The Hunt (Finley's Theme)

"The Boy" is the new single from Derek Crawford following the release of his debut solo album “Supperduke” in 2021. It is also the finale of his 2023 prog-rock epic "Great Lake States". “The Boy” tells the story of a young child who discovers a mysterious and peculiar new friend after sneaking away from his parents in a Michigan furniture store - a gnome-like, two-foot-tall plastic statue of a ship's captain he named.. Supperduke.

This lyrical track is full of power-pop hooks with lush melodies soaring to a triumphant crescendo of shimmering gut-bucket guitar rock! After one listen you'll definitely want to take a deep dive into the full prog-rock glory of the "Great Lake States”.

Derek Crawford’s "The Boy" is a story for all of us - a story of hope, friendship, salvation and belonging.
lyrics
“The Boy”

Suddenly I was found
Lifted up and carried ‘round
I’m just a plastic gnome 
But now I’ve got a home

The family had a custom van 
A winding road through a desert land
I got to stand by the TV 
So everybody could see me

The boy and I we bonded fast 
The kind of friend that would always last 
Now the boy is all grown
He’s got a house of his own

But, I’ll never forget that day 
When the boy carried me away 
With him I will always stay 
And I’ll be..
Standing next to the TV
So everybody can see me

I’ll never forget that day 
When the boy carried me away 
With him I will always stay 
And I’ll be.. 
Standing next to the TV
So everybody can see me

The Boy

Inspired by actual events.

In 2021 my debut album “Supperduke” was released with an album cover featuring a molded plastic ship’s captain ..named Supperduke. Almost immediately after the release I was asked questions like, “Are you Supperduke?”, “Who is Supperduke?”, “What is Supperduke?” and “Is that thing real?” I like to say that somehow I was able to tell my story through him, like an avatar or some sort of muse. He's been in my life since I was a kid, and has seen all of it. Once the record was finished, I realized that my story would not be complete until I told his story. But what was his story? Where has he been? What has he been through? How did he end up in a furniture store? WHO WAS HE??

So I quieted my mind. I listened close and slowly his story started to unfold. Broken bits of memories began too reconnect and reveal the daily life aboard a Great Lakes freighter. Visions of smudged pages in a long lost ship’s log warned of a terrible storm. Having been adrift for what must have seemed like all-of-time he somehow became transformed into what he is now - a two-foot tall plastic statue. Though lifeless, he survived. Plucked from the cold-deep waters of the Great Lakes he was somehow eventually found by me - standing next to an octagonal formica-top dining table - with seating for six!

lyrics:
"Great Lake States"

I. "Overture" - Instrumental

II. “The Ship’s Log (Red Skies Pt. 1)”

All alone in the pilothouse 
We’d lost the ship-to-shore
Michigan was rolling angry
As we passed The Door

Steaming from Superior 
Through the dark of night
The lakes can cut a ship in half
We navigate by sight

Memories start to blur together 
Every day the same
I remember stormy weather
But can’t recall my name

Minutes turn to hours
Hours into days
Days turn into weeks and months 
Living in a haze

Huron in the morning sun 
Mackinac by night
We offload in Chicago
We navigate by light

I saw it in the clouds at sunrise
That old familiar fear
The lake was crashing angry 
The storm was finally here

I'd longed for the simple life
A quiet, peaceful home
Someone to take care of me 
To rest my weary bones

All alone in the pilothouse 
We’d lost the ship-to-shore
Starboard side was taking water 
She couldn’t take much more

The stars were shining brightly
Now they’re dark as sin
We don’t know where we’re going
We don’t know where we’ve been

The stars were shining brightly
Now they’re dark as sin
We don’t know where we’re going
We don’t know where we’ve been

All alone in the pilothouse..
All alone in the pilothouse..
All alone in the pilothouse.. 

The stars were shining brightly
Now they’re dark as sin
We don’t know where we’re going 
We don’t know where we’ve been

III. "The Tempest" - Instrumental

IV. "The Survivor (Red Skies Pt. 2)" - Instrumental

V. "Adrift" - Instrumental

VI. “The Boy”

Suddenly I was found
Lifted up and carried ‘round
I’m just a plastic gnome 
But now I’ve got a home

The family had a custom van 
A winding road through a desert land
I got to stand by the TV 
So everybody could see me

The boy and I we bonded fast 
The kind of friend that would always last 
Now the boy is all grown
He’s got a house of his own

But, I’ll never forget that day 
When the boy carried me away 
With him I will always stay 
And I’ll be..
Standing next to the TV
So everybody can see me

I’ll never forget that day 
When the boy carried me away 
With him I will always stay 
And I’ll be.. 
Standing next to the TV
So everybody can see me

Great Lake States

live rehearsal recording of the Getouts playing the Stone's classic 'Sway'. August 2014.

Sway

The Best Of 25 Years

Message In A Bottle (Live at Irving Plaza, 2011 Remix)

Ten Summoner's Tales

If I Ever Lose My Faith In You

25 Years

If You Love Somebody Set Them Free (2011 Remix)

My Songs

Brand New Day (Live)

Derek Crawford is an in demand drummer in Chicago. He has accompanied some of the finest talent in the Midwest on over twenty albums, countless live shows, festivals and tours. Adding to his skills as a drummer, Crawford is also a talented multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and composer who can play just enough guitar, bass, keyboards, and other stuff to get himself into trouble. With his debut solo album “Supperduke” it seems he’s gone and done just that.

The Boy

Derek Crawford

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