Written and sung by Danny Stevenson. Bass: Steve Stoeckel
A relationship song with a happy ending – in the style of The Beatles, sort of.
Every time I talk to you it’s the same old thing.
Are you listening? Yeah, would you, please?
‘Cause I know if you listen,
you won’t believe how you’re talking down to me,
yeah, you’re talking down to me.
Does it make you feel better to put me down? Uh, huh.
Yeah, when we’re together, you push me ‘round. Uh, huh.
So, are you aware of what you say? Uh, huh.
Or, do you care?
Well, either way…uh, huh.
Hey, I know that I laugh it off like it don’t bother me.
Beneath the love, there’s something haunting you.
Well, I just want to point it out so maybe you will see.
Between the two of us we’ll work it through.
Should I believe you when you say you’ll change? Uh, huh.
I’ll never leave you ‘cause I’m to blame. Uh, huh.
Sometimes I act like a child – it’s not too much, I know.
There’s days when I am worthless – yes, it’s true.
But I think we can reconcile and let our feelings go.
I’ll do my part – the rest is up to you.
Now every time I talk to you it’s a turn ‘round thing
‘cause you’re listening, yeah, I believe.
I’m trying to do better – now I can see
you’re not talking down to me –
you’re not talking down to me.
2. So Glad to See You
Written and sung by Danny Stevenson; orchestration by Bruce.
This meeting again is not just an ordinary meeting after a long time – it’s a meeting after her death.
So glad to see you here –
you’ve been away too long.
Or, was it me who disappeared
and left you on your own?
The writing on your face
says you’ve been lied to.
You left here without a trace –
and I died, too.
I’m so glad to see you!
So glad to see you here
like I remember you.
Only want to hold you here
‘neath the December moon.
The writing on your face
says you’ve been lied to.
You left here without a trace –
what could I do?
I’m so glad to see you!
So glad to see you here –
you’ve been away too long.
Or, was it me who disappeared
and left you on your own?
The writing on your face
says you’ve been lied to.
You left here without a trace –
and I died, too.
I’m so glad to see you!
3. You’re In Love
Written by Bruce Stevenson. Vocals by Julie Covington Templeton.
A totally fictional story about a girl realizing her guy was acting like he was in love- just with someone else!
There’s something different in the way you look at me today –
Something distant in your eyes that gives you away.
Is there a truth you need to hide?
Or, is a feeling bursting inside?
You’re in love! You’re happy and free – I should have seen it before.
You’re in love! That guilt in your voice you couldn’t hide anymore.
You’re so obvious – I was oblivious.
You’re in love, you’re in love – just not with me.
I’m no stranger to being deceived.
No matter what I know, I want to believe.
I know you didn’t mean to treat me so cruelly.
I think you surprised yourself along with me!
You’re in love! So happy and free – I should have seen it before.
You’re in love! That guilt in your voice you couldn’t hide anymore.
It’s so obvious – I was oblivious.
You’re in love, you’re in love – just not with me.
Just not with me.
Just not with me.
Just not with me!
4. Morning After Rain
Written by Bruce Stevenson. Vocals by Danny Stevenson.
Written at the height of the Covid crisis, I was perhaps a little too optimistic about when it would end. Nevertheless, it is indeed a song about the elation of coming through any crisis, and the gratitude we should feel. The only response to that feeling of gratitude for me is to love life and everyone I meet.
First rays of sunlight find my face
and I know the end of darkness has begun.
A stormy night has given way to quiet hope
that the worst is fin’lly done.
All my sorrow seems to melt away
with the warming of the sun.
No more fear as I greet the dawning day
with the strength of all of us as one.
In the morning, after rain,
I can breathe the air again
free from all the pain.
In the morning, after rain –
a world bright and new again –
life is everywhere.
In the quiet love remains,
children playing games,
in the morning, after rain.
Won’t soon forget the pain and tears,
and I know the suffering it’s caused.
Things that meant so much to me all of these years – had to set them free, nothing lost.
In the sparkling light between the leaves
the truth is clear and plain to see:
so much hope in everything that breathes –
a better place – now this joy sets me free!
In the morning, after rain,
I can breathe the air again
free from all the pain.
In the morning, after rain –
a world bright and new again –
life is everywhere.
In the quiet love remains,
children playing games,
in the morning, after rain.
Another chance to get it right –
one more chance to share our dreams.
Another day that we can show the world we care.
Au Soleil dans l’amour
(to the sun, in love)
In the morning, after rain,
I can hear my soul again
free from all the pain.
In the morning, after rain –
a world bright and new again –
love is everywhere.
In the quiet love remains,
children playing games,
in the morning, after rain.
5. Insane
Written and sung by Danny Stevenson
A frenzied (at times) relationship! This one is actually NOT about mental illness – just a guy being driven crazy by a girl. Imagine that!
You walked in my life one day
wearing those shoes –
didn’t have much to say
but you knew…yeah, you knew.
You are a mystery –
do you really care? –
Your voice keeps haunting me –
are you there? Are you there?
And when you look my way
I don’t know what to do.
But when you walk that way
I do believe it’s true:
I’ll think you’re drivin’ me insane!
There’s just one demon I can’t tame.
And when I think of you,
or someone calls your name,
that’s when I know I’ll go insane.
If you give me the word,
I’ll walk away.
You say, “That sounds absurd”
so I’ll stay…yeah, I’ll stay.
You’re acting like you’re lost
and I’m so confused.
Although your signals crossed,
you can’t lose…oh, you can’t lose.
It’s never clear with you –
I don’t know where I stand –
You never tell the truth
‘cause you’re in Wonderland!
Right now you’re drivin’ me insane!
You are that demon in my brain!
You’ve got me bound and tied,
completely locked in chains!
You are the demon I can’t tame!
I’m completely locked in chains!
6. All Hail Zeppelin
Written by Bruce Stevenson; lead guitar: Mike Fowler; bass: Watson Pryor
I came up with this Zeppelin-like riff and because we were writing songs for the album that paid tribute to the bands we covered when we were touring, I thought it would be nice to try to make something that sounded like the instrumental Zeppelin (who could replicate Robert Plant’s singing anyway?!). The drum solo is not great, but it is a LIVE solo, unedited. I haven’t done a live solo in nearly forty years, so it is the best I could do and be authentic.
All Hail Zeppelin (Instrumental)
7. I Left the City
Written by Danny and Bruce Stevenson (ca 1972). Vocal by Danny.
When we were a local teenage rock band, Hereafter was well known and did a few original songs mixed in secretly with our cover songs. Bruce pulled this song out of the old recordings and revamped it with some better drumming and added Mike Fowler on lead (Mike had toured with us when we turned pro in 1974). Steve Guyer’s son, Gabe, does the “old man” voice in the song that was his father’s part in the song when we played it live. Steve had recently passed away when this album was being recorded. Gabe sounds EXACTLY like Steve did back then. What a great gift to us all!
Well, I couldn’t pay for my coffee –
I couldn’t even pay for my bread –
and when my woman found out my troubles,
she kicked me out of the bed.
I left the city…to find myself a home.
Well, I walked on down the highway –
the nights they sure were cold –
and no pretty girls would take me in
even with some stories I told.
I tried with desperation
to find me another face
but, Lord, with my unlucky bones
I was sure to lose the race.
I left the city…found myself alone.
Well, pretty soon my luck changed –
this girl she was one of a kind –
and her old man even gave me a job –
he said, “Son, things gonna work out just fine!”
My girl and I were married –
we built ourselves a home.
And though it’s just a one-room shack,
I’m sure it’s not for long.
I left the country…and found myself a home.
8. Finding Out
Written and sung by Danny Stevenson.
As we grew up, we dealt with mental illness in the family, strange family stories, and the era of psychedelic music. Danny tells a very personal story within this style.
The things we thought we’d found,
Seemed so right for us,
Then all around,
Everything starts to change.
The things I thought I’d found,
Began to disappear,
When all around,
Everything looked the same.
No one has to tell me,
No one has to let me down.
No one has to make me,
No one has to break me,
No one has to tell me,
No one has to let me down.
I never knew where to begin,
I never knew where to begin,
Finding out where this world begins,
Finding out where this world begins.
No one has to tell me,
No one has to let me down.
No one has to make me,
No one has to break me,
No one has to tell me,
No one has to let me down.
I never knew where to begin,
I never knew where to begin,
Finding out where this world begins,
Finding out where this world begins,
Finding out where this world begins.
9. Fear
Written by Bruce Stevenson. Vocals by Bruce, with Danny singing the choruses.
This song throws the kitchen sink at the idea of Fear as a weapon. The King Crimson quote (licensed for use) is from “Epitaph” on the In the Court of the Crimson King album (ca 1969).
They heard it said in ‘33
that fear is our worst enemy.
Mongers spewed their brands of hate,
and spoke of doom and deadly fate.
Is that still true in this century?
If FDR were alive today,
I’m not sure what he would say.
If he listened to all the news,
I’m not sure which side he’d choose,
but I’m certain he’d be very afraid.
Fear is what they try to sell
with all the lies they tell –
we buy it all and we drink
from the poisonous well.
Hate is the other face of fear.
Because we hold so dear
to things we’ve been fed,
Lies become truth instead.
(Quote from Epitaph by King Crimson):
“The wall on which the prophets wrote
is cracking at the seams.
Upon the instruments of death,
the sunlight brightly gleams.
When every man is torn apart
with nightmares and with dreams,
will no one lay the laurel wreath
when silence drowns the screams?”
Fear is what they try to sell
with all the lies they tell –
we buy it all and we drink
from the poisonous well.
Hate is the other face of fear.
Because we hold so dear
to things we’ve been fed,
Lies become truth instead.
Soundbites and quotes:
FDR’s Inaugural speech 1933
Geena Davis (from the movie “The Fly”)
Dies Irae – (Day of Wrath from Mass for the Dead – traditional)
Epitaph – Lyrics by Peter Sinfield (King Crimson)
10. In My Head
Written by Bruce Stevenson. Vocal by Danny Stevenson.
This guy is truly delusional – and the comedy keeps coming. The song begins with some funny lines from movies, continues with a ridiculous series of gaffs, and includes a rock rendition of the love theme from Tchaikowsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” – it’s all just crazy fun.
I had kind of a thought –
a plan formulating in my mind –
I think I’ll give her a call
and ask her if she’d be so kind
as to be my lover –
I’m sure she’ll say “That sounds divine!” –
But nobody answers.
I’ll call another time…
In my head she dreams of me
and I’m her perfect lover.
In my head she’s everything
and I’m her only love.
In my dreams there’s a vision
of her complete submission
and this is how our love should be.
I’ll have to ditch that plan
and throw the phone on the floor.
I’ll have to be a man
and just go knock on her door.
She asks, “Who is there?”
I say, “It’s the love of your life!”
She cries, “Please go away!”
No! Please let me stay…
In my head you dream of me
and I’m your only lover.
In my head you worship me
and I’m your only love.
In your dreams there’s a vision
of our complete submission
to our perfect life – just you and me…
(Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet by P. Tchaikovsky)
She calls a policeman
and he wants to know my name.
A misunderstanding
and I’m really, really not to blame.
Please tell her I love her –
I‘m sure she will understand –
I’ll write her a letter!
Yeah, that’s a better plan…
In my head she visits me
in this padded prison.
In my head she comforts me:
her picture’s on my wall!
In her eyes I see compassion
for my complete obsession.
I never will forget our love –
we almost had it all!
In my head she dreams of me
and I’m her perfect lover.
In my head she’s everything –
her picture’s on my wall –
In my dreams we’re together
for now and forever.
This is our life
in my head.
11. Don’t Wanna Talk
Written and sung by Danny Stevenson.
These is a new, updated version of the song which first appeared on our King Mixer (1997) CD.
Slivers of auburn light
Turning into night.
Someone’s calling my name,
But I try to refrain from answering –
I need some time to myself.
It’s nice to be here with nobody else.
I watch the time go by –
Got no alibi.
Simple thoughts leave me
All alone with my fantasy.
And I’m all alone this time.
I’m all alone, feelin’ fine.
Don’t wanna talk no more
About anything to anyone.
I wanna talk to myself, to myself.
Don’t wanna talk no more
About anything to anyone,
I wanna talk to myself, to myself.
12. Alright Tonight
Written and sung by Danny Stevenson.
A true love song to Danny’s wife Dale – a beautiful tribute to their life together.
We are here from a long, long road
and where we’re goin’ don’t nobody know,
but it’s alright as long as I am with you
it’s alright.
How can love that started so strong
keep getting’ stronger
the longer it goes on?
You know, it’s alright
as long as we’re together, it’s alright.
Alright tonight. Alright tonight.
Thank you for takin’ me ‘long for this ride.
Thank you for takin’ me by your side.
You know, it’s alright.
I can’t wait to see where this goes:
through the shadows and over the rainbow.
You know, it’s alright
no matter where life takes us, it’s alright.
I might be weary after all these miles,
but you’ll revive me with your sweet, sweet smile.