Tony Lewis

During the last few months I've had a few of my songs included on various compilations and promotional albums. Since in writing my songs the lyrics have always been at least as important as the music (although in actual fact they should be married for life), I'd like to put up a few lyrics so that you folks who have my songs on CDs other than official "Tony Lewis" CDs, can also figure out what it is I'm mumbling about...

Ziggy was a wild one about as hard as they come
From the town's finest family but Ziggy weren't no daddy's son
He lived for his Harley he knew every bolt and screw
He would strip it down just for fun and have it back by lunch like new
He'd spent more than his share of time in the county home
He had a talent for finding trouble and makin' it his own

Karen was a smart girl but she was torn between two worlds
The baddest biker bitch from hell or the model office girl
You could look into her conflict by lookin' at her clothes
Madame Jeckyl in skin-tight leathers or Lady Hyde in panty hose
Tried to lock away her demons and to make her papa proud
She got a nine to five and was cleanin' up but the poundin' grew too loud

Though you might have a million more
You better live each day like it's your last
Gotta slow down for the curves
But then reach out and give her gas
Put your faith in pension funds
And monday bowling with the boys
But when your time to check out comes go on
And make a little noise

Now the only thing that Ziggy loved more than the hog he raced
Was pushin' it to a hundred plus with Karen's arms around his waist
He met her at a roadhouse she was sittin' with a friend
When the fight was over he brought her home and the next day she moved in
Two fugitives from family life two outcasts from the fold
A match made in heaven on a day when thunder rolled

Chorus

The love they shared didn't do too much
to calm their wilder side
But sometimes at night layin' in her arms
he just broke down and cried

On a rain-swept county road Ziggy slipped away one night
When her folks came out to comfort her Karen was nowhere in sight
She was hiding at a friend's house in a drug & whiskey haze
She'd walked in, dropped down on the couch and hadn't move for 3 days
On the outside catatonic inside Liston vs. Clay*
Madame Jeckyl won the battle and now she would make them pay

She reappeared at church the day they put him in the ground
She screamed "you pious hypocrites you didn't love him when he was around
Now you all feel such a loss such an all-consuming pain
But when you get home see if you can wash away the stain
You know it almost makes me sorry I won't see your face again"
As she roared off on her Harley there began a gentle rain..

Chorus

*One of the most historic heavyweight prize fights of all time, the one that put Cassius Clay (Mohammed Ali)
on the map, and ended the reign of Sonny Liston. I think it was back in 1961.

BAD CASE OF LOVE

Well I might o' caught a little bitty bug
Last night at the Boom Boom Room
It floated in on a draft when she came through the door
Mixed in with her perfume

Just got over a bout and there's no doubt
It should'a left my heart immune
After hard-won healin' this kind of feelin'
Shouldn't infect me so soon

I'm comin' down with a bad case of love
Thought I was relapse proof
But my heart's a-poundin' my knees are weak
My temperature's gone through the roof
I built up my resistance
To every strain of female flu
You can vaccinate and inoculate
Love'll still get through to you

After a long-term convalescence
I was back up on my feet
Went back to the life I knew and loved
Recovery was complete

But the symptoms are clear since she appeared
It's that old familiar pain
Comin' on strong and it won't be long
'Til I'm bed-ridden again

Chorus

I'm gonna make myself a will
And call my next of kin
Get ready to meet my maker
Cuz this time it's gonna do me in

Chorus

© 1998 Tony Lewis

YOU ARE THE DREAM

I CAN'T BELIEVE MY LUCK
EVERYTIME I LOOK IN YOUR EYES
I NEVER WON ANYTHING BEFORE
AND NOW I'M HOLDING FIRST PRIZE
I'M A CHIVALROUS KNIGHT
BESIDE A PRINCESS LIKE YOU
'CUZ YOU ARE THE DREAM
THAT MADE MY LIFE COME TRUE

THERE'S A RED CLOUD IN THE WESTERN SKY
A WARM BREEZE COMIN' OFF THE PLAIN
I'M FEELIN' GOOD CUZ IN A LITTLE WHILE
I'LL BE WITH YOU AGAIN

MY FRIENDS ARE WONDERIN' WHAT'S GOIN' ON
DON'T GET TO TOWN MUCH ANYMORE
BUT WHAT'S THE SENSE OF KILLIN' TIME
WHEN HEAVEN WAITS PAST MY DOOR

CHORUS

I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE FOR FANTASY
I'VE KEPT MY FEET ON THE GROUND
WHO'D A' THOUGHT THAT A MILLION BUCKS
WOULD WAIT FOR ME TO BE FOUND

I'VE DREAMED OF FLYIN' A THOUSAND TIMES
AND WISHED THAT I REALLY COULD
BUT NOW FROM UP HERE REALITY
NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD

CHORUS

© Tony Lewis 1998