• Written September 5th, 2008
• Keywords: Old Age Song, Comedy, Birthday Song 

Story Behind the Song -  

Oh, the changes that seem to happen overnight when you turn “a half century!” This song was written the night before my 50th birthday…

• Written April 27th,1982
• Keywords: Love Song, Unrequited Love, Story Song

Story Behind the Song -   

It’s true what they say about the first good song you write after an album is released: you wish you could’ve put it on that…

• Written June 6th, 2011
• Keywords: Politics, Privilege, Activism

Story Behind the Song -  

It’s my politically charged address to Washington and the corruption within. To politicians who forget whom they’re serving. This song refers to the post-9/11 era, when Americans’…

• Written September, 19th, 2011
• Keywords: Love, Lonliness, Depression

Story Behind the Song -   

At different times in our lives, we all look for “it.” For some, that “it” is most certainly love. Others don’t know what they’re searching for, but…

• Written April 15th, 2012
• Keywords: Blues, Father Daughter Song, Retro

[For Sarah Maria, “Poppi’s Little Girl...”]

Story Behind the Song -  

In the iconic style of the 12-bar blues, this up-tempo number tells of the special relationship between a dad…

• Written March 13th, 2012
• Keywords: Lullabye, Greif, Depression  

[Schlaf mit den Engeln] 
aka: “A Grown-Up Lullabye” or “The Deacon’s Compline” 
—Dedicated to Jerry Danks

Story Behind the Song - 

I wrote this song realizing that people all around this stressful…

• Written November 7th, 2010
• Keywords: LGBTQIA+, Love Song, Celtic 

Story Behind the Song - 

This song is so technically beautiful that even if the lyrics don’t bring a tear to your eye, the instrumentals will. With the assistance of international…

• Written April 3rd, 2011
• Keywords: Anti-Gun, Peace Anthem, Pacifist  

Story Behind the Song -  

An homage to Pete Seeger.   

Inspired by the little green army men “toys” most of us played with when we were kids. And men acting like…

• Written December 22nd, 1982  
• Keywords: Love Song, Comedy, Semantics

Story Behind the Song -  

I wrote this song in response to the Big Band Era song, “Jim,” sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Rosemary Clooney, and others.  (Nelson A. Shawn…

• Written July 2nd 1982  
• Keywords: Factory, Story Song, Folk

Story Behind the Song  - 

In the summer of ’82, I was transferred to the third shift at the Kohler Foundry. Best described, it was like Dante’s Inferno.  The work was…

• Written October, 10th, 2010 
• Keywords: Activism, Rallying Cry, Social Justice

Story Behind the Song - 

I wanted to write a song that could be played in every corner of the earth where there’s conflict and oppression. So, here’s an all-purpose…

• Written December 15th, 2010
• Keywords: Activism, Abuse, Art Therapy

[TW: A song of warning about domestic violence]

Story Behind the Song -   

Just me raging against domestic violence. Sent out, with love, to all those women for whom I…

• Written September 6th, 1979
• Keywords: Nautical, Sea Shanty, Folk

Story Behind the Song - 

This is a prelude to “Paradise Bay,” another sea shanty. Again, the talents of Brian Wicklund, Laura MacKenzie and Jerry Danks shine through. I have no…

• Written March 13th, 1981
• Keywords: Nautical, Sea Shanty, Folk

Story Behind the Song - 

This is the song for which I’m most famous: a sea shanty popular among my listeners. It tells the tale an old sailor on his final…

• Written June 15th, 2011
• Keywords: Activism, Abuse, Art Therapy

[TW: A song of warning about pedophiles and Child Sexual Abuse] 

Story Behind the Song -  

The Traveling Wilburys wrote a song called “Handle with Care.” I found it a unique…

• Written February 2nd, 2008
• Keywords: Love Song, Comedic, Religious Humor

Story Behind the Song -  

Sure, this guy truly doesn’t know what hit him. But haven’t we all felt this way at one time or another? And maybe, we might…