Posts Tagged ‘#progressivefolk’

For a bit of prospect work, I wrote lyrics to an old 12 sting guitar jam of mine. I released ‘First Move’ as an instrumental track on my cd ‘Before The Chase‘ on February 25th, 2016.

I really like the way the tempo and the groove combine to make an interesting driving-sports-workout jam. I use open tuning for the guitar, and that allows me to get those really clear harmonics to stand out. The lyrics reference the many people in my life that are truly amazing. Dedicated, hard working, dependable friends and strangers in the background making the world a better place for others. Doing the right thing – for no real reward and little recognition. Heroes are all around, they just don’t make that much noise.

‘Take A Closer Look’

“Take a Closer Look” © MSK 6/25/2025 (First Move)

It’s difficult to get going
Usually, it’s too hard to stop.
Heroes rise up against the wind
In spite of the inevitable drop.

Everyone has their place in life
But can not see it most of the time.
Not all of us become astronauts
Or Sherlock with the unsolvable crime.

Take A Closer Look
And you will see.

They guard over you silently
Yet never seem to get in the way.
Easy not to see them at first
But they are always ready to play.

One of them might be an artist
Musicians you truly understand.
A friend who has never failed you
Or strangers that gave you a helping hand.

Take A Closer Look
Take A Closer Look and you will see.

MIDIMike

I offered you all I am

As you demanded the bigger half

I tried to keep them together, but cried until I could not laugh.

We own no jewels or treasures

Beyond the memories we made.

Loving life and nature’s pleasures, but soon even those will fade.

Brilliant colors turn to gray

Precious moments gone.

It all grows now in anger, tormenting everyday.

Hard, still to believe

Please and a simple thank you

Became words you could not say, another way to deceive.

I’ve spent half my life

Fixing my mistakes,

And half of it living yours.

Evidently I don’t know

What it really takes

To heal the open sores.

Brilliant colors turn to gray

Precious moments gone.

Now they grow in anger

Tormenting everyday.

What I have left

Is half of nothing.

Neither yours nor mine.

Years of hard work

And nights in disagreement

Didn’t help the bottom line.

MIDIMike

I am not really finished with this song. Many of my songs move on to the ‘finished’ shelf when there is a lot more to be done with the song and/or recording. Being the jack-of-all-trades singer-songwriter/engineer-producer and all the rest means I can generate decent versions of my original music without waiting for band mates, schedules, funding and studio availability.

I realized long ago I cannot make them commercial or ‘radio-play’ worthy on my own. But here you can see early versions of a song or two developing or maybe ones I pushed out into the lime light too soon. I’m OK with that because most of my songs are not ready for prime time. Still, I think I have a bunch of great tunes posted on this blog. Some of my tunes are progressive folk, some lean towards alternative, some are a bit on the soundtrack side. Maybe not your style of music, but there’s something for everyone.

I hope you enjoy an early glimpse of “When In Doubt“.