“This book will answer every question you have ever wanted to ask. It will ultimatly provide

you with full truths and half truths- it is up to you to decide fact from fiction”

Illustrated Soundtrack

Adam Byrne

Velvet Underground Sunday Morning

Sunday Morning

Sunday mornings have become a rainy place to beI fell in love with the sunShe now shines brightly within my head.

Sleeping blissfully on the pillow next to meI fell in love with the sunHer sweet, subtle breathe warming my bed.

Take a closer look it’s not that hard to seeI fell in love with the sunI’m ready to go again, my pencil full of lead.

The Smashing Pumpkins Song for a Son

Song for a Son

To a SonAs these things usually startCards, letters, greetings

For a SonSuggests you’re willing to provideShelter, warmth, love

I’m on my way oh how I’m on my way

The present that refuses to be wrappedI’m every image that you once wereA permanent reminder that will never stray

From every SonThis is their solemn vow Hello, Thank you, Goodbye

The Kills Black Balloon

Black Balloon

When I was 5 I was given a black balloonWe had matching smiles and matching facesThe bitter winter weakened its fragile frame upon my graspFrom a beautiful form came a horrid diseased creatureThat black balloon changed while this one will forever remainFarewell my black balloon…

The White Stripes Icky Thump

Icky Thump

Icky Thump is the place where you came when I showed you how to live your life,Icky Thump is the place you took me when I said that I needed your love.Icky Thump is what comforted us on the porch when Elvis died,Icky Thump is what you and I felt the day we sat and cried.Icky Thump is the only thing we didn’t get from the corner shop,Icky Thump is what you’ll find if you ever plan to stop.Icky Thump is what I am, all I’m worthIcky Thump is all of you, the virgin birth.

The Smashing Pumpkins Landslide

Landslide

Echoes of the fallen snow line the streetsThe ghosts of the departed snowmen still ringThe washed up sledges lay deserted in the fields

This Town is filled with winter

Everything glossy white ready for the New YearFootprints of last year are the only souvenirThe new antiques of the future, past and presentSoon to be buried by fresh feelings

This Town is filled with winter

The new snowmen have already arrivedTheir footprints have already covered mineThe people in this Town are all meltingThe snowmen in the fields are all breathing

Twinkle Golden Lights

Golden Lights

The shimmer from the pool was golden upon her skinA perfect picture willing to be captured by cardinal sinHer breasts swelled more naturally than life

Her lips were warm and moistDetermined to have meTo lay their mark upon my neck, the lover’s knife

Billy Bragg A New England

A New England

As so many before me have writtenThey must have known of you tooThis feeling I feel I share with themYour impression of me she thought of thenThis is just a repeat, the greatest story ever told.

Johnny Thunders You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory

You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory

I began to appreciate much more when you were goneWhen you were here the love and things didn’t last so longIf you’re feeling especially smug take this as I miss you

On reflection there is no love lost

I’ll rewrite the memories of us, of youI can replace what you took with the dreams I makeThey’re becoming more vivid now, more real than you ever were

On reflection there was no love made

Barry Maguire Eve of Destruction

Eve of Destruction

I’ve seen the whole world collapse although I’ve never left this TownI know it’s all falling apart, it’s all ruins beyond that gateThe news tells of it still existing, but it’s there no more

Desolate wasteland is the future that greets usThe war is cunning like that, it takes our people awaySoon there’ll be no more gate, the war will be at our door

Entering our living rooms and joining in with Morning Prayer They said peace would be the outcome, freedom will to be their incomeChildren will no longer have parents, just the loving arms of war

Donovan Universal Soldier

Universal Soldier

I saw the soldier last night, he’s getting old nowHis last words were so many years ago on the battlefieldSitting there recounting those days, beads of sweat fill his browHe remembers his comrades, their bond, his safety shield

He’s still mute, only in his sleep does he liveThe scars of battle fill his mindFriends lost he’ll never find

Idlewild El Capitan

El Capitan

Every now and then I wonder what could have beenThe love in our eyes, the sun would still beamCrooked and withered this summer has made meNo more jumping out of bed to find murky swamps in our teaThese past two years of regret, was time well spent?

Snow Patrol Set the Fire to the Third Bar

Set the Fire to the Third Bar

We’re well prepared if anything should happenI have my piano and you have your matchesThis bar isn’t going to see the light of day

I wrote love songs laced with gunpowderSulphur-tipped matches struck even louderThe music of the night crashes around her

The bar and its contents are smoulderingHer opinion and view of things are alteringI’m sitting here thinking what forever will bring

This bar has burnt to the groundThe music I now play makes no soundLoves destination finally found

The Kills Last Day of Magic

Last Day of Magic

When the Paris lights fade that’s when the magic will endI wrote my ambitions on your bathroom mirrorThat way you’ll be able to reflect a whole lot clearer

Perhaps this one night was all we hadAnd it’s this hotel room that makes us look backYou must agree that our final few hours were tragicThis is it, no last words, just one last day of magic

The Dead Weather I Cut Like a Buffalo

I Cut Like a Buffalo

You no longer have to beware of the dogIt’s been confirmed that I cut like a buffaloWelcome to the New Wild West

It was on the morning news that you were the last one to arriveThere’s nothing more to fear now that you’re here aliveYou’re safe now in the New Wild West

You’re staying at the inn next to the stableThey’ve made your bed and laid your tableYou’ll never leave the New Wild West

Lightspeed Champion Galaxy of the Lost

Galaxy of the Lost

How am I going to explain this one?Your neighbour’s car keys made this planetThere are plenty of chairs, enough room to sit

Would you believe it if I told you?Your sister’s cat was the first one hereThen came the Christmas trees and neglected beer

Look around you, what do you see?A landscape of the broken, borrowed and lostThis is what we made at no extra cost

The Beatles You Never Give Me Your Money

You Never Give Me Your Money

The streets could be lined with silver for all I careWhat is in your hand is gold, kindly share?Feel free to walk past me, I’m in no hurry to go homeIf I had your life there’d be no greedNo more poverty, thank you Children in NeedWhere does that money go, who does it feed?Money makes the world go round.How about you sleep on this five star ground?You never give me your moneyNever fear, your life is always sunny

The Smiths Asleep

Asleep

I have never slept with clothes on and I don’t intend to start nowThis bed is useless and there’s no room for female companyThe lighting has only one setting and the acoustics need some workNo plugs to charge my phone or possessions to call my ownI should have had a say in thisCoffin design has always been hit and miss

All poetry, photographs, collages and illustrations by Adam Byrne