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The Next Stage

by Englewood

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1.
I think I’m going crazy, I’m losing control, am I losing my mind or just my cereal bowl. I thought I was smart but now I’m not sure. The doctor says I’m fine, so I guess there’s no cure. There’s always someone telling me what to do. Did I already take my pills? I’ve been independent my whole life through – I think I can pay my own bills, thank you. How do I move to the next stage? I know that it’s going to be rough. I don’t think I’m ready yet to turn that page. I think I’ll try to call their bluff. It’s my own life so leave me alone; I don’t feel like talking on the telephone. Don’t feel like going out today. I don’t want company, so stay away. Don’t mean to be harsh, I don’t mean to be cruel, but sometimes you all make me feel like an old fool. You say we’ll all do this as a family. But I’ve got to keep hold of me. How do I move to the next stage? I know it’s not going to be easy. And when I get ready to turn that page I know you’re all ready to help me. Help me!
2.
We had some dreams, didn’t we, didn’t we; some big ideas filling me, filling me. I’d be someone, wouldn’t I, wouldn’t I? I’d change the world, couldn’t, couldn’t I? What happened to those dreams? When we were young it was all very new. There was nothing that we could not do. Fly to the moon, drive a train, sail the seas. Or write a song that would bring world peace. I don’t know what happened to those dreams. Hey, don’t say you’re through. Don’t give up on you. Keep your sights up high. We’re not born just to die. Now you have the power to make that true. You do. We got so busy, gotta work every day. Staying ahead doesn’t leave time to play. A list of things I gotta do, gotta do. Instead of what I wanna do, wanna do. What happened to those dreams? Hey, don’t think you’re through. Don’t give up on you. Keep your sights up high. We’re not born just to die. Now you have the power to make that true. You do. My dreams have changed – that’s OK, that’s OK. Some weren’t realistic anyway, anyway. Don’t think I’ll ever fly to the moon, but I might still write a decent tune. It doesn’t matter what happened to those dreams. No, don’t think I’m through. I still have things to do. I keep my sights up high. I’m not born just to die. Now I have the power to make that true. Yes, I do.
3.
Step Up 02:29
Step up – help that blind guy cross the street. Step up – pick up that litter at your feet. Step up – give that pregnant woman your seat. Step up – take the lead don’t follow. Step up – if you’re in front you can’t wallow. Step up – don’t be thinking they all owe you. It might not be enough to save the planet, But sometimes you just spark a flame and fan it. A step at a time is all we can expect. Get up off the bench, grab a bat and do something, You won’t get on base if you never take a swing. Do it for you, for your soul, for karma, for the team. Just step up – be the first one on your block. Step up – don’t just go out and punch a clock. Step up – you know that you can rock. It may not be enough to save the planet, But sometimes you just spark a flame and fan it. Don’t underestimate what a step can do. Step up; Step up; Step up – Step up!
4.
It must be an election year. There’s all these people coming here, Spreading lies and hate and fear. And if they hurt you they don’t care. Who do these people, who do these people think they are. So why when these guys campaign in the red states, do they have to keep spreading all the fear and lies and hate. It seems like it’s always people like us, that these guys are gonna throw under the bus. Who do these people, who do these people think they are. I say power to the people but the people with the power are no longer swayed by a child with a flower It’s all just a power play so every one of them can say I’m the man, I’m top dog today. Who do these people, who do these people think they are. It must be an election year. There’s all these people coming here. Spreading lies and hate and fear. And if they hurt you they don’t care. Who do these people, who do these people think they are. They say, “I’m not your bitch ‘cuz I’m filthy rich. You can all stop your whining ‘cuz I won’t give an inch. If you’re not rich like me then I can’ really see why you’re in the same room, why you’re talking to me.” Who do these people, who do these people think they are. It must be an election year. There’s all these people coming here. Spreading lies and hate and fear. And if they hurt you they don’t care. Who do these people, who do these people think they are. So I’m not too surprised every four years; I’m not going to get all weepy with the tears. I’ll speak out for one who does not hate, and go out and vote for my own candidate. Who do these people, who do these people think they are.
5.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we went out on a date, if we drank a lot of wine, if we stayed up much too late, if we spent the night together maybe once and then forever, would be nice. Wouldn’t it be nice if you kissed me once or twice, if you held me by the hand, if you wore my wedding band, if you held me really close, if we wore each other’s clothes, it would be nice. On that day we met I never would have bet I’d get to spend my whole life with you. We’ve shared a lot of years, shared the laughter, shared the tears, and every one a blessing since it’s with you. Wouldn’t it be nice if you held me really tight, when I shiver, when I’m cold, when I think I’m getting old, or maybe just for nothing, ‘cuz I’m your Love Muffin, would be nice. We’ve shared a lot of years, shared the laughter, shared the tears, and every one a blessing since it’s with you. And on that day we met I never would have bet I’d get to spend my whole life with you. Wasn’t it nice when we went out on a date, and we drank a lot of wine, and we stayed up much too late, and we spent the night together, not just once but forever. It’s been nice. It’s been nice. Yeah, it’s been nice!
6.
I read how they make “natural flavors” – it’s something I didn’t need to know. They mix a bunch of compounds in a lab someplace in Jersey ‘Til it smells right – just be sure it doesn’t glow. Slap an apple on the label, call it natural, start an ad campaign, & presto, it’s ready to go. I read how they make Top 10 Music – it’s something I didn’t want to know. They manufacture a beat and a track with the chords that the computer says is certain to sell. Mix in some sexy phrases, add on someone else’s melody, an ad campaign and it’s ready to go. What is real? What is real? I cook my own food. I write my own songs. I guess I’m old-fashioned – that must be what’s wrong. I need some “natural flavors” and a Top 10 Song, then I’ll be real rich and I’ll live real long. [repeat] Somebody wants to be Friends with me – it’s someone I don’t even know. He’s got ten thousand more friends, he’s really Linked In. I guess that would make him some kind of ‘ho. Maybe I’ll be friends with all of his friends too, have a party! I’m ready to go! NO. What is real? What is real? And so I cook my own food. And I write my own songs. You can call me old-fashioned – that must be what’s wrong. I need some “natural flavors” and a Top 10 Song, and maybe ten thousand friends so I won’t feel alone. What is real? Can anyone tell me, what is real? I cook my own food. I write my own songs. You can call me old fashioned — I don’t think that’s so wrong. I need some “natural flavors” and a Top 10 Song, and ten thousand friends so I won’t feel alone. Then I’ll be real rich and I’ll live real long.
7.
I learned your language though it’s not my own, feel like a three-year old talking on the telephone, and I talk to you and you give me a blank stare. I’m just talking to the air. I know what I’m saying in my head, but when I open my mouth it isn’t what I said, and then you get all mad and you give me that French stare. I’m just talking to the air. Do you see me at this counter, am I just another face? Do you even register I’m taking up this space. Could you meet me halfway. I’m here – it’s not just air. Do you see me at this check-out, am I just another face? Do you even register I’m taking up this space? Could you meet me halfway. I’m here – it’s not just air. I don’t always have the words that I want to get across to you the thing that I thought, but won’t you give me a break and believe that I care. I’m not talking to the air. Do you see me at this table? Am I just another face?. I want you to register I’m taking up this space. Please meet me halfway. I’m here, it’s not just air. ’m not talking to the air. Stop talking to the air.
8.
Hey brother, can you spare a dime? Hey, brother, can you spare the time? Hey, sister, can you spare a smile? Hey, sister, would you walk a mile in my shoes? I’ve got the empathy blues. How many people have I passed today, who’ve lost their hope, lost their way? Lost whatever got them out of bed, lost whatever kept them right in the head. I don’t know who to help, how to choose. I’ve got the Empathy Blues. Maybe I’ll just turn my back, take care of my own, it’s not my problem, Jack. Maybe I’ll just turn my back, take care of my own, it’s not my problem, Jack. But if I do it’s me who’ll lose. I’ve got the Empathy Blues. Hey brother, can you spare a dime? Hey, brother, can you spare the time? Hey, sister, can you spare a smile? Hey, sister, would you walk a mile in my shoes? I’ve got the empathy blues. Maybe I’ll just turn my back, take care of my own, it’s not my problem, Jack. Maybe I’ll just turn my back, take care of my own, it’s not my problem, Jack. But if I do it’s me who’ll lose. I’ve got the Empathy Blues.
9.
Walk-Off! 02:49
It’s a walk-off, walk-off kind of day. You know you spell that with an “A”. It’s a walk-off kind of year. It’s got the Angels playing in fear. A walk-off kind of day. It’s not too surprising, tension is rising, are we winning or losing, or cruising for a bruising. On the way to the top, or is someone going to stop us. We can’t stop to wonder if we’re over or we’re under. We’ll just get out and play day by day. We don’t have much money but we do have a movie, and we have Billy Beane, and we think he’s kind of groovy. The big bad Wolff wants to drive us from the city. Just like us it’s scrappy and gritty. We’ll just get out and play day by day. It’s a walk-off, walk-off kind of day. You know you spell that with an “A”. It’s a walk-off kind of year. It’s got the Angels playing in fear. A walk-off kind of day. A walk-off’s not a metaphor, it’s really nothing more than leaving the winning to the very last inning. Don’t live your life like that but if you’re up at bat you could be the guy who wins the pie. But just get out and play day by day. It’s a walk-off, walk-off kind of day. You know you spell that with an “A”. It’s a walk-off kind of year. It’s got the Angels playing in fear. A walk-off kind of day. It’s a walk-off, walk-off kind of day. You know you spell that with an “A”. It’s a walk-off kind of year. It’s got the Angels playing in fear. A walk-off kind of day. Go A’s!
10.
Can you do something, can you do something, can you do something with that. Can you make something, can you make something, can you make something with that. We all start out as unformed dough. Go out and shape your own life any way you know. You’ve got one chance to make Something of your life. You start out basic, half-baked as it were, taking orders from somebody else. You start out basic, half-baked as it were, taking orders from somebody else. Form a strong foundation (tomato and cheese), Start with the basics for now (hold the anchovies please), You’ve got one chance to make Something of your life. Can I flip it – can I roll it – can I give it a spin? I’m ready to fly it high! Can I flip it – can I roll it – can I give it a spin? I’m ready to fly it high! Load it up with everything, veggies and meat, Make it hot and spicy, I’m ready to eat. I’m ready to deliver and make Something of my life. Now I’m on a roll, I can whip these things out, five orders at a time. Now I’m on a roll, I can whip these things out, five orders at a time. Make it look easy, keep it all running smooth. Keep the customers happy, always keep my cool. I’ve got one chance, I’m making Something of my life. I can flip it – I can roll it – I can give it a spin! I’m ready to fly it high! I can flip it – I can roll it – I can give it a spin! I’m ready to fly it high! Load it up with everything, veggies and meat, Make it hot and spicy, I’m ready to eat. I’m ready to deliver and make Something of my life. Now I’ve got it down, now teach the next generation how to make something with that. Now I’ve got it down, now teach the next generation how to make something with that. Get out on the road, go door-to-door, Get out on the road, I’m going store-to-store, Give them all a chance to make Something of their life. You can flip it – You can roll it – You can give it a spin! You’re ready to fly it high! You can flip it – You can roll it – You can give it a spin! You’re ready to fly it high! You load it up with everything, veggies and meat, Myself, I’m going back to basics, I’ll take mine neat. And you go out there and deliver and make Something of your life.
11.

credits

released November 1, 2012

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Englewood Oakland, California

Home-brewed, lo-fi music for grown-ups: making music for fun and non-profits.

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