“Imagine That”*
(Written and performed by Reynold D. Philipsek 1998 copyright Zino-Rephi Music BMI)
Recording engineer:Stymie Seamans
The music I am posting here is a bit different than my usual fare.
More than 20 years ago I endeavored to do a completely A Capella (all vocal) album. This can be tedious work as the songs have to accommodate that approach and then the multi-tracking of one person doing all the vocal tracks is a real labor. (Todd Rundgren did a very great album album called “A Capella” in 1985 which, for my money, is the greatest solo effort in that field.) Thankfully my old friend Stymie is always game to help me on these efforts.
Consequently, I only did three songs that way. I just ran out of steam on the project.
Twelve years ago when I was doing an album that featured some singing (rare for me in the last 20 years) I decided to include that A Capella piece from 1998. In fact, I named that 2010 album “Imagine That”. I tried to cast the lyrics with a positive message (not always an easy task but needed in these times especially).
“Imagine That” lyrics
(Philipsek)
If your room is gloomy and your household’s bleak
Then there’s a place you should visit down on Uncommon Street
When you feel like a a small boat that’s been lost out at sea
Then set yourself a new course with a sense of history
Imagine That
A mind can be a garden or a mind can be a dump
And you can take in this whole museum once you get off that rump
If you wanna make a Hollywood Epic out of your little life
You’ve need to a keep a sharp eye to best frame these times
Imagine That
Look around, think about it for a moment
We’re just lucky to be part of the parade
You’ll appreciate your place in time when you see the collection
Of all the cool junk that history’s made
We’re all Walt Disney
We’re all Picasso
So just grab a paint brush before you grow
All mean and ornery
Long-faced and sad
This has got to be the best life you’ve ever had
Imagine That