Sister Sarah Says (3:59)
(John G Willis)
JGW: vocals/bass
Betsy Ganz: vocals
Dave Schmidt: bari & tenor saxophones
Chuck Curry: trumpet (horn arrangement)
Greg Varlotta: trombone
Ray Herndon: guitars
Steve Culp: keys
Gary Bruzzese: drums
John Herrera: percussion

Vocals & bass recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Drums, percussion, horns & guitars recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ) - John Herrera, engineer
Keys recorded at CulpasaurusRex Studios (Chandler, AZ)

____________________________________________

Sister Sarah says sit right down & give me your hand
She says your life’s a messed up mystery, that only I can understand
You've been wastin' away your precious days waitin' on signs from above
But if you’ll follow my lead & pay a modest fee
I'll make you lucky in love

Now I’ve never been much of a lucky guy
I've never been smooth or worldly wise
I'm hoping that Sarah's got some mojo to spare
So I can finally be suave and debonair

You’re next in line for a miracle
Thats what sister Sarah says
You've got a strong love line and a star crossed sign
That's what Sister Sarah Says

You were born for success
You're too blessed to be stressed
Your magnetic demeanor attracts riches manifest
You're next in line for a miracle
That's what Sister Sarah says

Well, I really wasn't ready for the truth that Sister Sarah put down
That lovers come lovers go but there's bigger things to wrap my head around
Like now I know I was a wizard king in a previous life
And I’m gonna be at one with everything when we open my 3rd eye

Sister Sarah’s got a credit plan
With easy payments & no middleman
I'd be a fool to let this deal get away
So I signed all the papers & set up direct pay

You’re next in line for a miracle
That's what sister Sarah says
You've got a strong love line & a star crossed sign
That's what sister Sarah says

Serenity you will find
And maybe peace of mind
If you’ll just follow the steps on my convenient outline
You're next in line for a miracle
That's what sister Sarah says

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)

Hope (4:17)
(John G Willis)

JGW:  vocals/bass
Adam Roberts: tenor sax
Greg Varlotta: trumpet/trombone/flügelhorn solo
Ray Herndon: guitars
Carl Herrgesell: keys
Gary Bruzesse: drums
John Herrera: percussion

Vocals & bass recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Guitars, drums & percussion recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ) - John Herrera, engineer
Keyboards recorded at Hergybear Studio (Phoenix, AZ)
Saxophone recorded at Narrow Corridors Studio (Gilbert, AZ)
Trumpet, trombone & flügelhorn recorded at The Playroom (El Mirage, AZ)

_______________________________________

Another moonless night
Another day with no tomorrow
Another burned out dreamer
Living in the not so long ago

When there was so much more to life
All our stories still untold
Maybe that was all just a fantasy
But still it brings me hope

And now I might be strong enough to walk
If you’ll walk with me
I think I might be brave enough to try

I've been sinking down down down
Down where faith goes to die
Where the world churns and grinds and crushes
And spits out chumps like you & I

But just when I thought that I’d surrender
I saw that spark in your eyes
I don’t know how you’ve kept hope alive
But it makes me realize

That I might be strong enough to walk
If you’ll walk with me
I might be brave enough to fly away
If you’ll fly with me

Just one step (bgv)
I’m gonna take that first step, learn how to save my own life
Just let go (bgv)
I’m gonna let it all go and I’m gonna learn how to fly
Leave it all behind

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)

You Can’t Get It Wrong (3:37)
(John G Willis)

JGW: vocals/bass
Jerry Donato: bari & tenor saxophones
Ray Herndon: guitars
Peter Zale: keys
Gary Bruzzese: drums
John Herrera: percussion

Vocals & bass recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Guitar, drums & percussion recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ): John Herrera, engineer
Saxophones recorded at Donato's Grotto (Phoenix, A)
Keys recorded at Peter's Place (Scottsdale, AZ)

_________________________________________________________

Let me tell you how it's gonna go down
You'll get right back up & you'll turn it around
Any fool could see you’ve hit an all-time low
But you can’t let it slow your flow

Yeah you’ve heard this before but that don’t make it wrong
If it don't kill you it just makes you strong
I know this might look like the end
But you’re just gettin started again

So turn to the left turn to the right, it don't matter
You’ll still lie awake all night
Pick door number one or door number two
But someday it’ll come to you

That you can’t get it wrong
Cuz you’ll never get it right
No no you can’t get it wrong
Cuz this is your life

Now do you like what you see when you close your eyes?
And would it help to realize
That every path leads to you where you belong
You really can’t get it wrong

But don’t you forget the price that you paid
To learn to be open and never afraid
That even the best plans fall apart
So just follow your heart

You can aim high or you can lay low
Either way you’re gonna make it home
Roll on steady try something new
But someday it'll come to you

That you can’t get it wrong
Cuz you’ll never get it right
No no you can’t get it wrong
Cuz this is your life

Mountains will crumble & rivers run dry
This ride’s over in the blink of an eye
So why go along just to get along
It’s your life - you can’t get it wrong

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music

20 Days (3:48)
(John G Willis)

JGW: vocals/bass
Scott Yandell: trumpet
Jerry Donato: tenor sax
Ray Herndon: guitars
Thommy Knoles: keys
Gary Bruzzese: drums/percussion

All tracks recorded at MCC Studio (Mesa, AZ) - Andy Seagle & team, engineers
Except: Keys recorded at Thommy Knoles' House (Asheville, NC)

__________________________________________________________

I hear the alarm clock ringing
Someday I’ll throw it up against the wall
My head says come on, man up & push ahead
My heart says what’s the point of it all

Got no good reason to get out of this bed
Even though I can’t sleep at all
I’ve got a sad story playing on an endless loop
And your ghost is living down the hall

20 days since you went away
20 days I’ve been discarded
20 days since the world stopped turning
And left me here broken hearted

Too many hangers in the closet
One less toothbrush by the sink
Far too much silence for my troubled head
But it’s too damn loud to think

There’s no witness to my indignity
No one to hear my desperate pleas
I'm Incarcerated by my sorrow
Tortured by my memory

20 days since you went away
20 days abandoned
20 days since happiness sailed on
And left me here stranded

20 days since you went away
20 days I’ve been discarded
20 days since the world stopped turning
And left me here broken hearted

You know I used to be a stronger man
But I let those walls fall away
Open up & let me share your dreams
Is what you always used to say
I let your love into my life
And now I’ve got to pay

©2023 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)

Open With Your Heart (4:14)
(John G Willis)

JGW: vocals/bass
Gary Bruzzese: vocals/drums/percussion
Rad Green: vocals
Jerry Donato: bari & tenor saxophones
Greg Varlotta: trumpet
Ray Herndon: guitars
Raúl Yañez: keys

Vocals and bass recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Guitars & Drums recorded at MCC Studio (Mesa, AZ) - Andy Seagle & team, engineers
Saxophones recorded at Donato's Grotto (Phoenix, AZ)
Trumpets recorded at The Playroom (El Mirage, AZ)
Keys recorded at The Yañez Studio (Phoenix, AZ)

_______________________________________________

Good night, have a good life
Time to make your getaway
It's night like these that make you want
To swipe left the world away

But when you tell me that you’re through with love
You know I don’t believe its true
Cuz you might think you’re through with love
But maybe love's not through with you

And love's got a funny way
Of changing all those plans you made
When you least expect it

So if love should come your way
Just listen to what I say

And open with your heart
Give yourself a shot now
Take your time, lay it on the line
And open with your heart,
Open with your heart, now

You know i used to be just like you
I locked my heart away
I was tired of people always letting me down
Tired of all the games they'd play

But, oh, you gotta keep the faith
Cuz you know there's other fish
And when you start thinking you should be alone
Well, you just might get your wish

But love's got a funny way
Of cuttin' right through the haze
When you least expect it

So if love should come your way
Just listen to what I say

And open with your heart
Give yourself a shot now
Take your time, lay it all on the line
And open with your heart,
Open with your heart, now

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)

While You’re Gone (3:43)
(John G Willis)

JGW: vocals/bass
S.E. Willis: harmonica
Ray Herndon: guitars
Raúl Yañez: keys
Gary Bruzzese: drums/percussion

Vocals recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Harmonica recorded at Mr. Suchensuch (Flagstaff, AZ)
Guitars, bass, drums & percussion recorded at MCC Studio (Mesa, AZ) - Andy Seagle & Team, engineers
Keys recorded at The Yañez Studio (Phoenix, AZ)

____________________________________________________________

Home alone again
Not a word from you so far
I work all week just to keep you happy
And I don’t even know where you are

Now I'm not a man who’s hard to please
But nothing is just too much
You've been doing me wrong
Think I’ll be leaving while you’re gone

Sleep sex and money
You know I’ll never get enough
But the way you been acting lately
Got me strung out stressed out & bust

Well. just a little bit of your love would keep me hangin on
But nothing is not enough
You're doing me wrong
And I'll be leaving while you’re gone

While you’re gone
I'll get my head on straight, remember what I’m all about
While you’re gone
I might leave a note
Ain't no reason to drag this thing out

It seemed so right before it all went wrong
Now nothing is just too much
You're doing me wrong and
And I'll be leaving while you’re gone

While you're gone
I'll move past the pain, remember how I was before
While you're gone
I’ll pack up my things
And leave my baggage at the door

I only ever wanted to be your man
I guess that was just too much
You're doing me wrong
And I'll be leaving while you're gone

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)

The Best Of Me (3:08)
(John G Willis)

JGW: vocals/bass
Joe Corral: flute
Jerry Donato: tenor sax
Greg Varlotta: trumpet
Ray Herndon: guitars
Raúl Yañez: keys
Gary Bruzzese: drums/percussion

Vocals & bass recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Flute, guitars, key, drums & percussion recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ) - John Herrera, engineer
Saxophone recorded at Donato's Grotto (Phoenix, AZ)
Trumpet recorded at The Playhouse (El Mirage, AZ)

____________________________________________

The day that I first met you
I thought my dreams had all come true
I always hoped I could spend my life
With a woman like you

My hands were shaking and my knees were weak
I must have been a sight to see
And I said to myself at least a thousand times
I hope she sees the best of me

We fell into a groove together
It was easy just we two
And that's when I knew that I could spend my life
With a woman like you

I thought we might grow old together
Be each others' family
And I made a promise to myself that
I'd always give you the best of me

Our life together could be like a fairytale
Where troubles would never find us
Where love would always prevail
Our days could be a sonnet
And our nights a sweet love song
When two hearts beat together
What could possibly go wrong?

Yeah, I saw you with that man last night
Can't believe I fell for you
At least I know I won’t waste my life
On a woman like you

And maybe you could be happy living with your lies
But that’s something I’ll never be
So now I'm making a promise to you
You'll never get the best of me

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)

Other Arms (4:14)
(John G Willis, S.E. Willis)

JGW: vocals/bass
Betsy Ganz: vocals
Dave Schmidt: tenor sax
Greg Varlotta: trumpet
Ray Herndon-guitar
John “Johnny V” Vernazza: guitar/slide guitar
Raúl Yañez: keys
Gary Bruzzese: drums
John Herrera: percussion

Vocals & bass recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Ray's guitars, keys & drums recorded at MCC Studio (Mesa, AZ): Andy Seagle & Team, engineers
Johnny's guitars. percussion recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ): John Herrera, engineer
Saxophone recorded at Distinctive Recording (Glendale, AZ)
Trumpet recorded at The Playroom (El Mirage, AZ)
_______________________________________________________

Got the news you're going away
Guess that ends this game we've played
No, we’re not lovers, never been
But in my mind, now and then
I want you

How did we get so far
Nothing cut, no broken scar
I want you

A lifetime spent in other arms
Unspoken dreams do no harm
A look, a touch, a focused glance
Too much to lose to ever take a chance
Never we, never us
No secret love to be discussed

Some dreams grow
Some just die
Oh, but my dream of you
Is still alive

So go by train, fly or drive
I'll still want you
I want you.

I want you
I need you
My lifelong dream
Will never be true
We never kissed, never touched
What we got got to be enough
I want you

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)
©2024 Mr. Suchensuch (BMI)

Digging A Hole (4:51)
(John G Willis)

JGW: vocals/bass
Kyle Appleton: guitar
Chuck Hall: guitar (including solo)
Thommy Knoles: keys
Gary Bruzzese: drums
Easy D: tambourine

Vocals, bass & tambourine recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Chuck's guitars, drums recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ): John Herrera, engineer
Kyle's guitars recorded at Nashwest (Bakersfield, CA)
Keys recorded at Thommy's house (Asheville, NC)

________________________________________________________________________

It’s after 3 am when I pull in
On the wrong side of the night
The lights are on, I know she's home
Regretting some choices in life

Lord its cold out here but it’s colder in there
Where she’ll be burning for a fight
And i wish I had some smooth and eloquent alibi
But, man, she’s got me dead to rights

So now I’m digging a hole…
Digging myself a hole
Feel likes she's got me testifyin'
And even I'm not buyin'
The story that I told

Her eyes have never looked so cold
And I'm still diggin this hole

It takes so many damn words to tell a lie
But the truth is damnifying
So I'm standin here tryin to clear my name
When my only crime is being too obligin

Now I'm digging a hole
I'm just digging myself a hole
I'm standin here equivocating & obfuscating
& she's just handin me more rope

Just like so many times before
I'm just digging a hole

You know my intentions are good
My heart is true
But here we are again
Some sweet walkin woman sets her trap
& I just fall right in
I just fall right in
Every time

Well I’m digging a hole
I'm just digging myself a hole
I'm doubling down on my deception
Even though my indiscretion
Might wreck our home

I used to think I was in control
Now I know I'm just digging a hole

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music

Locomotive (4:50)
(John G Willis-music, Mark Rozema-lyrics)

JGW: vocals/upright bass
Mark Miracle: mandolin
Seth Loveless: fingerpicked guitar
Peter McLaughlin: flatpick guitar
David Robinson: 6 & 12 string guitars
Kyle Appleton: dobro
Jon Rauhouse: pedal steel guitar
Gary Bruzzese: drums/percussion

Vocals & bass recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Drums & percussion recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ): John Herrera, engineer
Seth's guitar, Peter's guitar & mandolin recorded at Absolute Recording (Phoenix, AZ): Alejandro Gordillo, engineer
Dave's guitar recorded at Dave Robinson Music (Phoenix, AZ)
Pedal steel recorded at Sonic Pirahna (Phoenix, AZ): Darren Baum, engineer
Dobro recorded at NashWest (Bakersfield, CA)

___________________________________________________________

It sits there all night, that locomotive
Shaking the floor of my house as I sleep
An island of heat in a field of snow
A slumbering engine dreaming of thrust
And longing for somewhere to go
Longing for somewhere to go

The wind, howling across my field
Sculps the snow into elegant curves
I picture her beautiful body at rest
The swell of her hips, the small of her back
The rise and fall of her breasts
The rise and fall of her breasts

Just outside my ragged old house
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
Cuts through the snow like a zipper
Wake up, locomotive, take me away
God, don't you know how I miss her
God, can't you see how I miss her?

It sits there all night, that locomotive
Shaking the floor of my house as I sleep
An island of heat in a field of snow
A slumbering engine dreaming of thrust
Waiting for somewhere to go
Waiting for somewhere to go

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)

Just For Today (3:18)
(John G Willis)

JGW: vocals/fretless bass
Adam Armijo-guitars
Victor Mendoza-vibes
Gary Bruzzese-drums
John Hererra-percussion

All tracks recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ): John Herrera, engineer
Except: vibes recorded at Güirito Productions (Valencia, Spain)

_________________________________________________________________

Worrying through the night
Drifting through the day
Wrestling with my demons
Some days are that way

Weaving in & out of parking lots
Tripping up & down the stairs
Struggling with the best of intentions
Some days I'm not all there

But just for today I'll make it better
Just for today ill follow the light

Falling out of bed each morning
Knowing I'm not good enough
Staring at the imposter in my mirror
Some days are tough

Remembering loved ones gone
And the joy that we had
If I could only turn back time
But some days are just sad

But just for today I'll make it better
Just for today I'll follow the light

Just for today I'm gonna say
Tomorrow's will be alright
And maybe I'll learn how to pray
For today

But just for today I'll make it better
Just for today I'll live for today

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)

I Want You To Think I Care (3:48)
(John G Willis, S.E. Willis)

JGW: vocals/upright bass
Jerry Donato: tenor & bari saxophones (horn arrangement)
John “Johnny V” Vernazza: guitars
S.E. Willis: piano
Gary Bruzzese: drums

Vocals & bass recorded at Flyin' Gecko (Scottsdale, AZ)
Saxophones recorded at Donato's Grotto (Phoenix, AZ)
Guitars & drums recorded at Clamsville (Chandler, AZ): John Herrera, engineer
Piano recorded at Mr. Suchensuch (Flagstaff, AZ)

_______________________________________

Wake up in the morning
Bring you coffee with cream
Lie in bed together
Listen to your dreams

You take your morning shower
Let me rinse your hair
And if you ever need me
You know I'm always there

Why do I do all these things for you?
The answer's very simple
I want you to think I care

Together until death
Yeah, I can live with that
Cuz I guess I kinda love you
Like I love the cat

And while I'm being honest
Might as well clear the air
Loving you's just extra work
But it sure beats welfare

Why do I do all these things for you?
I won't say that I love you
But I want you to think I care

Well I paint your nails & I rub your feet
I want you to think I care
I kiss your neck & I talk real sweet
I want you to think I care
When the sun comes up each morning
You'll find that I’m still there
And I’ll stay until you say so
I want you to think I care

Why do I do all these things for you?
I won't say that I love you
But I want you to think I care

Well I hold you hand walkin down the street
I want you to think I care
And I’ll be your man between the sheets
I want you to think I care
You’ll always be the girl for me
As long as you will share
Cuz I’m such a proper gentleman
And I want you to think I care

Why do I do all these things for you?
The answer's very simple
I want you to think I care

©2024 Flyin' Gecko Music (BMI)
©2024 Mr. Suchensuch (BMI)