Open Mike

Tracks + Lyrics

1] Smiles in Smallville

I want to see beyond this mask
I’ve been wearing for a while
but the saddest part of all is If we try to look at all
We can’t see each other smile

There’s crazy times in Smallville
We’re wondering where to turn
we don’t have time to cry or even give a passing sigh
but we just have time to burn

When the evening rain … greets the morning dew
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
Well, the rain clouds wane … and the sky grows blue
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you.

what we’re movin toward
is so very hard to see
Life doesn’t have to be so hard Always being on our guard,
no use fretting how it used to be
if I smile at all of you …and you smile back at me

When the evening rain … greets the morning dew
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
Well, the rain clouds wane … and the sky grows blue
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you

I want to see beyond this mask
I’ve been wearing for a while
but the saddest part of all is If we try to look at all
We can’t see each other smile

When the evening rain … greets the morning dew
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
Well, the rain clouds wane … and the sky grows blue
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
2-Pause Button

Wish I had a ‘pause’ button ….for days when I don’t have a clue
Wish I had a ‘pause’ button …. to learn the things I wish I knew
Cause if I had a ‘pause’ button I’d stop …
and think things through

Wish I had a ‘rewind’ button …For things that happened just because
Wish I had a ‘rewind’ button … for “what a stupid move that was”
cause if I had a ‘rewind’ button I’d cut and paste …
over all my flaws

You can’t go back …. to make it rhyme
Just try to do it right ….. The very first time

Wish I had an “undo “ button …….for little things I tried to say
Wish I had an “undo “button …for “shouldn’t have said it quite that Way
Cause if I had an “undo” button I’d make it …
a little better day

You can’t go back …. to make it rhyme
The very first time
Glad I don’t have a ‘fast forward’ button… To let me see what’s coming slow
Glad I don’t have a ‘fast forward’ button …To take the fun out of tomorrow
I don’t want to have a ‘fast forward’ button…Cause …..
I really don’t want to know

I don’t want to have a ‘fast forward’ button…Cause …..
I really don’t want to know
3-Hits and Misses

I’d spent years writing love songs, through the day and into the night
but I’d always missed the target, just never could hit it right
but I finally wrote one for the gal who’s become my perfect fit
Cause of all my hits and misses… my Mrs. … is my greatest hit

Hoped Cupid’s arrow might hit me, but just where I don’t know
he tried to hit the bull’s eye, but he must have aimed too low
cause the lonely heart was the body part that Cupid just couldn’t hit
But now of all my hits and misses … my Mrs. … is my greatest hit.

I longed to write that hit song, one I could call mine
Not care ‘bout the top forty, write it right between the lines
Tried to hit my inspiration, hoped to strike the perfect rhyme
Find the perfect melody that always stays in time

I was trying to hit a double, as I stepped up to home plate
But I always wound up single, a no hitter was my fate
I was swingin’ hard at screwballs, I was missing all the signs
All my sure hits just went foul, never hit a good line drive……
Now I finally made good contact, she’s become my perfect fit
Cause Of all my hits and misses … my Mrs. … is my greatest hit.

I’d missed on many lyrics, songs sung out of time
missed hits in the top forty, Grammy red carpet lines
Now I’ve hit my inspiration, wrote the perfect rhyme
strummed the perfect melody that always stays in time

She’s always right on target, She’s pretty and she’s smart
And when she’s smilin’ at me, She hits me in the heart
Now I’ve finally found the lady who’s become my perfect fit
Cause Of all my hits and misses… my Mrs. … is my greatest hit.

Cause Of all my hits and misses my Mrs…. is my greatest hit.
4-You and Me

I’ve been out to see the Grand Canyon
Caught beads at Mardi Gras
Counted down in Time’s Square New Years Eve

Watched the tide roll in at Fundy
Walked the Boardwalk on Venice Beach
Stood and watched the Mississippi
Rushing just beyond my reach

I’ve been from Portland to Portland
Cedar City to Cedar Key
But nothing’s touched me better
Than being …
You and Me, You and me
By the sea, Just You and Me
You and Me By the sea
Livin’ free Just You and Me

Smelled April orange blossoms
Saw Tennessee dogwoods in bloom
Watched a mist float ‘cross the Smokies
Like a lonesome guitar tune
Now that tune’s no longer lonesome
In my travels far and wide
With you to share them with me
As we’re riding side by side

I’ve been from Portland to Portland
Cedar City to Cedar Key
But nothing’s touched me better …
Than being…
You and Me, You and me
By the sea, just You and Me
You and Me, By the sea
Livin’ free, Just You and Me

I’ve been from Portland to Portland
Cedar City to Cedar Key
But nothing’s touched me better …
5-The Muse

The Muse asked me to take a chance
And join the world where shadows dance
Where no one gave a backward glance
To hard affairs of seeming

She made no sense, no recompense
But told me to drop my defense
Don’t be afraid to cross the fence
And give in to your dreaming

The muse said it was for the best
I’d share my heart, be ever blessed
Our gift of sight we should invest
I took her for her meaning

I told her that her ends were free
That didn’t sit quite right with me
And she could see all she might see
I’d just see what I could

The Muse said that the other side
Was too aflame for me to hide
And that I’d have to take the ride
Or stay behind for good

I told her ‘No, I’ll stay right here’
I backed away, and showed my fear
I said I held survival dear
I thought she understood

The Muse said it was mine to choose
Her face was frowned, she dropped her clues
She didn’t want us both to lose …
…And then I said I would
…And then I said I would
6- Greedy Man

He’s a greedy man, he’s a greedy man
Grabs what he wants however he can
He thinks he’s clever, but he’s not that smart
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart

One day he decided to make a run
So he ran out on his wife and infant son
Didn’t give them a dime to pay his part
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart

All your happy days are through
We’ve all had it with you

Left them on their own and thought it was funny
Then demanded she give him half of her money
He’s a greedy man right from the start
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart

He smashed the tv, punched the wall
Wrecked the garden and that’s not all
He yells and screams as he departs
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart

All your happy days are through
Everyone’s wise to you

He’ll meet his Karma, that Gator boy
When she smiles and tells him “see you later, boy”
He’s a greedy man, but not very smart
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart
7-This Getting Old Is Really Getting Old

Today I'm feeling three kinds of blue
yesterdays are gone forever, todays down to a few
and all tomorrow’s dances I might never get to do
this getting old is really getting old

Find myself awake, before the sun arose
hurry - sip my coffee, because it's getting cold
stranger in the mirror says I’ve got stories yet untold
this getting old is really getting old

another friend has passed, another chapter slips from view
more of my life story fades away
just another ghost that I find myself talking to
wondering should I swear or should I pray

I’ll live inside the memory of ones I hold so dear
their memories define our heaven or hell.
a backward glance to know that they will always keep me near
and hope that I'm remembered well

another friend has passed, another chapter slips from view
more of my life story fades away
just another ghost that I find myself talking to
wondering should I swear or should I pray

but living in today, I’ll share everything I know
got a toddling generation that I've got to teach and hold
I'll teach them to go fast enough, to know they should go slow
I've got memories still to be told
this living life never will get old

living life never will get old

Listen

Credits

Recorded and mixed at Tenth Street Studios, Chattanooga, TN

Produced and Arranged by Mike Bellotti and Steve Hickman

Recording Engineer – Steve Hickman

Musician Credits:

Mike Bellotti: lyrics and music for all songs

Mike Bellotti: vocals, rhythm guitars

Steve Hickman: keyboards, bass, percussion

Dennis Brown: lead guitars

Dan Cassidy: violin

Jackie Harling: backing vocals

Jason Hallcox: backing vocals

Mike Headrick: pedal steel guitar

Marvin Von Almen: harmonica

Tracks + Lyrics

1] Smiles in Smallville

I want to see beyond this mask
I’ve been wearing for a while
but the saddest part of all is If we try to look at all
We can’t see each other smile

There’s crazy times in Smallville
We’re wondering where to turn
we don’t have time to cry or even give a passing sigh
but we just have time to burn

When the evening rain … greets the morning dew
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
Well, the rain clouds wane … and the sky grows blue
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you.

what we’re movin toward
is so very hard to see
Life doesn’t have to be so hard Always being on our guard,
no use fretting how it used to be
if I smile at all of you …and you smile back at me

When the evening rain … greets the morning dew
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
Well, the rain clouds wane … and the sky grows blue
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you

I want to see beyond this mask
I’ve been wearing for a while
but the saddest part of all is If we try to look at all
We can’t see each other smile

When the evening rain … greets the morning dew
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
Well, the rain clouds wane … and the sky grows blue
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
And there’s never gonna be another day like the one in front of you
2-Pause Button

Wish I had a ‘pause’ button ….for days when I don’t have a clue
Wish I had a ‘pause’ button …. to learn the things I wish I knew
Cause if I had a ‘pause’ button I’d stop …
and think things through

Wish I had a ‘rewind’ button …For things that happened just because
Wish I had a ‘rewind’ button … for “what a stupid move that was”
cause if I had a ‘rewind’ button I’d cut and paste …
over all my flaws

You can’t go back …. to make it rhyme
Just try to do it right ….. The very first time

Wish I had an “undo “ button …….for little things I tried to say
Wish I had an “undo “button …for “shouldn’t have said it quite that Way
Cause if I had an “undo” button I’d make it …
a little better day

You can’t go back …. to make it rhyme
The very first time
Glad I don’t have a ‘fast forward’ button… To let me see what’s coming slow
Glad I don’t have a ‘fast forward’ button …To take the fun out of tomorrow
I don’t want to have a ‘fast forward’ button…Cause …..
I really don’t want to know

I don’t want to have a ‘fast forward’ button…Cause …..
I really don’t want to know
3-Hits and Misses

I’d spent years writing love songs, through the day and into the night
but I’d always missed the target, just never could hit it right
but I finally wrote one for the gal who’s become my perfect fit
Cause of all my hits and misses… my Mrs. … is my greatest hit

Hoped Cupid’s arrow might hit me, but just where I don’t know
he tried to hit the bull’s eye, but he must have aimed too low
cause the lonely heart was the body part that Cupid just couldn’t hit
But now of all my hits and misses … my Mrs. … is my greatest hit.

I longed to write that hit song, one I could call mine
Not care ‘bout the top forty, write it right between the lines
Tried to hit my inspiration, hoped to strike the perfect rhyme
Find the perfect melody that always stays in time

I was trying to hit a double, as I stepped up to home plate
But I always wound up single, a no hitter was my fate
I was swingin’ hard at screwballs, I was missing all the signs
All my sure hits just went foul, never hit a good line drive……
Now I finally made good contact, she’s become my perfect fit
Cause Of all my hits and misses … my Mrs. … is my greatest hit.

I’d missed on many lyrics, songs sung out of time
missed hits in the top forty, Grammy red carpet lines
Now I’ve hit my inspiration, wrote the perfect rhyme
strummed the perfect melody that always stays in time

She’s always right on target, She’s pretty and she’s smart
And when she’s smilin’ at me, She hits me in the heart
Now I’ve finally found the lady who’s become my perfect fit
Cause Of all my hits and misses… my Mrs. … is my greatest hit.

Cause Of all my hits and misses my Mrs…. is my greatest hit.
4-You and Me

I’ve been out to see the Grand Canyon
Caught beads at Mardi Gras
Counted down in Time’s Square New Years Eve

Watched the tide roll in at Fundy
Walked the Boardwalk on Venice Beach
Stood and watched the Mississippi
Rushing just beyond my reach

I’ve been from Portland to Portland
Cedar City to Cedar Key
But nothing’s touched me better
Than being …
You and Me, You and me
By the sea, Just You and Me
You and Me By the sea
Livin’ free Just You and Me

Smelled April orange blossoms
Saw Tennessee dogwoods in bloom
Watched a mist float ‘cross the Smokies
Like a lonesome guitar tune
Now that tune’s no longer lonesome
In my travels far and wide
With you to share them with me
As we’re riding side by side

I’ve been from Portland to Portland
Cedar City to Cedar Key
But nothing’s touched me better …
Than being…
You and Me, You and me
By the sea, just You and Me
You and Me, By the sea
Livin’ free, Just You and Me

I’ve been from Portland to Portland
Cedar City to Cedar Key
But nothing’s touched me better …
5-The Muse

The Muse asked me to take a chance
And join the world where shadows dance
Where no one gave a backward glance
To hard affairs of seeming

She made no sense, no recompense
But told me to drop my defense
Don’t be afraid to cross the fence
And give in to your dreaming

The muse said it was for the best
I’d share my heart, be ever blessed
Our gift of sight we should invest
I took her for her meaning

I told her that her ends were free
That didn’t sit quite right with me
And she could see all she might see
I’d just see what I could

The Muse said that the other side
Was too aflame for me to hide
And that I’d have to take the ride
Or stay behind for good

I told her ‘No, I’ll stay right here’
I backed away, and showed my fear
I said I held survival dear
I thought she understood

The Muse said it was mine to choose
Her face was frowned, she dropped her clues
She didn’t want us both to lose …
…And then I said I would
…And then I said I would
6- Greedy Man

He’s a greedy man, he’s a greedy man
Grabs what he wants however he can
He thinks he’s clever, but he’s not that smart
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart

One day he decided to make a run
So he ran out on his wife and infant son
Didn’t give them a dime to pay his part
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart

All your happy days are through
We’ve all had it with you

Left them on their own and thought it was funny
Then demanded she give him half of her money
He’s a greedy man right from the start
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart

He smashed the tv, punched the wall
Wrecked the garden and that’s not all
He yells and screams as he departs
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart

All your happy days are through
Everyone’s wise to you

He’ll meet his Karma, that Gator boy
When she smiles and tells him “see you later, boy”
He’s a greedy man, but not very smart
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart
His soul’s as cold … as a … bi-Polar bear’s heart
7-This Getting Old Is Really Getting Old

Today I'm feeling three kinds of blue
yesterdays are gone forever, todays down to a few
and all tomorrow’s dances I might never get to do
this getting old is really getting old

Find myself awake, before the sun arose
hurry - sip my coffee, because it's getting cold
stranger in the mirror says I’ve got stories yet untold
this getting old is really getting old

another friend has passed, another chapter slips from view
more of my life story fades away
just another ghost that I find myself talking to
wondering should I swear or should I pray

I’ll live inside the memory of ones I hold so dear
their memories define our heaven or hell.
a backward glance to know that they will always keep me near
and hope that I'm remembered well

another friend has passed, another chapter slips from view
more of my life story fades away
just another ghost that I find myself talking to
wondering should I swear or should I pray

but living in today, I’ll share everything I know
got a toddling generation that I've got to teach and hold
I'll teach them to go fast enough, to know they should go slow
I've got memories still to be told
this living life never will get old

living life never will get old