So It Was
There's a reason they call these things "albums". They're snapshots of hope and heartbreak, of triumph and redemption, of pain and pleasure, of the future, of the past. For various reasons, this album took a few years to create. It started out as a single album, which is what most sane people do. But life got in the way here and there and delayed the process, and the songs kept piling up, and so, a double.
Each album is a journey, this one reflects the things I went through to get here. I changed alone the way and so did the songs. But in the end, they're all me.
And so it is.
This album wouldn't have been possible without the patience and support of guardian angels Ben and Jeremy; best friend Rich who's always there; Wyatt who stumbled in to the project and then wouldn't leave. And to those unidentified but not forgotten who inspired the lyrics or melodies. And to the many others who lent their time and talents and made each song that much better for it.
And so it was.
So It Was
Madelina sat alone and thought about the peonies
The garden she had tended in the sun
Water makes the flowers grow, a captivating grim tableau
She’ll pinch and pull and clip them one by one
Make peace with the rain
Learn the rules, play the game
Nothing ventured nothing gained
So it was and so it was
Madelina took a walk and stumbled on a harlequin
She made him dance by pulling on his strings
And all the while she pinched and pulled
And other forms of discipline
And cloaked in silk the sentimental things
(Like this)
Make peace with the rain
Learn the rules, play the game
Nothing ventured nothing gained
So it was and so it was
Roost upon a lacquered stool, a pinot gris her dinner date
She makes it look so easy from her perch
But underneath the grand veneer of things that others think are weird
She’s just a schoolgirl scheming in a church
And so it was, so it was
Think of Me
What stands before you is a man
Imperfect in his world
Who searches through the wider world
For his imperfect girl
They say that love true love comes to us
Just once upon a time
And only for a moment then
And always by design
I believe in second chances just not three or four
And did you really think your key would always fit my door
And if the fate that joins us then decides we won’t be we
Will you ever, ever think of me?
Then after you have settled in
To everyday’s routine
And life’s demands demand
A somewhat altering of dreams
The sparkle in her eyes for you
Has turned uncertain gray
And something in her kisses
Has the taste of vague betray
I believe in second chances, just not three or four
And did you really think your key would always fit my door
And if the fate that joins us then decides we won’t be we
Will you ever, ever think of me?
Open All Night
Tick tock, all the world around, about
Stars up, wondering what your life’s about
Seems like, something should be different this
Long drop, into life’s obscure abyss
Problems one by one
Call for attention in unison
Tock tick, feel the walls surrounding you
Tough break, dawn is still an hour or two
Where on else would you go when we’re open all night?
Who on earth would you call when I’m open all night?
Close call, almost found your secret out
Last horse, never was there any doubt
Wrong wine, thought you knew her preferences
Wrong kiss, not the time for romances
Problems, one by one
Call for attention, unison
Tick tock, feel the walls surrounding you
Tough break, dawn is still an hour or two
Where else would you go when we’re open all night?
Who on earth would you call when I’m open all night?
The Simple Things
I’ll never understand
How you could believe
Simple acts of kindness
Were somehow to deceive, believe
What went thru your mind
When laid on table bare
The things that I confessed to you
Did you really care?
The truth beneath the simple things
I touch your hand, you made me breathe
Second time around
This time we’ll get it right
All the old frustrations
Vanish in the night
But once the passion’s past
The work that lies ahead
You found that I’m not perfect
And easily misled
The truth beneath, the simple things
A kiss goodnight, a diamond ring
All you had do is just believe
And yet you found a way to leave
The work that lies ahead
You found that I’m not perfect
And easily misled.
Anytime You Want
Pinch me now and I’ll awake
Just how much all depends
Just how far can I run?
Into fire I’ll descend
All at once in a rush
You return from the edge
Glossy eyes in the dark
Rising up from my bed
You can still have me, anytime you want
Anytime you, anytime you want
And you can still have me, anytime you want
Anytime you, anytime you want
Every now and again
Wonder where you might be
Who will answer your door
Wonder who it might be
Pictures framed in the sun
Moments frozen in time
When I want to obsess
I pretend you’re still mine
You can still have me, anytime you want
Anytime you, anytime you want
You can still have me, anytime you want
Anytime you, anytime you want
It pains me now to say it
Don’t even know it’s true
But fate controls a longing
That leads me back to you
And you can still have me, anytime you want
Anytime you, anytime you want
You can still have me, anytime you want
Anytime you, anytime you want
If They Should Ever Meet
Started with a chance encounter
Over by the coffee counter
Overheard an order by mistake
Funny that’s his favorite drink
And he has the strangest kink
Did you feel a rumble and a quake?
If the two should ever meet
Though you’ve tried to be discreet
Would you be astonished or relieved?
Tell me what he likes to eat
And does he have enormous feet?
A funny way of smiling when he’s mad?
Could it be coincidence?
Could it be the same romance?
Or could it be I’ll move to Leningrad?
If they ever chance to meet
Jesus, that would be a feat
Trying to square impressions in your head
Patience, virtue, a little would hurt you
Words of wisdom
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven
All good children go to heaven
Riding on the tiger’s back
Master of the “sorta fact”
What the hell could possibly go wrong?
Something you’re entitled to
Every man needs one or two
Just don’t rely on living very long
If the two should ever meet
Though you’ve tried to be discreet
Would you be astonished or relieved?
Closer Now
Get a little closer now
Close enough to see inside yourself
And where you’ve been
Just a little closer now
Past the walls you’ve built around yourself
The heart within
Nobody understands the girl
Standing alone against the world
Living her life on her own
Trying to find her way home
Pretty little fragile child
Speaking to an audience of one
She comes undone
Clever little party girl
What’s the harm in trying to have some fun?
She comes undone
Nobody understands the girl
Standing alone against the world
Living her life on her own
Trying to find her way home
Get a little closer now
Can you free yourself from heartbroke fears
And wasted tears
Just a little closer now
This could be your chance to have it all
Without the fall
Maybe you can tell us what you saw
Understand
Mangled misconception, all the little lies
Sent along as helpful, cleverly disguised
Partial resolution, sleepless night ahead
Dreams and revelations
I’m beginning to understand
Standing in the moment, never to retreat
Run away from conflict, thinking with your feet
Later we’re pretending: “never happened here”
But what lies around the corner?
I’m beginning to understand
Late into the evening, as she reads herself to sleep
Dreaming of a world she understands
All the while the world she wishes, all within her reach
She’d only have to reach out for my hand
Can’t ignore the feeling, even though I’ve tried
Reaching for the phone instead of reaching down inside
Take a quiet moment, organize my heart
See to what’s important
I’m beginning to understand
Mangled misconception, all the little lies
Playing for position, cleverly disguised
Partial resolution, never quite complete
Wait until tomorrow
“So it Was”
Produced by and engineered by Greg Smith and Wyatt Eddy
All lyrics © Greg Smith
Musicians:
Greg: vocals, guitars, keys, drums
Rich Krents: drums
Lynn Grunza, backing vocals
Colin Wick: Sax
Antonio Forte: trumpet
Ben Smith: guitar
Jeremy Smith: guitar percussion