THROUGH THE STATIC
NATURAL MYSTERY
You’ve got time on your hands/Got supply and demand
You’ve got rhythm, you’ve got style/ Haven’t seen you for a while
On the road, on the street/ Out about on your feet
No losses no defeats, no losses no defeats/No losses. No losses
The future is unwritten
Identity is fiction
Don’t you know?
You’re running circles around them all
In the stairways and in the hall
It’s just a show. It’s just a show
Keep ‘em guessing and off kilter/Like you don’t have any filter
Attacking from behind/Don’t pay them any mind
You’re playing in the shadows/Playing to the back row
Play it soft, play it louder/Play it soft, play it louder
Louder. Play it louder
It’s a natural mystery
CARPE DIEM
“I’m really into it”
That’s what she said
Now I’ve got those words
Stuck inside my head
Here’s to the living, here’s to the left
No time for grieving, no time to stress
Carpe Diem sounds so good
See a museum, walk the neighborhood
Knowing how and knowing when
It’s all going down
Going on a worldwide tour
Of your own hometown
Here’s to the living, here’s to the left
No time for grieving, no time to stress
Carpe Diem sounds so good
See a museum, you really should
THROUGH THE STATIC
My guy in his wrinkled clothes
Clear eyed, steady as he goes
Stays clean, always does it right
He’s not mean, he’s living in the light
Pulling through
Coming out
The other side
Through the noise
Through the static coming
Through it all
Today try not to be shy
Make hay when the sun is shining
Those guys don’t know what they’re seeing
Disguised, as a human being
LUCKY STARS
A hundred billion stars in the galaxy
Eight billion chances to have met
What are the chances that the stars would align for us
Is anyone’s guess
I remember showing up at your doorstep
You had that sparkle in your eyes
I’m gonna thank my lucky stars
That you are who you are
What if you went to New York or California
What would be our fate?
I joke about it being our destiny
Would it be too late?
Lost in laughter, lost in love
Wandering together ever since
No place that I’d rather be
Than right here right now
And here we are after all these days
The sliding doors have slid our way
And whatever happens in between
I’m here for you either way
Lost in laughter once again
Let’s get lost forever
CLIFFRIDGE (PART 2)
Once was magical
Now who knows?
Once so wonderful
Where’d it all go?
Once so beautiful
I ran it aground
A smile so radiant
Turned into a frown
SOAKING UP THE SILENCE
On a plane to who knows where
In the dark, exit row
Not too hot, not too cold
What time is it? I don’t know
So many sleeping strangers
We’ve all got a story
So many sleeping strangers
We’ve all got a dream
Soaking up the silence
Blanketed in blank space
Two more hours ‘til lights up
Then it’s wheels down and off we go again
No hellos, no goodbyes
Until we meet again, my mystery friends
THE RIGHT THING
When the rain won’t fall
When the sun don’t call
Does it show?
When you try and fail
When you chase your tail
Does it show?
Come on, you can do the right thing
It’s all gone and it’s so frightening
Could all be true?
They’re all as dumb as you
And it shows
Going with the herd
They don’t hear a word
And it shows
Come on, you can do the right thing
It’s all gone and it’s so frightening
Come on, you can do the right thing
You think it’s all for you
No matter what you do
To someone else
When you don’t keep score
Knowing who’s got more
Than someone else
Come on, you can do the right thing
It’s all gone and it’s so frightening
ORPHANS
He went to bed, woke up and said
“I’m not gonna feel sorry for myself”
He dreamed out loud, he wrote it down
And turned it into poetry
We’re orphans now living off memory
The past provides but it’s no remedy
We’re orphans now living day to day
There’ll be no fireworks this Independence Day
Over time she lost her mind
A victim of a twisted narrative
Wicked smarts became spare parts
It’s a real life tragedy
Let’s go back to the good ol’ days
Make it last, make it stay
MY LOVE DON’T SLEEP
My love don’t sleep
It takes no vacations
Stays up counting sheep
Quiet and patient
We talk things out
We don’t tend to fight
People ask what we do
How we get it so right
Making it up as we go along
Sometimes I fail, I do you wrong
Am I moving too slow or going too fast
Spending my days outrunning the past
My love don’t sleep
It’s up at the dawn
Try as I may
I still get it wrong
My love stays home
I don’t forget it
It brings me peace
Whenever I let it
I remember the night
I met you on Green Street
We laughed like old friends
You didn’t see my mean streak
I quietly chased you
You didn’t seem to notice
You were going to school
I was learning about show biz
YOUR TIME HAS COME
Farewell my rose
It’s time
It’s time for you
To wilt away
I’m sorry
I’m sorry
I’m sorry
But your time has come
I sent you water
I ordered sunshine
Spoke to Carmella and to Buttercup
They send their best
FUTURE TENSE
I know their names
They sit you right at the table
You know their plates are solid gold
They tell you you’re their right hand man
Before they leave you in the cold
They’re taking care of you so long
As you all can be bought and sold
I know their names
I know their names
I know their names
Jesus don’t love us in summer
In the winter, spring or fall
He must be bored of us by now
If he even thinks of us at all
You pay all you can for care
But you get no care at all
Bingo games on Saturdays
Get your chair pushed down the hall
Sunday outings in the van
Take a spin around the mall
THESE PASSING DAYS
Oh to be young once more
Oh to be free and bored
Moving from side to side
Try not to wound your pride
The check’s in the mail
Got nothing to show
No get out of jail
There’s no passing Go
As the days pass by (These passing days)
As you try try try (These passing days)
As the time flies by (These passing days)
Let it fly
Forever chasing after youth
Try to escape the truth
Magical potions and creams
Chasing fantasy and dreams
The future of your past
We are the future of your past
Nothing stays long, nothing lasts
You think you see us but we’re gone
We write a book, we write a song
Faster than you and me
Master of all we see
Fictional facts for you
To tell me what is true
Nothing is real, nothing is right
It’s all a blur on the horizon
Not gonna feel, not gonna fight
Nothing for you to keep your eyes on
This generation’s coming on
A newfound sense of right and wrong
They really got their work cut out
It makes me want to scream and shout
Nothing is short enough
Sensitive but tough
Kindness and connection
Is their best protection
I’ll tell you something I can’t take back
Bet you didn’t know it but we’re under attack
Come on, come on
Come on, come on
Come on
We are the future of the past
Nothing stays long, nothing lasts
Faster than you and me
Master of all we see
Fictional facts for you
To tell me what is true
SLOW IT DOWN
Searching for that missing chord
I’m sure it’s been misplaced
Sick in bed and feeling bored
Thinking ‘bout your pretty face
Always seemed out of place
Slow it down, slow it down
Let it all come into view
You don’t see it ’til it’s gone
Once were many, now are few
When the suffering is through
You best be coming back
With a brand new sense of you
Something for your second act
That’ll be our little pact
You don’t have to take my calls
There’s no need to be nice
Find some beauty in it all
Make it somehow worth the price
Make it somehow worth the price
LET 'EM DOWN EASY
Couldn’t sleep on the red eye
Too much on his mind
Can’t stop thinking about her
‘bout to lose his mind
She didn’t want to hurt him
Take a breath, count to ten
But the truth was certain
To send him right home again
Oh you let ‘em down easy
It shouldn’t be that hard
Yeah you let ‘em down easy
Shouldn’t be that hard
Rejected and broken
He turns to his friends
“She’s really crazy”
Or so he pretends
She’s so conflicted
Did she do something wrong?
As he spreads his lies
She sings this song
Let me down, let me down
This is way too high for me
I’m no clown, this ain't a frown
Now it’s all clear to me
HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD
The pocket square
The perfect hair
A cigarette
We barely met
A golden boy
In corduroy
You can come, take your car
A shot of gin, a game of cards
He’s got his own special star
On Hollywood Boulevard
Lets go for a ride
Rodeo Drive
He’s hall of fame
Of Lovers’ Lane
He’s the tops
‘til he flops
‘til he fades
A magazine
A glamor scene
A broken dream
SHOWDOWN
After all the shouting
After all the strain
After all the days we spent together
Trying to stay sane
After too much money
After too much time
After all I’ve done for you already
How can you say it’s all fine?
Slow down; It’s a showdown
Time stands still
Slow down; it’s a showdown
Going in for the kill
After all the silence
After all the pain
After all you did for me already
How can I complain?
Everything gets slower
Everything breaks down
Everything is dying
But somehow sticks around
Can you please stop stalling
Tell me how you feel
After all the fighting’s over
Is it time to make a deal?
INSIDE
It’s REALLY COMING DOWN outside
I don’t feel I’m getting older
I Wrap myself up in you all
Like a blanket on my shoulders
Think I’d rather stay at home today
Where it’s nice and warm and dry
Think I’d rather be alone today
Have myself a little cry
I got next and I got dibs
I call shotgun this time
Heads I win, tails you lose
What’s your is yours, what’s mine is mine
I’ll take the wheel and show you how it’s done
Just relax, enjoy the ride
Nothing is real, you know it’s all for fun
Just take a chance and come inside
QUICKSAND
Drive all the way to Dallas
Just to photograph some parking lots
We’re doing eighty-five
Just to get a spot
Hang your cellphone out the window
Then post all the shots
Don’t be what you’re not
Give it your best shot
You’re in quicksand
I’m in it too
WE Can’t seem to get round
To things that are true
A strip mall by the caverns
Eyelashes picked clean
Last night we ate like kings
Tonight it’s rice and beans
You know what I mean
To see and to be seen
So this is America
This is the road
This is the story that
Keeps getting told
A year on probation
And still you seem to fail
We can’t stop human nature
Run you out on a rail
Why do you look so pale?
The check’s in the mail
IN MY HEAD
A broken arrow flies in
On the wings of a bird
You’re not sure if I’m lying
Am I a man of my word?
In my head
The fog is nearly lifted
The road comes into view
My thoughts seem to have drifted
Back once again to you
In my head
Am I scared or am I brave?
I’m not sure anymore
I can’t win and I can lose
If I don’t even know the score
In my head
TURN IT ALL AWAY
Good morning
Sun’s shining
Got to drag my bones out of bed
No talking
Just silence
Listen to what’s left in your head
Can I turn it all away?
Can I turn in all away
Can I turn it all away?
Chitter chatter
It's all small talk
Or is there something hidden?
Clock is ticking
Are we wasted?
Wasting what we’re given
Every action’s
A transaction
You don’t see the way love works
A reaction
An attraction
Every smile ends up as a smirk
STEPHEN POLLACK DAY PARADE
I’m a dangerous man
The Hamlet that you fear
Just trying to make a plan
To get you out of here
No matter what I say or do
You don’t think I care
May the holy roller
Save us with her prayer
Oh we’ll all be together
At the Stephen Pollock Day Parade
Walking hand in hand
Sipping lemonade
Oh we’ll all be together
At the Stephen Pollock Day Parade
Marching with the band
Sitting in the shade
Swimming ‘gainst the tide
in a pointless race
Beauty queens and laureates
Captured in a case
You lived life on the page
Now there are no words
Each day just slips away
It’s not what you deserve
JUST RIGHT
The Age of Resignation
Forty-six hours, twenty-six minutes,
Eleven seconds to go
Forty-six hours, twenty-six minutes
Eleven seconds to go
Your get up and go has long flown the coop
Just have a seat and take off your shoes
Tanks on the border, staging a coup
Well, what about you?
(Whatever)
It’s the age of resignation
(I can live forever)
It’s a permanent vacation
(Whatever, I can live WHENEVER)
Just sit back and let it wash over you
Gonna do better, work on myself
I’m living my best life
Time is running out, but not for me
I can pay any price
Don’t be so stressed out, it’s bad for your skin
Would it hurt to be nice?
Your get up and go has got up and went
You’d like to help out but you’re a little bit spent
Tanks on the border, staging a coup
Well, what about you?
Forty-six hours, twenty-six minutes
Eleven seconds to go
Waiting for help, for reinforcements
But they’re sure coming slow
Your get up and go has left for the coast
The guard's not around, he’s long left his post
Tanks on the border, staging a coup
Well, what about you?
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
FOREVER YOURS
Why so emotional? There’s no need to get upset
You’re so devotional; Bet you were the teacher’s pet
Let’s just put it all away in its place
Shut the door and move along through space
Forever Yours
Forever Yours
Forever Yours
You say I’m unfeeling; But you know that it’s not true
I got a ceiling; When I go from red to blue
Forever Yours
Forever Yours
Forever Yours
Forever Yours
Forever Yours
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
HIT IT OR QUIT IT
Oh Oh, What is he thinking?
Oh Oh, I hear he’s drinking
Do we fear trust like we trust fear?
It’s like we’re in another year
Don’t believe a word you hear
Oh Oh, Isolation
Oh Oh, We fear inflation
Do we fear trust like we trust fear?
It’s like we’re in another year
Don’t believe a word you hear
Look out below!
Look out below!
Look out below!
Look out!
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
SO LONG ALASKA
Could it be the end?
Are we no longer friends?
Would it be so bad?
Am I making you mad?
Time to put things away
We’re not on display
Time to take things apart
C’mon, let’s all do our part
Well, how do I look?
Like that guy in that book?
Do you remember at all?
Hey, don’t forget to write
Time to put things away
We’re not on display
Time to take things apart
C’mon let’s do our part
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
Motion sensor porch light
A takenhome test from the local drug store
A luke warm can of Bud Light Lime
Two hours a day on the parkway
That sense you’re running out of time
Motion sensor porch light, a Costco run
Periwinkle Blazer, you’re no fun
You’re No Fun, you’re no fun, you’re no fun
A Doomsday silo in New Zealand
A beachfront mansion in Dubai
Daddy’s name on your first birthday
You’ll get the money when he dies
Growing old in Manhattan
Filing up pages with words
Yellow apple in the morning sun
Life so fast it stars to blur
words by jon moskowitz & Alex Kisch/music by alex kisch (BMI)
HIGH SPEED SLOW MOTION WAVE
Come around to my house, come around to my house, come around to my house
Tell me something that’s real, tell me something that’s real, tell me something that’s real
Got a lot on my mind, got a lot on my mind, got a lot on my mind
Tell me how do you feel, tell me how do you feel, tell me how do you feel?
Milking your drink, seeding the fight
Herding the drunks, doing what’s right
Harvesting jokes, biting your bite
Beating the day, killing the night
It’s a high speed slow motion wave
It’s a high speed slow motion wave
It’s a high speed slow
Come around to my, come around to my, come around to my, come around to my
Tell me something that’s, tell me something that’s, tell me something that’s, tell me something that’s
Got a lot on my, got a lot on my, got a lot on my, got a lot on my
Tell me how do you, tell me how do you, tell me how do you feel, tell me how do you
Come around, come around, come around, come around
Come around, come around, come around, come around
Come around, come around, come around
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
JUST RIGHT
You can stay in bed, I won’t wake you
I want you out of your head, but I can’t make you
It’s like the sun coming up
It’s like the change of seasons
The light in your eyes
No matter the reason
I’m just so glad to have you here
I missed the signs, next time I’ll get it right
I just didn’t see you, hiding in plain sight
You fake it so well, you had us all fooled
Can’t wait to see you back at school
So glad, so glad
So glad, so glad
So glad, so glad
You seem so surprised how much you’re in demand
I see it in your eyes, it’s like you’re in command
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
TRY IT ON
Cobblestones In a drizzly mist
Old pay phones And a sense of history
Old Mr. Smidick Was fronting for the underclass
Just drop a letter And reclaim the past
I gotta get used to it
I gotta try it on
Two pints in, Settled in for the night
The fiddler leads And it feels alright
Around and around Go the old time tunes
Steeped in time As the ancient runes
Rolling hills Cows in the pasture
Just say what you need And you’ll get what you’re after
The halls of Trinity House books of gold
As good a place as any To grow old
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
NEW FRIEND
I’ve got a new friend
Better than the old friend
He’s gonna take me
To the stars
Now who’s got – who’s got a new friend?
I’m old fashioned
To a fault
I believe in
Loyalty above all
Now you’re back
Knocking on my door
You want in again
But you were so sure
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
SADDLE UP
Her mom’s broken up, it wasn’t the plan
She’s moved to California, don’t even have a man
Godspeed, off you go, in a straight line
Right past the doubters, pay them no mind
You got all you need, you’re going to be fine
She’s gonna have a baby, gonna do it on her own
Gonna make a new life, gonna make a home
Years from now you’ll look back and smile
The rocky road along the way will be a hundred miles away
Turns out the best laid plans weren’t made for you
So carve a path for yourself that’s righteous and that’s true
She’s gonna have a baby, gonna do it on her own
Gonna make a new life, gonna make a home
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
THE REAL NEW TOMORROW
Two of them solo
Two of them so in sync
A deeper connection
A special kind of link
Look at them working
It’s not really work at all
Look at them laughing
It’s like they’ve heard the call
Closer than real life
I feel sorry for him
He’s the odd man out
So much to offer
But he won’t shout
Got talent to spare
What was he holding back?
It’s hard to be heard
When you only get one track
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
NEVER HAPPENED
It never happened
Long ago, far away
I want you to know
Didn’t see a thing
I think he went that way
I don’t know why
I think he went that way
He went this way, he went that way
She went this way, she went that way
Which is which way? I don’t know
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)
FADES AWAY
I saw myself in a mirror once
I saw you too, saying goodbye, but in a funny way
Like you were casting a spell
And it all fades away
I knew a guy who swore that he knew how to fly
But only in his dreams and only when the moon was full
Full of hope and aspiration, to the point of aggravation
And it all fades away
Words and music alex kisch (BMI)