[Intro]
Is your name…
(A claim to fame?)
Who are you…
(What do you do?)
[Verse 1]
First comes a whisper
(Then a sound)
Soon enough
(It gets around)
One little label
(Sticks like glue)
Maybe it fits…
(Probably not you)
Names get written
(Names erased)
Some are honored
(Some disgraced)
Who decides
(What’s true to claim?)
What’s really…
(In a name?)
[Chorus]
Call me this
(Call me that)
Does a word
(Define the facts?)
Wear a crown
(Wear the blame)
Everything changes
(With a name)
[Refrain]
Hey!
Have you played the game?
(What’s in a name?)
Say!
Will you ever be the same?
(Now you’ve played the game)
Hey!
Who’s the one to blame?
(What’s in a name?)
Say!
We all play the game.
(What’s in a name?)
[Verse 2]
Some chase glory
(Some hide shame)
Some inherit
(A family name)
Some reinvent
(Who they’ve been)
Some never get
(To start again)
Titles matter
(So they say)
Open doors
(Or block the way)
When the introduction
(Starts the same)
There’s no hiding…
(In a name)
[Bridge]
It’s just a word…
(Or so we’re told)
Yet stories grow
(Before they’re known)
Before they listen
(Before they see)
They’ve named the person
(They think you’ll be)
[Breakdown]
What’s your name?
(Who are you?)
Who decides?
(Is it true?)
Who decides
(Who’ll remains)
[Final Chorus]
Call me friend
(Call me foe)
Only time
(Will really know)
Judge the heart
(Not the frame)
There’s much more…
(Than just a name)
[Final Refrain]
Hey!
Have you played the game?
(What’s in a name?)
Say!
Will you ever be the same?
(Now you’ve played the game)
Hey!
Don’t forget your name.
(It isn’t all the same.)
What’s in a name?
(Only what we give it.)
[Outro]
Say my name…
(If you know me)
Know my name…
(Stands for happily.)
[Intro]
Ashes to ashes
(Dust to dust)
We all…
(…fall…)
And begin…
(…to rise again…)
Hear ‘er comin’!
[Verse 1]
This old mountain
(Had a birth)
All we gain
(Belongs to Earth)
Stone to sand
(Sand to clay)
What is ever
(Thrown away?)
The rivers carve
(The oceans call)
Time keeps shaping
(One and all)
What seems forever
(Changes slow)
Back to where
(We used to know)
[Chorus]
All that we’ve known
(Returns to stone)
Each seed we’ve sown
(Returns to stone)
Life keeps borrowing
(From the ground)
Only to return
(Full circle round)
[Refrain]
When it’s time
(To go back home)
…return to stone
Found reason in rhyme
(Now it’s time)
…return to stone
[Verse 2]
Stars grew heavy
(Long ago)
Forged the atoms
(That we know)
Carbon, calcium
(Iron bone)
What is heartbeat
(Once was stone)
Mountains weather
(Forests grow)
Living rivers
(Come and go)
Little leaves
(The greater whole)
Life’s journey
(Feeds the soul)
[Bridge]
Ashes to ashes
(Dust to dust)
We all…
(…fall…)
And begin…
(…to rise again…)
Stone becomes
(Soil and tree)
Tree becomes
(You and me)
[Breakdown]
When it’s time
(To go back home)
…return to stone
Found reason in rhyme
(Now it’s time)
…return to stone
[Final Refrain]
When it’s time
(To go back home)
…return to stone
Found reason in rhyme
(Now it’s time)
…return to stone
[Outro]
Ashes to ashes…
(Dust to dust…)
Round we’ve found…
Stones a must
(You’re not alone)
Found reason in rhyme
(Now it’s time)
…return to stone
[Intro]
Nothing yet…
(Not quite)
Empty space
(Before the light)
Zero…
(Zero…)
… lookin’ for a hero
[Verse 1]
Standing still
(Between the lines)
Waiting for
(A different sign)
No beginning
(No end in sight)
Just another
(Quiet night)
One by one
(The numbers grow)
But where they start
(I’ve yet to know)
[Chorus]
I’m “I” all along
(In the zero zone)
Long for a sum of one
(In the zero zone)
Waiting for
(Someone to come through)
…and what I wouldn’t do…
(For two, too)
[Refrain]
I’m all alone
(In the zero zone)
Long for a sum of one
(In the zero zone)
…and what I wouldn’t do…
(For two, too)
[Verse 2]
Zero waits
(Without complaint)
Neither loss
(Nor any gain)
Potential sleeping
(Beneath the calm)
Holding futures
(In its palm)
Then comes one
(A single spark)
A point of light
(Inside the dark)
[Refrain]
I’m all alone
(In the zero zone)
Long for a sum of one
(In the zero zone)
…and what I wouldn’t do…
(For two, too)
[Bridge]
One becomes
(More than one)
When another
(Joins the sum)
Side by side
(The numbers grow)
That’s the way
(Relationships flow)
Zero…
(Is where we start)
One…
(Is finding heart)
Two…
(Is sharing life with you)
[Final Chorus]
I’m all alone
(In the zero zone)
Long for a sum of one
(In the zero zone)
…and what I wouldn’t do…
(For two, too)
Long for a sum of one
(In the zero zone)
Searching through
(Come show me the view)
…and what I wouldn’t do…
(For two, too)
[Final Refrain]
I’m all alone
(In the zero zone)
Long for a sum of one
(In the zero zone)
…and what I wouldn’t do…
(For two, too)
Never truly gone
(From the zero zone)
Now the silence grew…
(Into me and you)
And what I wouldn’t do…
(For two, too)
[Outro]
Zero…
(Became one)
One…
(Became two)
The very thing…
(Began with you.)
[Intro]
Wake up now
(To a brand-new day)
Leave behind
(The old cliché)
Take a breath
(Let it begin)
The world outside
(Is calling in)
[Verse 1]
Be the sunrise
(Turn the page)
You don’t have to
(Live in yesterday)
Feel your heartbeat
(Finds its rhyme)
One more chance
(One more time)
The road ahead
(Is yours to claim)
Who’s to say
(You stay the same)
You can choose
(A different way)
Starting now
(Today)
[Refrain]
Just the same
(Escape from lame)
Well…
(Well, why live in hell?)
Rebirth
(Heaven on earth)
Let’s rise above
(And shine on love)
…shine on…
(And on and on)
Shine!
[Verse 2]
Lift another
(When they fall)
Open up
(You’ve got it all)
Kindness echoes
(Farther still)
Changing hearts
(Changing will)
Be the smile
(Start somewhere)
Know the answer
(Begins with care)
Plant tomorrow
(Today’s small seed)
Love is more
(Need not conceed)
[Final Chorus]
What changes
(If nothing’s tried)
Hope grows stronger
(From inside)
Take the chance
(Break the chain)
You don’t have to
(Live in pain)
[Final Refrain]
Just the same
(Escape from lame)
Well…
(Well why live in hell)
Rebirth
(Heaven on earth)
Let’s rise above
(And shine on love)
…shine on…
(And on and on)
Shine!
[Outro]
One more dawn
(One more song!)
Carry hope
(All along)
Shine on…
(And on and on)
Shine!
[Intro]
Hey now
(Look around)
Stand up
(From the ground)
Say it loud
(Feel it through)
If we try
(We can do)
[Verse 1]
We’ve been stuck
(In the wait)
Drawing lines
(That hesitate)
[Refrain]
We can do
(If we choose to)
What are we waiting for
(Oh, I dunno anymore)
So, I’m asking you
(What can’t we do)
’cause it’s true
(We can do)
[Chorus]
If we step out
(Of the gray)
We might find
(Another way)
Every “no”
(Can turn to “yes”)
If we lean in
(Not second-guess)
We can build
(What we imagine)
Turn the doubt
(To what can happen)
No more stall
(No more pause)
Just the will
(And the cause)
[Verse 2]
It’s not magic
(It’s the move)
It’s the rhythm
(That we choose)
[Refrain]
We can do
(If we choose to)
What are we waiting for
(Oh, I dunno anymore)
So, I’m asking you
(What can’t we do)
’cause it’s true
(We can do)
[Bridge]
In the moment
(We decide)
To stop waiting
(To stop the slide)
[Final Chorus]
We can do
(If we choose to)
What are we waiting for
(Oh, I dunno anymore)
So I’m asking you
(What can we do)
And the truth is
(We can do)
[Outro]
Step by step
(We break through)
One more try
(We can do)
Say it now
(It’s all true)
We can do
(If we want to…)
[Intro]
Ready?
(Steady)
One, two… you know…
(Let’s go!)
Here we come
(No we’re not done)
Sooo….
(Here we go!)
[Verse 1]
No more waiting
(No standing still)
Every moment
(A choice of will)
Take one step
(Then one more)
Open up
(Another door)
Momentum grows
(You’ll soon know)
Nothing happens
(If you don’t go)
[Refrain]
Heave ho!
(Let’s Go!)
You know
(Let’s Go!)
My freewill
(Can’t sit still)
Heave ho!
(Let’s Go!)
Let’s roll
(Let’s Go!)
Heart and soul
(Ready to roll!)
[Chorus]
Get on your feet
(Don’t delay)
The future starts
(Today)
[Verse 2]
No guarantees
(That’s alright)
We’ll find our way
(Through the night)
The road ahead
(Is ours to choose)
You’ll never know
(If you refuse)
Take the chance
(See it through)
The next move
(Belongs to you)
[Bridge]
Push ahead
(Don’t look back)
The last mile
(Makes the track)
[Breakdown]
Who’s ready?
(We are!)
Who’s moving?
(Go far!)
Who’s living?
(We are!)
So, you know…
(Let’s go!)
[Final Chorus]
Get on your feet
(Don’t delay)
The future starts
(Today)
One more step
(One more try)
Aim for tomorrow
(Reach the sky)
[Final Refrain]
Heave ho!
(Let’s Go!)
You know
(Let’s Go!)
My freewill
(Can’t sit still)
Heave ho!
(Let’s Go!)
Come on now
(Let’s Go!)
Onward still
(On with the show)
[Outro]
Ready?
(Steady)
One, two… you know…
(Let’s go!)
Here we come
(No we’re not done)
Sooo….
(Here we go!)
[Intro]
Who’s that there?
(Over there?)
Do you know?
(I swear…)
I’ve seen that smile
(Somewhere before)
Now I can’t remember
(Anymore)
[Verse 1]
Walked right by
(Caught my eye)
Had a laugh
(As time flew by)
Almost waved
(Then thought again)
Maybe we’ve
(Been long-lost friends)
[Refrain]
Who is that?
(What’s her name?)
Love to chat…
(But just the same)
What’s her name?
(I can’t recall)
Yet somehow
(I know it all)
Who is that?
(Looks so familiar)
What’s her name?
(I wish I’d remember)
[Chorus]
Hope tomorrow
(It will click)
Think my memory
(Needs a trick)
[Verse 2]
Funny how
(The mind can roam)
Searching through
(A crowded home)
Faces linger
(Names depart)
Still they leave
(A mark upon the heart)
Life’s a puzzle
(Piece by piece)
Some arrive
(Some quietly leave)
[Bridge]
If I ask
(Would it seem strange?)
Or is forgetting
(Just part of change?)
Either way
(I’ll say hello)
You never know
(Where friendships grow)
[Final Refrain]
Who is that?
(What’s her name?)
Love to chat…
(But just the same)
What’s her name?
(Perhaps she’ll say)
And we’ll laugh
(The day away)
[Outro]
Who is that?
(What’s her name?)
Maybe next time
(I’ll up my game…)
[Intro]
Time rolls on
(Every day)
Some arrive
(Some drift away)
Hold them close
(While you may)
[Verse 1]
Another laugh
(Fades from view)
Another story
(We once knew)
Pictures fade
(But not the smile)
They still walk with us
(Every mile)
We all know
(How this ends)
Still it hurts
(To lose our friends)
So today
(I’ll raise a glass)
To every soul
(Who’s wandered past)
[Chorus]
Oops…
(There goes another one)
Sad to say
(He’s on his way)
Oops…
(There goes another one)
Sad to say
(Another’s passed away)
[Refrain]
But, I won’t cry
(At least I’ll try)
Rather remember
(“In the day”)
…oh, how we loved to play…
[Verse 2]
Long summer nights
(Without a care)
Making memories
(Everywhere)
Running wild
(Through the years)
Trading laughter
(More than tears)
Though the seasons
(Come and go)
Love remains
(More than we know)
Every friend
(Leaves a spark)
Lighting up
(The growing dark)
[Bridge]
Here’s to every hand
(We got to hold)
Every joke
(That never gets old)
Every song
(We sang out loud)
Standing tall
(Among the crowd)
They’re not gone
(If they’re recalled)
Love outlives
(It all)
[Final Chorus]
Oops…
(There goes another one)
Life goes on
(Though hearts are torn)
Oops…
(There goes another one)
We’ll meet again
(Some brighter morn)
[Final Refrain]
But, I won’t cry
(At least I’ll try)
Rather remember
(“In the day”)
When the world
(Felt young and free)
And all our friends
(Were here with me)
…oh, how we loved to play…
(All night into the day)
[Outro]
One more smile
(One more song!)
In our hearts
(They still belong)
About the Song
Today’s new release, “Oops,” is a tribute to two dear friends, David Rowan and David Mantz.
The song isn’t about loss as much as it is about the joy they still bring to mind whenever I think of the times we spent playing music together. There’s something special about adults who never lose the ability to play—and to play nice.
Although they’ve moved on to a higher vibration, they still have me smiling every time I pick up an instrument. Through the wonders of modern technology, I tried to recreate a little of those improvisational jam sessions by playing acoustic guitar, electric guitar, vibraphone, organ, and synthesizers together in one performance.
The jam never really ends.
One more song, my friends.
[Intro]
Walking by
(Without a sound)
Another face
(In the crowd)
A new story
(Starts somewhere)
Even if
(No one stares)
[Verse 1]
No headlines
(No parade)
Just another
(Unknown name)
Passing quietly
(Through the day)
Trying hard
(To find a way)
People wonder
(Who you’ve been)
Never seeing
(Where you’ve been)
Each stranger
(Holds a page)
Still unwritten
(With passing age)
[Refrain]
Do you know
(Jane Doe)
Anonymous
(…to the rest of us)
Jane Doe
(Where did you go?)
Tryin’ to blend in
(Again… again…)
[Verse 2]
Different roads
(Same blue sky)
Different dreams
(Same asking why)
Some are noticed
(Some pass through)
Yet all heartbeats
(Ring as true)
Behind the silence
(Is a song)
Waiting for
(Someone along)
To say hello
(Or ask your name)
Before tomorrow
(Changes the game)
[Bridge]
Not forgotten
(Just unknown)
Searching for
(A place called home)
Within the crowd
(Hides a friend)
A new story
(Can begin)
[Final Refrain]
Do you know
(Jane Doe)
Anonymous
(…to the rest of us)
Jane Doe
(Where did you go?)
Tryin’ to blend in
(Again… again…)
[Outro]
One more face
(One more name)
No two stories
(Quite the same)
Somebody’s gotta know…
(Jane Doe)
[Intro]
Where was I?
(You tell me)
Lost my train
(Of memory)
[Verse 1]
Had a thought
(It slipped away)
Maybe it’ll
(Return someday)
Walked into
(Another room)
Forgot the reason
(All too soon)
Looking high
(Looking low)
Where it went
(I don’t know)
[Refrain]
I’m drawing a blank
(…and who do I have to thank?)
Nobody but “Me, myself, and I”
(…so, all I can do is try)
Search my brain
(One more time)
Maybe it’ll
(Fall in line)
[Chorus]
Almost had it
(There it goes!)
Right beneath
(My very nose)
Close enough
(To almost see)
Then it waves
(Goodbye to me)
[Verse 2]
Made a list
(Lost the page)
Guess that’s just
(The latest stage)
Names and places
(Come and go)
Some come back
(Soft and slow)
If I laugh
(I’m okay)
Maybe it’ll
(Return someday)
[Bridge]
Memory’s funny
(So they say)
Playing hide
(And seek all day)
No use getting
(Upset or blue)
Smile…
(And start anew)
[Final Chorus]
Almost had it
(There it goes!)
Floating where
(Nobody knows)
I’ll keep searching
(Through the fog)
One more page
(In the log)
[Final Refrain]
I’m drawing a blank
(…and who do I have to thank?)
Nobody but “Me, myself, and I”
(…so, all I can do is try)
One more chance
(One more day)
Maybe it’ll
(Find its way)
[Outro]
Had a thought…
(There it went…)
Oh well…
(Next attempt!)
[Intro]
Where was I?
(I forget)
What was next?
(Not yet)
Faces blur
(Names disappear)
Was I ever…
(Really here?)
[Verse 1]
The morning
(Starts anew)
Looking for
(A missing clue)
Pictures hanging
(On the wall)
Feel familiar
(That’s all)
Conversations
(Fade away)
Yesterday
(Becomes today)
Now the answer
(Slips the frame)
Leaving only
(A first name)
[Chorus]
I can’t retain…
(No, can’t remember my name)
Won’t be the same
(Woe, can’t remember my name)
[Refrain]
Ahh, ahh, ahh
(Must have amnesia)
No, no know
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Ahh, ahh, ahh
(Must have amnesia)
Where’d it go?
(I don’t know)
[Verse 2]
Keys are missing
(So’s the door)
Have I been
(Here before?)
Voices echo
(Down the hall)
I can hear them
(But can’t recall)
The mirror shows
(A familiar face)
But memory
(Leaves no trace)
Trying hard
(To reconnect)
Only find
(A static effect)
[Refrain]
Ahh, ahh, ahh
(Must have amnesia)
No, no know
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Ahh, ahh, ahh
(Must have amnesia)
Where’d it go?
(I don’t know)
[Bridge]
Guess my memory
(Is like the tide)
Rolling out
(Then back inside)
[Breakdown]
Who am I?
(I don’t know)
Where’d I go?
(I don’t know)
Still I’m here
(That’s enough)
Holding on
(Through the fog)
[Final Chorus]
I can’t retain…
(No, can’t remember my name)
Won’t be the same
(Woe, can’t remember my name)
Still I smile
(Just the same)
Even if
(I’ve lost my name)
[Final Refrain]
Ahh, ahh, ahh
(Must have amnesia)
No, no know
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)
Ahh, ahh, ahh
(Must have amnesia)
Where’d it go?
(I don’t know)
[Outro]
Where was I?
(I forget)
What comes next?
(Not yet)
[Intro]
Who… (me?)
Come… (see!)
[Refrain]
Who… (me?)
Come… (see!)
Who… (me?)
New… (we!)
Come see…
(What we’ll be)
[Refrain]
Who… (me?)
Come… (see!)
Who… (me?)
New… (we!)
Come see…
(What we’ll be)
[Bridge – Breakdown]
Who… (me?)
Come… (see!)
Who… (me?)
New… (we!)
Come see…
(1, 2, 3)
Set yourself free!
[Outro]
Who… (me?)
Come… (see!)
Who… (me?)
New… (we!)
Come see…
(What we’ll be)
[Intro]
One note…
(Can begin)
One smile…
(Let it in)
Heed the call… come all!
(Find your groove)
Here’s your chance
(To make your move)
[Verse 1]
Hear the melody
(From the start)
Guess the title
(From your heart)
No one’s keeping
(Any score)
We’re just here
(To ask for more)
Young and old
(Everyone)
Sharing music
(Just for fun)
[Refrain]
The game:
(Name…)
That tune
Comin’ to a town near you
(Soon)
You can dance and sing, too
(Let love bloom!)
Sing along:
(The name of the song)
“Let Love Bloom”
[Chorus]
Can you name it?
(First few bars)
Doesn’t matter
(Who you are)
Take a chance
(Sing it through)
The next voice
(Might just be you)
[Verse 2]
Pass the microphone
(Down the line)
Every chorus
(Sounds just fine)
Laugh together
(Miss a word)
Every harmony
(Still gets heard)
Music travels
(Far and wide)
Bringing strangers
(Side by side)
One good song
(Can make room)
For a little more
(Love to bloom)
[Bridge]
No wrong answers
(No defeat)
Just more people
(Meeting beat)
Come on! Let love!
(Bloom)
Let love…
(Rise above)
[Final Chorus]
Can you name it?
(Sing it loud!)
Join the music
(Join the crowd!)
The chorus
(Fills the room)
Helping hope
(And love to bloom)
[Final Refrain]
The game:
(Name…)
That tune
Comin’ to a town near you
(Soon)
You can dance and sing, too
(Let love bloom!)
Sing along:
(The name of the song)
“Let Love Bloom”
[Outro]
One more song
(One more smile)
Stay awhile
(Spin the dial)
When the music
(Fills the room)
Your heart
(Can let love bloom)
[Intro]
Ring, ring…
(Pick it up)
Hello?
(What ‘sup?)
[Verse 1]
Call me friend
(Call me pal)
Call me anytime
(I’ll answer the call)
Call me lucky
(Call me blessed)
I’m still trying
(To do my best)
You can call me crazy
(Call me a fool)
I’d rather laugh
(Than play the fool)
[Refrain]
You can call me
(Or hesitate)
But you can’t call me…
(Late!)
Can you relate?
(I’ve been there, too)
… how ’bout you?
What’s your move?
(What’ll you do?)
[Chorus]
Call my name
(I’ll reply)
Wave hello
(As you pass by)
Life’s too short
(To wait around)
Better speak
(Than make no sound)
[Verse 2]
Call me hopeful
(Call me kind)
Call me when
(You’ve changed your mind)
Call me laughing
(Call me free)
Call me just
(To talk with me)
No wrong number
(If you care)
There’s always room
(For one more chair)
[Final Chorus]
Call my name
(I’ll reply)
Raise your voice
(To the sky)
Life’s too short
(To hesitate)
Just don’t call me…
(Late!)
[Final Refrain]
You can call me
(Or hesitate)
But you can’t call me…
(Late!)
Can you relate?
(It’s worth a try)
Give me a call…
(By and by!)
… bye-bye
[Outro]
Why say goodbye?
(Hi, hi, hi!)