All songs are protected by copyright. All songs by John Walradt except where noted.

We Didn't Have Time Enough  817kb

My signature song. When I wrote it, I didn't expect that it would be so well received, but this is the one most people ask for, and it's the one that other musicians I've known want to perform. Written in 1977.

Sunny Sunday  657kb

This song has a beautiful, lilting, and very catchy melody. It's about spending a Sunday afternoon in park. I've often been told it would be a terrific children's song. Written in 1976.

When the Wildflowers Bloom By John Walradt and Anna Kim Sievers  921kb

I had this melody hanging around for several years, then in 1989, I played it for Anna Kim and she said, "I know the title and I know what I want to write about!" After we recorded it, it got airplay in Boise, Idaho for about a month.

Comes and Goes  599kb

Once I was asked what kind of songs I wrote and I said "desperately sad victim–role repressed–anger codependent love songs"—and here's proof. Actually, a lot of people like this song. It's a good heartbreaker and it has a very catchy melody. Written in 1990.

Studly Do–Right  560kb

A crowd pleaser song about a young guy who likes to be the center of attention in a night club scene—and, of course, he buys all the beer. Written in 1978.

Down East in a Harbor Town  670kb

My best ballad. The story is about two lovers who miss each other's path, one going back east, the other going west. The harbor town, by the way, is Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and the island is Squirrel Island. Written in 1977.

Summer Day  686kb

This song is for my brother, Tom, who's favorite season is the summer. He loves to spend time on the beach. It has a mesmerizing, wistful melody. Written in 1978, finished in 2005.

Thank You for Hearing Me Always By Lora Walradt and John Walradt  508kb

This is essentially Lora’s song. My wife, Lora, came to me one evening with lyrics she had written and then I wrote the music for it. The story comes from the New Testament where Jesus prayed before calling Lazarus from the tomb, saying, “Father, thank you for hearing me always.” Written in 2005.

I'm Not Coming Back  573kb

This is a good rocker. The inspiration came from a friend of mine in Denver who told me about how she had broken up with her girlfriend, who often performed songs in coffeehouses and had developed quite an attitude. Written in 1993.

The Dark Shore  717kb

My first film score. Tom wanted some eerie, film noir kind of music for his movie. It was fun because it gave me something new to try. Written in 2005.

Soft City Lights  611kb

In this song, she has someone too much on her mind. It's not a hit, but just a nice, pretty song. Written in 1982.

At the End of the Road  479kb

This song has a kind of Neil Young piano feel and somber words. It isn't what I'd call a hit, either. Instead of going gold, it would probably go teflon. But I like it, so I posted it. Written in 1980.

All the Reasons Why  670kb

I started writing this song as a movie theme, but over the years I realized I was writing it for someone I had been close to all my life. Written in 1993, finished in 2003.

Listen to the Dogs Screw at Midnight  720kb

One day I decided to write a "romantic country–western song" and this is what I came up with. Written in 1978.

Kitty with the Hundred Dollar Balls  341kb

This is just a short little song about our cat, Boris, when we got him neutered. Written in 2005.

Here's proof that even on a low budget, you can start making music.

• Washburn guitar with pickup, about $300
• Radio Shack MD–992 (Casio) keyboard with MIDI (Not General Midi), $79 on sale
• Radio Shack microphone, $15
• Computer, built from ordered parts, about $550
• Sound card, about $20
• Cakewalk Sonar Home Studio sequencer, $89 on sale (But you can get open source sequencers at no charge)
• Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic100 preamplifier (this is where having that pickup in the guitar comes in handy) $39