Billy Dechand

Jun 9, 2026

Both Worlds

From the album Pop Another Cork
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 1997 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

It was the best of both worlds
It was the worst of both worlds
When we're where we walk
Take all the crap that goes with that

Belate the trade if it's all false gadgets
Talk with the drop kicked top hat
Then and there, by and by
They'll all know
And you can stand and watch

Inch to inch to inch to...
Slide to slide to slide...
Inch to inch to inch to...foot
Slide to slide to slide...

A quarter of a dollar
Twice a week
Half of a pint
The space of a month
One metrical mile

The core rhythm section is Billy on bass, with guitarist Matt Schickele and fellow Flying Saucer Surprisers Dan Sonenberg (playing drums) and Matt Kaden closing out "Both Worlds" with a minimalist organ solo.

Hear streaming:

Jun 4, 2026

Bike Back

From the album World Famous in Chapel Hill
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2001 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

Someone stole my wheels and rode away
I’ve got no ride
When I find that fool who did that crime
He’s gonna pay

Once upon a time I had a bike
I rode all over the road
Now I need to walk wherever I go
The bike thief made me hike

I’m gonna get my bike back
Whatever it takes I will take back
I will fight back
Whatever I get fits my rack
Whatever I take is my bike
I will fight back

Now I stole a bike, I’m just the same
I’ve got no case
When I stake my claim I will lose face
I’m gonna pay

Personnel:

Vito diBona - vocals, guitars
Billy Dechand - vocals, bass
Mike Yanoski - drums

Streaming:

May 27, 2026

Beware

From the album World Famous in Chapel Hill
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2001 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

You've got so much to say
For being born yesterday
I know it's right to turn out the light
Beware

I took a turn to share
What I had learned
Drawn to the light, I was burned
Beware

The chords:

E C#/B E C#/B
B/A A/G G/F F
(2X)

3/4
E Bb F F
E Bb F F
G C# Cnat G
F F F F

The chords also appear in the Sheet Music.

Streaming:

May 24, 2026

Been There, Done That

From the album In Dog's Country
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2007 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

In Dog's Country is a musical about two dogs, a cat, a squirrel, and The Man. This song is from the younger, more innocent dog, with harmonies from the wiser, more worldly squirrel. The squirrel part is sung by Rose Thomson.

I’ve lived the domestic life
Safe and sound and paid for
Then I was awoken one day
I saw it all for what it was
Just a ring around my neck

Now I can see for myself
The Man is just a little boy
He jerked me around on his chain
When he was happy was when we played
I was just a convenient toy

CHORUS:
Been up, been down, done come of age
Said nothing, shown rage
Opened and closed my eyes
Been there done that

Instrumental verse

Now that I’m free of my chains
I can see clearly
What should I do with myself
If I should choose to join the ranks
Of angry dogs, what’s the chance
I’ll live well

CHORUS

Beautiful Day

It’s gonna be
It’s gonna be a beautiful day
I’m gonna see my long lost friend
We will be
We will be together
If we change
We will change together

Musicians:
Dan Ingenthron - mandolin
Ruth Keating - marimba
Matt Sutton - pedal steel guitar
Billy Dechand - electric and tenor guitar, voice

Streaming music here:

Beautiful

You say you never had a better lover
Whether he was clever or a fool

You stay, breaking all the records for keeping it together
You’re fine, you’re so cool, and beautiful

They say, hey hey, look at those two
What can we do to be like you?
You’re fine, you’re so cool, and beautiful

CHORUS:
I say I love you, you know it’s true
You say you love me, I know it’s true
It’s true, I know, I know
Yeah, I know I know it’s true

I say whatever I imagined as a fantasizing adolescent never
Could have added up to this kind of romance
I never knew
Who knew it could be so cool, and beautiful

CHORUS