1. |
Summertime, Summertime
04:59
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Open up the paper what do I see?
B7 under the fold
Photo of my old flame smiling at me
Letters of her name in bold
Well, looks like you got just what you wanted
Got your big promotion
Pulling weight all over the town
Doesn’t bother me I grab the Metro section
You can keep on climbing baby I’m staying down
Baby I’m staying down
Yeah the weather here is cooler
I’ll be here till November
You can stop by anytime
Riots on the TV
Momma gets uneasy
Daddy’s got a gun in his drawer
Brother’s working two jobs
Sister cut her hair off
Says she’s not a girl no more
Yes, and all the signs point to a downturn
Suits stern at the lectern
Spreadsheets, they’re wiping ‘em blank
And here’s Charlie in the car lot
Scoping out a Hyundai
Figures he can make his escape
He’s got a tax refund
And some money from savings
And the life that he’s craving
It lies off somewhere else
Jenny’s got it all figured out
Still some days she gets fed up
Job’s giving her headaches
Go in early stay late
Money in the bank though and her rent’s paid up
And still she’s waking up nostalgic
Brooding over breakfast
Dreaming ‘bout a summer on the Lower East Side
Getting drunk and slumming with a punk name Lou
Saving all her money for a new tattoo
But they spelled it wrong
And they fucked up the shading
And now the colors are all fading
And ol’ Lou where’s he gone?
Walking into the city, head in a clamp
Last night I drank more than I should
Stumbling yelling at people on a subway platform
Slurring like you know I would
Yes and see me walking on the bridge now
Trying not to look down
Water gets cold in the East River Bay
I’m tempted hooking my fingers in the chain link fence
Maybe someday later but not today
Oh no not today
I’ve got some things that I’ve not done yet
I’ve got some friends down in Sunset
I think that I’ll stick around
Couple things that didn’t work out
Couple things that aren’t like before
What you saw in me babe was a young man of promise
You don’t see that anymore
Yeah and I know I might have made some wrong turns
Might be falling behind
Might be taking more than I give
And I might be acting foolish
Might be going nowhere
Might be no good at my job but I’m good where it matters
Yes I’m good where it matters
If you don’t know I can’t tell you
If you don’t care than that’s fine
Open up the window let in some air
Heater going out of control
Outside the snow is piled up high on the ground
Hold my face against the cold
And I think back to summer 2011
Kicked out of my apartment
July and 90 degrees
I’m sitting on a park bench
Eating two tacos
Baby I got places to be but I’m in no hurry
Naw I’m in no hurry
I think I’ll sip on my soda
Summertime, summertime
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2. |
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Yes I’m clean masculine and confident
I feel like I could even run for president
Spread my message clear across the continent
Clean masculine and confident
About a year or two ago
I bottomed out I got real low
I said things to the abyss that the abyss dared not repeat
Well I wept and wailed and gnashed my teeth
I crawled high on that midden heap
I ranted railed till finally sleep
Descended upon me
But the mirror only shows what’s on the surface
And the surface never did no wrong to me
So that’s why I’m—
Clean masculine and confident
I’m thinking I should really run for president
Spread my message clear across the continent
You know it’s all about being clean masculine and confident
Well I woke up one foul morning
I was feeling sick I was feeling ornery
Had a pain down in my gut that lamed my limbs
Friends!
My goose got cooked my yoke got busted
My taters braised my carrot roasted
The former glory that I’d once boasted of being
I was not him
But the mirror only shows what’s on the outside
And the outside, it don’t look so bad to me
No it don’t so that’s why I’m—
Clean masculine and confident
Just watch me now I’m headed on to president
Spread my message clear across the continent
Clean masculine and confident
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3. |
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Well I’m sitting with my suitcase at the station
Got a little time to kill before the train takes me away
And I’m trying to assess my situation
Drinking warm domestic beer in this unfortunate cafe
And beyond the tracks I look and see the sunset
Tinged with purple pink and red
Around me all the cafe tables empty
And I remember what she said
Get your clothes out of the closet
Wipe them teardrops out your eyes
Get your tongue out of my mouth
Babe
‘Cause I’m kissing you goodbye
Well the waiter he comes by and says they’re closing
And would I mind settling up, he brings the check I leave a tip
And I wander to the newsstand and I start browsing
But the papers seem too old and the magazines too hip
So I figure what the hell I’ll buy a novel
Get transported clear my head
The covers they all look so bright and hopeful
Still I can’t forget what she said
Get your car out of the driveway
Don’t you feed me no more lines
Get your tongue out of my mouth
Babe
‘Cause I’m kissing you goodbye
When the train finally arrives the night is total
And the brakes let out a sigh as the machine comes to a rest
We few stragglers on the platform shuffle forward
They might call it second class but it sure feels like second best
Still outside my window I can watch the moon rise
Worn just slightly on the right
I look around the car I’m in is empty
And we go rolling through the night
Get your clothes out of the closet
Wipe them teardrops out your eyes
Get your tongue out of my mouth
Babe
‘Cause I’m kissing you goodbye
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4. |
Hey, Rube!
01:11
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5. |
Close to the Ground
04:16
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Well I hardly ever smoke
And I’m small, so small
When I light up it feels good
For a while
But even one cigarette it’s too much
They’re so strong, so strong
I feel sick
I feel close to the ground
Well I woke up with the sun
It was bright, so bright
Full of hope I went out
In the day
But the sun it’s gone down
Now it’s dark all around
I feel sick
I feel close to the ground
And my clothes they all fit
I look good, so good
Tie a scarf ‘round my neck
And I’m warm
But the wind’s picking up
As the moon’s coming up
And my socks and my shoes
Full of holes
So I think I’ll pack it in
Go back home, back home
If I’m smart or if I’m dumb
I’m not sure
Though I’m giving up my pride
At least now I’ll feel no scorn
Though I’m sick
I feel close to the ground
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6. |
Anna Lee
04:59
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Well we met cute outside the cafe
You came over to ask for a light
Leaning part way over the fence between us
It’s downtown, Saturday night
You explained how you’d stopped smoking Camels
You explained how your friends were no fun
When I said my name you said boy I know it
I’ve been seeing you around some
The group you were with
They’d gone off down the sidewalk
You turned to join them
And I watched you go
I was grinning
Anna Lee
Yeah the sun sets late in the summer
All the students gone till the fall
When the rain comes down in the afternoon
You see steam rising off asphalt
It was one of those wild, wild Wednesdays
I was bored all my friends had work
Caught your sister’s band at your boyfriend’s house
It was loud and their mics didn’t work
And I wandered off
I was lonely but happy
I was thinking about music
I was thinking about us
I was hopeful
Anna Lee
Well I spent a few weeks missing signals
And a few after that missing calls
I’m a few beers in on my front porch
You’re across town having a ball
Yes I’ve been ripped off and I’ve been misused
Baby I’ve been nickled and dimed
But when I look back at the wrongs I’ve seen
I’m not sure if the worst weren’t mine
And I know there’s no rush
But I’m losing my patience
Like I’m losing my head
Like I’m losing my cool
Over you
Anna Lee
I drove out, the windows down, radio on
I drove out till the station turned to static
The sun went down, the clouds cleared off, the stars came out
It got cold, it got quiet, I drove back
Now the team’s moved out to the suburbs
And now downtown looks like a mall
All the cafes stopped serving locals
All the students back for the fall
And it’s not just because it’s September
And it’s not just because I’m alone
We had one good night I remember
But that morning I woke on my own
And I’m not really sure
What I came here to tell you
But that look on your face
I can tell it’s too late
And I’m sorry
Anna Lee
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7. |
Shit Year
02:17
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Well all in all it's been a shit year
Floodlights and picket signs
And someone jumped the party line
No time for chess I'm a checkers man dear
Shoot straight don't waste my time
To kick my ass, just get in line but -
Oh my god I know
That down and out is the way this thing goes
OooooOOoooooooOOOoooOOOOOooooOOOOOOooooOOOOOoooo
I'm - eager to pass the buck
Well you might stop to say
You've had good times but never good enough to
Pack it all away
The way things go
One or two will fix me for the road
Maybe the night's still young and things will be alright
Deer in the headlights
So settle in for fiery de-mise
The TV advertises twice the fun at
Half the size and
As sights go you're one for sore eyes
Thick glasses look alive
I saw your boots your knees your thighs and
Oh my god I know
That down and out is the way this thing goes
OooooOOoooooooOOOoooOOOOOooooOOOOOOooooOOOOOoooo
I'm - eager to pass the buck
Well you might stop to say
You've had good times but never good enough to
Pack it all away
The way things go
One or two will fix me for the road
Maybe the night's still young and things will be alright
Deer in the headlights
It's only time I'm wasting
That's the time I spend with you
Alone in this old house and bored
Wandering from room to room
Looking at pictures of who
I can't be sure I'm
Eager to pass the buck
Well you might stop to say
You've had good times but never good enough to
Pack it all away
The way things go
One or two will fix me for the road
Maybe the night's still young and things will be alright
Deer in the headlights
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8. |
River Mill
03:44
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Communicate ’cross the porch
Mid-day trips to the convenience store
Two pounds of chips, a case of beer
And we split the bill
In these feral salad days, the grain ground coarse
In the river mill
Flick my head, watch it nod
Statuettes of my old gods
One score, seven year reel, I play the film
Until I get my fill
Of these feral salad days, the grain ground coarse
In the river mill
Dying light, I didn’t turn you on for nothing
When I look back, I expect to see something
Forgotten tune, I didn’t pen you out for nothing
When I listen back, I expect to hear something
Forgotten intimates, I didn’t dredge you up for nothing
When I think back I expect to feel something.
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9. |
Espresso
02:22
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Walking down Thirteenth in the spring heat,
Oh, woe is me
Doc Martens and tight jeans got me weak in the knees,
Oh, mercy me
’Cause the boys are looking cool, confident, and clean
I know what I say, say what I mean
Tall, dark, and handsome, I’ve got nothing against ’em
I’m nothing if not honest to a T (when I say, I like)
Women in boots, sipping on espresso,
About men I feel the same, only less so
I like women
Walking down first, don’t know what’s worse
Going stag or the line for Panna II
But much to my delight in the window under the lights
Is one choice, good-looking dude
Say what you will, I ain’t ashamed to look
Beauty is absolute in my book
Scribble down a poem, got half a mind to show him
I’m afraid I’ll be misunderstood (when I say, I like)
Women in boots, sipping on espresso,
About men I feel the same, only less so
I like women
Cruising upstate for a date, mixtape
Of Cyndi Lauper in my deck
Michelangelo on the mind, curve of David’s behind
Got to remind myself to keep myself in check
’Cause my date’s an ice cold cutie I’d like to impress-o
Don’t want to let slip, make her second guess-o (that I like)
Women in boots, sipping on espresso,
About men I feel the same, only less so
I like women
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10. |
Tight-ass White Men
05:02
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Well he wasn’t my first choice I’ll tell you that much
Where I come from we don’t talk like it’s the circus
Still the lord says every many has got his purpose
So I’m looking on the brighter side of things
I’ve been pleased to see the team that he’s assembled
There’s a few that I don’t like but I won’t quibble
‘Cause there’s a lot at stake and I know it’s not simple
I’m just glad they’ve got the right priorities
Weren’t no smart slick-talking black man
Ever gonna speak for me
Better stay out of my living room
And I’ll stay off the street
And yes the truth is I don’t worry about my paycheck
No I don’t vote my wallet boys I vote my conscience
And they had eight long years to mess things up
So what we need’s a couple tight-ass white men
To fix things up
I got sick and tired of always playing defense
Now we’re back on top and I hope we can act like it
For too long I’d watch the tv and hate what’s on it
All that change they were talking about well it didn’t change me
Ain’t no smug big-talking woman
Ever gonna speak for me
There’s a lot of money changing hands
But my two hands are clean
And my wife says she can’t join me where I’m going
And my kids say that they just don’t understand me
But they had eight long years they had their fun
And now we need a couple tight-ass white men
To get things done
…
Ain’t no son moves up to New York
Ever gonna speak for me
I’ve been listening to it all my life
But now they’re gonna hear me
I know you worry when you watch the news each evening
And when you go out in a world that’s always changing
That your kids will not respect the world you’re leaving
But don’t you question, don’t you change the things you’re doing
‘Cause they had eight long years to mess things up
And now we got a couple tight-ass white men
To patch things up
Oh tight-ass white men
Gonna patch things up
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11. |
Unemployed
07:45
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For a long time I went to bed early
Right after the sun went down
Used to sleep for ten or twelve hours
To pass the time ‘cause you weren’t around
But lately I’ve been getting restless
I get anxious and I get annoyed
Honey — loving you was a full time job
And then I got unemployed
Summer came and messed up my hours
I woke up at five a.m.
Strange noises down in the basement
I got up to check on them
Standing right there and it’s pitch black
Staring into the void
Sweetheart — loving you’d been a full time job
And there I stood unemployed
Down in the park there’s a plane tree
Broad leaves and dappled shade
Good place to eat up a morning
Sippin’ hard lemonade
But soon enough here come the storm clouds
Some things you can’t avoid
Baby — loving you was a full time job
It’s rough being unemployed
We met at my friend Juan’s apartment
Some lousy occasion
They ran out of ice way too early
You offered to go on a run
I asked if I might keep you company, you smiled
What’s this some kinda ploy?
I knew — loving you’d be a full time job
Was glad to be unemployed
And after that we sure did party
Cocktails with all your friends
Mary Ann she really liked money
Timothy he really liked gin
Rachel her nose was enormous
We used to call her the adenoid
Back when — loving you was my full time job
Before I got unemployed
And all the things that we said to each other
The things that we yelled that we cried
I might’ve been wrong but I meant it
You might’ve been right but you lied
I feel like a kid who got picked on
I feel like a little boy
Baby — loving you was my full time job
It’s not fair I’m unemployed
…
I figured I’d go on vacation
Get outta town and clear my head
The mountains were out — it’s too lonesome
I went to the beach instead
Spent the whole time in the hotel
You know that sign says Do Not Disturb
Sweetheart — loving you was a full time job
Ain’t no time off being unemployed
The last day I went down to the harbor
Salt air on my thin skin
Read for a bit fed the pigeons
Saw other people’s ships coming in
Two figures down by the water
You and some other boy
He thinks — loving you is his full time job
He’s soon to be unemployed
So now the trains all run a few minutes later
The water’s not quite so clear
The bars are all raising their prices
You know I used to drink wine — now I drink cheap beer
And it’s not bad but it’s not getting better
I’m not mad I’m just annoyed
Baby — loving you was my full time job
I’m not sad I’m unemployed
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12. |
First Girl I Loved
04:42
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By Robin Williamson, (c) Paradox Music
First girl I loved,
Time has come I will sing you this sad goodbye song,
When I was seventeen, I used to know you.
Well, I haven’t seen you now, since many is the short year,
And the last time I seen you, you said you’d joined the Church of Jesus.
But me, I remember your long red hair falling in our faces
As I kissed you
Well, I want you to know, we just had to grow;
I want you to know, I just had to go.
And you’re probably married now, house and car and all,
And you turned into a grownup, female, stranger.
And if I was lying near you now,
I probably wouldn’t be here at all.
Well, we parted so hard;
Me, rushing round Britain with a guitar,
Making love to people
That I didn’t even like to see.
Well, I would think of you.
Yes, I mean in the six sad morning.
And in the lonely midnight,
Try to hold your face before me.
Well, I want you to know, I just had to go;
I want you to know, we just had to grow.
And you’re probably married now, kids and all,
And you turned into a grownup, female, stranger.
And if I was lying near you now,
I’d just have to fall.
Well, I never slept with you
Though we must have made love a thousand times.
For we were just young, didn’t have no place to go,
But in the wide hills and beside many a long water
You have gathered flowers, and they do not smell for me.
So it’s goodbye first love, and I hope you’re fine
I have a sweet woman
Maybe some day to have babies by me, she’s pretty,
Is a true friend of mine.
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Rube New York, New York
Rube was formed in New York in 2016. We recorded our first album in Georgia in 2018. Now we live in New York, Georgia, and Los Angeles. We play poppy country rock music; it's as dumb as it sounds but it's pretty smart sometimes.
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