Harm van Sleen

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At an early age I started writing songs. My first bands (Slain, Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle and others) would usually perform some of these, and some of those early demos can be found on this page. When I became a professional musician, I would sometimes be asked to write songs for specific bands or projects. I've contributed to cds by Lisa Otey, Mr. Boogie Woogie, Dicky Greenwood Band, Capelino, and others. I've also written songs for projects for children, for the low budget musical Parijs, for a big band, for an exhibition at a museum, and for several music school projects.
I've also released three cds of original songs, BASSMAN'S HOLIDAY, IN HARM'S WAY and THE SECRET TO SUCCESS.
Gossip made it to the top 20 in the jazz/blues category of the 10th Unisong International Songwriting Contest. Brown Paper Bag (from Bassman's Holiday) received an honorary mention in Billboard's songwriting competition.

Here's an alphabetical index of my songs, sometimes with a demo attached, as well as most of the lyrics and even some musical notation.

SONGS

22
A Different Man
A Dream Come True
A Right Place
African Teas
Als Het Kon
Als Ik Dans
Another Town
Apocalypso
Baby It's Me
Bad Day
Bassman's Holiday
Better Days
Big Woman Blues
Bluegrass Boogie
Boogie Woogie Man
Boy Beats Girl
Brown Paper Bag
Capelino Hunting Season
Caramba Samba
Caroline
CHAOS
Charivari Brillante (Etude In E Mineur)
Curacao
Dansles
De Kat Op Pad
Disco From Frisco
Do What You Have To Do
Don't Do Me Wrong
Don't Treat Me Like A Stranger
Don't Want To Talk About It
Drowning In My Tears
Dust And Wilderness
Dutch Blues
Falling Out Of Love With You
Fearless Mood
Feel The Beat!
Foi Foi
Geen Leven Zonder Jou
Geloof In Mij
Goin' Back To Paris
Goodbye
Good Morning Blues
Gossip #2
Happy Song
Harm's Blues
Health Food
Hey Marylou
Holy Boogie
Homemade Brew
Hot Summer Evening
Hunting For Love
Hurry Up
I Am The Moon
I'd Do It For You
If It Don't Look Good
If You See Me Walking
If You Went Away
Ik Ben Bastian
I Love My Baby
I'm Crying
I'm On The Road Again
I Need Help
I Should Know Better
It Burns For You
It's You
I've Never Seen Hawaii
I Wanna Be Happy
I Want To Believe
I Was Born In Mississippi
July (The Promised Land)
Kassa!
Katie Come Home Tonight
Kom Je Bed Uit
La Salsa De Los Muchachos
Leave Me Alone
Lethal Love
Let Me Tell You
Let's Try Again
Liefde Is Als Een Magneet
Little Girl
Lonesome Highway
Lost My Home
Love Song
Loving You
Lovin' On My Mind
Magdalena
Makes Me Feel Bad
Nature Calling
Ngoro Ngoro
Niet Eens Zoveel Verschil
Oh What A Feeling
Old Man Blues
One Day
One Step Ahead
Paris Paris
Precious Time
Pre Death Requiem
Real Man
Rejuvenation
Rock And Roll Is All It Takes
Running Out Of Tears
Sagres
Salsa
Samba Lifestyle
Saturday's Blues
Scherzo
She's Looking For Me
Sinner/Songwriter
Sioux Falls
Special Friends
Standing On The Edge Of Life
Stoomfluit Serenade
Superheld
Sweet Love
Take Me To Swine Lake
Talking To The Lord
The Clown
The Emptiness Inside
The Funk Will Take You Higher
The Grass Is On Fire
The Immaculate Conception
The Joy Of Life
The Leaves On My Tree
The Secret To Success
The Turning Point
The Weight Of The Cross
Three Pound Fist
Too Drunk To Quit Drinking
Trouble
Trust Me Baby
Twilight Of The Gods
Tijd Voor De Strijd
Under Control
Variaties Op Een Eenvoudig Thema Of (Een Man Op Een Zwart Paard Gaat Naar De Markt En Drinkt Nooit Koffie)
Verkleden
Walking
Was Het Maar Vakantie
Wat Een Ontvangst
We Leven Als Een God In Frankrijk
Wet Asphalt
What Goes Around
Where I Feel Fine
Why Don't You Love Me?
Why Do You Look So Sad?
Why Must I
Winter
You Better Move On
You Dance With Me
You Don't Live Here Anymore
Young Boys And Girls (On The Old Side Of Town)
You Really Hurt Me
Your True Desire

22

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Originally performed by Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle. Subsequently recorded as part of a group of songs presented to elementary schools in The Netherlands. It described the evolution of pop music and required us to write original songs (for copyright reasons) emulating numerous musical styles. Listen to these recordings and figure out whom we were trying to imitate!
released on Mag Die Radio Wat Harder?!!

Once I was young, my age 21
Seems such a long long long time ago
That's when I said
Look at me , take me seriously
And then birthday walked into my door
I'll never be a kid anymore

Hey 21, you're finally gone
Have I ever seen you before? No no no no
22, I see 21's through
Have I ever seen you before? No no no no
My hair is all grey
My voice slips away
What you used to be is old news, history
21 was just a big bore

Some cash in my hand and more in the bank
A decent girl and a house of my own
It's all that counts
Caviar, new tires on my car
Thank God for this life I have found

Hey 22, what's happened to you?
You act like a God, tell your tales all over this town
22, what are you trying to do?
Expose expensive property from your hole in the ground
But I've got a car and a mansion
And I write songs beyond comprehension
Hey 22, you're finally through
You finally won't be bringing me down

Hey 22, 22, 22
Doodle doodle deedle ah be doodly do

A DIFFERENT MAN

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Performed at my final exam at the conservatory, with Ciska Ruitenberg and Jeffrey Zuhdy if I remember correctly.

A DREAM COME TRUE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle demo.

AFRICAN TEAS

words & music: Harm van Sleen

ALS HET KON

music: Harm van Sleen words: Marian van Gog

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

ALS IK DANS

music: Harm van Sleen words: Marian van Gog

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Mei by Benny Vreden Produkties

ANOTHER TOWN

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From an early demo.

In another town I'd never worry about right or wrong
In another town I could speak my native tongue
I'd know the tune, I could play the game
When things went wrong I'd know just who to blame
In another time

In another time, to you ity's all a mystery
In another time, you wouldn't know my history
You wouldn't know what happened way back when
I wouldn't pay for the same mistakes again
In another time

It was a better world lost in space and time
Down here I can't find peace of mind
I keep getting into trouble as I go running around
Until I find my way, until I find my way
To another town

In another world, I wouldn't be a wanted man
In another world the things I do wouldn't be condemned
You'd mind your own business all the time
What I did, man, you wouldn't give a damn
In another world

APOCALYPSO

music: Harm van Sleen

A RIGHT PLACE

words & music: Jan van den Hul & Harm van Sleen

This was part of a group of songs presented to elementary schools in The Netherlands. It described the evolution of pop music and required us to write original songs (for copyright reasons) emulating numerous musical styles. Listen to these recordings and figure out whom we were trying to imitate!
released on Mag Die Radio Wat Harder?!!

Some people are fighting in some land over there
Young men heading for the grave
There's tears and there's bloodshed, nobody cares
Here in the home of the brave

Why are they fighting, nobody knows
There's more important things on our minds
These tears, this bloodshed, sometimes it shows
But mostly I'd rather be blind

Why are they killing these guys over there?
Maybe they look just like me
Is a country where bombs and screams fill the air
A right place for humans to be?
A right place for humans to be?

BABY IT'S ME

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Once you were smiling, you even tried to laugh out loud
Sweet curls were falling, you know you made your old man proud
In a naive way your eyes always seemed to be open wide
You looked so strong, nothing to hide

That is the way I want to hold you in my arms
But now you're so dirty, it's a disgrace to your charms
Sometimes I can't answer the questions you want to ask
You force me to drop my loving mask

Baby it's me, baby it's me, uh huh
I've come to punch your pretty face
Baby it's me, baby it's me, uh huh
The devil's come to take my place
Baby it's me, baby it's me, uh huh
It's your turn now to feel
The scars that do not heal

I guess it's a role that I sometimes have to play
Don't try to blame me, I've got nothing to say
I'd never hurt you, of that you can be sure
But sometimes you seem to ask for more

BAD DAY

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Sleen Gang - In Harm's Way and on Mr. Boogie Woogie & The Firesweep Bluesband - Live At The Pub!

Tonight I want to hit the bottle in a big way
You caught me at the wrong time on a bad day
The blues won’t save my soul
Got no use for rock & roll
All right, okay, you caught me on a bad day

Everyone I ever ever loved has disappeared
I hate my own reflection in the mirror
Sometimes I want to cry
Sometimes I want to die
All right, okay, you caught me on a bad day

In every life some rain must fall they say
But the rain keeps falling down down down every day

So tonight I’m gonna hit the bottle in a big way
You caught me at the wrong time on a bad day
The blues won’t save my soul
All I need is alcohol
All right, okay, you caught me on a bad day

BASSMAN'S HOLIDAY

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

BETTER DAYS

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

She's got a mind of her own, a striking personality
She can make it on her own, a spirit independent and free
Dark clouds start to roll away
Trouble ain't here to stay
Get ready for better days

There were enemies to defeat, there were hurdles to overcome
Now you know you can beat any challenge that's yet to come
Dark clouds start to roll away
Trouble ain't here to stay
Get ready for better days

If you see her walking by and you know what is good for you
No empty words or promises, no, you'd better come through
Dark clouds start to roll away
Trouble ain't here to stay
There'll be no more skies of grey
The world becomes bright and gay
Misery, come back another day
Can't you hear what I'm tryin' to say
Get ready for better days

BIG WOMAN BLUES

Big woman she was shouting
She chased me down the road
Big woman she was shouting
She chased me down the road
Jumped right off the train
I heard that lonesome whistle blow

Gonna dig myself a grave
Wanna lay right down and die
Gonna dig myself a grave
Wanna lay right down and die
Last night you were laughin'
Tomorrow you will cry

BLUEGRASS BOOGIE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

BOOGIE WOOGIE MAN

words & music: Harm van Sleen

My father used to tell me, better go to school
Don't let the neighbours think you're an uneducated fool
I didn't care what the neighbours would think
All I ever needed was some liquor to drink
Something went wrong, they put me behind bars
All that is left are my dreams and my guitar

Let me boogie, boogie woogie with my boogie woman
Let me boogie, boogie woogie with my boogie woman
Watch out baby, the boogie woogie man is comin'

I paid my dues, I served my time
DA said you're an encyclopedia of crime
I didn't care what the DA said
Who are they to tell me that my attitude is bad?
Never could understand the meaning of those bars
I'm just a boogie boy with a rock & roll guitar

Let me boogie, boogie woogie with my boogie woman
Let me boogie, boogie woogie with my boogie woman
Watch out baby, the boogie woogie man is comin'

BOY BEATS GIRL

words & music: Harm van Sleen

BROWN PAPER BAG

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Softly she washes her paws and her fur
I stroke it gently, she starts to purr
She follows my footsteps, touches my legs
I produce a tin can from a brown paper bag

She knew what would happen, it's a daily routine
We were happy to be where we'd already been
No need for surprises, life was no drag
We got along fine with our brown paper bag

Life had its moments, they were not meant to last
Memories remind me of what happened to fast
Now you can find me downtown, dressed in rags
All that is left is in my brown paper bag

CAPELINO HUNTING SEASON

music: Harm van Sleen

CARAMBA SAMBA

music: Harm van Sleen

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.

CAROLINE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

CHAOS

Chaos! Chaos Chaos!
Chaos in the street!
Chaos in my head!
Chaos in my feet!
Chaos in my eyes!
Chaos in my nose!
Chaos makes me wonder
Where all the chaos goes

CHARIVARI BRILLANTE (ETUDE IN E MINEUR)

music: Harm van Sleen

CURACAO

music: Harm van Sleen words: Marian van Gog

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

DANSLES

music: Harm van Sleen

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

DE KAT OP PAD

music: Harm van Sleen

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

DISCO FROM FRISCO

music: Harm van Sleen

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

DON'T DO ME WRONG

Don't do me wrong, don't make me run and hide
Don't keep another man by your side
Don't wanna feel dissatisfied
You really hurt me by the way you lied

Don't do me wrong, don't do me wrong
That's another title for this song
Don't do me wrong, don't do me wrong
That's another title for this song

DON'T TREAT ME LIKE A STRANGER

I come home every mornin' to see a man walk out the door
I come home every mornin' to see a man walk out the door
Don't fool me little lady, I been down this road before

Well my kids they call me "uncle", my dog she bites my leg
Well my kids they call me "uncle", my dog she bites my leg
Tell me straight my little angel, should I crawl or should I beg
Tell me straight my little angel, should I crawl or should I beg

DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT

words & music: Harm van Sleen

He kissed her sweetly, but she knew there was something wrong
So she asked him angrily "Honey, why has it been so long?"
He held her in his arms, the smell of toothpaste in his breath
The way he said "I love you" almost scared her to death

This feeling wasn't very new, she started talking to herself
She remembered the day she found a strange hairpin on the shelf
Well if she'd known that the hairpin had been found on the floor today
And had belonged to a friend of hers, then she wouldn't have felt this way, but he said:

"Don't want to talk about it because I'm tired,I've been working too long
Don't want to talk about it I love you, I told you, nothing is wrong
Let's make love, go to bed, get your worries out of your head
Don't want to talk about it, I love you"

And so she gets suspicious whenever he is working late
She's distrusting every woman, especially the ones he seems to hate
So slowly he starts to notice that something's bothering her
He asks her "What's the matter?" but she just shrugs her shoulder

DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

If you break the law, if you eat it raw, I don't mind
If you talk real loud, if you act real proud, I don't mind
I've got my own game to figure out
My own questions, my own answers, my own doubts

Do what you have to do, it's all up to you
I can't do it for you, nobody there but you
Do what you have to do, if it feels right to you
If it's what you're called to do, to your own self be true

If I can't understand your rules or your plans, that's okay
I want you to be free, so please let me be in my own way
I've got my own game to figure out
My own questions, my own answers, my own doubts

Do what you have to do, it's all up to you
I can't do it for you, nobody there but you
Do what you have to do, if it feels right to you
If it's what you're called to do, to your own self be true

I've got my own life to figure out
My own questions, my own answers, my own doubts

Do what you have to do, it's all up to you
I can't do it for you, nobody there but you
Do what you have to do, if it feels right to you
If it's what you're called to do, to your own self be true

Do what you have to do, it's all up to you
I can't do it for you, nobody there but you
Do what you have to do
Do what you have to do

DROWNING IN MY TEARS

The blues come through the window
The blues come through the door
The blues come through the window
The blues come through the door
When I look a little closer
It's a man I've never seen before

Don't treat me like a stranger
Don't shout these words into my ears
Don't treat me like a stranger
Don't shout these words into my ears
If it's true my love's in danger
You know I'll drown in my own tears
I don't wanna drown in my own tears, oh no

DUST AND WILDERNESS

words & music: Harm van Sleen

DUTCH BLUES

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

I'm a little bread rooster, I can toast all night long
I'm a little bread rooster, I can toast all night long
You can hang me from the cap stick, if you think I'm wrong

I can talk like Bridgeman, if you let me go my gang
I can talk like Bridgeman, if you let me go my gang
I can sing a Dutch blues, hoor, if you let me do my thang

European white boy blues from Holland
European white boy blues from Holland
You can do that - you can sing the blues

FALLING OUT OF LOVE WITH YOU

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

We said “I do”
And now we're through
All that's left for me to do
Is to be falling out of love with you

I was sad and blue
And angry too
It takes some time and I know it's true
This falling out of love with you

People think I'll spoil the party
They see the look of anguish in my face
It seems they're always in a hurry
I'm left humiliated and disgraced

We said “forever”
But failed in our endeavour
Now teach me how to do this, 'coz I don't have a clue
Falling out of love with you

People offer unsollicited advice
They say time will heal the wounds
I try to , just to be nice
But doubt always kicks in too soon

“Till death do us part”
Can't prevent a change of heart
One little thing I need to do:
It's falling out of love with you
Falling out of love with you
Falling out of love with you

FEARLESS MOOD

music: Harm van Sleen

Performed by the Van Sleen & Kruijswijk Small Big Band.

FEEL THE BEAT

Hey! Feel the beat
Ooh, let's move
Hey! Feel the beat
Ooh, let's move

We hebben nu genoeg gehoord en willen aan de slag
Vroeger was best leuk maar we leven bij de dag
Volumeknop op tien, TV op MTV
En als de clip verveelt gaat de radio op drie

Hey! Feel the beat
Ooh, let's move
Hey! Feel the beat
Ooh, let's move

Het ritme en de beat, daarvan ga je uit je bol
Dus maak je eigen tekst, dan heb je nog meer lol
Zorg wel dat het rijmt en let ook op de maat
Dat is bij een rap waar het allemaal om gaat
Hey! Feel the beat
Ooh, let's move
Hey! Feel the beat
Ooh, let's move

FOI FOI

Foi foi dat dialekt, daar hebt wie meuite met
Wie komt niet uut die woord'n, zie gaon ons bov'n de pet
Want wie komt niet uut Twente of uut den Achterhook
Wie hebt er wat femilie maor die hebt geen woordenbook
Foi dat dialekt, dat wurt een heel gezook

Tinus en Marinus, zie hebm dolle pret
Met allemaal rare liedjes en 'n gloodnieuw alfabet
Het is 'n betje rock, en ook 'n hutje roll
De kippen van de leg en de koeien slaon op hol
Ja dit is geels wat anders, dit is boer'n soul!

Foi foi dat dialekt, daar hebt wie meuite met
Wie komt niet uut die woord'n, zie gaon ons bov'n de pet
Want wie komt niet uut Twente of uut den Achterhook
Wie hebt er wat femilie maor die hebt geen woordenbook
Foi dat dialekt, dat wurt een heel gezook

GEEN LEVEN ZONDER JOU

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Originally written in attempt to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. Never happened. This was part of a group of songs presented to elementary schools in The Netherlands. It described the evolution of pop music and required us to write original songs (for copyright reasons) emulating numerous musical styles. Listen to these recordings and figure out whom we were trying to imitate!
released on Mag Die Radio Wat Harder?!!

Leg het werk maar naast je neer
Omhels me nog een keer
Wat lijkt me dat toch lang geleden
Door mijn werk ben ik zelden thuis
Nooit meer samen voor de buis
Maar zonder dat ben ik niet tevreden

't Is toch geen leven zonder jou
Je bent waar ik het meest van hou
'k Had jou beloofd dat ik thuis zou komen
Mijn carriere kost veel tijd
Daarvan heb ik echt geen spijt
Maar nu is de tijd gekomen

Ook al werk ik met plezier
Er bestaat toch nog veel meer
Maar het valt soms slecht te combineren
Het is even zwaar geweest
Maar vanavond is het feest
En wat niet lukt, dat kun je leren

't Is toch geen leven zonder jou
Je bent waar ik het meest van hou
'k Had jou beloofd dat ik thuis zou komen
Mijn carriere kost veel tijd
Daarvan heb ik echt geen spijt
Maar nu is de tijd gekomen

't Is toch geen leven zonder jou
Je bent waar ik het meest van hou
'k Had jou beloofd dat ik thuis zou komen
Mijn carriere kost veel tijd
Daarvan heb ik echt geen spijt
Maar nu is de tijd gekomen
Om weer eens samen weg te dromen

GELOOF IN MIJ

words & music: Harm van Sleen

GOIN' BACK TO PARIS

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Way down in Paris they don't understand a word I say
Way down in Paris I can never have things my way
Can't get no coffee, can't get no tea
Unhappy looks is all I see
Paris is a funny crazy town to stay

Way down in Paris things are upside down
Big city Paris is just a little country town
Sirens wailing in the night
Means a cop's just having a bite
I love Paris like a rabbit loves a hound

To get used to Paris takes a lot of time
Yet somehow Paris gives me peace of mind
Far away from daily chores
We're favourite friends from distant shores
Goin' back to Paris to break away from the daily grind

GOODBYE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Performed by the Van Sleen & Kruijswijk Small Big Band and Capelino.
released on Capelino - Way To Go

When you feel down and blue
One more love affair is through
You feel lost, near the end
And all you want is a friend
And yet no-one returns your calls
And now you feel so lonely
No-one cares why you are suffering
You only have yourself to blame for all your pain
Well ain't that a shame

GOOD MORNING BLUES

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Sleen Gang - In Harm's Way

GOSSIP

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Performed by the Van Sleen & Kruijswijk Small Big Band and by FeM@ail, and recorded by Capelino and by Lisa Otey.
released on albums by Capelino (Capelino - Way To Go), Lisa Otey (Lisa Otey - Trio) and Fem@il

In a small town, word gets around
About this couple living uptown
Watch what they're doing, look how they dress
Life must be a terrible mess!

Doesn't he work, he's always at home
Who is she seeing, she's never alone
They're always smiling, it's just a game
To hide they have a son who's insane

So, are they happy, or in misery?
I know what you're thinking, it's driving me mad
Oh, how I hate this strange mystery
Tell me the truth, I need it so bad

Gossip is fun, you can take it from me
Pay lots of money or get it for free
It's a small town, word gets around
Never let it bring you down

Isn't it funny, isn't it sad
Imagination is all in the head
Draw your conclusions, it's Judgement Day
THIS story won't fade away

Tell all your neighbours and all of your friends
A rumour may start but it never will end
I will listen, that's for sure
Just keep telling me more

I want to hear every sordid detail
I want to buy it when it's for sale
I want to see it with my own eyes
I want to watch beyond its disguise

Gossip is fun, you can take it from me
Pay lots of money or get it for free
In a small town, word gets around
Never let it bring you down

HAPPY SONG

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Why are you whining?
There's something wrong with you
The sun is shining
The sky is clear and blue
The birds are singing in the trees
Summer's not the season to feel bad

I'm not denying
Your pain and misery
But are you crying
For what may never be?
So what if yesterday was dull?
Nobody can tell what lies ahead

Sometimes I'm sunk in gloom
Obsessed with doom
Such a negative attitude!
But the I see your eyes
I realize
All I need's a change of mood

When you are hurting
When you're about to die
When you are certain
You really ought to try
You still may feel the urge to laugh
I wish I could be laughing till I'm dead

HARM'S BLUES

music: Harm van Sleen

HEALTH FOOD

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle demo.

Is this where I belong?
I keep singing this song
For hours and hours and hours and hours
I look atrocious, I wanna die
(I guess I must be crazy)
I don't mind falling apart
They're calling it Art
Cheap red wine is wasting my time
I look disgusting, I wanna die

Health Food
When you wake up in the morning or the afternoon
You need health food
You've got an aching head
So you dream about health food
Howling like a wolf at the yellow moon
I need health food
I feel so dead

Is this where I belong?
I keep singing this song
For hours and hours and hours and hours
I look atrocious, I wanna die
(I guess I must be crazy)
I don't mind falling apart
They're calling it Art
Cheap red wine is wasting my time
I look disgusting, I wanna die

Health Food
Another hangover's waiting just beyond the door
I need health food
Yes I know what must be done
But I don't care about health food
Get some whole wheat bread and lentils from the Special Store
That's health food
Makes me want to run

Is this where I belong?
I keep singing this song
For hours and hours and hours and hours
I look atrocious, I wanna die
(I guess I must be crazy)
I don't mind falling apart
They're calling it Art
Cheap red wine is wasting my time
I look disgusting, I wanna die

Going to a party
(Don't wanna dance all night)
Hanging at the bar
(The bartender's such a groovy guy)
Talking about preachers
(Martini nights)
And how boring they are
(What a lovely way to live)
I'll have another drink
And I start preaching myself
(Drink the bottle till you die)
Now I realize why I'm singing this song about health

HEY MARYLOU

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Hey Marylou, why don't you tell me why you feel so blue?
Hey Marylou, is life getting harder to bear?
Hey Marylou, why is it so hard to get through to you?
I want to let you know that I really care

Hey Marylou, I still remember the days when the sun would shine
Hey Marylou, we used to be close for a while
Hey Marylou, once everything was super, sweeter than wine
It's been too many years since I've seen you smile

Hey Marylou, in pictures I see sadness in your eyes
Hey Marylou, it's in every memory of you
Hey Marylou, is it too late to apologize
I just couldn't figure out what I had to do

HOLY BOOGIE

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Mr. Boogie Woogie & The Firesweep Bluesband - Live At The Pub!

Holy boogie, holy woogie
Holy shake, holy rattle, rock & roll
Holy tutti, holy frutti
Holy boogie woogie gonna save my soul

The grand piano is my bible
Boogie woogie is the gospel that I preach
I’m living in blue-note heaven
With a pint of milk and honey within reach

Holy boogie, holy woogie
Holy shake, holy rattle, rock & roll
Holy tutti, holy frutti
Holy boogie woogie gonna save my soul

Meade Lux Lewis is my saviour
Pete Johnson is my guiding light
Eighty-eight keys are pounding
Take the darkness right out of the night

Holy boogie, holy woogie
Holy shake, holy rattle, rock & roll
Holy tutti, holy frutti
Holy boogie woogie gonna save my soul

I’m like a snake in the Big Apple
Where the lion will boogie with the lamb
Three wise men came to meet me
They said, “Welcome back in town Boogie Man”

Holy boogie, holy woogie
Holy shake, holy rattle, rock & roll
Holy tutti, holy frutti
Holy boogie woogie gonna save my soul

Holy boogie, holy woogie
Holy shake, holy rattle, rock & roll
Holy tutti, holy frutti
Holy boogie woogie gonna save my soul

HOMEMADE BREW

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Mr. Boogie Woogie & The Firesweep Bluesband - Three Pound Fist

I've done a lot of things
I never thought I would do
Mistakes are the rule
And exceptions are few

I've hurt so many friends
And I feel sorry, it's true
I forget all my sins
With my homemade brew

So I keep on drinkin'
Until I'm through
Because I'd rather be drinkin'
Than to be thinkin' of you

Paid my debt to my country
When Saturday's due
I'll be comin' back home
To my homemade brew

HOT SUMMER EVENING

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Driving down a dirt road to a place you'll never know
Following the footsteps of Stanley and Livingstone
Red dust in our eyebrows, flies inside the car
Headed for the last stretch where they'd covered the road with tar

We were quite wealthy then, but luxuries were few
Our house was slightly ragged, we were only passing through
Poison snakes, mad dogs, were among the daily thrills
But I felt safe and happy in our house up on the hill

On a hot summer evening I still walk that dusty road
On a hot summer evening I'm still there
Something takes me back to way back when
And I'm just a little boy again

So much has changed forever, we've burned the bridge and locked the door
People I used to know back then don't live there anymore
The country's just a mess today, its future's grim and black
But on a hot summer evening something always takes me back

HUNTING FOR LOVE

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Looking all around, looking up and down
Gonna smell the country, gonna paint the town
Looking to the left, looking to the right
Hunting every day, hunting every night
Looking high, looking low
Inside I hear a voice I don't wanna now
I deal in love, I deal in pain
Pleasure's short but the pain remains
I'm hunting for love
Tonight you're gonna be my game

Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting for love

Girl walks up, she likes my style
We sit and rap for a little while
Then she makes a move, ready for the kill
I'm gonna respond, yes I know I will
Feeling high, feeling low
She says the words I don't wanna know
I deal in lust, I deal in pain
Pleasure's short but the pain remains
I'm hunting for love
Tonight it's gonna be my game

Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting for love

Gotta succeed, gotta catch my prey
Don't let it be another losing day
Gotta give in 'coz I can't say no
I can never leave when it's time to go
I deal in love, I deal in pain
Pleasure's short but the pain remains
I'm hunting for love
Tonight you're gonna be my game

Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting, hunting for love
Hunting, hunting for love

HURRY UP

words & music: Harm van Sleen

I AM THE MOON

words & music: Harm van Sleen

I'D DO IT FOR YOU

words & music: Harm van Sleen

IF IT DON'T LOOK GOOD

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

Some drink whiskey, some drink wine
Some keep drinking all the time
If it don't look good
If it don't look good
If it don't look good, tell me why you think it should

This door could use a coat of paint
But I won't pretend to be what I ain't
If it don't look good, no-one ever said it would

It's up to you, it's up to me
To change the world or let it be
If it don't look good, no-one ever said it would

Honey, let me speak my mind
Those things I said, well, I was lyin'
If it don't look good, no-one ever said it would

Let me do it like a man
If I can't do it, no-one can
If it don't look good, there's no reason why it should

Don't judge right or wrong
I could sing this all night long
If it don't look good, if it don't look good
If it isn't right, if it's a terrible sight
If it hurts like hell and never rings a bell
If it don't look good tell me why you think it should

IF YOU SEE ME WALKING

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

If you see me walking, down the street today (3x)
You can tell I'm comin'your way

If you see me walking, all dressed in blue (3x)
You can tell I'm comin' back to you

If you see me walking, all dressed in white (3x)
You can tell I intend to spend the night

If you see me walking, all dressed in brown (3x)
You know I've been playing around

If you see me walking, all dressed in red (3x)
You will know for certain that I'm dead

If you see me hanging, from yonder tree (3x)
You can tell that someone was mad at me

If you see me walking, all dressed in black (3x)
I might be a ghost just comin' back

IF YOU WENT AWAY

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Sleen Gang - In Harm's Way and released on Mr. Boogie Woogie & The Firesweep Bluesband - Live At The Pub!

I could cheat, I could lie
Never care how you feel
What money can’t buy
I could easily steal
I could misunderstand you
Every word that you say
But I could never face the day
That you went away

I could break every promise
I swore I would keep
Pretend to be honest
And forget all the lies that made you weep
I could stab you in the back
Like a wild bird of prey
But I could never face the day
That you went away

Bad habits come easy
But they’re so hard to quit
It’s easy to do wrong
And easy to get used to it
Blame anybody for all I care
Even put the blame on society
Say it’s a sign of the times
But please don’t blame me

I could change all my ways
Even turn my life upside down and round and round
I could say, “It’s just a phase”
Like I said I’d never never never let you down
Oh baby, forgive and forget
Give me another chance I pray
For I’d surely die today
If you went away
Yes I’d surely die today
If you went away

IK BEN BASTIAN

words & music: Harm van Sleen

I LOVE MY BABY

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Dicky Greenwood - A :Long Way

She takes all my money, throws it all away
Now I'm in the gutter, and the only thing I say
I loves my baby, I loves my baby
I loves my baby but I don't know why

She been cheatin' on my for many many years
But the only thing I say after drying all my tears
I loves my baby, I loves my baby
I loves my baby but I don't know why

She been telling lies, my reputation's gone
People are avoiding me and I am on my own
I loves my baby, I loves my baby
I loves my baby but I don't know why

I'M CRYING

I'm crying, I'm crying, because I'm oh so sad
I've lost the only one that I ever had
And I'll keep on crying until my tears are all dry
One day I will wonder why

Because you have treated me so mean and so cruel
I must have been blind to be such a fool
So I'll keep on crying until my tears are all dry
The tears will keep flowing till the day that I die
Oh darling please tell me why
Why did you say Goodbye

I'M ON THE ROAD AGAIN

words & music: Harm van Sleen

There's a story that I just don't want to hear
I start the car and then I disappear
Don't want to talk about it anymore
You told me once, I've heard it all before

My key's in the ignition, I'm ready to roll
A full tank is all I need to save my soul
I'm on the road again
Once again the highway is my friend
I'm on the road again
And I've got a funny feeling that happiness
Is just around the bend

Unpaid bills are pilin' up today
They tell me it's time to make my getaway
Saying goodbye is a painful thing to do
Soon enough we'll both find someone new

The engine is running, I'm on my way
Bye bye love there's nothing left to say
I'm on the road again
Once again the highway is my friend
I'm on the road again
And I've got a funny feeling that happiness
Is just around the bend

I NEED HELP

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

It seems like a spell has come over me
I see a funny world that I never used to see
I'm doing weird stuff I never thought I'd do
I'm doing crazy things like runnin' after you
I need help, oh baby I need help
I need help

My dirty filthy mouth suddenly sounds so sweet
I watch the stuff I'm drinkin', watch the stuff I eat
Try to look attractive, gallant as a knight
Try to make a good impression and you know it don't feel right
I need help, oh baby I need help
I need help, professional help

I SHOULD KNOW BETTER

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

I should know better than to whisper your name
I should know better so I am to blame
I should know better but I don't seem to learn
Better prepare to get burned

I should know better than to wait for your call
I should know better – I know nothing at all
I should know better since the last time
I must be stupid and blind

I should know better than to hope for the best
I should know better 'coz I've failed every test
I should know better and I shouldn't complain
When things go wrong once again

I should know better but I don't
After this time, somehow I still won't
I won't admit it's not to be

IT BURNS FOR YOU

words & music: György Vigh, Bart Prinsen & Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle single, our only release on vinyl.
released on Burt And The Brand-New Lifestyle - Young Boys & Girls (On The Old Side Of Town)

IT'S YOU

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

It's not the moon or the stars
It ain't champagne or caviar
None of the kind, not a doubt in my mind
It's YOU who makes me feel this way

It's not your car, so big and grand
Or your influential friends
And although your gold is a thing to behold
It's YOU who makes me feel this way

Something's stirring in my heart
Vital organs fall apart
Lungs go crazy, bowels go wild
I get excited like a child

Could be your eyes, could be your toes
What's happening God only knows
Don't know what to do and it's all because of you
It's YOU who makes me feel this way

Something's stirring in my heart
Vital organs fall apart
Lungs go crazy, bowels go wild
I get excited like a child

Could be your eyes, could be your toes
What's happening God only knows
Don't know what to do and it's all because of you
It's YOU who makes me feel this way 2x
Don't ask me why, I'm telling no lie
It's YOU who makes me feel this way 5x

I'VE NEVER SEEN HAWAII

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

I've never seen Hawaii
It's calling out to me
Bananas and poi
For me to enjoy
With my ukulele on my knee

Do the hula dance forever
Play my frypan steel all day
While the humuhumunukunukuapua’a
Swims in the Hilo bay

The new world's growing old so quickly
An old world might be new to me
Far from the roar of judgemental bores
To that paradise across the sea

But if I had to leave my country
And my loved ones, I would cry
So I close my eyes
And without sad goodbyes
I reach the shores of old Hawaii

I WANNA BE HAPPY

Guess who called me yesterday?
Someone that once I used to know
He told me that he saw you
Late last night at the midnight picture show
You were walking hand in hand
With Mr. So and so

So I said:"I don't believe a single word you say
Why do you talk in such an evil way?
I wanna be happy, don't wanna be sad..."

Someone got killed last night
Way down on the avenue
Policeman tells me, "Little boy,
The killer he looked a lot like you!"
But this is something
I could never do

So I said:"I don't believe a single word you say
Why do you talk in such an evil way?
I wanna be happy, don't wanna be sad..."

I WANT TO BELIEVE

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

We can't understand a thing
Yet we try so hard
We want to control the game
But we don't deal the cards
We're following a path
Destination unclear
I often stop and wonder why I'm here

Got no reason to complain
I'm a fortunate man
Are the homeless and the hungry
Part of the plan?
Cruelty, injustice
Things I can't comprehend
Misery and pain that never ends

I want to believe
There's a reason and a rhyme
That it all has a purpose in the end
The good should be rewarded
The bad should be punished for their crimes
Oh Lord, I've got to understand

Random misfortune
Cuts into your soul
Money may fool you
But you're not in control
Is there a reason why
Fate's treating some of us so bad?
Maybe we'll find out when we're dead?

I WAS BORN IN MISSISSIPPI

I was born in Mississippi
That's where I met my gal
Once she used to love me
But now I just can't tell
In the morning she wants my money
In the evening she wants something else
I'll go back to Mississippi
But I'll go by myself

JULY (THE PROMISED LAND)

words & music: Harm van Sleen

KASSA!

Geld! Money!

Kijk daar komt mijn manager in zijn zwarte limousine
Hij vertelt me hoe ik zingen moet, hoe ik eruit moet zien
Kijk daar komt mijn manager in zijn zwarte limousine
Hij vertelt me hoe ik zingen moet, hoe ik eruit moet zien
Welke kleren ik moet dragen, wat ik zeg in interviews
In ruil daarvoor krijg ik veel geld, I've got the money blues

KATIE COME HOME TONIGHT

words & music: Harm van Sleen

KOM JE BED UIT

music: Harm van Sleen words: Marian van Gog

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

LA SALSA DE LOS MUCHACHOS

music: Harm van Sleen

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

LEAVE ME ALONE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

LETHAL LOVE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle demo.

LET ME TELL YOU

Let me tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna make you sing the blues
When I get up on that stage so wide
I'm gonna take you for a little ride

You can't see my eyes, you can't see my face
My hair is too long It's a damn disgrace
When I hear all you little girls scream I feel so good
Play my guitar all night long, I'm in the mood

LET'S TRY AGAIN

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Let's try again, give it one more chance
Let's try and love each other
Hate's no good, it's understood
We've got to live as brothers

Let's not make fun of an honest man
Who tries to love a stranger
It's easy to sneer at religious cults
That tell you "Love thy neighbour", but...

Let's try again, give it one more chance
Let's try and love each other
Hate's no good, it's understood
We've got to live as brothers

Let's not be put off by the image of
The barefoot flower dancer
Don't need no PhD to know
That hate is not the answer, so

Let's try let's try let's try let's try
Let's try again, give it one more chance
Let's try and love each other
Hate's no good, it's understood
We've got to live as brothers

LIEFDE IS ALS EEN MAGNEET

words & music: Harm van Sleen

LITTLE GIRL

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Little girl
My precious little girl
In a confusing world you shine your light

I'm amazed
I see things in different ways
It's all so clear today what is right

Still you don't see
All that you do for me
I'm learning to forgive, to let things be

It is strange
How my perceptions all have changed
Values are rearranged, little girl

LONESOME HIGHWAY

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Sleen Gang - In Harm's Way

Lonesome highway, lonesome road
Lonesome highway, lonesome road
I wonder, is it time to go?

Years ago I had me a sports car
Years ago I had a Cadillac
Years ago I was a very different man

I'll be a hermit somewhere in Texas
I'll be a hermit somewhere in Greece
Could be the last thing you'll ever hear from me

Don't send letters when I'm gone
Don't send letters when I'm gone
Hell, I'll even sell my telephone

Lonesome highway, lonesome road
Lonesome highway, lonesome road
I wonder, is it time to go?

LOVE SONG

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From an early demo, sung by Hein Dik Barentsen. Joris Ruijter on drums.

I'm looking at the sky tonight
I see the stars, the planets, the moon
I love the darkness and the light
I love the sun in the late afternoon
And I love the trees and the flowers
I've been watching them all day long
I never see them in my unhappy hours
But this is a love song

Was a guy, always complaining
Yes I loved to moan and to cry
Then suddenly it stopped raining
And a sun came to brighten my skies
And I feel like a preacher who's seen the light
I go right where I used to go wrong
And I sing from daybreak till midnight
Because this is a love song

Still it's so hard to say how good it feels
To be loved by someone like you
Because too many love songs sound so unreal
That it's hard to make this one sound true

And it turned my life into something new
You showed me where I belong
And it's about time that I wrote this song for you
This is a love song

LOST MY HOME

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

I lost my home, I can't go back no more
I lost my home, can't go back no more
I lost my home, I can't go back no more
Dusty storms drove me away from my door

I've walked 2,000 miles in threadbare shoes
I've walked 2,000 miles in threadbare shoes
I've walked 2,000 miles in threadbare shoes
I can't go back, got nothing left to lose

Dogs are barking, a guard is at the gate
Dogs are barking, a guard is at the gate
Dogs are barking, a guard is at the gate
A shadow seems to tell me, it's too late

I lost my home, I can't go back no more
I lost my home, can't go back no more
I lost my home, I can't go back no more
Dusty storms drove me away from my door
Dusty storms drove me away from my door

LOVING YOU

Mary says I'm a foolish person
Says I'm outrageous and I know it's true
But somehow I'm still not certain
What does she want me to do?
I wear red cherries on my eyebrows
A little bone runs through my nose
You might think I want to die now
I might be strange, I'm afraid it shows
(It's so hard) Loving you

She never shows any weird emotions
When I ask her to light my fire
She tells me tales of topographic oceans
A life that's filled with strange desires
Sometimes a circle is emerging
From the windmills of my mind
Why do sixteen Vestal virgins
Treat me bad, and yet so kind?
(It's so hard) Loving you

She's such a lovely girl
She will follow me into the depths of my electric yellow
Tangerine hotel (Tangerine hotel)

I wear red cherries on my eyebrows
A little bone runs through my nose
You might think I want to die now
I might be strange, I'm afraid it shows
(It's so hard) Loving you

LOVIN’ ON MY MIND

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Mr. Boogie Woogie & The Firesweep Bluesband - Live At The Pub!

When I come home to my baby
When I see that lovely lady
I got lovin’ I got lovin’ on my mind
I got lovin’ so much lovin’
And I got so little time

When my business don’t go right
And each struggle becomes a fight
I got lovin’ I got lovin’ on my mind
I got lovin’ so much lovin’
And I got so little time

I love my woman, I love the blues
I love the Lord and money too
I got lovin’ I got lovin’ on my mind
I got lovin’ so much lovin’
And I got so little time

If you don’t want me, can’t help myself
Got to find it somewhere else
Because I need lovin’ I got lovin’ on my mind
I got lovin’ so much lovin’
And I got so little time

MAGDALENA

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle demo.

MAKES ME FEEL BAD

words & music: Harm van Sleen

NATURE CALLING

words & music: Harm van Sleen

NGORO NGORO

words & music: Harm van Sleen

NIET EENS ZOVEEL VERSCHIL

music: Harm van Sleen words: Marian van Gog

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

OH WHAT A FEELING

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Once I was lonesome, I was feeling so blue
But then I found out I was just waiting for you
Suddenly a sun lights up the sky
And you, only you are the reason why

Oh what a feeling to know there's more to life than this
Oh what a feeling, that first magic kiss
Oh what a feeling to fall in love with you

These days I feel compassion for everyone I used to hate
I'm not so scared anymore, I put my confidence in fate
Suddenly a smile filled my heart with delight
And I knew, I just knew you'd put everything right

Oh what a feeling to know there's more to life than this
Oh what a feeling, that first magic kiss
Oh what a feeling to fall in love with you

Now that I found true love I can handle any pain
As long as I know I don't love you in vain

Oh what a feeling to know there's more to life than this
Oh what a feeling, that first magic kiss
Oh what a feeling to fall in love with you

OLD MAN BLUES

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Mr. Boogie Woogie & The Firesweep Bluesband - Three Pound Fist

I’m over thirty years old, the end is drawing near
Some friends are dying, others disappear
The only faithful friend I know is my bottle over here

Ain’t getting any younger, my hairline’s receding fast
I knew from the start, a life like this can never last
Time to make up for all those things I neglected to do in the past

Girl you gotta help me, got no time to wait
Any day now it just might be too late
Pot belly getting huge, my head is almost bald
Do I have to spell it out? I’m growing old!
So come with me baby let’s boogie all night long
Because you weren’t there when I was healthy, sweet and young

ONE DAY

Little boy wanna be a big man
Tryin' to walk like an American
Robert and Ike, wanna thank you again
Wanna tell you I'm a big big fan
I loves the way you plays the blues
Puts rhythm in my shoes
I loves the way you rock and roll
Puts fire in my soul
One day I'm gonna make it in the U.S.A.
One day you gonna see me in the U.S.A.

I likes the country, I loves the land
Wanna team up with a black man's band
Good time music will take me far
Gonna play in them Chicago bars
Gonna play in Memphis Tennessee
Boy that sounds real good to me
Watch me now I'm on my way
See you tomorrow I'm leaving today
One day I'll be living in the U.S.A.
One day I'll think I's born in the U.S.A.
One day I'll be a native from the U.S.A.
One day I'll be a part of good old U.S.A.

ONE STEP AHEAD

words & music: Harm van Sleen

You may be right, you may be wrong
You may be weak, you may be strong
You may be short, you may be long
Just stay one step ahead of yourself

You may be smart, you may be crazy
You may be weak, you may be lazy
Just continue to amaze me
And stay one step ahead of yourself

Keep one step ahead of the others
Impress your sisters and your brothers
Impress your father and your mother
And stay one step ahead of yourself

It may be Fortune and fame
In the end you'll feel the pain
But it's all a part of this game
Just stay one step ahead of yourself

Grab your prize, you're number one
The world will know what you have done
But until that day has come
Just stay one step ahead of yourself

Convince yourself you're a success
When you wind up in a mess
Keep on doing like the rest
And stay one step ahead of yourself

PARIS PARIS

music: Harm van Sleen

PRECIOUS TIME

words & music: Harm van Sleen

You say you're lonesome and you can't stop cryin'
You say I'm wastin' precious time
You don't want to be just another friend of mine
Honey you're always on my mind
Life slips by a little too fast these days
Somehow we can never change our hurried ways
I'm lonesome too, one day we may find
We've just been wastin' precious time

PRE-DEATH REQUIEM

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle demo.

REAL MAN

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Sleen Gang - In Harm's Way

REJUVENATION

words & music: Harm van Sleen

ROCK & ROLL IS ALL IT TAKES

words & music: Jan van den Hul & Harm van Sleen

Originally performed by Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle. This was part of a group of songs presented to elementary schools in The Netherlands. It described the evolution of pop music and required us to write original songs (for copyright reasons) emulating numerous musical styles. Listen to these recordings and figure out whom we were trying to imitate!
released on Mag Die Radio Wat Harder?!!

My mama always told me to cut out that noise
Why can't I just play football like the other boys
Guess she really must be stupid 'cause she still don't see
Rock & roll's the only thing that's good for me

No pains and aches
Rock & roll is all it takes
No need to break
Rock & roll makes no mistakes

Now mama, mama, I hope you finally understand
Rock & roll ain't never coming to an end
Blues was first but rock & roll's the one to last
So roll over Beethoven because you just failed the test

RUNNING OUT OF TEARS

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Once there were no troubles in my life
Rich and always healthy and a very lovely wife
Seems that when you're up, you're always going down
One day I woke up to find you been playing around

And now I'm crying, I'm crying
I've been crying since the day you disappeared
I'm crying, I'm crying
And I'll be crying till I'm running out of tears

So many troubled souls in this unfair world
Hearts broken by unfaithful girls
The guy who lives in Lonely Street was always someone else
Now that I'm the fool, I can't help myself

And now I'm crying, I'm crying
I've been crying since the day you disappeared
I'm crying, I'm crying
And I'll be crying till I'm running out of tears

I'm running out of money, running out of time
Running out of patience, running out of rhymes

And now I'm crying, I'm crying
I've been crying since the day you disappeared
I'm crying, I'm crying
And I'll be crying till I'm running out of tears

SAGRES

words & music: Harm van Sleen

When the red sun comes down
Where the bus comes to town
There's a room that is white like my shirt
Where tyrue peace of mind returns to me
As the leaves on this true wipe the dirt out of me

And so they come, infant visions
Of a sleepy little village
Where I lived in a house cool and white
And the world didn't wear its disguise
When I opened my eyes just crickets and flies

See the woman on thje sidewalk selling peanuts
And I wonder, having run ouit of the church
Why this big city world whips and rapes its children
And yet feeds my expectations as I search
For a better world

The red dusty of the dirt roads in my eyebrows
The salt of the sea burning on my skin
A sense of religion seems not so strange to me
Is it the sense of redemption, or the sense of sin?

Call it wisdom, call it faith(face?)
Call it experience
It's a feeling no words have described
It's apath moving down to the sea
Down to the sea, if you're looking for me
That's where I will be

SALSA

music: Harm van Sleen

SAMBA LIFESTYLE

music: Harm van Sleen

SATURDAY'S BLUES

music: Harm van Sleen

SCHERZO

music: Harm van Sleen

SHE'S LOOKING FOR ME

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Standing at the station watching the trains roll in
Lookin' at all the faces, hopin' she'll see me again
She's callin' on my friends and waitin' outside my door
How long can this go on, I can't take it anymore

It's a strange situation that never seems to go away
I've made a big mistake, now I'm gonna have to pay
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME)
She's lookin' for me but I am gone (OH)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME, YES SHE IS)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME, YES SHE IS)
She's lookin' for me but I am gone

She's a pretty little devil, such a lovely sight to see
She's a hot little mama but she's just not right for me
She knows what she wants but she ain't my heart's desire
I keep burnin' my fingers everytime that I play with fire

It's a strange situation that never seems to go away
I've made a big mistake, now I'm gonna have to pay
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME)
She's lookin' for me but I am gone (OH)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME, YES SHE IS)
I know she's lookin' for me (LOOKING FOR ME, YES SHE IS)
She's lookin' for me but I am gone

SINNER/SONGWRITER

words & music: Harm van Sleen

SIOUX FALLS

words & music: Harm van Sleen

Performed by the Van Sleen & Kruijswijk Small Big Band.

SPECIAL FRIENDS

words & music: Harm van Sleen

STANDING ON THE EDGE OF LIFE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

STOOMFLUIT SERENADE

music: Harm van Sleen

Written for a museum exhibition in Woerden, The Netherlands.

SCORE

SUPERHELD

music: Harm van Sleen

SWEET LOVE

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Mr. Boogie Woogie & The Firesweep Bluesband - Three Pound Fist

Don’t need no ten room mansion
No Corvette in my garage, no swimming pool
No high society connections
No boss man to lay down all the rules

Don’t need to do nobody any favors
Any kind of friend’s all right with me
Don’t wanna be judged by my own behaviour
My good intentions is all you’ll ever see

I want your sweet sweet love, sweet sweet love
Sweet sweet love tonight
I want your sweet sweet love, sweet sweet love
Sweet sweet love tonight

Don’t care if things are black or white or gray
Don’t care what is wrong or what is right
Don’t mind if I work by night or sleep by day
Don’t give a damn if you don’t like the songs I write

I want your sweet sweet love, sweet sweet love
Sweet sweet love tonight
I want your sweet sweet love, sweet sweet love
Sweet sweet love tonight

Sometimes love is deep, sometimes it’s funky
Sometimes love can be mysterious
Don’t satisfy me to spank my little monkey
With the good stuff I’m delirious

I want your sweet sweet love, sweet sweet love
Sweet sweet love tonight
I want your sweet sweet love, sweet sweet love
Sweet sweet love tonight

TAKE ME TO SWINE LAKE

music: Harm van Sleen

Performed by the Van Sleen & Kruijswijk Small Big Band and Capelino.
released on Capelino - Way To Go

TALKING TO THE LORD

words & music: Harm van Sleen

I've been talking to my father
Talking to my mother
To my friends and my neighbours
They don't do no favors
I've been talking to myself but I just get bored
Tonight I will be talking to the Lord

Got a house and a swimming pool
They say I'm nobody's fool
Got more stuff than I can mention
And many good intentions
But it's all useless if you can't afford
To spend some time talking to the Lord

Don't believe the stuff they tell you
Don't buy what they wanna sell you
It gets around like a belly dancer
This talk of knowing all the answers
Just open up your heart and get on board
Tonight we will be talking to the Lord

THE CLOWN

You told me about your love, how it's all wrong
You told me that she plays around all night long
Let me tell you what you should do to keep her at home:
Put a lock upon that door & unplug the phone!

Tell her when she holds your hand
She gotta understand who is her loving man
But when she wants to mess around, creep around this town
You gotta let her down because you ain't no clown

You told me about your boy how he's gone mad
How he's made you miserable and oh so sad
He's having fun downtown while you are bored
'Coz he unplugged the phone and locked that door

Tell him when he holds your hand
That all his uptown friends might cause your love to end
But if he wants to mess around, creep around this town
You gotta let him down because you ain't no clown

THE EMPTINESS INSIDE

The emptiness inside
The lies I used to tell
I couldn't help but cry again
The boredom of the mind
Is running through my skull again

THE FUNK WILL TAKE YOU HIGHER

Well the funk will take you higher
Lift you straight up in the air
Every night I'm on fire
Watch me wave my long black hair
Dance to the beat baby all night long
Dance to the beat while I sing this song
Shake it faster pretty baby
While you boogie baby all night long
Let's all be happy for another day
Tonight we'll dance the night away

Tonight we're gonna have a party
Dance until the break of day
I said tonight we'll have a party
We gonna dance and let the music play
Dance to the beat put your feet on the ground
Dance to the beat Mr. Groove's in town
It's Saturday night pretty baby
Wanna boogie with you all night long
Let's all be happy for another day
Tonight we'll dance the night away

THE GRASS IS ON FIRE

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Sleen Gang - In Harm's Way

The grass is on fire, spreads with the wind
Goes underground, rises up again
Kills vegetatation, animals too
Ain't no telling now the damage it will do
It's hotter than Hell, I aint no liar
The grass is on fire

Kills the grasshopper, and the cobra snake
Fire knows no limits, takes all it can take
Is this purgatory, or fire from Hell?
God only knows, and he doesn't tell
Can't get away, it's melting the tires
The grass is on fire

This thing got started by striking one match
Now there's no way to stop it, that is the catch
Man likes to push things beyond his control
Do something stupid and just let it roll

Fire is spreading all over the land
No one can stop it, no one's in command
Flowers will burn, water will boil
It lights up the night, it blackens the soil
Is this what we need, is it what we desire
The grass is on fire

THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle demo.

THE JOY OF LIFE

music: Jan van den Hul & Harm van Sleen

This was part of a group of songs presented to elementary schools in The Netherlands. It described the evolution of pop music and required us to write original songs (for copyright reasons) emulating numerous musical styles. Listen to these recordings and figure out whom we were trying to imitate!
released on Mag Die Radio Wat Harder?!!

THE LEAVES ON MY TREE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

THE SECRET TO SUCCESS

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

As the dogs began to bark
I yelled out in the dark
And made my entrance
“Come al ye friends and strangers too
I've come to do what I have to do
With a vengeance
In blind faith and self-possessed
I will dive into the mess
They call the secret to success”

I would walk a road of gold
Witness magic dreams unfold
To the sound of thunder
But knee deep in the mud
Every deal was paid in blood
No time to wonder
If it's worth all you invest
This everlasting quest
To find the secret to success

When the blackest night will fall
A sweet memory might be all
To sustain me
Tearing pages from this book
In the end was all it took
To entertain me
Pity the man who second-guessed
To find his life was second best
Chasing secrets to success

THE TURNING POINT

words & music: Harm van Sleen

THE WEIGHT OF THE CROSS

words & music: Harm van Sleen

THREE POUND FIST

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Three Pound Fist

Come on baby let me look into your eyes
Come on pretty baby let me look into your eyes
Please, please, please don’t tell no lies
‘coz if you mess around with Mr. Boogie Woogie, gotta tell ya, got a three pound fist so you better be wise

I’m like a steaming engine and you just can’t make me stop
I’m like a steaming engine and you just can’t make me stop
Please, please, please don’t blow my top
‘coz if you mess around with Mr. Boogie Woogie, gotta tell ya, got a three pound fist you better wisen up
Wisen up, wisen up, wisen up, wisen up
I’m like a steaming engine and you just can’t make me stop
I’m like a steaming engine and you just can’t make me stop
Please, please, please don’t blow my top
‘coz if you mess around with Mr. Boogie Woogie, gotta tell ya, got a three pound fist you better wisen up

TOO DRUNK TO QUIT DRINKING

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

Those precious moments, where did they go?
Aeons of struggle, so little to show
That promising future has moved to the pastv A vision of glory that was not built to last

Beloved friends in and out of our lives
Fell off the radar or didn't survive
Let's raise our glasses to dreams unfulfilled
Uncork these bottles and fire up the stills

Until we're too drunk to quit drinking
Too high to come down
Too low to quit sinking
Too lost to be found

Choices not made, decisions postponed
All that I'm asking is to leave me alone
Right now only one thing I need to do
Is to join the party and get a load of this brew

Until I'm too drunk to quit drinking
Too high to come down
Too low to quit sinking
Too lost to be found

TROUBLE

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Mr. Boogie Woogie & The Firesweep Bluesband - Live At The Pub!

I’m in trouble, I’ve been in trouble all my life
I’ve been in trouble, in trouble all my life
Now my baby’s gone and I’m stuck here with my wife

When I didn’t have a woman I was lonesome all the time
When I finally got a wife she was a burden on my mind
Found a mistress down the street – no responsibilities!
Says she’s found another man she’s goin’ away from me
I’m in trouble, in trouble all the time
The way she’s treating me, it’s a doggone dirty crime

I used to be unemployed the money was always gone
Got a job, I was always late, I had to travel on
Finally do the crazy things that bring me peace of mind
Now I’m rich, the phone keeps ringin’ – taxman on the line
I’m in trouble, in trouble every day
Demons at the door don’t ever go away

When I believed I’d make it big I was always bound to fail
When I was sure what I did was right, I ended up in jail
When I believed in women they cheated and they lied
When I worshipped the Lord above there was a devil by my side
I’m in trouble, in trouble every night
Nothing you can do can make me feel all right

I’m in trouble, I’ve been in trouble all my life
I’ve been in trouble, in trouble all my life
Now my baby’s gone and I’m stuck here with my wife

TRUST ME BABY

words & music Harm van Sleen
released on The Sleen Gang - In Harm's Way and Lisa Otey - Trio

Somebody told you I'm unfaithful to you
Don't believe it baby, 'coz it just aint true
You gotta trust me baby
You gotta trust me baby
You gotta trust me baby
Because you'll never really know for sure

You call me at the office, they say I'm not in
Now you start wondering about the places I have been
You gotta trust me baby
You gotta trust me baby
You gotta trust me baby
Because you'll never really know for sure

An unfamiliar smell wafts from my clothes
You need to know which way the wind blows
You gotta trust me baby
You gotta trust me baby
You gotta trust me baby
Because you'll never really know for sure

You want an explanation, I ain't giving you none
I'm not gonna tell you the things I have done
You gotta trust me baby
You gotta trust me baby
You gotta trust me baby
Because you'll never really know for sure

TWILIGHT OF THE GODS

music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle demo.

TIJD VOOR DE STRIJD

music: Harm van Sleen

UNDER CONTROL

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Bassman's Holiday

Dirt on the window, dirt on the wall
Two days ago you had it all
Phone in the bedroom can bring bad news
We try to help but you refuse

Under control, rockets to the moon
Under control, tomorrow comes too soon
Under control, you're keeping everything
Under control, but fate don't play along

Your life insurance, what is it worth
When they drop your coffin in the earth
You had your future all figured out
Beyond the shadow of a doubt
Under control, rockets to the moon

Under control, tomorrow comes too soon
Under control, you're keeping everything
Under control, but fate don't play along

VARIATIES OP EEN EENVOUDIG THEMA OF (EEN MAN OP EEN ZWART PAARD GAAT NAAR DE MARKT EN DRINKT NOOIT KOFFIE)

music: Harm van Sleen

VERKLEDEN

music: Harm van Sleen words: Marian van Gog

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

WALKING

words & music: Harm van Sleen

WAS HET MAAR VAKANTIE

's Morgens in de vroegte
Dan ga ik weer naar school
Elke morgen, elke middag
Dit is toch al te dol

Was het maar vakantie
Ik wil niet overdrijven
Als ik weer een strand zie
Dan wil ik daar blijven

Mijn leven is een sleur
En plezier kan je niet kopen
Mijn mooiste broek heeft weer een scheur
En die jam-pot wil niet open

Lekker zeuren is zo fijn
Lekker treuren voor de gein
Totdat iedereen een hekel aan me krijgt
Lekker zeuren is gezond
Daarvoor heb je toch een mond
En je weet dat niemand luistert als je zwijgt

Een glas Spa dat niet meer bruist
's morgens op om half zeven
Een tv die heel erg ruist
Ja maar dat is toch geen leven?

WAT EEN ONTVANGST

music: Harm van Sleen words: Marian van Gog

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

WE LEVEN ALS EEN GOD IN FRANKRIJK

music: Harm van Sleen

WET ASPHALT

music: Harm van Sleen

Performed by the Van Sleen & Kruijswijk Small Big Band and Capelino.

WHAT GOES AROUND

tekst en muziek: Harm van Sleen

Three dirty children on a kitchen floor
A fourth one on its way
You didn't take these little pills no more
I guess it had to be that way

What goes around comes around
Feet in the cloud, head on the ground

T shirts when you're tubin' in winter's snow
Furs in summertime
I could've told you it was fourty below
But other things were on your mind

What goes around comes around
You'll laugh and I'll cry the next time 'round

I once used my head, life's been hard ever since
My feelings are hiding, can't feel satisfied and I'm
Almost gone, almost dead, the gratification of sins
Gone easy pleasures, gone all the treasures that I loved, like I've been robbed

I once lost my head, trouble's been part of my life
Problems, confusion, I cannot use them
Almost wish I was dead, lost my job and my wife
I am afraid that now it's too late to start again, do it again

My room is clean, my clothes are tidy
My bills are paid in time
I try to keep my things in order
but it's so hard to ease my mind

What goes around comes around
Who'll get the laughs the next time 'round?

WHERE I FEEL FINE

words & music: Harm van Sleen

The waves of the sea, the light of the moon
Salt on my skin, exotic perfume
No demands on my attention or time
Here's where I feel fine

Far from the noise of big city life
Unbridled rush, merciless strife
No one cares and I don't mind
Here's where I feel fine

Old fisherman hauls his boat on the sand
He knows what is still news to me
Silhouettes pass as I lay on the grass
I can feel what I'm too blind to see

Just a few days, I'll be back home
All of my duties, my telephone
It's okay, I know that in time
That's where I'll feel fine
v

WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME?

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle demo.

Tell your daddy where have you been last night?
I don't know but I'm sure it ain't right
You don't tell me what you're doing in bed
So I gotta hear it from the neighbours instead

Baby why don't you love me?
Baby why don't you love me?
Baby why don't you love me?
Baby, what is it you want from those ugly little men?

Strange smells rising up from your cheek
I don't wanna hear those lies when you speak
Baby you know it's you that I need
My socks are torn and I need something to eat

Baby why don't you love me?
Baby why don't you love me?
Baby why don't you love me?
Baby, what is it you want from those ugly little men?

Perhaps I'm not the man you want me to be
Tell me babe what you're expecting from me
Bear in mind, I'm only a man
I'm trying to do the best I can
But if you want me to be like them ugly little guys
This time I'm gonna treat you real nice
Tell me who they are and I'll be just like them
One day you'll fall in love with me again

I've got the names and I've got the gun
Be quick little darling I've got to run
Sweet love I've got some killing to do
This time the joke's on you

Baby why don't you love me?
Baby why don't you love me?
Baby why don't you love me?
Baby, what is it you want from those ugly little men?

WHY DO YOU LOOK SO SAD?

words & music: Harm van Sleen

WHY MUST I

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

The door fell shut, trapped inside this room
Angry voices and penetrating eyes
Where only fools would go, to meet their doom
And those mistaking truth for lies

He remembers how he had been warned
Everbody told him not to go
Good advice was met with ridicule and scorn
“If it's not allowed, then I really need to know”

Why must I wonder?
Why do I care?
Why should I find out for myself?

Not too long ago, the sun was shining
There were friends to see and wondrous things to do
When a cloud appeared it had a silver lining
But it couldn't take away these dreadful blues

There he walks beyond the rainbow
A one way road that leads to misery
A silent silhouette, a lonesome shadow
A dark reminder of the way things used to be

Why must I wonder?
Why do I care?
Why should I find out for myself?

WINTER

music: Harm van Sleen words: Marian van Gog

Written for music lessons in elementary schools.
released on Liedjes Met Soundmix Januari by Benny Vreden Produkties

Kom je mee, ga je mee naar buiten
Er ligt weer sneeuw op straat
't Is zo koud, de vorst staat op de ruiten
't Is glad als je naar buiten gaat

Kom je mee een mooie sneeuwpop maken
Een wortel wordt zijn neus
Een oude pijp geklemd tussen zijn kaken
Mijn sneeuwman is een echte reus

Mijn handen zijn koud, en mijn neus is haast bevroren
Wat is het fijn om naar buiten te gaan
Wat voel ik nou? Zit die sneeuw nou in mijn oren?
Waar kwam die koude sneeuwbal nou vandaan?

Pak je slee, je felgekleurde wanten
Vergeet je schaatsen niet
Er is geen tijd om te lanterfanten
Als je al die sneeuwpret ziet

Mijn handen zijn koud, en mijn neus is haast bevroren
Wat is het fijn om naar buiten te gaan
Wat voel ik nou? Zit die sneeuw nou in mijn oren?
Waar kwam die koude sneeuwbal nou vandaan?

Winterse erwtensoep
Glijbaan op de stoep
Glijden met de slee
Schaatsen met z'n twee
Neem je .........* ook maar mee

Mijn handen zijn koud, en mijn neus is haast bevroren
Wat is het fijn om naar buiten te gaan
Wat voel ik nou? Zit die sneeuw nou in mijn oren?
Waar kwam die koude sneeuwbal nou vandaan?

*door kinderen zelf in te vullen

YOU BETTER MOVE ON

words & music: Harm van Sleen

The say that I should try and get you out of my mind
But it's hard 'coz we see each other all the time
I know it's not meant to be, our love is wrong
You better move, you better move on

I feel like I am cheating but my hands are clean
I try to forget you but I see you in my dreams
You know I care about you, but this is wrong
You better move, you better move on

Don't want to break any promise I once made
Don't want to ruin our lives, or is it too late?

Sometimes it seems my heart is out of control
I'm sick, I'm guilty, it feels like I'm losing my soul
When everybody's hurting I guess it must be wrong
You better move, you better move on

YOU DANCE WITH ME

You dance with me, and I'll dance with you
Ain't nothing else that we're gonna do
Just clap your hands, just stamp your feet
We're gonna boogie out in the street

I come home every evening
Tired and hungry that's for sure
Some say life ain't got no meaning
But when you dance you never got bored

You dance with me, and I'll dance with you
Ain't nothing else that we're gonna do
Just clap your hands, just stamp your feet
We're gonna boogie out in the street

Life is tough but it don't matter
We ain't rich but I don't care
Because you know I feel much better
The beat keeps liftin' me up in the air

You dance with me, and I'll dance with you
Ain't nothing else that we're gonna do
Just clap your hands, just stamp your feet
We're gonna boogie out in the street

YOU DON'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on The Secret To Success

Cigarettes are burning holes
Through the coffee-stained carpet on the floor
Mouse droppings all around
Strange scratching sounds I never used to hear before
The few friends that remain declare I'm insane
That's easy to ignore
It's not how it should be, you keep telling me
But you don't live here anymore

The room smells pretty bad, it used to drive me mad
Now I don't notice it at all
How it pleases me to be perfectly free
To dump my empty bottles in the hall
You want me to confess this house is just a mess
It's not the way it was before
That's not for you to say, don't criticize my ways
You don't live here anymore

So much that I don't crave like a haircut or a shave
Or your remarks about the clothes I wear
Don't tell me what to eat or where to put my feet
Whatever makes you think I care?
You ran off so suddenly and made a new man out of me
I'm not the man that I was before
I'm so happy on my own, glad to be alone
You don't live here anymore

I'll have another glass of wine, tell myself I'm doing fine
You don't live here anymore
Oh, and there's just one more thing I want to tell ya

YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS (ON THE OLD SIDE OF TOWN)

words & music: Harm van Sleen

From a Burt & the Brand-New Lifestyle single.
released on Burt And The Brandnew Lifestyle - Yoiung Boys & Girls (On The Old Side Of Town)

YOU REALLY HURT ME

Don't do me wrong, don't make me run and hide
Don't keep another man by your side
Don't want to feel dissatisfied
You really hurt me by the way you lied

I come home every morning
To see a man walk out the door
Come home early without warning
Out walks a man I've never seen before

Don't do me wrong, don't make me run and hide
Don't keep another man by your side
Don't want to feel dissatisfied
You really hurt me by the way you lied

Don't treat me like a stranger
We've been together many years
You make me think that I'm a stranger
Don't wanna drown in my own tears

YOUR TRUE DESIRE

words & music: Harm van Sleen
released on Lisa Otey - Trio

When the foggy night is clearing
The moon and the stars appear
A happy mood makes me feel like cheering
Because you are near

But when I'm confused, uncertain
And I don't know what's on your mind
I might peek behind the curtain
But I wonder what I'd find

Is there nothing but contempt?
 Are you making a fool of me when push comes to shove
Do you think of me the way that it should be -
That thing we know as love?

There's an easy way to find out
I could walk up to you and inquire
But I'd rather live in fear and doubt
Than to know your true desire