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Michael Callen's Legacy - Top Disc - Lyrics
LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR
by Michael Callen & Marsha Malamet
Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI) / Famous Music-Gitsoms Songs (ASCAP)
I believe
That we can change the world
And I believe
The change begins with you and me
Look around
See how the madness grows
There's so much pain and hate
It's all just fear, I suppose
I won't hide anymore
This time I can't ignore
A love so right it shows
You know it, deep inside
And now you must decide
To speak what your heart knows
Isn't this love?
Isn't this love?
Isn't this love worth fighting for?
Isn't this love
I know it's love for sure
This is a love worth fighting for
It's a crazy world
We shouldn't have to hide
All love's good—and should be welcomed
So I refuse to lie anymore
Who are they to say
Who says it's not ok?
Their rules just don't apply
Who are they anyway?
There's more than just one way
So look me in the eye
and tell me
Isn't this love?
Isn't this love?
Isn't this love worth fighting for?
Isn't this love
You know it's love for sure
This is a love worth fighting for
Oh, this feels so right
Just trust in how you feel
No, no I don't wanna fight
but it must be said out loud
This love is real
Isn't this love?
Isn't this love?
Isn't this love worth fighting for?
Isn't this love
We know that love's the cure
These are our lives we're fighting for
It's our right to love we're fighting for
I believe
That we can change the world
And I believe
The change begins
with you and me
REDEFINE THE FAMILY
(The Census Song)
Michael Callen
Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI)
A man came by the other day
He said he'd been sent
By the U. S. government
And the President
[Oh, I was so impressed...]
He produced a long, long form
He looked me in the eye
``Tell the truth now, do not lie
Here's the reason why''
He said
``We worship the family
We say how it's supposed to be
We insist on conformity, you see
We define the family
Question one; this household
List each occupant
Say how related and how old
And, do you own or rent?
And may I presume you're married?''
I said, ``In a sense...''
``And children? Perhaps two point five?
And a picket fence?''
He smiled and said
``A wife and kids! Now that's a family!
The backbone of our democracy
The way the Bible says it should be
that's how we define the family!''
Well-a, well-a, well-a
I had sworn to tell the truth and
I don't like to lie
I said
``Sir, you're misinformed
Please allow me to clarify.''
Then I told him
We define our family
We offer no apology
We celebrate our diversity, you see
We define our family
My lover's name is Richard
His lover's name is Pat
We're one big happy family
Is there a box for that?
We live here with Pam and Lyn
They're lesbians and lovers
Together, we're raising three great kids
Gertrude, and her two brothers
You see
We'll define our own family
We practice creativity
We teach respect for diversity
you see
We define our family
Well-a, well-a, well the
Poor man seemed to lose his cool, he shouted:
``This is OUTRAGEOUS!''
``You'd better go then,'' I replied,
``Cause it may be contagious!''
And I told him
Redefine the family
So it includes you and me
We must teach respect for diversity
We'll design our own family
Our family
We are family!
BETTER IN THE MOONLIGHT
Michael Callen/Richard Dworkin
Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI)
Better in the moonlight
Better in the moonlight
Better when you hold tight
And do it all night
It's better in the moonlight
There's not another soul in sight
Just you and me
We could make love till the morning light
I could hold you tenderly
Then you'd see
That it's better in the moonlight
Give in to the gentle wind
To the sultry summer heat
Let the ocean air blow away your cares
Don't it taste so salty sweet?
Listen to my heart beat...
Ain't it better in the moonlight
I've made love hangin' upside down
I've made love on a sunny day
Done it fast, done it slow
In the rain, in the snow
So believe me when I say
It's better in the moonlight
I've made love in a motel room
I've made love on a cloudy day
In a million ways, in a Chevrolet
So believe me when I say
That it's
Better in the Moonlight
6:30 Sunday Morning/Right as the Rain
Peter Allen
Music of the Times Publishing Corp.
Harold Arlen & E. Y. Harburg
Chappell & Co.
Six thirty
Sunday morning
And it's raining
The kind of rain
You only find
On the West Side
Six thirty
Sunday morning
Someone's jogging
The way he runs
Makes me think he's
from the East Side
Oh, it's beautiful
You can get in tune
And see more life, alone,
On a Central Park morning
Than on a country afternoon
Six thirty
Early autumn
Leaves have fallen
Let 'em sleep
They will keep my secrets
I wish there were more rainy Sundays
To make up for Saturday nights
-----
Right as the rain
That falls from above
So real
So right
Is our love
It came like the spring
That breaks through the snow
And I can't say what it may bring
I only know
I only know
It's right to believe
Whatever gave your eyes this glow
Whatever gave my heart this song
Can't be wrong
It's right as the rain
That falls from above
And fills the world
With the bloom
of our love
NOW
Michael Callen
Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI)
When I was young
I believed
I'd live to see
A better world
A brotherhood
Between black and white
Oh...We had a dream
We would win
'Cause we were right
There'd be revolution overnight
No more injustice
No more fear
Change was gonna come
It all seemed so clear
How much longer
Will it take
'Cause I don't want to wait
Now
Why can't it be now
I want justice now
Now
And then there was the ERA
A cry for justice and fair play
Sisterhood was such a powerful dream
Oh, and I believed
But after too many battles
Too much pain
So much loss for so little gain
I'm still tryin' to hold on Refuse to give in
Just a little longer
I know we can win
But I'm tired of all the shouting
I'm sick of all the hate
And I don't want to wait
Now
Why can't it be now
I want it now
Now
Our right to love
The way we choose
Has been my final battle
I've paid my dues
I'm battered and bruised
But I'm still standing tall
And I still believe that one day
We will walk the streets
holding hands
our heads held high
You and I
And passersby will smile hello
Hold onto your dreams
Stand up for what's right
And let love sustain the fight
Imagine it
Now
Envision it
Now
A brotherhood now
A sisterhood now
Fight for it now
now
TWO MEN DANCE THE TANGO
Tom Judson
Hey, Music! (BMI)
You'd hardly think it queer if you saw two men drinking beer
it's rather common and most expected
It's not a sight that shocks, two men trading bonds and stocks
it happens daily; I know, I checked it
If you saw two men cowpokes you would sing `Home on the Range'
and two men fighting fires is anything but strange
Then why should it matter if
What's the commotion if
Who cares if...
Two men dance the tango together in the moonlight
A sultry tune might provoke an impromptu turn
If their duet shows a hint of style
Should they be put on trial?
When does a backward dip give cause for concern?
They know excitement lies in store when they trip the light fantastic
There's nothing drastic in feeling the beat within
You'll find adventure in one, two, three
So just remember, when next you see
Two men dance the tango together
You should join right in!
Two fellows on a date who find that things aren't going great
begin to panic; they've made a blunder
The evening shows no hope, in fact they're running out of rope
Like the Titanic, they're going under
But then the band starts pounding a fiery old tattoo
When Latin beats are sounding what are two boys to do?
They leap up from out their seats
Toward that hypnotic beat
And then those
Two men dance the tango together with abandon
There's nothing planned in the rhythmic relief it brings
What sound in heaven could be more pleasing
Than an accordion's wheezing?
Just hear that violin caressing its strings!
When flavors of the Argentine start to issue from the bandstand
Oh it's a grandstand where romance begins to grow
There is no reason for asking why
Don't lose composure if you should spy
Two men dance the tango together
Maybe you should too!
Oh, ev'ry chance they can go men go to a dance and tango so should you!
GLITTER AND BE GAY
Leonard Bernstein / Richard Wilbur
The Amberson Group Inc. / Boosey and Hawkes, Inc. (ASCAP)
Glitter and be gay
That's the part I play
Here I am in Paris, France
Forced to bend my soul
To a sordid role
Victimized by bitter
Bitter circumstance
Alas for me
Had I remained beside my lady mother
My virture had remained unstained
Until my maiden hand was gained
By some grand duke...or other.
Ah, t'was not to be
Harsh necessity
Brought me to this guilded cage
Born to higher things
Here I droop my wings
Ahhhhhhhhhh
Singing of the sorrow
Nothing can assuage
And yet, of course, I rather like to revel
I have no strong objection to champagne
My wardrobe is expensive as the devil, ah ha!
Perhaps it is ignoble to complain
Enough! Enough!
Of being basely tearful
I'll show my noble stuff
By being bright and cheerful
Ahhhhhh
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha etc.
Pearls and ruby rings
Ah, how can worldly things
Take the place of honor lost
Can they compensate
For my fallen state
Purchased as they were at such an awful cost
Bracelets! Lavaliers!
Can they dry my tears
Can they blind my eyes to shame
Can the brightest brooch
Shield me from reproach
Can the purest diamond
Purify my name?
And yet, of course, these trinkets are endearing, ah ha
I'm also glad my sapphire is a star
I rather like a 20 carat earring
If I'm not pure, at least my jewels are
Enough enough
I'll take their diamond necklace
And show my noble stuff
By being GAY and reckless
Ah ha ah hah...
ha ha ha ha ha ha etc.
Observe how bravely I conceal
the dreadful dreadful
Shame I feel
ah ha ha ha haha
aha ha ha HAAAAAAAAA
ha ha ha ha
MY IMAGINATION
Michael Callen
Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI)
Can it be
that you are really
here with me
and we are very
happily
Together lying on the sand
We're hand in hand
And oooooh
You seem to be real
And I do like
the way you make me feel
oh baby I keep thinking
Maybe it's only my
imagination
We got some suntan lotion
We've got some lime and lemonade
I got this crazy notion
We've got it made in the shade
And oooooh
You seem to be real
And I do like
the way you make me feel
oh baby I keep thinking
Maybe it's only my
imagination
We've got a
tropical paradise
you know it sure feels nice
Just me and you and a dream come true
oh baby can I believe my eyes
oooooh
You seem to be real
And I do like
the way you make me feel
oh baby I keep thinking
Maybe it's only my
imagination
CRAZY WORLD
Michael Callen
Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI)
I dream such dreams
Ones where boy gets boy
And girl gets girl
It seems to me
We're all just victims of anatomy
Can't they see?
This is a crazy world
I'm so lonely
Feel like the only one
Who ever felt this way
Could deceive them
But I don't believe them
No matter what other people say
I'm gonna stay with you
Even in this crazy world
CHORUS:
They're always sayin'
This world needs more love
But somehow, not our kind
It makes no sense how they pick and choose
When we could use more love
However we find it
Then I'm reminded,
Hey, we live in a crazy world
Tell me why
I should have to justify the way I love
Why explain?
But I can't lie
I won't even try to pretend
In the end, it would cause too much pain
Drive us insane
In an already crazy world
REPEAT CHORUS
I say love's o.k.
Anywhere, any way
Don't you agree?
So come and play with me
We'll play at being free
I think that they need to see
How beautiful such love can be
That might fix this
Mixed up crazy world
WE'VE HAD ENOUGH
Michael Callen
Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI)
Calling all feeling people
Better take a look around
People are dying
People are crying out
Can't you hear the sound
Something's gotta change
Something's gotta give
Gonna have to fight if you wanna live
Our backs against the wall
They leave us with no choices
We've gotta risk it all
We've gotta raise our voices
And say enough
We've had enough
Won't take no more
We've had enough
Gonna win this war
We've had enough
We've had enough
Of the hate and the lies
This is genocide
We've had enough
What is the value of one life
If it were your brother
If it were your wife
Then you'd understand
Why we're demanding that
people not turn away
Gonna raise the stakes
Do whatever it takes
Gonna let them know that
there'll be hell to pay
We are your children
We're your brothers, your friends, your wifes
We're all in this together
Help us
We are fighting for our lives
This is a test of who we are
Do we care enough to do what's right
It's down to me and you
If not us, who will dare to fight this fight
I don't know if I'll live or die
All I know is I'm gonna try
Too many people have died
We've got to put our differences aside
I'm gonna fight 'til my last breath
Don't be silent
Silence equals death
And say enough
We've had enough
Won't take no more
We've had enough
Gonna win this war
We've had enough
We've had enough
Of the hate and the lies
This is genocide
We've had enough
NO NO
Michael Callen
Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI)
From the moment we are born
and maybe even before
We are taught that we must choose
to be either/or
The pink and blue conspiracy
is lesson number one
And if you cross the gender line
of daughter or son
they say
No no no no, na
No no no no, na
No no no na no no.
Now they say that there can never be
exceptions to the rules
But if you ask me I would say
it's them that are the fools
They waste all that energy
playing a woman or a man
Just take the best and leave the rest
and be all that you can
by saying
No no no no, na
No no no no, na
No no no na no no.
Boys will be boys, they say
and girls will be wives
Strangers and enemies
for the rest of their lives
What a waste!
Well the world it is a strange place
and gettin' stranger every day
Now I'm not bitter, but all things considered
I sure am glad I'm gay
And me, I just do not believe
it has to be this way
And if you agree with me
just join me when I say
we say
No no no no, na
No no no no, na
No no no na no no.
GRADE B MOVIE
Carole Pope and Kevan Staples
Mummy Dust Music Ltd. & Joan Tone Musik (CAPAC)
additional lyrics by Michael Callen
I walked the wet boulevard alone
An open invitation to...anyone
I bit my lips to keep back the tears
What would THEY think
I cared not; I dared not
All I had were the tortured memories of a love I had once known
I could still feel your burning kisses on my virgin lips
When you look at me
It's like any Grade B Movie
I whisper: Hello, Johnny. Hello, Johnny.
Then you tear my sheath and I'm below you
Moaning: Oh Johnny, don't stop. Not now!
Don't stop Johnny
Don't stop Johnny
I remember that cigarette dangling
from the corner of your mouth
That white shirt unbuttoned at the collar
revealing the tanned expanse of your chest
I knew you would never be COMPLETELY mine,
but I had to settle for what I could get
That night I raked your back with those ugly red welts!
I don't know WHAT your kisses reduced me to
You said you were pouring the wine of passion
Into the warped vessel of a wanton woman's heart
I had no control over my animal lust
Forgive me
Forgive me
When you look at me
It's like any Grade B Movie
I whisper: Hello, Johnny. Hello, Johnny.
Then you tear my sheath and I'm below you moaning
Oh Johnny, don't stop. Not now!
Don't stop Johnny,
Don't stop Johnny.
When you look at me, it's like any cheap novel
Your swelling manhood rising in your bleached out jeans
I come apart at the seams
I really can't go on.
-------
But you wound me, Johnny.
I'm a slave to your purple blood-engorged pillar of desire
The knife of your love plunging in and out
in and out
all the way in and all the way out...
of my heart!
WARM AS THE WIND
Don Paul Yowell
Gypsy Vans Music (ASCAP)
Warm as the wind
Pale wind that blushes
Shy as the smiles of love you gave
All through the winter and the heat of summer
You were as warm as the wind
Where is the light of love
I remember
Truth was the wine, the fire gold
Loving and tender
oh yes I remember
You were as warm as the wind
You must have known that this love was alive
So you said can we give it just another chance
So we swept through the fire that once burned so bright
Did you think we would find our old romance
Time goes by oh so slowly
Years become moments
Moments become dreams
Two hands together
oh yes I do remember
You were as warm as the wind
You must have known that this love was alive
So you said can we give it just another chance
So we swept through the fire that once burned so bright
Did you think that we would find our old romance
There are no candles
Only warmth of memories
Oh but they make a royal glow
Two hearts together
Oh yes I do remember
You were as warm as the wind
As the wind
As the wind
Warm as the wind
KEROSENE LANTERN
Judy Mayhan
Summerwind Music (BMI)
The kerosene lantern
Makes swallowing sounds
And coyotes howl on a moonless night
What do they say
In such poetic ways?
Perhaps even they do not like to be alone
For always
And I heard a voice
Crying for the moon to come
And take the ways of those strange dogs
And turn it into singing
Doo doo doooooo
You do commit yourself
Take the jagged knife
And cut away the bitter fruit
And listen to the voices
Sayin'
Remember not to hurt yourself
Remember
Remember
Remember not to hurt yourself
Baby
SOMETIMES NOT OFTEN ENOUGH
Henry Mancini & Felice Mancini
Northridge Music Co. (ASCAP)
Sometimes
Not often enough
We reflect upon the good things
And our thoughts always center around
those we love
And I think about those people
Who mean so much to me
and who for so many years
have made me so very happy
And I count the times
I have forgotten to say
thank you
And just how much I love them
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