"Nothin But Ashes" by the b.a.s.i.c. band

Just your b.a.s.i.c. love song! About the flames of love and the ashes of loneliness. But, with a flicker of hope. A sort of retro song and vid for the ears, the eyes and the soul. Love & loneliness. Somethin' we've all felt. Whether young or old, single or married. The genre is something I call an old-school crock of glue. Why? Because it's an old-school country rock gospel blues song, of course. Country & rock make the crock. And, gospel & blues make the glue that holds it all together! And, it's gonna stick to anyone cuz it's such a mixture of styles. Kind of like a retro 60's! The intro is another crazy Trace idea that I sent to my graphic artist friend Dave (ToadsWarts) . In fact, I've already given him my ideas for our next song! He's awesome. Anyways, ever felt like love was like a friendly fire to warm you. Started out as a flame that went down to a flicker & then to ashes? I was gonna say "ever been burnt?" But, in this case, it would be "ever been ashed?" "Or flickered?"! Well, that's what the song's about. Everyone's always saying that as a Christian, we are never alone. Which is true. However, we still have our times when we honestly do feel lonely. Which is what this song started out to be. Crying out to God about being lonely in love. I mean, this could NEVER happen to me. Or, at least I never thought I was the type, right? Yeauh! Right! God knows our human hearts. And, our spiritual hearts. Well, that's how Sam wrote it, but as I sang it more & more and we changed the Key to B, which changed the whole song flavor. Well, then I started feeling that it also meant, to me, relationships with anyone. With friendships and family and bands and teams. And, even our relationship with God. Don't let the flame burn out and have only ashes. Do everything possible we can. Then, by the grace of God go on. Song will be on our new CD. Oh. And the song ends with nothing but ashes left now. We opted to add some improv and lead at the end but after all...there is nothin' left but ashes when you let the flame go out! And, it is the title of the song! "Nothin' But Ashes"! Pretty obvious how we should end it. So, how did that strike you? (Couldn't resist with the match!). For the vid, we decided to act out the song. Happy and cozy in the beginning. Sad & lonely for the rest. What was really cool was that while we were filming it was storming so bad & the power went out. Wanted a candle at the beginning to go with the match striking. I love God's mysterious ways. & now I have storm audio for another project. Oh! & the mirror clips, of course, was an idea I had about facing our problems, which usually means facing ourselves, and asking God for grace to start a new day. Sam did all the instruments on this one! I just did the singin' & video and I only changed the key, a few words to fit me and the title of the song. PIMP LOL. And, we played with some high harmonies, but in the end, felt that it took away from the song. Thanks, as always, for your time, encouragement & love & for reading my short novels about our songs & vids. 1 final note: Yes, I have felt loneliness before and during marriage. But, speaking from my unusual health situation, I sometimes live in a lonely world of one. I had most of my stoamach removed a few years back to save my life. It was a cancer surgery but it was for a very rare disease. I fight battles every day to live. Things don't work the same. No complaints, tho. Might not have much stomach, but I got a lot of guts! Anyways, that's what I felt in this song. And, that's what I was trying also to portray during the guitar break and chorus. How we all plead and beg God relentlessly for release from our hardships & loneliness & sickness. Trying to escape suffering. When, in fact, it brings us closer to God. Sometimes, in such a world all my own. But, we all have those worlds, right? So, that's my loneliness! And, God is my strength, my everything. I am never alone in my loneliness! So, now go back & watch & listen to the vid without reading! Thanks & love you guys! Trace

Lyrics:

Well, Jesus I know you're always with me
You're my Saviour and friend
But, I must apoligize
Cuz tonight I'm lonely again.

Love seemed like such a friendly fire
Stopped to warm myself for awhile
But from a flame, now no more than a flicker
Nothin' but ashes left now.

I'm not the type this happens to
Don't really know what it's about
Sometimes my feelin's blaze out of control
Still I don't want this flame to go out

Lord, please try and ignore me
I know I shoulnd' tfeel this way
But by your grace this problem I'll face
Tomorrow we'll start a new day.

I'm not the type this happens to
Don't really know what it's about
Sometimes my feelin's blaze out of control
Still I don't want this flame to go out

Love seemed like such a friendly fire
Stopped to warm myself for awhile
But from a flame, now no more than a flicker
Nothin' but ashes left now