No Strings

words & music by Doug Howell • © 2023 Creative Measures LLC

I know it’s no good
to hold on to each other
to cling on and to smother
I know it’s no good

yes, I understand
that we are separate people
unique and individual
yes, I understand

but I know how it feels
to have no strings
and I think it’s high on time
to change things
love’s more than a feeling
it’s acting what you say
it’s gold behind the paper
it’s all of our tomorrows
after all of our todays

I don’t mean to say
that we should lose our independence
but neither lose dependence
that’s what I mean to say

and if you really care
you’ll give me some assurance
some broken heart insurance
if you really care

’cause I know how it works
to have no strings
and I think it’s high on time
to change things
love’s more than a feeling
it’s acting what you say
it’s gold behind the paper
it’s all of our tomorrows
after all of our todays

(instrumental verse)

now we know how it works
to have no strings
don’t you think it’s way past time
to change things
love’s more than a feeling
it’s acting what you say
it’s gold behind the paper
it’s all of our tomorrows
after all of our todays

Reviews

Thank you for sharing this! Beautiful song 🎵! —Cynthia G.

Nice, Doug! Some lovely phrases in there. —Katie C.

Beautiful Doug. I loved it. —Jim S.

Oh wow. Absolutely beautiful. Seriously nice arrangement and mix. —Kurt S.

Doug this song is so beautiful! I love it! 🍃♥️🍃—Bobbie S. C.

Beautiful.. I’ve saved it in my ‘to keep’ section on YouTube ☺️
—Marian B.

I have been blessed to always have the freedom to meet my responsibilities. Love is reflected with love. Thank you for your beautiful reminder —Anita F.

Great song!! And it is time to change things!! —Dave K. D.

I love the idea of “no strings” and your vocals are just so smooth!! —Randy C.

Wow, Doug I love the tempo. lyrics and overall message in your composition! 🥰 —David H.

It’s gold behind the paper it’s all of our tomorrows after all of our todays. I love it! —James W. S.

2023 Notes

Everybody knows that relationships are a balance of give and take, “leave me alone” and “come closer,” basking in the limelight and clapping from the sidelines—a living, often tricky mix of freedom and responsibility. 

Only these days, there always seems to be a lot more talk about the freedom part than the responsibility part, and this song is about trying to balance the two, which is not always easy.

If I’ve learned anything about relationships, it’s that there are expectations on both sides. Compromise can be a good thing. And communication is an absolute must. Yes, to love someone you have to “let them go.” But you also have to tell them, and show them! And I like to think of strings more as things that connect, not separate—communicate, not just bind. The bonds of love are like no other bonds. They’re voluntary. They’re mutual.

Spending years on the road probably gave me a different perspective on this, as I was the one who usually had to go, and usually didn’t want to! So maybe I longed for the responsibility part a little more, because at times it seemed like all I had was freedom. Anyway, seems I’m saying the same thing over and over, and I guess I am: love is more than talk. I’ve experienced that kind of love, and it makes me forever grateful that I’ve also experienced the other kind.

Music Notes

Thanks to the amazing guitarist Dan Leonhardt for contributing his special brand of acoustic and electric guitar magic on this. Thanks, Dan! You’re the gold behind the paper.