carpe musicorum
So here is where you can find the lyrics, and a few of my detailed notes pertaining to other songs I have put in this collection. This should give you an idea as to what I was trying to do with the music, …and how some of it came about. I have also included details of some of the cool gear I used to make this wonderful music, along with mentioning briefly, a few of the bands and artists who most influenced my songwriting efforts back then.
notes
Broadway Tonight
words and music by Jeff LeMond
NOTE: I recorded this little tune along with a few others; back in the summer of 1986 at Pine Brook Studios in Alexandrea, Indiana. So as I remember it, we rented the studio for the entire day and paid cash in advance. Non refundable. The day I was to go in to record wouldn’t you know, I had a severe case of strep throat. NO JOY! We had to go ahead with the project and this is probably the only track that sounded half way listenable at the end of the session.
A longtime friend of mine called Bob McFarland did the guitar tracks and he pitched in with some background vocals as well. I used a YAMAHA QX-1 Digital sequence recorder to arrange and pre produce things. The drums were programmed into an Oberheim DX digital drum machine. Other equipment I used here includes a Roland Planet S, Roland Super Jupiter, Roland S-50 sampler and a Roland R D-1000 digital piano. In retrospect: perhaps I should have bought stock in Roland.
One of my all time favorite pop bands is The Cars, and they were my influence as I wrote this song. I wanted to get a CARS vibe going here. Not sure how that worked but there you go. Ric Ocasic & The Cars along with STYX, Journey, Chicago, REO Speedwagon TOTO and Foreigner were my BIG influences as I was trying to be a songwriter back in the day. I would have to say Dennis DeYoung of STYX is fundamental as to why I got into songwriting at all. I know I am not that good at it, but it brings me joy. So I figure its not wasted time after all…
So to summarize: I was going for a CARS-My best friend’s Girlfriend, meets A Flock of Seagulls-I Ran… kind of hybrid vibe with this song. The drums were all programmed on an Oberheim DX digital drum machine and a sample of a real snare drum was sent through a Lexicon reverb unit and synced to the drum beat via SMPTE. I used a Roland R D 1000 digital piano to actually play this mess into a sequencer. And so, there you have it. Just another song about how confusing love can be.
lyrics
I know you sometimes. You know me. What we really know, it’s a mystery. I try to touch your hand, you pull away. I’m confused now; should I leave or should I stay.
CHORUS: Walking on Broadway tonight with you, I see the starlight in your eyes.
You say you love me, You always will. I take a chance to tell you; how I really feel. Our love is growing now. We’re almost there. Now you say I have to leave, it just aint fair.
CHORUS: Walking on Broadway Tonight with you; I feel the passion start to rise.
And now time stands still, but hours rush by. I must be suffering from a case of do or die. You look so elegant, I’m just another guy, who’s hopping that you’l give our love one more try.
BRIDGE: Oh no here I go again. I’m falling in love with you.
Oh no here I go again. Do you feel it too.
Oh no here I go again. Well it feels so right.
Oh no here I go again…
WALK-OUT: She’s walking down the street and she looks so fine. You know I can’t get sleep, I gotta make her mine.
I look in her eyes and tell me what do I see. You know your love has got a hold on me. Don’t let go.
…Thats right!
Thats me…
words and music by Jeff LeMond
NOTE: This has to be the most depressing song I have ever written. This thing should come with a warning label. Best listened to while under the influence of Prozac. I must have written this shortly after loosing a family pet or something, but it is what it is and that is that. C’est ce quee C’est
The entire mess was recorded using my ensoniq TS-12 synthesizer. I loved that keyboard for not only composing and pre production, but also as a live performance instrument. They just don’t make them like that anymore.
This song is basically the sad story of some poor bastard who has lost in love and just wants to commiserate with anyone who will listen to him whine. Old Jeffrow would have listened, but the NEW Jeffrow would tell him to get a dog and move on. Like granddad use to say, “nothing gets you over the last one, like the next one”
Every time I think I’m over you, A feeling in my heart says it just aint true.
Its hard to say how long I’l last, something tells me that I’m fading fast.
Loneliness showed up when you walked out.
Now I see what hurting’s all about. Oh yeah.
What can I do to end this pain? Where’s the sun when there’s smooch rain?
CHORUS: A lovely man with a heartache, Thats me.
I’ve been waiting for your love to set me free.
To break these chains might take a little time, If I don’t real soon; I’m gonna loos my mind.
A lonely man with a heartache, Thats me…
Where can I go to make a brand-new start?
What can I say when the lines are down, and my whole world falls apart?
One look at you and I’ve found the way,
I just have to go back to yesterday…
CHORUS: A lovely man with a heartache, Thats me.
I’ve been waiting for your love to set me free.
To break this chain might take a little time,
If I don’t real soon; I’l be left behind…
After all this time I finally see,
The only one with a heartache, Thats me…
Believe,
words and music by Jeff LeMond
NOTE: For some unknown reason, my cousin Eric Boggs really liked this one so it has to be represented here for no other reason than that. Every time I listen to it, I think of Eric and the old days. Like my MOM, he was a BIG supporter of me playing music. He loved coming out to wherever my band was playing to listen to the music. This one is for you Eric!
I look at you, You walk away.
I can’t believe that there’s nothing left to say…
I thought that love would never die,
and now these tears fill my eyes, I cry…
CHORUS: I’m holden on to something, when I should be letting go.
What else can I do, to let you know?
Girl’ this aint the first time, you walked out on me.
But its gonna be the last one, Believe,
CHORUS: I’m holding on to something, when I should just walk away.
What else can I do to make you stay?
Girl this aint the first time you walked out on me,
its gonna be the last one,
…I’m hoping its a fast one; baby.
Its gotta be the last time, Believe.
Running
“from a broken heart”
words and music by Jeff LeMond
NOTE: Over the years I have seen so many people caught up in toxic relationships with seemingly no way out . And so this song was born as a sort of anthem to them. Its a song about a girl who has had enough of the bullshit, and so she hits the road to freedom. I actually started on this one back in 1988 when I was in a band called SHAMAN. It took nearly three years to complete so I guess you could say this song took the longest to write. I just kept getting distracted by shiny things and only worked on it as I had time on my hands. Buddy Sexton and I finally went into the studio and recorded it in the mid 1990’s. …Yet another product from Studio D in SummitVille, Indiana.
Running down the highway, moon shining bright. Southern Breeze blowing through her hair.
Not sure where she’s going, Aint really sure of nothing. except, ….it’s gonna be alright when she gets there.
Tired of believing, She searches for the reason, to make her wanna stick around.
After all his lying, and the years and years of crying, Tonight she’s breaking loose at the speed of sound.
CHORUS: Nothing can stop her, she’s on the road tonight.
His lies won’t hold her, this time she knows she’s right.
You can almost feel the thunder, You see it in her eyes.
She’s running from a broken heart tonight.
Promises were broken, its hard to be forgiving.
Though no two loves are quite the same.
And though she tries, LORD knows she tries,
She still breaks down and cry. but,
All her tears won’t put out that old flame…
CHORUS: Nothing can stop her, she’s on the road tonight.
His lies won’t hold her, this time she knows she’s right.
You can almost hear the thunder, You see it in her eyes.
She’s running from a broken heart tonight,
BRIDGE: …will loneliness ever end?
…In time, a broken heart can mend.
Last Nights Dream
words and music by Jeff LeMond
NOTE: I have to give an assist to my Aunt Pearl for giving me the basic idea for this song. She asked if I could write a tune with the phrase (last nights dream) in it, so I took it as a challenge, and the rest is history. This one was on a very old tape I recently found buried in the back of a closet. I sent the tape to LegacyBox.com and they were able to bring it back to life. I sure wish I had a better recording of it. Perhaps some day I might re do this one. Check it out here. Thanks Aunt Pearl. This one is for you!
Last night I had a dream about you, The stars, your eyes, it set the night.
One look from you and I was in heaven. You touched my heart, it felt so right.
CHORUS: You touched my heart, it felt so right. Baby it’s much more than it seams.
That look from you, I feel the magic. I’m reliving last nights dream.
Last nights dream.
Last nights dream.
Last nights dream.
Was it just a dream…
Since we meat my life has changed, how did I ever live without you.
I can’t forget the life you saved. and every other thing about you.
CHORUS: You touched my hand, you warm my heart. I could never last without you.
I feel so lost when we’re apart, Every night I dream about you.
Girl its much more than it seams.
Last nights dream.
Last nights dream.
Last nights dream.
I feel so high:
when I’m with you.
words and music by Jeff LeMond
NOTE: I came up with this song back in 1985 and we recorded it using an old open reel 8 track machine. Tom Davis mixed this project down to a 2 track quarter inch tape that remained in a box in my closet until a few months back. I honestly can’t believe legacy box was able to do anything with it. But I am glad they were. Otherwise I might have completely forgotten about this little treasure. The drums were done using an Oberheim DX digital drum machine. The keyboard was a Roland MKB 1000 MIDI controller. The actual synthesizers were a Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter, and a Roland MKS-30 Planet S synthesizer module. Dwight Farmer did the lead and other guitars and Jeff Johnson did the bass track and some of the background vocals. I realize ti might not sound all that great, but believe me. We had a great time putting it all together. This is another one I would like another shot at recording. Perhaps. You can check it out along with Last Nights Dream here. Remember, legacybox.com did their best.
Every time I look at you, not quite sure what it is I see.
I only know when I’m lying next to you, it feels like I’m living in exact.
CHORUS: I don’t know what I should say anymore. I don’t know what I should do.
I only know lately, theres one thing for sure. I feel so high when I’m with you.
Yeah, when I’m with you…
Wasting nights I spend my time all alone. Girl, You’re all thats on my mind.
Now I know what they mean when they say that good love.
Good love’s sometimes hard to find.
CHORUS: I don’t know what I should say anymore. I don’t know what I should do.
Only know baby, one things for sure. I feel so high when I’m with you.
Yeah when I’m with you…
CHORYS: I don’t know what I should say anymore. I don’t know what I should do.
I only know lately, theres one thing for sure. I feel so high when I’m with you.
Yeah…
CHORUS: I don’t know what I should say anymore. I don’t know what I should do.
I only know lately, theres one thing for sure. I feel so high when I’m with you.
Yeah…
I feel so high when I’m with you.
I feel so high when I’m with you.
I feel so high when I’m with you.
I feel so high when I’m with you….
Dancing With An Angel
by Jeff LeMondOn
Wednesday, March 9th. 2022 I FINALLY wrote another song. The first one in over 25 years. Over the past two months, I have been writing poems like a mad bastard. Sometimes, three a day. I have no explanation as to why or how this happened but it did. I think I have been hit with a mega dose of creativity or something. Anyway, I was relaxing in a hot bath last night and this song just came to me. I knew I had to write it down before I lost it. An hour later I had the music, the words, the whole thing. I would love to record this one. As for the poetry goes, I almost have enough for a book. Unbelievable!
When I walked into the room
The lights were turned down low.
Across a crowded dance floor
People moving close and slow.
I took a seat at a table for two,
…I was alone…
The band was playing something
I’ve never heard before.
And I started missing you.
Wishing you were here with me.
It breaks my heart to think what we once had,
is nothing more than some old memory.
I’de give anything for one more chance,
one more dance
for my lady and me.
And as I look around,
I see you standing there.
Like an angel sent from Heaven
Here to end my cold despair.
As you look into my eyes,
and slowly take my hand.
And as we hit the dance floor,
I begin to understand.
Chorus
I’m out here dancing with an angel tonight.
Got my arms around the future,
and I’m holding on tight.
As the music starts to flow,
The emotion feels so right.
Cause I’m dancing with an angel tonight.
Guitar Solo
Chorus:
I’m out here dancing with an angel tonight.
Got my arms around forever,
and I’m holding her tight.
As the band begins to play,
Our bodies sway to the night.
I’m dancing with an angel,
A precious, loving angel.
refrain:
I’m dancing with my angel tonight.
I’m dancing with an angel tonight.
hanger:
When I walked into the room,
The lights were turned down low.
Across a crowded dance floor,
Moving close and slow…
On Tenebrous Wings is my first true attempt at writing an actual poem. I love poetry and have always admired the great poets of humanity. This is my take on what a poem written by a vampire might look like. carpe noctem
On Tenebrous Wings By Jeff LeMond
Over moonlit mountain, woodland, hillside streams;
A candle lighted village, gazing down on furtive dreams.
Over clouds, through space and time,
Time suspended, or so it seams.
I search the night for something right.
Alive, on tenebrous wings.
A preternatural feeling deep inside my soul,
drives medieval hunger,
it dare not let me go.
Once again surrendering to what this new life brings.
A thousand lifetimes lived at night,
aloft on tenebrous wings.
A smile becomes a rictus,
the heart is beating fast.
A race against the sunrise.
The darkness racing past..
I contemplate the future,
and what tomorrow brings.
Alive for now, forever night,
Away on tenebrous wings.
And what survival does to me, alas, it’s hard to tell.
Endless thirst, and agony. a cruel witches spell.
I’l never see a bluebird fly or hear the song he sings.
Imprisoned by relentless spite.
Tenacious Tenebrous Wings.
It’s Only A Song
by Jeff LeMond
As they hold each other closely, as the music plays so softly. The promises he gave her were so sweet.
And as the night enfolds them, Two lovers move as one then. For a time her heart and soul both feel replete.
The soundtrack and the lighting were so nice. For a moment she was lost in paradise.
CHORUS:
It's only the Moon in a midsummer sky.
A luminous wonder, miles away, seen through tear-stained eyes. It's nothing to break a heart or even make one cry.
It's only the moon, only the moon.
The first night spent together he swore it was forever. The moon glow and Sam Cooke were on his side.
Now she's out here drifting like a boat lost on the water,
Reaching for the shore, against the tide.
She swears she'll never fall in love again.
If she can make it through this night, not again.
CHORUS:
It's only a song from some car stereo.
Emotional baggage set to music, from no one you know.
But sometimes the music can take us to places we don't want to go. You have to be strong. It's only a song
SOLO:
CHORUS:
It's only the nightlife that hurts you this way.
Or maybe the moonlight mixed with some music it's hard to say... But one thing's for certain, you're gonna stop hurting. and it won't be that long.
It's only the moon. It's only a song...
Calling Home
music by Jeff LeMond
NOTE: This instrumental was written and composed entirely on a YAMAHA MOTIF ES8 synthesizer. A few samples were subsequently added later from GarageBand to spice things up a bit. The mood of this tune was derived from years of listening to The Alan Parsons Project. I love that stuff so much. I Robot, The Raven, I wouldn’t want to be like you, etc… Its all good as far as I am concerned.
I just wanted to do something with some cool drums and a nice bass line with that Alan Parsons Project vibe. And this is what I came up with. Check it out!
Just so you know.
I have never made any claims as to being a successful professional songwriter. To me, this is all just a hobby. One of which I happen to enjoy very much. And as I have previously stated on this website, It is good to share what one enjoys.
Music is the soundtrack of life, so crank that shit up!
Support local music
They say the best way to get a musician off of your front porch is to pay him for the pizza. Well, I don’t know about that shit , but I can tell you the best way to keep the great songs coming is to support your local artists whenever you can. Attend live shows, buy band merchandise, do radio requests, stream or buy their music. Believe me, it all helps.