The Network Man
This album follows the journey of The Network Man, a high-powered high tech executive in search of his true values and priorities in life.
The Network Man succeeds extremely well in business despite the demented pace and demands of the high tech world; however his personal life is quickly falling apart. He tries to forget his worries and parties out of control when he goes Out for Fun. Through blind ambition, we see him climbing the corporate ladder in Don’t Look Back. The Network Man is Lookin’ at a Breakdown when this craziness goes on for too long and he does indeed break down. He recalls an earlier depression of his college days when he was Riding in the Dark and he begins to Retreat from this desperate state so he can reflect on his life. He recalls happier days when he first met his wife in the Market Blues (She’s So Cool) and the good times he had with his kids inventing stories about the Tiger Dog. The Network Man begins to turn the corner when he has A Much Better Day and finally sorts out his priorities in The Network Man (Reprieve). We hope you enjoy the highs and lows of our voyage with The Network Man. Thank you for listening.
© Copyright 1999 Network Man Productions.
The Network Man
The Network Man succeeds extremely well in business despite the demented pace and demands of the high tech world; however his personal life is quickly falling apart.
Lyrics
On the plane at 6:00 am every day
Man, he never gets a rest
Telling everybody what to think and say
This fellow’s gotta be the best
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He runs as fast as he can
Down in Dallas – Tuesday it is RTP
Boy he never cracks a smile
You know there’s someplace that he’d really rather be
If only he’d slow down for awhile
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He works as fast as he can
Hey Network Man
You seem to be working awfully hard
Don’t you ever get tired?
You sure aren’t home very much
Perhaps you should call your wife
I don’t think she’s very happy
You can’t keep going like this_
YOU KNOW THAT!
Back in New York, now he’s really up to speed
Boy this guy can cut a deal
You have to think there’s something that he’d really need
There’s something ’bout him that’s not real
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He talks as fast as he can
At the airport, catch the plane – its time to fly
Talks to the wife on the phone
A few quick words, his wife hangs up with a sigh
Things don’t sound so good at home
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He flys as fast as he can
On the ground and find a cab, no time to spare
But first he’s gotta get a beer
Wanting just to hug the wife but she’s not there
This should have been his own worst fear
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He drinks as fast as he can
Out For Fun
He tries to forget his worries and parties out of control when he goes Out for Fun.
Lyrics
You’re a race walker; you’re a pyro talker
Clip your wings and you’re a shocker
Shout and shake for the real-time clocker
Phone her up – she’s a full power rocker
Call the marble cat with the filter dog
Take a drink when you’re lost in the fog
Look for Slowtown and a girl named Rog
Burn yourself out while turning like a cog
Oh it’s a long day, every day
But it don’t matter or so you say
I’m a crazy man and a hired gun
You better know I’m only out for fun
So it’s rock and roll all night my friend
I’m a mach 10 acer going round the bend
Would you have a smoke or two to lend
I’m running long days down to the end
Push each day in that pyramid breach
Take the waves on the blazing beach
It seeps into you like a cup of screach
A pocket full of fun is always in reach
Well it’s a long day, every day
But it don’t matter or so you say
I’m a crazy man and a hired gun
Remember that I’m only out for fun
Don't Look Back
Through blind ambition, we see him climbing the corporate ladder in Don’t Look Back.
Lyrics
I’m racing to the top, gotta win it all you know
The only thing that matters is how fast I can go
I leave a tortured wake and a very troubled path
Oh don’t look back; never look back
Push it to the limit and don’t look back
If you do look back, it’ll seem like a sham
If you do look back; you might give a damn
Take them down one by one – knock’em off their feet
If you can be honest – fine; if not, just cheat
Nice guys finish last, you can’t leave any slack
Oh don’t look back; never look back
Push it to the limit and don’t look back
If you do look back, it’ll seem like a sham
If you do look back; you might give a damn
Let’s cut to the chase – you know you wanna be on top
Spin like a tornado, bust the rules – don’t stop
Forget about ethics – they’ll only through you off the track
Oh don’t look back; never look back
Push it to the limit and don’t look back
If you do look back, it’ll seem like a sham
If you do look back; you might give a damn
So it’s all momentum really – not very much thought
Work like a machine – forget if its right or not
Run with the wild dogs – but overtake the pack
Oh don’t look back; never look back
Push it to the max and refuse to look back
If you do look back, you really will find out
The mess you’ve left behind and what you’re all about
Looking at a Breakdown
The Network Man is Lookin’ at a Breakdown when this craziness goes on for too long and he does indeed break down.
Lyrics
His world is dark gray, his mind’s on the run
His wheel’s stopped turning and it ain’t no fun
He watches the sun go down all day long
He don’t even know what’s really gone wrong
He drinks ‘til midnight, then he drinks some more
He don’t remember what he’s drinking for
He tells his friends they’d better not come near
Tears up his wife’s picture, he don’t shed a tear
He runs around town like a house on fire
He’s full of rage – oh it’s his hearts desire
He’s self destructing – man he’s going fast
You gotta wonder just how long he can last
People walking on my head, I can’t sleep no more
People pounding on my head, I can’t dream no more
I’ve gotta get out of here, they’ve all lost their minds
I’ve gotta get out of here, no friends left to find
People shout at me all day, I can’t hide no more
People chasing me all day, I can’t run no more
I’ve gotta get out of here, I’m in terrible shape
I’ve gotta get out of here, you know I must escape
Oh we’re looking at a breakdown, breakdown, yeah a breakdown my friend
Oh we’re looking at a breakdown, breakdown far too much to mend
Yeah we’re looking at a breakdown, brekadown counting one to ten
Yeah we’re looking at a breakdown, breakdown, this trouble just don’t seem to end
Breakdown, yeah were looking at a breakdown, yeah he’s starting to cry
Breakdown, yeah were looking at a breakdown, its no wonder why
Breakdown, yeah were looking at a breakdown, he’s completely dry
Breakdown, yeah were looking at breakdown, – somebody please just help this guy
Riding in the Dark
He recalls an earlier depression of his college days when he was Riding in the Dark.
Lyrics
Well Cheryl and I broke up not long ago
Dropped out of college with my head in the snow
I started working downtown for the department
And now I’m living in somebody’s basement
Yeah, I’m riding in the dark
I feel I’m out of sight
Oh riding in the dark, just riding in the dark all night
So now I’m shoving paper from desk to desk
Boy I really feel like I’m in a mess
The department man says its your title that’s key
All I know is that this isn’t the place for me
Yeah, I’m riding in the dark
I feel I’m out of sight
Oh riding in the dark, just riding in the dark all night
After work I spend time down at the bar
When you’re there, trouble’s never very far
But I just sit and drink ale after ale
And with every sip, it feels like I’ve failed
Yeah, I’m riding in the dark
I feel I’m out of sight
Oh riding in the dark, just riding in the dark all night
So let me give you this piece of advice
Just take it man – don’t think about it twice
Better live your life – live it to the max
Stay happy and keen and learn to relax
You DON’T want to be riding in the dark
You NEED to feel alright
No riding in the dark – keep your hopes in sight
No riding in the dark, no riding in the dark all night
Retreat
…and he begins to Retreat from this desperate state so he can reflect on his life.
Market Blues (She's So Cool)
Photo: Victoria street, Edinburgh. Attribution: Gary Campbell-Hall from Edinburgh, UK / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
He recalls happier days when he first met his wife in the Market Blues (She’s So Cool)
Lyrics
Walking in the market, happy as a fool
My baby under my arm, man she’s so cool
Don’t you know, don’t you know she’s so cool
We’re laughing and singing, having a great time
I love her beyond reason, beyond any rhyme
We’re off to the pub drinking with our friends
When I’m out with her, the fun never ends
I’ve know her so long, since we were back in school
It’s always great with her, she’s so cool
We stroll down the parkway, kissing by the lake
When I am without her, my heart does ache –
my heart does ache, my heart does ache
We gotta be together, all day long
It always seems so right, and never, never wrong
Making love all night, full moon overhead
Love talking to her, there’s so much to be said
I need her so much, it’s so very clear
Being left without her is my greatest fear
I need my baby so much, don’t you see
If she weren’t there, it’s the end for me
I’ve made some mistakes, but I really care
I sure have my faults but I’ll always be there
If she’ll stay with me, I’ll make everyday new
I can’t survive without her, man she’s so cool
The Tiger Dog
…and the good times he had with his kids inventing stories about the Tiger Dog.
Lyrics
Well he has long stripes and he’s got no fears
His tonque hangs out and he has big ears
His hearing is great, he sees well in the dark
But he doesn’t know whether to growl or bark
Yeah he’s the tiger dog
Well he’ll chew your slippers all over the house
But get out of his way if he sees a mouse
He’s a mixed up beast with a funny old tune
Listen to him howl when there’s a full moon
Yeah he’s the tiger dog
That cat next door – you know she acts so fine
She scratched the nose of an old dog of mine
But there is one dog that no cat will fight
That silly tiger dog drives them out of sight
Yeah he’s the tiger dog
So here is my story ’bout this funny dog cat
He’s alot of fun and I’d like to say that
If there’s a barking cat chasing birds at play
It’s just my tiger dog – having fun all day
Yeah he’s the tiger dog
A Much Better Day
The Network Man begins to turn the corner when he has A Much Better Day.
Lyrics
Got up one morning on a day sunny and dry
Drove up to the hills, not really sure why
The air was clean, so fresh and clear
And some sort of courage overtook my fear
I walked through the woods, took my time
For the first day in years, I really felt fine
I had things to offer, and people who cared
I was tired of the booze, and that cold empty stare
I’m looking for something, but it’s hard to see
I’m not sure what it is, perhaps it’s me
I’ve let so much go, I’m a worn out hack
I really think it’s time to put things back on track
I had sure made a mess – jumped in with both feet
Far too many mistakes I didn’t want to repeat
I looked at the lake, shining in the sun’s bright glow
I decided then and there to take on my old foe
Yeah I’m turning this around, you can count on it
I’ll put myself in shape and keep trim and fit
I’ll look at the big picture, and discount the grind
Somewhere in my past there’s a new life to find
I’m still looking for something, but it’s easier to see
It’s the people around here, yeah – it’s me
I’m not going down the drain – won’t throw it all away
I’ll put myself in gear for a much better day
The Network Man (Reprieve)
…and finally sorts out his priorities in The Network Man (Reprieve).
Lyrics
Back on the plane at 6:00 am every day
But he knows it can’t go on anymore
He sees his loss, he knows he’s really had to pay
He starts to wonder what it’s all for
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He’s paid as much as he can
Back at home it’s time to fix the mess he sees
Finds his boss and says it has to stop
He says the rat race is just like a bad disease
He says he doesn’t care if he’s on top
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He pushes back whenever he can
The top dog says you’re not the man you used to be
The network man don’t care anymore
He tells him that there’s more to life, he must be free
The rat race is such a toxic bore
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He learns as fast as he can
Time to call the wife, see how well he fares
He figures the chances aren’t very good
To his own surprise he finds she really cares
He says he didn’t know, she says you should
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He cares as much as he can
He’s got a new job, something that gives him some time
The family’s everything, it starts to show
The network man no longer needs a ladder to climb
He knows exactly where he wants to go
He’s the network man
He’s the network man
He lives as much as he can.