As of today, I have officially finished a brand new song called Clover. Though I schemed it roughly 18 months ago, independently of St Patrick’s Day, it is a lovely coincidence that I should finish it just in time for the holiday.

CLOVER
by tyler stenson © 2010

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I’m a man of chance; not much for fate
And my superstitions are hard to break.
But, if lucky see, then lucky do,
Then Clover I’ll be lucky to find you.

I’ve had a pocket-pair with an Ace up my sleeve
At an all-in table that boasted one King.
But my luck has been known to wear walking shoes,
So Clover I’ll be lucky to find you.

Clover I’ll be lucky
To ever find something like you.
Please, Clover make me lucky.

All the colors curve inside a rainbow
With a soft descent into the pot of gold
But those fortunes go just as quick as they grew
So, Clover I’ll be lucky to find you.

In all the world there’s a billion blades
In the grass on the ground that all look the same.
I’ve combed them over – I’ve sifted through
And Clover I’ll be lucky to find you.

Clover I’ll be lucky
To ever find something
So small and so lovely.
Yes, Clover I’ll be lucky if I ever find you.
Please, Clover make me lucky.

NOTE: This recording was done on my laptop with limited professional equipment, time and instrumental know-how on my part. All things considered, I’m pretty proud of it; however, it’s definitely just a “demo” until I get the chance to work with some professionals on my next studio album. Until then, I’m really excited about the song’s content and hope you enjoy.

I will be returning to the Northwest next week to attend a friend’s wedding and while I’m home, I’ll be playing two free shows in Portland!! Held at my favorite local haunts, I’m looking forward to keeping things casual and simply enjoying the company of friends. Please, spread the word and join me for one and/or both. Thanks!!

Tyler Stenson - Free Shows in Portland

Please join me for some free shows in Portland, OR … all held at my favorite places:

WED MARCH 24th @ the BUFFALO GAP
6835 Southwest Macadam Ave
Portland, OR 97219

THURS MARCH 25th @ ROCK BOTTOM
206 Southwest Morrison St
Portland, OR 97204

One of the true-blue greatest songs of all time is Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah — the masses would agree. Like many before, I’ve always had an extreme fascination with this song and have been fine-tuning my rendition over the past year.

When I originally performed my version of Hallelujah on the Acoustic Conversations pod cast, I had just learned the song, and though it went over relatively well, I don’t believe I glorified the song and its brilliant nuances. I went through the motions but I didn’t nail it.

That said, a year later, after many performances and much practice, I re-recorded my version of Hallelujah and though it pails when compared to the great versions I’ve heard, this is my go at it.

HELLELUJAH
written by leonard cohen, performed by tyler stenson

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RIGHT CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD!!

NOTE: In my research of this song, I read the Leonard Cohen had originally written about 80 verses to the song. With that said, I figured one more wouldn’t hurt and therefore, wrote a verse my self. It’s the last verse…

Father can you hear me now,
If you can please scream out loud
Because I need to believe I’m getting through to you.
I know it’s been the longest time,
But if you can hear me,
Show me a sign
And make these words I sing,
Sing Hallelujah.

On September 25th of 2007, I schemed the lyric, It seems the words have changed and their meanings have faded away. But, when I say, “I love you” I mean it the same way as it was made. That line has been burned in my head (and even inspired a verse of Push That River) but it didn’t live to the fullest until today. On this day, March 2nd of 2010, I have completed a new song called Lover Things.

I’d call it light and sexy — Amos Lee meets Let’s Get it On. Enjoy.

LOVER THINGS
tyler stenson © 2010

I think back to The Garden’s first days
And the reason a woman was made-
I think it was an absolute gesture to say:
So long Emptiness — hello Sweet Grace.

But now it seems the words have changed
And their meanings have faded away.
But, when I say, I love you,
I mean it the same way as it was made.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

Let’s forget about the failed love we see
And how the world is a brand new machine
That drags the lovers through the mud and the things
That mark the furthest point from you and me.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

Even though the words have changed
And the meanings have faded away.
When I say, I love you,
I mean it the same way as it was made.

Cause you and I want nothing to do
With the constant bending that sorrow brings.
No, you and I want nothing to do
But lover things.

I was lucky enough to have TWO of my songs approved for a local music compilation CD that benefits Relay for Life. My songs Better Be Us All and Whistle Stop can both be found within the mix of great local artists found on the Believe CD Compilation.

Believe
Various Artists
© Copyright-The Birds Eye View
Record Label: Various Artists

This CD is a compilation of musicians and poets from the Portland Metro area who have contributed for a good cause, where all the proceeds go directly to Relay for Life (American Cancer Society). CD Baby is also donating to this cause. Thank you CD Baby!

To sample and/or buy the Believe CD Compilation, click here or on the image above.

One of the most special evenings of my lifetime took place on September 11, 2009 — my farewell show at the Aladdin Theater. The videos below are from my Last Waltz in Portland, OR before moving east to Nashville, TN.

WELCOME THE CHANGE

YOU ALREADY KNOW

AS THE CROW FLIES

CELLOPHANE

THE ROAD

WYOMING

EXPLODE

GREAT MAN’S FUNERAL

I GET NO SLEEP

BETTER BE US ALL

I recently posted a number of videos that promote my new album Bittersweet Parade by discussing and explaining the behind the scenes perspective. I’m taking each song, one-by-one and giving it some time in the spotlight. Enjoy the collective media behind Wyoming – track #11 off of my new album Bittersweet Parade.

WYOMING

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EXPLANATION

MUSIC VIDEO

LIVE PERFORMANCE

LYRICS TO “WYOMING” by TYLER STENSON

The world started to run
With the turning of the sun.
Cities rose from towns
And quiet turned to sound.
That place stayed the same;
That’s Wyoming.

So, the legends say
That explorers tried to explain-
But the beauty that they found
Was too much to write down.
So, in fiction,
They believed to be Wyoming.

Where the clearest sunny days
Quickly turn to rain
But we don’t mind,
Because all of the sweetest smells remains.

I know Adam’s never seen such a scene
(In neither Eden or his dream).
Even Eve would stop to stare
At God’s most perfect square.
That’s one thing I believe;
He made Wyoming.

Where the clearest sunny days
Quickly turn to rain
But we don’t mind,
Because all of the sweetest smells remains.

All the years hang on the wind
Above this last good plot of land.
I hear it echo in the trees.
I hear its whisper on my knees.
Even Dust can be a king
In Wyoming.

Yes, even Dust can be a King,
In Wyoming.

BUY or DOWLOAD WYOMING HERE: http://www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2

I recently posted a number of videos that promote my new album Bittersweet Parade by discussing and explaining the behind the scenes perspective. I’m taking each song, one-by-one and giving it some time in the spotlight. Enjoy the collective media behind Fight til Dying Day – track #10 off of my new album Bittersweet Parade.

FIGHT TIL DYING DAY

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EXPLANATION

MUSIC VIDEO COMING SOON!!

LYRICS TO “FIGHT TIL DYING DAY” by TYLER STENSON

As long as there has been a song, I’ve felt it in my bones
It was a gift from my dear mother and her father who passed on
A long line of the Music Makers and of Soldiers for the Muse.
Oh, that boy in my war fell out of tune as he fell upon a couple grenades.
That boy in my war is still alive and he’ll fight ‘til Dying Day.

I crossed into California with a smile upon my face
But then I soon left San Francisco with my tail between my legs.
I swear, I was good as I could be on any given time of day
Still, that boy in my war saw the beach burn and the earth quake like a grenade.
That boy in my war is still alive and he’ll fight ‘til Dying Day.

He’ll blow like leaves in the wind
But be proud just to know that he can be his own man-
Not that boy.

I burned a bridge in the desert and left Arizona northbound
And thought If it’s not in Salt Lake, is it Oregon to be found?
On certain nights all the notes were bright and on others they would fade
And that boy in my war called out to god: Tell Hell with all the grenades!
That boy in my war is still alive and he’ll fight ‘til Dying Day.

He’ll blow like leaves in the wind
But be proud just to know that he can be his own man-
Not that boy.

Now, every time I sing, it’s just my confidences wearing thin
So I have to believe this lonely road will bring ‘em back again.
I’m as good as I can be on every given time of day
Oh, that boy in my war will no doubt rise in spite of a couple grenades.
That boy in my war is still alive and he’ll fight ‘til Dying Day.

BUY or DOWLOAD FIGHT TIL DYING DAY HERE: http://www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2

I recently posted a number of videos that promote my new album Bittersweet Parade by discussing and explaining the behind the scenes perspective. I’m taking each song, one-by-one and giving it some time in the spotlight. Enjoy the collective media behind Blush – track #9 off of my new album Bittersweet Parade.

BLUSH

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EXPLANATION

MUSIC VIDEO COMING SOON!!

LYRICS TO “BLUSH” by TYLER STENSON

It’s a sign;
A sign of a temperature rise
That spreads across your face
And in an instant you know what love is like.

When the skin colors crimson and rose
And it burns your eyes
And crawls on your face
In disguise as this thing called Blush.

Underneath our clothes
We are just heart and bone-
The rest is empty space
But we can fill it,
When from the inside we grow like Butterflies

And the skin colors crimson and rose
And it burns your eyes
And crawls on your face
In disguise as this thing called Blush.

Don’t rush me now.
I could stay this way all day.

When the skin colors crimson and rose
And it burns your eyes
And crawls on your face
In disguise as this thing
That comes up rushing love to the head
And is nothing more than proof we’re alive-
We are in orbit-
And with blood-red cheeks,
I could break at the seems
And the insides of me
Could float on above everything.

BUY or DOWLOAD BLUSH HERE: http://www.cdbaby.com/tylerstenson2

Happy Valentines Day one and all. This is a special day for many reasons but to me, none more important than the fact that it’s the one-year anniversary of the completion of my song The Road.

Yep, exactly one year ago I put the pen to paper and navigated my way through the new song. Though I tweaked a few lines over the months to follow, it was written, roughly recorded and given as a Valentines Day gift to a loved one on Feb 14 2009.

In celebration of the one-year anniversary, below are the 2 versions of the song … separated by one very long year.

THE ROAD (Feb 14 2009)

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THE ROAD (Feb 14 2010)

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Time is a funny thing. This song has taken on a whole new meaning across the last year and what was originally written as a private Valetine’s Day confession has become the promoted single off of my new album Bittersweet Parade.

If you enjoy this track, it is up for consideration to be included on the KINK.FM Plug in Portland Sampler. This is a vote based contest, so I would endlessly appreciate your support by voting here.