Produced, performed* and composed by Graeme Robertson
(Guitars, Organ, Bass Guitar Vocals and Drum Programming)

Do we want to go around in masks forever?
Lyrics:
you can always find reasons to worry
and give yourself a sleepless night
extrapolate the direst outcome
and panic or succumb to fright

Some go to far with caution
Wrap themselves in cotton wool
Always expect a Contagion
Never see a glass half full

I don't worry what the future might bring
or ponder the   worst case scenario
life is for the living
I'm gonna get up and go

risks taken out proportion
Relishing being coerced
their reality's full of distortion
to help them fear the worst

Lot's of virtue signals
Cherry picked frightning figures
coupled with scary visuals
and ultra tenuous triggers

I don't worry what the future might bring
or ponder worst case scenario
life is for the living
I'm gonna get up and go

Logic thrown out the window
Hysteria spreading rapidly
Many lives lived in limbo
averting false catastrophe

Self appointed academics
playing harbingers of doom
tease with their polemics
through social media & zoom

Not going back

Composed, produced and performed* by Graeme Robertson
*Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Bass Guitar, Synths, Violin &Drum Programming

Lyrics:
An unwanted connection to me
Whatever your identity
Your bitterness is scary
It's Left me feeling wary

I never sought your presence
nor understand your essence
just wallowing in hate
You won't accept your fate

Seeing from a different realm
unable to let go
seeking to overwhelm
in a world you no longer know

I wouldn't like to be you but -
One day I'll will see you
And engage On equal terms
There'll be no more concerns

You like to make your presence felt
But no cards from me will be dealt
Seeking my attention
Not sure of your intention,

Seeing from a different realm
unable to let go
seeking to overwhelm
in a world you no longer know

Seeing from a different realm
unable to let go
seeking to overwhelm
in a world you no longer know

The Visitor V2

Graeme Robertson:  Writer, producer & performer contributing 
all  vocals, drum and synth programming .

Lyrics
I've noticed change in your behavior
Choosing different styles to wear
Vague about the time you're back home
Browsing with alternatives to chrome

Things that used to concern you
no longer come through hitherto
You have a different point of view
For reasons I cannot construe

You'll Call back when get the chance
Scrambling to read your phone alerts
Who can't you talk to right now?
Reluctant to declare who's conversed
     
Assuring me you will always be there
But we know life isn't always fair
Reminding me always to take care
But Your mind is just elsewhere

Should I try accessing your smartphone
Could I do it on my own?
Will I find access to it's blocked
Distract you while the screens unlocked?

If I could view your lists of calls
Would they make me tear down the walls
Supposing I rolled through your contacts
Would they give me panic attacks?

Elsewhere

Graeme Robertson: Everything (Instruments, vocals, production and song writer here)
Lyrics

So you want to make history
You say you've thought it through
to be the very first
It's what you want to do

It's a one way trip
who knows what you'll learn
you'll be on your own
No way to return

Should you look at the sky
On a chosen night
you might wonder why
What you did was right

your quest for adventure
Is commendable
But is the outcome
truly sensible?

It's a sweeping assumption
that others will follow
If they choose not
Could you live with sorrow

There'll be no honey
or the sound of birdsong
What else might you miss
will you all get along

Have you weighed up the gamble
that goes with your ambition
could you be condemned
to a suicide mission?



Destination Destiny

I heard a great version of a collaborative duo Jaime Ross and the Phaige doing their take on a theme for the next James Bond Movie Spectre.  But Sam Smith got to sing the theme music for Spectre. And it wasn't universally rated to put it mildly. So I thought I would become a kind of kindred spirit with Jaime Ross and the Phaige and produce my own rendition too.   Ithought you should mention the name of the movie and give a few hints to the nature of the villain. So it has old world Bond intro with modern electronica but not in a Madonna "Die another day" kinda way!

Written, recorded (keyboards, vocals, Guitar and midi programming)& produced by Graeme Robertson

Lyrics

A new world order
through a reign of fear
An entity called spectre
Is about to appear

They seek absolute control

They built a network
That's not easy to find
Where sinsister people lurk
With presence of mind

They seek absolute control
Cross them and you might lose your soul

Spectre!

The world needs someone special
To rise to the task
To take down spectre's hell
But who can we ask?

Spectre is ready to strike
The bells of fear may soon chime
They take out those he may dislike
It's just a matter of time

With guile and courage to be strong

Spectre's coming
Yes Spectre is coming

They seek absolute control
Cross them and you might lose your soul

Spectre

Tribute to David Bowie, Heroes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgcc5V9Hu3g   was written when Bowie was living in Berlin,  when the wall was still present. It was produced by Tony Visconti.  
Graeme Robertson: Vocals, Bass Guitar, Guitars, keyboards, programming.

Heroes Cover

The second song where Jaime Ross (to who I express my gratitude once more) helped me by producing a theme and story on which to derive some lyrics.
This song had also been hanging around for a while.
It pays homage to those who go through bad experiences in life but battle through with determination to get to a better place.

Written (with Jaime's valued assistance on a lyrical concept), produced recorded 
and performed (Vocals, Drum Programming, Guitars, Bass Guitar, Piano and synth) by Graeme Robertson

No signs or clues were to come
Your world was turned upside down
out of the blue without any warning
along came months of adversity

People said that they understood
All they gave you was sympathy

Must have seemed like a bridge to nowhere
Traversing a river of despair

Hoping for light 
at the end of the tunnel.
You carried on 
as best you could
Tried so hard to reach your destination
Not succumbing to desparation.

the cards of life 
never dealt your way
But life isn't fair
was something you would never say

Did you feel you'd been singled out?
Bad luck comes in threes they say
Making a journey you could do without
Surely no more would come your way

Just when things started looking up
A false dawn, yet another setback
but you still had time to listen
How much longer to get back on track?

After a time things got no worse
Figured out what to do without
Discarded what you didn't need
Giving you some breathing space
Impovements came day by day
Things came back into place

You'll make the most of what you got
For so many it would seem such a lot
Never once saw you get irate
You know what to appreciate

Resurgent

BRAVE NEW WORLD (Graeme Robertson)

The instrumental was hanging around for a while, Jaime Ross had an interesting idea for a lyrical theme that I didn't get anywhere with, but in November 2016, events made me think about a different path for the track .....
Graeme Robertson: Vocals, Guitars Bass Guitar Keyboards and drum programmimg
They did not see it coming
assumed it was too unbecoming
took forgranted that more of the same
would play out the numbers game 

They wanted something different
like a brazen hothead vociferant 
they let him thrust ahead
despite the things he said 
 
The polling experts called it wrong
so many people strung along
The whole world was just caught off guard 
by a tycoon of low regard

He promises decent jobs for all
And another Berlin wall
Cosy up to the KGB
not exactly a bel esprit

He'll scrap the Paris accord
In the warmest year on record
And burn more fossil fuel
you'll roast under his rule

Reject jingoistic autocracy
and exclusionist hypocrisy
Keep your faith in our humanity
Stand up for justice and decency

Now we live in the Brave new world
There's every reason to feel concerned
Will any promises even be met,
Who will bear the onerous debt?

Now we live in the Brave new world
There's every reason to feel concerned
How many can forgive and forget?
What about those who slip through the net?

Reject jingoistic autocracy
and exclusionist hypocrisy
Keep your faith in our humanity
Stand up for justice and decency

Brave New World

Written produced and performed (vocals, synths, guitars, bass guitar and drum programming)by Graeme Robertson

Lyrics for Proxima B
Something so close we never knew about
Now calls upon us to try and find out
Maybe one day we will visit there
Brave risk and danger if we dare

A scouting mission could come very soon
Just taking minutes to go past the moon
What might we see and be informed to learn
Something new and scary at every turn?

Breakthrough starshot at a quarter C
Moving at ultra high velocity
What will it mean for you and me
Will you get to Proxima B?

We can't resist a nearby mystery
What could this mean for human history
Somewhere bathed in a deep pink glow
to try and find out, we have to go

Rigel Kentaurus will be nearby
lighting up an unwordly sky
Who can imagine such a scene
Comparable maybe to Tatooine

Breakthrough starshot at a quarter C
Moving at ultra high velocity
What will it mean for you and me
Will you get to Proxima B?

Breakthrough starshot at a quarter C
Moving at ultra high velocity
What will it mean for you and me
Will we arrive at Proxima B?

Proxima B

Of myths & legends
a track inspired by British progressive rock of the late 60's & 1970's featuring vocals, guitars, Piano, Organ, Synths, Bass guitar, midi programming, words & music by Graeme Robertson.
Lyrics
There was talk of ancient myths
Carved perhaps as heiorglyphs
they spoke of warriors and doom
decades of unending gloom

Times of  woe and mystery 
before recorded history
Rosetta stone like messages
hiding unknown vestiges

Would the river rise and swell
Burden them with living hell
engulf them with a mighty flood
How many would lose hope and blood

Mysterious men in hoods and cloaks 
Very tall with and swords and ropes
Watching them from day to night
Everyone felt fear and fright

They knew not what they were facing
Hope and faith they tried embracing

What secrets were locked away
When last they saw the light of day
where they from this Universe?
If opened will they cast a curse

What scrolls were left unseen?
Why are the arrows green?
What do the symbols mean?
Who was the ancient Queen?
Did they seek the holy grail?
Were they destined to fail?

Strange lights in the sky
They had no idea why
A portal to the promised land
Signs they could not understand

Next day the strangers had all gone
The exodus seen by no-one

What had made them go away?

Of myths & legends

A track with numerous multi tracked vocals from myself about a situation we all face at some stage during our life from various situations and contexts.  Instrumentally simple with Piano, Bass Guitar, Intro Electric Guitars and a Rhythm Electric guitar and programmed drums.  However there are 12 separate vocal tracks which have been arranged to emulate harmonies of greats like the Beach Boys  Written performed & produced by Graeme Robertson
Lyrics:
I am somewhere where I don't belong
Nothing seems right, it's all so wrong
I've been staying here far too long
I really should have been long gone
There should be nothing to keep me here
Why don't I go what is it I fear?

I came with hope and expectation
But now I'm full of trepidation
It's never easy to make a new start
But being here, is breaking my heart

The bad memories outnumber the good
I couldn't see the trees for the wood
I tried my best I did what I could
Always thought I did what I should
Time to face up to reality
Somewhere else is where I need to be

I tried my best to get along
But now it's time to sing a different song
Face up to facts don't be so headstrong
You know it's time that you were moving on

Day by day here it's getting worse
I feel I've been afflicted with a curse
I must not be risk averse
and turn decline into reverse
There's something out there better for me
I have to move away from misery

Moving on, moving on ..
Now I know it's time to move on
Moving on, moving on ..
So much time wasted here for so long

I'm moving on  .... 
I'm moving on

Moving On 2

Thoughts about USA gun laws and the crazy idea that more guns will make people safer.
Written, produced, performed (vocals, keyboards, guitars, bass guitar & drum Programming) and recorded by Graeme Robertson.

Lyrics:
The perpatrator
went into a store
for an AR 15 
They were all done for

A hail of high speed
metal projectiles
takes more life away
There'll be no more smiles

It's not the first time
could happen any day
cos the GOP
must please the NRA

The constitution
with amendment two
The supreme court
says its ok for you

Arm the teachers
to boost morale
making classrooms
like the OK chorale

Sell automatics 
in a high street store
collect the green backs
from the tools of war

It's not like this 
Where ever you go
There's regulation
to stop pain and woe

An amendment
can be amended
the status quo cannot
be defended

The constitutions 
amendent 2
needs updating to 
something new

just blame the shooters 
state of mind
for loss of life 
and what's left behind

while the world looks on
and many deplore it
It's time for change
will the lobby ignore it?

It's time to stop hiding behind constitution
This cannot go on we need a
new solution
a firm resolution

Firearm Folly

Written performed (Vocals, keyboards, bass guitar & drum programming) and produced by Graeme Robertson
Just for a change, no guitars on this track (apart from the bass guitar).

Lyrics
Born to be left behind


From a moment of conception
Just a future of rejection
Destined for condemnation
Instead of jubilation

From the start their fate is sealed
They're not expected to succeed
Urgent needs are not revealed
So many wounds remain unhealed

Born to be left behind
Out of sight and out of mind
Life for them will be unkind
Their fate is to be declined

They'll be raised to fail
Be incarcerated without bail
Life will be no fairytale
All will be to no avail

There's nobody on their side
Nothing about them's dignified
Unlikely to be qualified
An oft temptation's suicide

Left to their own devices
Taking wrong limited choices
Home's not where the heart is
No one listens to their voices

Born to be left behind

Hi and thanks for taking the time to read this.  I guess Soundcloud is an ideal vehicle to demonstrate what potential I have in terms of writing music and music production.  If you listen to the tracks you'll hear a range of genres and styles which reflects the fact that I like a diverse range of music. I've also recently started making tracks in collaboration with Raine Carosin under the collective identity of Tronada - see www.soundcloud.com/tronada and with former band member Chris Summerhill and Tom Bell.  
I live in North East England and have loved to listen to and play music since my teens. Initially I taught myself acoustic guitar followed by electric guitar and bass guitar.  A few years later I played bass guitar and did the odd backing vocals in a couple of local bands, notably Hot Property.  In more recent years I took an interest in creating music electronically via midi and sequencing samples on a tracker.   I still enjoy playing "real"  instruments and have been improving on keyboards over time.   I create drum sounds by either using midi or sequencing samples on a tracker. As far as "Real"instruments go,  I have a Yamaha midi enabled Keyboard, Yamaha DDR-80 drum machine and Acoustic, Electric and Bass Guitars.   With regard to Electronic Music I sequence samples and arrange midi.  On some tracks I combine real instruments with midi or samples.   In addition I have ventured into the world of vocals too.
I record on the Boss Micro BR which is a versatile digital 4 Track digital recorder unless I am using a tracker program.  There are numerous software packages I could use but many have functionality I probably wouldn't use.  The Boss is portable and instant but I do use midi and mastering software from time to time too.
Anyway thanks for visiting my Soundcloud area and I hope you like some of the stuff I've posted here.   I did an interview with John Hodgson on the very first Teesside Band Archive Local Heroes Podcast number 1 where you can find out a bit more about me if you want to via this link  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7JfHYEhk1Y

Vortexia

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