Radical Face - The Missing Road

This song is an actual single, meaning it is not related to anything else. I have started a monthly mailer called "Hidden Hollow" (hiddenhollow.o..., and I am challenging myself to include original, non-album songs in every issue. This will give me a chance to release music freely while I'm finishing my new album, which is fun. Sometimes a one-and-done is really nice.
This particular track began while experimenting with an open-tuning (DADGAF# ... for all you guitarists). I wrote the chords and melodies over the course of a day, but the words came out a few weeks later, after a read of Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken". Reading it again got me thinking about some of the "almosts" in my life -- roads I nearly went down but in the end chose another -- but not in a negative way. More in a curious one, I'd say. I wrote the lyrics in one sitting later that day, and sang them immediately after.
For the cover image, I decided I would paint the first picture that caught my eye on a google image search on Procreate, then I used the time-lapse of it for the video.
Lyrics:
Time
Ticking in the back of my mind
‘Cause I know what I’ll find
If I sit in place
So I walk
Never really sure where I’m going
But it’s better than knowing
What everyday will be
I am who I am
And I know what I know
But I don’t know my way
I just go where I go
But I never could forget your face
It finds me in my sleep
And I’d like to tell you about those dreams
But talk is always cheap
So I go where I go
That road is gone
Now it just lives in this song
I’ve seen all I’ve seen
But I sometimes wonder
If you still think of me
I never meant to fade away
It’s just the way I’m made
I hope if you ever hear my name
That it doesn’t bring you pain
And just know that I know
Yeah, just know that I know
That those days were gold
And a heart always holds
Onto missing roads

[@ravenslaves]

I hope you never lose sight of the fact that your music has real healing properties for people you'll never know or see. Intended or not. Thank you.

[@ukairoukairo368]

Facts.

[@teamClermont]

TRUTH.

[@AnxiousKoala]

Amen.

[@sharkcat3001]

Yupppp

[@ryaneffin386]

Healing is always the intention, intended or not. Love you all

[@FlippinEck785]

This is beautiful

[@lenaklusemann2048]

I can't even tell you how much I needed this song right now. I am in tears. Thank you ❤️

[@theheartofablackbird2109]

You can't mess with Radical Face

[@ashiiu12]

beautiful work on the album cover too, love the procreate time laspe, you are very talented in art as well as your music!

[@jesusclara4701]

Hermosa animación y bellísima canción

[@gardenstatesongwriters]

Nice! I love open D.

[@luminatedwonders6093]

Your music saved my life. I’m not even kidding. I will never be able to pay you back for the impact your music has had on me. My dad left when I was younger and we lost our house your song “always gold” & “the mute” were probably the most influential songs in my life to this day. I can’t even put into words what I’m thinking after listening to this song. It’s another one that will stick forever 💗 sad I couldn’t attend your show in Chicago but one day I will see your music in real life!! Never stop what you are doing. Thank you.

[@johannfowl8653]

Always Gold is a song that always makes me cry

[@DirkeyITA]

Agreed, 2 of the best songs of all the albums. Although all of them are absolutely wonderful

[@sharkcat3001]

His music saved me too. I hope things got better for you.

[@vanweyden2859]

"Ghost Towns" saves me at least once a month

[@dwiresturinaldi8193]

U can blame me when theres no one left to blame. I dont mind Always gold

[@tedpahl7767]

Ben, you never disappoint. Another beauty straight from your soul.

[@emg758]

Beautifully said 😊

[@brendanmark4372]

"I am who I am , and I know what I know. But I don’t know my way , I just go where I go..."

[@thejunebuggirl8338]

This came at the best time. I upset a friend yesterday and I spent the night having nightmares. This calmed me down a little bit.

[@brendanmark4372]

Hey, I hope you feel better soon! Good friends come back; I pray yours will too.

[@billmaddox7520]

I hate that feeling too when you lose one or they cut you off from their lives and it feels like a void that just opened up with their absence. Stay strong 💪 always others to keep your smiles on your daily life.

[@kristinam8850]

I hope you will get through it! I lost friendship as well, so all of us have "a missing road", I guess. Don't miss yours! :)

[@thejunebuggirl8338]

Thank you guys. I've gotten some of my best support from Radical Face and from fellow fans.You guys are great.

[@sharkcat3001]

Same here. The Radical Face community is tight. I hope things get better for you. People come and go but the good ones come back. I hope you feel better.

[@dewey70]

Falling asleep while listening to this, it’s like you’re leading me to dreamland

[@user-rj5ld9gk6u]

my daughter disliked all the music I played and recently I had Radical face and she was enthralled. Bless you for making me acceptable.

[@RadicalFace]

Yes! I've been wanting to add "providing street cred for frustrated parents" to my resume.

[@Bootsie142]

BE ❤

[@kosayno]

I'm happy to be able to say that my daughter that my 19 year older has a playlist titled 'Dad' for all the songs that remind her of me that includes Radical Face. Must be all those thousands of hours and countless miles of driving her around her whole life having to listen to what I listen to.

[@undesconocidoysuestepa2936]

Man, i cant hear this without thinking, how can someone make so amazing music? I love radical face, always my favorit band. When i was kid y wait every day to see in the tv the nikon comercial, only to hear welcome home. Y grow up and i found the name of the song, after a time i found the band, and his music turn me in to the man who i am right now. Thankyou for all. And sorry for my bad inglish. Hi from mexico :v

[@kapilkevlani145]

That Nikon part is still young though😁

[@paovaldespino5603]

Weyyy me pasó lo mismo JAJAJA

[@undesconocidoysuestepa2936]

@@paovaldespino5603 jajajaja lo del comercial? Xd

[@BsERoss]

Seriously underrated band. I would love to see you guys write the soundtrack to a film.

[@lauradean9125]

Have you listened to the Missing Film album? It’s pretty great ☺️

[@radicalredproductions5327]

I know it's a single/unrelated to other songs, but...this is the most recent song he's released right after Reveries which has a similar theme in lyrics...I hope whoever it is that you lost in your life has a good one

[@BrocoliBeatsTurtle]

I first listened to you when you released welcome home and then got absolutely hooked for the ‘roots’ album. Your music has seen me through some seriously dark times and this song takes me back all those years to that same feeling. Amazing healing music.

[@aWildHiker6444]

I was having a kinda bad morning and then this popped up on my feed.... You never disappoint. Your music gives me so much inspiration, I want to someday draw/ write a comic that gives me, I guess the same vibes? as your work. Someday maybe

[@danielmcfarland-lawson6477]

Have you ever scene the show over the garden wall? It’s really good it doesn’t have music similar but the music is still really good. It also has comics.

[@aWildHiker6444]

@@danielmcfarland-lawson6477 I have! I thought it was fantastic and honestly it still fit my preferred aesthetic, if that makes sense haha It's been a long while since I've seen good material like that though.

[@Amberblaze223]

i never meant to fade away, it's just the way i'm made..... this entire song is gorgeous, but you managed to capture how i've been feeling lately so perfectly with just these few lines. oftentimes the roads we most regret not going down are the ones we could've travelled with the people we love, but ultimately didnt for whatever reason... i am who i am...i just go where i go..... 😔😔😔

[@marcosadrian5665]

Thank you for that amazing amazing song! Thank you for all the wonderful songs i have had the privilege to listen to.... Hope someday you'll come to Mexico

[@Bobsdecline]

One of my favorite artists. It's been a while since ... Caught the mailer in my junk mail. Always brilliant 🙌💯

[@himanshuscotline]

I don't know if you'll ever read this, but if you do, know that your music has the power to heal. You deserve so much more recognition for your work.. i hope you get there. Thank you from Bangalore, India❤️

[@wenddelljuler4461]

Simplesmente perfeito. Não há como não gostar dessas canções. São incríveis. Muito obrigado por isso, Ben. #Amazing #RadicalFace #Brazil

[@brkscat92]

Música que acalma a soul

[@limacooper2576]

É isso aí

[@vanessasimao6881]

Música que entra pela alma a dentro ❤

[@flickersense]

In the description of this video, you said that this is a painting of a photo from google images. Do you have a link to that photo?

[@RadicalFace]

Type "dirt road" into a google image search and you'll see it. It's one of the early ones.

[@Justanothertgrt]

The chords remind me of Feathers way back from your Electric President days. It's a nice mix of nostalgia and growth. Yeah, just know that I know That those days were gold And a heart always holds Onto missing roads

[@firehazard3852]

thank you so much for this song. ive been rlly depressed lately because my school is not reopening and i am stuck in an unsupportive household. your music always brings me joy

[@jonathans5806]

hang in there ❤️

[@firehazard3852]

@@jonathans5806 thank you❤️❤️❤️

[@SLMoon10]

Reminds me of the road to the small village from my childhood.. Sad, but beautiful song! И да, русские есть :3

[@nickbrooks1886]

I’m so glad you exist and decide to make this. You could be an accountant. That wouldn’t be so great. Thanks Ben

[@petrkarabutov6446]

Почему это так красиво??!) Есть ещё русские?

[@brendanmark4372]

Есть) У языка музыки нет границ.

[@Anya_Aprelskaya]

Да😁

[@sergeyreshetov345]

дааа)))

[@Elern.]

На месте

[@Язык-ж3ш]

здрасть

[@Hantark92]

This one hits pretty hard because I can relate to the lyrics 100% due to an emotional scar that will never heal. I always come back here when I start thinking about how things could have been different. Truthfully an amazing song.

[@lilyreeder8407]

me too. no matter how much you push forward the marks will still be there, but music like this helps them to fade away for a little while

[@hendriktackx8652]

I love this so much. Thanks for brightning my day, Ben.

[@Godfather48hrs]

Sad and beautiful

[@elya5593]

So good. The guitar sounds so awesome. Wish I would knew how to record and mix such guitar part.

[@hilaryw434]

Grateful for the Nikon commercial 7 years ago that led me to you. Your music - and the stories behind - are absolutely beautiful in every way.

[@markalstonfollansbee]

thanks Ben, beautiful

[@jonathanmatthews3578]

Great music, as always. Any chance you’re uploading this to Bandcamp so you get more from the download?

[@hazimhakim8962]

Please hear my wish, after this covid19 gone and everything stable. Please Come to malaysia🙏🏻

[@nomeusuariologo]

Oi... meus parabéns pela canção... ela é muito linda, inspiradora e profunda... admiro o seu trabalho... e também a forma como você escolhe os acordes para compor a melodia... sou brasileiro e desejo tudo de bom para você... Deus te abençoe... paz e bem...

[@juhimathur172]

Love you so much Ben! This song is pure gold!!!! Thank you for making such awesome music :)

[@Erden99]

By far the best artist i know of on an emotional scale. Unbelievably moving, every time.

[@MoondogAlice]

This is absolutely beautiful

[@mediocrebanters]

Reminds me a lot of Nick Drake somehow, in modern way and it's cool.

[@rsk0789]

It so good

[@hiitsaliciaempathylovepeac5262]

Wow! I was away from my phone....& this song just started playing out of the blue!! I swear! I’m totally crying 😢 b/c I REALLY needed this right now & I think my spirit guide or some higher power must have known. Thank You! 💚🌈🌞

[@OzgeeeOkc]

oh I love how this makes me feel. Classic Radical Face feeling❤️

[@beatrizdavis1002]

Thank you for your music, your art and everything you do. I hold it deeply, close to my heart.

[@4vendetta1]

Ho....ly......Fu...dge Um this song is so amazing. I got this as a Spotify recommendation... I just can't even process it. I'm starting with 'asleep on a train' now. I wish I had heard of you 13 years ago but I guess the journey starts now. Thanks for sharing this with the world, it's utterly beautiful.

[@MysteriousMoth3000]

776 likes and no dislikes, let's keep it that way

[@jowens121]

Beautiful song, love your work as always. Really enjoyed the painting timelapse too, very immersive experience!

[@corgio1260]

Beautiful. I love you and I love your music.

[@Anya_Aprelskaya]

This song is so heartwarming, soulful and sincere. In fact, all your songs are - that's why I like them so much!

[@abrakadabra7999]

Wow🥺❤️❤️❤️🥳 radical face is the best

[@ashdash23]

Ben I don’t know how you do it. Your music always hits me straight to the soul. I’m literally bawling my eyes out right now. I’m in so much pain but this song is very healing. Thank you for all your music, it helps me and so many others carry on with life. Bless you brother ❤️😭

[@thana6499]

...this is the sequel to "It's Only Blood (Goodbye, Goodbye)", isn't it?

[@tkomess]

Who watched this and saw Bob Ross, even tho' he isn't there ? (Excellent song BTW!)

[@christiancardenas6811]

Melancholy AND uplifting at the same time. Absolutely amazing music. Thank you.

[@pawbcat8654]

thank you again for an amazing piece. they always get me right to my core and it's such a refreshing experience

[@amandapaul3401]

i cant believe this is the first time i'm hearing this. its so beautiful, the kind of music that you feel in your bones

[@BearBoyJW]

This is so good, Ben! How do you do it!!

[@JoeVanDyke1]

Love it! Looking forward to the Hidden Hollow updates, thanks again Ben!

[@BlueNoiseTai]

Love this and love you! Your music and lyrics always inspire the best feelings!

[@jwest88]

More Radical Face is always a great thing and this song is awesome. I'm looking forward to the all the other songs that come along down the road.

[@bikashsubedi2863]

Ben, if you're reading, I don't know what to say. Guess these roads are the way to hard to comprehend and this song particularly liberated something in me. I would have been broken down, sitting in the corner of my room, looking at the walls trying to remember something good that once was. Maybe I took the silent road back then, but I feel grateful for the pain I have felt. At least ,I felt something.

[@SannaiSan]

It's perfect. Thank you

[@elya5593]

If you have a little time please make a reaper daw session video. That would be awesome. :)

[@ashiiu12]

NEW SONG NEW SONG NEW SONG NEW SONG

[@therapydad]

Ty for making songs like this. It makes me feel happy, something I rarely feel.

[@DianaRodriguez-zm1ky]

Great song, even if I cried at the end. Thank you.

[@radhikakrishnan420]

"I never meant to fade away, it's just the way I'm made" wow, hits right through the feels. As always, this song incapsulates the emotion so well, it's beautiful ❤️

[@enjimokodompit1474]

Melancholy and uplifting at the same time, it's perfect Thank you

[@zarinabesa]

Your music is a different genre.

[@Runescript]

Your music makes me think I got a long-lost elder brother somewhere far away. Warm greetings from Russia, Ben!

[@ptuffgong8504]

This right here. Thank you.

[@Jeff_LO]

Your art and artistry are beautiful and inspiring . Thank you

[@Christine0310]

Beautiful as always!! Love the humming part in the beginning especially 💕

[@potipictures]

Genius ❤️

[@isabatedcases5738]

Everything you make kicks ass. This is a really great song, even for you.

[@servantofnulgath45]

Thank you, Ben, for being who you are and sharing this piece of your life with us. Lots of love

[@S.Ham1929]

I've been going through some things with a "friend," and this song helps me hope for the best, regardless of how we may (or may not) interact in the future.

[@jamiehall3323]

New Amsterdam will bring a lot of people here

[@jwinfield733]

This is everything I need

[@philgolt2967]

Awesome song!

[@PatrasPhantom]

Time Ticking in the back of my mind 'Cause I know what I'll find If I sit in place So I walk Never really sure where I'm going But it's better than knowing What every day will be I am who I am And I know what I know But I don't know my way I just go where I go But I never could forget your face It finds me in my sleep And I'd like to tell you about those dreams But talk is always cheap So I go where I go That road is gone Now it just lives in this song I've seen all I've seen But I sometimes wonder If you still think of me I never meant to fade away It's just the way I'm made I hope if you ever hear my name That it doesn't bring you pain And just know that I know Yeah, just know that I know That those days were gold And a heart always holds Onto missing roads

[@giudittino]

thank you Ben♡︎

[@jaderrocha500]

Beautiful!!!!!!

[@MrZalarox]

It's beautiful, great job Ben! I'm glad you're challenging yourself. Stay safe in these times. 💜

[@awaytown]

This one is awesome like all of your works. Thank you so much, Ben.

[@vanessasimao6881]

This is just pure Gold... the music, the lyrics, your voice.... its goes deep into my soul and heart❤ so glad i found you so long ago!love your songs!my favourite song is "wandering" but now its definetly this one!!thank you so much🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏💯

[@kristinam8850]

Thank you so so much. I have no words to say. Your music saves me in the most desperate and dark moments. This song is so beautiful and touching, I am still making peace with my dead ends, and this one will help me, I guess! I also hope that whatever happened or is happening in your life will not break you but will eventually make you wiser and happier, because you are such a good person and you deserve it

[@christionnac2260]

this is beautiful!

[@liambiggins94]

you are a god among men ben

[@shieldsurf]

finally listened to this -- blown away. a definite new favourite. thanks for sharing this beautiful piece with all of us.

[@yasminzalk]

Thank you for those magical moments ❤️

[@ambermoon2326]

it amazes me how beautiful your music is

[@glenmorgan1088]

Love the new track! Looking forward to the next one! -G.

[@samarthbhavsar4947]

Hey Ben... Thanks for another song.. It's just a different feeling altogether to listen to your songs..... You are an wonderful human that happened to this word.... !! It can be felt in your songs... Have a blessed life ahead!!! Love from india ❤️

[@marcopalmaj]

One of my favorite artists in all the ways... Since I discovered Radical Face with The Mute I did fall in love with his music. And Teraphy es my favourite album. This new track is so good for these time we're living! Keep making this masterpieces!

[@JadeEliot]

This is mesmerizing! Music and painting... I'm so glad this exists now

[@monsterwithtwoheads.5025]

I just really love you. Don't stop making music!

[@chrismoore6023]

You've done it again Mr Cooper!! Good work