I recently met friends for dinner and in the course of the conversation, we began to discuss the subject of vinyl albums (as opposed to CDs or digital music). I mentioned that I'd recently purchased a turntable that converted albums to MP3 files (so that the music could be played on my IPod). Just for fun I'd visited a "records only" store in the West Village and purchased a few albums. (I realized with a start that these were my first record album purchases in more than 25 years!)
Anyway, the conversation then turned to the fun we used to have when we bought a new album, it was usually an event. We remembered that (independent of the enjoyment in listening for the first time to the record album itself) there were other reasons to smile. For example, the album jacket featured all kinds of interesting, thought provoking, and stimulating information. Sometimes the front and back covers were comprised of awe-inspiring art (clever photos of the artist, sometimes containing all of the lyrics, as in the case of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper. (In fact, after Pepper was released most albums contained song lyrics and attempted to include some kind of interesting photo or photos.) There was also information regarding every track (i.e. the musicians, the instruments, location of the recording, etc.) Finally, many artists included what came to known as "liner notes" - a narrative which provided insight into the music and lyrics (such as nature of the recording sessions, origin of the music, influences on the composer(s), etc., - often written by the artists themselves or someone close to them, such as the producer, band manager or favorable reviewer.
By the late 1980s the introduction of CDs had made the traditional album cover obsolete. I can't honestly say that I completely missed albums. I traded or sold many of my old albums away and purchased replacement CDs. They took up less space, they were so much easier to transport from place to place. And not needing to turn over a record when it was half over - that was another plus. Yet...when I purchased those couple of albums in the West Village...it all came back to me. Dylan's Greatest Hits Part Two...it was fun to look at the album cover..reading the lyrics and other information printed on the inner sleeve....I'd forgotten how much fun it could be!
Of course, in the modern digital age where most music is downloaded via the Internet, there aren't even the little plastic CD covers that once included a paper book jacket with at least some of the features of the classic album cover. This category of music includes my own music CDs. So - with an affectionate nod to the album covers of yesteryear, I am providing the lyrics to the songs contained on my most recent CD, Stony Brook. See below!
In the meantime, be safe, see you all soon....Stevenn
STONY BROOK
all music and lyrics (c) 2012 by Stevenn Beck
WHY DIDN'T I
if I surrendered to the flash of light
shining into my eyes
could I understand it wasn't right
believing all of their lies
and when I lament the noticed lack of time
falling far behind
will the sun crash through my mind
leaving pieces I can't find
but why didn't I ask why
why did I take it time after time
why didn't I do more than merely survive
why didn't I ask why
and while looking through the tunnel
I could glimpse the end
would I be able to make it through
call all who cared my friend
while stumbling in the dark
could I make it to the mark
where friends are friends and there's no foe
and fears are overblown
but why didn't I ask why
why did I take it time after time
why didn't I do more than merely survive
why didn't I ask why
I remember calling out your name
I don't remember much
I can't seem to remember why
but I've had enough
If I surrendered to the burst of light
high in the morning sky
could I turn it around
and recognize the reasons why
but why didn't I ask why
why did I take it time after time
why didn't I do more than merely survive
why didn't I ask why
MEMORIES IN THE SKY
memories in the sky
how I wondered who was I
with lonely nights and lonely days
still there has been no escape
I believe I have the blues
the shocked feelings I could not lose
how can you look at me that way
still there has been no escape
I thought it was all over
part of my life hid away
look how it's bothered me
those feelings remain...
if I could go back some way
to free my restless soul
just to face them once again
recover the self-respect they stole
I thought it was all over
part of my life hid away
look how it's bothered me
those feelings remain...
memories in the sky
how I wondered who was I
with lonely nights and lonely days
still there has been no escape
still there has been no escape
still there has been no escape
I'VE GOT TO HOLD ON
the girl I want is here she's so close to me
she's the one I need but all I can do is see
the world revolves and time goes on
i just stand here opportunity is gone
many times I've been so far and yet so near
I can only walk the streets and merely stare
when I get a chance to love the feeling ends fast
it's not the first and it won't be the last
I've got to hold on
I've got to hold on
now this girl has been nice and kind
but I can't let her know what's on my mind
the words won't come they just won't go
though I, though I want her so
something in me makes me do the things I do
the day I let it all out is the day that I rue
I'm just human I'm just hanging around
help me please before I leave the ground
I've got to hold on
I've got to hold on
now this girl has been nice and kind
but I can't let her know what's on my mind
the words won't come they just won't go
though I though I want her so
I've got to hold on
the girl I want is here she's so close to me
she's the one I need but all I can do is see
the world revolves and time goes on
I just stand here opportunity is gone
I've got to hold on
I've got to hold on
STONY BROOK
the mets won the flag and I should have been glad
but dad stares at the set so depressed
and the store is sorry they hired me
while the girl I love has moved way out west
I'm new to the university
lonely after all these years
still so quiet and way too skinny
in a strong wind I'd disappear
sitting in the union trying to read
watching all the people walk on by
then a guy from high school said "hey SJ
want to meet some new friends tonite?
who's that guy in the giant's sweatshirt
saying morrison is still alive
we meet him and crazy andy
just a kid but kind of wild
I've never had anyone to joke with
hang around with anytime at all
I've never been anywhere cept my life
skating on thin ice back to the wall
skating on thin ice back to the wall
I must have missed it
I couldn't see what was there for me
I couldn't risk it
I was just too blind to see
stony brook stony brook
a bridge to somewhere else for me
stony brook stony brook
a bridge to somewhere else for me
suddenly I could share my time
friends to laugh with speak my mind
I can't tell you what that meant to me
months went by I could see a change
old time feelings rearranged
came a series of events impossible to believe...
andy and I got really tight
the night the princess stood him up
the night of the fight
standing in the darkness
sharing the snow and the cold
sleeping in the library during class
searching for women way too fast
laughing it up with andy and david and joe
summertime came and the feeling dawned
time to cut the umbilical chord
I was twenty going on fifteen
time to say goodbye to my family
and when september came around
I had moved to another town
I was proud I could leave my friends
a beginning not an end
had my self-respect
but in the fall I'd be alone again
LIBERTY
surrounded by mountains on either side
chilled wind whistling no place to hide
sparkling waters newly laid quarters
fading with a sigh open up my eyes
I've got to get back to liberty
the town that sends me forth a smile
not really daring not really caring
separated from me by the miles
traveling through the world I love best
wintered forest providing me rest
can't get my fill of those
soul-saving hills
that's where I'm bound
lonely for that town
I've got to get back to liberty
the town that sends me forth a smile
not really daring not really caring
separated from me by the miles
green-covered pastures
calling to me
my hair may fly
but they don't disagree
walking tall through the shade of the trees
loving my woman in the cool morning breeze
everybody's friendly everybody knows me
I've found some peace
outside city street
I've got to get back to liberty
the town that sends me forth a smile
not really daring not really caring
separated from me by the miles
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
a friend of mine from brooklyn asked
"want to party with us new years eve?
they'll be lots of pretty women
with your choice of a lover who's free
so we cram into my dodge dart
drinking wine and riding high
on the highway of the heart
with great expectations
when we got there we discovered
fifty guys and only three girls
and the women who were there
thought they were god's gift to the world
nothing left to do but get off
on a wicked little punch
and plate of spaghetti sauce
and great expectations
driving home in the early morn
gonna try once again
got to believe that tomorrow
will be a better end
well the snow fell hard driving back
on the expressway of regret
everyone on low as someone yells
"do you smell anything burning, beck?"
so we pull the dart to the side
fall out and watch as those flames
they ride high
with great expectations
great expectations
DREAM
I saw you in a dream and I screamed
I lost you in me, it seemed so real
there were armed guards
and a priest by my side
lightening rods
in my eyes
as they led me off down the street
the crowd applauded in the crazy heat
I drove you to a place, outer space
I know you were amazed, by my face
I was living in a sea of blood
it was funny how I missed your love
all the vampires surrounding me
they sucked your love out into the breeze
twenty of them standing near my bed
drawing their lines
staring at the back of my head
planning to direct my mind
I kept out of sight, avoided the light
I stepped from the night
but it wasn't right
I want my demons to be gone
I want the devil to move it on
I want the wars inside my head to end
but it's just gonna be pretend
I saw you in a dream and I screamed
I lost you in me, it seemed so real
I felt myself drifting into the void
Acting like a little boy
I saw you in a dream
and I screamed
I saw you in a dream
and i screamed
SELF-PROCLAIMED PROPHETS
why can't they hear us cried
the self-proclaimed prophets of the free
is it motives that remain obscure
or the grim grey words so unsure
are there bolts coming down from the sky
are the chosen about to die
why can't they hear us cried
the self-proclaimed prophets of the free
your hopes have all now gone
and the remaining waning few just ride on
with an eye to a new way
hands turn tides to brighter days
forgive those heathens who guard their rights
they seemed so blinded by the dimming lights
why can't they hear us cried
the self-proclaimed prophets of the free
have the steeples all been forgiven
you know the world never revenges the living
though the dead won't be forgot
time rest assured will erase the blots
on the conscience of those who killed
with their evil needs fulfilled
why can't they hear us cried
the self-proclaimed prophets of the free
why don't you keep your beliefs son
have they come from the tales some old men spun
even those the good book favors
must waste their lives away at hard labor
sir won't you ever bare us a child
after you whom he wouldn't be styled
why can't they hear us cried
the self-proclaimed prophets of the free
why can't they hear us cried
the self-proclaimed prophets of the free
ANOTHER DAY
sheepkins on and sweaters on
and footballs by your side
then there's the cheers and other's fears
but it seems they all just died
watch out boy you're going down
you don't even have a say
forget it man you can't succeed
you belong to another day
people cry and people lie
and monarchs they rule the land
but scandal's abound and with scarcely a sound
power's cut off from their hands
watch out boy you're going down
you don't even have a say
forget it man you can't succeed
you belong to another day
and those behind see their time
cause wer're not just gonna retreat
they like the past but it can't last
change works to their defeat
watch out boy you're going down
you don't even have a say
forget it man you can't succeed
you belong to another day
expose his case extend his base
for a time he's on the rise
but that big mouth's got trapped down south
and that man's caught in a vise
watch out boy you're going down
you don't even have a say
forget it man you can't succeed
you belong to another day
watch out boy you're going down
you don't even have a say
forget it man you can't succeed
you belong to another day
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
nothing like spending all your time with yourself
no one to respond to, no one to bond with
you've all the answers though they are no questions
when you're on the outside looking in
everybody will judge you you must be cautious
everybody will hurt you if you give them a chance
everyone ignores you given a reason
when you're on the outside looking in
live in the moment it doesn't matter
do what you can to show yourself
take more chances give in to impulse
if you can't do that there's nothing left
when you're stranger everyone seems wicked
when you're a stranger there's no way to win
no point in trying to reach out to someone
when you're on the outside looking in
you may look funny you may sound awkward
but you may be something that they're not
they might not like you still that's no answer
you need to offer what you've got
no one can see you if you're not out there
no one can love you if you remain hid
rejection is nothing if you've made your own prison
when you're on the outside looking in
when you're on the outside looking in
THESE MOVES OF YOURS
drift from your job to your home
condo in the sky dinner all alone
visit the gym to keep yourself in shape
when we meet to talk you've nothing to say
these moves of yours
keeps me from loving you
these moves of yours
keeps me away from you
long-term love dies before your eyes
but I can't understand why you're paralyzed
you waste your time on men with no desire
you can't get burned if there's no fire
these moves of yours
keeps me from loving you
these moves of yours
keeps me away from you
you have the look I want
but it's not what I need
something inside you died
stops you from seeing me
when we meet the fever rises high
but you're unaware of your own mind
you dream of romance with a superstar
it makes real men look twice as hard
these moves of yours
keeps me from loving you
these moves of yours
keeps me away from you
these moves of yours
keeps me from wanting you
these moves of yours
keeps me away from you
NO GOOD
it was the summer of sixty-nine
when my daddy pulled up roots
we headed east from the bright city lights
for which he never had much use
all the kids in town were looking on
as our old truck came in view
all the kids came around to run us on
they tried to keep the neighborhood
no good
the local schoolhouse it was town joke
a mudslide would over it now and again
I always wondered why the fools built it there
and why the foot bridge had no end
I turned the corner and the cayman called me out
he didn't mind being crude
I'd been alone too long for me to back out
so I laughed at him and fell into the mood
I was no good
me and the catman we went out for a ride
we stopped to pick up cool by the bay
on through the wilderness we drove through the night
until we came to eileen's place
I can still see a room full of desperate men
the women there were made of wood
the blonde bomber he came by to shake my hand
he was sincere from where he stood
still no good
I introduced myself but no one heard
they were running down some guy with funny words
I didn't mean nothing to them at all
so I split the difference I split the difference
and settled for what it was worth
we spent a lot of time in county bars
i always came along for the ride
catman and cool were on most of the time
with the jokester always by their side
we laughed and talked with nothing ever being said
that cool could slap a man down good
I'd go home in the morning just to clear my head
but I ignored the simple truth
they were no good
came to night I had to speak my mind
the boomer's woman struck me right between the eyes
maybe they'd cut some slack for one of their own
but I was the foreigner I was the foreigner
the man that didn't belong
when the dust had cleared cool he fled south
the bomber and his woman hopped a freight
the cayman he flew scared across three state lines
and the jokester died too young to hit the brakes
I heard them whispering across all them miles
all those good times forgotten like the blues
I found me a good woman who cannot believe
I spent my youth with the likes of you
who were no good
no good
RETRO ROCK
it's new years eve another year done
time to get dressed up time to have fun
another new years party to which we have to come
retro rock will beat them
retro rock will lead them
retro rock fulfills their yesterday
we all entered oz a new york city loft
everybody there seemed a generation off
attained maturity but lord look at the cost
retro rock will beat them
retro rock will lead them
retro rock fulfills their yesterday
they all wear a tux or a black strapless gown
boring conversation as we network around
new age musicians to bring the level down
retro rock will beat them
retro rock will lead them
retro rock fulfills their yesterday
there was a time when you'd dance and you'd sing
abandon to the moment the pleasures it would bring
dozens of jeans sweating happily in the wind
you can't give a damn what the world thanks
that's what I believe
the host and his woman were grilling all the guests
"how do you view nixon now?" was all they seemed to ask
fortunes made from tv sports and I was not impressed
retro rock will beat them
retro rock will lead them
retro rock fulfills their yesterday
off in the corner a sudden shift of time
three crazy people twisting in the night
they'd grabbed the musicians and squeezed with all their might
you can't give a damn what the world thinks
if you feel it's right
now the host and his woman demanded we all leave
but others started dancing and following our lead
rock and roll music had sprung their inner beings
retro rock will beat them
retro rock will lead them
retro rock fulfills their yesterday
slowly the crowd lost control one last time
me and my partners were leading them in rhyme
suddenly a light switched on to remind them of the time
you can't live your life like your parents
that's what I believe
another party over another party done
impressing one another is not my idea of fun
I'm gonna dance and sing my way to oblivion
cause retro rock will beat them
retro rock will lead them
retro rock fulfills their yesterday
retro rock....
AGAIN I'LL LEAVE ANOTHER GIRL BEHIND
sky's black clouds lift ending the rift
between what's wrong and what's right
in the night
through the veil I see, I see reality
I see the planted seed it's what I heed
how I want to stay I can't believe
that it's me you have deceived
that it's time for me to leave
escape the net you've weaved
again I'll leave another girl behind
the shock went through my mind
hit from behind
I wanted you loving kind
I must have been blind
that you could snatch me, from my fantasy
It's no more it's only you I saw
how I want to stay I can't believe
that it's me you have deceived
that it's time for me to leave
escape the net you've weaved
again I'll leave another girl behind
my bus departs at dawn girl I was your pawn
I will go very soon this man a ruin
I've climbed from the dust of love and truth and trust
with the hating that I do
the twisted point of view
how I want to stay I can't believe
that it's me you have deceived
that it's time for me to leave
escape the net you've weaved
again I'll leave another girl behind
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