Mike Breen Music - Mike's Blog

Mike Breen Music

Video Premier of my song "Harbor Lights" from my cd "Fancy Balloons."

2/22/2021

Harbor Lights (c. Michael J Breen, Breensongs Pub. BMI)

These Harbor Lights shine like diamonds and the Autumn air is cold
And the fog looks like a giant blanket starting to unfold
and from this hill top we built dreams that sailed this harbor wide
but now my love, you’re somewhere far beyond these harbor lights

Seattle’s home, this is the place I carved your name in stone
the waves would crack the rocks like thunder as we’d make love all night long
but now the water’s calm and moonlight’s shining in the tide
and the boat your on is somewhere far beyond these harbor lights

(CHORUS)
Oh they shine like diamonds
they sparkle in the rain
and my heart is wondering
if I’ll feel that way again

One by one the lights go out as the day begins to dawn
And the morning chill makes me shiver and the wind cuts to the bone
and it’s then I wonder if you’ve found someone to hold you tight
and if you ever think of home and miss these harbor lights

(CHORUS)
Oh they shine like diamonds
they sparkle in the rain
and my heart is wondering
if I’ll feel that way again

These harbor lights shine like diamonds

Song #8 in my Covid Original Song Series - "Halfway Down" - (Breen) -

2/20/2021

HALFWAY DOWN (Breen)

It was a dangerous day in the grocery store
much busier than I’ve seen it before
folks backed up on aisle nine
trying to get to the chips and the beer and the wine
I was dodgin’ and duckin’ cuttin’ left and right
All masked up and ready for a fight

My grocery cart was filled to the brim
with toilet paper, sanitizer, whiskey and gin
when I made my move down the doughnut aisle
but I was stopped in my tracks by a woman and her child
I had to decide whether to turn around
‘cause they were wearing their masks halfway down

CHORUS 1
Below the nose, even under the chin
shedding’ the virus right off of the skin
It’s like a plumber’s butt you don’t give a f**k
and you look like a clown
When you wear you mask
halfway down

So I pulled a wheelie and spun around
made a quick detour I was checkout bound
gave up on the doughnuts but grabbed some chips
quesadilla, cheese, salsa and dip
No time for eating’ healthy these days
the produce aisle is a coviddy maze

Got in line socially distanced we spread
6 feet behind me and 6 feet ahead ahead
When all of a sudden this guy walks by
asked if we’re all waiting in line
we all froze up - My heart began to pound
‘cause he was wearing his mask halfway down

chorus 2
Below the nose, even under the chin
shedding’ the virus right off of the skin
It’s like a plumber’s butt you don’t give a f**k
and you look like a clown
When you wear you mask
halfway down

Finally made it outside loaded my stuff
breathed a sigh of relief when I got in my truck
Lord, all I could do was hope and pray
I didn’t get the covid in the store that day
too many spreaders walking’ around
wearing’ their masks halfway down

Below the nose, under the chin
shedding’ the virus right off of the skin
It’s like a plumber’s butt you don’t give a f**k
and you look like a clown
When you wear you mask
halfway down
halfway dawn…halfway down…..

maybe I should start getting my groceries delivered
“Hello, Instacart?”

Video Premier - Fly Away With Me - (Breen)

2/19/2021

7th Song I just wrote for my Covid Christmas Series. "Mean Old World" (Breen)

1/29/2021

Mean Old World (Breen)

What can I do to make things better
What can I say to make it ok
Even though It ain’t gettin’ easier
I’m always here every night and every day

CHORUS
‘cause you’re still my angel
Daddy’s little girl
heart full of kindness
In a mean old world

A long time ago I’d put you on my shoulders
we’d walk to the park laughing all the way
you’re mom would get mad but we’d just ignore her
that smile’s in my heart and it’ll never go away

CHORUS
‘cause you’re still my angel
Daddy’s little girl
heart full of kindness
In a mean old world

Harder times well, I’ve never known them
You don’t want to talk and that’s ok
But I’m always here, always hopin’
To see that smile again someday

CHORUS
“cause you’re still my angel
Daddy’s little girl
heart full of kindness
In a mean old world

CHORUS
‘cause you’re still my angel
Daddy’s little girl
heart full of kindness
In a mean old world

12 News segment on my covid music series!!! Click on photo to see.

1/22/2021

Sixth #6 Song I just wrote for my Covid Christmas Series. Here's one called "Just Hold On."

1/18/2021

Just Hold On (Breen)

In the morning of our darkness and deliverance
the reckoning is clearly at hand
and the days that lay before us are on shifting sand
And the purpose of our time we don’t understand

So just hold on
just hold on
if you can

We can shine the light of truth across the atmosphere
we can try to open up their eyes to see
But the fog’s so thick and heavy and the water’s deep
and the light from the lighthouse is getting harder to see

So just hold on
just hold on
if you can

There are angels among us trying to save our lives
Battered and beaten as they watch us die
Frustrated by the ignorance
they hang their heads and cry
wondering if we’ll ever
awake from the big lie

Oh just hold on
just hold on
if you can

Just Like Me (Breen, Dixon, Breen)

1/17/2021

JUST LIKE ME (Breen, Dixon, Breen)

I saw a family beside the road
a sign in the father’s hand
it said “we are hungry will work for food
help if you think you can’

I thought about stopping to help them out
but suddenly I was afraid
so many excuses came to mind
I ended up driving away

and when I look in the mirror
their faces are all I can see
their sad eyes turn away
and I hear them saying to m

CHORUS
You never know what’s gonna happen
the future’s not ours to see
one day you’re rollin’ in the clover
the next day you look just like me

We step into our sheltered homes
silently keeping us safe
we feast at the table of plenty
quietly saying our grace

Deep in the night our children dream
of cowboys and little bo peep
how in god’s name does a homeless child
dream when he can’t even sleep

with the way things are going
it’s people like you and me
who way up some morning
lookin’ at life on the street

CHORUS
Oh…You never know what’s gonna happen
the future’s not ours to see
one day you’re rollin’ in the clover
the next day you look just like me

You never know what’s gonna happen
the future’s not ours to see
one day you’re rollin’ in the clover
the next day you look just like me

Mike Breen - guitar, mandolin and lead vocals
Kevin Stoller - piano
Kyle Harris - bass
Ron Rutowski - violin
Mike Barton - drums
Vickie Ray Jordan, Michelle Nicolo, Terry Thompson - background vocals
Produced by Bob "Willard" Henke
Recorded at Tim Hunnicutt's Studio
written by Mike Breen, Stacy Breen and Gigi Dixon

Fifth #5 song I just wrote for my Covid Christmas Series. Here's one called "Know You Well."

12/26/2020

Know You Well (Breen)

Know You Well

Lookin’ out my open window
As the people pass by
No idle conversation
No “hellos” or “byes”

And we’re all just staying home now
We’re like strangers sometimes
So, I’m dialing your number
before this moment slips by

CHORUS
‘Cause I don’t know if I’ve told you
how good you make me feel
or how much you really matter to my world
like some sunkin’ treasure or a pearl inside a shell
I’m so happy to have found you
and taken the time to
know you well

I’ve been thinkin’ of you lately
Don’t know why I haven’t called
The world has sure gone crazy
How ya’ dealin’ with it all

Do you have someone to talk to
and somewhere warm to fall
and do you ever get lonely
and tired of it all?

CHORUS
Well I don’t know if I’ve told you
how good you make me feel
or how much you really matter to my world
like some sunkin’ treasure or a pearl inside a shell
I’m so happy to have found you
and taken the time to
know you well

Fourth #4 song I just wrote for my Covid Christmas Series. Here's one called "Christmas Day In Phoenix."

12/23/2020

Christmas Day In Phoenix (Breen)

It’s Christmas Day in Phoenix and I woke up in my truck
on the seat beside me was a note that said “Good Luck”

and I really don’t remember what I said to piss her off
But I got a feeling’ that she might’ve left when i threw up

It’s Christmas Day in Phoenix and the weather’s not half bad
think I’ll drive on up to Dennys and get me a grand slam

maybe I’ll feel better once I get something to eat
maybe that friendly waitress will take off early for me

CHORUS
oo oo oo how I love Christmas Day
The day when baby Jesus came to save the human race
and I sure need some savin’ I’m down on my luck
It’s Christmas Day in Phoenix and I woke up in my truck

It’s Christmas Day in Phoenix time to hit the liquor store
found a bottle shaped like Santa Got a lot to be thankful for

and my kids are at my ex wife’s house think I’ll give them a call
heard my daughter might be pregnant might be a grandpa in the fall

t’s Christmas Day in Phoenix The game is on at 3
there’s a little bar in Scottsdale That has a big TV

and I hope they don’t remember I got 86’d last week
for an altercation with a lady's boyfriend from back east

CHORUS
oo oo oo how I love Christmas Day
The day when baby Jesus came to save the human race
and I sure need some savin’ I’m down on my luck
It’s Christmas Day in Phoenix and I woke up in my truck

Third #3 song I just wrote for my Covid Christmas Series. Here's one called "Yeah It's Christmas."

12/23/2020

Yeah, It’s Christmas (Breen)

Let’s decorate the Christmas Tree
and put up all the lights
A cracklin’ fire, hang the stockings
make the evening right

For Santa Claus to fall in love
with Mrs. Claus tonight
Let’s put some Christmas music on
and hold each other tight

CHORUS
Yeah, it’s Christmas
and I just got out of jail
Baby, I just can’t thank you enough
for putting’ up my bail

Yeah it’s Christmas
and this year I won’t be blue
gonna watch you hang the mistletoe
and make sweet love to you

SOLO

What…what’s that you say, baby?
“Set my sorry ass down and leave you alone?”
Baby, I don’t understand…I thought YOU bailed me out of jail?
No?… What’s that you say?….
It was because of the high number of Covid infections
and the transmission rates were just too dangerous to keep
petty criminals like me incarcerated? And that the spread of Covid 19
at San Quentin caused the state appellate court to order the release of 1500
inmates?
And that’s how I got out of jail?

Well…
Let’s decorate the Christmas Tree
and put up all the lights
A cracklin’ fire, hang the stockings
make the evening right

For Santa Claus to fall in love
with Mrs. Claus tonight
Let’s put some Christmas music on
and hold each other tight

CHORUS
Yeah, it’s Christmas
and I just got out of jail
I want to thank to State of California
for putting’ up my bail

Yeah it’s Christmas
and this year I won’t be blue
gonna watch you hang the mistletoe
and sit here while you do

Yeah it’s Christmas

A few reviews over the years...

His vocal delivery is warm and inviting. His story lines are conversations about life and observations on its living moments. “Baby’s Comin’ in on a Plane” lets you feel the excitement of the guy at the gate whose heart beats a little faster with each departing passenger, “Cristina Valencia” slips south of the border to plead to the lady in the title for a little love light from her dark eyes and “Carnival Queen” walks the midway with love at your side." -Alternate Root Magazine.
"It's always a pleasure to hear an independant CD that delivers the goods past the first cut and this release from Breen is such an example." Sing Out Magazine
"A consistent quality rolls right through the third solo album and instro debut from singer-songwriter Mike Breen. On Mescal Mary & Other B Bender Guitar Instrumentals, Breen performs masterfully on the B and G bender guitar, a guitar device invented by one time Byrds guitarists Clarence White and Gene Parsons to resemble the sounds of the pedal steel guitar. Breen mixes his tasty electric work with his added banjo, mandolin and flatpicking guitar sounds." " 20th Century Guitar by Robert Siverstein
"I wish all singer-songwriter albums were this rewarding." Dirty Linen
"Mike Breen may be an unfamiliar name but his songs have that warm. lived in quality that lodge themselves firmly within the subconscious..." John O'Regan - Rock-N-Reel
One of..."the best of the real indies..." Carolyn Adams - WDIY-FM

Contact Me - mikebreenmusic@yahoo