Story: The first verse could have come from the subconscious mind of Mr. Walt Disney regarding his self-imposed cryogenic  slumber. As you can see by the date, this song has been resurrected from it's own lengthy slumber. Written at a time when mrC was stuck in a rut, stuck in a rut, stuck in a ...well, obviously a reoccurring theme in the OBViOUS universe ...thus inspiring this recording.

Recording started Fall 2002 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan: BASS: Gaku DRUMS: TakashiBGVOX: Hassy VOX/GTRS: MrC
 

SUSPENDED$@!J%5%9%Z%s(J $@%G%#%I!K(J
(c) mr christopher Fall 1993

$@CLOC!':G=i$NItJ,$O%&%)%k%H!&%G%#%:%K!<$N<+$i(J $@?J$s$G9T$J$C$?D6Dc295YL2$K$D$$$F$N@x:_0U<1$+$iMh$?$+$b$7$l$J$$!#F|IU$G$o$+$k$h$&$K$3$N6J$OHs>o$KD9$$5YL2$+$iI|3h$5$;$i$l$?!#=q$+$l$?$N$O%_%9(J $@%?!$@!D(J.$@9B$K$O$^$C$F!D$O$^$C$F!D$^$"$H$K$+$/!"L@$i$+$K(JOBViOUS$@$N1'Ch(J $@$G:F$SH/@8$9$k%F!<%^$G$"$j!"$3$NO?2;$r$9$k5$$K$J$C$?$s$@!#(J

Recording started Fall 2002 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan:$@!#(J BASS: Gaku DRUMS: TakashiBGVOX: Hassy VOX/GTRS: MrC

Everyday I think of how it gonna be
Once I get my life to where it's supposed to be
Though it's a long, long ways-away
I know I'll be there some day
Step by step life with sustain
but for now I will remain

CHORUS:
Suspended (In mid-air)
Suspended 
Suspended (In mid-air)
Suspended 

There are times I think I've found the only one
But then I turn to find that she's already gone
I long to share this lonely world
I know someday I'll find the girl
Someone to be there 'til the end
While I wait my heart pretends

RePEAT CHORUS

What I want in life is much more confidence
But how can I live life while sitting on the fence
What the heck is going on?
It's darkest before the dawn
Should I wait for day to break
Am I a fool to hesitate

RePEAT CHORUS

BRiDGE:
But I feel a change inside of me
So deep inside that you can hardly see
I know now that once it is complete
It will lead to where I want to be ...oh Yeah.

Suspended baby

SOLO

RePEAT CHORUS 

Story from mr christopher: "Compared to the previous song, things are really starting to look up! This was a joyeous 5-minute song-writing exercise written as a birthday present for a dear friend. Two "Nihonjin" friends assisted me in expressing myself in Japanese. Thanks Mugiko & Ushimi!

Recording started March 31, 2002 in Harajuku, Tokyo: BASS: Gaku DRUMS: Takashi VOX/GTRS: MrC  Translation help: Hassy & Junko
 

tHiNGS ARE L@@KiNG G@@D$@!J%7%s%0%9!&(J $@%"!
(c) mr christopher March 31st, 2002 - March 9, 2003 

I'm Alive
Ki bun ga-e-e (Translation = "And I feel good")
I've survived
i-ko toga a ru  (Translation = "the future looks bright")

Snow's been falling for about a week or two
But it's getting warmer, girl since I've met you.

I could fly... 
ai, ni notte, tai-yo e (Translation = "If you would be my love")
Gonna ride... 
ai-i-whoa-"ku-re"-ta-ra (Translation = ("That wave into the sun")

Rain's been falling for about a week or two
But it's getting clearer, girl since I've met you.

CHORUS:
Things are looking good, baby
Things are looking good
Things are looking good, baby
Things are looking good!

SOLO

I'm Alive
Ki-Bun-Ga-e-e (Translation = "?")
I've survived
i-Ko Toga a Ru  (Translation = "?")

Cloud's been forming for about a week or two
But it's getting clearer, girl since I've met you.

CHORUS:
Things are looking good, baby
Things are looking good
Things are looking good, baby
Things are looking good!

From the "KiRiKO" Single (2002) liner notes: Kiriko sonically radiates a very hypnotic mood, quite different from anything The OBViOUS has attempted before. It's a song which marks a most intriguing pop/world beat collaboration between The OBViOUS & two traditional Japanese musicians. It was the first song released from "...@blivi@us" on the 2002 "Kiriko" Maxi CD Single.

Story: The song was originally inspired by mr christopher's meeting with a lovely waitress in a not-so-traditional Japanese restaurant in the Shinagawa district of Tokyo in spring 2002.  mr Christopher was most captivated by the sound of her name which instantly inspired the main melody. 

However, it wasn't until mr christopher's internet introduction with "gagaku" music enthusiast, composer, musician, producer, Taizo Nakata, that the whole concept came together. 

 Taizo Nakata, who works and plays with Japanese traditional instrumental group "T's Color", met only once (April 10, 2002) with mr christopher at the Digital Banana Recording Studio in Harajuku (Tokyo, Japan), where they discussed (through interpreters) the arrangement.  Then, both went to work in their respective studios to create the inspired collaboration you now hear fusing the usual OBViOUS guitar, bass and drums pop instrumentation with a Japanese traditional (specifically "gagaku") instruments. Taizo Nakata performed the Shamisen (a lute), Sho (a reeded pipe) and Biwa (a four-stringed lute).  Other T's Color member, Yuka Hamane, in addition to beautiful backing vocals,  recorded the featured virtuoso koto (13 stringed harp-like flat zither) performance.

 Taizo produced and recorded all the traditional Japanese instrument tracks at his studio in Hino City (Tokyo, Japan), after which everything was mixed by mr christopher back at the Digital Banana Recording Studio.  "I remember what a magic moment it was when I finally heard it all together", said mr c. "It was such an rich colorful sound ...a musical match to such a lovely melodic name as Kiriko."

Recording started April 10, 2002 in Harajuku, Tokyo: BASS: Gaku SHAMiSEN, BiWA, SHO: Taizo NakataBGVOX,  KOTOS: Yuka Hamane VOX/GTRS/DRUMS: MrC
 

kiRiK@$@!J%-%j%3!K(J
(c) mr christopher March/April 2002

2002$@G/$N%7%s%0%k!V%-%j%3!W$N%i%$%J!<%N!<%H$h$j!'(J $@!!%-%j%3$O2;6AE*$KHs>o$K:EL2E*$J%`!<%I$r>HThe OBViOUS$@$N$3$l$^$G$N$I$s$J;n$_$H$b0c$&!#(JThe OBViOUS$@$HFs?M$NEAE}E*$JOB3Z4oAU/$@%o!<%k%I!&%S!<%H$r@8$s$@!#(J2002$@G/$N%^%-%7!&%7%s%0%k!V%-%j%3!W$G%"%k%P%`!X(J$@!D(JOblivi@us$@!Y$+$i%j%j!<%9$5$l$?:G=i$N6J!#J*8l!'$3$N6J$O(J $@$=$b$=$b(Jmr christopher$@$,!"$5$[$IEAE}E*$G$O$J$$OB?)%l%9%H%i%s$G=P2q$C$?2D0&$i$7$$%&%'%$%H%l%9$K?(H/$5$l$?$b$N$@!#2?$h$j$bH`=w$NL>A0$N6A$-$KL%N;$5(J $@$l!"T$@!G(Js Color$@$H6&$K1iAU$9$kCfEDB@;0$O!"(J2002$@G/#47n(J10$@F|$K0lEY$@$1(Jmr christopher$@$H86=I$N%G%8%?%k!&%P%J%J!&%l%3!<%G%#%s%0!&%9%?%8%*$G2q$$!"DLLu$rDL$8$F%"%l%s%8$rN}$C$?!#$=$l$+$i2f!9$O3F!9$N%9%?%8%*$KF~(J $@$j!":n6H$r$7$?!#:#$-$_$,J9$$$F$$$kM;9g$5$l$?%3%i%\%l!<%7%g%s!"$$$D$b$N(JOBViOUS$@$N%.%?!T's Color$@$NB>$N%a%s%P!mr christopher$@$,%G%8%?%k!&%P%J%J!&%l%3!<%G%#%s%0!&%9%?%8%*$GA4$F$r%_%C%/%9$7$?$N$@!#!V$D$$$KA4It0l=o$KJ9$1$?;~$NKbK!$N$h$&$J=V4V$r3P$($F(J $@$k$h!W$H(Jmr christopher$@$O8@$&!#!VK-$+$G?':L$KIY$s$@2;(J$@!D(J$@%-%j%3$H$$$&L%NOE*$G2;3ZE*$JL>A0$K%T%C%?%j$@(J $@$H;W$C$?!#!W(J

Kiriko 

Listen to the waves 
Her name surrounds me 

Kiriko 

Feel the autumn wind 
Her fingers through my hair 

Kiriko

Story: Although originally demoed in Harajuku-Tokyo as an acoustic pop song (which sounded strangely like The Eagles "Peaceful Easy Feeling"), a freshly inspired arrangement emerged after Bradley mailed mrC a CD by the American funk/blues band "Two Ton Shoe". Duly inspired, mrC returned to the States to produce this final version with Tim and Brad at their combined funkiest. A rarely heard soulful side to mr christopher's voice is featured in the wild "guitar/vocal" solo. Sadly, technical problems with the recording required the song to be painstakingly pieced back together by a very nervous (but not-so "foolish") ProTools sound engineer. 

Almost lost to posterity, here's "F@@Lish":

Recording started January 3, 2003 in Palm Bay, Florida, USA: BASS: Brad DRUMS: Tim VOX/GTRS: MrC 

f@@LiSH$@!J%U!<%j%C(J $@%7%e!K(J
(c) mr christopher February 3rd, 2002 

$@J*8l!'%"%3!<%9%F%#%C%/$J%]%C%W%=%s%0$H$7$F:G(J $@=i$K86=I$G%G%b$,O?$i$l$?!JL/$J;v$K%$!<%0%k%9$N!X%T!<%9%U%k!&%$!<%8!mr christopher$@$K%"%a%j%+$N%U%!%s%/(J/$@%V%k!<%9!&%P%s%I(JTwo Ton Shoe$@$N(JCD$@$rM9JX$GAw$C$FMh$?8e$K!"?7$?$K?(H/$5$l$?%"%l%s%8$,8=$l$?!#=mr christopher$@$O%F%#%`!"%V%i%C%I$H6&$K$3$N:nIJ$r0lAX%U%!%s%-!<$J$b$N$K%W%m%G%e!<%9$7D>$7$?$N$@!#DA$7$/%=%&%k%U%k$JLL$,8+$i$l$k(Jmr christopher$@$N@<$,%o%$%k%I$J!H%.%?!<(J/$@%\!<%+%k!I%=%m$NCf$GJ9$1$k!#;DG0$J;v$K!"O?2;(J $@>e$N5;=QE*LdBj$+$i!"$3$N:nIJ$O!"$H$F$b?@7Pfoolish$@!I$G$O$J$$!K%W%m%H%%!<%k%9$N%5%&%s%I%(%s%8%K(J $@%"$K$h$C$F!"DK!9$7$$$J$,$i$b$h$&$d$/0l$D$K@\$.9g$o$5$l$J$1$l$P$J$i$J$+$C$?!#(J

Maybe I've been foolish to express my love to you
Cause maybe your so satisfied with what life's given you.
And maybe all those other guys say what you want to hear
Well I don't know, but I can't seem to think straight when your near.

CHORUS:
I'm being foolish, for saying these words to you
Foolish, but maybe you'll find it's true that I love you 

Well, maybe I'm too early, or maybe I'm too late,
But I feel that now's the time, no time to hesitate.

RePEAT CHORUS:

Solo

I only want the here and now and I want now with you.
So say you'll be my everything or you'll be foolish too.

RePEAT CHORUS (2x)

(It might not be so foolish) ...that I love you (3x)

Story: It was this song which broke a nearly 10-month case of writers block which mr christopher had suffered in much of 2001, thus ushering in the slew of new songs written for this CD. This song was also originally recorded during the January 2003 Florida recording sessions with Brad and Tim, but didn't survive the technical disaster that almost took "Foolish". 

Using a video of the original Florida session as a guide, mrC and Gaku re-recorded this atmospheric Bosa Nova ballad. (Bosa Nova being a new genre interest for mr christopher since he discovered "Churrasco" (Brazilian BBQ) ...in, that famous Brazilian city... uh, ...Tokyo.) 

Re-recording started June 12, 2003 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan: BASS: Gaku VOX/GTRS/DRUMS: MrC 

y@U HANDLED iT S@ BEAUTiFULLY$@!J%f!
(c) mr christopher November-December 12, 2001

I wrote to reveal
The love I'd concealed for long enough.
(It said) You have the face
That I could embrace
Forever more

CHORUS:
You handled it so beautifully
You handled it so well.
You handled it so beautifully
You handled it so well.

You have the grace
To gently displace
Pain from love ignored 
You have the power
to simply devour
My thoughts hour after hour

RePEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE:
One look at you, could make a fire start
Only a fool could think he'd win your heart
But you were so kind 
When I was so blind
You helped my heart be still.

RePEAT CHORUS (2x)

Story: Back in February 95, after trekking across China and Tibet for 2 months, mrC was recovering in Hong Kong (still a British colony at the time) from a mysterious illness which doctors were unable to diagnose. As the symptoms subsided and appeared non-life-threatening, mrC decided to head back into mainland China where he would continue teaching and writing the music which would be come the first OBViOUS CD 3 years later. He arranged to be taken on an overnight ferry from Hong Kong to Guanzhou where he would catch a plane back to Jinan, China. 

 Somewhere in the middle of the night on that cold ferry, mrC had a melody enter his head which became the chorus you now hear in this song. "I remember making myself repeat it over and over in my head to remember it as I had no tape recorder or paper write it down on. Back in China in March 95, I managed to make a pretty elaborate demo recording." 

 Passed up for inclusion on the 1997 "The OBViOUS I" CD, due to the more "pop direction" of that album... it was nearly forgotten...until now.

Recording started April 25, 2003 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan: BASS: Gaku VOX/GTRS/DRUMS: MrC

y@U GET L@VE$@!J%f!
(c) mr christopher February 26- March, 1995 

$@J*8l!'(J1995$@G/#27n!"Cf9q$H%A%Y%C%H2#CG$NN9$N8e!"(Jmr christopher$@$O!JEv;~$^$@%$%.%j%9$NE}<#2<$K$"$C$?!K9a9A$G0e;U$b860x$rFM$-;_$a$i$l$LFf$NIB$+$i2sI|$7$D$D$"$C$?!#>I>u$,<#$^$C$F@8L?$K4m81(J $@$,$J$$$H$o$+$j!"(Jmr christopher$@$OCf9qK\EZ$X8~$1$F0z$-JV$7$?!#1Q8l650i$H:n6J3hF0$rB3$1$k$?$a$@$C$?!#$=$N3Z6J$O#3G/8e(JOBViOUS$@:G=i$N(JCD$@$H$J$C$?!#Lk9T%U%'%j!<$G9a9A$+$i9-=#$XEO$j!"(J $@$=$3$+$iCf9q$N%8%s%J%s$XHt9T5!$GLa$kM=Dj$@$C$?!#$=$N??LkCf$N$3$H!"4($$%U%'%j!<$NCf$G(Jmr christopher$@$NF,$KFMA3%a%m%G%#!<$,F~$j9~$s$G$-$?!#$=$l$,$3$N6J$N%5%S$NItJ,$K$J$C$?!#!X2?EY$b2?EY$bF,$NCf$G7+$jJV$7$F$$$?$h!"K:$l$J$$$h(J $@$&$K$M!#O?2;$9$k5!:`$b=q$-N1$a$k;f$b;}$C$F$J$+$C$?$+$i!#(J95$@G/$N#37n$KCf9q$G$+$J$jG0$NF~$C$?%G%b$rO?2;$7(J $@$?$h!#!Y!!(J1997$@G/$N(JCD$@!X(JThe OBViOUS I$@!Y$X$N<}O?$O8+Aw$i$l$?!#%"%k%P%`$r$h$j!H%]%C%W$JJ}8~!I$X8~$+$o$;$k$?$a$@!#:#$^$G$[$H$s$IK:$l5n$i$l$F$$$?!#(J

Recording started April 25, 2003 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan: BASS: Gaku VOX/GTRS/DRUMS: MrC

I can tell that your life is so sad and lonely
Yes it's true, we have much in common, don't we? Yeah.
So let's not treat each other coldly

I can see your having your own suspicions
You're afraid to act by our own admissions, yeah
Can't you see there's favorable conditions

CHORUS:
What do you get? 
Just add it up now. 
Just put it together.
You get Love!
What do you get? 
Just add it up now. 
Just put it together.
You get Love!

Well you know, predictions are for politicians
And you know, high math is for mathematicians, yeah
Oh, but I ask you, not as a statistician

RePEAT CHORUS

You get love
You get love
What do you get?
You get love!

[solo]

Satisfied to live a life of self-denial
Your afraid to give an inch, and lose a mile
Still when I look at you I see you smile

RePEAT CHORUS

What do you get - (Just add it up now)
What do you get - (Put it together)
What do you get 
You get love!

You get love (4x)

What do you get? 
You get love! (2x)

A fantasy song of irony, isolation and insecurity, and salvation in one the biggest and busiest train station in  the world, Shinjuku Station, Tokyo. Here's a collection of the random thoughts hatched racing up the station escalator.

Recording started January 5, 2002 in Palm Bay, Florida, USA: BASS: Brad DRUMS: Tim VOX/GTRS/SHAMISEN: MrC
 
 

kiM@N@ iN A SUBARU$@!J%-%b%N!&%$(J $@%s!&%"!&%9%P%k!K(J
(c) mr christopher Music written January/February 2001 Lyrics finished may 2003

$@HiFy!"8IFH$=$7$FIT0B$K$D$$$F$N88A[$N2N!#$=$7(J $@$F@$3&0lBg$-$/?M$NB?$$E4F;1X$N0l$D$G$"$kEl5~!&?7=I1X$G$N5_:Q!#1X$N%(%9%+%l!<%?!<$r6%$&$h$&$K>:$k$J$+$G@8$^$l$?MM!9$J;W$$$N=8Bg@.$@!#(J

Recording started January 5, 2002 in Palm Bay, Florida, USA: BASS: Brad DRUMS: Tim VOX/GTRS/SHAMISEN: MrC

I'm sitting here in Shinjuku station, and I've just gotta to know
Are all these people headed for somewhere
And I've just missed the show?

Never gonna know 
I certainly don't know
Why I'm even in this place again.

My train arrives at Shinjuku stations but no one says a word.
Is yakatori with the Kano Sisters a day dream so absurd?

Possibilities abound 
The honking traffic sounds
My head is spinning round again.

CHORUS:
Kimono In A Subaru
Kimono In A Subaru

Many run though Shinjuku stations but I've got lots of time
The slower you walk up the escalator the less steps you must climb
Whose it gonna be? 
Whom I gonna see ...waiting at the gate for me?

RePEAT CHORUS

The lights go down in Shinjuku station, and I've nowhere to go
Should I just try hitch-hikin' to somewhere..
With someone I don't know?

Many stops from home 
And I'll never know, if I'm gonna find my way back there again.

RePEAT CHORUS

Kimono In A Subarau
Kimono In A Subarau

Story from mr christopher: "I instantly fell in love with this song after hearing it performed by David Lee Roth during a series of radio shows streamed over the internet in spring 2002.  Not being on an album, I emailed the DLR Band drummer, Ray Luzier, who informed me that it wasn't a DLR original." It turns out that "When its Love Time" was an old blues tune written by Sonny Terry (1911-1986) and Brownie McGhee (1915-1996). 

 "The OBViOUS immediately planned to recording "Love Time", keeping close to the DLR vocal interpretation, (including his occasionally improvised lyrics), beefing it up a bit musically and pushing the madness a bit further. For Japanese fans, there's a bit of "Nihongo word play" and even a tongue-in-cheek, apocalyptic Japanese pick-up line!?! Lots of fun all around! By the enthusiastic vocal, you'd have almost suspected someone was "in love" (strangely, that wasn't the case ...this time.) Somebody hit me!"

Recording started September 20, 2002 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan: BASS: Gaku DRUMS: TakashiBGVOX: Hassy "ROKUBUTE" CHORUS: Junko, Hassy, Mitz-chan, MrC, Tomoizm Special "Nihongo help" thanks : Steven B & his pink notebook. VOX/GTRS/HORN ARRANGEMENT: MrC
 

wHEN iT'S L@VE TiME$@!J%[%'%s!&(J $@%$%C%D!&%i%V!&%?%$%`!K(J
(c) Terry/McGhee

mr christopher$@$NCLOC!'!X$3$N6J$O!"(J2002$@G/$N=U$K%$%s%?!<%M%C%HG[?.$5$l$?%G%$%V!&(J $@%j!Ray Luzier$@$K%a!<%k$9$k$H!"$3$l$O%G%$%V!&%j!Sonny Terry (1911-1986)$@$H(JBrownie McGhee (1915-1996)$@$K$h$C$F=q$+$l$?!X(JWhen its Love Time$@!Y$H$$$&8E$$%V%k!<%9$@$C$?!#!X(JThe OBViOUS$@$OD>$A$K(J"Love Time"$@$rO?2;$9$k$3$H$K7h$a$?$h!"%G%$%V!&%j!/$7(J $@FyIU$1$r$7$F!"685$$r99$K$$$C$A$c$C$?46$8$K$7$?!#F|K\?M$ND0=0$N$?$a$KF|K\8l$N8@MUM7$S$bF~$l$F$_$?!#$U$6$1$?!"M=8@E*$JF|K\8l$N%;%j%U$b$M!*3Z$7$+$C(J $@$?$h!#G.68E*$J%\!<%+%k$rJ9$$$F!"C/$+$,!H0&$79g$C$F$k!I:GCf$N$h$&$KJ9$3$($?$+$b$M!#4qL/$J;v$K!"$=$&$8$c$J$+$C$?(J...$@:#2s$O$M!#$"!+!A!"C/$+KM$r2%$C$F$/$l!*!Y(J

Recording started September 20, 2002 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan: BASS: Gaku DRUMS: TakashiBGVOX: Hassy "ROKUBUTE" CHORUS: Junko, Hassy, Mitz-chan, MrC, Tomoizm Special "Nihongo help" thanks : Steven B & his pink notebook. VOX/GTRS/HORN ARRANGEMENT: MrC

I'm in love baby ...it's love time!

When it's love time
Feel alone in the dark
Don't let it rain
Feel alone at night
Don't look at me that way
Cause I'm feeling good ...I knew I would, cause it's love time

(Let me say it one more time.)

When it's love time
I'm a little dog in a box
It's mighty lonesome
Feel alone in the dark ...just thinkin' of you
That'll be night and day 
Hey baby you blow me away
It's love time

Sure has got the blues and the hard times
24 hours a day
To have you and hold your right here in my arms
Hey baby you blow me away

When It's love time
I'm a little dog in a box
It's mighty lonesome
Take a walk with me in the park
I'm your action figure
Hey baby you blow me away

SOLO

Tebukuro wo hontai kara yomu to?
RoKuBuTe!!!!!!

Sure has got the blues and the hard times
24 hours a day
To have you and hold your right here in my arms
Knock my blues away

See it's love time
I'm a little dog in a box
It's mighty lonesome
Kept alone in the dark
Look at me again that way
You'll raise the sun everyday you OBViOUS-ly blow me away 

... It's love time.

Ashita moshi kashi tara kita chousen ga tokyo ni genbaku wo otosu kamo shirenai kara kyou wa oreto issho ni sugoshite kurenai ...de dou?

Story: First this little pop-punk tune was first called "Oh Please!". Then it was "Hair Spray." Then finally back to "Oh Please!". mrC: "Me indecisive? I'm not so sure about that! I do recall it was written about those moody, temperamental, manipulative women whom men occasionally find themselves attached to ...uh, ...so I've heard."

Recording started October 18, 2002 in Warabi, Saitama, Japan: BASS: Gaku DRUMS: Takashi  "bad, bad, Shibuya girl"VOX: Hassy VOX/GTRS: MrC
 
 

@H PLEASE!$@!J%*!
(c) mr christopher September-November, 2002 Final title decided February 11, May 30, 2003 

I'm tired of all the things you do
Those little games you've put me through
I'll never play, still you won't let me be

Your confident, but insecure
Magnanimous like fishing lure
You tempt with words, but through it I see...
 
CHORUS:
Oh please, say that you'll forget about me girl.
Oh please, say you'll stop your crying 
Cause I don't want to hear it, no more
Oh please, please me by just trying, 
To get me out of your mind.

I'm tired of all the things you said,
And all the ways I've been misled
Demanding more, and more, and more from me

Your plastic words ring too loud
A clanging bell heard from downtown
Shallow thoughts so meaningless to me 

RePEAT CHORUS

*SOLO*

Your jealousy perpetuates
The need for me to terminate
The ties that bind little old you with me

So now I stand here all alone
But you're still waiting by the phone
You still expect to get a call from me.

RePEAT CHORUS

Oh Please! (4x)
 

Story from mr Christopher:  "This song happened to write it's self during a 15-minute walk though a high-rise apartment district from Shibuya back to my apartment in Harajuku, after being ignored by a love interest at a party (this time a lovely hotel receptionist ...but that's another story and another song). While walking, I distracted and amused myself  with this song idea of someone falling in love with a person they see while looking down from one of these high-rise apartment balconies. Kind of like the Rapunzel fairy tale in reverse. I now have the solace that the evening's original frustration was destined to be the inspiration for The OBViOUS' biggest selling single yet!" ;-)

Recording started October 25, 2002 in Harajuku, Tokyo - Japan: BASS: Gaku DRUMS: Takashi
VOX/GTRS/ORCHESTRA SAMPLERS: MrC
 

fR@M MY BALC@NY$@!J%U%m%`!&%^(J $@%$!&%P%k%3%K!
(c) mr christopher January 30, 2002 -11:45PM 

From my balcony, I watch as you walk by,
I see your smile, and feel it's warmth 
Like sunshine from the sky.

From my balcony, I start to question why,
I stay up here, while you're below
If only I could fly

... I would swoop right down and pick you up
I'd bring you up so high
And show you all that I can see
Up here near the sky... 

On my balcony, we'd watch the world go by,
A lonely place, much warmer now
With you here by my side

...on my balcony.

Story from mr christopher:  "After setting up a 20 year reunion with my high school rock band ("The Amoebas") for January 2003, I was inspired to re-record a funk version of my favorite DOORS song which we used to cover way back when. "

 "I usually find I like songs written by guitarists and this was another great song written by a great guitarist from a great band. Interestingly enough, I don't think Takashi or Gaku (both in their early 20s!) knew The DOORS or the song we were recording at the time."

Recording started October 4, 2002 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan: BASS: BASS: Gaku DRUMS: Takashi VOX/GTRS: MrC
 

LiGHT MY FiRE$@!J%O!<%H$K2P(J $@$r$D$1$F!K(J
(c) Robby Krieger 1967

mr christopher$@$NCLOC!'!X(J2003$@G/(J1$@7n!"9b9;;~Be$N%P%s%I(J($@%8!&%"%a!<%P%:(J)$@$N(J20$@G/?6$j$N:F7k@.$NMQ0U$r=*$($?8e!"Ev;v%+%P!<$7(J $@$F$$$?%I%"!<%:$N$*5$$KF~$j$N6J$r%U%!%s%/!&%P!<%8%g%s$GO?2;$7$F$_$h$&$H;W$C$?$s$@!#%.%?%j%9%H$N:n$C$?6J$r5$$KF~$k;v$,B?$$$s$@$1$I!"$3$l$b$^$?0NBg(J $@$J%P%s%I$N0NBg$J%.%?%j%9%H$N:nIJ$@!#LLGr$$;v$K!"%?%+%7$b%,%/$b!JFs?M$H$b(J20$@BeA0H>$J$s$@!*!K$3$l$rO?2;$7$F$$$?;~$O%I%"!<(J $@%:$b$3$N6J$bCN$i$J$+$C$?$s$@$h!#!Y(J

Recording started October 4, 2002 in Warabi City, Saitama-Japan: BASS: BASS: Gaku DRUMS: Takashi VOX/GTRS: MrC 

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

CHORUS:
Come on baby, light my fire
Come on baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

RePEAT CHORUS

SOLO

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

RePEAT CHORUS

Try to set the night on fire (3x)

Based on lyrics by Tim Meins written 12/31/01 3:09 am called "MiND BOXER"

Story from mr christopher: "During the OBViOUS recording sessions in January 2002 (for "When I'm 64" , "Kimono In A Subaru", and "Another Day, Another Dollar") the band broke into this Police-ish groove a few times in between takes. I secretly made sure assistant engineer Marshall kept tape rolling." 

During the sessions, Tim emailed me to offer me some new words he had just written as potential lyrics. I filed his rhythmic poem (called "Mind Boxer") before flying back to Tokyo. Both the instrumental track and his lyrics were temporarily forgotten. 

About a year later, I discovered the tracks and did some digital editing and compiled a complete track from the various instrumental takes. Again, forgot about it. 

Sometime in Spring of 2002 I wrote a repetitive trance thing called "I Don't Know What To Do". Seeing as I didn't know what to do, I forgot about it. Finally in 2003, all parts surfaced, morphed together and became "Mind Boxer" the song! What does it mean? I have no idea.

Recording started January 5, 2002 in Palm Bay, Florida, USA: BASS: Brad DRUMS: Tim Melodic noise wah: toMoiZm VOX/GTRS: 
MrC 
 

miND B@XER$@!J%^%$%s%I!&(J $@%\%/%5!
Music (c) mr christopher 2002 Lyrics (c) mr christopher/Tim Meins 2002

I sense the nerve of pleasure ringing
Tightened muscles my throat is singing
I taste the sting of liquid power
Choking madly by the hour

Tunnel lights and filtered colors
Purple haze and fired clay
Off the fence the earth is turning
Spun around, the tropic day

CHORUS:
I don't know what to do (2x)

Taco days, Midnight plaza
I$@Õ(Jve been runnin and running far
Turn your head and cough your vomit
Punch the dark you starving comet

RePEAT CHORUS

SOLO

RePEAT CHORUS

Off the ropes to bend your mind
Corporate trash stealing blind
I$@Õ(Jm a mind boxer in the street
My dancing moves, my rhythmic feet 

Tunnel lights and filtered colors
Purple haze and fired clay
Off the fence the earth is turning
Spun around, the tropic day

RePEAT CHORUS (4x)

Story: Ironically written in an empty classroom , this song was lyrically inspired by preparations for a trip to Kyoto, a Japanese garden seen in a photo book, and a Japan Airlines flight attendant. It's about the space around and between us, and any room that you're within.

Recording started Feburary 19,  2003 in Warabi, Saitama, Japan: BASS: Gaku VOX/GTRS/DRUMS: MrC 
 

aNY R@@M THAT Y@U'RE WiTHiN$@!J%"%K!
(c) mr christopher February 9, 2003

$@J*8l!'HiFy$J$3$H$K!"6u$C$]$N65<<$G=q$+$l$?(J $@6J!#5~ETN99T$N=`HwCf$K!"

Recording started Feburary 19,  2003 in Warabi, Saitama, Japan: BASS: Gaku VOX/GTRS/DRUMS: MrC

Some rooms are vast 
Some rooms are wide 
Some rooms call you to come inside 
Rooms so warm and friendly seem 
Rooms criss-crossed with wooden beams

CHORUS:
But any room would have a view 
When inhabited by you. 
Four walls that I$@Õ(Jd be happy in 
Is any room that you$@Õ(Jre within

Some rooms quite small 
Some rooms so grand 
So many kinds across the land 
Rooms lit lightly, though just enough 
Rooms not too full of too much stuff

RePEAT CHORUS

BRiDGE: 
There's a place so deep inside
A vacancy to fill 
Please take the keys, unlock the door
A window's open still

Some rooms to eat 
Some rooms to lie 
Rooms to laugh or sit and cry 
Rooms with doors to shut things out 
Rooms with windows to look out

RePEAT CHORUS

Story from mr christopher: "A gift to my father (also a Beatles fan) for his 64th birthday. A straight reading precedes an obviously "OBViOUS-ized" funk interpretation which initially proved challenging for Tim and I  during the 'basic track' sessions in Florida. Fortunately Bradley pulled us all through. Hew, an Irish clarinetist, miraculously appeared on cue a few months later in Tokyo for the finishing touches before arriving on time in my father's in-box as a birthday 
mp3."

Recording started January 9, 2002 in Palm Bay, Florida, USA: BASS: Brad DRUMS: Tim CLARiNET: Hew
VOX/GTRS: MrC

wHEN i'M SiXTY-F@UR$@!J%[%'%s!&%"(J $@%$%`!&%7%/%9%F%#!
(c) Lennon/McCartney 1967

When I get older losing my hair many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine,
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I'd been out till quarter to three would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?

Oh, you'll be older too - Ah
And if you say the word, I could stay with you

I could be handy mending a fuse when your lights have gone
You can knit a sweater by the fireside,
Sunday mornings, go for a ride
Doing the garden, digging the weeds, who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?

Every summer we could rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight,
If it's not too dear
We shall scrimp and save, grandchildren at your knees,
Mei-Ling, Brad, and Tim. (...who?)

Send me a postcard, drop me a line stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say,
Yours sincerely, wasting away
Give me an answer, fill in a form, mine forevermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?

(This is the end of the song When I'm 64... ....yeah right!)
 

Story from mr christopher: "This was written my first month living in Japan and stored in my head until first recorded 11 months later in Florida. This is quite a bitter song (partially attributed to jet lag, alluded to by it's jagged time changes) about being forced to live a way you didn't choose. It's about office politics, pressure, divorce, bureaucracy, isolation, addiction, tedious routine, and fatigue in the big city. It's about the world becoming all the things you always said would never be once you grew up." 

"Not being one to dwell (at least for very long) in all the negativity, love is portrayed as the light at the end of the tunnel that pulls you through and somehow gives life meaning. As Jeff Bridges said in the movie 'Fearless', 'Follow me to the light!'"

Recording started January 5, 2002 in Palm Bay, Florida, USA: BASS: Brad DRUMS: Tim VOX/GTRS: MrC
 
 

aN@THER DAY, AN@THER D@LLAR$@!J%"%J%6!
(c) mr christopher Music written January/February 2001 - Lyrics finalized May 2003 

I'm getting tired of hanging around
Looking for something
I'm getting tired of waiting around
Looking for something

And I can't live without your love.
yes I can't live without your love

Love...

CHORUS:
Everyday, another dollar, another day
Everyday, another dollar, another day

I'm getting tired of pushing so hard
To try to move something
I often think I've played my last card
That would be something

And I can't live without your love.
yes I can't live without your love

Love...

RePEAT CHORUS.

They often say that ign'rance is bliss.
Whatever that means
Couldn't mean more than taking a piss
Into a cold stream

Still I can't live without your love.
yes I can't live without your love

Love...

RePEAT CHORUS.