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Horse without a Cause

by Michael McDaeth

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  • Full Digital Discography

    11
    releases

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Horse without a Cause, No. 9, The Socket Set - Disc 4, The Socket Set - Disc 5, The Socket Set - Disc 6, The Socket Set - Disc 1, The Socket Set - Disc 2, The Socket Set - Disc 3, and 3 more. , and , .

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1.
Horse without a Cause 03:45
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We get busy doing things No time for you no time for me And they say well that’s a life As empty as it may be Somebody please explain Why we’re throwing it all away We no longer see the sky For all the clouds in the way I’m just a horse without a cause Onward we go and it's flat as you know I’ve drunk from here to there Got answers in my bones in my bloodstream And who knows I don’t have to die To know how or why Round and round and round and round I go up and down and across And in-between I’m lost Your guess is as good as mine I’m just a horse without a cause You can lead me to an altar But you can’t make me pray Don’t think I’m an unbeliever I’m just believing in another way I’m just a horse without a cause
2.
No Message 03:58
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I come from the middle of nowhere My aim was to get out Between my eyes and uh, huh My message is no message I can’t take anymore These pills got me painting the floor Beg if I must I will I can’t remember before My message is no message [harmonica] I’m on my way back to nowhere Inside is what it’s about Took me a lifetime to know My message is no message
3.
I ain't gonna Die 02:27
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Oh won’t you take me with you the ending is tonight Everyone’s excited and I’m wondering why Take me to the water take me to the sand I won’t make a fuss love I will be a man I ain’t gonna Die I went to the market thought I found me a home She said it isn’t here man I’ll end up alone Feeling neglected but you know I can’t complain What’s the use anyway cause all I have to say I ain’t gonna Die Hey sweet nothing I can see you on the wall Will you come down if I promise you a song That goes for the heart that goes for the soul So come on back inside where everybody knows I ain’t gonna Die
4.
Teacup 02:16
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You see I don’t mind I’m just a cartoon And then I’m in the sky Yeah, I think about me and you I’m all alone and where are you now I’ve got to drown myself to sleep Every night Teacup My mind is half dark To shield the dream from the truth The two of us Got a rock in my shoe The traffic’s bad There’s a posse of çrows Skydiving a hawk Teacup
5.
No No No 03:24
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Meet me on the hardline Almost dead when I was Awful sick – I couldn’t take it anymore Everywhere the hills, high I take it on the chin yeah Hang it on the way in A hard stain – pray for rain Momma said – I’m a no no no Momma said – I’m a no no no – no no no Every night – I lick my wounds I plot my revenge – watch a show Have a drink – bleed my soul Momma said – I’m a no no no Momma said – I’m a no no no – no no no So meet me on the hardline We’ll make it a good time For all the time that’s left Everywhere the hills, rise Momma said – I’m a no no no Momma said – I’m a no no no – no no no
6.
Hardly get Enough of You 04:14
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Dug down in my pockets I spent my last diamond Share yourself with someone else When I’m gone don’t think about it hold my heart I’ve taken ill Show me the message I won’t make a fuss yeah Heal me for holy I’m dying of sadness I appreciate your love I can hardly get enough of you Salt me a lemon I can’t walk on these heels I’m broke and overheated Like a shitbox on wheels hold my heart I’ve taken ill I can hardly get enough of you x2 Slowly I’m going Where I‘ve no answers I’m empty as the cupboards But I’m hoping for something cause I’m so hungry to live a little longer I can hardly get enough of you
7.
More Time 03:33
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If I were a winner A big ass winner A loosey juicy winner I’d make more time Much much more time If I were a sinner The worst kind of sinner The winner of sinners I’d make more time Much much more time Give me more time - give me more time - give me more time - just a little more time Give me more time - give me more time - so I can feel like a winner another stupid winner If I were a goody, a goody goody goody The goodiest goody I’d make more time Much much more time Give me more time - give me more time - give me more time - just a little more time Give me more time - give me more time - so I can feel like a winner another stupid winner
8.
Nothing's Dead if Nothing's Alive 03:20
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Home, Love I’m home Yeah, I’ll make sure the door is locked Pretty sure I’m not lost Hope, out of hope, out of hope Try to aim for something next time Don’t be afraid to fall to the side Nothing’s Dead if nothing’s Alive Insane, they say I’m insane I’m not the one running for my life I’m not the one afraid of what I might find Nothing’s Dead if nothing’s Alive Love, the Lord above Sure has it in for me I couldn’t walk now I can’t be Carrying on like I can’t see Nothing’s Dead if nothing’s Alive
9.
Put it in a Love Song 04:05
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You and me here we go A novelty who knows Under taught oversold A head wind blows and blows Put it in a love song - kick it down the road She’s a high roller at the end of her rope Leaving me to wonder will she be a ghost Her hair is long, dirty blonde I’m the victim of my hope Put it in a love song - kick it down the road The years fly by in an instant We’re left feeling a resistance Nothing dies if nothing’s alive So carry on bye bye bye bye All I ever wanted I wanted for her To tell me something I never heard I’ve been wishing she’ll get it out her system By her own admission she probably won’t Put it in a love song - kick it down the road
10.
Tan Moon 02:15
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Tan Moon I ain’t waiting for the blues Another one of those moods Dragging down the avenue Tell me what I think I’ll do Day is night night is thick We know why Tan Moon Run away run away Don’t face me Busy your head Pretend that I’m dead Tan Moon Burn burn let it burn It ain’t your concern Stay inside it ain’t safe The sky’s on fire Tan Moon
11.
We made Memories but none were Saved 04:03
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When I was weaker than this and I had a head wound Dropping my innocence packing up and leaving home Pay me now or pay me never I don’t care Hell in the water hell as well on your own We made memories but none were saved Pain on the inside pain in the way you gotta live Look me over I’m from Minnesota so what? Make me an offer or drop that stupid grin We made memories but none were saved Thought I was dying turns out I’m living for now Death isn’t scary it’s life that turns inside out If I were a believer I’d be well on my way We made memories but none were saved Shame on your honor shame on your house of cards Helping me helping me helping me help myself Hey love I’m sorry I can’t get to my feet Thought I was something with something to gain We made memories but none were saved
12.
It's a Good Day 02:54
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It was just yesterday I ran out The road is ruined and it’s dark dark dark I know I don’t know where I’m going It’s doubtful I know what I’m saying I can’t help myself I got big mouth These meds are making my head spin think I’ll beg off today and try it again You know some feelings never go away Don’t lose yourself in hate hate hate It’s a good, it’s a good, it’s a good day it’s a good day I made my peace with the man upstairs Mother’s had a bellyful it ain’t easy anywhere I can’t mourn your death I’m trying to survive Though I can clearly, clearly see the light Something’s on fire love better run a line That’s how I get all twisted up inside Let’s drive somewhere and walk around outside It’s so damn beautiful just being alive It’s a good, it’s a good, it’s a good day it’s a good day
13.
Mississippi Orphan 04:04
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This pill packed mama — a sad sack drama — gave the house to the haunted left me for a lucid hama llama everyone is heart taken - full speed - won’t make it - no way I’m an empty vessel charming make the most of economics Mississippi, I’m a Mississippi orphan She was hardly even here though I knew her twenty years I’m hoping you’ll see me in the morning - baking in the corner - making up stories I had my glory but it was over before i knew it they tossed me in a bag and threw me in the water Mississippi, I’m a Mississippi orphan I’m a big lizard I’m a catfish I’m a dramatist I’m an orphan Mississippi, I’m a Mississippi orphan
14.
I Can't Say 04:50
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I’ve said enough by now bout the many things I doubt I used to pray May again someday I used to think I could get away from myself Who else? I can’t say I’ve learned to love even you Though you stayed away when I needed you Who are you? I can’t say It’s all PR today What will they spin with a recycled hymn It’s hard to believe you get 11 out of 10 Is this the end? I can’t say I wan’t jambalaya in the evening in New Orleans I want sticky ribs in Korea Just remember this There are things I can’t say I can’t say

about

Horse without a Cause is McDaeth’s (Mc-Day-eth) first official release since his sprawling 7 disc 49 song 2012 release The Socket Set. Horse is somewhat of a departure for McDaeth who eschews the wild anything goes expression of so many of his earlier records for a more measured reflective approach. The instrumentation remains much the same with every cut on the record having a live performance of vocals, guitar & oftentimes a harmonica as its base. Some songs were left as is while others were dressed up with drums, bass, guitars, keys, and a spattering of mandolin. The overall sound is a range of acoustic alt/pop/rock/country with a few exceptions as well as the keys giving some songs a 60s vibe.

A few years ago Michael was planning to record an album that explored his life growing up in northern Minnesota with horses and a cowboy dad as well as the music he was exposed to at the time. In the early days his cowboy dad controlled the music and it was almost exclusively Country-Western: Hank Williams, Marty Robbins, Buck Owens and all the rest. In those days isolation was real he heard more 40s Big Band (another one of his old man's favorites) and Burt Bacharach than Bob Dylan or The Beatles. 

Eventually he was exposed to all that 60s music as it was everywhere even in the 70s and he loved it but it was punk that grabbed him and inspired nearly everything he’s done as a singer songwriter since. 
Fast forward to 2018 McDaeth woke to find he had lost his ability to walk overnight. If that shock wasn't enough he found out he had a tumor on his spine caused by an incurable cancer called multiple myeloma. Over the next year he endured radiation, chemo and a bone marrow transplant all while learning to walk again. He kept writing songs hoping he'd get the chance to make another record if he was lucky enough.

Well, he was lucky enough and after everything he went through he was looking to connect and have meaningful fun with this new record. Horse without a Cause is in part an homage to the days and music of his youth combined with his experience with cancer, learning to walk again, and facing his death.

Horse without a Cause is available as a digital download and Compact
Disc at Bandcamp. It is streaming everywhere and he’s planning on a vinyl release later this year. He will be touring when things open up.

credits

released March 22, 2021

written & recorded by Michael McDaeth

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Michael McDaeth Seattle, Washington

In 2018 Michael McDaeth (Mc-Day-eth) was diagnosed with an incurable cancer called multiple myeloma. Facing death, surviving chemo, radiation and the rest hasn't stopped his need to make music. His new record "Horse without a Cause" explores his life and musical influences from Dylan, the Beatles, Punk etc.. ... more

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