“I've Let You Down” - lyrics and lead sheet

“I've Let You Down”

© 1997 Brian Hutzell

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

“Driving Home” - lyrics and lead sheet

“Driving Home”

© 1995 Brian Hutzell

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

“Baseball Player” - lyrics and lead sheet

“Baseball Player”

© 1995 Brian Hutzell

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

"Acid Rain"

“Acid Rain” is a one-chord song. Plastic Mikey did a lot of songs that were only one or two chords. The challenge was to write lyrics and melodies that would make those simple chordal structures interesting.

Acid Rain

© 1994 Brian Hutzell and Kevin Dempsey

I was shaking in my shoes, trying to think up an excuse

Why I didn't make a peep when the man stepped on my feet

I was nervous of the whole business

"Have no fear!" said The Cat

I said, "Nobody talks like that

When the only cheery news is finding out we made it through

Another day of acid rain."

He said, "Sure enough, the acid rain will fall

If you think that's tough, just wait till you hit the wall

Don't let this little footrace keep you hiding in your bookcase

Pick up the pace; we can erase the stain of acid rain."

Now I'm hanging with The Cat

And he's got a few tricks in his hat

He's teaching me how to play

And to live every hour of the day

To ease the pain of acid rain

He said, "Sure enough, the acid rain will fall

If you think that's tough, just wait till you hit the wall

Don't let this little footrace keep you hiding in your bookcase

Pick up the pace; we can erase the stain of acid rain."

Then The Cat went on his way, but he told me what to say

When folks complain about acid rain

"Have no fear; we can win!

Are you ready to begin this campaign against acid rain?"

I said, "Sure enough, the acid rain will fall

If you think that's tough, just wait till you hit the wall

Don't let this little footrace keep you hiding in your bookcase

Pick up the pace; we can erase the stain of acid rain."

Plastic Mikey, 1994

Left to right: Mike Mokry, Andy Blanco, Brian Hutzell, Kevin Dempsey

"I’m a Part of It"

A Plastic Mikey song from rather late in the game. I don’t think this one ever got played much, which is too bad, because I like the lyrics.

Current listening: Martin Denny, Afro-Desia

I’m a Part of It

© 1994 Brian Hutzell and Kevin Dempsey

I’m a part of it every time a little boy gets shot

I’m a part of it--more than I ever thought

I’m a part of it, adding my voice to the melting pot

I’m a part of it whether I want to be or not

Easy to snooze while watching the news

You get used to hearing who’s paying dues to the noose

And the clues and personal views are confused

With facts

It smacks of gossip

Possibly it’s easier to take if it seems fake

I’m a part of it every time another war is fought

I’m a part of it--more than I ever thought

I’m a part of it, adding my voice to the melting pot

I’m a part of it whether I want to be or not

Hard to escape the murder and rape

And the mess of red tape we create in the wake of our pain

It's a mask; it’s a terrible task

And it’s hard not to ask who’s making whose tracks

You can turn down the volume

You can turn down the heat

But we’re gonna burn unless we learn

Not to turn our backs on the streets

I’m a part of it when strange fruit is left to rot

I’m a part of it--more than I ever thought

I’m a part of it, adding my voice to the melting pot

I’m a part of it whether I want to be or not

I’m a part of it as a miracle cure is sought

I’m a part of it--more than I ever thought

I’m a part of it, adding my voice to the melting pot

I’m a part of it whether I want to be or not

"Collage 4"

Brian Hutzell

"I Can't Forget"

One of the forgotten Plastic Mikey tunes. I do recall performing this one quite a bit, but it was never recorded, and now I can only hear it faintly in my head. I just ate a cheese sandwich with spicy mustard. Thought you might like to know.

current listening: The Beatles, With the Beatles

I Can't Forget

© 1994 Brian Hutzell and Kevin Dempsey

I can't forget, I can't forget

You say the memory will fade, but it hasn't yet

I can't forget, I can't forget

Like waiting for the day the sun doesn't set

I can't forget, I can't forget

But there's not a single moment I will ever regret

I can't forget, I can't forget

And the truth of it is, I don't want to forget

The way you looked when you promised me your never-ending honesty

Thought it was forever

Never guessed that the best was already past

It went so fast

Crazy?  Yeah, I was crazy for you

Thinking things through too late

Hazy – my mind was hazy and blue

Picking the food off my plate

I can't forget, I can't forget

You say the memory will fade, but it hasn't yet

I can't forget, I can't forget

Like waiting for the day the sun doesn't set

I can't forget, I can't forget

But there's not a single moment I will ever regret

I can't forget, I can't forget

And the truth of it is, I don't want to forget

The way it came down

How I found out about the other guy

I couldn't understand why you'd want to leave me

And then deceive me

Guess it was just my turn

There was a lesson to learn

Breaking – I didn't enjoy breaking up with you

But maybe something new will come along

Making – I should be making my dreams come true

They're long overdue, but coming on strong

I can't forget, I can't forget

You say the memory will fade, but it hasn't yet

I can't forget, I can't forget

Like waiting for the day the sun doesn't set

I can't forget, I can't forget

But there's not a single moment I will ever regret

I can't forget, I can't forget

And the truth of it is, I don't want to forget

So I won't forget

But I won't let the memories interfere

I am here, now, moving ahead

But I can't forget, I can't forget

Plastic Mikey

Chicago, 1996

"Oceans Apart"

Here’s another Plastic Mikey song with only two chords. It became a quest for us to see how much we could do with how little. Other two-chord songs include “The Temptress,” “A-Bomb” and “Driving Home.” But we didn’t stop there! We also had one-chord songs like “Asteroid,” “Storm,” and “Acid Rain.” “Dance of the Clay People” actually started out as a one note song: E.

“Oceans Apart” rough demo on MelodyFusion

Oceans Apart

© 1994 Kevin Dempsey and Brian Hutzell

I listen to your stories

Your friends are more familiar to me than my own

I've lived a longer life but I have less to show

Still, I'm so very thankful we can talk

Even if we only talk of nothing

You're my friend and you stand by me

But I know, deep in my heart, we're oceans apart

I can depend on your empathy

But I know, deep in my heart, we're oceans apart

You ease my worries

It's comforting to know I'm special to someone

And that the cards I've sent won't soon be forgotten

Our lives are facing different directions

It's a miracle we ever met at all

You're my friend and you stand by me

But I know, deep in my heart, we're oceans apart

I can depend on your empathy

But I know, deep in my heart, we're oceans apart

We do not belong together

We'd fail any compatibility test

But you're there in the foulest of weather

So I'd be a fool to protest

Your lifestyle makes me wince

Your opinions don't convince

I disagree with you on nearly every point but since...

You're my friend, you can count on me

Though I know, deep in my heart, we're oceans apart

You can depend on my empathy

Though I know, deep in my heart, we're oceans apart

"Pandora"

I can understand the frustration of lyricists and authors whose words are understood in a manner contrary to that which was intended. I’ve never had any complaints on this one, but as I read over the words, I can think of a couple of ways for this to be taken wrongly. But since it hasn’t come up thus far, I’m not going to point them out.

“Pandora” by Plastic Mikey on YouTube

Pandora

© 1994 Kevin Dempsey and Brian Hutzell

I read the name in books, but never thought we'd meet like this

I didn't recognize you till you spoke

Pleased to meet you, Pandora

Pleased to be your friend

It might have been my hearing, but I thought I heard you lisp

You laughed at me, but never at my jokes

Don't step on my straight lines, Pandora

But please come again

I can take the trouble; I can take the time

A million inconveniences, but I don't mind

Cause I know you love me, Pandora

I know you care, Pandora

You mentioned other lovers, but I failed to catch their names

Are they in the present or the past?

I'd like to know more about you, Pandora

But don't give me the numbers

Do you think we're ready to move into this terrain,

Or are you still assembling the cast?

Meet my support group, Pandora

They're here to keep me humble

I can take the trouble; I can take the time

A million inconveniences, but I don't mind

Cause I know you love me, Pandora

I know you care, Pandora

Watching the clock till indiscretion knocks

Opening the lock

So I can slip into Pandora's box

You're a mystery, Pandora

But I promise not to pry

You've got a history, Pandora

But so do I

So do I, so do I

I can take the trouble; I can take the time

A million inconveniences, but I don't mind

Cause I know you love me, Pandora

I know you care, Pandora

“Ahrrrrrnfnuuurhn”

Brian Hutzell

from Bouncing Suit 4