Steve McAllister’s songs touch upon a number of aspects of the human experience. His songs are driven by a sense of humor, curiosity, and understanding.
“Another World Is Out There” is an homage to Joseph Campbell and his teachings on The Hero’s Journey. It’s a song of aspiration and inspiration for a generation in search of a new direction.
“Breathe Easy” is a fun little ditty of encouragement. The essence of the song is that we don’t have to worry as much as we often think we do. We’ve just got to believe that life will provide for us as we provide for it.
“Breathe” is largely a criticism of our culture, both in how our rampant consumption and pollution affects the environment as well as how it sucks our energy to reach its goals. But it is also a call for attention to awareness and an introduction to the power of intentional breathing.
“Broken” is a song of empathy, outrage, and encouragement. Although the world may often seem designed to keep us down so much that we feel completely broken, sometimes where we are broken is where the world needs healing. As we heal, the world heals with us, and what we all need now is healing.
It is no great secret that I am not a huge admirer of the US political system, and it is my highest hope for my country that we may someday see the complete annihilation of both the Democratic and Republican parties. In “Dear Mr. Washington” I used the words from George Washington’s farewell address to write a song that argues that our first president shared my sentiments about the two parties. And, as captivated as so many are by the pageantry of our idiotic competition of corrupt organizations, I think Washington would completely agree that we should at least start thinking about how we’re going to get rid of these vampiric corporations and move into an actual democracy. This is a niche song, but I still love it and want people to hear it.
“Every Little Thing” draws from the storytellers like Ray Stevens and Jim Stafford. It’s a plucky little number of hope, but also a call to personal responsibility. I think it also has the potential to be a really great jam song.
“Feel” is a ballad of support and encouragement. Especially in this day and age of depression and isolation, this song is meant to help people know they’re cared for and not alone. These days, people need to feel some love. This version, performed by Corina Joy Harper and produced by Kyle McAllister, is a bit different in timing and pacing than the original, but you get the idea of it. I happen to think that her version sounds better than mine, but you can check out my version here.
Although I am not religious, I still have an awareness of spirituality and a connection with the Creator of the reality I currently inhabit. “Have Faith” gets to the essence of true faith beyond any religious prescriptions or dogmatic beliefs. It’s about realizing that we are the answers to other people’s prayers and trusting in the Provider of our breaths to keep on providing as we seek out and fulfill our missions here. This song has the potential to really get the spirit moving!
“Heal The World” is ultimately a ballad of personal responsibility. Our culture has plenty of issues to work through as we look back over the collective violence and injustices that have plagued our species, as well as the continued exhibitions of that conditioning. However, because of how our culture has been cultivated, many of us have a lot of tragedy and trauma to heal from on a personal level. As we work through our own issues and find healing for ourselves, we help the world around us find healing as well.
“If Anybody Asks” is a bit tongue in cheek, but it’s ultimately a critique of cancel culture and a call to awareness. It’s about moving beyond our nostalgia for the past and opening up to a less uptight and regretful future.
I wrote “Let It Flow” as a musical expression of what I call ABC Squared Economics. Basically, just as nature has the four elements of water, air, earth, and fire and humans are theoretically comprised of heart, mind, body, and spirit, so are our lives made up of our Artistry, Business, Citizenry, and Community. I wrote a whole book about it, but the song is just about letting the spirit of life flow in your life by cultivating good emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health.
If we’re going to transcend the things that aren’t working for us, we should consult the Transcendentalists. “Live Deliberately” was composed using quotes and sentiments from the work of Henry David Thoreau. This is for the environmentalists and those into conscious living.
I recognize that “Live, Laugh, and Love” is the popular sentiment, but that only really includes physical, emotional, and spiritual considerations. Considering the state of things today, I happen to think we should have a little mental stimulation into the mix as well. Beyond what this culture tells me that I want, I just want to “Live, Learn, Laugh, and Love”.
“One People” was written after the 2020 election in the hopes of reunification across America. After producing my version of it, I realized it actually sounds better with the capo on the third fret, but I’m sure each artist will find their key. I see this as a pretty strong anthem that will have a whole lot of people swaying together and singing along.
Considering the division that’s manufactured by the two US political parties, some argue that the country is more divided than ever. Nevertheless, I’m a big believer in redemption and think that we are all actually “Reunitable”. This song, for me, has the potential to be a really fun sing along.
“Rise” is an anthem of encouragement and empowerment. It’s about never giving up even in the face of hardship, loss, failure, or defeat. I imagine it would make for a great training montage in a film.
“Song For The People” is about moving beyond our differences and finding common ground while also recognizing just how powerful we can be when we actually work together. It’s a prayer for unification.
“The People That Made Me” is a celebration of the people who share our lives and a song of hope for the lives we create from here. It’s about realizing the value of the connections that we have and harnessing the power of love.
Of the songs I think have universal appeal, “The Road To Lonesome” is probably the most personal, so “universal” appeal might be overstating it. I think there are certain artists who can relate to sacrificing relationships for their art, but this song is probably not for everybody.
“There’s A Way” is as optimistic as it sounds, and its bluesy rhymes of encouragement have a really nice groove.
“Today” is an anthem of reinvention. It’s about letting go of preconceived notions, making the most of the time we’re given, and being the changes we want to see in the world. Plus, it’s got a nice call and response part for engaged audiences.
“We The People” calls for a return to the basics of who we really are. Beyond all of the things that are manufactured for us to argue about, people have an incredible ability to collaborate and organize to do truly wonderful things. For the world to get better, we the people is what we need.
The idea of thoughts and prayers gets a lot of criticism, but for a lot of people, prayer may be the only thing they have to offer sometimes. And there are a lot of people who really do believe in the power of prayer. “Why We Pray” is a defense of those who take to their knees, but also a call to get up on their feet to do what needs to be done.
“Without Love” could be a tragic ballad or a bouncy pop song, but I suppose that could be true about any song if you do it right. Basically, it’s about the power of love, and since our society seems to be going through some pretty hard times, it would be good to remember just how much we need it. (This song was written in the key of D, but I play it with a capo on 3 so feel free to adjust as necessary.)
Dear Mona Lisa – What would you ask the most valuable painting in the world about the life she’s seen change in the last five hundred years?
Song For The People – This song came at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic and became the song of the month for March.
The People That Made Me– This started as an ode to my friends and lovers, and there were even verses with their names in them. But ultimately, I knew that the song wanted a more universal appeal so that anyone could sing it.
Mystery – This is the first song I wrote that I actually remember. Matt Corbin and I were in Wasilla, Alaska. He started playing the music, and I started writing the words. I wrote a couple others that summer, but I don’t remember them.
On The Road – After hitchhiking to Colorado on The Rucksack Letters journey, I wrote this on a guitar my girlfriend let me borrow.
The Game– It gets cold on the back of a motorcycle, and after I bought one in Reno, Nevada and crossed Donner Pass into California, I started singing to keep warm. Eventually, I started making up my own songs, starting with this one.
Are You Searching Too – As cynical and cold-hearted as I may sometimes appear, I am still a bit of a romantic.
If Only– This was written in a tent in California and was the first song ever to be produced with time dollars as a currency… at least, to my knowledge. This version also features the incredible fiddling of Sara Stovall from Passerine.
The Prodigal’s Lament– My mom has often called me “the prodigal son” and it’s probably not a bad description.
San Andrea’s Fault – As romantic as I may think I am, I can still be a real asshole sometimes.
Fly Home – I wrote this for a girl I met in a homeless shelter in Eugene, Oregon.
Steve– The movie The Tao of Steve claims that “Steve” is the coolest name ever. I do not disagree.
Long Crawl– In Los Angeles. I was the closest I could possibly be to what I’d always wanted to do, but what I really wanted seemed very far away.
I’ll Try– This is my ode to living with a neurological disorder in an already disordered society.
Forgive Me– I think Christianity would be a much better religion if they dropped the dogma and just taught people to forgive.
Lost As Me – The fact that so many of our heroes let us down does as least make humanity a little more equal. We’re all equally fallible.
Lookin’ At Me – The girl I wrote this about said this is supposed to be called “Tracy’s Song”, but I haven’t talked to her in years so I’ll call it what I want.
Reveal It In Me – This is my prayer to whatever energy force thought it was a good idea to put all of these cells together and give me the experience of being Steve for awhile.
Why Did I Chase You Away? – Matt Corbin actually wrote this. I just helped a bit.
9/11/01 – Matt Corbin again.
Happy – I wrote this for my girlfriend at the time for her birthday. I think it was the only good thing I ever did for her on any of her birthdays.
Sweet Leaf Serenade – This is a breakup/love song for tobacco. She’s a horrible mistress, but I do love her.
Captain Facebook – I wrote this for the internet trolls out there who just like to criticize people and stir up trouble.
Breathe – When I started writing this song, I asked my housemate, Alex, to be a good muse and tell me what it should be about. She said about how she “can’t stop coughing because of the red tide that’s made worse by greedy corporations and the assholes that run them”… or something like that.
A Group of Critters – This started as a poem, an ode to the diversity of the animal kingdom. But it makes a really fun song as well.
The Beginning of the End – I wrote this on a Sunday morning while pondering the apocalypse.
Every Little Thing – After writing “The Beginning of the End” in the morning, I was wired to write another song. I asked my friend, Ece, to be a good muse and tell me what it should be about. She said, “maybe write a song about people helping people or strangers helping each other. Changing the world with tiny acts of kindness.”
Feel – Ece was going to come play music with me, but couldn’t because she felt drained. I told her I would write her a song and asked what kind of song she wanted. She said “sad and soothing.”
Broken – I wrote the music for this on New Years Day, 2020. The idea to extend the notes in the choruses didn’t come until almost a week later. This song made me decide to write a new song every month.
Keep It Simple, Stupid – This was my song for the month for February. It’ s bit satirical, blending the idea of the “knowledge of good and evil” we started chewing on in the biblical account to the partisan politics that make America run so smoothly.
I Don’t Know Yet – I told my muse that I was writing a song and I needed her help. She said, “What’s it about?” I said, “I don’t know yet.” She said, “Well, that’s the title then.” So there you go.
Today – This my anthem for creating your life on a daily basis though the world rages on around you.
God Bless, America – If I couldn’t laugh at America, it would probably make me cry.
Another World Is Out There – Inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell.
Find Steve McAllister on Spotify
If you’re interested in developing your own rendition of any of these songs, please let me know by contacting me at stevemc.xyz@gmail.com. It would truly be an honor.
If you know any musical artists looking for songs, please pass this page along. Thank you.