Blue Bombora
Not to be confused with the original BOMBORA by the Atlantics which I still believe is the Ultimate Surf Rock tune. I was lucky enough to meet the guys from the Atlantics in 2001 when I did the stage set up and sound for them for a couple of gigs. A nice bunch of blokes.
The Forgotten
I wrote this one around 2021 shortly after re-watching the 1993 historical western Geronimo: An American Legend. It was a sad story about proud warrior tribes not knowing or trusting how to exist with the white man that are taking over their lands mainly for their own greedy fortunes.
Tideless Wave
This one is brand spanking NEW! It just popped out while tuning my guitar and warming up. I can’t imagine how good it would be always getting the same perfect wave that suits your skill level.
Sombrero Surfer
I started to write this one around 2007/8. I had the chords and rhythm happening in no time but got very stuck on the main melody, so much so that I shelved the song for over a decade. When I bought my Surf Green Strat, the Surf Rock tunes started to really flow!
Pipe Dreams
This one I also wrote as a “sequel or prequel” to another famous Surf tune from the 1960s. Hopefully I did it justice and it’s just recognisable enough without treading on anybody’s toes.
Wave Hunting
This one was the first Surf Instrumental tunes I wrote in about 2001. It was part of a series of songs for an environmental pantomime I created, performing at festivals, schools and expos in and around Sydney.
Let’s Go Surfing
This one came about through a vocal song I wrote in 2004 with PJ Creamer called Let’s Go Swimming. It was aimed at Primary school kids and young teens, to be water and sun safe, caring for the ocean environment while still having all the fun the ocean has to offer.
Cocktail Beach
The first song I wrote during my Surf Rock writing spree a few years ago, it started flowing as soon as I bought my new Surf Green Strat. I thought it would be a pretty cool idea to be able to buy cocktails while at the beach.
Shadows On The Water
One of my favourites, this song was written during my Surf Rock writing spree just a few years back.
Surf Cruzin’
A more chilled tune depicting the days when you actually drove to several beaches looking for and hoping for a good wave.
Summer’s Ending
I did write this song to pay homage to the old classic with a similar name. I was thinking of it as a sequel or maybe a prequel at the time and wanted to capture that similar feeling.
Longboard
This was only the second Surf sound instrumental I had ever written.
Beach Hotel
Inspired by Chris Isaak’s music. A few of his songs have that old Surf sound anyway and he is a surfer too. So this is a tribute to Chris and his music. Thanks for the inspiration Chris!
Original Songs by Johnny Troppo
Once In His Life
I wrote this song around 1997 and revamped it in this year. It’s based on an old muso mate of mine from Sydney, Mick who was going through or had gone through a messy split up which he was utterly shocked about.
Me & You
The first song with lyrics that I had written for quite a number of years, this is a song about re-finding myself, my partner and some joy!
Here Comes Your Love
A first time collaboration with a Japanese musician called Kazuya (Kazzi) in February 2024. A thoughtful young man, Kazzi helped me get set up with videos for my songs on YouTube.
Ah-Ha
Originally written in the early 1990s, this song is about sticking by your girl even when everyone around you is telling you otherwise.
One
Written in the first half of 1999 and recorded at the Ultimo studio with special guest vocalist Miss Vicki Nic and Dave Bova on guitar, to make it sparkle even more. This would have to be my favourite ballad that I have written.
Long Gone
Based on the Christmas afternoon storms on the Gold Coast, Queensland in January 2024. The storm did cause massive havoc and a lot of people couldn’t stay in their homes, or had no power for several weeks, including my youngest son and his partner.
Turn To Nature
This song was created for an environmental pantomime that I was writing, producing and performing in over 2001-2002, with three other characters called Recycle Man & His Enviro Band. The show was aimed at Primary School kids all the way up to adults and would still be relevent today, some 20 years later.
Message I Send
Written and recorded in 2000, there is some truth and a lot of imagination in this song. Many a good song has been written inspired by ex lovers.
Doesn’t Matter Anyway
Recorded in the early 2000s with some muso mates. It’s a song about nothing and everything, what’s right and what’s wrong but when push comes to shove, “Doesn’t Matter Anyway”.
Let’s Go Swimming
Recorded in 2004 at Revelations Studio on the Gold Coast. PJ, owner/engineer/musician of the Studio played lead guitar and some backing vocals and his mate Scotty played the drums. My neighbour Heidi also did some backing vocals.