Jun 4, 2026

Bike Back

From the album World Famous in Chapel Hill
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2001 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

Someone stole my wheels and rode away
I’ve got no ride
When I find that fool who did that crime
He’s gonna pay

Once upon a time I had a bike
I rode all over the road
Now I need to walk wherever I go
The bike thief made me hike

I’m gonna get my bike back
Whatever it takes I will take back
I will fight back
Whatever I get fits my rack
Whatever I take is my bike
I will fight back

Now I stole a bike, I’m just the same
I’ve got no case
When I stake my claim I will lose face
I’m gonna pay

Personnel:

  1. Vito diBona - vocals, guitars
  2. Billy Dechand - vocals, bass
  3. Mike Yanoski - drums

Streaming:

May 27, 2026

Beware

From the album World Famous in Chapel Hill
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2001 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

You've got so much to say
For being born yesterday
I know it's right to turn out the light
Beware

I took a turn to share
What I had learned
Drawn to the light, I was burned
Beware

The chords:

E C#/B E C#/B
B/A A/G G/F F
(2X)

3/4
E Bb F F
E Bb F F
G C# Cnat G
F F F F

The chords also appear in the Sheet Music.

Streaming:

May 24, 2026

Been There, Done That

IN DOG's COUNTRY album coverFrom the album In Dog's Country
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2007 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

In Dog's Country is a musical about two dogs, a cat, a squirrel, and The Man. This song is from the younger, more innocent dog, with harmonies from the wiser, more worldly squirrel. The squirrel part is sung by Rose Thomson.

I’ve lived the domestic life
Safe and sound and paid for
Then I was awoken one day
I saw it all for what it was
Just a ring around my neck

Now I can see for myself
The Man is just a little boy
He jerked me around on his chain
When he was happy was when we played
I was just a convenient toy

CHORUS:
Been up, been down, done come of age
Said nothing, shown rage
Opened and closed my eyes
Been there done that

Instrumental verse

Now that I’m free of my chains
I can see clearly
What should I do with myself
If I should choose to join the ranks
Of angry dogs, what’s the chance
I’ll live well

CHORUS

Read more »

May 21, 2026

Beautiful Day

HOLD ON album cover
From the album Hold On
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2003 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

It’s gonna be
It’s gonna be a beautiful day
I’m gonna see my long lost friend
We will be
We will be together
If we change
We will change together

Musicians:
Dan Ingenthron - mandolin
Ruth Keating - marimba
Matt Sutton - pedal steel guitar
Billy Dechand - electric and tenor guitar, voice

Beautiful

HOLD ON album cover
From the album Hold On
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2003 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

You say you never had a better lover
Whether he was clever or a fool

You stay, breaking all the records for keeping it together
You’re fine, you’re so cool, and beautiful

They say, hey hey, look at those two
What can we do to be like you?
You’re fine, you’re so cool, and beautiful

CHORUS:
I say I love you, you know it’s true
You say you love me, I know it’s true
It’s true, I know, I know
Yeah, I know I know it’s true

I say whatever I imagined as a fantasizing adolescent never
Could have added up to this kind of romance
I never knew
Who knew it could be so cool, and beautiful

CHORUS

May 19, 2026

At What Cost Freedom?

IN DOG's COUNTRY album coverFrom the album In Dog's Country
Words and music by Billy Dechand
© 2007 Bucktooth Music (ASCAP)

In Dog's Country is a musical about two dogs, a cat, a squirrel, and The Man. This song is a conversation between the younger, more innocent dog, and the wiser, more worldly squirrel. The squirrel part is sung by Rose Thomson, who's also playing the piano.

This song actually has a written leadsheet.

Squirrel:
We’ve all got desires
Of our own (rings of fire)
Some leap to reach the heights
Some fight all night to be top dog
If we scratch that itch tonight
Would it seem rash in the morning light?

Squirrel and Dog:
At what cost freedom
If in the end, Love is lost?

Dog:
I loved the man
Now I hate the man
I was free to love
To be a slave

Squirrel:
Love saves; it chases the hate away

Dog:
What do you have to say
About the ring and chain?

Squirrel:
What of lost freedom
Would a true friend say
That’s what love costs?

Squirrel and Dog:
At what cost freedom
If in the end, love is lost?

Streaming music here:

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