Dan Swift

A Front Row Seat to a 2^nd Life

About the Album

A Front Row Seat to a 2^nd Life was three years in-the-making. The fundamental concept involves taking a look around at what your life could be or could have been. The lyrical content ranges from "singing" to a "spoken/sing-songy" kind of feel. Characters appearing include:

• An ace gunslinger at a saloon slinging whiskey while listening to a piano
• Sailors off the coast of Italy enchanted by the sirens singing
• The terrifying encounter with the "Hat Man" - is it a night terror or is it a real phenomenon?
• The struggles of a "celebrity animal" trainer
• Anonymous millionaire means humility and flying under the radar while helping other people

A Front Row Seat to a 2^nd Life is a five song EP. This is the first album written that crosses genres while still woven together. Inspiration for this album is derived from personal experiences, stories, and a wild imagination.

Tracks

1. The Tall Tale of Milo the Gruff (lyrics)

   milo was a man with a scar on his left hand
   he could get out of a jam
   milo was a man that shoots from his hip
   also pretty quick with the wit

   mr. milo here is your whiskey
   mr. milo here is your bourbon
   gotta keep that hand real steady
   gotta keep that six-shooter ready
   keep it down on the piani
   those guys there don't seem too friendly
   do you go and hit the street
   should you run away on your two feet
   milo doesn't need that mai tai
   he's not gonna be that dead
   he's just gotta see those two eyes
   he doesn't even have to try

   milo was a man that didn't look very tough
   he had all the right stuff
   milo was a man with circles under his eyes
   always had a brilliant disguise

   <chorus>

   milo was a man that finally met his match
   he had a black eye patch
   milo was a man always ready to throw down
   even with a red-nose clown

   <chorus>
   <bridge>

   mr. milo get to the ready
   mr. milo hands real steady
   you have to go through the front door
   just outside see all those closed stores
   mr. milo on the dirt street
   can't hear that song on repeat

   mr. milo time for a showdown
   mr. milo dressed in dark brown
   other guy had way too much brandy
   look at all that big tumbleweed
   finally it's time for sunset
   who's gonna take on that last bet

   is it gonna be that fake clown
   is he gonna quickly drop down
   is he gonna take on the gang
   they both draw and there's a loud
   BANG!

2. The Pink Cliffs of Li Galli (lyrics)

   i'm a titan,
   she's a god
   a pretty song
   so much more than a sunset
   an angel
   it cries
   it sings, it calls, i crash

   i face the path before me
   not left nor right it's what i see
   that's not a dream, a devil fiend
   i carry on, i carry on, i fly

   to the ends with my friends
   i'm left to wander, onward
   where's my soul
   nothing in my hands but water
   no feeling
   it's numb
   it's dark and cold, i crash

   <chorus>

   to the sand
   i can't stand
   i'm wrecked then i falter
   the night air
   i just stare
   i can't believe i'm stranded
   there's another
   to the end
   she sings before they crash

   <chorus>
   <outro>

3. My Ghost Friend (lyrics)

   not a white sheet with dark eyes
   he's a "hat man" that's twice the size
   he's got long arms and tiny fingers
   he stares at me and quietly lingers
   oh this could be the end
   all of this
   all because
   i've got a ghost friend

   i'm up all night
   my ghost friend
   i got a night light
   he pulls at my sheets
   he grabs my feet
   he startles me
   i'm high-strung anxiety
   i've got a ghost friend

   blink my eyes, he's by the door
   two more times, he's near my drawers
   can't see a thing, the power's out
   can't even move or scream or shout
   oh this could be the end
   all of this
   all because
   i've got a ghost friend

   <chorus>

   watch out mate, he'll get you next
   he already knows your address
   he's darker than dark, blacker than black
   he'll get in your face but won't attack
   oh this could be the end
   all of this
   all because
   i've got a ghost friend

   <chorus>

4. Your #1 Fan (lyrics)

   i had a dog that was famous
   shouldn't have called her shamus
   she traveled across the states with us
   it's a shame that she got car sick
   so i put all her videos on youtube
   where we got a hundred-twenty million views
   used this footage as my muse
   for songs for you to listen to

   once saw my dog on a talk show
   that's my dog with her small, black nose
   why won't you give my dog her bone?

   i had a trick goldfish
   a celebrity a-list
   about the size of my left fist
   i wish i had more just like her
   so i went to the local aquarium
   accidentally got fake chrysanthemums
   and a pretty small imagitarium
   and a barrel of fake kraken rum

   once saw my fish at a drive-in
   now i can't have my fish and chips
   i lost my friend to a pirate ship

   had a cat that was stubborn
   had a bunch of stunts it wouldn't learn
   always seemed so unconcerned
   i really wish i had my dog
   so i tried to make her a canine
   i had it up to here with felines
   imagine a dog with nine lives
   now i know that's the dream

   <bridge>

   my lazy cat is gray and old
   her personality's ice cold
   why won't you do as you're told?

5. Secret Millionaire (lyrics)

   hiding in plain sight
   not up all night
   this guy has the clue
   will likely share it with you
   he's got the edge
   gotta listen to what he says
   ignore the world instead
   what's a few ‘t’ between friends
   what's a few ‘t’ between friends

   secret millionaire is a man
   he's got a brain full of tricks and cash in his hand
   secret millionaire doesn't cry
   he's got a bag full of a coin he's a regular guy
   secret millionaire
   secret millionaire

   this guy keeps it real
   has nerves of steel
   also calm and cool
   no screen that's a real pool
   this guy has the news
   has tips for you to use
   gotta find your fate
   begin the day with ‘great’

   <chorus>

   he's got the timing right
   those lines are out-of-sight
   he's gonna make it
   we're gonna make it alright

   this guy has the math
   sure refined his craft
   his rules are strict
   has his process licked
   he gives to charity
   has transparency
   has the good life
   saves endangered wild life

   <chorus>

Credits