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

From the album Hold On
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2003 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

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:

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Beautiful

From the album Hold On
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2003 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

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

Streaming music here:

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At What Cost Freedom?

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 a conversation between the younger, more innocent dog, and the wiser, more worldly squirrel. The squirrel part is sung by Rose Thomson, who's also playing the piano.

This song actually has a written leadsheet.

Squirrel:
We’ve all got desires
Of our own (rings of fire)
Some leap to reach the heights
Some fight all night to be top dog
If we scratch that itch tonight
Would it seem rash in the morning light?

Squirrel and Dog:
At what cost freedom
If in the end, Love is lost?

Dog:
I loved the man
Now I hate the man
I was free to love
To be a slave

Squirrel:
Love saves; it chases the hate away

Dog:
What do you have to say
About the ring and chain?

Squirrel:
What of lost freedom
Would a true friend say
That’s what love costs?

Squirrel and Dog:
At what cost freedom
If in the end, love is lost?

Streaming music here:

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As Is

From the album Post
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2006 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

This is one of my more abstract songs...

Warm as to cold
Is
Cool as to hot

Dark as to warm
Is
Bright as to dim

Play as to win
Is
Try so to do

As

Is was to as
Is
Shall was to will

Eyes as to hide
Is
See as to shade

Deep as to wide
Is
Wise is to dive

Play as to win
Is
Try so to do

As

Is was to as
Is
Shall was to will

Amaj7 Abm Ab/C Amaj7 Abm Ab/C Fm7 G Bm
C9 Fm7 C9 Fm7...

Applesauce (Always Hungry)

From the album Down
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2018 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

No one can't eat applesauce
We stop when it's gone
I want as much when I'm done
As when I started

So I never eat applesauce
Stopped before it's begun
I want as much when I'm done
As when I started

Always hungry...

Had a little extra cash
Thought I might stack my stash
It wasn't wrong, it wasn't right
I just decided

When fastened to the block
Lock eyes with the cop
Your only voice, only choice
Unless you're hiding

Always hungry...

When the locks start dropping, stop
We got to slow the flow
I'll do my best until I rest
Don't rush the ending

When life gets spot on mine
I try my best to shine
Until I drop, I'll be on top
As when I started

Always hungry...

Chords
Verse: | E | % | A | E | E | B A | E | % |
Chorus: | E | % | B | E | E | B | E | % |