Training track for Obedient Boys. To be used AFTER listening to my Sleepy Boy files.

Obedient Boy

My songwriter friends Kit Buchan and Jim Barne (Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York) amazed me by doing an unasked-for and therefore delightfully surprising cover version of Vinnie & Paul's opening number! Thank you, fellas!

SUNFLOWER POWER
Music & lyrics © Neil Bastian

VINNIE
Oh there’s a sunflower sun comin’ over the horizon
An’ it’s the prettiest flower that you ever laid your eyes on
An’ the power in the flower’s gonna make me live forever
Feel the power of the flower in my ev’ry endeavour
From the beggar in the bower taking shelter from a shower
To the queen lookin’ down from her ivory tower
The power of the flower’s gonna make ev’rythin’ okay
It’s the power of the flower
Yeah

PAUL
Oh there’s a sunflower seed got stuck in his brain
An’ it’s growin’, overflowin’ and it’s causin’ him pain
Oh there’s a sunflower seed buried deep in his head
Pretty soon this baboon’s gonna finish up dead
His gory little story’s gonna make you wanna cower
He’ll be cutting off his ear by the end of the hour
The power of the flower’s gonna drive Vinnie V. insane

BOTH
Feel the sunflower power
The sunflower power - oh yeah
Sunflower power
Feel the sunflower power - oh yeah 

VINNIE
From the wine and the women that you gaily devour

PAUL
To the glare that you glower as the mood turns sour

VINNIE/PAUL
The power of the flower's gonna make ev’rything okay/The power of the flower's gonna drive Vinnie V. insane

VINNIE/PAUL
Feel/Beware the sunflower power
The sunflower power - oh yeah
Sunflower power
Feel/Beware the sunflower power

VINNIE
Everything’s coming up sunflowers now 
For me and you

BOTH
Bow down to the power of the flower
Yeah!

BONUS TRACK - not main album: Sunflower Power - garage band cover version - Kit Buchan & Jim Barne

Anger Is Easy (If You Give It A Chance)

I know they caught me lying once or twice
And I'll admit it's not my only vice.
But if you take a look around you'll see
That all these guys are just as fake as me.
So go ahead and hate me if you must
But I'm the only guy that you can trust,
And in your heart you know this much is true:
That I would never ever lie to you.

I'm lying to my mom to hang around with Tom.
I'm lying to my dad to save him getting mad.
I'm just that kinda guy,
But I would never lie to you.

I'm lying in the class I know I'd never pass.
I'm lying to the boss, I said we made a loss.
I wouldn't tell him why,
But I would never lie to you.

Cause you are the one I care for,
With you, I am young and free. 

I'm lying to the cop, I guess I ought to stop.
I'm lying to a judge, I bet he's got a grudge.
I'd look him in the eye,
But I would never lie to you.

And all of the girls who want me,
They don't mean a thing to me.

I'm lying to a chick who's fallen for me quick.
I'm lying to this babe who calls me Honest Abe.
I'd hate to see 'em cry,
But I would never lie to you.

I'm just that kinda guy,
But I would never lie to you.

I Would Never Lie To You

Grounds

"Tick Tock" from Unison. Performed by Allison Grischow.

Lyrics:
I'm having a tough time
If you hadn't noticed.
You probably didn't notice 'cause I've got such a happy face.
That's what people tell me.
They wish they were "happy like me".
They don't wanna be happy "like ME".

I'm sorry for whining.
It's not such a big deal.
Nothing's really wrong, but sometimes I get to a dark place.
Then I have to smile.
I've got to be "happy like me".
How is it when people see me, "happy" is all that they see?

I know that I could talk.
I probably should talk.
But I'd rather just sit here with my wood block.

Tick, tock, all I hear.
Tick, tock, chase my fear away.
I'm okay. 
I'll just sit here and play.
Tick tock.

Let's just forget it.
I can get through this. 
There's not even anything that should be causing me despair.
Nothing even happened.
Nothing that should make me feel sad,
So why do I feel so... bad?

This is ridiculous.
My life is NOT difficult!
There are so many people with actual problems out there.
Some people are starving!
I can't imagine their pain.
So you see I've got to reason to complain.

So I'll slap on a smile,
And breathe deep for a while,
And just sit here denying my denial.

Tick, tock, time passes by.
Tick, tock, we're all gonna die someday.
Well, okay.
I'll just sit here and play.
Tick tock.

Death is inevitable.
We will all eventually succumb to our mortality.
All that awaits us in the afterlife is oblivion.
With each passing instant disorder increases; the entropy of the universe can never go down, never reverse, until eventually chaos consumes all that has been and ever will be!
... And I have a physics test this afternoon.
Tick tock.

I'm having a tough time,
If you hadn't noticed.
You probably didn't notice, 'cause I try to cover it up.
It might be unhealthy.
It might be...
But what if people knew that?
If I wasn't "happy like me", why would anyone like me?

I know that I could talk.
I probably should talk.
But I'd rather just sit here...

Maybe I'll feel better tomorrow.

Tick Tock

"Portrait" from TIME IT IS: TO MUSIC (DEMO)
Music and Additional Lyrics by Michael Maricondi
Lyrics by Lissa Moira

Featuring: Erica Malachowski (Alizia), Jonathan Fox Powers (Johnny), Noah Chartrand, Amy Connerley, Heeya Kim, and Kevin Luis (Ensemble).

Musicians: Michael Maricondi (Keys), Jernej Bervar (Guitar), Susan Mitchell (Violin), Laura Hamel (Drums)

Recorded live at Theater For the New City by Scott Hampton

Cover art by David "Zen" Mansley

Full live cast album coming soon!!!

Portrait - East Village (Alizia And Ensemble)

Lullaby

My take on Aries's track conversations! Had a blast making this one!
Hope you guys enjoy it!

Feel free to like, share, repost! means alot!
Ty ♥

I Would Never Lie To You

Song-a-week Al

Related tracks