SONG LYRICS
All Fall Down - (3:55)
Have you seen the new game where they all act insane
And they go where they aren’t invited
They’ve got blood in their eyes and they’re growing in size
And they’re frantic and roused and excited
Well they’re nasty and mean, something I’ve never seen
Looks like something right out of a bad dream
And we witnessed the crime as it played in real time
All in all it was really a sad scene
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We were shattered and dazed, we were stunned and amazed
Like a fire it spread all around
There were fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers
Driven by hate they attacked ‘til they all fell down
Well they fought with the guards, on the steps, in the yard
And they finally entered the palace
They took over the dome and they made it their home
And they laughed with their hearts filled with malice
They made lots of noise and they posed with the boys
Who were there to deter them quite frankly
And they wanted what’s best but they poked at the nest
And the hornets were raging and angry
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They put up a fight, swinging left, swinging right
Through the night there were questions unanswered
The battle raged on, when they’d finally gone
What they’d left was a place torn and tattered
And falling down
They foamed at the mouth, came from north and the south
Like a wave they came on quite relentless
In the end it’s a shame as we doled out the blame
Was there no way to ever prevent this
Well we’re shattered and dazed and we’re stunned and amazed
And we’re shaken by the sights and the sounds
We can argue and fight, if we don’t make it right
We can call it a day anyway and we’ll all fall down.
Like the song says, I was “stunned and amazed” by the events of January 6th, 2021 and I felt compelled to write about it.
​Instruments played: 12-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, electric guitars, slide guitars, drums, piano, cabasa, lead vocals.
Still in Love: - (3:48)
Many years have passed, many things have changed
I’m not quite the man I was but you still look the same
Miles have come and gone, you can see it in my face
The road has taken its toll on me in so many different ways
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When I look into your eyes I remember how it was
without a word I understand that feeling that was ours
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Standing right in front of me I’m taken by your smile
You take my breath away, please stay with me a while
Twenty years ago you watched me turn and walk away
Not knowing if there’d come a time that I’d come back to stay
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I’ve come to see you one more time to smell your sweet perfume
To hold you in my arms once more, to kiss beneath the moon
I’m leaving in the morning, come the break of dawn
Heading towards the sunset, by night I’ll be long gone
And if this is the last time, I’ll say before I go
You’ll always be a part of me and I want you to know
I’m still in love
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I wonder if you thought about me while I was away
I wonder if you knew how much I thought of you each day
I wondered after all these years had you found love again
And I wondered if he treated you the way that I did then
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There are things I want to ask you, but I don’t want to know
Just hold me closer once more before I go
Before I go…
I wrote this in a cottage on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia back in 2021. I hadn’t been there in 19 years and I’d forgotten how much I loved the place. Back in 1992, I’d written a song about Cape Breton Island called “Must Be Love” and this song was sort of a sequel. It’s a love song, but not for a woman, but an island…
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar electric guitars, lead guitar, drums, tambourine, shakers, cowbell, piano, keyboards (strings), lead and background vocals.
Independence Day - (5:06)
As I lay in bed this morning, and as the sun rose in my room
A light swept over me from head to toe
Then I stood on my front porch step, and there was magic in the air
I was reminded of a time so long ago
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There was a marching band on Main Street, balloons up and down the road
And the people lined the streets on either side
And it was such a perfect moment, and the perfect time to reflect
And right there and then I’d never felt more alive
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And outside it’s hot and sticky, and there are fireworks in the sky
And everything’s right, it feels just like July
And there’s thunder in the distance, but no rain on my parade
I’m on top of the world, it’s Independence Day
It’s like I stepped into a Rockwell painting, or I’ve made a stop at Willoughby
But out here in this one-horse town, it seems that time’s stood still
It’s a far better place I’ve come to, in my body and my mind
And a much better place than what’s beyond that hill
And outside it’s hot and sticky, and there are fireworks in the sky
And everything’s right, it feels just like July
And there’s thunder in the distance, but no rain on my parade
I’m where I belong, this Independence Day
Why’d it take so long to leave that world behind me
That helter-skelter life seems so far away
Now that you’re here sitting right beside me
Let’s drink a toast; here’s to better days
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Outside it’s hot and sticky, and there are fireworks in the sky
And everything’s right, it feels just like July
And there’s thunder in the distance, but no rain on my parade
It’s you and me this Independence Day
It’s you and me this Independence Day
It’s just you and it’s me this Independence Day.
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Written on the boardwalk in Long Beach, New York on July 4th, facing the Atlantic Ocean while watching the fireworks off in the distance. Partially inspired by a famous Twilight Zone episode. Just a very relaxing night.
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, electric guitars, lead guitar, drums, piano, organ, keyboards (marimba), tambourine, harmonica, lead and background vocals.
Lady Godiva - (2:18)​​​ Instrumental​
I had a melody and a first line but hit a wall and could go no further. It wound up being the first instrumental I’ve written (I’ve since written another). Inspired by a friend who once told me she rode horses like Lady Godiva…
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, mandolin, bass guitar, Appalachian dulcimer, keyboards (strings), zither, finger cymbals, triangle.
Faded Jeans - (3:53)
Met her on a roadside on the 4th of July
She was changing a tire when I drove by
I said I’m no expert but I’ll give it a try, she said
“Thank you, cowboy”, with a gleam in her eye
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Wasn’t too long before I made things worse
But when we were done we’d built up quite a thirst
She said “Let’s go, must be a hundred and three
I know a place and the first drink’s on me”
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That girl was something in those faded jeans
Holes in her pockets, patches on her knees
Bet in her day she was the high school queen
She sure was something in those faded jeans
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Now anyone who knows me knows I don’t drink
Still she toasted my health, and she gave me a wink
Played the jukebox and the next thing I knew
We were both slow dancing ‘til a quarter to two
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Countless hours spent on the telephone
Wasn’t too long before we shared a home
Traveled bumpy roads we both took in stride
One thing’s for sure it’s been a heck of a ride
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I fell in love with the girl in the faded jeans
Holes in her pockets, patches on her knees
Prettiest girl my eyes have ever seen
She sure was something in those faded jeans
I’m still in love with the girl in the faded jeans
Haven’t felt this way since I was seventeen
Never looked back if you know what I mean
I’ll always love that girl in the faded jeans.
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A totally made-up story inspired by the last scene in the movie “Cast Away”. I always felt Tom Hanks wound up with the girl after the credits rolled…
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, electric guitars, slide guitar, drums, keyboards, cowbell, tambourine, lead vocal.
Down - (3:08)
I'm down, never been so low
And there’s gotta be something I don’t see ‘cause I don’t know
I’m down, down on my knees
Was it something that I said tell me now, I’m begging you please
Something’s gone wrong and I don’t know why
We used to talk it through but now you don’t even try
There used to be a time we saw eye to eye, but no more
Baby I'm down, skies have turned gray
I’ve tried to reason with you but you don’t hear a word I say
So down, shaking my head
I’ve tried my best but I see dark clouds ahead
You’re always fighting me tooth and nail
Is it any wonder that I’m doomed to fail
The wreckage of our love has gone and left a trail of tears
I look around me baby I don’t like what I see
There’s a big dark cloud hanging over me
We’ve nothing in common and we can’t agree anymore
‘Cause I’m down, baby I'm down
And there doesn’t seem to be a place to hide in this crazy old
town
I’m down, oh so down
And if things don’t change I guess I'll see you around
I’ll see you around
I’ll see you around
I’ll see you around
I’ll be seeing you around.
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A song I threw together in about half an hour. As the recording of the album was coming to an end I felt it needed an uptempo song. Nothing to be taken seriously...
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, electric guitars, lead guitar, drums, organ, tambourine, lead vocal.
This Old Guitar - (2:42)
This old guitar has got some dents, doesn’t stay in tune
Colors mostly faded, got some scratches too
Sometimes the neck will warp, sometimes the strings will snap
But in spite of this, I love this old guitar
This old guitar, it’s lost it’s shine
Nothing flashy about it, over all it sounds just fine
Sometimes it gently weeps, sometimes it brings a smile
No matter what, I love this old guitar
This old guitar, Still loves to play
Not ready for the scrap heap, not ready to call it a day
Might need lots of work, might be past its prime
Be as it may, I love this old guitar
No matter what, I love this old guitar
Seen better days but I love this old guitar.
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Another song written in Nova Scotia. Could be about me. Could be about any musician that’s still plugging away after all these years.
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, baritone guitar, brushes, harmonica, tambourine, lead vocal.
Just Another Day - (3:20)
You wake up in the morning, you’re awakened by the bell
You think your job is boring but it pays so what the Hell
So you grab a cup of coffee and you leave the house by eight
But there’s traffic on the freeway so you’re there an hour late
You read the morning paper but it’s filled with gloom and doom
And the AC isn’t working so you find another room
It’s crowded and they’re fighting and you wish they’d go away
But there’s no two ways around it you’ve accepted that
It’s just another day
So you made it home in one piece, it’s a minor victory
And you’re tucked in for the evening and you turn on the tv
But the world is topsy-turvy, everything seems wrong
Sometimes you get the feeling that you just don’t belong
What folks call entertainment ain’t what it used to be
They air their dirty laundry for the whole world to see
This thing they call reality looks like it’s here to stay
And the moral minority faces the fact that it’s just
Another day
You think this crazy life you lead is no way to live
But when you get down to it, tell me, what’s the alternative?
Guess Mom and Dad were right, you should have gone and learned a skill
There’s no use crying, shake it off, you know the drill
Well here you go again, seems like you didn’t sleep too well
And what the next day brings you, well only time will tell
Start the car, join the queue, get ready to explode
‘Cause a minute takes an hour as you trudge along this road
Well it’s looking more like Groundhog Day and you can’t catch a break
And despite your best intentions you’re still running in place
You question what you’re doing, there must be a better way
Well it is what it is and what it is
It’s just another day.
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One of the last songs written for the album. Had the first verse written years ago but hit a wall with the rest of the lyrics. Revisited the song years later and finished it off relatively quickly. One of my favorites on the album.
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, drums, drum programming, slide guitar, organ, cowbell, lead and harmony vocals.
She Said Yes - (4:16)
Well I recall the night I met her
Love was the last thing on my mind
She walked into the room and knocked me off my feet
Since then I've left all hope behind
Something about her made me tremble
Something about her made me weak
One look from her could turn my whole world upside down
‘Til I found I could hardly speak
I found the nerve as I approached her
And there and then to my surprise
I asked her to dance (she said yes)
I asked her her name (she said guess)
She had a smile that knocked me over (unlike the rest)
And when I asked if I could call her (she said yes)
For most the night my head was spinning
Like it never had before
I told myself I must be dreaming
This time I had to know for sure
She took my hand and then she led me ‘cross the floor
Nothing else since then has been the same
I asked her to dance (she said yes)
I asked her her name (she said guess)
She had a way that took me over (unlike the rest)
And when I asked if I could call her (she said yes)
She calls my name and still my feet don’t touch the ground
In a crowded room, there’s no one else but her
After all these years each day is better than the last
As I walk upon this road that’s led me here
I asked her to dance, I asked her her name
I asked if I could call her, I asked for her hand (she said yes)
I asked her to dance (she said yes)
I asked her her name (she said guess)
She had a smile that knocked me over (unlike the rest)
And when I asked if I could call her, she said yes.
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This song was written in 2009 for my old band X-Session, and Jim Del, Pat Montefusco, and Joe DeJesu did a wonderful job on the song. This version is the demo that I presented to them for them to learn. The only parts that remain from the ‘09 version are the lead and background vocals, the bass, and the acoustic guitars. Drums, percussion, and additional guitars were added in 2022. Two people inspired this song: The chorus was part of a song I had written for my daughter (but I wasn’t happy with the verses) and the verses were written about a girl I had met that year that completely knocked me off my feet. I’m happy to say, though we’re not together anymore we are still close friends!
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, 12-string electric guitar, lead guitar, drums, tambourine, shakers, vibraslap, handclaps, lead and background vocals.
Alone - (3:58)
Open my eyes, the fear settles in
A thousand needles under my skin
Shortness of breath, I sweat as the day begins
I hear the voices whispering outside
They’re getting closer, I must run and hide
Can’t make a sound, can’t let them know I’m inside
Don’t like the sun, I pray for the night
Welcome the darkness, it’s there that I’m right at home
I’d be okay if only they’d leave me alone
The din grows greater, it’s always the same
A hundred voices calling my name
Until they pass it’s here that I best remain
Here in this room, I feel safe and sound
Way out of sight, away from the crowd
Can’t say a word, I can’t even think out loud
Peek through my window, there’s somebody there
Waiting for me, though I wouldn’t dare leave home
I’d be okay if only they’d leave me alone
Day turns to night, I’m chilled to the bone
Turn off the light, can’t answer the phone
I’d be okay if only they’d leave me alone.
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I have no idea where this song came from! I certainly am not
paranoid. Maybe it was at a time I just wanted to be alone.​​
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, slide and lead guitars, electric guitars, drums, drum programming, cowbell, tambourine, piano, keyboards (strings), electric guitar (mellotron), lead vocal.
Everything to Me - (2:05)
I had this girl, when I was down she set me free
I let her go and there’s no one to blame but me
If I could find the words to say, maybe I'd make her stay
‘Cause that girl means everything to me
That girl she gave me love like I had never known
I said some things and now I’m left here on my own
I’ve got to find a way, to make her want to stay
‘Cause that girl means everything to me
I’ll try to show her I’m not like the other men
I’ll change her mind and make things right again
I watched her walk away
There’s not much more for me to say
That girl means everything to me.
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I was channeling my inner Tom Petty/Byrds on this one.
“There’s not much more for me to say...”
​Instruments played: 12-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar,12-string electric guitars, lead guitar, drums, tambourine, handclaps, lead, harmony, and background vocals.
Can't Stop the Rain - (4:44), co-written with Chrissie McAuliffe
I can see it in the distance, a face out in the distance
Calling me, telling me it’s here
I can see no way to stop it, there is no way to stop
My deepest fears which now appear so clear
I try to close my eyes but it can’t erase the pain
No matter what I try to do
What’s done is done and I can’t stop the rain
There is no point in running, the truth is that it’s coming
Dead ahead, a stranger in the crowd
I can see no way to stop it, there is no way to stop it
Sunny days have been replaced by clouds
I try to close my eyes but it can’t erase the blame
No matter what I say to you
What’s done is done and I can’t stop the rain
Someday I'll leave it all behind me
Run away, no one will find me
Cut away the ties that bind me
And I’ll never see the rain.
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Written way back in ‘86, this song went through many changes before I finally settled on a version I liked (this was actually the 4th different recording). Originally written about the end of a relationship Chrissie was in at the time.
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar,12-string acoustic guitars, lead guitar, drums, tambourine, electric guitars (mellotron/tremolo), bongos, castanets, piano, keyboards (strings), glockenspiel, lead and background vocals.
You And Me - (1:39)
I’ve climbed a mountain and I’ve walked along the shore
With you beside me hand in hand much like before
Standing high above the clouds with the one that I adore
You and me
But now these days I can’t believe we can’t see eye to eye
After all we’ve been through I can’t help but wonder why
We built a bridge between us, built a wall sky high
You and me
I believe in fairytales, yes I believe in dreams
There’s nothing we can’t rise above however bad things seem
The answer’s right in front of us, it should be plain to see
And most of all my darling, I still believe
In you and me.
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This song formed a bookend somewhat with “All Fall Down”. Started out being a song about a week spent in Maui, then changed course and the second part was about the current state of affairs here in this country.
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, keyboards.