Just Here For A Tan
Timothy Michael Music
05 OCT 2022

V1.
Booked a place on the southern coast
Set the GPS to arrive
Daydreaming while I’m driving
About the place I feel most alive.
When she started asking questions
About all we were gonna do
Gave her a wink and said I think
All I need is the sun and you.

Chorus
I’m just here for a tan
Find me on a chair in the sand
Mix ‘em strong
Be here all day long so 
Pop a top on a can.
Bring a hat, take me a nap
Waves crashing I’m a happy man
If you’re looking for me
I’m on the beach
Yeah, I’m just here for a tan

V2.
She googled all the top ten things
For a tourist without a clue
I said just trust me baby
Beachin’s all we need to do.
We didn’t go deep sea fishing
We didn’t rent no jet ski’s
It was cool to see that she’s just like me
She wants sand, surf and sea

Chorus
I’m just here for a tan
Find me on a chair in the sand
Mix ‘em strong
Be here all day long so 
Pop a top on a can.
Bring a hat, take me a nap
Waves crashing I’m a happy man
If you’re looking for me
I’m on the beach
Yeah, I’m just here for a tan

Bridge
Our skin got so much darker
And our hair turned three shades lighter
Lived our days like castaways
And beach days became all nighters

Chorus
I’m just here for a tan
Find me on a chair in the sand
Mix ‘em strong
Be here all day long so 
Pop a top on a can.
Bring a hat, take me a nap
Waves crashing I’m a happy man
If you’re looking for me
I’m on the beach
Yeah, I’m just here for a tan







Just Here For A Tan (2025) (Cover)

What If (Revised)
timothymichaelmusic
19 MAY 2022
Lyrics – Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

V1.
The evil and the righteous 
Are all caught in the same lie
Because the truth is even stranger
And no one questions why
And some will walk in the darkness
While others live in light
And each day’s a constant battle
And there’s no silence in the night.

Chorus
What if this is heaven?
Or maybe this is hell?
And the paths cross one another
Because the world already fell.
And time is only told by counting
Every single grain of sand
What if the Holy Spirit is the wind
And God is all the land

V2.
Our paths are interwoven
Like a quilt covering the shame
Everyone is pointing fingers
But no one takes the blame
Smoke and mirrors hide the truth
Will we ever really know?
The condition of the heart
Determines the route that each man goes.

Chorus
What if this is heaven?
Or maybe this is hell?
And the paths cross one another
Because the world already fell.
And time is only told by counting
Every single grain of sand
What if the Holy Spirit is the wind
And God is all the land

Bridge
When lies become the truth
And the truth becomes believed
It’s part of the grand illusion
Because we all have been deceived

Chorus
What if this is heaven?
Or maybe this is hell?
And the paths cross one another
Because the world already fell.
And time is only told by counting
Every single grain of sand
What if the Holy Spirit is the wind
And God is all the land




What If (2025) (Cover5)

“Knockout”
timothymichaelmusic
07 OCT 2025

v1
Round one’s on me. Buy her a drink
I grab two from the blender.
Hoping she’d like to mix up a few rounds
‘Cos she looks like a prime contender.
I’m coming out of the blues at the bar
Saw her there alone with no one to warn her
Slid past the rookies on the undercard
To the hottie over in the red corner.

Chorus
The hunter has become the prey.
When she hit me she left no doubt.
She playfully bit me on the ear
To let me know she controls this bout
She chased me round this squared circle
It’s a trap and I can’t get out.
She’s the queen of the ring. Undisputed champ
But technically…. She’s a knockout
She’s a knockout

V2
Jab and move, bob and weave
The dance is part of the thrill.
Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
And I’m moving in for the kill.
Size her up as I hold her close
Got her up against the ropes.
She’s about to hit me with what I don’t know
Girl’s just playing rope a dope.

Chorus
The hunter has become the prey.
When she hit me she left no doubt.
She playfully bit me on the ear
To let me know she controls this bout
She chased me around this squared circle
It’s a trap and I can’t get out.
She’s the queen of the ring. Undisputed champ
But technically…. She’s a knockout!
She’s a knockout

Bridge
I thought I was gonna be the love taker
Right up until she hit me with that hay maker

Chorus
The hunter has become the prey.
When she hit me she left no doubt.
She playfully bit me on the ear
To let me know she controls this bout
She chased me around this squared circle
It’s a trap and I can’t get out.
She’s the queen of the ring. Undisputed champ
But technically…. She’s a knockout!

She’s a knockout



KnockOut (2025) (Cover)

Lesson
Timothy Michael Music
07 OCT 2025

V1.
If life’s a game of inches
I feel like I’m a mile away
From catching those dreams I’m chasing
And the prayers I pray
I might be a longshot bet
But I’m gonna find a way
My lotto numbers ain’t hit yet
But I know there will come a day

Chorus
Another no,
Another door slammed in my face
But I know
It’s a marathon not a race
I’ll break the curse
With a big ol’ blessing
Sometimes W ends up for the worst
But the L is always the lesson

V2.
I’d rather have crumbs with bums
Than eat steaks with snakes
Keep reaching for the real ones
And throwing back the fakes
Something in my soul
Keeps me reaching for the gold
When the timing’s right
The Good Lord will take control

Chorus
Another no,
Another door slammed in my face
But I know
It’s a marathon not a race
I’ll break the curse
With a big ol’ blessing
Sometimes W end up for the worst
But the L is always the lesson


Bridge
The No’s will turn to yes
And the maybe’s will disappear
‘Cos faith over fear
Is gonna make one hell of a year

Chorus
Another no,
Another door slammed in my face
But I know
It’s a marathon not a race
I’ll break the curse
With a big ol’ blessing
Sometimes W’s end up for the worst
But the L is always the lesson

Sometimes W’s end up for the worst
But the L is always the lesson










Lesson (2025) (Cover)

“Make the Memory”
Timothymichaelmusic
06 FEB 2020

v1.
My daughter called me up last week
Asking for advice.
I told her when you’re making memories 
Don’t worry about the price.
You only get so many shots,
So remember all the ways
The times you made your days count
And stopped just counting days.

Chorus:
Live your life.
Make the memory.
Take the trip
Tomorrow’s not a guarantee
If you’re lucky 
you might get a century
To make those moments
That fill your treasury
You can be the hero of your own story
Make the Memory.

V2.
I’m older now, so there are days 
I look back with regret.
Pulled some wagers from the table
When I should’ve placed the bet
It’s the things I didn’t do that
Leave my memory bank in debt.
So I’ll pass that wisdom on
Trying to change that mindset

Chorus:
Live your Life.
Make the memory.
Take the trip.
Tomorrow’s not guaranteed.
If you’re lucky
You might get a century
To make those moments
That fill your treasury
You can be the hero of your own story
Make the Memory

Bridge
She bought a house and got married
Now there’s a baby on the way
She’s chasing all her dreams
And making memories every day

Chorus:
Live your Life.
Make the memory.
Take the trip.
Tomorrow’s not guaranteed.
If you’re lucky
You might get a century
To make those moments
That fill your treasury
You can be the hero of your own story
Make the Memory

Be the hero of your own story
Make the Memory







Make The Memory (2025) (Cover)

“Caged”
timothymichaelmusic
20 JUL  2020

V1.
The colors in the artist’s strokes.
Trying to capture all the folks.
They begin to cage them all in huddled masses.
Paint the picture they want you to see.
The story isn’t you and me
When you’re looking through their rosy colored glasses.

Peeling back layer by layer.
Each shade gets a little grayer.
As you get closer and closer to the core.
Wishing it could be better
But right down to the letter
Looks like we’re headed right back where we were before

Chorus:
Am I alive or in a dream?
Interchangeable it seems.
It’s all just an illusion to stay inspired.
Freedom isn’t really free.
It’s a trap that you can’t see.
It’s the space between the bars that caged the tiger.

V2.
I stare into the looking glass.
Is this the future or the past?
Maybe it will always be the same.
Counter clockwise around the clock
And the alarm clock’s going off.
Revelation that everything is just a game

Is this live or Memorex?
Just sorting through the mess.
Unfocused picture seems a little out of kilter
Do I believe in what I see?
Is this where we want to be?
Everything just looks a little better through a filter.


Chorus:
Am I alive or in a dream?
Interchangeable it seems.
It’s all just an illusion to stay inspired.
Freedom isn’t really free.
It’s a trap that you can’t see.
It’s the space between the bars that caged the tiger.

Bridge 
Fingerprint upon the blotter
Like sheep led to the slaughter
You never had a thought that this could happen

They just keep us all divided
Creating problems for the fighting
And then you’ll realize they caught you nappin’

Chorus:
Am I alive or in a dream?
Interchangeable it seems.
It’s all just an illusion to stay inspired.
Freedom isn’t really free.
It’s a trap that you can’t see.
It’s the space between the bars that caged the tiger.







Caged (2025) (Cover)

Old Keys
TimothyMichaelMusic
13 OCT 2021

V1.
The key to leaving behind the past
Is to lock it up and walk away.
And if I never shut that door
I’d always be tempted to stay
But this door looks like a mirror
And this reflection’s starting to show it
It don’t take much to quit 
And I’ll be gone before you know it.

Chorus
In the junk drawer in my kitchen
There’s a ring that’s filled with keys
They unlock everything I’ve owned
And they aid in my disease
I never want to turn back time
And be the things I was before
I’d be better off if I lost every one,
Because old keys don’t open new doors.

V2.
There’s the key to my first apartment.
The one we shared before I got burned
And the keys to every car I’ve crashed
And the lessons that I learned.
The keys to my failed hopes and dreams
The ones that you begged me to start.
And then there’s the key I hate the most
The one that unlocks my great big heart.

Chorus
In the junk drawer in my kitchen
There’s a ring that’s filled with keys
They unlock everything I’ve owned
And they aid in my disease
I never want to turn back time
And be the things I was before
I’d be better off if I lost every one,
Because old keys don’t open new doors

Bridge
The key to moving forward
And the key to moving on
Are the only keys I’m taking 
‘Cos I’m packed up and gone

Chorus
In the junk drawer in my kitchen
There’s a ring that’s filled with keys
They unlock everything I’ve owned
And they aid in my disease
I never want to turn back time
And be all the things I was before
I’d be better off if I lost every one,
Because old keys don’t open new doors



Old Keys (2025)

Eyes Like Mine
timothymichaelmusic
14 JAN 2024

V1
I laced up those blue tennis shoes
And wiped my tears onto my sleeve
I knew I had to go that day
But it was so damn hard to leave
I kept that t-shirt from your birth day
The last time that I held you
This Teddy Bear’s from your grandma
That I’d love to give to you

Chorus
It’s a mother’s love that let you go
And I hope now you can see
That this mother’s love’s still growing
Even though you’re not with me
I’d love to meet you sometime
But, I’m afraid to cross the line.
Would I know you if I saw you?
Do you have dark eyes like mine?

V2.
Are you happy with the life you have?
I bet you’re everything I dreamed.
When we take our family photographs
I feel you right here next to me.
I wear that T-shirt on your birthday
So I can smell you once again
I know someday there’ll be a time
When I’ll hold you and not pretend

Chorus
It’s a mother’s love that let you go
And I hope now you can see
That this mother’s love’s still growing
Even though you’re not with me
I’d love to meet you sometime
But, I’m afraid to cross the line.
Would I know you if I saw you?
Do you have dark eyes like mine?

Bridge
I still believe in that decision
I pray adoption did you right
But wondering where you might be right now
Keeps me up so late at night

Chorus
I’d love to meet you sometime
But, I’m afraid to cross that line.
Would I know you if I saw you?
Do you have dark eyes like mine?










Eyes Like Mine (2025 RD5)

As Good As Good Can Get
Timothymichaelmusic
26 AUG 2021

V1.
I’ve been wrong on first impressions
I’ve been right on second chances
I’ve loved and lost 
And had some failed romances.
With lessons learned and tables turned
I’ve got a brand new plan
I just take them one day at a time
And live the best I can.

Chorus
Did I get old too soon
Or did I get wise too late.
Whichever way, I’m thankful for
What brought me to today
I guess I’ll always wonder 
If I’m where I’m headed yet
But I’ve got the feeling
Life’s as good as good can get

V2.
I’ve never been the kind to live 
Just sitting on the sidelines
But I’ve learned to use some self-control
And live within the guidelines
I took a good look at the good book
And corrected my wayward ways
Now I’m living in the moments
Of my very best days

Chorus
Did I get old too soon
Or did I get wise too late.
Whichever way, I’m thankful for
What brought me to today
I guess I’ll always wonder 
If I’m where I’m headed yet
But I’ve kinda got the feeling
Life’s as good as good can get


Chorus
Did I get old too soon
Or did I get wise too late.
Whichever way, I’m thankful for
What brought me to today
I guess I’ll always wonder 
If I’m where I’m headed yet
But I’ve kinda got the feeling
Life’s as good as good can get





As Good As Good Can Get (Cover)

Sucker Punched
TimothyMichaelMusic
08 SEP 2025

V1.
Oh, man of God
Come join the fight
You can’t play it safe
If you want meaning in your life
Do you think that Jesus promised
To make all your dreams come true?
He said He’d be there in your corner
Fighting the good fight with you

Chorus
I can do hard things.
I was born for this.
Open war is cast upon us
A life of purpose requires risk
The line between good and evil
Cuts through the heart of every man
I’ll stand and fight against it
So I’m not sucker punched again

V2.
Good vibes can’t be the focus
Nor approval though good deeds
I can’t life hack my way to Heaven
If I make it all about me.
It’s focused faithful acts of intention
Not random acts of kindness
I’m gonna fight my way to Heaven
When we leave this world behind us

Chorus
I can do hard things.
I was born for this.
Open war is cast upon us
A life of purpose requires risk
The line between good and evil
Cuts through the heart of every man
I’ll stand and fight against it
So I’m not sucker punched again


Bridge
Righteousness, peace and joy
Only come when you bend the knee
Go all in with Jesus
And the fight will set you free

Chorus
I can do hard things.
I was born for this.
Open war is cast upon us
A life of purpose requires risk
The line between good and evil
Cuts through the heart of every man
I’ll stand and fight against it
So I’m not sucker punched again

So I’m not sucker punched again





Sucker Punched (Cover)

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!

Old Keys (2025)

Timothy Michael Music - SONGWRITER

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