I formed a family band with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown.  We call ourselves BTI ("Beat The Impossible!").  I call back to the glory days of protest music, and he shows me how it’s done today in this song.  

Please note: this topic was so important to us that we created a web page to highlight modern political music.  It's an ongoing project for us.  If you make or appreciate relevant, topical music PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBPAGE:  https://lipsigb.wixsite.com/tuneupandsing
and pass the link to anyone you know who might want to get involved.  
REMEMBER BOB, REMEMBER JOHN, COME ON AND SING ME A PROTEST SONG!!!

LYRICS

The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind…

I always believed in the American Dream
That is was there if you just worked hard, for every race color and creed
Now take out inflation and we haven’t had raises here in 40 years
So what do you call that prosperity?

Nobody should ever have to want for a meal
But they line up at the schools each day ‘cause they can’t afford eat any other way
And some of those parents they’re working three jobs
How long are we gonna tolerate this pain before we decide that the answer’s plain

Remember Bob, Remember John - Tune up and sign me a PROTEST SONG
Bob’s not dead, and John’s not gone - Come on and sing me a PROTEST SONG

You don’t gotta be right, but you’ve still got to care
Don’t have to be all the way right or left, there’s plenty of space in the middle to share
And don’t say All Lives Matter, when you just mean your own
You can ask for what you need, without taking away the rights that we’re all owed

When everyone fights and nobody hears
The arguments just get loud, they dumb it all down, like that’s their career 
And if we’d all listen, we’d all get along
Don’t listen to the politicians, most folks opinions are not far off

    So grab your brother and hear what he says
    He wants you to know how hard his road is
    And yours is no different, we’re all getting’ kicked
    Let’s meet in the middle, that’s where our future is

Yea I don’t know bob, I don’t know John 
but I know Polo G, Trippie Redd, Roddy Ricch 
even 6ix9ine oop I take it back, yea A Boogie wit da Hoodie, 
Tee Grizzley, Lil Baby, YoungBoy, Trippie Redd, 
Calboy, Wenn er Rondo, Yung Bans, NLE Choppa 
take it back I show you, a revolution in your mind 
to bring your soul up and to keep your words true

You say you want a revolution?  Well you know, 
how many roads...

Copyright 2020 Brad Lipsig (BTI)

The Lockdown

Tune Up And Sing

I wrote and recorded an album with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown of 2020.  It's called The Lockdown.  These are 16 songs about family, written by a family.  

One sunny day in 2018, a baggage handler at Horizon Airlines stole a plane and took it for a ride.  It was his moment of glory, his first time flying, and his escape car from this world.  How he did it, why he did it, and what he meant by it are still mysteries.  But there is a rabbit hole you can go down to learn about him and what happened that day.  Just google the title of this song and you will see what we mean.  His last words struck a powerful chord with many people.  There is a lot to learn about what troubles our nation in this story. 

This song is for Richard Russell.  He was an outlaw, a beloved husband, a loving son and a folk hero to many.  We wish him peace and we sing these words to remember his life.  It was a life that mattered.  

LYRICS

Well you can say their life’s mundane
A lot of bags and plane delays 
You’ll buy ‘em root beer floats 
And tell ‘em not to blame the minimum wage  
Yeah, but you only hire the best 
You take ‘em halfway up in jest  
But then the joke’s on them
They never get to leave the nest, and
 
Their life takes a toll, it’s one barrel roll 
A $32 million dollar plane 
And one final story 
You couldn’t explain away
 
My life is like a jumbo jet, 
A lot of people love me, yet
I could just drop them off 
On some unlucky path that they’d regret
There was a time I was her man
I’m waking up at 5am 
Pursuing dreams that don’t cost money 
And don’t disappoint me, damn
 
The pilots above, I can’t lift this love, she’ll never get anything we
Worked for ‘cause that dreams a lie, its three bucks less, and why?  
 
Richard Russell learned to fly
But he took so long that it became his swan song
And if we’re only born to die
He’s gonna stick that back flip, go nose down and call it a night
 
Think of the violence then that came
We trained them all on video games
Whatever dream they dreamed was real
At least he kept it mostly sane
Was super normal so they say
Like it’s some super-power to relate
To other people 
Without crashing some huge plane
 
And if we don’t talk, we all know that walk
So many people want to blow it all up, 
‘cause it’s never gonna work out for most of us
 
And Richard Russell learned to fly 
But it took so long that I wrote his swan song
Don’t be afraid of how you’ll rise
‘cause they never brought you up to live in their skies
 
              AND WHEN I GET MY MOMENT OF SERENITY
              I’M GONNA SPEND IT ALL ON HANNAH AND BEE
 
Richard Russell learned to fly 
But it took so long that it became his swan song
We are only born to die 
But I lived his life, or what they called a plane heist 
And with all those taking lives 
Richard Russell only took back and stayed kind
Up on that Horizon
Richard Russell showed them all how to fly

Copyright words and music 2020 Brad Lipsig (BTI)

Richard Russell Learned To Fly

I wrote and recorded an album with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown of 2020.  It's called The Lockdown.  Come listen to 16 songs about family, written by a family.  

This is one of Stevie's "signature songs", where he freestyled (improvised) the lyrics over a static guitar riff.  Those signature songs were first featured on our acoustic e.p. Childhood.  All of the songs deal with issues affecting kids.  This song is not a drug song.  This song is about overcoming peer pressure, and being strong enough to make your own decisions.

Party Now

I wrote and recorded an album with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown of 2020.  It's called The Lockdown.  Come listen to 16 songs about family, written by a family.  

This song is Baby In A Crib.  It features stars our superstar cellist Polina Kermesh.  We follow Polina on Instagram at polinamusikerin and we encourage our fans to do the same.  

LYRICS

You’re a baby in a crib, here’s a lullaby, for a new generation of life 
Now it’s time for you to fall asleep, they’re all good days but so many hours straight 
You know I’ll be back in the morning, or any time you cry 

I’m gone it’s true, but I’m here for you, and that’s how life is 

You’re a baby in a crib, here’s a peaceful way to fall asleep 
It’s easy, catch some ZZZs, here’s a lullaby, for a new generation of life 
Look at you right now, red faced and wired, I know you’re tired, that’s why 
Sometimes we need to dim that light 

I know you speak sign language, and I only speak in rhymes 
Why don’t you love me in silence, let our hearts beat in time 
Hear my lullaby and don’t cry 

Here’s a lullaby, so please don’t cry, right now anymore when you hear this 
Bye, goodnight, my head is spinning, life is winning, look at you right now, 
I believe in you, you’ll change the world, I’m here for you, but you’ve got to learn 
It’s not goodbye, it’s just good night 

I know you speak sign language, and I only speak in rhymes 
Why don’t you love me in silence, let our hearts beat in time 

I’ll be back for you any time you rise, you know 
I’ll be back for you any time day or night, cause you’re my light 
But for now let’s just relax, fall asleep, catch some ZZZs, 
It’s not goodbye, it’s just good night, sleep tight it’s a lullaby, and good night 

Words & Music Copyright 2020 Brad Lipsig

Baby In A Crib

I wrote and recorded an album with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown of 2020.  It's called The Lockdown.  Come listen to 16 songs about family, written by a family.  

This is for my beautiful wife Anna, on our 25th anniversary.

LYRICS

How many souls will pass away – before they’ve seen 25 years?
How many great old songs couldn’t last that long, and slipped right by me?
I used to sing ‘em word for word – they always seemed to be about me 
But they just couldn’t stay, inside of me that way, that you stood by me 
 My voice may not be perfect, but you know I mean what I say
 It don’t make much difference who else is listening anyway
 ‘Cause I wrote this for you, and we wrote these 25 years
And look at all that’s come to pass – in these 25 years 
It’s like we dreamed it all, Large Medium & Small, we made ourselves a family 
Whatever more we get to dream, I know you’ll be standing by me 
I hope it never ends, you were my greatest friend, let’s just keep writing 
 My voice may not be perfect, but you know I mean what I say
 It don’t make much difference who else is listening anyway
 ‘Cause I wrote this for you, and we wrote these 25 years
We got no help but we owe no debt, and now we live without regret
And I can’t wait to see what’s comin’ next for you and me
We lived on love and made our boys, and how they filled our house with joy
And through their eyes there’s so much more to see
    But we wrote these 25 years
    And we wrote really fine years
    We wrote 25 years

Copyright Words & Music 2020 Brad Lipsig

25 Years

I formed a family band with my son Stevie (age 12) during the 2020 covid lockdown.  Those were dark and sadly divided days for our nation.  This is our prayer, for your family and ours, and for the country.  This song is is called The Lockdown.

Lyrics:

I can’t fight back anymore
We’re driving through crowds, mowing each other down
To get back to where we were before

The viruses that spread, 
remind me of hatred... when is the part 
where when get great again

If the virus don’t get you maybe your countrymen will

This is the lockdown, who owns the country, who owns the town?
This is the lockdown, I guess we’re all gonna find out now
Are you blue are you red?  Are you live are you dead?  
Are you lucky and safe?  Are you sad and amazed 
At just how frickin’ crazed everyone is these days, 
This is not what I wanted my sons to have

Murder hornets fly,
Stores closing down, no one goes out,
Kobe and Boz, both of them down

What chance for you and I,
Stay out of crowds, stay in the house,
Now it’s the hospitals where everyone dies 

And don’t watch tv, ‘cause this ain’t fake news, 
Our real sickness is showing now

This is the lockdown, who’s losing jobs, who’s funds are down?
This is the lockdown, two hundred thousand and counting now
Will you live, will you die?  Will your dad, will your wife,
Will your kids, will your friends, ‘cause when everything ends,
These were all of your reasons why
This is the lockdown

I can’t take much more, I can’t only lose
I can’t lose my job, and I can’t lose my cool, 
I can’t lift these burdens that are falling on you,
I can’t lose it all, and I can’t lose you too
This is the lockdown
 
Please keep us safe, please keep us strong 
I swear I’ll live better, just let me live long
I swear I’ll live faithful, I swear I’ll live true
But I still need more time, for the things I must do
 
This is the lockdown, this is just me and you  

Copyright words & music 2020 Brad Lipsig (BTI)

I wrote and recorded an album with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown of 2020.  It's called The Lockdown.  Come listen to 16 songs about family, written by a family.  

LYRICS 

I don’t mean to make you all reflective
But you know I’m a certified detective
I have a friend I knew quite well, looked like you but I can tell
Maybe from the smell, something here’s defective

   (Yeah you’re from hell)
Guess  I just assumed that you were loyal 
   (Yeah you’re from hell)
Didn’t know you thought that you were royal
   (you’re from hell)
If your highness doth bequeath, to take any other thing from me
I hope you make it the skin of my palm against your cheek

You’re an imposter, yeah yeah, 
you’re an imposter, yeah 
I can see from the teardrop on your eye, 
you’re a killer and our friendship’s left to die
Cause you’re an imposter, yeah yeah,
You’re an imposter, yeah 
I can see from the smouldering remains
That I’m gonna get nothing for my pains
(Yeah you’re from hell)
(Yeah you’re from hell)

This isn’t just some larceny that’s petty
Leaving you all red-faced and regretty
The inspector has your name
In his pad he wrote with shame 
This is murder, foul and repelling

None of my informants have shocked faces
They say you were always in two places 
I saw when I looked at you
Maybe I’ve been guilty too
Of just ignoring what everyone could see right through

Is it you, is it me, cause I’m down on my knees,
And its you with the gun, why would you be the one
Pushing me to the edge, we were always such good friends
When its old, when you’re done, do you cover your tracks, 
Do you simply move on, or were you never you, 
Did I just imagine you were true…?

Cause you’re an imposter, yeah yeah, 
you’re an imposter, yeah 
I can see from the teardrop on your eye, 
you’re a killer and our friendship’s left to die
Cause you’re an imposter, yeah yeah,
You’re an imposter, yeah 
I can see from the smouldering remains
That I’m gonna get nothing for my pains

Copyright Words & Music 2020 Brad Lipsig

Imposter

I wrote and recorded an album with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown of 2020.  It's called The Lockdown.  Come listen to 16 songs about family, written by a family.  

This song is about overcoming challenges, and getting stronger together.    

LYRICS

You could shine in the bright sunlight but you’re not a diamond are you? 
It takes years of weight, a continental plate, a whole ocean on you
And you can’t go down, go back to the ground, so the lightning and the thunder gotta do for now

When the atmosphere comes crashing down, drink deep of the rain or you’re gonna drown
‘Cause you’re only getting stronger from what’s pushing you down, if it don’t kill you 
 
If it keeps on raining, I just might find you
I ain’t hesitating, I’ll be by your side
But you win when you lose, and we’re better in two’s
And nobody else can pay your dues,
If it keeps on raining, we’ll be high and dry
 
Picture where there is nothing in the air but the dry warmth of sunshine
Whatcha think there could grow without a drink ‘cept a California fault line?
And we all need a flood and a drag through the mud, to relate to the pain of the others that remain
 
If the air gets cold we’ll be laying in the snow, but its never gonna happen with the heat that we throw
And we’re only getting’ stronger, but you need to go, and I still love you 
 
If it keeps on raining, I just might find you
I ain’t hesitating, I’ll be by your side
But you win when you lose, and we’re better in two’s
And nobody else can pay your dues,
If it keeps on raining, I’ll be back for you

Sing high, sing low, all the words that you know 
It’s a tune that you find when you’re leaving me behind
And the wind may howl but you’ll hear it anyhow
And it brings me back to you, and you can find me too
 
If it keeps on raining… 

Copyright 2020 words and music Brad Lipsig

The Atmosphere

I wrote and recorded an album with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown of 2020.  It's called The Lockdown.  Come listen to 16 songs about family, written by a family.  

We lost my sister May many years ago, when she was only 26 years old.  My wife Anna and my three boys were never able to meet her.  We wrote this song to say we miss her presence, and look forward to seeing her one day, far beyond.

Lyrics

What did you see and what did you miss?
My little boy came out and was kissed
I held him up towards the sky
And I hoped you could see 
And there were three by the time we were done
It wasn’t easy but man it was fun
With no regrets, except maybe one
And I know you’d agree

      Is just that time only knows how to fly
      You’re like a dream I replay in my mind
      Where we were only killing time
      But time killed too
      If I could make any wish come true
      I would share all of these things with you
      But you were gone too soon, too soon

When the daylight pores down on me
I feel the smile that I never did see 
We never met but we’re still family
And I hear that you’re strong, so strong
So please protect us, May, cause it’s hard
We get so scared but one day when we’re gone
We’ll be together up there far beyond
And though we missed everything down here,
We’ll make memories, you and me 
      
            I see a little bit of you in him, 
            Quite a bit of your mischief and that grin
            He makes me crazy and scared sometimes, just the way that you did
            I only can see my Dad in you,
            Cause I have to imagine you as you
            I see you up in heaven, beating hell and staying true

    Is just that time only knows how to fly
    You’re like a dream I replay in my mind
    Where we were only killing time
    But time killed too
    If we could make any wish come true
    We would share all of these things with you
    But you were gone too soon, too soon

Too Soon (May's Song)

I wrote and recorded an album with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown of 2020.  It's called The Lockdown.  Come listen to 16 songs about family, written by a family.  

This is the “Worldwide Remix” (album version) of one of our favorite songs, I Had A Dream.  For this song, we actually showed our DIY demo to over a dozen producers worldwide.  They were each gracious enough to come back with their own fully orchestrated versions of the song.  We then combined elements from each of their versions, to develop the final version you hear in this video.  

The guitar player you see in the break is Nyerhovwo Saint Akpojotor of Lagos, Nigeria.  He had the largest impact on the final version of the song you hear in this video.  He is known professionally around the world as Bluebird and he is available for production and instrumental gigs at https://www.fiverr.com/bluebirdsound

LYRICS
From the first day I was born, I had a dream
To be something someday
I’ve got twenty choices, and I don’t know what to go with
I’ve got a headache where my mind used to be
And I’ve been trusted with the choices that come to me
It’s a game of twenty questions, and I don’t know what to pick
If I choose the wrong one, can I go back to the list?
   When’s it all over, 
   When am I done being a kid?

Since I had a kid, I had a dream, that he would just be happy
And maybe love his Dad, and be nice to his Mommy
But if you want the world, I want to see you take it
Cause I’ve seen lesser men than you, go out there and fake it
And I know when you own it, that you will never break it
I know you have a big heart son, and you could never shake it
   And this is never over, 
   You always will be my kid

Copyright Words & Music 2020 Brad Lipsig

I Had A Dream

I formed a band with my son Stevie (age 12) during the covid lockdown.
BTI means "Beat The Impossible!"
There is nothing more glam than fam.

BTI

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