Bury The Excuses
timothymichaelmusic
25 DEC 2023

V1.
Tell me son, 
What have you done?
Her bags are packed and sitting by the door
Yeah, I bet
You’re gonna have regret
‘Cos this ain’t the reaction you were looking for

Life is full of choices
Be careful what you’re choosin’
Take a look at all this chaos you’re producin’

Chorus
Bury the excuses
All the shoulda, woulda, couldas
For the things you didn’t do.

If you don’t bury the excuses
The excuses are gonna bury you.

V2.
Apologies
Can set you free
Sometimes it’s best to beg her forgiveness
Say it to her face
She may give you grace
Maybe you can get back to the business

Of living and loving 
And trying to make things right
But son, You’ve got your work cut out for you tonight.

Chorus
Bury the excuses
All the shoulda, woulda, couldas
For the things you didn’t do.
If you don’t bury the excuses
The excuses are gonna bury you.

Bridge
Thanks for calling up this guy
I’m glad I could stop by
To look you in the eye and give you some advice
Son, you’ve got just enough time to go and try to make things right.

Chorus
Bury the excuses
All the shoulda, woulda, couldas
For the things you didn’t do.

If you don’t bury the excuses
The excuses are gonna bury you.
-	Yeah, they’re gonna bury you

[Outro]
Tell me son
What have you done
Her bags are packed and sitting by the door.




Bury The Excuses (2025) (Remix)

This Though (Revised- FINAL)
timothymichaelmusic
21 JUN 2025

V1.
My last Friday night dinner for one
Was the best one in a while
You walked right into my heart
With your loving smile
My world was full of emptiness
Burning the candle at both ends
Now it’s all completely changed
Hallelujah and amen

Chorus
This Though
Sometimes it’s hard to believe
Never knew love could be so good
A dream that alone I could never weave
My life’s been charmed in many ways
But this I’ve never known.
I kind of thought I had it made
….. but this though!

V2.
Thought we were gonna take our time,
But it was only just a minute
We both knew from the get go
We were already heart deep in it.
Days I won’t remember
Turned into nights I can’t forget
And I look forward to tomorrow
‘cause it might be the best one yet.

Chorus
This Though
Sometimes it’s hard to believe
Never knew love could be so good
A dream that alone I could never weave
My life’s been charmed in many ways
But this I’ve never known.
I kind of thought I had it made
….. but this though!

Bridge
A walk in the woods
Or a concert venue
Heck, anywhere is fine with me
As long as it’s me and you

Chorus
This Though
Sometimes it’s hard to believe.
Never knew love could be so good
A dream that alone I could never weave
My life’s been charmed in many ways
But this I’ve never known.
I kind of thought I had it made.
….. but this though








This Though (2025, male) (Remix)

Solving Love’s Rhyme 
TimothyMichaelMusic
26 NOV 2024

V1.
Porch lights shining dimly
What’s left of a good time
Bourbon bottle on the table
With a half carafe of wine
Music playing softly
Still singing old love songs
They knew right where this night 
Was headed all along

Chorus
She needs him
And he needs her
But they need more time together
If it’s gonna work
Removing life’s distractions
Making up for lost time
There’s chemistry in action
When you’re solving love’s rhyme

V2.
Two bodies tangled lovingly
Intertwined in sweet embrace
Making love is medication
When you remove the space
Half wrapped up in moonlight
Half In sheets of satisfaction
Filling each and every need
Love’s not just talk it’s action

Chorus
Yeah, she needs him
And he needs her
But they need more time together
If it’s gonna work
Removing life’s distractions
Making up for lost time
There’s chemistry in action
When you’re solving love’s rhyme


Bridge
Night’s like this
Fill each and every need

If you know what I mean

Chorus
Yeah, she needs him
And he needs her
But they need more time together
If it’s gonna work
Removing life’s distractions
Making up for lost time
There’s chemistry in action
When you’re solving love’s rhyme

Solving Love’s Rhyme





Solving Love's Rhyme (2025) (Remix)

Serendipity 
TimothyMichaelmusic
01 AUG 2023
Tim Schlesener, BMI 01126229678

V1.
What a stunning twist of fate
That we got a second first date
It ain’t a fluke or coincidence
But what a lucky happenchance
To paint this life with all red strokes
And breathe love into our ghosts
Another chapter in our history
Of the story of you and me

Chorus
So let me ask you this.
Have you ever felt more in a kiss?
Does yours skip a beat when you see my face?	
‘Cos girl your makin’ my heart race
Those butterflies from way back then
Are back flapping their wings again
And the magic happened flawlessly
Sweet Serendipity 

V2.
I’ve been dreaming ‘bout this day
We’ve let so much time slip away
A stroke of luck for a new outcome
The way our life was supposed to run.
There’s a new story to tell
This one’s starting pretty well
For this star-crossed fairytale of ours
A happy ending for these two hearts

Chorus
So let me ask you this.
Have you ever felt more in a kiss?
Does yours skip a beat when you see my face?	
Cuz girl your makin’ my heart race
Those butterflies from way back then
Are back flapping their wings again
And the magic happened flawlessly
Sweet Serendipity

Bridge:
You’re everything I’ve ever wanted
I think you’re feeling it too.
You’ve been living in my mind
Sometimes dreams come true

Chorus
So let me ask you this.
Have you ever felt more in a kiss?
Does yours skip a beat when you see my face?	
‘Cos girl your makin’ my heart race
Those butterflies from way back then
Are back flapping their wings again
And the magic happened flawlessly
Sweet Serendipity


Serendipity (2025 male)

Time Doesn’t Run Backwards
timothymichaelmusic
08 JUN 2023

V1. 
Choices in the moment
Decisions tracked in time
Moving on without you then
Still messes with my mind
I try not to think about it
‘Cos it’s a lot to unpack
The years we chose to live apart
We’ll never get those back

Chorus 
There are things I might do different
But then what we have now would change
I could have done it better
But it wouldn’t be the same
When I think of all the should have beens 
Those questions go unanswered 
Wish I could rewind….But time
Doesn’t run backwards

V2.
Now our lives are blended
What’s mine is yours and yours is mine
And the kids are all of ours
Like there’s only one bloodline
[male]
Too many silver linings in our lives
To wish away the past
You may not have been my first love
But you’ll damn sure be my last.

Chorus
There are things I might do different
But then what we have now would change
I could have done it better
But it wouldn’t be the same
When I think of all the should have beens  
Those questions go unanswered 
Wish I could rewind…..But time
Doesn’t run backwards

Bridge
I guess it’s probably better not knowing
And let time keep heading the way that it’s going

Chorus 
There are things I might do different
But then what we have now would change
I could have done it better
But it wouldn’t be the same
When I think of all the should have beens
Those questions go unanswered
Wish I could rewind… but time
Doesn’t run backwards

Wish I could rewind… but time
Doesn’t run backwards










Time Doesn't Run Backwards (5)

Without A Trace
TimothyMichaelMusic
13 AUG 2025

V1
East Tennessee
What a memory
That Smoky Mountain proposal

Thought we fit like a glove
I was so in love
But you were just a poser

You’re a whiskey man
You mapped your plan
For a tasting in every place

Then I took you to Kentucky
For your cherished Buffalo Trace

Chorus
I used to reach for you 
When I needed something stronger
But this bottle’s all that’s left
Yeah, It damn sure lasted longer

Was I just a shot to you?
Was I that easy to replace?
You left the bottle on the counter
And disappeared 
Without A Trace

V2.
No call, no text, no letter
You never even said goodbye

It’s probably for the better
But now I’m wondering why?

Chorus
I used to reach for you 
When I needed something stronger
But this bottle’s all that’s left
Yeah, It damn sure lasted longer

Was I just a shot to you?
Was I that easy to replace?
You left the bottle on the counter
And disappeared 
Without A Trace

Bridge
Your leaving helped me remove my whiskey goggles
I’m so glad you didn’t stay for the whole bottle

Chorus
I used to reach for you 
When I needed something stronger
But this bottle’s all that’s left
Yeah, It damn sure lasted longer

Guess I’m just a shot to you
You needed something else to chase
You left the bottle on the counter
And disappeared 
Without A Trace






Without  A Trace

Energy
TimothyMichaelMusic
14 AUG 2025

V1.
Just scroll on by
If you don’t like what I say
The shoe may fit you perfect
But it ain’t about you today
I don’t need your opinion
No you don’t get a vote
The only thing you’ll ever
Take from me is notes

Chorus
Energy
It’s more expensive than you think
I won’t waste it on the negatives
It gets me out of sync
Post And Ghost
That’s my philosophy
Let ‘em blow and go
But they ain’t got what it takes
To steal my energy

V2.
If you wonder how I sleep at night
I won’t make you guess
I’m face down with the fan on
So the haters can kiss my ass

Chorus
Energy
It’s more expensive than you think
I won’t waste it on the negatives
It gets me out of sync
Post. And Ghost
That’s my philosophy
I’ll Let ‘em blow and go
But they ain’t got what it takes
To steal my energy

Bridge
I won’t respond to comments
So, you can save your rage
Go be a keyboard warrior
On your own social media page


Chorus
Energy
It’s more expensive than you think
I won’t waste it on the negatives
It gets me out of sync
Post. And Ghost
That’s my philosophy
I’ll Let ‘em blow and go
But they ain’t got what it takes
To steal my energy

You can’t steal my Energy


Energy (2025) (Remix)

Teach Me – (Re-write for male 07/27/25)
timothymichaelmusic
26 APR 2023

V1.
You say you’re working late tonight.
Is that really where you’ve been?
You always find excuses
Guess I’m on my own again?
You don’t kiss me when you’re leaving
Your hand stays just out of reach
I can’t shout across your distance
And we ain’t made love in weeks

Chorus
Go on, Teach me I don’t need you.
Keep pushing me away
I won’t wonder where you are
Playing the games you play
Keep planning life without me
I don’t believe you even knew
Things you show me every day
Teach me I don’t need you.

V2.
Mid-night buzzing breaks the silence.
Can’t hide the dim light of your phone.
In bed scrolling with your back to me
Makes me feel even more alone.
It makes me wonder when I text you
Why I don’t get that quick reply?
But now I’m finally understanding
It’s not me who’s on your mind.

Chorus
Go on, Teach me I don’t need you.
Keep pushing me away.
I won’t wonder where you are
Playing the games you play.
Keep planning life without me.
I don’t believe you even knew.
Things you show me every day
Teach me I don’t need you.

Bridge
Guess I’ve finally learned my lesson
I’ve felt the pain you bring
I’m not feeling jealous
Cause you’ll teach him the same things

Chorus
Keep planning life without me
I don’t believe you even knew
Things you show me every day
Teach me I don’t need you.

Teach me I Don’t need you






Teach Me ( 2025-TS)

[Instrumental]

V1.
When the guitar strums the first four notes
Of Friends in Low Places
And we’re all sipping and singing
With smiles on our faces

When it’s 9 o’clock on a Saturday
And the Piano Man plays his song
And everyone in the bar room
Is bop, bop, bopping along.

[short instrumental]

Chorus
It can take you back to childhood
For a night on your hometown lake
Spark a memory of an old flame
And the feelings you can’t fake

It’s cruising town with the windows down
Thinking you’re some kinda big deal
Smile on your face 
with chill bumps every place
That’s the way that music feels

[Instrumental]

V2.
It might take you down some red dirt road
And help you to remember when
Or maybe you can even write 
Your own backroads anthem

It can turn a candle in the wind
Into a raging ring of fire
And be the wind beneath a Freebird’s wings
Music makes your feel like flying

[short instrumental]

Chorus
It can take you back to childhood
For a night on your hometown lake
Spark a memory of an old flame
And the feelings you can’t fake

It’s cruising town with the windows down
Thinking you’re some kinda big deal
Smile on your face 
with chill bumps every place
That’s the way that music feels

[Instrumental]

Bridge
It can save the day
Mark the time
Or share the memory
It can motivate
And captivate
Or even set dreams free

[short instrumental]

Chorus
It can take you back to childhood
And a night on your hometown lake
Spark a memory of an old flame
And the feelings you can’t fake

It’s cruising town with the windows down
Thinking you’re some kinda big deal
Smile on your face 
with chill bumps every place
That’s the way that music feels

[break]

That’s the way that music feels





Music Feels (2025- TS)

Backwoods
02 JUN 2024
Melissa Coston/Tim Schlesener

V1
This work week is gettin to me
It’s written all over my face I
Don’t wanna go to them downtown bars 
I need a little change of pace 
Gas up that F150 
And say baby I’m on the way
Drive an hour down 40 
And ride past the lake 

Chorus
Down to the backwoods 
Where the moons our spotlight
With a fire a burning Like the stars so bright 
We’ll dance to some George Strait
Do our soul some good 
Let’s get out of this city 
And into the backwoods 
I just need some peace I just need some you 
Get out of the city And into them backwoods
Them Backwoods

Verse 2
I like my job and it’s pays the bills 
But I still have those weeks 
The boss man , the people, 
hell the paperwork’s  all getting to me 
I don’t want no neon lights 
Just some good ole fashion trees
I’ll inhale ….exhale 
if you know what I mean
 
Chorus
So take me Down to the backwoods 
Where the moons our spotlight 
With a fire a burning Like the stars so bright 
We’ll dance to some Alan Jackson 
Do our soul some good 
Let’s get out of this city And into the backwoods 
I just need some peace I just need some you 
Get out of the city And into them backwoods
Yeah, them backwoods

Bridge
I’m much too young to feel this damn old
The Backwoods connects me with my sou
Girl, I’m shameless when it comes to loving you
Dancing in the dark to so Garth Brooks

Chorus
So take me down to the Backwoods 
Where the moons our spotlight 
With a fire a burning like the stars so bright 
We’ll dance to some George Strait
Do our soul some good 
Let’s get out of this city And into the backwoods 
I just need some peace I just need some you 
Get out of the city And into them backwoods
Yeah, them backwoods

Yeah, them backwoods

I just need some peace I just need some you 
Get out of the city And into them backwoods
Yeah, them backwoods

Yeah, them backwoods







Backwoods (2025-Remix)

Game Over, Game On
TimothyMichaelMusic
24 AUG 2025

V1
Are we still on the same team?
Sleeping in different dugouts.
The home locker room feels empty
Since you moved out.

Are we teammates or just roommates?
Feels like something’s changed
Til you grabbed my hand and said
Take me out to the ballgame

Chorus
You’ve got a heavy load
You’ve been on the road
I’m the home team

It’s hard to be lovers
We barely see each other
Unless you count my dreams

I hope I see your smile tonight
I pray the spark ain’t gone
I ain’t ready for game over
Please let it be game on

V2.
I made my best pitch
You swung and made connection
Then you stole my heart
And doubled my affection

I quickly read the signals 
You were giving me the green light
Babe I’m swinging for the fences 
Grand slam home run tonight

Chorus
You’ve got a heavy load
You’ve been on the road
I’m the home team

It’s hard to be lovers
We barely see each other
Unless you count my dreams

Glad I saw your smile tonight
Hell no the spark ain’t gone
The game damn sure ain’t over
Game over is game on!

Bridge
I want extra innings
Give me overtime
I’m ready to get back to 
Game on all the time

Chorus
Glad I saw your smile tonight
Hell no the spark ain’t gone
The game damn sure ain’t over
Game over is game on!

Glad I saw your smile tonight
Hell no the spark ain’t gone
The game damn sure ain’t over
Game over is game on!







Game Over, Game On (Remix)

Lyricist looking to connect with artists in the country genre that are searching for great songs to record. Also open to co-writes. Regularly pitching music to Nashville publishers and song pluggers. Primarily country genre. Mid 50s, married. 6 kids and 10 grandkids in a beautifully blended family. Enjoys golf, working out, nature/lakes, and listening to live music every chance I get!

Game Over, Game On (Remix)

Timothy Michael Music - SONGWRITER

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