IT’S A LONG WAY UP
By
Barry Manilow
***************
Once you find what matters in your life
Keep on pushing through the darkness
Till you see the light
You’re gonna find it
You’re no longer behind it
Once you learn what you’ve been doin’ wrong
You can make the change
You need to make the carry on
Now and forever
The sooner the better, just remember now….
It’s a long way up
When you’re coming from nowhere
It’s a long way up
When you’re coming from nowhere
You gotta fight a little harder
You gotta push a little more
You gotta gamble everything you got
To get you through the door
’cause it’s a long way up
You’ve been down before that’s okay
You can rest assured
That every dog will have his day
And life is a jungle
But you ain’t gonna crumble, remember now…
Don’t give up the dream
Hey don’t you know it’s dark before the dawn
When you think you just can’t take it
That’s when you’ll make it
You gotta to fight a little harder
You gotta push a little more
You gotta gamble everything you got
To get you through the door
’cause it’s a long way up
You gotta to fight a little harder
You gotta push a little more
You gotta gamble everything you got
To get you through the door
LONDON
***************
New York winter
Traffic squeals
The city feels…. so old
Late December
Taxi ride
Then run inside
It’s cold
Got your letter Monday
I think
Or Tuesday
I lose track
Since then I’ve been thinking of you…
And I’ve been
Looking back to
London
Can you believe it’s
So many years since
London
Hitching a ride and
Carrying knapsacks
London
In the park
By the Thames
Drinking tea
London
Sitting in the pubs and
Living in walk-ups
London
Learning the accent
Leavin’ to love you
London
We were young
We were sure
We were…..free
Was it really ages
Ago
The memories
Never fade
Can you hear Big Ben where
You are
And are you
Glad you stayed in
London
Dodging the rain with
Broken umbrellas
London
Reading the Times
On Saturday picnics
London
Counting stars
’til the stars
All were gone
London so many plans and
Nothing but time in
London
Nothing to fear ’cause
Nothing could last in
London
We grew close
We grew scared
I moved on
Oh London
What were we scared of
Why did I run from
London
Part of me still has
Never come back from
London
Is it fair
That I miss
You so much
Take good care
All my love
Keep in touch
New York winter
Taxi ride
Then run inside
It’s cold
SWING STREET
***************
It’s raining down sorrow
And nothing bad news
You know I’ve had it up to here living with these blues
But I won’t let it get me down
It’s not the only game in town
In my mind, I’m goin’ to Swing Street
I’m a dreamer on a rough road
And I need to hear the music once again
When there’s nothing but bad news,
I’ve got a way to beat the blues
I close my eyes, and I go to Swing Street
You can dance there, there’s a chance there
Of finding a little romance there
You don’t know who you’ll meet
When you’re down on Swing Street
Lose your blues in a minute
Cop a groove and you’re in it
I’m tellin’ you once, I’m tellin’ you twice
Better take my advice
If you’re weepin’ and you’re wailin’
I’ve got a cure to fix exactly what is ailin,
Count to four and grab my hand say I’ll meet
You by the band
You and I , we’re goin’ to Swing Street
Give yourself to the rhythm
And every wrong is forgiven
You may even lose the bluest of blues
Get back on your feet
When your best friends turn to strangers
And one more workin’ day don’t seem worth
All the changes
Just reach out and take my hand and I’ll meet
You by the band
You and I, we’re goin’ to Swing Street
Yes you and I, we’re going to go to Swing Street
SLEPT THROUGH THE END OF THE WORLD
***************
I see a ceiling
Four walls
Guess you all went away
An hour ago we were laughing
Lovers and friends
Maybe that was yesterday
So what’s the deal?
Did I miss something real?
When I slept through the end of the world
Nobody answers at all
I call
And there’s nobody there
How long since I’ve lifted my head now
Crawled out of bed
How long since anyone cared?
So now I lose?
Lie alone in the blues?
Cause I slept through the end of the world
Losing is a story I remember
Alone is a feeling that I know
Been awhile since losing shook me
Took me down so low
Yes it has
How could this ride be all over?
Four walls are all I see
I’m tellin’ the shadows and echoes
Shoulda told you
But I was wrapped up in me
So here I wait
Gettin’ used to too late
Cause I slept through the end of the world
CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OF YOU
***************
You’re just too good to be true.
Can’t take my eyes off you.
You’d be like heaven to touch.
I wanna hold you so much.
At long last love has arrived.
And I thank God I’m alive.
You’re just too good to be true.
Can’t take my eyes off you.
Pardon the way that I stare.
There’s nothing else to compare.
The sight of you leaves me weak.
There are no words left to speak.
But if you feel like I feel.
Please let me know that it’s real.
You’re just too good to be true.
Can’t take my eyes off you.
I love you baby, and if it’s quite all right,
I need you baby to warm the lonely night.
I love you baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh pretty baby, don’t bring me down, I pray.
Oh pretty baby, now that I found you. Stay.
And let me love you, baby. Let me love you …
I love you baby, and if it’s quite allright,
I need you baby to warm the lonely night.
I love you baby.
Trust in me when I say:
Oh pretty baby, don’t bring me down, I pray.
Oh pretty baby, now that I found you. Stay.
Oh pretty baby. Trust in me when I say: Oh pretty baby …
HERE’S TO THE MAN
***************
Here’s to the man
Here’s to the king
He taught the singers how to sing
When he sang of love
He seem to know and any place he’d sing aobut
I wanna go
Here’s to the man
He stands alone
Here’s to the songs I never have known
Here’s to you who wrote the book from your biggest fan
Here’s to old blue eyes, no need for goodbye’s
This one’s for you
Here’s to the man