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River Of Smoke

by Bill Rotella

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1.
Desert Moon 03:18
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Desert Moon Hear the silence call see the moonlight fall upon her knees Come unpack your thoughts give up what you’ve lost surrender you’re free Tonight the morning will come too soon Restless stars will be on the move The angels will bathe in the shade of this desert moon Now is not too late come and take your place she’s waiting On this ageless night sit beneath the sky and watch the day escaping Tonight the morning will come too soon Restless stars will be on the move The angels will bathe in the shade of this desert moon Until the morning comes like a midnight sun she calls to you Hear the evening howl she wants you now give in to this full moon Tonight the morning will come too soon Restless stars will be on the move The angels will bathe in the shade of this desert moon
2.
Back At It Again 05:11
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Back At It Again I remember it well I wasn’t very young my father said “what the hell you doing son”? You’re just wastin’ your life playin’ guitar sleepin’ ‘til noon Got a job but I just couldn’t hang so I quit the very next day Threw my guitar in my van and I got back at it again Later on when I was only 31 the girl who said she loved me said the time had come Said I was chasin’ a dream that passed me long ago So I kissed her goodbye and I hit the road to rediscover the trouble I used to know She came and went now I’m back at it again One by one another day flies by I’m gonna live my life or I’m gonna die tryin’ If I lose my who, what, why or when I just get right back at it again I told myself I’d never be the one holds a hundred different women like some dudes I know But that’s who I was ‘til I thought I met the one So I burned my book and closed my eyes ‘til she tried to turn me into some other guy I’ve got some love to spend now I’m back at it again One by one another day flies by I’m gonna live my life or I’m gonna die tryin’ If I lose my who, what, why or when I just get right back at it again The boys in the band all went different ways I was left to figure out what I was meant to play So many years passed then out of the blue it came The telephone rang and on the other end was old bud who sang with me way back when I knew right then we were getting’ back at it again Sometimes we blame our fortunes on our own bad luck it don’t matter if we fall but if we get back up I’m standin’ here today in front of you to testify If you’re lookin’ for a rebel I’m your poster child had to get out of Dodge for a very long while I f you know me now you wouldn’t want to know me then they say I fell off the wagon but I got back in It was just another fight I had to win to get back again Makin’ music with my friends we’re back at it again
3.
Riverbound 04:44
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Riverbound I’m prayin’ for salvation for my sisters tryin’ to stand their ground I’m walkin’ with my brothers now it’s time to tear these towers down Who do you think you’re foolin’? I’m headin’ for the hilltop gonna watch the ragin’ waters rise I’m countin’ the forgotten people gathered by the riverside Who do you think you’re foolin’? Come and take my open hand then offer yours to me We’ll make it to the other side I’ll be the bridge that sets you free I’ve been thinkin’ all night while my heart pounds I’m riverbound See the children skippin’ stones while parents soak their weary bones Minds are bleeding mouths need feeding hearts are beating breathing hope Who do you think you’re foolin’ Come and take my open hand then offer yours to me We’ll make it to the other side I’ll be the bridge that sets you free I’ve been thinkin’ all night while my heart pounds I’m riverbound The tides are turning flags are burning the river bell will be ringin’ soon Blue bloods waded into deep to see their king they crowned a fool Who do you think you’re foolin’? Who do you think you’re foolin’? Who do you think you’re foolin’? Who do you think you’re foolin’?
4.
Love, Tears & Time 03:43
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Love, Tears & Time Get up, get ready, get over it get on your way There’s no right or wrong it’s just good as gone Turn the page live and love another day Love comes love goes it’s no secret don’t you know Tears run until they’re dry Time flies it don’t stop hearts tick like a clock Sometimes it’s good to say goodbye Don’t waste your love, tears and time Headlights, headfirst, you’re headed right where you belong You’re gonna be allright there’s always next time You’re not the first you’re not the last you’re just next in line Love comes love goes it’s no secret don’t you know Tears run until they’re dry Time flies it don’t stop hearts tick like a clock Sometimes it’s good to say goodbye Don’t waste your love, tears and time Did you picture this not so long ago When you were high up on the hill and everything looked so pretty Time was light hope was in your eyes If it seemed too good to be true …maybe it was……….. Long ride, long time, it’s hard to see what’s coming’ if you’re missin’ what’s gone A million hearts are waitin’ on their marks Forget what’s done and dead remember what I said Love comes love goes it’s no secret don’t you know Tears run until they’re dry Time flies it don’t stop hearts tick like a clock Sometimes it’s good to say goodbye Don’t waste your love, tears and time
5.
Oggi e' Oggi 03:46 video
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Oggi e' Oggi With every breath I’m in this moment It’s not too soon it’s not too late And if it’s true eyes are the windows to the soul I can see in her a world I want to know Oggi e Oggi today’s today Like a dream that’s finally come my way Oggi e Oggi today’s today I’ve got no fear for tomorrow and I’m free from yesterday I freed myself so I could feel what I feel The world went silent when our eyes embraced Now I can feel her tremble when she comes face to face With the truth that lies inside the love she was born to make Oggi e Oggi today’s today Like a dream that’s finally come my way Oggi e Oggi today’s today I’ve got no fear for tomorrow and I’m free from yesterday Posso sentire il mio cuore che respire Voglio sentirme eternamente cosi` E tutti I giorni che ho visuto senza amore Ci sono deleguate per sempre Oggi e Oggi today’s today Like a dream that’s finally come my way Oggi e Oggi today’s today I’ve got no fear for tomorrow and I’m free from yesterday
6.
A Lot Like You 03:45
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A Lot Like You I was ready I was born this way I knew the day was comin’ all I had to do was wait Every day became another test of faith But I kept holdin’ on to the hands of fate Then I saw what love looks like It looks a little bit like heaven a lot like you I felt what love feels like And it makes me feel a whole lot better A lot like you All these faces passin’ by and you’ve been out there all this time Did you hear me callin’ you Everyday was all the same then like that it changed When I took one look at you I saw what love looks like It looks a little bit like heaven a lot like you And I know what love feels like And it makes me feel a whole lot better A lot like you If I walked down a different street or caught a red llight along the way Or if the mornin’ was draggin’ my feet I wouldn’t see what I saw today I know what love looks like It looks a little bit like heaven a lot like you I know what love feels like And it makes me feel a whole lot better Iw wanna feel like this forever Yeah it makes me feel a whole lot better A lot like you
7.
Marmalade 04:12
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Marmalade In the mornin’ after you awake after you take your tea, toast and marmalade Can you try to explain what you were tryin’ to say when it was gettin late and the conversation was getting’ strained You said somethin’ about runnin’ away with the heart I saved without lovers blame or mornin’ shame you say you don’t wanna make the same mistake like the one that you just made It’s easier to leave and play it safe and not sit n’ wait until the dream escapes But you can’t help but crave the thought that maybe I’m the one that’s worth the wait Baby lets make that trade Give me a reason to stay And I’ll give you love sweet as Marmalade and this lover’s ache, and the tension we create when we’re face to face All the excuses we make for the things we cant say cuz I make you a little afraid And you make me insane But the taste is insatiable, the sex irreplaceable like morning rain and a summer flame And the way you call my name You came to me like a hurricane like a haystack burning in a field of flames Nothing since can ever be the same but everything’s gonna be ok Baby lets make that trade Give me one reason to stay And I’ll give you love sweeter than marmalade In the morning after you awake after you take your tea, toast and marmalade……
8.
The Flame 03:13
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The Flame Before I put away my coat I took another look outside I wasn’t sure if I’d be cold or if I’d be alone tonight Lyin’ underneath my shirt hangin’ from a silver chain Was a spiritual reminder but it made me think of her again I met her just before the rains the mornin’ didn’t come for days She led me to a place above, she fed me ‘til I fell in love Now I am communicatin’ I hope the night accommodates me I feel it like I felt it then you know I gotta feel that flame again, again I can feel it like a holy fire burnin There’s a fever flowin’ through my veins I’m a disciple of desire learning to lean into the flame I can feel it like a holy fire burnin There’s a fever flowin’ through my veins I’m a disciple of desire learning to lean into the flame We create our own confusion I decide my own delusions There’s no mystery in mistake I truly thought we felt the same She offered me my heart not hers it was a warning without words But she’s underneath my skin you know I’m gonna feel that flame again I can feel it like a holy fire burnin There’s a fever flowin’ through my veins I’m a disciple of desire learning to lean into the flame I can feel it like a holy fire burnin There’s a fever flowin’ through my veins I’m a disciple of desire learning to lean into the flame
9.
Here She Comes 04:00
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Here She Comes Blue jean baby here she comes The willin’ are waitin’ with loaded guns Able and aimin troubles on the way You can’t turn your head cuz you can’t look away Love came by lookin’ for someone Watch her walk you know you’re not the only one Our dreamless days are done she fills them one by one And she’s only just begun here she comes Heels on the ground heart in the clouds She can make you doubt what you can live without That feelin’ you thought was gone has come back again But can you take that heartache that’s comin’ round the bend Love came by lookin’ for someone Watch her walk you know you’re not the only one Our dreamless days are done she fills them one by one And she’s only just begun here she comes Every heart follows her wherever she goes They wait at the end of her rainbow Dressed like a retro fitted angel in disguise I can’t stop her thoughts running through my mind Love came by lookin’ for someone Watch her walk you know you’re not the only one Our dreamless days are done she fills them one by one And she’s only just begun Love came by lookin’ for someone Watch her walk you know you’re not the only one Our dreamless days are done she fills them one by one And she’s only just begun Here she comes here she comes Here she here she here she comes
10.
Way Back Home 03:22
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Way Back Home Come before autumn leaves Sit beneath the blossom tree The scent of lilac and honey just you and me I’ll read you my book of rhymes While you weave your heart with mine You can find your way I will lead the way back You can find your way back home Let’s count the stars down below Under this blanket you wove Eyes of turquoise and tangerine She’s the color that paint your dreams Give her some time to show you what you mean to me You can find your way She will lead the way You can find your way back home On this pure horizon Imagine what will be You can find your way She will lead the way You can find your way back home Come before autumn leaves Sit beneath the blossom tree The scent of lilac and honey just you and me Just you and me
11.
Wandering Heart 04:46
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Wandering Heart Lately I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout Some things I can live without And why people never change And why lovers never feel the same And mostly I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout my wanderin’ heart Lately I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout Why we fall in love without A reason we can explain And what breaks that fall anyway Sometimes this wonderin’s hard on a wanderin’ heart Heart wide open aint locked no more And this road aint as lonesome as it was before The tracks I leave don’t always lead back home And this wanderin’s best done alone Lately I’ve been dreamin’ ‘bout The voices I live without And if they hear me when I call And if they ever left at all And I wonder if they’re wonderin’ ‘bout my wanderin’ heart Heart wide open ain’t locked no more And this road aint as lonesome as it was before The tracks I leave don’t always lead back home And this wanderin’s best done alone
12.
Shameless 03:13
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Shameless I’ve been sleeping longer than I really want to You’ve been acting wronger than you really ought to I’ve been hangin’ out in all the wrong places Drinkin’ all weekend and actin’ pretty shameless I’ve been actin ’like there might be no tomorrow You’ve been drinkin’ every dollar you can borrow I’ve been hearin’ my behavior’s outrageous And I don’t know how long that I can take this Shameless people talk behind my back Dangerous hey now that’s a fact Blameless I’m really not to blame Since she’s been gone I’m shameless Shameless everyday I’ve been to hell and back waking up wherever You’ve been telling lies to girls you can’t remember People look at me like I’m contagious They’d better stay away you’re Mr. Shameless Shameless people talk behind my back Dangerous hey now that’s a fact Blameless you’re the only one to blame Since she’s been gone I’m shameless Shameless everyday Tell me why I’m the guy who’s torn in two Every night I lose my mind That’s all that’s left for me to lose Shameless people talk behind my back Dangerous hey now that’s a fact Blameless you’re the only one to blame Since she’s been gone I’m shameless Shameless everyday
13.
Morning Star 03:56 video
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Morning Star Morning Star how I wonder what you are You make me smile you’re a candle shinin’ in my heart When you laugh it feels like sunshine come walk with me put your hand in mine Life is fine because you’re my morning star Open your eyes time to meet another day See the sunlight dancin’ Feel her kisses up and down your face There’s no hurry we’ve got time lets sit beneath this mornin’ sky Life is fine because you’re my mornin’ star I’m never far from where you are mornin’ star You’re a candle shinin’ in my heart mornin’ Star I’m never far from where you are mornin’ Star Even angels sleep I’ll be here when the morning comes Dream your dreams then wake me with your light bright as the sun Wherever you go love just grows and I love you more than you could know You’re a candle shinin’ in my heart mornin’ star I’m never far from where you are mornin’ star Yes life is fine because you’re my mornin’ star
14.
Honey On A Razorblade 05:08
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Honey On a Razorblade There are some things I should’ve learned a long time ago. When you hear the siren’s song you can get cut if you get too close. Sometimes you gotta take that chance. Dance with the devil let her do her dance. Getting’ in trouble? No one does it faster. Getting’ out’s an art I have yet to master. There I was walkin’ in the warm rain thinkin’ some things I need to learn the hard way You’d think by now I would know better but she’s hard a hold on my soul forever Oooh she put her tattoo on my heart A broken arrow through a fallen star I’m often reminded about that old story, and I learned it quick, about well -intentioned men who get attracted to the flame only to get burned by it. She knows that you won’t forget her a sweet taste you’ll always remember She wants attention not time and she gets what she gives and she takes what she likes Oooh she put her tattoo on my heart A broken arrow through a fallen star Sweet as honey in the morning She’s like love in a summer rain She’s a price you wanna pay She’s honey on a razorblade I try not to think about it much however long this lasts will be enough I can’t deny the addiction of the sin or the sweet lies I wanna hear again Oooh she put her tattoo on my heart A broken arrow through a fallen star Sweet as honey in the morning She’s like love in a summer rain She’s a price you wanna pay She’s honey on a razorblade
15.
When You Left Everything Went Right 03:41 video
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When you left everything went right I can’t hide the tears that I never cried You said If you left I’d be a mess on my own Well I wish I was this bad a long time ago I lost your love and found me a life What I’ll do with this free time I just can’t decide Everythings comin’ up roses and it’s all your fault If it wasn’t for this good luck I’d have no luck at all When you left everything went right And I can’t hide the tears that I never cried You said If you left I’d be a mess on my own Well I wish I was this bad a long time ago Weekends of regret those days are gone I miss your honey do list like I miss your mom And I won’t lay blame for the way you’ve changed Cuz if I had to do it over again ..well I wouldn’t When you left everything went right And I can’t hide the tears that I never cried You said If you left I’d be a mess on my own Well I wish I was this bad a long time ago
16.
Amber and Smoke 04:00
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amber and smoke A hundred horses and five freight trains Couldn’t drag me into that early grave I’ve cashed in the mistakes I’ve made While God rode shotgun from a million miles away I don’t wake in sorrow I don’t walk in shame I don’t deal in hearsay I don’t dwell in blame Sometimes it’s best to forget what I know and what they say But this aint that time and this aint that day With the heart of a gypsy and the eyes of a child I walk these fields and let my love grow wild Filled with a fever I dare my desires I don’t fear the flame I walk through the fire I don’t wake in sorrow I don’t walk in shame I don’t deal in hearsay I don’t dwell in blame Sometimes it’s best to forget what I know and what they say But this aint that time and this aint that day I’ll keep ridin’ ‘til the trail grows cold Where the hillsides burn amber and smoke The sheep and the shepherd are lost on different roads Blinded by hate blinded by hope I don’t wake in sorrow I don’t walk in shame I don’t deal in hearsay I don’t dwell in blame Sometimes it’s best to forget what I know and what I say But this aint that time and this aint that day
17.
Dragonfly 05:00
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Dragonfly Hey can you hear the rhyme of the wind And the mission bell ringing again I’m trying I think it’s time Searching the sky dragonfly Sometimes I feel miles from home Watching the world spinning below I’ve casted my doubts too close to shore Now I’m ready to fly into the eye of the storm I’m trying sometimes I cry Searching the sky dragonfly Sometimes I feel miles from home Watching the world spinning below We are tied together we’ve been torn in two All forevers end too soon Sometimes I feel miles from home Watching my world spinning out of control We are tied together we’ve been torn in two All forevers end too soon We’re miles from home We’re miles from home We’re miles from home Dragonfly
18.
More Than Mem'ries 03:45
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More Than Mem’ries When the silence comes can you hear your heart callin’ out When the day is done let me be the one who holds you now Pickin’ stones we’re gonna build our home under a waterfall of love One by one our days will all become more than mem’ries Tell me once again all the things you think I need to know Do you remember when we first touched I couldn’t let you go Pickin’ stones we’re gonna build our home under a waterfall of love One by one our days will all become more than mem’ries People everyday realize too late What they’re longin’ for there’s really so much more But we know we know it’s true baby it’s me and you Day by day and side by side Pickin’ stones we’re gonna build our home under a waterfall of love One by one our days will all become more than mem’ries More than mem’ries More Than mem’ries More than mem’ries
19.
Good To Be Me 03:07
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Good To Be Me Give me a Sunday morning give me my 6 string guitar Give me nothin’ to do leave me dreamin’ in my baby’s arms Let tomorrow’s tear drops fall like rain I’ve got blue skies and brown eyes on my brain It’s a beautiful day I’ve got nowhere to go I’ve got nowhere to be I’m just thinkin’ yeah it’s good to be me I got nothin’ but time and I’ve got a heart that doesn’t ache I got love in the oven and it’s getting sweeter every day I know it don’t seem to get much better than that I’ve got friends I can depend on and that’s a fact yeah they’ve got my back I’ve been countin’ my stars pullin’ weeds from my yard I’m just sayin’ yeah it’s good to be me There’s a time there’s a season there’s a rhyme there’s a reason for everything There really is no mystery everybody wants the same damn thing There’s people I love, people I know and some people they gotta go I learned long ago to leave well enough alone Just let the little wheel roll I’ve been playin’ my cards I’ve been lucky so far I’m just singin’ yeah it’s good to be me It’s good to be me
20.
River Of Smoke 03:48
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River of Smoke It’s a vision not a burned out dream There’s no sense living in between Chasing love and choosing hope Not so different not so long ago Memories and forgotten years Arrive and they disappear Floating by fading while they go Like a river of smoke Wind blowing through poppy fields I still remember the way she feels And the sunlight upon her hair All the reasons were everywhere Memories and forgotten years Arrive and they disappear Floating by fading while they go Like a river of smoke I’m watching all these splendid colors blending into one I know there’s nothing I can do but see which I’ll become Timeless moments I can feel but I can never hold So on down the river I go~ river of smoke It’s a vision not a burned out dream There’s no sense living in between Chasing love and choosing hope Not so different not so long ago Not so different not so long ago River of smoke River of smoke

about

This album is a retrospective collection of 20 songs from Bill's last 6 solo albums and his Amber & Smoke albums. Bill, "Smoke", wrote the title song during the 2020 COVID quarantine. His new release "Smoke & The Earthtones" is currently in production.

credits

released May 1, 2020

All songs written and produced by Bill Rotella
Recorded in Califonia at:
The Song Benefactory, Long Beach
Comp-NY, Burbank
Rancho Relaxo, Hidden Hills

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bill rotella Los Angeles, California

Singer-songwriter Bill Rotella has released albums as a soloist and with his previous bands: Amber & Smoke, Dakota, and Baywood. His new release, "Smoke & The Earthtones" was recorded during Covid quarantine with some of L.A's finest session players. Bill regularly performs around California as a soloist and with The Earthtones. For more info visit Bill's website www.billrotellamusic.com ... more

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