I was quite honored today when I logged on to Facebook to find an invite for a group titled: Tyler Stenson’s “Wyoming” Should Be the Official State Song. I had no idea this group had been formed but I must admit, I have zero objection to the cause. I’m truly honored that my song has made the impact that it has and I’m humbled that others would even attempt to get it recognized on a larger level.

I suppose the attention began last summer when I performed my song about Wyoming at the Oyster Ridge Music Festival in Kemmerer, WY — the song, it seemed, received a beaming appreciation from the crowd and this Facebook group is the result.

That said, I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be returning to the Oyster Ridge Music Festival this year where I’ll be kicking off the festivities with a special first-of-its-kind Thursday night showcase on July 29th. I just found out about this performance so as usual, I’m very excited to return to my place of birth — Wyoming.

WYOMING

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Tyler Stenson @ the Oyster Ridge Music Festival
Thursday July 29th, 2010
Kemmerer, WY

Please do me the honor of joining Tyler Stenson’s “Wyoming” Should Be the Official State Song. May this group take us places!

In September of 2009, the world lost a true talent — Scotland Barr. He was a singer-songwriter and wordsmith and someone I respected deeply.

In November of 2009, tragedy struck once again and took the life of my peer — Kipp Crawford in a freak biking accident. He was a drummer in Portland in which I’ve shared many stages and beers and laughs.

Though I was never extremely close to either, their lives impacted mine greatly. I’m different because of their lives and their deaths. Both had a story to tell and both were taken long before their time.

This song is my humble tribute to these fine men and musicians — may all your fields be songs and daffodils.

Note: I hate to admit it, but in the video below, I had just written this song and therefore got the first line wrong. It should be “Who was September” … the final recording on my upcoming EP will reflect the correct lyrics and date.

DAFFODILS
by tyler stenson © 2010

Who was September
To decide it was time
To pull your pen from the page
That drew out your line
Since 1965?
-Long before your time.

May your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Singing at the top of their lungs.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

Oh, then November
Would not be outdone
And dimmed that bright old smile
From an Ashland Son
That burned since ’78
-Then all at once faded away.

May your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Sounding out the beat of a drum.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

I for one, hope you found your Sun Years
And finally laid your eyes on some Spanish Dust.
Your words fill up our Paper Dixie Cups,
In a cheers to you,
One of the few who knew love.

So, may all your fields be pure gold
And yellow like the loveliest sun.
May we hear your bones
Singing at the top of their lungs.
May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

May all your fields be songs and daffodils.

Sunday was an absolute writing tear for me — in my last post I commented that songs can take me years to write, which is true, but there are always exceptions to the rule. As the Crow Flies and Babysitting the Cowboy were both written in one sitting and so was my newest. Introducing, what is tentatively titled, Best Laid Plans.

I got the idea a month ago at my nephews funeral when my Father spoke the words That which might have been, can yet still be. That sentence hit me hard and sent my wheels turning.

I’ve already written my sad song about the event; therefore, in the wake of the two nautical books that I’ve just finished and in the spirit of my 2010 goal to be more upbeat, I penned this motivational song. When you experience an unexpected shift, don’t let it shake you, greatness can still be achieved.

I dedicate this song to my Father … for the great one-liner that sparked this entire song.

BEST LAID PLANS
by tyler stenson © 2010

Best laid plans fail
And wrong winds catch sails
But that don’t mean you lay down
And lose your boat to the treacherous sea.
No, you must believe that
That which might have been, can yet still be.

I’ve seen a beautiful sky turn gray
As I stood there watching weather change-
That don’t mean the Sun is long-gone
And our Hope should up and leave.
No, you must believe that
That which might have been, can yet still be.

The greatest place ever known fell down.
It was the Fall of Rome-
But have you seen the Vatican and Coliseum
Under a summer’s gleam?
(I have, and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen)
So I’m telling you,
That which might have been, can yet still be.

Best laid plans fail
And wrong winds catch sails
But that don’t mean you lay down
And lose your boat to the treacherous sea.
No, you must believe that
That which might have been, can yet still be.

I’ve always said that my songs take a while to write … longer than most. I’m a firm believer in letting songs write themselves and reach maturity without being forced. With that, it’s no surprise that I finished writing a song TODAY that I started on November 11, 2007. Introducing The Ramblin Kind.

Though the lyrics are pretty self-explanatory, the abbreviated inside scoop is that, in my life, I’ve done the leaving and I’ve been left behind. When I started writing this song in 2007, it was meant to be apologetic: Sorry Darlin, you got caught up with The Ramblin Kind. Ironically, not much later, I got caught up with a rambler myself and therefore the sentiment of the song morphed in perspective.

Years later, after the dust has settled on both sides, I now realize, at one point or another, we’re all part of the infamous Ramblin’ Kind. Enjoy the new lyrics.

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THE RAMBLIN KIND
by tyler stenson © 2010

Ain’t it like the wind to never want to stay;
Something finally touches down
And all at once a gust comes and takes it away.
That old wind is here- then it’s gone.
That old wind is hell-bent on moving on.

So, let’s just say She knows how to go away;
How to keep from standing still
Just like a river, fast cars, birds and trains.
Let’s just say She’s sailing as we speak.
Let’s just say She’s fading by degrees.

Showing tell-tale signs that She’s alive,
Everybody is leaving something sometime.
Always leaving or being left behind,
We’re infamously the Ramblin Kind.

Some would say I roam because I’m made of stone
But they don’t know what I know-
I know once you’re in my heart, there’s no getting out.
Some would say I’m planted in the ground.
Some would say I’m impossible to pin down.

Showing tell-tale signs that I’m alive,
Everybody is leaving something sometime.
Always leaving or being left behind,
We’re infamously the Ramblin Kind.

It’s a lonely road I’m speaking of
And lonely lyrics rolling off of my tongue.
With a tell-tale truth in between the lines:
Everybody is leaving something sometime.

Always leaving or being left behind,
We’re infamously the Ramblin Kind.

Nashville had enjoyed a month of 80 degree blue skies until that Thursday when I received the phone call saying my nephew was not expected to make it through the night. I’m not making this up in the least — at that very moment it began to rain.

The rest of the weekend was clouded with epic thunderstorms that seemed all too fitting for the stormy events happening a few states away. It was an eerie weekend; my first Southern thunderstorm bloomed in time with my first intimate bout with death.

On the day I heard those words, I penned a few lines about the weather coinciding with the news on the telephone. I wrote a bit about it being a chalkboard gray kind of day that he was too good for anyway. On Saturday, when it was final, I laid in bed for a good part of the day and noted that the thunder sounded like what must have been my sister’s heart. There was a sadness in the roll. It was all very fitting and surreal and too perfect of a storm.

When I returned from the funeral in Utah, I was greeted in Tennessee by the continuing rain and watched Nashville flood in front of my eyes. It was the talk of the town and noted nationally but I couldn’t bring myself to care — not about this flood.

There is room for little space in our hearts and in our heads and even though my city was sinking, selfishly, I had a different storm to suffer.

I’ve been asked if I have plans to write a “flood song” for the devastation that struck that week and my answer is, in a way, I already have. My variation of history. This is my song about the flooding in the days surrounding The Day.

PS. The attached recording is a quick scratch track … I swear I’ll do it some justice someday.

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LITTLE LIFE
The rain spotted the pavement
On the day you went away
And fell in time with the news on the telephone.
It reminded me of my childhood
On an April shower day
And smelled like the kind you’ll never know.

So long Little Life;
It’s raining outside-
It’s a chalkboard gray kind of day.
So long Little Life;
Since you’re use to shining bright,
It’s the kind of day you’d want to miss anyway.

The thunder bloomed all afternoon
In the air around my bed
And I could hear a sadness in the roll.
It sounded like the tolling bells
Of a breaking Mother’s heart
Holding on to a Little Life letting go.

So long Little Life;
It’s raining outside-
It’s a chalkboard gray kind of day.
So long Little Life;
Since you’re use to shining bright,
It’s the kind of day you’d want to miss anyway.

I’ve heard the lives that leave the earth
Become Heaven’s gain
And wait to be joined on another day.

So long Little Life;
It’s raining outside-
It’s a chalkboard gray kind of day.
So long Little Life;
Since you’re use to shining bright,
It’s the kind of day you’d want to miss anyway.

Little Life I’ll see you another day.

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 curl 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.

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.

HALLELUJAH
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.

This video was recently sent to me by my good friend Jeff who has been raising his son right. Last seen in a Lander onesie, this cute kid has been listening to my newest album and, I’m proud to say, he’s even singing along!

The video you’re about to watch is of my youngest fan singing the chorus of my song Welcome the Change. Though it may not be entirely articulate, the lyric is “So, I welcome the change.” Thanks Jeff for the video and raising the boy well.

For your reference, here is the song in its entirety. Enjoy.

WELCOME THE CHANGE

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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.