We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Song Cycles

by Steve Clarke

supported by
Simon Collis
Simon Collis thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      £6 GBP  or more

     

1.
West London Boys 05:03
lyrics
buy track
Walking into town by the traffic on the great west road Sounds and the smells of the city fill my senses Hopping on the back of a 117 bus Alleyways neatly trimmed hedges, walls and fences Birds singing. Church bells ringing. Sensory assault has left me spinning 'cause we were the West London boys Heading to the ground on the underground train To stand behind the wall of noise Just to hear their voices ringing out again The West London boys Sitting in the corner of coffee bar an ice cream float Sounds drifting over the street from the record store Push my plate across the formica, grab my hat and coat Pile into johnny’s motor on the ground floor Stood waiting. By the station. Atmosphere electric with anticipation 'cause we were the West London boys Heading to the ground on the underground train To stand behind the wall of noise Just to hear their voices ringing out again The West London boys Sunset over the Westway Roar of traffic overhead Smoking fags in the doorway Terry sticks his porkpie hat back on his head Everyone's converging on Loftus Road in the sunshine Buy myself a program and a burger from the van BBC building towering up to the skyline Drop a few coins in the bowl for the newspaperman Turnstiles. Sat in the aisles Blue and white hoops stretching out for miles 'cause we were the West London boys Heading to the ground on the underground train To stand behind the wall of noise Just to hear their voices ringing out again The West London boys
2.
Secret Of My Success 03:34
lyrics
buy track
This is the secret of my success Afloat in a sea of stress This is the size of the task at stake I'm finding it hard to shake I am a tree in a windblown storm A willow bent in form I have a reason to believe I've something up my sleeve I am adrift in a drift of sand A dark and distant land There is a light on a far flung shore The distant rumblings of war This is the secret of my success A stab in the dark of my best guess I have a job and a wage to earn I wait for the screw to turn It is unreasonable to assume The light in the shining dark and gloom Is like a beacon to which i'm drawn The sunshine after the dawn I am a dancer with two left feet But it keeps me off the street It's like difficult second book That nobody wants to give a second look All of my hopes and dreams Are fragile like moonbeams Take with a pinch of salt As serve follows double fault The winter is dark and cold Don't know what the future holds For me This is the secret of my success I worry about my code of dress I have a problem with authority In my complacency I am a cog in a huge machine But I'm keeping my nose clean I hear the rhythm of distant drums I'm all fingers and thumbs I am a song in the key of change But it's out of my range I take a step on the walk of shame I only have myself to blame
3.
Dancing In The Rain 03:41
lyrics
buy track
I’m feeling trivial - frivolous and devil-may-care The weathers terrible - roughing up and messing my hair There’s nothing difficult - as far as I can ascertain Just watch my troubles flow down the drain I’m just dancing in the rain There’s something risible - ridiculing people stare Their scorn is visible - but I really just don’t care It’s of no consequence - that I’m getting soaked again just watch me pirouette down the lane I’m just dancing in the rain I see the clouds parting rays of sunshine slicing through the gloom I am unstoppable - nothing now can hold me back It’s not impossible - easy when you’ve got the knack I’m not hysterical - laughing at the last refrain stamping through puddles in my shoes again I’m just dancing in the rain
4.
Double Six 04:20
lyrics
buy track
Heads down. Shade on the light Counting down the hours ‘til Friday night Duck down the alley. The back street Following the sound of the backbeat Right at the shopfront. Left by the bag of tricks Down at the Double-Six Five feet. Deep at the bar Queueing up for drinks by the old blue star Bright lighting tower by the stage The Telecaster used to belong to Jimmy Page Faded setlist, plectrums and broken drumsticks Down at the Double-Six It’s the sign of a mis-spent youth That I remember all the names of the bands that played If you acknowledge it’s a universal truth There is nothing in the world that I would trade Stand down with my back to the wall Strobe light flickering the curtain call Blue jean, snakeskin pattern on a vest Bassline hits you like a punch in the chest Faded stencilled words on the old red bricks Down at the Double-Six Backstage. Lights on the blink Fumble in my pocket to buy another drink Smoke on the water. Smoke in the air Step across the road by the headlight glare Nothing that some cash and a night on the tiles won’t fix Down at the Double-Six Punch drunk at the end of the fight Just another average Friday night Footfall. Dancing in the street Unconscious by the window seat Sprawled on the deck guess the grape and the grain don’t mix Down at the Double-Six
5.
Paradise Island 04:39
lyrics
buy track
The sun is out over the bright blue sea The water's calm but something is bothering me No land in sight and into the clouds I steer Away from you and onto the rocks I fear But will I ever reach Paradise Island - sun golden shores But will I ever reach Paradise Island - locked on this course A change of heart I’m lost in the aqualine The danger sign - storm warning I fail to heed We drift apart I follow the compass line No maps or charts help me in my hour of need But will I ever reach Paradise Island - sun golden shores But will I ever reach Paradise Island - locked on this course And just when you think the water is calm and it's safe to cross The weight of your doubts are holding you back They hang 'round your neck like an albatross The sun that burns and dances the swirling foam I glance astern and sail on my course back home But will I ever reach Paradise Island - sun golden shores But will I ever reach Paradise Island - locked on this course But will I ever reach Paradise Island - sun golden shores But will I ever reach Paradise Island - locked on this course
6.
Sleep 04:52
lyrics
buy track
It's four o clock in the morning And I'm driving home in the rain My mind is numb I'm so tired Now the only thing remaining is to Close my eyes and dream of a street where the rain falls on me Consciousness so far away I can hear the rain call to me How I wish I could sleep for a thousand years Circling the world until it disappears I could sleep 'til the end of time Far above the stratosphere I'll climb But now I'm not so sure that I - wish I could sleep These city streets are so quiet And I'm half asleep at the wheel Only the sound of the wind whistling Through the streets and the rain disturb the Silent slumber of a town in the early hours of the morning I can see the street lamp reflection of the house as i start yawning How I wish I could sleep for a thousand years Circling the world until it disappears I could sleep 'til the end of time Far above the stratosphere I'll climb I pull my car into the drive Watch the light reflecting on the chrome So many many hours I have spent Driving through the night just - to get home Close my eyes and sleep under the sheets where the darkness calls me Tumbling I am slumbering again as the night falls on me How I wish I could sleep for a thousand years Circling the world until it disappears I could sleep 'til the end of time Far above the stratosphere I'll climb But now I'm not so sure that I - wish I could sleep
7.
Ticket To The Dance 03:46
lyrics
buy track
Standing by the fence feeling tense by the old courtyard. Another day at work office clerk I've been working so hard Now I'm heading off downtown I’ll be shaking to the new sounds Night's still young having fun given half a chance Gotta ticket to the dance Waiting for the train in the rain on the station platform Dreaming of a hot mug of tea in the dry and warm Crammed in the carriage heading back home Shut out the noise from tinny headphones Rhythm of the wheels on the tracks has got me in a trance Gotta ticket to the dance Hey hey hey - everybody’s talking about Going out on Friday night Hey hey hey - everybody screaming and shouting One to many beers and I’ll be tight Just another Friday night Standing at the back in the shack behind the dancefloor Outside in the street on my feet coming back for more Got a flicknife that’s a comb now heading back to my hometown Rattling the milk bottle crate by the gate by chance Gotta ticket to the dance

about

This is a collection of songs written and recorded by Steve in his own home studio.

credits

released August 28, 2021

Steve Clarke - Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Drum Programming
Peter Ribi - Drums on Double Six

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Steve Clarke image

Steve Clarke Fleet, UK

Steve began is career in music playing bass guitar for the legendary new wave band Impulse.  He cut his songwriting teeth and provided pulsating dub-influenced basslines for the band's eponymous first album.

Later Steve was the guitarist/singer/principal songwriter in The Drones Club, who's retro-jangle 60's influenced songs could be heard in clubs and pubs throughout the south of England. ... more

contact / help

Contact Steve Clarke

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like Steve Clarke, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now