Get all 14 Paul Henry Smith releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Into the Ground, The Sky Is Always There When You Look Up, Constantly (Thinking About Nothing), A Chorus of Lawnmowers, Neil Logan, Slow motion action punch, morningday, Creeping Ash, and 6 more.
1. |
Watching Years Fly
04:47
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Migrating birds singing louder
before they head south for the winter
I watched leaves fall in the garden
Still got to pick them out the gutter
Watching years fly
don't know where to
Don't know why
I head down to the station
the diesel's been ditched for electrification
Posters tell of a bright new future
Driverless cars and tailored advertising
I asked myself why
we can can't stay? just for one day; after last orders?
just to hold them for one last time; I ask myself why days fly away.
I asked myself why
we can't stay? Forever? Forever?
our universe, is vast and open, yet we don't have time to find our way
and to hold on to the ones we love
that we had to let go, too long ago
why do years fly?
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2. |
Van Basten
03:25
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I've been reminded of the 80's everywhere I go
The summers seemed so much longer, I'd watch the grass grow
pick the best jumpers for goalposts, I took it serious
I was van basten for a day, I was more like souness
I used to look up to the stars
from my ceiling window
I wondered if Vador was real
How could a person be so evil?
I've been reminded of the 80's, in news and tv shows
I watched back to the future, which year shall we go?
There was an innocence about 2015; how were we to know
Tannen would take the Whitehouse, and sell it to Moscow
could you be so kind and rewind
learn from mistakes you made
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3. |
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Wait up
don't leave the room
I think I remember your face
but I can't remember your name
wait up
place your hand in mine
I remember the warmth
I remember those times
speak up
tell me who you are
I'm afraid I don't know you
I'm not sure I can trust you
hold on
you say that you are my wife
I think I remember your beauty
when I look into your eyes
and I do remember
the tree at the top of the hill
sunlight coming through the leaves
and resting upon your face
wake up
talk to me now
I see the ring on your hand
and I remember our song
wake up
don't leave the room
I'm left with still pictures
picture of strangers
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4. |
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take another shot at it
see if it'll start
pull the choke out
you pulled it too far
now the engines flooded
we're stuck here
now the snows falling
we're going nowhere
in the campus of the university G em C
I've never been here
but I know the caretaker
he drinks in the club Am
he's a moody bugger
he'll call the cops
have you ever been in trouble
I don't think you have
take another stab at it
to see if it starts
we should've taken your car
cos mines a piece of crap
why are we together
we're worlds apart
but is it only money
or is it more than that
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5. |
A Chorus of Lawnmowers
04:37
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I never understood my desire to chase a sunrise Dm c
After last night I’m staying behind closed blinds
I felt rejection, so I tried to drink it from my mind
And then I slept until the morning died
( I was ) woken by a chorus of lawnmowers Bflat C
The noise of the machines in my head
(and I) register that I'm still in bed
(but I) still have a mortgage to pay.
Found a title for just about managing
I worked so hard, I think I gave it everything
I guess I didn’t meet the needs of the system
So the system (had to) let go of me.
Chorus
I hold on to my wife for comfort F Bflat
I hold on to my child to bring me back
I thank someone for the roof that's above me
I feel for those still trapped in the rain
I lock the door and close the blinds
I hold my life closer to me
But fear starts to creep over me
Fear starts to creep over me
How am i going to pay for this
How am i going to pay.
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6. |
Automatic Help Screens
03:11
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Automatic helps screens asking for the symptoms
The cursor keeps on blinking how do I type what I'm thinking
I don't understand algorithms so I click on conversation
I'm connected to an online operator, she says her name is Sarah
I look at the clock its half past three on a Friday
she probably thinking of the weekend where she doesn't have to listen
She sounds like shes listening with a hint of boredom
she takes my answers from her questions then she scores them
I score 10 out of 33 she says I'm generally ok,
she asks is there anything else I can do for you today?
I reply no thank you and goodbye, turn back to the automatic help screen
cursor still blinking how do I type what I'm thinking
I close the lid on the computer, suddenly aware of my hunger
There is nothing in the refrigerator so I head out to the store
the aisles are busy with shoppers, everyone avoiding eye contact,
makes me feel more alone than ever.
I get some bread and biscuits, resigned to tea and toast for dinner,
when I see a drinks offer
Every Friday at half past four I do the same thing over and over
Now I think of drink, music and sleep and the end of another week
Put my groceries through an automatic check out,
shop assistant needs to clear the alcohol,
anything else I can do for you today?
I said no, thank you, enjoy your weekend.
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7. |
Here to Stay
02:55
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Its hard to see you there, watching our favourite TV
With our popcorn everywhere, you're alone and always elsewhere
Its hard to watch your grace, you add beauty to every place
You aimlessly look in shop windows, you're startled by the sound of the steeple
I'll try to stay
Take a walk to the south pier
Im sure I can meet you there
Take a look into the mirror
I'll place my hand upon your heart
Days and weeks turn into years, upon your cheeks fall no tears
I can see you changed your hair, things change when i'm no longer there
I tried to stay
I tried to stay
Place my hands upon your heart.
On your heart
I here to stay
As a memory
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8. |
My Computer Died
03:16
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My computer died will I have to talk to you?
if you reply what will I say to you?
one half of me thinks I'm doing all right
the other half believes in the worst things in life
my thoughts are your thoughts
but I can't tell what you're thinking
The words stall in my mouth
And it leaves you bloody fuming
and I stand there shrugging.
When you fly what peak do you soar to?
When you fall who's arms do you fall into?
Part of me feels that I'm no good for you
the other half suspects this is probably true
When I laugh is it 'cos you asked me to?
I love you who do you say that to?
some of my days are in the dark
some of my days are in the shadows
others are explaining why I come and go
My computer died will I have to talk to you?
if you reply what will I say to you?
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9. |
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Running through the Cairngorms with a big grin on my face
my god you could fall in love with the place
what a way to bring in my forties
all I could hear was the trickle of a stream and the ringing in my ears
no birds in flight, no birds in song
and I could see for miles and miles
there was sunshine in the east, rays dropping on the valley
there was darkness in the west, with the last of the winter snow refusing to go
suddenly, my running app updated my pace and time
I was dragged out of my moment
so I took a photo but I couldn't share it until I got a signal
as I was running in the Cairngorms
getting here was not so bad, a couple of stumbles along the way
so I headed back the way I came
but now I was slightly weary, my legs a little heavy
Finally I returned to the cottage and fell onto my bed
I wasted time on the internet
when I remembered that I hadn't shared my photo I took
when I was running in the Cairngorms
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10. |
Hopes and Dreams
03:36
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I wake up at 5 am; I wake up with a clear head
and I think about my aims; and ponder things that can change
I leave the safety of my home; I look back at curtains drawn
I turn away to face down the road; and wonder what this day holds
I engage in small talk; I'm bored by 8 o'clock
suddenly something kicks off; halfway down the hall
I got used to the violence; I got used to the blood
the only thing I couldn't do; was learn how to talk
when I got home it was dark; stripped off my crumpled shirt
I fell into the living room seat; and listened to the clock
I headed upstairs; my kid was fast asleep
his head full of dreams; dreams I hope he keeps
I fell into our bed; my knuckles still red
she sleepily asks; how was your day?
the wind howls outside; rain against the panes
got this roof over my head; got to lift that weight
I wake up at 5 am; I wake up with a clear head
and I think about my aims; and ponder things that can change
My hopes and dreams, go to my son.
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11. |
Speyside
05:16
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Paul Henry Smith Falkirk, UK
Acoustic, electronic, full band, whatever takes my mood. Been crafting music for over 20 years. Still not happy, can you
ever write the perfect album?
I'm from Falkirk, I built a small studio with much loved hand me downs and second hand gear.
When I record I get lost in an emotion, it spills onto the disc, sometimes it messy, sometimes its a rather wonderful painting I can keep forever.
... more
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