LYRICS
with songwriter notes
CALIFORNIA LIFE
A wink at the myth and mystique of California and an homage to my relatives who grew up in Los Angeles.
My grandpa grew up near Wilshire and Vine
City of Angels, back in the time
He got around on that red car line
He really loved that California life
My daddy stayed and he worked off his tail
Come Friday he’s ready to sail
Out of San Pedro into the night
He just loved that California life
Well I like the Midwest but they’re kind of straight
I did the East Coast I couldn’t relate
People out there seemed a little uptight
They don’t get this California life
Oh yeah...Oh yeah
We’ve got the sunshine we’ve got the sea
We’re making movies and we like to be
Setting the trends, changing the times
Have a sip of this California wine
They say we’re shallow, they say we’re slack
But when they come here they never move back
What does that say? It ain’t no lie
They just love this California life
Oh yeah...Oh yeah
My grandpa grew up near Wilshire and Vine
City of Angels, back in the time
He got around on that red car line
He just loved that California life
They all love this California life
We all love that California life
BIG FAT LOVE
Having one's world radically shifted by a new love.
I had my feet in the clouds, head in the sand
With flailing arms and jittery hands
I was losin’ faith, a bitter man
Sometimes life can do that to you
I admit I was a cynical one
I’d see two lovers and I’d think “that’s so dumb”
It won’t be long and he’ll have wished he had run
But you. made me want to believe
Believe in love
The kind I’ve never felt before
You’re cracking these walls, bustin’ down doors
With your big fat love.
Well it’s so easy to dodge and hide
Don’t take a look at what’s shaking inside
I closed my eyes, went along for the ride
I’m sure you understand that
I’m beginning to see the forest from the trees
But I’m still stumped by the mystery
How you could change this heart so damn easily
Ah you make me want to believe
Believe in love
The kind I’ve never felt before
You’re cracking these walls, bustin’ down doors
With your big fat love.
Ah it just keeps growin and growin
And I still don’t know how you do it
Got my feet on the ground, I'm smiling again
But there’s still some things I don’t understand
How you came along and changed all my plans
You made me want to believe
You make me want to believe
You make me want to believe
HAARLEM
A transatlantic love song inspired by a stay in the charming Dutch city of Haarlem.
The leaves of Autumn are falling
As I sit here alone
Is it raining in Haarlem?
Glazing up those cobblestones…in Haarlem
Too much time in my car here
In the madness of L.A.
You ride your bike there in Haarlem
Bouncing down those alleyways…Oh Alleyways
Yeah I still wonder what you dream of
Underneath those
Sheets and covers we once shared
Were you that unhappy or were you just scared?
And I still wonder why you flew
Don’t understand
When true love is so hard to find
Somehow I believe that you could change your mind
Night has fallen on Haarlem
Here it’s 4am
Thought of callin’ it’s hard when
I’m unsure of where we stand…where we stand
Yeah I still wonder what you dream of
Underneath those
Sheets and covers we once shared
Were you that unhappy or were you just scared?
And I still wonder why you flew
Don’t understand
When true love is so hard to find
Somehow I believe that you could change your mind
The leaves of Autumn are falling
As I wait here alone
Is it raining in Haarlem?
And are you ever comin’ home?
Comin’ home?
Come on home!
WILD LIKE A RIVER
A song about working one's way back to simplicity, inspired by the beauty of Kauai and written on cheap ukulele.
Once in awhile in your life, well there comes a surprise
Is it the crack in the armor that opens the your eyes?
Pulling that rug out to see where you stand
Dancing along on a song ‘til the music just stopped
Thought I was over it all then the other shoe dropped
I lost my bearings but now I'm finding my way
Finding my heart again
That tender one that I knew as a child
Treasuring little things
Imagination running, running, running wild
Wild like a river after the rains
Washing me, wash me clean again
There's a little cafe off of 2nd Street
Been waitressing every day since she was seventeen
Said feeds me her stories, her half swallowed dreams
All of these plans that I had, well you know how plans go
I had a child with this boy, where dad is no one knows
And it left me so bitter, now I'm tired of the cold
Finding my heart again
That tender one that I knew as a child
Treasuring little things
Imagination running, running, running wild
Wild like a river after the rains
Washing me, wash me clean gain
Sittin' on top of the world or we thought that he was
With all of his money and houses, it was never enough
At the end of the journey well I guess he woke up. He said
Go find your heart again
That tender one that you knew as a child
Treasuring little things
Imagination running, running, running wild
Wild like the river after the rains
Washing you, wash you clean gain
COMPASS
Wisdom from an elderly woman 30,000 feet above Colorado.
Seated there by the window
For the view
We were flying above the Rockies
Sky so blue
She said she was not long
For this fleeting world
Reflected upon her marriage
Here life as a little girl
But soon the wisdom flowed
Don’t let the sun go down on the dreams that you hold
Cherish the ones you love, when you can let them know
Let your heart be your compass, it’s there to guide you
When you’re not sure which way to go
Back at the five and dime
Where it all began
I spotted him through the window
He was such a handsome man
Fifty years together
And no regrets
We accepted the roses with those thorns
Hard times with the best
But ahh, you’re still young
Don’t let the sun go down on the dreams that you hold
Cherish the ones you love, when you can let them know
Let your heart be your compass, it’s there to guide you
When you’re not sure which way to go
ONTARIO
A Canadian in a US airport longing to get back to a metaphorical home beyond the mailase and
anger he sees in modern America.
Stick and stones
Flyin’ across the screen tonight
Angry tones
Waitin’ for this red eye flight
The politics of blood and bones
I just want to get back home
Ontario
Fighter planes
Soar above the football field
Patriot games
We all love the way that it feels
History knows where this all goes
Is it time to get back home?
Ontario
Silver waters shining
Reflecting the moon
Ontario, Ontario, Ontario
Kids seems bored
Spaced out, just hangin’ around
The same twelve stores
In the malls of every town
Small guy he ain’t got a prayer
But no one really seems to care
Hey let it go
Silver waters shining
Reflecting the moon
Ontario, Ontario, Ontario
The buzz of drones
Overhead, filming it all
The glow of phones
Heads locked in a permanent bow
To some Mecca, I don’t know
How we gonna get back home? Ontario
Oh Say Can You See?
BELIEF
Wisdom is where you find it, in this case a bumper sticker on an old Toyota. Don’t believe everything you think.
Within the family, all through school
In politics, religion too
There’s plenty of kool-aid to be sold
Don’t believe everything you’re told
Well I doubt I’ll make it very far
I’m too fat and I’m not smart
I’m getting older, too hard to change
Don’t believe everything you think
It cuts right to the bone
Nothin’s ever set in stone
Out of the papers the stories flow
These tales of war just never get old
They were liberated now they’re free
Don’t believe every thing you read
Black and white, right and wrong
Chaos and color, where do they belong?
We know deep down there’s a missing link
Don’t believe everything you think
It cuts right to the bone
Nothing’s ever set in stone
Made my way to a mountain top
This wise man laughed and he wouldn’t stop
He raised a flower then he gave a wink
Don’t believe everything you think
Don’t believe everything you think
BETTER MAN
We've all known people with poor “pickers”.
When I met your Jason he seemed kinda cool
But living with his mom you know that’s just one of my rules
This momma’s boy thing can get out of hand
Don’t you think that you could find a better man
The there was Nathan so shy and cute
Didn’t say much, you know that guy from the art institute
Seemed awfully moody I don’t understand
Why you just can’t seem to find a better man
A better man come on and raise that bar
Or maybe go and find out just who you really are
‘Cause the choices you’re making
Well they’re kind of bizarre
Yes they are
Now they all loved josh, so handsome and wild
I know he said he loved you and god that smile
But he’ll run away when he finds a new toy
Don’t you think that you could find a different boy?
Then there was Kyle, it went on for a while
But he couldn’t commit, ‘cause he’s still a child
The decisions you make I don’t understand
You could use a better man
A better man come on and raise that bar
Or maybe go and find out just who you really are
Cause thee choices your making
They’re kind of bizarre...Girl yes they are
Remember Dave with his big man cave?
So alpha and strong, you know he could never be wrong
I’m just relieved you never gave him your hand
Honey you deserve to find a better man
A better man come on and raise that bar
Or maybe go and find out just who you really are
Cause the choices your making
They’re kind of bizarre
Yes they are
Better man....better man....better man
INVISIBLE FRIENDS
Seeing farmworkers in the fields during a massive California wildfire inspired this tribute to frontline workers and immigrants who keep the wheels turning for everyone.
He’s waking, she’s walking,
Long before the sun reveals its rays
It’s an army, these bodies
Propping up the world again day
Heading out onto the 405
Everybody’s gotta live their lives
It’s a great day at the Holiday Inn
It’s another day for the invisible friends
He’s kneeling, she’s bending,
Baking in the hot Salinas sun
These berries are ready
Truck is filled, here comes another one
Rolling down off of the 101
Eight more hours and I think we’re done
It’s a fine meal at the Holiday Inn
It’s another day for the invisible friends
I’m hearing, I’m praying
These sounds are only in my head
The ICE men are coming
It’s a moment everybody dreads
Hear the mothers and the children cry
But you can bet no one will see their eyes
It’s a quiet night at the Holiday Inn
It’s another day for the invisible friends
He’s waking, she’s walking
Long before the sun begins to shine
He’s cooking, she’s cleaning,
Picking up the mess we leave behind
Heading out onto the 405
Everybody’s gotta live their lives
It’s a great day at the Holiday Inn
It’s another day for the invisible friends
WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
A reflective song about about change and impermanence, one of my favorite themes.
My father was a good man…best as I recall
Memories of playin’ catch, that picture on the wall
But he left one morning… guess there was some fight
I couldn't understand it…I was only five
Where are you now? Where are you now?
I had just turned nine, it was a windy afternoon
The cold December rain, seem to fit the mood
They said that my sweet grandma was in a better place
So why are you all cryin'?...They couldn’t really say
Where are you now? Where are you now?
The years fly like geese
Across a western sky
These patterns of great beauty
And they don't even try
May we find that grace
Those winds that lift us high…Oooohhh
At twenty years of age I fell deep in love
There were no shades of grey, I couldn’t get enough
Somehow along the way I must have made her cry \cry
She said it wasn't me, before she said goodbye
Where are you now? Where are you now?
Now friends have come and gone, some remained the same
The rest became chameleons, adapting to the game
Robert left for stardom, Jack become a cop
Claire went off to feed her head, I guess she couldn't stop
Where are you now? Where are you now?
The years fly like geese Across a western sky
These patterns of great beauty
And they don't even try
May we find that grace
Those winds that lift us high
WOLF IN THE WOODLAND
A song about someone with a narcissistic personality. The listener can connect the dots,
You’ve got this grin that runs ear to ear
Yeah you’re the reason that everyone’s here
Hanging on to every word that you say
It all just makes me want to get away
You’ve got tastes but they’re not refined
An adult body with a little boy’s mind
And far more money than I’ll ever see
But I don’t think I want you next to me
Is that ice running through your veins?
Is your life now just one charade?
Taking what you can
While you’re acting like the wise man
Leaving all the others in the dust
Hiding from yourself like a wolf in the woodland
Oh you lie like a Turkish rug
You’ve got the mind of some Russian thug
With true believers standing there by your side
And all the rich climbing on for the ride
Now you’re in charge and it’s giving us chills
I heard some doctor says you’re really not well
It’s a ruse, yeah the ultimate con
But the clown show’s here and it keep rolling on
And on and on and on and on and on and on
Is that ice running through your veins?
Is your life now just one charade?
Taking what you can
While you’re acting like the wise man
Leaving all the others in the dust
Hiding from yourself like a wolf in the woodland
COMFORT ZONE
I streamed a podcast titled, “Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone" at 3 am and couldn't get it out of my head.
Creeping down that road up in Morgan Hill
Traffic was stalled I had some time to kill
Stumbled upon some local pub
Thought I’d grab a beer, maybe some grub
This wannabe cowboy saddles up next to me
A couple of drinks we were just talkin’ free
I told him I was struggling with my divorce
He said I did too, why of course
Don’t be afraid that you’re all alone
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone
A few months later I was on this date
I met her online she said it was fate
“Come home with me” I said, “Isn’t that a little fast?”
Ah she just laughed. “Have another glass”
Well I learned a few things I just didn’t know
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone
Further down the road things were going south
I had to go find a shrink just to open my mouth
Then it finally sank in I was clinging to fear
He said our time is done now, get on out of here
Well thank you Doc, any advice for the road?
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone
Somehow I ended up at this house of retreat
No distractions allowed, didn’t speak for a week
Staring at the wall I could see my own mind
It was a little disturbing but sweetly sublime
Opening up to the great unknown
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone
MY SUNLIGHT
A love that's meant to be?
Roses in winter
Stars in the day
Filling my head with wonder
How you pulled me away
I don’t have an answer
But this I can say
You’re my sunlight
I stare out this window
And I can’t deny
You’re bringing more light to my life
Than this Manhattan Sky
I couldn’t be down now
Baby if I tried
You’re my moonlight
Where this love is taking me
It’s making me see things I couldn’t see
Don’t you think my love
Do you think my love
It’s meant to be?
So what is the difference
Between now and then
Is it just the drug of love
Are you my deepest friend?
It’s hard to describe it
But honey in the end
You’re my sunshine
Where this love is taking me
It’s making me see things I couldn’t see
Don’t you think my love
Do you think my love
It’s meant to be?
Don’t you think my love
Don’t you think my love
It’s meant to be?
FATE OF FIRE
A song of recklesss love, and its emotional residue.
It started as a flame, turned into a fire
Nothing to blame but pure desire
Smoke was getting worse hour by hour
Was it some curse or some higher power?
We climbed that fence, car was hot wired
Drove to the end then we blew out the tires
Left out on that road naked to the world
Nowhere to go, nowhere to turn
Standing in the ashes
Waiting for the rain
These embers of desire
Burning in the recall
Kissing you again
In that field of barbed wire
Smoldering inside me still
That’s the fate of fire
Where’s my money, where is my respect?
I can still taste the side of your neck
Looking for direction out of this trance
I found that arson it was that first glance
Standing in the ashes
Waiting for the rain
These embers of desire
Burning in the recall
Kissing you again
In that field of barbed wire
Smoldering inside me still
That’s the fate of fire
It started as a flame, turned into a fire
Nothing to blame but pure desire
Smoke was getting worse hour by hour
Was it some curse or some higher power?
Standing in the ashes
Waiting for the rain
These embers of desire
Burning in the recall
Kissing you again
In that field of barbed wire
Smoldering inside me still
That’s the fate of fire
Fate of fire...fate of fire
All music © 2022 Thomas Paul Walters