Singer / Songwriter, Artist and Author Thomas Riley Smith ... but you can just call him Riley!
Singer / Songwriter, Artist and Author Thomas Riley Smith ... but you can just call him Riley!
Riley is a wordsmith, unearthing bare words, ultimately, the raw material for sculpting pieces of poetry that are then folded into chords and melodies to craft his finished songs.
But, no song is ever really “finished,” as it is always open to new interpretations, arrangements and additions contributed by other members of this sacred craft we call songwriting.
Riley is a wordsmith, unearthing bare words, ultimately, the raw material for sculpting pieces of poetry that are then folded into chords and melodies to craft his finished songs.
But, no song is ever really “finished,” as it is always open to new interpretations, arrangements and additions contributed by other members of this sacred craft we call songwriting.
for the love of Songwriting
for the love of Songwriting
Riley’s lyrics can be crafted to fit into almost any musical genre. Within the parameters of mutual agreements, both the lyrics and musical arrangements may be used as is, added to or reworked by the producer or artist, or Riley can tailor the song to their needs. Riley also may be contracted to write for specific projects and welcomes collaborations with other songwriters. Subject to availability, Riley can help newer songwriters take their lyrics to the next level with one-on-one songwriting sessions.
Life of Riley Music invites you to browse through the available songs that are posted throughout this site. We also encourage you to reach out to us directly with any questions that you may have, or to discuss procedures, rates and compensations. Until then … enjoy the songs!
Faith is the opposite of fear
I tell you this with confidence,
that comes from vast experience
in the art of being me.
I would never embellish this life.
I have no need to shine my miracles.
They reflect the light I need for the art of being me.
Coney Island was all rides and sand.
Manhattan was just one big rock band.
I was twelve till I was thirty-three,
begged, borrowed and stole till I found it for free.
Then I layed me down to sleep,
I asked the Lord my soul to keep.
He must have known the beds I'd make,
'cause this request He did not forsake.
Walk me down Mermaid Avenue at night.
Walk me down Mermaid Avenue at night.
Dark cannot put out the light,
yet light shined head on darkness,
I know from vast experience
will always part the sea.
And me and my words may not convince,
but, I’ll still shine my miracles.
They reflect the light I need,
for the art of being me.
Now I am grateful for old friends,
that time has brought around again.
They reflect the light I need,
for the art of being me.
And such a trip the way it passed,
I’m glad I know from the things that last.
They reflect the light I need,
for the art of being me.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I kiss my baby on the cheek.
She reflects the light I need, for the art of being me.
Walk me down Mermaid Avenue at night.
Walk me down Mermaid Avenue at night.
Faith ... Thomas Riley Smith - c2010
Riley wrote Faith in 2010. It speaks of how his faith carried him through the tougher times
as well as the better times. It is also a nod to his hometown of Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY
as well as to dear friends lost and found again.
Faith is the opposite of fear
I tell you this with confidence,
that comes from vast experience
in the art of being me.
I would never embellish this life.
I have no need to shine my miracles.
They reflect the light I need for the art of being me.
Coney Island was all rides and sand.
Manhattan was just one big rock band.
I was twelve till I was thirty-three,
begged, borrowed and stole till I found it for free.
Then I layed me down to sleep,
I asked the Lord my soul to keep.
He must have known the beds I'd make,
'cause this request He did not forsake.
Walk me down Mermaid Avenue at night.
Walk me down Mermaid Avenue at night.
Dark cannot put out the light,
yet light shined head on darkness,
I know from vast experience
will always part the sea.
And me and my words may not convince,
but, I’ll still shine my miracles.
They reflect the light I need,
for the art of being me.
Now I am grateful for old friends,
that time has brought around again.
They reflect the light I need,
for the art of being me.
And such a trip the way it passed,
I’m glad I know from the things that last.
They reflect the light I need,
for the art of being me.
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I kiss my baby on the cheek.
She reflects the light I need, for the art of being me.
Walk me down Mermaid Avenue at night.
Walk me down Mermaid Avenue at night.
Faith ... Thomas Riley Smith - c2010
Riley wrote Faith in 2010. It speaks of how his faith carried him through the tougher times
as well as the better times. It is also a nod to his hometown of Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY
as well as to dear friends lost and found again.
I will always be your lover and I will stand up for you like a brother I will listen without interruption like a lifelong friend, I will celebrate all your beginnings, and mourn all your endings, I am your man. I am your man.
I Am Your Man ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2001
Beloved I say to you
there is no doubt that
there will be adversities,
And knowing the absurdities
of the world we’ve inherited,
not every day will be easy.
But I will remain
in love with you,
and you will remain
in love with me,
and we will be happy.
That’s a prophecy.
Prophecy. ... Thomas Riley Smith - 1996
I will always be your lover and I will stand up for you like a brother I will listen without interruption like a lifelong friend, I will celebrate all your beginnings, and mourn all your endings, I am your man. I am your man.
I Am Your Man ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2001
Beloved I say to you
there is no doubt that
there will be adversities,
And knowing the absurdities
of the world we’ve inherited,
not every day will be easy.
But I will remain
in love with you,
and you will remain
in love with me,
and we will be happy.
That’s a prophecy.
Prophecy. ... Thomas Riley Smith - 1996
Thomas Riley Smith ... but you can just call him Riley!
Thomas Riley Smith ... but you can just call him Riley!
Growing up in his hometown of Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, Riley began his appreciation of the well crafted song listening intently to the selections being spun by iconic AM radio DJs like Cousin Bruce Morrow and Dan Ingram. He also never missed a Saturday morning broadcast of Casey Kassem’s American Top 40.
In his teenage years, he was fortunate to be around a number of skilled songwriters who’s early mentoring began to mold him into the passionate and skilled Wordsmith that he is today.
Riley continued his musical journey in the days of new wave and punk, at clubs such as Manhattan's Max's Kansas City, CBGB’s and The Mudd Club becoming known by his stage name, Thomas Anonymous.
Through the years, Riley has actively broadened his musical horizons, and to this day enjoys listening to and working in multiple musical genres, including Pop ... Rock ... Punk ... EDM ... Jazz ... Blues ... Contemporary Christian ... Country ... Americana ... Roots Rock ... and Folk. His signature sound is by his own branding, “Good, Clean Rock & Roll!”
Growing up in his hometown of Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, Riley began his appreciation of the well crafted song listening intently to the selections being spun by iconic AM radio DJs like Cousin Bruce Morrow and Dan Ingram. He also never missed a Saturday morning broadcast of Casey Kassem’s American Top 40.
In his teenage years, he was fortunate to be around a number of skilled songwriters who’s early mentoring began to mold him into the passionate and skilled Wordsmith that he is today.
Riley continued his musical journey in the days of new wave and punk, at legendary clubs such as Manhattan's Max's Kansas City, CBGB’s and The Mudd Club becoming known by his stage name, Thomas Anonymous.
Through the years, Riley has actively broadened his musical horizons, and to this day enjoys listening to and working in multiple musical genres, including Pop ... Rock ... Punk ... EDM ... Country ... Americana ... Roots Rock ... and Folk. His signature sound is by his own branding, “Good, Clean Rock & Roll!”
Run my reds and cross my yellow lines. It's a good day to breathe, it's a good day
for the sun to rise.
Maybe I'm blacktop and maybe I'm paved with gold. What am I, a road?
What am I, A Road? ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2010
Riley wrote Rain Baby Rain in 2008, about some the tougher times that he had while living in Manhattan. It mentions the iconic Gem Spa, the egg cream capitol of the Lower East Side.
Click here to view the lyrics in their entirety.
Run my reds and cross my yellow lines. It's a good day to breathe, it's a good day
for the sun to rise.
Maybe I'm blacktop and maybe I'm paved with gold. What am I, a road?
What am I, A Road? ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2010
Riley wrote Rain Baby Rain in 2008, about some the tougher times that he had while living in Manhattan. It mentions the iconic Gem Spa, the egg cream capitol of the Lower East Side.
Click here to view the lyrics in their entirety.
And if I need a few more bucks, I could always go back to 1983 and stand in front of the Gem Spa and play for change, or sell umbrellas at Penn Station, but I'd still need the rain. Rain Baby Rain Rain on my Parade, I really dont feel like marching today.
Rain Baby Rain ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2008
they're better for me and they're better for you, break an angels heart if she only knew, so go down to the corner and sing amazing grace and think about that midnight when you almost lost the race and be amazed that these are better days.
Better Days. ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2009
And if I need a few more bucks, I could always go back to 1983 and stand in front of the Gem Spa and play for change, or sell umbrellas at Penn Station, but I'd still need the rain. Rain Baby Rain Rain on my Parade, I really dont feel like marching today.
Rain Baby Rain ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2008
they're better for me and they're better for you, break an angels heart if she only knew, so go down to the corner and sing amazing grace and think about that midnight when you almost lost the race and be amazed that these are better days.
Better Days. ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2009
In a perfect world the poet
gets the girl and the poet is just the
honest man and the girl she is
just the good girl,
never been more than fifty miles
outside of her hometown.
Now he's her hometown.
Hometown ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2007
In a perfect world the poet
gets the girl and the poet is just the
honest man and the girl she is
just the good girl,
never been more than fifty miles
outside of her hometown.
Now he's her hometown.
Hometown ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2007
Time takes a break from the job,
sits down on the hood of his car,
tosses his fedora on the sidewalk,
starts making love to his guitar.
On a Friday afternoon for all
his public to see, he’s not ashamed
with all his style, tell me,
why should he be?
Something about your eyebrows
Tells me you're beginning to understand
I'll give you two thousand reasons why
I'm your Millennium Man
Millenium Man ... Thomas Riley Smith - 1999
Time will tell on you and I.
New paint fades, bouquets dry.
Structures crumble and
nobody asks why.
isn't it time to start
thinking about forever?
One love was meant to last.
It doesn't rust, and it doesn't crack.
It doesn't run and it won't grow cold.
It won't be bought, and it can't be sold.
Isn't it time to start thinking about forever?
About Forever ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2022
Time takes a break from the job,
sits down on the hood of his car,
tosses his fedora on the sidewalk,
starts making love to his guitar.
On a Friday afternoon for all
his public to see, he’s not ashamed
with all his style, tell me,
why should he be?
Something about your eyebrows
Tells me you're beginning to understand
I'll give you two thousand reasons why
I'm your Millennium Man
Millennium Man ... Thomas Riley Smith - 1999
Time will tell on you and I.
New paint fades, bouquets dry.
Structures crumble and
nobody asks why.
isn't it time to start
thinking about forever?
One love was meant to last.
It doesn't rust, and it doesn't crack.
It doesn't run and it won't grow cold.
It won't be bought, and it can't be sold.
Isn't it time to start thinking about forever?
About Forever ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2022
Run my reds and cross my yellow lines. It's a good day to breathe, it's a good day
for the sun to rise.
Maybe I'm blacktop and maybe I'm paved with gold. What am I, a road?
Run my reds and cross my yellow lines. It's a good day to breathe, it's a good day
for the sun to rise.
Maybe I'm blacktop and maybe I'm paved with gold. What am I, a road?
What am I, A Road? ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2010
Riley wrote Rain Baby Rain in 2008, about some the tougher times that he had while living in Manhattan. It mentions the iconic Gem Spa, the egg cream capitol of the Lower East Side.
Click here to view the lyrics in their entirety.
Those roses belong right
where the cat left them.
He knew you didn’t care for him,
but he kept on trying to be your friend.
And I cannot accept the granted
I’ve been taken for, and
I will not lie down with
drama queens on theater floors.
I cannot divide your fear from
trust or love from lust.
I cannot accept the granted.
Granted I’m gone.
The Granted ... Thomas Riley Smith - 1996
Welcome to my world.
Even I haven't seen it all.
Watch your step.
I wouldn't want you to fall.
When worlds collide,
anything can happen.
I hope it happens to you.
I hope it happens to me.
When worlds collide,
it's poetry in motion.
Do I rhyme with you?
Do you rhyme with me?
When Worlds Collide ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2007
Grudges and vengeance
will never let me breath,
but don't take that for a sign
of anything that agrees with
accusations that you made on
my sensibilities and my silence
doesn't mean I understand.
Why'd you shoot me down?
Why'd you shoot me down?
I thought for once in my life,
I'd done everything right.
Why'd you shoot me down?
Why'd You Shoot me Down ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2008
Walk me to the east side of the moon
Tell me secrets in seven languages
Tell me even more with your eyes
We’ll sail through all of the hard stuff
And we’ll conquer the rest
As if it were effortless,
Effortless ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2022
Carousels and wedding bells
Spin and spin and ring
You and me named on the marquis
In lights that flash quite constantly
Tides that make their sound again
Another text from your best friend
Dreams that cure recur again
Of you and me quite constantly
Constantly ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2022
Bartender's Love Song
They are not my friends, They don’t even know my name.
They just call me bartender, and ask me to fill
them up again.
And the jukebox lies for dollars,
Everything is gonna be alright,
And tomorrow will be different, but they’re drinking
tonight.
The merry-go-round keeps turning. But it’s no
carousel, and isn’t it ironic that a poet holds the keys
to hell.
And the jukebox lies for dollars, Everything is gonna
be alright. And in the morning I’ll be with you, but
they’re drinking tonight.
Pick me up after lastto the docks of
Babylon and tell, the seagulls all our dreams. And I
swear that loving you and making love to you is all
that comes between me and insanity.Nine hours
after midnight and you kiss me and tell me that it’s
time to go to sleep.
And LIPA just got their money, compliments of Bill
and Jim. They won two-fifty on the ponies, and they
decided to cut me in. ‘Cause they say I take good care
of them, even when their wallets are light. Stick this
twenty in your pocket, man, ‘cause we’re
drinking tonight.
They are not my friends, They don’t even know my
name.
They just call me bartender … And ask me to fill
them up again.
And the jukebox lies for dollars,
Everything is gonna be alright,
And tomorrow will be different, but they’re drinking
tonight.
Bartenders Love Song ... Thomas Riley Smith - 1996
Riley wrote Bartenders Love Song from his experience of working hundreds of last calls and serving hundreds of bar patrons through the years, all while still trying to maintain some sort of a "normal" life.
Bartender's Love Song
They are not my friends, They don’t even
know my name.
They just call me bartender, and ask me to fill them up again.
And the jukebox lies for dollars,
Everything is gonna be alright,
And tomorrow will be different, but they’re drinking
tonight.
The merry-go-round keeps turning. But it’s no
carousel, and isn’t it ironic that a poet holds the keys
to hell.
And the jukebox lies for dollars, Everything is gonna
be alright. And in the morning I’ll be with you, but
they’re drinking tonight.
Pick me up after last call and we can drive down
to the seven-eleven and get your coffee and my herbal
tea. And we can take it down to the docks of
Babylon and tell, the seagulls all our dreams. And I
swear that loving you and making love to you is all
that comes between me and insanity. Nine hours
after midnight and you kiss me and tell me that it’s
time to go to sleep.
And LIPA just got their money, compliments of Bill
and Jim. They won two-fifty on the ponies, and they
decided to cut me in. ‘Cause they say I take good care
of them, even when their wallets are light. Stick this
twenty in your pocket, man, ‘cause we’re
drinking tonight.
They are not my friends, They don’t even know my
name.
They just call me bartender, And ask me to fill
them up again.
And the jukebox lies for dollars,
Everything is gonna be alright,
And tomorrow will be different, but they’re drinking
tonight.
Bartenders Love Song ... Thomas Riley Smith - 1996
Riley wrote Bartenders Love Song from his experience of working hundreds of last calls and serving hundreds of bar patrons through the years, all while still trying to maintain some
Thomas Riley Smith ... but you can just call him Riley!
Thomas Riley Smith ... but you can just call him Riley!
Riley is a wordsmith, unearthing bare words, ultimately, the raw material for sculpting pieces of poetry that are then folded into chords and melodies to craft his finished songs.
But, no song is ever really “finished,” as it is always open to new interpretations, arrangements and additions contributed by other members of this sacred craft we call songwriting.
Riley is a wordsmith, unearthing bare words, ultimately, the raw material for sculpting pieces of poetry that are then folded into chords and melodies to craft his finished songs.
But, no song is ever really “finished,” as it is always open to new interpretations, arrangements and additions contributed by other members of this sacred craft we call songwriting.
If you gave me a rose that was
a day or two old or a diamond
with a flaw or a ring that wasn't gold.
If you wrote me a poem,
that didn't quite rhyme
I wouldn't mind
I wouldn't mind
a little more time with
you to do everything we want to do.
I Wouldn't Mind ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2011
Church bells hang on a boardwalk breeze,
Sunday morning at nine, nearly nobody is out yet,
and that's the way we like it.
A good old dog and a sweet guitar
and the perfect almost rhyme.
I'll meet you down the street, Jeff.
Have you been playin' all night?
You must have been playin' all night.
Well, don't stop now, gimme an E.
We’ll play band of outlaws and all the children
will sing along, like they know the song.
Jeff's Song ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2022
There's three sides to every story,
yours and mine and the truth.
There's three sides to every story,
so what's an honest heart to do?
Say isn't that a paperback
lyin' by the side of the road
somebody told us that it
had a happy ending.
Pick it up and run.
I've seen the movie, but
it's never quite the same.
A classic story, but
the names have all been changed.
Pick it up and run.
Meet me 'round the corner
from the last place that we were OK.
Three Sides ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2011
Brooklyn
in August
Thomas Riley Smith c.2014 - 2022
Grasshoppers rule the
fields of goldenrod, a few blocks down the
carnival sound of everyday life.
Let’s go home and eat macaroni
and drink black cherry soda,
there are fireworks tonight,
and Tito Puente is cool at Atlantis,
it's hot like it should be.
Dangerous? Maybe for you
but not for me
after all this is nineteen seventy three,
and it's Brooklyn in August.
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Everybody sing American Pie
my my, my my, my my
AM radio is my time marching bye bye, bye bye.
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Someone's older sister got a
date with a Dodge Dart Swinger.
Seabreeze Park is a veritable garden of Eden
When all you want to do is
walk the girl home queen's knight to King four,
as the princess of Brighton sits and crosses,
it's hot like it's should be.
Dangerous? Maybe for you
but not for me
after all this is nineteen seventy three
and it's Brooklyn in August.
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August
Everybody sing American Pie
my my, my my, my my
AM radio is my time marching
bye bye, bye bye
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Flick your caps filled with crayon wax
throw your stick at the sun,
everybody gets to play,
everybody gets to run.
Hard luck legends strumin' beach guitars,
whatever happened to the pretty girl
who used to play Oh Caritas?
Bring my black bottom pizza
with 7up in glass,
there are fireworks tonight,
as the princess of Brighton sits and crosses
it's hot like it should be.
Dangerous? Maybe for you,
but not for me
after all it's nineteen seventy three
and it's Brooklyn in August.
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Everybody sing American Pie
my my, my my, my my
AM radio is my time machine
bye bye, bye bye.
Maybe someday you will see it that way
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Riley wrote Brooklyn in Agust in 2014, as an homage to his time growing up in Coney Island and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn NY.
Brooklyn
in August
Thomas Riley Smith c.2014 - 2022
Grasshoppers rule the
fields of goldenrod, a few blocks down the
carnival sound of everyday life.
Let’s go home and eat macaroni
and drink black cherry soda,
there are fireworks tonight,
and Tito Puente is cool at Atlantis,
it's hot like it should be.
Dangerous? Maybe for you
but not for me
after all this is nineteen seventy three,
and it's Brooklyn in August.
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Everybody sing American Pie
my my, my my, my my
AM radio is my time marching bye bye, bye bye.
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Someone's older sister got a
date with a Dodge Dart Swinger.
Seabreeze Park is a veritable garden of Eden
When all you want to do is
walk the girl home queen's knight to King four,
as the princess of Brighton sits and crosses,
it's hot like it's should be.
Dangerous? Maybe for you
but not for me
after all this is nineteen seventy three
and it's Brooklyn in August.
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August
Everybody sing American Pie
my my, my my, my my
AM radio is my time marching
bye bye, bye bye
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Flick your caps filled with crayon wax
throw your stick at the sun,
everybody gets to play,
everybody gets to run.
Hard luck legends strumin' beach guitars,
whatever happened to the pretty girl
who used to play Oh Caritas?
Bring my black bottom pizza
with 7up in glass,
there are fireworks tonight,
as the princess of Brighton sits and crosses
it's hot like it should be.
Dangerous? Maybe for you,
but not for me
after all it's nineteen seventy three
and it's Brooklyn in August.
Maybe someday you will see it that way,
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Everybody sing American Pie
my my, my my, my my
AM radio is my time machine
bye bye, bye bye.
Maybe someday you will see it that way
but for now it's just Brooklyn in August.
Riley wrote Brooklyn in Agust in 2014, as an homage to his time growing up in Coney Island and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn NY.
It was kind of a blues
with eyes the color of the rain.
It was slow until it wasn’t.
It was hard until
it stopped for breath.
It was real, it was as
real as fantasy gets.
It was living and
it was dying and
then it came back
to life like a swing
on a childhood tree.
It was young and
it was old and
it was beautiful and
it was almost free.
It was the rhythm,
it was the melody.
Your song sang me.
Your Song Sang Me ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2022
It doesn’t rain on me.
It doesn’t rain in my world.
In doesn’t rain on me.
It doesn’t rain on my girl.
It doesn’t rain on our street.
It doesn’t rain at our door.
It doesn’t rain out our sunshine.
It doesn’t rain anymore.
And it never gets too dark.
And it never gets too cold.
There’s nothing here
that isn’t real,
just wood and silver,
and turquoise and gold,
The light of the moon,
just before the sun,
the earth under our feet
when we run baby run.
It Doesn't Rain on Me ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2023
Honesty is a rare commodity.
Why does the truth always sound so much like the fairy tale?
And I’m so damn sick and tired of hearing
that there are no more good men out there.
We’re just few and far between,
like catching kisses in the wind.
Hey, look me in the eyes,
and put your face right in my hands.
If I cry tears, just let them fall,
and then I’ll know you understand.
Look me in the eyes.
Look me in the eyes.
Look me in the eyes.
Look Me In the Eyes... Thomas Riley Smith - 1999
I get so mad at the world
when I see how it disrespects
the beautiful and the kind.
Sometimes I almost hold her too tight,
I can’t let any more damage
be done. So I drop to my knees
by her feet I shout, please
God take the pain from this
innocent one, and I thank you
for the new day that’s begun.
And when she’s smiling
all my demons run away and
with one kiss, I’m in heaven.
God bless the girl.
God Bless the Girl ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2000
If I live three hundred sixty five
times one hundred days,
no wish could be greater than
the prayer that was answered.
And I think by now I
know something about love.
I know, that all I need is you.
All I need is you.
So girl run and tell,
tell anyone you want
about everything we've got,
cause it ain't going anywhere this love.
It ain't going anywhere this love.
Run and Tell ... Thomas Riley Smith - 2016
Thank you for visiting Life of Riley Music! Feel free to reach out to us at 1-855-RILEY-55
Thank you for visiting Life of Riley Music! Feel free to reach out to us at 1-855-RILEY-55
Copyright 1980 -2025 Thomas Riley Smith and Life of Riley Music