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Will It Play In Peoria?

by Melvin Burch

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1.
[Verse 1] Well, you’re dancing on a sinking ship You nod the head that people said you should be thinking with You shake the body that you’re probably working to the bone You move the feet you’re always keeping in the danger zone ‘Cause, baby: It’s all whatever when it’s said and done You either live or wait for moments that may never come If they don’t feel it, let ‘em be and sing along with me We’ll keep it rolling ‘til we’re soaking in the shining sea [Hook] This is a rock & roll call for all my folks stuck in a new world spinning out of control A bunch of old souls that just won’t fold And that’s... and that’s… and that’s set in stone [Verse 2] Well, we’re living in a no man’s land The time is sinking, sinking, sinking into the sand The people going crazy, tryina’ get what they can But we keep stickin’, stickin’, stickin’ right to the plan Now tell me: [Bridge] Can you feel it in the big city? Can you feel it on down-home? Can everybody on the top feel it? Can you feel it on the ground floor? Can you feel it in the big city? Can you feel it on down-home? Can everybody on the top feel it? Can you feel it on the ground floor? [Verse 3] Well, I’m singing for those people now I know you’re tired of getting up for them beat you down I know you’re feeling blue, your eyes are red, the sky is grey I know you’re sinking but you’re dancing through it anyway ‘Cause, baby: It’s all whatever when it’s said and done You either live or wait for moments that may never come If they don’t feel it, let ‘em be and sing along with me We’ll keep it rolling ‘til we’re soaking in the shining sea [Hook]
2.
[Hook] You are on my mind… everywhere I go… All these things I’ve done… just so I could hope… That I made you proud… oh, my home, sweet home… I wanna play… I’m gonna play… I gotta play… I gotta play… in Peoria... [Verse 1] ‘Cause ever since… way back… down at St. Francis where I got my name at.. I’ve found love that I gotta return I gotta make good on the stuff I learned Starting at Valeska, way before the pressure... you made sure I always gave an effort The smart kid, yeah, there I was Slipping on the playground ‘front of my first love On the wintertime ice that we know so well; they thought it was a gag when I fell Simple times; me and Rahmell At five years old, man, you couldn’t tell me one day things would just up and change; Discovery Zone would turn into a bank And Northwoods Mall would get the nickname of "the old mall" once the new mall came, but that’s life [Bridge] I reckon so… but I know this town… and I know it’s soul… So time can pass… through young and old… What stays the same… are streets of gold… [Hook] [Verse 2] ‘Cause I cannot… ever forget… coming into town across that bridge Red brick buildings in the Harrison showed And right across from it, my grandma’s home Rest in peace, and one day, please, send down a little luck for the Par-A-Dice boat Man, I wanted to be a Richwoods Knight Instead, I had to wear dress shoes and tie, and that’s life Like how I had to move away at 14 All the way in Cali, crying into my sheets, just praying I would have a P-Town dream Of summer nights, fireflies, lighting up the dark Or old field trips to Glen Oak Park Or one day coming back to bring a concert to the Civic Center, where I’d sing: [Hook]
3.
Feel It Out 03:35
[Hook] Hey, now, you gotta feel it out You gotta feel it out You gotta feel it out Well, now, you gotta feel it out You gotta feel it out You gotta feel it out [Verse 1] Okay, now, you’re lost in the jungle Concrete and lights, where can you run to? Get a slice and a pop, and you sit down Thinking “What a thin thing for a big town!” But stuff was getting deep where you came from Had to leave, so you left, now it’s day one In a new world; you’re on a new tack Got a new plan; you’re gonna do that But this is where you’re stuck in motion Don't know where to start, you can't focus Train passing, sounding like thunder Skyscrapers fill you with wonder Saying one day, you'll be on the top floor You'll be lucky if they even let you mop floors Took your leap of faith, you're in mid-air Wishing you had a second to just sit there [Bridge] ‘Cause now you're moving so much faster than before And there's no one there to tell you how it's all supposed to go Well, here's some game if it ever was told Pal, I been around the block, so there's one thing I know: [Hook] [Breakdown] Ain't no one way, you gotta feel it It's all up to you, you gotta feel it Ain't no one way, you gotta feel it It's all up to you, you gotta feel it [Verse 2] But this where you almost lost it Your apartment’s smaller than a closet New job, but they're paying you chump change Got robbed last week on the subway Can't find a friend, you're so lonely Night five of Kraft macaroni Naw, you won't tap out and go home But, man, how much longer can you hold on? [Bridge] [Hook]
4.
Boulevard 03:25
[Verse 1] They’re at your window, telling stories that could win Pulitzers (You’re on the boulevard, boulevard, boulevard) You give ‘em $5 and hope they don’t run off and buy some liquor (You’re on the boulevard, boulevard, boulevard) But who could blame ‘em, man, it’s getting harder every day It ain’t no different than you clutching on your IPA ‘Cause everybody’s just a moment from a roof of clouds ‘Cause everybody’s just a second from it falling down [Hook] And it ain’t no hiding that In the place where it’s all colliding at Where the black and the white both fade to grey And the world gets right up in ya’ face No, it ain’t no hiding that In the place where it’s all colliding at Where the black and the white both fade to grey And the world gets right up in ya’ face [Verse 2] The youth are up in arms, fed up with the way it is (You’re on the boulevard, boulevard, boulevard) The elders roll their eyes, they ain’t tryina’ hear no kids (You’re on the boulevard, boulevard, boulevard) The kids got answers ‘cause they cannot see what’s coming up They’re gonna find out life is waiting with an uppercut The elders question if they’re weak and just wanna complain I think they’re scared to death the world they knew is not the same [Hook] [Verse 3] You’re walking with him and you stop and share a pair of kisses (You’re on the boulevard, boulevard, boulevard) Now they’re starting mess ‘cause they don’t wanna mind their business (You’re on the boulevard, boulevard, boulevard) And you’re so angry that they just won’t let you be in love And they’re so angry ‘cause of how they think it should be done And I’m so angry ‘cause I’m walking and y’all in the way And straight up, wake up, man, it’s 2020: people gay [Hook]
5.
[Verse 1] Got the coffee on the table... pancakes with the maple... But there must be more Working down on Jackson... you pay the bills and the taxes... But there must be more People say you look decent "Take it easy, just breathe in" But there must be more Everything's so uniform But there's nothing that you adore So there must be more There must be There must be There must be [Hook] Oh, oh, oh... You're looking for a reason You can't shake it, ‘cause: Oh, oh, oh… You're looking for a reason [Verse 2] Got the trophy in the glass case... they never catch you with a sad face But there must be more Loved all through the nation... you've got a fine reputation But there must be more Something saying you should calm down Live it up; you got it all now But there must be more ‘Cause there’s something ever louder... saying you ain't got the power... So there must be more There must be There must be There must be [Hook]
6.
Seventeen 04:42
[Verse 1] You were at our same ol’ place I was at the Pere Marquette downtown All the times we joked about how that's a dead scene Now, these days, it's the only place I'm found [Hook] Yeah, I'm in with a new crowd But you know it's not my speed Put me back in your green Toyota Yeah, I think that's what I need Yeah, I'm in with a brand new crowd Doing all these crazy things But it's nothing like what we did Way back when we were seventeen [Verse 2] Say, I know you remember... how we had it all figured out Everything’s so mixed up now... but it makes sense anyhow Making plans over BBQ chicken Tough-talking, playing Halo 3 Just kids with eyes wide open So sure of what we’d be... Now look at you, look at me, look at... [Hook]
7.
[Verse] Come sit down a while... Take a load off... if you’re able, friend I know you’re playing with a losing hand... But don’t fold; hold off... ‘cause I need you at the table, man Growing up, you would say that you hate how their expectations were so high And you’d hang with me to hide Well, I’m sorry; I never told you, but I, too, believed the hype And to me, you’re still that guy But if you say your world is ending soon You gotta let me fight the end with you And though you wanna leave, I understand If we're talking brother to brother, man: [Hook] I think you should stay (Stay, stay, stay) Yeah, I think you should stay (Stay, stay, stay) ‘Cause even a bad world You’re always have one friend So if you start falling You can grab my hand [Outro] And that's my promise I'm by your side As long as we're breathing I will not leave it
8.
[Verse] I heard some news this morning ‘bout a building just torn down An old movie theater where I used to work with all my pals And I… had to think about them ‘cause I ain’t seen them in quite a while We all did the same job... a job you can’t do now There was Lonnie, there when I started; there since ‘95 He showed me the deal; and only worked reels that'll leave you terrified Black nail polish; big horror fan, always pranked us late at night Some said the man was strange, but to me, he was alright 2001 came around, and Emilia joined the crew She was a... quiet girl, quick to help; but always seemed real blue When she told me why she only worked reels that’ll make crack you up, it broke my heart Said seeing that audience laugh was the only time that she was out the dark 2008 brought Sean; what a bro, that crazy guy Rode a red sports bike, so you’d always hear him pull up outside Not a reel the kid ain’t work that was an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride Almost got fired when they caught him in the booth with a girl that time Then in 2012 came Alex; said she wouldn’t be there long Only saving up to go Hollywood so she could sing her songs Drama queen that worked drama reels and any film she could sing along to And, man, altogether, at the end of the day, it was a family that we belonged to I think of that time when Blair Witch dropped, and Lonnie told me it was real and had me in fear The time Emilia joked about him being a 40-Year-Old Virgin and had us in tears The time when Sean decided he was the new James Bond, and his bike went up in flames And the times when Alex made us all "Les Mis", but we loved her just the same Well, one day, we got phased out; no reels and brand new tech So, one by one, we got let go... and I was the last one left In 2014, on the edge of tomorrow, I turned in my key The sci-fi guy staring down a future that suddenly didn’t need me Now here I am, five years later, still without my place Wondering what they’re up to now, hoping they found their way But we were all projectionists, so we knew one thing was true Whether or not your story keeps rolling is only ever up to you [Bridge] So don’t let your reel run out... So don’t let your reel run out... So don’t let your reel run out... So don’t let your reel run out... [Hook] So don’t let your reel run out I know you’re gonna find the plot somehow It ain’t too late for your big break You’re on set, the world’s a stage So don’t let your reel run out I know you’re gonna find the plot somehow It’s your movie after all Only you fit the casting call
9.
My Life 03:46
[Verse 1] Moonlight on my front porch, I do not feel no pain Just humming to the wind, this tune don’t need no name It took a real long time for things to get this way So I’ma soak it up, I don’t care what you say Came up a crazy child in a Midwest town you know Pops had to make me proud; the Marines is where he’d go My momma held things down with Granny and Papa, so: Right where you see me now is all thanks to those folks And that’s why I do me, unafraid and to the max [A] young bold American; how could you hate on that? But even if you do, some real ones got my back And even if they ain’t, I’d keep on track [Hook] ‘Cause it’s my, my, my, my life and I live it Just how I wanna live it Right on down to the limit ‘Cause it’s my, my, my, my life and I live it Just how I wanna live it Right on down to the limit [Breakdown] You gotta move to the groove of what matters to you You gotta move to the groove of what matters to you You gotta move to the groove of what matters to you You gotta move to the groove of what matters to you [Verse 2] Been 26 long years, and they ain’t stop me yet Dun’ traveled coast to coast, yeah, east side to the west North Carolina, California -- so, what’s next? I give ‘em what I got, and still got so much left I chose to entertain, so that is what I do Come see the music man who lives his life for you [Bridge] My life... in song; sing along My life... in song; sing along My life... in song; sing along C’mon and sing along [Hook]

about

The third album.

credits

released April 14, 2020

Executive Produced by Lyle Horowitz.

Written by Melvin Burch, unless otherwise noted.

Production by*:
- Den Turner [Track 3]
- Duett [Track 1 & 2]
- Knight Sabers [Track 5]
- Krosia [Track 9]
- Maxwell Dexter [Track 8]
- Tom Crux [Track 6]
- und3ad [Track 4]
- Wyndsrfr [Track 7]

*
["Beach Up"]
["Brochure" & "Afterglow"]
["Crown Heights"]
["Pulse"]
["Goodbye, World!"]
["Long Way Home"]
["electrolyte"]
["PCH 9.84"]

Cover art shot by Garrett LaBrie.
www.instagram.com/g.labrie/

Cover art edited by Moulz & Mel.

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Melvin Burch Peoria, Illinois

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