Joey D Music

Songs I Forgot I Wrote

A Time Capsule of 37 Original Songs

So far…

Introducing a collection of original rock songs recorded between 2006 and 2018! Despite the haphazard nature of these recordings, they offer a raw and authentic glimpse into my creative process.

Although initially recorded on an old Tascam 2-track recorder, (or my phone), in my living room, with some catchy melodies and heartfelt lyrics, these demos encapsulate the essence of my style of rock music. Dive into these forgotten gems, ahem, ready to be polished and brought to life…maybe some day.

Experience the evolution of some of these songs as they evolve from raw inspiration to full-fledged songs recorded on The Apple.

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19 Tracks
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  • Written with my beautiful wife Ausra in mind. This is the heavier electrified rock n roll version.

  • Working out the song on acoustic guitar and stretching the hell outa my out of tune voice! I actually wrote the song on the piano.

  • I think this is kinda catchy. This is also an attempt at doubling my vocals. Uugh. The song was inspired by my step daughter who at the time was always hiding from us parents thinking we didn't notice.

  • This is me still working out the song playing my acoustic with haphazardly written lyrics. I stop in the middle because I'm fucking it up so bad and start cursing. LOL Then start playing a bit more aggressive. No wonder my guitar has a nice large worn spot below the pick guard. Pay no attention to the more than usual off key notes near the end.

  • This is my first recording and still working out the song playing my acoustic with only a few lyrics. I'm mumbling sometimes because I'm trying to think of more lyrics while I'm singing.

  • I wrote this in my head while driving my step daughter somewhere. She was always in a hurry to get somewhere so she could get somewhere else in a hurry.

  • I wrote and recorded this in about an hour and mess up the words quite a bit. Another crappy phone recording in haste so I wouldn't forget it. Which I did anyway. It's a protest song about the establishment and you can read the lyrics below if you're interested in what I'm trying to say.

  • Written with my step daughters in mind when they were teenagers. We had a strained relationship back then and I guess I just didn't get it. She would hide in her room until it was time to ask me to drive her somewhere. That's my Yamaha keyboard playing the drums in the background thru a small amp.

  • Inspired by my step daughter and a poem she wrote while in middle school. Boy does my voice sound bad here but it's the only recording I have of this song and I really like. There are many more lyrics to this one below.

  • This is one of a few songs I wrote because I was presented with a challenge by my friends Steve and Shelly. We wanted to record an album that featured Shelly but we didn't have any female type songs. So all 3 of us tried to write songs from a female perspective. Hence the lyrics containing references to men. I wrote about 10 songs of which we decided to record only a few. Most were crap and these were the least crappy. And Shelly wouldn't sing them so I had to. LOL You can hear me switching from saying "he" instead of "she" in places. It's hard to sing lyrics from the perspective of another gender.

  • Another one of my girly songs for Shelly to sing and never did. Someone had to. Again trying to sing lyrics from a female perspective. Oh boy am I stretching my voice for a falsetto and an off key one at that.

  • Another one of my girly songs for Shelly to sing and never did. Again trying to sing lyrics from a female perspective. If you listen close you can hear me laughing a little. I tried singing as high as I could (girly falsetto) and it's not very good but I tried. If only I had auto tuner turned on.

  • Despite the really shitty vocals and screwing up the lyrics, I like this one. A piano piece that sounds like I had John and Paul in mind with the round and round part.

    It's another protest song about my thoughts on the corrupt establishment and how I tend to look like a nut case when I talk about it.

  • Mildly inspired by my dad and grandfather who introduced me to music as a kid. I wanted to write something in the Cats in the Cradle vain. Another horrible vocal but I like this as a piano piece. Gimme a break, it's a one take record!

  • Working out a tune I came up with on the piano and named it The One That I Am. It's pretty much a love song but this is me working it out and is pretty rough. The end sounds really bad because my phone is sitting on top of the piano in a bad place and is vibrating and I never noticed. Ouch on the ears.

  • Slow rock jam session with myself playing all instruments, one at a time, all the way thru in a single take. This ultimately turned into the song called I Gave it a Try on The Apple album. A few guitar layers with one trying to sound like a steel guitar with my Les Paul on my lap.

  • Original - This was written while thinking of my now beautiful wife Ausra. I hate my vocal but had lots of fun playing the drums and the lead guitar part, even though that kinda sucks too. LOL I'm playing all instruments on this one too and again each in one full take.
    NOTE: The song begins about 15 seconds in.

  • Original - I can't remember how many guitar tracks are layered in this but there's at least 4. And another for my attempt at playing bass. Since I don't have a bass, I EQ'd my guitar as low as possible and played just the top 3 strings. I think I played a harmonica on this too. And, no drums! What the? I think this was an attempt at sounding like an old blues guy like Lightning Hopkins. In my mind that is.

  • Original version of Semper Fi - This recording was actually played inside the DIA offices the day my Uncle Tom died. I had recorded this on my own about a month before he passed. He listened to it in his hospital bed and forwarded it to his colleagues. He was a 20 year Marine Corp Vietnam Veteran and retired with honors. He continued to serve his country for almost 30 years after that working for many different agencies. When I heard he was dying of cancer I was inspired to write this song and pay tribute to him, his Marine brothers and sisters, and everyone that has served our country with honor and dignity. I play all the instruments on this one including the military style drum stuff I was trying to pull off. I got the call that he died while we were recording the updated version on The Apple at Steve's house in Tampa. The energy immediately changed and everyone gave it their all in such a positive way. Even the recording the session was a tribute and it's too bad we didn't video that. My Uncle Tom is still my hero. Semper fi.

    Click here to see my tribute page where you can hear both versions.

i

Lyrics/Chords

Lyrics/Chords - I Blame You

C
I blame you for knowing
Dm
Exactly what I'm thinkin'
Em
You called me just to say
F
Exactly what I was gonna say!

Bridge:
G
As long as your here with me
Em
Lookin' over my shoulder

---- CHORUS BEGIN ----
Am
I Blame You
G
For all that you do to me
Am
I Blame You
G
For all that you want to say
Am
I Blame You
G
For seeing right thru me
Am
I Blame You
G
For showing me the way

---- CHORUS END ----

C
You never question why
Dm
My misfortune makes me wonder why
Em
You stay and say it's getting
F
Better....

Bridge:
G
As long as your here with me
Em
Lookin' over my shoulder

---- CHORUS BEGIN ----
Am
I Blame You
G
For all that you do to me
Am
I Blame You
G
For all that you want to say
Am
I Blame You
G
For seeing right thru me
Am
I Blame You
G
For showing me the way

---- CHORUS END ----

End on Am

Lyrics/Chords - Can't You See

D A
Sometimes you want
C G D
someone to show you the way

D A
Sometimes you know
C G D
exactly what you want to say

D A
When tomorrow means
C G D
as much as it does today

D A
All I want to know is... There's another way.
C G D
Can't You See

----- CHORUS -----
D A
I want... I need...
C G D
Why not..can't I...

D A
No matter what I say...
C G D
You can't see me...

D A
I am... I am...
C G D
I'm not sure what...Can't You See

D A
All I want is...
C G D
Can't You See...Can't You See .. me
----------------

D A
Sometimes I want to say...
C G D
Something perfect because...
D A
You think you know the way...
C G D

D A
But my place is on the way...
C G D
To my place...the other way...
D A
To my place...now Can't You See
C G D

----- CHORUS -----

Can't You See me...
Oh what you've done to me
Can't You See me..
and what you've done to me
Can't You See me...

----- CHORUS -----

Lyrics/Chords - Can We Hurry Up
--- CHORUS BEGIN ---
E
Can we hurry up
E
So we can hurry up
A
So we can get there
E
And then we'll hurry up
--- CHORUS END ---

A
Nothing's feeling good right now
E
I'm trying to find a sign
A
I look, I see
E
I wanna get my piece of pie

A
It's just around the corner baby
E
There's something I gotta see
A
I don't know what it is, I'm bored
E
I'm just trying to be me

CHORUS

A
Let's go downtown, movies, Walmart
E
Something's gotta give this time
A
I wanna fill my shopping cart
E
Don't you dare ask me why

CHORUS

Lyrics/Chords - Batter Up

CHORUS:
D E E D C B slide up to E
Batter Up! Yea! Yea!
E D C B
I'll take your money or I'll take your life
D E
Batter Up!
E D C B
Play the game and you might survive
D E
Batter Up!

Put your money where your mouth is.
Take a cut just like the masses.
Jump right in and take your chances.
We'll show you just what real romance is.

The canyon's wider than it was last night
I wanna jump but it seems so high
They made me think that it's not worth a try.
But then it hit me, it's all just a lie!

Batter Up!

------------
BRIDGE = HALF TIME

F#m C#m
The man will come and take you away
F#m C#m Bm
And make you feel like it's just another day

F#m C#m
And when you wake up, you'll realize
They're gonna cut you, right down to size

Batter Up!
------------

Media stories filled with fear
You're gonna suffer, the end is near
What can I do? Let me protect you dear!
I can help, my voice is loud and clear!

I'm here to tell you it doesn't have to be
The way they say, you think it should be
The truth is somewhere between you and me
Look deep inside, and then you will see

Batter Up!

But you chose to save your asses.
Batter Up!

Lyrics/Chords - You just don't get it!

C Am
You came into my life
G
Out of the blue

C Am
You didn't like it
G
You hid in your room

C Am
Nothin to say...Get outa my way
G
Make some room

C Am
Goin my own way...I got nothing to say
G
To you

You said...

CHORUS
A - G - A - GGG D
A
Leave me alone
G D
You just don't get it!
A
I wanna get stoned
G D
You just don't get it!
A
Leave me alone
G D
You just don't get it!
A
You got it right...
G D
I just don't get it!

RIFF

C Am
Now that it's time
G
To go for a ride

C Am
Ain't it funny how the feelin
G
Subsides

C Am
The black cloud of doom turns to grey
G
For a while

C Am
Another con on the way here it comes
G
With a smile

CHORUS

C Am
There's something inside...you gotta hide
G
A great big wall

C Am
Gotta lot to say...too much on your mind
G
Because after all

C Am
It's your time... just like it was mine
G
Because after all

C Am
You said your world... was a time
G
Change was for all

CHORUS

Outro = Riff

Lyrics - I'm Not Happy

CHORUS
I am not happy, I am not free
Gonna break these chains that are binding me
I am not happy free, I am not free
Will I ever be?
Will I ever be?

I feel my heart race
I feel myself running
I feel my pockets
I'm looking for money

A stranger in the night
What will happen to me
I dream of happiness
But why can't I be?
But why can't I be?

CHORUS

BRIDGE
I pretend I'm not alone
I pretend I am back at home

I'm gonna cut loose
Gotta get away clean
Help me escape
From my captivity

I cry when I rise
Water surrounding me
Now I understand
It's not up to me
Will it ever be?

CHORUS

I wake up dreaming
I cannot sleep
I reach out to touch it
But it escapes me

I hope for another
Opportunity
Because I'm not happy
I am not free
I am not free

Lyrics - Party - It's Saturday Night

50 miles outside the city
Born with a smile on my face
Cause I know I was so pretty
My momma told me every day

Sleep overs, awesome pillow fights
Couldn't wait for Saturday
Me and my girls, we dim the lights
It's time for us to partay!

----- CHORUS BEGIN -----
P. A. R. T. Y.
It's finally Saturday night!
P. A. R. T. Y.
It's time to party!
----- CHORUS END -----

Doing my face, curling my hair
Tight blue jeans, Abercrombe
Finding the perfect thing to wear
Wait till all the boys see me

Across the room, I see his eyes
I think he's walking my way
Heart is racing, I'm gonna fly
Maybe tonight is the night

CHORUS

Walking the campus...oh my my
The boys have turned to hot men
Looks so good, I wanna die
I'm wondering if and when

Throw my hair back, hands on my hips
He looks up, nothing to say?
I move close and said "read my lips"
It's time for us to partay!

CHORUS

Lyrics/Chords - It's Plain to See

C#m run down - F# to Dm
It's clear to me
C#m run down - F# to Dm
When you look around you'll see
C#m run down - F# to Dm
Smiling faces
C#m run down - F# to Dm
But we all disagree

E and D at the same time - back and forth
and round and round and round and round we go

Am Bm
But deep inside
Am Bm
There's nowhere to hide
Am Bm G
From the truth that was a lie
G
We've been taken for a ride

C#m run down - F# to Dm
We're all the same
C#m run down - F# to Dm
Working hard, Playin the game
C#m run down - F# to Dm
My tears are raining
C#m run down - F# to Dm
On everyone's parade

E and D at the same time - back and forth
and round and round and round and round we go

C#m run down - F# to Dm
It's Plain to See
C#m run down - F# to Dm
When you're looking back at me
C#m run down - F# to Dm
We love, we want, we feel
C#m run down - F# to Dm
We just want to be

E and D at the same time - back and forth
and round and round and round and round we go

Am Bm
But deep inside
Am Bm
There's nowhere to hide
Am Bm G
From the truth that was a lie
G
We've been taken for a ride

OUTRO:
C#m D# Dm D# C# Dm

Lyrics/Chords - My Pa's Radio

E D A E
Music is over rated
E D A E
When it's too complicated
E D A E
He said as he looked at me
D A
Have a listen son - And you tell me
D A
Have a listen son - And you tell me

E D E - E D E
D A E
--------------------------------
CHORUS
E D A E
Let me in and play me a song
E D A E
With a melody and a little bit of soul
E D A E
He promised me I'd never go wrong
D A
With me and my Pa's radio
D A
With me and my Pa's radio
--------------------------------

E D A E
Play with me son, I'll show you the way
E D A E
The smile you put on my face today
E D A E
Open your heart, and maybe you'll see
D A
In the years to come, you'll see what I mean
D A
In the years to come, you'll see what I mean

----------------------------------

E D E D E
We're so smart we're dumb you said to me
E D A E
I give this song to you so you'll be
E D E D A E
Forget the answers, don't ask why
D A
I want you to know what it's like to really fly
D A
I want you to know what it's like to really fly

----------------------------------
CHORUS
----------------------------------

E D E D E
The lessons you taught me for hours on end
E D A E
On the road I chose ther way back when
E D E D A E
Getting nowhere on the other side
D A
You played me a tune and everything was alright
D A
You played me a tune and everything was alright

----------------------------------
CHORUS
----------------------------------
My Pa's Radio - capo on 3rd and played like D, C, and G chords.
GUITAR

D C G D
Music is over rated
D C G D
When it's too complicated
D C G D
He said as he looked at me
C G
Have a listen son - And you tell me
C G
Have a listen son - And you tell me

E D E - E D E
D A E
--------------------------------
CHORUS
D C G D
Let me in and play me a song
D C G D
With a melody and a little bit of soul
D C G D
He promised me I'd never go wrong
C G
With me and my Pa's radio
C G
With me and my Pa's radio
--------------------------------

D C G D
Play with me son, I'll show you the way
D C G D
The smile you put on my face today
D C G D
Open your heart, and maybe you'll see
C G
In the years to come, you'll see what I mean
C G
In the years to come, you'll see what I mean

----------------------------------

D C G D
We're so smart we're dumb you said to me
D C G D
I give this song to you so you'll be
D C G D
Forget the answers, don't ask why
C G
I want you to know what it's like to really fly
C G
I want you to know what it's like to really fly

----------------------------------
CHORUS
----------------------------------

D C G D
The lessons you taught me for hours on end
D C G D
On the road I chose ther way back when
D C G D
Getting nowhere on the other side
C G
You played me a tune and everything was alright
C G
You played me a tune and everything was alright

----------------------------------
CHORUS
----------------------------------

Lyrics/Chords - There You Are
Am Em
There you are...The lone spirit
Am Em
There you are...The lone spirit

F
Rising up thru the morning sun
G Am
You come and show me what you've done
F
Rising up thru the morning sun
G Am
You come and show me what you've done
-----------------------------------
G
I'm breathless
Am
And I'm alone
G
Feel the need to be near you
Am
But I'm alone
G
Thoughts fade away
Am
But not for long
-----------------------------------

Am Em
There you are...The lone spirit
Am Em
There you are...The lone spirit

F
Rising up thru the morning sun
G Am
You come and show me what you've done
F
Rising up thru the morning sun
G Am
You come and show me what you've done
-----------------------------------

G Am
Souls searching on...another plane
G Am
While life continued on...in oblivion
Dm Em F G
Co-existing...not knowing...anything is missing
Am
And there you are
-----------------------------------

Am Em
There you are...The lone spirit
Am Em
There you are...The lone spirit

F
Rising up thru the morning sun
G Am
You come and show me what you've done
F
Rising up thru the morning sun
G Am
You come and show me what you've done
-----------------------------------

Am Em
There we are...Two lone spirits
Am Em
There we are...Two lone spirits
F
Becoming one with ourselves
G Am
Can you see where this can go?
F
Becoming one with ourselves
G Am
Can you see where we can go?
Am
There you are...

Lyrics/Chords - I Don’t Know Why
G
Understand that I can sometimes
F
Break the golden rule
G
Then I find myself and realize
F
I’ve been such a fool
G
To think that you would come back
F
After you said we were thru
G
I gotta try just one more time
F
It’s all I can do
——————————
CHORUS
Am C
Raindrops fall the wind may blow
Em
I don’t know why
Am C
I’ll always be here with you
Em
I don’t know why
——————————
G
Taking my time drinking my wine
F
I’m losing my mind
G
But the voice inside my head
F
It’s working overtime
G
One more chance is all I ask of you
F
One last time
G
I have no place left to go
F
Please give me another try
CHORUS
Lyrics/Chords - If You Insist
E A
Sometimes I don’t know how or where or why
E
If you insist
E A
Desires that I try to satisfy
E
If you insist
E A
My lust for you I’ll tell ya I can’t hide
E
If you insist
E A
You take my money I don’t care or ask why
E
If you insist
——— CHORUS ————
B
Your blue eyes…
A
caught me…
E
by surprise
——————————-
Take a look at me baby look deep inside
If you insist
Tell me have you ever been so goddam high
If you insist
You say I have to cook for you clean for you why
If you insist
You say wanna take the wildest ride of your life?
If you insist
You say it’s time for me to look you in the eye
If you insist
And tell you that it’s me and you for life
If you insist
Been there done that honey no reason why
If you insist
To take a good thing and then make it a lie
If you insist
——— CHORUS ————
Your blue eyes…
caught me…
by surprise
——————————-
Maybe it’s time for me to look inside
If you insist
My life is one short roller coaster ride
If you insist
I wonder how or what or where or why?
If you insist
You stay inside me all the days of my life
If you insist
That’s how I know that that everything is alright
——— CHORUS ————
Your blue eyes…
caught me…
by surprise
Lyrics/Chords - I Gave it a Try
C Dm
Rollin down the lonely road
C Dm
Searchin for a sign
C Dm
That will lead me to
C Dm
Something to satisfy
——— CHORUS ————
Em
Can’t stand still
F
I’ll make it I will
G F
At least I know
Em Dm
I’ll sleep well tonight Because I
C
Gave it a try
——————————
C Dm
C Dm
C Dm
With your memory on my mind
C Dm
I know sometimes it doesn’t show
C Dm
I’ll take this road to the end of the line
C Dm
Then again…I know you know
C Dm
Takin time to listen to
C Dm
The rythm of the lonely road
C Dm
The path that leads me to you
C Dm
Is one I’ll always know
Lyrics - What Will it Take
Looking out my window
As far as the eye can see
I see meadow to cross, mountains to climb
To claim my fortune from sea to sea
My power and money
Is all I crave and need
Irrisistable deals
That will bring you to your knees
—– CHORUS —–
What will it take
To change the world
What will it take
Till we understand we’re all the same
What will it take
To say enough
What will it take
Till we understand it’s all just a crazy game
—————-
It’s hard for me to think
Taking over the world is still a goal
To those of you that want to
You should crawl back into your hole
Feed your children
Take care of their needs
And in the end
All our eyes will finally see
—– CHORUS —–
My god told me to
Kill my brother in his name
He must be right
Cause we don’t look the same
And then I woke up
And realized it’s all a lie
Created by men
With the look of fear in their eyes
—– CHORUS —–
Lyrics/Chords - The Apple
G
Would you give me the apple?
C G
Would you give me the sunshine of your smile?
Am
Take me to that mountain stream.
C
While we’re dreaming our dreams.
Cm G
Even if it’s just for a little while.
G
Would you give me tomorrow?
C G
Would you tell me that everything is alright?
Am
You know it’s funny it seems.
C
My life is shattered with dreams.
Cm G
Even if it’s just for a little while.
————————-
Bm Em
Somewhere along the way.
Bm Em
Cloudy days seem to fade away.
Am C
Life goes fast we gotta make it last.
Cm G
Even if it’s just for a little while.
————————-
G
Would you give me the answer?
C G
Would you tell me that everything is alright?
Am
You know it’s funny it seems.
C
My life’s now shattered with dreams.
Cm G
Even if it’s just for a little while.
————————-
Bm Em
Somewhere along the way.
Bm Em
Cloudy days seem to fade away.
Am C
Life goes fast we gotta make it last.
Cm G
Even if it’s just for a little while.
————————-
Am C
Life goes fast we gotta make it last.
Cm G
Even if it’s just for a little while.
Lyrics/Chords - Semper Fi
B Flat F
Secrets and unspoken words
B Flat F
Only few will know…his voice they heard
E flat Gm
He went to war…he flew so high
E flat Gm F
He found his place…he found his pride
——————————
B Flat F
Our lives have changed in so many ways
B Flat F
When I look back on my younger days
E flat Gm
Admiration Adulation our flag is high
E flat Gm F
Because of you… we’ll never die
——————————
CHORUS (twice)
——————————
G F
Semper Fi … you fighted for change
C G Am(first time) F(2nd time)
A Legacy Remains … (gunny) you’re my hero
B Flat F
My country my tis of thee
B Flat F
This country bows unto thee
E flat Gm
Pride, honor and dignity
E flat Gm F
A marine, a man, Uncle Tom to me
——————————
E flat Gm
It’s sad to think that some may never see
E flat Gm F
A marine, a man, Uncle Tom to me
——————————
E flat Gm
You were, you are, you’ll always be
E flat Gm F
A marine, a man, Uncle Tom to me
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  • A four chord progression that was in my head and I think it sounds kinda catchy.

  • I like this piano riff and felt the need to add lyrics of some kind. But, I couldn't think of anything so I used some stuff from My Pa's Radio. Doesn't really work but I still like the melody.

  • Another piano riff I think is catchy.

  • Another piano riff I think is catchy. You can hear me call out the chords so I don't forget them. LOL Recording with my phone on top of the piano is probably not a good idea. Way too many vibrations when I play loud. Sorry.

  • Another piano riff I think is catchy.

  • Another piano riff I think is catchy and has some very weird stuff at the end. This is the same as The Beginnings of the on the original songs tab but thought I'd add it here too since it's a piano thang.

  • Another piano riff that's a little darker.

  • Kind of a cool piano thang I came up with.

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  • Another acoustic guitar piece that was in my head and needed to get out. Trying my hand at some odd chords.

  • Another acoustic guitar blues thing I had to get out.

  • Another acoustic guitar piece I really like.

  • Another acoustic guitar piece I really like. I try calling out the chords near the end.

  • A mellow acoustic guitar piece I completely forgot about and like it!

  • Another acoustic guitar piece that was in my head and needed to get out. Although I could not get the timing on my strumming down.

  • Acoustic guitar only. Just playing around. Pretty bad recording.

  • Mellow acoustic guitar with my attempt at finger picking. Pretty bad recording.

  • Messing around with some acoustic guitar blues. Much better recording.

  • Steve Hall and I messing around with one of his melodies which is pretty cool. Another one I completely forgot we had recorded.

Let me know what you think!

Leave a comment below

4 Comments

  1. Wen Ye
    Wen Ye on June 21, 2023 at 8:37 pm

    The apple is the nice one! 👍👍
    Wen Ye

    Reply
    • Joe
      Joe on June 21, 2023 at 8:46 pm

      Thanks Wen!
      Joe

      Reply
  2. Gene
    Gene on June 16, 2023 at 10:25 am

    Some of these are really great! Thanks!
    Gene

    Reply
  3. Barry
    Barry on June 15, 2023 at 11:04 pm

    Hit the site up, sounds great!
    Barry

    Reply

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