"Impressions"
Album Notes
1 CONTINUUM
Instrumental
2 CAMERINA GUTIERES ​​​​​​​​​​​​
A while back I was walking through an old Mexican cemetery on a hot summer morning. I came across a grave with a straw hat sitting on top. People are skeptical when I tell them I felt a sudden and sustained chill... as if walking past an open refrigerator. Touched by Camerina?
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Down in old Mexico
There's a tale everybody knows
Whispered like a shame and sin
Blowing in the wind
Since her death she lives
Under their breath
And her spirit just won't rest
Like the old man says
They've been touched
By Camerina Gutieres
There's a chill in the sultry air
When Camerina's there
You'll feel the telltale sign
Up and down your spine
Some blame it on that
Old straw hat
Lying on her grave
Like the old man says
They've been touched
By Camerina Gutieres
So if you have a chance to go
To La Penita, Mexico
Just off that deadly mountain road
Where she died so many years ago
Camerina will make
You shiver and shake
Just standing by her grave
It's like the old man says
They've been touched
By Camerina Gutieres
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3 YOU WON'T HAVE TO WONDER
Someone suggested that people “in love” are on their best behavior in the hope that the other won’t notice their flaws before really getting to know them. “And," this person noted, "they’re horny.” Well, yes, but it just takes time to see if people can accept those flaws and inherent differences. In the end, it's all a dance about taking a chance. When dating, it's best to remember that, more often than not, things won't work out.
I poured my heart and soul
Into my love for you
I never stopped to wonder why
I felt so sad and blue
You played the part of a tender heart
When it best suited you
You watched as I would go on and on
And play the perfect fool
(Chorus)
Now I won't cry anymore
And you won't have to wonder
Why anymore
I always wondered why
I had to beg for your time
I guess you knew I was yours
But you were never mine
Making plans or just holding hands
Seemed to put you on the spot
You played the game just long enough
To feel trapped but never caught
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4 IN MY ARMS
If you’re lucky to have a special person in your life who cares and takes notice when you’re feeling a little roughed up by life, it reminds you that working through the dating process can be well worth it in the end.
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Is there a place where you can go
Where you're not ill at ease
Always eager to please
Where you can just be yourself
And not act like everybody else
Is there a place to ease your mind
Where you've got nothing to prove
They care enough about you
And all that you say and do
To bring out all the best in you
(Chorus)
"In my arms you silly boy,"
She whispered
"It's us against the world
Don't you forget it mister
I need as much as you need me
Now get up before you hurt your knees"
Is there a place where you can go
Where there's no need to hide
Your feelings inside
With no one there to confide
Someone to share this crazy ride
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5 MARCH OF THE LEAF CUTTERS
Instrumental
I first encountered this fascinating life form during a night tour in Belize. To see how they work together and march long distances for food and the good of their “communities” is a worthwhile lesson.​
6 THANKS BUT NO THANKS, DOC
My list is long of the things I’ve avoided for health, safety or who knows what reasons, which would all fall by the wayside if told my days are numbered.
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We can't quite tell
Just what it is you've got
But you've gone from bad to worse
And it's worse than I thought
I give you five maybe six months tops
Before we know all hope is lost
Do as I say and lay
Off that Thunderbird wine
And you just might buy your self
A little more time
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(Chorus)
I said, "Thanks but no thanks, doc
The least I can do is make the most
Of the time I've got
I'm not winding down I'll paint this town
What's the sense in cryin'
Maybe I'll just beat this thing
Without even tryin'"
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I'm gonna smoke and toke
Till I draw my very last breath
Eat Krispy Kremes
Like I'm hooked on crystal meth
I've got a list of things
I haven't done yet
Things you'd never do on a bet
I'll fly to Montepulchiano
Just to watch the sun set
Tuscan dreams are the ones
You never forget
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Think I'll sell the house
And buy a '63 Stingray coupe
Roar down that Dragon's Tail
In my birthday suit
I'll lead the cops
On a high-speed chase
Try to keep just one
Foot in my grave
If things go south
Before my day in court
Tell the judge I caught a flight
To the last resort
7 GETTING PAST OUR PAST
A song about a guy who needs to take drastic
measures in order to have a change of heart
and finally admit that the object of his affection
is just not taking things seriously.
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I'm through looking for ways
To get along
I need just one more chance
To take us down
For her we're just a way
To pass the time
But that's never been enough
To her off my mind
(Chorus)
I'm on a mission
To kill the beast
Bring out the worst
In you and me
It's my one last chance
To make it through
And do away with you
I'll take her out on a Saturday night
Have a few drinks
Then I'll pick a fight
I'll make damn sure
to do it just right
Put an end to the way
That she keeps me
Up all night
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8 THIN VEIL OF DECEIT
This is like a followup to a song on my last album called "The Urge to Do the Wrong Thing." We've probably all been guilty of going through great lengths to hide our flaws and mistakes at one time or another. It’s human nature but ultimately, you’re just kidding yourself more than anyone.
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White lies and misdirection
All too often it's the case
The truth gets lost in things we do
To help us save face
It's such a thin veil of deceit
When we let our foolish pride
Help us find excuses
For the things that we can't hide
(Chorus)
Such a thin veil of deceit
You can run but you can hide behind
A thin veil of deceit
That voice that you hear
In the back of your head
Calls into question
Something you just said
So watch your tongue
You better watch your step
Fraud by self-deception
Robs the soul
And starves the head
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9 THE TROUBLE WITH YOU
It might be the way you dress or part your hair or drive or myriad other things that let you know you’re more a source of someone’s frustration than undying affection. Learn to take a hint.
(Chorus)
The trouble with you
You're always tryin' to change me
Make me think that maybe
I'll just make it on my own
You deconstruct and rearrange me
I get the feelin' that maybe
I'm better off alone
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It's gotten to the point
Where I might disappear
I can't even recognize
That stranger in the mirror
Everything I do or say
Rubs you wrong these days
Maybe I'll just go away
Take what's left of me
And go away
When we first met
It seemed that I could do no wrong
You the music, me the words
To the perfect song
Now it seems they're just
The good old days
Maybe I'll just go away
Take what's left of me
And go away
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10 WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT LOVE?
Yes! Yet another relationship song! Guess they're long-hanging peaches when you're searching for something to write about. This one is about talking someone jaded by bad love into thinking that in the end, it’s all worthwhile.
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(Chorus)
What's so special about love?
That touchy-feely
Not my really
Kind of stuff
You make it seem like you
Can't get enough
But what's so special about love?
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I see your point
But I'll tell you friend
Love is gonna get you in the end
The touch of her hand
And her sweet kiss
Become things that are
Too good to be missed
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You say love can die
And be untrue
A mess that always
Gets the best of you
But true love tries
And makes it all worthwhile
And that's why love
Never goes out of style
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11 DOWN AND UP, UP AND DOWN
This is a gentle jab at some of today’s pop stars who are having great success in going great lengths to express their internal trauma over broken relationships—sometimes with not-so-veiled references to their dastardly old lovers. It’s like shared therapy for them and their emotionally charged young listeners.
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They tell me that I sing
Like I can't catch my breath
Maybe I'm just running out of you
Since our untimely death
I'm at a loss for words
You might never have guessed
The way I ramble on and on it's always
"Oh, please, just give it a rest"
I'm into boys, I'm into girls
I can't make up my mind
Why can't you just wait
For me to decide
(Chorus)
Down and up, up and down
Join us for our traveling
multi-city merry-go-round
Down and up, up and down
Therapy tailored
To the beat of our sound
This smells like teen spirit
But I'm going on 32
I'm working like the devil
To get through to you
We all feel so empty and disillusioned
That's what friends are really for
My every disappointment
Seems to strike a chord
Some might start to wonder
Do I kiss and tell little white lies?
Do I shade the truth
Just to make it all rhyme?
(Chorus)
Down and up, up and down
We'll all unload our baggage
When we get to your town
Down and up, up and down
Like therapy tailored
To the beat of our sound
12 THIS FAMILY
I wrote this one a while back and took my sweet time committing it to a recording. Some of the sentiments are genuine and relevant to my childhood family, with the ending suggesting that the years haven’t been kind to those relationships or improved them in any meaningful ways. It is what it is. Maya Angelou once said, “Family isn't always blood, it's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.'' But they were important once, and helped shape who you are.
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This family
Thrives on its memories and its past
This family likes to talk and laugh
But those feelings never seem to last
And this family
Just goes through the motions to get by
God help this family
Before it dies
And this family
Is starved for affection at its core
This family likes to talk itself
Into believing nothing's wrong anymore
And this family
Has mastered the illusion and disguise
God help this family
Before it dies
(Bridge)
I'm sick and tired
Of the games we play
The push and shove
Until we get our way
Will someone tell me
What it's going to take
To find a way around
The same mistakes
This family
Competes for the love in mother's eyes
This family just goes out of its way
To cut each other down to size
And this family
Will live to regret the way she cries
God help this family
Before it dies
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