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Random Magic page heading

Random Magic is up on buttloads of streaming services NOW!

Spotify clotify, Apple schmapple, Qobuz buzzcut, Tidal idle, Deezer, tweezer, sneezer, pleaser, squeezer, you name it. If you don't see it on yours let me know and I'll see what I can.

Random Magic album cover

Produced by Peter R.J. Deyell & Richard Schweitzer
for "tindog music & stuff"

Random Magic Track List & lyrics

All the Lies You Whisper - 4:36

Something We Share - 5:44

My Father's Arms - 4:29

Mary Ann - 4:51 *

The Princess - 4:00 *

We'll Fly Tonight - 3:03 *

Horse - 5:30

​

Random Magic (feat. Brandon Scott - 4:55

My Tesla Went to Tulsa (without me) - 4:30

Can I Rely On You (for love) - 3:56

Love to Love - 3:39

Pulling Together, Apart

                        (for Covid, with enmity) - 4:10

​

* written by Leland Dan Schweitzer

Image for All the Lies You Whisper

ALL THE LIES YOU WHISPER
by Richard Schweitzer

When we practice to deceive,

it is ourselves who first believe, and through our eyes

our lies perceived,

and even truth rings naïve.

Streetlights glowing in the darkness

like a thousand lonely islands in a dark and empty sea

And the stars are blotted out of sight

by tears that stay within the eyes

It’s like a warning from my conscience

like an amber light at cross-roads

is it blindness that endangers me

How I wish you weren’t so distant

I could hear you, I could touch your mind

 

Never talk out loud when you’re alone

You’ll never reach another ear, the words will rise and disappear

Without a trace, and you’ll still be alone

(With all the lies you whisper)

With all the lies you whisper

(With all the lies you whisper)

…all the lies

 

Little ears that listen in the stillness

like a million angry poets, waiting patiently for lines to use

All the lies you whisper to your pillow

in the night seep into your eyes

I’ll bet you never felt their presence

like a cancer in your memory

was it apathy that blinded you

How I wish you could have seen me

I was there beside you all the time

 

Never talk out loud when you’re alone

You’ll never reach another ear, the words will rise and disappear

Without a trace, and you’ll still be alone

 

Never talk out loud when you’re alone

You’ll never reach another ear, the words will rise and disappear

Without a trace, and you’ll still be alone

(With all the lies you whisper)

With all the lies you whisper

(With all the lies you whisper)

…all the lies

SOMETHING WE SHARE
by Richard Schweitzer

Something we share - time. But, is it running out or poised to tick over into a new beginning? That's a decision we also share.

Image for Something We Share

Sometimes we differ, though often agree

Vast worlds of existence between you and me

Tied close together by things we both like

At arm's length

In the space between

We meet eye to eye

 

The sky isn't blue, unless we decide

We can't find each other so maybe don't hide

Comprehension in common is rare but still real

One mutual heart

It's there to grasp

And tear an incorruptible seal

 

Each waking moment trying to find

Feelings we both are aware of

We cling to reactions that guide us along

Looking for something we share

 

Something we share

Breathable air

Ground we can trust, not compare

Heartbeats in sync that bridge the divide

As we're looking for something we share

Always looking for something we share

 

Something we share (Sometimes we differ, though often agree)

Desperate dare (Vast worlds of existence)

Uncommonly rare (between you and me)

Too frightened for prayer

(Tied close together by things we both like)

Too lost to care (At arm's length, in the space between)

Blind to the glare (In the space between we meet eye to eye)

Neither here (we swear) we swear

Nor there (beware) beware

To err, to err

Is something we share

 

Social agreements held close to heart

Divisive and frightening, keep us apart

In search of those moments, intention aligns

To draw us

In neutral space

To unite irreconcilable minds

 

Something we share

Breathable air

Ground we can trust, not compare

Heartbeats in sync that bridge the divide

As we're looking for something we share

Always looking for something we share

MY FATHER'S ARMS
By Richard Schweitzer

Inspired by my father and mother, sometime between Mother's Day and Father's Day, 2021

Image for My Father's Arms

My sainted mother loved him even through her pain

And with his strong arms and through her love

they saved my world time and time again

The comfort of their voices is just a dream when I'm awake

Each year a little dimmer

Fading wisdom that remains for me to take

 

And when they seem so far away

Lost in time's shifting sands

In my need I am reminded

Just how much of them I am

 

They left me all that I am when they left me

And when I find myself reaching out, I see

My father's arms

Right there in front of me

I see them with my mother's eyes

My father's arms

 

It's my mother's tears I feel every time I cry

And the pain I watched them suffer through

supports me when I feel it in my life

I am upheld by all the times they said that they were proud

I'd sing to them where 'ere they are

If only I could sing that loud

 

I'd surely bring them back if I could

For a chance to love them better, and I know I would

I know that it's impossible, but possible to dream

And dreaming never did an old child harm

I can still feel them around me

As I reach out and see

 

That they seem so far away

Lost in time's shifting sands

In my need I am reminded

Just how much of them I am

 

They left me all that I am when they left me

And when I find myself reaching out, I see

My father's arms

Right there in front of me

I see them with my mother's eyes

My father's arms

Stretched out in front of me

With my mother's eyes I see that I have

My father's arms (My father’s arms)

Oh, and my mother’s eyes (My father’s arms)

And my father’s arms

MARY ANN
by Leland Dan Schweitzer

Part of my continuing effort to

preserve my brother's music with

my own versions.

Image of Dan for Mary Ann

We've only just met and it's time so soon to leave

It feels so much like runnin' out after all you gave to me

But the road is singin' siren songs, it pulls me far away

If life is kind perhaps our love will flower some other day

 

If I gave you all I'd like to give, all I feel I owe

I don't think I'd get very far, I'd never hit the road

I don't think I can really say... but girl, I think you know

And though you don't quite understand you accept my need to go

 

Mary Ann, I wish that I could be the man I know you need

Mary Ann, I wish that I could see a future for you and me

But years of restless wandering have left their mark on me

And if our roads should meet again

I’ll thank you then for loving me

 

I suppose I could tell you something kind

like I'd send for you someday

But a part of me is not so blind, and it won't work out that way

We've been gentle lovers, and fast, if odd-matched friends

Staying bears the risk of never finding love again

 

Well, I won't be less than honest though that may be less than kind

And I won’t make empty promises

though such might ease your mind

Well, I don't know how to thank you and I'm not sure how I feel

but I need to tell you somehow, it's been so sweet and real

 

Mary Ann, I wish that I could be the man I know you need

Mary Ann, I wish that I could see a future for you and me

But years of restless wandering have left their mark on me

And if our roads should meet again

I’ll thank you then, for loving me

 

Mary Ann

THE PRINCESS
by Leland Dan Schweitzer

Image of Dan for The Princess

Part of my continuing effort to preserve my brother's music with

my own versions.

I remember people’s faces

Long gone friends and long lost places

Memories that never faded and touch me still today

I remember stories told

Adventures, treasures, hidden gold

That all the years have seen grow old

But never goes away

 

A princess gives a toad a kiss

He turns into a handsome prince

Ah but, anymore it seems like this just works the other way

All the stories read before we slept are...

Promises life never kept

But deep inside there’s something left or I could never say

 

Are you the princess I’ve been looking for?

Do you believe in happily ever after anymore?

Is the girl who dreamed her prince would come

Still hoping in her heart for one?

Is there room for magic anymore?

Are you the princess I’ve been looking for?

 

I know my armor’s not that bright

I can’t find dragon one to fight

My charger’s blue instead of white, it needs work any way

I’m really not a prince I know, until a princess tells me so

Believes in me with all her soul and makes me feel that way

 

Your father may not be a king

But that doesn’t mean a thing

Real love changes everything if you’ll believe it come what may

And I want a chance to see you shine

To touch the princess there inside you

And keep the promise all our childhood stories ever made

 

Are you the princess I’ve been looking for?

Do you believe in happily ever after anymore?

Is the girl who dreamed her prince would come

Still hoping in her heart for one?

Is there room for magic anymore?

Are you the princess I’ve been looking for?

WE'LL FLY TONIGHT
by Leland Dan Schweitzer

Part of my continuing effort to

preserve my brother's music with

my own versions.

Image of Dan for We'll Fly Tonight

We’ll fly tonight

With just the moonlight for a guide

Our own two wheels, the air we ride

The time is right

And we’ll fly tonight

 

We’ll turn our faces to the wind

The road is singing once again

I hear the call

 

Open road and open sky

The company we keep

All the countryside is still

And all the noise seems fast asleep

So the world spins by

And resting I can hear the willows weep

Then turn into the wind again

To see what we can see

 

And we’ll fly tonight

A dream of motion through the air

Your arms to let me know you’re there

And feel it too

 

Ooo, and we’ll fly tonight

And know that living is no dream

With life and death so close it seems to light the night

Aah, and we’ll fly tonight

 

Open road and open sky

The company we keep

All the countryside is still

And all the noise seems fast asleep

So the world spins by

And resting I can hear the willows weep

Then turn into the wind again

To see what we can see

 

And we’ll fly tonight

With just the moonlight for a guide

Our own two wheels, the air we ride

The time is right

Ahh, we’ll fly tonight

We’ll fly tonight

RANDOM MAGIC
(feat. Brandon Scott)

by Richard Schweitzer

Image for Random Magic

Thanks to Brandon Scott for

the magic inspiration and the yelling at his phone to be the "magician" in the song.

Never pick a magician's pocket

A conundrum is all that you will find

A card that doesn't play

A coin that doesn't spend

A bit of empty space to lose your mind

 

If you filch the valise of a wizard

The risk is you will leave yourself exposed

To a fanciful idea

Or a kink in your beliefs

A challenge to your cozy predisposed

 

Sometimes we're victims of magic consequence

Even fate can lose control

Out of thin air random acts of magic

Luck and serendipity occur

The source of wonder misdirected by a glance

Magic is just a circumstance of chance

 

If you blow the skirt up of a witch

That dark garden of secrets is a fright

A varicose vulgarity

That stupefies credulity

No spell could bring you comfort from the sight

 

Never try to out-sorce- a sorcerer

That's standing line-of-fire for a hex

They'll twist your very fate

And startle your repose

A practiced plot to puzzle and perplex

 

Sometimes we're victims of magic consequence

Even fate can lose control

Out of thin air random acts of magic

Luck and serendipity occur

The source of wonder misdirected by a glance

Magic is just a circumstance of chance

 

If you think you can oversee a seer

Don't believe a thing your eyes reveal

The fabric of reality

Is cunning and untrustworthy

Nothing it conveys or conceals

Is anything less than random acts of magic

 

Magician:

(Step right this way, the magic starts)

(If my beautiful assistant will step into the box)

(An illusion to shock the senses) (Nothing up my sleeve)

(Take that out of my pocket and be amazed)

(Look! There’s a coin behind your ear)

(And the elephant is gone!) (Hocus pocus) (Sim Sala Bim!) (Shazam)

(Don’t blink or you’ll miss the magic moment) (Abracadabra, poof!)

 

Sometimes we're victims of magic consequence

Even fate can lose control

Out of thin air random acts of magic

Luck and serendipity occur

The source of wonder misdirected by a glance

Magic is just a circumstance of chance (Magic)

(Magic) (Abracadabra, poof!)

MY TESLA WENT TO TULSA (without me)
By Richard Schweitzer

Image for My Tesla Went to Tulsa (without me)

Inspired by an idea and a title by Frank Quirk. Thanx, Frank!

I don't know what I did that was so wrong.

That dancing girl meant nothing, and it didn't last for long

My darlin' always begged me to be honest, that’s a trap

She packed up her bags, walked out the door and that was that

 

So what? I'm only human, and I was drunk

It may've been on purpose she left panties in my truck

My true and faithful hound liked my darlin' more than me

They drove off together, locked the house and took the key

 

I ran to the garage to chase them down

But where I park my car, there was nothing to be found

I pulled up the app on my smarty pants phone

And on it was a message got me cryin' all alone

 

This is me, you piece of shit, I'm your Tesla

How could you have hurt that girl that left ya?

And I know you liked your truck the best

So I'll be on the road all by myself

That's how I found out

 

My Tesla went to Tulsa, without me

And I don't even know nobody there

I'd Uber up to Oklahoma, but it's just no use

It returned itself to the dealer in Catoosa

 I just got a refund in a text

And my Tesla went to Tulsa, without me

 

My next ride is gonna be a stupid car

One that can’t tell all of cyber-space right where you are

Won’t send no-ti-fi-cations when it’s broke or out of fuel

And won’t make E-judgements ‘bout what or who I choose to do

 

I guess I gotta change all my locks

The ones my darlin’ bought talk to my phone and to my watch

They turn my lights and TV on, and used to start my car

And let my Darlin’ know when I was headed to the bar

 

Now I know why the life I loved is gone, long gone

And that text will remind me why I was so damned wrong

Cuz I shared it via Bluetooth to a ‘lectronic picture frame

Sits by my bed and buzzes to remind me of my shame

 

This is me, you piece of shit, I'm your Tesla

How could you have hurt that girl that left ya?

And I know you liked your truck the best

So I'll be on the road all by myself

Yeah, that's how I found out

 

My Tesla went to Tulsa, without me

And I don't even know nobody there

I'd Uber up to Oklahoma, but it's just no use

It returned itself to that dealer in Catoosa

I just got a refund in a text

And my Tesla went to Tulsa, without me

 

(Heh-heh, drove there all by itself, no snack or nature breaks.

Made it on just one charge.

Darlin’ maybe I’da kept ya, if I lasted like my Tesla)

​

I just got a refund in a text.

And my Tesla went to Tulsa, without me

CAN I RELY ON YOU (for love)
by Richard Schweitzer

Image for Can I Rely on You for Love

If love was as reliable as coffee and you were my barista...

I was runnin’ like a runaway, champing at the bit

To make damned sure that I made it

Like a car without brakes, runnin’ all the lights

I just knew I’d stall if I waited

No matter where you go, or what you try to do

You’re always there after the one who made it there before you

 

Can I rely on you for love

I’m gonna need it when my heart gives up

I know I’m askin’ too much

But when the curtain finally falls

I’m gonna need the strength of your touch

Can I rely on you, for love

 

I was swinging for the parking lot, callin’ on a bluff

Trying to get a foot in a door

I could take it on the chin, cause I knew that at the limit

I could handle just a little bit more

No matter what you do, or where you try to go

You’re either too low on the list

Or they’re telling you you’re runnin’ too slow

 

Can I rely on you for love

I’m gonna need it when my heart gives up

I know I’m askin’ too much

But when the curtain finally falls

I’m gonna need the strength of your touch

Can I rely on you, for love

 

Can I rely on you, for love

Can I rely on you, for love

Can I rely on you, for love

Can I rely on you, for love

 

Always reaching for the high notes, trying to sell a ticket

I needed all eyes on me

Savoring the pain, waving off the critics

The finish line was all I could see

No matter who you want to be, or who you think you are

You’re never living up to how high you set your own bar

 

Can I rely on you for love

I’m gonna need it when my heart gives up

I know I’m askin’ too much

But when the curtain finally falls

I’m gonna need the strength of your touch

Can I rely on you

Can I rely on you, for love

LOVE TO LOVE
by Richard Schweitzer

Image for Love to Love

You didn’t set me free, didn’t show me where the door was

All you did was let me know the door was there

I’m the one who turned the handle

And let the fresh air in

And now I’ve got some truth I’d like to bare

 

You set your sights a little high and when I try to see your goal

The sun’s too bright, and hurts my eyes

Are you sure you aren’t getting burned

It’s a well-known fact of life

That you can’t see the stars until you’ve seen the light

And lose the fight and realize what you’ve learned

 

Ooo, don’t turn to me again, it’s much too late for recompense

You let it finally slip right through the crack

It’s a sad estate when you can’t love the one you’d love to love

It’s even worse to know you’ll never get it back

 

I don’t know where I’ll go, the road leads in two directions

And I can’t see eye to eye with either one

It’s true, I am a loner

And we never should have started

I’m just sorry that it’s me who has to run

 

You set your sights a little high and when I try to see your goal

The sun’s too bright and hurts my eyes

Are you sure you aren’t getting burned

It’s a well-known fact of life

That you can’t see the stars until you’ve seen the light

And lose the fight and realize what you’ve learned

 

It’s a well-known fact of life

That you can’t see the stars until you’ve seen the light

And lose the fight and realize you’ve been burned

I don't know where I'll go,

the road leads in two directions. And I can't see eye to eye with either one.

PULLING TOGETHER, APART
(for Covid, with enmity)

by Richard Schweitzer

Image for Pulling Together

The parenthetical title says it all, I think.

I wrote this in the midst of the first lockdown in March of 2020 and

originally released it to social media that same month.

Differences notwithstanding

Things are as they are

The world has gotten so demanding

Just waking up is so bizarre

 

The sun still rises each morning

And we search for something we share

Even if it's just a warning

There has to be the space to care

 

It's not a game, but it's a game we have to play

But there are many winners, you will see

I promise this

I'll stay in for you, stay in for me

 

Pulling out all the stops

Pulling for you and I

To rise above and be pulling, pulling our share

We can't stand hand to hand

But we can still be heart to heart

Pulling together, apart

 

One thing remains of who we are

The promise of who we can be

I think we'll learn to love the scar

If we dig in our heels, clench a lonely fist

Open our eyes, set our gaze on the prize and choose to see

 

It's not a game, but it's a game we have to play

but there many winners, you will see

I promise this

I'll stay in for you, stay in for me

 

Pulling out all the stops

Pulling for you and I

To rise above and be pulling, pulling our share

We can't stand hand to hand

But we can still be heart to heart

Pulling together, apart

Pulling together, apart

HORSE
by Richard Schweitzer

This is empathy writing, I'm really not a horse person. I was inspired listening to someone describe what riding was to them, and it evoked for me similar feelings to riding a motorcycle, which is why

I placed it next to We'll Fly Tonight in

this album.

Image for Horse

Without a word you know how I’m feeling

Under sun and sky we run as one

The freedom of the wind is ours to ride

You may carry me, but I’m running by your side, in my mind

 

Out of need I live and deal in chaos

But always in my heart I’m on the trail

I sense your hesitation when I’m angry, or I’m tense

And you take me to a place where living makes some sense

And I’m fine

 

How could I get through this life my feet locked to the earth?

Only on your back do I feel sure

Reason reins me in so I can breathe

Solace with a friend, strong enough to bear my pain

Ever running, ever willing, ever free

(Ever free) (Ever running) (Ever free) (Ever willing)

 

Dark obsessing, cold and deep

Wild thoughts pressing, swell and leap

Fast companion, stout and smooth

Cantered plea, wingless flew

Prance and poise

Scattered pressures

Sanguine noise

Together is a place I can be

Fear abandoned, musk and mane

Harbored longings, hooves of flame

Joy unshackled, sense and fret

Unencumbered, froth and sweat

Need and power

Swelling rhythm

Fleeting hour

Together… together

 

Clouded fears blown away, all but forgotten

If only for the moment that we run

A sharing of needs, a fellowship of two

And we flee together as if speed alone can outrun the world

 

How could I get through this life my feet locked to the earth?

Only on your back do I feel sure

Reason reins me in so I can breathe

Solace with a friend, strong enough to bear my pain

Ever running, ever willing, ever free

(Ever free) (Ever running) (Ever free) (Ever willing)

 

Without a word you know how I’m feeling

(Ever running) (Ever willing)

Under sun and sky we run as one

(Ever running) (Ever willing)

The freedom of the wind is ours to ride (Ever running)

Ever free

 

(Ever willing) (Ever running)

(Ever running) (Ever willing)

(Ever willing) (Ever running)

(Ever running) (Ever willing)

(Ever willing) Ever free

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