Album 1:
Greatest Hits

Nadat in 2007 de eerste stappen voor de bouw van een thuisstudio gezet zijn, begonnen de liedjes al vrij snel te komen. Zo zag begin 2010 mijn eerste album 'Greatest Hits' het levenslicht.

Daarop schrijf, bespeel, zing en mix ik alles zelf. Dit is dus meteen "de eerste Greatest Hits met uitsluitend nieuw werk". Een wereldprimeur dus eigenlijk...

KOOP HIER

AND SO I RAN

and there she walked and so I ran
towards beyond like one who can

and there she stood and so I ran
the look, the smile, touch of her hand

and there she lay and so I ran
into the void of no refrain

and then she called and so I ran
she tried to tell me, 'want no man'

but I recall that night of kissing tenderly
(hold back Lorraine)
like Cygnus kissed the deserts, flying on his wings of love

cloud number nine and so I ran
I lost myself in someone else

she tried to tell me but I ran
beside myself, out of my hands

and where she went I would have run
from Gandara under the sun

across the empire down to Thrace
I would have faced it all with grace

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20080803)

APPETENCY

pain
hurt
lies
hope

fear
want
lust
feel

touch
urge
warmth
love

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20080709)

BIG BOY

funny how
what do you mean now
funny how
asked you a question

no, you relax
he's a big boy and he knows
what he said to me

maybe it's me
let me understand this
what do you mean
when you say funny
I don't know how...
you said I'm funny
funny how
am I a clown now
or am I here
to entertain you
to make you laugh
or to amuse you

you stuttering prick
I almost had you
tell me, was he shaking?
you may fold at questioning
you may fold
you

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20071007)

BUITEN

kom nou mee naar buiten
voel de zon en breek de dag
pak me vast, we dansen
ook als het eigenlijk niet mag

kom ga mee naar buiten
pak me vast en blijf bij mij
kijk ons nou eens stralen
ik van jou en jij van mij

avond vol van sterren
na die eindeloze dag
alles komt nu samen
dans en drank en ons gelach

wij gaan nog niet slapen
alles broeit en fluistert na
loom de zomeravond
je denkt toch niet, dat ik nog ga

alle uren tellen - stop met denken, allebei
alle uren tellen - het is zomaar weer voorbij

tekst: Jasmijn Steiner / Bram Strijbos (met dank aan Jan Michielsen)
muziek: Bram Strijbos / Jasmijn Steiner)

DARK AND SCARY PLACES

never thought we were both lying
although I must have known somehow
knew all along I wasn't buying
convinced myself that all was fine

time never leaves us just behind
it scars along the way
and, you know, scars are not so scary
when you're inside a dream

couldn't help you stop your crying
helping out felt so alone
guess I should thank you all for trying
because you made me come alive
but since I since I watched you inside dying
life's been coming back again

you know dark and scary places
where winter overrules
got a glimpse of empty coldness
and it chilled me to the bone

remember when we were both flying
lay me down and don't get up
now I'm done with all the why-ing
answers on a postcard please
got so fed up with all the sighing
just realised - don't give a fuck

didn't know
didn't know
didn't know
didn't know I gave you up

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20071001)

DER EINZELGÄNGER

In Schwanenflügel hülle ich dich das Licht in deinen Augen.
Wenn ich das sehe atmet das Land, die Nebel schwinden, Tropfen verdunsten.
Frühes Leuchten liegt im Grünen Zauber junger Blätter; es duftet in meinem Herzen.
Und unerklärliche Freude liegt in der Glut meiner Hand wenn sie reicht nach deiner.

(words written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written by Derek Strijbos)

DEVIOUS SMILE

there you're looking straight at me
you have a devious smile
you can get anything done
it only takes you a while

I wear the face of the undefeated
I wear the face of the undefined
it is a phase not to be repeated
it is a phase not to be declined

you, watching me teasingly
guilty look in your eyes
you know you're messing my mind up
you and your devious smile

I wear the face of the undeleted
I wear the face of the undefined
is it a phase not to be completed?
is it a phase not to be denied?

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20090102)

APPETENCY

ik zie dingen, dingen in m'n hoofd
eerst goed denken, want dat is waar ik in geloof

ik zeg dingen, dingen met m'n hart
veel te snel soms, voorbij nog voor ik was gestart

ik denk dingen, dingen in m'n hoofd
misschien heb je, heb je mijn hart geroofd

ik hoor dingen, (het) brengt me van de wijs
niemand kent ze, misschien breekt dan te snel het ijs

laat, laten we gaan
je ziet me ooit wel weer
geniet nog even van wij twee samen
we zijn hier maar één keer
tijd stond even stil

ik raad dingen, die er soms niet zijn
soms heel groot maar nog veel te vaak ook echt heel klein

ik wil dingen, dingen die ik voel
snap er niets van, misschien is dat nou juist het doel

ik krijg dingen, doe mij geen verdriet
laat me wachten, tot ik de samenhang weer zie

ik zwijg dingen, dingen liever dood
wat te doen nu, ik bloos en langzaam donkerrood

tekst/muziek: Jasmijn Steiner / Bram Strijbos
tekstuele ondersteuning: Jan Michielsen
lyrics written september 2013)

FEAST ON ACUTENESS

patience is nice but gets us nowhere
blinds us for what we can't embrace
tragedies just waiting to happen
hear them all crumble, trying to fade

watch bodies moving
feast on acuteness
can't shake the feeling
this is where we meet

modesty's fine but leads to nothing
feel like the man who dies every day
what makes life frightning's you don't own it (because it owns you)
maybe you're praying to the wrong gods

watch bodies moving
feast on acuteness
can't stop believing
this is where she'll be

I scream, just take her out for ice cream
distorted mind says here you'll meet her
you wonder too - at night you hide
you want her to be by your side
maybe you're praying to too young gods
while others drink and dance alone

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos)

GOING DOWN AGAIN

they close the hatch - the descent starts, I'm going down
climb in the capsule - I am ready
all that awaits is darkness and they dwindle and fade
behind they stay

going down again
to the world that is under the sea

another hour is passing, still I'm descending
the temperature outside is falling below
as water pressure builds up slowly, can it be
thriving life appears

going down again
to the world that is under the sea
end is in sight - there is nothing there
yet we're going down

if a leak appears, it's game over
water will drill in like laser beams
must not think about those things right now

while we're going down again where we cannot be
and we're going down again where the landscape's an alien sight
and we're going down again and the darkness is all that I see

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos)

GOOD ENOUGH

the hero's in his jail cell
spare time as it should be
everything provided for
get everything for free

just sits there and he wishes
life wouldn't be so long
sun is shining brightly
there's something going on

I cannot raise my children
my rights have been denied
but I'm good enough for breeding
my little guys will fight

you think you are so brave now
I think you must be mad
you think you're doing great now
but why are you so sad

my future is behind me
a life I've lifed before
tried giving you the best, love
all I got was the rest of

retain my sense of presence
not lost but gone before
because you gave up giving
I will be here no more

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20080502)

HERFST

de streling van de zomerzon
glijdt weg met ieder vallend blad
geel, rood en bruin ik dwarrel mee
en waar ik heen waai geen idee

Ik wou dat het weer lente was
toen wij nog samen en verliefd
maar dat was toen dat is voorbij
nu ga ik weg en waar ben jij?

de regen op het balkon
ik gaap en mis de zon
ik slaap en draai me om
en nog eens om en nog eens om

dwarrel weg, dwarrel terug

ik denk aan nieuw en hemelsblauw
waar wij weer dromen hand in hand
maar takken, mos en modderplas
maken geen plaats voor groen en gras

eenzaam reis ik mee met de wind
straks komt er winter, donker, ijs
maar ik waai naar het lentelicht
dan kus ik zacht weer jouw gezicht

(muziek: Jasmijn Steiner / Bram Strijbos
tekst: Jasmijn Steiner / Jan Michielsen / Bram Strijbos)

IF I TELL YOU

I do not know
what do I do
where do I go
is it with you

should I begin
to let you go
or stay within
I do not know

what will you say
if I tell you
will you walk away
or stay with me do

I have no clue
whether you'll go
when I tell you
that I love you so

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos)

IN THE BLOOD

the sky is dark, warm and humid
got long thin legs, gets in position

be my host tonight | let me under your skin | I’m cutting in | deeper and deeper… I’m in
rain season is here

head down low, bring the tools out a cutting blade and a feeding tube

be my host tonight | let me under your skin | I’m cutting in | deeper and deeper… I’m in
let the games begin

ride the wave, we ride the bloodstream
to the factory, that’s our only stop

be my host tonight | let me under your skin | I’m cutting in | deeper and deeper… I’m in
clouds gather, downpour erupts

we’re in the blood, we hack the network
something’s wrong, so wrong indeed

be my host tonight | let me under your skin | I’m cutting in | deeper and deeper… I’m in
they hatch, it surges

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos)

JUST FOUND OUT

just found out it's over
been going on too long
forget that four-leaf clover
just sing this empty song

I thought I was so brave, oh
and you thought I was mad
though I was doing great, yeah
but why was I so sad

just found out there's nothing
nowhere for me to hide
life was one of a stranger
who had one lousy ride

I got to be and old man
how many nights I've cried
I guess I gave up giving
no longer tried to fight

I could not raise my children
my rights were all denied
but I was good for breeding
those little guys did fight

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20080502)

LIGHT WILL PIERCE

when you dream that you're awake, well are you truly sleeping?
then you woke up on the wrongs side of the worst of nightmares
and the world was shattered as life fell apart in shambles
all cried out, your eyes are dry because there's no more tears left

darkness but light will pierce through
life will seem strange but renewed
time now for me and for you?

pushed so close up to the edge, amazing you're still standing
take your time and sort out all your thoughts and all the anguish
strength in you to move on like you'd never have expected
let it all just wash away and life will do the rest

there's an angel over there - I'd like to take her wings off
stroke her hair, just one caress, wish I could hold you closer
time will heal us
lift up, spirits rise

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20090111)

LIKE A LIFE

tonight, not you or me
only memory, you see
for tomorrow we'll be gone
there's no chance for holding on

like a life I've lived before
won the battle - lost the war
although it's you that I adore
I'll let the silence sound like roar

if it's bitter at the start
it must be sweeter in the end
and if the truth shines from your eyes
we won't ever need pretend

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20091017)

LOOK AWAY

old cars rusting nearby
wind is moaning and keeps wearing down
this empty old house
part of abandoned desire out here

these signs are of change
ground littered with forgotten towns
some telephone rings
the ones to pick up are long gone

land swallows you whole
(it swallows you whole)
endless sweep of the grass and wheat fields
(of grass and wheat fields)
nature reeks of life
(oh it reeks of life)
everything starts as a promise bequeathed
(starts as promises)

some cash and move out
(some cash and move out)
those left behind grow old and they are
(grow old and then they die)
numb in a vanishing world
(in a vanishing world)
living debris of abandoned lives
(our own sorry lives)

(home) can’t watch, yet can’t look away

where does society go
drought and deprived hesitation makes
all power drain from within
when all hope and pride has vanished

time renders all of us lonely
obilivious to surroundings
death comes round one of these corners
indifferent to emotions

through the ages
everything must fade

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos)

NEVER WANTED TO BEGIN

all I need
more than this
hunting high and hunting low
trail of tears

perfect day
only you
is there something I should know
wicked game

you and me
speed of sound
rage in eden
love is noise

golden brown
fade to black
only happy when it rains
suffer well

turn it on
one caress
damaged people, mercy street
free your mind

mystify (downside up)
simple creed (I will be there)
sweet surrender (you showed me)
all around (human nature)

hurry home
afterglow
sound of thunder, purple rain
almost there

now I'm here
back for good
true believers, world machine
let it be

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos)

NOTHING TO LOSE

he’s going nowhere in a hurry
trying to avoid too much trouble

she walks in the room
takes all thoughts away from what he was doing
he’s totally mesmerized
he does not see the trap

she singles him out, then starts dangling him
he hardly fights back
here the trouble comes

it works every time
when she is bored and needs somebody to play
can he react fast enough
to try to go on his way?

I have nothing to lose but everything to gain
so life is a game
won’t you please take my hand
take me to a place far away from here

pride - strangest emotion of man
pride - strongest emotion of men

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos)

ONLY WHEN

I was sure I heard you crying, but I woke alone last night
and you weren't there beside me
guess I never got it right

only doubt is what remains now
not much left of my new pride
'cause your note caught me off balance and it turned my day to night

how could I
let you get away
away from me

and the truth may never be known for it sleeps inside us all
and the hope that still surrounds it finds our weakness
hence the call

and what I regret especially
that you never gave a chance
to what we might have become when you'd been open for romance

in the end
happiness is real
only when we share it
only when we care
only when there is us
only when you try me
or can you resist?

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20090317-20090417)

PLUIS

pluis pluis pluis zat voor het raam
keek naar buiten zag het aan
geen mens met wie hij ruzie had
geen kat die aan zijn eten zat
scharrelde wat rond en toen pardoes
kreeg hij rake klappen, die lieve poes
boem pats zoef Pluis die moest daar weg
niets gedaan maar toch weggepest

wat bleek Pluis liep hand in hand
daarom nu in het asiel beland
geen idee hoe het begon
dacht dat je dat wel maken kon
met je liefde in een roes
niet in het land van de taboes
harde straf - niet langer met z'n twee
hij ging weg - een bootje op de zee

(niet) pluis pluis pluis in het asiel
waar een zware schaduw viel
hij was veilig maar gestrand
had-ie moeten blijven in z'n eigen land?
kijken waar hij blijven kon
[de] deur bleef dicht zonder pardon
waar nu heen - muurvast in het systeem
heel alleen - zijn ziel een molensteen

steek die kop maar in het zand
hier is nooit iets aan de hand

(music written by Bram Strijbos
words written by Jasmijn Steiner and Bram Strijbos)

SPLIT SECOND

he gets out and starts to walk to work
just like he does every day
thinks about her, knowing there's no way
just another boring day

only get one chance each time
determine, don't ask why
make your choice in a split second
while time is rushing by

stop light, stand still, unaware
just like he does every day
passing cars, unnoticed, racing by
think about what she would say

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20070727 and 20080906)

SYNESTHESIA

I can hear the colour of spring
take it while you may
I can see the taste of love in
dream within another dream
crushing vacuum of silence
something's in the air

what is truth today, I wonder
can we live in doubt
yeah, we all know
that we know what we know

I can feel you moving toward me
beauty thrashing me
I can smell the sound of thunder
summer, winter and full moon
palpable emotions flying
rushing over me

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20080502)

THE SCATTERING

tune out, log off
don't wait up *

intercept messages
desparate     who

sad conclusion
scattering follows

lies and loneliness
request a backup

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written )

UUR

ik weet niet waar het heen gaat, vier kwartier
mijn droom zweeft weg
ontwaak ik in leegte
en seconden die glijden verder

het is nog niet te laat
het uur dat niet bestaat
de tijd die verder slaapt
het uur dat niet bestaat

en van achter naar voren, vier kwartier
de klok vult zich
daalt neer in de ruimte
en de tikken die klinken luider

het is nog niet te laat
het uur dat niet bestaat
de tijd die weer ontwaakt
het uur dat weer bestaat

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos & Jasmijn Steiner
november 2013)

VEEL TE LANG

ik loop langs witte singels
niemand anders hier vannacht
een kat vlucht gauw naar binnen
stilte aan de Nieuwegracht

achter de Sint Pieter
vroeger scheen hier ooit de zon
nu krijg ik stenen voeten
duik diep in m'n capuchon

ik ga nu door de Voorstraat
de bioscoop is al op zwart
het loopt al tegen 2en
vol verwachting klopt mijn hart

van het rode schijnsel
in de Hardebollenstraat
is het maar een stukje
naar de Lange Lauwerstraat

winterkou of sneeuw of ijzel
houden mij niet in bedwang
al vriest het 40 graden
ik miste jou al veel te lang

zou ze nog wel op zijn
zou ze slapen als een roos
als ik zo laat aanbel
wordt ze blij of wordt ze boos

ik zie nog lampen branden
in mijn hart begint het feest
daar staat zij al te lachen
mijn reis is niet voor niets geweest

winterkou of sneeuw of ijzel
houden mij niet in bedwang
al vriest het 40 graden
ik miste jou al veel te lang

(music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written by Jan Michielsen)

WAAR

sinds je weg bent lig ik wakker
wachtend op een woord van jou
kom naar hier en kruip dichtbij me
droom met mij hier ver vandaan

beelden vullen mijn gedachten
uren dagen nachten lang
de mooiste blijf ik maar bewaren
oud geluk, ik berg het op

tranen zijn niet meer te stoppen
stromen, rollen naar jou toe
met hen mee reis ik het liefste
de wereld draait toch voor ons twee

onbegrensd blijf ik maar dromen
niemand om me heen grijpt in
berg en dal moet ik trotseren
om weer met mezelf te zijn

waar ben jij - waar ben je m'n liefste
waar ben jij - nu ik je zo mis
waar was jij - waar was jij je handen
schoon van schuld - ging jij op de vlucht

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos & Jasmijn Steiner
november 2013 )

WORLD FAR OUTSIDE

go to sleep now
set your mind free
next to me now
warm it will be

oh but it’s cold and
dark is the night
let’s keep the world far outside

every time that
we meet in this song
you can tell me
all that is wrong

will you not be alone
inside your nightmares
let me in now
to lay by your side

drifting together
succumbing to sleep
the night lingers on and on and on

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos)

YOUR NEW PLACE

who we are never stops changing untill we drop
somehow that is comfort, soothing too
right now you are still too young to sit on your mommy's throne
to deal with what comes and while you may
the one who is fucking up all my fantasies of you
will meet his end like it's destiny

for he will not live to see the greatness that you possess
in all its true forms and shapes to come
I think you must know by now that what I say here to you
will be like a dream within a dream
the things that will come to pass, they shall lead to it at last
that you will be here right next to me

we both can feel in the air - we've always known that it's there
some others most likely saw it too
right now all that we can do is sit and wait here for you
to realise there's no other way

I will be waiting until you arrive
to welcome you to your new place in the hive

(words & music written by Bram Strijbos
lyrics written 20090103)