A song that shows the nature of derp romantic love.  it is part of a 2 song depiction of this most treasured of gifts

The Picture Part One by Creative Reader/William Bates

Part two of this musical reflection of deep romantic love.

The Picture Part Two by Creative Reader and William Bates

This song casts a relationship in terms of the immigrant experience on Ellis Island.  The central metaphor being the Stairs of Separation on said island.  The song was produced by famed power pop REM producer Mitch Easter at his Drive In Studio in Winston-Salem, NC in 1993,

STAIRS OF SEPARATION

A HAUNTING SOUTHERN GOTHIC BLUES LAMENT FOR ALL THE GHOSTS WHO COME TO US STILL...

WILLIAM BATES GUITAR VOCALS
MARK MCAFEE BASS DOBRO LEAD GUITAR
MICHAEL MORRIS DRUMS

THE REVOLVERS: Nobodys Gonna Hurt Me Anymore

Power pop with a dobro edge. "I went to see the gypsy to have my fortune told.  She studied my hand. She said I walked a narrow road.
I need a lifeline she so quietly observed. My dear boy, she noted, can't you see that love is a verb."

william bates: guitars, keys, vocals
mark mcafee: dobro, lead guitar, bass
michael morris: drums, tamborine

The Revolvers/What Was I Thinking?

a blues number based on the primeval drone.   helplessly waiting for the hurricane.

william bates: guitars electronica harmonica vocals
mark mcafee: bass dobro

Waiting For The Hurricane

As my friend awaited his passing, this song came unto me...

William Bates:  vocals. guitar. bass. mandolin. keyboard
Joe Jogodka:  Drums

I Went Down To The River Jordan

A homage to all the hard working women in the world.  They deserve both our love and our respect. From the UPSCOMING album LISTEN by my band LANGUAGE.  It features WILLIAM BATES on Vocals, Guitars, Bass, and Mandolin.  With the great JOE JOGODKA on drums.

SHE'S FOLLOWING THE EASTERN STAR
IT SEEMS SO CLOSE BUT IT'S SO FAR
A BLINKING LIGHT BENEATH THE MOON
SHE'S HOPING TO FIND THE SILVER SPOON
MAN YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND
SHE'S DOING THE BEST THAT SHE CAN..

WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG
TIME WAS MEASURED LIKE RUNGS (ON A LADDER)
THERE WAS NO FEAR TO CLIMB
THERE WAS NOTHING TO LEAVE BEHIND
MAN YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND
SHE'S DOING THE BEST THAT SHE CAN..


TIME AND SPACE
AND GRAVITY'S WEIGHT
LOVE AND LOSS
AND DREAMS AND FATE
AND DREAMS AND FATE


SHE TOOK A WALK ON THE BEACH
THE OCEAN VAST BUT WITHIN HER REACH
SHE FEELS THE PULLING OF THE TIDE
SHE SENSES THE EARTH AND THE OPEN SKY
MAN YOU GOT TO UNDERSTAND
SHE'S DOING THE BEST THAT SHE CAN..


SHE'S DOING THE BEST (THAT SHE CAN)
WORDS AND MUSIC BY WILLIAM BATES

SHES DOIN' THE BEST SHE CAN

This song reflects the pull of memory and a longing for the past. I was a bit scared of my Dad until we started going to baseball games at the long gone Meadowbrook Park in Greenville, SC. I guess you could say we formed a bound for life on those distant summer days. I love you and miss you Dad..

From the upcoming album LISTEN by my band LANGUAGE. Featuring William Bates on Vocals, Guitars, and Bass with Joe Jogodka on Drums.

WHEN I WAS A BOY IN THE EVENING TIDE
THOSE GHOST SUMMERS, OH SO FAR AWAY
HE WOULD GATHER ME UP FOR THAT LONG RIDE
TO GO AND SEE THE BASEBALL PLAYERS PLAY

AND I HOW I LONG FOR HIS VOICE TODAY 
TELLING ME BOY ITS GONNA BE OK
ALWAYS SUCH A COMFORT IN THE DARK
LET ME LINGER A LITTLE LONGER IN MEADOWBROOK PARK

THE CRUSH OF THE GRAVEL IN THE PARKING LOT
THROUGH A DEEP TUNNEL, HE HELD MY HAND SO TIGHT
TO A FIELD SO GREEN AS IF PUT THERE JUST FOR US
FOR A FATHER AND HIS SON ON A SWEET JUNE NIGHT

REPEAT


I KNOW IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH A BROKEN HEART
NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO GRIEVES BECAUSE
THE MORE THINGS CHANGE THE MORE THEY DISSOLVE
WHAT GOOD ARE MEMORIES IF THERE'S NO RESOLVE?


BUT SOMEWHERE BEYOND THAT LEFT FIELD FENCE
WHERE THE LITTLE BLACK BOYS CHASE THOSE HOME RUN SHOTS
ACROSS THE RIVER THERE'S A RECOMPENSE
THERE JUST HAS TO BE, IM STILL GIVING ALL I GOT

REPEAT


MEADOWBROOK PARK
WORDS AND MUSIC BY WILLIAM BATES

MEADOWBROOK PARK

This song is a tribute to Bruce Springsteen.  I went to many of his concerts from 1978 onward.  I felt the power grace and glory of pure American Rock and Roll.   Long Live Rock...

Language is:

William Bates: Vocals.Guitars.Bass.Mandolin.Keyboards.Programming
Joe Jogodka: Drums.Percussion

www.reverbnation.com/language8

You Mean As Much

A HOMAGE TO POWERPOP, CARS. AND SEVEN ELEVENS.
(TWO GIRLS FOR EVERY BOY)
MAN NEEK IS:

WILLIAM BATES: GUITARS.BASS.VOCALS.PROGRAMMING
JOE JOGODKA:    DRUMS.VOCALS

TIGHT POP

An ambient track composed and produced by William Bates with samples of poetry by Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang, the author of the poetry and prose anthology Ivory Gleam (getbook.at/ivorygleam) on sale at amazon.com

I'm Falling Deep (w/Priya Dolma Tamang)

An ambient track composed and produced by William Bates with samples of spoken word/poetry by Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang, the author of the poetry and prose anthology Ivory Gleam (getbook.at/ivorygleam) on sale at amazon.com

COME TO ME (W/Priya Dolma Tamang)

An ambient/dream pop track composed and produced by William Bates with samples of spoken word/poetry by Dr. Priya Dolma Tamang, the author of the poetry and prose anthology Ivory Gleam (getbook.at/ivorygleam) on sale at amazon.com

You Turn The Night Into Day(W/Priya Dolma Tamang)

William Bates: Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Producer. Bates has been playing in bands since the 90’s. His band, The Revolvers, were widely known in power pop circles and achieved a measure of local/regional/national and international acclaim  . They were produced by noted power pop guru and REM producer Mitch Easter., His band, Language, recorded songs that were praised in such publications as Amplifier and Ear Candy. One of their highlights was playing CBGB’s in NYC. Bates made the independent film Dreamland and wrote and produced the soundtrack for the film. He earned grants for the project from The Metropolitan Arts Council and The Humanities Council SC.  His latest project is ACROSS THE RIVER.  He has his own studio and has recorded numerous local and regional artists under the banner of T21 Music

WM.BATES

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