Author Archives: Paul Andrew Sneddon

Sometimes,when I’m feeling low,I find a quiet placeand get my headphones.Tom Waits —”Hold On.”It’s that first chord —a warm D chord —just opens up the world.It’s like an old friend.And the words —the lyrics —make you smile,make you laugh,make you feel,make you think.A warm embrace.I can see her —the old motel, paint worn and peeling,breathContinue reading “Mr Waits Said Hold On”

Death is seductive.Life is reductive.To the earth,to the soil,we will return.ButI’m too old to die young.Too far gonefor the black tie,the graveyard moan.Too plainto deny it’s after me.It’s going to get me.But smart enoughto knowLive right now.Crack a smile.And yellI am alive. (c) Paul Andrew Sneddon

Music has always been there.In my loneliness.In my best moments. From just a wee guy,with my personal stereo:Europe.Fresh Prince.Technotronic. Top 40.Taped off the radio.Hits of the year. Mum singing in the kitchen.Dad’s record collection:Bob Dylan.Guns N’ Roses.Then Aerosmith.First light.First gigs.CDs from Woolworths. John Lee Hooker.The Black Crowes.“Smokestack Lightning.”And Gun. Through bass guitars.Copying riffs from myContinue reading “Grateful”

I love the rivers songAs it flows over stones and earth From the small streams through the countryside and dean park Till they flow to the seaAnd out into the wild blueI was thinking the other day about friends who have been and gone.Family tooTaken from our life’s too soonTheir laughTheir banterChats we had aboutContinue reading “The River Song”

Ayr High StreetSmithsSometimes in the 1990sUpstairs where they sold CDsLooking for something newPast MadonnaPast Take ThatPast Pearl JamPast The Offspring Down on the bottom I see itWhat the fuck is that.RancidA punkHead in hands….And out come the WolvesI get homePut it in the playerMaxwell Murder bursts out the speakersThen the bass solo hitsI play bass.Continue reading “The Lucky Ones”