If I could sing... any Mark Heard song.

If I could sing then i would pretty much want to sing any Mark heard song. In particular I would want to sing NO! first but there is no video of that on youtube.

Details about Mark... from www.markheard.net

Mark was a poet. He was a man who felt the weight of the world. A man who saw both beauty and ugliness, and he realized that we must see both if we see them all. Mark was a man who not only refused to be blind to the world around him, but who saw that with a clarity, wisdom, and insight that is very rare these days ...

From the deep South of Macon, Georgia, to a rare and quaint village of Los Angeles, Mark was throwing his muse/recording his experience since the 70s. Mark's songs, at once visceral and philosophical to a degree uncommon in contemporary music, consistently integrated the sacred and the profane, the spiritual and the humane and provided nourishment in a way so few others ever have. Although revered by many of his songwriting peers as simply one of the best, Mark's music, in his lifetime, never caught the attention of a large music-buying public - Mark was an artist more concerned with telling the truth than selling the truth.

When Mark passed away in August 1992 at the age of 40, he left behind a musical legacy that is staggering in scope, vision and volume. Having released 16 records in less than as many years, Mark was equally involved in supporting, producing and collaborating with many other artists such as Sam Phillips, Pierce Pettis, Phil Keaggy, Vigilantes of Love (Mark Heard and Peter Buck of REM co-produced VOL's album Killing Floor) and Michael Been of The Call. Mark's body of work has been praised by artists such as Victoria Williams, Buddy and Julie Miller, T Bone Burnett and Bruce Cockburn, who has even claimed Mark to be his favorite songwriter. Mark garnered a loyal following by penning untinted reflections on a life influenced equally by big ideas as by the small day-to-day issues with which any man, husband, father, or human has to wrestle.

~ ~ ~

On July 4, 1992, Mark was playing at the Cornerstone Festival, outside Chicago. He had a minor heart attack on stage, but finished the set. Afterwards, he went to a hospital. Mark was released from the hospital one week after being admitted. He wanted to get home before undergoing treatment for 2 blocked arteries. The doctors collectively decided he could make it home. The afternoon after being released, Mark had a cardiac arrest and died. After he got to the hospital, a doctor was able to bring him back to life and performed a successful bypass operation. Mark's heart recovered well, but because his brain was without oxygen from the time he died until he was revived, he never came out of the coma.

A lot of his music is available on itunes - go there now - buy - enjoy!


Here are a few of his songs that either he, or fans, have made videos for.

Lonely moon. (lyrics)


Treasure of the broken land (lyrics)


Is it any wonder (lyrics)

If I could sing... The Chapel Lead is missing.

The Barron Knights were a song group that were singing parody and humourous songs way back when "weird AL" Yankovic was only slightly odd AL. They played in the sixties, seventies and eighties and even in the nineties when they came to Invercargill and I got to see them. They still tour a bit today.

Todays song is one if I were to sing would be one that I would need to have cloned myself another 4 times. It is a 5 part harmony. Not the funniest of their songs but still brilliant.

I'm not going to post the lyrics I'll let yo listen to the youtube video or buy the song off itunes so you don't get any spoiilers for the ending. It really is best listened rather than read.



In my concert this one would be the last song before going off the stage and getting called back for the first encore.

If I could sing... Nobody's Fault but mine

Time for something loud. I'm in a loud rock mood this week. Todays song was originally by Blind Willie Jackson, got hijacked by Led Zepplin then perfected by The 77's.

The song is from the 77's album "drowning with Land in sight" and if it is currently unavailable at the 77's web site so try ebay.

So why have I picked this one today? Because I've been living too much in my fantasy world and as an answer to my prayer have had a shock to get me out of it, the pain I'm feeling - nobody's fault but mine...

Here is a youtube of them live - not the best audio but you get the swing of things. - following that the lyrics.

Nobody's Fault But Mine

from the album "Drowning With Land In Sight" (Jimmy Page/Robert Plant - apologies to Blind Willie Johnson) Nobody's fault but mine Nobody's fault but mine if I don't keep my soul alive it's nobody's fault but mine The devil he taught me to roll The devil he taught me to roll how to roll that invisible line well, it's nobody's fault but mine I've got a bible in my house I've got a bible in my house if I don't read it, my soul dies well, it's nobody's fault but mine My sister she taught me to read My sister she taught me to read I didn't read it, lost my life it's nobody's fault but mine If I don't read my soul to life well - nobody's fault but mine © 1976 Flames Of Albion Music (ASCAP)

If I could sing - with arms wide open

I'm back with my "If I could sing" series, it is supposed to be on a Wednesday but hey - cope with it OK?!

The first song of Creed I paid attention to was "With Arms Wide Open", I love the guitars, the singing, the energy and emotion put into the song. The prayer and hopes of a father as he sees his child for the first time. I can relate to that. I still have hopes and prayers for my sons and they have been around for over a decade each.

It's is a love song, but this one is directed at children as a parent so I have no need to go off and be manly, because there is nothing more manly than being a best father you can be.

Here is the video, and below that the lyrics.

"With Arms Wide Open"

Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open

Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything ...oh yeah
With arms wide open..wide open

[Guitar Break]

If I had just one wish
Only one demand
I hope he's not like me
I hope he understands
That he can take this life
And hold it by the hand
And he can greet the world
With arms wide open...

With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything..oh yeah
With arms wide open....wide open

If I could sing.... People

I have to be careful while googling or looking up youtube for this band. It is the New Zealand band Mi-Sex that ran from 1978 to 1985. While they have many many great songs I have chosen this one because. a) it rocks, and b) it is not a love song... I have had a few too many of those recently.

I don't have access to itunes at the moment but it is on there along with their greatest hits album.

But here is a video and after that the lyrics.

Look at all the people in the doorways, people on the street
People in the hallways, people love to meet
People in their feelings are locked in paradise

Look at all the people in the houses, people on the stairs
People and their visions, you'll see them everywhere
Atomic people, they'll all move away
It's mass exodus day today

People walk, people fly, people sing, people sigh
People lose, people try, hurt people cry, people live, people die
People laugh ha-ha-ha, yes they laugh ha-ha-ha
We're all laughin'

Look at all the people lose their meaning while others stand and stare
They don't move like clockwork, you'll see them in the air
The flying people, they'll express a way
It's mass exodus day today

People walk, people fly, people sing, people sigh
People lose, people try, hurt people cry, people live, people die
People laugh ha-ha-ha, yes they laugh ha-ha-ha
We're all laughin'

And what will happen to the family when the day comes
When the child no longer owes his existance to two biological parents
Genetic engineering, life can now begin in a test tube
And the idea both fascinates and appeals to me
Carbon copy people, are you a clone? - NO!!

People walk, people fly, people sing, people sigh
People lose, people try, hurt people cry, people live, people die
People laugh ha-ha-ha, yes they laugh ha-ha-ha
Oh they laugh ha-ha-ha

People, oh yes they're laughing at me now-ow

People walk, people fly, people sing, people sigh
People lose, people try, hurt people cry, people live, people die
People laugh ha-ha-ha, yes they laugh ha-ha-ha
Oh they laugh ha-ha-ha
People walk, people fly, people sing, people sigh
People lose, people try, hurt

The song is your basic, whole lot of seeming nonsensical rhyming couplets that get tied together by a spoken bridge. Not too deep, not light and fluffy either, quite an important question as well really - what will happen to the family?

This one I'd put about three quarters of the way through before we get to the encores.

If I could sing.... Forever Autumn

Hmmm... I like this song but I've noticed that most of the songs I've picked have been love songs of one form or another. In love, out of love, want love. I'd better be careful as I'll get a reputation of being some sort of romantic wishy washy sensitive guy. Excuse me while I go google some power tools for a moment...


OK back now. Man you should see the new Black and Decker range... wow!


Todays song would be in the later half of my set list. It is Forever Autumn by the Moody Blues and is also very prominent in Jeff Waynes War of the Worlds double album.

Here is a video from the live concert of War of the Worlds.


Here are the lyrics:

The summer sun is fading as the year grows old,
and darker days are drawing near,
the winter winds will be much colder,
now you're not here.
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky
and one by one they disappear
I wish that I was flying with them,
now you're not here

like the sun through the trees you came to love me
like a leaf on a breeze you blew away

through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way
you always loved this time of year
loose fallen leaves lie undisturbed now
cos you're not here x 3

like the sun through the trees you came to love me
like a leaf on a breeze you blew away

a gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes
as if to hide a lonely tear
my life will be forever autumn
cos you're not here x 6

I remember way back in the 70's (or was it early 80's?) on Friday nights when Hudson and Hall was on TV and I didn't enjoy that, so over four weeks I listened to this double LP. One side per night. After I'd finished it was time for Dukes of Hazzard. This song stood out to me then and I enjoy hearing it every time it has played since then. The imagery of the fading summer and the idea that the continual fading death of autumn is going to keep on happening to him cos' your not here. At least in winter, while cold it is recover mode and preparation for the new life that spring brings. Autumn is just fading and dieing.

The basic plot is that the guy has lost his girl. In the context of War of the Worlds she is on the run from Martians. Out of that context maybe she died or has just left the guy.

Please also note the englishness. It is Autumn not Fall. The word autumn just sounds better than Fall. My life will be forever faaaallll - doesn't work.

If I could sing.... My Girl

Madness! Madness it must be Madness. Those nutty boys, the magnificent seven. The main ska band from the 80's and they still do things today.

So my song this week, If I could sing, is My Girl. Here is an itunes link and here is a video:



Here are the lyrics:

Madness - My Girl Lyrics

My girl's mad at me
I didn't wanna go see the film tonight
I found it hard to say
She thought I'd had enough of her
Why can't she see
She's lovely to me?
But I like to stay in
And watch t.v. on my own
Every now and then

My girl's mad at me
Been on the telephone for an hour
We hardly said a word
I tried and tried but I could not be heard
Why can't I explain?
Why do I feel this pain?
'Cause everything I say
She doesn't understand
She doesn't realise
She takes it all the wrong way

My girl's mad at me
We argued just the other night
I thought we'd got it straight
We talked and talked until it was light
I thought we'd agreed
I thought we'd talked it out
Now when I try to speak
She says that I don't care
She says I'm unaware
And now she says I'm weak

I like it because it is real. It's fun. It's sad. and it's real. did I say it's real twice? - Thats cause it's doubly real!

An argument between a guy and a girl from the guys point of view. She is being stereotypically (or is that typically...) female and reading too much into what the guys motivations are. He is just tired and wants to stay in by himself. Sounds like an introvert.

I love the line that they have been on the phone for and hour and hardly said a word, and they cry of anguish at the end.

The song is, to me, a very strong song that everyone should sing often when they are getting into relationships. It is not always a big thing, it can be simple. Don't read too much into it and go on and on and on and on and on and on and on over and over meaningless misunderstandings. The whole making a mountain out of a molehill deal. sheesh.

This song I'd put in the third quarter of my set list.

If I could sing... Over the hills and far away

No No no - it's not Teletubbie time. Over the hills and far away is a song from the 80's by hard rock legend Gary Moore from his wild Frontier album.

Here is the video:


Here Are the lyrics

Over The Hills And Far Away


They came for him one winter's night.
Arrested, he was bound.
They said there'd been a robbery,
his pistol had been found.

They marched him to the station house,
he waited for the dawn.
And as they led him to the dock,
he knew that he'd been wronged.
"You stand accused of robbery,"
he heard the bailiff say.
He knew without an alibi,
tomorrow's light would mourn his freedom.

Over the hills and far away,
for ten long years he'll count the days.
Over the mountains and the seas,
a prisoner's life for him there'll be.

He knew that it would cost him dear,
but yet he dare not say.
Where he had been that fateful night,
a secret it must stay.
He had to fight back tears of rage.
His heart beat like a drum.
For with the wife of his best friend,
he spent his final night of freedom.

Over the hills and far away,
he swears he will return one day.
Far from the mountains and the seas,
back in her arms he swears he'll be.
Over the hills and far away.

Over the hills and,
over the hills and,
over the hills and far away.

Each night within his prison cell,
he looks out through the bars.
He reads the letters that she wrote.
One day he'll know the taste of freedom.

Over the hills and far away,
she prays he will return one day.
As sure as the rivers reach the seas,
back in his arms he swears she'll be.

Over the hills and far away,
he swears he will return one day.
Far from the mountains and the seas,
back in her arms he swears he'll be.

Over the hills and far away,
she prays he will return one day.
As sure as the rivers reach the seas,
back in his arms is where she'll be.

Over the hills,
over the hills and far away.

Over the hills,
over the hills and far away.

Now this is a good song to have in your repertoire. If you ask for requests and some heckler insinuates that he wants you to go away by yelling out "Can you sing Over the hills and far away" then you can just say "No problems" and let the drums kick in. ...budda de budda...

I'd also have to say that this song is also on my "if I could play guitar list", I don't really appreciate the story of the song having been on the nasty end of infidelity, but the song just rocks.

I first heard this song back in the late 80's, I had a mullet and black stovepipe jeans. (I'll never fit into either of those again). The whole album just was great so I'm sure I'll post a few more songs from it later. I liked Queen but my main interest was Pet Shop Boys and the Art of Noise at this time, so I'd have to say it was Gary Moore that started my interest in things that rock.

In my set list - this is the opening number.

Rock on dudes!

If I could sing.... Guilty

Todays song would come around halfway through my setlist. It is by the band Daniel Amos, who of course is fronted by Terry Scott Taylor as mentioned before.

The song is Guilty, and it is one of my favourites from the Motorcycle album. This is one of the songs that has split the DA fanbase. There seems to be at least one on each album and this is the one from motorcycle. Sorry no youtube, or iTunes links I can point you to for this one, only the lyrics.

Guilty

from the album "MotorCycle"

Words and Music by Terry Taylor
©1993 Twitchen Vibes Music / Brainstorm Artists Int'l. (ASCAP)
Well I'm in a mess
What can I do?
yeah, I've second-guessed
so have you
but I've been all wrong baby
Ad nauseam baby
I'm gonna break the circuit,
put aside all my disguises
Don't run away screaming out
or worse, start laughing now that I'm

(chorus)
Guilty (take me back)
Guilty (take me back)
Guilty (take me back)
Take me back now
that's all I ask now
Take me back 'cause I'm guilty

Couldn't face the wrong
in myself
So I condemned
somebody else
You were in reach baby
I've been impeached baby
I'll plead for your acceptance
so I can walk the straight line again
What a big grim process this is
but I can't hide any longer cause I'm

(chorus)

Absolve me from the wrong I've done
Lay your hands on me and I will overcome
heal me now
and seal me now
in your gracious love
your fathomless love
'cause I'm

Guilty, Guilty

Well I'm on my knees again
and I got my heart in hand
Girl I pray you understand
I'm a tired and broken man

Guilty, Guilty

I'll make it simple as I can
to say exactly what I am
I'm guilty baby, I'm guilty baby,
I'm guilty, guilty, guilty

Guilty, Guilty

I'm not the man I used to be
and it's so easy girl to see
I caused you misery
so let the judgment fall on me
and I'll tell you honestly
for the record here's my plea
I'm guilty baby, I'm guilty baby
I'm guilty, guilty, guilty...

Apart from the bridge with the absolving it is a guy singing to his baby, his girl saying he done wrong I'm guilty.

Musically in the fully and lushly produced motorcycle album, the album that has a theremum (sp?) and songs that segue into one another, layers and guitar battles this song stands out.

It's harsh, it's jarring, it's coarse. Terry screams I'm guilty I'm guilty! with the harmonies and smoothness of the rest of the album this one sticks out like a broken thumb, painful and obvious.

And that is why I like it.

Being guilty is painful.
Being guilty is harsh
It is jarring
It sticks out

You don't like being guilty.

Look at a lot of the apologies these day. I'm sorry my actions caused you to feel that way, I'm sorry you are hurting.

They are are apologies when you aren't apologising, pure cop outs and not facing up to the coarse harsh facts.

Where is the "I'm guilty I was wrong I'm sorry for what I did"?

The song is so honest in it's approach to guilt. Julie Millar in her song "My Psychiatrist" had this line.

I thought that when I felt guilty my mother was the cause
Now I find the reason is only that I was.

I am the cause of my guilt you are the cause of yours. We cannot blame our childhood, or the way we were raised, or how rich or poor we are... we make the choice each time we do wrong things and if those things hurt someone we are guilty baby.



...and the song also shows the only way out of guilt.

Forgiveness.

In his screaming, in his desperation in the agony of his calling out I'm guilty - he is calling out for forgiveness.

Forgiveness - The only balm that will soothe the burning guilt.

To all the people who read this that I may have hurt.

Take me back 'cause I'm guilty.

Song Wednesday, If I could Sing... It;s all coming back to me know.

OK don't mention it's Thursday, I may have mentioned it before but I think I got away with it...

Hi and welcome to our second edition of Song Wednesday. Today is a another song in the series of "If I could sing this is one of the ones I'd sing"

For those who know my rock, and alt-rock styling may be a little surprised with this one. I've enjoyed from the first day I heard it.

The song is It's all coming back to me now. And it's the Celine Dion version not the Meatloaf. Yes you read me correctly I like the Celine Dion version. Meatloaf wrecks the song.

Here are the lyrics. Are here is a link to the youtube video.

"It's All Coming Back To Me Now"

There were nights when the wind was so cold
That my body froze in bed
If I just listened to it
Right outside the window

There were days when the sun was so cruel
That all the tears turned to dust
And I just knew my eyes were
Drying up forever

I finished crying in the instant that you left
And I can't remember where or when or how
And I banished every memory you and I had ever made

But when you touch me like this
And you hold me like that
I just have to admit
That it's all coming back to me
When I touch you like this
And I hold you like that
It's so hard to believe but
It's all coming back to me
(It's all coming back, it's all coming back to me now)

There were moments of gold
And there were flashes of light
There were things I'd never do again
But then they'd always seemed right
There were nights of endless pleasure
It was more than any laws allow
Baby Baby

If I kiss you like this
And if you whisper like that
It was lost long ago
But it's all coming back to me
If you want me like this
And if you need me like that
It was dead long ago
But it's all coming back to me
It's so hard to resist
And it's all coming back to me
I can barely recall
But it's all coming back to me now
But it's all coming back

There were those empty threats and hollow lies
And whenever you tried to hurt me
I just hurt you even worse
And so much deeper

There were hours that just went on for days
When alone at last we'd count up all the chances
That were lost to us forever

But you were history with the slamming of the door
And I made myself so strong again somehow
And I never wasted any of my time on you since then

But if I touch you like this
And if you kiss me like that
It was so long ago
But it's all coming back to me
If you touch me like this
And if I kiss you like that
It was gone with the wind
But it's all coming back to me
(It's all coming back, it's all coming back to me now)

There were moments of gold
And there were flashes of light
There were things we'd never do again
But then they'd always seemed right
There were nights of endless pleasure
It was more than all your laws allow
Baby, Baby, Baby

When you touch me like this
And when you hold me like that
It was gone with the wind
But it's all coming back to me
When you see me like this
And when I see you like that
Then we see what we want to see
All coming back to me
The flesh and the fantasies
All coming back to me
I can barely recall
But it's all coming back to me now

If you forgive me all this
If I forgive you all that
We forgive and forget
And it's all coming back to me
When you see me like this
And when I see you like that
We see just what we want to see
All coming back to me
The flesh and the fantasies
All coming back to me
I can barely recall but it's all coming back to me now

(It's all coming back to me now)
And when you kiss me like this
(It's all coming back to me now)
And when I touch you like that
(It's all coming back to me now)
If you do it like this
(It's all coming back to me now)
And if we...

Lets get this clear straight off, I like the song and it's story, it has no personal connotations. In fact when it first came out I was happily married, during the time of my bitterness after the divorce I still liked the song, and I still like it today. I'm not pining for some lost love, pining for the fjords maybe but not that.. All it is, is that would love to be able to belt out the notes giving the emotion and power in this song how Celine does it. I do like many Celine Dion songs (hate the titanic one...) but this is my favourite that she does.

The song was originally writen by Jim Steinman and they were thinking of putting it onto Meatloafs Bat out of Hell II but they went for a different song instead (It did get onto number III though).

Today however is the first time I watch the music video and that puts a whole new swing on it. Just from the lyrics I got the story as being a woman has gotten over for the guy who left her (or she kicked out), and when he returns she remembers all the good times and wants another go. In the video the guy is dead and his ghost is back to make out and she remembers the good times.

I'd say my interpretation of the lyrics is correct from this bit here..

But you were history with the slamming of the door
And I made myself so strong again somehow
And I never wasted any of my time on you since then

He left, she got over him... none of this you died I got over you, now your ghost is back.

Anyway If I could sing you would expect this in my set list - maybe as the last encore...

If I could sing this is one of the ones I'd sing

I might make this a bit of an ongoing series, maybe keep it as song Wednesday like Theology Sunday.

What this post is based around is if I could sing, then what songs would I put in my regular set list.

Today it's with or without you by U2.
I'm not going to post a link to an .mp3 if you want one go buy the album, or song from itunes.

// The Joshua Tree
// With Or Without You

See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side.
I wait for you.
Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you

With or without you
With or without you.

Through the storm, we reach the shore
You gave it all but I want more
And I'm waiting for you

With or without you
With or without you.
I can't live with or without you.

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give, and you give
And you give yourself away.

My hands are tied, my body bruised
She got me with nothing to win
And nothing else to lose.

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you give, and you give
And you give yourself away.

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you.

With or without you
With or without you
I can't live
With or without you
With or without you.

I'm not precisely sure what it's all about but it is (at the moment) my favourite U2 song. I love it's sound, the infinite loop that The Edge uses on guitar. The passion and pain Bono puts into the vocals.

When I listen to the song I think of a guy who loves a woman but she is not that concerned about him and so it hurts to be near her as she does not return his attentions. It also hurts the man to be away from her as he loves her and wants to be near her but is not.

There is no-one in my life like that right now but there have been a couple over the last decade. It hurt to be away from them because you remember her smile, and the joy in her eyes, the catch of her voice as she said your name and you long to be with her, but then you meet up and she is all "just friends" and then I realise... I can't live With or Without You.

Lyrics and their meaning aside I think I like this song most due to its music. the whole thing builds up to a crescendo that if I could sing this is one of the ones I'd sing.