It's nice to have friends, and if they just happen to be talented, all the better. I'll be forever beholding to my friends for turning my musical conceptions into reality.

 

Though I did write the lyrics for the country songs and the Yankees song, let's face it, lyrics without music are nothing but bad poetry. All the works here represent collaborative efforts between me and my friends. Suffice it to say they all deserve credit for writing, arranging, production, as well as singing which, incidentally, is not my long suit. I must single out Tommy Barth who always gave unselfishly of his valuable time to play guitar for us whenever we needed him. Primarily, a rock musician, he would and could play anything. Also of note is the sweet singing of Tommy Gross. You'll hear him singing the lead in "The Boys in the Country Band." A truly great singer, he should have been discovered long ago. Among the others whose participation was critical were Bobby "You're Out" Ricciotti, and Rob "I'm always on time" Barth. Also participating on the Yankees track is Dreux Bassoul. When you get together with friends, you expect to have fun and, luckily, we had plenty of it in the production of these songs. Hope you enjoy them.

 

Who's Singing Lead?
Tommy Gross: Boys In The Country Band.
Ace Toscano: The First Drink's the Sweetest of All, What Have You Done To My Yanks?

 

Lyrics

The Boys In The Country Band

 

Let’s all give a hand

To the boys in the country band –

They make me bound like a bull in a rodeo.

 

But the guys I idolize

Are the boys who harmonize –

They’re the ones who really steal the show.

 

Chorus

They sing so sweet, baby,

The angels up in heaven have to smile.

And it thrills me, baby,

When they lay their guitars down and sing awhile.

 

Break

Why in the world did you leave me?

Why in the world did you go?

I’d rather you stay and deceive me

Than leave me here missing you so.

 

Oh, sweet pleasure that it brings

When they bend those guitar strings –

Those old flat pickers thrill me to the bone.

 

But the sounds that touch my soul,

Make me really lose control,

Are the voices of the men who stand alone.

 

Chorus

They sing so sweet, baby,

The angels up in heaven have to smile.

And it thrills me, baby,

When they lay their guitars down and sing awhile.

 

Break

You’re the reason I’m crying.

You’re the reason I’m blue.

I found out you’ve been lying.

And he’s lying with you.

 

So, let’s all give a hand

To the boys in the country band –

They make me bound like a bull in a rodeo.

 

Chorus

They sing so sweet, baby,

The angels up in heaven have to smile.

And it thrills me, baby,

When they lay their guitars down and sing awhile.

 

© Michael J. Toscano, 1982-2008

 

 

The First Drink’s the Sweetest of All

 

Each morning at seven

They slip into heaven

And sadly await the last call.

They lift up their glasses.

Their sorrow soon passes.

And the first drink’s the sweetest of all.

 

Charlie watches their faces

As they sit in their places.

With each face, there’s a tale to recall.

He serves up their pleasure –

The drinks they each treasure.

And the first drink’s the sweetest of all.

 

Talking

Morning, Charlie.

Double me up, will ya buddy,

Then double me up again.

I just got handed the worst kind of news

About a dear old friend.

 

The morning watch

Found his mangled flesh

Lying in the rain.

They say my good old buddy

Was killed by the Newark-bound train.

 

 

Yeah, I know you knew him –

A  big guy, we called him Doug.

He used to come here all the time –

Drank his whiskey from a mug.

 

Then he met Betsy…

Yeah, that’s the guy

With the sweet little redhead

Sittin’ by his side.

He thought the whole world of her.

Now, that son of a bitch has died.

 

Chorus

Each morning at seven

They slip into heaven

And sadly await the last call.

They lift up their glasses.

Their sorrow soon passes.

And the first drink’s the sweetest of all.

 

Resume Talking

I was sitting here

About a week ago.

Betsy was in here all alone.

The place was closing up.

So, she asked me to take her home.

 

I didn’t see no harm in it

When she offered me that drink.

Though she was acting awful friendly,

I never stopped to think.

 

Well, we had a few

And before I knew it

Things were getting out of hand.

And when it come to will,

I have no more power

Than any other man.

 

I said good-bye to her next morning,

And I thought she understood –

I made up my mind to stay away.

I really thought I could.

 

But my lust became a sickness

And I kept on running back.

And sure enough last evening

Doug caught us in the act.

 

So, double me up, now, Charlie,

And double me up again

‘Cause I just got handed

The worst kind of news –

Doug jumped beneath that train.

 

Chorus

Each morning at seven

They slip into heaven

And sadly await the last call.

They lift up their glasses.

Their sorrow soon passes.

And the first drink’s the sweetest of all.

 

© Michael J. Toscano, 1982-2008