"Anything" - original 1987 version

I am currently unemployed, without even any music gigs booked. It’s not a comfortable place to be. For the past nearly 9 years, I‘ve been playing a slew of piano/vocal gigs at retirement homes, senior centers, etc., performing the “Great American Songbook.” I really do like that music, but my true love in music is writing, performing, and recording my own original songs. My “old folks’ gigs (OFGs)” have not proven to be very rewarding creatively. I’m happy to be done with them. Now, however, I have this void to fill. What will I do with my time? How will I earn any money? When I first wrote it, I was sure “Anything” would be my breakthrough hit. These are the original lyrics, which I prefer to the revised set that came later.

Anything

© 1987 Brian Hutzell

You’ve been very quiet lately

Don’t look so sad

You know how it makes me feel like I’ve had

Your tears in my eyes

And they sting when I try

To blink back yesterday

Calling disconnected numbers, asking for me

Summoning a former lover to the scene

Where the fire grew and roses bloomed

But the colors have all grayed

Can anything make you smile again?

Is there anything I can do?

Do you really think if we try again

Somehow we can pull it through?

I'm sorry, no

But here's what I can do

I’ll sing for you a song to help you right whatever’s wrong

And if my song can’t make you sing, can anything?

At the time there were no questions
Don't ask them now
Nothing never mentioned needs bringing out

Why tarnish the flame so bright in its day?

The warmth is ours to save

Can anything make you smile again?

Is there anything I can do?

Do you really think if we try again

Somehow we can pull it through?

I'm sorry, no

But here's what I can do

I’ll sing for you a song to help you right whatever’s wrong

And if my song can’t make you sing, can anything?

Can anything make you see that anything won't be the same?
Remembered as it was, it doesn't need anything
Well, one thing you should know, even though everything's changed
"We'll always have Paris," and that means everything

Can anything make you smile again?

Is there anything I can do?

Do you really think if we try again

Somehow we can pull it through?

I'm sorry, no

But here's what I can do

I’ll sing for you a song to help you right whatever’s wrong

And if my song can’t make you sing, can anything?