1. |
Guys Like Me
04:46
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GUYS LIKE ME
Intro
Guys like me are hard to find
Won’t be hanging around this dirty little town forever Guys like me are hard to find
But we can find you baby any time
Verse 1
I was sitting at the bus stop
Watching all the rust stop
As another greyhound got away
She was sipping on a soda pop
Wearing a low-cut halter top
Carrying a suitcase that says “Jesus saves’
I knew we would both be stuck there a while
So, I gave her my best gold tooth smile
As I made my way across the room
It sounded like a sonic boom
She said buddy just get out of my face
Chorus
Baby don’t write me off like that so fast
I got a love that was made to last
Baby don’t write me off like that this time
Cause guys like me are hard to find
Verse 2
So, I decided to take a Sunday ride
Feeling great to be alive
And I watched her from the back of the bus
She was reading a trashy paperback
Seemed unaware of my surprise attack
As I made my way down the isle of love
Well I sat myself down next to her
Put my hand on her knee and whispered in her ear She turned around and I hit the ground, I wonder what kind of woman I found
It’s not turning out to be a good year
Verse 3
Now I’m not one to give up
On a girl with a mild hang up
So, I followed her when she left the bus
I new she really wanted me
But girls like her ain’t so easy
So, I had to look inconspicuous
I was behind her at the bank
When she said hit the floor my heart just sank
But as you point that gun right at my nose
My love for you just grows and grows
I think its time to talk real, talk real, talk real
Outro
Guys like me are hard to find
We won’t be hanging round this dirty little town forever
Guys like me are hard to find
But we can find you baby any time
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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2. |
Roll The Dice
04:40
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ROLL THE DICE
Verse 1
Can’t handle not knowing where we stand
at the end of the road without a plan.
Always knew we’d wind up in this spot
with our future all tied up in knots.
It’s a tough situation
not knowing what to do.
But I know we can work it out
‘cause we ain’t got much to lose.
Chorus
Come on baby roll the dice.
Close your eyes and don’t think twice.
It ain’t hard to make this bet.
‘cause I don’t think we’re done quite yet.
Come on honey just take a hit.
It’s too soon to fold and quit.
Who knows you may flip an ace.
Win it all, disappear without a trace.
Not ready to,
give up quite yet.
Just trying to find a way
to keep us together.
Verse 2
I don’t know how this all plays out
but you can’t bluff and beat the house.
Or run away to find romance
‘cause life is still a game of chance.
It’s a tough situation
not knowing what to do.
But I know we can work it out
‘cause we ain’t got much to lose.
Bridge
Double down
Deal the cards
It’s time to go for broke
I’m all in
To win it all
There’s no way we’ll ever bust and break apart ‘cause I know what your heart will say.
There’s no way we’ll bust and break apart ‘cause I still have one card left to play.
And its gonna be our lucky day.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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3. |
Last Gunfighter
04:50
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LAST GUNFIGHTER
Verse 1
Thought you had me surrounded down in Mexico Yeah, I left four men dead out in the streets of El Paso I’ve taken some time off to head south of the Rio Grande
‘cause sheriff and his posse want to see me shot or hanged
Never going to get me
With that team of losers after me
Don’t care how many
‘Cause when the smoke clears you can drag them from the street
Chorus
I want to tell you a story.
Bet you never heard bout those men that I shot before I got here
Well I ain’t bragging,
It’s just a matter of fact you’ll be dead by the count of five
‘cause there’s no faster gun alive
Verse 2
Learned my skills from robbing banks and trains
Started riding shotgun for Frank and Jessie James The best train robbery is when rich folk all go broke And we leave each town in a cloud of fresh gun smoke
Never going to catch me
With your team of losers after me
Don’t care how many
‘cause when the smoke clears you can drag them from the street
Chorus
I want to tell you a story.
Bet you never heard bout those men that I shot before I got here
Well I ain’t bragging,
It’s just a matter of fact you’ll be dead by the count of five
‘cause there’s no faster gun alive
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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4. |
Mine Torne Road
06:10
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MINE TORNE ROAD
Verse 1
Sitting here on Dickey’s front porch.
Waiting for the last stragglers to come down from Hell Hole's obstacle course.
The man from Bear Mountain Bridge called and said "hold them"
"The deal will take a little more time."
Kerri don't run, Kerri don't hide.
Take it real slow, let them inside.
You were the one that set the trip wire
and lead them down that winding path.
Down to Mine Torne Road.
Chorus
Be careful where you’re going to now.
Don’t turn around and look back, just let it go.
Anyway, anyhow it will all be over soon, just do your part, remember “lock and load”
and I'll meet you out tonight down on Mine Torne Road.
Let's take it from the top
You'll be the only one inside
When they make the drop it's time to
quietly slip back outside
I know where to go, been down that road before
and it won't be so easy to follow us down Mine Torne Road
Verse 2
Crash brought two briefcases for the package exchange.
And Cowboy calmed his nerves at the Fireside's Firing Range.
And I just tossed a beer waiting for the light to change.
Seems the double-cross is set as we all had arranged.
Kerri don't run, Kerri don't hide.
Take it real slow, let them inside.
Say now you were the one who set the trip wire and lead them down that winding path.
Down to Mine Torne Road
Chorus
Be careful where you’re going to now.
Don't turn around and look back, just let it go.
Anyway, anyhow it will all be over soon.
Just do your part, remember to “lock and load.”
And I'll meet you out tonight down on Mine Torn Road
Bridge
Sometimes the best of plans can go astray.
I remember those gunshots, just like it was yesterday.
I was on the path when Dickey’s burst into flames. Crash and Cowboy disappeared, and I never saw the frame.
Verse 3
It's been 20 long years and I never went back
But I keep reliving that night in constant sweaty flashbacks
Now I'm down in New York City living on the other side of the tracks
Where I've blended into the scene
But I swear I saw you just the other day
Getting out of a taxi somewhere by JFK
So, I followed you home through the smoke and crowded subway
To find if I just buried a dream
Kerri don't run, Kerri don't hide
Take it real slow, let me inside
You were the one, you were the one, you were the one
You were the one
Down at Mine Torne Road
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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5. |
Strung Out
04:21
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STRUNG OUT
Verse 1
I feel so strung-out with the early morning blues
I just can’t get up and face the day
I feel so strung-out and I don’t know what to do
Can’t imagine living this life
Strung-out without you
Verse 2
I feel so burned out and I can’t get my mind off you
My brains so messed up that I can’t think straight
I feel so burned out and I don’t know what to do
I can’t imagine living this life
Burned out without you
Chorus
And those cravings won’t go away
I want you more and more every day
I feel like I’m just barely holding on
I feel so strung-out since you have gone away
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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6. |
Do You Know My Name
05:47
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DO YOU KNOW MY NAME
Verse 1
Desert sky is turning black
Just like that big old lump of coal in my chest
I fear a tornado’s gathering strength
God’s giving me one more test
Its forty days since I gave it up
And left to chase the wind
But all hells about to erupt
And pull me back again
Do you know my name?
Do you even know my name?
Well I don’t want to be your hero no more
Every time I try to quit, it always winds up like before
So pass me the hooch it’s now or never
Verse 2
Black Rain is been building up
And I can’t quench my thirst
I feel my eyes about to pop
And my brains about to burst
But I ain’t going to crash and burn
I don’t give a damn
Someone else can take my turn
This ain’t the holy land
Do you know my name?
Do you even know my name?
Well I don’t want to be your hero no more
Every time I try to quit, it always winds up like before
Chorus
So pass me the hooch it’s now or never
Take me down from this cross
Here I come again to save the day
But no matter how hard I try, I can’t to save the both us
Bridge
I’m the anti-hero
Living in the twilight zone
And I’m the all-time loser
That’s why I drink alone
I’m going to the dessert
Where it feels like I’m living in Hell
Cause I’m not the perfect hero
Everyone thinks they know so well
Verse 3
Let me out of this Dark Cell
And point me towards the nearest bar
If you need me to fight some Demons from Hell
You’ll need to fill the empty tip jar
The monkey was on my back
Long before we met
So I’ll sing you a song for the courage
And then the Devil can pay my debt
Written by Tom Ciurczak Copyright 2020
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7. |
Down And Out In LA
05:46
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DOWN AND OUT IN LA
Verse 1
I'm standing here thinking by the side of the road
Times change fast, your life can implode
My world fell apart once we were through
Now I'm holding a sign saying' "I'll work for food"
I want to be down in T.J. dancing with the senoritas
Where life just goes reel slow and I can try to forget, but I can't.
We let something come between us
You ran out on me
It's just a matter of trust
Chorus
Say you love me, but you don't
Say you will, but you know you won't
There was a time when love was in your eyes
And I thought twin heartbeats never lied
Was it real, or just pretend?
Did you plan this bitter end?
How could you do it, throw it all away
Was it so easy just like two kids at play?
You stole my heart and it stung
Like a Manta Ray
Verse 2
Cars pass by and I get that empty stare
But bless them all and say the Lord ’s Prayer
Nighttime comes and I change my plans
I search your trash for aluminum cans
I want to be down in T.J. dancing with the senoritas
Where life just goes reel slow and I can try to forget, but I can't.
We let something come between us
You ran out on me
It's just a matter of trust
Pre-Bridge
And every night when I sleep in the Mission
I still see your eyes
Looking through the way they use too
I need to show you, I can make it,
I am still alive
I'm alive
Bridge
In every city there are others like me
It always seems like we've hit rock bottom
But we all use to be like you are
We lost our lives and we've fallen too far
You can find us on freeway off ramps
holding up signs saying "will work for food"
You can find us on any street corner
hustling spare change
with holes in our shoes.
Outro
All this time alone again
With no shelter overhead
And I remember the good times
Before I was left for dead
And the dreams of a better tomorrow fade
Fade with the days gone by
As I count up all my nickels
And I dine on cold French fries
And I'm searching for a reason
Why I am still alive
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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8. |
Sunny Came Back
04:09
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SUNNY CAME BACK
Verse 1
Thought I forgot about you long ago and that was ok
until you turned up in the bar, I go last evening.
So, I looked around for the back door out
in case I needed to run.
Didn’t think I’d see you around here anymore
Chorus
Seems so long ago
that I met you at the lost and found.
Never thought you’d burn it all down on me.
And all those days gone by
right now, it doesn’t seem so very long ago.
Since you opened up your heart and set me free.
Verse 2
And you came straight toward me with that look on your face
that I remember so well.
I knew right then all hell was about to break loose.
So, I looked around for a quick escape
But the door was locked.
Same old shit seems I always lose.
Bridge
I know there must be something wrong with me.
I was just your monkey on a chain.
Girls that play with matches are probably insane.
I tried, I tried.
I tried ---but you keep coming back.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copywright 2020
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9. |
Faces In The Crowd
03:59
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FACES IN THE CROWD
Verse 1
I look for faces in the crowd
I realize it’s been a long time
That I’ve been away from here
And all the faces aren’t as clear
And all those nickel dime affairs
While I was stuck in solitaire
You thought you’d find your millionaire
You thought I wouldn’t even care
But it was all so long ago
And now I’m back out on parole
I bet it comes as some surprise
I never could forget those lies
They were the ones that I believed
Those Poison darts aimed to deceive
It all exploded way too loud
Now I search for faces in the crowd
Chorus
We all grow old
We all do hard time
In our own different ways
If I get a chance to do it over
Would anything have changed?
I guess the answers still blowing in the wind
But all those days gone by
You were always in a hurry
All those days you had a secret plan
All those days gone by
You were always in a hurry
Always chasing after another man
Verse 2
know you’re at the same old bars
‘cause all you veterans have war scars
Still trying to hook up with Mr. Right
Even for just one lonely night
And all the chasing the winner’s purse
Seems to have come along with a curse
It snuck up on you day by day
The lines on your face give it away
So should stay or should I bother
I’ve only got a couple of Dollars
It’s enough to get in trouble again
The Whiskey man still my good friend
But in the end we were never here
Just a fading memory from too cheap liquor and beer
I just wanted some kind of final reprieve
One more lie I could believe
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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10. |
Winter Highland Falls
05:50
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Winter Highland Falls
Verse 1
This town died so long ago.
No one noticed because it died so slow.
Board it up, burn it down
The good jobs have moved over seas.
Grab all the things you need Wendy and run away with me.
Chorus
All right
Wendy take me by the hand.
Head out in the night
Find your Neverland.
Hold tight
Wendy never let me go.
It’s a rollercoaster ride
down the back roads
to the lost world of “Rock and Roll”.
Verse 2
This town never saw it coming.
This town is full of ghosts.
No time left the clock is ticking.
Its time to hit the road.
Board it up, burn it down.
All the good jobs moved over seas.
Grab all the things you need Wendy and run away with me.
Verse 3
This town is like so many others.
Grew old and lost the race.
This town became so boring.
We got to get out of this place.
Board it up, burn it down.
The good jobs moved over seas.
Grab all the things you need Wendy and run away with me.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copywrite 2020
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11. |
Top Of The World
04:46
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TOP OF THE WORLD
Verse 1
Stop, look around, never thought, but it happened once before.
Eyes open wide still I walked quiet blindly through your door.
Breaking down the barriers that it took so long to build.
Made me wake up all at once and shout.
Chorus
Look at me Ma I’m on top of the world.
I’m in love with a gorgeous girl.
Look at me now I’m on top of the world.
I’m in love with a beautiful girl.
Verse 2
Mind spinning ‘round, wondering why I get so damn confused.
Hearts beating faster, butterflies, just want to know the truth.
You pulled me out of the darkness, and you took me by the hand
Made me wake up all at once and shout
Chorus
Look at me Ma I’m on top of the world
I’m in love with a gorgeous girl
Look at me now I’m on top of the world
I’m in love with a beautiful girl
Bridge
Now I’m wondering what to do.
How to escape this life and save me and you.
Love enters with a shout but leaves in a soft whisper.
Don’t know if I can say goodbye.
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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12. |
Ishmael
07:53
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ISHMAEL
Verse 1
Call me Ishmael
I got a story to tell
I’m the lone survivor
Of the Jimenez Cartel
I was captured up the Yucatan
Drugged and stuffed in a big old mason jar
Taken to some Narco Ranch
Their leader thought he was Pablo Escobar.
Chorus
Jesus is watching
Jesus is near
In the heart of the Jungle
I stand tall with no fear
Verse 2
There were so many cages
I don’t know where to start
I couldn’t tell if they were smugglers or cannibals
They were using every part
At night they’d sit around a camp fire
Act like nothing was wrong
Passing the tequila
And they’d all sing Mariachi songs
Chorus
Jesus is watching
Jesus is near
In the heart of the Jungle
I stand tall with no fear
Bridge
She creeps through the high grass, see’s everything
Waiting for the right time when it’s her turn
Then it all exploded like a cheap Meth Lab, and I escaped to the highest branch
It looked like the last days with Ahab on the Pequod
From up above the carnage and mayhem tore through the Narco ranch
Everyone was running around like chickens with their heads cut off
We all need someone we can count on
We all need someone we can count on
Verse 3
I didn’t see anything left alive
After that there’s not much more for me to tell
The last thing I heard before I flew away
Is that Pablo said he’d chase that cat to the gates of hell
Chorus
Jesus is watching
Jesus is near
In the heart of the Jungle
I stand tall with no fear
Written by Tom Ciurczak, Copyright 2020
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Tom Ciurczak Los Angeles, California
For fans who enjoy the music and lyrical style of Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello and Steve Earle. And for those who like songs about colorful characters and stories with with surprise third act twists. Then Tom Ciurczak’s new CD "Call me Ishmael” is a great choice for you. ... more
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