Category My Failed Music Career

Usually the second song in the set. I thought this was a generic throwaway. But, it went over well. So, we kept it. One of those “rebel” songs. You know…stand up for yourself blah blah…crap. I had a friend, who was in a “signed band,” compare us to RATT when he heard this. I think, at the time, we took it as a compliment. But, in hindsight, I think he was ripping us. Fun Fact: That friend, is now making a nice living as a Rod Stewart impersonator. So…yeah. Hi Jay!!!

Livin’ your life with your back to a wall
By someone else’s rules
The time has come for the walls to fall
And you’ve got to choose
Making your way, out on your own
An’ you’ve set your sights
You’ve gone off, and you’re on your own
In to the night

But don’t look back
Take a look to the future
Don’t turn back
Head straight for the light-and

Run off into the night
Shatter all your fears
Cos’ everything’s all right
So, wipe away those tears
Don’t be afraid of the dark
Cos’ tomorrow’s a brand new day
Then, you’ll make your mark
There is no one right way
There’s only your own way
Who says who makes the rules?

No. Not me.
Oh no, not me
I don’t make ’em up
Got to break ’em sometimes

Don’t let anyone tell you
How to live your life
You’re free…to do as you choose
And you know what’s right

But don’t look back
Take a look to the future
Don’t turn back
Head straight for the light-and

Run off into the night
Shatter all your fears
Cos’ everything’s all right
So, wipe away those tears
Don’t be afraid of the dark
You know, tomorrow’s a brand new day
Then, you’ll make your mark
There is no one right way
There’s only your own way
Who says you gotta choose?

(solo)

Run off into the night
Shatter all your fears
Cos’ everything’s all right
So, wipe away those tears
Don’t be afraid of the dark
You know, tomorrow’s a brand new day
Then, you’ll make your mark
There is no one right way
There’s only your own way
Who says you gotta choose?

First of all…spelling intentionally changed. This was a song about my anger toward my father (He was an auto mechanic. Get it? Idle?). I’m in the process of writing a book. In it…the details of our failed relationship are revealed. But, the short version is; disappointment in his failure to be a good parent. A pretty personal song. The band loved it. It was basically our “Cats In The Cradle.” Everyone understands these feelings. If you don’t have someone like this in your family…you know someone that does. This was one of those times when we weren’t just a good-time, party band. We did some “deeper” stuff.

All the time we were together
You said the you would be there when I needed a friend
Now I find out the truth was
You were never there in the end

Never what I need
Never there for me
You never gave a damn about anyone else but yourself
I see

Now that we’re apart, I can open up my eyes
I’m gonna take it back to the start
I can’t take no more of your lies

Never what I need
I was too blind to see
That you never gave a damn about anyone else but yourself
I hope you’re happy in your lonely hell

Oooh, Broken Idle
I’m not comin’ back this time
Had it up to here with you
I’m tellin’ you now that we are through
Oooh, Broken Idle
I can’t take this pain no more
Tell you what I’ve got to do
I gotta head out of this open door-Go!

(Solo)

Some say when you reach this age
You become just a bit more wise
Guess I’m old enough
To see through your disguise
I was too blind to see
That you never gave a damn about anyone else but yourself
I hope you’re happy in your lonely hell cos’
I can’t take this pain no more
I’m heading out the door

Oooh, Broken Idle
I’m not comin’ back this time
Had it up to here with you
I’m telling you now that we are through
Oooh, Broken Idle
I’ve finally opened up my eyes
I am so sick n’ tired of your goddamned lies
I see through your thin disguise.

Broken Idle…

This was a song about what happens when a band in an area “makes it.” In 1988, the Boston band Extreme were signed to a major record deal. They were one of the best bands on the scene. And…as a result, a bunch of good bands, suddenly changed their style to mimic what Extreme did, in hopes that they too would be signed. It’s not a unique thing. It’s been happening since day one. The Beatles had a thousand copycat bands. And today, you can’t turn the radio on, without some band trying to sound like Nickelback, or whatever flavor of the month band is currently getting huge airplay. So…we wrote a song about it. The first lyrics; “Ten years gone, it’s the same old song & dance.”  obviously referencing Zeppelin & Aerosmith. The only clue we gave to the fact that we were clowning our peers was the line “and everyone around you, starts to sound extremely alike.” At that point, our guitarist Barry, would rip a lick from Extreme’s “Decadence Dance.”

The number of bands that came up to us to tell us how much they liked the song was considerable. Never once did they realize that we might’ve been clowning them. We had a good time.

Ten years gone, it’s the same old song & dance
What the hell went wrong? You’ve given it every chance
You’re out on the road but…you’re not doin’ your own thing
You’ve got a long way to go…Just a puppet…on a string

I’ve seen this kind of thing
Seen it all before
You grab the golden ring
With one foot in the door

Song for a buck
You know your style’s for sale
Don’t give it up
Just stop ridin’ the tails

Night after night, and stage after stage
It’s always the same fight, with your inner feelings of rage
You think that you’ve done it all…but something’s still not right
And everyone around you…starts to sound extremely alike

I’ve seen this kind of thing
Seen it all before
You grab the golden ring
With one foot in the door

Song for a buck
You know your style’s for sale
Don’t give it up
Just stop ridin’ the tails
Had some bad luck
Starting to feel like you failed
Don’t give it up
Just stop ridin’ the tails

Oh, get off my tail!

(Solo)

I’ve seen this kind of thing
Seen it all before
Yeah, you grab the golden ring
You’re knockin’ on that door

Song for a buck
You know your style’s for sale
Don’t give it up
Just stop ridin’ the tails
Had some bad luck
Starting to feel like you failed
Don’t give it up
Just stop ridin’ the tails

Tails? You’re ridin’ the tails

This was what we were known for. Fun songs that told stories. Some of which, ended in ironic twists. The idea here was a little riff that our guitarist Rick brought in to the studio. He said he’d heard that hookers in old Ireland & England were referred to as “Mashers.” In true-to-form fashion, nobody researched it. We just said “Hey!…That’s awesome! Let’s write a song about it!” Now, live, I’d improvise the price paid. But, other than that,

And this is it. The story of Lucy McGee. She is “The Masher.” The story is fun. And yes…another surprise ending!

Saw a little girl
Said Hey, what’s your name?
Let’s go around the world
An’ play some night-time games
She said, How do you do?
I’m Lucy McGee
How’s about a room for two
I said, sounds good to me

Found a little dive
Shady part of town
I dropped seventy five
And the little girl went down

Lucy the Masher
She makes the night go by so well
So well
Oh, you can use her an’ trash her
The kind of love that you can buy and sell

Said to Miss McGee
Oooh, you make me feel so fine
Shall we make it three?
She said, I got the time
She brought me down, down-down-down to my knees
She don’t fuck around Oh no!
Her aim is to please

Oh please…God bless The Masher
She makes the night go by so well
So well
Oh, I’d like to take her home and stash her
And if you ask me where, I’ll never tell

(Solo)

That night!

Lucy got busted
Cos’ I’m a cop from vice
She shoulda never trusted
A guy who orders twice
I’m gonna pay her a visit
Out in the women’s pen
Walk, run, jump, stand, aw shit
Who cares? We’re gonna do it again

Again…I miss The Masher
She made the night go by so well
So well
Oh, you can use her n’ trash her
The kind of love that you can buy and sell (for the right amount of cash!)
Oh, The Masher
Little girl I know so well
Yeah, I’d like to take her home and stash her
And if you ask me where, I’ll never tell

No, I’ll never tell

One of our guitarists, (Barry) brought this song with him from his previous band. I always loved the music, but thought the previous versions were sh*t. It started life as “Crutch” and then another singer tried to change it to “Livin’ On Borrowed Time.” Neither guy really captured the vibe of the thing the way Barry had intended. So, I sat with him, and asked what he wanted it to be. He said he liked the original idea involving the propensity for those who’ve ingested a considerable amount of alcohol, to act slightly bolder than they normally would.  Call it “stronger than beer muscles.” So it became this. Drunken mind, allowing for repressed thoughts and ideas to be released.

This song went over very well live…I wonder why?

Friday night an’ I’m feelin’ all right
Ready to light up the town
Me an’ the boys out to make some noise
Tear this sucker down
Hey Bartender! Set them up
I think I’m gonna need a drink
We’ll get messed up
And with a little luck
I’m gonna take a lady home with me…With the help of my good friend

A crutch called Jack!

Hey little lady, can I buy you a drink
Maybe we could spend some time
Oh, no no, it’s not what you think
I don’t wanna make you mine
All I saw at the end of the bar
Was a girl, with a pretty smile
But now you frown, and I been shot down
I still like your style

But I think I need a drink
Need some time to think
I thought I saw a wink
I need a…

Crutch called Jack

A crutch called Jack

Take another shot
She put me on the spot
So I’ll give it what I got
I need a…

Crutch called Jack

As usual, I’ll take this one, straight up!

(Solo)

Oh, One more round before I fall down
Wind up out in the street
I got places to go, things to do
Lots o’ lovely ladies to meet
Oh, you bet your ass I will be back
See you here tomorrow night
But now, I’ll go…because I know
I don’t wanna fight no mo’

But I think I need a drink
Need some time to think
I thought I saw a wink
I need a…

Crutch called Jack

A crutch called Jack

Take another shot
She put me on the spot
So I’ll give it what I got
I need a…

Crutch called Jack