Meant To Be #NewMusic #Studio #Creating #NewSong

Here's another track from my "Scratching The Surface" (think scratch track) project (more on that at: crossfeedthemix.blogspot.com/2016/04/sc…tudio.html.  This one - "Meant To Be" - got me retesting and retooling a lot of my studio, and the results - good ones I think, nd hopefully you'll agree - got me remixing the other two tracks current up as part of "STS." Still not thrilled with the mastering stage of things, but these things take patience.  Regardless, I'm really enjoying this process, and just getting some music out.  Hoping you are too! As always, thanks for sharing and any feedback.  -Max

You can check out some of my music, including Meant To Be, here:
https://soundcloud.com/richard-maxwell
https://richardmaxwell.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.reverbnation.com/rchrdmxwll

Haunted

Haunted

This is more than I can handle

This is more than I can take

This is more than I bargained for

I still hear your voice - still see your face

Now the shadows are closing in

And the light’s fading from your eyes

And as time stands still

You've held on for me for one more night

All I needed

All I wanted

All dreamed of 

Now I’m haunted - haunted

So much I still need to say

So much I still need to do

So much I still need to explain

So much I still need from you

The walls are closing in on me

(And) I’m lost inside my head

But I guess that's were I need to be

Right now instead

All I needed

All I wanted

All dreamed of 

Now I’m haunted - haunted

All I believe 

All I know

I'm holding on

Cuz I can't let go 

There is no silver lining

I'm too empty too consumed 

There's no such thing as a better place 

Not without you 

All I needed

All I wanted

All dreamed of 

Now I’m haunted - haunted

All I believe 

All I know

I'm holding on

Cuz I can't let go 

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

*meant to perform this last Friday but my voice gave out.  :(  Recording it soon...

The Rhythm Of (Beat) One

I don't know that this will make sense until I start posting some audio/video of me performing some of my new songs (or older songs with new arrangements) but lately I have been really trying to get my head, musically, around the idea of ultra minimalist percussion as a way to control a song's momentum.

Like so many others, in recent years I've been quite taken with Mumford and Sons, and particularly Marcus's way of controlling a song with just a bass drum and occasionally some additional tambourine.   It's not that he's doing anything that has not been done before musically, but his execution is quite another story.

He's fronting the band, playing guitar, and ALSO playing these percussion parts with his feet.  The songs are amazing, but as a musician there is also an entire other level of brilliance to behold. And I have found that his take on percussion to control momentum has really been influencing me.

The trouble is that - and here is where the audio/video are kinda needed to make sense of things - my performance rig doesn't allow me quit the same level of rhythmic flexibility as Marcus.  I'm creating many layers all at once, but I;m not looping anything, and so, quite frankly, my feet are already rather occupied with other tasks most of the time to make all the layers happen.  FYI, in simplest terms, I ma playing the main riff on guitar, with a bass line, with some percussion, with some strings underneath if I want, with a solo line on either the guitar and/or a piano, all at the same time.  No looping. Yes, I know that sounds absurd, but that's my rig.  Really.  Yeah, I'll post video soon.

In any case, at this point, my ability to play the rig means that I cannot create too elaborate percussion lines.  Lots of 4-on-the-floor kinda things right now.  But I also have been finding that I need some kind of percussion variations beyond just playing or not to make the songs really work.

Enter the 1/8 note.  Such a simple and easily accessible variation, but yet I could not see it for a long time.  Could not hear it in context.  Yet now there is a great sense of variation in momentum at my disposal.

I know this all has made little or no sense, and I know that I need to post video of the rig in action for that to be resolved, but I have just bee so overcome by the simple musical elegance of this that I wanted to quickly post something.  Much more coming very soon....

Anything (song #137)

Anything

Did I mislead you by telling you the truth?

Did you lead me on by telling me it’s what you wanted me to do?

Did you rely on all the changes we would make?

Did I lie to get you to forget all my mistakes?

Anything to stay away

Anything not to have to be okay

Anything

Anything

Did I remind you of what you felt you missed?

Did you mind not getting what you’d wished?

Did you replace your hope for a fear?

Did I place your heart far away from here?

Anything to stay away

Anything not to have to be okay

Anything

Anything

Can’t change what’s always been the same

Can’t stop what does not want to change

Anything to stay away

Anything not to have to be okay

Anything

Anything

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

And I Don’t Want To Lose You Now (song #136)

And I Don’t Want To Lose You Now

There she stands alone in the night

Trying to put her finger on exactly what's not right

What do I say?

What should I do?

Don’t you tell me (that) this is not true

And I don’t want to lose you now

And I don’t want to lose you now

Where she holds my heart in her hands

From such a long way off I can’t understand

There is much more

There is no way

To keep reaching - it’s easier to turn away

And I don’t want to lose you now

And I don’t want to lose you now

Slipping through my fingers

Is every promise that we made

But words can’t be all that’s left

When there’s nothing left to say

And I don’t want to lose you now

And I don’t want to lose you now

So she looks past me and my ways

Waiting for reminders of others days

What’s not left

When time’s too short

The things that makes me want more

And I don’t want to lose you now

And I don’t want to lose you now

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Know You Know (song #135)

Know You Know

If I had to pick a moment to let go

I don’t know if I could

‘cuz you know I’ve never been good at letting go

And if I had to lose a step to move on

I don’t know if I could 

‘cuz you know I’ve never been good at moving on

If I had to turn away to see this though

I don’t know if I could 

‘cuz you know I’ve never been good at seeing things through

And if I had to take a breath to keep it all in

I don’t know if I could 

‘cuz you know I’ve never been good at holding anything back

I know I cannot go back

Yet I still long for yesterday

And if that is so bad

Then I don’t know what to say

‘cuz I miss you

I need you

I still feel you all around me

And I know you know

If I had to say goodbye to be free

I don’t know if I could 

‘cuz you know I’ve never been one to be true (and free)

And if I had to go back to move ahead

I don’t know if I could 

‘cuz you know I’ve never been good at moving ahead

If I had to make a choice to get it right

I don’t know if I could 

‘cuz you know I’ve never been good at making decisions

And if I had to relive the fear to release it

I don’t know if I could 

‘cuz you know I’ve never been good at releasing my fear

I know I cannot go back

Yet I still long for yesterday

And if that is so bad

Then I don’t know what to say

‘cuz I miss you

I need you

I still feel you all around me

And I know you know

The best burdens are the ones I want to carry still

Even if they are just the memories I cannot fulfill

As I take each step since you’ve gone away

I can’t help wanting to turn back if it (that?) would let you stay

I know

I know you know

I know you know me

I know you know me as I know myself

I know I cannot go back

Yet I still long for yesterday

And if that is so bad

Then I don’t know what to say

‘cuz I miss you

I need you

I still feel you all around me

And I know you know

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Torn In Pieces (song #134)

Torn In Pieces

Distance growing

(But) you’re not showing 

Me a way

To get back home

Conscience glowing

I should be knowing

There's a way

To what you know

Still I stand

Still I reach out

Now I’m torn in pieces

Can you hold  me together?

‘Cuz I can’t release this

Feels like I’ve been holding on forever

Missteps owing

The seeds I’ve been sewing

The mistakes

I somehow can’t see

Patience flowing

As doubt’s (been) growing

Are we really

Out of time?

Still I wait

Still I hold on

Now I’m torn in pieces

Can you hold  me together?

‘Cuz I can’t release this

Feels like I’ve been holding on forever

Stake your claim

To all this shame

Lift your eyes up and move on

Touch the flame

Like it’s all the same

Your hands are just as clean as anyone’s.

Still I stand

Still I reach out

Still I wait

Still I hold on

Now I’m torn in pieces

Can you hold  me together?

‘Cuz I can’t release this

Feels like I’ve been holding on forever

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

The Way You Love Me (song #133)

The Way You Love Me

You and I see your (the? this?) world in very different ways 

Sometime it's like a book - 

Sometimes it's like a game

But I can't make you see

I can't make to believe

The way you love me

I only want your touch

The way you love me

I'm just needing you so much

No matter what I say or do

No matter what I might go thru

I know that I can make it through 

(Because of) The way you love me

You and I see your (the? this?) world through very different eyes

Sometimes there's a mask

Sometimes there's no (a?) disguise

All I can do is love you

The way you love me

 

The way you love me

I only want your touch

The way you love me

I'm just needing you so much

No matter what I say or do

No matter what I might go thru

I know that I can make it through 

(Because of) The way you love me

You walk on air to me

But you seem to only see the storm

And you might feel so overwhelmed 

But I only want more

The way you love me

I only want your touch

The way you love me

I'm just needing you so much

No matter what I say or do

No matter what I might go thru

I know that I can make it through 

(Because of) The way you love me

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Dividing Lines (song #132)

Dividing Lines

Patience is a virtue

But I don't like to wait

A test of what I’m made of

Feels like I’m putting (slamming?) on the brakes

Well, compassion is a saint

But you don’t feel so free

Putting all the (your?) pieces together

Feels like you’re trying to rescue me

Careful of the secrets that you try to hide

Careful of the dividing lines

Honesty’s a savior

But I still feel so bound

Breaking up old habits

Feels like a run around

Elevation is a promise

But you still feel so low

Taking so many simple steps

Feels like you're moving way too slow

Careful of the secrets that you try to hide

Careful of the dividing lines

Changing the me in you

Changes the you in me

Careful of the secrets that you try to hide

Careful of the dividing lines

© 1998/2000/2004/2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Be The One (song #131)

Be The One

Let me be the one you run to

When there’s no where else to go

You know that every time I see you

You take my breath away

So look into my eyes

The way you look inside my heart

I know that fire’s still burning

I know it just needs a spark

Let me be the one who holds you 

In the night

Let me be the one who pulls you close

When nothing else feels right

Let me hold you in my arms

Let me stare into your eyes

Let me be the one

There’s still a knot in my heart

From where you left your strings

And so I stand inside my fire

Calling out - calling your name

Willing you to reach for me

Wanting only you to to make me whole again

Let me be the one who holds you 

In the night

Let me be the one who pulls you close

When nothing else feels right

Let me hold you in my arms

Let me stare into your eyes

Let me be the one

© 1998/2000/2004/2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Almost Three (song #130)

Almost Three

Tomorrow may be to late, you said
Soon you'll be gone
Where are  you going to now?
You've been gone so long

So I'll hide my tears away
I don't know where to put them anymore
And I don't want to be alone
As you walk through that door

Almost three
Almost three now

You can't take back the past, you said
(Sometimes you get) lost in the cold
Love is such a dangerous word anyway
It can (mend your heart but ((and?)) tear apart your soul

Almost three
Almost three now

I know you're out there somewhere
I know you're watching me
I know somewhere you're smiling
I know somewhere your heart's are running free

Almost three
Almost three now

I still feel that pull
Caught between (my) head and (my) heart
But still (I) can't move
So we pull together and (as?) (we) get torn apart

Almost three
Almost three now


© 2000/2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Down From The Mountain (song #129)

Down From The Mountain

For so long

I’ve been climbing so high

Tryin’ to find a place

Where my hand can touch the sky

But the world keeps changing

It all looks so strange to me

I’m coming down from the mountain

(To) see what I can see

I’m coming down from the mountain

To where I’m meant to be

Looking out 

Across a barren plane

Hoping one more time

The sky might fill with rain

But the world keeps moving

It all looks so strange to me

I’m coming down from the mountain

(To) see what I can see

I’m coming down from the mountain

To where I’m meant to be

I can no longer pretend

That I know where this path might end

I can no longer defend

The idea that we have to end

I’m coming down from the mountain

(To) see what I can see

I’m coming down from the mountain

To where I’m meant to be

Deep inside of me 

Where I do not go

The only part that’s left of me

Is the one I never show

But the world keeps turning

It all looks so strange to me

 

I’m coming down from the mountain

(To) see what I can see

I’m coming down from the mountain

To where I’m meant to be

For so long

I’ve been climbing so high

Tryin’ to find a place

Where my hand can touch the sky

© 2009/2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Gone (song #128)

Gone

(You) Said you were leaving

But I just wouldn’t believe

Now you’re gone

And the joke’s on me

But the hurt’s on you

You make a stand

And you’re gone

If this is all - if this is it

Tell my why would I forget

If this is you - if this is me

Tell me why’s this have to be gone

Burning me up inside

Held hostage by desire

And still your gone

Can chemistry expire?

Every word comes out wrong

And every moment takes too long

And you’re gone

If this is all - if this is it

Tell my why would I forget

If this is you - if this is me

Tell me why’s this have to be gone

Im not trying to make you cry

I just get so scared when I look into your eyes

I just wanna be the one to blame

I didn’t know that I was pushing you away

I didn’t know

If this is all - if this is it

Tell my why would I forget

If this is you - if this is me

Tell me why’s this have to be gone

You said you were leaving

And I just would believe

© 2009/2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Show Me (song #127)

 Show Me

You eat me up alive when you’re starving for attention

Sometimes the mirror lies showing your reflection

There are no excuses as you tear yourself apart

You tie yourself in knots with the strings that tug at your heart

(But) Show me when you turn away

That everything you feel floats on all the words we say

‘Cuz in the end we only see what we believe

Oh, Oh, you gotta show me

You pull the curtains closed when you need (see?) the light

Sometimes you lose sight when looking for sign

There no looking back when you can’t move on

You tell yourself it’s not you - it’s everyone

(But) Show me when you turn away

That everything you feel floats on all the words we say

‘Cuz in the end we only see what we believe

Oh, Oh, you gotta show me

Break the chains

Break the ties

Break the truth inside the lies

Hold on tight

Hold on now

Hold on even when you don’t know how

You eat me up alive when you’re starving for attention

Sometimes the mirror lies showing your reflection

There are no excuses as you tear yourself apart

You tie yourself in knots with the strings that tug at your heart

(But) Show me when you turn away

That everything you feel floats on all the words we say

‘Cuz in the end we only see what we believe

Oh, Oh, you gotta show me

© 1998/1999/2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

This Blinding Light (song #126)

This Blinding Llight 

This blinding light

Is the only spark I see

Clearing the distance

Between you and me

The shadows cannot stop me now

These open arms

Are all I can feel

Bringing me back

To what I know is real

The chains cannot hold me down

Your (this?) love is a magnet to (for?) your heart

Pulling me in from the very start

And as I get lost inside you and me

This (your?) (blinding) light is all I see

This grateful dream

Is all I can view

Moving my feet

Back to you

The path cannot lead me wrong

Your (this?) love is a magnet to (for?) your heart

Pulling me in from the very start

And as I get lost inside you and me

This (your?) (blinding) light is all I see

Everything comes from something else

But sometimes things are born of themselves

The head can think too much looking for control

But the heart searches for the unconditional

Your (this?) love is a magnet to (for?) your heart

Pulling me in from the very start

And as I get lost inside you and me

This (your?) (blinding) light is all I see

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Go (song #125)

Go

Oh-whoa-whoa

Why do we have to let

Go?-whoa-whoa

Why do we have to go?

A simple post upon a message board

Takes me back to a time when you knew what life was for 

A face, a name, the memories of times gone by

Now a loss, a long and unexpected goodbye

Oh-whoa-whoa

Why do we have to let

Go?-whoa-whoa

Why do we have to go?

So many moments in isolation

Passing us by and our complications 

Hindsight's 20/20 but it's just not the same

Win or lose the score doesn't (can't?) tell you who won the game

Oh-whoa-whoa

Why do we have to let

Go?-whoa-whoa

Why do we have to go?

I’m only left with this heavy heart

I don’t know where to begin much less how to start

I can only now recall your moving art

Now it seems you only get to go so far

You’re going (you've gone?) so far

Away

Oh-whoa-whoa

Why do we have to let

Go?-whoa-whoa

Why do we have to go?

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Tell You Why (song #124)

Tell You Why

The fuse is lit and I don’t know what set the spark

I cannot recall what got me to this dark

Place I seem to go when I run the steps

I seem to catch myself just before the edge

The candle burns but I don’t hold the flame

Sometimes I swear it’s just an endless game

I play when I believe that there’s no one there

When I believe that no one’s gonna care

I cannot tell you why I fly so high

I cannot tell you why I have to keep moving

I cannot tell you why I cannot wait for you

I cannot tell you why 

I cannot tell you why

A moment comes as a (simple) push to the brink

I am forced to choice between feel and think

Through the course I that lies ahead for me to take

My will can bend and in the end it might (even) break

I cannot tell you why I fly so high

I cannot tell you why I have to keep moving

I cannot tell you why I cannot wait for you

I cannot tell you why 

I cannot tell you why

See the line

As it passes by

A perfect fit

As I step over it

The rush is gone (but) the feeling lingers

Like endless grains of sand through fingers

Still nothing is really there to hold

As questions eclipses all that I know

I cannot tell you why I fly so high

I cannot tell you why I have to keep moving

I cannot tell you why I cannot wait for you

I cannot tell you why 

I cannot tell you why

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Let Me Go (song #123)

Let Me Go

Holding nothing quite so sacred 

As the time when we're apart

So long as there is distance

You can give your heart 

You used to want to be with me

No matter what the cost

Now every time I'm reaching out

It's clear that feeling's lost

Oh - Oh - Oh

You let me go

No - No - No

Don't  let me go

You let me go

I used to know the problem's me

But you were holding on

Now it seems I'm in the clear

How could I be so wrong?

Nothing takes away the sting

Like a brand new cut

I was trying to hold on

Now I am wondering for what

Oh - Oh - Oh

You let me go

No - No - No

Don't  let me go

You let me go

Now every word tears us further apart

Every moment just breaks my heart  

 

Oh - Oh - Oh

You let me go

No - No - No

Don't  let me go

You let me go

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell
any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Take Me (song #122)

Take Me

On the verge of a revelation

I can see it oh so clear

And without any reservations

I am standing right here

Take me at my word

Take me for a ride

Take me all the way

I’m not gonna hide

Take me on today

Take me out tonight

Take me to your dreams

I (we?) won’t be denied

On the wings of a lonely favor

I can tell it’s oh so real

And on the breath of a simple prayer

I am standing by its appeal

Take me at my word

Take me for a ride

Take me all the way

I’m not gonna hide

Take me on today

Take me out tonight

Take me to your dreams

I (we?) won’t be denied

Overdue for this change

Take me at my word

Take me for a ride

Take me all the way

I’m not gonna hide

Take me on today

Take me out tonight

Take me to your dreams

I (we?) won’t be denied

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell

any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws

Breathe (song #121)

Breathe 

Stop this train

I need to get off

Seems I'm running off the rails

The pacing's slipped

And I'm losing ground

And I don't want to fail

Breathe

Just let me Breathe

It’s all moving to fast

Slow it down so I can believe

and just breathe

Breathe

Breathe

I’m all caught up

I’m in the clear

I can see the clearing end

But as the light

Just fades away

There’s no use to pretend

Breathe

Just let me Breathe

It’s all moving to fast

Slow it down so I can believe

and just breathe

Breathe

Breathe

It never ends

It never stops

I can never seen to get out on top

You won’t release

You won’t let go

You never seem to want to show

Me solace

Breathe

Just let me Breathe

It’s all moving to fast

Slow it down so I can believe

and just breathe

Breathe

Breathe

© 2014 by Richard Maxwell

any unauthorized use,  duplication, distribution, or broadcast is a violation of applicable laws