Song #55 Arizona

 

CC Image courtesy of azmichelle

ARIZONA

 

You chose a road, a road you knew was long

And you found it hard, as hard as hell

Yes, you knew somewhere that you should not go

That you had no call to leave alone

It’s a long way to the USA

 

I’m sittin’ in Tuscon, Arizona

Remember how they said ‘Get Back’?

That’s exactly what I want to do now

Get out on the track that takes me home

 

I discovered I’d been living in a dreamtime

And I had to see the songs I’ve sung

I had to see those towns as they really are

And I came across Tonopah – and it’s a hole!

But they’ve blue skies in Arizona

And they’ve got a desert that goes on forever

        to Mexico         

 

Ain’t you been north lately?

Walked in your own backyard lately?

Checked out your own desert lately?

No.

 

Some will tell you don’t waste your money boy

They’ll tell you it’s just too far

Some will tell you you gotta travel boy

They’ll tell you you gotta travel far

You know it’s hard to please everyone

 

Some will tell you that it’s all right here

They may be right but still I go

I discovered

They’ve got a desert that goes on forever

                                                              to Mexico    

 

They’ll tell you don’t waste your talents boy

They’ll tell you don’t abuse your charms

You chose a road, a road you knew was long

And you found it hard, as hard as hell

But it’s a long long way to the grave

 

(© M Coghlan 1990)

 

Commentary

I remember waiting to check in for the flight out to the US and for the first time in my life being afraid of what might happen while I was off travelling far away. Why? Because I now had a child and I felt guilty leaving him. I felt like I was shirking my responsibilities, and that I shouldn't put myself in risky situations beyond my control. And as the lyrics tell, I spent much of the time wishing I was home. But I'm glad I went!

Song #39 Hollywood's Real

 

HOLLYWOOD’S REAL

 

I’ve finally been to the US of A

I started my journey in the town of LA

Screamin’ down the freeway

Doin’ it their way

In the US of A

 

I finally knew that it ain’t no dream

Hollywood’s real, not just silver screen

They’re all cruisin’ down the freeways

Doin’ it their way – in LA

 

They got black people and they got white

All playin’ together on a summer’s night

But killin’ on the freeway

That could only be their way

In the US of A

 

Busker begs money (havin’ a bad day)

Too much talk, not enough song boy

“Get down” says a brother

And no one smiled ‘cept me

 

Pancakes for breakfast

In Lily’s Country Kitchen

You know what she told us?

It was the best in LA!

 

Putting every place on the map in a song

Putting every goddamn town in a song

Now listen to me

I’ve been to Sydney

But I sing of LA

In the US of A

In the US of A

 

(© Michael Coghlan 1987)

Commentary

It's true. After year's of swearing I'd never go there we decided to go back to Australia the long way - via the US. It was exciting to be there. I enjoyed singing this song for some years but have no idea how to play it anymore. Still like the lyrics :)