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Striking 12: The New GrooveLily Musical

by GrooveLily

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1.
2.
Overture 01:36
3.
This is a spoken section between songs.
4.
Snowflakes fall like velvet From iron-colored skies Somehow I can’t help it I feel my spirits rise Time to take it slow It’s coming down Crystal branches glisten Like diamonds over me Frozen in position A silent symphony Sidewalks white and clean Perfect and pristine It’s coming down It’s coming down and all my blues disappear And this old town is young again—roll back the years Because the world looks like new Or at least that’s the view from here... It’s cold here by the river But I don’t feel it much The moon’s a silver sliver Close enough to touch Storm clouds drift away A star comes out to play And it’s coming down
5.
This is a spoken section between songs.
6.
(What are you gonna do on New Year’s Eve?) BRENDAN (GRUMPY GUY): Late for work Now I’m working late The boss said please I’ve got to please the boss I phone the man I’ve got to man those phones Gotta check those facts Gotta fax those checks And I’ve gotta fix that printer It’ll be another late night I will get through this winter Without a ray of daylight I volunteered to stay late There’s no need to deny it Time-and-a-half my pay rate And peace and quiet On the last day of the year On the last day of the year (What are you gonna do on New Year’s Eve?) I’m almost done Now I’ve done it all I’m the last one out I’m out at last I go through the crowd Now I’m crowding through I stare them down While I go down the stairs (Please stand clear of the closing doors Please stand clear of the closing doors) And strangers talk to strangers Where did all these people slink from? Bubbling like champagne, they’re On their way to drink some On the last day of the year On the last day of the year Look how fast this year’s gone by Spring has somehow slipped away I barely saw the summer sky Autumn seems like yesterday I never read those top-ten books I never took that trip to France Did nothing to improve my looks I never learned to salsa dance I didn’t be all I could be I didn’t see all I could see I didn’t call on Mother’s Day I cannot wash my sins away And I would not dwell on the past If time would not go by so fast I can’t believe already it’s the last day...of the year (What are you gonna do on New Year’s Eve? ) I'll step it up I'll go up the steps And there’s a sidewalk push And I am pushed aside (Last day of the year) I got to keep my grip I got to grip my keys While I head for home Oh, my head On the last day of the year Last day of the year (What are you gonna do on New Year’s Eve?)
7.
Resolution 03:06
BRENDAN (GRUMPY GUY): Resolution—I am resolute I will tie no tie, I will suit no suit I won’t be going out on the town ‘Cause my angst is up and my battery’s run down What’s there to celebrate about? I’d rather stay at home and grout My shower stall than watch the ball —I won’t go out... No disappointments, no bad champagne No red dress woman’s gonna yank my chain No more surprises, I’m gonna stay right here In my stocking feet with an ice-cold beer Who needs to see my so-called friends? They’ll only spend the night pretending There’s a way on New Year’s Day to start again... I ask you, what’s not to enjoy? My cat, my couch, no hoi polloi I don’t need my coat Just my remote And my La-Z-Boy
8.
This is a spoken section between songs.
9.
VALERIE (LIGHT BULB GIRL): It’s only logical that people get the winter blues and find they’re overwhelmed with pain and hopelessness. It’s only natural that people get all antisocial and they find they simply cannot cope with stress— because our planet is revolving ‘round our source of light and because our axis of rotation’s tilting slightly right and we have to find a way to brighten up our darker days and light our darkest corners so we’re moping less. I’ve got full-spectrum lights that hang upon a string that you plug in and they light up and decorate your room. They will illuminate the dust that you accumulate in places where you never think to scrape a broom. And have you noticed you have trouble getting motivated? And have you felt that getting out of bed is overrated? And people who have SAD can gain a lot of weight in winter with the many carbohydrates they consume. So now before you go and lose another winter to the blues you oughta buy a string of lights or two—your place is lovely but it’s kinda dim and you could use a little light to penetrate the gloom. BRENDAN (GRUMPY GUY): She’s kind of cute. That can’t be an easy job. I should look like I’m listening. Do I look like I’m listening? Try to look like I’m listening. ‘Cause after all she’s kind of cute. That can’t be fun. Why is she out alone? It’s New Year’s Eve. Why spend her night doing this? Is this really a minute? It’s feeling longer than a minute. All these minutes seem long. And these months seem short. And this year went by so fast. Look, she’s still talking. I should pay attention. I don’t really think I need any lights... Let’s see, the Little Match Girl— what did happen in that story? Was that Brothers Grimm or maybe Dr. Seuss? Neither one. No that’s not right, the little girl is selling matches in the snow and there’s a party where they roast a goose. Wanna buy some lights? Oh wait I know, Hans Christian Andersen! I think that’s right, and what’s that book of fairy tales Diane left underneath the nightstand? And there I go again I’m thinking of Diane—no matter what I do I’m bound to fail so what’s the use? Who’s Diane? It’s getting cold. These lights are toasty warm. I need to close the door... I swear, they give off heat. I’m gonna say no thanks. All right good night. Unless you maybe want to come in for a beer or sparkling apple juice?
10.
This is a spoken section between songs.
11.
This is a spoken section between songs.
12.
VALERIE (LITTLE MATCH GIRL): Wouldn’t you think Tonight of all nights When the snow lays a blanket On the ice-laden street lights Wouldn’t you think That a match would come in handy in the dark? Excuse me sir, pardon me Would you like to see my matches for sale? Doesn’t anybody... doesn’t anybody need... doesn’t anybody need some light tonight? Wouldn’t you think Tonight of all nights When the world throws a party Burning candles till daylight Wouldn’t you think That a match would come in handy after dark? Excuse me miss, pardon me Would you like to see my matches for sale? Doesn’t anybody... doesn’t anybody need... doesn’t anybody need some light tonight? I’m out of place as a bird of paradise Perching on the ice Unwanted merchandise Excuse me ma’am, I’m sorry gents Pardon me, I mean no offense I’ve got matches at the very lowest price Doesn’t anybody... doesn’t anybody need... doesn’t anybody need some light?
13.
Say What? 03:54
GENE (NEW YEAR’S HOST): I got the punch bowl, got the fixin’s I got the guest list full of vixens No ex-wife to kill the evening I bet she’s out there somewhere seething I got the mistletoe, I’ll make the champagne flow And the moment the clock strikes twelve.... VALERIE (LITTLE MATCH GIRL): Doesn’t anybody need some light tonight? Say what? Oh no. I don’t think so I gotta see the ball come down on TV Say what? Oh no. I don’t think so There’s a crowd of people waiting for me And I’m the only one who’s got the key I got the pickle, got the herring I wonder what she will be wearing I got my hand-carved wooden shoesies A guest list full of Danish floozies Chill the Aquavit I’ll sweep them off their feet And the moment the clock strikes twelve... Doesn’t anybody need some light tonight? Say what? Oh no. I don’t think so I got more important things on my mind Say what? Oh no. I don’t think so Please don’t think I’m being unkind But I’m already running way behind BRENDAN (GRUMPY GUY): Right. I mean How many times have you been accosted on the street By a panhand person with a very bittersweet Sob story about how they need a dollar for the train They’re standing looking pitiful and soggy in the rain And now they say that they’re stranded—their car broke down They came to meet their sister, but their sister’s out of town And if you pull out a buck or two, they get all shifty And they suddenly remember that the train costs eight fifty And you know you’ve got the money but you’re starting to believe They’re just another liar out on New Year’s Eve You don’t trust Santa Claus on Christmas, you’re right to be suspicious The city can be nasty and the people can be vicious And you know who’s the one I really pity the most? The guy from out of town whose car has given up the ghost He’s really out of money, he’s really unprepared He’s really getting nervous and he’s really getting scared And no one's gonna help him ‘cause we’ve heard it all before We don’t have the time to stay and listen anymore And the truth is I’ve got money At least a little bit of money But brother, I can’t spare the time Sister, I can’t spare the time Brother, I can’t spare the time Sister, I can’t spare the time Doesn’t anybody need some light tonight? Say what? Oh no—I don’t think so I’m already running so far behind Say what? Oh no—I don’t think so Well I don’t mean to be unkind There’s no money and no time I can hardly take care of myself ‘Cause I’m a very busy man And I’m doing all I can And the clock will soon be striking twelve
14.
This is a spoken section between songs.
15.
Hey La La 00:50
This is the sound of a party you don’t get to go to It’s like a mountain you can never reach without a showshoe It’s like an island that’s too far away for you to row to Their glasses clink—they’ve had way too much to drink, whoo! This is the sound of a party you don’t get to go to All over town there are people who won’t get to know you It’s underground, oh so hip and they are eating tofu They think it’s fun to be vegetarian, whoo! La la la la la... Hey la la hey la la— hey la la hey la la Hey la la hey la la— hey la la hey la la Hey la la hey la la— hey la la hey la la Hey la la hey la la—hey This is the sound of a party you don’t get to go to You say you don’t care but you really kind of do care don’t you? Well let’s pretend you get in the door just like you hope to And even so, here’s the way that it would go...
16.
BRENDAN (GRUMPY GUY): Oh no, it’s that annoying guy with really bad post-nasal drip Maybe he’ll never notice if I hide right here behind the dip (and have a chip) He’s gonna ask me about my job and he don’t know that I’ve been slacking off and I am next in line to get the ax And I don’t want to open up that can of worms or face the facts Everything’s fine fine fine It’s fine fine fine I’m fine fine fine It’s fine, it’s fine, really it’s fine Everything’s fine fine Everything’s fine fine Oh no, that space-invading girl has caught my eye—she’s on her way She’ll stand too close and ask about Diane, my former fiancée I took too long, would not commit Diane got sick of me and quit I begged we were meant to be—she knew we never were And I will never fall for anyone the way that I fell for her She’s fine fine fine They’re fine, we’re fine, it’s fine I’m fine, it’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine Everything’s everything’s everything’s everything’s everything’s everything is All right tonight And now it’s New Year’s Eve And everybody’s gonna ask me what kind of resolutions are up my sleeve What do I want? What do I hope for in the brand new year? Why should I make a resolution? Haven’t I made it clear that Everything’s fine fine fine It’s fine fine fine Fine fine fine Fine fine fine fine Everything’s fine fine Fine fine
17.
This is a spoken section between songs.
18.
VALERIE (LITTLE MATCH GIRL): Can’t go home Can’t stay here Street of stone House of tears Blue with cold Or black and blue Nothing sold And I know you You stare at the holes in the ceiling Your anger grows with every drink I can tell exactly what you’re feeling Well, don’t you want to know what I think? There’s gotta be somewhere out there better than this place There’s gotta be someone with some kindness on their face Can’t go home Nothing to show Can’t get warm Nowhere left to go... Everybody’s got a party to go to BRENDAN (GRUMPY GUY): (Everybody got a party to go to) Everybody’s got people to see (Who cares about them anyway) They’ve all got someone to come home to I know there’s no one looking for me There’s gotta be somewhere out there better than this place (There gotta be, there oughta be, somebody oughta do something) There’s gotta be someone with some kindness on their face (There gotta be, there oughta be, somebody oughta do something) I wish I may And I wish I might Chase the chill away And get through this night My hands are cold—it’s hard to hold them still But I will find a way Yes, I will find a way There’s gotta be somewhere out there better than this place (There gotta be, there oughta be, somebody oughta do something) There’s gotta be someone with some kindness on their face (There gotta be, there oughta be, somebody oughta do something) But everybody looks right through me when I try to stop them This cold and lonely girl is not their problem There’s gotta be somewhere out there better—better than this place
19.
This is a spoken section between songs.
20.
This is a spoken section between songs.
21.
VALERIE (LITTLE MATCH GIRL): By the light I see something beautiful There’s a fireglow and it brightens over me I reach out my hand, I can feel the heat Getting closer now, I am stretching out my feet And the ice melts away I can feel the warm embrace of firelight Oh, can it be? Or is it too good to be true... Maybe this time I believe I’ll make it last Maybe this time will be different from the past Can I trust myself, can I make it stay? If I take a breath, will it fade away? Maybe this time I can reach and hold on fast By the light I see something beautiful All the walls have turned into crystal shimmering I can see right through, there’s a table set For a New Year’s banquet that no one’s eaten yet ’Cause it’s there just for me It’s a feast like I have never seen before Oh, can it be? Or is it too good to be true... Maybe this time I believe I’ll make it last Maybe this time will be different from the past If I shut my eyes, if I show no fear If I touch it, will it disappear? Maybe this time I can reach and hold on fast Striking one, striking two I don’t know what else to do Just one more—a Christmas tree! All aglow with bright lights everywhere So tall I can’t believe How it sparkles just like diamonds glistening Oh, can it be? Or is it too good to be true... Maybe this time I believe I’ll make it last Maybe this time will be different from the past Can I trust myself, can I make it stay? If I take a breath, will it fade away? Maybe this time I can reach and hold on fast
22.
This is a spoken section between songs.
23.
GENE: The piano player gets his say and you hang on every word And the violin can fly on in through the crowd just like a bird But I’m stuck in back, out of luck I lack the ability to move But if not for me there would never be the ability to groove You think it’s all just hunky-dory As we tiptoe through the story And you guys get all the glory I think it’s time now You gotta give the drummer some Now the next time out’s gonna be about the history of Gene From the minimum wage to the stadium stage and the good parts in between And the world will know of my big ego and my way with all the chicks And the hottest girls watch my drumsticks twirl as I play my tasty licks I don’t mean to sound demanding But we’ve been off wonderlanding And that Grandma part notwithstanding I think it’s time now You gotta give the drummer some ‘Cause it’s all about me, me, me, me, me It’s all about me, me, me, me, me It’s all about me, me, me, me, me You think it’s all just hunky-dory As we tiptoe through the story And you guys get all the glory You gotta give the drummer gotta give the drummer Gotta give the drummer gotta give the drummer Gotta give the drummer You gotta give the drummer some!
24.
This is a spoken section between songs.
25.
VALERIE (LITTLE MATCH GIRL): I miss you so Please don’t go Away where I can’t see your face Beside me in this lonely place I need you now I don’t know how To make it through without you here To give me hope and dry my tears I remember All you taught me How you were so strong You told me, “Never hold back anything Who knows what tomorrow brings? The Fates are cruel, so don’t you let them win” You lived your life just like a flame That burned out fast but seared your name Across my heart and everywhere you’d been Caution to the wind Some say not Don’t burn so hot Save something for a rainy day But the ice and snow are here to stay Time is flying How I miss you This feeling can’t be wrong You told me “Never hold back anything Who knows what tomorrow brings? The Fates are cruel, so don’t you let them win” You lived your life just like a flame That burned out fast but seared your name Across my heart and everywhere you’d been Caution to the wind I will be with you again Sure as I have ever been Burn my matches to the end Throwing caution to the wind Getting closer Take me with you I know where I belong You told me “Never hold back anything Who knows what tomorrow brings? The Fates are cruel, so don’t you let them win” You lived your life just like a flame That burned out fast but seared your name Across my heart and everywhere you’d been Caution to the wind I will be with you again Sure as I have ever been Burn my matches to the end Throwing caution to the wind I will be with you again Sure as I have ever been Burn my matches to the end Throwing caution to the wind Throwing caution to the wind Throwing caution to the wind Throwing caution to the wind Throwing caution to the wind
26.
27.
This is a spoken section between songs.
28.
GENE (GRUMPY GUY’S FRIEND WHO STUDIED SCANDINAVIAN LITERATURE): He grew up poor, just a shoemaker’s son A lanky kid who had a really big nose Insecure, immature He was often found dressing up in girly clothes His father died and his mother explained that the Ice Maiden took him away That little lie made him cry, Gave him nightmares and it haunted him till his dying day What a shock Yeah, it wound him up inside just like a cuckoo clock Going tick tick tock ‘Cause screwed-up people make great art They shoot right from the screwed-up heart Screwed-up people bare their souls and that’s not always smart Now our man Hans had a heart full of love But his feelings weren’t always returned He was odd and a clod He’d make overtures and always end up getting burned He was afraid of churches, fire, and dark Some disaster would be sure to arrive Now our bizarre superstar couldn’t sleep because he worried he’d be buried alive So insane So he wrote a lot of fairy tales to ease the pain That crazy Dane ‘Cause screwed-up people make great art Imagination off the chart Screwed-up people send us postcards from a world apart He created a fantasy world and he got him some great reviews Supernatural stories of snowmen and mermaids and magic shoes But when his characters get what they want there is often a rude surprise Because Hans Christian Andersen looked at the world through really screwed-up eyes He never married and he never had kids So his stories were his legacy Emperor dude, in the nude And a princess who was kept awake all night by a pea On and on Turning all those ugly ducklings into swans That crazy Hans ‘Cause screwed-up people make great art God gave them a running start For example, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (he made great art)...
29.
This is a spoken section between songs.
30.
BRENDAN (GRUMPY GUY): Well I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me I am sitting home alone on a New Year’s Eve Wallowing in sorrow like a sad-faced clown Following a fairy tale and feeling so down, and It’s not all right What’s with this melancholy It’s not all right Where is my grand finale ‘Cause there is no hero who will do the right thing No fat lady ever gets to sing The author copped out on the very last page I guess I’m just a product of the Hollywood age, but It’s not all right The world just walks on by and It’s not all right They leave her there to die and I can see them now in their party dress No one giving a thought to this little girl’s distress We’re all nothing but hypocrites Making resolutions and making lists We’re talking big and we’re acting small Nobody’s ever gonna change at all... If I could change one thing I’d get right outa this chair Get out of this room into the cold fresh air There’s a little time left on this New Year’s night There’s something that I’ve gotta do before daylight, ‘cause It’s not all right And that girl deserves much better It’s not all right I’ve got to go and get her and show her Somewhere out there better than this place Someone with some kindness on their face
31.
This is a spoken section between songs.
32.
It’s coming down and all my blues disappear And this old town is young again — roll back the years Because the world looks like new Or at least that’s the view from here Snowflakes fall like velvet From iron-colored skies Somehow I can’t help it I feel my spirits rise Snowflakes glint and glide Glad to be outside On the first day On the first day ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR
33.
Encore 03:27
34.
Welcome to the overture Now is when you know for sure That this is when it's time to start the show If you've got candy to unwrap Or a barking poodle on your lap Take care of it right now before we go And turn your cell phones off This is an important theme You will hear it later on At a rather crucial time In a rather crucial song Forget all that now clear your mind Loosen up relax unwind Take some pictures - oops sorry no Enjoy the show
35.
What fresh hell is this It's the televised abyss Will this Christmas season never be through? Now the shiny bells still ring And the happy people sing Everything's green and red and I am feeling blue All the trees are brown In this silver tinsel town Storefront windows glow in every hue Let the color wheel unroll Gray to black inside my soul Everything's green and red and I'm feeling blue Every Sickly-sweet song Is a saccharine holiday hug Yet I still hum along Well, Bah Humbug I could ward off the chill I could pick up my life and move on But the house is so still And she's still gone Spin the channels once again I see no good will toward men Cause between commercials nothing is new There's such a dearth of peace on earth Everything's green and red and I'm feeling blue Everything's green and red and I'm feeling blue
36.
Wonderful 04:35
VALERIE (MATCH GIRL) No one ever gonna notice No one ever gonna notice me if I know one thing I know this I need a little light so I can see Surely I can pick out one match I can spare it If I dare it Only one match Striking one match And it's Wonderful Warming up my frozen fingers Wonderful Like a candle brightly burning but more wonderful I can feel the ice melt away And the fire glow is like a summer's day BRENDAN "And it seemed to the girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove. How the fire burned. It seemed so beautifully warm that the child stretched out her feet as if to warm them, when lo! The flame of the match went out, the stove vanished, and she held only the remains of the half burnt match in her hand." VALERIE I don't wanna be a bad girl What'll daddy think of what I've done He's gonna say you made me mad, girl Wasting matches when you're selling none But he doesn't see what I see Only duty Not the beauty Only one more Striking one more and it's Wonderful Roasted goose and sugar plums so wonderful like a banquet for a princess but more wonderful all the silver polished to a glow and the table cloth as clean and white as snow BRENDAN "Then the match went out and the feast too vanished. Before her remained nothing but the thick, damp, cold wall." BRENDAN/VALERIE All of the things I see through windows When I'm on the wrong side of the glass Are even more beautiful and wondrous Here in the light of just one match VALERIE Let the walls be transparent once again Let me see through this vision to the end VALERIE (with Gene and Brendan backup) Should I light one more Maybe just one more Should I light one more Maybe just one more (etc) VALERIE And it's wonderful I am here beneath a Christmas tree so Wonderful all the tapers shine like diamonds but more wonderful How the branches sparkle in the night With the ornaments reflecting all the light in multicolored hues of Wonderful Like a thousand thousand constellations Wonderful Like a sea of candles rising toward the skies Can't believe my eyes Can't believe my eyes Can't believe my eyes Can't believe my eyes BRENDAN "The lights of the Christmas tree rose higher and higher, till they looked to her like the stars in the sky. Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire."
37.
Picture This 02:08
VALERIE Picture this deserted alley a girl adrift alone amid the snow GENE/ VALERIE/ BRENDAN picture this her gray haired grandma the only one who said i love you so it’s a vision in the matchlight flickering and floating VALERIE so much kindness in her grandma’s loving eyes ALL and she knows it’s only moments til the match burns out forever and this luminary vision fades and dies picture this an apron full of matches a world of indifference and a single loving face GENE it’s her grandma gently rocking it’s her grandma gently rocking it’s her grandma gently rocking her to sleep GENE/ BRENDAN and the match is quickly burning and the match is quickly burning and the match is quickly burning very low ALL and the light is disappearing and the light is disappering and the light is disappearing and she says (segue to Caution To The Wind)

about

This is a live recording from 2004 (plus bonus tracks recorded in 2008) of our holiday concert-musical STRIKING 12. This CD is essentially a radio play, including all the narration and storytelling in between the songs. The show weaves three stories and settings: contemporary New York City, 19th century Denmark, and the very room in which the show is presented.

On New Year's Eve, an over-worked and under-inspired single guy who's had enough of holiday cheer makes a resolution: to stay home and go to bed early. On another New Year's Eve, a continent away—and more than a century earlier—Hans Christian Andersen's Little Match Girl tries unsuccessfully to sell her matches in the snow.

The two stories are brought together when a young woman selling special "full-spectrum holiday light bulbs" to combat Seasonal Affective Disorder shows up at the grumpy man's door. Though the man (who probably could use the bulbs) seems to enjoy the young woman's company, he sends her away. It's not until he reads "The Little Match Girl" that he is finally pulled out of his funk.

This CD is our first release on the terrific theatrical label PS Classics. It just goes to show you...we stopped trying to get signed, and almost immediately got snapped up by a record company.

credits

released March 22, 2005

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GrooveLily Seattle, Washington

Bicoastal trio GrooveLily inhabits that contemporary space where creative musicians ignore the boundaries laid down by words like rock, folk, jazz and pop. The success of their first concert-musical, the critically-acclaimed holiday show STRIKING 12, has led them farther into the world of theatre, where they have carved out a unique niche as a rock band writing and performing shows. ... more

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