Get all 15 bill rotella releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Home, Smoke & The Earthtones, The Other Side, River Of Smoke, Naked In New York, Dragonfly, Amber & Smoke: Riverbound, Amber and Smoke, and 7 more.
1. |
Caroline
04:30
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Caroline
Caroline I’ve ben waitin’ ‘til the time was right
Caroline it’s gettin late now it’s do or die
Why’s it got to be so hard just to be with you
Why you gotta twist my heart girl the way you do
I’ve got some breaking news for you
I’m gonna drop a bomb on you
Here’s fair warning pick up the line
I called to say good morning Caroline
And I’m in love with you
Caroline it should come to you as no surprise
Caroline I’m not a guy who needs an alibi
I could have told you long ago but I took my time
I couldn’t let you know not til I made up my mind
I’ve got some breaking news for you
I’m gonna drop a bomb on you
Here’s fair warning pick up the line
I called to say good morning Caroline
And I’m in love with you
Caroline why you actin’ like you can’t decide
Caroline you can’t even fool yourself this time
Why’s it got to be so hard just to be with you
Why you gotta twist my heart girl the way you do
I’ve got some breaking news for you
I’m gonna drop a bomb on you
Here’s fair warning pick up the line
I called to say good morning Caroline
And I’m in love with you
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2. |
The Other Side
04:42
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The Other Side
The defeated shake their fists at the other side
The grey savior pleads his case to the other side
Skeptics are doubtin’ lunatics are shoutin’
They know nothing grows on the other side
The deniers hide their eyes from the neon signs
Don’t obstruct their view watching the waters rise
A heroine has spoken the silence is broken
They saw it comin’ on the other side
Gamblers place your bets the stakes are high
Can you guess what’s next will you roll the dice
On the other side
The main attraction feeds the hate of the satisfied
The red parade starves the faith of the petrified
They’re fighting in the streets fighting just to breathe
There goes another vote for the other side
Every lethal lie is met with mild surprise
Everything’s for sale if the price is right
Too few too many in the land of plenty
They think they got it right on the other side
Gamblers place your bets the stakes are high
Can you guess what’s next will you roll the dice
On the other side
They think their money’s greener on the other side
Winners lose and saints are fools on the other side
They’ve made you afraid in the home of the brave
It’s not so great again on the other side
Gamblers place their bets on feeble minds
Can they guess what’s next when they’re laid to rest
On the other side
They’re walkin’ to the other side
They’re talkin’ on the other side
They’re lookin’ for leaders and believers on the other side
Get ready for a big surprise on the other side
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3. |
Wishing Well
04:36
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Wishing Well
There’s an old man listening to a radio
Waiting for a song he used to know
Thinking about a girl and a kiss he stole at the wishing well
Young boy walking down the old school road
Mind full of dreams pockets full of holes
Hears a man singing about his long agos by the wishing well
The boy caught him wishin’ and he wondered why
He said excuse me sir but this well’s been dry a long time
The old man knelt and tossed a dime in the wishing well
He said some fear the hangman comin’
Some hear the angels strummin’
I have my reasons for comin’ to the wishing well
The man said age can surely change the game
You’re in a hurry and I’m a little slow to the chase
But I’m pretty quick at rememberin’ those days at the wishing well
The boy asked does this well really bring you good luck?
The man winked and said the trick is just don’t ask for too much
But son love is one thing that there’s plenty of at the wishing well
Some fear the hangman comin’
Some hear the angels strummin’
I’ve got my reasons for comin’ to the wishing well
There are faces I still see from wishes I still dream
And the love that I still need
There’s an old man listening to his radio
Meets a young boy with some room to grow
Shares some what’s comin’ he’ll need to know at the wishing well
Young boy meets a man who’s pretty cool for bein’ old
Hopes they meet again someday and tells him so
Says he’ll get started makin’ wishes of his own at the wishing well
Old man and a young boy just sharing hope at the wishing well.
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4. |
Road Song
06:44
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Road Song
I met her drowning in the desert runnin’ from a damaged dream
She was gone before the war broke out left at seventeen
She found out seein’ aint believin’ and luck is different than fate
On the road to find herself she found something else that day
Hidin’ in her heart was a hunger she couldn’t tame
She said todays a trip worth takin’ we were on our way
She started talkin’ bout The Rockies a long way from Colorado
I was reading tattoos on her body she caught me reading slow
She brushed her back off her shoulders and said, “here’s one you’ll like”
I read “chaos is a friend of mine” she knew she was my type
I was chillin’ in the shadows she was smokin’ in the shade
She knew she already won the battle she was ready to celebrate
She said let’s sing a road song
One we’ll sing til the break of dawn
She said let’s sing a road song
We were singin’ all night long
We toasted our loves and losses she said their loss our gain
She asked if the love of a lifetime could last a single day
I’ve been been both hopeful and helpless and at that moment I was both
I couldn’t decide which of my expectations was gonna hurt the most
She felt the lines on my face said I can tell you like to smile
Then she gave me a sign I could see for a thousand miles
She said let’s sing a road song
One we’ll sing til the break of dawn
She said let’s sing a road song
We were singin’ all night long
The morning light burned through the window and I could see she was gone
I found a note inside my pocket said “next time don’t wait so long”
Sometimes the highway and horizon begin to blend
And I don’t recall all the faces and names but I remember when
She said let’s sing a road song
One we’ll sing til the break of dawn
She said let’s sing a road song
We were singin’ all night long
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5. |
End Of The Line
03:21
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End Of The Line
Love it’s the end of the line
Come wave goodbye to a heart that was mine
No time for tears before you go
I can hear the whistle blow
No time for sad goodbyes
No time to wonder why
Love it’s the end of the line
Come wave goodbye to a heart that was mine
It ain’t for my ramblin’ ways
It aint for my gamblin’ days
I’ve been ridin’ this one way track
This time I ain’t lookin’back
I let you take me places I should’ve never been
Now there’ll be no replacin’ let the end begin
Love it’s the end of the line
Soon you’ll be in the distance
I can hear the train’s fadin whistlin’
I won’t be missin’ no one
Or the damage you’ve done
Love it’s the end of the line
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6. |
Smoke & The Earthtones
03:41
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Smoke & The Earthtones
It was a long time comin’ but the time did come
Things had to be said things had to be done
The world shut down we were under the gun
Hate was on the rise love was on the run
A call went out a bell was rung
Trucks arrived guitars and drums
It all started when the jam began
Who was this homegrown band?
Locked away in quarantine
They knew they were better heard than seen
The winds of change were blowing strong
Getting woke they were gettin’ it on
Masked men knockin’ to search your soul
Happy sittin’ in an 4 bar hole
Their message was spreading fast
Good times were back at last
When the needle came down on the vinyl
And the music rattled in their bones
The world was turning ears were burning with Smoke & The Earthtones
One for all and all for one
They said no rest ‘til the reign was done
Doomsday preachers ran for the hills
Hope survived pessimism killed
Callin’ out the status quo
Times were bad but they were good as gold
The South said we’ll rise again
A new flag flew and a party commenced
And when the needle came down on the vinyl
And the music rattled in their bones
The world was turning ears were burning with Smoke & The Earthtones
People said live music was a thing of the past
And a remedy was needed fast
The clubs grew quiet ears weren’t fed
Music was forgotten left for dead
Billy Ro said wait now hold the phone
Called Ry-Bro, T-Stroh and D-Bone
They got groovin’ they brought the goods
From the front porch to the backwoods
And when the needle came down on the vinyl
And the music rattled in their bones
The world was turning ears were burning with Smoke & The Earthtones
With Smoke & The Earthtones
With Smoke & The Earthtones
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7. |
If Words Were Money
04:02
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If Words Were Money
What a thing to say to me standing at my door
Is it too late to let you in to let you take what’s yours
The screen door ‘s still broken but it’s keeping me from you
The porch light’s still burned out but I can see what you’re trying to do
I wanna believe what people say to me and that their intent is true
But I see them far too often doing things they say they’d never do
If words were money would we waste them like we do
If words were money would we save them for the truth
There’s a vase you bought for me I guess it belongs to you
And the quilt on the rocking chair is something I won’t use
There’s a pile of vinyl and some books in the living room
You can choose the ones you’ll read and the ones you’ll listen to
I’ve sung a hundred songs and heard a hundred more about what I’m going through
And I’ve read enough about faded love to know this is nothing new
If words were money would we waste them like we do
If words were money would we save them for the truth
I wanna believe what people say to me and that their intent is true
But I see them far too often doing things they say they’d never do
What if words were money would we waste them like we do
If words were money would we save them for the truth
If Words Were Money
What a thing to say to me standing at my door
Is it too late to let you in to let you take what’s yours
The screen door ‘s still broken but it’s keeping me from you
The porch light’s still burned out but I can see what you’re trying to do
I wanna believe what people say to me and that their intent is true
But I see them far too often doing things they say they’d never do
If words were money would we waste them like we do
If words were money would we save them for the truth
There’s a vase you bought for me I guess it belongs to you
And the quilt on the rocking chair is something I won’t use
There’s a pile of vinyl and some books in the living room
You can choose the ones you’ll read and the ones you’ll listen to
I’ve sung a hundred songs and heard a hundred more about what I’m going through
And I’ve read enough about faded love to know this is nothing new
If words were money would we waste them like we do
If words were money would we save them for the truth
I wanna believe what people say to me and that their intent is true
But I see them far too often doing things they say they’d never do
What if words were money would we waste them like we do
If words were money would we save them for the truth
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8. |
Only Love Is Real
04:46
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Only Love Is Real
There’s a reason for the way I feel everything is so unreal
We are only passing by dancin’ with this gift of time
Movin’ to a ray of light tryin’ til we get it right
Love is all I want forever happens when we come together
Try and you will find only love is real
Let it open up your mind only love is real
Shinin’ right before your eyes only love is real
t’s time to realize only love is real
Step outside the confusion time is just an illusion
Only Love Is Real
One key opens every door you can find what you’re looking for
It’s a feeling of endless time this feeling of yours and mine
I need you to understand myself I need everyone and no one else
There’s room for all at the table breaking bread feelin’ grateful
Try and you will find only love is real
Let it open up your mind only love is real
Shinin’ right before your eyes only love is real
You can leave your fears behind only love is real
Step outside the confusion leave behind your illusions
Only Love Is Real
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9. |
Diablo Wind
03:17
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Diablo Wind
I’ve been waitin’ on the simple truth
A reckoning is overdue
Everyone’s drinking the evenin’ news
Now it’s down to me and it’s up to you
The Diablo wind is blowin’ keep your head down low
The swamp is overflowin’ and the puppets nose is growin’
Clear the field there’s work to do
They’re sowin’ seeds that won’t bear fruit
Selling us stories that were never true
Now it’s down to me and it’s up to you
The Diablo wind is blowin’ keep your head down low
The swamp is overflowin’ and the country’s roots are showin’
Everyone wants a second chance
Put your trust back in my hands
There’s nothing I won’t do for you
If I were king here’s what I’d do
Anything I wanted to
Close the gate now sound the guards
The fools are loose in my front yard
Nothing happens ‘til the needle moves
Now it’s down to me it’s up to you
The Diablo wind is blowin’ keep your head down low
The swamp is overflowin’ and the tainted king’s still crowin’ ’
The Diablo wind is blowin’
It’s a category four election year
The Diablo wind is blowin’
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10. |
Make You Happy
03:21
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Make You Happy
There doesn’t need to be a reason
This world knocks everybody down
Something’s tangled up your mind
And the mornin’ caught you cryin’
And you can use a friend right now
Tell me what would make you happy
Even if you have to lie
Cuz all the things that make you happy
They’re not hard to find they’re right here inside
We live with the choices that we make
And we choose the chances that we take
It’s the luck of the draw sometimes and everytime I tell you
Everything is coming your way
Tell me what would make you happy
Even if you have to lie
Cuz all the things that make you happy
They’re not hard to find they’re right here inside
There’s no runnin’ from the worries on your mind
There’s always something comin’ from behind
Baby you don’t have to hide when things aint goin’ right
Cuz whatever fight your fighting I am on your side
Tell me what would make you happy
Even if you have to lie
Cuz all the things that make you happy
They’re not hard to find they’re right here inside
Tell me what would make you happy
Is it something money can’t buy
Cuz anything that makes you happy
Yeah I wanna try I wanna see you smile
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11. |
Sunday Kinda Mind
04:16
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Sunday Kinda Mind
Monday mornin’ won’t you please be on your way
Over yonder go and bring back yesterday
A new days dawnin’ and my heart is on the rise
Don’t come knockin’ on my Sunday kind of mind
Anyone can see I’m still dreaming
And I’ve been having these same dreams all my life
Anything I fantasize can be yours and mine
Monday come and step inside of my
Sunday kinda mind
Hustle someone else let this poor boy have his way
This mellow morning’s such a perfect day to waste
There’s no reason to be keeping track of time
There’s no leaving my Sunday kind of mind
Anyone can see I’m still dreaming
And I’ve been having these same dreams all my life
Anything I fantasize can be yours and mine
Monday come and step inside of my
Sunday kinda mind
Seeing things I’d rather see and where I’d rather be happen so naturally
Seeing things I dream
Here behind my eyes in the corners of my mind a million destinies
Dreaming things I see
Even when I was younger I knew the spell that I was under had a hold on me
Feel this spell with me
And some dreams just seem to go on endlessly
Dreaming endlessly
Monday morning won’t you spend some time with me
You can stay a while see what you want to see
It’s a new day dawning and it’s all yours and mine
Come and lay beside my Sunday kinda mind
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12. |
A Lonesome Heart
02:23
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A Lonesome Heart
A lonesome heart is not for me
I want to be as happy as a bird in a tree
A Lonesome heart will make you cry
I want to be this happy til the day that I die
The nights will be long if you go away
My heart is sayin’ stay darling stay
My heart is yours its yours to keep
A lonesome heart will only make you cry in your sleep
A lonesome heart is not for me
I want to be as happy as a bird in a tree
A Lonesome heart will make you cry
I want to be this happy til the day that I die
The nights will be long if you go away
My heart is sayin’ stay darling stay
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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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