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The Songster

by Brooks Long

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1.
It’s such a drag Woke up and I can’t dance It’s such a drag Woke up and I can’t dance I tried to do the jerk Man it just wouldn’t work I tried to do the fly I was a sad-looking guy Tried to walk the dog I was as stiff as a log The funky chicken was a bad decision Refrain (Someone seen this man’s baby Making rubble of his heart?) Of course I worry bout my Tiffany but something else is wrong I’ve been reading up on history Oh, will it drop while my phone busy tones? Refrain I tried to do the twist My hips could not get the jist Tried to watsui It wasn’t so cutesy Tried to get some locomotion Felt like I fell in the ocean Forget the Hully Gully I can’t even Hokey Pokey (Someone seen this man’s baby Making rubble of his heart?) There’s a calming just before the storm Another after it too Nobody wonders when they’re satisfied They think the skies are supposed to stay blue Refrain I can’t do the mashed potato no mo’!!! Can’t even put my feet on the floor © Copyright 2008
2.
The Songster 03:23
I’m the songster Playin my songs for you I’m the songster any old style will do Drop down a dollar Drop down a dime Drop down your number I’ll call you sometime I’m the songster Lord, you women sure look good I’m the songster If I had a chance to take I would Walked out of college degree in my hand Drove to an office everyday man Walked to a desk Florescent light Walked out of there I had to take flight Cause I’m the songster Money don’t make this man I’m the songster And these songs are who I am Here’s the bridge Songs for rain Songs for shine Songs for love Songs for crime Songs for laughin Songs for dancing Songs that’ll make you wanna make romancing Songs for cryin Songs for lyin Songs for your pain And songs for mine I’m the songster Won’t you be my facebook fan? I’m the songster I’ma tour this whole big land Some can take a man Knock him clear across the land With his fist, I’ll tell you this Give a chase, listen Ace Not in the face cause I’m too pretty Psychedelic punk rock, hip hop, be bop, east coast west coast, sub-pop, Dirty South Texas swing, wing-ding, funk soul, rock and roll, rock and soul, post rock, pre rock, roots rock Bubblegum, hardcore, space rock, rock in space, southern soul, Rick Roll, rag-time, drum and bass Swing Jazz, Acid Jazz, Free Jazz, Soul Jazz, Cool Jazz, not Smooth Jazz Disco, Electro, Delta Blues, Piano, Chicago, Kansas City, West Coast again, Piedmont Blues Appalachian, Hillbilly, Nashville, Crunk, Folk-Rock, House Music, Go-Go, Folk Blues Rock, Garage Rock, Hate Rock, Christian Rock, Heartland Rock, Lovers Rock, Art Rock, Pet Rock, Pete Rock, Sheet Rock, Chris Rock, Plymyth Rock, Ignious Rock, and R-uh and B And singer/songwriter, whatever that means I'm the songster © Copyright 2011
3.
Sunday Habit 04:16
She drags herself out of bed Washs up and combs her hair Heads out the door Just in time for 8 o'clock mass Holy water and the sign of the cross Burns incense She kneels down Kneels down and bows her head Close her eyes as tight as she can Don't know why she does it It's just a sunday habit As her eyes are closed, she thinks of him The friend she knew way back when She was happy She walks to the parking lot Gets in the car and turns the key Turns the station Tears fall down Tears fall down the sides of her cheek While her husband is still asleep She don't know why she cries It's just a sunday habit He rolls himself out of bed Yawns a bit and scratches his head Fumbles downstairs He shakes his head 'cause it is clear He's in the same rut he was last year Picks up the paper He looks down Looks down and sees the same Same things happen every day He don't know why he reads it It's just a sunday habit He grabs a beer as she comes in "Hi, honey" doesn't work for him So she is silent He says, "Remember back when you were thin?" She fixes eggs and he digs in Doesn't taste too good Hand strikes down Hand strikes down and bruises her face All because of runny eggs He don't know why he does it It's just a sunday habit © Copyright 2005
4.
Middle of the night thought I heard my old soul growl. Middle of the night thought I heard that old soul growl. Looked out the window, saw my reflection it was just a hungry hound. Please, old mule pull this plow along. Please, old mule pull this plow along. If harvest find no yield my good girl will Greyhound home. There’s a blues in my veins before my blood turns red. There’s a blues in my veins before my blood turns red. There’s even a blues in the sky to rain upon my head. Gonna stand in the middle the middle of this railroad trail. Stand in the middle of this rundown railroad trail. And before I move my body, I’ll make that train derail. Gonna set my woman right on my rockin’ chair. Gonna set my woman right on this rockin’ chair. One of these old days I’d like to rock away from here. There’s a blues in my veins before my blood turns red. There’s a blues in my veins before my blood turns red. There’s even a blues in the sky to rain upon my head. © Copyright 2007
5.
If you're a sonic teenager, raise your hand You got to boogie-woogie down with an underground band Don't you know that you ain't 'sposed to rock and roll But your momma won't tell if your daddy don't know It's crazy, ooh baby Just trying to grind some pavement It's crazy, ooh baby Sonic Teenager, latest rage Sonic Teenager, storm the stage Sonic Teenager, latest rage Sonic Teenager, storm the stage If you're a sonic teenager, raise your hand You got to boogie-woogie down with an underground band Gonna party so hard, gonna pay some bail Gonna teepee heaven, gonna burn down hell It's crazy, ooh baby Just trying to slay some ladies It's crazy, ooh baby Sonic Teenager, latest rage Sonic Teenager, storm the stage Sonic Teenager, latest rage Sonic Teenager, storm the stage © Copyright 2008
6.
How you doin', baby? Ever fix that door? Always glad to hear you're feeling better Than you felt before Me, I'm doing alright I'm runnin' my bases Keepin up with my vitamins Maintaining good homeostasis There's too many options Too many trains We got tiny little hearts Pumping to too many brains Went to a party last week Oh, what an affair Seem like everybody and they big-tity Mama was there Had my phone in my hand Almost pressed send I didn't want to distract you You could be driving on the other end Refrain I tell too many jokes I think that's what it is I'm too serious, too I don't talk enough shit My hair's too long I'm made of too much dust I'm too reserved, I got too much gas and I think about myself too much Refrain I have faith in your beauty It's the kind I need You keep tryin' to tell me you're ugly Now that I can't believe They say illusions are real Make up reality I got a quiet notion you're an illusion to me Refrain All these wonderful women I think you'd like them well They got valuable real estate but it's a hard time to sell I keep forgettin' That I should probably beg I'm reminded every time I see Your walkin' legs One more chance One good time One more morning in these arms of mine Hand me down my walkin' cane Hand me down my hat I'm off to see a man about a horse I may never come back Maybe I should leave you be, babe Don't think I haven't tried I got a terrible headache from it In fact, I think I died Refrain
7.
Don't need no ticket, I'm walking Gone to get lost in the world Don't need no map where I'm headed Gone to get lost in the world Yes, I don't know Yes, no clue How many times can I stay? What has gotten to me it is gettin to you How many times can I stay? How the days can blister, fester Going to doctor my disease I let it all go one evening Gone to get caught in the breeze When nobody's jumping off, what about you? How many times can I stay? When everybody's doing it it's easy to do How many times can I stay? I'm gone to get lost in the world I'm gone to get lost in the world How many times can I stay? In the air, I can smell the nectar Going to harvest all my seeds Hope you don't mind when my picking is through my basket is going home with you What I assume you shall assume How many times can I stay? Every atom of me belonging to you How many times can I stay? © Copyright 2010
8.
Lorriane 05:58
I’m never going to finish this new painting. I’ll never make enough to pay the rent. The creaking floors are my only music, [Slow down] Bb Eb D and the brush and palette are my only friends I’ve got to get out of this apartment. The cold light shivers through my bones. Every Thursday, I walk to the market and I see an angel heaven cannot hold. Lorraine, queen of Express-line 4 In ancient times of yore I’d sing a lovers plea But Lorraine, my belly is full of rum I’m a bum and I always will be Today is the day I’ll find the courage I’ll find it in the corner liquor store. But as she does a price check on bananas, I realize that she deserves much more The streets are painted with discarded garbage. The wind blows ghosts of plastic bags. All my life, I’ve searched this town for beauty. Is it something I deserve to have? [Chorus] I have determined I will have you. Caress each line of your face. Finally, someone to behold to and keep away the temporal world’s decay I’ll keep you wrapped up, hidden in my closet whenever someone dropping by might see. The thought of sharing you makes me nervous. Lorraine, you know you mean so much to me. The critics would get lost inside your iris. They’d say you are my greatest work by far. They’d put you for auction like a slave, but they don’t even know who you are. [Chorus] © Copyright 2010
9.
Had A Ball 05:54
Silky Slim and good ol’ Pepper Pete take a shot of private heaven. They both been eyein’ little Tootsie Roll, but nary one is gonna get her. Don’t nobody know, but on the down-low she’s been seein’ Bobby Joe every evening at the docks. They look into each others eyes knowing they’ll have to say goodbye, but why talk about it now? Then Clyde comes stumblin’ in Man can’t keep his bourbon in control. Brother say, “What’s with all this country shit? I wanna hear some soul.” Y’all, the 'tenders won’t pour no more So dance your happy ass outside the door singin’ “Oh my, we sure had a ball tonight” singin’ “Oh my, we sure had a ball tonight” Scratchy Charlemagne can work that crowd from one drunkard to another. Say it’s her birthday and she needs a couple dollars for bus fare home and for her dying baby brother. Now can you really see her in your mind riding the number 20 line with her newly-found bank roll? Now it could go to birthday cake or it could go to doctor’s pay but it might go up her nose. And the bartender stares at Peach Fuzz Frankie “Of course that ID is me.” “Alright, then. How old are you?” “Either 26 or 53.” Y’all, the 'tenders won’t pour no more So dance your happy ass outside the door singin’ “Oh my, we sure had a ball tonight” singin’ “Oh my, we sure had a ball tonight” Now you might wanna take a bottle smash it on the bar But don’t let ‘em steal your stride. Don’t let ‘em change who you are This here liquor can be fun don’t let it change who you are. This here liquor sure is fun but don’t let it change who you are Cause we came here for a good time. We’re having a good time. Cool it down, cool it down Brothers and sisters Look around, we are all brothers and sisters And right there in middle of it all is the guitar man singin everybody’s business. He think he funny, he think he cute. Ought to take his fake-1964 ass home Can I get a witness? Y’all, the 'tenders won’t pour no more So dance your happy ass outside the door singin’ “Oh my, we sure had a ball tonight” singin’ “Oh my, we sure had a ball tonight” © Copyright 2010
10.
I’ve been searching for a new dance To give my heart a new chance To teach my feet to celebrate The girl that’s giving me a new glance This new thing can’t be old, mmm But it’s got to have soul So I take her back to my place And tell her “baby put a record on” Then she starts to dancing Then she starts to swinging them hips Then she starts to singing oh no She sings the same old song Should’ve known it all along It gets the feeling wrong, it goes (La la lala, lalala) Don’t you know another song? (La la lala, lalala) Girl, don’t you know another song? (La la lala, lalala) Girl, don’t you know another I can’t sing that same old song Girl, can’t you sing me another song Don’t matter if you get the words wrong Just hum a sweet melody And make sure you stay in key Then she starts to dancing Then she starts to swinging them hips Then she starts to singing oh no She sings the same old song It gets the feeling wrong, it goes Girl, can’t you sing me another song Don’t matter if you get the words wrong Just hum a sweet melody And make sure you stay in key I believe I've heard that song before © Copyright 2010
11.
Blindness is your eyes evolving When you think the sky is falling You might have to trust my gentle hand Let's climb those red brick walls in your mind I know illusions are very real I've had a few of my own now and then Fear gets hard to lose Help is easy to win With me, baby, you'll see that Blindness is your eyes evolving When you think the sky is falling You might have to trust my gentle Before things get sentimental Let us end this song with something sad © Copyright 2010
12.
I eat a plate full of nails and biscuits My teeth is busted glass I hunt alongside a pride of lions I drink with grizzly bears Well, i might be a red rooster But I don't crow for day While all them other chickens shoutin crazy I steal their hens away I am the baddest ass I am the baddest ass I am the baddest ass Wombed in the stomach of an H-Bomb test I like to swim in a pool of whiskey I bathe in stout and ale Got so many millions, baby I pay the devil's bail I pick my teeth with a tree, baby I'm choppin mountain tops I got a strangle on rock music I murdered Hip and Hop I am the baddest ass I am the baddest ass I am the baddest ass Wombed in the stomach of an H-Bomb test © Copyright 2010

about

He writes his own soul

"There's even a blues in the sky to rain upon my head"

"The Funky Chicken was a bad decision"

Gaining notice as Rock & Soul leader of Baltimore's Brooks Long & The Mad Dog No Good, his 1st release is the raw and typically unique "The Songster"

Written, arranged and performed by Brooks, MDNG fans will find stripped versions of set staples alongside fresh tunes

Stay tuned for Brooks Long & The Mad Dog No Good's 1st release, "Let's Make Out To Otis Redding," due out Spring 2012.

Be somebody.

credits

released October 27, 2011

Written, Arranged and Performed by Brooks Long
Recorded by Pete Hanlon, Bill Mueller
Mastered by Mat Leffler-Schulman at Mobtown Studios
Photography by Reginald Mack

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Brooks Long Washington, D.C.

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