"The First Night of the Year" (1988)

This is the revised version of a song that I first wrote in 1985. (see “The First Night ofthe Year”) In many ways, I like the first version better, but this is the one that I eventually recorded on 8-track.

“The First Nightof the Year” on MelodyFusion

The First Night of the Year (1988)

© 1988 Brian Hutzell

First night of the new year, headed out to see the town
Walked out in the cold air, caught the nearby underground
Got off at a stop by a donut shop to have a cup of coffee
Heard the waitresses talking
The same regulars were there to hear the same complaints to low pay
Just another work day down the drain

January, January First

The first day of the year

January, January First

That's what I did on the first night of the year

Next, on to an old bar I had never been to before
Recognized the same cars always sitting by the door
A dying pant and a deer whose antlers served as a hat-rack

Met me by the wine-rack
Conversation:
Frequent patrons feeling let down by the old year
Something that the New Year couldn't cheer

January, January First

The first day of the year

January, January First

That's what I did on the first night of the year

It was so disappointing to see
The New Year welcomed unenthusiastically
At this time of year I thought the world would be
Rejoicing in the New Year’s possibilities

The bar was too depressing so I went back to the street
While on a doorstep resting,

I happened to meet a man with a book in his hand
I looked up and said, "good evening."
He said, "I've been reading the first copy of a book I've written
Soon to be published!"
My depression vanished in a flash

January, January First

The first day of the year

January, January First

That's what I did on the first night of the year

"Unfolded 16 (Keyboards)"

Brian Hutzell