bookmark_borderA Ray of Light

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Shimmering synth arpeggio, chiming guitar, pulsing bass]

[Verse 1]
Through the dark
(Do you see?)
A little spark
(Inside of me?)

Through the noise
(Hear that sound?)
Make a choice
(Turn it around)

[Pre-Chorus]
One little beam
(Can wake a dream)
One little thought
(Can change the plot)

[Refrain]
Do you see
(A ray of light)
We can be
(Let’s set it right)

Shine on
(And on and on)
Shine bright
(Be the light)
Incite
(Insight)
Alright!

Light up
Shine on
(And on and on)

[Psychedelic Jam I]
[Swirling guitar / synth / handclaps]

Light…
(Light…)
Light…
(Insight…)
See it…
(Feel it…)
Be it…
(Alright!)

[Verse 2]
When the shadows
(Stretch too long)
Find the rhythm
(Find the song)

When the road
(Goes out of sight)
Keep on moving
(Toward the light)

[Refrain]
Do you see
(A ray of light)
We can be
(Let’s set it right)

Shine on
(And on and on)
Shine bright
(Be the light)
Incite
(Insight)
Alright!

Light up
Shine on
(And on and on)

[Bridge]
Don’t wait
(For the dawn)
Make light
(And carry on)

Don’t hide
(What you know)
Let insight
(Glow!)

[Psychedelic Jam II]
[Extended instrumental — bass groove, wah-wah guitar, sparkling synth]

Incite!
(Insight!)
Ignite!
(The night!)
Alright!
(Alright!)
Shine!

[Final Refrain]
Do you see
(A ray of light)
We can be
(Let’s set it right)

Shine on
(And on and on)
Shine bright
(Be the light)
Incite
(Insight)
Alright!

Light up
Shine on
(And on and on)

[Outro]
Light up…
(Shine on…)
And on…
(And on and on…)

We just might…
(Be the light…)

Alright!

[Silence]
[End]

From the album “Full Blown“

bookmark_borderSo Long

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Bouncy acoustic guitar, light bass, handclaps]

[Verse 1]
Here we are
(And here we go)
Another song
(Another show)

Just in time
(To sing a rhyme)
Pick-up a beat
(To move your feet)

[Refrain]
This song…
(Is not so long)
No, not so long
(Not goodbye)
Not see you later
(Why not try)
A lover… not a hater
(And sing along:)
This song…
(Is not so long)

[Verse 2]
So long
(So wrong!)
Don’t make it sad
(It ain’t that bad)

A wave goodbye
(Can still be high)
A smile can say
(Come back someday)

[Pre-Chorus]
Don’t close the door
(We want some more)
Don’t turn away
(Just press replay)

[Refrain]
This song…
(Is not so long)
No, not so long
(Not goodbye)
Not see you later
(Why not try)
A lover… not a hater
(And sing along:)
This song…
(Is not so long)

[Bridge]
So…
(Long?)
So long!
(How long?)
Not very long!
(How long?)
Long enough
(To sing this song!)

[Break]
Not goodbye!
(No!)
Not farewell!
(Still dwell)
Not see you later!
(We here to cater)
We’re doing well!

[Instrumental Jam]
[Acoustic guitar / bass / handclaps]

So long!
(So long!)
So long!
(Not too long!)
So long!
(Along!)
Sing along!

[Final Refrain]
This song…
(Is not so long)
No, not so long
(Not goodbye)
Not see you later
(Why not try)
A lover… not a hater
(And sing along:)
This song…
(Is not so long)

[Outro]
So long…
Not goodbye…
(And, here’s why…)

One more song!
Sing along…
(And carry on…)

One more song!
(To sing along)

[Silence]

From the album “Full Blown“

bookmark_borderRosemary

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Dreamy acoustic guitar, soft electric shimmer, gentle hand percussion]

[Verse 1]
Walk through the garden
(What do you see?)
A little bit of heaven
(Growing wild and free)

Purple in the twilight
(Green beside the stone)
The scents taking flight
(With a mind of their own)

[Refrain]
Lavender
(And rosemary)
The splendor
(Scents carry)

(The scene:)
The dream
(Serene)
… know what I mean?

[Verse 2]
Rosemary remembers
(That’s what they say)
Old forgotten moments
(Drifting back your way)

Lavender is floating
(Through the evening air)
Close your eyes and breathe it
(There’s a dream right there)

[Pre-Chorus]
One breath
(Takes you there)
One scent
(Anywhere)

[Refrain]
Lavender
(And rosemary)
The splendor
(Scents carry)

(The scene:)
The dream
(Serene)
… know what I mean?

[Instrumental Jam]
[Psychedelic guitar / flute / swirling organ]

Rosemary…
(Remember me…)
Lavender…
(What a memory…)

[Verse 3]
No need for a picture
(No need for a word)
Some things aren’t explained
(They’re simply heard)

[Bridge]
Scents carry
(Through time)
Dreams wander
(Through mind)

A little bit of yesterday
(A little bit of now)
A little bit of tomorrow
(And we don’t know how)

[Final Refrain]
Lavender
(And rosemary)
The splendor
(Scents carry)

(The scene:)
The dream
(Serene)
… know what I mean?

[Outro]
Lavender…
(Rosemary…)
Carry me…
(Serene…)

The scene…
(The dream…)

… know what I mean?

[Silence]
[End]

From the album “Full Blown“

bookmark_borderDubious

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Skanking Electric Guitar, Deep Dub Bass, Organ, Piano, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
What’s that you say?
(Dubious!)
To all of us?
(Dubious!)

You don’t believe it?
(Nope!)
You need more evidence?
(Asking at the end of your rope)

Well…

Look around!
(Found to abound)

[Verse 1]
Somebody’s standing
With their fingers in their ears
Lack of understanding
(Building on their fears)

Saying:
“It’s all coincidence!”
(For fifty years?)

[Refrain]
Dubious
(To the obvious)
Doubtful
(Of it all)

Suspicious
(Due to cluelessness)
Vanity
(Versus reality)

[Verse 2]
“Maybe it’s the sun”
(Well… some)
“Maybe it’s the clouds”
(Less sum)

[Refrain]
Dubious
(To the obvious)
Doubtful
(Of it all)

Suspicious
(Due to cluelessness)
Vanity
(Versus reality)

[Verse 3]
You move the goalpost
(Again and again)
Ask for more proof
(Back to “Begin.”)

When the proof arrives
(You change the claim)
When the claim falls apart
(… rename the game)

“It’s too complicated!”
(So I’ll just berate it.)

“Models can’t predict!”
(Models aren’t perfect!)

“Scientists disagree!”
(No. Not really.)

“No!”

(“Know!”)

[Bridge]
Is doubt the same
As disbelief?
(No!)

Is uncertainty
The same as nothing?
(No!)

Does not knowing
Everything…

Mean we know
Nothing?

(Know!)

[Break]
[Dub Bass Drops — Organ Chords and Echoing Guitar]

Dubious…

(Dubious…)

To the obvious…
(Obviously)

Dubiously

(Due to cluelessness)

Obvious…

(… to all of us.)

[Drums return]

End of oblivious

[Band Hit]

OBVIOUS!

[Instrumental]
[Extended Dub-Reggae Groove — Echo Guitar, Organ Bubble, Saxophone and Deep Bass]

[Verse 4]
Vanity says:
“I know better”

Reality says:
“You’re getting wetter”

Vanity says:
“Don’t tell me”

Reality says:
“Look and sea”

Vanity says:
“I’m more mighty”

Reality says:
“Meet reality!”

[Refrain]
Dubious
(To the obvious)
Doubtful
(Of it all)

Suspicious
(Due to cluelessness)
Vanity
(Versus reality)

[Bridge 2]
Maybe tomorrow
We’ll know more

(More likely tomorrow the rain will poor)

Maybe the models
Will improve

(Maybe to prove…)
POOF!

The present
(Is the proof!)

[Final Refrain]
Dubious
(To the obvious)
Doubtful
(Of it all)

Suspicious
(Due to cluelessness)
Vanity
(Versus reality)

Dubious!
(Dubious!)

To the obvious!

Doubtful!
(Doubtful!)

But after all…
(reality calls!)

[Outro]
Dubious
(To the obvious)
Doubtful
(Of it all)

Suspicious
(Due to cluelessness)
Vanity
(Versus reality)

[Silence]

“Present Tense“

bookmark_borderBelieve It or Naught

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Bouncy synth bass, four-on-the-floor beat, handclaps]

[Intro]
Believe it or not…
(What?)
Believe it or naught…
(Oh, that.)

[Verse 1]
You can close your eyes
(And count to three)
You can tell yourself
(It’s not reality)

You can dance around
(The obvious)
But reality
(Still dances with us)

[Pre-Chorus]
Think it through
(Or don’t!)
Question why
(Or won’t!)
What you see
(May be)
More than what
(You want to be!)

[Refrain]
Believe it
(Or naught)
Conceive
(Reality)

Believe
(Beyond naive)
Believe it
(Or naught)

[Verse 2]
Facts don’t need
(A wedding ring)
Truth won’t care
(What songs you sing)

You can shake your head
(And say “Nope!”)
Reality
(Still has hope!)

[Break]
Believe it!
(Or not!)
Conceive!
(Reality!)

Believe it!
(Or naught!)
Naught!
(Nothing!)

[Verse 3]
If you doubt the ground
(Then don’t look down)
Can’t doubt the beat
(When you move your feet!)

You don’t have to know
(The whole damn plot)
Just don’t confuse
(What is with what is not!)

[Final Refrain]
Believe it
(Or naught)
Conceive
(Reality)

Believe
(Beyond naive)
Believe it…
(Or naught…)
… is all ya got.

[Outro]
Believe it…
(Or not…)
Reality…
(Dance it out!)

Believe it…
(Or naught…)
… is all ya got.
(Naught is all you’ve got)
[Fade out]
Naught is all you’ve got
(Naught is all you’ve got)

[Silence]

“Present Tense“

bookmark_borderCrude Costs

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Deep Sub-Bass, Swampy Electric Guitar, Low Piano, Organ, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Crude…
(Screwed!)

Costs…
(Loss!)

How much?
Well…
(Bloody hell!)

[Verse 1]
Down at the dock
(What’s that shock?)
Tanker in the water
(Sinking like a rock?)

[Pre-Chorus]
The tank didn’t sink
(The price did rise)
Look at that number
(Before your eyes!)

Surprise
(Surprise)

[Refrain]
Ya woulda thought
(The tank sank)
You’d be at loss…
(Crude costs)

[Verse 2]
Time-charter earnings
(That’s the score)
One point two million
(Dollars a day or more!)

[Refrain]
Ya woulda thought
(The tank sank)
You’d be at loss…
(Crude costs)

[Bridge]
Did the ship sink?
(What do you think?)

It’s just the cost
(That’s lost)

[Break]
[Drums Drop to Half-Time]
Sixteen…
Thousand…

[Pause]

One-point-two…
Million!

[Band Hit]

A DAY!
(In pay)

[Instrumental]
[Extended Swampy Guitar Solo Over Deep Bass, Organ and Driving Piano — Saxophone Answers With Short Bursts]

[Final Refrain]
Ya woulda thought
(The tank sank)
You’d be at loss…
(Crude costs)

Noo…
It was the cost
(That was lost)

[Outro]
Ya woulda thought
(The tank sank)
You’d be at loss…
(Crude costs)

Noo…
It was the cost
(That was lost)
[Deep Bass Hit]

Crude costs!

[Bass Hit]

[Silence]
[End]

About the Song
Oil Shipping Costs Explode: From ~$16,000 to More Than $1.2 Million a Day

The cost of transporting crude oil by the world’s largest oil tankers has reached extraordinary levels.

On the benchmark TD3C route — a 270,000-metric-ton Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) traveling from the Middle East Gulf to China — daily time-charter-equivalent (TCE) earnings have surged from roughly $16,000/day in 2020 to more than $1.2 million/day in September 2026.

That is not simply a large increase. It represents an extraordinary transformation in the economics of moving oil by sea.

“Present Tense“

bookmark_borderRage Age

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Driving Piano, Distorted Electric Guitar, Deep Sub-Bass, Organ, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Enter in…
(Enterin’)

Comin’ through…
(What’s it gonna do?)

Step right up!
(Watch it erupt!)

Welcome to…
(The Rage Age!)

[Verse 1]
See the river rise
(No surprise!)
Rolling fast…
(Watch it blast!)

The wind starts howling
(The roof is growling)
Clouds are churning
The whole sky’s burning

[Refrain]
Enter in
(Begin)
Entering…
(The Rage Age)

Raging river
(Does deliver)
Raging storm
(Is the norm)

The world stage
(It’s all the rage)
The Rage Age

[Verse 2]
Heat keeps climbing
(Time’s unwinding)
Rain comes sideways
(Flooding highways)

Thunder cracking
(No time backing)
Lightning flashing
Power crashing

[Refrain]
Enter in
(Begin)
Entering…
(The Rage Age)

Raging river
(Does deliver)
Raging storm
(Is the norm)

The world stage
(It’s all the rage)
The Rage Age

[Bridge]
Turn the page
(All the rage)

Is it whether?
(No, its weather)

Is it fate?
(No, too late)

It is us
(No need to discuss!)

[Break]
[Drums Drop to Half-Time]
Rage…
(Stage…)

River…
(Deliver…)

Storm…
(Norm…)

Norm…
(Warm…)

[Deep Bass Pulse]

Rage!
(Age!)

Rage!
(Stage!)

[Instrumental]
[Extended Electric Guitar Solo Over Driving Piano, Organ, Saxophone and Heavy Percussion]

[Final Refrain]
Enter in
(Begin)
Entering…
(The Rage Age)

Raging river
(Does deliver)
Raging storm
(Is the norm)

The world stage
(It’s all the rage)
The Rage Age

Enter in!
(Begin!)

Entering…
(The Rage Age!)

[Outro]
The Rage Age…
(All the world’s the stage)

Is it coming?

(Beyond near….)

It’s here

[Distorted Guitar Feedback]

[Silence]

“Present Tense“

bookmark_borderWild Ass Ride

[Silence]

[Instrumental Intro: Twangy Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Honky-Tonk Piano, Deep Sub-Bass, Organ, Drums, Percussion, Harmonica]

[Intro]
Whoa there, boy!
(Whoa!)
Easy now…
(Easy!)

I said he ain’t lame!
(More like insane!)

Look out…
You cannot pass…
(He’s a wild ass!)

[Verse 1]
Found him standing by the fence
(Lookin’ mighty innocent)
Big brown eyes
(Full of surprise)

Thought he’d take a little hay
(Thought he’d calmly walk away)
Put the saddle on
(And then he was gone!)

Dust came flying
(Cowboy crying)
Boots went left
(Hat went right)

I grabbed the reins
(He grabbed incite!)

[Pre-Chorus]
Round the corral
Round the bend
Thought this ride
Would never end

Kickin’ dust
Shakin’ hide
Hang on tight
For the wild ass ride!

[Refrain]
Can’t you see
(That donkey)
Is not tame
(No, h’s not the same)

… wild ass
(Can’t pass)
Get on that hide
(And, ride, cowboy, ride!)

Hold on strong!
(It’s a wild ass ride!)
Hold on long!
(You’re on a wild ass ride!)

[Verse 2]
He took off like a rocket
(No one could stop it!)
Through the gate
(Too late!)

No, can’t retain…
(Like a freight train)
Over the hill
(What a thrill!)

Past the barn
(Alarm! Alarm!)
Through the creek
(What a streak!)

I yelled, “Whoa!”
(He replied, “No!”)

He had a mind
Of his own
And apparently
A destination unknown!

[Refrain]
Can’t you see
(That donkey)
Is not tame
(No, he’s not the same)

… wild ass
(Can’t pass)
Get on that hide
(And, ride, cowboy, ride!)

Hold on strong!
(It’s a wild ass ride!)
Hold on long!
(You’re on a wild ass ride!)

[Verse 3]
He jumped a log
(I lost my shoe)
He crossed a bog
(I lost two!)

He spun around
(I saw the ground)
Then bucked up high
(I kissed the sky!)

I grabbed his mane
(He grabbed my pride)
We both went flying
Side by side

I landed soft
(Well… relatively)
He looked at me
(Quite disrespectfully)

[Bridge]
Is he wild?
(All the way!)

Is he tame?
(Not today!)

Does he know
(Who’s the boss?)

Well… I’m at a loss

He said…
(“Hay!”)

I said…
Hey! Hey! Hey!
(On a runaway)

[Break]
[Drums and Bass Stop]

Whoa…
(Ohhh…)

Easy…
(Easy…)

Good donkey…
(Good donkey…)

Good—

[Sudden Full-Band Hit]

ASS!

[Instrumental]
[Extended Honky-Tonk Piano and Twangy Electric Guitar Solo — Harmonica and Saxophone Join, Drums Building to a Galloping Groove]

[Verse 4]
Now the sun is going down
(Still no saddle on the ground)
Dust is settling
(Heart is rattling)

Finally he slows
(Thank the Lord!)
Looks at me
(Like he’s bored!)

I slide down
(What a sight!)
Both my legs
(Are not right!)

He gives a snort
(Then turns away)
Like tomorrow
Is another day

[Refrain]
Can’t you see
(That donkey)
Is not tame
(No, he’s not the same)

… wild ass
(Can’t pass)
Get on that hide
(And, ride, cowboy, ride!)

Hold on strong!
(It’s a wild ass ride!)
Hold on long!
(You’re on a wild ass ride!)

[Outro]
And I know…
(Oh, I know…)
Oh, no, no, no
(Alas)
Wild ass!

[Silence]

The new release of the day, “Wild Ass Ride,” is a song about life in the modern day… accidentally set to a retro-futuristic cowboy hootenanny.

Written and recorded with the same acoustic/electric Ibanez guitar. The honky-tonk piano is a Kurzweil, and the synth is a miniNova.

So grab hold of those extreme scenes in your own backyard—and ride, cowboy, ride!

“Present Tense“

bookmark_borderGone Berserk

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Distorted Electric Guitar, Deep Sub-Bass, Organ, Piano, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Something’s itchin’
(Twitchin’?)

Something’s wrong
(For how long?)

[Verse 1]
Started with a little
A little out of place
A tiny little glitch
With a smile on her face

[Refrain]
More than a quirk
(Gone berserk)
Filling the role
(… out of control)

[Verse 2]
The wheels keep turning
Faster every day
Somebody says
“It’s nothing…”
Then it gets away

The feedback starts feeding
The feedback again
A little acceleration
Becomes a violent trend

Round and round
And back around
The signal gets louder
Till it shakes the ground

[Refrain]
More than a quirk
(Gone berserk)
Filling the role
(… out of control)

[Verse 3]
Building up of pressure
Add more heat
Put into motion
Underneath your feet

The system finds a pathway
The pathway finds a groove
The groove becomes a highway
And everything starts to move

[Bridge]
Is it a quirk?
(Climate jerk!)
Is it a glitch
(Sure ain’t music)

[Break]
Quirk!
(Jerk!)

Berserk!
(BERSERK!)

[Instrumental]
[Distorted Guitar Riff]
[Deep Bass Pulse]
[Organ Stabs]
[Saxophone Screams]
[Drums Accelerate]
[Percussion Builds]

[Verse 4]
Now everybody’s running
But nobody knows where
The signal’s getting stronger
It’s hanging in the air

[Final Chorus]
Gone berserk!
(Gone berserk!)

Out of control!
(Out of control!)

Filling the role
(Filling the role!)

Taking its toll!

Gone berserk!
(Gone berserk!)

[Final Refrain]
More than a quirk
(Gone berserk)
Filling the role
(Out of control)

More than a quirk!
(More than a quirk!)

Gone berserk!
(GONE BERSERK!)

Filling the role…
(Out of control!)

[Outro]
Quirk…
(Shift…)

Jerk…
(Surge…)

Role…
(Control…)

More than a quirk…

Gone…

Berserk!

[Distorted guitar feedback]

[Silence]

Found on “Present Tense“
and
“Full Blown“

bookmark_borderOblivious

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Dark Piano, Deep Sub-Bass, Organ, Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Look around…
(And around and around!)
Anybody home?
(Hello?)
… do you know?

Anybody listening?
(Suggesting…)

Anybody seein’ this?
(Seein’ what?)

Exactly…
(It’s time we see)

[Verse 1]
The warning light is flashing
But nobody looks
The pages keep on turning
But nobody reads the books

The smoke is in the distance
The sirens start to sound
Everybody keeps on asking:
“What’s that noise?”
(As it’s all around!)

[Pre-Chorus]
Eyes wide open
(Mind asleep)
Standing at the edge
(The water’s deep)

Something’s happening
Right before our eyes
But somehow everybody
Seems surprised

[Refrain]
Is it just me… or are all of us
(Oblivious)
I mean… get serious
(About the oblivious)

… they’re dangerous
(To all of us!)
Oblivious

[Verse 2]
The scientist says, “Look!”
(We look away)
The numbers say, “Now!”
(We say, “Some other day”)

All in all declining
The carbon think is weak
The trouble keeps accumulating
While nobody wants to speak

“Everything’s fine!”
(Everything?)

Meanwhile the present
Becomes the future
One day at a time

[Refrain]
Is it just me… or are all of us
(Oblivious)
I mean… get serious
(About the oblivious)

… they’re dangerous
(To all of us!)
Oblivious

[Bridge]
Oblivious…
(To the obvious)

Are we?
(We are)
… oh how bizarre

Could it be…
(Certainly)

[Refrain]
Is it just me… or are all of us
(Oblivious)
I mean… get serious
(About the oblivious)

… they’re dangerous
(To all of us!)
Oblivious

Oblivious…
(To the obvious)

[Break]
Wake up!
(WAKE UP!)

What?
(What’s up?)

What’s happening?

Right now!
(Pow and wow!)

Right here!
(It’s clear!)

Present tense!
(In intense!)

[Instrumental]
[Deep Bass Groove]
[Distorted Guitar Riff]
[Organ Swells]
[Saxophone Screams]
[Drums Build]

[Final Refrain]
Is it just me… or are all of us
(Oblivious)
I mean… get serious
(About the oblivious)

… they’re dangerous
(To all of us!)
Oblivious

… we’re dangerous
(To all of us!)
Oblivious
(To the obvious)

[Outro]
Oblivious
(To the obvious)

What’s that?
(What’s what?)

That…
(That what?)

Right there!

[Pause]

Unaware

[Whisper]
Oblivious
(To the obvious)

[Silence]

From the album “Present Tense“

bookmark_borderPresent Tense

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Driving Organ, Acoustic Guitar, Deep Sub-Bass, Piano, Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Right now…
(Right here!)
Somehow…
(Raises fear?)

Not yesterday…
(Not tomorrow…)
Today
(Hence:)
Present tense!

[Verse 1]
Yesterday’s gone
Tomorrow’s not here
All the while tomorrow
Draws near

[Refrain]
Is the present tense
(Tense)
Is the state of the state
(Irate)

Are you presently tense
(In the present tense?)

[Instrumental, Psychedelic Jam Interlude, Percussion Solo]

[Verse 2]
The present is tense
When the pressure is high
Everybody’s watchin’
The numbers fry

[Chorus]
Present tense!
(Tense!)

What’s the state of the state?
(Irate!)

Present tense!
(Tense!)

What’s the state of the state?

Are we presently tense?
(Presently tense!)

Or just pretending
(Everything’s fine?)

Forever defending
(Me, my, mine)

[Bridge]
Is it a grammar lesson?
(Is it?)

Is it a state of mind?
(Bad habit?)

Is it the state of the state?
(Irate!)

Or all of the above?
(Have we forgot love?)

[Break]
Right now!
(Not later!)

Not before!
(Once more!)

Right now!
(Hence:)
Present!
(Tense!)

[Instrumental]
[Driving Piano Groove]
[Deep Bass Locks In]
[Organ Chords]
[Electric Guitar Riff]
[Saxophone Call and Response]
[Drums Build to Full Groove]

[Final Refrain]
Is the present tense
(Tense)
Is the state of the state
(Irate)

Are you presently tense
(In the present tense?)

Is the present tense
(Tense)

Or is it just the debate
(We communicate?)

Are you presently tense
(In the present tense?)

[Outro]
[Instrumental, Saxophone and Organ]
Is the present tense
(Tense)
Is the state of the state
(Irate)

Are you presently tense
(In the present tense?)

[Whisper]
(Hence:)
Are you presently tense?

[Silence]

From the album “Present Tense“

bookmark_borderForked Tongue

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Swampy Electric Guitar, Deep Sub-Bass, Organ, Piano, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Hear that hiss?
(Hit or miss?)

Talkin’ smooth to you
(Sounds so true)

Careful what you do…

[Verse 1]
One tongue says
“The climate’s changin'”
The other says
“There’s nothin’ to fear”

One hand points
At the rising water
The other says
“The evidence ain’t clear”

Talkin’ out both sides
That mouth is tw0-faced
Both far and wide
Is disgraced

A promise in the daylight
A different one at night
Say whatever fits
To keep the story right

[Pre-Chorus]
A little truth
(A little lie)
Look ’em straight
(In the eye)

Say it loud
(Say it strong)
But which side
(Which side’s wrong?)

[Refrain]
That snake
(Speaks with a forked tongue)
When all is said and done…
(Careful what you make)

[Verse 2]
“Drill, baby, drill!”
(Still?)
“Nothing’s going wrong”
(… same ole song)

“Just one more flood”
(Is that what he meant?)
Meanwhile the basement
(Is filling up with mud)

[Chorus]
Forked tongue!
(Which way’s it goin’?)
Forked tongue!
(What are ya knowin’?)

Say one thing
(Do another)
Tell the voter
(Another blunder)

[Refrain]
That snake
(Speaks with a forked tongue)
When all is said and done…
(Careful what you make)

[Bridge]
One tongue says
“Believe in me”
The other says
“Your eyes deceive”

[Break]
Hiss!
(Hiss!)

Snake bite!
(Might…)
Cause fright

[Instrumental]
[Swampy Guitar Riff]
[Organ Stabs]
[Deep Bass Groove]
[Saxophone Call and Response]
[Drums Build]

[Final Refrain]
That snake
(Speaks with a forked tongue)
When all is said and done…
(Careful what you take)

That snake…
(Is on the make!)

[Outro]
That snake
(Speaks with a forked tongue)
When all is said and done…
(Careful what you make)

[Snake hiss fades]

[Silence]

From the album “Present Tense“

bookmark_borderChanging

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Warm Organ, Deep Sub-Bass, Electric Guitar, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Spring came early…
(Or was it late?)
Summer stayed longer…
(Changing our fate)

Leaves started fallin’
Before they were due
Winter came knockin’
But nobody knew

[Verse 1]
The calendar said
It was time for the change
But outside the window
Things looked kinda strange

[Refrain]
The seasons
(Are changing)
Rearranging
(For what reasons?)

Arrive early
(Alive… barely)
Stayed late
(At any rate…)
Changing

[Verse 2]
Summer said
“I’m gonna stay for a while”
Autumn was waiting
With a puzzled-up smile

Winter showed up
Then wandered away
Spring couldn’t figure
Which month was today

[Refrain]
The seasons
(Are changing)
Rearranging
(For what reasons?)

Arrive early
(Alive… barely)
Stayed late
(At any rate…)
Changing

[Bridge]
Is it the weather?
(Or is it whether)
… we can get together

Is it the climate…
(Caused by the primate?)

Is it time…
(We saw the sign?)

[Break]
Early!
(Early!)

Late!
(Late!)

Wait…
(Wait!)

Too late?

[Instrumental]
[Extended Groove — Piano and Organ Lock Into Deep Bass]
[Electric Guitar Swells]
[Saxophone Call and Response]
[Drums Build]
[Percussion Rolls]

[Pre-Chorus]
The Earth keeps spinning
The seasons keep turning
The patterns keep shifting
The questions keep burning

What once arrived
At a familiar time
Is showin’ up early
Then falling behind

[Final Refrain]
The seasons
(Are changing)
Rearranging
(For what reasons?)

Arrive early
(Alive… barely)
Stayed late
(At any rate…)
Changing

The seasons…
(Are changing…)

The reasons…
(Enraging…)

[Outro]
The seasons
(Are changing)
Rearranging
(For what reasons?)

Arrive early
(Alive… barely)
Stayed late
(At any rate…)
Changing

For what reasons?

[Whisper]
Changing…

[Silence]

From the album “Present Tense“

bookmark_borderSun Dried

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Acoustic Guitar, Swampy Electric Guitar, Deep Sub-Bass, Organ, Piano, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Sun dried…
(Fried)
What a day…
(What a way)

Heat comin’ down
(All around)
No shade
(To be made)

[Verse 1]
Woke up this mornin’
The sun was already hot
Stepped outside
And forgot what I forgot
[Refrain]
Sun dried
(Fried)
… I tried

Shake n’ bake
(More than I can take)
Sun dried
(Fried)

[Verse 2]
Put on some sunscreen
Put on a hat
Tried to stay cool
But that was that

Fan blowin’ hot air
AC runnin’ thin
Open up the freezer
Just to stick my head in

[Chorus]
Sun dried!
(Fried!)
Baked up crispy
On the outside

Sun dried!
(Fried!)
Shake n’ bake
Till there’s nowhere left to hide

Sun dried!
(Fried!)
I tried…
(Oh, I tried!)

[Bridge]
Is it the heat?
(Could be… the humidity)

I dunno…
(But I’m startin’ to glow!)

[Break]
Shake!
(Bake!)

Shake n’ bake!
(Shake n’ bake!)

How much can you take?

[Instrumental]
[Extended Swampy Groove — Electric Guitar, Organ, Saxophone, Deep Bass, Drums]
[Drums build]
[Guitar bends]
[Sax answers guitar]
[Percussion intensifies]

[Final Refrain]
Sun dried
(Fried)
… I tried

Shake n’ bake
(More than I can take)
Sun dried
(Fried)

Sun dried!
(Fried!)

[Outro]
Sun dried…
(Sun dried…)

Fried…
(So fried…)

I tried…
(You tried…)

Shake n’ bake…
(Too much to take…)

Sun…
Dried.
(Nature cried)

[Fading drums and guitar]

[Silence]

From the album “Present Tense“

bookmark_borderMezzin’

[Silence]
[Instrumental Intro: Funky Electric Guitar, Piano, Warm Organ, Deep Sub-Bass, Drums, Percussion, Saxophone]

[Intro]
Say…
(Hey!)

I’m just mezzin’…
(Messin’?)

Mezzin’ with your mind
(Messin’!)

Say what?
(Guess you’ll come to find…)

[Verse 1]
I put a question
Where the answer should be
Moved the pieces
So you couldn’t quite see

Changed the picture
Turned it upside down
Now you’re lookin’
But you’re lookin’ ’round

[Refrain]
It’s true
(I’m mezzin’ with you)
Realize
(Mesmerize)

Open your eyes!
(Mesmerize)

[Verse 2]
A magician’s hand
Moves faster than the eye
Watch the left hand
While the right goes by

Smoke and mirrors
Sparkle and shine
A little sleight of hand
Can bend your mind

[Refrain]
It’s true
(I’m mezzin’ with you)
Realize
(Mesmerize)

Open your eyes!
(Mesmerize)

[Bridge]
I’m messin’ with you…
(Or am I?)

You’re messin’ with me…
(At least you try)

We’re messin’ with reality…
(Callin’ it calamity)

Our prize…
(Mesmerized)

[Break]
Open your eyes!
(OPEN YOUR EYES!)

Look!
(LOOK!)

Mistook
(What did you see?)

Lack of reality

[Instrumental]
[Funky Guitar Groove]
[Organ Swirls]
[Deep Bass]
[Saxophone Improvisation]
[Drums and Percussion Build]

[Final Refrain]
It’s true
(I’m messin’ with you)
Realize
(Mesmerize)

Open your eyes!
(Mesmerize)

It’s true!
(Mezzin’ with you)

Realize!
(Realize!)

Mesmerize!
(Open your eyes!)

[Outro]
I’m messin’…
(Mezzin’…)

[Fade out]
It’s true
(I’m mezzin’ with you)
Realize
(Mesmerize)

Open your eyes!
(Mesmerize)

[Whisper]
Open your eyes…

[Silence]

From the album “Full Blown“