bookmark_borderPayday

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Upbeat piano-rock, guitar riffs, handclaps, Hammond organ, crowd vocals, feel-good singalong]

[Intro]
Hey!
(Hey!)
Hey!
(Hey!)

Are you ready?
(Hold steady)
Let’s play!
(All day)

[Verse 1]
Monday morning rolls around
(Rolls around)
Everybody’s looking down
(Looking down)

Watching clocks and counting days
(Counting days)
Dreaming of a better way
(A better way)

Some are chasing dollar signs
(Dollar signs)
Some are chasing peace of mind
(Peace of mind)

Maybe both are worth the chase
(Worth the chase)
Depends upon the time and place
(Time and place)

[Refrain]
Hey!
(Did you say playday)
Say,
(Or was it payday)
… I suppose either way
(Is A-OK)

Hey!
(Did you say playday)
Say,
(Or was it payday)
… I suppose either way
(Is A-OK)

[Verse 2]
Work can build and work can mend
(Work can mend)
Work can help a dream begin
(Dream begin)

But the road can lose its spark
(Lose its spark)
If all you do is push the cart
(Push the cart)

You gotta laugh and sing along
(Sing along)
Dance a little while you’re strong
(While you’re strong)

Life is more than keeping score
(Keeping score)
That’s what weekends were invented for
(Invented for)

[Chorus]
It’s a payday
(Playday!)
A playday
(Payday!)

Either way we’re feeling fine
(Feeling fine)
It’s a payday
(Playday!)

A playday
(Payday!)
Maybe both at the same time
(The same time)

[Bridge]
Play the game
(Play the game)
Earn your keep
(Earn your keep)

Plant the seeds
(Plant the seeds)
Harvest what you need
(What you need)

Count your blessings
(Not just cash)
Good things never last
(Unless they’re shared)

[Instrumental]
[Organ solo]
(Hey!)
[Piano solo]
(Hey!)

Everybody now!
(Hey! Hey! Hey!)

[Final Chorus]
It’s a payday
(Playday!)
A playday
(Payday!)

Either way we’re feeling fine
(Feeling fine)
It’s a payday
(Playday!)

A playday
(Payday!)
Maybe both at the same time
(The same time)

[Final Refrain]
Hey!
(Did you say playday)
Say,
(Or was it payday)
… I suppose either way
(Is A-OK)

Hey!
(Did you say playday)
Say,
(Or was it payday)
… I suppose either way
(Is A-OK)

[Outro]
Hey!
(Hey!)
Playday!
(Payday!)

Payday!
(Playday!)
Either way
(A-OK!)

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderLP

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Celebratory album-closing anthem with piano, Hammond organ, guitars, handclaps, crowd vocals, and a long singalong outro]

[Intro]
Welcome in
(Stay awhile)
Take a seat
(And share a smile)

The needle drops
(The speakers sway)
We’ve got plenty left to play

[Verse 1]
A single song
(Can light a spark)
But an LP
(Can map the dark)

Side A starts
(With possibility)
Side B answers
(With maturity)

Track by track
(The picture grows)
Further than anybody knows

[Pre-Chorus]
No rush
(No race)
Take your time
(Find your place)

[Chorus]
Dance with me
(LP!)
What do you say…
(Long, long play)

Sing with me
(LP!)
Let’s stretch the day
(No longer longing to play)

Dance with me
(LP!)
What do you say…
(Long, long play)

[Verse 2]
The deeper cuts
(The hidden gems)
Often become
(The best of them)

The songs connect
(One to another)
Like sisters, cousins,
(Friends and brothers)

A larger tale
(Begins to form)
Out of calm
(… out of the storm)

[Pre-Chorus]
One more chorus
(One more ride)
There’s room for everyone inside

[Chorus]
Dance with me
(LP!)
What do you say…
(Long, long play)

Sing with me
(LP!)
Let’s stretch the day
(No longer longing to play)

[Bridge]
Not a moment
(But a journey)
Not a spark
(But a fire)

Not a question
(But a conversation)
Not a wish
(But a desire)

[Instrumental]
[Piano Solo]
[Organ Solo]
[Guitar Solo]

[Breakdown]
L…
(P…)

L…
(P…)

Long…
(Play…)

Long…
(Play…)

[Final Chorus]
Dance with me
(LP!)
What do you say…
(Long, long play)

Sing with me
(LP!)
Let’s stretch the day
(No longer longing to play)

Dance with me
(LP!)
What do you say…
(Long, long play)

Everybody sing!
(Long, long play!)

[Refrain]
One more song
(LP!)
Before we’re gone
(Long play)

Hey! Hey! Hey!

One more song
(LP!)
Before we’re gone
(Long play)

Hey! Hey! Hey!

[Outro]
It’s not “so long”
(Not see ya later)

It’s a long long
(Participator)

It’s not goodbye
(We’ll meet again)

The music plays
(Beyond the end)

Long play…
(Long play…)

Long play…
(Long play…)

Fade away…
(Only to replay…)

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderEP

[Silence]

[Arrangement: Upbeat power-pop, jangly guitars, piano, organ, handclaps, singalong chorus]

[Intro]
One more song
(Why stop now?)
One more tune
(We’ll show you how)

[Verse 1]
Not quite an album
(Not a single, too)
A little collection
(Just enough for you)

A handful of stories
(A handful of songs)
Short enough to finish
(Long enough to belong)

[Pre-Chorus]
A little bit extra
(A little surprise)
A few more pages
(Before goodbye)

[Chorus]
Come with me
(EP!)
What do you say…
(Extended play)

Come with me
(EP!)
Let’s stretch the day
(Extended play)

[Refrain]
Extended
(Upended)
Easy…
(EP!)

Extended
(Upended)
Easy…
(EP!)

[Verse 2]
In the moment
(Is all you need)
A spark of an idea
(A musical seed)

[Pre-Chorus]
A little more music
(A little more fun)
Before the record
(Is finally done)

[Chorus]
Come with me
(EP!)
What do you say…
(Extended play)

Come with me
(EP!)
Let’s stretch the day
(Extended play)

[Bridge]
Four songs
(Five songs)
Maybe six
(or seven)

Not too short
(Not too long)
Just enough
(To keep it movin’ along)

[Instrumental]
[Organ Solo]
[Guitar Solo]

[Breakdown]
E!
(P!)

E!
(P!)

[Final Chorus]
Come with me
(EP!)
What do you say…
(Extended play)

Come with me
(EP!)
Let’s stretch the day
(Extended play)

Come with me
(EP!)
One more replay
(Extended play)

[Final Refrain]
Extended
(Upended)
Easy…
(EP!)

Extended
(Upended)
Easy…
(EP!)

[Outro]
One more song
(EP!)
Before we’re gone
(Extended play)
Hey! Hey! Hey!
See you soon…
(EP!)

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderSingle

[Silence]

[Arrangement: Up-tempo rock and roll, jukebox groove, piano, bass, drums, handclaps, and catchy call-and-response vocals]

[Intro]
One song
(That’s all)
One chance
(To stand tall)

Drop the needle
(Hear it sing)
Everybody loves
(A catchy thing)

[Verse 1]
Three little minutes
(Or maybe four)
In and out
(And out the door)

One hook
(One groove)
One reason
(To move)

[Chorus]
What can I say
(Single play)
You can flip me
(Side B)

What can I say
(Single play)
One small record
(Big to me)

[Refrain]
A!
(Hey, hey, hey)
Can’t beat
(Repeat, repeat)

A!
(Hey, hey, hey)
Can’t beat
(Repeat, repeat)

[Verse 2]
We’ll sing along
(Years from now)
Nobody knows
(Exactly how)

A little tune
(Can travel far)
From local bars
(To shining stars)

[Chorus]
What can I say
(Single play)
You can flip me
(Side B)

What can I say
(Single play)
One small record
(Big to me)

[Bridge]
Side A
(Starts the ride)

Side B
(The other side)

Two little stories
(On one small disc)
Take a chance
(What’s the risk?)

[Instrumental]
[Piano Solo]
[Guitar Solo]

[Breakdown]
Spin it!
(Again!)
Spin it!
(Win-win!)

[Final Chorus]
What can I say
(Single play)
You can flip me
(Side B)

What can I say
(Single play)
One more time
(Rhythm and rhyme)

[Final Refrain]
A!
(Hey, hey, hey)
Can’t beat
(Repeat, repeat)

A!
(Hey, hey, hey)
Can’t beat
(Repeat, repeat)

Repeat!
(Repeat!)
Repeat!
(Repeat!)

[Outro]
Let ‘er spin
(All the day)
And ‘er twin
(Single play)

Side A…
(Side B…)

Round and round…
(Repeat, repeat…)

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderA Little Volatile

[Silence]

[Arrangement: Short reggae jam, funky bass, syncopated drums, clavinet, organ swells, wah guitar, rising tension and release]

[Intro]
A little volatile
(Continue to rile)
After a while…
(Erode to explode)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Percussion]
[Refrain]
A little volatile
(Continue to rile)

After a while…
(Erode to explode)

[Funky Bass Riff]
[Drums Enter, Sub-Bass jam]

[Refrain]
A little volatile
(Continue to rile)

After a while…
(Erode to explode)

[Clavinet Groove]
[Organ Stabs]
[Wah Guitar Licks]

[Refrain]
A little volatile
(Continue to rile)

After a while…
(Erode to explode)

[Bass and Drums Only]
[Organ Swell]
[Guitar Solo]

[Refrain]
A little volatile
(Continue to rile)

After a while…
(Erode to explode)

[Build]
[Cymbal Crescendo]
[Full Band Hit]

[Refrain]
A little volatile
(Continue to rile)

After a while…
(Erode to explode)

[Instrumental Outro]
[Descending Bass Line]
[Organ Sustain]
[Final Guitar Flourish]

[Outro]
A little volatile
(Continue to rile)
After a while…
(Erode to explode)

[Final Chord]

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderFoul

[Silence]

[Arrangement: Upbeat guitar-rock with driving drums, crowd chants, Hammond organ, piano, saxophone, baseball-stadium call-and-response]

[Intro]
Hey!
(Which way?)
Watch it fly!
(Flying by)

[Verse 1]
Off the bat and into the air
(No one knows)
Rising fast from nowhere
(No one knows)

A little wind can change the course
(Change the course)
A tiny push can change the force
(Change the force)

[Chorus]
Out of bounds
(Foul ball)
Or on the line
(… this time…?)

[Refrain]
Which way will it land
(Out of our command)
Which way will it fall
(Is it a foul ball?)

Which way will it land
(Out of our command)
Which way will it fall
(Is it a foul ball?)

[Verse 2]
The crowd erupts and points above
(Points above)
Hear the voice convinced enough
(Convinced enough)

We think we know where things will go
(Things will go)
But certainty is just for show
(Just for show)

[Chorus]
Out of bounds
(Foul ball)
Or on the line
(… this time…?)

… fair and true
(What will it do?)

[Refrain]
Which way will it land
(Out of our command)
Which way will it fall
(Is it a foul ball?)

Which way will it land
(Out of our command)
Which way will it fall
(Is it a foul ball?)

[Bridge]
[Instrumental]
[Organ solo]

Come on!
(Come on!)

[Guitar solo]

It’s in play
(Take it away!)

[Final Chorus]
Out of bounds
(Foul ball)
Or on the line
(… this time…?)

[Final Refrain]
Which way will it land
(Out of our command)
Which way will it fall
(Is it a foul ball?)

Which way will it land
(Out of our command)
Which way will it fall
(Is it a foul ball?)

Foul ball!
(Foul ball!)
Fair ball!
(Fair ball!)

[Outro]
Watch it fly
(Watch it fly)
Taking flight
(Into the night)

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderTag. You’re It.

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Fast-Paced Piano Rock, Handclaps, Hammond Organ, Crowd Vocals]

[Intro]
Ready or not!
(Have you forgot?)
Here I come!
(Better run)

[Verse 1]
Running through the backyard
Running through the park
Chasing after daylight
Before it gets dark

[Refrain]
Tag!
(You’re it!)
Come play away today

Tag!
(See me run!)
The fun…
… in gettin’ away

[Verse 2]
Dodging through the corners
Flying down the lane
Turning every sidewalk
Into a runaway train

One hand on your shoulder
Changes everything
Now you’re doing the chasing
And everybody sings

[Pre-Chorus]
Nobody stays “it”
For very long
The game keeps moving
Right along

[Refrain]
Tag!
(You’re it!)
Come play away today

Tag!
(See me run!)
The fun…
… in gettin’ away

[Bridge]
Catch me if you can
(Catch me if you can)
I’m already gone
(Already gone)

Round the tree
(Around the bend)
The chase goes on
(And on and on)

Hey!
(Hey!)
Hey!
(Hey!)

Run!

[Instrumental, Guitar Riff]

[Final Refrain]
Tag!
(You’re it!)
Come play away today
Tag!
(See me run!)

The fun…
… in gettin’ away

Tag!
(You’re it!)
Now it’s your turn to play
Tag!
(The game’s begun!)
The fun…
… is playin’ anyway
(All is won)

[Outro]
Tag!
(You’re it!)
Tag!
(You’re it!)

Come and play away today…
(Hey! Hey! Hey!)

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderKeep It

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Upbeat Piano Rock, Organ, Handclaps, Driving Drums]

[Intro]
Ready?
(Steady)
Sooo…
(Let’s go!)

[Verse 1]
You don’t need forever
You don’t need to know
Exactly where you’re headed
Before you start to go

[Chorus]
Keep it
(In play)
Quick hit
(To stay)

Lean in
(No delay)
Keep it
(In play)
… in play

[Verse 2]
The ball keeps bouncing
The music rolls along
A stumble isn’t failure
It’s part of the song

[Chorus]
Keep it
(In play)
Quick hit
(To stay)

Lean in
(No delay)
Keep it
(In play)
… in play

[Bridge]
[Instrumental, Guitar Riff]
Pass it
(Catch it)
Keep the rhythm going
(Keep the music flowing)

Say:
(Hey!)
Hey!
(way)

Everybody now!

[Instrumental, Guitar Riff]

[Final Chorus]
Keep it
(In play)
Quick hit
(To stay)

Lean in
(No delay)
Keep it
(In play)

Hold on
(And stay)
Move it
(Your way)

Live it
(Today)
Keep it
(In play)
… in play

[Outro]
Keep it
(In play)
Keep it
(In play)
Don’t quit
Keep it…
(Don’t quit)
Keep it…
In play…

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderYour Turn

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Guitar Rock, Hammond Organ, Driving Drums, Saxophone, Crowd Vocals]

[Intro]
Alright!
(Hit the lights)
Here we go!
(Start the show)

[Verse 1]
You opened a door
And lit up the night
Somebody took a chance
But was the timing quite right?

[Refrain]
It’s your turn
(To begin)
It’s your turn
(Again)

Take the wheel
(Jump right in)
It’s your turn
(Again)

[Verse 2]
The future isn’t waiting
For someone else to choose
Every day you’re living
Is a day you can use

[Pre-Chorus]
The clock keeps moving forward
The lesson will return
The question isn’t whether
It’s whether you will learn

[Refrain]
It’s your turn
(To begin)
It’s your turn
(Again)

Take the wheel
(Jump right in)
It’s your turn
(Again)

[Bridge]
The baton keeps moving
(Hand to hand)
The song keeps playing
(Band to band)

The dream keeps growing
(Year by year)
The moment’s calling
(You’re here)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam, Percussion, Saxophone Solo]

[Final Refrain]
It’s your turn
(To begin)
It’s your turn
(Again)

Take the wheel
(Jump right in)
It’s your turn
(Again)

Make your mark
(And then)
Pass it on
(To a friend)

It’s your turn
(To begin)
It’s your turn
(Again)

[Outro]
Your turn…
(Your turn…)
Your turn…
(To begin…)

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderSwing

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Piano and Organ Rock, Hammond Organ, Guitar, Driving Drums, Call-and-Response Vocals]

[Intro]
One, two, three!
(Look and see)
Step up to the plate now
(The crowd’s alive)
Nobody knows yet
(How the story survives)

[Verse 1]
Everybody’s talking
From the comfort of the stands
Pointing at the batter
With opinions in their hands

Some are seeing failure
Before the pitch is thrown
Some are calling victory
Before it’s fully known

The crack of possibility
Can change it all at once
The difference between glory
And another month of punts

[Pre-Chorus]
You can freeze forever
Trying not to fall
But if you never take a chance
You’ll never swing at all

[Chorus]
Was it a swing and a miss
(Or a homerun)
Was it merely amiss
(Or getting it done?)

Did it fall short of the wall
(Or clear the fence?)
Can you know it all
(In the present tense?)

[Verse 2]
The scoreboard keeps on changing
With every passing day
What looked like a disaster
Can sometimes find its way

The heroes and the villains
Keep switching uniforms
A sunny day can disappear
Inside a thousand storms

You learn a little patience
Watching innings roll
The game is never over
Till the umpire calls it whole

[Pre-Chorus]
The future writes its answers
One moment at a time
The longest road to nowhere
Starts with fearing every climb

[Chorus]
Was it a swing and a miss
(Or a homerun)
Was it merely amiss
(Or getting it done?)

Did it fall short of the wall
(Or clear the fence?)
Can you know it all
(In the present tense?)

[Bridge]
Take your shot
(Take your shot)
Give it all you’ve got
(All you’ve got)
The crowd may cheer
(The crowd may boo)
But they aren’t swinging
(Only you)

Take your shot
(Take your shot)
The moment’s hot
(The moment’s hot)
You can’t hit tomorrow’s pitch
(Today will have to do)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam, Saxophone Solo]

[Final Chorus]
Was it a swing and a miss
(Or a homerun)
Was it merely amiss
(Or getting it done?)

Will history insist
(It was obvious then?)
Or rewrite the list
(Again and again?)

Was it a swing and a miss
(Or a homerun)
Nobody knows for sure
(Until it’s done)

[Outro]
Step up
(Step up)
Take your swing
(Take your swing)

Win or lose
(The crowd will sing)
The game’s still on
(The game’s still on)

The game’s still on…

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderStrum

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Acoustic Guitar, Hammond Organ, Handclaps, Upbeat Rock Groove]

[Intro]
Hey!
(One, two, three, four!)
Say…
(Let’s play some more)

[Verse 1]
You don’t need a reason
You don’t need a plan
You don’t need permission
To be help out man

A rhythm’s always waiting
Right beneath your feet
A melody is hiding
In every passing street

[Pre-Chorus]
Don’t worry if it’s perfect
Don’t worry if it’s wrong
The world keeps making noises
Turn a few into a song

[Refrain]
Strum
(Or hum some)
Sing
(Dance to anything)

Play
(Let the moment bring)
Life
(To everything)

[Verse 2]
The birds don’t read the music
The wind ignores the chart
The river keeps on playing
Straight from its heart

The crowd may know the chorus
Or maybe they’ll just smile
Either way the music
Makes the journey worthwhile

[Pre-Chorus]
The first note is the hardest
The next one comes along
Before you know what happened
Everybody’s singing strong

[Refrain]
Strum
(Or hum some)
Sing
(Dance to anything)

Play
(Let the moment bring)
Life
(To everything)

[Bridge]
Hey!
(Hey!)
Whoa!
(Oh!)
Turn it up
(Let it go!)
Clap your hands
(Feel the glow!)
Round and round
(The good times flow!)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Percussion Jam]

[Final Refrain]
Strum
(Or hum some)
Sing
(Dance to anything)

Laugh
(And let it ring)
Joy
(Is a good start)
… a pretty good thing
(Bring it from the heart)

Strum
(Or hum some)
Sing
(Dance to anything)

[Outro]
Strum…
(Or hum some)
Strum…
(Or hum some)

Everybody now:
Strum!
(Come get some)

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderRemain

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Piano Rock, Hammond B3, Driving Bass, Guitar Riffs, Anthem Chorus]

[Intro]
Stay with it now
(How?)
Stay with it
(Don’t quit)

[Verse 1]
The clock keeps ticking
The seasons change
Know that tomorrow
Will rearrange

With one more step
One more try
One more reason
Not to pass it by

[Pre-Chorus]
The game keeps moving
The ball’s still live
The future belongs
To those who strive

[Chorus]
Remain in play
(Don’t step out of bounds)
Sustain the day
(What you do comes ’round)

Stay in the game
(Keep your feet on the ground)
Carry the flame
(And pass it around)

[Verse 2]
The easy path
Can disappear
The distant goal
May not seem near

The choice to voice
Take a stand
Where you command
And voice your choice

[Pre-Chorus]
The story’s written
By those who stay
Not by the ones
Who walk away

[Chorus]
Remain in play
(Don’t step out of bounds)
Sustain the day
(What you do comes ’round)

Stay in the game
(Keep your feet on the ground)
Carry the flame
(Global bound)

[Bridge]
Hold on
(Hold on)
Move on
(Move on)

The night’s not forever
(The night’s not forever)
Stand tall
(Stand tall)
Give all
(Give all)

We’re in this together
(In this together)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam]

[Final Chorus]
Remain in play
(Don’t step out of bounds)
Sustain the day
(What you do comes ’round)

Stay in the game
(Keep your feet on the ground)
Carry the flame
(And pass it around)

Remain in play
(We’re still around)
Remain in play
(The future is found)

[Outro]
Stay with it
(Stay with it)
Don’ quit

(Remain…)
In play…
(Sustain)
The day

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderClimate Jerk

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Driving piano rock, Hammond organ, punchy drums, call-and-response vocals, driving anthem]

[Intro]
What’s the word?
(Climate jerk!)
What’s the math?
(Do the work!)

What’s it mean?
(See the scene)
Look ahead!
(Something speeding up instead!)

[Verse 1]
People talk about a warming trend
A curve that rises without end
But there’s another story in the line
Hidden in the slope through time

Not just moving
(Not just fast)
Not just changing
(From the past)

The change itself
(Is changing too)
That’s the clue
(In front of you)

[Pre-Chorus]
Velocity
(That’s one)
Acceleration
(That’s two)

Then comes something
(Bigger than you knew)

[Chorus]
Climate jerk!
(Third derivative!)
Climate jerk!
(Positive and additive!)

Acceleration’s speeding up
(That’s the point)
Climate jerk!
(It gets attention!)

Climate jerk!
(Starts a conversation!)
Sometimes science needs a name…
(That people won’t ignore… any more)

[Verse 2]
The textbooks write it formally
In mathematical clarity
A third derivative through time
A technical but useful sign

Scientists may write a page
Filled with symbols on a stage
But ordinary folks can see
What the numbers seem to mean

[Pre-Chorus]
The slope gets steep
(It doesn’t rest)
The pace increases
(More than guessed)

The trend itself
(Passes the test)

[Chorus]
Climate jerk!
(Third derivative!)
Climate jerk!
(Positive and additive!)

Acceleration’s speeding up
(That’s the point)
Climate jerk!
(It gets attention!)

Climate jerk!
(Starts a conversation!)
Sometimes science needs a name
(That people won’t ignore… any more)

[Bridge]
Call it technical
(Call it plain)
Call it science
(Just explain)

When acceleration grows with time
The signal’s written in the climb

The math is serious
(The name’s a hook)
Gets folks talking
(Take a look)

Hey!
(Hey!)
Hey!
(Hey!)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam, Saxophone Solo]

[Final Chorus]
Climate jerk!
(Third derivative!)
Climate jerk!
(Positive and additive!)

The acceleration’s rising still
(Watch the curve swerve)

Climate jerk!
(It gets attention!)

Climate jerk!
(Starts a conversation!)

[Outro]
What’s the word?
(Climate jerk!)
What’s the math?
(Do the work!)

Read the graph
(Follow the line!)
The future’s written
(One slope at a time!)

No doubt
(To find out)
The denier (crier)

About the Song
The technical term is third-derivative behavior—specifically, when d³I/dt³ > 0, meaning the acceleration itself is increasing. I use the informal term “climate jerk” because it’s more accessible to a general audience and, judging by some of the reactions, it certainly gets people’s attention.

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderTheater

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Dramatic rock with organ stabs, guitar riffs and solos, driving drums, and chant-style backing vocals]

[Intro]
Raise the lights
(Bring it up)
No scripts tonight
(No fake stuff)

[Verse 1]
You walk in smiling
(Take your seat)
Expecting lines
(Polished and neat)

But nothing here
(Is pre-written)
No hidden cues
(No stage permission)

This room is breathing
(On its own)
No painted backdrop
(No cardboard throne)

[Pre-Chorus]
No cue cards
(No direction)
No masks
(No correction)

[Chorus]
No!
(This ain’t no theater)
No!
(Say: This ain’t no play!)
Hey!
(This is life unfolding)
No!
(No rehearsed display)

[Refrain]
Feel
(The real deal)
Be
(The reality)
Comedy…
(Or tragedy?)

No script
(No guarantee)

[Verse 2]
The spotlight flickers
(But it’s not controlled)
No director shouting
(“Cut” or “Hold”)

Mistakes are staying
(Left in place)
No edits hiding
(The human face)

You speak, it echoes
(Through the air)
Not rehearsed lines
(Just what’s there)

[Pre-Chorus]
No rewind
(No replay)
No acting
(No cliché)

[Chorus]
No!
(This ain’t no theater)
No!
(Say: This ain’t no play!)
Hey!
(This is life unfolding)
Hey!
(It’s life beholding)

[Bridge]
No curtain call
(No final bow)
Just here and now
(And, F’n Wow!)

Say:
(Hey!)
Hey!
(Hey!)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam, Percussion Solo]

[Final Chorus]
No!
(This ain’t no theater)
No!
(Say: This ain’t no play!)
No!
(No roles to play)

Hey!
(We’re still here living)
So…
(Keep on giving!)

Feel
(The real deal)
Be
(The reality)

Comedy…
(Or tragedy?)
No script
(No guarantee)

[Outro]
The lights stay on
(No fade away)
The story moves
(It won’t replay)

No!
(This ain’t no theater)
Just life
(All the way)
… love is rife….

From the album In Play

bookmark_borderWhistle-Stop

[Silence]
[Arrangement: Up-tempo piano rock, train-beat drums, Hammond organ, group-response vocals]

[Intro]
Hear that lonesome whistle cry
(Rolling through the night)
Hear those steel wheels singing
(Rolling through the night)

[Verse 1]
There’s a little town beyond the bend
A place where old roads meet again
One flashing light, one weathered sign
Waiting on the edge of time

Some folks stay and watch trains pass
Some climb aboard and leave at last
Standing there beside the track
Wondering if they’re coming back

[Pre-Chorus]
The signal’s green
(The signal’s green)
The engine’s hot
(The engine’s hot)

You gotta choose
(Before you lose)

[Chorus]
Did you hear the whistle blow
(Whoa, I don’t know)
Is the train going to slow
(Or go, go, go)

Standing where the crossroads meet
(Watching the future greet)
Did you hear the whistle blow
(Or go, go, go)

[Verse 2]
The station master checks the clock
The freight train rattles down the block
A hundred stories passing through
A hundred dreams to chase or lose

One small wave from the platform side
One last chance to catch the ride
A distant horn cuts through the air
And suddenly you’re going somewhere

[Pre-Chorus]
The signal’s green
(The signal’s green)
The engine’s hot
(The engine’s hot)

You gotta the song
(Before it’s gone)

[Chorus]
Did you hear the whistle blow
(Whoa, I don’t know)
Is the train going to slow
(Or go, go, go)

Standing where the crossroads meet
(Watching history compete)
Did you hear the whistle blow
(Or go, go, go)

[Bridge]
Whistle-stop
(Small town station)
Whistle-stop
(Big destination)

You never know
(What the tracks might show)
One short stop
(Can change what’s not)

Hey!
(Hey!)
Hey!
(Hey!)

[Instrumental]

[Final Chorus]
Did you hear the whistle blow
(Whoa, I don’t know)
Is the train going to slow
(Or go, go, go)

Life can change before you know
(The curtain on the show)
Did you hear the whistle blow
(Or go, go, go)

Did you hear the whistle blow
(Whoa, I don’t know)
Is the train going to slow
(Or go, go, go)

One small stop along the line
(Can change your life)
Did you hear the whistle blow
(Or go, go, go)

[Outro]
Hear that whistle fade away
(Down the line)
Hear those steel wheels roll
(One more time)

The train keeps moving
(Go, go, go)
The train keeps moving
(Go, go, go)

About the Song
A whistle stop refers to a small, minor railway station or town where a train only stops if signaled (often by a whistle).

From the album In Play