1. |
||||
I don't know (what I'm doing these days)
(c) by stevenn beck
I don't know (what I'm doing these days
I play with my time I sleep in the rain
I don't know what I'm doing these days
but I know that I have to change
I've never been one to dress for success
I've lived for the day never looked ahead
I've never been one who had to be the best
but I know that I have to change
working each day in my suit and tie
it's hard to breath when you live a lie
I need to get out in the fresh air and fly
be the man that I was meant to be
I know what I have to do these days
rip off this tie put these papers away
still there are gonna be bills to bay
I know that will never change
I remember laying down on the beach
singing a song I wrote when I was seventeen
but I was afraid to pursue my dreams
now I'm older and still not free
I don't know what I'm doing these days
I live to survive I;'m running in place
I've got to step back and plan my day
I know it's time for a change
I don't know (what I'm doing these days
I play with my time I sleep in the rain
I don't know what I'm doing these days
but I know that I have to change
I know that I have to change
I pray that I can change...
|
||||
2. |
||||
IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME (LET ME KNOW)
(c) by stevenn beck
don't understand why you hold on
there doesn't seem to be that much to say
don't understand why you hold on
we're different now cause you stayed the same
<chorus>
if you don't love me (let me know)
if you don't love me I want to go
you have your reasons I don't know
if you don't love me (let me know)
I ask you time again to please me
you smile and just turn away
I've asked you time again release me
why is it that you want me to stay
<repeat chorus>
you act as if our life was pre-arranged
what I want doesn't mean a thing
you say that I'm the one whose crazy now
I think it's sad you'd settle for this
<repeat chorus>
I think of love as something more than
two people living together all alone
sharing a residence and children
walls climbing higher and no place to go
<repeat chorus>
don't understand why you hold on
there doesn't seem to be that much to say
don't understand why you hold on
we're different now cause you stayed the same
<repeat chorus>
|
||||
3. |
Mr. Martyr Sinned
04:00
|
|||
MR. MARTYR SINNED
(c) by STEVENN BECK
I met three men by the shelter of the sea
they stole away both my eyes
kill all the settlers and pilgrims of the moor
restore the king to his size
live for the lives that have been cast away
as irrelevant to the wind
success ruins the dead when they meet on the last day
I'm sure mr. martyr sinned
the departure was late as we sat down on the shore
sitting at the place sir john bled
and the other men there they never said a word
recalling what the wise men said
that it's taken too long to do what must be done
we looked back at where we'd been
just ten yards off the beach jump away from the boat
I'm sure mr. martyr sinned
we donned red dress when we landed at the sound
the thunder seemed to increase
to the disbeliever's awe as we stepped into the crowd
to serve the ten their final feast
but where were the ten who were to have died
while we all prepared their end
we've failed in our task only three did not survive
I'm sure mr. martyr sinned
now the rain fell heavy through the ages of the night
but the famine and drought remained
long hours had been spent searching have the world in vain
for the means to unearth the saved
damn all the curs who barked at the sound
of laughter cutting through the din
and my memory it fails but I shall never forget
I'm sure mr. martyr sinned
and my memory it fails but I shall never forget
I'm sure mr. martyr sinned
|
||||
4. |
Underground Mode
05:00
|
|||
UNDERGROUND MODE
(c) by stevenn beck
once upon a time you took me by the hand
led me down the path to no man's land
we were so young trying everything once or twice
looking for ways just to have a good time
steal kisses in the alley by the Five and Dime
we were all right flying high into the night it was fine
but out there on the docks I get a big chill
my blood runs cold my heart is still
seems like they all appeared one day
on an empty shore thirty years to the day
cry me a river full of mistakes
call me a dreamer out on the make
above the fray safe in underground mode
well i never thought it would end up this way
thousands of clones not a soul to their name
on the move looking good
for who knows who or why
just a lifetime ago we laughed in the sun
thought we were different thought we were one
the generation who would save it for good
we were fooling
down in the cavern someone hits on my friend
her eyes showed desire she moved closer again
she asked what he did and he said who he was
she turned on her heels disappeared in a rush
give me a reason or a proper defense
don't blame me for sitting alone on the fence
above the fray safe in underground mode
someone rapped on the door with his baseball bat
cried "I'll break your head if you don't come out"
I fell to the floor the intruder burst in
it was my best friend with an evil grin
leave me to wander alone in the streets
keep me suspended at the point of release
above the fray safe in underground mode
I can't understand why you and I
can't drop all pretension in the wink of an eye
exist as ourselves in the
ego-less fringes of the universe
listen to the music being played in the street
it all sounds the same it puts me to sleep
wasn't there a time we all
listened to the lines for meaning
once more I pushed through the crowd
at jack's back yard
everyone I knew there they were laughing so hard
I peered through the smoke offered my hand
they looked right through me
like I was some other man
ain't no tomorrow ain't no yesterday
keep all your sorrows just give me today
ain't no tomorrow ain't no yesterday
keep all your sorrow just give me today
above the fray safe in underground mode
above the fray safe in underground mode
above the fray safe in underground mode...
|
||||
5. |
Listening To Myself
03:25
|
|||
listening to myself
(c) by stevenn beck
does it make you baby does it make you
isn't it a thrill for you to do me cruelly
everybody has the urge to beat up on their neighbors
find their weakest point push until they break
<chorus>
I'm doing what I can
not gonna follow someone else's plan
I'm being the best I can
by listening to myself
isn't it true we all want to make it sometime
isn't it true nothing's behind your eyes
is there any kindness towards the fool who is trying
make yourself a star with a wicked line
<repeat chorus>
when we're all dust it will be irrelevant
take your best shot if you want it that bad
I stand tall a survivor of my lifetime
nothing can harm me more than that
do you see it baby do you see it
isn't it a weapon you can't control
is there any reason for a man with a mission
achieve his destiny by destroying souls
<repeat chorus>
|
||||
6. |
Things On Your Mind
03:26
|
|||
THINGS ON YOUR MIND
(c) by stevenn beck
the day will dawn in the morning's light
the sun will rise shining bright
the dusk will be in its flight
the day dawns in the morning light
places and faces that you could name
keep moving in and through your brain
you know it ain't gonna be the same
with the faces that you could name
<chorus>
but in another time it won't be so strange
events might discover a different range
there ain't no way to draw the line
when you think about the things on your mind
the people keep following behind you
don't think they're ever gonna find you
they're setting their traps just to blind you
those people that are following you
any links between you and god
along the way you might disregard
it ain't too easy and it ain't too hard
to sever your ties with god
<repeat chorus>
and the certain one you're looking for
cause disappointments and the hopes they mar
you just wind up in a certain bar
instead of with the one you're looking for
and the deep blue remains across the sky
the winds will blow but never die
if you think you win you only lie
while the blue remains across the sky
<repeat chorus>
|
||||
7. |
If You Can't Please Me
03:20
|
|||
IF YOU CAN'T PLEASE ME
(c) by stevenn beck
<chorus>
if you can't please me
I will have to lock you out of my life
if you can't please me
I will have to work it out alone this time
when we meet to share some time
I supply the verbal lines
you laugh if you feel right or not
I feel like I'm on the stage
spotlight cuts through smoky haze
just another job these days I've got
<repeat chorus>
so much of my time
has been spent on other lives
causing me to wonder why I'm here
I have to try to make the move
sublimate my own mood
don't want to come off seeming rude or weird
<repeat chorus>
I'd like to think that I can communicate
Let you come inside my mind
I'd like to think I can articulate
let you know what drives me wild
maybe it wasn't meant
that I get what I want
but sometimes I need to
fulfill my needs
if I continue to please everyone
resentment will explode inside of me
<repeat chorus>
if you can't please me
if you can't please me
if you can't please me
if you can't please me...
|
||||
8. |
The Boss Of Downtown
04:03
|
|||
THE BOSS OF DOWNTOWN
(c) by stevenn beck
every city block has a rap like that
in downtown
stainless streaks of premature release
in downtown
you're dancing in the street with the total obsession
of a pimp to his partner or a shrink to his session
we heard it from the source you've just been named the boss
of downtown
all the money in the world can't keep the flags unfurled
in downtown
with a little on the side you can't resist the high
of downtown
you've stretched the law's borders across seven generations
with some high-tech silver your own manipulation
we heard it from the source you've just been named the boss
of downtown
just modern machines taking bitter heat right to the streets
seemed like a beautiful sight when the lights tripped into the breeze
beautiful people creating their own little universe
infesting the rats in the sewers with their own curse
in the summer there's no longer room to run
in downtown
the upscale palefaces pounding the nails
in downtown
where surviving the fittest is the grim situation
unwashing the masses latest depreciation
we heard it from the source
you've just been named the boss
of downtown
there's a south street freeze rocking the rabble in the road
no place to hide as they all moved where they're told
hot blooded boys drowning quickly in white quicksand
carpetbaggers all waving their magic bands
every city block has a rap like that
in downtown
stainless streaks of premature release
in downtown
you're dancing in the street with the total obsession
of a pimp to his partner or a shrink to his session
we heard it from the source you've just been named the boss
of downtown
|
||||
9. |
Magic Man
03:32
|
|||
MAGIC MAN
(c) by stevenn beck
look out for the magic man
he's got the magic cure
he's got the midas touch
the mighty lion roars
he paves the street with gold
professes to be pure
he's got you where he wants you
look out for the jingle man
who sings the clever tune
underneath the melody
lays the voice of doom
his sweet exterior
sure brightens up a room
he's got you where he wants you
look out for the mystery man
whose eyes you never see
beware of the crafty hand
whose tricks are up his sleeve
just cause I ain't paranoid
don't mean that he'll spare me
he's got me where he wants me
I know you can't believe
that I know what will come
but I can't resist telling it to you
I'm kinda jaded and I'm no longer young
still I'll warn you if you listen
keep away from that magician
now look out for the future man
who says the past is now
look out for the pleasant voice
who scares you when he growls
don't forget you have the power
to stop him on the prowl
or he'll have you where he wants you
he'll have you where he wants you
he'll have you where he wants you
|
||||
10. |
Just Desserts
03:29
|
|||
just desserts
(c) by stevenn beck
everybody gets what they deserve
no matter how long it takes
everybody gets what they deserve
may happen too soon may happen too late
I don't take any pleasure from it
the painful end to an old friendship
everybody gets what they deserve
getting their just desserts
everyone gets just what they need
even from someone else
everyone taking a little piece
even at someone else's expense
you always tried to come up with the line
that made you feel satisfied
everybody gets what they deserve
getting their just desserts
you spent a lifetime looking down
you were better than anyone
but you never got off the ground
you were out of touch out of time all done
everybody dodging bullets again
hoping they're for someone else
no one taking a stand or two
unless it's to stand up for themselves
it's hard for me to comprehend the sight
of you struggling to do anything right
everyone dodging bullets again
getting their just desserts
you started out as number one
you had it all planned in advance
you advertise your skills in spiegels
but you lost your way you lost your place
you lost your chance
everybody gets what they deserve
no matter how long it takes
what goes around comes around
no matter how much we all feel safe
I don't take any pleasure in it
cause it's something you had every right to expect
everybody gets what they deserve
getting their just desserts
everybody gets what they deserve
getting their just desserts
|
||||
11. |
Epic Time
03:23
|
|||
EPIC TIME
© by stevenn beck
where has it gone
the hope we all share
where has it gone
the dreams we all dared
where has it gone the burden we all bared
and how did that epic time slip away?
why have we lost
all that we did endure
why have we lost
motives that once were pure
why do we sit and wait here
so safe and secure
and how did that epic time slip away?
time used to be so easy to define
but now they've all confused my mind
the pieces they have failed to fall
we just can't penetrate their wall
we struggled so hard
but rarely did we gain
maybe now we've come to expect
that killing rain
it seems to have gone for good
that's what they say
and how did that epic time slip away?
|
||||
12. |
Too Many People
03:56
|
|||
TOO MANY PEOPLE
(c) by stevenn beck
all the people I meet these days are crazy
some are losers some are users
living in the past they're lazy
they take what they need steal what they want
always playing a part
too many people...
all the people I see these days are faking
unaware of their own inner fears it's so frustrating
lack of insight is like the plague
raining on our parade
too many people...
I'm so tired of playing politics
living dreams no man could sustain
like the hunter after the season
success isn't worth the pain
all the people I see these days are playing
no control over their own souls
it's so degrading
they complain no one communicates
but they hide behind their own face
too many people...
I've been trying to maintain my innocence
but I fear that it's gone for good
I'm just done climbing a mountain
only to discover it's moved
all the people I see these days are leaving
no desire to rekindle the fires of youthful dreaming
turning away from humility
every time they change their street
too many people...
too many people...
too many people...
|
||||
13. |
(Money) Can Buy Me Love
03:46
|
|||
(MONEY) CAN BUY ME LOVE
(c) by stevenn beck
saturday night I met you at eight
sheik little club on the upper west side
you said you had something heavy to discuss
you leave your brownstone I take my train
we meet amidst the chaos of the faster lane
and you lay it on the line with a flick of the brush
you say "love can't buy me money
but money can buy me love
love can't buy me money
it's not that you're not good enough"
captain love and sal were stepping out
invited me out for a saturday night
so I blow dry my hair just to get it right
enter a club where the rocks were hot
brooks brothers babies all holding court
with smiles that said lights out
for the right price
they said "love can't buy us money
but money can buy us love
love can't buy us money
it's not that you're not good enough"
quarter-to-three another subway ride home
coming down from the upper west side
with my body intact
but my mind turned upside down
he held out his hand for a piece of piece of the pie
flashed me a grin and a cut-rate knife
said "my good looks alone
can't turn the whole thing around"
he said "love can't buy me money
but money can buy me love
love can't buy me money
it's not that you're not good enough"
love can't buy me money...
|
||||
14. |
Do The Right Thing
04:28
|
|||
DO THE RIGHT THING
(c) by stevenn beck
troops on the front lines desperate for a lifeline
fighting a war without cover of air
captain holds it together requests a plan that's better
only to be told do the best that he can
the emporress without clothes on
can't seem to get it on now
she's locked into her agenda refuses to hear
it doesn't seem matter her decisions are disaster
when she's stripped naked there's nothing there
<chorus>
but you've got to do the right thing
do the right thing
do the right thing now
morale is declining fatalities are climbing
captain reports to his executive staff
they don't seem to listen in fact they have a vision
of promotions if they keep it to themselves
the fighters seem to suffer while everybody wonders
why leaders only fight for the expedient cause
replacements aren't coming cause the politician's running
it isn't good for business if voters are lost
<2nd chorus>
but you've got to do the right thing
do the right thing
do the right thing now
you've got to do the right thing
baby do the right thing
step up to the plate and take your bow
the boss's right-hand flunky the charming Mr. Lucky
does everything he can to make himself look good
his subordinates are ruthless his boss remains clueless
and the captains of the war are bring battered and bruised
soldiers doing battle are informed they have to handle
all of the problems being thrown their way
the lack of ammunition can't be a prohibition
they've got to get it done they've got to find some way
<repeat 2nd chorus>
now the crisis is approaching the structure is imploding
the captain disappears cause he wouldn't play ball
his conscience wouldn't let him be used by their ambition
the safety of his troops was the primary call
and the emporress without clothes on
is guaranteed to sleep on
cause nobody tells her what's gone on
the numbers they are lying cause the troops continue dying
and Mr. Lucky is somehow never around
<repeat 2nd chorus>
|
Stevenn Beck New York, New York
Stevenn lives in NYC and has been writing music for more than 30 years. He has performed at "Open Mike" concerts in
Maryland, in Washington Square Park as well Manhattan/West Village. Stevenn is also an actor/writer, with credits in several small movies as well as in local theatre. His original retro folk-rock music can be previewed
at www.shoutcast.com/Internet-Radio/stevenn%20bec
... more
Streaming and Download help
If you like Stevenn Beck, you may also like:
Bandcamp Daily your guide to the world of Bandcamp