A country rock song, 'Gary's Song' has complex harmonies created by voice layering techniques. It uses a backup choir who often sing antiphonal responses. The choral component of the song is not fully written down in this copy of my lyrics from 2013. It is indicated by the parentheses. The current title continues to be a working one.

VERSES
I’ve loved you for a long time,
(Seen the seasons come and go),
Shared days of wear-‘n- tear,
Looked for ways to give you hope.
You fell in and out of love,
(Others came and went.)
I‘ve been your go-to-guy,
(Your best mate).

But now I’ve found
Someone to love
Who loves me
The same way in return.
She brings me joy,
(Not velvet heartache).
I am secure
In her love.

CHORUS
It’s time
To let go, (move on)
It’s not farewell
(But au revoir).
You'll always have a place
In my heart, my life
Because of what
We share.

VERSE
They say:
(You can’t love two women.)
(No, you can't!
No, you can't!)
Yeah, I am-
Differently,
(Can that be true?)

CHORUS
It’s time
To let go, (move on)
It’s not farewell
But au revoir.
(Au revoir)
You'll always have a place
In my heart, my life
Because of what
We share.

VERSE
It took time for me to see
Love has strands
Of different colour.
Each hue and shade
Defines the other.

BRIDGE
(Because of you)
(Because of you)
(He learned)
(He learned)
(Love is more than desire).
(Love must be returned).

CHORUS and dueling guitar solo

VERSE
I’ve loved you for a long time,
(Seen the seasons come and go),
Shared days of wear-‘n- tear,
Learned love is more than desire.

OUTRO
Because of you,
(Because of you,)
I know (he knows)
I must move on.
Time's moved on
        (Love must be)
And so must I
        (Returned).

SCATTING OUTRO
Love is more than desire.
You are water; she is fire -
She the heart's beat, you breath.
Love cannot be denied or suppressed.

© Christine M Knight 2013 (a song from my novel 'Life Song')

 

 

She was a role model
For modern women. 
Liberated from the labels 
That had defined earlier generations, 
She was an expert on things cosmetical
From surgical to chemical. 
She was a product of the cutting edge, 
A manufactured woman, 
Celebrated in magazines, 
Sold across the nation. 
In matters of weight, 
She knew exactly how much to weigh in. 
In the powerhouse of business, 
She was inscrutable 
(Thanks to regular Botox injections). 
A beneficiary of affirmative action, 
She traded in ideas and influence. 
A follower of fashion, 
She rode the wave 
After the second wave of the women’s movement. 
Her flawless smiling image on magazine covers 
Guaranteed sales at supermarket checkouts. 
Articles about her reassured women, 
Interested in material culture, 
That their personal fit was simple, 
A mere matter of purchase. 
“Image is all that matters,” she said, 
From her chair in Wonderland, 
Her smile lingering like the Cheshire Cat. 
Was she happy? Did her life have meaning? 
Such questions are absurd. 
She was a role model for women 
Living life through the looking glass.

©Christine M Knight

'The Real Deal'  is written in 4/4 time. Christine M Knight developed this up-beat song when working through a writer's block for scenes related to a performance at the 2000 ARIAs by Nikki Mills, the central character in 'Song Bird'. 

Should you wish to contribute to Christine M Knight's music production fund so that this song, along with other songs, can be produced in the near future, you can do so by buying one or more of her songs through CD Baby, iTunes, or Amazon, Microsoft Store  etc.

MAN: RAP VERSE 1
You’re the finest woman I ever did see.       
Body shapely,
Good-looking as can be.
When you walk by, men stare.               
There ain’t another woman             
Who compares.                 
Come be with me.               
Let’s take a trip to Eden                
A paradise free           
From inhibitions.                
Come be with me.                
It’s the time.                    
It’s the season.                    
Don’t pause to think                
Desire's enough reason. 
Come be with me.

WOMAN: SUNG CHORUS - minimalist drums
Don’t proposition me.
Don’t take me for passion’s fool.
Don't want to be your trophy,  one of many or few.
COUNT OF 6 BEATS - percussion crescendo
I want more than a phantom delight.
I want respect and
A love that's true for life

MAN: RAP VERSE 2
You’re the finest woman I ever did see
A vixen, perfection like in magazines.
Come be with me.               
Let’s take a trip to Eden,               
A paradise free     
From inhibitions.  
Let's go to that place
Where life's sweet to taste.
Come be with me.
Let’s get hot and heavy.
Before you grow old
And passion grows cold.

WOMAN: RAP REPLY
While I appreciate the intention of flattery,
There's more to me than what you see.
I don't want to be told I’m perfection,
An ideal that’s not real.
I’m not striving for the unattainable,
Objectified femininity,
A Barbie doll, fake, unnatural shape,
Plastic, fantastic.
I'm not a prize to be won  
Displayed, used, abused, discarded.
I’m the real deal,  
I'm a woman who knows her own worth,
Has done so since my birth.
I want more than a phantom delight.
I want respect and a love that's true for life.

BRIDGE- SUNG - MELODY AND COUNTER MELODY - change in drumming

MAN Don't say no!
WOMAN (I don't want to be a trophy)
MAN: to desire.
WOMAN (Made that mistake with another man)
MAN: Don't put ice
WOMAN: (I want more than  phantom delight)
MAN: on fire.
WOMAN Oh no! Oh no!

WOMAN - SUNG CHORUS - minimalist drums
Don’t proposition me.
Don’t take me for passion’s fool.
Don't want to be your trophy,  one of many or few.
COUNT OF 6 BEATS - percussion crescendo
Someone with values and goals.
I want more than a phantom delight.
I want respect and
A love that's true for life

OUTRO

Man:      Don't put ice on fire.
Man:      Don't say no! to desire.
Woman: I want more than a phantom delight
Woman: I want a love that's true for life.

 

SCATTING

SPOKEN: I'm not passion's pool.

© Christine M Knight

 

The lyrics and music for 'Sunshine Days' developed out of Zoey Blake's subplot in 'Song Bird'. Verses are written in E minor with the chorus in G major.

Growing up is rarely easy as teens like Zoey come to terms with some of the harsh realities of life. As part of that process, Zoey is sadder but also develops resilience in Knight's 'Life Song' and 'Song Bird'.

Should you wish to contribute to Christine M Knight's music production fund so that this song, along with other songs, can be produced in the near future, you can do so by buying one or more of her songs through CD Baby, iTunes, or Amazon, Microsoft Store  etc.

You have hear Christine's other songs by selecting MUSIC on this website's NAV BAR. 

VERSE 1
I long for
Days of innocence.
Times
That I was care free.
When I didn’t know
What I know now.
And lived
in surety.

CHORUS
They were
Sunshine days
Of easy living,
Breezy nights
Warm in camaraderie.
I lived in
Golden moments
Of possibility.

VERSE 2
Since then,
I’ve lived the choices
Others made;
Not had the love I craved.
An outsider,
Different from the crowd,
Wondering
Why.

CHORUS
I long for
Sunshine days
Of easy living,
Breezy nights
Warm in camaraderie.
When I lived
Golden moments
Of hope and surety.

A solo break for the alto sax.

VERSE 3
I know that
Happiness
Must come from within
It’s elusive when linked to things.
It’s hard to throw off the blues
And view life
Through a different lens.

CHORUS
I will reclaim
Sunshine days
Of easy living,
Breezy nights
Warm in camaraderie.
I'll value
Golden moments
Of hope and surety.

 © Christine M Knight

 'The Flame' is a song from 'Song Bird' by Christine M Knight. You can listen to it and other songs from the novel on iTunes. You can buy 'Song Bird' at this link. You can read more about the story underpinning the song here.

INTRO
Love is an eternal flame.
             Love is an eternal flame.

VERSE: MAN
I once thought
Love was pure desire,
A hunger, fever,
An appetite on fire,
Consuming lovers
That came my way.
Relationships
Blazed and faded.
 
VERSE: WOMAN
I once believed,
Love was like breath,
Something we were preset
To feel and express.
Seduced by a masquerade,
Got burned and learned,
Actions, not the serenade,
Love's truth confirms.

CHORUS
Now I know
Love's an eternal
Flame.
It burns brightest
On the darkest
Days.
It fills my heart,
Soul, and mind.
So profound,
It can’t be denied.
Love forgives.
It accepts.
Love knows
The wonder
In wonderful.  

Steadfast, constant,                        
Loyal, true
That’s what I’ll be
On life’s road with you.
When things‘re tough?
You can depend on me.      
You hold my heart
For eternity.   

Now I know
Love's an eternal
Flame.
It burns brightest
On the darkest
Days.
It fills my heart,
Soul, and mind.
So profound,
It can’t be denied.
Love forgives.
It accepts.
Love knows
The wonder
In wonderful.
Love knows
The wonder
In wonderful.

  © Christine M Knight

 Should you wish to contribute to Christine M Knight's music production fund, you can do so by buying one or more of her songs through CD Baby, iTunes, or Amazon, Microsoft Store  etc. 

 

The Road to True North is a song from the novel 'Song Bird' by Christine M Knight available in paperback and eBook form from  Amazon.

Should you wish to contribute Christine M Knight's music production fund, you can do so by buying one or more of her songs through CD Baby, iTunes, or Amazon, Microsoft Store  etc.  

Travelling down
The golden road,
I'll be staying true to
That course.
There's no looking back
To where I came from.
I'm heading
For a better life.

Sometimes,
When I'm on the road,
The going’s easy
And the road hums.
At times,
The road is steep
With twists and turns.
It's such a grind.

When the whirlwind blows,
It won’t sway me off course,
‘Cause my compass is set
To true north.
It guides me
Through the dark days,
Life's maze.
I’ll stay on course.

I'm on my way down
The golden road
Through a land
Of glitter and gloss.
I’ve got my eyes wide open
So there'll be no straying.

I'm on my way down
The golden road
Through a land
Of glitter and gloss.
I’ve got my eyes wide open
So there'll be
No mistaking
The manufactured and the false.

Wiser now than before.
I've learnt life's lessons.
I know the score.
I'm in control of my destiny.
I won't let trouble
Get the best of me.

I'm on my way down
The golden road
Through a land
Of glitter and gloss.
I’ve got my eyes wide open
So there'll be no straying.
I'm on my way down
The golden road
Through a land
Of glitter and gloss.
I’ve got my eyes wide open
So there'll be
No mistaking
The manufactured and the false

 © Music and lyrics by Christine M Knight

Should you wish to contribute to Christine M Knight's music production fund, you can do so by buying one or more of her songs through CD Baby, iTunes, or Amazon, Microsoft Store  etc. 
 

 

 I've had to close my blog from comment as people hawking their wares use the comment facility to advertise.

 

 

 

'Masque' is a song from 'Song Bird' by Christine M Knight, available from Amazon.  You can hear the full song at CD Baby.

In the novel, this song is co-written by international singing sensation, Nikki Mills, and rock legend, Rick Brody. The word masque refers to the elaborate decorative masks worn at costume balls where ritual and role were entrenched in past centuries in Italy. The word is relevant to the manufactured images of performers in the music industry and the challenges some performers face in being real in relationships.

 Should you wish to contribute to Christine M Knight's music production fund, you can do so by buying one or more of her songs through CD Baby, iTunes, or Amazon, Microsoft Store  etc. 

For American readers, as an Australian, I use the British spelling and grammar system.  

VERSE 1- MAN

I’ve lived life
As a masquerade
Defined by
Roles
I have played.
I’ve been a
Shape shifter
The person
Others
Expected me
To be.
Disguised and
Drifting,
I lost
Sight
Of my identity.

VERSE 2 - WOMAN

Take off the mask.
Farewell the double face.
You don’t have to pretend
With me.
I know the fear of
Being real.
When you are true
To yourself
You can be
True to me.
I know the fear of
Being real.
When you are true
To yourself
You can be
True to me.

CHORUS - DUET

Strip it off.
Let it fall away.
Turn desire into
Heat and fire.
Strip it off.
Let it fall away.
Touch and taste
Intimacy.
Get down and
Be real with me.
Strip it off.
Let it fall away.
Turn desire into
Heat and fire.
Get down and
Be real with me.

BRIDGE

Barefoot, naked,
Disguises shed,
In our natural states,
We can live
Without the masks
That bar love
You can be true
To yourself and me.

WOMAN:

Take off the mask.
Farewell the double face.
You don’t have to pretend
With me.
I know the fear of
Being real.
When you are true
To yourself
You can be
True to me.
I know the fear of
Being real.
When you are true
To yourself
You can be
True to me.

CHORUS - DUET

Strip it off.
Let it fall away.
Turn desire into
Heat and fire.
Strip it off.
Let it fall away.
Touch and taste
Intimacy.
Get down and
Be real with me
Strip it off.
Let it fall away.
Turn desire into
Heat and fire.
Get down and
Be real with me.

Get down and
Be real with me.
Get down and
Be real with me.(repeated expressively a number of times with sax ad lib)

© Christine M Knight

The cover art below is the one I ultimately did not use although I did like the comment the visual made about the difficulty in removing a mask. 

 

 

Should you wish to contribute Christine M Knight's music production fund, you can do so by buying one or more of her songs through CD Baby, iTunes, or Amazon, Microsoft Store  etc.   

'Move On'  lyrics evolved from the novel 'Song Bird' by Christine M Knight, available through Amazon and Book Depository, and Barnes and Noble.  

VERSE 1

At times, life can be a struggle.
Life experiences
May hurt and humble you.
There’ll be times
When you lose your way.
Don’t give up; keep faith that
You’ll come out of the dark
Into brighter days.

VERSE 2
'Though the dark presses in and
Hope has deserted you.
Know that there are times
That we all lose our way.
No point beating yourself up
For past wrongs.
Resolve to do better,
And move on, move on, move on.

BRIDGE

Undo the ropes
That tie you to the dark.
They have served their purpose
But now it's time to depart.
Learn from past mistakes;
Don't repeat them.
Resolve to do better.
Move on; move on; move on.

CHORUS
Don’t give up; keep faith that
You’ll come out of the dark
Into brighter days.
No point beating yourself up
For past wrongs.
Resolve to do better,
And move on, move on,
Move on!

© Christine M Knight

 

 Should you wish to contribute Christine M Knight's music production fund, you can do so by buying one or more of her songs through CD Baby, iTunes, or Amazon, Microsoft Store  etc. 

 

'Love is All' is a song from 'Song Bird' by Christine M Knight available through Amazon and Book Depository. 

VERSE 1
Before I knew you,
Your face, or your name,
I thought love was a dream,
A fairy tale.
But now I know
That love is real.
Its breadth and depth
Beyond imagining.

VERSE 2
While I can imagine
A life without you.
It's not one I want.
It's not one I seek.
Love changed life's meaning.
Life is so much richer now.
You bring out the best in me
And I you.

CHORUS
Love sustains me
As I weather life's storm.
Love lifts me up
When I'm down or forlorn.
Love nurtures
The soul.
Love understands
The need to dream
And evolve.
Love is all. 

© Christine M Knight

LOVE IS ALL is the lyric to a song from my third novel 'Song Bird'.  It is written in 6/8 time with the 1st and 4th beats played on the drum's rimshot.

Bureaucracy -
Well-intentioned,
Complicated by layered protocols,
Clogged by lock-step, mandatory processes,
Weighed down by governance overhead -
Lumbers wheezily towards the stairs of progress.

Management -
Career focused,
Risk averse,
Informed by theory -
Doggedly devoted follows.

Jane and Joe Q worker,
Denied a voice,
Shake their heads.
More time,
More money
Spent on frenzied activity ...
With authentic outcomes listed
On the back of
Yet another business card.

©Christine M Knight

 Note: An Australian, Christine uses the British spelling system.