"Chicago Bungalow"

I’m not sure which of us proposed working together as a songwriting team, but after the band JEREMIAH broke apart, Vin and I teamed up. After our first evening of collaborating, we had a fragment or two written, and I took that fragment and wrote three different songs around it. Thus the first Vin & Brian copyright belongs to those three songs as “Theme and Variations.” This is one of them. The one that finally got recorded is “New Life.” The third is “Is Anybody Looking?” (Awkwardness: when the last word in a sentence before a song title is the first word of the song title, as here witnessed with my double “is.” Ironically, I was just reading about this very thing in Nick Hornby’s Songbook.)

I was 19 when I joined JEREMIAH in early 1984. For a while, it really looked like we were going to go places. I was sure I would be a big star by age 22! But then it all fell apart. Today, many years later, I am still plugging away as a journeyman musician. It’s not a job of which to be ashamed, but it’s a far cry from the fame and fortune I once imagined. That could still happen, of course, but in the meantime, I struggle to stay above the murky waters of depression and frustration that threaten to drag me down. I suppose a more sensible person would have long ago abandoned the idea of musical success, but the dream refuses to die in me. I carry on, this wayward son.

Chicago Bungalow

© 1987 Vin Colella and Brian Hutzell

Relaxed and resigned

My opening lines

Spoken with heartfelt eloquence

Polished and shined

Especially designed to influence

I want you to know that I’m going home

To my Chicago bungalow

You’re welcome to come

I think it’d be fun

Get ready to go

My place is open to you

Home base -- it’s safe and secure

I’d like to lead you to my Chicago bungalow

Short term: a romantic dare

Long term: a family affair

Picture a future in my Chicago bungalow

If we settle down by promise I’m bound

To be a loyal husband

I will behave

Encouraged to save our mutual funds

Domestically trained, I’ll never complain

When it’s my turn to do the chores

I’ll smile as I work, with never a word about being bored

My place is open to you

Home base -- it’s safe and secure

I’d like to lead you to my Chicago bungalow

Short term: a romantic dare

Long term: a family affair

Picture a future in my Chicago bungalow

Do I seem to be rushing this thing?

If you’re unhappy with me I shall not tarry

Call it rash

But I’m ready to cash

My single life in and chance a cozy marriage

So now that we’ve met, you’ve heard what I’ve said

What is your first impression?

I could tell you more

My history’s yours for inspection

I’ve led a clean life, got nothing to hide

Have confidence in me

Please end the suspense

Just say, “Yes!”

And accept my ring

My place is open to you

Home base -- it’s safe and secure

I’d like to lead you to my Chicago bungalow

Short term: a romantic dare

Long term: a family affair

Picture a future in my Chicago bungalow