"Santa Monica" - Everclear (Stephen Wilson Jr. Cover)

During 2020 lockdown I sat around at night and played songs that I’ve known forever but never really played. I would quietly sing the chorus of this song over and over again as a form of requiem for solace. It gave me peace because it’s not only an incredible song but also one written by my dear friend Art Alexakis. He’s a Godsend, for me and the world. One of the most influential people who told me to quit my job and get after this craziness, among many other words of wisdom. This song being only some of them. I messed up a few words 👽. Thank you for this song, Art. Love you, sir.
“Santa Monica”
Words & Music by: Art Alexakis, Greg Eklund, Craig Montoya
I am still living with your ghost
Lonely and dreaming of the west coast
I don't want to be your downtime
I don't want to be your stupid game
With my big black boots and an old suitcase
I do believe I'll find myself a new place
I don't want to be the bad guy
I don't want do your sleepwalk dance anymore
I just want to see some palm trees
I will try and shake away this disease
We can live beside the ocean
Leave the fire behind
Swim out past the breakers and
Watch the world die
We can live beside the ocean
Leave the fire behind
Swim out past the breakers and
Watch the world die
I am still dreaming of your face
Hungry and hollow for all the things you took away
I don't want to be your good time
I don't want to be your fall-back crutch anymore
I'll walk right out into a brand new day
Insane and rising in my own weird way
I don't want to be the bad guy
I don't want to do your sleepwalk dance anymore
I just want to feel some sunshine
I just want to find some place to be alone
We can live beside the ocean
Leave the fire behind
Swim out past the breakers and
Watch the world die
We can live beside the ocean
Leave the fire behind
Swim out past the breakers and
Watch the world die
Recording, Videography and Editing: Chelsey Stallings
Mixing: Ben West
#coversong #everclear #santamonica #singersongwriter #newcoversong

[@maryjanejonez762]

When one hears this in their youth, as it was, and now that same person hears this in the late fall of life..... Perhaps the universe is rewarding ones soul. Life is come full circle. My life has been extraordinary!!!!

[@Crystal_Ballin87]

❤❤❤ full circle for real🔥🔥🔥

[@kathymccullough7861]

I love this song Stephen !! You are awesome and again, you made me cry. I love and miss you son . Your Mamma

[@pyromedic5008]

I don’t know why anyone has to try to put someone in a box saying he sounds like him or them. He is of his own making. His debut album is better than most greatest hits albums I’ve heard.

[@jbonecapone8891]

The guitar solo alone is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I've heard in a long time

[@ericcorthell8272]

This cover. This artist. All of it is INCREDIBLE. How is he not HUGE? How is not internationally known?

[@Jenks223]

Asking the same thing this man is talented

[@poorsimon10]

Hes a nationally recognized songwriter. Seen him tonight in Deadwood SD live for their 10th anniversary Wild west singer/songwriter fest. He is amazing on a guitar, amazing in vocals, and hilarious! I agree, his skills should be known far wider

[@theredponytavern6499]

It’s happening…Dude is not a “marketing scheme” he is a musician

[@christophergeorge4076]

Not for long. He's about ready to explode.

[@chrisezelle]

🎵👍🏼😎

[@chrislyn2855]

I am not sure how someone can take one of my favourite songs, completely mess with the timing and still create such an amazing performance. Please do not stop performing.

[@444customs7]

WAP has MILLIONS of views. This is a song that speaks to our souls. That is a crime. This is gold!

[@rAcKbAlL47]

I appreciate you blessing my ears with these gems man, I hope they play this for me when I pass

[@pat1475]

If Willie Nelson and Chris Cornell had a son…. Love your music!!

[@grimeybeast1465]

That's a great summation. Thank you.

[@kodybanta1084]

I'm ready for a black hole sun cover like now !

[@user-ls9nm9uy5s]

Another beautiful musical interpretation. Thank you Stephen ! ❤

[@ericbest9562]

He's definitely channeling some serious Willie energy right here

[@bradgentile5746]

Ol Bob Rock said it best when it's real you'll feel it. Stephen Wilson Jr is what this world needs right now

[@jonathanbarnett9241]

Yall!!!!! Jack Johnson meets Eric Church..... best way I can place this PERFECTION

[@erinketterer4500]

I love this cover. Has a more somber feeling. Especially for everything that is going on today, very fitting. ❤️

[@Sheepmansheep]

more covers like this please and thank you for this one its amazing. I love the reinterperation of this. it sounds like it should have been a folk/country song all along.

[@RubberTKnows]

This is becoming one of my favorite pieces of music I've ever heard. Incredible.

[@VanHalenDrummer]

Met Art a couple of weeks ago. He was the most humble, down to earth celebrity and a true artist. He shares his pain, triumphs and everything in between without sugarcoating anything at all.

[@BillyTheKidder]

A definite ‘less is more’ guitar approach. Voice is great.

[@TheTerrificTricksters-bx9gu]

Amazing. Love it. From someone who has Everclear, Jim Croce, and Pearl Jam in my playlist, this is right on…

[@butterchef]

Thank you for this. This is what this song is meant to be.

[@eamoncollier]

This guy. Best I've heard in a LONG time.

[@goomah35]

Gah! Incredible! Sounded SO GOOD! Quality was great and your voice is beautiful! Love this version! 😍😍😍

[@joerock8717]

I'm sure the guys in @everclear would love to hear this cover of their classic song. I'll take both all day long.

[@AlaskanGoldMiner]

Nice hat tip to Willie in that solo.

[@WolfyGrayMusic]

Beautifully done. Thank you so much for this wonderful cover!

[@OneFibroTwin]

wow I always loved this song. Love it more now.

[@Lucasswell]

Reminds me skating down the road.

[@fbomb420]

I just saw Stephen open for The Lone Bellow. Never heard of him before and now I'm all about his music. What a great cover this is too. Not sure how he isn't more popular at this point.

[@jc2343]

This is top ten one of the best cover ive ever heard, lets call it number 1 until i can think of one better.

[@user-zm9ts4zl2g]

Good job man!!

[@user-ls9nm9uy5s]

This is reinterpretive perfection in sonic execution. Wow, thanks Stephen for a Country music gem version cover of Everclear. Absolutely amazing and so greatly done.

[@timothyhighstone9300]

Wowwww😩😩😩👍👍👍

[@CoinRingMaker]

Beautiful 🎶

[@martygibsonsr5150]

Jonny Cash, John Denver, Bob Dylan s love child, I have to admit, I like it, thank TikTok, it's how I found ya

[@CoinRingMaker]

This ☝️

[@alyssaforstedt6407]

Yep, love it😎💪👆

[@Printertrouble]

You forgot Springsteen

[@austinh6540]

Def Springsteen

[@tanneryeager]

Yeeeeee

[@douglasmauritz3657]

After reading so many comments and listening to this music for the first time...again...it is easy to see that Stephen Wilson Jr. is OUTSTANDING! his ability as a song writer and musician is amazingly eclectic...just listening to this very recent cover, I felt drawn back to the release date of Santa Monica but was weigh down by Roy Oberson and felt privileged to be a part of this duality in time and tempo and circumstance.

[@mundi352]

Wow. Simply wow.

[@nate8281]

My goodness man. such goodness, man. Definitely excited to watch the world honer your gifts. Well done.

[@jeremykoontz1913]

This guy is something special, hope you never change a thing

[@maxsimon8301]

Incredible version. A masterpiece. Thank you

[@karlystrand7539]

Keep doing what you do!! You’re the greatest and have such a talent for this❤️❤️❤️

[@Noah-qb5gr]

so beautiful

[@becbec1313]

What a beautiful cover 😍

[@insmett1elf4]

JFC that song was one of my 90s favourites and still is. Amazing cover!

[@caseycongdon1466]

I’m in love with this man

[@timothyragan943]

Wish this version was on streaming platforms..

[@lynnkrieg]

❤ this. Impressed ya chose this. But grateful ya did. Beautiful

[@Nicole-wf7ck]

Found you on TT and you made my favorite song sound even more haunting… just wow! You definitely have a new fan

[@guillaumeaudru4634]

A great and incredible cover!

[@joshhitchcock8478]

Sat down and owned this song like it was his. #MusicalBeast

[@user-pq9oh6ej9n]

I love your music so much and this is such a beautiful cover, please release it!!

[@palverson87]

If I could meet one musician it would be you. Amazing artist !

[@DecodeYourReality]

PERFECT 10 RENDITION. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world...

[@deadgrassroad]

Well done sir! Fire and a beer kind of music

[@MynameisJeffTV]

That was epic, you're amazing, hope you'll get the recognition you deserve.

[@sarahmurphy9566]

I have always loved this song. It's one of those songs you can not help but sing when it comes on. Now I absolutely LOVE this song. How awesome to see it done this way. It's my favorite version!!! ❤

[@wowwow6779]

Hawt dang feeling of the song is new colors with you singing

[@CountryVersion]

Very good!!! Love your voice

[@ThisGuitarIsAWeapon]

Bro.. Chills.

[@CapBaileyASMR]

just incredible, brotha.

[@strange5253]

You’re gonna hold the title for a while on this cover brother 💪🏻

[@vince0730]

His guitar is mind blowing.

[@Jon.883]

Amazing ❤

[@stuartspears4909]

Howling at the moon...

[@WildFlowerChildHighwayQueen]

Your so amazing 😍

[@dezyote]

Great cover !!

[@joeharris141]

Badass!

[@mwinx8686]

Hell yeah, bro

[@Crystal_Ballin87]

Ooh wish Art Alexakis would cover his cover this version is incredible

[@billyvick7189]

WOW!!!!!! Idk whst to even fn say right other thst THAT WAS FUCKING BEAUTIFUL......I remember growing up playing this on my drums....n id beat tf out um.....because i got an energetic vibe from it but man.....THIS IS TRULLY AMAZING!!!! I trully feel blessed to have even heard this version!!!! This is was a fucking gift!!........every thing is "wonderful now".......

[@robertgold2643]

Amazing……

[@b5856814]

Man you’re awesome

[@everdash]

I just.... want to hug this man. ❤️‍🩹

[@tikiman9]

This is something else...in the best way.

[@mdbrewer]

Great cover with your own style! Love that Willie style pickin too. Although, i thought for a second, it was going to break out into a Shakey Graves esque style. Stoked to see you live sometime.

[@cryjoy3083]

Holy. Shit. Master of being in the dark but how am I showing up a couple years late to this party? I could keep you singing for 3 yrs with 90's alt rock requests.

[@mtnman8245]

I've been dealing with some tuff things lately. I think God put him in my life to help. Thank you Stephen.

[@blbseauxmuchjake3877]

Luckylike#2! Superclickparty on that 👍 spike! ✌

[@beebe4418]

Wow

[@Crystal_Ballin87]

🤯🤯🤯

[@Markaydaily]

I found you on TikTok too brother and I couldn’t be happier that I did!

[@ericmarkham1975]

Oh you stoke me bro!

[@newbongsmell9896]

😢 more covers please

[@yadiragonzalez4197]

🥰

[@dogdaleafternoon6847]

Stephen this cover fucking rules.

[@thesundreamers8423]

Does any one on here know what the hell he is doing with that guitar to get that tone.......that's not a normal acoustic guitar sound. It's awesome.

[@Jenluvsthenuge]

He’s using gut strings and I think it’s an electric acoustic guitar. He’s amazing, though!

[@jimburkett9799]

The likes were 666.. I thought twice about not liking to keep it that way… then the solo kicked in.

[@chrislepage]

Where have you been thank you tic tok bring back the country

[@jonathanbarnett9241]

Maybe a little Pearl Jam

[@30.06onaGrassyKnoll]

I just found you today on facebook and your 1994 song brought me to tears , thank you.

[@user-ub1ru1eo5x]

keep listening. listen to all his songs. He will touch your soul.

[@RJD0314]

For the record, nite that this was recorded outside in front of a microphone 2 years before Anthony Oliver recorded his hit song outside in front of a microphone. 🤘😎

[@flamabl1]

I'll pay for the haircut.