Hey Young Lovers
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written: O’Brien

Born a Mountain
A fingerpicking romp with just a little dissonance. Kind of old-timey feeling.

The Key
Love is the key.

Late at Night
A jazzy late-night kind of song.

It's Easy
A feel-good love song.

Fade
Some interesting guitar chords in this one, IIDSSM. There are some nice voicings that took me awhile to learn to play.

Falling

Baby, It's Magic
A fun groove I wrote after listening to a lot of early 70's soul.

A Woman and a Man
70's soul influence with a bit of dreamy poetry.

Funny How
A cross between a jazz standard and a country ballad.

Unsung Song
A slow-tempo ballad.

It's a Love Thing
A cool groove song with a snap being the only percussion.

Glad We Came
An R&B pop song.

Je Ne Sais Quoi
Je Ne Sais Quoi is that certain something that a beautiful woman has that you can never quite pinpoint. It is mysterious and unnamable. Many French women have it.

Smile
Just a couple of chords and a mesmerizing bass rhythm against a fun and accessible melody.

Things I Should've Said

And the Song Goes On
Some pretty acoustic guitar picking and a rousing chorus.

You Don't Have To Play That Song No More

The Sky Is Clear and Everything's Okay
It starts off quietly with an acoustic guitar, adds vocals, then the band picks up about half way through.

You Need Not Worry
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written: O’Brien, Perez, Elliott

The Last Man on the Earth.
An odd little folky/pop song with a chorus that's fun to sing.

Stevie
An homage to one of my musical heroes.

Moonbeams
A sweet jazz love tune with just voices and a trio of mellow Stratocasters.

Something You Said
This song has a structure unlike any song I've ever written. Each line of lyrics is exactly 4 syllables long. It's sort of a stream of consciousness contemplating something my wife said. Each section is arranged a little differently so it's kind of sonically surprising. It's a very right-brained song, which is different for me.

Best Day of my Life
An 80s style rock and roller.

Let It Out, Let It In
A long slow intro leading to some voices and guitars and words and things, and then a super-long fade - listen until the end!

Pulling Me Like Like the Moon
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written: O’Brien, Quibodeaux, Elliott

It's Just Love
Wrote this one on electric guitar - I almost always write on acoustic - Different instruments affect different parts of my brain and make me write differently. This is a power pop song that might have been a hit around the 80's!

By Your Side
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written: O’Brien, Elliott

The Long Awaited Return
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written: O'Brien

The Rain Came Down
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written: O’Brien, Elliott

Just Sunshine
A feel-good hook about sunshine. Who doesn't like sunshine?

Change the World
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written: O’Brien

Trying to Find Me
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written O'Brien, Quibodeaux, Elliott

Beside You
This is from the album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written O'Brien, Elliott

Truer Kind of Love
Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return Written: O’Brien, Elliott

Angelique
From the Album Tom O'Brien and The Pawns: The Long Awaited Return written: O'Brien

In Heaven
Easy love song.

Why Wonder Why?
No real chorus - just three parallel verses and three parallel bridges.

Wild as Love

Lazarus
A metaphorical ballad. The best song I've written in a long time. This song was produced by the amazing Bob Elliott.

Cap'n Crunch at Midnight
Just guitar and vocals.

Down Highway Five
Acoustic organic trip down a long, straight highway. Done with Tom O'Brien and The Pawns. Produced by Bob Elliott. Check out his tunes at IAC, too!

To Seed
Slow, moving ballad (not slow-moving ballad) done with Tom O'Brien and The Pawns. Produced by Bob Elliott. Check out his tunes at IAC, too!

After a Rain (With the Pawns)
Written by O'Brien Recorded with The Pawns by Bob Elliott at The Pawn Shop

Sometime Later
Written by O'Brien/Elliott Recorded with The Pawns by Bob Elliott

Rabbit Run
Written: O'Brien/Elliott Recorded with The Pawns by Bob Elliott

Something Close to Prayer
Written: O'Brien/Elliott Recorded with The Pawns by Bob Elliott

Can't Fight the Blue
Written O'Brien/Perez/Elliott Record with The Pawns by Bob Elliott

Spacetime
Written: O'Brien/Elliott Recorded with The Pawns by Bob Elliott

All Over Again
Hopefully catchy rhythm with some memorable lyrics.

When You're in Love
It's a bouncy, positive, old-fashioned tune like people used to write in the good old days.

How It's Gon Be
I've realized lately how soul is such a celebration of love and sex. Every time. It's someone singing from the most primal energy inside of them.

For the Want of You
Another of those songs that doesn't fit neatly in any of the IAC categories. It might need a big band. This is just the rough version.

Someone Else's Sky
Gentle at first, but with a rousing, passionate chorus.

Sirens
A moody, contemplative piece tha sucks you into its groove.

Beautiful Pain
A heavy, guitar-driven contemplation

My Barn Having Burned
Thoughtful ballad with a rock edge

Through an Open Door
A searing guitar rocknrolla.

That Used to Be Me
Driving pop now with drums! Who woulda thought? For lovers of harmony.

Welcome to the Party
Album rock song with no repeating chorus. Clean recordig and simple arrangement.

When She Gets Wise
A fresh but retro sounding pop song

God Don't Care
This song will stay in your head, whether you like it or not. It is irresistably catchy, even though its subject is controversial.

One Good Reason
Upbeat song about why love is the only reason you need.

24 a Day
My. New. Favorite. Song!

We Horses
A long, meditative journey with some rich electric guitar and lots of harmony.

Running Horses
Soulful Pop/Rock song with a plaintive, sweet chorus.

Maybe
Soft, pretty love song with rich acoustic guitar and harmonies.

Worries of the World
Rhythm-filled reggae-inspired soulful poetry

Little Shot
A rollicking fun song that brings us all down to Earth.

Holding Back the Crook of Cupid's Arm
A fun, rollicking, image-filled popper

Sugar So Sweet
I don't even really like the blues. But that's just how this song came out of me, so I guess that's what it is.

When Push Comes to Love
At first, the hook seems a little corny, but it'll grow on you.

The Cult of Midas
Written in the middle of the night on a drive from San Francisco to Seattle. Guess I needed some rock to keep me awake.

You Just Make Me Wanna Sing
A song of thanks to my beloved

Tell Me
An old song of mine recently remixed. A feel-good reggae vibe.

Fire and Steel
Fun rhythms and close harmonies add spice to this pretty rock-ish song.

I Will Leave No Song Unsung

Change the World (Acoustic Version)
An acoustic version of a song I wrote a few years ago. My friend Bob Elliott encouraged me to record it with just two mics into one channel, so it's got a very live feel. I think it works best this way.

Crush
A song really built around a beat that I was having fun with. For a change, there's no acoustic guitar strumming chords. The flute is the main feature and the words came last. A little different for me.

Survivor
A rousing, uplifting, life-affirming feel-good song. A little corny and cliche, but heart-felt.

Your Roots They Go Down
A new mix with a little more solid production.

It's Only Everyone
Lyrics I penned a while back. Just set them to music. Wanted a stripped down arrangement of just guitar and voices.

Ordinary Girl
A pop song with just acoustic guitars and voices. Lots of voices. Lots of guitars.

Honest Love
A rare foray for me into the world of jazz. Just wanted to write something with some fresh chords. Just solo guitar and vocals.

Supertrance
A new experiment in combining beat patterns. It's a minimalist composition.

The Sea Inside
Psych-pop.

Four Five Six
One guitar plays a beat in 4 and a melody in 5 at the same time. The 4 is overdubbed because I didn't play that part loud enough. Then a melody of 6 notes happens in the same space.

When the Feeling Comes
A catchy little 2 1/2 minute gem.

Everybody Knows
A ska/reggae pop tune with a really fun minor/major play in the melody.

The Disappearing Heart
A soft, gentle song, dreamy and poetic.

Some Years Before I Met You
Letting out the angst on this one. Lots of energy.

Waiting for You to Come
Maybe my most rocking song to date.

Say That You Love Me
A '30's crooner kind of thing.

Oh, What a World
A weird melody idea on the verses that has been with me for years and finally found a home. You wait through the weirdness, then this killer bridge into the killer chorus comes out of nowhere. Wait for it. You won't be sorry.

Sunshine in the Rain

Let's Play War
Totally retro soul, power to the people kind of song.

Legal High
A little pop, a little reggae, cool groove.

Lover's Tune
An old fashioned tune with a gentle melody and simple love lyrics.

Holy Man
A strange blend of slightly ethnic flavored melody and an odd tale of a seeker. Weird instrumentation. Weird song.

Wear Out My Shoes
"And if you want to know how far I'd go to prove my love for you... I would wear out my shoes."

Gasping for Air
"Since she'd taken all I offered, I had nothing left to lose..."

Clara Barton
A power pop song recorded by The Trouts.

Little by Little
Pensive slow ballad

The Wrong Way
Fun! Fun! Fun! "The bucket in my head/is filled with jumbled words!

After a Rain
A gentle, poetic samba

Windows of Your Soul
Rocking, dynamic, poetic song

Kiss Like That
A swinging song for cool cats to jitterbug to. Remember the first time you kissed that special someone?

If Everybody Just Made Love
Groovy, Bouncy, Happy - What if?

Lost Things
Passionate ballad

The Dash
A ballad that the Sinatra crowd might have liked.

Love Your Enemies
A radical message in a reggae-influenced style.

Room of Gold
Groovy love ballad

Wasted in Ireland
This is a song that improves as you drink more Guinness.

Platitudes
Poppy tune with some guitar harmony.

Where Nice Guys Finish
A little funky, a little ethereal, a little rockish, a little lyrical

Cardboard Sign
A contemplative album rock song, subtle, with just a little bit of an edge.

What I Know
A little more of my white Reggae. What can I say? It moves me like that.

This is the Moment
Uplifting, anthem-like, "do it now" song

Reminder
Blazing guitar leading to a heart-felt mesage in a resounding, lush chorus.

Broke My Brain
I almost forgot I play flute - this one has a little caliente beat and then a wide open pop-rock chorus. It's light and heavy at the same time.

In Calfornia
Groovy conga beat. Whatever.

Wearing Me Down

When You're Looking Down
A rhythmic, sexy-beat, acoustic dynamo

Walk on Air
A healing, consciouisness-raising love song that makes your spirit soar.

Drunk on Love (For the World)
A tour-de-force power ballad with lots of harmonies and guitars and all that good stuff.

The School of Wonder Why
Poppy with lots of guitars, though not overly so. Recorded by The Trouts.

Look at the Moon
Rockin' Pop Gem

Complicated Man
An interesting story and melody, flute, mandolin, plus all the usual suspects.

Magic Words
Sort of corny, but beautiful, little pop song

Till They Tear the Last Brick Loose
Poppity-Pop-Pop Pop, but not bubblegum

The Buddha's Christmas
A Buddhist alternative to the usual Christmas fare.

She Isn't Quite Not
Pure pop

The Contradiction
A blast of rockin' sound at you in a poetic, melodic fashion. Thick harmonies.

Opposites Attract
Catchy AltRockPop

Beautiful Warrior
Weird Song - Not sure from whence it came.

Bright Girl
A rough take of a new song.

Shine
Just a rough first-recording of this new song. Not sure of the final arrangement yet.

9/13/2024 4:06:31 AM
Songs that drive me crazy fnaf 1

12/28/2023 6:42:31 AM
I read this article. I think You put a lot of effort to create this article. I appreciate your work. Watten House

12/28/2023 6:42:20 AM
I personally use them exclusively high-quality elements : you will notice these folks during: The Continuum

5/5/2023 8:54:56 PM
crediblebh

3/1/2023 12:18:15 AM
side eye dog

1/19/2021 3:21:27 PM
Congrats on a well deserved nomination for Best Male Artist! I admire your dedication to your craft,

3/8/2020 2:37:59 PM
You've been awarded a Golden GRANNY for the enormous volume of Indie songs you've produced over the years

5/11/2012 7:25:52 AM
thanks for the album Tom which arrived the other day - really good work and a very listenable CD! Well done to everyone involved!

1/30/2012 4:34:47 PM
Looking forward to the new album!!

12/31/2011 7:01:31 AM
HAPPY NEW YEAR Tom!

Wishing you all the best in health, music and happiness in 2012.

Ciao,

Vincenzo

12/1/2011 12:46:34 PM
I forgot to mention...

That I heard your first 4 songs and "A Kiss Like That" (cool retro feel..)
Very nice songs, good range on the vocals on "Change the World" and yes, acoustic
was good choice...

I like the fun crisp brightness of "crush" too, cool tune...
Will give an ear to more soon...

Cheers,
EMU

12/1/2011 12:26:47 PM
Tom,
Thanks a lot again, for pointing out the files that weren't playing.
I've re-uploaded them and checked them and there their now,
for your review, when you have the time.

I've had those tunes up since 2009, but have not played them since I first put them up.

So it might be a good idea, for all that read this, to check your tunes,
as the files may have been corrupted somewhere down the line....

Respects,
Eric Richardson / EMU

11/26/2011 12:27:17 PM
Tom. Much appreciated. Enjoy listenign to your stuff also..

11/26/2011 12:23:43 PM
Hello, sorry for such a tardy response. Have not visited IAC in a while or written any new songs, but your comment was very inspirational. Thanks so much for listening to my songs. I love the Lowden. Don't you think it is one of those guitars that is designed for fingertips and not a pick? I have never really got a good sound when playing with a pick on the lowden, but gorgious tone when using finger tips. I listened to your songs Tom, and you have a really great sound, love the chrous on No Song Unsung, very catchy. Well, thank you for the comment Tom. Truly appreciated.

11/26/2011 12:22:22 PM
Hello, sorry for such a tardy response. Have not visited IAC in a while or written any new songs, but your comment was very inspirational. Thanks so much for listening to my songs. I love the Lowden. Don't you think it is one of those guitars that is designed for fingertips and not a pick? I have never really got a good sound when playing with a pick on the lowden, but gorgious tone when using finger tips. I listened to your songs Tom, and you have a really great sound, love the chrous on No Song Unsung, very catchy. Well, thank you for the comment Tom. Truly appreciated.