Customise: YouTube Streaming Figures (+ additional song information) – THE LOST CONNECTION: The Words And Music Of (the-lost-connection.com)

Mask Of Reality – Reality In Dreamland was written and recorded 3 decades ago and when 4-track tape recorders were used. A story was written around these tracks, but only in a brief draft format (11,500 words). Using modern technology they were converted to MP3 format. The quality of the recordings was never brilliant, and did depreciate over time.

Lost Property was recorded using DAW technology, Mixcraft 5, 8 & 9 (and Logic Pro X for a little while). The songs were taken from the last 8 years and grouped together to form songs, suitable for only me possibly.

The Best Of The Lost Connection (2011 – 2019), Parts 1 -5 was a collection of many of my unreleased songs (except 6 that were on Lost Property) that were just recorded quickly over the years and were just sitting around doing nothing (although I had uploaded them on to SoundCloud, since creating this website in 2017).

2020 Vision was a step in the right direction. A bit more time was spent on the recordings and the production quality did improve, due to accepting voluntary redundancy and having loads of spare time.

The New Lost World 19-20-21 was recorded while in the lockdown period, mainly. This was influenced by COVID-19 also, and a continuation of 2020 Vision. It was a combination of musical indulgences, a new relationship and a lifestyle change. It was released on 1-9-2021 and based around 2019, 2020 and 2021. After this album release I started working for a living again.

The Lost & Found History (2021 Update) contained many 4-track recordings from decades gone by – a couple of which had vocal tracks added to later, and one which was recorded using a DAW in 2012. Our moments were few and far between and we never had much time to perfect anything after 1999 (and before in fact).

Whatever Happened was the after effect of COVID, synch-writing and collaborating, and reaching a better point in life. This was where success in life had been declared and opened-up the idea of releasing a book of poetic lyrics to mark the end of an era (the musical bubble in which I had lived). Whatever Happened was partly questioning how this new style of mine had come about, and stating that this is how it is , and become, after everything that has happened.

Before Then After (Things Are Getting Heavy) is written in the aftermath of the 11 album releases and effects of COVID, together with looking ahead to the future, and taking into account the way in which the world seems to be going (which follows on from the 2020 Vision song, in a way).

Here is the streaming data for all of my musical releases between 2019 and 2024. Some of these songs were created many years before they were recorded, and actually released. Some of the music was created long before the lyrics and I cannot specifically say when that was. However, most of the lyrics were written first and music created after. The dates below cover the dates from when the music and/or the lyrics were first created and completed, and released.

The story so far and into the future is going to plan:

Austin Macauley:
Kindly note that the publication date for your book “The Words Behind the Music Volume One: Lost in Reality” is set to 19th July 2024.


Before Then After

The journey was long – in the 80s it begun
The route was unclear and the destination unknown.

2019
Lost Property
Then the 5 ‘Best Ofs’
Most of my last 10 year history.

New relationship
In 2020
Vision become after
Voluntary Redundancy.

Dreamland in the 90s
Finally came to light
Revitalised
With Reality In sight
Sold the house in 21
Employed once again
After moving home
I was joined by my girlfriend.

The New Lost World
Which COVID did create
A year away from work, then engaged
It was a great escape.

The Lost And Found History
Updated and completed
22 years of brief encounters
On one album release.

Whatever Happened
Ended the story
The Words Behind The Music
Are Lost In Reality.

The journey was long, was long, was long
In the 80s it begun
The route was unclear, unclear, unclear
And the destination unknown.

New ideas in 22
Developed in 23
Plans for 24
Life was now worth living for

Book published
This album released
Wedding in September, too
Then Venice for the honeymoon cruise.

Before Then After, Our Big Day
What will become though? Things are getting heavy so…
Just another question – how heavy will it get?
Weather, war or something more serious in ’24
Hope we stay alive to see 25.

The journey was long, was long, was long
In the 80s it begun
The route was unclear, unclear, unclear
And the destination unknown.

But, now at the end of a journey in time
A wake from the dream in reality I find…
I’ve arrived!, with a subtle landing
Without any pressure and so undemanding
My entrance was discreet, in the background I sneak
Invisible, but audible, unnoticed by nearly all
But the literal types might get to read
The Words Behind The Music and like what they see.

I have released the inner me
Laid bare for all to see… and hear, and now
Present, but Lost, but where will things go
In the future though?
God only knows! Or maybe not?
The journey was completed, but whatever comes to be
I know that We Won’t Stop
And Together Forever her and me.

But in the world today I think it’s fair to say we want
Peace not war, instead of fighting and dying
Life is for living, sharing and giving
Not taking and killing…
Civies on the streets, with no sanitation or heating
Amongst what were buildings, but now just ruins…
Wars are horrific, but floods and fires too
Volcanos erupting – what can we do?

Some were born to love, but some were born to kill
We need to segregate the good from the bad
Or compromise – harmonise
Preserve life by preventing death
While we are here, seek joy and happiness
With no fear or threats, handle life without regrets
Learn from mistakes, mourn for the dead,
But rise with positivity in our heads.

But I have no power, but try to preserve
My life in love and passion, trusting our Mother Earth
Will gain control from the lap of the Gods
And tame the weather and ease the pressure
And let the future continue
With more pleasure than pain
So in this universe
Humanity can remain.

The journey was long, was long, was long
In the 80s it begun
The route was unclear, unclear, unclear
And the destination unknown.

The journey was long – in the 80s it begun
The route unclear and the destiny unknown!
The journey was long – in the 80s it begun
The route unclear And the destination unknown
Before, then after.

© 2024 – Colin E. Pyle

(This very old set of lyrics now have a major significance in regard to the name of my 12th album (34 years later): ‘Things Are Getting Heavy’)

Verse 1
I love my music, I don’t want to lose it,
I don’t want to use it, I don’t want to abuse it
I just want to make it up and play it how I choose it.

Verse 2
It was made to be played, ugly though appealing
Similarities revealing, Looks can be deceiving
If you like the music then you’ll understand the meaning.

Chorus
I like writing words as a form of expression
I like writing music with a hint of aggression
My songs are on paper, my music’s on tape
I’d like it on CD but is it the right shape?

Verse 3
It may be different, and the people might not like it
What will they think of it? Will they understand it?
If it makes no money will I abandon it?

Verse 4
What should I call my songs to give the right impression?
Will they get attention? Or even get a mention?
If I like my music then need I ask such questions?

Chorus
I like writing words as a form of expression, I like writing music with a hint of aggression My songs are on paper, my music’s on tape, I’d like it on CD but is it the right shape?

Verse 5
Are my ideas the right ideas? Is this shape a shapeless shape?
Is it gonna make or break? Either way, how long will it take?
If it doesn’t go anywhere what changes will I have to make?

Bridge
Just another question before things begin
Am I really sure about the shape I’m in?
I may not be heavy, but I feel I’m too thin
I’d like to put on weight if things start to begin.

Chorus
I like writing songs as a form of expression
I like writing songs with a hint of aggression
My songs are on paper, my music’s on tape
I’d like it on CD but is it the right shape?

© 1990 – Colin E. Pyle

Hi everyone,

My new album was meant to be released on 27th May, but after a slight error and having to re-upload the whole album and lyrics the release date was reset for today/asap. So, hopefully the album will be on most streaming sites tomorrow or soon after. Feel free to check it out. There are a mixture of styles and many songs as usual. Hope you enjoy the songs as much as I did creating them and now just waiting for he book to be published.

Happy weekend people!

Colin E. Pyle
The Lost Connection

Before Then After (Things Are Getting Heavy) by The Lost Connection – DistroKid

Hi everyone,

Good new! My website is up and running once again.

Only one new set of lyrics/song have been added this year, but the album, Before Then After (things Are Getting Heavy), will be released on May 27th. The book, The Words Behind The Music, Part 1 – Lost In Reality, is close to being published too.

That’s all the news I have for now and I hope you all enjoy the above when released soon. I will update you when I know my book will finally be released.

Thanks to all those that are still subscribing and following me.

Bye for now!

Colin E. Pyle
The Lost Connection

Before Then After (Things Are Getting Heavy) by The Lost Connection – DistroKid

Hi Subscribers,

The total amount of subscribers to the website is now 473. with 1,123 pending subscribers. It is very gratifying to see any amount of people wishing to follow me, to view and listen to my musical pursuits. Obviously, as you know, my website is free and I make no financial gain from it. I would like this website to lead to more song streamings and, when released, many book sales but, essentially this is just an online gallery of lyrics and song links. Please feel free to interact and I may create an outlet to make contributions to make it more possible for me to spend more time on this part of my life. If you are one of the listed subscribers (or pending) feel free to email me (colinpyle@hotmail.co.uk) so I know we do have a real connection, as opposed to a list of names that are just a list of names.

I look forward to hearing from all 1,596 of you so I know my following is 100% genuine.

Thanks and look forward to hearing from you soon hopefully.

Colin E. Pyle
The Lost Connection
Stream The Lost Connection music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud

Hi everyone,

On January 19th 2024, my father passed away, aged 81. He was not in a good state, physically and mentally, but his condition worsened in the last week and I managed to see him in hospital within 12 hours of him passing away. We never saw eye-to eye on a lot of things, but he was a man of morals and principles, and was always willing to help others. He had many talents when it came to practical things, as well as being able to play the accordion is his younger years, but lacked the ability to see other people’s points of view and only believed what he could see, He only ever believed his opinion to be the right one. He never understood why I wrote songs for so long and continued to when it didn’t result to any success. I tried to explain that we don’t do things just to make money – we do it for mental fulfilled, primarily.

I am writing this blog because I am, together with Mum, the Executor of his will. All of his money was left to charity and his wife/my Mum, and four siblings, received nothing. His body went for biological research. In 2019 and 2020 I was not in the best frame of mind. Life was becoming difficult for me, physically, mentally and musically. I remember thinking and discussing with a good friend of mine, when COVID-19 happened, that I would happily be first in-line to go, as I had no children and no-one was reliant upon me. I felt I had got as far as I could in life and wouldn’t be missed if I did die. However, I did wonder what would happen to my website, containing nearly 1000 lyrics/poems, SoundCloud which now contains hundreds of recordings which adds up to over 14 hours of music. Since 2019 I have released 11 albums and a 12th soon, together with a poetic lyrics book (which should be published soon, but seems to be taking forever!!) and, although the royalties are next to nothing, I still had to decide who takes control and inherits my creative history. I have no children, but my wife-to-be has. My best friend (my music partner) is older than me and I am one of the youngest of my close relatives and the lesser seen ones, that are younger, I sense have no interest in this part of my life.

So, this leads me to think that perhaps I should add a Stripe to my site. This is for two reasons: to financially aid my progression (so projects can be completed before it’s too late), and, secondly, identify who really does value what I do and so it helps me to decide who should inherit my portfolio. Hopefully, one of my grandchildren-in-law will be able to carry on what I have started (as he is learning to play guitar), but that I cannot predict, or take for granted. So, I do have to create my own will in due course. I must point out that my wife-to-be is older and her siblings are busy and prosperous in their own fields of work.

Am I thinking about this matter too soon? Maybe, or maybe not. Anyway, inbetween executor matters, my full-time day job, wedding organising, I must complete the last song (and title track) on my next album (not to mention another business venture that is developing). I was gonna release a couple of singles, but I don’t think I’ve got time and it’s usually pointless anyway. The album is almost complete but the intro on ‘Before Then After’ needs to be changed and the drum-beat and hook line need to be reinforced. It sounds okay on certain devices, but now good enough on others. It is a bit frustrating trying to do everything at once, but some things need to be done in life, especially the release of, ‘Before Then After’.

That’s all for now as I have other matters to deal with even as I sit here typing out this blog. So, that’s all I can say for now and any suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks.

Colin E. Pyle
The Lost Connection

PS. Also, Host In The Web (as currently known as) was just an idea to help create websites for others. Since the idea came to mind I have met someone who is very qualified in this area and we hope to make web-designing a business partnership in the near future. More things to deal with, but we all need to look at opportunities to progress in life in the best ways we can.

Hi everyone,

I hope this year will be enjoyable for everyone, and everything goes to plan for you all. In my life, big things lie ahead for me, and this is what I have planned:

1/ My book, The Words Behind The music: Volume One – Lost In Reality, should be released the early part of 2024 (but that is in the hands of Austin Macauley)
2/ The release of 2 singles: Covid- 19 and Glad To Be Fat
3/ Release another album: Before Then After (Things Are Getting Heavy!)
4/ Getting married at the end of September
5/ The release of another single, maybe: Our Big Day

That is all of the good things which I (and you, hopefully) have to look forward to this year but, unfortunately, my keyboard’s memory has somehow emptied. It’s not the first time it has occurred either. Due to the amount of songs and data that I create and store in my keyboards, it is always a major loss when it happens, and it could have been due to data overload (although the memory can be wiped if the keyboard is turned off while a new project is being saved – which I learnt the hard way in the past). In previous years, and decades, I have also had laptop breakdowns which has caused my recordings to be no longer accessible. This is why a lot of my songs were never produced as well as I would have liked. I used to record tunes and songs very quickly, and then move on to the next one, before reaching a satisfactory level for many of them, but felt I had to release the songs nonetheless (on ‘The Best Of The Lost Connection 2011 to 2019, Parts 1 – 5).

Luckily, the next album’s songs, I am reasonably pleased with so the loss of the hundreds of patches I created is, although sad, not a major loss. This has made me more eager to release the new songs as I can do very little to improve them now and it is time to move on. I am currently working on the song ‘Before Then After’, as this is the name of the next album and could be a good song to end on, but it does need refining, lyrically, and the music is still in its early stages of development.

Hopefully, I may finally get around to using more modern technology to create future tunes and songs so my music sounds a bit more current. I do have the necessary technology to do such, but It is just about finding time to master the art of playing music on a computer, rather than on a keyboard (although I can use my MIDI leads to transfer every stem from my PSR-9000 to my computer so they are safe and easier to modify). I sense though, in regard to The Lost Connection, I will probably churn out songs in the usual fashion, on future albums, to maintain the style in which many are used to, and to maintain that sense of Lost-ness I have.

Right, that is the update on things so far. My plans have been mentioned before, but now I feel there is more of a sense of urgency, but need to complete the new song and wait for the book to be released first. I’ll say no more for now, except, goodbye and hope you like the new songs when they are released.

Colin E. Pyle
The Lost Connection

PS. Does anybody reading this, still buy CDs or vinyls?

Hi everyone,
A big thank you to all of the SoundCloud listeners checking out my new songs over the last couple of months. It’s good to see interest grow massively – it makes me work harder on making them the best I can for my listeners. Hopefully these new songs will gain as much attention on Spotify, Pandora, YouTube, etc, once they have been released. Thanks again and looking forward to creating more songs for the next album.
Bye for now!
Colin E. Pyle
The Lost Connection

DistroKid Streaming Chart – Excluding Spotify Promotion (Spreadsheet) 22-10-2023 – THE LOST CONNECTION: The Words And Music Of (the-lost-connection.com)

Hi everyone,

Since the last streaming figure update, new reports have come through from Instagram/Facebook for the October – December 2022 period (not sure why they were reported so late!). ‘Two Shades Of Blue’ rose from 150th position in my chart, straight up to number 1 with over 7000 streamings. ‘Back To Work’ also gained a lot of attention in this period as well. ‘The Journey Of Uncertainty’, ‘Girl From The City’ and ‘Ha Ha Harmony’ all had many streamings during this 3 month period too. Although I made next to nothing from these streamings it is still great to see figures this high – crazy, but great!!!

Anybody know what country OU represents?