Get all 76 Bee Appleseed releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Capricorn Xeenia (Live At Oracle Tavern 1/8/2023), Mourning Bloom (Live At HM157, Los Angeles, California 11/18/2022), 6 Songs Live Solo Acoustic At The 6th Annual LA Dance Film Festival (11/5/2022), Live Solo Electric! (At The Oracle Tavern 9/17&18/2022), The Essential Invisible (Live At HM157, Los Angeles, California 10/31/2022), Random Lofi Solo Improvisations (LP), Live At The Echo (Los Angeles, California 9/5/2022), Live Solo Acoustic At The Oracle Tavern (8/7/2022 and 8/14/2022) [LP], and 68 more.
1. |
Different Ways Of Living
06:54
|
|||
|
In a life on the road one encounters many folks
Some the serious type while others but a joke
And it makes that one realize that you’re not the world’s hope
And there are many different ways of living
So what do you have to do just to be heard?
We’ve been living almost forever and we have nothing more than words
We’ve tried everything but taking action and nothing seems to work
Oh how much longer must we continue in this existence?
But I tried,
Please believe I really did
I went halfway ‘round the world just to figure out how to live
Oh I’ll make you an offer take it or leave it
But first tell me which invisible man do you believe in?
There is a statue which points to the Holy Grail in Turin
Though it seems rather accusing when you approach it
Now Kaiser Wilhelm once said “find a woman who likes beer”
“And I will conquer the world if you bring her right here”
And they must have found one or so it would appear
As he made an honest attempt to keep his promise
But I tried, I tried
Please believe I really did
I went halfway ‘round the world just to figure out how to live
But to the offer again, my steps I must retrace
I will be a servant to you if you vow not to be waste
For we should be full of substance rather than act as drains
From which a flood of nothing pours out
And I’ve seen men with their faces painted white
As a means to somehow disguise their whole entire life
Speaking vain emptiness as a form of exercise
While the people look on and call it art
But I tried,
Please believe I really did
I went halfway ‘round the world just to figure out how to live
And at celebrations for something locally achieved
Some mysterious crowds of people have approached me
Talking about the places I’ve been and where I’ll be
Saying “here are the pros and cons of each location”
Now in some Swiss village I drank fine Italian wine
On a terrace over dinner and talked for quite some time
With a Brazilian man who was frankly quite surprised
That I knew anything at all about his culture
But I tried, I tried
Please believe I really did
I went halfway ‘round the world just to figure out how to live
And in French cities I found women in need of charity
Leaning on their broken crutches through eyes that barely see
Requesting only salvation in exchange for a fee
Before their religion closed it’s doors until the morning
Now there must be a way off of it I guess
For what are all these circumstance of which we obsess?
And for the man that we see as a living, breathing death
Well, I guess we would call him a tombstoner
But I tried,
Please believe I really did
I went halfway ‘round the world just to figure out how to live
And a little while back in London I believe
Perhaps Trafalgar Square or Westminster Abbey
A man blew fire from a horn for a crowd to hear and see
As they said, “here is a coin, thanks for your service.”
And I saw cities upon cities upon cities down below
Taking pleasure in the new and forgetting what was old
As we wonder why we’ve lost what we used to know
Perhaps it’s because we were distracted by the heavens
But I tried, I tried
Please believe I really did
I went halfway ‘round the world just to figure out how to live
Now I sit on a train as other folks yell on the phone
But the words that they’re saying I couldn’t possibly know
For I am but a passenger in a life that has shown
To be absolutely endless and full of mystery
And to live with a purpose one must be ready to die
To show that there was meaning existing in their life
And I know that you would always give it a try
Only to have me say I wasn’t serious
But I tried,
Please believe I really did
I went halfway ‘round the world just to figure out how to live
Oh I saw people dressed up wearing flags of the states
As I’m wondering if they really know about this place
Where they claim to be free and home of the brave
But mostly they are incredibly loud and full of ignorance
Now I’ll show you how to live if you’re ready to try
Yeah you are oh I can see it right there in your eyes
But first you must observe that there is little significance in life
And there are indeed many different ways of living
|
||||
2. |
||||
|
I heard them talking the whole day through
Oh they must run the country or know people that do
Oh who do they think they’re fooling in those business suits?
They’re just some well dressed criminals with they’re eye on you
And what they can’t con away is someone else’s flaw
For how are they supposed to rob the country with such stringent laws?
“It’s not right for the people!” they argue on both sides
And with enough money behind their words why would they lie?
So vote for the candidate of the party for he’s one of us and not one of them
Vote for the candidate of the party so there can be a party to congratulate him
Such a surprising sight in the home of the brave
Where we’ve abolished slavery yet we still have slaves
And if you’ve got something to say, well you got every right
But if you actually speak, prepare to be gassed on sight
Now I know the difference between lies and truth
But from their words it appears very few of them do
For how could they say that we truly are free
When you can still legally buy democracy?
So vote for the candidate of the party for he’s one of us and not one of them
Vote for the candidate of the party so there can be a party to congratulate him
Oh their ears are wide open so what you say goes right through
For unless you have money, you won’t be listened to
So pick one or the other for there must be one who wins
Just as long as it’s not one of them
Oh, just give us back our rights
Oh, do you place no value on human life?
Oh, who do we have to pay?
Oh, so that you’ll actually listen to what we say?
So vote for the candidate of the party for he’s one of us and not one of them
Vote for the candidate of the party so there can be a party to congratulate him
|
||||
3. |
Seeing Other Countries
04:09
|
|||
|
Oh I loved you for awhile but now I see we are too different for each other
And it was great I don’t deny, but I just don’t see a future with us together
And I was with you for all of my life
Until now when I’ve begun to realize
That I was seeing with such a narrow sight
And now it’s clear that there is no compromise
Well, you boasted your freedoms so often that you didn’t see them go away
And with you is no better than without you, I can honestly say
But I know that I won’t be missed much
For soon we’ll be completely out of touch
I’ll just be less weight upon your crutch
Though that’s not saying much
And I’m gone now can’t you see?
So there’s no need to keep the light on for me
For there’s always a point when enough is enough
So goodbye, America
Perhaps someday I will return but only to get a few of my things
So don’t get your hopes up because I really have no intentions to stay
And though my mother misses me
I know that she would agree
That everyone has their own life to lead
And we call that destiny
So I’m gone now can’t you see?
Yeah, there’s no need to keep the light on for me
For there’s always a point when enough is enough
So goodbye, America
Yeah I’m gone now can’t you see?
So there’s no need to keep the light on for me
For there’s always a point when enough is enough
So goodbye, America
|
||||
4. |
||||
|
Shots ring out
They’ve got the innocent and our society is doomed!
And we ask the stupid question,
"How’d this happen?"
For we just don’t know what to do
And the NRA suggests police in the halls
Not realizing what that would cost
While they also want low taxes for all
Oh do they know the difference between the government and Santa Claus?
But the worst thing we could do is follow Westboro and praise our gods
For if you’re looking for idiot incarnate, there’s no need to look further on
And I wonder if it’s a hidden camera show
For surely society hasn’t sunk that low
And when the KKK is the voice of reason, we all fold
For evolution is supposed to go forwards, you know?
And all the while it’s just the same
The aftermath is always a game
It’s a simple process so often replayed
It starts with shock, confusion, grief, and then hate
As we await the refrain
Turning on the television, we see the president has tears in his eyes
The voice of the nation pleading reform in response to surprise
So that maybe we’ll get a sympathetic law
To come from a congress that’s so blind to right and wrong
Quoting the second’s permission to bear arms
Written by those who couldn’t have foreseen such harm
For if our forefathers knew of modern weapons, would there be any debate?
With the resulting consequence opposing the intentions of keeping people safe
Written strictly for militias to have
To fight the government if the situation was so bad
That the only resolution would be combat
Oh there can’t be anything more unrealistic than that
And still the situation’s the same
The aftermath is always a game
It’s a simple process so often replayed
It starts with shock, confusion, grief, and then hate
As we await the refrain
Too scared now to return, I’d rather keep my European security
I might not know anyone, but at least I’m not being killed by insanity
So I’m in exile now I suppose
Volunteering my time to my hopes
That one day I’ll be able to know
I won’t make a victim list back home
But it’s quite ridiculous to think that security could ever be restored
In a country that must hold the record for engaging in the most amount of wars
Where half the taxes go to defense
And I’m honestly quite frightened by this
Oh do we need a military dictatorship
To realize how much of a problem it is?
And all the while it’s just the same
The aftermath is always a game
It’s a simple process so often replayed
It starts with shock, confusion, grief, and then hate
As we await the refrain
|
||||
5. |
Black Gold
04:18
|
|||
|
The owners of your country want to sell off your soul
Reminding all the people of who’s really in control
Well I got out of there before it was too late to go
I saw their never-ending quest and the power that they hold
Now they got the people hooked, got them down on their knees
No one is the wiser not to eat what’s in the feed
But I’ll tell you son you must be blind if you don’t already know
That those who got the money now have got you by the throat
Searching for that
Black gold
Now someone call a doctor; it appears someone thinks too much
We’ve got some sort of wise guy and we know exactly what he wants
Well, if you don’t want any trouble I suggest you step along
We wouldn’t want to put that pretty face to end up where it belongs
And they’re searching for that
Just searching for that
Black gold
So where are you taking me? I was only speaking truth
I had a taste of your medicine and I know what’s in the brew
Oh is this the way you treat the ones who question what you say?
Could you please get your hands off of me and put those guns away?
And stop searching for that
Stop searching for that
Black gold
Now I must declare that I misspoke, I was blind but now I see
It’s them not me that was correct; dear god you must believe
I was asking only for trouble and that’s what I received
So don’t mistake me for your leader; oh for my sake don’t follow me
And no more searching for that
No searching for that
Black gold
|
||||
6. |
Hypocrisy
05:45
|
|||
7. |
||||
|
Look me in the eyes and tell me what is right
Come on I dare you
Prove your worth and stand behind every word
Oh what does that scare you?
Oh you're a politician now, I see
So should we not take you seriously?
Oh you weren't speaking literally
Well that really cleared it all up for me
And I know you, but you don't know me
So why should I believe that you can decide what I need?
So go on and make up another name
To make your story seem like it has credibility
I nearly fell to the floor when I heard you
Set a new standard for stupidity
Claiming you built a nation
When I doubt that you ever planted a seed
And that the people put their hopes in you
Is absolutely insane to me
But I guess it goes to show
That you really can buy democracy
And I know you, but you don't know me
So why should I believe that you can decide what I need?
So go on and make up another name
To make your story seem like it has credibility
|
||||
8. |
||||
|
You had the world’s hopes and now you have their fears
They’re starting to ask those silly questions about what’s been going on since you’ve been here
And I don’t want to judge but you know it would appear
That the foundation of your house of cards is starting to disappear
And you’re maintaining a healthy surveillance on your people near and far
You claim it’s for their safety, but we all know that’s a farce
And you’ve wired up your kingdom, now you’re watching it explode
It’s just a day in the life of Jesus Jones
Well I suppose life is a game of probability, at least if you’re not rich
You can shoot for the stars but you’re more likely to end up in a ditch
And if you make it to the top with plans to change the mix
You might as well add your name to your list of problems to be fixed
So you applaud yourself as you sign your almighty name
You make sure it’s televised to show your children cavalcade
Then you see your opponents smirk and you ask, “what’s the joke?”
As they reply, “another day in the life of Jesus Jones”
And when your false progress is mentioned you’re pressed for an excuse
You say, “it’s them” and they say, “no, it’s you”
As everyone else is asking, “Why don’t you all do what you’re supposed to do?”
“Instead of pointing, perhaps you could put yourself to some other use”
So now you’re losing your charm as they’re losing their shit
You try to change the subject by addressing current events
But when they reverse it and ask who did and didn’t know
You find you’re living a day in the life of Jesus Jones
You meet a man they call the chef and you ask him what can he cook
He pauses for a moment and with a smile says, “just the books”
You say “are you serious? You mean you’re a crook?”
Then he writes you a check for a fraction of what he took
Now your supporters are furious and even flaunting your fail
You point to the free market and they point to jail
And if you’re wondering what it’s like to have those who love you at your throat
Just spend a day in the life of Jesus Jones
Oh but I guess a round of handshakes is the customary deed
They’ll say you’re a villain and then they’ll bow down at your feet
You’ve become a caricature of yourself, a tabloid celebrity
For they love you, they hate you, they need you, they need you to leave
Now your position itself is taking its toll
The occupational stress exuding like cigarettes for the soul
And you ask now who’s calling and they say, “just pick up the phone!”
For it’s another day in the life of Jesus Jones
But as a master detractor, you’re no stranger to the drill
They’ll say “look what is happening” and you’ll say, “look who I can kill”
And as their approval is playing limbo, you stick your dissidents with the bill
Acquiring irrefutable faith in your ability to sink lower still
And sure it could be worse, but that’s not the point
When it’s society that could you enhancing instead of your military toys
But it’s a cycle of fear and as everyone starts to know
You realize it’s only a day in the life of Jesus Jones
|
||||
9. |
The Future Moving In
03:23
|
|||
|
I have bore witness to events that are not my business
While exercising persistence and unintentionally improving fitness
For it is not my mission to arrive in this position
To talk as people listen for I am but a simple musician
And I fear the future moving in
While striving for perfection under constant dissection
Others seeking motivation but end up with frustration
Show me a saint who’s not a sinner or justified faith in a beginner
An answer to all our problems from that new face whom wants to solve them
Still I fear the future moving in
For it doesn’t matter which platform you support
Nor the reasons that you purport
As each is but a stone in the wall
Just elected to fall
So look upon those with power, once obtained becoming sour
Perhaps a mission cast upon us, to not keep what they promise
Or maybe the position overwhelming, unaware of what they’re selling
And you can say what you will, still you’re stuck with the bill
And I fear the future moving in
Finding solidarity demanding change, but none can be arranged
Still having to work within the system, even though you are against them
Trying to flee from oppression, but it’s in every direction
And you may think you have some time still, but history works in cycles
And so I fear the future moving in
For it doesn’t matter which platform you support
Nor the reasons that you purport
As each is but a stone in the wall
Just elected to fall
|
||||
Bee Appleseed Los Angeles, California
Bee Appleseed is a prolific songwriter, music producer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, singer, comedian, and seasoned vagabond from Canby, Oregon, living in Los Angeles, California.
If you like Bee Appleseed, you may also like:
MUKARARA NAKE [A1]
by JOSEPH KAMARU
featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 10, 2020
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 8, 2019
go to album
sOund vOyage - En route to Thailand (free soul inc. 002)
by Sound Voyage X Free Soul Inc.
featured on Bandcamp Radio May 22, 2018
go to album
sOund vOyage - Golden Garuda / Super Molam (free soul inc. 001)
by Sound Voyage X Free Soul Inc.
featured on Bandcamp Radio Nov 3, 2015
go to album
Oakland’s Dirtwire are in the middle of a campaign to press the dizzying electro-highlife grooves of “Electric River” to vinyl.
go to album
featured on Bandcamp Radio Mar 5, 2024
go to album
Sadness Sets Me Free
by Gruff Rhys
featured on Bandcamp Radio Jan 16, 2024
go to album
