We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Life Our Own Way

by David Heatley

/
1.
Got nothing important to do today Staying in bed is something new for me I’m usually turned up to 11 Running around 24/7 So I think I’ll take it easy, thank you very much No you can’t stay in touch with your demands for plans and such I know you’re calling me Sorry, I’m busy blowing off the world I’m busy blowing off the world I’m busy blowing off the You want to talk to me Sorry, I’m busy Try not to take it personally Taking this time off just occurred to me I need a day avoiding the sun So now I’m ghosting everyone I think I’ll strum my guitar a bit, Disappear off the grid, yeah you’ll all just have to deal with it I know you’re calling me Sorry, I’m busy blowing off the world I’m busy blowing off the world I’m busy blowing off the You want to talk to me Sorry, I’m busy I got this hot date with a pot of tea Some art house films I’m dying to see Yeah, it’s sunny out but I can’t be reached Cause there’s no love lost between me and beach I got a crossword puzzle This book’s the best How bout a solitary game of chess Or solo Scrabble that never ends Yeah, you could call it Words without Friends I’ll consider this day a success if I can safely dodge the... Stress you’re trying to pile on me Sorry, I’m busy blowing off the world I’m busy blowing off the world I’m busy blowing off the You want to talk to me Sorry, I’m busy I’m busy
2.
Monday: no fun day Tuesday: got the blues day Wednesday: miss my friends day Thursday: in the worst way Friday: I cry and sigh and really want to die And then it's Saturday: the only day that used to matter to me Sunday is hell, I’m just bracing myself til it starts all over again! Monday: no fun day Tuesday: got the blues day Wednesday: miss my friends day Thursday: in the worst way Friday: I cry and sigh and really want to die And then there’s Saturday: the only day that used to matter to me Sunday is hell I’m just bracing myself til it starts all over I’m trying to stay sober I’m really just tired of staying inside I don’t think I can swallow another day wallowing In my apartment—the bed and the carpet The four walls are all closing in!
3.
Something happens between the hour of midnight and dawn A deeper frequency no one but me and she can be on I know you tried to raise us right but you raised us wrong Let’s hit the streets time to get with the beat of the song C’mon We’re living life our own way Living life free Living life our own way My baby and me Something happens when we ride to the city on the bus A deeper feeling like love without the pity or lust Don’t you know there’s people out here on the streets and they’re dancing just like us It’s true to you what we do doesn’t make a difference but to us it does Because We’re living life our own way Living life free Living life our own way My baby my baby my baby and me Yeah Oooh-ooh-wahh etc. Something happens when we hold each other, move into the crowd A deeper spirit takes hold of us, it doesn’t seem so loud Just the two of us—our bodies and the sound I’ll be true to you if you’re true to me until it all comes down Living life our own way Living life free Living life our own way My baby my baby my baby and me Yeah
4.
You – you’re smiling at me And you can see I’m lost in your loveliness Why can’t we say what’s going on? I – just came here to play But you have a way And I’m at my clumsiest Why can’t we say what’s going on? It should be easy to fall in each other’s arms and unwind So what’s stopping us? Maybe what’s blocking us… We both think this is just in our minds? No. I - believe that it’s real And I can feel That you believe something too So why can’t we say what’s going on? You’re – touching my hand While the rest of the band Is in the other room So I’ll try to say what’s going on… It should be simple… I’ll just lean in close and kiss you If that’s okay And then you say… You want to know, when this is over, will I miss you? YEAH! It’s so easy… we both just needed to say These few simple words I’m yours And you’re mine
5.
If we became lovers The tension we’re building would all just collapse The coy little smiles and laughing love taps I’d have you and you’d have me How disappointed we would be in each other If we became lovers The light in our eyes would quickly go out We’d know all along what those looks were about Explore each other to the depths Til there was nothing left for us to discover If we became lovers There’s no such thing as the one You can just pivot from one stranger to another Til you became lovers If we became lovers That first time would be explosive all night Within a few hours we’d have our first fight We’d say things so cruel I don’t think you or I would ever recover If we became lovers There’s no such thing as the one Love is specific to where you find yourself You can just pivot from one stranger to another Til you became lovers
6.
On Your Side 02:39
Boy: I know that I’m rusty but I hope you can trust me ‘cause I’m on your side If you’d just let me I would love you so gently ‘cause I’m on your side I know your heart has been shuttered for a while And rushing into loving is no longer your style But if we take this step together then you’d realize forever I’ll be on your side Girl: As soon as I see you it’s not hard to believe you that you’re on my side Whenever I’m shaky I just love how you make me Know you’re on my side It’s time to open up my heart again And you’re the only one I want to let in So if we take it slowly I can offer you the whole me I’ll be on your side Together: It’s not easy to give yourself away But I don’t want to live alone another day In a while you’ll find you Don’t need me to remind you That I’m on your side You’re on my side Yeah I’m on your side You’re on my side Love you and I’m on your side Please stay on my side
7.
Thought my dreams would all come true Showers of gold from yonder blue I traded Earth for stranger views My head was in the clouds Now I’m feeling motion sick Pressure’s cut me to the quick I’m falling like a ton of bricks My head was in the clouds I see my head was in the clouds Vision blurred but still I vowed Hallucination’s all I found But now my feet are on the ground And it feels good to be on the ground Thought the voice I heard was God Didn’t think it all that odd Doing His will was my only job My head was in the clouds But now the voice has gone away Said what it needed to say I realized there’d be hell to pay If my head stayed in the clouds I see my head was in the clouds Negativity not allowed A fantasy was all I found But now my feet are on the ground And it feels good to be on the ground I see my head was in the clouds I miss the sights, I miss the sounds But the air was thin and hard to breathe I told myself to close my eyes and just believe But it all came crashing down I see my head was in the clouds Vision blurred but still I vowed Hallucination’s all I found But now my feet are on the ground And it feels good to be on the ground
8.
I can’t take relentlessly sunny people I always wonder how you treat your kids It always seems like just below the surface is a pool of anger boiling No matter how much you think you kept it hid I want to pop your bubble Make you see the truth of what I say But preachers preach the sermons they most need to hear On any given day…. So… I dedicate myself to the night Darkness and pouring rain I dedicate myself to heartache The shadowy part of my brain Cause I like it when it’s dark outside and I get pleasure from pain I hear the shadow calling and it’s time to go again If you don’t bring forth what is within you What you don’t bring forth will seal your fate You’ll become a shadow of yourself and talk about what could have been Your heart consumed with hate I wish my words would touch you Shake you out of your sleep But I’m the one who needs to find the strength it takes To take the leap….. So… I dedicate myself to the night Darkness and pouring rain I dedicate myself to sorrow The shadow inside of my brain Cause I like it when it’s dark outside and I get pleasure from pain I hear the shadow calling and it’s time to go again I dedicate myself to the night
9.
I want it easy, served up on a platter - You say “no” You see right through me and all my chatter and you’re not afraid to tell me so Lucky for you, I’ve got the patience of a saint I’m saying “Bout time we did it.” You just say, “No it ain’t” Honey, please… Just when I think we’re through you grab my hand and say “Okay, let’s go” May not happen as often as I want but when it does, it’s hot as can be You don’t know just what you do to me… You make me work I got a dream, yeah - I can’t wait until it all comes true Yeah I believe it’s just around the corner hid from view Lucky for me, you’ve got no patience for that shit... Yo, we’re slowly going broke while I wait for my ideas to hit I’m on my knees again, you grab my hand and tell me “I don’t care what you have to do! Just go out there and make some money!” May not happen as often as you want but when it does, it’s like the lottery I think you know just what you do to me… You make me work Can I at least get a lunch break?!? May not happen as often as we want, but when it does, it’s cause it’s gotta be I think by now you know what you do to me… You make me work
10.
You only get so much time If you want to spend it laughing (Don’t let me stop you) If you want to spend it sleeping (They probably got something for you) I hope we’ll spend it singing (Singing out my heartache with you) Cause we need to keep believing… believing... You only get so much time If you tell me time’s a wasting (Every day’s a waste without you) I’ll be by your side this evening (Gotta get over to you) I know just what you’re needing (Feel my arms around you) Cause we need to keep on living… and loving…. You only get so much time
11.
You must be some kind of idiot not to noticing me staring Do you see what I’m wearing? Nah, you just act like you don’t care when I walk by I had you pegged for a smart guy But you don’t seem to want no part of my heart, why? I got this feeling if we were to get together You’d hit my pleasure center better than anyone ever Rip my sweater. I’d let you do whatever Bring another girl if it won’t upset her I could get her in the mood, make this a double header See? It makes no sense This could be all yours if you weren’t so dense What, do you think that girls are too intense? Get off the fence, you stupid jerk, and get on top of me See the signs and maybe read ‘em Where is cupid when I need him? If you can’t join ‘em, beat ‘em (wink, wink) Don’t blink. I’m on the brink and you seem to need a bigger hint Why else do you think I’m always showing up for drinks? I don’t live in your area. I love you, duh I’m so sick of these kind of guys I love Maybe they’ve been traumatized into never making a move Did that girl in middle school break your heart in that gymnasium? You could make a fresh start with me if you stopped playing dumb How did it come to this? Guys are pussies, girls are dicks How did this come to be? Why can’t you get into me? You’re lucky I even like you, boy Dumb is hot, but only to a point How is this the state of things? It’s scarier than Stranger Things living in America But I still love you, duh I love you, duh
12.
Meme 02:03
I don’t wanna be a meme I don’t wanna be some internet fodder That place is really mean It ate my son and it swallowed my daughter What would happen if we all fought back? Throw out our phones so we could get our thoughts back? I don’t wanna be a meme You take my photo and add a stupid caption What does it even mean? You chuckleheads just want a piece of my action You’ll see what happens when we all fight back Delete our pictures and get our rights back I think it’s time we had our days and nights back Don’t you? I don’t wanna be a tweet Trending for like an hour I wanna feel my feet… on the ground Not some ego trip that’s sapping my power Go to bed turn out the lights and lie back Stop trying to find the things that I think I lack Don’t wanna live inside a square my whole life Ignore my kids and avoid my lonely wife I think it’s time I quit the whole damn scene before I scream I don’t wanna be a meme
13.
I’m pissin’ white light, I got flames comin’ out my ass Felt the Unholy Spirit of Lucifer as I breathed my last Took a face-melting trip down to the Gates of Hell With a chorus of bloody angels screaming clear as a bell Brimstone and ash filling up my nose I landed with a crash… What happened to my clothes? There was a cute girl at the gate all tatted up Sucking on a whiskey bottle and a cigarette butt She said “Welcome to Eternal Damnation, dear It’s really not as bad as they describe it up there. We can drink and smoke and fuck as much as we please. The food is kind of a joke, but at least there’s plenty to eat.” She handed me a robe and some sandals that were crimson red. Then she kissed me on the cheek and said I’ll find you later in your bed. I walked through a tunnel for what felt like hours. Found myself in a cavern full of blackened flowers. Saw miles of buck naked bodies at play. I put my robe on a rock and I jumped into the fray. Swimming in an ocean of flesh, I bobbed up and down. One orgasm blended into the next, I thought I might just drown. It wasn’t too long before I wanted off the ride. Sweaty bodies surrounding me outside and inside. Tried to paddle through the rave. I had to push and shout Til I got caught up in a wave and then it spit me out. Battered and bruised, my body was now sorely spent I found my robe and sandals and I stumbled towards a big red tent There was a great bonfire surrounded by a ring Of red-robed figures, head raised to sing The low growling voices shook the teeth in my head Then the pitch soared higher til my eyeballs bled By the hour that I reached my bed, it was almost time to wake Tattoo girl entered my cave and she gave me a shake Then she climbed on top and rode me for a while. I saw through bloody eyes her demonic smile When she was finally done, the morning trumpet blew She said “Are you ready for more fun? Cause we’re ready for you.” Ten hours in a row of drunken, smoky sex for days on end No good music or books, no one good to befriend No trees, no lakes, no mountains or clouds No peace, no quiet, everything too loud No fresh air vents, no sun, just shade. It finally made sense what they said about the life that I spent Guess I gotta lie down and repent In the bed that I made I’m pissin’ white light I got flames comin’ out my ass
14.
Johnny you got that hairstyle and it’s appalling Now tonight’s the night and the sights are calling Johnny you hopped that turnstile without warning Now the lights are bright like it was still morning Went to the barber on an army dare (Hey! Johnny-ho, Johnny-hey!) Barber was drunk but you didn’t much care (Write it down boy, write it down boy) Maybe that’s because you were drunk as well (Hey! Johnny-ho, Johnny-hey!) Now you don’t look too much like yourself (Write it down boy, put it in that book of yours) Johnny you got that hairstyle and it’s appalling Now tonight’s the night and the sights are calling Johnny you hopped that turnstile without warning Now the lights are bright like it was still morning Johnny you got just one more day (Hey! Johnny-ho, Johnny-hey!) Find a girl who wants to carry you away (Write it down boy, write it down boy) Might as well take her and put her in a song (Hey! Johnny-ho, Johnny-hey!) She’s gonna miss you when you’re gone (Write it down boy, put it in that book of yours) Johnny you got that hairstyle and it’s appalling Now tonight’s the night and the sights are calling Johnny you hopped that turnstile without warning Now the lights are bright like it was still morning
15.
Rock My Mind 03:33
You say… what you mean Doesn’t make a bit of difference if I scream You say… what you think Doesn’t really matter if I swim or if I sink You say… what you feel My heart is flippin’ all over itself like an eel inside a wheel You say I’m a crazy person, I have to agree sometimes But you rock my mind Don’t you know I’m feeling fine Long as I got you to rock my mind You know… how to fight Hold it all inside your body, read your book, turn out the light You know…. how to love You start it sweet and slow and gentle, then you’re getting rough You know… how to be All this time I tried to teach you… teachin’ me You know I’m a crazy person, I have to concede sometimes Cause you rock my mind You know I’ll be just fine Long as I got you to rock my mind I say you rock my mind, that means you shake me to the core And after I fall apart and put myself back together… I want more You chose you a crazy person, I have to believe sometimes So you could rock my mind Don’t you know we’ll be just fine Long as I got you to rock my mind Long as I got you and you got me and I got you to rock my mind

credits

released February 11, 2022

All songs written by David Heatley, except Quarantine Blues, co-written with Samuel Gopoian Heatley. ©2021 Dream Puppy, Inc. All rights reserved.

All songs recorded at Piety Street Recording in Henderson, Louisiana. Additional recording at Marigny Studios and House of 1,000hz in New Orleans. Produced, arranged, and mixed by Mark Bingham. Engineered by Mark Bingham, Chris Bloch, Rick G. Nelson and Andrew "Goat" Gilchrist. Mastered by Paris Minzer, Frogtown Sound.

license

tags

about

David Heatley New York, New York

DAVID HEATLEY is a musician, cartoonist and animation director living in Queens, NY. Over several decades, he has recorded 5 albums and 7 EPs as a solo artist and as part of the bands Velvet Cactus Society and The Bischoffs. His animation production company Dream Puppy, Inc was launched in 2021. A TV show based on his 2019 graphic memoir "Qualification" is currently in production. ... more

contact / help

Contact David Heatley

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like David Heatley, you may also like: