All songs by Moogy Klingman
except "Out on the Town" Music by
Ralph Schuckett, lyrics by Moogy,
"Friends" written by Moogy and Buzzy
Linhart
"Dear Debbie", lyrics by Moogy,
music by Moogy and John Seigler
all song published by Moogy Music
all rights reserved - copyright 1970 thru 1978
Friends published by EMI.
*******************************************************************************
"Your Move" was recorded in 1978, making it the last song recorded for this album. At this time I had a group called "Merle Miller and Moogy", and we recorded an unreleased album at my studio of that time, called West End Sound. This song is from that album and so bright and bouncy, that I could not resist putting it first on this CD. Fellow Utopians, John Seigler and John Wilcox help things move along, and that's Luther Vandross as part of those lovely background vocals. Luther used to trade studio time for background singing at my studio. One hour background singing got him one hour of 8 track studio time to record his demos. I always thought I got the better end of the deal but kept it to myself.
YOUR MOVE
Knock, knock, knock, knock,
knocking at your door
seems a little crazy but I've
come back for more,
first, you say you love me,
then you say you lie,
then I say you hurt me as
I lay down and cry,
Ring a dinga dinga dinging
on the telephone,
yes, I keep a calling and
a calling, but no one is home
first, you say you need me,
than I tell you I need you too,
now I'm all alone, and it's
up to you
CHORUS: It's your move, will
you treat me right?
or will you torture, taunt
and tease me all through the night?
when you whisper words of
love, you're so removed,
it's your move, your move!
It's your move, will you take
my hand?
won't you look me in the eye
and say I'm you man?
have you come here just to
hurt me or to soothe?
It's your move, your move.......your
move!
Gonna write a little letter,
gonna send a little letter your way,
when you open up the letter,
and I know, you know better
here's what I say,
"Hoping that you missed me. And
I still miss you too.
now I'm all alone here and it's
up to you!" -
CHORUS
back to list
*************************************************************
The Utopia/Moogy and the Rhythm Kings crew back in 1973 recorded the next
fourteen cuts right after Todd finished wiring up Secret Sound in my loft.
Though Seigler, Schuckett and I, joined Utopia, John Siomos did not. He,
instead, joined Peter Frampton and "Frampton's Camel" and became the drummer
(under the name, Johny Slowhand) on the biggest selling album in history
up to that point, "Frampton Comes Alive". Siomos did play drums, while
I played organ on Rundgren's biggest hit, "Hello, It's Me". He was also
the drummer on the entire "A Wizard, A True Star", along with the rest
of us. (that is, except on the songs where TR didn't play all the instruments).
"A Clown and a Stranger" like many of the tunes below was written
after a largely unsuccessful tour, promoting my first album (on Capitol
Records). Playing as an opening act to people who don't wanna hear you
- is very tough. It can make you like both a clown and a stranger. Ultra
Violet(of Andy Warhol fame) recorded this song on her only Capitol album
in about 1975 with me as arranger.
A CLOWN AND A STRANGER
I'm cold and I'm aching, I'm
weak at the knees
My fingers are shaking and
my feet bound to freeze
you tell me you love me, you
kiss me and then,
I feel only sorrow, I cannot
pretend
CHORUS: Help me please! Help
me, please!
I'm a clown, when he's about
to cry
I'm a stranger and I don't
know why.
Sweet sister of mercy, sweet
daughter of light,
won't you shine down your
goodness, won't you treat the boy right
He's got holes in his pockets
and holes in his jeans,
He's the loneliest boy, that
you've ever seen
CHORUS
My troubles are many, they're
as deep as the sea
won't somebody tell me, must
it be only me
I can't think of what is right,
I can't tell you what is wrong,
I am only the singer, this
is only my song.
CHORUS
back to list
******************************************************
My
first solo album came out on Capitol records in 1972. It was co-produced
by Todd and I. The only liner notes were four words, signed by Rundgren
himself. Those words were, "The kid's got heart". I decided to write
a song with that title and here is the result. Todd must have liked the
song cause he certainly sings great backgrounds on it. David Spinozza on
guitar and Ralph Schuckett on Rmi keyboard trade jazzy licks. Irene Cara
recorded this song, not long afterward, but her version remains unreleased
THE KIDS GOT HEART
by Moogy Klingman
sometimes I will stumble, sometimes
I will fall,
but I will still reach out
for you, when I hear you call
and if'n there's a time you're
at an end,
these are the times you need
a friend
could you try to understand?
I'm gonna need a helping hand
CHORUS: Don't you ever leave
me,
don't tear me apart, woa, oh, please
believe me,
remember the kid's got heart
I lose my temper, if I talk
too loud
when I do just tell me so,
no, I am not proud
and if'n there's a time you
hurt inside
these are the times you should
not hide
When you're lonesome and you're
down
I will be the one to come
around
CHORUS
BRIDGE
yes, I know it's a long and
rocky road,
we all need something to live
by
though, I know that every
man must have a code
and If I sometimes break it,
as least you know I try, at
least you know I try
if I make you angry, if I
disagree,
I won't turn my back on you,
don't turn your back on me
and if'n there's a time that
I offend
just like a branch, I can
bend
like a shelter from a rain
I will always be there to
ease your pain,
**********************************************************
Another song written on the Moogy tour to promote my Capitol album. I had
a childhood female friend in Chicago, that I always stayed in touch with.
By the time I got to Chicago on my tour, I was ready to fall in love with
her. But, after only one nite she got very bored with me, and instead of
letting me play my album for her, insisted on listening to Leon Russell
records!!..... Oh well.. Hence, it's kind of a bitter song. But the band
played it like the Meters, one of our favorite rhythm sections and from
New Orleans, too. Todd the engineer, got some of his wildest drum sounds
on this one. Great dueling keyboard solos.
NEVER GIVE YOUR LOVE
Never give your love to the
one that don't know how to love
Never give your love to the
one that don't know how, 2X's
if she don't love you, stop
wasting your time
cause bitches like that, come
a dozen for a dime
just pack up your suitcase
and walk out that door
cause out there is somebody,
who's bound to love you more
CHORUS
if she don't love you, tell
her goodbye,
cause if she don't want you,
why should you try?
Now, don't you feel bitter,
don't you feel blue
just think of every woman
that you ever made love to
CHORUS
*************************************************************************
Someone
told me a true story about a nun, who took LSD after falling in love with
a hippie, and then made love to him, deciding she would leave the church
and the convent. Apparently, the hippie had different ideas and left town
quickly. This song is about what he might say to her about his hasty exit,
if he said anything at all.
Check out that
Randy Brecker trumpet solo. I was a lucky dude, hanging out with and gettting
all these great musicians to play on my record. Herbie Mann's backup
band called "Air", put this song on their only Atlantic album. Lead singer
Googie Cappola left the group to become a born again Christian not long
after their record came out. And their bass player left "Air" and Herbie
Mann, to play with me. His name? John Seigler.
SISTER BESSIE by Moogy Klingman
Sister Bessie, say no prayer
for me,
a slow boats gonna lead me
where I'm bound
I'm for to travel far across
the distant seas.
My destiny will lead me where
I'm bound
you are just a child, with
a sweet child's tender heart
waiting for someone to call
your mine
how do you keep your faith,
when you're always falling, yes, I'm falling
how do you find a way to keep
from crying
Bessie don't you weep, Bessie
don't you moan,
you stole my heart in oh so
many ways,
but the woman who stole my
soul has taken all I have
and left me here alone and
in a daze.
Sister Bessie, though I cannot
stay,
from my heart this message
I do send,
surely, It is hard to lose
the one you love,
but one day you will fall
in love again
**************************************************************
"Slop" is just a crazy rock 'n roll song that was a lot of fun to record.
It's really a duet with me and Todd as co-lead singers. Check out the keyboard
boogie woogie battle between Schuckett and I, ... WOW! We were both boogie
woogie nuts at the time. Rick Derringer was great on the heavy rhythm guitar,
but the Runt steals it, with his talking guitar solo!!
DO THE SLOP
Get in my chevy, ride in my
brand new car,
you be a comet, I'll be a
shooting star
golly jesus honey, but you
sure look sweet
you're a boogie woogie baby
and you can't be beat
I was born to love you, born
to kiss and hug you
CHORUS:
Ooo wee, you can do the slop,
"watch me do it, doing the slop!"
Ooo wee, you can do the slop,
"watch me do it, doing the slop!"
Hot rod to heaven! Do we? Only
if we dare!
rev up the engine, burn some
rubber, honey, we'll get there
i'm so glad i found myself
somebody to love
someone that I'll always be
a-thinking of
And it' could only be you,
Darling, let me free you
CHORUS
BRIDGE
even at the party, you can
take it to the hop, yes, the hop,
get down to it, you can do
the slop!
watch me do it, doing the
slop!
TALKING GUITAR: "come on, do
the slop, everybody slop,
you can do the slop, everybody
slop
you can do the slop, I can
do the slop, he can do the slop, everybody slop!
come on, come on, come on,
do the slop!"
zoom down the highway listen
to the wheels a turn! (dual carborator!)
faster and faster, can't
you hear the motor churn? (super rugulator!)
If we wanna dance, we gotta
move our feet
It don't even matter if we're
in the street
I'm so glad I found myself
somebody to love,
someone that i'll always be
a-thinking of
If you always love me, put
no one above me, then
CHORUS
CODA
everybody everywhere, can't
you hear me sing my song,
got to get it on, got to get
it on, one more time now, baby, yeah!
*********************************************************************
The
one, the only, and an American standard. Played more now in 1999,
then it ever was in 1972, this song continues to be Bette Midler's theme
song. I never dreamed it would become a standard when I co-wrote it way
back in 1969 with Buzzy Linhart. We had a lot of fun with it.....
When I produced a duet of Bette Midler and Bob Dylan in 1976 for the album
I was producing for her, Dylan wanted to do "Friends". We even rehearsed
it. But, I thought he'd ruin his career doing such a straight and corny
MOR pop song. So, I convinced him to let us duet on one of his songs, "Buckets
of Rain". Hey Bob! You still owe me for that one!
FRIENDS
I am all alone here,
there is no one here beside me,
all my problems they are gone,
there is no one to deride me,
but you gotta have friends,
the feeling is oh so strong,
you gotta have friends, to make
your day last long
I had some friends but they're gone,
something came and took them away,
from the dust to the dawn,
here is where I'll stay
Standing at the end of the road,
waiting for my new friend to come
I'll don't care if they're hungry
and cold, I'm gonna get me some
************************************************************************
Schuckett had this music and a title
and I wrote the words. Check out Rick Derringer on banjo! In the style
and tradition of the 1930's Fats Waller, I really loved this song.
OUT ON THE TOWN
Out on the town, dinner at eight
I'll meet you in a taxi, so we won't
have to wait
We'll never be down, when were out
on the town
Out on the town, take in a show,
and later after cocktails, we will
dance sweet and low
to wonderful sounds, when were out
on the town
call me sentimental, but I still
get a thrill
strolling down the great white way
it's the cat's pajama's when you're
rolling in dough
and slumming down on ole broadway.
out on the town, how can we fail
when you've got on your diamonds,
me, my top hat and tails,
there'll never be frowns, when were
out on the town
we're only make believing cause the
glitter and gleam,
it's really just a penny arcade,
but if our clothes are tattered,
shut your eyes and pretend,
and it becomes an Easter parade
out on the town, nothing to lose,
we may not have a nickel, but we
ain't got the blues
just a couple of clowns, going out
on the town
I don't mean the village!, just
a couple of clowns
going out on the town
******************************************************************
I actually
wrote this song about the girl I co-sing it with, Googie Cappola. I always
considered her as something of an angel. And besides, she always carried
a bible with her. She was married to a friend of mine, completely untouchable.
Dig that Randy Brecker christmas
flavored trumpet solo.... Bette Midler loved the song so much that
she sang it as the closing number on her "Songs for the New Depression"
album, an album I produced. She even copied Googie's riffs on the last
verse of the recording here.
LET ME JUST FOLLOW BEHIND
ANGEL: I can see you standing so
near, I'm an angel, my dear
and I'll ease your mind
please don't kiss or hold me, my
dear,
just be happy to follow behind
GUY:now, I have loved me many fine
girls,
oh, so many fine girls had a bed
to share
I will trade these lovers, rubies
and pearls,
for a glimpse of you standing there
ANGEL: how will you know if you've
reached heaven's doors?
GUY: in your eyes, I've seen heaven
before
ANGEL: what if you don't see me again?
If you marry and tend to a child
and wife
GUY: though the years may come and
go without end
I will think of you all of my life
ANGEL: how will you know if you've
reached heaven's doors?
GUY: in your eyes, I've seen heaven
before
GUY: Oh, to have you standing so
near,
you're an angel my dear, and you
ease my mind,
but I'll not kiss or hold you, my
dear
would you let me just follow behind?
****************************************************************************
I completely
forgot my mother's birthday one year. And when I came to her house and
realized it, I immediately sat down and wrote this song for her. It became
the opening song of the five song Family Suite on this CD. Rick Derringer
on pedal steel here! Todd as my brother and Googie as my sister.
MOTHER, WE LOVE YOU!
yesterday's gone and won't come again,
i cannot pretend, cause it's over
but here on this day, we'd like,
if we may,
wish you a happy birthday, mother
CHORUS
mother, we love you, oh yes we do
yes it's true, oh how we love you
mother, we love you, yes we do
though far apart, in our hearts
oh how we love you
we children grow up and go separate
ways,
like lovers, who've stayed too long
but brother and sister and I come
again
to sing you this birthday song
a family will die, if it does not
care,
they tell me blood's thicker than
water,
a family will live, if truly it
shares,
every mother and brother and daughter
CHORUS
mother, we love you, oh yes we do
yes it's true, oh how we love you
mother, we love you, yes we do
that's moog, lynnz and dave, here
to say,
oh, how we love you
*****************************************************
These
two instrumental pieces were piano and string quartet. I started out as
a kid playing classical, the first sounds slightly like the Bela Bartok
pieces I used to play. And on the second piece, "the Passing Years", I
did it as tribute to my original keyboard inspiration, George Gershwin.
When the String quartet arrived, I was especially impressed by a young
passionate violinist, who was still in high school at the time, Noel Pointer.
Noel became a great singing and violin playing recording artist who died
far too young. This was his first recording session.
BLUE MOTHER & THE PASSING YEARS
***********************************************************************
A song about how father/son love should be. Todd not only singing great
backgrounds but playing great slide guitar.
COME HERE SON
come here, son
see that mountain,
you can climb that mountain,
if you try
come here son,
hear the river, we will swim
that river- you and I
oh my son, I as lonely, I
will not be lonely anymore
oh my son, I am laughing
you can hear me laughing,
hear me roar
CHORUS - son, when your
older and gone upon your way
and when my hair is silver
grey
will you remember me someday,
will you remember me?
come here son
see that bully, you can beat
that bully, if you try
come here son
hear that singing?
we will sing together, you
and I
oh my son, stop your sobbing,
let's have no more sobbing,
no more tears
oh my son, I am happy
I am always happy when you're
here
CHORUS
*************************************************************************
A song about
father/son love as it is..... sometimes. Oh well, spare the rod and spoil
the child?
DADDY'S PRIDE AND JOY
Daddy, won't you beat me like when
I was a baby
daddy, won't you beat me like when
I was a boy
daddy, won't you beat me hard and
call me lazy
let me know that I'm your pride
and joy
********************************************************
One of my earliest
songs and recorded by Todd Rundgren on his infamous Something/Anything
album. Great synth solo by Ralph and some generous background vocals by
Todd. This song was recorded at the time of the Moogy 2 sessions, but left
off the album, when it came out in Europe. Hence, this is the first time
anyone has heard my version of "Dust in the Wind".
DUST IN THE WIND
tell everyone that i am sorry, truly
sorry
for all of the wrongs I done
I never meant to hurt nobody, no
oh
I never wanna do no wrong
CHORUS- I have lied, I have begged,
I have cheated,
and I know my ship won't be coming
in
as I lay me down to take my rest,
I see that it's just dust in the
wind
take hold my hand, hold it tighter,
ever tighter
you must believe that I love you
still
but my strength, it growns weaker,
ever weaker
and my body has lost it's will
CHORUS
BRIDGE
oh, my lord, I have lost once again,
and I have nobody to help me find my way
but I, never wanted to hurt nobody,
and I, never wanted to do no wrong
CHORUS
*******************************************************************
This
song is a lost treasure of sorts. Recorded by Moogy and the Rhythm Kings
in 1971 as a demo for Capitol, the song was recorded by Bette Midler for
her second album. She deleted it before release though. I hadn't hear this
song for about 20 years when I came across it. I like the whole country
ballad feeling, and Seigler and Schuckett did some great background vocals
themselves.
MR. FREEDOM AND I
I truly love you, that you must believe
but you're not a fool, to be so
deceived
You know, I will be leaving, but
I will not cry
cause I'm not alone, with Mr. Freedom
and I
BRIDGE - when I am hurting, Oh, can
you tell me -
where does my freedom lie?
Mr. Freedom and I
I am not angry or hung down in shame,
but I want you to know that you're
not to blame
I am not humble, but oh I can try
if you will believe in Mr. freedom
and I
BRIDGE
I can just picture, the way you will
grieve,
when I up and I leave you, in the
night like a thief
when you look to the valley and
you search to the sky
will you remember Mr. Freedom and
I?
Tell me, will you remember Mr. Freedom
and I?
************************************************************
Another fun song which was recorded by the Hello People on their ABC/Dunhill
album. My version, (recorded at Secret Sound) has me on all instruments
and vocals and engineering, ala Todd Rundgren. That funny sound at the
top is a harmonica thru an Eventide harmonizer, of all things! This was
Todd's favorite piece of outboard gear at the time. Utopia did this song
and "Nite in New Orleans" in it's roadshow for about four shows before
Todd cut it from the show. As revenge, I turned it into an off-broadway
musical!
SAVE A DANCE FOR ME
Sadie, you're a barroom girl, just
a dime a dance
Sadie, with your bleach blonde curls,
could this spell romance?
me, I'm just a lug, but when we
cut that rug, I fell for you
CHORUS - Dance on, when
the nite it comes a fallin
Dance on, cause you're wild and
free,
dance on, when the blues they come
a-callin
Save a dance for me, save a dance
for me
Sadie, you're a sight so grand, and
you smell of cheap perfume
Sadie, when you held my hand, you
took me from my gloom
but you still past me by now, baby,
you made this cowboy cry, still
I think of you
CHORUS -
BRIDGE -
you act so damn crude, you wear
them plastic pearls and beads,
you use words both vulgar and lewd,
you're everything this poor boy
needs
CHORUS
CODA
they tell me you're worthless, they
tell me you're mean
the meanest ole woman I ever seen,
They say you're a slut, they say
you're a whore,
But here I am waiting by the dance
hall door
dance on, dance on, dance on, dance
on, ..................
******************************************************
Another
song with me on all the instruments, vocals and engineering. Even the piano
sound is kind of a tribute to my mentor at the time, Todd. I love this
ballad. So sad, and with those nice moog synth lines.
NOTHING IN THIS WORLD
hope in his eyes, yet nothing has
changed,
nothing remains to feel
something about her, when she passed
in the hall,
nothing at all but still
oh, how he cries for love,
and if he could, he'd buy her love,
he would even die for love
but nothing in this world can bring
them together, bring them together again
a tear on her cheek, it's a moment
of pain,
again and again she cries
yet he remembers how she used to
be,
so warm and so free, oh why?
oh, how she cries for love,
and if she could, she'd buy his
love,
she would even die for love
but nothing in this world can bring
them together, bring them together again
why have they grown so cold? Yes,
it leads them to grieve
though it might seem bold to say,
....someone is bound to leave
oh, how they cry for love,
and if they could, they'd buy their
love
they would even die for love
but nothing in this world can bring
them together, bring them together again
**********************************
This song
was recorded with backup by Utopia with our new drummer, John Wilcox, after
Kevin Ellman had left the band. Todd on guitar and Schuckett on accordian.
This was an aborted attempt at a Moogy 3 album but I got sidetracked and
the project shelved. I wrote this song after Utopia played in New Orleans
and I met a "barroom girl". Actually, she was a stripper. It was a wild
time in the French Quarter! Hence, this song and "Save a Dance for Me".
Though both songs were performed for a short time on a Utopia tour as a
"suite". Todd dropped it. But I turned it into an off-broadway musical
show which ran for a bit at the prestigious Ensemble Studio Theater. What
was it called? Why, "A Nite in New Orleans", of course!
A NITE IN NEW ORLEANS/PLINK'S THEME
Thinking bout a nite down in New
Orleans
New Orleans I'm coming around
sometimes I get mean, but watch
me smile
on a nite in New Orleans
Talking bout a nite down in t New
Orleans
shuffling down ole Basin Street
things I never seen, I'm seeing
them now
in sweet New Orleans
hey buddy, what's a fellow supposed
to do?
hey buddy, I wanna rip off my coat
and kick off my shoes!
laffing on a nite down in New Orleans
drinking lots of whiskey and wine
I'll find a barroom queen, I'll
make her mine
on a nite in New Orleans
hey buddy, what's a fellow supposed
to do?
hey buddy, I wanna rip off my coat
and kick off my shoes!
all because the nite down in New
Orleans,
makes me wanna dance and sing
and if you've never been, then join
me now for a nite in New Orleans,
come on along, on a nite in New
Orleans
********************************************
Inspired a little bit by Elvis Costello's singing, this is as close as
I'll ever get to a 50's doo wop song. That's Beverly D'Angelo as part of
the backup choir. About nothing important and no one special, it deals
in general with teen obsessions and teen crushes. I even performed this
song a few times on Rundgren's Back to the Bars tour in 78!
DEAR DEBBIE
oo la la la oo la lala la.....4X's
I'm a boy from the neighborhood,
and I'd like to get to know you,
if I could
I see you every day at the five
and ten,
I just don't know when I'll see
you again
you're so cool with the other guys,
I can't even look you in the eye
I'm mad about you debby, you know
that it's true,
that's why I'm writing this letter
to you
CHORUS -
dear debbie, dear dear debby I love
you so, a little bit more everyday,
dear debbie, dear dear debby, I
need you so, but you just keep slippping away
dear debby, dear dear debby
I'm aching all over for you
dear debby I'm so in
love with you
I saw you at the high school dance,
there were so many guys, I never
had a chance
you laffed at me girl and you put
me down,
why you'd make me feel like a clown
I'm a kid but let me say,
every boy grows up to be a man some
day
on that day, you know where I'll
be,
cause that's the day, that you'll
come running to me
CHORUS
BRIDGE
oh debby, you hurt me so bad, I'm
aching all over
oh debby, you're making me sad,
I'm aching all over
oh debby, you're treating me bad,
I'm aching all over for you
debby girl, I love you true
CHORUS
back to list
************************************************************
FIRE IN MY BONES
This was basically a jazz-rock fusion piece. With a nod to my keyboard idols, Chick Corea and Keith Jarret, the song has a timeless quality to it. It sounds as current now, as it did in 1977, when we recorded it. It was ultimately used as the theme song for my cable video music show, "Manhattan Alley".
*************************************************************************
This last song on the CD, was also the first one recorded. An early demo,
with me on the guitar, and singing in my most James Taylorish style. The
reason it has so many scratches and clicks is ..... It was an old actetate
and I discovered it at the bottom of my closet. But the sentiment and feeling
give the CD it's perfect ending. The songs on "Old Times, Good TImes",
were a long time ago. And we just go drifting back sometimes, don't we?
A LONG, LONG TIME AGO
tell me a story about a way back
when,
I was young and I had nowhere to
go,
such a long, long time ago
take me down a shady lane,
where the sun did shine and the
flowers they did grow
such a long, long, time ago
if I could remember all the plans
that I made
if I could believe that you loved
me still
it was cold in the winter time,
still we ran in that rain and snow,
such a long long time ago,
if I could remember all the plans
that I made
if I could believe that you loved
me still
I'm letting my thoughts just drift
away,
to a time that was so very long
ago,
such a long, long time ago