Dave-Michael Valentine

Rediscovering the Dave-Michael Valentine Music Catalog

dmvadmin — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 04:08:39 +0000

I want to begin by expressing a huge debt of gratitude to the people who believed the Dave-Michael Valentine catalog of songs was simply too precious to disappear into the black hole of nothingness.

A volunteer team has stepped forward to help clean up some of the old tracks and even reproduce selected songs to current standards.

What makes this especially exciting is that this kind of work would once have been enormously expensive. Back in the Eternalight Studio days, Norman and I did things the old-fashioned way: musicians, microphones, studio time, tape, equipment, engineering, and a whole lot of work.

Today, computers and AI-assisted production tools have changed everything. What once might have been financially impossible can now be explored again.

What does that mean for the future? I have no idea. And maybe that’s part of the fun.

How It Started

My musical journey began around 1973, playing bass and singing backup in bar bands. It was actually a pretty good gig. Drunk older ladies thought I was cute, and I needed the money to help support my family. Everybody wins.

By 1974, though, I discovered something that irritated me tremendously: licensing arrangements at venues could affect which songs bands were permitted to perform. That did not sit well with me. So I started writing my own songs.

My thinking was simple: If I wrote the song, nobody could tell me I couldn’t play it. Take that. I could perform my songs anywhere somebody was willing to let me plug in.

Then Came Norman

In 1976, I met Norman, and we hit it off immediately. Musically, we were a slightly unusual match.

My biggest challenge was trying to keep his lead guitar restrained enough to fit my songwriting style. Norman, meanwhile, couldn’t understand why I insisted on surrounding my vocals with all those harmonies. He thought I could carry the songs perfectly well without all that falderal.

We disagreed. Frequently. And somehow it worked.

When we began playing together, I was working with Teen Challenge, and Norman and I were attending Bible college together. So Christian music naturally became the foundation of much of what we were doing.

But we weren’t particularly interested in traditional Christian music. We wanted something contemporary. Something with some teeth.

I was usually the one trying to keep things melodic and controlled, while Norman was always waiting for an excuse to unplug the VOX and plug into the Marshall.

Every now and then, I wrote something aggressive enough to make him very happy.

The Songs Started Changing

Over time, my songwriting became more secular—or at least it sounded that way on the surface. The truth is, many of those songs were deliberately written without explaining the full context. If you knew the story behind them, the spiritual undercurrent was usually still there.

That became part of the fun for me. The songs could mean one thing on the surface and something deeper underneath. They were multidimensional long before I had a word for it.

The songs being revisited today represent roughly the Top 20 most commonly requested songs from those years.

Eventually, the Music Stopped

By the time the 1990s arrived, my performing career was essentially winding down.

The biggest problem was practical: it became increasingly difficult to make enough money from live performance to justify the time, travel, equipment, rehearsal, and everything else that went into it.

So, for the most part, I hung up the guitar.

And the musical soundtrack of my life became very quiet.

I Wish Norman Could See This

It breaks my heart that Norman passed away this year, just as these old songs have been given an opportunity to surface again.

He was my greatest musical supporter. Nobody believed in this catalog more than Norman did.

I wish he could have heard what is happening to some of these songs now. Especially the old ones. Because there is a story behind why that matters so much to me.

“What Is This Hippie Shit?”

Years ago, Norman was driving his van, and a bunch of us were loading up to go see an old musician friend perform. Someone brought along a CD containing some of our old recordings.

So there we were, driving down the road, laughing, singing along, remembering gigs, making fun of ourselves, and generally having a wonderful time.

Then we stopped to pick up one more friend.

He climbed into the van. One of my old songs was blasting through the speakers. He listened for approximately three seconds. Then he leaned forward, ejected the CD, and said: “What is this hippie shit?”

Then he turned on the radio.

That was pretty much the end of the Dave-Michael Valentine retrospective. For me, anyway. Norman, of course, was undeterred.

But after that, I became strangely reluctant to share my old music, even with my own kids. Part of me could still hear that guy ejecting the CD.

Maybe It’s Time

That’s one reason this new project means more to me than I expected. Some of these songs are being given a little cosmetic surgery. Not rewritten into something they never were. Not stripped of their history. Just cleaned up. Rebalanced. Sometimes reproduced.

Sometimes updated enough that I can hear the song again instead of only hearing the limitations of an old recording. And maybe now I’ll feel a little less embarrassed about sharing them.

Especially with my kids. Because a few of those songs were written about them. Those are the ones I particularly want them to hear.

So what happens next?

I don’t know. Maybe nothing. Maybe something surprising. Maybe a few old songs get another chance to breathe.

For now, this much I know: I’m finally becoming a little less embarrassed about sharing my music.

And after all these years, that feels like a pretty good place to start.

The post Rediscovering the Dave-Michael Valentine Music Catalog first appeared on Dave-Michael Valentine.

When a Never-Us Must Be

dmvadmin — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:37:42 +0000

Look… here’s the truth I can’t outrun,
The moment I met you, my heart came undone.
It leapt toward yours like destiny,
A love that made no sense to me.

I fell so deep, so instantly,
A feeling strong as memory.
And though we fit so perfectly,
Your heart won’t fall the same for me.

Oh, what’s a man supposed to do,
When every breath is tied to you?
When loving me is something you
Could never feel, could never do?

So I love you still, though it breaks me through,
And I pull away… though I cling to you.

You enjoy the moments that we share,
But I love you more than your heart can bear.
You smile with warmth, you’re kind, you’re free,
But you’re not in love, not deep, like me.

So day by day, I step aside,
Acting strong while my feelings hide.
Walking wounded, silently,
Losing pieces internally.

But it’s the only way, you see
’Cause the end would devastate me.
And losing you completely
Is a wound I’d wear eternally.

Oh, what’s a man supposed to do,
When his whole soul aches to stay with you?
When the only path is pulling through,
Though every step feels untrue?

So I let you go, though it tears me wide,
Keeping the storm on the inside.

Still, quietly, I dream at night
Of a “forever-us” where love burns bright.
But truth steps in to disagree
A never-us is what must be.

I think of you endlessly,
Wish fate had drawn a different key.
Wish hearts aligned like poetry
But some loves aren’t meant to be set free.

So I whisper goodbye in the softest way,
Though it’s you I want, more every day.
And I pull back slow so your heart stays light,
While mine breaks down in the quiet night.

Oh, what’s a man supposed to do,
When loving you is all he knew?
But loving me is not in you
And letting go is overdue.

So I set you free, though it empties me
Because a never-us… must be.

The post When a Never-Us Must Be first appeared on Dave-Michael Valentine.

Daddy, Where Are You?

Dave-Michael Valentine — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 04:53:42 +0000

About a hundred years ago, you left me, sometimes wish I knew who you were. Wonder what life would be like if you raised me… What about mommy? Did you love her?

I can’t help it. Something inside keeps crying, “Daddy, where are you?”

I’m a big boy now, well I ought to know better. No use crying over milk that’s already been spilt.

I guess I’m here now. So what’s the matter with crying, “Daddy, where are you?”

I can’t help it. Something inside keeps crying, “Daddy, where are you?”

The post Daddy, Where Are You? first appeared on Dave-Michael Valentine.

We’ll Always Have Each Other Dave-Michael Valentine

dmvadmin — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 14:27:54 +0000

We’ll Always Have Each Other

We’ll always have each other no matter what shape or form
We’ll always have each other, the universe can be torn
We’re a part of each other, sharing more than others can
We’re not one without the other; you’re the offspring of this man

Kings and princes can’t come between everything that our lives mean
Law of man can try to keep us apart but they can rule the blood in our heart

Just because we don’t see eye-to-eye doesn’t mean we can’t recognize
That this family must fight to survive in an effort to sustain our lives
We’ll do everything that we can to preserve our family plan
Regardless of our separate homes, you won’t have to fight this war alone

We might have different points of view but I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do
I’ll keep my lips sealed in an effort to let our family heal

Power hungry lions seek to destroy; come between me and my little boy
I’ll always wear the scar of your ride in that police car
How’d you end up in foster homes, giving way to the unknown?
Then they went and cut the curls; they took the locks off my girls

Kings and princes can’t come between everything that our lives mean
Laws of man can try to keep us apart but they can rule the blood in our heart

We’ll always have each other no matter what shape or form
We’ll always have each other, the universe can be torn
We’re a part of the other, sharing more than others can
We’re not one without the other; you’re the offspring of this man

Kings and princes can’t come between everything that our lives mean
Laws of man can try to keep us apart but they can rule the blood in our heart

We might have different points of view but I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do
I’ll keep my lips sealed in an effort to let our family heal

The post We’ll Always Have Each Other Dave-Michael Valentine first appeared on Dave-Michael Valentine.

About the Top 20

dmvadmin — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 04:04:55 +0000

One never knows why people like the songs that they do, why they remember certain songs over other ones, or why they prefer one over the other.

Certainly, if I were to select my favorite DMV songs, few of these would be on my list.

I suppose there is just no accounting for taste.

In reference to these songs:

If the World Ends Tomorrow

This one is probably the most remembered one because the title is the primary content of the entire song (kind’a like, “Born in the USA”). Even so, it is a good song, otherwise also.

Saying that You Love Me

This song is about some woman that DMV works with and likes. They spend a lot of time living and working together. She fancies him and expresses her love for him. He kindly rejects her because he’s in love with someone else but still wants to retain the friendship. (I don’t think men could care less about this song, but who knows.)

One Way to Two

A song about a charismatic personality with the ability to get followers by sleight of hand, with certain sarcastic overtones. I’m not sure what the intent was; nonetheless, here it sits as the third most requested and popular DMV tune. Go figure.

California Girls

This song was written on-the-fly out of DMV’s overwhelmed response to seeing so many beautiful, scantily-clad women while performing in California (written in Palm Springs). A blatant Beach Boys rip-off, received a vote of approval from Sonny Bono.

Island Girl in the City

A song about a girl (there’s a few of those on the Top 20 list; might cause one to think that’s all DMV wrote about) from an island who has relocated to the city and it appears that someone has developed a secret crush on her.

There’s Something

Presumably a song about an unfaithful wife of whom the husband (the singer of the song) is suspicious but unable to put his finger on what’s up (probably a good thing).

How to Say the Words

A DMV song about someone who has a secret crush (a familiar theme) but finds it difficult to find the words to express his/her feelings.

Today

This is a decent song about frolicking with someone – maybe even being in love with someone – where just enjoying the time spent with that person is revered as joyous and wonderful, even if only for today. Notably one of DMV’s first three songs written for his band, Blue Flax.

Hurt Me

A family man gets trashed by his wife and wallows in the pain. Accept the caveat from Tom Cruise in Cocktail, “Jesus, everything ends badly, otherwise it wouldn’t end.”

Contemplate the Mysteries

Some new-age something-or-other that women of a particular persuasion might like due to the vocabulary of the song’s content. (Gives you an idea of the type of person who would vote for this song.)

Nightmare

Heart-wrenching tune about a mother whose daughter was brutally killed and is having trouble accepting the identity of the body. (Warning: this is a little disturbing.)

Kool Kat Kitty

Second Blue Flax song about a young man from his hometown who makes good singing his original songs, while the singer of this song wishes he’d gone with him when he had the chance.

When I Get Down

One of the earliest DMV songs; a longtime favorite that is performed either with acoustic guitar(s) and/or keyboards, soulful, lonely song with some religious references.

Where’d the War Be?

Where would the war be without the guns and bombs necessary to fight an effective campaign? Who supplies all that weaponry? (Who, exactly, is this song about? … This song may be heavier than it sounds.)

Cannibal Girls

What man hasn’t almost been eaten alive by one of the original cannibal girls? They’d just as soon eat you as look at you. You think you’re in for a good time when they ask you to dinner, not realizing that you’re the meal. (Silly delivery, should’ve been a more gritty song.)

Rebound Blues

Okay, so you’ve been dumped. Now what? You get approached by everyone offering a roll in the hay to help relieve your broken heart. Looks like this guy’s not falling for that offer.

I Can’t Get Enough

It’s one of those it’s a love-song about a woman/no it’s a love-song about God… Well, it’s a little obvious; it’s pretty much just about God. Really not very clandestine.

What You Do for You

This song promotes the idea that maybe we’d all be better off if we were just a little less selfish, because all the stuff is fleeting on the stage called, “life.”

Every Time I Try to Help

If you have kids – especially teenagers – who you try to support and reason with, and they still do not respect your efforts; you already know what this song’s about.

Top Secret

Obviously a song about stuff that we hide from each other; I mean, we wouldn’t want everyone to know all of our personal stuff, right?

If you have a better idea about what these songs are about, please don’t hesitate to chime-in below…

The post About the Top 20 first appeared on Dave-Michael Valentine.

Top Secret Dave-Michael Valentine

dmvadmin — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 13:23:27 +0000

Top Secret

Why do I hid things from my brother, I know I can’t, I can’t hide from you?
Why does it seem there ain’t no other, thing for, thing for me to do?
I’m always afraid of getting’ caught doin’ the things that I know I shouldn’t ought
When I do things I think I need to hide, it don’t make me feel so good inside

These top secret
Top secret things in my life
Top secret things I don’t want you to know
Top secret
Top secret sin in my life
Top secret things I need to give to You

What is this feelin’ that I feel? It is an achin’ in my heart
Is it your spirit trying to reveal what I’m supposed to do as my part?
Givin’ it up for Your love. Release it with Your power from above
Givin; it up si I can, I can be like You. Givin’ it up so I can do life like You

These top secret
Top secret things in my life
Top secret things I don’t want you to know
Top secret
Top secret sin in my life
Top secret things I need to give to You

Top secret
Top secret things in my life
Top secret things I don’t want you to know
Top secret
Top secret sin in my life
Top secret things I need to give to You

(break)

Top secret
Top secret things in my life
Top secret things I don’t want you to know
Top secret
Top secret sin in my life
Top secret things I need to give to You

The post Top Secret Dave-Michael Valentine first appeared on Dave-Michael Valentine.

Every Time I Try to Help Dave-Michael Valentine

dmvadmin — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 07:00:48 +0000

Every Time I Try to Help

Every time I try to help, you never listen to me
At times you make it so very hard to be the parent I should be
It’s so hard to remember when I was like you
Rebelling in my teenage ways, it’s true, I’ve done it too

Sometimes I get too angry, overreact to what you’ve done
But I want to say I’m sorry, be a family in the sun
It’s just because I love you and I just want to say
I’m sorry if I hurt you. Please help me find the way

Dear Lord, please help me to be the parent you want me to be
Help me to keep my eyes on you in everything that I do
Dear Lord, please help me to be the parent you want me to be
Help me to keep my eyes on you in everything that I do
Especially raising the children you so specially gave to me

The post Every Time I Try to Help Dave-Michael Valentine first appeared on Dave-Michael Valentine.

What You Do for You Dave-Michael Valentine

dmvadmin — Thu, 17 Mar 2016 06:32:51 +0000

What You Do for You

In this dark and desperate age
We all take our place upon the stage
With conviction we take our places
We’ve done the best to fix our faces
Curtain up, lights go down
Act slips from verb to noun
Part played in this passion play
Unaware if we’ll return another day

And we can try to do our best
And we can help all the rest
And we can do good things for man
Do all the best that we can
For all the things that we do
Only one things still rings true
What you do, do for you is what you lose

You’re the star of this production
We welcome you to your induction
Your tongue sharper than a sword
You can’t wait to get your award
You’re so glad to play your part
You forgot about your heart
Look up at the pale, blue sky
You can’t help but-a wonder why?

The post What You Do for You Dave-Michael Valentine first appeared on Dave-Michael Valentine.

Rebound Blues Dave-Michael Valentine

dmvadmin — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 06:24:55 +0000

Rebound Blues

There’s too much smoke in here to see you clearly
I can’t find oxygen to breathe in here. Can you hear me?
You been tellin’ me about your constitution
There’s too much confusion in my dissolution