Gerard O'Riley

An uplifting anthem of emotional freedom that explores acceptance and growth. The lyric builds from thoughtful verses to a driving, cathartic chorus, featuring strong rhythmic phrasing and a highly memorable hook: “Messy made me magic.” Excellent for Alternative Pop, Indie Pop, or Uplifting Pop/Rock tracks.

A confessional and emotionally heavy lyric, “Whiskey Wallowing” follows a broken man hiding behind liquor, small talk, and temporary company while still clinging to the ghost of a past love. It explores the cycle of self-destruction and denial, where every sip is an escape and every distraction is just a reminder of the one he truly misses.

This song is loosely based on the poem Christabel by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. I had so much fun writing "She Walks the Graveyard" that I decided to create one with an even more Gothic theme. I found an old poem which I had, at first, intended to update for modern times but the more I thought about it, the less I wanted to keep the story, let alone modernize it. I love the Gothic theme of the poem, rich with moonlit woods, spectral presences, and ambiguous evil. However, as I started writing it, the more I wanted to twist the tale into something completely different. I hope you enjoy reading these lyrics when we enter into the season of pumpkins, bats, ghosts, and hobgoblins, or just whenever the mood strikes.

This uplifting anthem celebrates the power of community and the enduring spark of hope. Through vivid imagery of rivers, forests, cities, and skies, the lyrics weave together a journey from darkness into light. The refrain, “We are the keepers of the flame”, becomes a rallying cry for unity, resilience, and shared purpose. Whether sung in a sanctuary, on a stage, or around a campfire, the song invites listeners to stand together, carry hope forward, and let their light shine for all to see.

I wrote this song after I broke up with my ex boyfriend - I was trying so hard on this relationship and I really wanted it to work but somehow I was the only one who was fighting - after the breakup I was so down and sad and heartbroken because I just wanted a love that lasts and that is real and this is what the song is about - I doubted myself being enough