Paul Andrew Sneddon

Bugs Tune EP

“Bugs Tune EP” was originally released back in December 2012. It wasn’t long after the birth of my son. Believe it or not, the EP was recorded on a Blackberry Playbook. Remember those? Didn’t think so.

Fair play though, it did a good job of recording these for me.

I used the single microphone built in to the tablet and set it up in the hallway in the old flat when there was a quiet few minutes and recorded the tracks.

I was actually really pleased with how the songs sounded and even it still has that kind of real raw sound. No special effects, no production tricks. Just straight up songs.

There were some serious songs on here for me. Songs about the future, songs about leaving things behind and songs about those gone before their time.

Track one – Bugs Tune

This was a little melody I came up with just messing around with the guitar one day. I think I had been jamming along to some Springsteen songs earlier in the day. Just coming up with guitar parts and playing along. I used to play this to my son when he was about a year old, sleeping in this cot.

Track Two – Trouble Comes Around

Like most of my best songs this one just kind of spilled out of me. It was about working and living and making the best of things. Looking to the future with a kind of I don’t know what the future hold but I’m going to make sure I live it. Still one of my favourites.

Track 3 – I Wish You Well

Song about those changes in life, things change and you have to keep moving forward. I remember writing this on the floor in the front room of the old flat with a notebook in front of me. I likes the chord progression and the guitar melodies.

Track 4 – The River Song

This was a really personal one, written with a few people in mind but mostly my pal Mike who had passed away before this. Still miss you pal.

Hearing these songs now is a strange feeling. I still play The River Song and Trouble comes around in particular. I still feel like they have something to say.

Mr Waits Said Hold On

Sometimes,
when I'm feeling low,
I find a quiet place
and 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,
breath visible,
wrapping herself in her arms
in the freezing cold,
by the old shop.

"Hold on..."

I Am Alive

Death is seductive.
Life is reductive.
To the earth,
to the soil,
we will return.

But

I’m too old to die young.
Too far gone
for the black tie,
the graveyard moan.
Too plain
to deny it’s after me.
It’s going to get me.

But smart enough
to know

Live right now.
Crack a smile.
And yell

I am alive.

Grateful

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 my brothers.
Talent show.
Jam bands.
Aunt J’s funeral.
“Whisky in the Jar.”

Onto

An acoustic guitar.
Steve Earle.
Bruce Springsteen.
Life savers.

Living on my own,
wheezy harmonica,
chords,
four-track recorders,
soul brothers and sisters.

Writing songs.
Learning songs.
Lyrics scrawled everywhere,
on the walls,
on me,
in books and books.

Open mics.
Gigs.
Connection.

To the world.
To the earth.
Found myself
at 5am,
before the sun came up,
before the day began.

The Clash.
Rancid.
A thousand others,
etched on my heart.

The River Song

I love the rivers song

As it flows over stones and earth 
From the small streams through the countryside and dean park 
Till they flow to the sea
And out into the wild blue

I was thinking the other day about friends who have been and gone.
Family too
Taken from our life's too soon
Their laugh
Their banter
Chats we had about life
Wind ups 
And laughter 

I remember a song I wrote 

I've been listening to the river song
Thinking about those that are traveling on
I'll never forget where I come from
I've been listening to the river song

I'm going to stand
Im going to sing
I'm going to give it my everything 

I've been listening to the river song 

***
You can hear my song that inspired this here: https://paulandrewsneddon.bandcamp.com/track/the-river-song