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Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

by Tempus Fugitives

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The highly prized CD of the album, complete with the bonus track "Daughter of the Scorpion King".

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  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 3 Tempus Fugitives releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of She's a Carrier for the Blues, Three Sides to Every Story, and Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time. , and , .

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1.
I Believed 03:30
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When I was young they told me, Son Look out 'cause God knows what you done When you die you're gonna get caught And then you'll pay for those wicked thoughts God can see you wherever you go Not trying to scare you, just thought you should know So I hid my head behind a wall in my head And after all that I found out God is dead I believed what they said... Grew to be a man, I heard the noise Turns out girls are different from boys Got new notions about games to play But they said Son it won't be that way Girls have parts - all night they haunt you But nice girls don't do the things you want to So I found a nice girl and I tried to be good But she took her notions, found someone who would I believed what they said... Got the job, signed up for the grind They said Bend over if you don't mind A great opportunity for one so young And when you kiss ass, use lots of tongue It’ll look just fine on your resume And we’ll remember you come bonus day Can you believe I believed them every time? I’m just lucky stupid ain’t a crime. I believed what they said…
2.
Good Idea at the Time 05:41
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Once upon a time in my low single digits I was just an oblivious midget No AC that summer we was trying to keep cool Daddy hauled the kids off to the community pool I don’t remember what, but I must have had some plan When I doggy-paddled across to the deep end Trying to keep my head above water and I’m starting to sink A pool full of grownups didn’t notice me on the brink Got myself into this mess Gotta get out myself I guess I’m in pretty deep and it’s looking like an uphill climb Just seemed like a good idea at the time Once upon a time in my low double digits I was just a bucketful of nervous fidgets Daddy wasn’t watching so I snuck away a bottle of Crown And me and the boys decided to go riding downtown I’m not quite sure whose car we was driving The only sure thing was lights and sirens I got myself a record at the tender age of seventeen And now the judge is telling me to join the Marines Got myself into this mess… Once upon a time, low-to-mid double digiits Got the nine-to-five, I’m selling widgets Met myself a girl – I know you know her too And if you’re a fool she’ll make a fool out of you I signed a big note on a shiny new Mercedes Cause everyone knows that’s how you get the ladies I got plenty of time to think about the hole I’m in Cause I don’t know where she is or where she’s been Got myself into this mess… Now here I am in my mid double digits I’m VP of Sales at Acme Widgets Got a house and a boat and a pool and a couple of kids Hard to screw it up, but you know I think I did A few late nights with the new secretary “Just keep it to yourself, honey, don’t tell Mary” Mary and her lawyers they sent a declaration of war And the secretary’s saying, “Can we name the baby ‘Thor’?” Got myself into this mess…
3.
Martial Law 03:59
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The Leninists battled the Stalinist fringe to a draw So the anarchist coalition declared the state of martial law The pacifist rebels would never surrender without a fight So the socialists declared a curfew beginning at twilight Feral civil servants roam the street They’re looking for guns and money, or something to eat Our little love nest was paradise for me and you No one existed in the world, it was just we two The Army broke down the door, they kidnapped you and took you away While I hid behind the bottle, and there I remain to this day I wander the flaming city searching for a sign The gangs all avoid me – they think I’ve lost my mind When they see me coming assassins all tremble with fright Because no God-fearing man will wander this lawless black night My eyes are all twisted, they glow with a yellowish hue They don’t see the present anymore, they only see traces of you But when Machete-Boy finds me and shoves it in I’ll be bleeding out nothing but Bombay Sapphire Gin They’ll kill me eventually, but until then they delay They hang back – my madness keeps them at bay While I search for clues for your destiny to be revealed I laugh at their skittishness – the bottle’s my sword and my shield And when the Trigger-Boy sees me, aims, and shoots I’ll be bleeding out nothing but pure Absolut
4.
Give a Damn 03:33
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I can’t see why you can’t see That this is wrong as wrong can be You were meant to be with me You could have your freedom – just let me hold the key There’s so much I long to teach you To make you need me like I need you But I can’t find the words to reach you And you don’t give a damn I’m not part of the life you’re leading My heart is bruised and my soul is bleeding I’m reduced to helpless pleading And you don’t give a damn It’s two a.m., I’m all alone I’m trying to reach you on the phone “Please leave a message at the tone” Pick it up baby can’t you throw me a bone I think of you and my body’s aching My brain’s on fire and my hands are shaking This hell I’m in is my own making And you don’t give a damn Go on – take this knife and Look me in the eye and drive it Into my heart and take my life and Maybe then you’ll give a damn. I’m past the edge I’m on the wrong side of the wedge Only one way down off this ledge… You don’t give a damn about me…
5.
Melancholy Tear 06:32
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With a melancholy tear Death will whisper in your ear Secrets only you may hear Death is coming for you She’s longing for you In her crimson silk and lace With her pale and lovely face With a melancholy tear Death is yearning for you She’s burning for you You were so certain that you could keep flirting and carelessly walk away She’s quite demanding, your games notwithstanding, she knows you’ll be hers someday Her passion’s on fire, she’s filled with desire, her heart’s set on you my friend One thing on which you can depend – she will always get her man in the end With her kiss upon your lips And the touch of her fingertips With a melancholy tear Death is coming for you She’s longing for you She’s yearning for you She’s burning for you
6.
Leave a Mark 04:56
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She left me in the trunk of a stolen Ford Taurus in the long-term parking lot at JFK Oh brother walk it off, that’s gonna leave a mark I love my little dumpling and I never want to leave her but the honeymoon’s over’s what she’s trying to say Oh brother walk it off, that’s gonna leave a mark Oh oh oh that’s gonna leave a mark Who ever told you that love is a walk in the park? Cupid shot his arrow but you know it was a shot in the dark Oh oh oh that’s gonna leave a mark I ask her if she’d love me if I didn’t have no money, would she be my sweet Chiquita if I was just poor? Oh brother walk it off… She said she didn’t love me and she’d taken all my money and she slammed my hand in her car door Oh brother walk it off… Oh oh oh… So tell me who’s the fellow well he look like a pachuco? She said he is her cousin but I’m really not sure Oh brother walk it off… She make me go outside the moment he arrive and I’m not allowed in whenever he’s with her Oh brother walk it off… Oh oh oh that’s gonna leave a mark Who ever told you that love is a walk in the park Cupid shot his arrow but you know it was a shot in the dark Oh oh oh that’s gonna leave a mark Oh oh oh that’s gonna leave a mark Little dumpling’s bite is so much worse than her bark She’s as sweet and kind and cuddly as a great white shark Oh oh oh that’s gonna leave a mark.
7.
Rock Off 04:36
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I was playing guitar in a hotel bar somewhere south of Baltimore Riffing my licks and a-tossing my picks and trying to get ‘em out on the floor Real estate dudes in frisky moods – just shoot me now She walked in with a couple of friends, on the prowl and out on the town I caught her eye, thought I’d give it a try – I got to spread my good love around To set the mood right I played “We’ve got tonight, why don’t you stay?” I gave her my smoldering stare – she shot me a pitying glare – then she told me Rock off – Mr. Hampton Inn Player Rock off – no you ain’t got a prayer My sweet mama didn’t raise me to Give it up for the likes of you Tip your servers – try the veal – and Rock OFF! I was opening act for the guy called ‘Tack’ – his band was big in ‘86 Royalty checks and tantric sex and hired guns playing his hits Rented backline and the feedback whine – it’s gonna be a long night I played my six tunes to the half-empty room, went backstage for something to eat Seeds and stems and brown M&Ms and bread that’s way too big for the meat I spied a young lass with a backstage pass – I’ll show her round! Didya ever meet a real rock star? – She asked if I ever owned a car, then she told me Rock off – Mr. Warmup Hack Rock off – you must be smoking crack Here’s a little fashion tip Spandex never really was hip Go play ‘Stairway’ at Guitar Center and Rock OFF! Rock off – Mr. C-List Hack Rock off – just hit the road, Jack My sainted mama would be spinning in her grave If she thought I let you misbehave Delivering pizzas might be a good career option, so Rock OFF!
8.
Happy Home 03:33
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In Vegas three days What happens there stays His memory’s a haze but that smile means trouble His mind is a whirl He remembers a girl She called herself Pearl and she called him ‘Bubbles’ Things are tense at home and so he’s chasing a thrill If the brunette won’t the redhead probably will You’re a big girl honey, guess we both know the drill So grab your coat and purse while I take care of the bill I think I hear the sound of the end of someone’s happy home Honey that’s the sound of the end of someone’s happy home And while he’s away It’s your turn to play What you did you won’t say but the memory’s a doozy There might have been shots There might have been lots Just ‘cause you’re hot to trot doesn’t mean you’re a floozy Hey guess what? My college boyfriend blew into town Don’t wait up for me I’m gonna show him around He’s like a brother don’t be jealous, what’s with that frown? Now if you’ll excuse me, Hon, it’s time to get down! I think I hear the sound of the end of someone’s happy home…
9.
Donna Jean 02:54
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Donna Jean – prettiest girl I ever seen Donna Jean – she’s captain of the debate team Donna Jean – I need to teach her how to be a human being Donna Jean – come on Honey let’s make the scene Donna Jean let me take you to the dance Maybe teach you something ‘bout true romance You gotta get ready for the 4H fair How did so many curves get to be so square? Donna Jean – pretty as a picture in a magazine Donna Jean – she’s my valedictorian dream Donna Jean – she’s her own grandma at the age of 18 Donna Jean – come on Honey let’s make the scene Donna Jean let me take you to the show Don’t know why I bother ‘cause you just say ‘no’ Babe you got it all with your brains and looks There’s so much you need to learn that ain’t in books Donna Jean – she’s my little dean’s list queen Donna Jean – she’s saving herself for Alfred Einsteen Donna Jean – she takes normal to an extreme Donna Jean – come on Honey let’s make the scene Donna Jean let me take you to the prom You’re too busy working on your atom bomb There’s more to life than nukular experiments When you’re old you’ll wonder where the good times went Donna Jean – she’s all Easter, I’m Halloween Donna Jean – I’m polluted, she’s so green Donna Jean – She’s so sweet and I’m so mean Donna Jean – I’m so funky, she’s so clean
10.
Buy American 02:43
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I been meditatin’ on it just to know the Lord And I’m not sure He’d drive a Ford Prob’ly not Saturn, Dodge or a Chevy And a Caddy or a Chrysler would be way too heavy I believe when he climbs behind the wheel It’d be in our Father’s Oldsmobile But He’d buy American ‘Cause He’s on our side I been ponderin’ on it and I believe I can guess What the Virgin Mary’d use to clean her dress Don’t see her headin’ down to Sears To buy herself a Kenmore and a box of Cheer I think she’d throw her clothes with pride Into a Whirlpool with a cup of Tide But She’d buy American ‘Cause She’s on our side I been studyin’ on it but I really don’t know What Jesus’d use to watch HBO Don’t believe he’d watch no Panasonic No Toshiba, Samsung, no Trinitronic His Superbowl party’s gonna be a bust ‘Cause there ain’t no TVs made by us

about

One guy, alone and lonely, toiling over the midnight lamp at Legendary Third Bedroom Studios ("Where the hits scream, 'IT BURNS!' when exposed to the light of day.").

credits

released November 6, 2015

Words and music and sounds and recording and mixing by David Kelly at Legendary Third Bedroom Studios.

But with lots of help, for which, many thanks go to:
Lynea Diaz Hagen, Susy Boyd, Tim Volpicella, Jason Loughlin, Jeff Sanders, Dale Hymes, Wing Keong Loo, Lisa Rutta, John Garcia, and Terry Carleton.

Additional recording and mixing by Terry Carleton at Bones and Knives Studio.

Mastered by Rob Gillette at Private Hell Recording.

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