Girl With the Guitar case
(written by Frank Renfordt © Sentric Music 2021)
Growing up in a small town
can be tough for a girly teen
she starts writing songs
and is a karaoke queen
Heading down to Nashville
for mom it’s like going to war
but her dad spends a monthly salary
for a nice Martin guitar
Her head’s filled up with fresh tunes
music’s running through her veins
and when she’s out of money
she’s not one who complains
See her walking down broadway
with a big smile on her face
Hold on and keep the faith
girl with the guitar case
At daytime she’s a waitress
in a honky tonk bar
sometimes she climbs the stage
to feel like a rising star
She’s working on her own songs
and rehearsing day by day
to stand in line for an open mike
at the Bluebird Cafe
Her head’s filled up with fresh tunes
music’s running through her veins
and when she’s out of money
she’s not one who complains
See her walking down broadway
with a big smile on her face
Hold on and keep the faith
girl with the guitar case
From time to time she feels so lost in this town
so tired of walking her way all alone
but whenever she falls in love with someone
it may end up in a bittersweet song
Her head’s filled up with fresh tunes
music’s running through her veins
and when she’s out of money
she’s not one who complains
See her walking down broadway
with a big smile on her face
Hold on and keep the faith
girl with the guitar case
Hold on and keep the faith
girl with the guitar case
The story behind the song
The very first time I was in Nashville I noticed the many young women and young men strolling around town with a guitar case, probably on the way to the next gig in a Honky Tonk, a songwriters round or to the next co-write session and this line 'Girl With The Guitar Case' stuck in my head. In the meantime, I've met some young songwriters in Nashville and I admire their courage to just go there and live their dream. This song is dedicated to these folks and no matter if they will be successful or not, they do the right thing.
She Takes me Home
(written by Frank Renfordt © Sentric Music 2020)
She found me in a dark place
a demon in every corner
I felt so lost in this rat race
and I couldn't run any further
she wasn't scared of my whiskey kiss
held my hand for a prayer
covered me with affection I'd deeply missed
woke me up from a nightmare
I guess she is an angel,
her love makes me believe once again
When she's calling me baby
I feel I can be a better man
she's gives me here warmth
she don't let me down
she's my patron in this firestorm
I don't walk alone
she takes me home
she takes me home
home
she takes me home
Sun is rising over Tennessee
it smells of coffee and fried bacon
she laid all night beside me
and kept the bad from breakin'
Yeah she is an angel,
her love makes me believe once again
When she's calling me baby
I feel I can be a better man
she's gives me here warmth
she don't let me down
she's my patron in this firestorm
I don't walk alone
she takes me home
she takes me home
home
she takes me home
I'll give it all back to her one day
I'll give it all back to her
whenever she needs me I'll pay my debt I swear
Cause she is an angel,
her love makes me believe once again
When she's calling me baby
I feel I can be a better man
she's gives me here warmth
she don't let me down
she's my patron in this firestorm
I don't walk alone
she takes me home
she takes me home
home
she takes me home
She is an angel
my patron in this firestorm
I don't walk alone
she takes me home
Down at Chickamauga Creek
(written by Frank Renfordt ©Sentric Music 2020)
With a burning heart
on the way to fight
ready for adventures
eager for the first strike
when the train set off we felt no regret or fear
I kissed my sweetheart goodbye
a hero would come back
the lord would protect me
with her hymn book in my pack
and I said: don't worry girl I'm gonna marry you next year
But then the sun set blood-red
and the southern wind was full of lead
hell's bells pealed
when we were fighting on the battlefield
down at Chickamauga Creek
Gun smoke filled the air
we aimed at silhouettes
A taste of blood on my tongue
when the bullet hit my chest
and the screams of dying horses echoed in my head
When the canons stopped firing
and night fell with a grace
I prayed and thought of her
dreamed myself into another place
and the wailing of the wounded gave way to the silence of the dead
And then the sun set blood-red
and the southern wind was full of lead
hell's bells pealed
when we were dying on the battlefield
down at Chickamauga Creek
When she feels a cool breeze on her cheek
and wonders what it could be
the hushed whisper in her ear
maybe it's me
And then the sun set blood-red
the southern wind was full of lead
hell's bells pealed
when we were dancing on the battlefield
down at Chickamauga Creek
And then the sun set blood-red
the southern wind was full of lead
hell's bells pealed
when we were dancing on the battlefield
down at Chickamauga Creek
The story behind this song
Ever since 'Gone With The Wind' (Vom Winde verweht) and 'North and South' (Fackeln im Sturm)
the American Civil War has held a certain attraction for me. At some point my wife gave me the 11 hour Ken Burns documentary 'The American Civil War' on DVD for Christmas. After I had worked my way through it, I had the idea for this song. But it took quite a while until I actually wrote it.
The battle of Chickamauga, fought on Sept 18-20 in 1863, was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Civil War. 'While Chickamauga was decided Confederate victory, the results of the battle were staggering. With more than 16,000 Union and 18,000 Confederate casualties, Chickamauga reached the highest losses of any battle in the Western theater'. - (American Battlefield Trust)
This song has been produced by myself with the help of my son Dennis who played the guitar solo and licks and Dave Demay who recorded Adam Cunningham's vocals in Nashville. Dave then mixed the whole thing as well.
The Man Who Never Was
written by Anita Oakley/Frank Renfordt © Sentric Music 2020
You gave her everything her heart desired
Roped the moon for her down from the sky
Gave her piggy-back rides through the tender years
And helped to put that twinkle in her eyes
You saw her through her teenage heartaches
Supported her down every road she chose
Held the light for her in bitter darkness
Helped her bloom into a lovely rose
You're the woman who was always there
holding her and taking care
I never took her fishing or called her just because
I'm just the man who never was
And through the years I've missed so many blessings
Taking pride in the woman she’s become
With tears and laughter sprinkled through each moment
I never was a part of any one
You're the woman who was always there
holding her and taking care
I never took her fishing or called her just because
I'm just the man who never was
I walked away in anger but if I could I would rewind my life
I walked away from love and left the best part of me behind
You twirled her playfully across the dance floor
on this special day that you gave the bride away
You held her newborn babies in your loving arms
Relishing those moments every day
You're the woman who was always there
holding her and taking care
I never took her fishing or called her just because
I'm just the man who never was
I'm nothing but the man who never was
The story behind this song
As a songwriter I am part of different Facebook groups with people who share my passion. Once someone posted a fragment of this lyrics asking for advice. Somehow the story touched me and I contacted the writer Anita Oakley from California and asked her if she would like to work with me on a song based on this fragments. Anita told me that the lyric is taken from a short story she wrote and she won an award with. The story itself is based on something which happened to herself in a similar way, however from an other perspective. Together we worked on some details of the lyric and the music came quite easily, so It wasn't too long till the song got finished and when I played it to Misko, who is also my vocal coach, he loved it immediately and was really keen to sing it by himself. We recorded it by ourselves, Misko the vocals and I played the guitar, later we hired a cello player and then we gave all the audio tracks to Dave Demay in Nashville asked him to mix it properly and here we are now, a new song is born, we have a new release and even a nice video.
Lyrics
Back on the road
Some friends took me out on the town
Yeah, I'm doing fine
For the very first time
Since she let me down
like a worn-out truck,
Trash on the dash,
Tires flat, out of gas,
and stuck in the mud
Now her image is fading, like an old Polaroid
I rev the engine up, and leave that dust behind
I'm back on the road
Girl I did recover
Life is painted red
Yes I'm back
Looking for another
Heart that I can hold
I’m back on the road
Yeah, I'm back on the road
Yeah I'm ready to roll
I’m in damn good shape
Ever since I escaped
Now it’s all systems go
Locking eyes with a girl on a Friday night
Gonna ask her name and take her for a ride
I'm back on the road
Girl I did recover
Life is painted red
Yes I'm back
Looking for another
Heart that I can hold
I’m back on the road
Yeah, I'm back on the road
Rain stops pouring, birds start singing again It's not if, but when
I'm back on the road
Girl I did recover
Life is painted red
Yes I'm back
Looking for another
Heart that I can hold
I’m back on the road
I'm back on the road
Girl I did recover
Life is painted red
Yes I'm back
Looking for another
Heart that I can hold
I’m back on the road
Yeah I'm back on the road
Girl I did recover (life is painted red yes I'm back)
I’m out to find another (life is painted red yes I'm back)
heart that I can hold (life is painted red yes I'm back)
I'm back on the road
Written by Dave Demay/Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Honey in my Head
Her hair like sunlight
on a field of wheat
eyes filled with wonder
Freckles on her cheeks
drunk with her beauty
stoned on her smile
her smalltown sweetness
knocks me out for a while
She's like honey in my head
since the sunny summer day we met
it's raining kisses on her neck
Heaven in my bed - honey in my head
I've never felt like that
sweet sweet things that she did
everything is spinning a bit
around around around around
in my head in my head in my head
she's like honey in my head
Don't need no whisky
to get a buzz like that
To be this happy
I don‘t need Prozac
She makes me dizzy
with her fingertips
an' like a bee to a blossom
I'm addicted to her lips
She's like honey in my head
since the sunny summer day we met
it's raining kisses on her neck
Heaven in my bed - honey in my head
I've never felt like that
sweet sweet things that she did
everything is spinning a bit
around around around around
in my head, in my head, in my head
she's like honey in my head
I'll never forget our hot rendezvous
and how I discovered her tiny secret tattoo
She's like honey in my head
since the sunny summer day we met
it's raining kisses on her neck
Heaven in my bed - honey in my head
I've never felt like that
sweet sweet things that she did
everything is spinning a bit
around around around around
She's like honey in my head
since the sunny summer day we met
it's raining kisses on her neck
'I love you' she said - honey in my head
I've never felt like that
sweet sweet things that she did
everything is spinning a bit
around around around around
in my head in my head in my head
in my head in my head
in my head
she's like honey in my head
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Wild horse Rider
She is a little less ballet than rodeo
She's beautiful but it's not like her to show
Grown up in the fields of Arkansas
raised by brother John and her grandma
More confident than everyone I've met
hands on her hips daring me a bit
she's nobody's fool, but she's my girl
and sometimes I may be a fool for her
A sexy grin and sunburned skin
a worn-out baseball cap
Working gear and ash blond hair
yeah - she's like that
My red rose from the cotton fields
she's a little bit off the track
rough but irresistible
yeah - she is like that
never try to tame her
she'll buck you off her back
Like a wild horse rider
yeah - it feels like that
She's the fastest gun in town and she ain't shy
but a dead bird on the porch will make her cry
She's pretty, she's hot and so damned smart
but best of all she's got a golden heart
A sexy grin and sunburned skin
a worn-out baseball cap
Working gear and ash blond hair
yeah - she's like that
My red rose from the cotton fields
she's a little bit off the track
rough but irresistible
yeah - she is like that
never try to tame her
she'll buck you off her back
like a wild horse rider
yeah - it feels like that
Sometimes she needs a shoulder to lean on
I'm proud she's chosen me to be the one
My red rose from the cotton fields
she's a little bit off the track
rough but irresistible
yeah - she is like that
never try to tame her
she'll buck you off her back
like a wild horse rider
- it feels like that
My red rose from the cotton fields
she's a little bit off the track
rough but irresistible
yeah - she is like that
never try to tame her
she'll buck you off her back
like a wild horse rider
Yeah - it feels like that
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Lyrics
Revel in love devine
Sunday comes blinking through the blinds
I feel your bed-warm skin on mine
Waking up from a strange dream
I realize that all I need
is you and me
underneath these sheets.
Last week’s fuss and overtime
drowned in a bottle of red wine
made us skip church for today
instead of blessings from above
we give each other
our precious love
We can’t stop the world from turning round
but you and I we have a way to slow it down
we let the demons play outside
let them burn in the morning light
we take this moment in time
and revel in love divine
And when you tell me with your eyes
of all the hurt you feel inside
I fly with you up to the stars
and love away all the pain
until your tears
turn to Champagne
We can’t stop the world from turning round
but you and I we have a way to slow it down
we let the demons play outside
let them burn in the morning light
take this moment in time
and revel in love divine
When fake and hate get too much for us
I give you mine and you give me your love
and we’re fine
for a while
We can’t stop the world from turning round
you and I we have our way to slow it down
let the demons play outside
let them burn in morning light
take this moment in time
and revel in love divine
When we can’t stop this world from turning round
we steal this moment in time
and revel in love divine
Written by Dave Demay/Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Summer 's Gone
The Carolina sky is fading to grey
and the pier on the beach clouded in mist
with tears in her eyes she sighed it's okay
leaving me with a lump in my throat
and a farewell kiss
When we were walking on cloud nine
I thought the sun would always shine
now radio 's playin' a rainy day song
and time 's moving on
A northern breeze is blowin' in
raising goose bumps on my skin
a roosters crowing in the foggy dawn
sweet summer 's gone
tanned skin glowing dusky in moonlight
with all my senses drinking her in
Learning all the secrets of a magic night
caressed by the gentle whisper
of a southern wind
When we were walking on cloud nine
I thought the sun would always shine
now radio 's playin' a rainy day song
and time 's moving on
A northern breeze is blowin' in
raising goose bumps on my skin
a roosters crowing in the foggy dawn
sweet summer 's gone
diving so deep and flying so high
it felt so wrong to say goodbye
When we were walking on cloud nine
I thought the sun would always shine
now radio 's playin' a rainy day song
and time 's moving on
A northern breeze is blowin' in
raising goose bumps on my skin
a roosters crowing in the foggy dawn
sweet summer 's gone
and radio 's playin' a last summer song
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Hometown
The Greyhound dropped me off
close to that little dive bar
you could hear the tic-tac bass
and a whining steel guitar
it was here that my daddy washed
the coal dust from his throat
before he got laid off
and struck down by a stroke
Old brick walls with graffiti
broken glass and flaking paint
at least that old Chevron station
at the corner still remains
This is where we hung out
bumming cigarettes and beer
longing for the glorious day
we finally get out of here
In my hometown
they shut the coil mine down
In my hometown
faith is losing ground
In my hometown
they used to say life goes on somehow
but it’s sure been a hard way to go
In my hometown
I walked past that weathered for sale sign
crossed that dust covered floor
not quite sure why I’m here
and what I’m looking for
I close my eyes and turn back time
feel the spirit in this place
I almost hear Mama laughing in the backyard
we sure had some good ole days
In my hometown
they shut the coil mines down
In my hometown
faith is losing ground
In my hometown
we used to say life goes on somehow
sometimes it’s a hard way to go
In my hometown
I strolled down to the diner
she waited tables now and then
I wondered what it be like
if I met her again
It’s just like I remembered
those same old vinyl seats
but no one knows my girl
at Laura’s Meat ’n Three
In my hometown
they shut the coil mine down
In my hometown
faith is losing ground
In my hometown
I used to know a girl with curly hair
and when I dream about her
she still lives here
in my hometown
in my hometown
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Lyrics
Craving the Beach
It's been raining for days sky 's grey and dark
thinking of her is the hardest part
same bar another buzz since a couple of nights
I'm getting tired of those neon lights
The bartender asks 'What'll it be'
Man I need a change of scenery
I'm craving some beach days
and a southern breeze
swinging' in a hammock under coconut trees
a wet 'n wild banana boat ride
steel drums echoing through the night
might get my heart some relief
I'm craving the beach
Drinking didn't work I'm still feeling depressed
and go for some help from my therapist
he said no big deal I've got some pills for you
and if you feel bad just take one or two
But drugs get me numb I almost fell asleep
I think he didn't get what I really need
I'm craving some beach days
and a southern breeze
swinging' in a hammock under coconut trees
a wet 'n wild banana boat ride
steel drums echoing through the night
might get my heart some relief
I'm craving the beach
Booze and drugs ain't gonna clear my mind
I've booked an Air B & B and a budget flight
Put my shades and my flip-flops on
It's high time - I‘m off and gone
I'm craving some beach days and a starry sky
a bunch of happy people where the girls ain‘t shy
they hold me tight when we dance all night
everything 's gonna be alright
all my troubles are out of reach
I'm craving some beach days and a southern breeze
swingin' in a hammock under coconut trees
a wet 'n wild banana boat ride
steel drums echoing through the night
might get my heart some relief
I'm craving the beach
Oh, I'm craving the beach
Oh I need a beach
I need a beach
I'm craving the beach
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Zombie
Cigarette smoke hangin' in the air
an empty whisky bottle tipped over on it's side
all the blinds pulled down
A moldy pizza in a box
old grunge jeans and dirty boots and a blotted Hard Rock shirt
scattered on the ground
Just another night here on the couch, but that's ok
this house has way to many rooms
when you're not around
Without you
I'm a stranger to myself
Without you
I've been under a bad spell
I'm a soulless husk with a smell of booze
a walking dead, it's the bitter truth
baby I'm a zombie without you
Baby I know I did you wrong
there's no undo button and I can't turn back the clock
but I swear that I will try
your name is in my DNA, and if you leave
you'll make a monster out of me
please don't say goodbye
Without you
I'm a stranger to myself
Without you
I've been under a bad spell
I'm a soulless husk with a smell of booze
a walking dead, it's the bitter truth
baby I'm a zombie without you
I know I should have told you that before
I took too much for granted till you turned around
and slammed that door
Without you
I'm a stranger to myself
Without you
I've been under a bad spell
I'm a soulless husk with a smell of booze
a walking dead, it's the bitter truth
baby I'm a zombie without you
and only you can save me from the blue
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Like A Child
When it calls your name
When it starts singing
you can't pretend like
you didn't hear anything
Innocent and sweet
it comes into our life
and you need to take good care of it
so that it grows and thrives
Sometimes it cries
Sometimes it smiles and shines
Sometimes it's running wild
Love is like a child
She took my freedom away
when she knocked on my door
but she made me feel something
I've never felt before
One day she ran away
I know I did her wrong
and I hit rock bottom
it hurt so bad when she was gone
Sometimes it cries
Sometimes it smiles and shines
Sometimes it's running wild
Love is like a child
Keep it warm when it get's cold
with all your heart and soul
keep it safe at any cost.
Cause if you lose it, you're lost.
Sometimes it cries
Sometimes it smiles and shines
Sometimes it's running wild
Love is like a child
Sometimes it cries
Sometimes it smiles and shines
Sometimes it's running wild
Love is like a child
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Lyrics
Jackpot
Have been to Vegas for a dozen times
But never hit a number in my life
Scratched off tickets like a maniac
Desperate to get my slice.
Trying to rise above the ordinary
Lady Luck didn't care about me
Till the day that you showed up
Here by my side
And I can't get my head around it yet
But I guess I won the biggest bet of my life
You're my royal flush in a poker game
My name on the wall in a hall of fame
My sideline ticket for the Super Bowl
My hole in one on a par 5 hole
The needle that I found in a haystack
The Triple Crown Trophy at the horse track
My precious pearl
I hit the jackpot with you girl
Now life feels like a paradise preview
And every time when you enter the room
You make me feel like a billionaire
Smelling your perfume
And I can't get my head around it yet
Finding me with you in a bed on a honeymoon
You're my royal flush in a poker game
My name on the wall in a hall of fame
My sideline ticket for the Super Bowl
My hole in one on a par 5 hole
The needle that I found in a haystack
The Triple Crown Trophy at the horse track
A precious pearl
I hit the jackpot with you girl
Baby the sweetest thing in the world is you
hit the jackpot with you girl
You're my royal flush in a poker game
My name on the wall in a hall of fame
My sideline ticket for the Super Bowl
My hole in one on a par 5 hole
The needle that I found in a haystack
The Triple Crown Trophy at the horse track
You’re my precious pearl
You're my royal flush in a poker game
My name on the wall in a hall of fame
My sideline ticket for the Super Bowl
My hole in one on a par 5 hole
The needle that I found in a haystack
The Triple Crown Trophy at the horse track
A precious pearl
I hit the jackpot with you girl
I hit the jackpot with you girl
Written by Dave Demay/
Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Beyond Broken Dreams
When dad found that college flyer in her mail
he said forget your thoughts of getting a degree
Honey I'm so sorry we don't have that kind of money
college is an out of reach luxury
Bubbles bursting in the sun
Loosing faith is not much fun
Blue ain't just the color of her jeans
Trapped in this two-lane town
Nowhere to go but down
On the other side the grass looks so green
on this side of beyond broken dreams
She always wanted to be an actress in L.A.
Fate only works if you meet it half way
Oh no she couldn't find courage to let him go
when his blue eyes were begging her to stay
Bubbles bursting in the sun
Loosing faith is not much fun
Blue ain't just the color of her jeans
Trapped in this two-lane town
Nowhere to go but down
On the other side the grass looks so green
on this side of beyond broken dreams
Now she's waiting tables at the local bowling alley
wearing low cut shirts to get a better tip
The going sure gets tough, the money’s barely enough
to cover trade school while raising up her kid
Bubbles bursting in the sun
Loosing faith is not much fun
Blue ain't just the color of her jeans
Trapped in this two-lane town
Nowhere to go but down
On the other side the grass looks so green
on this side of beyond broken dreams
She’s kept her grade average up
and been recommended by the Dean
Soon she’ll will graduate
beyond broken dreams
Written by Dave Demay/
Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Hey Girl
She caught my eye
She caught my heart
When I saw her waiting there for the bus
I was magnetized
And couldn‘t look away
While painting a picture of us
But I was a shy guy
And not a fly-boy 'n those days
Only in my head did I hear myself say
Hey girl
Won't you be my girl
I show you my world
If you show me yours I'll dare to dive in
Don‘t be shy girl
Come on be my girl
If you turn away we‘ll never know what could have been
Hey girl
My heart 's beating wild
When I see her again
Standing in line for a Broadway Show
And it feels like sky diving the first time
When I’m putting my whole heart on the line, saying
Hey girl
Won’t you be my girl
I show you my world
If you show me yours I'll dare to dive in
Don’t be shy girl
Come on be my girl
If you turn away we‘ll never know what could have been
And then she gives me that look and I can’t stop saying again
Hey girl
Won’t you be my girl
I show you my world
If you show me yours I'll dare to dive in
Don’t be shy girl
Come on be my girl
Let’s go to a place we never have been
Be my girl
Hey girl
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music
Last Flight Home
Dancing snowflakes in the headlights
Tired eyes barely find the lane
another crazy week behind me
running late to get that plane
I promised to be back on Friday
when we did our routine call
there was a strange note in your voice
I wonder if you care at all
A chilly breeze
is blowing through my heart
Don‘t let this road
drive us apart
Don‘t kick me out
out of your life
I‘m gonna rush to you
to get things right
you sounded different on the phone
I wonder if you're not alone
I have to catch this last flight home
You‘re the one I want to want me
You‘re my safe haven, my hometown
and when things are flying high
the gravity that keeps me down
You‘re my remedy
the drug I‘m addicted to
I can‘t get along
without you
Don‘t kick me out
out of your life
I‘m gonna rush to you
to get things right
you sounded different on the phone
I wonder if you're not alone
I have to catch this last flight home
Lost in thoughts of you
I’m running to the gate
praying to the lord
it’s not too late
Don‘t kick me out
out of your life
I‘m gonna rush to you
to get things right
you sounded different on the phone
I wonder if you're not alone
I have to catch
this last flight home
you sounded different on the phone
I wonder if you're not alone
I have to catch
this last flight home
this last flight home
Written by Frank Renfordt
© 2019 Sentric Music