"All They Say Is Progress"

        "All They Say Is Progress"  by Frank Meyer

Verse 1
Well, I hear the shell fish are dyin'
Down on the ocean floor
And I hear there is garbage
Washin' up that Jersey shore
And I hear the oil slicks are awful big
Down off of Galveston
And I hear the place that's worst of all
Is that harbor in B-Town

Chorus
Yet, all they say is, "Progress!
"We're gettin' better every day."
Well, there sure seems to be a difference
In what I hear and what they say.
In what I hear and what they say.

Verse 2
Well, I hear they got these CFC's
Ruinin' the atmosphere
And I hear that our ozone
Well, it just might disappear
And I hear they got these tannin' booths
That brown your skin real fast
And I hear that the tan you get
Well, it just could be your last

Chorus
Break

Verse 3
Well, I hear that the food we eat
Is sprayed with pesticides
And I hear it is harmless
'Cause only the birds die
And I hear they got these dumpin' grounds
That produce glowin' snakes
And I hear that this acid rain
Is killin' all our lakes

Chorus

Verse 4
Well, I hear that there's radon
Down beneath my feet
And I hear soon a greenhouse
Will be on every street
And I hear they got the power plants
Under control
And I hear land is awfully cheap
Outside Chernobyl

Chorus
©1993 Frank Meyer

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"CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE"

"Caught in the Middle"    by Meyer & McGuire

Verse 1
I like to play for the rednecks ‘cause they clap and sing along,
And if you don’t play what they want, they’ll tell you that you’re wrong,
And when you miss a note or two, they don’t really care,
As long as they can stomp their feet, they’re glad to have you there.
They like their country music, a bluegrass tune or two,
Some rock, some blues, a few dirty songs will always get you through,
And when your gig is over, and it’s time for you to go,
They’ll nod their heads to let you know how much they loved your show.

Chorus
I’m a man caught in the middle ‘cause I like the left and right,
It doesn’t matter much to me if your collar’s blue or white,
I use to have a struggle over just where I should be,
But now I know up on the fence is the only place for me.

Instrumental Break

Verse 2
I like to play for the folkies in those smoke-free concert halls,
They listen to the lyrics, and they do not talk at all,
They like to see what you can do on your old flattop guitar,
They analyze every word just to find out who you are.
They like to hear old Woody, and those Dylan melodies,
And when you try a sing-along, you get perfect harmonies,
And when the night is over, and it’s time to say goodbye,
They’ll tell you all the songs they liked, and they’ll give you reasons why.

Chorus
Instrumental Break

Verse 3
The rednecks and the folkies, hey, they’re not so far apart,
For when I play my music, it heads right straight for their hearts,
The music drains the blues away, and brings them pure delight,
And both forget the struggles that they often have to fight.
The rednecks and the folkies often mock each other’s fun,
It’s clear to me, but they wouldn’t agree, they both are really one,
They’re just people out there strugglin’, tryin’ to reach their goals,
And along the way the music helps to soothe and heal their souls.

Chorus (Two Times)
©1998 Frank Meyer

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"SOMETIMES IT'S NEVER OVER"

"Sometimes It's Never Over"    

Verse 1:
We sat out on the back deck in the quiet of twilight
Watching as the sun slowly set and the day slipped into night
The summer air was so oppressive, but not as heavy as our hearts
The sad sound of a mourning dove hinted soon we'd be apart

Chorus:
They say nothing last forever, and I wish that this was so
But sometimes it's never over, 'cause we just cannot let go

Verse 2:
We looked off into the distance, neither uttering a word
Truth had come to visit us, and he wanted to be heard
"Is there something I can do?" she sat still and did not speak
Then I saw her body start to shake, and the tears rolled down her cheeks
"I can't take the way they look at you with such pity in their eyes
I am not strong enough for this; so, I have to say goodbye."

Chorus
Instrumental Break

Verse 3:
As I sit here in this tavern, staring down into my beer
I am thinking of her final words; it's been over forty years
Though I do not want to think of them, they just still invade my mind
Just like a life-long affliction, they will stay with me through time

Chorus

©2022 Frank Meyer

 

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THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

"The Road Less Traveled" 

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Verse 1
I remember, it was in the spring
For all my friends those wedding bells did ring
But for me, nothing came along
Except this guitar and a chance to write some songs
So, I sat down, let my words flow
And just like little children, watched them grow
And as I guided them with my heart and hands
They began to spread their joy throughout the land

Chorus
There are many roads to travel
Many things to be
It seems the road less traveled
Has worked the best for me

Verse 2
And I remember, it was summer time
She came along, I knew she was a sign
For when I told her of my chosen road
She said she'd like to help me bear the load
So, together we wrote more tunes
And some nights we’d just play them for the moon
Then it came time to set them free
To find their place in this society

Chorus
Instrumental Break

Verse 3
I reflect now as I feel the fall
It won't be long 'til old man winter calls
And I know that when we're dead and gone
These songs we've left behind will still live on
For it's quite clear nothing gold can stay
And like time, everything slips away
But the word, it does survive
It's the only way old ideas are revived.

Chorus

 

 

  

"SET YOURSELF FREE"

"Set Yourself Free"

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Verse 1
I like the country; she likes the city life
I wish she told me this before she became my wife
She likes to wander those canyons made of steel
I like to analyze the way those breezes feel
Chorus
And I'm not feelin' so good
And I don't get the peace I should
And my heart keeps on tellin' me,
"Set yourself free"
Instrumental
Verse 2
She likes the big house, pool out in the yard
I'm not the kind of guy who likes to work that hard
She likes to socialize just about every night
I like to sit at home by that firelight
Chorus
Instrumental
Verse 3
She likes those fancy drinks; I like those homemade wines
She worries 'bout most things when I think things are fine
I guess it's time for me to move on down the line
Yes, it's time to let my heart rule my mind
Chorus Twice
Instrumental

©1993 Frank Meyer

 

"SHAKE THE DUST OFF YOUR SANDALS"

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Verse 1

When I was a young man just out of school
I was cautious and careful, and followed the rules
Searched for a good job, looked for a wife
Wanted a family, the so-called "good life"
But as I went down each one of these roads
For me, these things became too heavy a load
And the doubts that developed way deep down in me
Soon ended when a good friend said, "Set yourself free!"

Chorus
Shake the dust off your sandals when you start every day
Don't worry about scandals that may come your way
Shake the dust off your sandals, just continue the grind
And fend off the vandals who play with your mind

Verse 2
So I travelled through my life with this advice
Some days were awful, and some, they were nice
Sometimes I lost, and sometimes I won
Some days were work while others were fun
Some folks were mean; some, they were kind
Some, they had vision while the others were blind
Some were imprisoned; some, they were free
The free ones had listened to what my good friend told me

Chorus
Instrumental Break

Verse 3
Now, as an old man, nearly eighty or so
I've started to place all my ducks in a row
Reflection has shown me that through the years
I've enjoyed some smiles, and I've coped with some tears
And I'm thankful that through life I took a stand
My soul did not submit to those in command
And I'm grateful for the guidance that my good friend gave me
I've listened to my heart, and it's kept me free

Chorus (Two Times)
https://open.spotify.com/track/0lX6u52HKxZF2mhnZmx3N7?si=f878643d7bcc455a

©1998 Frank Meyer 

"SATURDAY MORNING"

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LYRICS

Verse 1

Saturday morning out on our deck
Warmth of the sun hits the back of our necks
Shades of green make a living room floor
Who could ask for more
A gentle breeze ripples leaves on the trees
Birds and bees hum their sweet melodies
Smell of coffee drifts through the back door
Who could ask for more

Chorus
It’s Saturday morning
A time so easy and free
It’s Saturday morning
A time just for me to be me

Verse 2
We sip some coffee, start to reflect
Let out our troubles, and then reconnect
Refine the dreams we’ve talked of before
Who could ask for more
Cross the country in a little van
Spread our music throughout this land
Share our lives with the rich and the poor
Who could ask for more

Chorus
Instrumental Break

Verse 3
The morning fades and we must go
Time for us to get on with the show
But now our spirits have been restored
Who could ask for more
Here is something I’d like you to do
Set some moments aside just for you
Life will be much less of a chore
You won’t ask for more

Chorus (2 times)

https://open.spotify.com/track/1Jaj0U5NtT5wSHcg1JWd4R?si=ed6833d197914955

  

WHEN YOU WERE CUTE AND I HAD ALL MY HAIR

Verse 1:

We met many years ago and life was simple then
The protest of the sixties had all come to an end
Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger had faded from our view
John Prine and Jimmy Buffett carved a life for me and you
We bought ourselves a little house with a few trees in the yard
There were cookouts on the back deck, evenings playing cards
Sitting around a campfire, singing old folk songs
We thought life couldn’t get better; then our children came along
We started out with twin boys, and oh they were a pair
They were followed by a sister with long blonde curly hair
Thought we’d try for one more girl to even up the score
But when the stork arrived, a little boy was at our door

Chorus:
You know I like to sit here with you on these cold and wintery nights
Talk about the old times as the fire burns so bright
I like to sit and stare at you in your long underwear
And talk about when you were cute, and I had all my hair

Verse 2:
The kids grew up so quickly; the years just disappeared
Through the good times and bad times, we smiled through our tears
We did the best we could to show them what was right and wrong
And when you can, we stressed to them; it’s best to get along
We listened to their music, watched them play their sports
We spent evenings and weekends on many fields and courts
Through all the wins and losses, we savored every game
We were destined to be in the Parents Hall of Fame
We went camping and skiing in places near and far
As we rolled along the highway, we sang songs in the car
And when the day was over at the setting of the sun
We’d sit around a table and relive all our fun

Chorus

Instrumental Break

Verse 3:
Now it’s just the two of us in this empty nest
The kids are out there working trying to do their best
They stop by with the grandkids every now and then
To talk about the old times and what lies ‘round the bend
We’ve been through some changes; we’ve put on a few pounds
We’ve learned to roll much better with all the ups and downs
Your hair has turned from auburn to a silvery gray
I think mine might have too if it hadn’t gone away
And even with these changes, some things still remain
When I look deep into your eyes, it still drives me insane
And one thing that has always been and always will be true
The best day of my life is still the day that I found you

Chorus X 2

https://youtu.be/1cZc2wi5xf4

  

YOUR LOCAL STARR

by Meyer and McGuire

LYRICS

Chorus
I go out on the weekends to play my guitar
You see I’m driven to play all these small country bars
And I know that you know that I won’t go far
‘Cause I’m so content to be your local star

Verse 1
Well, it brings me great pleasure when I hear you sing
It confirms a truth, hey, money don’t mean a thing
And when this bar fills up with your harmony
We all become one with my melody

Chorus

Verse 2
The smiles on your faces, well, it makes it so clear
Why the old boy up there he done sent me down here
He said, “Hey, buddy, for you I got one simple goal
Go out there on the weekends and ignite their souls.”

Chorus
Instrumental Break

Verse 3
The handshakes and the kisses and the hugs mean so much
Ain’t it funny how our stress disappears when we touch
And of all the things in life that I’ve learned to do
The best one of all is to share songs with you

Chorus
Chorus
Repeat Last Line

https://youtu.be/JmoIPGQsm7I

  

LEAVIN' ALL OUR TROUBLES FAR BEHIND

Verse 1

It's August and the summer's nearly over
Here we are on Highway 81
The Blue Ridge, the Smokies, and you right by my side
It's time to take a break and have some fun
As we roll along and sip our cups of coffee
The sun is rising in the eastern sky
The leaves upon the trees blow so gently from the breeze
The truckers nod and wave as they go by

Chorus
And here we are without a past or future
Suspended once again in space and time
Enjoying each and every precious moment
Leavin' all our troubles far behind

Verse 2
Way back up in those woods outside of Asheville
Off the beaten path, out of the way
All alone sits a little home from where no one would want to roam
A place where time just seems to fade away
It's here we sit and play our good time music
Bluegrass, country, folk, and rock-n-roll
And as we sing, the hills soon ring, and suddenly everything
Harmonizes to become one soul

Chorus

Verse 3
And sometimes on those Carolina mornings
The fog is like a lazy hazy dream
So we reflect, select, reject, and finally connect
With that sun that carves a bright and vivid scene
And often on those Carolina evenings
The thunder rolls and rumbles through the hills
We watch each flash, feel each crash, listen to that water splash
'Til the moon returns serene and still.

Chorus
Instrumental Break

Repeat first half of Verse 1

Chorus Twice

https://youtu.be/jvMmUbPQBgU

  

"BOOGIE WOOGIE THERAPY"

“Boogie Woogie Therapy” by Meyer and McGuire

Verse 1
Well, I got something you can do
When you’re feeling sad and blue
It’s so simple, it’s nothing new
Well, get up and boogie woogie, it’ll get you through

Chorus
Boogie woogie,
...Boogie woogie,
Get up and dance around
...Get up and dance around
Boogie woogie,
...Boogie woogie,
You just can’t stay down
...You just can’t stay down
Boogie woogie,
...Boogie woogie,
It’ll free your mind
...It’ll free your mind
Well, it’s the best damn therapy you’ll ever find

Verse 2
When you’re feeling sad and low
And you’ve got no place to go
And time seems to move so slow
Well, get up and boogie woogie, and just let it flow

Chorus
Instrumental

Verse 3
Now, when your heart’s about to break
And there’s no more you can take
Here’s a move that you can make
Well, get up and boogie woogie, it’ll ease the ache

Chorus

Verse 4
Now, when the world has you on trial
And you feel you’ve lost your style
And each step feels like a mile
Well, get up and boogie woogie, it’ll make you smile

Chorus
Instrumental

Verse 5
When you meet folks who are blue
And they don’t know what to do
Tell them just what works for you
That Boogie Woogie Therapy’ll get them through

Chorus

https://youtu.be/4nonYzAdW9g

  

STILL GIVING IT OUR BEST: LYRICS & MUSIC

“Still Giving It Our Best” by Meyer and McGuire

Verse 1:
We tend to keep things simple
Less is always more to us
When it comes to choosing
We’ll take the back seat on the bus
The more you give, the more you get
Is something we believe
And all we have is always there
For anyone in need

Chorus:
Through the highs and lows and the ebbs and flows
We do what we need to do
Through the ups and downs, the smiles and frowns
We always make it through
Now here we are; we’ve come this far
Facing each and every test
After forty years of trying
We’re still giving it our best

Verse 2:
For us time is so precious
‘Cause it slips away so fast
It’s the best commodity
It cannot be surpassed
So, we try to use it wisely
And one thing that is clear
The best moments they often come
When time just disappears

Chorus

Verse 3:
We love to be with good friends
And like you, we have a few
They help us; we help them
So we all can make it through
And when it’s time for them to go
One thing that we find
Part of them stays in our hearts
As we move on through time

Chorus

Instrumental Break

Verse 4:
We like to make a difference
And we do it with our songs
We feel best when we can get
"Still Giving it Our Best" by Meyer & McGuire on YouTubeYou all to sing along
When asked why we play music
It’s just something that we do
It is just another way
To show our love for you

Chorus x 2
Repeat:
Listen to the song right here on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/Ki2yR9O_PS0

  

WEEKLY PLAYLIST FOR YOU! ENJOY!

Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Diana Ross, Neil Diamond, Anne Murray, The Guess Who, The Hollies, Chicago, Rod Stewart, Carole King, Carly Simon, Van Morrison, Paul Simon, & Meyer & McGuire. Not a Spotify member? Free accounts are available. 

WEEKLY PLAYLIST FOR YOU! ENJOY!

The Marshall Tucker Band, Jimmy Buffett, The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Seger, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Crystal Gayle, Kenny Nolan, Rita Coolidge, Orleans, Chicago, Looking Glass, Seals & Crofts, America, The Allman Brothers, & Meyer & McGuire. Not a Spotify member? Free accounts are available. 

WEEKLY PLAYLIST FOR YOU! ENJOY!

Paul Simon, Elton John, Jackson Browne, Seals & Crofts, Jim Croce, Carly Simon, Helen Reddy, Billy Paul, Dobie Gray, John Denver, Starland Vocal Band, Three Dog Night, Jonathan Edwards, Ricky Nelson, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Doobie Brothers, Loggins & Messina, & Meyer & McGuire. Not a Spotify member? Free accounts are available. 

WEEKLY PLAYLIST FOR YOU! ENJOY!

The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Byrds, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, We Five, The Righteous Brothers, Herman’s Hermits, Petula Clark, The Temptations, Gerry & the pacemakers, Bob Dylan, Freddie & the Dreamers, The Monkees, Sonny & Cher, The Seekers, The McCoys, & Meyer and McGuire. Not a Spotify member? Free accounts are available. 

WEEKLY PLAYLIST FOR YOU!

Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Neil Diamond, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, Zager & Evans, Blood, Sweat, and Tears, Stevie Wonder, Three Dog Night, Elvis Presley, The Zombies, The 5th Dimension, Oliver, The Guess Who, The Youngbloods, The Doors, & Meyer & McGuire. Not a Spotify member? Free accounts are available. 

WEEKLY PLAYLIST FOR YOU! ENJOY!

VOL. 11: Meyer & McGuire Playlist (Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, Americana)Weekly playlist for you! SOME SONGS FROM WAY BACK WHEN…! Enjoy! Alan Jackson, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Anne Murray, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, & Meyer & McGuire. Not a Spotify member? Free accounts are available. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5OEqbZwdCxS8Z0HM4lUayi?si=49df826899f24545Weekly  playlist for you!  SOME SONGS FROM WAY BACK WHEN…! Enjoy!

Alan Jackson, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Anne Murray, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Glen Campbell, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, & Meyer & McGuire.

Not a Spotify member?  Free accounts are available.

 

 

 

  

WEEKLY PLAYLIST FOR YOU! ENJOY!

VOL. 10: MEYER & MCGUIRE PLAYLIST (Folk, Country, Pop, Rock, Americana)SOME SONGS FROM WAY BACK WHEN…! 

See if any of these artists’ songs trigger memories of a person, place, or event from the past:

The Happenings, Dave Clark Five, Turtles, Herman’s Hermits, The Monkees, Lovin’ Sbpoonful, Ricky Nelson, Mindbenders, Peter & Gordon, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, The Buckinghams, Lou Christie, The Cyrkle, The Left Banke, The Dish, & Meyer and McGuire.

Not a Spotify member?  Free accounts are available.