Sunday, March 23, 2014

Doubles Hitter




New Album

I have a new album out called "Doubles Hitter" which features 19 new songs. As usual, it's available for downloading free or with a donation at my site: www.GeneBurnett.com  Donations are strictly optional. I'm always happy to get a tip in my digital tip jar but it's by no means necessary. Feel free to share anything you download with anyone you think might like my music. All I ask is that you let them know about my site and that they can make a donation if they feel like doing so. (All of my songs are also available, or soon will be, on iTunes and CD Baby where they might be easier to find and faster to download, but they'll cost you a buck.)

I'm particularly happy with this one. I had a lot of delays due to one voice issue after another...but the wait had a silver lining too because I was able to get to know the songs better. I also added several second guitars and a couple of harmony vocals on this one, which is something I haven't done in ages.

Here are the song titles, along with a lyric sample from each song. I'm also linking each song title to a youtube video for that individual song, in case you want to listen to just that song. Please find the "Musical Recordings" page on my site to listen to or download the entire album.



A song about being a journeyman…

Before I operate I’m gonna need a little anesthesia
Just enough to make everything a little bit easier
I’m kind of a lightweight—I don’t need a lot
But I’m not going on ‘til I’ve had my shots
So line ‘em up while I catch my breath



A kind of Hank Williams-esque number about diving right in…

Don’t even think about loving me—Just do it
I was meant for you—So let’s get to it
You bit it off and now it’s time to chew it
Don’t even think about loving me—Just do it



I’m not sure I’ve heard a song about this before…someone likes you and that’s great and all…but then you realize that he or she likes you a little too much…

You like me—You like me too much
You like me—You like me too much

If you like me too much—Right up front
You’ll just have to hate me later
I’d rather you take it a step at a time
Than run up the escalator



The song is about not chasing after someone anymore…but it could also be about me and my relationship with the music business…

If you want me as I am I’ll be there
I’m not that hard to find if you care
I’m not really going anywhere
If you want me as I am I’ll be there

Chorus:
This time—You gotta come to me
This time
This time—You gotta come to me
This time



A Southern Oregon folk song about some medical marijuana growers who just get too dang greedy…

He started off small and friendly
He ended up big and mean
Dude just got too greedy
To keep his fingers clean
He started off cutting corners
He ended up cutting friends
Dude just got too greedy
And it just had to end



I think we’ve all been there…no more help to give…

I guess I’ve got some hope—That you will be OK
That out there on the road—You will find your way
I guess I’ve got some time—To hear the latest news
But I’m all out of help—I gave it all to you



No this one is not about legalizing weed. It’s about how people or substances can go from feeling like poison to feeling like medicine…

You used to have my number
You used to have my key
You used to snap your fingers
And get the best of me
I would have fought back sooner
But I did not know how
You used to be my poison
But you’re my medicine now



About wanting to exact revenge but believing it’s God or Nature’s job to do so…

I want to break her heart like she broke mine
I want to wreck her life like she wrecked mine
I want to be her darkest valentine
I want to break her heart like she broke mine

I want to make her feel what she made me feel
I want to make her pay for what she steals
I want to turn down her last appeal
I want to make her feel what she made me feel

You always said vengeance was yours Lord
I can get this one if you’re bored



Every year at our annual 4th of July parade my wife Samarra and I always sit on the concrete ledge in front of our public library. It’s at the top of a flight of stairs and has a great view of the parade but man, after 3 hours out there, one can get pretty fried. This particular year, Samarra was out of town and I got there a little late. Our usual spot was largely taken, so I walked over to the old Carnegie era library which is next to our new more modern one and sat on the stairs there. This area was a little further back from the street and there were more trees in the view but it was still nice and the trees kept the whole area in the shade. After an hour or so of parade watching, I realized that I felt great! No burned out feeling, no sun burn…Then I looked around on the stairs and I realized that I was the youngest person there! I was surrounded my wise old folks who knew that the key to a long and happy day was not to get fried in the first few hours. I thought, I see what you guys have got going on here…yeah…fuck the sun! And thus the song was born…

I sleep mostly when it’s light
The day’s OK—I love the night
Everything just feels so right
Fuck the sun



The title says it all…

There’s no time like the future—To do what must be done
And there’s no time like the past—To keep us on the run
And there’s no time like the present—To have a little fun
Dance with me my darling—This party has begun



A little Freestyle Taoist song about contentment…

My bucket list is empty but my fuck it list is full
I’d love to grab one by the horns but I can’t find a bull
Worthy of the trouble and all that push and pull
My bucket list is empty but my fuck it list is full



We had a very smoky summer last year with some major forest fires in the area. Whenever this happens in Southern Oregon, our local air quality changes by the hour depending on the wind…

The forest is on fire and the air is heating up
The valley’s getting smoky and I’m panting like a pup
I talked with an old-timer who just looked at me and grinned
And said we are at the mercy at the mercy of the wind



Another love song for Samarra about diving in and saying Yes…

Maybe you said yes too soon
Before you were really sure
Maybe you should have thought it over
Until your yes was pure
But that could have taken a lifetime
We might have missed our boat
And this whole crazy adventure
Never would have taken float
You just said yes



I guess this is a declaration of values…another Freestyle Taoist song…

I’d trade all you rude winners for one graceful loser
Who knows what it’s like to fall down some stairs
You can cover yourself with makeup and glitter
But makeup can’t cover what just isn’t there



Seems like people have a harder and harder time listening these days…or doing anything that requires sustained attention on something other than themselves…

I know what makes you talk
But what makes you shut up?
I know what makes you talk
But what makes you shut up?
There’s got to be a way—To make you stop
I know what makes you talk
But what makes you shut up?



Some songs require lots of research…

The day is almost done and you’ve done what you can do
Tomorrow you’ll be back and your troubles will be too
You can set them down—They will wait for you
The day is almost done and you’ve done what you can do

Chorus:
So let’s get high and lie under a tree
Look at all that sky—Look at all those leaves
Look at all those clouds sailing on the breeze
Let’s get high and lie under a tree



A little ditty about tipping…

It’s good to call in sick and go out fishin’
It’s good to not always ask for permission
It’s good to have some give in your positions
And it’s really good karma to tip a musician

It’s good to sit and think about your mission
It’s good to be aware of your nutrition
It’s good to stretch your legs at intermission
And it’s very good karma to tip a musician



Kind of a companion song to my other song “We’re All Gonna Die”…

Life is a contest where everyone loses
Nothing lasts forever—That’s what the blues is
We keep on living—That’s what the news is
We keep on living as long as we can

Chorus:
As long as we can
As long as we can
Let’s keep on living as long as we can
Whether it’s the luck or the shit that hits the fan
Let’s keep on living as long as we can



It's easier to lie to someone else if you fool yourself first…

I might have told you I loved you
I might have told you I cared
I might have told you to call me anytime
And that if you did I’d be there

Chorus:
If I was drunk I was probably lying
Just trying to fake my way through
If I was sober I was probably dying to believe
Something I knew wasn’t true
Sorry Baby
But I was lying to me too


Thanks for your support!
GB

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