Open Windows
The first time I played this song to our drummer , Lee, he said it sounded like a suicide note. He equated the term , "letting go" with dying. I meant the exact opposite . It was about getting stuck, starting over, and realizing that you do have the power to change. I'm not sure how much choice we really have in our lives, but if all powers of mind and soul , along with a strong support community is involved, I do believe you can change direction. I've seen it in myself and others too many times to deny it. …
"every open window makes you cry "
I think thats probably one of the best lines I've ever written. To me it totally sums up depression. Its one of those few times when I feel that I really nailed it. Really found a way to express a universal emotion. The most frightening thing about a deep funk is that you do see ways out of it but you can't act, it's like you're frozen.
I've felt it , I think everyone has felt it. So trapped , so caged . so immobilazed that any glimpse of happiness or freedom made you cry. And although somehow you know the change you have to make, its impossible to do it. Johnny G did an excellent job on production, he often said it reminded him of his favorite band Yes. I don't reall y hear that. But I know it was a truly magical session.
Johnny and John Garwood are both huge Prog-Rock fans and both I think did incredible work on this song.
Click Here, Give it a listen and let me know what you think.
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OPEN WINDOWS
Letting go’s the hardest part,
It’s easy just to stay, another day.
Holding on is killing you,
Clinging to the things that never let you sing
‘Til every open window makes you cry
IT’S UP TO YOU
ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THE CHANGE
ONLY YOU CAN TURN THIS SUNLIGHT
INTO DAYLIGHT, INTO NEW LIFE,
INTO DREAMS
You always thought they’re come a day,
When steppin’ from the haze,
Everything would change.
Tryin’ hard to carry on,
Even you can not believe
the beauty that you see
IT’S UP TO YOU
ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THE CHANGE
ONLY YOU CAN TURN THIS SUNLIGHT
INTO DAYLIGHT, INTO NEW LIFE
INTO SONGS I HEARD WHEN I WAS YOUNG HOLD ME NOW
GIVE ME WINGS TO FLY ABOVE
ALL THE SORROW
It’s up to you.
Another Successful Breakfast
I think this song will stick with me for life. It seems to be the one people really remember. It was totally autobiographical and kind of a diary entry , pretty much unedited. I'd been in LA for about a year and was realixing what a long way it is not only to the top but to even making a living at music. I remember walking around with absolutely nothing and wondering how everybody got so situated. They all seemed to have huge houses , lucrative jobs and glamourous lives and looked at me like, how charming , someone who wants to play the homeless poet to entertain us. I really didn't understand that I was in the entertainment business, I was trying to unburden myself of ideas, or connect with like minds and make statements, . Probably why I refused to sign anything. It always seemed like I would be signing my soul away. It is pretty absurd to be smack dab in the center of a world based on illusion actually ernestly looking for answers.
Miracle Mile
For some reason this ancient song went running through my mind today. I think I was trying to be Springsteen at the time and write a triumphant story of desperate characters lost in a world they couldn't understand. But It came out all garbled and weird . Something about a "Portable Girl" and a "rabit vacation". Well I guess these are pretty cool images, especially the "rabit vacation". If there are any psychoanalysts in the readership , I'd love to get a rundown on this……
Miracle Mile
My portable girl took a rabit vacation
Borrowed someone's car and took off across the nation
Haven't heard from her in quite a long time
Dangerous Dad was dealing with the problem
Lost the only woman that had ever tried to love him
So he ran through the streets where the people don't smile
Searching for his daughter on a Miracle Mile
Portable Girl met a Dangerous Dad
They were having such a good time the waitress got mad
She'd been working all night to support her child
She never understood it was a Miracle Mile
Miricle mile is waiting down the road
Miracle Mile won't be there when you get old
The road is calling , The chips are falling , Its gonna be fine on a Miracle Mile
It don't call out to non-believers
You need a little faith if you're gonna be leaving
You look to the sky and step on the gas
You realize all those bad times are passed
Miracle Mile is waiting down the road
Miracle Mile won't be there when you get old.
Stuart Pearson is responsible for the arrangement on this , and he did an increbible job geting the "lost parade turned triumphant" sound. Rory Anton is doing a great job on guitar and his friend John from John's Guitar and drum shop is playing some fantastic drums. I think Rick Elias is in there somewhere, at least I remember him being there. And the funniest moment of all was in the middle of our drunken studio revelry Stu dumped a huge cup of coffee all over the board. Quite possibly why we could never work in San Diego again.
