1. |
|
|||
|
"The Listener"
Tell me your fears and I won’t have to listen to mine
Bare me your soul an hour at a time
Show me your pain, I’m sure that I’ve got a clue
Forget about me, let’s talk about you
How did he hurt you? Who did she promise to be?
Why all the scars? Whose God and country?
Where are the elders? What did they put you through?
Forget about me, let’s talk about you
I’ve devised a method, I’ve come up with a plan
I will be your saviour, I will understand
I will divulge nothing, I always keep my word
Locked down deep inside me, everything I’ve heard
Give me your secrets to keep in a special place
Passing no judgment, I’ll keep a straight face
And when you must go as all people are wont to do
I’ll forget all you’ve said until next we do meet
Be a stranger to people I pass on the streets
All my cards to my chest so tightly I will keep
In the light smile politely, in darkness I’ll weep
I’ll relive all the moments of childhood retreat
All the futures I’ve lost, all the pasts I repeat
All the love I denied, all the hate I received
So accustomed I’ve grown I’m no longer deceived
Alone and in silence, I drift out to sea
For who cares of the trials and the heartache I see
If I just hold my breath long enough I’ll be free
But enough about me, let’s talk about you
© 2023 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
2. |
|
|||
|
"Footprints"
Hyper-sprawling, factory line
Wonder how to save some time
By and by, refine the threads
Fine young things replace the dead
Pain relieved, money well spent
Through the frost a frozen footprint
We bear from there to here
Never giving way
To ground we’re sure we sway
And the trees become artefacts
And broken backs
Sing the hymn of this wasteland of tears
Piper’s calling, better fall in line
Wonder what’s in store this time?
Bargain buy, designer threads
Fuel the spring, refuse the dead
“Won’t believe how little I’ve spent”
The cost is in the footprint
The fare from there to here
The price we’ll have to pay
While the future drifts and sways
On the sea of these artefacts
There’s no turning back
From this wasteland of fears
Viper’s trawling, put it all online
Wonder where we find the time
Days scroll by (buy!), so many threads
Content’s king, the queen is dead
Recall, retrieve, our lives are spent
Leaving lost, countless footprints
Wear and tear from there to here
The earth won’t grant a stay
The air was once so clear
The future melts away
Our good credit’s lost its sway
As we become artefacts
There’s no turning back
On this wasteland of years
© 2023 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
3. |
|
|||
|
"Superheroes (Moms Are the Bomb)"
Life, as a child, can be unfathomable
Two and two don’t always equal four
Emotions run wild, it’s understandable
No matter how much you learn, there’s always more
Someone true will help you through
(Mom!) Who knows just what to say when you’ve been cryin’?
(Mom!) Whose magic heals when you thought you were dyin’?
Who’s got the cure when you’re in need?
(Mom!) Who’s strong enough to let you climb the big walls
(Mom!) And swoops right in to pick you up when you fall
A Nightingale with superspeed
And when you grow up, (I know) it’s unimaginable
Age and wisdom don’t go hand in hand
Try as you might, though your efforts be admirable
Things don’t always turn out like you planned
(Who? Who? Who? Who?…)
But there’s someone true looking out for you
(Mom!) Who knows when you are fakin’ or you’re tryin’?
(Mom!) The look upon your face when been lyin’?
Immune to your tomfoolery
Predicts the weather, never measures, always cuts straight
Can see through walls and always knows when you come home late
With superhuman sensory
No searchlight, no code ring nor trouble alert
No ad in the paper to say you’ve been hurt
When you need somebody to come save the day
You own superhero’s a phone call away
(Mom!) Who always takes the time to show ya she cares
(Mom!) And when you’re in a bind, you know she’ll be there
She always knows just what you need
(Mom!) Who shows up with a shoulder you can cry on?
(Mom!) A smiling face you know you can rely on?
A superhero, yes, indeed!
(Mom!) Who never lets you go to school lookin’ like Pig-Pen?
(Mom!) But still cleans up the mess you got yourself in?
There when you need her, your forever cheerleader
© 2023 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
4. |
So Long (original demo)
05:45
|
|
||
|
"So Long"
I spent a long time running, had to cool my feet
Knew I’d found something when I walked down your street
All I needed was shelter, a little place to call my own
Never imagined I’d find a home
All I wanted was someone to fill an empty space
A little light and laughter brought joy to this place
I’d been abandoned for ages, a hollow shell turned to stone
Never again imagined I’d be a home
I don’t wanna keep holding on but I can’t let go
We weathered the storms of life, watched each other grow
Our sacred connection, more than flesh and bone
I’m losing ground, what I do without a home?
I don’t know where to start, my feet don’t even want to roam
Though we have to part, just know you’ll never be alone
So long as you stay in my heart, I’ll have a home
© 2023 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
5. |
One Hit (original demo)
04:55
|
|
||
|
"One Hit"
Somebody said something you didn’t want to hear
Awakened all your doubts, your darkest fears
Bring it to your lips now, the deed is done
Get ready for a trip, the demons won
Said you’d never do it then you lost control
Got a handle on me, what about your soul?
There’s no turning back now, the die is cast
Keep it to yourself, this promise won’t last
(Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme one)
Drifting, dreaming up above the clouds
Nothing now but silence, no words allowed
Hit me once, hit me twice
Black snake eye, roll the dice
Who will come and save me from the floor?
Devil come and take me but give me more
Somebody’s calling, thought I heard my name
This is all for laughs, just fun and games
Trouble standing up now, can’t see through the haze
My knees are weak, this life’s a maze
Show me what you came for, you only get one shot
Do you call that love? Is that all you’ve got?
This is what I long for, the feel of the divine
Thank you for the passage, oh, the pleasure’s mine
Flashing lights surround me, mind is growing dim
They’ll always take for granted the things you do for them
Oh, it’s getting closer now, that awful, wretched peace
Guess I’ll close my eyes and go to sleep
© 2023 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
6. |
Hot Seat (original demo)
03:13
|
|
||
7. |
|
|||
|
"Ghost Town High"
All the seats would be empty, No writing on the walls
There’d be no running of any kind in the halls
No chalk to erase, no blackboard to face
If, one day, they just did not come
There’d be no, “I’m sorry, Madame,
But I just don’t understand.
Could you please Repeat the question?”
There’d be no Fs to give, no reason to live
No bell to sound, no flag to let down
If, one day, they just did not come
No traces of gum left in inconvenient places
No chicken-fried steak left in somebody’s braces
The librarian would hush her self
For wishing she was ssshing somebody else
If, one day, they just did not come“
But, what has happened to them all?
Are they at the beach or at the mall?
Are they hid out in somebody’s basement
Playing video games?”
We’d scratch our heads
Calling their names out in vain
We’d hide in the closets
Do cartwheels ‘round the rooms
When the janitors came, we’d skate on their brooms
We’d open the windows and shout, “Hallelujah!”
If, one day, they just didn't
If, one day, they just didn't
If, one day, they just didn't show up
© 2003 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
8. |
|
|||
|
Until the Hammer Falls
Green, not red, what are you colour blind?
I only know what you did and said, I can’t read your mind
Try and try, you can’t get through
Make me see your point of view
Why don’t you butter me up not down? Way to negotiate
The remedy’s safe and sound, dissociate
When I go, I know that you’ll
Call me a fanatic fool
There’ll be no sympathy ’til well after midnight
We won’t see to agree ’til after the ball
It ain’t desire, it isn’t our needs
What lies between us? A strange disease
You won’t get through to me // until the hammer falls
Black not white, what is it this time?
I said left not right, can’t walk a straight line
Don’t push back, I’m on the brink
With faith like this, who needs to think?
There’ll be no sympathy ’til well after midnight
We won’t see to agree ’til after the ball
It ain’t desire, it isn’t our needs
What comes between us? A strange disease
You won’t get through to me until the hammer falls
You be/play the bishop and I’ll be/play the pawn
This is a hill I’ll die upon
There’ll be no sympathy ’til well after midnight
We won’t see to agree ’til after the ball
The clock is ticking, our fates are the same
Still we insist on playing this game
You won’t get through to me until the hammer falls
© 2023 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
9. |
|
|||
|
"Let Love Win"
A song about faith, freedom and love dedicated to Queen Sylvester and all his children
Never a doubt or a question
Always knew I had a place
My body and soul, in full possession
In step with your amazing grace
But when I showed up with sincerity
Into myself began to bloom
You closed the door to sanctuary
And kept me from the upper room
I wandered far in search of family
With only faith, a wing, a prayer
I knew I made a discovery
When I found love built four square
No more in need of confirmation
See, I no longer give a damn
Your words and fears can’t chain me
Because I know how great I am
Let love win
The love you feel it comes from deep inside
Don’t let them tell you it can be denied
Let love win
I’ll be standing here eternally
With open arms when you decide
To trade your tolerance for tenderness
Oh, happy day, full of pride
Let love win
The love you feel it comes from deep inside
Don’t try to fight it, it can’t be denied
Let love win
The love you feel it comes from deep inside
Don’t let them tell you it can be denied
Let love win
The love you feel it comes from deep inside
Don’t let them tell you it can be denied
© 2023 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
10. |
|
|||
|
"A Little Bit of Lovin'"
A little bit of lovin’
Just a moment of your time
I’d like to offer my company
Glad I got you on the line
I follow your cue
And wait ’til the day is through for
A little bit of lovin’
With terms to please
I’d like to offer security
Put your mind at ease
No shams, no shells
I can’t think of nothin’ else but
A little bit of lovin’
(Just a bit, just a bit, just a bit of your charm)
No hidden fees, no liabilities, just a little bit of love
(Just a bit, just a bit, just a bit of your charm)
I’ve got everything you will ever need
A little bit of lovin’
A premium plan
I’d like to offer a guarantee
Baby, I’m your man
A bond in joint
So we can get to the finer points of
A little bit of lovin’
(Just a bit, just a bit, just a bit of your charm)
No claim too great, no expiration date, just a little bit of love
(Just a bit, just a bit, just a bit of your charm)
Let’s make a date to negotiate
I said, I get off the phone, I can’t wait no more
I rush right home, you better open the door
This agent’s all about full benefits
Throw the other quotes out, ‘cause I’ve gone off script
Close the blinds and the curtains, turn off the TV
Life is uncertain, here’s my policy
My love is comprehensive, you can be sure of
There’s no risk too expensive for just a little bit of your love
(Just a bit, just a bit, just a bit of your charm)
No penalties, no liabilities, just a little bit of love
(Just a bit, just a bit, just a bit of your charm)
I’ve got everything you will ever need for just a little bit of love
(Just a bit, just a bit, just a bit of your charm)
No claim too great, let’s lock in our fate, just a little bit of love
© 2022 Lare Hullabaloo, Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
11. |
Julia (original demo)
03:44
|
|
||
|
"Julia" (for now)
Julia was a strange girl, didn't know what she wanted
Had her eye on a cowboy, and, man, did she flaunt it
But when it came time to roping him in
It would appear she'd no idea where to begin
She'd say, "I'm waiting for that special night when we're all alone
And everything just comes out right and I get you home
I'm trying to find the words to say to make you wanna stay"
For his part, the cowboy weren't no big talker
He'd like to buy a drink, she'd smile, she'd dance, and he would just watch her
Man like that shouldn't have no fear
But every night he'd mumble into his beer
He'd say, "I'm waiting for that special night when we're all alone
And everything just comes out right and I get you home
I'm trying to find the words to say to make you wanna stay"
I know what you want me to say
But not all encounters end up that way
Three years long, loves have come and gone
And I'm still here biding my time
I'm just wondering when you will be mine
You will be mine, you will be mine, you will be mine
You will be mine
I'm just waiting for that special night when we're all alone
And everything just comes out right and I get you home
I'm trying to find the words to say
Oh, I'm just waiting for that special night when we're all alone
And everything just comes out right and I get you home
I'm trying to find the words to say to make you wanna stay
Don't waste your time
Don't waste my time
© 2015 Amelia C. Ray
|
||||
12. |
|
|||
Amelia Ray Helsinki, Finland
Amelia Ray is The Interpreter. Ray’s 31-year career has spanned the fields of music, performance art, film and humanitarianism. As a polyglot, Ray has spent decades contemplating how similar concepts are expressed differently linguistically across cultures. This research has permeated her artistic work, which includes numerous cross-genre compositions, performance pieces and a one-act musical. ... more
Amelia Ray recommends:
These Four Walls
by Alicia Stockman
Alicia Stockman is a great songwriter! I love the arrangements and the melodies.
go to albumIf you like Amelia Ray, you may also like:
Backed by a rotating cast of collaborators, the Australian singer-songwriter refines her folk-tinged indie pop sound.
go to album
Echo Dancing
by Alejandro Escovedo
The legendary Alejandro Escovedo returns with another country-rock scorcher.
go to album
Nina Nastasia & Jeff MacLeod join forces as Jolie Laide, playing noir-y songs that glow soft as moonlight.
go to album
24th Street Blues
by Tom Heyman
Tom Heyman documents life in San Francisco circa 2023, refusing to succumb to easy characterization & instead capturing the city’s nuance.
go to album
Drag All the Lights Inside
by Nesting
From Seattle comes this tumultuous art rock record, full of intricate songs that alternately whisper and kick.
go to album
