Sounding Out (No Dragons Allowed)

Hare-lipped
Hog-tied
I said 
How's about four eggs fried?
Bull-whipped
Broadside
I said,
I'll take mine sunny-side

Ding Dang Ding Dang
Ding Dang your order's up
Slap dash slap dash
Squeeze a cheek and pat her rump

Just a step ahead
Half a step ahead
Just a step away from Johnny Q-Law

Slimmy Jimmy -- How's about this here Chevy?
Shiny Penny
Grand theft auto ain't too heavy.
Fire it up
Stomp stamp gravel gun
Just a step
Half a step ahead of Johnny Law!

Choo Choo
Whistle Blew
Hopping trains is nothing new
Cockle doo a doodle doo
I said
Just in time for morning dew

Half A Step

Mr. Connor
You are failing to see that the answer is abundantly clear
Mr. Connor
It's a fixed guarantee 
That once you see you'll no longer stare.

All you gotta do is pluck it from the air.
All you gotta do is grab it from the stream.

Mr. Connor
It's a fixed guarantee that once you see you'll no longer stare.

All you gotta do is pluck it from the air.
All you gotta do is grab it from the stream.

Grab it from the stream...

So, what are you waiting for?
Come on!
Suits and trousers!
Come on!
With your shoes on.
Come on.
With your haircut.
Come on!
With your magic fingers, southern creepers, treasure seekers...
Do I need to say Come on?

And I could stay,  
Feel the flow as they watch me play.
Not to mention that I'm fairly uncomfortable in most situations, but I am trying.
To find meaning in the words you say.

Mr. Connor

Put your hands up.
Break that ceiling.
You're in swingtown.
Make it count.

Hey Joe, where's that gun of yours?
Martha dear, you're a frequent flier.
Don't you dare say Tommy's dumb.
Tear down that wall before you start a fire.

I hear a tune - a melody.
A refrain. Hey Hey.
Bringing back some tunes.

I offer you a tragedy, a comedy.
Hey Hey.
Taking back my words.

When will we get there?
When will we get there?
That's what I wanna know!
When will we get there?
That's what I wanna know!
You're a faker, you're a taker, you're a candlestickamaker.

Put your hands up.
Break that ceiling.
You're in swingtown.
So make it count.

I hear a tune - a melody.
A refrain. Hey Hey.
Bringing back some tunes.

I offer you a tragedy, a comedy.
Hey Hey.
Taking back my words.

You held me close and sang a song,
Take this world.  Hey Hey.
Bringing back my words.

Hey Doreen when I listent to your words.
I know the meaning isn't what I heard.
It's not a dream, I'm not here all alone.
One day I won't be able to go home.

Bringing Back Some Tunes

I think that I'll discover another friend I can uncover
through the door he passes me another
through the walls I can see the world I can see that girl

But it's alright
This is the day he dies
And you'll light the fire

Hello
How are you?
I'd like to introduce myself
Recently I realized that nothing is real.
I built a super-fantastic hopping piano and now I'm feeling great.

I'm sorry you've been so sad.
I'm sorry you've been captrued by a freakin' lunatic.

But I have to thank you for rescuing me.
You did a good job rescuing me.
And building me that doorway that's the same door isn't it the one with doorbell
It didn't work out so well for you.
And who's that knocking?
And what's that music?

Burn

As the place empties out
It’s like the room is demonized.
She floats across the floor
Says don’t you dare apologize

There’s a thin line she says
inside the places in between
the dream house and this world
there are spots i haven’t seen

if you look closely you can see it
with your eyes shut you can see it

there’s something alive in the basement
and it sent you here to me
you can use it as a prison
or seduce it and be free
you could beat around the bush
you could shout
you could squeal
submit to injustice
you could almost make it real

its the thing you would regret
and admit that it was wrong
chalk it up to a daydream
and bring home the latest song

here i’m your virtue
and i’m gonna tell the truth
decide if you wanna stay here
you could help me collect the proof

if you look closely you could see it
with your eyes shut you could see it

there’s something alive in the basement
and it sent you here to me
you can use it as a prison
or seduce it and be free
You could wade in the water
or return home to dry
you could stare at the sun for hours
and still well a tear and cry.

I know the future outlook
back in that place of yours
and the threats that will face you
and the struggles you’ll endure

Back to the street your headed
where you’ll be success defined
but the towers around you fall
and you’ll find your life unwind.

So stay with me now
and i’ll give you another tune
you could bring it back home with you
you could hold me while i swoon.

if you look closely you could see it
even with your eyes shut you could see it

there’s something alive in the basement
and it sent you here to me
you can use it as a prison
or seduce it and be free
You could wade in the water
or return home to dry
you could stare at the sun for hours
and still well a tear and cry
this place denies all of physics
it denies even hearing a word
and it’ll swear onto the bible
that no utterance was heard.

Love Canal

You saluted yourself about five yards back,
But you missed me there, how about that?
You used to call me Connor cause I asked you to,
Though you knew my name and how I felt about you.

I knew you once a long time ago when we sat on the bridge and we talked about the show - I can be your guide.

There's trailing groupies and a line-up of debts.
Their writing the verses, and planning the sets.
Check your pockets for change or a dime-bag at least.
If you dig deep enough, your chances increase.

I see you've grown into a fabulous man but you're missing the spark that created this plan - I can be your guide.

You and me got a secret - so join me on the bus we'll cruise along together we'll put it on shuffle and skip the really bad tracks.

All you gotta do is remember where you came from.
Before you made long con, before you put the game on
Before you memorized the mantra full of lies
Before you took the time to erase your mind
You almost did it right.

It's not a singular path to make history, but there's one companion and that is me.  I can be your guide.

Shuffle Master

Look at me when I’m talking to you, 
You can read about it later.
I can’t believe you stopped talking to me.
When did you stop talking to me?
Why did you stop talking to me?

I'm hearing you say you've lost that special feeling.
Well I might believe you're just a statue.
You once were amaizng, but now you're just lazy.
You're down and you're fading.
Have you thought this through?

I'm not complaining.  I'm just kinda sorta maybe saying.
You said I was your soulmate - after our first date.
You read me your writing.  Our light it was exciting.
We shared our take-out dining.  
Now have you thought this through.

Well the ducks are in the pool and the kids are in school and I'm in your head now, I'm always in your head.

You're just a statue.

You're just a statue and now you're in the way.
Exaclty in front of what I need I need today.
I head you close last night I didn't hear your heart.
I'll get my hammer see if I can chisel you apart

Just A Statue

Left Auckland in the morning, or maybe was it night?
The time zones blurred together, man, nothing felt right.
Three layovers later, one suitcase lost,
Customs took my snacks, and my patience was the cost.

Welcome to the offsite, grab yourself a seat,
Oh wait, you're already listed—on every single team!
From strategy to feedback, from culture to change,
Hope you're feeling rested... 'cause your name’s on everything!

Dragged my suitcase through the lobby, feeling half alive,
Just in time to hear them say, “Next steps—slide twenty-five!”
Squinting at the screen, heart fills with dread,
It’s my name, my name—dear god, it’s everywhere in red!

Welcome to the offsite, grab yourself a seat,
Oh wait, you're already listed—on every single team!
From strategy to feedback, from culture to change,
Hope you're feeling rested... 'cause your name’s on everything!

But I just got here, I’m jet-lagged as hell,
Did I really agree to run “Innovation 101” as well?!
“Onboarding Task Force?” “Lunch and Learn Lead?”
Wait, did I really just volunteer for next year’s retreat?!

Well, guess I’m in it now, no use trying to fight,
Might as well grab a coffee, gonna be a long night.
Somehow I missed every session, but got assigned every task,
Next year I’m arriving late... or maybe not coming back!

Welcome to the offsite, grab yourself a seat,
Oh wait, you're already listed—on every single team!
From strategy to feedback, from culture to change,
Hope you're feeling rested... 'cause your name’s on everything!

So if you’re coming from far away, let this be a warning call,
Skip one connection, and you’ll get signed up for it all.

Welcome to the Offsite (You're Signed Up for It All)

Shuffle New

Why Am I Tossing Stuffed Animals? Featuring Dolly.

L-E-G-O (You Know I Love to Build)

10 When Will We Get There

06 The First Trip Backwards

03 Dream House

09 Basement Lullaby

07 Doorbell Next to the Door

14 Make Believe

11 You Don't Look Like You

15 The Piano (Outro)

01 The Piano (Intro)

13 The Montage

12 Beep Bop and Boop Boop

I can’t decide if it’s right or wrong.
Figure it out and make a case for
This or that one.
And maybe if I’m wrong
it will have a big impact.
Until then I’m immobilized
Immobilized…

I was
(I was I was)
Thinking
(I thought real hard)
Debating
(a one on one)
Musing
(wood is burning)
Contemplating
The decision.

Mr. Conner says don’t you know
there’s a way to get both or so I’m told.
You don’t have to make choice.
Cause you’ll never lose your voice.

That one
(is surely wrong)
This one 
(is such a risk)
Better
(if I abstain)
Procrastinating
The Decision

When the best
When the best thing that can happen isn’t so good
You destroy the twisted tale that you once thought was so straight.
Sitting there you can hardly make your mind up.
With bated breath.

When the worst
When the worst that can happen isn’t so bad
Hesitation marks the spot where the treasure isn’t buried 
It’s just a drop of sand in your sneakers and it’s piling up.

The Decision

Everybody’s on the lamb
Everybody’s thinking big thoughts
Everybody wants the same
Just to hear you play

There is Sam he play the drums
Conner trades his wit for gigs
All is fine in boston town when they hear you play

Zombie groupies my followers
They sure know how to fake a buzz
Right before they fake their love.
Let’s hear it from the top so I can see that smile again.
See that smile again.

Walk the streets and the passerby
Float me words and melodies to try
Bring them back to the present day
So they can hear me play?

We’re gonna play some old tunes tonight
Gotta push that bass says Mr. White
If you wanna hear them come back every night
Let’s hear it for the boys cause they’re playing for you!
Yeah you
Yeah they’re playing for you.

Zombie groupies my followers
They sure know how to fake a buzz
Right before they fake their love.
Let’s hear it from the top so I can see your smile again.
See your smile again.

All the melodies and the fantasies
And the parodies of reality
I’m gonna get it right this time
I’m gonna get it right

All the fair tales and the wannabes
And the secret journals and the diaries
’m gonna get it right this time
I’m gonna get it right

All the tips of the tongue tied a-oks.
All the lines that I thought of but i never said
I’m gonna get it right this time
I’m gonna get it right

I'm Gonna Get it Right (This Time)

The Piano (Outro)

I remember when I was your age and no one ever
Believed me when I said,
I saw magic where instead there was just regular stuff.
Oh, ordinary bits of life just had a sparkle to them.
Sometimes I think I shouldn’t worry,
When I was young I used to take long walks with him.
We used to fight the evil within the woods where magic reigned supreme.
If you had seen me you would have thought me all alone talking to myself.
But those animals they can’t really talk,
And those betta fish they can’t really walk
Into your room at night and put on a show.
It’s just make believe so don’t let it make you believe.
Comforting my son, I realize there’s no one to comfort me.
I go back downstairs to take a trip back willingly.
And the band over there they could play my tunes,
And I think I might just go back there soon.
I’ll go back in time, and put on a show.
It’s just make believe, but I think I can make me believe.

Make Believe

Beep Bop and Boop Boop
Living in their fish tanks.
Don’t you put them together.
Don’t you put them together.
You can never put them together.

Gotta take care of them.
Gotta keep ‘em safe.
That means they can never be in the same place.

This is mine where it’s at.
Cross the line I’m fine with that.
It’s midnight now and no one’s won.
Hanging chad phenomenon.

Battened down, a rivalry.
Chris Matthews is on TV.
Watch the news
And watch your looks.
It’s history.
It’s in the books.

But don’t you put them together.
Don’t you put them together.
Don’t you put them together.

Beep Bop and Boop Boop.
Don’t you put them together.
Al Gore and George Bush.
You and me.
You and me.

Beep Bop And Boop Boop

I recall the first time I saw your face—
You were alone though he held you in an embrace.
You were the first girl I’d ever seen,
Besides my mother once and a magazine.

Drawn back, hypnotized, I couldn’t stay away,
So I was back after school every weekday.
That’s where Sam and I started our band—
In that old abandoned house beside the cold burnt land.

Now: I see you in the hall of a clinic in Natick, Massachusetts.
I stop you and I say, “Hey, Doreen.”

You raise your head, I think, You just don’t look like you.
You say you might know me, but I can tell you don’t have a clue.
I tell you ‘bout the dream house and I ask if it was true.
With your eyes half-closed and your body stiff,
You just don’t look like you.

Back when I was in school in Boston-town,
You were a story I could never put down.
We were friends despite the difference in age—
You said my writing had no soul, they were just words on a page.

Now I want to tell you how I’ve been floating through time,
As a way to unwind—
And in that place you’re in total control.
When I opened my eyes you said, You just don’t look like you.

The light flickered out—
And you just don’t look like you.

I know it’s you, and I think you might have answers for me.
I won’t leave here without them.
I saw you in that other world, Doreen—
When I just realized I’m floating through time.
When I just realized I’m floating through time.

You Don't Look Like You

When Will We Get There

Basement Lullaby

Freelancer

Doorbell Next To The Door

The First Trip Backwards

There’s something alive in the basement
Something alive but I don’t know what it is
I don’t know what it is
But I think it’s alive
In the basement
Something
When the best—
When the best thing that can happen isn’t so good
Answered all their questions
Made a fashion from a rhyme
A sonnet from a line
About shopping alone at night
I go shopping
I go shopping
When the worst—
When the worst thing that can happen isn’t so bad
The dreams you used to have
Are replaced by life instead
I remember what you said:
At least you dreamed it
That’s more than me
Down here there is something that I’m looking for
Something that I’m searching for
Something that I’m waiting for
Where’d I put it?
Hid away
Locked chest that I’m trying to open
There’s something alive in the basement
Something alive but I don’t know what it is
I don’t know what it is
But I think it’s alive
Up there there is something that I’m hiding from
Something make my stomach churn
What’s my problem?
Aim to win
Or at least I aim not to lose
Something’s alive
There’s something alive in the basement
There’s a ball pit inside
Why does Oscar live in the trashcan?
There’s a meeting at nine
Gotta wake up
Gotta wake up
When the best thing that can happen isn’t so good
Gotta open that locked chest

Something Alive In The Basement

Why does Oscar live in a trash can?
Why does Oscar live in a trash can?
And why does Grover fly on a bicycle?
And why does Grover fly on a bicycle?
Me, I just wanna know
Why Snuffy is part of the show.
Are the animals real?
Are the animals real?
Are the animals real?
You say there was a time
When you were in a band
And sang some tunes—
And then you thought imagination
Would take you far away...
Why does Daddy live in the basement?
Why does Daddy live in the basement?
He told me he used to be in a band,
With five other dudes and a drummer named Sam.
Me, I just wanna know
Why Snuffy is part of the show.
Are the animals real?

Are the Animals Real?

A few months ago,
We were worried we would have to move back with our mom and dad.
We got a call from Fran
She said she’d found our dream house.
And the owners are immediately moving to Switzerland.

We can’t pass by this opportunity.
Jim will get paid twice as much.
We lived here for years,
It’s a beautiful home!

Four bedrooms and an office,
So you can occasionally work from home.
And look out there at that yard!
Isn’t that the kind of yard you wished you had when you were a kid?

We got a call from Fran.
She said she’d found our dream house.
And the owners are immediately moving to Switzerland.

We asked how much it was,
Fran said negotiable,
The current owners are in a hurry.

You’re the first buyer here,
But don’t feel any pressure to make an offer by tomorrow evening.

I’ve got a feeling babe.
We can lay our roots down here.
We got a call from Fran,
She said we got our dream house.

Dream House

Hello,
How are you?
I’d like to introduce myself…

“Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you–the main character in his own story.”

Recently I leased a fine car!
I’ve got a stock account and a house with a pool.

Don’t you think I’m so cool?
Don’t you think I’m so darn cool?

I maintain my sense of adventure by taking the boat to work.
It gets rocky sometimes.
They make an announcement, “Stay seated” they say.
Sometimes I get up and wait in the front.

Hey,
What’s up babe?
I’m just here traveling for work.

Here’s my passport it’s just full of all the places I’ve been.
I don’t suppose I’m on your watch list, nah I’m just joking!
I do that a lot, yes I joke.
I do that a lot, yes I joke.

Everything was great.
Until I heard voices.
From the basement.
From the basement.

Don’t you think I’m so cool?
Don’t you think I’m so darn cool?

Hello,
How are you?
Rather who the hell are you?
Did you just hear what he said?
You need to listen to his questions.

Hello, I'm Mike

The Piano (Intro)

This album is one-half of a music-text experience. The music is here; the text is at www.mikemonsoon.com. Collectively, they form a psychedelic, horror-tinged, time-traveling musical puzzle that tells the story of a man facing a reality-shattering question: If you could go back and change things, would you…or did you? The more you listen, the more you read, the more you discover. Come and explore the joy–and occasional horror–of creativity.
 
Reviews:
 
“In a cultural moment when attention spans are among the scarcest of natural resources, Mike Monsoon's Song Journal doesn't just demand your focus — it earns it … However it is that you're drawn into this storytelling matrix, the Song Journal keeps you hooked as you jump from chapter to song, year to year, clue to clue. It's an ingenious package of narrative elements ...” --Neil Janowitz, Editor, Vulture.com
 
“Captivates with sly winks and homages to classic rock operas. The songs vacillate between straight-ahead, 3-minute verse/chorus/bridge pop and more adventurous compositions that use imaginative arrangements in service of longer and more complex narratives … shades of Queen, The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, The Clash, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Who, Phish, and The Flaming Lips ... rife with intriguing layers … the fun is putting the pieces together." -- Lorne Berman, Rolling Stone
 
“An oasis of great songwriting and unique production work woven into a concept record that is truly unforgettable.” -- Mike White, founder, MPG Music Production School

Mike Monsoon

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks