Until the Darkness Comes

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse:

I know it ain’t right, but I don’t think it’s wrong

I know things have gotta change

Just can’t go on, till my strength is gone

Sometimes I feel it’s killin’ me

Is this the end or is it just too dark to see

I can’t tell in this fog

I look for a way through, but all I see is you

I free fall till darkness comes

Chorus:

Oh, Oh, Oh, my baby, until the darkness comes

Oh, Oh, Oh yeah, my baby, until the darkness comes

Verse:

My private disease, has brought me to my knees

Feel like I’m broken in two

When what you want, just ain’t what you need

Somebody’s gonna bleed

Chorus

 

© Stephen Smoke 2018 All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Easy Street

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse:

You really didn’t think I’d go

Just shows what you know

Suitcase and guitar in hand

Gonna join a rock and roll band

Feel like I’m free at last

Feel like I’m a movin’ fast

On Easy Street

Lexi likes her rock and rollers

Usually orders two to go

She dances all night long

Sweatin’ to her favorite songs

She whispered in my ear

Man, it’s cool out here

On Easy Street

Chorus:

Grass ain’t always greener

Streets are usually meaner

Hard road can take a heavy toll

Experience means nothing

‘Less you pay attention

Otherwise you’re just lettin’ circles roll, baby

Lettin’ circles roll

Verse:

Now I’m sleepin’ till noon

Workin’ on a killer tune

Last night was a tough night

Some drunks got in a fight

Two guys got into a scrum

Fell into the drums (made a mess)

On Easy Street

Nobody wants to hear my songs

Play “Satisfaction” all night long

Drummer quit the band

Some drunks broke his snare and his hand

Well, I ain’t singin’ much

Feel like I’m losin’ touch

On Easy Street

Chorus

Verse:

Now Lexi’s into jazz

She said she had a great time

Now I’m playin mostly blues

Feel like I’m payin’ dues

My ego got a little scarred

Times’ve gotten hard

Down on Easy Street

I saw you just the other day

You were with somebody else

Makes no sense at all

To wait for you to call

I picture you and him in bed

Feel like I’m walking dead

Down on Easy Street

Chorus:

Thought a change of scene

Might do me good

The only thing that changed

Was the weather

Changed my tune

Sad love songs

Now your name seems to rhyme a little better

Maybe we should just get back together, oh yeah

Verse:

It’s good to be back home

Closest thing I’ve ever known

Things got a little outta hand

I’m glad to be your man again, baby

Seen enough emotional graffiti

Life just ain’t that easy

Down on Easy Street

 

© Copyright 2019 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Danger is the Needle

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

You’re lookin’ good, your lean machine

Baby, taste that sweet adrenaline

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide

You meet yourself comin’ back from the other side

Chorus

Take a walk on the wild side

I’d love to see you moan

Life is a drug, oh my darlin’ one

And danger is the needle…that drives it home

Verse 2

You got the edge, see it in your eyes

You dress the part, there ain’t no need for a disguise

You don’t back down, you bring it on

You bite my ear and whisper, “C’mon”

Chorus

Take a walk on the wild side

I’ve love you see you moan

Life is a drug, oh my darlin’ one

And danger is the needle…that drives it home

Verse 3

I need you, baby, like air to breathe

If I don’t taste you soon I feel I’m gonna bleed

You got that thing, don’t need a name

Just know that after tonight ain’t gonna be the same

Chorus

Take a walk on the wild side

I’ve love you see you moan

Life is a drug, oh my darlin’ one

And danger is the needle…that drives it home

 

 

© Stephen Smoke 2018 All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Serious

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

If you’re suicide serious

What’s been lost…can’t be found

You’ve crossed the Rubicon

Ain’t no middle ground

 

If you’re gonna do it, do it

Put an end to fear

You don’t need a crowd

To disappear

Chorus

Let it go

Baby, let it go

All the hurt, all the rage

Let it go and turn the page

Pull the chord

And start free-fall

Into the light

Into the night

Into what’s next

Into the void

Into nothin’ at all

Start free

Free fall

Verse 2

That terminal sadness, oh…

Imprisoned in your mind

(Days get long) when you count the hours

All that wasted time

 

There ain’t no sin in sadness

It’s your life, live or die

So many tiny deaths

You don’t need a long goodbye

Chorus

Let it go

Baby, let it go

All the hurt, all the rage

Let it go and turn the page

Pull the chord

And start free-fall

Into the light

Into the night

Into what’s next

Into the void

Into nothin’ at all

Start free

Free fall

© Copyright 2018 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Redemption

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

I saw you leap from a broken bridge

Into a river of tears

Saddest sound I’ve ever heard

Your echoed cries in my ears

Verse 2

I feel you through my dreams at night

At least that’s what I believe

Can I save you this time

Is this my reprieve

Chorus

I’d give my life see you smile

And hold you one more time

But I’m haunted by what I could have done

Was there a prayer I did not pray

A word I did not say

I need direction

I need connection

I need a cure for this soul infection

I need Redemption

I need Redemption

Redemption

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah…

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah…

Verse 3

I know everyone can’t be saved

And life is rarely fair

If I could have eased your pain

I’d have risked it all, I swear

Verse 4

I read your tear-stained note that night

Your forgiving sweet goodbye

You explained so many things

Everything but why

Chorus

Ah, this darkness pulls me down

I search for reasons to believe

That you and I will meet again

(I need) a hero for this story

Release from purgatory

I need direction

I need connection

I need a cure for this soul infection

I need Redemption, oh yeah, yeah

I need Redemption, oh yeah, yeah

I need Redemption

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah…

Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah…

© Stephen Smoke 2018 All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Amsterdam

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

Got my guitar case wide open

Singin’ “Nowhere Man” to no one at all

People they look right through me

Just a modern echo on an ancient wall

Verse 2

Weekends I go to the Van Gogh

I choose a painting and I write a song

Art is timeless, it’s a word that lingers

In a ‘Verse that goes on and on

Verse 3

Walk along the river and I stop at a hash bar

Sit in the corner and drift away

Feeling so Amsterdam lonely

Miss my baby in LA

Chorus

Ohhh… Amsterdam

Ohhh… Amsterdam

You got me runnin’

You got me writin’

You got me feelin’

Oh God, I am alive

Oh God, I am alive

Verse 4

Van Gogh is darkness in bright color

Rembrandt character in candlelight

I hang my pictures of words and music

In galleries of long and thoughtful nights

Verse 5

I chase canals into the moonlight

To a place where the river runs free

Windmills spin dreams in the darkness

As the lighthouse paints the sea

© Copyright 2012 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by East of Sideways Music

The Invisible Man

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

Talking to you is like

Playing tennis by myself

I never felt so damned alone

When I was with someone else

I put the booze away

And so my head is clear

So I got to ask myself

What the hell am I doing here

I’m not a victim

And I don’t feel betrayed

And I don’t blame you, darlin’

For mistakes I made

And I would stay with you

If I thought you could see me here

But you see me through so much disappointment

I doubt if I could reappear

Sometimes I…

Feel like the invisible man

Sometimes I…

Feel like the invisible man

Chorus:

I might not have something important to say

But I’d like someone to listen anyway

Can you feel me

Can you hear me

Can you see me

Or am I invisible, Invisible, Invisible

Sometimes baby I feel…

Nothing at all

Verse 2

We speak the language of

Combatants in a battle zone

This house we live in, baby

Ain’t no longer a home

I scan your eyes, your heart

There ain’t no love anymore

Every day with you

Is like going to war

Each day we walk

Emotional mine fields

Afraid to explode things unsaid

And reopen wounds unhealed

And so we stand and fight

Over meaningless things

While silent truths suffocate

And harsh words sting

Sometimes I…

Feel like the invisible man

Sometimes I…

Feel like the invisible man

Chorus

© Stephen Smoke 2012 All Rights Reserved

 

Shannon, My Girl

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

Settle it down, baby

Pedal it down, baby

Gonna drive all night to see you

I’m runnin’ on empty

I’m in a hurry

I need to feel my baby’s touch, oh yeah, yeah

Chorus A

Ain’t nothin’ more important than you

Baby, baby, baby, baby gonna make it true

Chorus B

My bebop baby, gonna drive all night

My bebop baby, gonna make it right

My bebop baby…well, here I come

I’m a comin’ home

Oh yeah…

Oh yeah, oh yeah

Shannon, Shannon, Shannon my girl

Verse 2

It’s been a while, baby

I need you now, baby

And I know you need me too

‘Cause we been talkin’

But it’s not enough, baby

I need to hold my sweet, sweet thing

Chorus A & Chorus B 

Bridge

We’re as close as we can get

I promise never to forget

Ain’t gonna lose you I know what I got

You’re my girl and I’m your man

I’m drivin’ just as fast as I can

I’m comin’ home, my baby

I’m comin’ home, my girl

I’m comin’ home…

Lickety-split

Verse 2

Chorus A & Chorus B

© Copyright 2018 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Orchid Grey

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

You know I’m lonely

But not for long

Baby just called me

She said, “Come on.”

I said, “I’m comin’”

She said, “That’s for sure”

I said, “I’m feelin’ down”

(She said) “I got the cure”

She meets me at the door

Wearin’ a smile…and nothin’ more

Chorus

(beat) I caught lightning in a bottle

(beat) Lord, I gotta make that lady stay

Some might call her fright’ning

Me, I call my baby

(beat) I call her Orchid Grey

Verse 2

She’s an artist

She paints the blues

She’s got somethin’

I just can’t lose

She’s got a talent

(beat) For subtle detail

She reads my body

Special kinda Braille

(On canvas)…she captures me

With each stroke…she set me free

Verse 3

Her body’s painted

In afterglow

(She’s a) masterpiece

My little Van Gogh

She gives me that look

And I touch her skin

Can’t stop myself

(Here we) go again

(She takes me places) I never been

She haunts me…like a deadly sin

© Copyright 2018 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Lookin’ For My Muse

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

Well, I’m lookin’ for my muse

Used to find her in a bottle a’ booze

Tired a’ singin’ the blues, yeah

Lookin, lookin’for my muse

And I think it could be you

Lookin’ for some inspiration, baby

How ‘bout you

Verse 2

Well, I’m lookin’ for my groove

Mesmerized by the way you move

Makes my rough edges smooth

Lookin’, lookin’ for my groove

And I think it could be you

Lookin’ for some stimulation

Baby, how ‘bout you

Chorus

There I times I need a place to go

(To) remember who I am and what I know

Sometimes I feel…so disconnected

Sometimes I feel…lost and rejected

You’re my elixir, baby you’re my fixer

And I need a dose…right now

And I need a dose…right now

Verse 3

Lookin’ for a fun taboo

Helps me navigate the blues

Helps me make it through

Lookin’, Lookin’ for taboo

And I think it could be you

Wanna taste forbidden fruit

How ‘bout you

Chorus

There I times I need a place to go

Remember who I am and what I know

Sometimes I feel…so disconnected

Sometimes I feel…lost and rejected

You’re my elixir, baby you’re my fixer

And I need a dose…right now

And I need a dose…right now

Verse 4

Lookin’ for some magic

When we’re in sync we’re telepathic

Legendary and romantic, yeah

Lookin’, lookin’ for some magic

I see some magic in you

Lookin’ to create illusion

How ‘bout you

Chorus

© Copyright 2018 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Glorious Charade

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

You touch my scars without recoil

(You) feel torn apart yet come back whole

(You) get a front row seat…to the dark unknown

And when you’re done…you can go back home

There’s also beauty that must be told

Inspiration feeds the soul

And what I see…behind the veil

Keeps me here…long enough to tell the tale

Chorus

All the dreamers have gone to bed

Lullabies all in their heads

At the end of the day

Make no mistake

I’m here with you

And I’m wide awake

Verse 2

I know I drink a little too much

And I would agree it’s been a crutch

But it helps me hide…a broken heart

And it numbs the pain…when the darkness starts

I interpret life: just what I see

Decode the bliss and the misery

From all the lies…meant to confuse

I uncover truths that I can use

Chorus

Verse 3

Life’s a masquerade: the many faces of you

Each one a little false, each one a little true

It’s a mixed blessing…this glorious charade

Just when you think you know yourself you are betrayed

Been down the road in both directions

I made mistakes, I made corrections

There are dangerous curves…and tolls to pay

And the shortcuts…tend to lead me astray

Chorus

© Copyright 2018 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Publishing

Streamin’ Dreams

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

Passion’s when you…can’t not do it

The kinda’ love that’ll get you through it

C’mon baby, you best get to it

While you still breathe

Verse 2

When darkness seems to eat you up

Voices in your head start to beat you up

There’s a light inside that can heat you up

Oh, you gotta find it

Verse 3

Sometimes I can’t sleep at night

Tryin’ to figure out how to make it right

I’m the hero in every fight

That never happens

Verse 4

When life don’t go the way I plan

It’s okay to be where I am

Keeps a bottle outta my hand

And that ain’t nothin’

Chorus:

My thoughts create what I see

Black holes or opportunity

For some, life’s about the cryin’

For some, the sweet spot’s is the tryin’

All the way home

All the way home

Verse 5

Gotta jump off the victim train

Everybody’s got their share of pain

Hidin’ in the dark ain’t gonna keep you sane

Don’t waste a minute

Verse 6

No one knows how much…time they’ve got

Focus on what is, not what’s not

Treasure what’s given, not what’s bought

Somethin’ no one can take away

Chorus

Bridge

Thinkin’ ‘bout things don’t make you free

Sometimes you gotta just let it be

It is what it is, not what it seems

Life is just a rush of streaming dreams

 

© Copyright 2018 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

Movin’ It

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

When you taught me Tantra…that was something new

I studied hard…did a lotta crammin’ too

When you’re the teacher…I don’t mind going back to school

‘Specially when you got that hot body…turnin’ every shade of cool

Chorus 1

You’re a little bit jazz, I’m a rock’n’roll

I’m a little bit blues, you’re a little bit soul

But we move…to the rhythm all night long

Oh babe, I love the way you move it

Oh babe, I love the way you move…movin’ it

Verse 2

Baby’s good to me, I gotta say

We try to meet each other halfway

She said “I’ll try S&M…Is that like an M&M treat?”

I said,” Kinda, baby, just a little more sweet”

Chorus 2:

You’re a little Coachella, I’m a Desert Trip

I’m a Bryan Adams, you’re a Tragically Hip

But we move…to the rhythm all night long

Oh babe, I love the way you move it

Oh babe, I love the way you move…movin’ it

Verse 3

We’re kinda yin and yang…but we make it work

She thinks I’m crazy…I think’s she’s the queen of quirk

But she uses that body…like a sex machine

It’s the most addicting thing this boy has ever seen

Chorus 3

You’re Yo Yo Ma, I’m a Joshua Bell

But we both like AC/DC and “Highway to Hell”

And we move…to the rhythm all night long

Oh babe, I love the way you move it

Oh babe, I love the way you move…movin’ it

 

© Copyright 2018 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Publishing

Streamin’ Dreams

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

Verse 1

Passion’s when you…can’t not do it

The kinda’ love that’ll get you through it

C’mon baby, you best get to it

While you still breathe

Verse 2

When darkness seems to eat you up

Voices in your head start to beat you up

There’s a light inside that can heat you up

Oh, you gotta find it

Verse 3

Sometimes I can’t sleep at night

Tryin’ to figure out how to make it right

I’m the hero in every fight

That never happens

Verse 4

When life don’t go the way I plan

It’s okay to be where I am

Keeps a bottle outta my hand

And that ain’t nothin’

Chorus:

My thoughts create what I see

Black holes or opportunity

For some, life’s about the cryin’

For some, the sweet spot’s is the tryin’

All the way home

All the way home

Verse 5

Gotta jump off the victim train

Everybody’s got their share of pain

Hidin’ in the dark ain’t gonna keep you sane

Don’t waste a minute

Verse 6

No one knows how much…time they’ve got

Focus on what is, not what’s not

Treasure what’s given, not what’s bought

Somethin’ no one can take away

Chorus

Bridge

Thinkin’ ‘bout things don’t make you free

Sometimes you gotta just let it be

It is what it is, not what it seems

Life is just a rush of streaming dreams

 

© Copyright 2018 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Music

And the Music Was Coltrane

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Smoke

 

Verse 1

Those were the dog days for sure

Long on dreams and short on dimes

You were somethin’ and I was yours

We held the secret for a time

Verse 2

But then our dreams died sudden death

Happened so fast we did not see

Shot through the heart with hopelessness

Seduced by reality

Chorus

And the music was Coltrane

Some things you just can’t explain

To this day I remember the rain

And I remember you

Verse 3

Limousine crawls through the street

Silver dollars on four wheels

It’ll be good to see you again

Both knowin’ how it feels

Chorus

Repeat First and Second verses

Chorus

 

© Copyright 1998 Stephen Smoke All Rights Reserved

Published by Kitmun Publishing