Lyrics and Insights
Previous albums
2016 Summers Solstice 2015 The Way 2014 The Great Divide 2012 Midnight Clear 2011 Live in Chicago 2010 Eons 2008 Golden
Singles
9//11/19 - Falling Man 10/23/19-Bedtime Story Live at The Jacoby Arts Center
Song Lyrics (a work in progress)
by Bud Summers
Falling Man
(single released September 11, 2019
Shards of glass blowing down
Dust, debris float all around
There's no escape
I'm so far from the ground
No one wants to die alone
But there's no comfort in this throng
I think it's time
To step out on my own
I’m the falling man
I’m the falling man
Flying from one sure death to another one
Breathing one last breath
Taking one last look around
You've no right to question me
My last moment let me be
Incinerate or airborne
Flying free
No, it's not an easy choice
Save your judgement save your voice
It's mine alone suffocate
Or rejoice
I’m the falling man
I’m the falling man
Flying from one sure death to another one
Breathing one last breath
Taking one last look around
One magnificent moment in the sky before I die
One magnificent moment in the sky before I die
I’m the falling man
I’m the falling man
Flying from one sure death to another one
Breathing one last breath
Taking one last look around
From the album Hard Lessons
(Digital release March 15, 2019 Physical release April 6, 2019)
#badfishinthatlake
So Deep
I’ve known women who pushed me around
I’ve known women who’ve walked all over me
I’ve known women who laughed when I was down so low
Until you I never knew a woman who loved so deep
I’ve known women who’d cheat with my best friend
I’ve known women who’d go out while I sleep
I’ve known women I would not recommend oh no
Until you I never knew a woman who loves so deep
If you’ve got one fault that I can see
You’re so ever lovin’ better lovin’ good to me
And the end result that I can see
Is that our love is gonna last right through eternity
Because your love is given just to me
Because you fill my every fantasy
Because yes because you love so deep
Oh, I”ve found a woman who won’t push me around
Yes, I found a woman who won’t walk over me
Oh, I found a woman who wants to stick around and I know
That I’ve found a woman who loves so deep
If you’ve got one fault that I can see You’re so ever lovin’, better lovin’ good to me
And the end result that I can see
s that our love is gonna last right through eternity
Because your love is given just to me
Because you fill my every fantasy
Because, yes because, you love so deep
Endless Fantasy
She knows everyone in the Hollywood magazines
She stays up late to watch them on TV
She’s got nothing on her mind
But her thoughts are so sublime
She can live in clueless reverie
Cause Life is just an endless fantasy
She knows nothing more than the talking heads on TV
When she wakes up she tunes in to their debris
She’s got nothing on her mind
But her thoughts are so sublime
She can live in clueless reverie
Yes, life is just an endless fantasy
If ignorance is bliss
She’ll succumb to happiness
When all the world sees her with their eyes
It starts with just a kiss
Then something goes amiss
Far too late she'll finally realize
Life is just an endless fantasy
Life is just an endless fantasy
Life is just an endless fantasy
Life is just an endless fantasy
Bad Fish
You can take out your pole
Let your line run long and deep
You can go home when you’re done
Or just stay lay there and sleep
But brothers let me warn you Oh be careful what you take
Be careful what you take
Cause there’s some bad fish in that lake
Johnny, and James, and Kenny
Went out last Saturday Night
They was lookin’ at all the gills goin’ by
They was holdin’ their poles so tight
I said brothers let me warn you
Be careful what you take
Yes, be careful what you take
Cause there’s some bad fish in that lake
They was usin’ up all the bait they had
And they was startin’ to wear out
When Johnny got his self hooked up
With a fine speckled trout
He had himself a good time
But then his pole began to ache
It turned out brother Johnny
Got a bad fish from that lake
I said brothers let me warn you
Be careful what you take
Yes, be careful what you take
Cause there’s some bad fish in that lake
Who’s Your Daddy?
“Who’s your daddy?” “Who’s your daddy?” “WHO?”
He played black keys and white ones down on Beale Street
He tickled them ivories as he sang those melodies
He drank whiskey strong and stayed up all night long
He played their favorite songs He never got one note wrong
He said “Who’s your daddy?” “Who’s your daddy?” “WHO?”
Is he rich does he take the time for you
Does he make you scream the way I do
Who's your daddy who? Who's your daddy who?
He made them pretty mama’s pay to hear the melodies
A fin for just a tease a sawbuck for harmonies
He whipped his belt free it snapped and cracked and teased
He made no apologies for giving them what they need
He said “Who’s your daddy?” “Who’s your daddy?” “WHO?”
Is he rich does he take the time for you
Does he make you scream the way I do
Who's your daddy, who?
Whatever happened to that piano man…..I’ll never know
He played every single note like it was gonna be his last show
“Who’s your daddy?” “Who’s your daddy?” “WHO?”
Is he rich does he take the time for you
Does he make you scream the way I do
Who's your daddy, who?
City of The Blues
A warm rain is falling
The barmaid needs new shoes
It’s ten o’clock Friday morning
I’m havin’a hangover for two
Sittin’ on a stool at the Double J
Tryin’ to forget last night
I was the fool who was on display
I Couldn’t get a damn thing right
In the city, In the city of the blues
I was smooth, I was suave, I was savoir faire
I was searching for my prize
I was talking to every last woman there
Gonna make somebody’s night
I’d narrowed it down to two fine ladies
And I went into my spiel
It never occurred to me they’d played me
And I was their third wheel
In the city, In the city of the blues
The clock on the wall said closing time
They were staring in each other’s eyes
I tried my best with one last line
But they went upstairs for a ride
I left those roses and drank myself blind
On a gin-soaked Memphis night
In the city, In the city of the blues
Goodbye to Nashville
Nashville’s got those shiny buildings
And shiny singers sing shiny songs
Memphis rusts in a layer of dust But that’s where I belong
Goodbye to Nashville I should have seen this coming
Hello to Memphis I came here chasing truth
All my time in Music Town I heard a distant drumming
Now I’ve found my rhythm in the home of the blues
CMA’s got sold out crowds Graceland isn’t quite so proud
Music city is on the rise Memphis music’s Bona fide
Goodbye to Nashville I should have seen this coming
Hello to Memphis I came here chasing truth
All my time in Music Town I heard a distant drumming
Now I’ve found my rhythm in the home of the blues
Nashville thrives on shine and glitz
Memphis survives through Soul and grit
Sun, sun, sun, sun, Beale, Beale, Beale, Beale
Stax, Stax, Stax, Stax, Soul, real
End Times Comin'
I see the end times comin’ you better get it right
I see the end times comin’ you may not have much time
Evil will soon appear Make no mistake it's clear
Evil is comin’ here you must not show your fear
Righteous and full of fire devil strides the open road
Righteous and full of fire devil gonna take your soul
I see the end times comin’ I see they’re on their way
I see the end times comin’ get straight or walk away
You’ve got your cross to bear Get down and say a prayer
It’s not your own affair Everyone must do their share
Righteous and full of fire devil strides the open road
Righteous and full of fire devil gonna take your soul
I see the end times comin’ you better get it right
I see the end times comin’ you may not have much time
Auld Lang Syne- instrumental
Drunk Before Midnight Mass (A Hard Lesson Learned Too Late)
I've never been too spiritual
Lacked in-depth conversation
Now and then the lights come on
And I have a revelation
I suddenly see what you mean to me
I'm struck down by the implication
It’s a hard lesson learned too late
It meant everything to you
To be assured of my salvation
It meant nothing at all to me
As I slipped toward my own damnation
I suddenly see what you mean to me
As if I needed confirmation
It’s a hard lesson learned too late
It’s a hard lesson learned too late
Lord why'd you have to make me wait?
Now I realize I’ve memorized the sadness in your eyes
It's a hard lesson learned too late
I was drunk before the Midnight Mass
And I stumbled to the pew
I ate the bread and I drank the wine
And I sang hymns out of tune
I suddenly knew what I meant to you A
nd I wished that I’d been true
It’s a hard lesson learned too late
It’s a hard lesson learned too late
Lord why'd you have to make me wait?
Now I realize I’ve memorized the sadness in your eyes
It's a hard lesson learned too late
Summers Solstice 2016 was a guitar instrumental album
From the album "The Way" 2015
That’s Why
You’re standing in front of your mirror tonight
Checking yourself making sure that it’s right
Maybe that’s how you caught my eye
Baby that’s why I made you mine
I see you’re wearing that Ruby Woo
Mac smack looking so good on you
Maybe that’s how you caught my eye
Baby that’s why I made you mine
My world is spinning floor is gone
I float but then I fly away
I am beginning to catch on
That it was meant to be this way
Ohh we’’re steppin’ out and you’re sizzlin’ hot
Rollin’ and strollin’ at a thousand watt
Maybe that’s how you caught my eye
Baby that’s what why I made you mine
My Baby’s Big and Bad
More chins than a Chinese phone book
More pounds than a pot of gold
More thighs than Colonel Sanders
And meaner than a Texas Bull
But If you criticize the things I do
She will mop the floor with the likes of you
My baby’s big and bad and she has always got my back
I was down at the tavern talkin’ politics
Tryin’ to explain it to them country hicks
Somehow someone took offense and attacked
He threatened me once, he threatened me again
My baby did him in with a left to the chin
My baby’s big and bad and she has always got my back
I was down at the corner with a Catholic Priest
Tellin’ him what his religion needs
Next thing I know Father Nelson attacked
He got real mad and started to spring
My baby stopped him made him hear the angels sing
My baby’s big and bad and she has always got my back
I was workin’ overtime with a pretty little blonde
We were startin’ to develop a chemical bond
I didn’t hear my baby but creepin' up she attacked
She cracked my skull with a fryin’ pan
And now she’s off lovin’ some other man
My baby’s big and bad and she ain’t never comin’ back
More chins than a Chinese phone book
More pounds than a pot of gold \
More thighs than Colonel Sanders
And meaner than a Texas Bull
But If you criticize the things I do
She will mop the floor with the likes of you
My baby’s big and bad and she ain’t never comin’ back
She Sings Karaoke
She really knows about music, she sings karaoke
Been workin’ every Tuesday night for a week
And she’s paid her dues done the hokey pokey
She’s got a beautiful voice and a stunning physique
She’s gotta get herself an agent and a trumpet playin’ band
You know all her friends swear that she’s gonna go far
When the word gets out she’s gonna be in demand
Because she’s got the makings of a really big star
Won’t she be surprised when reality comes along?
When they hold the Grammys and it turns out she doesn’t belong?
She oughta get herself a job; a few kids would be grand
That’s what she oughta do if you’re asking me
Every now and then she’ll sit in with a band
I just hope she doesn’t want to sing Bobby McGee
She really knows about music, she sings karaoke
Ain’t Got Time For Whiskey Anymore
Ain't Got Time For Whiskey Any More
Ain't Got Time For Whiskey Any More
I ain’t spending all my money at the bar
Cause I Ain't Got Time For Whiskey Any More
I woke up mornings with a splittin’ head
Most often I was passed on the floor
Till afternoon I was the walking dead
But I ain’t got time for whiskey anymore
That barroom it was like my second home
I’d check the ladies coming in the door
I would drink and wonder why I was alone
But I ain’t got time for whiskey any more
The Way I Do
Stop Now Don’t YouEven Think About Leavin’
Cause there ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do
We’ve been Through some Bad times But You Don’t want to Leave Me
Cause there ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do
You’ve been sayin’ all along I’m the best thing
That you have ever known and you won’t be
As happy if I’m gone so just don’t be a fool and let this go Whoa!
There ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do
Try to Forget All the Times I wasn’t true
Because there ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do
Stay here With me I’ll be Better than I was
Because there ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do
You’ve been sayin’ all along I’m the best thing
That you have ever found and you won’t be
As happy if I’m gone so just don’t be a fool and let this go Whoa!
There ain’t nobody ever gonna make you feel the way I do
Bedtime Story
I will not seek fame or glory
Surely I would fail
I will look for a bedtime story,
An everlasting tale
I want it close at hand
Right beside my bed
To better understand
Every time it’s read
The last thing that I hold
Kneel down and pray
The last thing that I touch
Before I drift away
I’ll faithfully come home
I’ll come home again
Every time I’m gone
To find out how it ends
Will you be my tale
The one that shapes my dreams
Lift me when I fail
Be my center beam
Be my bedtime story
Help me sow and reap
Be my bedtime story
Till I fall asleep
Common Ground
There’s bars on the windows runnin’ down the street
They go on and on as far as I can see
I’m timing the green lights to keep me movin’ away
It’s gonna take some time for me to get clear
I’m sure I’ve gotta get out out of here
If I don’t I know I’ll never get past the gray
I want to find something better than what’s around
I won’t spend my life in this hopeless town
Find something better Find common ground
Find common ground and start over again
Gonna try to forget about where we’ve been
Find common ground and bury all our sin
We can burn this town…. or find common ground
This protest is gettin’ kinda hard to believe
They’re looting and destroying everything they see
Who can define justice, anyway?
Misguided leaders only bring divide
There’s a sense of fear on either side
The tears of the wounded just keep flowing away
I want to find something better than what’s around
I won’t spend my life in this hopeless town
Find something better Find common ground
Find common ground and start over again
Gonna try to forget about where we’ve been
Find common ground and bury all our sin
We can burn this town…. or find common ground
Preachers are just like medicine shows
Peddling snake oil … And so it goes
Find common ground and start over again
Gonna try to forget about where we’ve been
Find common ground and bury all our sin
We can burn this town…. or find common ground
:There’s bars on the windows runnin’ down the street
They go on and on as far as I can see
From the album "Eons" 2010
Over You
I took the bullets out of my gun yesterday
And I threw all my razor blades away
I think it’s a sign, I think it’s a sign
I think it’s a sign of the times, I’m getting over you
Last night I threw your picture away
And I didn’t stay out drinking night and day
I think it’s a sign, I think it’s a sign
I think it’s a sign of the times, I’m getting over you
The ties that bind me to you
Sever and slash to pieces
Let’s cut to chase and watch this film from the end
The curtain rises and I
Walk away without a ticket
I know this story I ain’t comin’ back again
If I never see you It will be too soon
It’s like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube
And I’m tired of this trivial pursuit
Hope I never see you it would be too soon
I’ve found hope again among the living
Just can’t take a chance on giving
Keep away my heart away from you
I took the bullets out of my gun yesterday
Last night I threw your picture away
I think it’s a sign, I think it’s a sign
I think it’s a sign of the times, I’m getting over you
I’m getting over you
One More
One more time before I say goodbye
One more night before I say goodbye
One more hug, one more kiss before I say goodbye
You say you’re gonna leave me like the way you always do
But don’t believe yourself cause girl you know that it ain’t true
One more time before I say goodbye
One more hug, one more kiss before I say goodbye
You found another man and that’s the way it always ends
Please don’t lie to me and say that we’ll always be friends
One more time before I say goodbye
One more hug, one more kiss before I say goodbye
I saw you in the alley with a most unsavory cat
Bottom line it’s a matter of time till you’ll be runnin’ back
One more time before I say goodbye
One more hug, one more kiss before I say goodbye
Big World
Little men trying to change a big world
They think they'll make it better than it was
Making waves leaving when the flags furl
Gone before the echoes of applause
Brother Mickey it's a big world
May you laugh more than you cry
Brother Mickey it's no small world
Keep your hopes up in the sky
Kings will come leaders passing by the wayside
They think they'll make it better than it was
Rising up then they start to backslide
Trying to remember what's the cause?
Brother Mickey it's a big world
May you laugh more than you cry
Brother Mickey it's no small world
Keep your hopes up in the sky
Trying hard to find the truth out must concede it doesn't fit
Shadow hanging out in droves now best to cover than admit
Summer Sunset
He went to the door to meet her folks
He's gifted with gab and quick with jokes
They might go to see a show tonight
Or catch a bite on their way home
He opens her door ease into glide
Away from the road she comes alive
They won't go to see a show tonight
Or catch a bite on their way home
Sultry, steamy, spicy, summer evening
Never want to find their way back home
Seize another summer sunset moment
Serenity now resurrecting balm
Seize another summer sunset moment
Touching every second left till dawn
And when you look back two score and four
It ended so fast new parmour
They won't go to see a show tonight
Or catch a bite on their way home
Sultry, steamy, spicy, summer evening
Never want to find their way back home
Seize another summer sunset moment
Serenity now resurrecting balm
Seize another summer sunset moment
Touching every second left till dawn
Soulard Lady
Soulard Lady tried to play me
Tried to take me home
She tried to tie me
And tried to bind me
Soulard Lady no
I saw her down on South Broadway
One night after a game
I rounded third and she took me home
Things have never been the same
Soulard Lady please come save me
Please come take me home
92nd Floor
I step out a 92nd floor window and look to see the gathering crowd
I wonder if they’re here because of me
I take my time get sure of my feet check my ropes and adjust my seat
There’s no collective gasp when I step out
I’m falling I’m rising I’m barely surviving
The wind, current events lead to barroom surmising
My strength’s giving out but more clowns are arriving
The jokers can’t be too far behind
I call once I call again I stop on by but you’re not in
I wonder if I’ll find another show
I get on the phone to Maggie O callin’ ahead to let her know
There’s no one left in town to turn me down
I’m falling I’m rising I’m barely surviving
The wind, current events lead to barroom surmising
My strength’s giving out but more clowns are arriving
The jokers can’t be too far behind
Eons
Instrumental
From the album "Golden" 2008
Kings
Instrumental
I Might Fall
She left me long ago for no real reason
It hurt so bad I couldn’t sleep at night
I swore I didn’t want to see her again
She moved away and I was doin’ fine
But now she’s back in town
and she’s askin’ around about me
I don’t know what I’m gonna do
cause if I’m not careful, if I don’t watch my step
I might fall in love with her again
I started drinkin’ whiskey with the boys every night
And chasin’ every woman around
I’m havin’ a good time, I”m known in almost every
motel and barroom in this town
But now she’s back in town
and she’s askin’ around about me
I don’t know what I’m gonna do
cause if I’m not careful, if I don’t watch my step
I might fall in love with her again
Comin’ Home
I swear I wasn’t tryin’ to make you mad
But there’s more than one way to disguise it when you’re sad
I’m comin’ home
Check the beat of my heart
Just once before you judge me through
I’m comin’ home
Cause I breathe and I see
And I hope and I cry like you
Don’t use a snapshot of just one thing I do
I didn’t see it the way you wanted me to
Please don’t think that I don’t feel
Sometimes what I feel is far too real
I’m not evilI just didn’t see things through
And I’m comin’ home
Check the beat of my heart
Just once before you judge me through
I’m comin’ home
Cause I breathe and I see
And I hope and I cry like you
I Would
I would if she would and she won’t but I’ll try
I would if she would and she won’t but I’ll try
Cause she’s the finest thing I’ve seen on this side of the sky
I could if she could and she can’t but I try
I could if she could and she can’t but I try
If I spend another night alone I’ll just lay down and I”ll die
Thou Shalt Not! But Lord, You put her here
My heart is always racing and my mind is never clear
Thou Shalt Not! This is no way to be
Lord have mercy on me
I know that I should find another place to stay
I know that I should find another place to stay
But I come here every night now just to watch her walk away
Freeway Ride
Lay the hammer down fly to catch the sun
Never touch the ground I’m the only one
No more city bound take a highway run
Everybody try to talk to me get up in my ear
Everybody try to tell me things that I don’t want to hear Take a freeway ride
Rushing down the highway leave it all behind
I'm ridin' back bare nothin' in my head
I"m walkin' on air, far horizon's red
I'm livin' four-square chasin' one godhead
Everybody try to talk to me get up in my ear
Everybody try to tell me things that I don’t want to hear Take a freeway ride
Rushing down the highway leave it all behind
Now You’re Gone
Black cat crossed my path
Looked in the mirror and the mirror cracked
Now you’re gone, now you’re gone
Repossesin’ everything I own
Layin’ claim to these old broken bones
Now you’re gone, now you’re gone
Now you’re gone
I can feel my heart a breakin’
I can’t help but thinkin’ that I’ve been takin’
Now you’re gone, and never comin’ back
Friday thirteen got nothin’ new to say
I live through one Every single day
Now you’re gone, now you’re gone
Run Out of Love
Go west young girl, north or east
Go south young girl, feel the heat
Take a bus or take a train
Take your car and escape the rain
You do what you want to
And see who you want to see
I’ll do what I want to
And be who I want to be
We’ve run out of love I don’t know why
We never use it But the well has run dry
We’ve run out of love But I couldn’t tell you why
I couldn’t tell you why
Just get out girl go somewhere
Take your heart and leave it there
Just get out girl take a chance
There’s no saving this romance
You do what you want to
And see who you want to see
I’ll do what I want to
And be who I want to be
Before you blame it all on me
Why don’t you step back and you’ll see
Some things just weren’t meant to be
We can’t even agree to disagree
We’ve run out of love I don’t know why
We never use it But the well has run dry
We’ve run out of love But I couldn’t tell you why
I couldn’t tell you why
Mail Man
I might look kinda old I might seem kinda frail
But the thoughts I’m thinkin’ of you Could wind me up in the county jail
Let’s just forget the truth and say I’m the man who delivers the mail
Strollin’ down my favorite lane carryin’ packages postage due
Shufflin’ down that lonesome road, wearin’ the soul right offa my shoe
Honey you put the zip in my code, I’m on my way to a pas de deux
Don’t Bother
Don’t bother cookin’ if you don’t want me lookin’
Don’t dress up all nice if you’re gonna pummel me with ice
Don’t call me on the phone cause I”d rather be alone
Don’t bother botherin’ me
When your mamma sets the table I know that supper won’t be free
So if you’re passing forks around now baby don’t bother askin’ me
I ain’t seen a woman yet who’s worth my sanity
Don’t bother botherin’ me
If you’re puttin’ on a show make sure that it’s not for me
Cause I will find a better time no matter where I’ll be
Don’t bother cookin’ if you don’t want me lookin’
Don’t dress up all nice if you’re gonna pummel me with ice
Don’t call me on the phone cause I”d rather be alone
Don’t bother botherin’ me
Desperate Times
You’ve got your reasons for wantin’ me so near
I’ve got my reasons for tryin’ to stay clear
You’ve got your man and I’ve got you
Now he knows about us what’s he gonna do
Thirty-eight special pointed at me
Mac Eleven will make him history
Desperate Times call for desperate measures
I hear his footsteps comin’ up the stairs
Your moans grow louder but I’m just sayin’ prayers
I hear the lock turn you’re still far away
I’m left wonderin’ if I’ll live to see another day
Thirty-eight special pointed at me
Mac Eleven will make him history
Desperate Times call for desperate measures
Aldeberan
Close reefing topsails in a gale
Alone upon the air you stand
Leave constellations lesser lights
Say farewell to rights of man
Handsome sailor’s imperfections luminous, indomitable, penultimate
God Bless the captain
Swaying to and fro from yardarms everyone forgive the one who hurt you most
With love and graces
Dreaming by the halyards, still
A dirge proceeds from merry tune
A fate proclaimed by Man of Sorrows
Hold tight to fragments from the boom
Handsome sailor’s imperfections luminous, indomitable, penultimate
God Bless the captain
Swaying to and fro from yardarms everyone forgive the one who hurt you most
With love and graces
Golden
instrumental