Producer, songwriter, singer, guitar player Stuffy Shmitt recently released… Read Full Bio ↴Producer, songwriter, singer, guitar player Stuffy Shmitt recently released his fourth CD, Family Favorites (Realistic Records). On this new collection of fifteen original tunes, Shmitt does what he does best – sing, play guitar and tell stories. A true American song writer, his signature lyrical and melodic craftsmanship artfully weave his rock, blues - and even a hint of country - influences, all infused with Shmitt’s definitive moods and ever-present humor.

Family Favorites takes the listener on a semi-autobiographical sonic tour of Shmitt’s woeful observations as he and those closest to him stumble, kick, scream, falter and embrace life at its toughest and poignant best. The moods range from manic to somber, passionate to disenchanted… all with an under-pinning of humor and hope. It is this light amidst the darkness that makes Shmitt’s songs infinitely listenable. The sensitivity of Shmitt’s viewfinder on the world gives his words, music and rich vocals a tender, hard hitting and universal appeal. His songs resonate deeper with each listen.

On his third release, Other People’s Stuff (Realistic Records), Shmitt delivers an upbeat and thoroughly enjoyable musical journey of fourteen cover tunes, expertly spanning decades and genres. Shmitt’s interpretation of these songs is a departure from his previous two self-penned releases, Dog Steal The Moon and Nothing Is Real (Realistic Records). His understanding and respect for the songwriting process is clear, shining through in his production, musical arrangements, mixes and vocal performances.

Shmitt’s supporting cast of players on Other People’s Stuff is outstanding and includes special appearances by celebrities and legends such as David Johansen (NY Dolls, Buster Pointdexter, The Harry Smiths), Levon Helm (The Band), Gordon Gano (Violent Femmes), Jayotis Washington (The Persuasions), Willy DeVille (Mink DeVille), and Stockard Channing (The West Wing, Grease).

Through his production choices on Other People’s Stuff, Shmitt pays tribute to the original songwriters and performers of the tunes, while at the same time putting his personal thumbprint on the work, making it fresh and undeniably his own. His lush vocals and top-notch guitar playing make the CD timeless and infinitely listenable. The CD possess the warmth of the past, and manages to be thoroughly modern.

On Dog Steal The Moon, Shmitt followed up the critical success of his debut release, Nothing Is Real, by delivering a new collection of original songs; Shmitt’s trademark ballads are made even more poignant, on Dog Steal The Moon, by their juxtaposition to a set of uptempo rockers that prove Shmitt’s ability to crank it up. Written, performed, arranged and produced by Shmitt, he demonstrates his audio-fluency, and capacity to conceptualize a cohesive project. His confessional style of writing possesses a familiarity and a uniqueness. “A singular voice whose songs get as much power from the words as from the music... lyrically poetic,” wrote New York Post rock reviewer Dan Aquilante.

Shmitt’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. Radio personality Vin Scelsa (NYC) sang praises, “artist Stuffy Shmitt... his tunes knock me out” and called Nothing Is Real “a mesmerizing piece of work.” And radio host Peter Bochan (NYC) named the debut CD “one of the best indie releases this year.” Shmitt has two songs featured in the independent feature “Thirty Days” (An Araca Group/Arielle Tepper Production). He composed and produced the soundtrack for the documentary, “Abandoned,” (Crowing Rooster Arts, Inc.) which premiered at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival at Lincoln Center in New York City and won the Dupont/Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism. Other film music credits include “The Heavenly Kid” (Orion Pictures) and the award-winning educational children’s film “Whatever Happened To The Dinosaurs?” (Blackwatch Productions). Shmitt also co-wrote the theme song for the Ace Award winning MTV show “Turn It Up.” His music can be heard in the film "Happy Tears" starring Rip Torn and Demi Moore and in the Showtime series "Californication". He has performed his own material in venues coast to coast.

Stuffy Shmitt’s albums Family Favorites, Other People’s Stuff, Dog Steal The Moon and Nothing Is Real are available at CDBaby.com and iTunes. www.stuffyshmitt.com

Can't Find My Way Home
Stuffy Shmitt Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hear my story and listen well;
Truth is in all that I tell
It could never have been me
I did not shoot no deputy

Mr Grant, the deputy,
Friend to my whole family
He always tell me when John Brown

Was getting ready to come around

Don't blame me
Don't blame me

I hide it all except a few seeds
And make him think I plant for me
When Mr Grant and I know all the while
We've got enough for the whole island

Three years now we sell it in town
Under the bucket that goes down
No one knew of it but three:
Mr Grant, Davis and me

Don't blame me
Don't blame me

I swear by God it is a plot;
Davis sent me here to rot
Listen people, can't you see
Mr Davis shot the deputy

Don't blame me
Don't blame me

Don't blame me
Don't blame me

Overall Meaning

Stuffy Shmitt's song, "Can't Find My Way Home," is an intriguing story about a man who proclaims his innocence regarding the shooting of a deputy. The song takes us on a journey as the singer tells about his relationship with the deputy and how he sold marijuana on the island with two other people. He pleads to the people to understand that he did not kill the deputy and that it was one of the other two people he sold marijuana with.

The opening lines of the song, "Hear my story and listen well; Truth is in all that I tell," set the tone for the song, making it clear that the singer is telling the truth. He says that the deputy was a family friend and always gave him a heads up when John Brown was coming around. He also makes references to marijuana cultivation, indicating that he and two other individuals were involved in selling it on the island. It is interesting to note that the singer goes to great lengths to depict his innocence, including painting himself as a victim of a plot of one of the two people he sold marijuana with.

The song is evidence of Stuffy Shmitt's storytelling abilities. He manages to vividly paint a picture of the singer's lifestyle and struggles, making the song even more captivating. The story is relatable, as it highlights how sometimes people can be in the wrong place at the wrong time, resulting in them being blamed for something they did not do.

Line by Line Meaning

Hear my story and listen well;
Pay close attention to what I am about to tell you;

Truth is in all that I tell
Everything I am saying is completely true;

It could never have been me
I am innocent of the crime being accused of;

I did not shoot no deputy
I did not shoot the deputy, it was someone else.

Mr Grant, the deputy,
Referring to the deceased deputy;

Friend to my whole family
He was close to my family and we trusted him;

He always tell me when John Brown
He used to inform me when John Brown was coming;

Was getting ready to come around
Preparing to come to our area;

Don't blame me
I am not responsible for this crime;

I hide it all except a few seeds
I conceal the crop except for a few seeds;

And make him think I plant for me
I make him believe that I am planting for myself;