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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWPeQfBniYY
The Network Man begins to turn the corner when he has A Much Better Day.
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).
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.
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