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Legacy - Top disc

by Michael Callen

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1.
Love Worth Fighting For 05:50
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LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR I believe That we can change the world And I believe The change begins with you and me Look around See how the madness grows There's so much pain and hate It's all just fear, I suppose I won't hide anymore This time I can't ignore A love so right it shows You know it, deep inside And now you must decide To speak what your heart knows Isn't this love? Isn't this love? Isn't this love worth fighting for? Isn't this love I know it's love for sure This is a love worth fighting for It's a crazy world We shouldn't have to hide All love's good—and should be welcomed So I refuse to lie anymore Who are they to say Who says it's not ok? Their rules just don't apply Who are they anyway? There's more than just one way So look me in the eye and tell me Isn't this love? Isn't this love? Isn't this love worth fighting for? Isn't this love You know it's love for sure This is a love worth fighting for Oh, this feels so right Just trust in how you feel No, no I don't wanna fight but it must be said out loud This love is real Isn't this love? Isn't this love? Isn't this love worth fighting for? Isn't this love We know that love's the cure These are our lives we're fighting for It's our right to love we're fighting for I believe That we can change the world And I believe The change begins with you and me
2.
Redefine the Family 03:58
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REDEFINE THE FAMILY (The Census Song) A man came by the other day He said he'd been sent By the U. S. government And the President [Oh, I was so impressed...] He produced a long, long form He looked me in the eye ``Tell the truth now, do not lie Here's the reason why'' He said ``We worship the family We say how it's supposed to be We insist on conformity, you see We define the family Question one; this household List each occupant Say how related and how old And, do you own or rent? And may I presume you're married?'' I said, ``In a sense...'' ``And children? Perhaps two point five? And a picket fence?'' He smiled and said ``A wife and kids! Now that's a family! The backbone of our democracy The way the Bible says it should be that's how we define the family!'' Well-a, well-a, well-a I had sworn to tell the truth and I don't like to lie I said ``Sir, you're misinformed Please allow me to clarify.'' Then I told him We define our family We offer no apology We celebrate our diversity, you see We define our family My lover's name is Richard His lover's name is Pat We're one big happy family Is there a box for that? We live here with Pam and Lyn They're lesbians and lovers Together, we're raising three great kids Gertrude, and her two brothers You see We'll define our own family We practice creativity We teach respect for diversity you see We define our family Well-a, well-a, well the Poor man seemed to lose his cool, he shouted: ``This is OUTRAGEOUS!'' ``You'd better go then,'' I replied, ``Cause it may be contagious!'' And I told him Redefine the family So it includes you and me We must teach respect for diversity We'll design our own family Our family We are family!
3.
Better in the Moonlight 04:46
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BETTER IN THE MOONLIGHT Words & Music by Michael Callen/Richard Dworkin Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI) Better in the moonlight Better in the moonlight Better when you hold tight And do it all night It's better in the moonlight There's not another soul in sight Just you and me We could make love till the morning light I could hold you tenderly Then you'd see That it's better in the moonlight Give in to the gentle wind To the sultry summer heat Let the ocean air blow away your cares Don't it taste so salty sweet? Listen to my heart beat... Ain't it better in the moonlight I've made love hangin' upside down I've made love on a sunny day Done it fast, done it slow In the rain, in the snow So believe me when I say It's better in the moonlight I've made love in a motel room I've made love on a cloudy day In a million ways, in a Chevrolet So believe me when I say That it's Better in the Moonlight
4.
Six-thirty Sunday Morning / Right as the Rain (medley) 05:15
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6:30 Sunday Morning / Right as the Rain Peter Allen / Harold Arlen & E. Y. Harburg Six thirty Sunday morning And it's raining The kind of rain You only find On the West Side Six thirty Sunday morning Someone's jogging The way he runs Makes me think he's from the East Side Oh, it's beautiful You can get in tune And see more life, alone, On a Central Park morning Than on a country afternoon Six thirty Early autumn Leaves have fallen Let 'em sleep They will keep my secrets I wish there were more rainy Sundays To make up for Saturday nights ----- Right as the rain That falls from above So real So right Is our love It came like the spring That breaks through the snow And I can't say what it may bring I only know I only know It's right to believe Whatever gave your eyes this glow Whatever gave my heart this song Can't be wrong It's right as the rain That falls from above And fills the world With the bloom of our love
5.
Now 05:05
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NOW by Michael Callen Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI) When I was young I believed I'd live to see A better world A brotherhood Between black and white Oh...We had a dream We would win 'Cause we were right There'd be revolution overnight No more injustice No more fear Change was gonna come It all seemed so clear How much longer Will it take 'Cause I don't want to wait Now Why can't it be now I want justice now Now And then there was the ERA A cry for justice and fair play Sisterhood was such a powerful dream Oh, and I believed But after too many battles Too much pain So much loss for so little gain I'm still tryin' to hold on Refuse to give in Just a little longer I know we can win But I'm tired of all the shouting I'm sick of all the hate And I don't want to wait Now Why can't it be now I want it now Now Our right to love The way we choose Has been my final battle I've paid my dues I'm battered and bruised But I'm still standing tall And I still believe that one day We will walk the streets holding hands our heads held high You and I And passersby will smile hello Hold onto your dreams Stand up for what's right And let love sustain the fight Imagine it Now Envision it Now A brotherhood now A sisterhood now
6.
Michael Callen featuring Tom Robinson - Two Men Dance the Tango 03:10
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TWO MEN DANCE THE TANGO by Tom Judson You'd hardly think it queer if you saw two men drinking beer it's rather common and most expected It's not a sight that shocks, two men trading bonds and stocks it happens daily; I know, I checked it If you saw two men cowpokes you would sing `Home on the Range' and two men fighting fires is anything but strange Then why should it matter if What's the commotion if Who cares if... Two men dance the tango together in the moonlight A sultry tune might provoke an impromptu turn If their duet shows a hint of style Should they be put on trial? When does a backward dip give cause for concern? They know excitement lies in store when they trip the light fantastic There's nothing drastic in feeling the beat within You'll find adventure in one, two, three So just remember, when next you see Two men dance the tango together You should join right in! Two fellows on a date who find that things aren't going great begin to panic; they've made a blunder The evening shows no hope, in fact they're running out of rope Like the Titanic, they're going under But then the band starts pounding a fiery old tattoo When Latin beats are sounding what are two boys to do? They leap up from out their seats Toward that hypnotic beat And then those Two men dance the tango together with abandon There's nothing planned in the rhythmic relief it brings What sound in heaven could be more pleasing Than an accordion's wheezing? Just hear that violin caressing its strings! When flavors of the Argentine start to issue from the bandstand Oh it's a grandstand where romance begins to grow There is no reason for asking why Don't lose composure if you should spy Two men dance the tango together Maybe you should too! Oh, ev'ry chance they can go men go to a dance and tango so should you! REPRISE: When flavors of the Argentine start to issue from the bandstand Oh, it's a grandstand where romance begins to brew There is no reason for asking Why Don't lose composure if you should spy Two men dance the tango together Maybe you should too! Oh, ev'ry chance they can go men go to a dance and tango so should you!
7.
Glitter and be Gay 05:37
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GLITTER AND BE GAY Words by Richard Wilbur Music by Leonard Bernstein Glitter and be gay That's the part I play Here I am in Paris France Forced to bend my soul To a sordid role Victimized by bitter Bitter circumstance Alas for me Had I remained beside my lady mother My virtue had remained unstained Until my maiden hand was gained By some grand duke...or other. Ah, t'was not to be Harsh necessity Brought me to this gilded cage Born to higher things Here I droop my wings Ahhhhhhhhhh Singing of the sorrow Nothing can assuage And yet, of course, I rather like to revel I have no strong objection to champagne My wardrobe is expensive as the devil, ah ha! Perhaps it is ignoble to complain Enough! Enough! Of being basely tearful I'll show my noble stuff By being bright and cheerful Ahhhhhh ha ha ha ha ha ha ha u etc. Pearls and ruby rings Ah, how can world things Take the place of honor lost Can they compensate For my fallen state Purchased as they were at such an...awful cost Bracelets. Lavaliers! Can they dry my tears Can they blind my eyes to shame Can the brightest broach Shield me from reproach Can the purest diamond Purify my name? And yet, of course, these trinkets are endearing, ah ha I'm also glad my sapphire is a star I rather like a twenty-caret earring If I'm not pure, at least my jewels are Enough enough I'll take their diamond necklace And show my noble stuff By being GAY and reckless Ah... Ah.... ha ha ha ha ha ha etc. Observe how bravely I conceal the dreadful dreadful Shame I feel ah ha ha ha haha aha ha ha HAAAAAAAAA ha ha ha ha
8.
My Imagination 03:39
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My Imagination by Michael Callen Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI) Can it be that you are really here with me and we are very happily Together lying on the sand We're hand in hand And oooooh You seem to be real And I do like the way you make me feel oh baby I keep thinking Maybe it's only my imagination We got some suntan lotion We've got some lime and lemonade I got this crazy notion We've got it made in the shade And oooooh You seem to be real And I do like the way you make me feel oh baby I keep thinking Maybe it's only my imagination We've got a tropical paradise you know it sure feels nice Just me and you and a dream come true oh baby can I believe my eyes And oooooh You seem to be real And I do like the way you make me feel oh baby I keep thinking Maybe it's only my imagination
9.
Crazy World 04:52
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CRAZY WORLD by Michael Callen Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI) I dream such dreams Ones where boy gets boy And girl gets girl It seems to me We're all just victims of anatomy Can't they see? This is a crazy world I'm so lonely Feel like the only one Who ever felt this way Could deceive them But I don't believe them No matter what other people say I'm gonna stay with you Even in this crazy world CHORUS: They're always sayin' This world needs more love But somehow, not our kind It makes no sense how they pick and choose When we could use more love However we find it Then I'm reminded, Hey, we live in a crazy world Tell me why I should have to justify the way I love Why explain? But I can't lie I won't even try to pretend In the end, it would cause too much pain Drive us insane In an already crazy world REPEAT CHORUS I say love's o.k. Anywhere, any way Don't you agree? So come and play with me We'll play at being free I think that they need to see How beautiful such love can be That might fix this Mixed up crazy world
10.
We've Had Enough 04:50
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We've Had Enough by Michael Callen Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI) Calling all feeling people Better take a look around People are dying People are crying out Can't you hear the sound Something's gotta change Something's gotta give Gonna have to fight if you wanna live Our backs against the wall They leave us with no choices We've gotta risk it all We've gotta raise our voices And say enough We've had enough Won't take no more We've had enough Gonna win this war We've had enough We've had enough Of the hate and the lies This is genocide We've had enough What is the value of one life If it were your brother If it were your wife Then you'd understand Why we're demanding that people not turn away Gonna raise the stakes Do whatever it takes Gonna let them know that there'll be hell to pay We are your children We're your brothers, your friends, your wives We're all in this together Help us We are fighting for our lives This is a test of who we are Do we care enough to do what's right It's down to me and you If not us, who will dare to fight this fight I don't know if I'll live or die All I know is I'm gonna try Too many people have died We've got to put our differences aside I'm gonna fight 'til my last breath Don't be silent Silence equals death And say enough We've had enough We've had enough Won't take no more We've had enough Gonna win this war We've had enough We've had enough Of the hate and the lies This is genocide We've had enough
11.
No No 03:45
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NO NO Words & Music by Michael Callen © Tops and Bottoms Music (BMI) written 1984 From the moment we are born and maybe even before We are taught that we must choose to be either/or The pink and blue conspiracy is lesson number one And if you cross the gender line of daughter or son they say No no no no, na No no no no, na No no no na no no. Now they say that there can never be exceptions to the rules But if you ask me I would say it's them that are the fools They waste all that energy playing a woman or a man Just take the best and leave the rest and be all that you can by saying No no no no, na No no no no, na No no no na no no. Boys will be boys, they say and girls will be wives Strangers and enemies for the rest of their lives What a waste! Well the world it is a strange place and gettin' stranger every day Now I'm not bitter, but all things considered I sure am glad I'm gay And me, I just do not believe it has to be this way And if you agree with me just join me when I say we say No no no no, na No no no no, na No no no na no no.
12.
Grade B Movie 03:37
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GRADE B MOVIE Words & Music by Carole Pope and Kevan Staples Mummy Dust Music Ltd. & Joan Tone Musik (CAPAC) additional lyrics by Michael Callen I walked the wet boulevard alone An open invitation to...anyone I bit my lips to keep back the tears What would THEY think I cared not; I dared not All I had were the tortured memories of a love I had once known I could still feel your burning kisses on my virgin lips When you look at me It's like any Grade B Movie I whisper: Hello, Johnny. Hello, Johnny. Then you tear my sheath and I'm below you Moaning: Oh Johnny, don't stop. Not now! Don't stop Johnny Don't stop Johnny Don't stop Johnny Don't stop Johnny Don't stop Johnny. I remember that cigarette dangling from the corner of your mouth That white shirt unbuttoned at the collar revealing the tanned expanse of your chest I knew you would never be COMPLETELY mine, but I had to settle for what I could get That night I raked your back with those ugly red welts! I don't know WHAT your kisses reduced me to You said you were pouring the wine of passion Into the warped vessel of a wanton woman's heart I had no control over my animal lust Forgive me Forgive me When you look at me It's like any Grade B Movie I whisper: Hello, Johnny. Hello, Johnny. Then you tear my sheath and I'm below you moaning Oh Johnny, don't stop. Not now! Don't stop Johnny, Don't stop Johnny, Don't stop Johnny. Don't stop Johnny Don't stop Johnny. When you look at me, it's like any cheap novel Your swelling manhood rising in your bleached out jeans I come apart at the seams I really can't go on. ------- But you wound me, Johnny. I'm a slave to your purple blood-engorged pillar of desire The knife of your love plunging in and out in and out all the way in and all the way out... of my heart!
13.
Warm as the Wind (featuring David Lasley) 04:47
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14.
Kerosene Lantern 03:21
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KEROSENE LANTERN by Judy Mayhan Summerwind Music (BMI) The kerosene lantern Makes swallowing sounds And coyotes howl on a moonless night What do they say In such poetic ways? Perhaps even they do not like to be alone For always And I heard a voice Crying for the moon to come And take the ways of those strange dogs And turn it into singing Doo doo doooooo You do commit yourself Take the jagged knife And cut away the bitter fruit And listen to the voices Sayin' Remember not to hurt yourself Remember Remember Remember not to hurt yourself Baby
15.
Sometimes Not Often Enough 02:00
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released June 14, 1996

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Michael Callen New York, New York

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