Stop Dragging Me Down
Have you ever been “dragged down” by someone or something? This song is about dealing with those things that slow you down and overcoming challenges that keep you from getting where you want to go: fear, money, insecurity, a not-so-good friend? I decided on this one for my first release because it has a bit of everything. I tried to incorporate a variety of rhythmic and modern elements into both the music and lyrics. The song starts slow and builds in intensity to a state of freedom and power. Enjoy!
Stop dragging me down
By JR Guayo
There’s been hardly any time to notice what’s been going on
Too much noise too much confusion, too much weight to carry on
I keep on swimming never getting any closer to shore
Flapping hard my wings and still the ground coming too close
It didn’t take too much to notice and to clearly realize
That you don’t want me to get there holding me close holding me tight
You think I only live for you — that I’m amused
C’mon, do you really think I’ll tolerate abuse
Stop dragging me down, you have to stop dragging me down
Step off, step out, just get out of the way
Now relax I’m not implying that I’ll leave you all alone
You have options, you have choices, If you want to tag along,
But now I dictate all the terms – conditions must be met
Or else I’ll drop you – clear off my road, out of the way
I refuse to keep this act, I refuse to be held back
Love has nothing to do with it but love is falling through the cracks
You fell so damn important — keep forgetting who I am
You stop me from trying from flying and you still don’t give a damm
Well no more, I’m done with you, done with your crap, my chance is due
It is my time, It is my prime — this is my truth,
And I will offer to the world as much there is of me to do
No longer you control me; now I’m free – and you will….
Stop dragging me down, don’t you dare come back around
you have to stop dragging me down, I’ll go insane and or I will drown
Stop pushing me around
Step off, step out, step back just leave me to stray,
Stop holding me down
I have, places to go, talent to show, ambition to grow just get out the way
It’s Not Over
“It’s Not Over” was the first song I wrote when I started playing with Garage Band and eventually Logic Pro; it’s the one that started it all. The song came through within days of buying my one and only Fender Strat. This version was published after three recordings and tons of “trial and error” mixing and mastering sessions.
It’s Not Over
By JR Guayo
You say you need to get out of here
Getting uneasy, nothing makes sense anymore
You feel you’re drowning and there is no one for the rescue
You blame me
Is true I haven’t always been there for you
Year-long tours away from home and me fighting strangers
Place your trust in me you’ll see everything get better
And all this pain, will stay behind
Cause we are not dead in the water,
It’s you and me ruling the world and we’ll be better after
Hey it’s not over
So come on board and hang with me, there is no rhyme or reason destiny without you
If it aint with you.
Loneliness brings memories of you
Blue days turn much brighter when I remember your laughter
But we drifted away and you barely sought me after
You blamed me,
Is true I haven’t always been there for you
Year-long tours away from home and me fighting strangers
It won’t be long before we can drive away forever
And all this burn, will stay behind
Cause we are not dead in the water,
It’s you and me ruling the world and we’ll be better after
Hey it’s not over
So come along and hang with me, there is no rhyme or reason destiny without you
If it aint with you.
La ra ra…
If you don’t want to hang on, don’t blame me
Cause we are not dead in the water,
It’s you and me ruling the world and we’ll be better after
Hey its not over, don’t blame me…
Don’t blame me…
So there I was, at a local Smoke Lounge enjoying a nice Old Fashioned cocktail and listening to this really good local band that I regret not catching the name of (and you’ll see why.) During one of the breaks, the singer/bass player called out to the bartender: “Kevin, how about a round to the band?” Immediately she followed with “…now that’s an idea for a song!” And she was right. I took this to heart and wrote this week’s release. I know it is a long shot, but if any member of that band ever reads this, leave me a note! Next time you are in a pub and a band is playing, give them some love…they’ll appreciate it. I had a lot of fun working on this one; enjoy!
A ROUND TO THE BAND
By: JR Guayo
Now that I got your attention, allow me to give a suggestion
We don’t need much compensation, but you got to work our libations
Well its Friday night and we’re feeling alright, We pack up the gear hit the road for the bar
Excitement high we are so ready to jam, much like Billy Joel we need bread in that jar
Whoa! Check it out, people line up and they stay for the show,
I plug my guitar and I give it go and the crowd goes wild – esto es un bacilon!
But wait, something is missing, we are not clicking, I’m damn thirsty drooling spinning,
So I raise my very sad empty hand, and say common man Kevin is it too much to ask?
C’mon get busy behind that bar and pour a drink for me…
Now that I finally got your attention, having a good time as good as can be
Bartender don’t you dare give me rejection, be good and pour us a drink
We are in a really bad situation, we still stand with empty hands
Bartender you need to balance the equation, how about a round to the band
Now that I got your attention, we need some good comprehension
Looks like you need intervention, if we are to set a connection
We’ve been jamming all night and the groove is right, the room is packed & the party’s tight
Is getting real hot, is getting really noisy, is getting late and my mind is getting fuzzy
Now listen up, nothing has changed, this is getting old
We wanna have fun, we wanna Touch and GO! We wanna good damm drink, we wanna rock this show
But wait, something is missing, we are not clicking, I’m damn thirsty drooling spinning,
So I raise my very sad empty hand, and say common man Kevin is it too much to ask?
C’mon get busy behind that bar and pour (a drink for me…)
Now that I finally got your attention, having a good time as good as can be
Bartender don’t you dare give me rejection, be good and pour us a drink
We are in a really bad situation, we still stand with empty hands
Bartender you need to balance the equation, how about a round to the band
Hey bartender don’t be hatin’, bring happiness to the band
Open up that rum and bourbon, please put a drink in our hands
May Flowers in Your Hands
Some folks just know when they are ready to “tie the knot”, “take the plunge”, “get hitched”, or even “plight your troth” (not kidding, look it up!). Our fellow in the song is ready to do just that and has a musical way to express his intent. One of my first arrangements since I restarted to write music again.
MAYFLOWERS IN YOUR HANDS
Hey Hello… wanted to see you
Time to think about this, I feel we need to
I’ve been blinded by your light; I can hear my heartbeat rise
You stunned me with your beauty, can’t believe I got so lucky to meet you
Now I can’t get you out of my mind, no oh
It is time, to get serious
I’ve been waiting long and getting delirious
Never met someone like you, you bring colors to my blues
Bet you won’t regret a minute and you’ll want to spend the longest time with me
And bright fireworks will light the sky…
And there is love in the air
Sunshine hits your hair
I imagine us there…
and I’ll I want to see are May flowers in your hands
Come with me, I promise forever
I can’t stand the wait don’t push this for later
Just say yes and roll the dice, we’ll take winnings every night,
We belong together, hey the search is over and I’ll never find anyone like you
Please don’t be the one that gets away…
There is no time to waste,
Together ‘til the end,
I imagine us there…
and I’ll I want to see are May flowers in your hands
And there is love in the air
Sunshine hits your hair
I imagine us there…
and I’ll I want to see are May flowers in your hands
What Could Have Been
One of my favorites! Most rock and pop songs are written in 4/4 signature. I decided to try something different and went with 6/8, almost “vals like”. I think it worked really well! Hope you enjoy this one as it packs a punch.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN
They are locked inside, all the good times together
Those were dreams of gold, our love bonded forever
you began to change, and I thought it was me, you were so fake
big mistake I made, falling real hard for you,
and now and will pay, your terrible crime, you leave behind my heart in pieces
Every time I think I see you, I go numb for days; no one is there to catch me, and my mind goes crazy thinking I messed up; will never know what could have, should have, would have been
Time has not been friendly to me, I can picture you and me still happy hanging, and I go to sleep while thinking of the broken chances of what could have, should have, would have been
Want to let you go, says my distorted mind, all the time
Please be far from here, let me fall out of sight, and out of your mind
don’t call anymore, leave me alone with my thoughts, and my life
If there is a god, who would spare me this pain,
I want to forget, your face and your eyes… you leave behind in my soul
Every time I think I see you, I go numb for days; no one is there to catch me, and my mind goes crazy thinking I messed up; will never know what could have, should have, would have been
Time has not been friendly to me, I can picture you and me still happy hanging, and I go to sleep while thinking of the broken chances of what could have, should have, would have been
Please stay away, don’t make this hard
Will not forget your face and eyes
But I will leave you far behind
Broken chances…. Of n what could have, should have, would have been
This one is dedicated to all professional and aspiring musicians out there. The mix and match of different tempos, and a wide arrange of vocals come together for a particular musical piece that I hope you get to enjoy and sing along with. My second-to-last release of the “Back in the Saddle” project is an expression of how music has been part of my entire life and of so many others.
IM A MUSIC MAN
…2, 3, 4…
Everything in place and real, everything is just the way I wanted
But deafening silence hit my years, now it’s time the get the show back on the road
From your window can you hear? Inspiration roaming free
In the distance music flows back in the saddle, show goes on
Working my guitar, dancing on my keys
Taking in the dream, living in my gear
I lay down the road, rhythm takes control
Filling in the void, I know what I am
I’m a music man
Listen up, hear me out
Is the thing that makes us smile, is the thing that makes us do the graceful dance
I’ll stop only once I’m gone, I’ll take pride to be a humble music man
From your window can you hear? Complex waves hitting your ears
In the distance music flows, you get a front seat at the show
Working my guitar, dancing on my keys
Taking in the dream, living in my gear
I lay down the road, rhythm takes control
Filling in the void, I’m am a music man
I’m the music man
Well, I guess with this one I’m officially “Back in the Saddle”; the last release of the album!
I decided to do something different, circle back to my home town #SanJuan, #PuertoRIco and sprinkle a bit of Spanish. If you grew up in the San Juan area, you probably know that Old San Juan is the ultimate place to hang out and have a good time. The history-rich cobblestone streets and sites of the 1500s mixed with the modern pubs, bars, restaurants, and clubs make this antique town one of the best places to enjoy time with friends. Add the countless nights I enjoyed (and still to this day) there with family close friends and you can picture how special this place is to me. By the way, “Joda” in this context simply means party / good times.
Jodiendo en San Juan
LA JODA EN SAN JUAN
By JR Gutierrez
Walking the cobblestones hanging out with my friends
Le joda es en San Juan, y vamo alla a joder
So many memories and stories that we need to share, (and if you’ve been there you’ll appreciate you will relate)
If you are looking for a joda San Juan is DA place
It gets a little crazy with the Hangy Boys and Girls,
I can’t wait to get home and get together with my friends, (do a reunion again and so the weekend begins)
De la placita, (nos vamos para el Batey), pa la Tortuga (y a Los Hijos de Borinquen)
Termina en San Sebastian (y Dos Hermanos despues), dale Karate a ese hamburger y volvemos otra vez
Walking the cobblestones hanging out with my friends
Living up Old San Juan, we feel alive again
Walking the cobblestones hanging out with my friends
Le joda es en San Juan, y vamo alla otra vez
As you walk up you taste you smell you touch those good old friendship memories
No matter how many times we’ve been there we’ll do it again, (we’ll get to do this again, and again and again)
I get a parking ticket on my 69 green Beetle
It never mattered cause I got to see my homeboys again, (and on the Saturday night we get to close the weekend)
De Dona Fela, (subimos al Patio de Sam), y ya en la Sanse, (Medalla es lo que hay)
Mira ya vamos (que se hizo de manana), dale pal Churri mata el hambre y le caemos otra vez
Walking the cobblestones hanging out with my friends
Living up Old San Juan, we feel alive again
Walking the cobblestones hanging out with my friends
Le joda es en San Juan, y vamo alla otra vez
Walking the cobblestones, y vamo alla otra a joder
Si yo no hubiera nacido, en la tierra en que naci
Yo estuviera arrepentido de no haber nacido aqui
Walking the cobblestones hanging out with my friends
Le joda es en San Juan, y vamo alla a joder
I’ve been a diehard music fan since my youth, but we began to understand the structure of music when we learned to DJ 12 years ago. After a few years of DJing with vinyl, a program called Serato was introduced that allowed me to DJ using MP3’s with the same control I had with vinyl. As a bonus though, unlike vinyl, MP3’s can be edited and remixed. My first production endeavors were simple re-edits of songs for improved mixing.
My friend John Goff, a lifelong analog and electronic musician, would help me with these re-edits and indulged me as I became more ambitious with my arrangements. John suggested that we build some original music together. We put some instrumental compositions together, and then serendipitously met Merritt Lear and her former bandmate Joe Cassidy. Merritt added incredible vocals and melody ideas, and Joe added guitar and production/arrangement. We completed two songs, decided to name our project NØISE, and to rush produce a 7 inch for release at my 50 Shades of Black art show. I worked up some art for a screen-printed cover, and we cut and glued 500 sleeves to complete the NØISE “Little Lions” 45 RPM 7 inch. Additionally, all 500 are signed and numbered but will still be priced at $10… with no added “Art Tax” in sight. You can listen to the music on the turntables provided in the Subliminal Projects gallery, or buy it for the art. To be clear though, this is not an art project with music included, it is a music project with art included. We’ll release some stuff digitally eventually, but it’s vinyl only for now. Get the NØISE “Little Lions” 7 inch at 50 Shades of Black.