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Hot Chocolate 3:500:00/3:50
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Anxiety 3:360:00/3:36
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0:00/2:29
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0:00/3:44
Credits
Written, Arranged & Produced
By T.Lee
T.Lee-Bass/Keys/Lead & Backing Vox
Gtr Trk 2,4,9 & 10
Keith King-Drums
Alex Emetti-Gtr Trk 6,7 & 8
Sav Izzi-Gtr Trk 1,2,4,5 & 10
Lauren Lo-Lead & Backing Vox
Trk 2,3,4 & 7
Carolyn “Goldgirl”Castillo-Backing vox
Trk 9
Deborah Sims-Backing Vox
Trk 1,2,5 & 6
Elisa Hunt-Backing Vox
Trk 8
Photography by Patrick Wingard
Mastered by ESM
Keith Pruitt Consulting
Lyrics and Stories
Anxiety
By T’Lee
there's this recurring dream
i'm high up on a wire and nothing underneath to catch your fall
there's the sound of my heartbeat
i can hear it while im sleeping , and its getting louder every night
what is happening to me
anxiety
sometimes it's difficult to breathe
it’s impossible to make it through the day feeling this way
my room , i rarely want to leave
i find it’s getting harder to get out of bed everyday
what is happening to me
anxiety
there are days, i feel my sanity slipping away
tell me what must i do to come back down
i hear voices in my head
i don’t know what they’re saying
but i need to find some comfort in my mind
some days id rather cry instead,
there’s happiness in music. it seems to help me through my sunken times
what is happening to me
anxiety
Never thought much about Anxiety or feeling anxious as a kid. As an adult I recognized the butterflies and nauseous feelings. After having a conversation with my kid Izzie it all came full circle. We evolve, learn and grow. Watching Simone Biles, Calvin Ridley and Naomi Osaka take a time out is ok. Let’s all take a pause sometimes. Keith King added a beat that took the song someplace different. The pulse and syncopation makes this song.
Ev’rybody Knows
By T.Lee
A yawn and stretch in the morning and then i rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
I look to my left, i look to my right
I see linda laying beside
She’s the wifey or my man joe
I wonder how many folks will know
Everybody knows
What kind of friend am i, oh
We all get weak sometime
Just one of those things, salacious things, scandalous
As i sit drinking coffee linda says
We can’t go on like this
Joe doesn’t deserve this he’s a good man inside
And There ain’t nothing like a man’s pride
I walk away in a haze of uncertainty
How did i let this come to be
Hook
A frantic knock at my door, I jump out of bed
I tell Linda to not be scared
The next sound that i hear is a crash on my floor,
Joe just kicked in my door
He looks straight at me with his eyes tearing
He says Is it true, these things I been hearing
You were my friend, you were like a brother to me
Just then linda runs out and she says I’m sorry, joe i’m so sorry
Hey Joe,i see that gun in yo hand
This is my interpretation of what if. The song Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorites. My song tells the story of what happens to Joe after he leaves to shoot his ol lady. In this song his ladies name is Linda and Joe kicks in the door to confront her. Alex and Keith King add so much depth on their instruments.
AllDayFunkShine
Are we living the twilight zone
We keep doing the same stupid thang and keep expecting a different result
We create our own problems. Welcome to america
But right now I need Funkshine
We’ve always lived in a pandemic, pandemic of our minds
Marley said it best, mental slavery
We need funkshine
All Day Funk shine, all day funk shine
All day funk shine, all day funk shine, all day
(Talk)
I don’t need any shade thrown my way
I enjoy the funkshine
Find that inner joy, that peace inside
Where do you find strength, where do you find comfort?
You are the light that shines bright
You shine bright at dusk
The sun envies you
Implosion is imminent ya’ll if we don’t figure this shit out
All day funkshine
Find your energy, peace upon you
This song started with me on bass and a drum loop on NYE 2018. I love Parliament Funkadelic. Any music that was created in that environment has a feeling and a vibe. ADFS is my attempt at creating a song as if I was in that universe. I would say to my friend Keith “Are we living in the twilight zone” Truth is now alternative facts and what use to be real is now false. It is a strange time right now. My optimism is low. FunkShine will take me away from the bullshit.
Hot Chocolate
By T.Lee
Chocolate
Mocha fudge
All night long
Chocolate
She is my hot chocolate
She’s my mocha fudge
She is my hot chocolate
And i’m gonna eat my baby up
Ooh girl your chocolate
It melts in my my mouth
Ooh girl your chocolate it melts in my mouth
She is my hot chocolate
She’s my mocha fudge
She is my hot chocolate
And i’m gonna eat my baby up
Ooh girl your chocolate
It melts in my my mouth
Ooh girl your chocolate it melts in my mouth
Chocolate
Mocha fudge
All night long
Chocolate
You know what they say about chocolate
Mets in yo mouth
Not in yo hands
Now….Go Wiggle
I wrote this song over 20 years ago. A bass line that I couldn't stop playing. The words followed the bass line. Keep it simple and playful. I have a sweet tooth and this song is whatever you want it to be. A tribute to women in every shade of chocolate. Lauren’s personality explodes on this song. Keith King and I really locked into the groove
Hello Ol friend
I saw you, i saw you in a dark cafe
It was on a sunny day in May
I couldn’t believe, after all this time
You look so good
Hello old friend, how long has it been
Have you thought of me since
Can i see you again
Hello old friend, did you get the letters i sent
I’ll put my heart on the limb, will i see you again
My how time flies when you’re busy
Getting your life in order
But i couldn’t resist, your eyes
Such a mystery, ooh such a mystery
You and me I’ve always wondered
I had to come over and at least say Hi, how you doing
Hello old friend, how long has it been
Have you thought of me since
Can i see you again
Hello old friend, did you read the letters i sent
I’ll put my heart on the limb, will i see you again
Hello, Hello, Hello
My it’s been so long
I’ve always liked old black and white movies. This song was inspired by a chance encounter with my wife Dana waaaaay back. We had broken up and happened to see each other at a gas station. In the song I changed the setting to make it more like film noir. A sunny day in a dimly lit cafe makes it more dramatic. The 2nd half of the song was meant to be disco. 4 on the floor with synths blaring. I asked Sav to give me his best Nile Rodgers and he delivered. My Big Sister Deborah adds some really soulful vocals to this track. Reminiscent of movies like Phantom of the Paradise and Thank God It’s Friday.
Why Not
By T’Lee
Im tired, I need a libation, I gets no gratification from my 9 to 5
Work's done, im headed right over to Sam's grand slam
Bar keep, I'll have my usual, this will get me started until my girls get here
I don't mind drinking alone
Just then, before I take a sip, a man sidled up to me, invading my space
He exclaimed his name and claim to fame
My name is gimp the ladies pimp and I can tell by the way you're staring you wanna take me home
No!
So we can just get it on
No!
Why not
Why not take me, why not take me home
(he kept saying)
Why not take me home
You must be kidding I don't even know you
And you wanna come home with me
You must be drunk or maybe simply insane
I got a driver and a rolls royce and a waterbed made of brass
But I can't find my keys so I'll be going home with you please
No! But he kept saying
Why not take me, why not take me home
Why me? I always get the weird ones. Im not in the mood for this
I should have just taken my black ass home
where you going ?
Move, get out of my way, before I have to mace you.
Damn, you working on my last nerve
So are you saying no?
But he kept saying
Why not take me home, why not take me home
While watching an episode of my favorite TV show “Sanford & Son” I was inspired. Scatman Crothers and Redd Foxx were singing “All of me” They ended the song by repeating “Why not, Why Not” That stuck in my head and I couldn’t get rid of it. A melody came, a bass line came and a concept came. One of my favorite movies as a kid was “Bugsy Malone” . I wanted to create a song in that world. Lauren’s vocals are great on this song. Her performance takes it beyond where I thought it could go. Sav gives it just the right amount of Joe Pass.
Monday Morning Flay away
By T’Lee
Monday morning, clock gives out a yell
time to dress for a job i'm hating
there's a hundred different things I’d like to do
but instead I grin and bare it
bird outside my window, why can’t I be more like you
I want to fly away, I want to fly away, I want to fly away
Monday mornings always bring me down, ever since I was a kid
I'm constantly reminded that I’m grown
some days, I wish I was a kid again
bird outside my window, how's life been treating you
I want to fly away, I want to fly away, I want to fly away
fly away, to a new day
i want to fly
fly, fly, fly , fly
i wanna fly away
in due time, i'm never gonna feel this way again
im gonna get my shit together and get my life on track, oh
in due time i'm never gonna feel this way again,
im gonna fly away
I wrote this song as a young man in my 20’s hating my job. I was probably working for a 3rd party rep firm and dreading Sunday evening. At the time I was heavy into The Style Council. I wanted to write a song like Paul Weller at that time. I could hear Paul and D.C. Lee singing the harmonies together. This is the Only song that was not fully recorded at Babybrutha’s Attic studio. Vocals, bass and Drums were recorded at The School of Art Institute. The remaining productions were completed at Babybrutha Studios. Elisa Hunt sounds great on vocals and added so much. Alex’s guitar creates the perfect vibe.
America,,,,We got a problem
By T.Lee
America...Let’s be realistic
We got a problem and we need to fix this
The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun
Is a good guy with a gun
But that’s not true
Look up James Shaw and Keanon Lowe and then we can talk
Las vegas, pulse nightclub, sandy hook
Virginia tech, first baptist, stoneman douglas, fort hood
America...Let’s be realistic
We got a problem and we need to fix this
Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate
False information, those who lie shall not be permitted inside the gate
Once they have us divided, we’ll be easy to conquer
I ain’t got time for none of your conspiracies
California,,ex cop,,,4 killed
Dallas texas,,,sniper shooter,,,ex military,,,5 killed ,,, hey hey
America...Let’s be realistic
We got a problem and we need to fix this
While you stand for old glory, excuse me while i take to my knee
No disrespect but, you don’t see what i’ve seen
I see a dream deferred
George floyd, tryavon martin, breonna taylor, tamir rice, laquan macdonald, elijah mcclain,
Eric garner , sandra bland, rashard brooks, daniel prude, betty jones, alton sterling,
Botham jean, stefon clark, freddie gray
I have never been a fan of guns. I am not anti 2nd amendment but it's obvious that we have a problem in America with Gun violence. I am not anti Police but we have a problem certain Police being accountable for their actions. I am not anti laws but the foundation of this country is slavery and the laws were manipulated and created to prevent blacks from acquiring Generational wealth through home ownership. I am not anti America but i will be critical. We as a country are flawed and we need to fix it. Carolyn's vocal at the outro gives me goosebumps. I had this song written but not completed and Childish Gambino's song dropped. Keith King said "let it all out".
Pushing me away
By T.Lee
Early this morning I kissed your lips
You were cold so i caressed your hips
Sometimes it feels, you’re pushing me away
We’d always laugh at the dumbest things
I used to love when you laughed at me
Lately i feel like you’re pushing me away
You’re pushing me away
You’re pushing me away
I feel you’re pushing me away
I brought you flowers and they died that day
I’ve given you jewelry that was thrown away
I’m starting to think, you’re pushing me away
I’ve loved you for years
And one thing is true
I’ll always play the fool for you
And when you’re sad, i’m sad too
But i feel
You’re pushing me away
You’re pushing me away
I feel you’re pushing me away
I still care for
I love you
I wanna scream i wanna yell
That’s all i want to do
If i'm under your spell
I wanna scream it from the mountain tops
I love you
I always wanted Stevie Wonder to play harmonica on one of my songs. That did not happen but this was inspired by Stevie and War's Lee Oskar or Toots Thieleman. I love just the right amount of Harmonica. Lauren provided just what I needed vocally. Lush harmonies with a solid rhythm that you can step to. This song is about a relationship that is over and has been over for awhile. we've all been there.
Ev’rybody Knows
By T.Lee
A yawn and stretch in the morning and then i rise
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes
I look to my left, i look to my right
I see linda laying beside
She’s the wifey or my man joe
I wonder how many folks will know
Everybody knows
What kind of friend am i, oh
We all get weak sometime
Just one of those things, salacious things, scandalous
As i sit drinking coffee linda says
We can’t go on like this
Joe doesn’t deserve this he’s a good man inside
And There ain’t nothing like a man’s pride
I walk away in a haze of uncertainty
How did i let this come to be
Hook
A frantic knock at my door, I jump out of bed
I tell Linda to not be scared
The next sound that i hear is a crash on my floor,
Joe just kicked in my door
He looks straight at me with his eyes tearing
He says Is it true, these things I been hearing
You were my friend, you were like a brother to me
Just then linda runs out and she says I’m sorry, joe i’m so sorry
Hey Joe,i see that gun in yo hand
This is my interpretation of what if. The song Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix is one of my favorites. My song tells the story of what happens to Joe after he leaves to shoot his ol lady. In this song his ladies name is Linda and Joe kicks in the door to confront her. Alex and Keith King add so much depth on their instruments. My Big Sister Deborah added great harmonies with me on this track. Her voice has that Pointer sister vibe.