http://www.weeklysongcast.com A new song written, performed, recorded and published every week by PowerBook Producer Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:08:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en ©Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer rob@powerbookstudio.com (Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer) rob@powerbookstudio.com(Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer) Music 1440 producer,production,studio,powerbook,song,songs,songwriting,songwriter,guitar,strat,stratocaster,fender,acoustic,martin,apple,mac,g4,apogee,recording,mixing,thailand,publishing,library,music,composer,compose The Weekly Songcast: A new song written, performed, recorded and published every week by The PowerBook Producer. A new song written, performed, recorded and published every week by PowerBook Producer Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer rob@powerbookstudio.com No no http://www.weeklysongcast.com/wp-content/uploads/img/songcastcoversmall.jpg http://www.weeklysongcast.com 144 144 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/another-shot/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/another-shot/#comments Sat, 05 Jul 2008 15:26:43 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=40 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/another-shot/feed/ 5:00 This is the first song I have written for the 50/90 Challenge (from FAWM), which is a pretty big challenge, seeing as in order to ... This is the first song I have written for the 50/90 Challenge (from FAWM), which is a pretty big challenge, seeing as in order to fulfil it I will have to write 50 songs in 90 days! That's a big ask and one which means that I will have to step outside of my usual boundaries and really grow as a songwriter. still I'm up for the challenge and I believe I can meet it. This song kind of reflects that need to look at where you are now and where you intend to go, rather than drawing on past experience as your reference for what is possible or what you believe about yourself. The thing is that we generally tend to use what we have already learned, been told or experienced as the blueprint for what is reality, when it could have been any other way depending on how we interpreted that experience when it happened. In short it is essential not to rely on the past as the only source of reliable information, when the only real moment and therefore the most reliable truth is what is going on around us right now. I have been guilty so many times before of wanting to go back and do something better or the right way in order to make amends, but the truth is that the real reason I wanted to do that was to #34;fix#34; people's perception of me into how I wanted them to see me. I suppose make me feel better about myself. Well there's and answer to that sunshine! That's not the place to #34;fix#34; anything. The place for that is now. We all have a chance and the power to be impeccable now, so forget about mistakes from the past, you cannot erase them, but you can stop giving them the energy of your thought and focus, instead focusing on your present; on what you want, not what you don't want. Another Shot If it were possible to go back and correct mistakes we made in the past, thus solving the problems we believe they caused, is it not fair to say that we would most likely make different mistakes instead? or as a consequence of changing our history and those new mistakes would cause us apparent problems of a different nature. It's like trying to get rid of a problem by running away from it. You can't run away from yourself. The work needs to be done on the inside, not the world outside. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/those-that-never-made-a-mistake/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/those-that-never-made-a-mistake/#comments Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:47:02 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=38 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/those-that-never-made-a-mistake/feed/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/on-our-way/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/on-our-way/#comments Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:00:05 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=32 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/on-our-way/feed/ 3:20 Well we did it! I married my beautiful princess on 16th June and so this week, seeing as I am on cloud 9 there is ... Well we did it! I married my beautiful princess on 16th June and so this week, seeing as I am on cloud 9 there is no big message or deep meaning. Just a very simple declaration of how I feel. HAPPY! This song expresses my feelings in a very simple way. I love it! On Our Way Whatever happens, wherever the twists #38; turns take us, we are now on our way, embarking on an exciting new adventure together. Here's to us teerak! Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-really-do/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-really-do/#comments Sun, 15 Jun 2008 00:07:34 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=37 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-really-do/feed/ 2:59 #34;I believe that we are born to find our genius and perform#34;. This is a line from this weeks song. The path of the genius ... #34;I believe that we are born to find our genius and perform#34;. This is a line from this weeks song. The path of the genius is paved with love. Not romantic love or wishy-washy, sentimentalities, but the life force of the spirit and the universe. If you follow your passion, like making music for instance then you are doing something you love. This is the love I mean; something that is in perfect alignment with who you are. That's when your sensors are detecting love. I read somebody's definition of a genius once and it read something like this: #34;A genius is somebody who listens to their inner voice and follows its instruction without question#34;. This inner voice is not the voice in your head, but comes from somewhere else. Call it intuition if you like. This made a lot of sense to me. You don't have to have a great intellect or be academic to be a genius. The reality is that everybody is a potential genius and those who find their genius as described in the above definition become so. I Really Do I think some days I qualify as a genius and some I do not. When I am wrapped up in worry, fear, doubt or just feeling grouchy I am being more receptive to the inner ramblings of my mind rather than my inner, guiding voice. That guide knows the path and it has to shout pretty loud to get your attention. You are already fully equipped to live the life you really wish you could, just be quiet for a while and listen to what you are trying to tell yourself.. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/life-spent-dying/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/life-spent-dying/#comments Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:32:02 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=36 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/life-spent-dying/feed/ 3:38 Reflecting a chapter of my life where I felt like I was doing nothing but existing, just killing time. For a while I think I ... Reflecting a chapter of my life where I felt like I was doing nothing but existing, just killing time. For a while I think I believed that I had no chance of experiencing any great success or even feeling like I was a #34;normal#34; person. Well that's in the past now as I have a much healthier outlook and I am less self concerned, although I'm still working on the self concern part... Aren't we all? It reminds me of a line in the movie #34;The Shawshank Redemption#34;: #34;Get busy living or get busy dying#34;. I realized that I was spending my life #34;dying#34; because I had chosen to look at it that way. As soon as I changed my viewpoint, everything changed... slowly, but it did change drastically. As I prepare to get married to a fantastic woman I can see just how much I have moved in the last few years. There really is no such thing as a waste of time if you decide to experience what happens along the way instead of judge it. Life Spent Dying Having the freedom to be yourself is the key to being happy. I think it comes down to that one fact. Finding out how this is achieved is probably what we're all here for. Sometimes it may feel like you have no freedom to be yourself and are frustrated with the fact that life is just passing you by. It isn't. It's happening right now and it is as good as you choose it to be. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/whole-lotta-something/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/whole-lotta-something/#comments Sun, 01 Jun 2008 10:34:39 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=35 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/whole-lotta-something/feed/ 3:12 OK, this weeks little story may be a little self-contradictory, but I'm very clear about what I am saying here. I believe that it is possible ... OK, this weeks little story may be a little self-contradictory, but I'm very clear about what I am saying here. I believe that it is possible to live the life of your dreams and experience the kind of wealth #38; lifestyle you want to without hard work. Now I do not mean that I believe it is possible by doing nothing... why is it that so many people believe hard work is what creates results? and why do so many people perceive the desire to make a living without hard work as a desire to sit around doing nothing all day, while the money rolls in? I mean none of those things. My argument is that the term #34;hard work#34; is one of the most misperceived things in existence. Would you agree that doing something you love, which you need no external motivation to do is not hard work at all? If your job was something you looked forward to doing because you loved it so much then you would be working, but you could not possibly view that work as hard. Challenging at times, maybe, but for something to be perceived as hard to do can only be because it is not really in your heart to do it. Also, every time you took a vacation you would enjoy it more because you would not be faced with the dreaded thought of having to go back to work again and wait another year to escape for another vacation. Whole Lotta Something To create abundant wealth in my life, the kind of wealth that frees me up to choose what to experience and to help others do the same is my mission. However I can achieve that I know that whilst that is my driving force I am on the right path. I also intend not to #34;work#34; in the commonly perceived sense of the word, but I am not lazy. I have uprooted my entire life six thousand miles to the other side of the world in order to create something new and worthwhile. How lazy can that be? Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-did-it-to-myself-again/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-did-it-to-myself-again/#comments Sat, 24 May 2008 16:12:08 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=34 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-did-it-to-myself-again/feed/ 3:10 This song has no other pretentions other than being a good laugh. It was a real blast recording this one too as it was done ... This song has no other pretentions other than being a good laugh. It was a real blast recording this one too as it was done differently to the usual acoustic #38; vocal style of the WSC so far. I collaborated on this with another musician on the other side of the world! I sent him the demo of the song, he recorded drums and bass and sent it back the next day! Thanks to Ron who played the drums #38; bass. I hope to work more with Ron in the future and maybe one day I'll get to meet him in person! This is what I love about technology working to expand the creative process. I Did it to Myself (again) When I wrote this I had in mind the fact that whatever you do, whatever situation you find yourself in, you are on some level responsible for it coming about, whether it's a desirable situation or an undesirable one. However I felt like expressing it in a way that sounded a bit more fun and frivolous! Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/loosen-your-grip/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/loosen-your-grip/#comments Fri, 16 May 2008 09:51:54 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=33 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/loosen-your-grip/feed/ 3:51 As I mentioned briefly last week about letting go and starting again in the moment, it led me to write this song. So often we ... As I mentioned briefly last week about letting go and starting again in the moment, it led me to write this song. So often we suffer because of the way we #34;love#34; others. I just realised (I do a lot of realising, you might have noticed) right or wrong that much of the time, we can be guilty of trying to impose certain conditions or preferences on those we love and instead of expressing our love for that person as they are it's a kind of ongoing test for them to keep ticking all the boxes we have in our mental list of who this person needs to be to be perfect for us. This is a big subject and one which can't be fully expressed in this post. Maybe I'll write at length about it some time, but I think the real message here is that if you have strong expectations of someone you love then maybe you are not gifting them with love at all, but rather taking what love they have for yourself. Controversial? Probably, but love is not just a game or a nice warm, fuzzy feeling. It comes in many guises and can cause controversy in and of itself. Loosen Your Grip If you can reach a point where you have no attachment to whether you will lose a person, a belonging or a particular situation then you are operating out of love. You are letting go, surrending to life, so to speak. It may come as no surprise then from this standpoint, that what you truly treasure in your heart comes right to you. That is why you just know when you have found the person whom you truly love because there is no analysis required and you don't even think about what life would be like if that person was no longer there. Please think about that it can make the difference between feeling great or feeling lousy. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/every-day-i-start-again/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/every-day-i-start-again/#comments Fri, 09 May 2008 21:56:21 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=31 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/every-day-i-start-again/feed/ 3:51 Wow. It's happening, it's really happening. This is not just a holiday this time. It's the real deal! On top of that I'll be a ... Wow. It's happening, it's really happening. This is not just a holiday this time. It's the real deal! On top of that I'll be a married man in about a month! My stuff has been collected by the shipping company and is starting it's long journey on the seven seas to the other side of the globe. This week's song then is pretty apt. After realising quite some time ago that everyday is a fresh start and that life never actually stops I came to the point where this song sums things up. I have been dreaming about doing something like what I am doing now... a fresh start actually pursuing my dreams instead of talking about it and now I am doing it. The feeling is incredible, not just because it feels good, but because I have never felt anything like this before. I am totally starting again, but this time instead of viewing that fact as a negative, like I may have done in the past I am looking at it as something of an advantage and a privelidge. I have the chance to choose my own life, from scratch at any time I choose and for the better, which is something we all have the chance to do incidentally. If you are thinking about doing something new then stop thinking and just start. Every Day I Start Again It is an important fact to get that every moment is a brand new #34;now#34; and as such contains an infinite power as the seed of any choice you make. Choose wisely as that power has the capability of giving birth to any situation you put your focus on. Starting again is often seen as undesirable as we try to hold on tightly to what we already have or have already gained along the way, but what we have built up to this point could possibly be the very hinderence to achieving something more desirable. If we try it, then starting again could be the very thing that sets us free from our own self-imposed limitations. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/its-all-so-clear/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/its-all-so-clear/#comments Sun, 04 May 2008 14:38:58 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=30 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/its-all-so-clear/feed/ 3:46 I am having a little trouble organising myself in my frantic race against time to complete all my packing and farewells to friends #38; family. ... I am having a little trouble organising myself in my frantic race against time to complete all my packing and farewells to friends #38; family. It is this apparent chaos that is causing me to see things with very little clarity and even some diminished certainty about what I am doing. This song is to re-affirm to myself just how clear everything is in truth and that whether or not the road ahead is visible I have absolute certainty and knowing about where I am going, so regardless of how I feel about my huge life change, which is completely self imposed, there can be no turning back. This is my choice now, so it must be the best choice I could have made... mustn't it? The comforting feeling about everything, if it can be described as such is that I am more aware these days that chaos is a perception of things that are in a state of change. Think about the moments leading up to the birth of a child. It's pretty hectic wouldn't you say? This is the birthing process of a totally new life of mine and the weird, discomfort I am feeling is that old part of me that is fighting to stay in existence. Goodbye to the old me and hello to a new, unknown me! Its All So Clear Ah... clarity, so elusive at times, but always right under our noses. If you ever feel totally lost in the situation you are in and unclear about everything just be still for few moments. You will always know where to go and what to do next if you can give your attention to listening out for it. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/power-to-create/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/power-to-create/#comments Sun, 27 Apr 2008 12:31:55 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=29 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/power-to-create/feed/ 2:59 One week on since deciding never to stop #34;dancing#34; again I find myself having to learn the steps to a really intense and complex routine ... One week on since deciding never to stop #34;dancing#34; again I find myself having to learn the steps to a really intense and complex routine in the form of getting a mountain of tasks complete before my big move and meeting up with people from all corners of the UK to say my goodbyes. It's becoming quite a handful and my feet are aching from all these twists, turns and tempo changes! It has forced me to strip my entire life down to specific tasks at specific times for 2 weeks; rather like a super-efficient time-management exercise: Oh and, of course still making time for the songcast! Spreading myself so thin before embarking on such an important journey is very intense, but also teaching me that I work better under pressure as well as the fact that it is possible to overcome more than you initially believe you can when given a job to do. The key is to be prepared to learn #38; grow in every moment. During this time, as my threshold for what I believe I can normally cope with is pushed I have been faced with the voices of doubt within myself and feeling at times that I don't have the power to create my heart's desire, but the truth is that the only thing I don't have is the knowledge of exactly how everything will work out, which is something to relish rather than fear. It's time to become less attached to whether and how things will come good and enjoy the process. I'm still making music and doing what I love and the fact that there are so many people who all want to see me, which is taking a lot of valuable time is something I am grateful for. It means I have friends who actually care about seeing me before I go. Thank you to all my friends and family for your support and encouragement. Power To Create Experience is showing me more and more the truth that successes and achievements in life really are 100% self created and the fact that luck can only be generated by focusing on the desired outcome. The more you put yourself in a certain mode of focus and thinking, the more you will notice things that will aid you in striking gold, so to speak. As the lyrics of this song suggest, any fear or anxiety you have about a situation, or rather the outcome of a situation only helps to mask your awareness of the things that can help you, creating a vision of more obstacles and less probability of success as a result. Once again that old chestnut Positivity wins out. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-wont-stop-dancing-to-rock-n-roll/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-wont-stop-dancing-to-rock-n-roll/#comments Sun, 20 Apr 2008 11:09:45 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=28 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-wont-stop-dancing-to-rock-n-roll/feed/ 3:22 I'v been really pushed this last week for time. Time is such an imprisoning concept, but I'm not going into all that here right now! I ... I'v been really pushed this last week for time. Time is such an imprisoning concept, but I'm not going into all that here right now! I don't have a lot to say this week except that the words to this song were inspired by me waking up to myself some time ago about certain situations in my life and looking back at how I had, in a way, "switched off" and was not enjoying life as much as I knew I could or should be. Don't Stop Dancing! Well there is still a message this week! Don't keep waiting to be ready before you try new things or embark on your chosen dream. If you have the faith in what you are doing and more importantly, enjoy it you will mosty likely acheive success without a plan or any known quantities in the beginning. Plans are good, but not always the way. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/wealth-abundance-joy/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/wealth-abundance-joy/#comments Sun, 13 Apr 2008 01:44:47 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=27 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/wealth-abundance-joy/feed/ 3:18 I was not sure about this weeks song, number 16. If this was 6 months ago, I don't think this song would have made it ... I was not sure about this weeks song, number 16. If this was 6 months ago, I don't think this song would have made it this far. I would have scrapped it already, probably through fear of what people thought of it, but as is the policy with The Weekly Songcast that is no excuse. Maybe this song isn't that good, but there's no reason it can't be improved upon and of course it's possible that I may be the only person who had any doubts about it anyway. It has been quite a week. Not that anything dramatic has occurred, but simply that I have had some strange and uncomfortable feelings going on. I was able to step back a little and conclude that those feelings were probably there, mostly due to my mind's resistance to change and the voice of doubt creeping in. I am always amazed at the mind's ability to pull me back into a pattern without me noticing for some time, but it is quite noticeable to me how that time is diminishing every time it happens, which is a big improvement. Yes, I am starting to get nervous. My life is about to change massively, more dramatically than at any other point in my life! I couldn't be happier about it, but my comfort zone is about to be breached, so I can understand the feelings and I want to accept them and watch them, rather than identify with them. The mantra of this song I had read before and it was only a matter of time before I slipped it into a song because it does make a difference whenever I hear or say it... I am Wealth, I am Abundance, I am Joy I'm no expert, but I would say that these three things are probably common aspirations for all human beings. Aren't we all looking for some meaning and purpose in our lives? All I can say is that the more I recite this phrase to myself, the more it seems to feel true for me and the more aware I become of opportunities to make it so. As far as I'm concerned, even if all it ever does is just make me feel better generally then I'd say it has value. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/you-and-i/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/you-and-i/#comments Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:58:40 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/?p=26 http://www.weeklysongcast.com/you-and-i/feed/ 2:54 With my new lifestyle just around the corner, the excitement is building and things are getting pretty busy in the PowerBook Producer's world! Many things ... With my new lifestyle just around the corner, the excitement is building and things are getting pretty busy in the PowerBook Producer's world! Many things to plan, organise and orchestrate, not to mention the ongoing commitment to the songcast. Today gave rise to song 015 of the series and this weeks song is really simple, heartfelt and very rough #38; ready, which is great. I'm well pleased with how it came out. It just sums up my feeling and mood for this week. This may be a simple song, but the reason it is so rough #38; ready is that it was actually quite hard for me to play in anything approaching a refined way, which is the way it is supposed to be I guess. What more can you do with 3 chords? The studio is back to full strength too with my technical problem solved. Soon though, parts of the studio will be making their way to the other side of the world on a boat, so I'll have to improvise a little with the recording method again, but hey! Nothing is impossible with The Weekly Songcast. In fact things are a doddle! You #38; I Hey, no deep and meaningful message this week, except just a conveyance of the sheer happiness I am feeling for where I am at and grattitude for that too I might add. Try it for yourself... So a song dedicated to me #38; my babe... pom ruk khun teerak! Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/come-and-light-me-up/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/come-and-light-me-up/#comments Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:24:11 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/come-and-light-me-up/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/come-and-light-me-up/feed/ 4:09 Due to boring, technical faults my recording system is not fully operational. At least not in the way I would like it to be. Therefore ... Due to boring, technical faults my recording system is not fully operational. At least not in the way I would like it to be. Therefore the recording of this song has been done slightly differently, resulting in the recorded quality of the guitar not sounding as good as I would wish it to be. Of course in essence it is the same because it involves me playing my guitar and singing, which is the important thing I suppose. It also provides some kind of dynamic to The Weekly Songcast. As each episode is published we all find ourselves in a different place to the week before, so these small changes reflect that to some degree. The technical difficulties I was experiencing also left me feeling a little uninspired as I faced the prospect of having to deal with getting equipment repaired and finding a temporary solution for recording this week's song. Respect to the project though because yet again the commitment to the Songcast continues to bear fruit. I swear that my absolute resolve to make every weekly deadline brings about whatever needs to happen to make it so. My feelings for the last week brought about this song and in turn I have managed to #34;light myself up#34; by making the best of the situation. It may be another week before the studio is fully operational again, but now this doesn't seem so bad at all. I am still grateful that I am able to continue The Weekly Songcast. Come #38; Light Me Up I am a big supporter of finding your passion #38; purpose in life and fulfilling it by living it. Doing something with your life that #34;Lights you up#34; has to be the ultimate way to live your life, where work doesn't feel like work because you are not having to endure it, but also providing value in some way to others and providing for yourself and your family and on those days where mundane or undesirable situations arise, you are better equipped to take them in your stride. Sometimes I feel the need for some inspiration to remind me of this as reflected in this song, so please help to #34;Light somebody up#34; whenever you get the opportunity. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/boy-at-heart/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/boy-at-heart/#comments Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:34:11 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/boy-at-heart/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/boy-at-heart/feed/ 3:40 The adventure continues! Since embarking on The Weekly Songcast I have seen many developments in my journey towards fulfilling several ambitions of mine. Not that I ... The adventure continues! Since embarking on The Weekly Songcast I have seen many developments in my journey towards fulfilling several ambitions of mine. Not that I mean the songcast is the cause of these developments, no. I do think though that by staying committed to the songcast my awareness of what things are really important to me and therefore my focus on them has intensified and as a result those things are becoming more concrete in my reality. I have made another commitment too this week. I am getting married in June of this year and I did have, for want of a better term, a love song, which I was going to publish this week. However I thought that was a bit too predictable, so I decided to publish this song, which I started to write over 10 years ago, would you believe and only really had the creative spark to do it justice recently. This song feels quite appropriate, seeing as from now on I will have a more responsible role to play in life and therefore I suppose I will just have to grow up! Still, growing up will be a great adventure! Boy at Heart No matter how old we get, there is still a youthful part of us that doesn't ever seem to age. I believe that part is our true being. The part of us that does not live in the realm of ego, time, judgement or fear; simply connected to our natural state of joy. I think that's why that part of us commonly appears as child-like and often mischievous fun. We all have to grow up, but we must never ignore the fact that we are all boys girls at heart. Enjoy! Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/happy-if-i-wanna-be/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/happy-if-i-wanna-be/#comments Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:55:30 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/happy-if-i-wann-be/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/happy-if-i-wanna-be/feed/ 3:20 Some time ago, after noticing that a large amount of everyday stimuli in the form of TV, newspapers and news reports is potentially rather depressing ... Some time ago, after noticing that a large amount of everyday stimuli in the form of TV, newspapers and news reports is potentially rather depressing I decided to rebel and focus on being happy! I strongly believe that what we are exposed to on an everyday basis is what we come to expect as our reality and that expectation gives rise to it actually becoming what we experience most. With that in mind I wanted to affirm to myself that being happy is a choice and to consciously make that choice as much as possible. With so much doom #38; gloom being forced down our throats on TV no wonder many people have a miserable view of life, even if they don't realize it. I hardly watch TV now. I spend all my time writing songs for the Songcast now you know! ;-) Also it is often seen as quite #34;uncool#34; to write songs about being happy and most #34;serious#34; artists aren't expected to write songs about happiness very often. Is this due to a general expectation as I described above I wonder? Well in any event I decided to be rebellious and write a song about choosing to be happy. I don't care about being uncool because I am quite uncool anyway and comfortable with that. I'll Be Happy If I Wanna Be Being happy is a choice. I know that sounds like a clich#233; from a self-help manual, but it's the truth because in actuality, every feeling you have is a choice. If you can bridge the gap between the stimulus and the reaction to that stimulus with a moment of awareness then you will see how your instinctive reaction to something is the end result of a decision process. So now you know, choose to be happy... if you want to be. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/dont-steal-my-dream/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/dont-steal-my-dream/#comments Fri, 07 Mar 2008 21:01:03 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/dont-steal-my-dream/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/dont-steal-my-dream/feed/ 2:37 If you have visited here before you may have noticed that I seem to spend a lot of time singing about following or achieving dreams. ... If you have visited here before you may have noticed that I seem to spend a lot of time singing about following or achieving dreams. I don't see this trend changing all that quickly either, seeing as so far the lyrics that have come the easiest to me are on this subject. I suppose it reflects where I am in my life. Now I am actively putting into motion steps to take me closer to the life of my dreams it is foremost in my consciousness and no doubt where my habitual thinking is. I think that in the future when I look back over these songs, how they came about and when they were posted here I will get a very definite sense of what stage I was at in my quest for living the life of my dreams. The way I see them presently though is simply with the intention of inspiring those who listen to take the leap and pursue something that they dream about and to help them see that they do have the power, the ability and the courage to go after what they really want in life. I know that by doing this I am benefitting greatly. I am convincing myself every week, when I post a new song that I have what it takes to succeed in something I love to do. My dreams are what are propelling me more than ever right now, seeing as I have made a leap of faith by deciding to leave my current job and pursuing the life of my dreams. Doing this project helps keep the faith in myself alive. I really hope it has that kind of effect on others, even if it is just one person. Don't Steal My Dream There have been occasions when I have described something I really want to achieve to somebody and the response is one which seems a little negative, pessimistic or dis-believing. I would have taken this personally in the past, but now I realise that these reponses are NOT deliberately meant to throw water on my fire so to speak, just concerns from people who care. The attitude I have towards that now is just an inner voice reaffirming my faith in myself to follow through with my intentions and to be brave enough to accept if I find myself on the wrong path. That voice also calmy quotes the title to this week's song. Enjoy. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/being-brave/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/being-brave/#comments Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:29:45 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/being-brave/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/being-brave/feed/ 3:56 What a week! It's been a bit of a marathon songwriting spree for the last few days. Since registering and partaking in the FAWM challenge, which ... What a week! It's been a bit of a marathon songwriting spree for the last few days. Since registering and partaking in the FAWM challenge, which was to write 15 songs in February I was determined, not only to accomplish the challenge, but to do so with an emphasis on quality as well as quantity. It went all the way to the last day, but I did it! I'm very happy about this small, personal achievement, seeing as it was only two months ago that I still believed I couldn't write lyrics and therefore couldn't write complete songs. This challenge came at the right time and has allowed me to systematically blow that old belief out of the water! I have also made contact with a few great folks, who share similar interests to me and a mutual respect. So, equipped with my new found belief about what I am capable of I have several songs to choose from for this weeks song. The one I have chosen is pretty apt for the where I am right now, seeing as I have handed in my notice at my job and my commitment to something new and unknown is now official. After the progress made here following a determined commitment I am confident enough that I have made the right decision. I am so glad I started this project. Being Brave There are times when you are brave and you don't even realise how courageous you are being. That is when you are really engaged with life. Just remember that there is more to being brave than putting on a front and having a #34;stiff upper lip#34;. I'm sure there is at least one instance every day that everyone has the opportunity to be brave in one way or another. Take it! Enjoy. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/got-to-be-decisive/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/got-to-be-decisive/#comments Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:00:50 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/got-to-be-decisive/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/got-to-be-decisive/feed/ 4:29 First of all, almost as soon as I had finished recording this song I changed the lyrics! I didn't bother to re-record it though because ... First of all, almost as soon as I had finished recording this song I changed the lyrics! I didn't bother to re-record it though because it's such a small change. Future recordings of this will be called #34;Time to be Decisive#34;. Also I don't know what happened to my voice. The way it sounds really surprised me, but I think it's OK. It's been a bit of a slow week for me. I've been somewhat lacking in energy, especially creative energy, but rather than let it get to me I remained confident that I would have a brand new song in time for the next episode... Today! I had to get a song finished by Tuesday night this week due to work commitments and it went to the wire, but the calm attitude that I could do it was the key to my success because at the eleventh hour, so to speak, song 009 just came pouring out. This highlights something very important; a simple formula of having a very definite desire, backed by faith. Faith in yourself, your abilities and the faith that your desire will come about, in whatever way it has to. Of course this means that you may have to keep this faith and desire alive long enough to see the result materialize. That is often beyond the point where you feel like giving up, which unfortunately is where many people stop. Got to be Decisive A desire backed by faith can only really exist effectively by making a decision. It is the decision that triggers this amazing universe into action and provides you with all the signs you need to take action, be creative and to fulfil your desires. The decision is the biggest step towards any goal or desire. Got a decision to make? Make it and have faith in it. You made that decision for a reason. Enjoy. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/doing-nothing/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/doing-nothing/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:00:06 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/doing-nothing/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/doing-nothing/feed/ 2:39 I'm going out on a limb this week. Not only am I posting the week's song early (because of the date), I'm baring my sensitive ... I'm going out on a limb this week. Not only am I posting the week's song early (because of the date), I'm baring my sensitive side and singing a love song. It goes to show how my fear of whether I sound cool or not has diminished because this song isn't! Still like I said before this is all about writing songs with the intention that they provide something for those that listen and some people like love songs, so there. This was another one of those songs that quickly came out in the middle of creating another song. I was just ready to hit the record button and play the other song when I found myself strumming these simple chords and I had to take a rain check and focus on this. It took as long as it takes to play to write it. The other song still got recorded and that is a sentimental love song too, which will be coming up, most likely next week. Well it's Valentine's day, what do you expect? How many girlfriends get a song written for them specially for Valentine's Day? This is for you teerak! ;-) Doing Nothing (well something) No real message this week, except to say that if you love somebody tell them and if you want to write a song about it then write one. Enjoy. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/action/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/action/#comments Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:43:03 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/action/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/action/feed/ 3:16 A very different vibe this week. I was putting the finishing touches to two other songs and I had come to a sticking point. They ... A very different vibe this week. I was putting the finishing touches to two other songs and I had come to a sticking point. They were both coming along great, but just missing something and the last little bit needed wasn't there. I started messing around on my guitar to relax my mind a little when this song came out of nowhere. it just feels right the way it is even though it doesn't have that much of a structure to it. I even had a chance to put in a whistling solo! I enjoyed doing that bit, but I enjoyed freaking out a bit at the end of the song most. I have been very productive today. I took action on an inspired idea that showed itself today rather than taking random action to try and make something happen. In this instance reaults are achieved creatively and seemingly effortlessly. Action It is common for action to be confused with doing something, anything to acheive a particular result, but action is often misplaced. You can't really take effective action if you don't have a sense of purpose for that action. This is why so many of us are frustrated when we work so hard at something with no results. Focus your intention on why you're doing what you're doing and if it really is a purpose that inspires you, you will find the best course of action and it will never fail. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/kit-teung-i-miss-you/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/kit-teung-i-miss-you/#comments Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:00:20 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/kit-teung-i-miss-you/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/kit-teung-i-miss-you/feed/ 3:10 The idea for this song had been rattling around in my head for some time after I had heard some folk music from Thailand's Isaan ... The idea for this song had been rattling around in my head for some time after I had heard some folk music from Thailand's Isaan (North East) region. The rhythm of much of that music is quite upbeat and it inspired me to do something like that of my own, although the result is somewhat removed from the original sound in my head. This is mostly due to the fact that I could not play what was in my head on the guitar. This song, although apparently quite simple, brought me to discover a limitation in my playing ability, so I now have a new area to practice. Great! This means I have an opportunity to grow some more as a musician; no shying away from musical styles that I find too difficult to play. You will most likely hear that my playing ability is really being stretched beyond it's normal limit on this song! It's a lament with some added optimism. Kit Teung - Thai for "I miss you". Well, actually the literal translation is "Miss". "I miss you" is actually "Kit teung khun", but it is often just said as "Kit teung". There you are: Thai lesson over for today. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/ko-bidda/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/ko-bidda/#comments Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:09:28 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/ko-bidda/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/ko-bidda/feed/ 3:44 This song has some personal significance, so please excuse the self inulgence! Ko Bidda is a place in The Andaman Sea in ... This song has some personal significance, so please excuse the self inulgence! Ko Bidda is a place in The Andaman Sea in Thailand. Two large rocks to be precise: Ko Bidda Noi #38; Ko Bidda Nok. I nearly died in those waters, but if I had not experienced what I did there I would not have the amazing woman in my life that I do now. So I suppose, to be optimistic, you could say that there are no such things as ldquo;Badrdquo; experiences, only lessons to be learned if you are willing #38; ready to see them. I re-visited that place nearly two years after the Boxing Day Tsunami with my girlfriend and I had a very strong jolt of emotion, which is what evoked the lyrics in the chorus. The only thing I could think of was ldquo;Thank Yourdquo;. Ko Bidda - The place where my life #38; in fact my personality really did change completely and for the better in my opinion, although it took me a few years to start to see it. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-want-to-be-right/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-want-to-be-right/#comments Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:14:47 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-want-to-be-right/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/i-want-to-be-right/feed/ 4:35 Donrsquo;t we all? I realised this as I was thinking of all the times that I automatically chime in with an opinion. Without noticing, ... Donrsquo;t we all? I realised this as I was thinking of all the times that I automatically chime in with an opinion. Without noticing, we all do this. It is our self righteous streak that simply has to be heard and acknowledged by the world! How many times do you hear people tell you how it is or the way things are? Well Irsquo;m just as guilty of it, but I am becoming more aware of when I am doing it, as Irsquo;m doing it rather than after and sometimes I even catch it early enough to just shut up and listen. Thatrsquo;s the message really: To listen instead of satisfying your egorsquo;s desire to be right at all costs. If you stay quiet and listen long enough you may even notice that life-changing or million-dollar idea that is rattling around inside your head. I really enjoyed playing this song. In fact the lyrics spilled out quicker than anything. I literally sat down and wrote this one straight off the pen, hardly pausing. This is proof enough to me that when you commit to something whole-heartedly, you really can achieve success very quickly. Never underestimate your desire or your imagination. It can be done.... Be well and enjoy! I Want to be Right - In truth, being right is not particularly important and most commonly we tell ourselves we were right or ldquo;I knew itrdquo; when things go wrong. Especially in those cases, donrsquo;t you think being alive #38; happy is more important than being right? Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/no-matter-what-you-have-done-or-not-done/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/no-matter-what-you-have-done-or-not-done/#comments Fri, 11 Jan 2008 21:23:18 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/no-matter-what-you-have-done-or-not-done/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/no-matter-what-you-have-done-or-not-done/feed/ 4:18 I think this one came out pretty well. The words just ldquo;happenedrdquo;, which always is a good sign as far as Irsquo;m concerned. If you ... I think this one came out pretty well. The words just ldquo;happenedrdquo;, which always is a good sign as far as Irsquo;m concerned. If you listen out you may hear a few nods to a couple of particular songwriters, but it wasnrsquo;t pre-conceived to be like that. I just opened my mouth, strummed my guitar and let it happen. I would also like to thank Dr. John F. DeMartini for providing me with the inspiration for the title and main message. Always remember: No matter what you have done or not done, you are worthy of love. If you resent #38; judge somebody or if you put them on a pedestal for being ldquo;greaterrdquo; than you, you are only seeing something that you have yourself that you have not yet learned to love. Enjoy the song. No Matter What - ldquo;Donrsquo;t forget that you will make a differencerdquo;. It might as well be a lasting, positive difference. Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/alive/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/alive/#comments Fri, 04 Jan 2008 18:28:18 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/alive/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/alive/feed/ 2:26 Irsquo;ve been under attack by some mystery illness for the last few days. Fever, aching (mainly in the kidneys), headaches and feeling so weak I ... Irsquo;ve been under attack by some mystery illness for the last few days. Fever, aching (mainly in the kidneys), headaches and feeling so weak I could hardly lift my guitar. Still, that is not a good enough excuse for neglecting the commitment to the songcast, so I made sure that I got something down. Itrsquo;s nothing like I had imagined before I sat down to write today, but I like it. Itrsquo;s very rough #38; ready, which I think is great. Irsquo;m still feeling really ropey too, so this weekrsquo;s song was actually a physical achievement as much as anything. Enjoy! Alive - The word ldquo;Teerakrdquo; in the second verse, in case yoursquo;re wondering is a Thai word and it means ldquo;My Loverdquo;. It has become one of the most frequently used words in my vocabulary, so it just had to make it into a song and may even make itrsquo;s way into more songs... Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No http://www.weeklysongcast.com/moment/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/moment/#comments Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:07:09 +0000 PowerBook Producer http://www.weeklysongcast.com/moment/ http://www.weeklysongcast.com/moment/feed/ 3:50 Well I managed to fulfill my promise to myself to get the first song up by New Yearrsquo;s day. In fact, to make sure it ... Well I managed to fulfill my promise to myself to get the first song up by New Yearrsquo;s day. In fact, to make sure it was on time I even uploaded it early. I didnrsquo;t spend any real time on production. I just wanted the song in existence. This is a landmark and I donrsquo;t want to clutter it up with saying too much. Just let the song say what it wants to say, so I hope it is enjoyed and appreciated The first Song of The Weekly Songcast is called ldquo;Momentrdquo; Songs Robert Cooke - PowerBook Producer no No