This is our most overlooked cd. Since the only cover on here is of Elvis’ “A Little Less Conversation”, it is somewhat understandable that the lack of song title recognition is cause for people to not give the attention it deserves. However, if someone were to give the cd a listen, they would discover a deeper look into Tonic Sol-fa’s amazing original works. Hear raw and unrefined versions of “Sleep On” and “Boston to Beijing”, prior to release on the national album. Listen to the versatility of the group, as they maneuver through genres with the pop sounds of “Virginia” and “Take Me Away”, to the country-radio-ready “Sweet Time”, to the wonderfully written ballads “Apartment 204″, “Long, Lonely, While”, and “Who Will Love Me”. If you’ve gone without this cd for fear of unfamiliarity, treat yourself to the group’s best-kept secret, “Red Vinyl”.
LYRICS
Sleep On
Vs. 1
You’ll be famous, I’m sure you will be
I’ll catch your show on the late night T.V.
Ride the fame all the way to the top
Your grand illusions, they don’t ever stop
Chorus
Sleep on through the day
Sleep on through the night
Maybe tomorrow everything will be right
‘til then your dreams are yours
So get up and get ready ‘cause you just never know
Vs. 2
Tomorrow morning you’ll wake up and find
The trip is over, they’ve messed with your mind
Friend to friend, believe me I know
I’ve seen the future so you don’t have to go
Vs. 3
You overslept, so sorry that’s true
You’re looking at me, nobody’s to blame but you
A superstar I’m sure you will be
And we’ll all catch your show on the late night T.V.
Virginia
VERSE I
virginia, i’ve seen her driving with the top pulled down yeah she’s just as stylish but her hair’s a little longer now do you think i’m crazy holding on to maybe put your mind at ease the old days are behind us virginia’s over me
CHORUS
baby my baby’s gone away today
my baby’s gone miles away
baby my baby’s gone away today
my baby’s gone miles away
VERSE II
virginia, don’t tempt me
there’s nothing that you’re gonna say
you’ve got so many lines, so many heartaches
and i would be a fool to stay
you want what you can’t get
oh, i never doubt it
put your loving away
save those charms and your open arms
‘cause i don’t want to play
BRIDGE
she came back, my baby
came walking through my front door
and she told me with the smallest tear
that she didn’t love me no more
so later on i found me another
a flight attendant on a plane
got no money in the pockets and a baby on the way
since virginia took my last name
A Little Less Conversation
Back to Top
Lyrics Coming Soon!
Apartment 204
Back to Top
CHORUS I
i see the people everywhere
they’re walking home without a care
where do they go when they are there
what if I go wrong
i can see them moving on
but monday comes, i turn, she’s still gone
where do we learn that life goes on and on and on
VERSE
turn from the window and yell down the stairs
i hear the echo in the hallway
tears are going nowhere and i’m on my own
though i hear the words that you say
i know everybody needs somebody
that body was you
so tell me again that forever is the end
and i’ll let go when you do
CHORUS II
i can see them moving on and one day we’ll all be gone where do we learn that life goes on and on and on
BRIDGE
without you there’s just no way i’m ever gonna sing my song without you i just can’t go back to the place where i belong
CHORUS III
someday soon i’m gonna go a little further down the road maybe then i’ll be home but i just don’t know see the people everywhere walking home without a care oh the life that waits for them there
Take Me Away
Back to Top
VERSE I
sing my song, sing on through
take a bow, that’s what i do
please don’t ask me which do i choose
i can’t really say and it may not be you
CHORUS
take me away
i can’t stay
i don’t know where or when
we may never meet again
please take me away
VERSE II
so many times down the same old road
you’d think i’d have my fill and i would not go
but a gypsy heart and a southern breeze
brings a melody to me, Lord it sets me free
BRIDGE
there must be a love greater than two
bigger than me, even bigger than you
there must be a door we have come to
i can’t go through anymore
Velvet Jefferson
Back to Top
CHORUS I
hi, i’m velvet jefferson hello, hello, i’m your man see the way i’m living and the funky way i walk welcome to my block
VERSE I
it’s just another beautiful day in my neighborhood the sun is shining, birds are calling and i know that it would not be a full one without a trip to the store so come along into the song and i will show you some more i see paco, flaco, steve and ted randy, andy, billy and zed yell my boys while they’re hanging around but i got to keep moving, got to get on downtown
CHORUS II
hi, i’m velvet jefferson hello, hello, i’m your man see the way i’m living and the funky way i talk welcome to my block
VERSE II
what’s happening baby i’m asking all the girlies i see and wouldn’t you know they all look back ‘cause they know that it’s me the man with the master plan so i flash the pearly whites got to do what i can (we cannot deny his charismatic vibe) it’s a wonderful thing when you got that zing
VERSE III
finally reach my destination and i’m glad that i came ‘cause i see a hoho that’s calling my name so now i’m heading down the aisle past the push ups, the fudgestick the eskimo pies look especially delicious but i’m a man on a mission and it’s time to be gone so i’m walking out the store put my headphones on
TAG
ding dong, i’m home got my hoho in hand and maybe in the morning i will see you all again
Long Lonely While
Back to Top
VERSE I
yesterday was harder
than i thought it would be
today i chase the memories
of who i’m supposed to be
CHORUS
i used to hold her
i made her cry
and now i’ll get used to a long lonely while
VERSE II
you don’t know me very well
are those the words you said
here i stand so much time gone by
and all i hear in my mind is the truth circling ‘round inside my head
BRIDGE
what a fool i must be
you were right to put the blame on me
you gave me love with no strings attached
and i just gave it back
Boston to Beijing
Back to Top
Chorus
From Boston to Beijing
In a worn-out time-machine We tripped to stardust
Dressed up like kings We drank to finer things
Boston to Beijing
Vs. 1
Lately I’m thinking there’s nobody ‘round To love or to comfort me
Yesterday’s filled with adventures that end And that’s no kind of company
(Chorus)
Vs. 2
Those days were brighter than most I suppose
Better than I deserved
But time brings redemption, time brings the truth
Though most days I know I’d prefer
(Chorus)
Bridge
Gonna’ climb the mountain
Gonna’ reach the top
Gonna’ sing my song
And I’m never gonna’ stop
(repeat)
Vs. 3
Looking back I see the four of us then Stronger than any one man
Filled with intentions to right all the wrongs Beautiful, noble and grand
Sweet Time
Back to Top
VERSE I
i just got one more mile to go before i sleep
i’ve been traveling all day long
wishing i could wind the clock back up again
and when i wake i’d find the years would all be gone
CHORUS
never did i hear how easy life would be
or the road less traveled that i’ve traveled by
and if this day should be taken as i lay me down to rest
i will thank the Lord above for my sweet time
VERSE II
looking back i see the blessings in my life
feel the love i held so close at hand
and nothing seems to matter quite as much to me
as those days i could’ve been a better man
BRIDGE
the sun is going down now
and the stars don’t seem to shine as bright as they did when I was a kid
the ships out on the horizon probably won’t sail in
but it doesn’t stop me wishing for what might have been
Who Will Love Me
CHORUS I
who will love me
who will calm the ghosts i see
when the darkness surrounds me
who will love me then
who will love me
CHORUS II
who will stand with me
tell me where you’ll be
when there’s nothing left but honesty
who will love me then
who will love me
CHORUS III
who will pray with me in the middle of the night
who will guide me from the shadows to the light
if my friends move on and disappear
who will pray with me here
who will pray with me
