A Front Row Seat to a 2nd Life
About the Album
A Front Row Seat to a 2nd 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 2nd 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
-
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 witmr. 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 trymilo 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 repeatmr. 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 betis 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! -
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 crashi 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 flyto 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> -
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 friendi'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 friendblink 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>
-
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 toonce 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 rumonce saw my fish at a drive-in
now i can't have my fish and chips
i lost my friend to a pirate shiphad 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? -
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 friendssecret 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 millionairethis 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 alrightthis 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
This album, is not meant to have a physical format. Special thanks to the family for inspiration and allowing me to continue to develop my passion for writing music. I'm also thankful for (in no particular order) the following people for supplying indirect inspiration:
- This is Us creator Dan Fogelman
- The crew at DCA
- Jim Harold
- AJ and Hecklefish
This album goes out to all of those that find themselves on a different trajectory than they originally planned. Sometimes it can be an awesome adventure and other times it can be devastating. In any case, it becomes part of your story. Embrace it and make it your own.
Recording info (Downingtown, PA):
- Composing/Recording (2019-2022)
- Initial Mixes (2022)
- Secondary Mix/Mastering (2023)
- This exquisite EP was released on 04/30/23
Recording, mixing, mastering, and production were done by Everywhere Productions. Published and distributed by Everywhere Productions Music Library. All compositions, performances, engineering, and production are of the composer, Dan Swift.
… thanks for stopping by. I've been doing this too long to promise another album by a specific time. I can promise more music sooner rather than later.-D