FRANK LAZARUS
​
singer. songwriter. producer. musician.
FRANK LAZARUS - THE GRAND DESIGN
Recorded @ Music Room Studio, November, 2008.
Remixed @ Horsehead Studio, Summer 2013.
Produced, engineered & mixed by Frank Lazarus
All songs written by Frank Lazarus, © 2008 FreeEarthMusic, BMI.
THE GRAND DESIGN is Frank Lazarus' seventh solo album and his most impressive to date, combining his folk/blues roots with his soul upbringing and his pop sensibilities. The result is an album that has the sonic punch of some of the 1990's great pop albums with the emotional slant of the early singer-songwriter movement.
"This album is really an extension of Exhaust, only it's more introspective," he said. "I'm about to be a father, and I'm still coming to terms with how much - if any, at all - of me I'm going to lose in the process. These sorts of questions just naturally led me, musically, down the path of the stuff I first listened to when I started writing music: James Taylor, John Lennon, Neil Yonng and those guys. That's what I was going for on this album.
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The album was remixed and re-released in the Summer of 2013, reflecting just how important these songs are to Lazarus.
​
"I rushed it," said Schiazza. "I didn't take the time to mix and master it properly, and it suffered as a result. It was a shame, too, because the songs on that record are some of my best without question. That's why I'm so excited to get it out now, because I think this record is a thread that connects a lot of my work. It's almost like a missing piece of the story that I am glad to finally be getting out there."
FRANK LAZARUS - THE GRAND DESIGN (2009)
(All lyrics by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 FreeEarthMusic, BMI.)
01 - ​LIVING ON A BRIDGE
Here I sit at my piano, man
Gearing up to walk way again
Nothing set in stone, nothing planned
Oh, girl, that's just the way I am
I try and gio to bed early every night
Figure it'll make my days go right
But I get sidetracjked by excess and sin
Oh, girl, that's just the man I am
I fight myself and all this beauty I holsd
Put on a jacket, but I still feel cold
There's nothing worse than being too tired to win
But, girl, that's just the man I am
I'm living on a bridge
Worth nothing more than just some things I did
Smiling like a kid
'Cause, pretty soon, you know I'm going to jump in
I'm not in Brooklyn anymore
I've got a real house now - one side and two back doors
I stretch myself out over three floors
I do a whole lot less living and a whole lot more chores
I'm not in high school anymore
I've got a real job now at a place I can't stand to be no mroe
And a woman waiting at my door
Wearing a smile and a ring I worked three weeks to pay for
Nothing is the same as it was
No one told me change was more loss than gain
No, nothing is the same, so I'm living on a bridge...
The avenue has all chaged
They put another nail salon where they used to have the NY Coffee Exchange
The crowds are younger and so vain
It's like no one ever heard of a flannel and a pair of old, ripped jeans
I heard that Socco moved away
Mikey quit Burlap and opened up his very own buffet
Johnny got a new wallet chain
But no one ever sees it cuz they've got him working 12 hour days
Tia quit her job at the bar
Jen cut her hair and she washed the green out
Cindy wasn't raped after all
It was just a phase, it's always just a phase...
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
04 - CAN I SIT NEXT TO YOU
I know I look like every other man on this train
but that's because you're not reading between the lines on my face
You look like someone I could have loved long ago
and you would have loved me back, I just know
I know I'm old, broken by age
torn apart and and worn down by rage
but I only ask for a minute or two
oh, little baby, can I sit next to you?
I might have a child, I might have a wife
and you might be living a wonderful life
but all the same, we're both afraid
you, of where you're going - me, of where I've stayed
no, this doesn't have to carry on
I can only give you one little thing you want
but giving it to you is all I wanna do
oh, little baby, can I sit next to you?
you and I aren't one and the same
you're no angel, and I'm certainly no saint
you're just a woman, or one soon to be
I've turned to the sear, to the yellow leaf
I se now, you're too young to understand
and scaring you off wasn't my intent
so I'll sit and wait 'til the crack of doom
oh, little baby, just to sit next to you
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
06 - LOVE IS A RIVER
I can pull love from the mid-Autumn air
I'd rub it all around you, if you only dared
to let me in, close enough to touch
I'd keep you, baby, right by my side
with nothing, except maybe this one thing to hide
It'd only be sin if it didn't mean so much
But love is a river, flowing endlessly
Love is a river, flowing towards you and me
Ever since you found me in the corner of that room
It's like everything around me came into bloom
You bring pleasure, not pain - when you get close enough
I know I'm the one whose wearing that heavy chain
But it's not like we haven't already sat through some rain
It might seem a little strange, but it means so much
Love is a river, where we can swim free
Love is a river, always within reach
I promise I'll remember where we left our clothes
Somewhere in the corner, where no one knows
I just want to be close enough to touch
No, I don't mean your new jacket, or bow-ties and scarves
I wanna work my past it, underneath it all
To what only you see - yeah, it means that much
Because love is a river connecting two bodies
Love is a river, walk on down with me...
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
08 - LOVELY BRIDE
You'll make a lovely bride, someday, for someone
A lovely bride, baby, you'll see
A lovely bride, someday for someone
But that someday ain't now, and that someone ain't me
Here we are again - our favorite Stabucks
One half-caf, one iced passion tea
Feels like old times, but times are changing
The way it was ain't the way it'll be
You can keep the chain and you keep the poems
You can read them when you're alone
If it helps you move on
Nod your head, so I know you heard me
Take my hand for one last time
We've said it before, but this time is different
No more "see you later," baby - this is goodbye
You can keep the toys and you can keep the songs
You can listen when the nights are long
If it helps you move on...
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
11 - LOVE, LOVE
Left my clothes and good sense in a bin by the door
it was cold and I could feel every botch on the floor
impossible for me to not want something more
seeing you standing there like that
I schooled you in the art of writing a song
you told me 'bout the times your love went wrong
we spoke about where we know we do and don't belong
all as the hours passed
But, baby, don't you see? (We just love love)
It ain't you and me (We just love love)
It won't ever be (We just love love)
It's where we always go
But, baby, I don't care (We just love love)
At least it's something we share (We just love love)
At least it's fair (We just love love)
And it's so fine to know that I won't be there alone (We just love love)
Your freckled face is as gray as a ghost
You spoke and spoke, and I listened almost
Kept thinking about how I wanted you the most
Even though we just met
But that hasn't stopped me yet
If we were drunk, we'd be waking up with regrets
If you were real, I'd be calling off all bets
If this was love, I'd make sure all our boundaries were set
But who am I kidding?
You and I, we just keep on swimming...
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
13 - THAT SONG FROM A DREAM
Spent all night thumbing through books long since dusted closed
Only to wake up an hour late with an upset stomache & a heavy soul
I know I'm just gonna muddle through, 'til I can fill in the in betweens
Yeah, I just want to remember that song from a dream
I ain't the same kind of working man as those that came before
Up when 4 hit the little hand, home with scars, secrets and sores
Me, I stay up 'til the night has had enough of me
Trying to remember that song from a dream
Babies and fathers in sweet harmony
Trying to remember that song from a dream
Ghosts that haunt me and tickle my feet
Trying to remember that song from a dream
Dreams, they tell you something I guess you don't wanna know
'else they wouldn't wait 'til 4:00 am, with the lights down low
lucky me, I got me a woman, what understands me
herself trying to find that song from a dream
but that little woman ain't my darling wife
I try keep her on the other side - in waking life
No, I position myself at night so only this woman can see
Me fallin' as I dance to that song from a dream
She'll write the words, me the melody
come up with our own song from a dream
Pale-skinned women who won't let me sleep
Trying to remember that song from a dream
Breathing so hard I can barely breathe
Trying to remember that song from a dream
Seeing her soul right there through her teeth
Trying to remember that song from a dream
Spilling my guts out, tactfully
Trying to remember that song from a dream
Asking enough to get the answers I need
Trying to remember that song from a dream
I'll tell you, baby, if you tell me
Trying to remember that song from a dream
I'd pick you out in a pile of leaves
Trying to remember that song from a dream
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
02 - HAPPY IS HARD TO BE
Rollin' 'round in the grass, just wiping off the sweat
I may never get another chance, so I'll take what I can get
Trying hard not to touch, passing stares and sharing beer
I really love it so much, I could die right here
but then the sun starts to set as I'm sinking down low
I'm not ready to go just yet, but you say it's time to go home
and I look up and you're gone
yeah, I've know it all along, but don't you take it from me
If you look hard enough, you'll see that happy is hard to be
I found myself a good job I could be proud of
I don't have to work all that hard, and it pays well enough
but every night before bed, when I iron my clothes
there's a voice in my head and a knot in my soul
even when something comes along, gives you reason to believe
it ebbs & flows like a song, then fades quietly - always such a tease
measure who you dreamed you'd one day be
against who you are now - you'll see that happy is hard to be
again, I made a messof it all - not for the first time
backed myself against a wall, so far from what's mine - I might stay here this time
I had money, I had love, but it did nothing for me
guess when push comes to shove, happy is hard to be
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
03 - IF YOU ALLOW
If life gave me every little thing I wanted
I'd have lovers piled up to bursting in my room
I'd have so many heartbroken ghosts, I'd be haunted
so I learned quick that wishing only brings doom
's why I've been working on a new system
of forgiving myself for the times I didn't follow through
but I have more broken dreams than I have space to list them
so I'm turning to you, the one that really came true
if my crying on your shoulder pains you
it'll all be over soon
I never told you thank you
I'll pay back what I owe you soon - if you allow me to
it's like night vision how things come into focus
if you stare long enough at what you don't understand
I'd been nightswimming in a pool that could only choke us
I see that now, so I'm reaching out my hand
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
05 - BIGGER AND BETTER
You're like the sequel to a Hollywood movie
Every time you come out I just run and see
I get all excited, but the joke's on me
I just leave broke and angry
But now I don't wanna get ahead of myself
But lately you've been looking like somebody else
Still, I can never mistake that smell
I know it all too well
Yeah, you've come back bigger and better this time
Maybe I'm feeding myself a line
But you've come back bigger and better this time
You added 6 inches in height and lost 3 on your waiste
When we stand up, we stand face to face
You stare at me and you don't look away
Even when I look back your way
Everything I say you say "Yeah, me too!"
Except for the things you want me to teach you
Of course I say "yes" 'cause there's nothing I won't do
To spend even one minute next to you
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
07 - LINDA, MAKE UP YOUR MIND
Yeah, you ruined Christmas again
and another winter's come and gone
You're no more sure than you've ever been
'bout what it is what you want
Everyone tells me I'm crazy
But they don't know you like I
It's so hard, but it's so easy
Linda, just make up your mind
I know I don't have to remind you
I know your memory works well
About all the times I walked the line for you
And picked you up when you fell
'course, that shouldn't be what you see in me
You should just love me for I
It's so hard, but it's so easy
Linda, just make up your mind
Linda, I've seen you at your best and worst
and I know, baby, what hurts the most
But I still want you all for my own
Baby, I can be the same for you
But first you've gotta come out of that room
Or at least call me on the phone - I'll be home
You're the only girl that's ever pleased me
That's why I'm just biding my time
It's so hard, but it's so easy
Linda, just make up your mind
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
09 - BREATHLESS
It was the same misty evening - same old hours falling away
Same old lapse in believing I could be what I say
Still, when I took you home, I didn't want to leave
When I'm say I'm breathless, that just means I can't breathe
Baby, you speak of rainclouds - but how am I to trust
That all this rain falling down is meant for us?
Still, I'll leave this door open just a crack so you'll see
That when I say I'm breathless, that just means I can't breathe
Hearts are going to break
(Take this from me)
Walls are going to shake, but I'll stay away
(Whisper in the morning)
It might all be a mistake, but I'll stay awake
All alone in a bedroom, how'd it all come to this?
One more chance just to touch you 'fore you fade into mist.
But if my hand is cold in yours, it won't always be
When I say I'm breathless, that just means I can't breathe
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
10 - WHEN SHE'S READY FOR ME
It's no fun to sit working on a beer
With friends on both sides chirping in your ear
Telling you that you made a big mistake
And you're gonna live with it for the rest of your days
Well so be it, you can't buck the tide
You can try to fight it, but it's easier to ride
And I wanna see everything I can in this sea
And tell her all about it when she's ready for me
Some years ago, I'd have been too weak
And hopped the first train that stopped for me
But now I lay back and let it all pass by
Trying to find myself in this big old sky
Well so be it - some things you can't explain
Like why a certain woman makes you feel like a man
Like a certain man you always wanted to be
The one I want to be when she's ready for me
She is just a woman, still water I stand over
To see things in me I can't otherwise see
So even if a frog jumps in, SPLASH!
And the waves start to crash
This bank is where I want to be
Some days you wake up to a brand new day
But everything around you feels the same
It's easy to resort to muscle memory
But easly only leaves you in the same routine
Well, so be it - bring on the change
Apologies in advance for what's left in my wake
But I can only be the man I'm supposed to be
The one I wanna be when she's ready for me
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.
12 - MAMA, DADDY & BABY
This baby in my arms, it's got my eyes and smile
If I don't keep him warm, he won't last the while
How's that for pressure? It's why we grow old
Ain't no way to measure, how heavy, this thing we hold
I see my sweet little baby, standing over yon
Everything's what she gave me, but this baby in my arms
Don't worry, big mama, you ain't left behind
I'll come back your way if I ever find the time
I used to call you mama, 'cuz you loved me so tender
Even when I don't wanna, sometimes I can't help but remember
Cuz, if not for the words we whispered that still tickle my ear
The memory of how hard I once kissed her would've washed away in a tear
You used to call me daddy, when I called you across the room
Made me so happy, then... makes me happy now, too
But if not for the pictures we took and the songs we'd sing
The memory of how I kissed her could look like the melted snow of spring
We used to say baby, cuz it rolled on and off our tongues
We'd run off to where it was shady and stare at the sun
But if not for the way my skin blistered against her skin so warm
The memory of the white hot ways I kissed her would've passed like a storm
​
Written by Frank Schiazza, © 2008 Free Earth Music, BMI.
Released on THE GRAND DESIGN, 2009 Vital Records.