Secret Friend - The Divorce Album

Every songwriter has at least a few break-up songs tucked away. And many will never be heard because who really wants to listen to songs about other people's emotional trauma? Haven't we got enough of that in our lives already? Once in a while, maybe, but listening to these songs can be so depressing and put you in a foul mood. So with precisely that thought in mind, this was the genesis of The Divorce Album – but mostly because, fuck it, nobody's listening anyway. So to start, let's double down on the anguish, heartbreak and despair – in fact, crank it up to eleven. And now, let's make it fun...

The Divorce Album is split into two sides, "MINE" and "YOURS". On the MINE side are six new songs produced by Secret Friend. On the YOURS side are the exact same songs produced by other artists. Three basic rules were set forth — 1) everyone starts with just the original demo; 2) they can perform and change the song however they wish; and 3) to avoid cross-pollination, no one gets to hear the other version until both songs have been completed. The result – wildly different interpretations of the same songs, making for a surprisingly diverse and hard to pigeonhole album, showcasing some genuinely impressive talent.

Featured Artists

SAM ROBSON

Sam is a composer and arranger based in south London. Sam creates dazzlingly unique arrangements of Disney tunes and hymns, as evidenced by his regular video postings on YouTube.

BRADLEY DEAN WHYTE

Houston based, Bradley (a.k.a. The Perfectly Violent Dream) releases music intermittently and juggles time between teaching, sound design and compositions for musical theatre. Currently he is working on a new original score for the Italian silent film, Filibus (1915).

WYATT FUNDERBURK

Wyatt Funderburk is a Nashville musician, songwriter and producer. Since self-releasing his first record as a teenager in the 1990s, Funderburk has toured the US and abroad with his own bands and others’, while also working in his studio with some of the best rock and pop artists in the country.

BOB REMSTEIN

Bob is a Los Angeles-based composer and keyboardist who was a member of lounge/popsters The Mello Cads, contributed to The Prefab Sprout Project, and is co-leader of the lounge / electronica duo Supercasanova. He is currently writing a full-length musical on "Noah and the Flood".

LINDSAY STEVENSON

Lindsay is a full time music teacher who lives and works in Northern Thailand. In his spare time, he likes to write, perform and record music of whatever variety takes his fantasy on whatever instruments are currently in tune.

KARLA KANE

Karla is a California songwriter, musician, anglophile and award-winning arts journalist. Best known as the leader of indie-pop group The Corner Laughers, she recently released “King’s Daughters Home for Incurables”, her debut solo album.

Featured Vocalists

TAYLOR LOCKE

Taylor is a producer, engineer, guitarist, singer, songwriter and performer. He owns and operates the Velveteen Laboratory studio in Los Angeles. Taylor was a founding member of Rooney, Taylor Locke and the Roughs, and recently toured with Sparks.

DANNY FONG

Danny is a freelance vocalist, arranger, and creator who loves to collaborate and connect with other musicians. He records and tours as a tenor with the internationally-based, YouTube-formed vocal group, Accent.

K O

K.O. chooses to remain a mystery. All we can say about her is she works in Los Angeles as a professional musician, and you may have heard her somewhere before.

WILLIE WISELY

After eight studio albums and decades of touring, Willie's crossed stylistic boundaries with irreverence, but always somehow returned to the sweet and detailed ballads that define him. He’s currently working on a new studio album and a duo with Kristin Mooney, known as The Lover The Keeper.

ROGER MANNING JR.

Los Angeles based, Roger is an in-demand session musician, an arranger, a regular sideman with Beck, a co-founder of the acclaimed power-pop band Jellyfish, and a solo artist. His EP "Glamping" will be released in 2018.

JIMM MCIVER

Jimm has written and performed around the Pacific Northwest with several bands and as a solo artist. His debut solo album "Polaroid Angel" was released in June 2002 on Seattle independent label Ptarmigan Records, produced by Conrad Uno.

SECRET FRIEND

Australian/American Steven Fox is the producer and songwriter known as Secret Friend. He has been writing music off and on for over 35 years. After pursuing distinguished careers in advertising and I.T., he released his debut album, Time Machine, in 2013, followed by a video album, Sleeper, in 2015. Steven currently resides by the tranquil foothills of northern Thailand with his wife (yes, happily married!) and two miniature schnauzers.

Get It

BUY NOW...$8.99

Download the Deluxe Edition of The Divorce Album for only US$8.99

You get both MP3 and FLAC hi-res versions
The original demos of each song
Lyrics and liner notes PDF
Actually costs less than most music distributors
You're buying direct — this is a great way to support Secret Friend!

Due to lack of demand for CDs, The Divorce Album is a digital-only release.
You can find The Divorce Album at your favorite download or streaming service. Here's some corporate logos to get you started:

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Lyrics & Credits

When I look at my reflection
I see only emptiness
I am lost with no direction
Heartbroken and dispossessed

And no one cares about me anymore
And every day’s the same as the one before
Adrift on the sea of love
Searching for another castaway

I know one way or another
I’ll find a way to survive
Where the world has lost its color
And everything’s black and white

And no one cares about me anymore
And every day’s the same as the one before
Adrift on the sea of love
Searching for another castaway

All I see is the horizon
No matter which way I face
Is it really so surprising
I’ve vanished without a trace

And no one cares about me anymore
And every day’s the same as the one before
Adrift on the sea of love
Searching for another castaway

Castaway…

Well, as a castaway on this island
It’s not so bad although I’m dying
For a shave and maybe just one cuppa tea

It’s getting harder now to remember
My home, my life before, however
I can tell you that I sure don’t wanna be…

Castaway…

There once was a girl that I knew
Maybe you know this girl too
She told me she wanted to leave
And I told her that’s okay with me
So she walks out the door that she knows
Is the easiest door to close
She’d never come back and I never wanted her to

She left with all the things we had
That I never wanted
She left with all the things we had
That I never cared for
Those things that I think of
Whenever I’m thinking of her
Those things that we’d gotten
While we were together
Just simple dumb objects
Worth nothing but memories
She was the one thing I never wanted to keep

I found a broken promise
I caught a lie
I read a laundry list of dirty alibis
If you really really want to know
I’ll tell you
Reveal it to ya
How you’ve broken my heart
By being honest in the very worst way

I am nobody, I am nobody, and nobody will know me
I love nobody, I love nobody, and nobody will love me
Nobody will ever love me (nobody nobody)
Nobody will ever love me
I really am nobody
I really am nobody

The story continues today
Though she’s long gone and miles away
I know she’s not thinking of me
Yet my house remains so very empty
And those things that she packed up that night
Were the prizes she won from the fight
I’ll even bet that she threw them all away

I am nobody and nobody loves me
I am nobody and nobody loves me
I am nobody and nobody loves me
I am nobody and nobody loves me
I am nobody and nobody loves me
I am nobody and nobody loves me

Sometimes I feel that I am so damn tired
That I never ever want to wake up
Another morning means another dream is gone

With every passing day
The fewer words we say
I have to look away
Instead of watching us die

And I don’t even see the point in trying
To fill in all the holes we’re digging
Let’s walk away and maybe they will disappear

I heard that it will be
The end of you and me
When we no longer see
A single star in the sky

Why do we still deny what we already know
Instead of kick the can further on down the road
I just want it over now, over now, yes I do
I really need it over now, over now, yes I do

I just want it over now, over now, yes I do
I really need it over now, over now, yes I do

Like a pebble on the floor of the ocean
Our lives are so inconsequential
I’m looking forward to the day I finally die

Over now
Over now
Over now

We see the signs
That this could fall apart at any moment
Every day

There comes a time
When there is nothing left that isn’t broken
To throw it away

Living a lie
Living a lie

It isn’t fair
When every single word or even silence
Leaves a scar

But do we care
It almost seems as if we gave up trying
Well, that’s why we are

Living a lie
Living a lie
Living a lie
Why are we living a lie?

Living a lie
Living a lie
Living a lie
Are we all living a lie?

Living a lie
Living a lie

Yet in the end
We’re still pretending that we love each other

If you’re feeling down and out
Sad, depressed and undeniably blue
This song’s for you

If you’re feeling sad and lonely
Well, in my own way I’ve been there too
Undeniably blue

If you’re very near the end
Undeniably blue

If this song can keep you going
I hope this tune lasts forever too
Undeniably blue

Undeniably (blue)
A way to go on living
Undeniably there must be somewhere better than here now
Undeniably you will see the world is quite forgiving (Yes it is!)
Even when you’re down the sky above is undeniably blue
With a little time you’ll see the end of undeniably blue

Difficult
Why do you have to be so
Difficult
Why do you have to be so

You’re always late to meet me
Texting your friends all evening
Stringing me on forever
Oh you think you’re so clever

Difficult
Why do you have to be so
Difficult
Why do you have to be so

When I get your attention
It’s only if I mention
Some TV show you’re watching
Dancing or going shopping

You can be sentimental
When you’re not so judgmental
You can be fascinating
When you’re not calculating
I will be damned if I knew
What I did to deserve you

Difficult
Why do you have to be so
Difficult
Why do you have to be so

Difficult
Why do you have to be so

Difficult – So –
Difficult – So –
Difficult – So –

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When I look at my reflection
I see only emptiness
I am lost with no direction
Heartbroken and dispossessed

I know one way or another
I’ll find a way to survive
Where the world has lost its color
And everything’s black and white

And no one cares about me anymore
And every day’s the same as the one before
Adrift on the sea of love
Searching for another castaway

All I see is the horizon
No matter which way I face
Is it really so surprising
I’ve vanished without a trace

And no one cares about me anymore
And every day’s the same as the one before
Adrift on the sea of love
Searching for another castaway

Well, as a castaway on this island
It’s not so bad although I’m dying
For another shave or maybe just one cuppa tea

It’s getting harder now to remember
My home, my life before, however
I can tell you that I sure don’t wanna be…

I sure don’t wanna be castaway

Castaway…

There once was a girl that I knew
Maybe you know this girl too
She told me she wanted to leave
And I told her that’s okay by me
So she walks out the door that she knows
Is the easiest door to close
She never came back and I never wanted her to

She left with all the things we had
That I never wanted
She left with all the things we had
That I never cared for
Those things that I think of
Whenever I’m thinking of her

The story continues today
Though she’s long gone and miles away
I know she’s not thinking of me
And this house remains so empty
And those things that she packed up that night
Were the prizes she won from the fight
I’ll even bet she threw them all away

She left with all the things we had
That I never wanted
She left with all the things we had
That I never cared for
Those things that I think of
Whenever I’m thinking of her

She left with all the things we had
That I never wanted
She left with all the things we had
That I never cared for
Those things that we’d gotten
While we were together
Just simple dumb objects
Worth nothing but memories
She was the one thing I never wanted to keep
Don’t let this girl have your heart then take it away
Don’t let this girl have your heart then take it away
Don’t let this girl have your heart then take it away
Don’t let this girl have your heart then take it away
Don’t let this girl have your heart then take it away

Sometimes I feel that I am so damn tired
That I never ever want to wake up
Another morning means another dream is gone

With every passing day
The fewer words we say
I have to walk away
Instead of watching us die

And I don’t even see the point in trying
To fill in all the holes we’re digging
Let’s walk away and maybe they will disappear

I heard that it will be
The end of you and me
When we no longer see
A single star in the sky

Why do we still deny what we already know
Instead of kick the can further on down the road
I really want it over now, over now, yes I do
I really need it over now, over now, yes I do

Just like a pebble on the floor of the ocean
All our lives are so inconsequential
I’m looking forward to the day I finally die

Over now
Over now
Over now...

(Instrumental)

If you’re feeling down and out
Sad, depressed and undeniably blue
This one's for you

If you’re feeling sad and lonely
Well, in my own way I’ve been there too
Undeniably blue

If you’re very near the end
Undeniably blue

If this one can keep you going
I hope this one lasts forever too
Undeniably blue

Undeniably a way to go on living
Undeniably there must be somewhere better than here now
Undeniably you will see the world is quite forgiving
Even when you’re down the sky above is undeniably blue
With a little time you’ll see the end of undeniably blue

Difficult
Why do you have to be so
Difficult
Why do you have to be

You’re always late to meet me
Every date's the same
Making them wait to set me
While you finish some pointless game

Difficult
Why do you have to be so
Difficult
Why do you have to be

When I get your attention
You call me a drama queen
But you're thriving on the tension
Of me wondering what you mean

Difficult
Why do you have to be so
Difficult
Why do you have to be

You can be fascinating
Oh you can be so polite
When you're not always baiting
Me into another fight

Difficult
Why do you have to be so
Difficult
Why do you have to be

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The Divorce Album

Executive Producer: Steven Fox

Tracks 1-7 produced by Steven Fox, mixed by Steven Fox & Mario Borgatta

All songs written by Steven Fox, except Difficult [YOURS] written by Steven Fox and Karla Kane

Album mastered by Paul Logus at PLX Mastering

Cover and website concept and design: Steven Fox

Cover lettering: Lana Hughes

Castaway [MINE]
Taylor Locke: Vocals, Guitars
Roger Manning Jr.: Keyboards
Reade Pryor: Drums
Steven Fox: Additional keyboards, Ukulele
All The Things We Had [MINE]
Danny Fong: Vocals
Roger Manning Jr.: Electric piano
Lindsay Stevenson: Electric guitar
Reade Pryor: Drums & Percussion
Steven Fox: Keyboards, Additional guitars
Over Now [MINE]
K.O.: Vocals
Roger Manning Jr.: Electric piano
Rich Hinman: Pedal steel
Reade Pryor: Drums
Steven Fox: Keyboards, Electric guitar, Bass guitar, Additional vocals
Living A Lie [MINE]
Willie Wisely: Vocals
Rich Hinman: Pedal steel
Reade Pryor: Drums
Steven Fox: Keyboards, Acoustic guitar, Bass guitar
Undeniably Blue [MINE]
Roger Manning Jr.: Vocals, Electric piano, Keyboard solo
Rich Hinman: Pedal steel
Steven Rosenfeld: Slide guitar
Carson Cohen: Bass guitar
Reade Pryor: Drums
Steven Fox: Keyboards, Acoustic guitar
Difficult [MINE]
Jimm McIver: Vocals
Roger Manning Jr.: Organ
Linus Dotson: Electric guitar
Carson Cohen: Bass guitar
Rich Hinman: Pedal steel
Reade Pryor: Drums
Steven Fox: Keyboards, Additional guitars
(paste 60 seconds of music here)
Steven Fox: All instruments
Castaway [YOURS]
Sam Robson
Produced and mixed by Sam Robson
Sam Robson: All vocals and instruments

All The Things We Had [YOURS]
The Perfectly Violent Dream
Produced by Bradley Dean Whyte
Mixed by Christian Nesmith
Bradley Dean Whyte: All vocals and instruments
Christian Nesmith: Drum programming, Additional guitars
Over Now [YOURS]
Wyatt Funderburk
Produced and mixed by Wyatt Funderburk
Wyatt Funderburk: All vocals and instruments
Living A Lie [YOURS]
Bob Remstein
Produced and mixed by Bob Remstein
Bob Remstein: All instruments
Undeniably Blue [YOURS]
Linsday Stevenson feat. The Lanna International School Chiang Mai Singers
Arranged and Produced by Lindsay Stevenson
Recorded at Thomasso Studio
Engineered by Thomas van Ness
Recorded at Barnhowl Studio
Engineered by Lindsay Stevenson
Mixed by Mario Borgatta

Lanna International School Chiang Mai Singers (verses):
Nisha Bates
Nina Whipp
Lizzie Graham

Lanna International School Chiang Mai Year 6 Singers (coda):
Caroline Jones
Tyler Finlay
Si Ying Choo
Natalie Troxler
Kanokporn Prasertlum
Alice Caviliero
Helen Blackwell
Jeab Arthitiya Momprakhon
Sydney Teerin
Sophia Brown

String Quartet:
Viwantanee Punprapai: 1st and 2nd Violin, Viola
Natachai Jairaksa: 2nd Violin
Nattavut Janpong: Viola
Witsaruth Tawinno: Cello

Jazz Trio:
Hank “Ivo”Williams: Drums
Luis Sethakorn: Double Bass
Nitchan Sirikulpiboons: Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Piano

Kevin Bradley: Trumpet
Derek Joly: Clarinet and Flute
Lindsay Stevenson: French Horn, Guitar, Keyboards and Percussion
Difficult [YOURS]
Karla Kane
Produced and mixed by Karla Kane
Karla Kane: Vocals, Ukulele
Khoi Huynh: Bass, Keyboards, Guitar

News

The latest from Secret Friend

https://www.facebook.com/SecretFriendMusic

Posted: May 20th 2019

I don't normally have much to say, so here's a recent IPO interview expressing my love for acapella and K-Pop. ... See MoreSee Less

Featured IPO CD Artists: Secret Friend, Darling BOY, Carol Pacey & The Honey Shakers, Matt Purcell, Slim Loris | International Pop Overthrow

internationalpopoverthrow.com

Featured IPO CD Artists: Secret Friend, Darling BOY, Carol Pacey & The Honey Shakers, Matt Purcell, Slim Loris Posted by David Bash on April 20, 2019 in IPO CD ...

Posted: April 5th 2019

Nice review of POWER! here. Thanks Dennis! ... See MoreSee Less

Around the dial: Escondido, Telekinesis, Secret Friend and Mondello

poprockrecord.com

It’s a mix of styles on this turn around the dial as we travel from Thailand to California up to Seattle and over to Little Rock, Arkansas. But it is worth the trip! While the ...

Posted: March 28th 2019

🔌 New single POWER! is out now. Grab it at your favorite streaming or download service. Big thanks to @christophonemusic, Linus Dotson, Reade Pryor, and Roger Joseph Manning Jr. And special thanks to everyone for your continued support ❤️🧡💛💚💙 ... See MoreSee Less

Learn More

Play

Posted: March 20th 2019

New music arriving March 27 ! ... See MoreSee Less

Play

Posted: March 12th 2019

Good news everyone! New Secret Friend music is arriving soon. Newsletter subscribers get early access, so sign up today: secretfriendmusic.com/newsletter/ ... See MoreSee Less

Posted: January 2nd 2019

Happy 2019 everyone! It's also the time where everyone posts their year-end Top 10 lists, I don't normally do these kind of things, but 2018's music was super inspirational for me, so I thought I'd share.

BTW, this is not a joke, these really ARE my favorite tracks from 2018. And here's a small hint, the next Secret Friend album may be a little bit different 😉

10 - BLACKPINK - Ddu-du Duu-du
09 - 마마무 Mamamoo - Wind Flower
08 - 레드벨벳 (Red Velvet) - #CookieJar
07 - 마마무 Mamamoo - Egotistic
06 - 선미 SUNMI - Heroine
05 - 마마무 Mamamoo - Starry Night
04 - Tiffany Young - Teach You
03 - 레드벨벳 (Red Velvet) - Bad Boy
02 - 선미 SUNMI - Siren
01 - TWICE - What is Love? ... See MoreSee Less

Secret Friend's Top 10 (2018) - YouTube

youtube.com

These songs were all on regular rotation here in 2018.

Posted: August 19th 2018

Please enjoy this remix of last year's New Americas!This is a complete remix of New Americas, first released in April 2017. More guitars, a propeller, dolphins. Enjoy! ... See MoreSee Less

Posted: May 20th 2018

Here's a new video from The Divorce Album! All The Things We Had, by The Perfectly Violent Dream.

This video is also a behind-the-scenes promo for the art of Chadwick & Spector, who are having an exhibition of their "Museum Anatomy - The German Works", during the month of June at the G Spot Gallery in Houston, TX.Museum Anatomy: www.ChadwickAndSpector.com The Perfectly Violent Dream: www.AlchemyPop.com “All The Things We Had” and more can be heard on The Divorce Album... ... See MoreSee Less

Posted: May 12th 2018

Today my playlist passed over 1000 videos! If you have a few days to waste, go have a look 🙂 ... See MoreSee Less

Secret Friend's Trippy & Psychedelic Music Video Playlist - YouTube

youtube.com

My personally curated collection of trippy music videos. There are literally days and days of awesomely cool music videos here. I update this list regularly,..&period...

Posted: May 5th 2018

It was very fortunate to have Roger Joseph Manning Jr. play keyboards all over The Divorce Album - he also sang one track. And in case you haven't heard already, Roger is releasing a long-awaited solo EP and right now you can pre-order and even pledge to get some really cool merchandise and other cool stuff. This is gonna be great so don't miss out! ... See MoreSee Less

Roger Joseph Manning, Jr.: Glamping + Re-Issues

pledgemusic.com

Surprise! I’m back with a new EP, classic solo reissues, and finally amazing ways for you to share in the experience!

https://secretfriendmusic.com/

POWER!
Posted: March 27, 2019
The Divorce Album
Posted: April 6, 2018
Introducing: Pages From Ceefax
Posted: April 23, 2017
Sleeper – The Video Album
Posted: February 18, 2017
Create Your Own Music Video
Posted: December 1, 2016
And Ever
Posted: October 10, 2016
Something’s Happening
Posted: August 8, 2016
Diving In a Sea of Light
Posted: May 12, 2016

PRESS

Powerpopaholic

Fox is a talented songwriter and knows how to create ambiance.

POSTED: APRIL 26, 2018

LINKPDF

Alan Haber – Pure Pop Radio

Steven Fox, who plays instruments on every one of this album’s songs, is a bit of a musical maverick, in that each of his albums exists on a different plane, even as they are connected as repositories for beautifully written, melodic songs.

POSTED: APRIL 3, 2018

LINKPDF

Featured Artists

Featured Vocalists

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Lyrics & Credits

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