IF I WAS LOU REED

from THE CHA CHA CLUB by Jane Mangini/Rick Berlin

/

about

A friend of mine, Adam Wells, was, as the lyrics explain, in a quandary. He told me only a sliver of the story. He was bartending at the Brendan Behan Pub. The title phrase is his. So fine a statement. Oblique and direct all at once.

lyrics

IF I WAS LOU REED

He sang this song in my ear
At the end of the bar
It wasn't his song
But it should o' been
It should o' been

It was a sad sad song
A real dark song
The only song he could play
For his girl
Drivin' cross the USA

If i was lou reed
If i was lou reed
If i was lou reed
I’d know what t do w this
I’d know what t do

His voice was true
His feelings strong
A girl just 2 drinks gone
His smile like a mirror
He didn't bother t look
Jes’ like he was readin' a book

If i was lou reed
If i was lou reed
If i was lou reed
I’d know what t do w this
I’d know what t do

He said he had a hard choice t make
He had t make it alone
Between this girl he loved so dearly
N this bar he called home

Go for the girl I say
N you’ll find our fast
Easy for me t talk
Jes’ simple words
Over a glass

He took his time
N then he said

Home is where my heart breaks
Home is where my heart breaks
Home is where my heart breaks

N right now
That’s all over the place

If i was lou reed
If i was lou reed
If i was lou reed
I’d know what t do w this
I’d know what t do

If i was lou reed
If i was lou reed
If i was lou reed
I’d know what t do w this
I’d know what t do

Home is where my heart breaks
Tearin’ my shirt off
Tearin’ my heart out
Home is where my heart breaks

credits

from THE CHA CHA CLUB, released April 14, 2021
Jane: All instruments
Rick: Vox/Song

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all rights reserved

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about

Rick Berlin (now playing w/ THE NICKEL & DIME BAND) Jamaica Plain

A giant on the Boston music scene. His colorful songwriting + strong stage presence have influenced countless other artists since the early 1970s. He continues to make music w/ intelligence + integrity, building an international reputation around his knotty, singular piano playing, straight-from-the-heart singing and a style of character-based songwriting that's drawn comparisons to Waits + Cohen ... more

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