Solium

Joe Beeler © 2016

 

You laughed in my face, walked out my door.

You said you ain’t coming round here no more.

I cried and I cried, just like a fool,

Until I realized you’d been playing dirty pool.

 

You’ve Been cheating on me, and telling me lies.

It took a while, but now I realize

That I’m better off, do you know what I mean?

Makes feel honest.  Makes me feel clean.

 

It’s like I’m made out of Solium

Solium

I’m whiter than white, I’m brighter than bright …. Solium

 

So off you will go.  Away you will fly.

I do bid you farewell but I won’t deny

That seeing you gone brings me no tears.

In fact I’m feeling better than I have in years.

 

It’s like I’m made out of Solium

Solium

I’m whiter than white, I’m brighter than bright …. Solium

 

I’m Rinso White, Rinso Bright, I am Rinso White, Rinso Bright

 

 

I Ain’t seen nothing

Joe Beeler © 1998

 

Took a swim in the fountains of Rome.

Caught a cold but I didn’t go home.

Hopped a boat and sailed the ocean,

just because I took a notion - it’s true.

Gotta be on the move.

 

Chased the swallows out of Capistrano.

They all came back, I didn’t really care

cause there was always somewhere I needed to be,

always something just a calling out to me.

I never knew… it had to be you.

 

I've been all around this great big world 

and seen most everything.

That’s all different since I met you girl -

I’m in love and everything has changed.

 

I ain’t seen nothing.

Ain’t seen nothing.

Ain’t seen nothing.

No, I ain’t seen nothing til I’ve seen it with you.

 

Got arrested spitting off the Eiffel tower.

Threw me into jail but I only stayed an hour.

Til the warden kicked me out and put me on plane.

Said “your whining and a crying is a driving me insane!”

He should have knew, gotta be on the move.

 

I’ve been all around this great big world

and seen most everything.

That’s all different since I met you girl -

I’m in love and everything has changed.

 

I ain’t seen nothing.

Ain’t seen nothing.

Ain’t seen nothing.

No, I ain’t seen nothing til I’ve seen it with you.

 

See girl, I never saw myself as the time of man who could fall in love.

But ever since the day you rolled into my life things have changed.

and what once was so old and familiar is now new and beautiful.

 

All my life I’ve been a hoping for a woman 

who would love me just the way you do.

Now my world’s got a brand new meaning

and I want to do is see it all just me and you.

 

Cause I ain’t seen nothing.

Ain’t seen nothing.

Aint seen nothing.

No I aint seen nothing til I see it with…

 

Ain’t seen nothing

like your loving

Ain’t seen nothing.

No, I ain’t seen nothing til I see it with you.

 

 

NOTHING SEEMS TO CHANGE AT ALL

Joe Beeler © 1998

 

STARING OUT A CAFÉ WINDOW.

WONDERING IF IT’S GOING TO RAIN.

AIN’T REALLY NO QUESTION THOUGH.

IT ALWAYS RAINS.

SHE’LL BE ARRIVING ANY MINUTE,

AND I KNOW WHAT I’M GONNA TO DO.

SHE’LL INNOCENTLY ASK ME HOW MY MORNINGS BEEN

THEN I’LL TELL HER THE TRUTH.

 

I REALLY THOUGHT SHE MIGHT BE THE ONE.

BUT I’VE THOUGHT THAT BEFORE.

AND I CAN’T THINK OF A SINGLE THING SHE’S DONE

I SHOULD BE LEAVING FOR.

 

BUT NOTHING SEEM TO CHANGE AT ALL.

NOTHING SEEM TO CHANGE AT ALL.

NOTHING SEEM TO CHANGE AT ALL,

EXCEPT THE NAMES AND THE FACES WHEN I LET THEM FALL.

WHY CAN’T I GET OVER YOU?

 

THEY SAY EVERYBODY’’S GOT ONE SPECIAL LOVE.

YOU KNOW I THINK THAT’S TRUE.

YOU WERE MINE BUT I MADE YOU RUN.

I WAS SUCH A FOOL.

 

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER TIMES I THOUGHT I’D REPLACED YOUR LOVE

WHEN I LOOKED INTO ANOTHER’S EYES.

BUT EVERY TIME I JUST ENDED UP

THINKING MORE ABOUT YOU AND TELLING HER GOODBYE.

 

NOTHING SEEM TO CHANGE AT ALL.

NOTHING SEEM TO CHANGE AT ALL

NOTHING SEEM TO CHANGE AT ALL,

EXCEPT THE NAMES AND THE FACES WHEN I LET THEM FALL.

WHY CAN’T I GET OVER YOU?

WHY DID I LET YOU GO?

AND AIN’T THEY’RE NOTHING THAT I CAN DO TO 

RELIEVE MY SOUL?  I DON’T THINK SO.

SO NOTHING GOING TO CHANGE AT ALL.

NOTHING GOING TO CHANGE AT ALL.

NOTHING GOING TO CHANGE AT ALL.

 

 

Colleen

Joe Beeler © 1998

 

She put her love on the track.

When she said that she ain’t coming back.

You said honey let her keep on walking,

Then you kissed me baby, well now keep on talking.

 

You’re looking mighty keen Colleen.

You got features that I ain’t ever seen.

From your ruby lips to your auburn hair

I may not be in love but I’m sure getting there.

You’re looking mighty keen… Colleen

 

Known each other since we were kids,

Never really more than just friends.

Now I’m thinking that I’ve been blind

With all those other women just a wasting my time.

 

You’re looking mighty keen Colleen.

You got features that I ain’t ever seen.

From your ruby lips to your auburn hair

I may not be in love but I’m sure getting there.

You’re looking mighty keen… Colleen

 

How could I have looked right through you?

All these years Colleen I never knew.

All those vibes that you were sending,

But now I’m starting to get focused

On you Colleen and honey I just noticed ….. um, um, um, um, um

 

You’re looking mighty keen Colleen.

You got features that I ain’t ever seen.

From your ruby lips to your auburn hair

I may not be in love but I’m sure getting there.

You’re looking mighty keen, mighty keen.

You’re looking mighty keen… Colleen.

 

 

Drusilla

Joe Beeler © 2022

 

Drusilla, would ya could ya will ya?

Drusilla, would ya could ya will ya?

Tell me baby please why you wanna cheat on me.

Drusilla, would ya could ya will ya?

 

Oh, Joe, honey you should know.

Oh, Joe, honey you should know.

You’ll always be me guy.  My love’s true blue as a summer sky.

Oh, Joe, honey you should know.

 

Drusilla, would ya could ya will ya?

Drusilla, would ya could ya will ya?

Tell me baby please why you wanna cheat on me.

Drusilla, would ya could ya will ya?

 

Greg dear, baby have no fear.

Greg dear baby have no fear.

By now honey you should know my love’s pure white like a winter snow.

Greg dear, baby have no fear.

 

Drusilla, would ya could ya will ya?

Drusilla, would ya could ya will ya?

Tell us baby please why you wanna cheat on him and me.

Drusilla, Drusilla, Drusilla . . .would ya could ya will ya?

 

Would ya could, will ya? 

 (What we’ve got here is failure to communicate.) 

(Let’s not blow it out of proportion.)

Drusilla we’re on to you now. (Oh boys, lighten up!)

 

 

Imperfect diamonds

Joe Beeler © 2025

 

The past has been unkind to you.  No need to tell me why.

But a memory is still haunting you.  I can see it in your eyes

When you look away and whisper “I think I’m falling for you.”

I can hear a quiver in your voice, 

Like you’re afraid to trust your heart to another who might crush it

Like someone did before.

 

Well some people fall in love.  Others kind of back in to it.

This wasn’t a raging flood, but I believe this time

That even though we have our scars, cracks and rough edges

We could be like imperfect diamonds just learning how to shine.

We could be like Imperfect diamonds.

 

I had never been hurt before, so with confidence of youth

My heart to another I swore with a love innocent and true.

And in return for my love she walked away from me

And left me broken down deep inside.

But the lesson I learned then now seems worth it all to me.

I can tell you no pain last forever and all wounds heal with time.

 

And some people fall in love.  Others kind of back in to it.

This wasn’t a raging flood, but I believe this time

That even though we have our scars, cracks and rough edges

we could be like imperfect diamonds just learning how to shine.

we could be like imperfect diamonds just learning how to shine.

 

 

 

One last time 

© Joe Beeler, 2015

 

He’s standing in the shower.

Room is filling up with steam.

His skin is hot and it’s burning.

He not sure that he’s clean.

 

His mind’s cold - thinking nothing.

But way down deep inside

burns a small flame of emotion 

He struggles to describe.

 

Fear, regret and anger,

All mix carefully

With a calming resignation

That this is how it’s going to be.

 

He thinks about his family,

sure they haven’t got a clue.

So he just repeats the mantra

That always gets him through.

 

One last time then I'm letting it go.

He means every line, but deep inside he knows

It’s all a lie, cause when the times get tough

He always finds that one last time ain’t never enough.

 

She checks her look in the mirror.

Everything’s in place.

She’s become a master

Of the perfect mommy face.

 

Look hard, you won’t see nothing

That would ever let you know

Where she’ll go and where she’s doing

When she’s got some time alone

 

To cave in to the pressure

Building up in her mind

From the quiet desperation

She’s been living all this time.

 

It hurts her less now than it used to.

She gave up on being proud.

She knows her words they don’t mean nothing,

Still she says em’ right out loud.

 

One last time then I’m letting it go.

She means every line, but deep inside she knows

It’s all a lie, cause when the times get tough

He always finds that one last time ain’t never enough.

They always find that one last time…ain’t never enough.

 

 

A lot of miles back to you 

© Joe Beeler, 2021

 

Two hundred thousand four hundred fifty-four 

miles on my old car when I walked out your door.

Two hundred thousand four hundred sixty-two 

first time I thought about coming back to you.

But my pride won’t let me do what I should do.

 

There's a lot of miles back to you.

There’s a lot of miles back to you.                            

There’s a lot of miles … back to you.

                              

Two hundred thousand five hundred ninety-eight 

thought I’d lose your memory in another state.

Two hundred thousand five hundred ninety-nine 

I just crossed the border - didn’t change my state of mind.

I think about you all of the time.

 

There’s a lot of miles back to you.

There’s a lot of miles back to you.                            

There’s a  lot of miles … back to you.

 

Two o one, three eighteen 

thought was in love with a hitch-hiking beauty queen.

Two o two, five ninety five 

Left that little queen standing by the roadside.

Think it’s about time I swallow my pride.

                              

I’ve crossed some bridges I’ve burned.

Made my mistakes, but now I’ve learned.

I don’t even know if you will take me back, 

but I’m turning around and re-stepping my tracks.

 

There’s a lot of miles back to you.

There’s a lot of miles back to you.                            

There’s a lot of miles … back to you.

 

 

You’re the only

Joe Beeler © 2021

 

I ain’t Carey Grant.  I ain’t James Dean.  I doubt I’m even anything in between.

I ain’t good looking.  My muscles ain’t tight.  But I’m the only thing that you got going tonight.

I’m the only.  I’m the only. I am the only thing you got going tonight.

 

So baby let me take you to a picture show.  I’ve been save a little money come on let’s go.

We’ll go to a drive in, park in the back, but we’ll only the movie in my Chevy hatch back.

 

Come on now baby, why ain’t you enjoying the show.  Why you acting this way.  I think I know.

You’re feeling that you’re just kinda second hand.  I’ll tell you the truth and you’ll understand.

You weren’t the only.  You weren’t the only.  You weren’t the only thing I had going tonight.

 

So if you didn’t mean more than the world to me would I have asked you now let me ask you?

This ain’t no case of misery wanting company.  No I’m in love why can’t you see.

 

So for all you good people heard my story tonight.  Look at that man or woman by your side.

And be thankful you’ve got them to hold on tight, and you’re the only thing that they had a going tonight.

You’re the only.  You’re the only.  You’re the only thing they had going tonight.

Turned down everybody in sight just to be with you tonight.

So you ought to tell em thanks, maybe snuggle a little bit tonight. 

 

 

THE RED LINE

Joe Beeler © 1998

 

Platform is crowded. Train stops on the track.

I push through the door and take a seat in the back.

I’m 58 today. No kids and one ex-wife.

And no, I can’t say what I’ve done with my life.

 

I take out my book; the one I always hide behind,

and take one quick look at the people on this ride.

What I see, and what I hear ain’t new to me not after all these years.

 

A kid up front is crying.  His mother’s got him by the arm.

A bum’s past out lying in a seat - lips still mumbling to a song.

A cleaning lady’s reading.  A business man’s asleep.

The more I watch the more I think that they all look a lot like me.

 

The weekend comes, but Monday always rolls around.

We drink our coffee, buy our paper, and take the train headed  downtown.

Do the jobs that make this world go round.

Then come Five p.m. we take the train back again.

Oh man I’m feeling old.  Killing time on the Red Line …  heading home.

 

Senior V.P., hey, If I’m such a success

then tell me why’s the TV all I spend my nights with.

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been – let me see, I guess 26 years 

since she left me, and I married my career.

 

But I was younger then, and oh if I’d only known

the shape I’d be in, I never would have let her go.

But might a beens, could a beens, should a beens, would a beens, and yesterdays

They will pull you in and carry you away.

 

I watch the tunnel lights pass by.  I lean my head upon the glass.

Just like the days of my life, they come and go so fast.

And they grew so familiar, I hardly ever noticed them at all.

Now it won’t be long ‘til this train stops, I get off, and I don’t get on no more.

 

The weekend comes, but Monday always rolls around.

We drink our coffee, buy our paper, and take the train headed downtown.

Do the jobs that make this world go round.

Then come Five p.m. we take the train back again.

Oh man I’m feeling old. 

killing time on the Red Line…

Killing time on the Red Line … 

Killing time on the Red Line …  heading home.

 

 

Waiting on you

©Joe Beeler, 2015

 

When we were in school we rode the bus every day.

And I would wait for you, hoping to find a way

to catch your eye and win your heart to me.

Though I tried and tried it wasn’t meant to be.

 

Even though your love did not reciprocate 

I never lost hope, no I kept the faith.

 

I was waiting on you to be waiting on me.

I knew someday that it just had to be 

When your love would set me free.

I was waiting on you to be waiting, waiting, waiting, - waiting on me.

 

The years they passed, but my love never died.

So when it came at last I was not surprised

To hear you say that your heart was mine.

Cause I knew that day would surely come in time.

 

Now when I come home what do I see 

But your loving arms there waiting for me.

 

No more waiting on you to be waiting on me.

I knew someday that it just had to be 

When your love would set me free.

No more waiting on you to be waiting, waiting, waiting, - waiting on me.

 

Good things come to those who wait

You came to me darling it was fate

 

No more waiting on you to be waiting on me.

I knew someday that it just had to be 

When your love, when your love, when your love would set me free.

No more waiting on you to be waiting, waiting, waiting, - waiting on me.

 

I knew, I knew, I knew you’d come back to me

Though I don’t know much about history.

I knew Cupid would draw back his bow and let his arrow go straight to your heart.