Kjband’s eighth album, Best Kept Secret, is the last of the albums that were written but for which recording was put off in order to record Best kept secretnewer compositions. The songs were written between 2002 and 2005. Chronologically, it is the 6th album written. It is (hopefully) also the last sad record. Musically, the album is very upbeat with many rockers, but the lyrics paint a picture of a lonely person trying without success to connect with people, despairing, but always with hope.

I continue to be fortunate that the same excellent musicians from the Noise album played on this one, with the exception of Tim Metz now playing bass. This time there are three songs with kick ass horn arrangements by Chris Rinaman.

For the first time in 8 albums, I put a close-up of my face on the cover. The title track, Best Kept Secret, is about how my kjband music is unknown outside of my small circle, but is deserving of recognition. My smiling face on the cover with my finger to my lips is to show the world that perhaps it is time for this secret to come out!

Recording of this album started in late 2015 and was finished in early 2017. It is available on ITunes, Amazon.com, Spotify, and the major streaming services.

Songs on Album

(click for lyrics)

Ken Johnston

When you’re gone
It’s like you never were here
You have been
Replaced by fear

I hate it when
You go out with the tide
The ebb and flow
Is a heady ride

Where do you go?
How can it be
That you are gone?
You’re a part of me
You’re a part of me

The outside
Is just so strong
It points me
To what is wrong

When I listen
That’s when I hear
I don’t like to know
You’re both part of me

Where do you go?
How can it be
That you are gone?
You’re a part of me
You’re a part of me

Ken Johnston

Everyone has their excuses
Everyone protects themselves
Everyone has their agenda
No room for anything else

Everyone is so different
Everyone plays their game
But everyone, despite their diff’rences
They all seem the same
They all seem the same

Indifferent, the first nine
Indifferent, the first nine

One out of ten will really care
One out of ten will work out fine
One out of ten, if I could only
Get past nine
Get past nine

Indifferent, the first nine
Indifferent, the first nine

Patience, and faith
What’s the hurry, enjoy the ride
I believe, me and a few
I’m gonna make it to the other side
I’m gonna make it to the other side

Of indifference, the first nine
Indifferent, the first nine

Ken Johnston

When I look at him
I see me
A repeat
Of history

It’s in the genes
Passed down the line
How can I teach
What I can’t find?

Like father, like son
Like son, like father
But you never know what will happen
How we’ll make… history

Doomed to learn
The hard way
It’s what you do
Not what you say

Like father, like son
Like son, like father
But you never know what will happen
How we’ll make… history

It’s the same old song
In the same damn key
It’s the song and dance that I do
To make my mark … in history

Ken Johnston

Voices inside, the quiet noise, I can’t hear
Instead what is loud is what’s easier to know
My convenient ideas
They fit like a glove
Protecting me, and my good old status quo

Though unheard, still I know they sing
And I know how to let them ring out
To find my voice
Find the words to say
Let myself loose and finally shout

Change, change, how much could it hurt
Change, change, why do I fight so hard, so fast against you?

The pain, the grief, the fear I ignore
They beg me to differ every day
The shame, the guilt
Comforting self-reproach
All that and more is why I keep you at bay

Change, change, how much could it hurt
Change, change, why do I fight so hard, so fast against you?

Ken Johnston

Planting the seeds, water the soil
Giving everything, giving it all

What is left after all is given
Reach down into the well

Fill your cup
Drink it down, every drop
Bartender
Bring us another round
Raise your glass

Birds, bees, flowers, blossoming love
When will it bear fruit

Already eaten , but at
The same time, still ripening

Fill your cup
Drink it down, every drop
Bartender
Bring us another round
Raise your glass

We can’t avoid, the pitfalls
The weakness, the doubt

If there was nothing to climb out of
We would never reach these heights

Fill your cup
Drink it down, every drop
Bartender
Bring us another round
Raise your glass

Ken Johnston

It seems like everyone
Seems like everyone
Seems like everyone disappoints, disappoints

But of course how could that be
No man is truly alone
But when you’re blind, it’s hard to see, it’s hard to see

It seems like everyone
Seems like everyone
Seems like everyone disappoints, disappoints

Makes me want to just stop trying
It’s easier to rationalize
To turn inside, think I’m enough, think I’m enough

It seems like every one
Seems like everyone
Seems like everyone disappoints, disappoints

Now’s the time to revive the hope
Maybe the next person I meet…
Or finally accept my lot, accept my lot

It seems like every one (I’ve ever met)
Seems like everyone (I get to know)
Seems like everyone disappoints, disappoints

Ken Johnston

Give it up, stare fear in the face
Only then will you reclaim the space

Don’t fight it, listen to yourself
Don’t be too proud to ask for help

Strange truce, it’s so hard
Don’t give up
Strange truce, you fool yourself
Don’t give up

Fighting with yourself, day out and day in
You’d think somebody would lose, or win

Strange truce, it’s so hard
Don’t give up
Strange truce, you fool yourself
Don’t give up

Ken Johnston

Guess what, it’s Friday night
Time to shake the work week down
Let’s celebrate like we know how
It’s time to party!
It’s time to party!!
It’s time to party!!!

Raise your glass, raise your spirits
Remember why you work so hard
Savor it, it’s your night
It’s time to party!
It’s time to party!!
It’s time to party!!!

Call your buds, meet at the bar
Enjoy the camaraderie
Catch a buzz, chew the fat
It’s time to party!
It’s time to party!!
It’s time to party!!!

We’re so different but you don’t agree
The proof is here if only you could see

While you’re out sweet privacy
Time to be who I am
The party is here in my mind
A private party
A private party
A private party

We’re so different but you don’t agree
The proof is here if only you could see

Ken Johnston

Everyone’s got their opinion
Dr. Phil and Oprah too
It’s so obvious
They must be smarter than you

They’re on TV
Write books that millions read
Venus and Mars
How can you disagree?

Even the Dalai Lama
Wrote himself a book
It’s the friggin’Dalai Lama
Shouldn’t I take a look?

Simple and pat answers
Cookie cutter philosophy
What’s good for the masses
Is not what’s good for me

Even the Dalai Lama
Wrote himself a book
It’s the friggin’Dalai Lama
Shouldn’t I take a look?

The only person out there
On your hopes you can pin
Is the lonely soul
Living in your skin

Even the Dalai Lama
Wrote himself a book
It’s the friggin’Dalai Lama
Shouldn’t I take a look?

Ken Johnston

Writing music for a band
That doesn’t exist
Making room for no one to fill
Nobody hears it

Best Kept Secret
Diamond in the rough
One of a kind
Waiting for the right time to shine

But then again who’s to say
What does or does not exist
Who has the right to judge
And to dismiss

Best Kept Secret
Diamond in the rough
One of a kind
Waiting for the right time to shine

This non-band that is a band
Rocks as hard as any other
It just needs the right ears
To hear it

Best Kept Secret
Diamond in the rough
One of a kind
Waiting for the right time to shine

What if this is the time?
The start of it all
The journey to respect
A chance to live the dream

Best Kept Secret …