Lyrics
CALL IT BLUE
(2010)
Spark In Your Heart
Can I come and sit on your couch with you for awhile?
Move all those boxes out of the way, make some room for a smile
Pack up the crates with all the things we'll never know
Cut the nets on our favorite regrets and let them go
There's a spark in your heart, a song in your eyes
A painting of hope beneath your disguise
Long before you and I were born, the battle lines were drawn
Let's take the day to sink our toes in the grass, let's linger on the lawn
I'd love to tell you all my dreams and hopes, I'd like to hear yours, too
Draw back the curtain and I know for certain, I'm face to face with you
There's a spark in your heart, a song in your eyes
A painting of hope beneath your disguise
Scissors
Talk to me about the consequences
Of pulling down the barbed-wire fences
The ones that line the memories in your mind
Tell me how you're gonna get perspective
When you're getting paid to be a pet detective
Or have you got all the facts you think you need to find?
Scissors coming out again
Those wings could use a trim again
What would I do if you ever got away from me?
I love you...
Loyalty – Let's hand it down
Royalty – Right back around
Them or me – Tell me who you gonna choose today?
Let's turn it on the next generation
It's better than any medication
My job is to get all the love I can out of this child
Scissors coming out again
Those wings could use a trim again
What would I do if you ever got away from me?
I love you...
I Don't Want To Miss The Setting Sun
Baby, let's pull out our guitars
We'll play with the stars tonight
Oh yeah, let's take a ride to Mars
We'll hold our breath and it'll be all right
I don't want to miss the setting sun
I don't want to be the only one
I don't want to miss out on fun with you
Baby, summer's here again
Let's disappear 'til who knows when
Oh yeah, let's go out tonight
We'll touch the sky, then back again
I don't want to miss the setting sun
I don't want to be the only one
I don't want to miss out on fun with you
Open Hand
Last night when I went to bed I thought everything was fine
Wake up, cup of coffee, and realize none of this is mine
Can you see me standing right before you?
You don't believe me, but Time will not ignore you
Walking backwards, we'll never find
World of memories we've left behind
Hearts will open and we will see
Breath will follow, we fly free
I'll hold you closely with an open hand
Chased my restlessness off to distant lands
Thought my happiness rested in your hands
Never satisfied, always on the move
Diamond stylus, stuck in the groove
Look into the mirror with one eye closed
Standing on one leg; hope nobody notices
Broke so many promises...
Last night when I went to bed I thought everything was fine
Wake up, cup of coffee, responsibility is mine
Walking backwards, we'll never find
World of memories we've left behind
I'll hold you closely with an open hand
And when you move on I will understand
I'll hold you closely with an open hand
And when you move on...
Runway
Another sunrise, another fire on the breeze
I never knew they made days like these
Send me an angel, send me a song
Send me an answer when I get it wrong
Send me a runway, send me a plane
Send me a bill when you get my name
Another summer, another green upon the trees
I never knew they made seasons like these
Send me an angel, send me a song
Send me an answer when I get it wrong
Send me a runway, send me a plane
Send me a bill when you get my name
Another winter, how about another cup of tea?
I never knew they made lifetimes like these
Send me an angel, send me a song
Send me an answer when I get it wrong
Send me a runway, send me a plane
Send me a bill when you get my name
Send me a strong wind, send me a wing
Send me whatever life may bring
The Deepest Compassion
I've seen your work, heard your song
Felt your passion, and your heart beating strong
Tasted days when you couldn't go wrong
I've felt your focus, like a laser beam
Had to look away, crazy as it seems
Taste your cooking, like I'm living in a dream
And the deepest compassion I can ever show
Is to let you live your own life, is to let you go
Where you will
We share a vision, a common goal
We share our secrets, and we'll never tell a soul
And when you smile, I just can't say 'no'
It comes together and we celebrate
We laugh about all those times we couldn't wait
I look to you to help keep me straight
And the deepest compassion I can ever show
Is to let you live your own life, is to let you go
Where you will
If you can feel, or see, or hear it
If it's something you can taste or smell
Then there's a deadline involved, as far as I can tell
So let's not waste time searching for answers
Beat our heads against the wall asking, “why?”
When the day comes, let me kiss you goodbye
And the deepest compassion I can ever show
Is to let you live your own life, is to let you go
Where you will
Eulogy
Thanks for the message you left me
But the guy you're looking for don't live here anymore
Hate to break bad news, hate to break bad news
He's drifted out to sea
A shadow in your memory
Just a voice on your machine
Just a voice on your machine...
Next Big Thing
Well, I've got myself the hardwood floors
Pitched my tent on distant shores
Cars don't do it for me anymore
And the fantasies all in my head
Things that make my face turn red
Think I'll have a nice sandwich, instead
You know I'm looking for the next big thing
Always looking for the next big thing
They tell me I'm a “four” on the Enneagram
A drama queen is what I am
Pretending I'm not was such a scam
I like to act like I don't care
But I'm watching you from behind my hair
Post it on my website, yeah
You know I'm looking for the next big thing
Always looking for the next big thing
Fools Like Me
Well, Sweetie I know that I talk too much
And I'm not always super in bed
When I'm drinking my wine or got things on my mind
I don't always hear what you said
Too stupid to lay down and go to sleep,
Too stubborn to give up my dreams
I spend all of our money on old guitars
and amplification, it seems
The sky is so bright it squeezes my heart
Let's call it blue
Because we're living the life
Yeah, we're living the dream
I sat meditation, released all sensation
I guess that it's true what they say
I was enlightened, my senses were heightened
But I lost it along the way
Now that the bottle is empty
Not that the story's been told
Now that the cards are on the table
Will you play with me as we grow old?
The sky is so bright it squeezes my heart
Let's call it blue
Because we're living the life
Yeah, we're living the dream
Well, Sweetie I know that I think too much
And I'm always up in my head
My habits are telling, correcting your spelling
I don't always hear what you've said
Thank you for being so gracious,
I guess that it's easy to see
Thank you for being so patient,
For putting up with the likes of me
Your love is so bright it squeezes my heart
Let's call it blue
Because we're living the life
Yeah, we're living the dream
Like I Could Ride Forever
Rain blowing sideways on this icy night
I've got miles to go
Headwind's coming off the Seto Sea to my left
I'm drenched head-to-toe
Almost feel like I don't want to stop, like I could ride forever
Almost feel like I may never stop, I think I'll ride forever
Tiny little cars all racing by
We're all out to win
Pedals pushing forward on the slick black road
Sudden stillness within
Almost feel like I don't want to stop, like I could ride forever
Almost feel like I may never stop, I think I'll ride forever
Take me back, take me back... Take me back to YashimaTake me back, take me back... Take me back to Yashima
Lights flashing, Saturday night
Locals looking for fun
Not another bicycle in sight
Looks like I'm the only one
Home's just up ahead
The thought runs through my head...
Almost feel like I don't want to stop, like I could ride forever
Almost feel like I may never stop, I think I'll ride forever
What A Lovely Sweater
(Instrumental)
Running Away With You
I'm thinking about running away, running away, running away
I'm thinking about running away with you
I say we go to Paris, France
We'd better do it now, while we have the chance
I'm talking about running away with you
I say we go to Japan
They have the best sushi in all the land
I'm talking about running away with you
I'm thinking about running away, running away, running away
I'm thinking about running away with you
I way we go to the moon
They're going to have hotels there pretty soon
I'm talking about running away with you
Let's go to the ocean floor
We'll never have to pay for fish any more
I'm talking about running away with you
I'm thinking about running away, running away, running away
I'm thinking about running away with you
I say we go downtown
We'll find us a band with a special sound
I'm talking about running away with you
I say we stay at home
It's cheaper and I love you, we don't need to roam
I'm talking about running away with you
I'm thinking about running away, running away, running away
I'm thinking about running away with you
SONGS FOR THE REVEREND
(2008)
Fish Tank Blues
Read the story behind the song
I'm goin' to see The Reverend, tell him all my sins
I'm goin' to see The Reverend, don't know where my list begins
I'm goin' to see The Reverend, you know that I've been told
I'm goin' to see The Reverend, gonna paint me my commode
I'm goin' to see The Reverend, with my spatula in hand
I'm goin' to see The Reverend, maybe start us up a band
It started down on Manchaca, that long and winding road
I told her that I loved her, she told me where to go
So I moved across the parking lot, the sun was beating down
Bus 12 became my savior, it's a long walk to town
When over in the bushes, what did I see?
A dirty lookin' fish tank and a man down on his knees
I had to walk on over, I got me a surprise
He handed me a spatula with a wild look in his eyes
I put myself to scrubbin' while he squirted with the hose
and he told me about Heaven, where that special water flows
We took a walk to Ben White with some money that we found
We walked that broken sidewalk while the sun was goin' down
(chorus)
Reverend, can you hear me? (I was only havin' fun)
Reverend, can you clear me? (Of all that I have done)
Reverend, can you steer me? (Toward them Pearly Gates)
You know a filthy fish tank is one thing The Reverend hates
(chorus)
I'm callin' The Reverend
The Reverend Chappell
Reverend, can you hear me now?
He's from Texas...
Read the story behind the song
While I have my own ideas about the issue, I can't help but wonder what Freud would have said about "The Unicorn Delivers the News, Ruining What Would Have Been The Perfect Day". This song is part biography, part autobiography, part bibliography...
Well I'm a long way from Texas
snow is on the ground
We're coming up on April
and look at what I've found...
The Unicorn Delivers the News,
Ruining What Would Have Been The Perfect Day
Well I've seen Third and Congress
It's hanging on my wall
and the Arby's up on Burnet
As the leaves begin to fall
The Unicorn Delivers the News,
Ruining What Would Have Been The Perfect Day
We had a Backyard Fish Fry
True Story, my friend
But I got the Double Vision
So it's Highways Again...
The Unicorn Delivers the News,
Ruining What Would Have Been The Perfect Day
Hudi Goes To Court
Read the story behind the song
I don't think this photo matches your face. I don't think...
I don't think this photo matches your face anymore...
Today, instead of a typical lunch, Hudi went to his first court appearance.
Officer .......... has failed to submit the citation he wrote Hudi so it is not yet in the computer. Therefore, we were unable to enter our plea.
I don't think your dog is wearing a leash. I don't think...
I don't think your dog is wearing a leash anymore...
Hudi has decided that in the name of Justice he will enter a plea of NOT GUILTY, if/when he is given his opportunity. As of right now, Hudi was told to sit tight and someone would contact him by mail. The court clerk did mention that he should call in and check anyway to make sure.
I don't think your dog is wearing a leash. I don't think...
I don't think your dog is wearing a leash anymore...
If somehow he doesn't get a letter and misses the next court appearance he will still be in big trouble whether he was given notice of the date or not.
I don't think this photo matches your face. I don't think...
I don't think this photo matches your face anymore...
Brush Strokes
Instrumental
Read the story behind the song
Search In Vain
Read the story behind the song
Family, friends... Neighbors, loved ones...
We are gathered here to celebrate
That spirit of mischief and chaos
That magic in life that we all know
as "The Reverend"
I traveled the world over
I sailed the Seven Seas of Rhye
But I could not forget him
(If you asked me now, I couldn't say why)
So I went on searching
And memory was not unkind
Found myself back in Austin
But he was impossible to find
The years went by like bullets
A broken tape you can't rewind
And that's when I discovered
He'd had Georgia on his mind
Ain't no sense in searchin' for The Reverend
Ain't no sense in lookin' all around
Ain't no sense in searchin' for The Reverend
In your heart's the only place he's found
Reverend...
Will There Ever Be A Rainbow? (Parts 1 and 2)
Read the story behind version 1
Read the story behind the version 2
I want to see squirrels in the trees
I want to pet a puppy in the park
I want to dance with the Unicorns
See the stars in the sky late at night when it's dark
Will there ever be a rainbow?
Will we ever feel the sun on our faces?
Will there ever be a rainbow?
Where is the soul that this traffic erases?
I need to feel the grass between my toes
Play in the sprinkler, squirt you with the hose
I'll play volleyball with the Unicorns
See the stars in the sky as the summer breeze blows
Will there ever be a rainbow?
Will we ever feel the sun on our faces?
Will there ever be a rainbow?
Where is the soul that this traffic erases?
Once I get off this interstate...
Once I find my exit...
Out of the glow of this parking garage...
Back to the drive-thru...
Back to the drive-thru...
Will there ever be a rainbow?
Will we ever feel the sun on our faces?
Will there ever be a rainbow?
Where is the soul that this traffic erases?
Read the story behind the song
"If I was going to make a list of things that irritate Michael Schliefke, I would include in the top five: Squirrels. For no apparent reason he hates the furry little things (along with coffee, eggs, and the English).
That is why the children and I named our squirrel friend Michael Schliefke the Squirrel.
Michael Schliefke the Squirrel was first noticed getting up on my porch and stealing sunflower seeds out of a bag of bird seed. He is very bold and even though the birdseed is gone I still catch him up on the porch whenever I suddenly open the door. Sometimes he just sits there for a minute looking at me as if to say, "Where is it?".
So instead of murdering him by drowning or electrocution, like Micheal Schliefke the human would have done, I named him and bought him this strange feeder (see below) and a giant chunk of corn/birdseed." -- Chris Chappell
Michael Schliefke the Squirrel is not to be confused with Michael Schliefke the Human...
Well I'd been living here for about a year
when the humans moved into the house in my yard
The Tall One has opposable thumbs,
likes to feed the birdies
Couldn't seem to find the sunflower seeds
That were on my mind, it's what a body needs
So I went up and knocked right on his door
He opened up the door with a look of surprise
But I could see it in his eyes, he wasn't one of those guys
who likes to act sensitive in front of his girl
then turns around and drowns a hard-working squirrel
(So I told him)
Can't seem to find the sunflower seeds
That are on my mind, it's what a body needs
Now I've got this feeder, couldn't ask for more...
And he calls me "Michael Schliefke The Squirrel"
Yes he calls me "Michael Schliefke The Squirrel"
And I've become the most popular creature in the world
'Cuz calls me "Michael Schliefke The Squirrel"
La la la....
I'm feeling fine and my life's terrific
I'm training hard for the Unicorn Olympics
I think I see my Human at the door...
And he's calling "Michael Schliefke The Squirrel"
Yes he's calling "Michael Schliefke The Squirrel"
And I'm gonna be the fastest Unicorn in the world
'Cuz he calls me "Michael Schliefke The Squirrel"
La la la....
Tender Little Feeling
Read the story behind the song
Well there's a tender little feeling in my heart
And I might just have to let it out, but I'm not sure where to start
Maybe I'll go to the laundromat, do some performance art
There's a tender little feeling in my heart
Well there's a tender little feeling in my heart
And I might just have to let it out, but I don't know where to start
Hell, I think I forgot where my truck was parked
There's a tender little feeling in my heart
'Cuz I'm ready
Crazy as it seems
I say I'm ready
To dream a little dream...
There's a tender little feeling in my heart
And I might just have to let it out, but I'm not sure where to start
Think I'll get my shovel, dig up my back yard
There's a tender little feeling in my heart
A tender little feeling in my heart
A tender little feeling
A tender little...
feeling...
Canvas
Read the story behind the song
I'm a firm believer that any of us who paints, writes, composes or expresses ourselves artistically in any way whatsoever is only successful insomuch as we surrender ourselves, submitting to the creative impulse. This can be a rather uncomfortable process at times. And for some of us, when the moon is full, we go a little bonkers...
Midnight
And I can't sleep again
Moonlight
At my feet again
Years I've spent calling Her up on the phone
Now I can never get her to leave me alone
And here I am, bowing to the canvas
Once again, down here on my knees
Here I am, bowing to the canvas
Face-to-face, erase all traces of Me
3:22 a.m.
And I can't sleep again
Ain't had an empty head
Since I can't remember when
Breaks the door with the chair, grabs me by the hair; drags me out of bed
I head for the kitchen, wind up in the studio instead
And here I am, bowing to the canvas
Once again, down here on my knees
Here I am, bowing to the canvas
Face-to-face, erase all traces of Me
Daybreak
And I can't sleep again
For a moment
Not sure where I am
Get me some coffee, take a look around
Maybe I'll be safe 'til the sun goes down
And here I am, bowing to the canvas
Once again, down here on my knees
Here I am, bowing to the canvas
Face-to-face, erase all traces of Me
Paper Wings
Read the story behind the song
Well it's hard to hide the truth about so many things
Like it's hard to sneak a six-pack into Barton Springs
And it's hard to want to get up when that telephone rings
Yes, it's hard to hide the truth about so many things
Well the porcelain was hard and cold against my face
And I can't quite recall how I found this place
Like a can of Spam that's sittin' on a doilie made of lace
Yes, it's hard to hide the truth about so many things
I'll keep a-walkin' 'til I find it
Give me a tape and I'll rewind it
Order up a mess, and I'll design it
You ain't never a seen a hero quite like me
It's hard to hide the truth about so many things
We're headed to the cliffs, best grab your paper wings
Ain't givin' up my matches 'til the Fat Boy sings
I'm speedin' toward a rift
I'm pleadin' for a fifth
It's hard to hide the truth
when that timer dings
Closet Door: A Cautionary Tale
Read the story behind the song
Far from being a fanciful invention, Erica is (or was) quite real. Chris has the photos to prove it...
When you open the closet door
A rat might jump out
Don't forget to watch the floor
Be sure to check your coat
When you open the closet door
It's best not to linger
Erica might lose patience
and you might lose a finger
She comes out late at night
To visit the bowl of Hudi
Let's give her a surprise
We'll leave some special "foodie"
When you open the closet door
And go where you should not go
She might lose her patience
and you might lose a toe
Our furry friend is good at stealth
But arsenic is no good for her health
We found the body today
We even took a picture
But I wonder to this day
If the Furry One has a sister
When you open the closet door
She could cause you harm
She might lose her patience
and you might lose an arm
When you open the closet door
When you open the closet door
When you open the closet...