They Live by Night

Vic Holman

Get Flash to see this player.

Description

a song about "they", not to be confused with "them". or it's about shadows and what do they do when no one pays attention to them.

the whole composition came to me one evening when i was just playing around on the guitar. i was pretty inspired, so the next morning i recorded the bulk of this. then i got lazy and it took a week to work out some lyrics

not a traditional blues song but all the elements are there.

Leave a Comment

You must be registered and logged-in to comment.

Lyrics

They Live By Night

there are rumors all over town
there are secrets handed down
you hear the whispers making plans
there are people who don't understand
in the shadows, late at night
in places, out of sight
where they live by night

chorus:
you can ignore the shadows
they live by night
from the shadows they made their plans
i know they live by night

there are voices that don't say a thing
there are shadows, sight unseen
they never sleep when the world is dead
disappear in the light
in places out of sight
where they live by night

chorus:
you can ignore the shadows
they live by night
from the shadows they made their plans
i know they live by night

they live as a shadow of doubt
whispers when, no one's around
no one remembers day after day
loose the light, pull the shades
live in the shadows every night
in places out of sight
where they live by night

chorus:
you can ignore the shadows
they live by night
from the shadows they made plans
i know they live by night

Song Stats

Hits: 1138
Comments: 31
Fans: 26
Plays: 81
Downloads: 57
Votes:
Uploaded: Nov 02, 2008 - 03:20:41 PM
Last Updated: Nov 02, 2008 - 03:20:41 PM Last Played: Nov 07, 2009 - 02:21:08 PM

Song License

Creative Commons License:
NoDerivs-NonCommercial

Song Actions

Hardware:

iMac, epiphone dot delux, ibanez sa & a white fender strat w/noiseless pickups, shector bass, digitech gnx2, ibanez tube screamer, presonus firebox, condenser mike, m-audio keyboard

Software:

logic pro 8

Comments

Rocha Malhada	Rocha Malhada said 388 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	had me looking over the shoulder....... cool transition to break and back out. Song kind of 'trudges along' in keeping with the dark theme. . - Harold Check out my latest song called Kanun Oud Rock (LIOLI9)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	Thanks Harold i am a trudgy type a guy at times. at least that's the word on the street. Check out my latest song called November

Bob Rodgers	Bob Rodgers said 388 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	A nice blues song Vic! Enjoyed this very much, great production and performance as always, a great sound. Loved it! Bob Check out my latest song called In My Mind

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	Thanks Bob i do have some more typical blues songs that i jam around with, but have yet to record. so i figured it was about time i submitted something. Check out my latest song called November

dajama	dajama said 388 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	Very cool I really like the lyrics, and the imagery is very effective. Some really great lines, and a tremendous sense of foreboding and paranoia permeates the whole track. Very cool. Lovely guitar work as ever, and I like those drums - nice thick snare sound. NIcely done. Peace. Check out my latest song called Across the Wire (MJRF)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	Thanks David I was aiming to try and finish this and post it for halloween. seemed appropriate. but i fell a few days behind. Check out my latest song called November

lavalamp	lavalamp said 388 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	Lyrics Really liked the lyrics on this one. production was top notch as always. "You can't ignore the shadows", very nice line, Vic. Guitar was also spectacular, too. As was the Vox. Dave Check out my latest song called Googolplex Times Zero

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	Thanks Dave it's getting dark to soon in the evenings so that got me going on the lyrics. and i haven't seem much of my shadow hanging around all that much. i wonder if it his taken on a part time job. Check out my latest song called November

Feter	Feter said 388 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	They Live by Night well can we call this Psychodelic blues ??? ...defiently an outstanding song ...with special kind of structure !! I just love that tube screamer ..man !!! ...this song rocks ...thnx alot for sharing !!! Check out my latest song called A Night With Feter feat'(Roxylee sloparts crissew johnwhitehead and Yamin AL Yamani )

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	Thanks Feter you know i wouldn't do a standard blues tune. lol there's nothing like a old tube screamer for a good cutting lead. I've had it 20 years and it still keeps on going. Check out my latest song called November

segiperkasa	segiperkasa said 388 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	cool. That was cool... The guitar solo is cool... Check out my latest song called Sepiroth Strings of Fire Symphony

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	thanks very much i usually treat the solo section as a separate piece. thanks for the listen! I appreciate it. Check out my latest song called November

MarkHolbrook	MarkHolbrook said 387 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	Hi Vic As usual this is fantastic... Love the bridge! Very cool all throughout! Check out my latest song called Never Say Goodbye - Bond Challenge

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	thanks Mark i thought the bridge before and after the solo would make for a cool detour. it's not blusey but i figured what the heck. thanks again Mark! Check out my latest song called November

egobandit	egobandit said 387 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	shadow! mine dances a jig behind my back. I think my shadow is partial to them. Some beautiful arrangement in the lead part. excellent and downloaded Check out my latest song called when its love

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 385 days ago (November 4th, 2008)
	hey Tim where do shadows go in the dark. I'm pretty sure mine goes to a card game when I'm a sleep. could explain why it drags behind me in the morning. Check out my latest song called November

bud	bud said 387 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	Nice pacing Vic stately and grand - creepy and strange - funereal and dark. Cool lead and really nice drum work all around. You make it hard for me to believe I can do anything so intentional as this. Great track. Check out my latest song called try not to think

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 385 days ago (November 4th, 2008)
	Hey Kevin i knew if i was going to do a blues tune. it wouldn't be a standard. thought i would take it the devil himself. Check out my latest song called November

thetiler

thetiler said 387 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)

You got a terrific rock style
vic!

Great resonance in your voice really pulls of the rock sound. Plus the terrific placement to your electric guitars. Great combinations. You deliver truly lots of the best rock sounds here at MJ.

To pretty high quality vic. I was very influence when I started life with the guitar by the kinks (i've said that before) But you really know how to bring me back in time. But to me it's time to have a great sound like this again. I am amazed at your nack to bring out lots of cool "vic" sounds.

Check out my latest song called The Bluebird Cafe (with two other guest)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 385 days ago (November 4th, 2008)
	Thanks Bill they say all good things come back around. Or so I'm hoping and at least now-a-days it's in stereo! Check out my latest song called November

LunaTrick	LunaTrick said 387 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	Great tune.. Like the way you double the voices - great production all around! Check out my latest song called Luna Gypsy Heart II (Eternal Firelight)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 385 days ago (November 4th, 2008)
	Thanks Daniel I was a total beginner at recording when i first joined here. i knew i had to dig in just to keep up. still do. Check out my latest song called November

Relic67	Relic67 said 387 days ago (November 2nd, 2008)
	cool great vocals and guitars. punchy, trebly sounding guitars with tremolo are s awesome. minor key blues with horror lyrics... gotta like it. enjoyable post. Check out my latest song called Novis Libris

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 385 days ago (November 4th, 2008)
	well.... i had originally planned to get it done and posted on halloween, which seemed appropriate. but i got delayed a few days. and it's to dark to early nowadays. Check out my latest song called November

Cori Ander	Cori Ander said 387 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	Lots Lots of things that make this a grand song, I want to point out just one thing thugh: the guitar solo ... beautiful! (sometimes I hear Phil Manzanera in your guitar)... Check out my latest song called Guitar test — Martin CSN (Gerry Tolman Tribute)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 385 days ago (November 4th, 2008)
	Thanks Cori i always enjoy adding little touches when creating something. thats the fun part of it all. the solo section i wanted to be some what different to see how it would go. Check out my latest song called November

TG	TG said 387 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	Clean yet Raw Finely crafted tune, much enjoyed Vic! Check out my latest song called Think Of Me

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 385 days ago (November 4th, 2008)
	Hey Tom it has to have an edge to be a bit blusey. i really didn't try to refine much the bulk was recorded without much practice. the vocals was a second take. I doubt if the voice would of held out for a third. Check out my latest song called November

davisamerica	davisamerica said 387 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	:-] You can do no wrong Vic ! Check out my latest song called No Son(egobandit band)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 384 days ago (November 5th, 2008)
	thanks Jack actually i never know if I'm doing it right. second guessing can be a curse. Check out my latest song called November

michael2	michael2 said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	sweet this is soo much better than the cream reunion awhile back. great song Vic. you never disappoint. loving that subtle slide part and the breakdown before the solo is really pretty (and crafty). another keeper. Check out my latest song called Behind Enemy Lines (w/Bud and Particle Dots)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 384 days ago (November 5th, 2008)
	thanks Michael someone gave the cream dvd, i wasn't very impressed. sad to say. although with that said, i did try to emulate a bit of clapton in the solo. Check out my latest song called November

Ibstrat	Ibstrat said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	A new song from you is cause for celebration.You have an instantly recognizable vocal,guitar and songwriting style.If I ran a record label I would sign you.Actually if I ran a record label I would probably be out of work!Great song. Check out my latest song called Blues in Bm

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 384 days ago (November 5th, 2008)
	Thanks Mark if i ran a record label, everyone would be out of work. at this point i really need to figure out what to do with a lot of the songs i've done. after some tweeking of course Check out my latest song called November

WillyB	WillyB said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	... ..some superb guitar sounds here. call me crazy, but I can easily imagine this on an alice cooper album. I mean that in a complimentary way. Very nice work! Check out my latest song called Lazy River (w/TERRAPLANE)

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 384 days ago (November 5th, 2008)
	Thanks Willy I was really into the Alice Cooper band way back when. I would spend a lot of time learning all the songs off of 'Killer', which is still one of my favorite albums. Check out my latest song called November

guygrooves	guygrooves said 386 days ago (November 3rd, 2008)
	Cool concept Vic and great delivery. Peace Guy Check out my latest song called Last Day Here

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 384 days ago (November 5th, 2008)
	Thanks Guy i thought something a little spooky for the lyrics would be something in the spirit of halloween time. cool new tune of yours. Check out my latest song called November

lengold	lengold said 386 days ago (November 4th, 2008)
	Ooooh Creeeeepy Fantastic lyrics - especially for a paranoid like me. Superb vocals and musicianship/production. Another bullseye Vic. Great stuff. Cheers Len Check out my latest song called Dodgy Doughnut

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 384 days ago (November 5th, 2008)
	Thanks Len something a little Edgar Allen Poe, not foe the faint of heart who jump at their own shadows Check out my latest song called November

rsorensen	rsorensen said 385 days ago (November 5th, 2008)
	shadow people really like the guitar in this one and the concept is cool too. great post! Check out my latest song called Keep Your Chin Up

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 384 days ago (November 5th, 2008)
	thanks Ridd sometimes i swear i see something moving in the shadows.... usually monkeys just on the edge of the car headlights. Check out my latest song called November

FEEL	FEEL said 382 days ago (November 8th, 2008)
	Never thought about it but I thought THEY were always there. Great concept and a fine song to boot. Thanks for sharing.... It's always an enjoyable listen. Check out my latest song called Pigs Fly

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 381 days ago (November 8th, 2008)
	Thanks John oh they are there all right. usually behind or underneath, collecting dust bunnies thanks for the listen John Check out my latest song called November

BossHook	BossHook said 382 days ago (November 8th, 2008)
	Outstanding guitar trem tone - I get a total Lennon meets Steve Miller feel from this - well written and played. Check out my latest song called You're Like Whiskey

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 381 days ago (November 8th, 2008)
	Thanks John the trem was a must. I hadn't thought of the Miller in the mix. cool, i really dig your new song. Check out my latest song called November

apb	apb said 382 days ago (November 8th, 2008)
	Excellent guitars .. as I would expect.. but I must commend you on your oustanding vocals in this, really strong and "nothing held back", confident and inspired- really shows. Nice Halloween-esque vibe to it .. love the creepy ventriloquists dummy... shivers. Excellent production, mix and choon to boot. Check out my latest song called Misplaced

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 381 days ago (November 8th, 2008)
	Thanks Alan spooky yes. i made it under the wire on the vocals. usually i can only do three takes before the voice goes flat. luckily i got this in the second. by the time i added the backing vocals, my voice was pretty well done for the day. Check out my latest song called November

Lennon714	Lennon714 said 381 days ago (November 9th, 2008)
	cool song Lyrics are fantastic. It's almost as is Michael Penn and Leonard Cohen did a collaboration. Two of my favs. The chorus is especially tastey with that hint of light, then back to melancholy. Check out my latest song called Anarchy, Inc.

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 379 days ago (November 10th, 2008)
	thanks Eric I was also thinking a little edgar allen poe as well. thanks for the listen and stay in the light! Check out my latest song called November

Rik_Berryere

Rik_Berryere said 380 days ago (November 10th, 2008)

Amazing Voice!
...almost seems redundant to rave about your guitars; you always seem to slide in the most unexpected twists in the layers of guitar Holmanism, and it always sounds fresh and exciting. But your voice is sounding stronger and fuller, and this one's right out of the ballpark.

Are you EVER going to come with a CD? Sell a zillion copies, get on the cover of Guitar Player magazine, become an icon, have ten million yoots do air guitar to your tunes in "Rock Band", get on the cover of Rolling Stone, host a cooking show and ultimately buy Fox News and recast it with robot monkey butlers?

I'd love to see a cooking show hosted by Vic Holman. Just sayin'.

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 379 days ago (November 10th, 2008)
	Thanks Rik heck I can hardly give the stuff away for free. a cooking show? now there's a train wreck just waiting to happen. cook a batch of something and eat it for the next three days. maybe on the extra days, i would suggest, sit in front of the tv and show old cartoons Check out my latest song called November

Bob6stringer

Bob6stringer said 380 days ago (November 10th, 2008)

Strange Days redux
Digging the shimmer. Takes me back to Halloween, even. Your songwriting and performance are tops. I very timidly offer the possibility of dialing-down the vox a few dbs to bring-up the band (while not obscuring the vox, since this is still lyrically driven). I guess I want all the parts to get equal billing.

The brooding, bashing performance mixed with the dark carnival feeling this gives me prompts me compare it to the Cramps covering the Doors' "Strange Days." I'm out of line, I know.

Check out my latest song called Yours and Mine

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 379 days ago (November 10th, 2008)
	ya know .... if i dropped the vocals down into the mix, then would be told to bring them up. it's happened. it's the eternal seesaw of life. lol. cramps doing the doors, now there's a cool idea. Check out my latest song called November

Trillian

Trillian said 377 days ago (November 12th, 2008)

they live as a shadow of doubt...
very interesting image!!! : ) Not fond of the ventriloquist's dummy though - saw a movie when I was very young - all I remember was antique dolls killing off a family one by one - (way before those icky Chucky movies) - isn't it strange how some things stick in the back of your mind and provoke a visceral reaction every time you catch a glimpse of something similar even decades later? And definitely not fond of Jack-in-the-Boxes either!!! : )

Vic Holman	Vic Holman said 372 days ago (November 17th, 2008)
	the dummy....... .... looks so innocent in the daylight. some friends got him for me from a antique store. unfortunatley i don't know how to throw my voice. lol Check out my latest song called November

Re-al	Re-al said 369 days ago (November 20th, 2008)
	Sounds like Clapton for sure and if I speed this up I get White Room. Stunning. Check out my latest song called Bordertown (LIVE)

Studioplayer	Studioplayer said 368 days ago (November 21st, 2008)
	Nice lyrics Cool bluesy type of song. Not too over the top. A good listen. I like the lyrics. :) Check out my latest song called The One I Like

rover101	rover101 said 345 days ago (December 15th, 2008)
	Downloaded What more can I say Check out my latest song called Call My Baby Rover

Fan List

Artist Info

Name: Vic Holman

I work as a creative/art director for a advertising agency in Spokane, Washington. I've been at this site for 5 years now. It's been one heck of a ride. I've also been fortunate to collaborate with Bud Streets of Dehli Everyday And... [see more]

Check out some of my other songs:

Genre Info

The blues is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on a pentatonic scale and a characteristic twelve-bar chord progression. The form evolved in the United States in the communities of former African slaves from spirituals, praise songs, field

More songs in Blues (contemporary):

Chat

awigze	12
bowens	39
Cheeto	12
daibhre	50
Pete_NB	39
Vaisvil	2