CD & Press – Susanne Folk

Susanne Folk

NEW CD OUT NOW!
The album is digitally available here: https://susannefolk.bandcamp.com/album/love-is-not-a-weakness

Or order a cd copy for 15€ (plus shipping) personally from me (even signed, if you wish): contact@susannefolk.com

Lyrics of the album

1. Queen of Darkness (Susanne Folk)

I don´t have to shine brighter than the moon

I don´t have to shine at all

I´ve always had a thing for the darkness

The darkness deep within

I don´t have to shine brighter than they do

I don´t have to shine at all

I only need a light to reflect in

And it´s the moonlight on my skin

And isn´t it nice

To watch me reveal

What I´ve always kept concealed

But what you always knew?

So look what I´ve become

Your queen of darkness

Look what I´ve become

Your queen of darkness

I will always be

Your queen of darkness

I will always be

Your queen!

I don´t want to wait another day

I don´t want to wait for you

If you´re not here beside me

Will you ever be?

I don´t need to shine brighter than the moon

I don´t need to shine no more

If you´re not here to shine for

Who else should I shine for?

And isn´t it nice

To watch me reveal

What I´ve always kept concealed

But what you always knew?

So look what I´ve become

Your queen of darkness

Look what I´ve become

Your queen of darkness

I will always be

Your queen of darkness

I will always be

Your queen!

And I will always

I will always

Be your queen!

I will always

Be your queen!

I will always

Be your queen!

Ooh ooh

I will always

Be your queen!

2. The End of Me (S.F.)

How could you strip me of my identity?

I guess you didn´t realize that you were half of me

How could you think that leaving me would be the key?

I guess you didn´t know that it would mean the end of me

I was your present and now I´m your past

How many years did I think I would last?

I ran out of time before you were all mine

I just wasn´t hoping you´d end it so fast

But you can take it all with you

You can take it all with you when you go

You can take it all with you

You can take it all with you when you go

You go away

You thought you had me all figured out

How could you be so sure you knew me inside out?

The part of me that you knew that was the part of you

And the part that´s left of me is slowly leaving too

And when we were tied the grass was green on my side

You were the light in my eye

You left me in the shade where I will now slowly fade

I think I´m going to die

But you can take it all with you

You can take it all with you when you go

You can take it all with you

You can take it all with you when you go

You can take it all

When you go away

Away

3. Antidote (S.F.)

I need your kindness

And your compassion

Understanding

Might be the hardest part

You need to show me

You don’t think you’re worth more

Anybody else

Now that would be a start

Cause love is not a weakness

And hate only takes away

Love is not a weakness

And hate only gets in the way

Love is not a weakness

And hate takes away

Love is not a weakness

It is all I ask

Don’t see it as a task

An opportunity

For humanity

It is not too late

To change each other’s fate

What matters to me

Is equality

Cause love is not a weakness

And hate only takes away

Love is not a weakness

And hate only gets in the way

Love is not a weakness

And hate takes away

Love is not a weakness

I want to love

I want to live

I want everyone

To give

A little love

A little life

Let’s put an end

To this strife

I want to live

I want to love

I want to show

The ghosts above

That we care

Want to be fair

To everyone

Cause love is not a weakness

And hate only takes away

Love is not a weakness

And hate only gets in the way

Love is not a weakness

And hate takes away

Love is not a weakness

4. In your next Life (S.F.)

You say in your next life

You´d take me to be your wife

Well, in your next life is for losers

Yeah, you go ahead and chose her over me

But I will not be resurrected

And no religion can correct it

So if it´s what you believe

Just go ahead, do as you please!

I like the look in your eyes when you tell me

You want the best for me

I like the smell of your breath when you whisper

You´re so into me

I even like the sound of your voice when you say

That we´re not meant to be

Just tell me

Have you been thinking of me today

I wanna know what you feel

When you think of me

I wanna know what you feel

When you think of me

You say that it´s magic

I find it rather tragic

To be the woman under cover

It´s not enough being just another lover

Leading lady, or forget it

I don´t know, if you´ll regret it

Oh, for better or for worse

Good thing for me it´s just a curse!

I like the look in your eyes when you tell me

You want the best for me

I like the smell of your breath when you whisper

You´re so into me

Oh, I even like the sound of your voice when you say

That we´re not meant to be

Just tell me

Have you been thinking of me today

I wanna know what you feel

When you think of me

I wanna know what you feel

When you think of me

I wanna know what you feel

When you think of me

I wanna know what you feel

When you think of me

I wanna know what you feel

When you think of me

I wanna know what you feel

When you think of me

Maybe in your next life!

5. Happiness for a Moment (S.F.)

Is it happiness for a moment

Or will it last a bit longer?

Is it getting what you can

And forgetting what you have?

Is it give and take

Or a mistake?

But taking and giving

Isn´t that living?

I don´t know what I´m taking

But I know

That I´m breaking

In your arms

I´m breaking in your arms

Is it happiness for a moment

Or will it last a little longer?

Is it getting what you can

Forgetting what you have?

Is it give and take

Or is it a mistake?

But taking and giving

Isn´t that living?

I don´t know what I´m taking

But I know

That I´m breaking

In your arms

Is it happiness

When I´m breaking

In your arms?

Is it happiness

When I´m breaking

In your arms?

6. Mr. Bond (S.F.)

I never wanted to fall for someone like you, Mr.Bond

I never wanted to feel like I do for you

You´re dangerous for me – can´t you see?

I almost forgot who I am and who I´m not

Who I´m not

Out of sight is out of mind

To you that does not apply

I never knew how this could sting

That love you can´t deny

Oh, is romance overrated?

Is romance overrated?

Only underestimated!

Underestimated!

Oh, is romance overrated?

I don´t believe that´s true!

Only underestimated

The way I am loving you!

We never stood a chance

At this romance

Bittersweet

I never had a choice

It was your face

Especially your voice

That got me

Can´t you see?

Your the reason

That I can not be free

Out of sight is out of mind

To you that does not apply

I never knew how this could sting

That love you can´t deny

Oh, is romance overrated?

Is romance overrated?

Only underestimated!

Underestimated!

Oh, is romance overrated?

I don´t believe that´s true!

Only underestimated

The way I am loving you!

You are my perfect counterpart

I come alive when we´re apart

Emotions stirring in my heart

You are my perfect counterpart

Uuh uuh

7. Pain (S.F.)

Pain – I know pain

I´m sure you all know pain

But how much can you take

Before you break?

Pain – I know you, pain

I´ve known you long enough

I watched myself change

I wasn´t strong enough to take you in

Pain – I know pain

I´m sure you all know pain

But how much can you suppress

And still be at your best?

Pain – I know you, pain

I´ve known you long enough

I watched myself change

I wasn´t strong enough to take you in

Pain – I know you, pain

I couldn´t fight you off

I couldn´t breathe you in

I had to fight you off

I couldn´t let you win

I know what it´s like

To give up hope

Then remember

I´d never surrender

So why should I to you

It took me some time

To find the right help

That I needed

And I finally

Succeeded

In getting rid of you

You´re just pain

You´re only pain

Pain

You stained my heart

And I almost fell apart

I´ll never be the same

But you clearly lost the game

I´ll never be the same

But you clearly lost the game

8. Beauty of the Night (S.F.)

She´s the beauty of the night

She tries to stay out of the spotlight

Because it made her feel

It was not the real deal for her

Anymore

She fought her battles by herself

She didn´t want to have all her dreams left on the shelf

So no one could understand

She would want more in the end

Than fame

What a shame!

So no one could understand

She would want more in the end

Than fame

What a shame!

And she disappeared into the night

And you ask why

You wanna know why

´Cause everybody looked but nobody listened

To what she had to say

And that´s why she went away

That´s why she could not stay

She didn´t just want to be pretty

She wanted to be heard

So by the time she came of age

She never spoke a word

And now only the birds

Get to hear her words

And the sky

Hears her cry

And now only the birds

Get to hear her words

And the sky

Hears her cry

And she disappeared into the night

And you ask why

You wanna know why

´Cause everybody looked but nobody listened

To what she had to say

That´s why she went away

That´s why she could not stay

I find beauty and fame overrated

And not listening to women outdated

Yet too often as expected

Our inner truth neglected

But our voice

Is our choice

Yet too often as expected

Our inner truth neglected

But our voice

Is our choice

Speak up, girl

Don´t let them

Ever tell you what is best for you!

Speak up, girl!

Forget them!

Never let them take control of you!

Never let them silence you!

Never let them silence

Never let them silence you!

Speak up, girl!

9. Everybody likes you (S.F.)

„Everybody likes you“

She says and hands me double pay

„Especially those men there are asking you to stay

Thank you for your service, for being such a charm!

Oh, a little flirting won´t do any harm!

Oh, a little flirting won´t do any harm!“

For a little raise

I shall abandon my ways

And sell my soul to the buyer?

This isn´t who I wanna be

So continue without me

There must be someone else that you can hire!

Haven´t you heard the news?

I no longer play the blues

Never again!

Haven´t you heard the news?

I no longer pay my dues

Never again!

„Everybody likes you

And the dress you chose to wear today!

Only next time a bit shorter!“

Is all she’s got to say

I´ve never felt so shattered

So utterly confused

If this is all that mattered

My talent is misused

If this is all that mattered

My talent is misused

Oh, can´t you see

What you´re doing to me?

You´re asking me to mix my morals

It is the music I will share

So don´t you dare

Think for a moment I´m for sale!

Haven´t you heard the news?

I no longer play the blues

Never again!

Haven´t you heard the news?

I no longer pay my dues

Never again!

Haven´t you heard the news?

I no longer play the blues

Never again!

Haven´t you heard the news?

I no longer pay my dues

Never again!

10. You say you love (John Keats)

You say you love; but with a voice

Chaster than a nun’s, who singeth

The soft Vespers to herself

While the chime-bell ringeth

O love me truly!

You say you love; but with a smile

Cold as sunrise in September

As you were Saint Cupid’s nun

And kept his weeks of Ember

O love me truly!

You say you love – but then your lips

Coral tinted teach no blisses

More than coral in the sea

They never pout for kisses

O love me truly!

You say you love; but then your hand

No soft squeeze for squeeze returneth

It is like a statue’s dead

While mine for passion burneth

O love me truly!

O breathe a word or two of fire!

Smile, as if those words should burn me

Squeeze as lovers should – O kiss

And in thy heart inurn me!

O love me truly!

Here are current reviews to my cd:

CD Love is not a weakness (Traumton Records Release 6/2/2023)

“…The charisma of singer, composer and pianist Susanne Folk is overwhelming. Her songs push you against a wall or slow down your pulse. The 10 songs are pure drama, melancholy or gripping intensity. Folk cites Tori Amos or mezzo-soprano Amy Lee as role models. But the artist herself is already great and an excellent interpreter. To compare her with role models is wasted time…Susanne’s wonderful playing on the grand piano is perfect and lures you into a deep intimacy with her powerful singing voice…”

ewei, Concerto 3/2023

“Minimalism is a fine thing if you know how to make it convincing. With Susanne Folk you think she invented it, Alone with her piano she moves and lets piano and voice start a roller coaster ride of emotions. Sometimes lightly floating, sometimes deeply saddened and vulnerable, Susanne can do it all and comparisons with Rufus Wainwright are not far-fetched. A moving album.”

ToGo Berlin

“…The Berlin-based musician and composer, known for bands like Azolia and Call Me Cleo, convinces as a sensitive songwriter and singer on ten songs, including standout numbers like “The End Of Me” and “In Your Next Life.””

Musikwoche

“This is skillful songwriting in a pure form, namely only with voice accompanying herself on the piano. Who dares this, dares many things…The compositions are catchy, not only “In Your Next Life” or “Pain”, which could easily find their way into the radio. Good popular music that touches on jazz at best.”

Susanne Müller, Jazz Podium

“…Just as she as ‘Beauty of the Night’, as a nightingale with melancholic darkened alto, defies with her voice the expectations of entertainment and tempting flatteries like ‘Everybody likes you’. No, I no longer pay my dues, never again. She shows how great her voice is and what her strengths are in the end with John Keats and his ‘You say you love; but…’, as a lover consumed to the point of love death…”

Bad Alchemy Review Issue 119

„…It has become an extraordinarily intense as well as well-tempered dialogue between piano and voice – and certainly colored by biographical statements. Advanced, romantic, sometimes dramatically heightened pop art. Inspired by colleagues who are on similar paths. With occasional escapes to shady places, like those found in Gothic. With traces found in jazz, where, for example, the piano is prepared. The album title comes from the piece “Antidote”. A power giver. On her unbound debut Susanne Folk demands not little from her listeners.”

MAZ online

“On her very personal solo debut Susanne Folk mostly stays in the shadow regions of life. All alone at the grand piano, the “Queen of Darkness” (song title) elicits dark minor sounds from pop, jazz and gothic from the white and black keys…”

Harald Kepler, Stereo 07 23

“…With a collection of solo piano songs she moves stylistically in a no man’s land between art or kook pop, art song and darkwave vibes, which she embodies quite credibly in performance with a decidedly somber undertone and the necessary drama…In this sense she then already takes an exceptional position among her colleagues. For Susanne Folk, however, this project is definitely a courageous and important step, which shows her relying completely on herself for the first time.”

Ullrich Maurer, gästeliste.de

“Musically Folk goes unconventional ways on the piano, more in terms of melody than harmony, which makes the music sound a bit restless, sometimes even erratic, but also beautifully unusual. One might think a bit of modern songwriters like Tori Amos – Susanne Folk also cites her as an inspiration, only to add: “I like to be inspired, but when I compose, I really try to listen only to myself, to my inner voice.”

Nabil Atassi, Jazzthing

“…She has been familiar with the piano since childhood, and has also composed songs on it for bands. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t sound like a debut. Here is a mature artist at work, who knows how to clothe her emotional states in beautiful piano melodies and rhythmic figures. And even if a dark melancholy runs through the album – it’s the power of love and mutual respect that matters to her, as the album title suggests.”

Mane Stelzer, Melodiva 06/23/2023

“One woman, her grand piano and her voice – Susanne Folk concentrates on the essentials. She does without further instruments and thus underlines the pure, honest and haunting effect of her songs…As intensively as she works with the grand piano, she also works with her expressive voice, which sometimes sounds light and sometimes dramatic, sometimes rather shy and sometimes liberated, sometimes hurt and sometimes very determined…Her way of interpretation makes it easy to follow the changing emotions of the grand piano – sometimes you have the feeling of sitting across from the artist in a small salon and sometimes you float with her through a large hall.”

Grit Bugasch, Schall Summer Issue 2023

„…Folk excels in what some might deem unfairly to be middle brow sophistication rather than high art aspirations. But she is never surface nor fake – a big plus point throughout this simmeringly satisfying collection of often broodingly provocative material.“

www.marlbank.net, 6/19/2023

“Music full of warmth and lyricism. Lovers of sung poetry that deals with interesting and difficult subjects will not be disappointed.“

jazz-fun.de, 6/9/2023

„…It is precisely in this respect that she establishes a partly enchanting and emotionally moving connection of both genres (singer/songwriter & jazz)….In this way it is certainly very inspiring to succumb to the depth of each song in order to be richly rewarded…if you listen to the individual songs, you can concentrate on the powerful voice together with the piano accompaniment on the one hand and on the other hand also on the lyrics…After all, all compositions live from great intensity.“

8/30/2023 Wolfgang Giese, RockTimes