Originally, another instrumental but, thanks to Ramone, this has been transformed into a haunting song with wonderful lyrics.
Credit to Lord Byron for the recited passage, from his poem "The Giaour"...

"Thy corpse shall from its tomb be rent:
Then ghastly haunt thy native place,
To suck the blood of all thy race"

Vampire Lullaby (with Ramone)

"The Struggle is Real" is a raw, relatable anthem that delves into the frustrations and challenges of independent artists navigating SoundCloud's ever-changing landscape. With honest lyrics and an infectious beat, this hip-hop track captures the emotional highs and lows of striving for recognition in a crowded digital space. From algorithmic uncertainty to self-doubt, the song's narrative resonates with anyone who's faced similar struggles. Yet, its message of resilience and determination inspires listeners to keep pushing forward. Authentic, heartfelt, and energetic, "The Struggle is Real" is a testament to the enduring spirit of creatives refusing to give up on their dreams.


LYRICS:

[Intro]
Yo, listen up, let me share my tale,
About the grind on SoundCloud, where the struggle prevails,
Tryna make a name, but it's hard to gain,
In a sea of artists, it's easy to remain.

[Verse 1]
Upload after upload, but the plays ain't right,
Algorithms changing, day and night,
Tryna reach the top, but it's slipping away,
N oomments or likes, the engagement's gray.

I'm chasing clout, but it's hard to claim,
My voice is drowned, in this digital game,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Chorus]
The struggle is real, on SoundCloud streets,
Tryna get noticed, but it's hard to compete,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Verse 2]
Promotion's key, but it's hard to afford,
Reachin' out to influencers, but they ignore,
Collaborations, but the chemistry's off,
Tryna find my sound, but it's hard to cough.

I'm tryna stand out, but it's hard to shine,
My music's fire, but it's hard to align,
With the right ears, with the right vibe,
The struggle is real, it's hard to thrive.

[Chorus]
On SoundCloud streets,
Tryna get noticed, but it's hard to compete,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Verse 3]
Networkin', engage, repeat the cycle,
But the visibility's low, it's hard to smile,
Frustration mounts, feelin' like a fail,
Questionin' my craft, maybe I should bail?

I'm tryna stay true, to my art and soul,
But the numbers game, is takin' its toll,
Tryna balance, creativity and fame,
The struggle is real, it's a never-endin' game.

[Chorus]
On SoundCloud streets,
Tryna get noticed, but it's hard to compete,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Bridge]
But I won't give up, no way, no how,
Gonna keep pushin', makin' moves, somehow,
Gonna find my niche, my sound, my style,
Gonna make it happen, all the while.

[Verse 4]
I see the success, of others on the rise,
And I wonder why, it's hard to realize,
That everyone's grind, is different and unique,
And my time will come, if I just keep.

[Chorus]
On SoundCloud streets,
Tryna get noticed, but it's hard to compete,
Thousands of tracks, but mine's getting lost,
The struggle is real, no matter the cost.

[Outro]
But I won't give up, no way, no how,
Gonna rise above, no matter the hit,
SoundCloud, I'm comin' for the top,
The struggle is real, but my grind won't stop.

[Verse 2]
Promotion's key, but it's hard to afford,
Reachin' out to influencers, but they ignore,
Collaborations, but the chemistry's off,
Tryna find my sound, but it's hard to cough.

I'm tryna stand out, but it's hard to shine,
My music's fire, but it's hard to align,
With the right ears, with the right vibe,
The struggle is real, it's hard to thrive.
The struggle is real, it's hard to thrive...


The Struggle is Real (Version 2)

This started off as a track entitled 'Conflicted Thoughts' which was an instrumental. When I recorded the vocals I thought'Broken Echo' fitted better as a title and the arrangement reflects that. It's a bit strange but hey ..... !

Lyrics

Broken Echo

When I first met you 
I was so proud 
I proclaimed my love out loud
But that has waned 
My heads in flames   

Am I stuck here in a cage 
Or am I the one who turns the page   

Stay or go I don’t know 
My heart’s a broken echo 
Every yes feels like a no 
Stay or go 
I don’t know   

Your hands feel like a safety net 
But the threads 
Twist cruelly and I’m set 
With no escape 

If I leave 
Will I still feel whole 
If I stay 
Do I lose my soul 
This push and pull is taking its toll   

Stay or go I don’t know 
My heart’s a broken echo 
Every yes feels like a no 
Stay or go I don’t know

When I first met you 
I was so proud 
I proclaimed my love out loud
But that has waned 
My heads in flames   

Am I stuck here in a cage 
Or am I the one who turns the page   

Stay or go I don’t know 
My heart’s a broken echo 
Every yes feels like a no 
Stay or go 
I don’t know   

Your hands feel like a safety net 
But the threads 
Twist cruelly and I’m set 
With no escape 

If I leave 
Will I still feel whole 
If I stay 
Do I lose my soul 
This push and pull is taking its toll   

Lyrics by Phil Hawker

Broken Echo

I thought I'd revisit this track to give it a bit of Tinkerbell tinkering with some newly learned production skills.

Venus (remix)

5 Sides

Nostalgia (live)

Cinnamon rising
Windows fog
Oven humming low
like it's half on the job

Flour on the counter
flour in her hair
He brushes it off
like he meant to be there

Butter sizzles
Pan clicks shut
Radio crackles
through static and cut

She taps the spoon twice
tastes what's left on her lip
He sneaks a bite
before the sugar can drip

Rolling pin stutters
Table creaks
Dough keeps sticking
every few streaks

She presses harder
he steadies the board
No big talk,
nothing forced

Orange peel. Ginger
Sharp, then sweet
Steam curls around
their legs and feet

He burns his thumb
she blows on his hand
Sting goes quiet
No plan

Cut-out stars
with crooked sides
Trees leaning over
like they're tired

A gingerbread loses a leg
she laughs at the fall
He eats the piece
like that was the goal

The oven breathes heat
Slow. Thick
Cookies lift at the edges
getting glossy, quick

Sugar turns amber
The room turns warm
Spice in the air
like a quiet storm

They frost too soon
The icing runs
She tries to fix it
he says it's done

Ghost-shaped snowflake
Crooked hat man
They let the mess be
just what it can

The cat jumps up
nose to the tray
Sniffs a star cookie
knocks it away

It lands on the floor
icing smudged thin
She curls around it
purring like it's her kin

Cooling racks ticking
Kettle starts to sing
Steam climbs slowly
fogging everything

No need for words
The room already knows
They share the first cookie
before it cools

Cinnamon Rising (feat. cat cameo)

REVOLUTION
Music by Overdrive

This song is an almost identical version of an old track of mine with the same name and female vocals. In this new version, the synthesized male vocals HXVOC are incredibly realistic and much better suited to the hardcore style.

The vocals were created note by note in the new Synthesizer Studio Pro 2, using the also new HXVOC voice bank from Eclipsed Sounds. It's a gritty, English-native tenor rock vocalist based on the voice of industry veteran Seann Nicols. HXVOC voice bank utilizes advanced vocal processing to provide a highly realistic vocal and it's built for rock and metal songs.

The rhythm guitars were composed note by note using the Kontakt library Shreddage 3 Rogue.

Platforms such as Suno/Udio were not used in the creation of any part of this track.

The cover art was created in Nano Banana Pro and it's clearly inspired by the cover of The Loosers (Book 2), comic book series created by Andy Diggle and Mark “Jock” Simpson, published by Vertigo (DC Comics) between 2003 and 2006.

Hope you enjoy the song.

Revolution

What a year this has been as I started this musical journey last year thinking I would release a few albums.  I ended up writing 70 songs, WTF.  I worked with a producer but did not like the auto tune and drama, no offence to the producer.  I was reminded how toxic the music industry is and so I decided to just release my own unplugged versions not because I am better than anyone else but I know what I like and that is good enough for me. I am not an arrogant person but I hate those who don't like you or your music because you don’t fit into the box and colour outside the lines.  So what.  Be you, be free and rock n roll.  You wonder beings have being instrumental in supporting me thank you. For years I have listened to people say that Bob Dylan can’t sing, I laugh and say, no your cannot hear!

Love you all!


brightest star written by MedusaMoon

Modern kind of sad

High-energy, sassy Pop dance anthem with a dark, driving beat and heavy synth bassline. Features confident female group vocals and 2000s electronic production style. Perfect for empowerment playlists.  

© 2025 Karen Dyer. All rights reserved. Lyrics by Karen Dyer. Demo version. For promotional use only. Not for reproduction or distribution without written permission.

Back Back Back

Songwriting has been a lifelong passion for me, dating back to elementary school when I first began crafting stories, poems, and eventually lyrics. As a former drummer in various bands, I always relied on others to bring my words to life musically. However, after a long hiatus from drumming, I decided to take the leap and learn to compose music to accompany my lyrics. Through classes and dedication, I've embarked on a new journey, breathing fresh life into old lyrics and penning new ones. You'll find a mix of older and newer works here. Especially for some of the lyrics. 

Music has been a part of me for as long as I can remember. One of my earliest memories is being completely entranced by 'The Little Drummer Boy' as a very young child. There was something about the rhythm and the melody that just captivated me. I must have played it a thousand times, wearing the record out, and from that moment on, I was hooked. I knew I wanted to be a drummer and to create that magic for others. 

But I was too young then, and of course, I couldn't afford a drum set just yet. So, I turned to writing as a way to express myself. As I mentioned above, I started with stories, then poems, and eventually, lyrics. I found that writing was not only a way to tap into my creativity, but also a way to process my emotions and experiences. 

As I grew older, my love for music only deepened. I realized that music has this incredible power to transport us to different times and places, to evoke emotions and memories that we thought were long forgotten. It's a universal language that can bring people together like nothing else can. 

For me, writing lyrics is a cathartic experience. It's a way for me to tap into my emotions, to process the world around me, and to create something that I hope will resonate with others. And when I hear my words come to life in a song, it's truly magical. It's a feeling that never gets old, and it's what keeps me coming back to music time and time again. 

I love many genres of music and artists of many genres. And if you listen to some of my songs, you will find that I like to make songs of different genres as well as mix different genres into each song. One of my all-time favorite bands is Evanescence, and I have made a lot of songs where I have tried my best to emulate that sound. 

Now, I have recently started experimenting with new sounds. I never heard of glitch beats before I took music classes, and now I'm fascinated with the sound, so I have been experimenting with glitch beats recently. 

I hope you enjoy some of my songs. And thanks so much to everyone who has been listening so far. I truly appreciate it. I welcome constructive feedback to help me grow as an artist, and I appreciate your support. ❤️

BTW if you follow me, I will ALWAYS follow back. If I like your music, I will follow you, but if you don't follow me back within a week or so I will probably unfollow. The same goes for when I see someone listening to my music, I WILL follow, however, if they don't follow me back within a week or so, I'll unfollow, because I'm at my limit of follows and I want to follow back everyone who follows me. Did not know that SoundCloud limits us to following only 2000. 😢

*******************
VickStiX's Artist Manifesto
*******************

I am the static between truth and noise.
A pulse that cracks the silence open.
When the world forgets its conscience,
I remind it — one beat, one lyric, one spark.

I don’t shout to divide; I sing to awaken.
I don’t chase fame; I chase clarity.
My art is not a weapon — it’s a flare in the dark.
A signal to every soul that still believes in better.

Let the trolls rage, let the cowards hide.
They can’t drown out a voice that’s tuned to truth.
I will paint their lies in sound and light
until justice has a melody again.

Because protest is not anger — it’s hope with a megaphone.
And I was born to be loud.

🎶 VickStiX — Truth. Rhythm. Revolution.










