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The Ghost In The Studio

by Light Engineering

supported by
lottierock
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lottierock I particularly like 'Downloads Destroyed', a great 10cc style song - superb songcraft throughout. Favorite track: Downloads Destroyed (The Music We Enjoyed).
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1.
(Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) People say you’re too old Too old to Rock and Roll I say no – that ain’t so If music is in your soul People say you shouldn’t play That guitar anymore I say no – that ain’t so I’m gonna play for sure, because You’re only as old as you feel Just keep on an even keel You’ll be only as old as you feel You’re only as old as you feel You’re only as old as you feel It ain’t over till it’s over, my friend It ain’t over till it’s over, my friend And we ain’t reached the end (solo) You’re only as old as you feel Just keep on an even keel You’ll be only as old as you feel You’re only as old as you feel You’re only as old as you feel People say why do you play Play those old records? I say the modern world Will only leave you bored Give me the Golden Age Of Rock and Riffs and Songs Give me a melody Then you can’t go wrong You’re only as old as you feel Just keep on an even keel You’ll be only as old as you feel You’re only as old as you feel Just keep on an even keel You’ll be only as old as you feel You’re only as old as you feel Just keep on an even keel You’re only as old as you feel You’re only as old as you feel
2.
Docklands Dreamer (Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) I’m a Docklands Dreamer I came down to London Town to seek fortune and fame I’m a Docklands Dreamer I’m a Docklands Dreamer Started to wonder if this is my kind of place Wondering if maybe I need more space Don’t like being crammed in like sardines Only seeing concrete and nothing green Now I know the streets ain’t paved with gold Maybe I should go, maybe it’s oversold I’m a Docklands Dreamer I came down to London Town to seek fortune and fame I’m a Docklands Dreamer I came down to London Town to seek fortune and fame And to make my name I’m a Docklands Dreamer I’m a Docklands Dreamer Taken my guitar around the open mics in town And I’ve decided to be homeward bound Think I have to find some fresh air In The Smoke I can’t find that anywhere Now I know the streets ain’t paved with gold Think I have to go It is oversold Been commuting back and forth But this time I’m gonna stay in the north Another lesson learnt – my bridges burnt Yes I was a Docklands Dreamer I came down to London Town to seek fortune and fame Guess I was a Docklands Dreamer I came down to London Town to seek fortune and fame I was a Docklands Dreamer
3.
CULTIVATE YOUR GARDEN (Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Frederick McKinnon) Cultivate Your Garden giving seeds time to grow be attentive to reaping rewards from what you sow You’ve travelled ‘round the world have seen some wondrous sights been greeted by the King and dined with England’s best now you must do the rest Cultivate Your Garden giving seeds time to grow be attentive to reaping rewards from what you sow Find happiness and peace enjoy your lovely land use all that you have learned live better than before upon this distant shore You’ve sailed the seven seas from north to south we’ve come to bring you nobly home hoping you live your life content and without strife Cultivate Your Garden giving seeds time to grow be attentive to reaping rewards from what you sow
4.
(Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) Downloads destroyed the music we enjoyed And left us in a creative void Don’t know when the music died It might have been 1995 I wanted to be a pop star, like they used to be in the 1970s Maybe I was just naïve, I believed in the dreams they weaved I packed my day job in, to seek fortune and fame But I soon found out that things were not the same ‘Cos I couldn’t make money, I couldn’t make a dime There was just too much music, everywhere online. Downloads destroyed the music we enjoyed And left us in a creative void Don’t know when the music died It might have been 2005 Maybe I was just naïve, I believed in the dreams they weaved So is this it? Should I swap my guitar For a memory stick? Don’t know when the music died It might have been 2005 Don’t you want to be pop stars, like they used to be in the 1970s? When music wasn’t thought of as free Don’t pack your day job in, you won’t get fortune and fame ‘Cos you know these days things are not the same No-one can make money, you cannot make a dime There is too much music, everywhere online. Downloads destroyed the music we enjoyed And left us in a creative void Downloads destroyed the music we enjoyed And left us in a creative void Downloads destroyed the music we enjoyed And left us in a creative void
5.
(Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) Can you hear the moon, can you hear the tune, that it’s playing Can you hear the moonshine, if you can, like me, you’ve been Listening to the light Listening to the light Better than listening to the Night Can you hear the sun, let it play for everyone Can you hear the sunshine, playing all the time, if you can, Like me, you’ve been Listening to the light Listening to the light Better than listening to the Night I believe you can hear the light, I believe you can hear the sunshine But the night time don't sound right, It only sounds right when the sun is shining bright Listening to the light Listening to the light Better than listening to the Night
6.
(Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) Well I used to believe you When you told me you were doin’ something Somehow I was taken in, I believed everything The website looked real good But now I realise you were only a Lord of Illusion of Digital Delusion Another Website Wonder A parasite that’s goin’ under There’s no underlying reality It’s just a world of fantasy Lord of Illusion of Digital Delusion Another Website Wonder A parasite that’s goin’ under People try to tell you The digital age is so good they always try to talk it up They won’t listen to the downside But nothing is worth anything anymore None of it’s real can’t you see through the Lord of Illusion of Digital Delusion Another Website Wonder A parasite that’s goin’ under There’s no underlying reality It’s just a world of fantasy Why can’t we just delete it all? And go back to the analogue world Things were so much better then. Let’s all throw away the toys Let’s all rise above the noise Somehow we must save ourselves from the Lord of Illusion of Digital Delusion Another Website Wonder A parasite that’s goin’ under There’s no underlying reality It’s just a world of fantasy Lord of Illusion of Digital Delusion Another Website Wonder A parasite that’s goin’ under
7.
Where have the songs all gone ? (Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) Searching for a song from long ago, Tryin’ to find it on the radio Times are changing fast Nothing seems to last We look back to the past Where have the songs all gone ? Songs that could set you free And make you sing along All of those melodies They were so strong Where did they all come from ? Where have the songs all gone ? Sometimes it seem the songs have all been sung There’s really nothing new under the sun Times are changing fast Nothing seems to last We look back to the past Where have the songs all gone ? Songs that could set you free And make you sing along All of those melodies They were so strong Where did they all come from ? Where have the songs all gone ? Its all been done before Nothing new seems to endure So we need an encore We need to hear those songs once more. Where have the songs all gone ? Songs that could set you free And make you sing along All of those melodies They were so strong Where did they all come from ? Where have the songs all gone ?
8.
I Want to Be Somebody, Too. (Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Frederick McKinnon) (Marguerite) The Duchess of Kent eats caviar with flair Marguerite Hartwig gets boiled beans as her fare (William) The Duke of York rides a coach trimmed with gold William of Southwark has holes in his soles (Marguerite) Cleopatra rode that barge down the Nile (William) Even Caesar’s death in the forum had style (Marguerite) Helen of Troy caused a war to be fought (William) Henry the Eighth had six wives in his court (William and Marguerite) I want to be somebody, too Society has clipped our wings Rather than soar, we do mundane things I want to be somebody, too Not a nobody—one of the special few (William) So what if i’m born the son of a tart? No crime, me mum had the heart of a lark (Marguerite) What if me dad was a bit of a lout? ‘twas everyone’s pal when drinking his stout (William) I would like to glimpse a future with hope and not be known as a penniless bloke (Marguerite) I’d like to have a new shawl or a hat and hear the ladies say, “oh, look at that!” (William and Marguerite) I want to be somebody, too (Marguerite) I do not need ermine or pearls (William) No need to hobnob with Dukes or Earls (William and Marguerite) I want to be somebody, too not a nothing—more than fat in the stew What do they have that we do not? a title—a family name prestige—a social game position—pseudo fame wealth—and fiscal pain savoir faire—so very lame (William and Marguerite) I want to be somebody, too Merely to have a piece of the pie A speck of respect as i stroll by I want to be somebody, too Just a somebody – starting life anew
9.
(One Man) Studio Band (Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) Alone in an empty house Late nights in the studio The day job was a bore I wanted more - it was crazy I know I had a Studio Band A One Man Studio Band A Studio Band Just A One Man Studio Band Then, one night I got a call From a guy named Billy Bubb He said that I could have it all With a contract signed in blood I said, I’m far too old And I’m not chasing Fools Gold But Bubb wouldn’t take no for an answer He said ‘take the chance – what are you waitin’ for? I got a Studio Band A One Man Studio Band A Studio Band Just A One Man Studio Band He said: you’ll be famous for all time Just sign on the line I said I’ll think about it ‘cos my studio band is fine I got a Studio Band A One Man Studio Band A Studio Band Just A One Man Studio Band
10.
I’LL FIND WHERE THE REAL TRUTH LIES (Music: Tim Hunter; Lyrics: Frederick McKinnon and Tim Hunter) (William) My little red book is more than a history where all is told it will be sold the tale of Cook’s soul’s mystery I will look inside his mind to see what secrets i will find I will search inside his heart to see what passions play a part I will peer inside his soul, a book of revelations, my goal I’ll be aboard his next trip, I schemed my way on to that ship On a ship, only so long and wide if one looks and sometimes hides using his ears and always his eyes he’ll Find Where The Real Truth Lies Find Where The Real Truth Lies Though i admire Captain Cook we’ll get rich and famous with my book my little red book always at hand it will contain personal contraband on a ship, only so long and wide . . . (come on, Marguerite!) (William and Marguerite) On a ship, so long and wide if one looks and sometimes hides using his ears and always his eyes he’ll Find Where The Real Truth Lies Find Where The Real Truth Lies (William) My little red book is more than a history (Marguerite) . . . more than a history (William) where all is told (Marguerite) where all is told (William) it will be sold (Marguerite) it will be sold (William and Marguerite) the tale of Cook’s soul’s mystery
11.
(Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) Going To The Great Beyond Hoping that it won’t be long This could be my final song Going To The Great Beyond This is a trip to the other side A ticket for a one way ride What you waiting for Please step onboard Going To The Great Beyond Hoping that it won’t be long This could be my final song Going To The Great Beyond You know we’ve still got room for more Come on won’t you join the tour What you’re going to see Will be a mystery Everything you believed in Will soon be blown to the wind Come on ride the bus To the terminus The Great Beyond, The Great Beyond The Great Beyond, The Great Beyond Going To The Great Beyond Hoping that it won’t be long This could be my final song Going To The Great Beyond
12.
The Ghost In The Studio (Lyrics and music: Tim Hunter) There is no music being played here anymore The last song was recorded many years before But in the middle of the night The studio is bathed in light The mixing desk is covered in cobwebs There’s nothing working, the speakers are all dead Somehow a song begins to play About a life wasted away The Ghost In the studio He got nowhere that he can go His music lives beyond the grave The Ghost In the studio He got nowhere that he can go His songs are on the ghost airwaves A musical martyr Who tried to make his name He finally realised he only had fake fame The Ghost In the studio He got nowhere that he can go His music lives beyond the grave The Ghost In the studio He got nowhere that he can go His songs are on the ghost airwaves His songs are on the ghost airwaves His songs are on the ghost airwaves His songs are on the ghost airwaves

about

Although I was originally thinking of a full 'Faustian' concept for ‘Ghost In The Studio’ it ended up being more an album of songs with related themes.

The songs are all about trying to achieve something in life (creatively speaking or perhaps in terms of seeking any goal) but failing to succeed.

It’s mainly about the fear of ending up being just a 'Ghost In The Studio' with nothing much to show for all the effort that has been expended. So we're looking at songs about ageing,obsession,ambition (envy even), disappointment and reflecting on what might have been.

There's also some philosophical conclusions drawn about fame,though, i.e. that maybe the pursuit of fame is futile - e.g. in 'One Man Studio Band' and 'Downloads Destroyed'.

credits

released August 14, 2020

Recorded at Northern Soundscapes Studios
Produced by Tim Hunter

All rights reserved. This work is registered with the UK Copyright Service: Registration Nos: 284731431,284700072,284719265

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Light Engineering England, UK

80's influenced Synth-Pop new album: 'The Flagging Career of a Semaphore Signaller'

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