get him, they tried hard
Never did put him in the…jailyard
He was my uncle, I remember
Upstanding and humble, our commander
Called up to action by injustice
Resisting those who would corrupt us

Rockstone, he was the man who
Stood up to the Power
Well known, crazier than you
The man of the hour

Drove a hard bargain, that’s a fact
8 shots of bourbon, he never cracked
Spit in the faces of his captors
Called out the liars, the bad actors
Just when we needed a bright light
Rockstone he stepped up, took up the street fight

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Rockstone

Do you get sad on Sundays around 4PM? This song is for you.

Another Sunday afternoon
Monday comes around too soon
Another Sunday afternoon
Try to shake the gloom

Had a pleasant morning
Inside these walls
Now the clouds are forming
The work week calls
Wanna curl up in a little ball
I can’t handle it all

Friday comes and then it
Quickly goes
Now I’m drifting in the undertow
Looking for a way to make it slow
Sunday blows

The sun is setting on my 
State of bliss
As the hours go by 
A dark abyss
Need a friend to help me
Handle this
Make it slow, make it slow
Make it slow

Another Sunday afternoon
4:00, the hour of doom
On a Sunday afternoon
Monday comes too soon

Another Sunday afternoon
Monday comes around too soon
On a Sunday afternoon
No more honeymoon

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Sunday Afternoon

SundayAfternoon

When you want to confront someone about a sensitive matter that annoys you, you got a bone.

Words and music by David F Wagoner

I Got A Bone

Got away to the railroad tracks
By the river, on our backs
Look at the sky, it’s been so long
We are older but we’re acting young

Beautiful day to get away
Forget the job and the bills to pay
Laying under the sycamores
You are mine and I am yours
So let’s talk about... 
Where do we go from here?
Should we plan it out
Where do we go from here?

Stayin’ in and layin’ low
Try to do what’s apropo
Worry about the things I see
Just a plague of idiocy

A bunch of clowns took over the place
Need a plan B just in case
Gonna have to check my gut 
Brace myself for who knows what
Got me wondering 
Where do we go from here?
Doesn’t look too good
Where do we go from here?

Fell in love with someone who
Sees the world just like I do
Talked about some deeper shit
Really got down into it
We hit a groove and kept it going 
Giving space and getting along
Fast forward it up to today
We’re still together and turning gray
No need to ask, baby
Where do we go, where do we go from here?
I think we know, honey
Where do we go from here

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Where Do We Go?

All-acoustic Dave Mason cover inspired by Delaney and Bonnie's live version.

Only You Know And I Know (Dave Mason cover)

Struttin down the easy streets
What’s gonna be around the corner?
Belly full of greasy treats
I was cold but now I’m gettin’ warmer

Got laws and some order
A checkered history
Got stones but no mortar
Just let ‘em fall on me

I’m taking you on, I wanna belong
Wanna say I know you like a lover on the side
I’m taking a risk, don’t wanna miss
Every time I go, this city takes me for a ride
Philadelphia

Took the train to god knows where
Still inside the city limits
See the loving in the air
Can I watch a few more minutes?

Got ghosts in the alleys
Walkin’ home with me
My face, looking scraggly
This is my cup of tea

I’m taking you on, I wanna belong
Wanna say I know you like a lover on the side
I’m taking a risk, don’t wanna miss
Every time I go, this city takes me for a ride
Philadelphia I’m in you 
Philadelphia

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Philadelphia

I was born by the river in the low country 
Raised in love and serenity 
I’ve been gone a long time from my dear family 
Now I’m going home 

I’ve been traveling out to the far frontiers 
I’ve seen all the world and I conquered my fears 
Feels like it’s been about 100 years 
But I’m headed on home 

Home…home…home is where I’m bound
I’m going home

My mama she’s waiting there by the door
An old lover keeps my letters in her dresser drawer 
I got deep feelings I can’t ignore 
And on my way home

I wanna sit down by my daddy‘s grave 
Give my respects for all he gave 
This is what I want, this is all I crave 
So I’m going on home

Home home home is where I’m bound
Yes it is 

I wanna see the old streets and the riverbends
The worn out faces of my old friends 
Go back to the place where it all began 
So I’m headed on home
I’m on my way home

Got a hat on my head ‘cause it’s getting cold 
Aching in my bones‘cause I’m getting old 
Gonna tell the stories that have been untold
So I’m headed on home

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Home

This song is inspired by and takes the perspective of Franny Stone, the main character of the excellent novel Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy, as she follows the final migration of the last arctic terns. A highly recommended read.

Final migration
On a planet in pain
Creatures in motion
We seem to be one and the same

I’m sleepwalking on the ocean
But I’m awake when you are loving me
My heart was already broken
When I came face to face with the sea

My love for you won’t diminish
And that is something you already know
Got something I need to finish
And it pulls me like the undertow
And you know I can feel it, mmm
Yeah you know I can feel it 
I feel it pulling me

Hoist up the mainsail
Head to the west
Follow my soulmates
Will they return to the nest?

I know what I need to apologize for
I carry the pain in the pit of my soul
Humanity’s sins, they hurt even more
So I jump in the deep and let the ocean control

My momma said more than one time
It’s a fool who ain’t afraid of the sea
I’m guilty of more than one crime
But the ocean will repent for me, yes it will
The ocean will repent for me

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Final Migration

I played clarinet for a few years in both elementary and middle school, and ever since then, I have occasionally craved the feel of playing one. In September of 2022, I was at a flea market in Lemoyne PA when I saw one for sale. It was in the exact same case that I remember as a kid; same brand and everything. I was even able to get a nice sound out of it with the reed that was included. My mom insisted on buying it for me.  I love it! Within five days I wrote and produced this song, which contains...you guessed, a clarinet solo.

Cool Rain Time

I’m leaving it alone this time
Just don’t have a word that rhymes
It’s masculine to walk away
It’s ok to have no words to say

I could waste my energy keepin’ it up
But I’d rather save the calorie for someone I love
You think that I give a shit, I don’t give a funk
It ain’t gonna work this time

I’m leaving it alone this time
I plan to be at home by nine
It’s acceptable to let it go
Sometimes you gotta just say no

I could spend a night or two tossing around
But I’d rather be between the sheets, sleeping sound
Won’t you take a hint, man, and look around
It ain’t gonna work this time

Ain’t gonna work this time
Not this time

This Time

What the hell kinda Jesus
Wanna make a man rich 
What the hell kinda Jesus
Is gettin’ rich off the sick
You’re painting a picture 
Of a laughable thing
He’s a prophet of God
Who likes to hear the ching ching?

What the hell kinda Jesus
Doesn’t turn a cheek
Tell me what kinda Jesus
Laughs out loud at the meek
Brother you ain’t foolin’
Nobody’s fool
Don’t need no Sunday schooling
To know the Golden Rule

What the hell kinda Jesus
Would comb his hair like that
What the hell kinda Jesus
Wears a red ball cap
You want me to believe 
In a prophet of doom
Who’s telling Joseph and Mary
That there ain’t no room
What the hell kinda Jesus?

Words and music by David F Wagoner

What The Hell Kinda Jesus

Got a bad back 
from staring at a screen 
Think I’m on the wrong track
I’m feelin’ mean
Forgot how to talk
To other human beings
Forgot how to walk 
Don't fit in my jeans

Take it outside
Take a joyride
Find a new scene
A hit of dopamine

Take it outside 
Take it worldwide
Get it out there
Find some fresh air 

Blinds pulled down
Since 2002
I’m all outta tears
I cried ‘em for you 
Creating beauty
It’s up on the shelf
Lotta pretty things just to myself 
Got a lot to say...it’s a quiet shout 
But I think I wanna let it out

So I take it outside
Make a broadside
Got a strong case
Put on a good face 
Take it outside 
Open it wide
Let the world know
Let yourself go 

Can’t argue with some time on the sofa
Heaven knows, it’s heaven all right
But I think I've gone way over my quota
Time to taste a little sunlight, yeah
Time to taste a little sunlight 

So I take it outside
Open it wide
Get it out there
Find some fresh air
Take it outside
Open it wide
Let the world know
Let your ass show

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Take It Outside

She had a diamond soul and a sequin smile
And a face like an angel
She got caught up in a mad lifestyle 
And a love triangle

He had a tortured mind and a jealous streak
Tried to never let it show
Lured her in with a cool mystique
Told her they could take it slow

They fell in love
But there was another
Consequence, circumstance
Jealousy, a cash advance
Murder of a lover

Diamond soul, she lost control 

She got caught up in the wrong crowd
Now she’s running from a storm cloud
You know her momma thought she raised her right
Now she’s never gonna sleep too good at night

Said they took care of a dirty job
A pinky swear to never tell
They stayed together, just two heartthrobs
Scared to look down at hell

She had a diamond soul and a sequin smile
And a face like an angel
But she got lost just like a wayward child
Couldn’t untangle

Lord, they hid the body

Words and music by David F Wagoner

Diamond Soul (She Lost Control)

Took a ride to the ocean
A sunny day
Got in touch with my emotion
A power play
The humidity is low
The sky is blue

Coffee after cannabis
At 10AM
Pour a cup and reminisce
All over again

Got a table outside,
Open street
It was a short bicycle ride
Won’t you take a seat?
Got a good life, honey
At least today

Coffee after cannabis
At 10AM
Pour a cup and reminisce
All over again

Tally up the pleasures
Once in a while
Taking all the measures
Tweaking the dials
The purpose of the leisure?
To stop the time 

Coffee after cannabis
At 10AM
Pour a cup and reminisce
All over again

Music and lyrics by David F Wagoner

Coffee After Cannabis

What is a man
What is a lover
Can anyone tell
One from the other

Tell me the word
Or sing me another
I’ll be listening to you

What is a man
No need to define it
Stop digging it up
And trying to mine it

Feeling a thing?
Having a thought?
Trying so hard to be something you’re not?

I’m reaching out
For a connection
Try to emote
Feel some affection

Come face to face
With your kryptonite
Never give up
Gotta do what is right

Leave all the privilege 
Let go of the power
I'm just a flash in a 
Meteor shower

Yeah I understand
Yes I think I see
What is a man
A man is me 

Music and lyrics by David F Wagoner

A Man Is Me

Memories abiding
I’m thinking ‘bout the past
Friends and lovers drifted away
Promises that didn’t last another day

Heard a song that moved me
Brought me on to tears
Reminded me of someone I used to love
Who disappeared into the years
I wonder where you are…

Remembering the old days
The times we weren’t afraid
Everything was for the first time
All the loving that we made

Came upon forgotten pictures
Smiling faces in their prime
Moments gone that never will return
Happy moments lost in time
I remember them now..

And I remember that
The past it wasn’t perfect, no
We made mistakes we won’t repeat
But decades later when we hear the songs
We forget the bitter, remember the sweet
I remember the sweet
It feels so good to remember the sweet

Remember The Sweet

I wanna go
To the heart of it
I wanna know
If it’s counterfeit
I wanna move
So tired of standing still
I wanna groove
You know it’s still a thrill 
I get along
With the other kids
It’s what the teacher said
Way back in second grade
I get along…
I get along…
Solo

You know it’s tough
To keep your head up high
It can be rough
Sometimes you need to  cry

Treat me nice
And I’ll reciprocate 
You got a vice?
Yeah I’ll participate 
Let’s get along
Let’s enjoy the ride
We’ll sing a song
And keep it amplified
I get along...

To the bridge 
Took a walk to a higher place
Felt the sun shine on my face
Spent the night camped out alone
I did it right, faced it on my own
Waited for a revelation
A little drop of inspiration 
Wrote some words down for this song
Made a promise to myself to get along….

I Get Along

Just between you and me
Something became real
The secret won’t be shared
The laughter made me heal

Yeah the rains will come and the floods will flow
And the hot days come and the cool nights go
And we know 
We know how things will go
Between you and me 

When you looked at me and your hand reached out
And it washed away the remaining doubt
You know me and I know you
Between you and me
We’ll figure it out

Took a lotta strength
To do what you did
You kept your hands on the wheel
Kept your feelings hid
Yeah the tears might not run down your face 
But the silence it fills up the space in between
Between you and me

I dreamed we were climbing a maple tree
We were 12 years old and we felt so free
And I saw the light between you and me
Between you and me
Is infinity

Music and lyrics by David F Wagoner

Just Between You And Me

You took all the loving and you threw it away
We built up all the trustin’ and it’s gone in a day
I never will understand it
I never will come to terms
I must’a been some kind of ignorant fool
To wanna get that lesson learned
But I promise you
Never, never again

We can’t change nothin’ ‘cause the past is the past
The memories are painful but the hurt won’t last
I’m gonna keep moving forward
Like a freight train cresting a hill
I’m gonna pick up momentum, gonna suck out the venom
Gonna shout it from the window sill
Gonna shout it out
Never, never again

Freedom is the feeling
That this has given to me
I’m out of the jam, I know who I am
And the word that passes my lips so sweetly is ‘FREE’
Thank God almighty, I’m free
And I got two words for you
Never, never again

My confidence is consolation
There won’t be miscommunication
Just close your eyes and count to ten
Repeat after me…say it, say it, say it
Never, never again

Music and lyrics by David F Wagoner

Never Again

Made it to the island
Checked in to our room
Just you and me, the ocean breeze
Double hammock under the palm trees

Cute little kitchenette
Gonna cook up something good
Some rice and beans a la Caribbean
Double espresso, feels like amphetamines

Sand between my toes
Just a little day drinking
Sea salty hair, i just don’t care
Spending days right here in a beach chair

Get up when you want to
Got nowhere to be 
Let’s wake and bake and lie awake
Walk hand in hand out where the waves break yeah
Just you and me

Checked in and checked out
Lovers at the ocean
Day in and day out
Smiling in slow motion 

Gonna get ceviche
Found a little place
Just down the road, get it to go
Take my time, I’m in vacation mode

Taking in the sunset
Everybody coming to watch it
A tiki bar, under the stars
The sweet sound of Mexican guitars

Checked in and checked out
Can’t believe we made it
Finally chilled out
We’re deactivated

Never wanna go home
Just you and me

Music and lyrics by David F Wagoner

Checked In Checked Out

There were times when I played
With a tender hearted soul
Some mistakes that I made
Left a good man in the cold

I’m not proud of the ways
That I sometimes treated others
On reflection in later days
Wanna tell my sisters and brothers

That I’m sorry
For the hurting that I caused on the way
My regrets are a burden
That I carry to this day

Now the Earth is a beauty 
And a jewel to be kept
But we fail in our duty
To treat her with respect
For the planet that we change
And the atmosphere we rearrange
I feel deep, real despair
That humankind is so tragically strange

And I’m sorry for my species
And the future we create
Cleaving landscapes into pieces
Until suddenly it’s too late

Last night I had a crazy dream
There were a million eyes
All the world in front of me
And I apologized

And I’m sorry.

Sorry

I feel the love
I feel it
I feel the love
I feel it
It’s coming down
I feel it
It’s all around
I feel it 

It’s over my head 
I see it
It’s below my feet
I sense it
It’s in the music
I hear it
Out in the street
Whoa I feel it

Love is in the air
Love is over me
It’s in my mind it’s taking over me
Healing and living, loving and giving
Feeling the sunshine takes me to heaven
Leaving anxiety with cosmic piety
All of the planet is one society

Feeling an optimistical feeling
Positive feelings of sensual healing 
Can’t get enough man it’s just like a drug
I’m so alive because I feel the 
I feel the
I feel the 
I feel the love

I Feel The Love

You are the one
You are the one
Who took a chance
On this romance

I am the one
Who was on the run
I had some baggage
I was hiding the damage

I can’t resist
This feeling of bliss
Living with you
The things we’ve been through

I like how you take
The things that I break
And help me accept it
You know I respect it

I don’t believe in angels
Flying ‘round on wings
I’ve looked at all the angles
Considered everything
I believe it when they say
There’s a lot of fish in the sea
But at the risk of using a cliche
I believe you’re the one for me

Music and lyrics by David Wagoner

You Are The One

I bought a used accordion in 1993 at a thrift store, greatly upsetting my college roommate when I brought it back to our shared dorm room.  

More recently, I'd been wanting to dust it off and use it in a song, and I tried playing it rhythmically along with a funk guitar riff I had. I had also been wanting to write a song in Spanish, so I decided to incorporate some rhymes en espanol I wrote. Thirdly, I had been looking for some new types of rhythm loops to use in my music, and I randomly tried a cha-cha loop. These three elements together gave this song a latin feel that wasn't intended when I began this song. I hope you enjoy it.

Dime lo que quieres
Que sea un poco de mi
Y esos placeres
Si estoy loco por ti

Dime lo que tienes
Dentro del corazon 
Dime que sueñes
Con mi acordeon 

Dime, dime, dime
Dime otra vez

Capto el sentido
De tus palabras
Esta bien entendido
De que tu hablas

Quieres que yo sea
Participante 
No me parece fea
Ser tu amante

Dime, dime, dime
Dime otra vez

Music and lyrics by David Wagoner

Dime Otra Vez

This song started out as an attempt to cover the mostly instrumental "Sweet Florence" by the French Caribbean guitarist and originator of zouk, Jacob Desvarieux. I added lyrics and a rock-funk breakdown in the middle, and it became its own creature.

In October 2023 I went to a fantastic live show of the band Say She She in Washington, DC. Before the band came onstage, as is typical of most concerts, music was being played as the crowd chatted in anticipation of the show. A song started playing that immediately enchanted me: a deep synth bass line followed by a funky slow beat that resembled reggaeton, with a beautiful and haunting guitar solo and various synth touches. I tried using the app Shazam on my phone to identify the song, and it kept failing to hear it properly amid the loud ambient noises of the theater. I was running out of time to identify the song. As the band came onstage, and just as the song started to fade out, my phone identified it on the third try as "Sweet Florence" by Jacob Desvarieux. In the coming weeks I listened to the song over and over, and I felt that desire that musicians have to create my own version of it, to cover it.

I was unable to reproduce the wonderful synth of the original since my keyboard doesn't go that low, so I had to change the octave of one note. I also had to layer several synth basses over each other to add to the deepness. Making this song was also a lesson in sound quality; I am not able to replicate, with my current setup, the deep sonic quality of the original. Trying to play the guitar hook made me realize how skillful Mr. Desvarieux's playing is. My version is less funky than the original but interesting and rhythmic nonetheless. Rest in peace, Jacob Desvarieux, and thank you for such a fabulous song.

Here is a link to the original:
https://soundcloud.com/jacobdesvarieux/sweet-florence?si=849b37fd215648d688807694c94241fd&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Lyrics:
It’s easy to believe
When your brain's been washed and the privilege won
It’s easy to achieve
With your fingers crossed and they’re on the gun
Ain’t hard to see the signs
Of a deep conspiracy
If you don’t read between the lines
And don’t learn the history
It’s easy to believe

Solo

You signed yourself up 
‘Cause they’re filling up your bank account with cash
You got sugar in the cup
And the lies you tell are the latest fash-ion
It’s effortless to see
When you take a big gulp of the sweet kool aid
You see the enemy
Just beat ‘em to a pulp, bow your head, and pray
And it’s easy to believe

It’s easy to achieve
When your mind’s made up and you live in fear
It’s easy not to leave 
When the only place you know is here
The only place you know is here 
It's easy, easy to believe

Music by Jacob Desvarieux and David Wagoner
Lyrics by David Wagoner

Easy To Believe (aka Sweet Florence)

John Stone: Music, lyrics, piano, lead vocals
Dave Wagoner: Production, backing vocals, guitar, accordion, six string banjo

She was born on an isle off an island
In the midst of the Emerald Sea
Her daddy spied a light in her eye
That showed what she was born to be

And they called the girl Virginia
Named for an ancient queen
Who knew how to fight in a world of men
And the lessons learned
Should be learned again

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

Now Virginia knew that she was loved
But she knew that she was poor
One morning when out gathering
Between the strand and the old sea shore
A pirate blown by cruel fate
Slipped his anchor close to land
When he spied the girl his pirate mind
Thought he’d take the girl in hand

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

He took our fair Virginia
Set course for the Isle of Man
He hoped that on the island
There he could complete his plan
But the ocean storms were brewing
And they blew them out to sea
Till the ship was was smashed on the distant shore
That we now call Cape Henry

And the land was called Virginia..

Now Virginia swam towards the shore
Though the company was drowned
But she gathered strength and she walked the way
that leads to James’ town
Now Virginia saw Virginia
And knew that the land was good
And that she could build a better life
than ever she’d have thought she could

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

Now Virginia came with nothing
But nothing was enough
To build herself a better life
Though the going would be very tough
She had an eye for business
And she had an eye for style
And she became the richest soul
In the county by a country mile

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

Then one fateful morning
A stranger came to town
She saw at once the hated face
Of the man who’d tried to drag her down
A gun was on the table
She held it to his head
And as he begged for mercy
This is what the lady clearly said

“You brought me to Virginia
Named for an ancient queen
Who knew how to fight in a world of men
And the lessons learnt should be learned again
Its true that life’s been good to me
Since you took me from my home
But leaving all that I held dear
That choice was mine and mine alone”

Oh Virginia, Virginia wild and free
Though waters flow and winds may blow
You should be what you were born to be

Virginia  (John Stone + Del Wags)

You can still love someone and not be loyal. Brute loyalty may be underrated.

Yeah, I’m down for appetizers
And a couple of beers
With therapists and analyzers
We’ll confront all the fears

You got through with a lot of grit
And you did it alone
I only knew a little bit
But I’m glad that it’s done

Your love is sometimes understated,
Low-intensified
Your loyalty is underrated
Yeah you’re right by my side

You were always reaching out
Yeah you’re so good at that
You’re the rain in a friendship drought
And I know where you’re at

There are things negotiated
And some others we hide
But loyalty is underrated
And you’re right by my side
Right by my side

Lyrics and music by Dave Wagoner

Underrated

Del Wags is the music of Dave Wagoner: a collection of homemade tunes meant to please no particular demographic. Dave is a one- man show of rhythm guitar loops recorded in the basement, choruses born in the shower, lyrics written on the couch, and tracks mixed on the laptop (and the occasional cover). Go ahead, tap your feet.

I played only acoustic guitar and harmonica for many years, playing the same covers alone and occasionally with friends. I never thought I wanted an electric guitar or lots of music gear because I didn't want to accumulate more things. In 2019 by chance I obtained a cheap electric guitar from a friend, and my life changed as this new tool unlocked a creative door. During Covid I bought a looper and a keyboard and began teaching myself to play it, and the creative door flew wide open. I challenged myself to ride the learning curve of home computer music production. I re-tapped into my poetry-writing brain from high school and songs began flying out of me. I haven't been this creative since I was a teenager and it's pure joy.

I'm thankful to have a place here to share my creations, make connections with others, and hear so much unique and wonderful music and sound from people all over the world.

Del Wags

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks