Hendrix Opened For The Monkees

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I’ve dumpster dived and made love

On the same day

I’ve dumpster dived and made love

On the same day

Sometimes you get nothing 

Sometimes you get grace.

You can see continents

From thirty thousand feet

You can see continents

From thirty thousand feet

And never think about the people

Living on the street.

You might imagine the future

You might remember the past

You might imagine the future

You might remember the past

But one thing I know for sure 

The present doesn't last.  

The most valuable thing you have

Is always your attention

The most valuable thing you have

Is always your attention

Someone else is wanting it  

With their own intention.

The machine is not answering

And nobody's home

The machine is not answering

And nobody's home 

The house is furnished, the lawn is mowed, 

And everyone's gone.

Me And My Harmonica (reprise)

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for Adam Gussow

I learn to play harmonica,

To my wife's eternal dismay.

But play the harmonica I will,

Whatever she may say.

She hates the crying racket,

The piercing whiny whine.

But that's not how I hear it,

To me it sounds just fine.

She says she can't be near it,

Yells take it somewhere far.

Where nobody can hear it,

'Play it in your car'.

Me and my harmonica,

We're both made to roam.

The one place I can't play it,

Is when I'm in my home.

Me and my harmonica,

We both sing the blues.

Anything that you can have,

Is something you can lose.

I blow a tune in four-time,

Pressed up against my lips.

And when my tune is done,

Back in my pocket it slips.

I move on down the road,

A wanderer alone.

With nothing but a song to sing,

Far away from home.

Out and in, in and out,

My body and my breath. 

Shapes a sound into a song, 

From silence and from death.

  

Me and my harmonica, 

Go out for a long walk.

Try the door on my return,

But she done changed the lock.

Me and my harmonica,

We both sing the blues.

With every tune I learn to play,

I also pay my dues.

You’re Gettin Old

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You’re gettin old and you don't even notice (x 3)

Then one day you're old.

You’re gettin poor and you don’t even notice (x 3)

Then one day you’re poor.

You’re gettin dumb and you don’t even notice (x 3) 

Then one day you’re dumb.

You’re gettin bald and you don’t even notice (x 3)

Then one day you’re bald.

You’re gettin fat and you don’t even notice (x 3)

Then one day you’re fat.

You're gettin ugly and you don't even notice (x 3)

Then one day you’re fat.

You’re gettin old and you don't even notice (x 3)

Then one day you're old.

Stranger Than You Think

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The aliens have landed,

They visit when it's dark.

I think they're all left-handed,

The encounter leaves a mark.

Call the authorities,

Agents to direct us.

The army and the navy,

The people who'll protect us.

You'll find me in the bar, 

Telling stories with a drink.

'Cause out there on the road,

Life is stranger than you think.

I fell in love one time,

She made me feel alive.

I climbed aboard her spaceship,

Didn't know if I'd survive. 

You'll find me in the bar, 

Telling stories with a drink.

'Cause out there on the road,

Life is stranger than you think.

She took me to her planet,

In another galaxy.

She used sharp instruments,

To perform her surgery.

You'll find me in the bar, 

Telling stories with a drink.

'Cause out there on the road,

Life is stranger than you think.

Still not sure I believe,

What I know happened to me.

This alien abduction,

Was it just a fantasy?

You'll find me in the bar, 

Telling stories with a drink.

'Cause out there on the road,

Life is stranger than you think,

Life is stranger than you think,

Life is stranger than you think...

Your Biggest Fan

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I'm no mind reader,

But I might get something right.

Give me a hint,

Then let's go for a bite.

I barely know myself,

No matter what I do.

You can't really expect me, 

To have a clue about you.

Here's a little something,

I think you might like.

Try not to be insulted,

If it don't fit right.

Cause nothing's perfect honey,

Let's enjoy what we can.

Keep doing what you do, 

Cause I'm your biggest fan.

Yeah I'm your biggest fan.

It's getting hot in here,

And the music's getting loud.

The opener did a good job,

Of winding up the crowd.

Left just enough for us,

To use our imaginations.

I'm counting on you baby, 

To help me finish what I'm making.

There'll be a bit of you, 

And a bit of my creation.

There'll bit of truth,

And a bit of fascination.

Cause I'm your biggest fan.

It's getting hot in here,

I'm your biggest fan.

Gonna cool you down baby,

Cause I'm your biggest fan.

Gonna cool you down baby...

The Woman I Need

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The woman I need has seen a few things,

The woman I need has seen a few things,

You know the woman I need has seen a few things,

A woman with heart and a spirit that sings.

Some women shine like a lightning flash,

Some women shine like a lightning flash,

Some women shine like a lightning flash,

You know the woman I need is like a thunderclap.

Some women are the kind that just want to please,

Some women are the kind that just want to please,

Some women are the kind that just want to please,

You know the woman I need, she ain't so easy.

Some women are breezy, light as a leaf,

Some women are breezy, light as a leaf,

Some women are breezy, light as a leaf,

The woman I need is like a chestnut tree.

Some women cry the world done them wrong.

Some women cry the world done them wrong.

Some women cry the world done them wrong.

You know the woman I need the world's made her strong.

The woman I need has weathered the storm,

The woman I need has weathered the storm,

The woman I need has weathered the storm,

A woman, like me, a little battle worn.

God or the Blues

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Mama read the Good Book

Papa paid his dues

Preacher preached Word

Sister swore it true

Me I always wondered

What I was gonna do

You know in this life 

You know you gotta choose 

Either god or the blues

Either god or the blues

Mama did her housework

Papa shined his shoes 

Preacher was the shepherd

Sister was his crew

Me I always wondered

What I was gonna do

You know in this life 

You know you gotta choose 

Either god or the blues

Either god or the blues

Mama praised the Church 

Papa cursed the Jews 

Preacher’s faith was stirred

Sister felt it too

Me I always wondered

What I was gonna do

You know in this life 

You know you gotta choose 

Either god or the blues

Either god or the blues

Mama gave a look

Papa drank his booze

Preacher said he'd heard

Sister spread the news

Me I always wondered

What I was gonna do

You know in this life 

You know you gotta choose 

Either god or the blues

Either god or the blues

Down To Florida Blues

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I ain’t goin down to Florida
Don’t care how cold it gets (x 2)
I said I ain’t goin down to Florida
No matter how my baby begs.

They got snakes down in Florida
Thick as your two legs (x 2)
I said I ain’t goin down to Florida
No matter how my baby begs.

They got alligators down in Florida
In their rivers and their lakes (x 2)
I said I ain’t goin down to Florida
No matter how my baby begs.

They got hurricanes down in Florida
Make the house walls shake (x 2)
I said I ain’t goin down to Florida
No matter how my baby begs.

They got big sharks down in Florida
Want to tear your flesh (x 2)
I said I ain’t goin down to Florida
No matter how my baby begs.

They got sunshine down in Florida
Make your skin burn red (x 2)
I say I ain’t goin down to Florida
No matter how my baby begs.

I had a girl down in Florida
The kind you don't forget (x 2)
I say I ain’t goin down to Florida
No matter how my baby begs.

I ain’t goin down to Florida
Don’t care how cold it gets (x 2)
I say I ain’t goin down to Florida
Cause one time I did say yes.

Another's Eyes

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You've played many roles,

Most of your life.

Daughter, sister, friend, 

A mother and a wife.

In every hurricane,

There's an eye serene.

And you can hear a voice, 

Saying who you should be.  

Cause the script you had,

Since you took the stage.   

Has lines you forgot,  

And is missing a page. 

The rules can change,

The stars re-align. 

When you don't see yourself, 

Through another's eyes.

Strike a yoga pose,

To locate your breath.

So you can recite,

A psalm of loneliness.

There’s a moment between,

Inhale and release.

Where the tumult recedes,

And the poses all cease.

The rules can change,

The stars re-align. 

When you don't see yourself, 

Through another's eyes.

I won't be your mirror,

And you won't be mine.

A map isn't space,

And a clock isn't time.

The rules can change,

The stars re-align. 

When you don't see yourself, 

Through another's eyes.

Everybody's Takin Pictures

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They’re takin pictures at the zoo,

They’re takin pictures of their shoes.

They're takin pictures at the museum,

They're takin pictures of pictures so others can see'em.

They say they're worth a thousand words,

But it’s gotten so absurd,

Everybody’s takin pictures.

They're takin pictures of toned abs,

They're takin pictures to show that they've lost their flab. 

They're takin pictures of different body parts,

The pictures are filtered and edited to look perfect as art.

They say they're worth a thousand words...

They're takin pictures of expensive gifts, 

They're takin pictures to give others jealous fits.

They takin pictures of babies plump as fruit,

So others will say, "Oooh she's so cute!"

They say they're worth a thousand words...

They're takin pictures of wild pets,

Pictures that seem impossible to get.

They're takin pictures of dogs cuddling cats,

They takin pictures of this and pictures of that.

They say they're worth a thousand words...

They're takin pictures of celebrities they claim to meet,

They're takin pictures of food too pretty to eat.

They're takin pictures of meals they just ate,

To show the world it tasted great.

They say they're worth a thousand words...

They're takin pictures of sunsets at the beach,

They're takin pictures of places you dream to reach.

They're takin pictures of events, scenes that are staged,

They're takin pictures for laughs, and pictures to enrage.

They say they're worth a thousand words...

They're takin pictures to show you're on top of your game,

Pictures so everyone wishes they were the same.

They're takin pictures to upload to the cloud,

Pictures that scream "Look at me!" to a digital crowd.

They say they're worth a thousand words,

Now it’s gotten so absurd,

Everybody’s takin pictures.

Five Minutes

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Peace of mind,

Sure don’t come easy these days.

No matter how we try,

To find just the right way.

Everything is moving,

And accelerating fast.

We must be going downhill,

With the peak back in the past.

We live in rooms so crowded,

With all the crap we’ve bought.

We can't tell the difference,

What we need from what we’ve got.

We think it’s more space,

That will solve all our problems.

When we get that extra space,

We realize we still got ’em.

Just asking for five minutes,

Five minutes without the news,

Five minutes without the blues,

Five minutes of your time.

Just asking for five minutes,

Five minutes without the news,

Five minutes without the blues,

Won’t constitute a crime—

Just asking for five minutes.

Making and spending all that money,

Is up to you and me.

Gotta keep the business moving,

Gotta to grow that GDP.

But let’s face it, love,

When we think of true scarcity.

It ain’t money and it ain’t space.

It’s spending time, just you and me.

Don't need to do much talking,

Don't need to get too fancy.

Don't want a long lunch at a café, 

Or even dinner and a movie. 

We can sit here quietly,

And watch the folks going by.

No need to justify ourselves,

Just finding peace of mind.

Just asking for five minutes,

Five minutes without the news,

Five minutes without the blues,

Five minutes of your time.

Just asking for five minutes,

Five minutes without the news,

Five minutes without the blues,

Won’t constitute a crime—

Just asking for five minutes.

Just asking for five minutes.

Nothing Is For Free

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It’s cold outside,

And only getting colder.

I’m old inside,

and only getting older.

Sometimes I ask myself, 

Who am I protecting?

Who are these folks,

Whose feelings need defending?

I’m surrounded by people, 

You know I want to please. 

My hand extends across the fence,

And like animals they feed.

Time to get serious,

Cause time is running out.

Don’t say you know what’s best for us,

Cause we all live with doubts.

I had another life, 

Before I met you.

I had other loves, 

That still live inside me too.

Sometimes at night, 

I close my eyes.

And imagine myself, 

In another time.

Didn’t worry about the next bill, 

That I had to pay.

And every new experience, 

Was just another day.

As the years went by, 

The load got heavy.

The legs that used to carry me,

Got shaky and unsteady.

I never asked for much, 

Just room to be me.

It’s not a matter of trust,

I’m just trying to get free.

It’s cold outside,

And only getting colder.

I’m old inside,

and only getting older.

I never asked for much, 

Just room to be me,

It’s not a matter of trust,

I’m just trying to get free

Nothing is for free.

Just Sayin

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Turn the music up,

Keep your eyes on the road.

You're looking sorta sleepy,

Or is it just bored?

Something with a heartbeat,

And lyrics you can hear.

So your mind stays alert,

And your direction is clear.

The night is so black,

The lines so white.

Can't see the route ahead,

Beyond our headlights. 

Is this the way home?

Did we cross a wrong bridge?

Did we miss a sharp turn?

Are we heading for a ditch?

You're in charge from here,

Keep a grip on the wheel.

I'm not a great passenger,

Just sayin how I feel.

Just saying how I feel.

Everything's a blur,

We're moving so fast.

It's hard to keep track,

Of what we just passed.

It's been a long time,

Since I've felt in control.

My mind keeps screaming,

You're heading for a hole.

I think we talked - 

I've had some accidents.

And you really can't repair,

All your scratches and dents.

I need reassurance,

And it has to come from you.

I'm trying to find a way,

To enjoy the view.

You're in charge from here,

Keep a grip on the wheel.

I'm not a great passenger,

Just sayin how I feel.

Just sayin how I feel.

Lucky Enough

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If you’re lucky enough to have good looks,

Lucky enough to know a good cook.

If you’re lucky enough to have loving parents,

Lucky enough to pay a cheap rent.

If you’re lucky enough to get top grades,

Lucky enough to be self-made.

If you’re lucky enough to be a good speller,

Lucky enough to write a bestseller.

If you're lucky enough to win a few bets,

Lucky enough to have a safety net.

If you're lucky enough to take a few risks,

Lucky enough not to fall off a cliff.

If you’re lucky enough to have a hit song,

Lucky enough never to be wrong.

If you’re lucky enough to have nice neighbours,

Lucky enough they do you nice favours.

If you’re lucky enough to have lots of money,

Lucky enough be earn a big salary.

If you’re lucky enough to have a warm home,

Lucky enough to own a smart phone.

If you’re lucky enough to breathe clean air,

Lucky enough not to live in despair.

If you’re lucky enough to live in peace.

Lucky enough to get a good night's sleep.

If you’re lucky enough to have good genes,

Lucky enough to drink water that’s clean.

Lucky enough to get your fair share,

So lucky you don't know that luck is even there.

Talk About Problems

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Let’s talk about problems,

The ones that we've all got.

Cause if you ain’t got problems,

You’re someone that I’m not.

We've got problems. 

Problems making money,

Problems how you spend.

Problems with your family,

Problems with your friends. 

Problems with your woman,

Problems with your man.

Problems with what you do,

Problems with what you can’t.

Problems with your eating,

Problems with your drinking.

Problems with your feelings,

Problems with your thinking.

Problems with too little,

Problems with too much.

Problems motivating,

Problems taking drugs.

Problems being together,

Problems being alone.

Problems socializing,

Problems being at home.

Problems with what you say,

Problems with what you don't.

Problems with what you will,

Problems with what you won't.

Problems with desires,

Problems not intended.

Problems how it started,

Problems how it ended.

Problems with depression,

Problems feeling stress.

Problems with the world -

It's such a flipping mess.

Let’s talk about problems,

The ones that we all got.

Cause if you ain’t got problems,

You’re someone that I’m not.

I've got problems.

The Only Song I Had

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They’re gonna gather round,

Some friends and family.

Piece me back together,

From thoughts and memory.

Won't be a perfect story, 

Cause stories never are.

Hope they'll have some laughs,

Cause living life's bizarre.

I'm not a man of faith,

Never claimed to be.

But I did the best I could,

Or a reasonable facsimile.

I kept the wheels greased,

While resisting the machine.

Life is constant push and pull,

While you're stuck in between.

Gonna sing a song to God,

It may be good, or bad.

When my song is done he'll know,

It’s the only one I had.

 

I tried to show my gratitude,

For everything you gave.

I hope they'll say about me,

"He never was self-made."

I'd find a quiet place,

Inside a forest clearing.

And build a fire to burn remains,   

Of all that I was fearing. 

Gonna sing a song to God,

It may be good, or bad.

When my song is done he'll know,

It’s the only one I had.

I never asked for very much,

Just my basic needs.

Believed that every stranger,   

Deserved some dignity.

When the world spun in my head,

I turned it into dance.

Sometimes I got too dizzy,

To take a solid stance.

Gonna sing a song to God,

It may be good, or bad.

When my song is done he'll know,

It’s the only one I had.

They’re gonna gather round,

Some friends and family.

Piece me back together,

From thoughts and memory.

Won't be a perfect story, 

Cause stories never are.

Hope they'll have some laughs,

Cause living life's bizarre.

I'm not a man of faith,

Never claimed to be.

But I did the best I could...

Love Everywhere

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There is love everywhere,

It's like the air we breathe.

Don't look very far,

It's like the flowers and the trees.

It comes to you in silence,

It comes without fanfare.

It comes to you when life, 

Is more than you can bear.

It comes to you from friends,

It comes to you in song.

It comes to you in memory, 

Of someone who is gone.

It comes to you in whispers, 

It comes in soothing tones.

It comes when you're together,

It comes when you're alone.  

Love is everywhere,

Love is everywhere,

Believe me when I say,

Love is everywhere.

It's not rare as a diamond,

It's not precious as gold.

You don't have to go digging,

In some deep dark hole.

Just open your eyes,

Take a deep breath.

Feel it in your bones,

Feel it in your chest.

Love is everywhere,

Love is everywhere,

Believe me when I say,

Love is everywhere.

Believe me when I say,

It won't hurt a bit.

The secret to finding love: 

It comes if you allow it.

Love is everywhere,

Love is everywhere,

Believe me when I say,

Love is everywhere.

Misfits

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We were misfits,

And we made rock n roll.

We knew we couldn't fake it,

We played it from our soul.

Some kids got good grades,

Others won the game. 

The rich kids had nice clothes,

The nerds had all the brains.

We were the kids in the corner.

Didn’t have many friends. 

We watched them from sidelines,

Waiting for the day to end.

We were shy and sensitive,

Outside the social circles.

Ignored and never noticed,

Or teased by pretty girls.

We hung out at the store,

We fingered through the racks.

We memorized the lyrics,

Knew all the album tracks.

We were misfits,

And we made rock n roll.

We knew we couldn't fake it,

We played it from our soul.

We learned to play the songs,

Of all our favourite bands.

It's how we found acceptance,

It’s how we took our stand.

We were angry, we were ugly,

We sang it strong and loud.

We did it for ourselves,

The singing made us proud.

We were misfits,

And we made rock n roll.

We knew we couldn't fake it,

We played it from our soul.

We played it hard and loud,

We played it night and day.

Sometimes we drew a crowd,

Most times they didn’t pay.

These days I couldn't say,

How it went so wrong.

One day the songs had heart,

Suddenly it’s gone.

We were misfits,

And we made rock n roll.

We knew we couldn't fake it,

We played it from our soul.

Misfits...

We played it from our soul...

It's Time

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It's time to protest,

It's time for unrest,

It's time for redress,

It's time to make a mess.

It's time that they stop,

For the folks at the top, 

To share what they got,

With the rest of us lot.

It's time,

I say it's time,

You know it's time,

I say it's time.

It's time to get real,

To declare how we feel,

To change a bad deal,

It's time for us to heal.

It's time to realize,

That all they do is lie,

To get us to take sides,

While they steal the prize.

It's time,

I say it's time,

you know it's time,

I say it's time.

It's time for the street,

To call out the elite, 

And show how they cheat,

So we can't compete.

It's time that they fall,

Cause they take it all,

It's time to stand tall,

So let's heed the call.

It's time,

I say it's time,

you know it's time,

I say it's time.

It's time that they know, 

That this movement will grow,

We will rise from below,

To make sure that they go.

The time has come,

We unite as one,

Justice will be done,

A new era has begun. 

A new era has begun...

Just Put The Phone Down

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Just put the phone down,

Don't follow the flock.

Just put the phone down,

And maybe we'll talk.

Don't look it up,

Don’t need to know why.

Don’t want the answer,

Meet me eye to eye.

Let's have a moment,

Share some head space.

Leave questions unanswered,

Inhabit one place. 

The screen doesn't give, 

A genuine impression.

Except of a person's,

Unhealthy obsession.

It's honesty I need, 

Now more than ever.

Not some stranger's comments, 

That makes him sound clever.

Don't care about the memes,

That try to make you laugh.

Don't need to be outraged,

By a dumb photograph.

Just put the phone down,

Don't follow the flock.

Just put the phone down,

And maybe we'll talk.

Don't look it up,

Don’t need to know why.

Don’t want the answer,

Meet me eye to eye.

Don't need further details,

On the Middle-East.

I have more concern for, 

The problems on my street.

The rivers of chaos,

Vulgarity and greed.

Vapidity, conspiracy,

On the misinforming feed.

The uncontrolled addiction,

The digital affliction.

The venal exhibition,

Of every politician. 

Hypnotized, mesmerized,

Anesthetized, lobotomized.

Paralyzed, desensitized, 

Our future is jeopardized.

Just put the phone down…