Darren Coggan's Official Website

Love is a Balancing Act - (Allan Caswell/Darren Coggan)
This song jumped out at me as the obvious title track for the album. Life is all about balance, professionally and personally, it is what we should all try to do. This was one of the first songs that I wrote with Allan Caswell for this album. The chorus came to him whilst singing in the shower (as all good ones do).

The Ghost of Fishers Creek - (Darren Coggan/Ken McBeath)
An Australian tale about the mysterious disappearance and death of Campbelltown resident Frederick Fisher. George Worral, Fishers neighbour, was charged with the murder of Fred Fisher after his body was recovered near a bridge on Fisher's property. The body was discovered after a local was led to the grave site by a ghost that beared a remarkable resemblance to that of Fred Fisher. The Ghost Of Fishers Creek festival is now a major community event in Campbelltown. Whilst having dinner at Ken McBeath's (my collaborator on this song) house we were discussing the story, after a few glasses of red, we were singing the chorus at the top of our voices.

If I Had My Time Again - (Ken McBeath)
This is the first song I found for this album. Ken played me this song not long after my first album "Hometown" was released. This is the first single to be lifted from "Balancing Act" and it is one of the best songs I've ever had the privilege of singing. It is a song about a young mother reflecting on all the things she might have been, 'If I Had My Time Again'. The song has a great twist when she realises that she has two beautiful children and given the chance to do it all differently she wouldn't change a thing.

If I Could - (Darren Coggan/Brent Parlane/Frank Jones)
This is one of my favourite songs on the album and indeed the first song I wrote with Brent Parlane. I was on tour, performing in Maroopna, Victoria; it was a cold and miserable night. After the show, i went back to my small motel room where my wife had left a message on my phone saying that she felt our unborn child kick for the first time.... I would have done anything to get home that night.

Dancing The Night Away - Feat. Russell Smith (Russell Smith/James Brown Jr)
I am one of the biggest fans of the band "The Amazing Rhythm Aces" from America. I have been singing their song 'Dancing The Night Away' in my live show now for quite sometime and really wanted to include it on the album. In the middle of recording, I had to slip away for a few days to perform at the Gympie Muster in Queensland. As fate would have it, appearing on the same night as I, were "the Amazing Rhythm Aces". I got talking to Russell Smith (lead singer/songwriter for the band) and mentioned that I was recording one of their songs. I mentioned that it would have been great to have him come into the studio and sing the song as a duet. "Well son", he said, "as it happens we have a day off in Sydney after the Gympie Muster so I think we might be able to work something out for y'all" I couldn't believe it, next thing I know I'm in the studio singing with Russell Smith, a real highlight on the album for me.

Spirit Of The Free - (Darren Coggan/Ken McBeath)
This song is a dedication to the spirit of the back packers that lost their lives so tragically in the "Palace Hostel" fire in the small Queensland town of Childers. I was traveling through Childers a few weeks after the tragedy occurred and was very moved as I read the poems and prayers that were placed at the site from friends and loved ones. I wanted to write a song that paid tribute to those young people and in doing so painted a positive picture of their wonderful free spirit.

The Cowboy - Feat. Col Elliot (Darren Coggan/Ken McBeath)
My Grandfather originally inspired this song after a conversation I had with him. It was one of those conversations I wish I could have recorded as it felt as if he was passing on the lessons life had taught him. I hope that I do him proud with this song. To have Australia's resident funnyman, Col Elliot, join me on this track was a real thrill. Col has one of the best speaking voices in the country and his contribution to this song was priceless.

Good Man Down - (Brent Parlane)
This was one of the final songs we found for this album. Nash played me a version that he had recorded with Brent Parlane a few years ago and I loved it. It is a very strong, positive song, I love what the lyric says. I think we've all felt defeated at times in our lives and this is one of those songs that inspire you tough it out and get back on the horse.

Power Windows - Feat. Kasey Chambers (Billy Falcon)
A song about what is real in life. Kasey Chambers found this song for me on a CD by American singer/songwriter Billy Falcon. She came over to Nash's studio and said "Daz, this song is you, I can hear you singing it". Of course, I loved it, but said that I would only record it if she'd sing on it with me.....What a gal!

Absent Friends - )Allan Caswell/Don Spenser)
After a long day of writing with Alan Caswell, he played me this song that he'd written a while ago with Don Spencer (yes, from play school and yes, Danielle Spencers' dad). It brought tears to my eyes, it is one of my favourite songs ever, and I immediatley claimed it for this album. Here's to absent friends........

Flesh and Blood - (Shane Howard)
Another of my all time favourite songwriters is Shane Howard. This song says so much. If we all talked and listened a little more to one another, the world would be a better place.

The Bush Dance - Feat. Dobe Newton (Darren Coggan/Ken McBeath)
I have had so much fun recording and performing this song. I spent many a Saturday night as a young boy kicking up my heals at the local Bush Dances in old halls around Wagga Wagga. An innocent yet exhausting night of fun and laughter. This song is a tribute to all the great Bush bands in Australia. bands like "The Tin Shed Rattlers" and indeed the mighty "Bushwackers". To have Dobe Newton, from the "Bushwackers", perform with me on this track was just awesome. He was the perfect ingredient to this rollicking, jolly old tune.