“Kiss Me” by TheStaRiders – A Song Feature

     Appreciating the ease with which he navigates the vocal acrobatics is the initial allure of “Kiss Me” by TheStaRiders. That allure doesn’t fade with repeated listens; instead, it’s expanded as other praiseworthy qualities of the song come into focus. This attentiveness to both sweeping moments and subtle touches distinguishes the track from its peers.
 
     Thus, the first line of the verse that begins around 0:53 concludes with a striking display of vocal dexterity on the word “line.” Later in the same verse, the compositional sophistication of “Kiss Me” shines through, when the lyric “Now it’s autumn” is punctuated by the sound of a swirling, autumnal wind. The verse ends with an intimate down-tempo combination of piano and vocals.
 
     Another highlight of TheStaRiders’ single emerges around 1:40, when the lead vocal yields to a choir-like presentation. Though the choral texture is teased during earlier choruses, its moment in command still lands as a surprise.
 
     TheStaRiders are a project of Matt Springfield, a singer, songwriter, and composer whose music tastes are aligned with U2, Coldplay, Keane, and The Killers. TheStaRiders made their debut in 2025 with the album “The Wave,” showcasing infectious melodies and genre-blurring sounds. In January 2026, they will release their highly anticipated follow-up album, “Seasons,” led by the first single “Kiss Me.” Blending chamber pop, rock, R&B, funk, nu-disco, synth-pop, and dance-pop, “Seasons” promises to be a celebration of musical innovation and diversity.
 
     “Kiss Me” by TheStaRiders

TheStaRiders:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestariders/
X: https://x.com/TheStaRiders
 
Matt Springfield:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattspringfieldmusic
Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/mattspringfieldmusic

Lyrics of “Kiss Me” by TheStaRiders
This is the end of summer
Nothing could last forever
I met the love of my life
You know, this girl's on fire
Now it's autumn
And the party's over
The season has begun
 
Kiss Me! Just Kiss Me!
You'll be whatever I need
You'll stay in my mind forever
Kiss Me! Just Kiss Me!
That’s all how it feels
This is the end of summer
This is the end of our time
 
We should stand behind the line
I miss the love of my life
You know, my girl's on fire
Now it's autumn
The game's over
The season might be fun
 
Kiss Me! Just Kiss Me!
You'll be whatever I need
You'll stay in my mind forever
Kiss Me! Just Kiss Me!
That’s all how it feels
This is the end of summer
 
Let me dream today
You know it's tough
Let me fly away
I still need your touch
 
Kiss Me! Just Kiss Me!
You'll be whatever I need
You'll stay in my mind forever
Kiss Me! Just Kiss Me!
That’s all how it feels
This is the end of summer
 

“Gary” by Stephen Wilson Jr. – A Song Feature

 

     We don’t claim to know more than Rick Beato. It is difficult for anyone to argue that they do, and impossible for us. But we are comfortably in our misalignment with Beato's song selections (not artist selections) in his post entitled “My Personal Spotify Top 10 of 2025.” That video is embedded near the bottom of this post.
 
      The Beato Top 10 includes artists we didn’t recognize. That isn’t surprising. We appreciate the introduction. And his list includes a number of songs we know, but we wouldn’t include in our list. Again, not surprising. What is interesting to us is that Beato names two songs from artists with songs that we assert are superior to the ones on his list. First, Beato named “Life Signs” by Water From Your Eyes. Previously, we featured the song “Driving Classics, Playing Cars” by that Brooklyn-based band (if interested, that feature can be viewed at CLICK HERE). We still prefer our choice.
 
      The other same-artist-but-different-song situation relates to Stephen Wilson Jr. In his list, Beato praised “I’m a Song” and applauded the recording of Wilson at the Photo Shop. Like Beato, a recorded video is a major reason for fully appreciating our preference – “Gary.” In November, Stephen Wilson Jr. was a guest on a late night show. The performance was electric. Miles Burger simultaneously played a harmonica and electric upward bass, then switched to a bass guitar. Scotty Murray skillfully played a pedal steel, an instrument we love. But the most entertaining aspect was the contrast of the late segment of the song. For most of the performance, Wilson’s voice was emotional, but his body remained stoic. He couldn’t even be bothered to move the strand of hair from extending over one eye.  And the drummer (Julian Dorio) remained a mere spectator.  Then at 3:15, the kick drum took command, and a short while later Wilson displayed his moves. We will never grow tired of late-song surprises.
 
      “Gary” by Stephen Wilson Jr.

Lyrics of “Gary” by Stephen Wilson Jr
Gary these days been lying in his bed made
Working on the same car going on a decade
He scribbles on junk mail, don’t draw attention
I never really noticed but now that I mention it
 
There ain’t a lot of boys named Gary these days
Born with a cigarette glued to their face
Fix about anything a hammer can handle
Saving all their money ‘cause a Gary don’t gamble
Ain’t a lot of girls going by Debbie anymore
But they got the same nicotine pouring out their pores
Time leaves town but the minute hand stays
Ain’t a lot of boys named Gary these days
 
Gary these days been worried about the bad news
Ain’t a lot of teenagers filling up the church pews
Burning Busch Lights, don’t talk to his brother
Do people even still say grace before supper
 
Hey, there ain’t a lot of boys named Gary these days
Born with a cigarette glued to their face
Fix about anything a hammer can handle
Saving all their money ‘cause a Gary don’t gamble
Ain’t a lot of girls going by Debbie anymore
But they got the same nicotine pouring out their pores
Time leaves town but the minute hand stays
Ain’t a lot of boys named Gary these days
 
Every now and then gets the damn thing running
Takes it out for a spin first week in May
He believes in God but believes in little
Black eyed peas on the stove on New Years Day
 
I had a weird suspicion with the light out on the front porch
Heart medication poured down where the drain pours
He holds his left arm while his parakeet prays
Has anybody seen much of Gary these days
Has anybody seen much of Gary these days
 
There ain’t a lot of boys named Gary these days
There ain’t a lot of boys named Gary these days

     Rick Beato -- “My Personal Spotify Top 10 of 2025.”

10. “Kurayami” by Mei Semenoes
9.  “Life Signs” by Water From Your Eyes
8.  “Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party” by Hayley Williams
7.  “My Mind Is A Mountain” by Deftones
6.  “To Ease You” by Men I Trust
5.  “Speyside” by Bon Iver
4.  “La Perla” by Rosalia
3.  “Always On My Mind” by Been Stellar
2.  “Times Like These” by Addison Rae
1.  “I’m a Song” (Live at the Print Shop) by Stephen Wilson Jr.

Vocalist-Songsmiths - Sam Scherdel, Joshua Hawkes, and Chance Peña

       With only a short time left in the year, there is a sense of urgency in posting songs that might be on our “Favorites of 2025” list. This post features songs by singer-songwriters who released engaging singles since January 1, 2025.

     Sam Scherdel is based in Sheffield, UK. The strength of “Somewhere in the Middle” lies within the lyrics. But Scherdel’s raspy vocal presentation provides a genuineness that enhances the impact of the message, and the contrasting smoother backing vocals bring a beauty to the track, particularly when combined with the piano. Regarding the lyrics, he explains:
  “It’s about learning to compromise, to meet someone in that middle ground - the space where love actually lives. I wrote it when I was trying to figure out how to make something last. I never imagined it would connect with this many people, but I’m so glad it has.”
 
     “Somewhere in the Middle” by Sam Scherdel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samscherdel/
 
Lyrics of “Somewhere in the Middle” by Sam Scherdel
Somewhere in the middle that only me and you would know
Got a feeling so cold it turned our rain to snow
Judging from that old grey sky it wouldn't cleanse to blue
Somewhere in the middle of the path from me and you
 
Your souls in your secret
I wanna feel it, when it blows like a bang from a gun
I got to know from the pieces
I wanna feel it, i won't float to you, darling I'll run
 
Somewhere in the middle where the pain cuts like a knife
Feeling like a candle that can't keep up with the night
Tangled in the echoes of a love that lost its tune
Somewhere in the middle of a path from me to you
 
Your souls in your secret
I wanna feel it, when it blows like a bang from a gun
I got to know from the pieces
I wanna feel it, i won't float to you, darling I'll run
 
Somewhere in the middle where the cold begins to thaw
Listening to the plans and the lines we need to draw
I'll falter then I'll alter all my plans to pull us through
Somewhere in middle of the path from me to you
 
Your souls in your secret
I wanna feel it, when it blows like a bang from a gun
I got to know from the pieces
I wanna feel it, i won't float to you, darling I'll run

     Joshua Hawkes is from South Yorkshire, UK, which is a short drive from Sheffield. About his song “We'll Find Each Other In the Dark:”
  “This track is special to me because it captures hope in uncertainty. The idea that even in our loneliest moments, connection is possible. It’s intimate, honest, and will always remain one of my favourite things I've written.”
 
      “We'll Find Each Other In the Dark” by Joshua Hawkes

LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/joshuahawkes

      As fans of the harmonica and the banjo, “Burned It Down” had an immediate impact. Still, it’s the voice of Chance Peña that carries the song. He is originally from Tyler, Texas. His 2026 tour schedule (https://www.chancepena.com/music) includes two July performances at The Fillmore in San Francisco.

     “Burned It Down” by Chance Peña

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chancepenamusic
Website: https://www.chancepena.com/

     “Tongue Ties” by Chance Peña

Lyrics of "Burned It Down" by Joshua Hawkes
It's been too damn long since I've seen your face
Felt your warmth, put my hands on your waist
But I'm heading up north and I'm thinking of you
So how's your family? Are they doing well?
Tell them I say hi and hope they're in good health
And tell them I'm sorry for the way things went down
 
You and I know
 
It was just bad timing, could have gone a little longer
But the days got heavy and the nights were getting colder
Don't that remind you of some people we know
Oh, wish I could've told you that my faith was getting stronger
But we both knew that this was it and it was over
So we lit the match and both sat on the ground
Knew that we couldn't save it so we burned it down
 
If I changed my mind, would you let me talk
I'd tell you what I feel, where I think we went wrong
Would you hear me out, or would you shut me down
The things I'm feeling, the thoughts in my head
Well they're all fucked up, feel like I'm a mess
Ain't nothing bad, just a couple regrets
 
And everybody knows
 
It was just bad timing, could have gone a little longer
But the days got heavy and the nights were getting colder
Don't that remind you of some people we know
Oh, wish I could've told you that my faith was getting stronger
But we both knew that this was it and it was over
So we lit the match and both sat on the ground
Knew that we couldn't save it so we burned it down
 
It was just bad timing, could have gone a little longer
But the days got heavy and the nights were getting colder
Don't that remind you of some people we know
Oh, wish I could've told you that my faith was getting stronger
But we both knew that this was it and it was over
So we lit the match and both sat on the ground
Knew that we couldn't save it so we burned it down
 
 
Lyrics of "Tongue Tied" by Joshua Hawkes
No I am not the man that I was, not no more
And I can't understand why I'm doing this anymore
Wanna leave but I freeze when my feet reach the door
Couldn't be what I need and I know because I'm
 
Tongue tied
My words have run dry
And I don't know why
I don't have anything else to say
 
I'm tongue tied
Alone in my mind
Even if I tried
I doubt you'd even care anyway
 
There's a hole in my chest and a burn in my lungs
Breathe it in, breathe it out last time, swear I'm done
There's a war 'cause my heart's up against my own head
Wish I knew what for but I don't, instead I'm
 
Tongue tied
My words have run dry
And I don't know why
I don't have anything else to say
 
I'm tongue tied
Alone in my mind
Even if I tried
I doubt you'd even care anyway
 
The voices in my head getting loud
Got no way getting it out, because I'm
 
Tongue tied
My words have run dry
And I don't know why
I don't have anything else to say
 
I'm tongue tied
Alone in my mind
Even if I tried
I doubt you'd even care anyway