These lyrics pay homage to my young musical experience through several direct references to specific friends and situations. Musically, I wanted to write a song in the style of Gentle Giant.
lyrics
I’m in the high school now
I’m in the band…
I think I know another Mann:
“Hey, do you want to play with me?”
“We could be the next
Real big beat band, I guess
If we just find the right people to impress.”
One and two and three and…
We’re marching onward
Now we’ve got another!
One and two and three and…
To nowhere… aboard
We have become brothers.
One and two and three and…
A big ship ablaze
We will sail this summer.
One and two and three and…
With our art always.
Can’t you see our fire?
We will be brilliant, just wait.
O, can’t you see our lightning?
We will make a big boom, just you wait.
O, can’t you hear our thunder?
I see another boy,
He’s annoying…
Yes, but he is so goddamn good:
“Guy, do you want to play with me?”
“You think that we could
Record ten songs, a day
If we just find the right meter and métier.”
One and two and three and…
We’re marching onward
Now we’ve got another!
One and two and three and…
To nowhere… aboard
We have become brothers.
One and two and three and…
A big ship ablaze
We will sail this summer.
One and two and three and…
With our art always.
Can’t you see our fire?
We will be brilliant, just wait.
O, can’t you see our lightning?
We will make a big boom, just you wait.
O, can’t you hear our thunder?
What about my good friend,
His name is JAC?
And then there is William
Jacobs, names are many.
What about Sir Nelson
And Joe too, and Jodi?
What about the Daddy
Who just kept on working?
What about our “shark tales”
And long hair and laughing?
What about our theft-desk,
And Spanish song-playing?
What will become of it
When we’re grown and aging?
I don’t know, now, no.
I met a younger man,
His name A-Ron,
And on the bus he came to me and said:
“Do you want to play with me?”
“We could make a buck,
Yes, even if we suck,
If we just find the right set and start today!”
One and two and three and…
We’re marching onward
Now we’ve got another!
One and two and three and…
To nowhere… aboard
We have become brothers.
One and two and three and…
A big ship ablaze
We will sail this summer.
One and two and three and…
With our art always.
Can’t you see our fire?
We will be brilliant, just wait.
O, can’t you see our lightning?
We will make a big boom, just you wait.
O, can’t you hear our thunder?