SONG LYRICS
Take Me Back Home - (0:58)
Take me back, oh won't you take me back
I am lost, this train's run off the track
Been gone for days uncounted, troubles surely mounted
Oh won't you take me back
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Lead me home, oh won't you lead me home
Take my hand, don't leave me on my own
Through this wilderness I've wandered, better life back yonder
Oh won't you lead me home.​
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Written in 2019 right after the first album was finished. Actually recorded with electric guitars, piano, and organ. During a playback about 2 weeks before final mastering, we listened to the vocals isolated, liked what we heard, and decided there and then to release the song acapella. One of the shortest songs I've ever written, it's about a guy whose life is hectic and chaotic and he's probably done things he's not proud of and wants to get his life back on track...
​Instruments played: 6-string electric guitar, piano, organ (all muted), vocals (about 12 in all).
Where the River Meets the Sea - (7:18)
I might be old, though not nearly worldly and wise
I've traveled far, thought I'd seen it all through these eyes
Still I never could have seen, I never could believe it'd come to this
And I'm longing for your touch
And wishing I could have one more kiss
I face the west towards the ocean that keeps us apart
Though miles away you'll always be here in my heart.
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I fight this war, there's no telling when I'll be back
I stand on guard and wait for another attack
Still the battle rages on, there are times when it seems all is lost
But still I soldier on, to the end I fight no matter the cost
The enemy waits, there's no telling when he will strike
His forces strong, with luck I will live through the night.
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My will intact though fear sometimes enters my mind
The days are long, my body it aches all the time
And though I may be down
And broken in this God forsaken place
The thing that helps me through
Is the memory of your warm embrace
But can it be? The tide's slowly turning my way
Defense has held, looks like I may see light of day.
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The fight is done, the battle is over for now
The flag is raised flowing here mighty and proud
And I never lost hope, I never lost the will to survive
And this I still believe, it was your love that kept me alive
I close my eyes, I can still see you standing there
(As you stand upon the shore where the river meets the sea)
Reach out your arms and wait by the river 'cause tonight
My love, I'm coming home!​
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Written in 2020 this song was inspired by a friend whose sister's boyfriend was stuck in Europe during the early days of the pandemic and unable to come home to her. The first part of the song is his story with the fear of the virus all around him. In the second part of the song, he contracts the virus but eventually survives and receives the vaccine. I dedicated this song to anyone who survived this dreaded disease!
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The melody and title for this song had been around for years waiting for a subject. Unfortunately, I found one...
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, 12-string acoustic guitars, 6-string electric guitars, piano, organ, keyboards, drums, drum machine programming, tambourine, cabasa, shakers, sound effects, lead and background vocals.
Topsy-Turvy - (3:27)
She came to you upon a white horse
So softly like a summer breeze
Sweet fragrant lips with hair a-flowing
Crystal eyes that brought you to your knees
Colors flying all around you
Kaleidoscopes of blues and reds and greens
She took you higher than a mountain
She showed you things you'd never seen
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She walked into your life and turned it topsy-turvy
One look was all it took to hold you in her spell
She wants you more and though you try you can't resist her
She's got you on this carousel
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No use in trying to explain it
Left is right and right is upside down
Your friends have gone they all have left you
'Cause you're no fun to be around
She's got you wrapped around her finger
She's got you begging her for more
She knows exactly what she's doing
She's done it many times before
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She waltzed into your life and turned it topsy-turvy
You're thinking now you've been a fool
You know it's time to get your life back in a hurry
You're drowning in the deep end of the pool
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She turned your whole life topsy-turvy​​
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Quite simply put this is an anti-drug song written during the pandemic. Though I've never had any experience with drugs the lyrics came to me rather quickly. I was thinking of the band Squeeze when I wrote this...
​Instruments played: 6-string electric guitars, bass guitar, drums, 6-string acoustic guitars, lead guitar, piano, organ, keyboards, tambourine, percussion, handclaps, sound effects, lead vocal.
That's My Baby - (4:45)
Let me tell you 'bout this girl I knew
The answer to my prayers, a dream come true
She put an end to many a lonely night
She was disco, I was rock
She had a head of brains, I was a jock
But somehow when we met it all seemed right
She loved to hear me play guitar
She had no doubt someday we'd both be stars
And I would play my songs to her sometimes 'til dawn
And we would harmonize all day
We always blended well I have to say
But then one day I found that she had gone
And I can't believe she'd ever leave but she never could sit still
And now she's got a hit song on the charts
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I hear her on the radio
With a voice so sweet, so soft, now that's the girl I used to know
I think about the times she drove me crazy
When I hear that girl I have to say, "that's my baby"
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Now I see her everywhere I go
I see her on the billboards and the TV shows
And she's dating some A-list actor out in Hollywood
Well that's okay you know I wish her well
She's got the whole wide world under her spell
She's finally made it big like she said she would
But suddenly it occurs to me, I recognize that song
After all this time she's still breaking hearts
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I hear her on the radio
With a voice so sweet, so soft, now that's the girl I used to know
I think about the promises she made me
When I hear that girl I have to say, "that's my baby"
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That girl, you know it's funny
Who'd have ever thought that she'd steal from me
She played me well I thought I knew her
They're my words, my music
She don't even own the rights to use it
I wrote it, she sings it
She'll be singing the blues when I sue her
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And I think about the times when I was down and she was there to save me
But that was many long years ago
Now I've come to realize what I didn't know
When I hear that song I've got to say, "that's my baby"
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I started writing this "love song with a twist" back in 2014 but had writer's block and left it alone until 2018 when I finished writing and recorded it. It was left off the first album as I felt it didn't fit. Not written about anybody in particular...
​Instruments played: 6 and 12-string electric guitars, bass guitar, 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars, lead guitar, piano, keyboards, cowbell, drum machine programming, lead and background vocals.
Queen for a Day - (3:19)
There you are again it seems you're everywhere I turn
I gave you up so long ago but I may never learn
It wasn't in the cards for me, I wasn't in your plans
And now you're such a big star but I don't understand
You beg, heel, and roll over, and other stupid tricks
You're such a hot commodity, the public needs it's fix
Your mind has gone to pot and now the devil's got your soul
You used to be a rock, but now you only roll
Might as well enjoy it, every dog has it's day
You're the flavor of the month, queen for a day
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Tell me what's reality and tell me what's a lie
Tell me what you're doing with your finger in the pie
And all those in the rafters, what does it say for them
Like clockwork they"ll be back and let you in their homes again
Throw her meat, ah what a treat
She's rolling on the ground in heat
Television rubbernecking holds them in their seats
Morbid curiosity, they can't turn away
I wonder what your daddy'd say if he were here today
Just take the money and run, where there's a will there's a way
You're larger than life, queen for a day
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Hey there mama walking in your sleep
Get down from that high wire while you're tending to your sheep
They want to see you stumble, they want to see you fall
They want to see you squirming while your back's against the wall
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Who will you run to when your fans have come and gone
15 minutes then you're finished, time to move along
This rollercoaster train wreck some day must surely stop
But baby in the meantime just give them what they want
They're howling in the balcony, the front row licks it's chops
The circus begs surreal and even passersby must stop
To see the bearded painted lady, the clown without a mask
Who'll let you in her padded room don't even have to ask
But there's a new kid in town, maybe now you'll go away
You're just yesterday's news, queen for a day
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This song was written and recorded in 2003 and at the time it seemed we were being bombarded by reality shows, of which I am not a fan. Anna Nicole Smith was the inspiration for this song, though since her passing I've felt guilty about releasing the song which is why it sat in the can for so long. Still, I felt the album needed a straightforward rocker so I went back and revisited this song. Musically it was inspired by "Get Out Of Denver" by Bob Seger.
​Instruments played: 6-string electric guitars; lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, cowbell, lead, harmony and background vocals.
Mary Celeste - (2:57)
Mary Celeste I ask in advance
May I take your hand and have this next dance
Patiently waiting I long for a time
To bask in your presence, your beauty sublime
Strange and mysterious, the secrets you hide
What do you hold deep inside
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Searching and longing I see in your eyes
A sad painted lady behind your disguise
Lady Celeste I stand in the wings
Though I have no riches it's love that I bring
Graceful in manner yet painfully shy
Someday might I catch your eye
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Silently staring, not wishing to stay
Then turning and walking away
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Where are you now my Mary Celeste
Majestic and noble, so unlike the rest
Where did you go my Mary Celeste
To find you, to hold you I make my life's quest
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One of the quickest songs I've ever finished, this was written in January 2021, recorded in February, and finished in March. I was reading about ghost ships and the name Mary Celeste came up (it was a ship that left from New York in the 1870s bound for Genoa but never made it there. It was found adrift off the Azores with no one on board and no sign of a struggle). I liked the name and the mystery surrounding it and I was on my way!
​Instruments played: 12-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, 6-string acoustic guitar solo, keyboards, triangle, lead vocal.
Sit This One Out - (2:36)
I've been here since a quarter to nine, can't stay a minute more
I hope you don't mind but I think I'll sit this one out
This room is spinning 'round so point me towards the door
I hope you don't mind but I think I'll sit this one out
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I didn't mean to lead you on
I didn't plan to stay this long
I didn't mean to do my baby wrong
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The sun's shining through the window and now lady that's my cue
I hope you don't mind but I think I'll sit this one out
My legs are failing me and I think my night is through
I hope you don't mind but I think I'll sit this one out
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I didn't mean to get so close
I'll make it up to you I suppose
I'm sorry honey but that's the way it goes
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This was the last song written. It was originally going to be left off the album and coupled with the "All Fall Down" single but at the last minute, I decided to include it here. Written in one night in March it was recorded and finished in less than 2 months, which is a record for me!​
​Instruments played: 12-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, brushes, mandolin, harmonica, tambourine, knee slaps, lead, and harmony vocals.
Valentine's Day - (4:14)
Babe since you've gone, I don't think I'll make it on my own
I just want to run where no one can find me
My sorrow grows, I see your face everywhere I go
It's there all the time, It's there to remind me
That I wish you were here, I wish you would take me
Take me away this valentine's day
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It's so unfair, I love you but you don't seem to care
I feel like I'm standing on the outside looking in
It's plain to see, I wish things were how they used to be
I know in my heart that I can love you more than him
And I wish you would call, I wish you would save me
Save me today, this valentine's day
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And I like you around, I like taking care of you
I'd like it that way, this valentine's day
I don't want you to go, I want you beside me
I need you to stay, on valentine's day
And I need you today, I need to feel wanted
Wanted that way, this valentine's day
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I want you beside me
I need you to stay, this valentine's day
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I'm able to separate the man from the producer, and I do like a lot of the recordings Phil Spector did. I wanted to recreate the Wall of Sound. I also wanted it to sound like one of the girl group songs from the 60's. I originally envisioned several sax solos but after I added all the background vocals (about 12 in all) I changed my mind. Don't remember exactly when I wrote this but it was either 2004 or 2005.​
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, drums, pianos, keyboards, tambourine, percussion, lead, and background vocals.
Too Good to Be True - (3:20)
Well there's some rumors going 'round
And they're saying you're the talk of the town
But I find it hard to swallow
That the boys would wanna follow you around
After all this time I've known you
You say you've always been misunderstood
Still you strut with a smile
All the while the boys they haven't got a clue
'Cause to them you're too good to be true
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You come on oh so clever
And babe who's got it better than you?
You've got them wrapped around your finger
Reeled 'em in hook, line, and sinker, it's true
Bedroom eyes, pouting lips, crooked smile, fatal hips
You're a legend in the neighborhood
And when you go to the ball
They all stumble and they fall over you
You're too good to be true
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You've got ice in your veins
Deep inside and it pains me to think
You get more love than you should
You're just a prime time lady, and baby I'm all over you
You're not too good to be true
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Another song written during the pandemic. Talking to an ex co-worker we were reminiscing about someone we worked with, almost 20 years ago. I changed the gender to make it more interesting and I was on my way. Musically inspired by "On The Border" by The Eagles.
​Instruments played: 6-string electric guitars, lead guitar, bass guitar, 6-string acoustic guitar, drums, electric piano keyboards, handclaps, cowbell, shakers, trumpets, lead vocal.
The Lighthouse Keeper - (1:18)
Like his father before him, and the grandfather he never knew
He stares out at the ocean as the storm comes rolling through
And the waves crash like thunder in the darkness upon the shore
And he goes through the motions, shines his light both far and wide
And he calls out to no one but still waits for a reply
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And the lighthouse keeper waits for signs of life
Or a lonely traveler looking for a friend
And the lighthouse keeper prays for some relief
And the lighthouse keeper waits for night to end
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Yet another pandemic song. In my travels I frequently pass the Fire Island Lighthouse off in the distance. The thought of a lighthouse still in use fascinated me. I read up on lighthouses and found out that at one time lighthouse keepers passed their jobs on from generation to generation. I thought it must also be a lonely job. I was also reminded of an old science fiction movie about the last living dinosaur hearing the fog horn of a lighthouse and thinking it was another of its kind. So the themes of loneliness and dashed hopes are crammed into one of the shortest songs I've ever written. Couldn't figure out how to sing the verses. Nothing I tried worked. Speaking the verses instead seemed to do the trick...
​Instruments played: 6-string acoustic guitars, keyboards, vocal.
Ten Thousand Summers - (5:02)
Once in a while do you think about me
Do you wonder what I'm thinking of
And do you smile, as the eons have passed
We've both had to sit still long enough
And through the miles do you travel through time
When we were in love
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Ten thousand summers may come and go
Mountains rise and rivers flow
The seasons change but still I know
My love for you will stand the test of time
Eternity will pass and you'll be mine
Just look inside your heart and you will find
I was the one
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Through all the years was I still on your mind
Did you cherish the love that we knew
Behind the tears there was never a moment
That I lost sight of you
Quiet your fears
There will soon come a time we're reunited anew
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Ten thousand summers may come and go
Kingdoms fall, volcanoes flow
Tides will rise and trees laid low
My love for you will never be denied
Another page will turn, you'll still be mine
These bodies that we borrow change in time
But you are the one
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Ten thousand summers may come and go
A seed is planted, a life will grow
The spirit rises and this I know
The love I have for you will never die
Forever's but the blinking of an eye
So come with me and never wonder why
You were the one.
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Nothing more than a song about reincarnation and soul mates throughout time. The Moody Blues were my inspiration for this song. Also, this song was written 2 days after George Harrison's passing in 2001 so it's got a little bit of him here too. My daughter plays flute on the song!
​Instruments played: 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars, bass guitar, slide guitars, drums, tambourines, piano, keyboards, lead and background vocals, flute by Diana Huie.
Baby, You're Strange - (7:16)
She would never wear her shoes, but then again
Her feet were never firmly on the ground
Her life was one long dance
She passed through the looking glass and disappeared
Never to be found
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She heard voices in her head, like windy chimes
Some cosmic mantra swirling in her mind
She sang on top of mountains
She'd touch the stars and count them
I'd laugh and shrug my shoulders
The last thing I had told her
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Baby you're strange, but don't ever change 'cause I love you
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She could fly away so high, spread her wings
Embrace the world as if it were her own
She said life's a gift and then you die
Life's too short to wonder why
And suddenly she seemed to make sense
As she lit up her incense
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Baby you're strange, but don't ever change 'cause I love you
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I know she's out there
She must be out there
Just what she's thinking, I don't know (she'd say "I told you so")
And when I find her
I'll have to tell her
How much I miss her
(Look what we've done, eclipsed the sun
They're not laughing anymore)
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This is the oldest song on the album. It was written in February of 1993. I was at Tiki Studios for the first time in December of 1994 doing a demo with the band Green Wilma. I loved the job they did with the demo and decided to record this song there later that month. The original tracks were recorded with the members of Green Wilma adding additional handclaps for the long fade out. The song was mixed and I thought it was finished but upon further review, I decided to revisit it. In 2006 I redid the lead vocal for the first part of the song and it stayed in limbo for another 14 years until I went back to it in 2020. I have to admit this was the most fun I had recording, and not just because of the Beatles' influence. The original tracks done in '94 were on reel to reel so I had to learn the lead guitar part backwards and then we turned the tape around. The same with some of the backwards cymbals. I played an electric guitar through a rotating Leslie cabinet and also played French horn. When we revisited the song in early 2020 we pulled out all the stops, adding piano, strings, trumpets, an opera singer and a music box (both played backwards). Add to that references to 7 Beatles songs, 1 George Harrison solo song, and a Tears For Fears song. I had a blast recording this!
​Instruments played: Keyboards, pianos, 6-string acoustic guitar, 6-string electric guitar, lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, tambourine, trumpets, French horn, sound effects, handclaps, lead, and background vocals. Additional handclaps by Vince Rubino, Louie Cabonargi, and
Rob Sieranski (R.I.P.)
Say Yes - (2:52)
There's this thing I must bring to your attention
It's a subject I must address
I would be eternally grateful if you'd just say yes
It's been here on my mind for some time now
For how long I couldn't wager a guess
But I'd be yours for now and for always
If you'd just say yes
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I've chosen my words wisely and I know precisely
What it is I long to say
But I've got this feeling this heart that you're stealing
Is slowly being swept away
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I don't expect you to rush to an answer
But my love this I must confess
I'd be there for richer, for poorer
If you'd just say yes
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I'd pack all my things and go, leave if you told me so
My life would be a mess
But it would be so fine, I'd be walking on sunshine
If you'd just say yes
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Another song from 1993, I recorded this song at a studio in Brooklyn and presented it to my mother for her 64th birthday in 1996 (I also recorded "When I'm 64" for her). I re-recorded it at Tiki in March of 1999. It was basically finished soon after and like many songs I've recorded in the past it sat untouched for years. I considered it for the last album but again I felt it didn't fit. Obviously inspired by some of the Beatles' music hall songs. I can picture Fred Astaire singing this to Ginger Rogers!
​Instruments played: 6-string electric guitars, bass guitar, brushes, ride cymbal, piano, keyboards, trumpets, finger snaps, lead whistle, vocal.