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Old Loves

by Shelley Posen

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1.
Times are so terrible Almost unbearable Who isn’t scare-able now? This is the trend of things Seems there’s no mend of things Is this the end of things? Pow! Dame Fortune may amaze us with each blow But that shouldn’t faze us, for I know— We’ll get through this We will be okay We’ll get through this Tomorrow is another day Things may be just as dark as they can be But after night comes the morning light—just you wait and see! We’ll get through this! They say the darkest hour Is just before the dawn Watch the far horizon For the lights to come on! We’ll get through this! We’ll get through this And make it farther down the line We’ll get through this I know that things will turn out fine This will not be, I swear, our final stand Any day we’ll be up and away into that promised land— We’ll get through this!
2.
Old Loves 04:29
I could barely look at you, I wanted you so much It’s a miracle my hands stayed by my side And when your fingers strayed to mine and again I felt your touch My joy was almost more than I could hide. We talked but I cannot recall a single word we said My thoughts were miles and miles and miles away Another place, another time I’d given up for dead That came alive like it was yesterday. Old loves In memory persist Old loves Are hopeless to resist What’s done is done, what’s passed is past And what was kissed was kissed But old loves In old hearts still are missed. We parted with a quick embrace I wished would never end I felt like I was filming movie takes As Best Supporting Actor in the role of just a friend Who loved you once, whose longing heart still aches. Old loves In memory persist Old loves Are hopeless to resist What’s done is done, what’s passed is past And what was kissed was kissed But old loves In old hearts still are missed.
3.
I want to write a standard One that all the cats will swing I want to write a standard Sung by Frank and Tony and Judy and Bing A song that hits what a million songs have missed before A song that’ll still be sung in a thousand years or more— I want to write a standard One that Ella would scat right through I want to write a standard One that Louis would play red, hot, and blue A song that Jerry or Jule might wish he’d written A song that would be to musicians like cream to a kitten— I want to write a standard Like Burke and van Heusen wrote I want to write a standard Like Berlin did—every word and note A song whose tune was what you might call atmospheric A song that even Mercer would say, “By golly, that’s got some lyric!”— I want to write a standard Like Hart and Rodgers did so well I want to write a standard One that’s got the Gershwins’ magic spell A song to be sung in a smoky bar by Billie Or covered by Bob, Paul, Linda, Lady Gaga, or Willie— I want to write a standard To make Astaire step up and dance I want to write a standard One that’s filled with stardust and romance A song that Arlen might find at the end of the rainbow A song that Shaw has to play every night and disdain so— I want to write a standard One that makes folks fall in love I want to write a standard More than anything I can think of A song that, I hope, when St. Peter is admitting Will rate me a chair at the table where Dorothy, and Irving, and Larry, and Richard, and Johnny, and Ira, and Jimmy, and Hoagy, and Cole are all sitting— I want to write a standard!
4.
“A dream is a wish your heart makes” So Cinderella sings But lately only heartaches Are all The Sandman brings— I missed you in my dreams last night I wish that you’d been there We always had such happy times In every dream we’d share But now you are so far away So out-of-reach, it seems I’ll never have your love again Not even in my dreams I’ll never have your love again Not even in my dreams. There was a time not long ago I’d dream of you each night Of how you’d take me in your arms And kiss and hold me tight But now I wander all alone Searching, love, for you And wake, lamenting, with the dawn My tears like morning dew.
5.
I cannot believe we have the evening free We can stay at home tonight and watch TV Pour a drink or two and play Monopoly Or maybe we should just make love. This would be the perfect time to cook or bake Rustle up a sandwich or a chocolate cake Order in a pizza for convenience’s sake Or maybe we should just make love. Maybe we should smell the roses now and then Tender sweet surrender when we feel the yen Time’s a-passing, baby, maybe now is when We should put the old libido back in charge again— I don’t think we need a charm or voodoo hex Seems to me, equipment-wise, we’re up to specs When exactly was it that we last had sex?! Maybe we should just make— Hey, we’ll make the bed shake! Maybe we should just make love!
6.
I’m getting used to being lonely every day I don’t mind the solitude that’s lately come my way The empty rooms that echo with every word I say I’m getting used to being lonely every day. I’m getting used to being lonely every night And no one here but me as I turn out the light Time heals all wounds and I am sure that mine will be all right I’m getting used to being lonely every night. I like to hear my footsteps One by one upon the stair The sound of my own voice And not an answer anywhere— I’m getting used to being lonely all the time The quiet’s such a comfort, the silence so sublime As I deliver my soliloquies, sing my songs without a rhyme I’m getting used to being lonely— Just the one and only— Getting used to being lonely all the time.
7.
Good friends Good cheer Good food Good beer Don't say that call's for me Don't say that call's for me I hear the phone Leave me alone Don't say that call's for me. Don't give A damn I'm on The lam Don't say that call's for me Don't say that call's for me I'm drinking beer But I'm not here Don't say that call's for me. I'll have One more Then out The door Don't tell A lie Just say Goodbye Don't say that call's for me Don't say that call's for me I'm on my way Call it a day Don't say that call's for me.
8.
There’s a bar in northern Michigan Where we summered in my youth Drank our beer and smoked our cigarettes At the back in a wooden booth Ordered burgers from the kitchen Pickled sausage from a jar Served up by Mrs. Whatshername Who worked behind the bar. A lit-up jukebox in the corner Played old rock and country songs Just a nickel bought a heartbreak From Hank Williams or Dion Days off, we’d meet our girlfriends And maybe shoot some pool While the old guys traded stories Each a king on a tall bar stool. I remember lots of happy times A few sad ones, I’ll admit I’d give anything to go back again Find that old booth and just sit Right down and order up An ice cold glass of beer See my friends and sing our song “We’re here because we’re here.” It was a roadhouse, tavern, bar, saloon Neon, plastic, wood, and chrome— The sign outside said, “Dew Drop Inn” And it always felt like home It wasn’t cool, it wasn’t pretty Did its job without a fuss “Come in, sit down, have a beer”— Nothing fancy, just like us.
9.
We were safe in our beds Now we’re over our heads In a hot gushing flow from Vesuvius We are drowning in molten effluvias And our future looks more and more dubious Insalubrious That is why we invite you today For hot real estate deals in Pompeii— Pompeii, Pompeii It’s a hell of a town Visit today Hot properties abound Every house has central heating There’s a fire sale everywhere Hot cakes, hot sex, hot seating You can toast a marshmallow anywhere. Pompeii, Pompeii There’s no such place as home Vesuvius popped today Now all roads lead to Rome Each villa once had a mountain view But the last time anyone looked Pompeiians did as they had to do And got the hell out before their goose was cooked. Pompeii, Pompeii Persona non grata Vacation getaway Now an igneous frittata We’re all ash and pumice now The countryside’s ignited Lux in tenebris from us now ‘Cause our lava lamps all are lighted— Yes, our lava lamps all are lighted.
10.
The Christmas pudding’s soaking in the brandy The smell of roasting turkey scents the air The children dream of sugar plums and candy The tree is trimmed with lights and angel hair The wassail bowl is filled to overflowing The guests are quaffing ale and wine and mead The weather’s perfect—crisp and cold and snowing But you are all the Christmas that I need. The chestnuts hiss and sizzle on the fire The table groans with Christmas goose and ham The stereo plays carols by a choir And Christmas cookies taste of spice and jam The Santa Claus parade is drawing near now Every house is mistletoed and treed December 25th is almost here now But you are all the Christmas that I need. You’re all the joy this holiday was meant for You’re all of Santa’s gifts rolled into one There’s nothing that I could have bought or spent for That I want as much this Christmas — and every Christmas yet to come— We’ve bought gifts for the kids and Dad and Mother A Christmas Carol’s here for us to read We’ve even bought a gift for one another But you are all the Christmas — [SPOKEN:] “What’s today?” “Why, Christmas Day!” You are all the Christmas that I need.
11.
We never talk anymore I never get you on the telephone How can I know the score If we don’t have a few words alone? I call and I call and you don’t pick up But I won’t kick up a fuss Maybe your mobile is out of juice Some excuse! Can we discuss? We never talk anymore You never answer when you see it’s me You’re the party I adore And my line is open as it can be It isn’t much I’m asking for We never talk anymore. When I call your number, it rings and rings I hope everything’s okay And I always wish when your line’s not free It was you and me with lots to say We never talk anymore Maybe there’s nothing to talk about But talk to me I implore And there’s a chance we could work things out I hope you’ll open up that door We never talk anymore.
12.
There’s a light at the end of this long, long tunnel That will shine for us someday. Though the road is dark, soon the golden sun’ll Shine its beams to light our way. Sad and lonely now our weary footsteps And we chafe at long delay But I know at the end of this long, long tunnel That the light will come to stay. Though the road ahead seems to have no ending And the days stretch on and on We must keep our feet every turn or bending Till will see a new day dawn. We must marshal strength for the long, long journey We must keep on keeping on Though the road ahead seems to have no ending Soon these bad times will be gone. We have loved ones now in the path of danger And our hearts are filled with care We must trust in the kindness of friend and stranger Whose companionship they share. We will see the day when we’re all united With good health and joy to spare We have loved ones now in the path of danger May they be victorious there.

about

A dozen witty, eclectic, impeccably-crafted Posens with great, singable melodies; lyrics hilarious to hopeful to heartbroken; inspired by (among others) Tom Lehrer, Fats Waller, Willie Nelson, the Great American Songbook. Shelley’s vocals are accompanied by a brilliant combo led by Toronto jazz piano ace John Sheard, plus half a dozen soloists.

credits

released November 14, 2022

With Michael Ball, Steve Briggs, Al Cross, Mark Ferguson,
Erik Frandsen, Julia MacLaine, Brian Ostrom, Dennis Pendrith, John Sheard, James Stephens, Mike Tremblay, Martin van de Ven.
Producers: Bill Garrett, James Stephens

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Shelley Posen Ottawa, Ontario

SHELLEY POSEN is a Canadian songwriter and performer of his own and traditional songs. He writes in many styles and on many subjects. His songs are widely recognized for their wit, craftsmanship, and the profound effect many seem to have on listeners.

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