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jimmyflemion · 3 months ago

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“Racially Mine”

The Frogs

"It's about time you found out the truth" is the opening line off of "Truth", the opening track of our 5th LP, "Racially Yours". The album was released on July 14, 2000 and the lucky ones to get a copy of this CD first received them on tour in Canada before they appeared in the stores. This was the same tour where our CD's were confiscated at the Canadian border and our paths crossed with Mike Myers at the pizza parlor on the corner near the El Mocambo in Toronto. The album "Racially Yours" was ready for release in 1993 as the follow up to "It's Only Right And Natural", but record companies were jealous of the sheer beauty of the disc and the world was to wait patiently for 7 years. Well worth the wait, it is an emotional record that takes the listener on a journey of sheer sonic joy. With the record being recorded at home on a 4 track recorder, Dennis once again does a superb production job, painting an aesthetic landscape of sound. The album was deemed too controversial. Go figure. We purposely put a sticker on the CD, "The most controversial album of all time". The album opened a dialogue for racial discussion and in the album's story line, the black man wins in the end. I myself was pointing out in my songs on the album, the different mindsets and hearts in all of us and that thoughts and feelings differ in the pre-enlightened ones. Btw whoever contributed 2 Wikipedia page writing that the album is as serious as it is satirical, alas has it all wrong. We don’t do “satire”. Dennis & I r songwriters. It is a lost art. “Racially Yours “ was 1 of 2 concept albums of ours, the other being “Damaged Goods / Sinned In Reverse”, the concept being completed single handedly. This album had been meant 2 b a concept as Dennis felt it an important message in early 1990’s climate. As each song was written Dennis would b guiding, having me read the John Howard Griffin book, “Black Like Me” influencing me 2 write, “White Like Me”. Thus this led me 2 take out books from the library on slavery 2 educate myself. These were their stories, their words, u begin 2 c life & people through a new set of eyes. When u look in2 someone’s eyes, u c their soul & that is all that matters. 2day 9/01/2024, I bring u “Racially Mine” digitally available everywhere far as the heart can c, Shepherd spiritually centered Spotify & the rest of the flock have followed accordingly.

“Racially Mine” contains 30 songs & is meant as a companion 2 “Racially Yours” & includes demos, out takes & has its own conceptual feel. With gratitude & thanx 2 Dennis wherever he may presently b, & 2 all of u listening 4 your continued support.

Love,

Jimmy

Song 1. In Blacks We Trust

Dennis & I were putting our stamp on this instrumental track on our reel 2 reel. 1 day we came home 2 find it broken in2 in broad daylight in the afternoon. What was stolen was Dennis’ “ARP 2600 synthesizer” & the “TEAC 3340s reel 2 reel tape recorder 1/4 in” with this recording on the reel. Jay Tiller happened 2 b working at “Record Head” a record store at the time when a customer was selling our “TEAC” 4 money. Short story long, we got the recorder back & completed this song. Song is detuned 2 B Major.

In Blacks We Trust

Jimmy Flemion : Backing Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Dennis Flemion: Backing Vocals

Written by Jimmy Flemion & Dennis Flemion 04/04/1991

Song 2. Truth (Demo)

The opening track was added to the album as it was thought to fit in with the material on the album. It was written on July 21, 1985 on piano in the living room and was considered for inclusion on our 1st LP, "The Frogs". There were 2 drafts before the final crafted lyrics and here they are as they used to say on "The Dating Game" :

Ist Draft

Instead of lying

Tell the truth

No point in trying

Yell the truth

Who were you with last night?

Who would you be with tonight?

If you weren't here

Forced to tell the truth

It always hurts at first

But in the end

Will do wonders for you

Never be afraid to tell the truth

2nd Draft

It's about time you found out the truth

I never did

I never will love you

You wouldn't know the truth

If it bit you on the ass

The truth's so far from you

And it's moving mighty fast

Find a mirror get a load of the truth

In order to love you

I'd need a stiff drink, preferably with vermouth

You wouldn't know the truth

If it bit you on the ass

7 years bad luck

Now you know the truth finally at last

Give it up

Wake up

Vanish

Here are the final lyrics on the "Racially Yours" CD :

It's about time you found out the truth

I never did

I never will love you

You wouldn't know the truth

If it bit you on the ass

The truth's so far from you

And it's movin' mighty fast

Find a mirror get a load of the truth

In order to love you

I'd need a stiff drink, preferably with vermouth

You wouldn't know the truth

If it bit you on the ass

The truth's so far from you

And it's movin' mighty fast

The truth, the truth

The truth, the truth, the truth

The truth, the truth

The chord progression that comes into play in the verses is : A Major /B Sus4 / B Major / B Sus2 / B Major / E Major / B Major / G b minor / B Sus4 / B Major / B Sus2 / B Major / D minor.

The track "truth," consists of myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and Dennis on keyboards, drums and backing vocals.

The song "Truth", is about a girl who had a super crush on me

Truth (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 07/21/1985

Song 3. Holidays 4 King (Demo)

The second song on the album "Racially Yours", is a song called "Holidays 4 King". The original title was "No More Holidays For King", and Dennis later shortened the title to "Holidays 4 King". It was written in the living room on piano on March 20, 1990. The lyrics read :

I will wear this chain and ball with pride

Still there will be no more holidays

No more holidays for King

Where is Lincoln when you need him?

He's not around

He's underground somewhere

I will shove this spade in the dirt with pride

Still there will be no more holidays

No more holidays for King

Where is Lincoln when you need him?

He's not around

He's underground somewhere

Still there will be no more holidays

No more holidays for King

The chord progression for the verse and chorus is : A Major / G b minor / A Major / G b minor / C Major / B (No 3rd) / F Major / E Major. The chord progression for the middle 8 is : D Major / D Major Augmented / D b minor / B minor / G b minor / E Major.

The song "Holidays 4 King" consists of myself on vocals, acoustic and bass guitar and Dennis on drums.

As with all songs they are open for interpretation, and since this album was not written in advance with a storyboard in mind as a concept album, I will offer one interpretation. Understand though, when I do write songs, I do not stop and edit and imagine and attatch different meanings to songs as I go along while I am writing them. Come to think of it, I have no interpretation. As The Moody Blues once sang, "I've said my peace and I leave it all up to you".

Holidays 4 King (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Piano

Written by Jimmy Flemion 03/20/1990

Song 4. Sorry I'm White (Demo)

The 3rd song on "Racially Yours", is the song "Sorry I'm White". The original title was "I'm Sorry That I'm White". It was written on November 18, 1990. Here the lyrics tell the delicate tale :

Some were left in the sun too long

And some got too much shade

"My forefathers are not me", I said

I'm sorry, sorry so sorry that I'm White

I'm sorry, sorry

I don't want to fight tonight

All this gold that you flash about

I'm not that envious

And if I dropped my drawers, you'd win

I'm sorry, sorry so sorry that I'm white

I'm sorry, sorry

I don't want to fight

(How can light beat the night?)

'Cause light will beat the night

No I don't want to fight

I'm sorry, sorry so sorry that I'm white

The chord progression for "Sorry I'm White" is : A Major / A Sus2 / A Sus4 / A Major / A Sus2 / A Major / B minor / A Major / E Major / A Major / D b minor / D Major / D Sus2 / D Major / A Major (D b in Bass) / D Major / A Major (D b in Bass) / B minor / E Major / A Major / A Sus2 / A Sus4 / A Major / A Sus2 / A Major / D Major / A Major (D b in Bass) / D Major / A Major (D b in Bass) / G Major / G b minor / A Major.

The track "Sorry I'm White", consists of myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and Dennis on keyboards and drums.

Am I sorry I'm white? No. Sometime before my present birth, I agreed to this look. As Popeye once told me, "I am what I am". Reverse racism does exist, last time I checked. To quote the spiritual Beatle, "It doesn't really matter what clothes I wear, or how I fare, or if my hair is brown". My favorite song with sorry in its title is, "Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word" by Elton John (a.k.a. Reginald Dwight). The emotional beauty of the song is spellbinding. "Madman Across The Water " by Elton John was one of the first albums I ever bought in 1971. There was a tape that no longer exists of me singing "Tiny Dancer" off of that album back then when I was 11. The singing or talking as it sounded like, was one of my first vocals recorded on tape and was by all accounts flat on every note attempted. Between 1971 and 1975, I bought all of Elton's albums (except "Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player") up until and including "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy". I think he is underrated as one of the best songwriters ever. For Elton to be able to work off the page and poems of Bernie Taupin and to interpret and put all the meaning and feeling of his music and melodies in his songs to make them come to life is an amazing feat.

Sorry I’m White (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 11/18/1990

Song 5. White Guy (Demo)

the next song up on that non-controversial lp is/was entitled "white guy" aka "i killed 'em white guy." the song was written on piano by me (Dennis) in the summer of '84. originally intended as a diatribe against the white man for all the injustices and cruelties inflicted upon the native american indian-- it was later added to the album "racially yours" song cycle because i felt it fit in- that's what she said. the beauty and majesty of the song is evident on the slow ballad-like version on me original demo-- that subtlety was somewhat jettisoned in favor of full-on masculine musculature verisimilitude when performed in the live raw- that's what she said again- to that point 'twas one of our mainstay "rockers" in the early years via the showbiz stage- where would any of us be without a good old fashioned distortion pedal? (for those of you who have taken to "the stage" in "the club" and attempted to rock/move "them" you know exactly what this last line means). the lp version of "white guy" is somewhat fey and swirly and (no not) gay but clearly resembles brian wilson without balls (is there any other creature?) here are the words to the song in question:

i killed 'em white guy

'cause he played too rough

i killed 'em up white guy

the white guy, the right guy

for all the wrong stuff

i've done nothing wrong

stay away from my home

your chains didn't hold

take your hands off my bones

i killed 'em white guy

'cause he maimed too much

i killed 'em up white guy

the white guy, the right guy

for all the wrong stuff

i'm sorry white guy

but you play too rough

i'm sorry white guy

the white guy, yeah right guy

for nothing at all

unrepentant to the end-- scalp on!

The chord progression for the verse and chorus is : A Major / D Major / F Major / G Major / G b minor / G Major / D Major Sus2 / G b minor / G Major / D Major / E Major / A Major / A Major Augmented / A Major 6 / A Major Augmented / A Major / E Major. The chord progression for the middle eight is : G b minor / D b minor / G b minor / D b minor / D b Major / G b minor / D b minor / E Major / E 7 / E Major 6 / E Major.

The track "White Guy," consists of Jimmy on electric guitars and dennis on vocals, keyboards and drums.

postscript-- actually i take "it" all back- "it" being the content of the song-- i remember now that the song wasn't about an indian uprising at all, but was in fact about black payback/retribution for all the "luv" the white man had shown towards his fellow "negro"/slave/- -thus the chickens came home to roost. note: the child-like language employed in the song, such as "i killed 'em up" was on the one hand stereotypical native american indianese and also simultaneously child-speak to boot/suit.

White Guy (Demo)

Dennis Flemion : Vocals & Piano

Written by Dennis Flemion 06/22/1984

Song 6. 400 Years (Demo)

On December 15th and December 16th of 1990, "400 Years" the 5th song off of the LP "Racially Yours" was written. Carly Simon sang, "Suffering was the only thing made me feel I was alive" on her song, "I Haven't Got Time For The Pain". On this song I sing :

400 years I have suffered for you

400 years I have slaved

400 years I have suffered for you

I will never again

And I know that you're kind to your own kind

And I know I'm the color of dirt to you

But 400 years I have suffered for you

400 years I have slaved

400 years I have suffered for you

I will never again

And I know that it's wrong to kill

I've heard them say

And I know I never will

You hope, you wish so I say

400 years I have suffered for you

400 years I have slaved

400 years I have suffered for you

I will never again

The chord progression for the chorus and verses is : G Major / D Major / G Major / C Major / D Major / G Major / E b Major / C minor 7 / G Major / E b Major / C minor 7 / D Major. The chord progression for the middle eight is : F minor / C Major / F minor / C Major / A minor / D 7 (add 9) / A minor / D 7 (add 9) / G Major / G Major 5 / G sus4 / G Major 9 / G Major 7.

The track "400 Years" consists of myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and Dennis on keyboards, drums and backing vocals.

This is my first song thus far on the album, where the eventual hero of the LP puts his foot down and is starting to visualize, realize and utilize his current power to fashion a new beginning and future for himself.

400 Years (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 12/15/1990

Song 7. Racially Yours (Demo)

The title track, track six off of our LP "Racially Yours" was written on November 17, 1990. Check it :

Does it matter dark or light

Or light or dark or dark or light 'cause

I'm racially yours 'til the end of time

I'm racially yours for a shoeshine

Does it matter barbeque or chicken

Cornbread, watermelon?

I'm racially yours

You're to be applauded for singin' in a church

And bringin' us rock 'n roll

I'm to be applauded for pickin' cotton

While the sun burnt me and my soul

I'm racially yours 'til the end of time

I'm racially yours

At the commencement of a letter, a signature reads sincerely yours. The signature here could mean to Steve Perry of Journey, "I'm forever yours, faithfully". The deepest dedication possible. Hopelessly devoted to you. Then again, it may mean that one is monogamous to one's race. But once again and then again, it just might mean that I am every race encapsulated. Spacialy yours. Represent. I personally feel strongly about this album because the message and musical accompaniment moves one soul so. It appears as if there is a conversation going on in this song or it just might be one person speaking. Take your pick or pick your take or take your pick. The song takes on a circus atmosphere with Dennis' keyboard embellishments. In the middle eight when the church lyrics arrive, Dennis' church organ transports us to pew number one for a ringside seat. I am a big fan of Tyler Perry's work and when the singers in his movies and plays belt out their gospel songs, their gifted voices get to me. One of the reasons I started to write these blogs is that I read and heard Tyler Perry say that his life started to turn around bright eyes and improve dramatically upon writing down his thoughts in journals. Speaking of "Racially Yours" or racing, I used to race home after school to watch "Speed Racer", Racer X who was actually his older brother Rex Racer who ran away from home, his sister Trixie Racer, Pops Racer, his younger brother Spritle Racer and their lovable pet chimpanzee Chim-Chim. In the second verse the lyrics read, "Does it matter barbeque or chicken, cornbread, watermelon?" Yes to me since you asked, of the four choices aforementioned, I dig and eat chicken and watermelon. Dennis wrote a bluesy coda to the song with the added lyric after "I'm Racially Yours", he wrote "And you're racially mine", that we included while performing this song live. Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Happy Valentine’s Day.

The chord progression for the chorus and verses of "Racially Yours just so happens to be : G Major / D 7 / G Major / D 7 / G Major / D 7 / G Major / D Major / C Major / C Major Sus4 / C Major / G Major / D 7 / G Major / D 7 / G Major / D 7 / G Major / D Major / C Major / C Major Sus4 / C Major / D Major. The middle eight choral church choir section is : D Major / A minor / C Major Diminished.

The song "Racially Yours," consists of myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and Dennis on keyboards

Racially Yours (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 11/17/1990

Song 8. Now You Know You're Black (Demo)

Song 7 off of our LP "Racially Yours", is a song entitled "Now You Know You're Black". The original title was "Now You Know You're B_ _ _ k". It was written in my head at work at 3:00 P.M. When I got home from work that day, I went down to the basement, sat down in front of my music stand, found and played on my acoustic guitar the riff that corresponded with the melody. On July 15, 1994, a 45 single was released on Matador Records culled from a live performance at CBGB'S on December 14, 1991. This single featured myself, Dennis and Jay Tiller on bass guitar. Jay did the artwork for the single which featured a KKK member in a noose and the title "Now You Know You're Black" in Hebrew. A live performance, fan favorite staple, this song exudes an electricity that continues to drive audiences to heights previously unimagined. The lead singer has been known to climb atop and jump off amps, balconies, speaker cabinets and stages. There were also a couple of times when female fans could only take so much and started to hump the lead singer on stage in the throes of ecstasy during the extravaganza. Let's take a close look at the lyrics and see what all the excitement is all about :

Have you ever been hit in the face with a snowball?

You could use a facewash

Now you know you're black

What was that old story about Jesus ago so long?

They always talked about his father

Yet they got the color wrong

I had a white, a maid, a butler, a slave

Demands will be made

Reparations will be paid ( o.k., tomorrow morning, mother, word )

Have you ever been hit in the face with a snowball?

You could use a facewash

Now you know you're black

Have you ever been hit in the face with a snowball? Subconciously this may be

a lyric about wintry times back in the 1970's in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I recall myself as a teenager lofting a snowball across the street, whilst playing with friends and inadvertently hitting a neighbor named Cliff in the eye. He wanted to know who was responsible and to rewrite history I said, "I did it, what's it to ya". For those of you that have lived in snowy climates, you are aware that another activity besides building snowmen, building forts, skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, snowboarding, shoveling and throwing snowballs is to give a facewash with snow. This is exhibited by using a circular motion and rubbing the white ice crystals into the face of another, as a demonstration of affection and love. You could use a facewash. Remember that lyric, see above. "See only me Maria". Si, "West Side Story" is one of my all time favorite movies. Minstrels in the gallery and Al Jolson's alike, all must strip their faces of whitewash and greasepaint at the fall of the curtain, and it is at these precious times when we could all use a facewash. What was that old story about Jesus ago so long? I believe here the writer is speaking of that old biblical rendering of a gentleman named Jesus ( the spring, the holy ground, the endless seed of mystery, the thorn, the veil, the face of grace, the brazen image, the thief of sleep, the ambassador of dreams, the prince of peace, the sword, the wound, the stain, scorned transfigured child of Cain, the salt, the bitter laugh, the gas in a womb of light, the evening star, the ball of sight ). Watch here how an average writer would use the cliche, "What was that old story about Jesus so long ago?" and how this gifted poet shifts, spins, and twirls words to his liking , juggles them around and counters with, "What was that old story about Jesus ago so long"? "Farewell, Au Revoir, Auf Wiedersehen, I'd like to stay and taste my first champagne, Yes, Si". They always talked about his father, yet they got the color wrong. Indeed. I had a white, a maid, a butler, a slave. Demands will be made, reparations will be paid. The tables have been overturned, and now we witness a white maid, a white butler, and a white slave. Now you know you're black. After a post hypnotic suggestion at the count of three this idea is introduced. Now you know you're black. As Malcolm X said in December of 1962, "Now all of a sudden our people are not apologizing for being black but bragging about it".

The chord progression for "Now You Know You're Black", is : D minor / G Major / A Major / C Major / D minor.

The track "Now you Know You're Black", consists of myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and Dennis on keyboards and pre-recorded thunder.

Now You Know You’re Black (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 03/10/1991

Song 9. White Like Me (Demo)

Song 8 off of the LP "Racially Yours", is a song I like to call "White Like Me". There I just called it into existence. Although everything already exists, we just need to manifest it into the cosmos. It was written on April 7, 1991 at the hospital I worked at.

The chord progression to the songs verses is based on a 2 string pull-off technique of the first 2 strings wherein the C Major / F Major / G Major, basic 1 / 4 / 5 rock 'n roll chord progression becomes colored with a variety of pastels and in the process becomes these chords : C Sus4 / C Major 7 / C Sus4 / C Major 7 / C Sus4 / C Major 7 / C Sus4 / C Major 7 / C Sus4 / C Major / F Major / F Diminished Natural 7 / F Major / F Diminished Natural 7 / F Major / F Diminished Natural 7 / F Major / F Diminished Natural 7 / F Major / F Major 9 / F Major / F Diminished Natural 7 / G 7 Sus4 / G 5 / G 7 Sus4 / G 5 / G 7 Sus4 / G 5 / G 7 Sus4 / G 5 / G 7 Sus4 / G Sus4 / G 7 Sus4 / G 5. The chords go round and round in a circle and stop on G Major / G 7 Add 5. The chords continue on the C Major pull-off chords and we then enter the middle 8 chord progression which begins with a relative A minor and when the lyric "down" is sung, the A in the bass of the A minor chord, likewise steps down a half step to an A b to mirror the lyric and then the chord goes back to A minor to alert the listener and make it clear where the clouds stand with regard to those cloaked in brown. When we hear the next chord the B b Major on the "In this bright city of ghosts" lyric, you can taste the electricity bill rivaling that of Las Vegas, which is located in Nevada. When the "Who has the most?" lyric arrives, the F minor / F minor Natural 7 pull-off chords display a sad feeling that is uplifted on the climaxing G 5 / G 7 Add 5 chords which correspond to the ta-da, "White Like Me" song title lyric.

Now let's go over those white charged lyrics :

The picket fence is painted white

Just like the clowns

Upon this earth walkin' around

White Like Me

All of the clouds look down

When my clothes are brown

In this bright city of ghosts

Who has the most?

White like me

If I had to come back as an animal

I'd be a polar bear

White like me

'Cause everyone

Around the globe

Looks awful cross at a zebra

The picket fence is painted white. If I personally needed something painted, I would hire someone to do the job, as it would give them more pleasure than I would derive from the act. As far as painting, as in I will now out-do Vincent Van Gough and Michelangelo, I will leave that to those with those gifts. If you have ever seen me draw, as in let's say a game of pictionary, you would then know of the intense training that would be needed to improve my skills in that field. When I was young and they packed me off to school, I once came home with a picture I drew of my family and they all had crab claws for hands and one family member was missing from the classic portrait. When it comes to musicians who paint, let's leave those honors to Joni Mitchell, Ron Wood, Cat Stevens and first and foremost Dennis Flemion of The Frogs whose work is unparalleled. That's what is known as a shout out in this business. Shout it out loud. Shout, shout, let it all out. Ride it on out like you were a bird. Ride a white like me swan. You know you make me want to shout. Twist and shout. Shout it out, have no doubt, for the time of the love is now. Just like the clowns. Can't we all get along and just like the clowns. I love the song "Is That All There Is" made famous by Peggy Lee, where she recalls the circus and also the film "Trapeze" with Burt Lancaster and Gina Lollobrigida. I believe I went to the circus once. I stayed at the Circus, Circus Hotel in Las Vegas when I was 16. Once again I'd like to give a shout out to Las Vegas. There are those who withhold their approval of whites and in doing so consider them to be clowns. If you have ever looked real close at a cloud they are primarily white in color, and here they are looking down on those dressed in brown. Maybe he means the brown sooty smog of the environment we currently inhabit. Ray Davies of The Kinks getting back at his record label on his single "Apeman" purposely slid in the "F" grenade ("I look out the window, but I can't see the sky, the air pollution is a-f*cking up my eyes"), when the record company thought he we saying ("The air pollution is a fogging up my eyes"). In this bright city of ghosts, who has the most? white like me. The composer here may be speaking of acquisitions, ala Frank Sinatra ("He who dies with the most toys wins") or he has come to a superiority one-upmanship outlook conclusion. If I had to come back as an animal. I'd be a polar bear, white like me. The only other song I can recall with a polar bear lyric in it is a song called "Waterfalls" by Sir Paul McCartney. It is one of his most beautiful songs. "Don't go chasing polar bears in the great unknown, some big friendly polar bear might want to take you home". On Saturday Night Live, they once asked Paul what animal he would like to come back as and he said a koala bear. As far as coming back as in reincarnation, I do believe in that notion. As Roger Miller said in his song "Reincarnation", ("If I was a bird and you was a fish, what would we do I guess we'd wish for re-incarnation"). I knew of "King Of The Road" by Roger years ago, but in 2006 discovered his other work and quickly became a fan of one of our most talented and gifted songwriters. "Cause everyone around the globe looks awful cross at a zebra. A zebra is both black and white or as we like to say in the field of vision or television, colorless so let's call him the referee or judge. There was an old saying that went "As God as my judge", that our mother misinterpreted and that became the opening line of my improvised song off our LP "My Daughter The Broad," "As God is my judge God is gay".

The track "White Like Me" consists of myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and Dennis on keyboards.

White Like Me (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 04/07/1991

Song 10. My Slave (Demo)

Song 9 off of the LP "Racially Yours", possessively speaking is my song "My Slave". I whipped this song into shape and form on May 1, 1991 between 7:30 P.M. and 8:10 P.M.

The chord progression for the verses is : G minor 5 / F Major / C Major / C 6 / C 7 / A minor / A 7. The chord progression for the chorus is : D minor / E 7 / Bass notes picked C D / B b D / A D / F E. The song ends on a D Major chord at Dennis' suggestion, and it was also Dennis' idea to change the last "slave" lyric and make it a plural "slaves".

Slavery is not an exclusive to any race, creed or color. This song portrays a slavemaster and or boss imposing his will and laying down the law. While many may choose to believe that the master of slaves should be despised and that the slave himself we should have a shared sympathy for, the truth is that they are both co-operators in ignorance. Everyone plays the role they have created for themselves.

Check out the dictator master slave driver's one-sided pep talk speech :

When your work is over

I will let you play

But 'til your work is over

This railroad's in the way

You must bail some hay

My slave

There's some sweat upon your brow

Wipe it off

Smilin's not allowed

Wipe it off

When your back is broken

I will let you play

But 'til your back is broken

There's cotton to be picked

I said right away

My slave

There's some blood upon your cheek

Wipe it off

You are starting to reek

Wipe it off

My slave, my slave, my slave

My slaves

The slavemaster in the song has some strict rules he has set up for the slave to adhere to and follow, and he makes it no secret that he will not tolerate laziness, sweating, facial expressions depicting smiles or for that matter the slightest smirk. Throughout the song we feel the tension and daily grind that appears perpetual and never ending. When the song ends on a happy note, it is if a fluorescent lightbulb has gone off in the slave's head, wherein he has broken the chains of his mind and sees and believes himself to be free, and thus through his own transition, transitions us and leads us into the next appropriately titled song off the LP.

The track "My Slave", was a song cut live in my upstairs bedroom with myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and Dennis on keyboards. Additional overdubs were added later- acoustic guitar: Jim, keyboards / percussion: Dennis.

p.s. Slave on!

My Slave (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Song 11. With A Whipping

Not my scene, as with anything, once u c it, it can’t be unseen.

Jimmy Flemion: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 04/10/1993

Song 12. Freedom (Demo)

Song 10 off of our "Racially Yours" LP, is "Freedom". Freedom was unleashed as my pen met my paper on May 6, 1991 at my work between 5:00 and 5:15: P.M. Take flight, relax, lay back as cages and shackles become history, his story or her story:

The cage is broken

It’s written in the sky

In spray painted letters

The black dove must fly

And when he’s flyin’ up there

Don’t shoot him down

Or you’ll go down

Talkin’ ’bout freedom

In a world full of beasts

Talkin’ ’bout freedom

Who has the least?

The shackles now wear

A different man

So let the black dove fly

Out of your hand

And when he’s flyin’ up there

Don’t shoot him down

Or you’ll go down

Talkin’ ’bout freedom

In a world full of ghosts

Talkin’ ’bout freedom

Who has the most now?

Talkin’ ’bout freedom

The chords for the verses / chorus are : G Major / A minor 7 / G Major / A 7 sus2 / G Major / A minor 7 / G Major / A 5 sus4. All throughout these chords a G A B D B A B G riff is being played on the 4th, 5th and 6th strings. The general overall effect is a solid base from where to think when we are on the G Major chord with it’s root foundation and when we then shift to the A minor chord back and forth with all it’s accents, we mimic the plot with all it’s twists and turns. The chords from the middle eight start their descension from C minor to B minor to B b Major and then start rising in altitude as we approach the phrase "Freedom" to show that our hero has risen through the turbulence.

The cage is broken. Have you ever danced in a go-go cage and then suddenly realized it was time to work the pole and then top that off with your floor show? In Chapel Hill, North Carolina we were playing a show and I jumped off the stage and jumped into a go-go cage and began to play. It’s written in the sky. If you wanted the sky, I would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high, To Sir With Love. What a lyric. What a song. What a vocal. In spray painted letters the black dove must fly. Instead of "Surrender Dorothy", we have now taken our spray cans and graffiti ability to a whole new level. "Graffiti Bridge" the sequel to "Purple Rain", once again I was there opening night in the movie theatre to witness that masterpiece. And when he’s flyin’ up there, Don’t shoot him down, Or you’ll go down. There is a threat here that if you do in fact mess with him, then it will go down. It’s going down. "I’m Going Down". Saw Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees perform that one at Maritime Days in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Great voice, one of the most recognizable of our time, from one of the most underrated bands of our time. Talkin’ ’bout freedom. Talk is cheap. Remember Keith Richards talkin’ ’bout his bandmate Mick Jagger in Keith’s song "All About You" off of "Emotional Rescue". Keith sang, "I’m so sick and tired hanging around with dogs like you, you’re the first to get to get blamed, always the last bitch to get paid". Set me free little girl. ’Cause I’m stone free. I wanna be free like the bluebirds flying by me. Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose. Come on now it’s freedom calling, come on over and find yourself. I’m free to do what I want any old time. I’m free and freedom tastes of reality. Speaking of Pete Townsend, on his rock opera "Tommy", he harkens back to other songs on the opera. For example, on "Go To The Mirror Boy", he goes into the "See me, Feel me, Touch me" showcase piece off of the LP. Which brings us to the next line, "In a world full of beasts, who has the least?", which harkens back to the song "White Like Me", ("In this bright city of ghosts, who has the most?") To some, those who are chained up, locked up and incarcerated are labeled beasts. (Of Burden). I saw Eric of the Animals. I saw Eric perform right outside of Elsa’s restaurant in Cathedral park, in the city by the lake, the place where I was born. The shackles now wear a different man. So long as there are those who will rise up and be free, let us praise them and to the unenlightened shadowcasters who would gladly be enslaved, may they one day think as I think the handcuffs are a bit much. So let the black dove fly out of your hand. Into the light of the dark black night, for you’ll know what love is for, I’m a bluebird, as opposed to the whitebird in a golden cage on a winter’s day in the rain, alone. And when he’s flyin’ up there, don’t shoot him down, or you’ll go down. Downed, downed out of of my head. Out of our heads. The first time I saw Cheap Trick was when they opened for The Kinks, on their "Sleepwalker" tour in 1977 at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the city by the lake. Talkin’ ’bout freedom, in a world full of ghosts. It’s like a ghost town, without your love. I saw that tour. The ghost in you, she don’t fade. I saw that tour. "The Ghost In The Machine". I saw that tour as well. "The Ghost And Mr.Chicken" with Don Knotts, I’ve seen that movie too. It appears now that the usually predominantly white shaded ghosts, have become overshadowed and after all only the shadow knows who has the most.

The track "Freedom", features myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and Dennis ..boards.

Freedom (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 05/06/1991

Song 13. Whitefully Dead (Demo)

and the lyrics are:

now that the white man’s dead and gone

we can sing a happy song

now that the blue-eyed devil’s done

we can only have some fun

watch as the black man reigns

now that the white man’s six-foot under

we can all go plunder, plunder

take everything, take anything

now that the black man’s in all his glory

it will be a different story

witness the black man’s reign

why ol’ massa he be done gone. he be done goin’ t’ meet his maker/breaker/ shaker in the sky. hallelujah brothas & sistas i say-so. hallelujah. whitey’s comeuppance is upon him. whitey’s comeuppance has finally come up and bit him on the (gr)ass with a vengeance. so let the celebration begin- happy days are here again. whoa! not so fast with yer celebratory bliss my brown-eyed chosen ones. out with the old /in with the new? meet the new cock/boss same as the old hoss (cartwright)? is that right? will it truly be a "different story"? tonight? the end of the white man’s reign/rain- a new breed waiting in the wings? blackbird singing in the dead of night? oh well, as kool & the gang used to say "celebrate good times- fuck off!"

fey vocals in this throw-away of a "song" courtesy denis. drums beat by denis.

jim banged the guitar acoustic. "the keys to the kingdom" tickled by denis left well enough alone. mixed and matched unhitched and hatched -slightly psychedelicized 1991.

writ by denis.

The chord progression for the verses is : F Major / F Major 7/ C sus2 (add 4) / C Major / B minor (open) / A minor / A minor 7 / G Major / F Major / F Major 7 / C sus2 (add 4). The chord progression for the chorus is : G 7 / G 5 / G Major / G 5 / G 7 / G 5 / G Major. The song ends on : C Major.

(whitefully dead a pun on rightfully dead -obviously)- as in "how much pun are we having now?"

Whitefully Dead (Demo)

Dennis Flemion : Vocals & Drums

Jimmy Flemion: Acoustic Guitar

Jay Tiller: Bass Guitar

Written by Dennis Flemion 07/01/1991

Song 14. Blackman, Blackman (Demo)

black man, black man where’s your shame?

through the mud with the white man’s name

white man, white man what went wrong?

your reign could only last so long

a black man’s heaven is a white man’s hell

i want my rights, i am black

just shut your mouth and get in back

white man’s head on the end of a stick

pay him back that fucking prick

black is white is right is wrong

humanity sings such a sad, sad song

a black man’s heaven is a white man’s hell

a white man’s heaven is a black man’s hell

a black man’s heaven is

a white man’s heaven is

a black man’s heaven is

a white man’s heaven is hell

but it doesn’t have to be

ahh now that last line makes it all better now- doesn’t it? reconciliation for the divine wreckage that is humanity.

this song was the bastard child of one of my made-up songs "when will mother come home? (part 2)". a twenty second sound frag. at that. out of that i created this lovely homage to brotherly love/hate. the version on the lp is the frogs live arrangement minus the major chord resolution ending- i chose not to sugar coat it for the album as i felt that would serve the song best and the lp as a whole better that way. the conflict left unresolved- deep huh? can’t we all just fuck/get along? i give up- can we? "i had a dream" was to follow this track and close the story book at 13 songs in-- less is more would have made a more powerful statement. hindsight is 38-24-36- that’s what he said.

written by dennis in 1991.

The chord progression for the intro to "Blackman, Blackman", is : G Major / D Major / D b Major / D b Major / C Major. The first verse chord progression is : G Major / D Major / D b Major / D b Major / C Major / C Major / B Major / B Major / B b Major / G 5. The second verse chord progression is : G Major / D Major / D b Major / D b Major / C Major / C Major / B Major / B Major / B b Major / B b Major/ A Major / A Major / A b Major / A b Major / G Major. The chord progression for the third verse is : G Major / D Major / D b Major / D b Major / C Major / C Major / B Major / B Major / B b Major / B b Major / A Major / A Major / A b Major / A b Major / G Major / G Major / G b Major / G b Major / G b Major / F Major. If some chords appear to repeat themselves, it is because they strike once on each former chord, before striking again on each latter chord as the chord progression goes down in half steps. The song ends on : E Diminished (A b in Bass).

to the white race / black race: why don’t you just get a room?

Blackman, Blackman (Demo)

Dennis Flemion: Vocals & Drums

Jimmy Flemion : Electric Guitar & Bass Guitar

Written by Dennis Flemion 07/02/1991

Song 15. I Had A Dream (Demo)

i had an ice creem (as in the mag) dream. who didn't? and the words are:

'twas the oven of life

i had no say

so sorry, but i was made this way

like a pawn

i worked away

no pay, but i was made to pay

i had a dream

but it turned to stone

and all the flowers are now overgrown

on the grave

simultaneously a story/song about my non-stop failure in the "biz" and King's dream as soliloquy unrequited. a reflective piece/peace w/apologies to no one. originally the conclusion of "uncle sam's cabin" aka "racially yours."

written by d.f. 5-29-91... tracked by d.f. 5-31-92

The chord progression for the verses is : C Major / G Major (C in bass) / F Major (C in Bass) / G Major (C in Bass). The first time build-up chord progression after these chords is : E minor / F Major / E minor / F Major / G b Major / G Major / G 5 / G 7. The second time through build-up chord progression is : A minor / B b Major / A minor / F Major / G b Major / G Major / G 5 / G 7. The chord progression on the "grave" lyric section is C Major / A sus2 / C Major. The song ends with this chord progression : C Major / C Diminished / C Major.

-god is not pleased to be insulted when he wears his dark suits.

I Had A Dream (Demo)

Dennis Flemion : Vocals & Piano

Written by Dennis Flemion 05/29/1991

Song 16 : In Blacks We Trust ll

Shorter version of opening track complete with backwards & forward cello.

Jimmy Flemion : Acoustic Guitar & Cello

Written by Jimmy Flemion & Dennis Flemion 04/04/1991

Song 17. Truth (Original)

Basic track minus original keyboard backing track.

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Dennis Flemion : Piano & Drums

Written by Jimmy Flemion 07/21/1985

Song 18. Revolution (Demo)

Song 15 off of our LP "Racially Yours," is "Revolution." The LP was originally going to end on the previous track "I Had A Dream." This was the follow up LP to "It's Only Right And Natural," and in the interim of waiting upon intelligent life forms to release this masterpiece, we continued on commencing with and agreeing upon the finished LP's tracking order, settling on a grand total of 25 songs. "Revolution," was written on July 12, 1992 and the original title was"Revo Revo Revo Revo Revolution." -the song was inspired by a book I read by author Diane Ackerman entitled "A Natural History Of The Senses." It is the only book that has inspired any of my songs.

Here are the revolutionary lyrics revolving around in your CD players as we speak :

No one knows you

No one listens

So you fix yourself up

And you make up your face

You once ruled

But something had to happen

Revo revo revo revo revolution

All this noise

And no one listens

Revo revo revo revo revolution

So you fix yourself up

And you make up your face

Revo revo revo revo revolution

The chord progression for the verses is : E minor / G Major / B minor / C Major 7 / B minor / C Major 7 / B minor. The chord progression for the verses is : G 5 Sus4 / D 7 Sus2. The overall effect of the American Indian pow wow drumming and sitar type droning during the verses, impress upon the listener this mantra until it is a foregone conclusion. The chorus with its continuous droning and suspension hypnotize the audience into an altered state of euphoria.

No one knows you, no one listens, so you fix yourself up and you make up your face, you once ruled but something had to happen. In the book by Diane Ackerman "A Natural History Of The Senses," she spoke of how in cavemen days the women ruled but something changed, which ultimately led us into the cosmetic age. The ultimate intelligence of the human body and how the senses are delivering messages to us continuously. There are some things you can't cover up with lipstick and powder. Speaking of "Powder," Sebastian Bach once told me I need to see that movie, because that guy in the movie reminded him of me. One of these days, the Hoover Factory is gonna be all the rage in those fashionable pages. Seen her picture in a thousand places, 'cause she's this year's girl. "I can almost taste it" as Mark Lindsay, the lead singer of Paul Revere And The Raiders (with their revolutionary war styled outfits) sang in their song "Hungry." Their greatest hits LP was a Christmas gift to Dennis, one year when mother worked in The Boston Store record department. All this noise and no one listens. There is an overabundance of noise in our society today, and to harmonize with beautiful sounds becomes, get this, a harmonious experience. Tommy, can you hear me? Revo revo revo revo revolution, revo revo revo revo revolution. Change, once again a predominant conceptual idea on this LP. There's been a change in the weather. Things are gonna change, this is the morning after. Turn and face the strange changes. And gripped in the arms of the changeless madman, we'll dance our lives away in the ballrooms of Mars. For the times they are a changin'. Don't you feel a change is comin' and it won't be too soon, when the people of the world can all live in one room. The revolution is occurring in all of us right now, let us become one with the universe, which is within us all. I am he, as you are he, as you are me and we are all together. All and all is all we are all. At the time of recording "Revolution" by The Beatles, John Lennon said that when it came to the line "When you talk about destruction, don't you know that you can count me out/ in", he kept both words "out and in", because he hadn't made up his mind yet. As Michael Jefferson on "South Park" once sang in a song with Paul McCartney, "I'm a lover, not a fighter". In my song "Sorry I'm White," I sang "I don't wanna fight tonight." Tomorrow was vague and left for interpretation. When they asked Johnny Strabler as played by Marlon Brando, in the movie "The Wild One," what he was rebelling against?, he said "Whaddya got"? Start The Revolution Without Me. Mother Theresa or Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu as you knew her said, "I will never attend an anti-war rally. If you have a peace rally, invite me". Here now is her revolutionary poem inscribed on the wall of her children's home in Calcutta "Anyway".

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered ;

Forgive them anyway

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives ;

Be kind anyway

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies ;

Succeed anyway

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you ;

Be honest and frank anyway

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight ;

Build anyway

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous ;

Be happy anyway

The good you do today, people will forget tomorrow ;

Do good anyway

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough ;

Give the world the best you've got anyway

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God ;

It never was between you and them anyway

The track "Revolution", contains vocals and acoustic guitar by myself and keyboards and drums by Dennis.

In the words of Donald Jay Rickles or Don Rickles as you know him, one of my favorite comedians of all time, "Anyway".

Revolution (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 07/12/1992

Song 19. Massa (Demo)

Song 16 off of our LP "Racially Yours", is called "Massa". It was written on May 17, 1992 at the hospital I worked at. Around the time the song was created, I was buying and listening to a lot of George Harrison's solo records, discovering them for the first time. From that influence, upon listening to the song "Massa", I can hear George singing it.

The chords are easy to follow, in the chorus / verse they are : C Major / F Major / C Major / G Major / C Major. The middle eight chords are : A minor / G Major / F Major / E minor / D minor.

Here then are the masterful lyrics to "Massa" :

Massa massa massa let me read

Massa massa don't keep me down

Massa massa the sweat does bead

Massa massa I ain't your clown

Massa massa massa hear me out

Massa massa have no doubt

Massa massa I will rise again

Massa massa I ain't your friend

I ain't your fool no more

Massa massa I will watch you bleed

Massa massa until your dry

Massa massa massa I believe

Massa massa your turn to die

Massa massa massa let me read. The word massa is slang for master. It is misspoken from an inability to pronounce the word masterfully. Massa massa don't keep me down. The slave master purposely would not allow slaves to read and therefore kept them from advancing and improving themselves. Massa massa the sweat does bead. In this tale from the slave's point of view, here he announces how hot and uncomfortable he is getting from the demanding work that is expected of him. Massa massa I ain't your clown. Deep inside of himself, the slave is getting fed up with the situation. Massa massa massa hear me out. Here the slave is making a proclamation and a promise to himself. Massa massa have no doubt. There is no question in the slave's mind where he stands or what he is decreeing will happen and or occur and that is that : Massa massa I will rise again. This is his focal point of intention. Massa massa I ain't your friend. I ain't your fool no more. His feelings are quite obvious. Massa massa I will watch you bleed. There appears to be an attraction to bloodletting here. Massa massa until you're dry. Until blood is non-existent. Massa massa massa I believe. Here the slave is certain. Here there are 3 massa's in the line before the phrase, reinstating just how important and dear to him the two topics, reading and his final intention are. Massa massa your turn to die. Once again through the variance of interpretation, the entire song's lead character the slave, may be carrying on this conversation in his head, under his breath or may be speaking directly and backtalking to the master himself. In the end the slave says it's the master's turn to die, but whether an act occurs which makes that act transpire and come to fruition is left up to the listener or what I like to call collectively, affectionately, my audience.

The track "Massa" contains vocals and acoustic guitars by myself.

Massa (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 05/17/1992

Song 20. Darkmeat 4 Sale (Demo)

Song 17 off of our LP "Racially Yours", is called "Darkmeat 4 Sale". It was written on March 15th, 17th and 18th of 1992. It is such a great song, it took 3 days to perfect. I personally prefer the light breast meat when it comes to chicken, but this song does not deal with chicken, rather it deals with a human sale item.

Here then are the darker shade of pale laced lyrics :

Every week it's the same

Dark meat for sale

And like others I know

It's hard to pass up a sale

And at the very least

She'll keep me warm

Nine months to the day

Field hand is born

Everyone looks the same

Dark meat for sale

No one has a last name

"X" marks the sale

There's a fork around your neck

Forks are for food

It was just a joke

To lighten the mood

There's a song in the air

The boys start to sing

It's as if through their words

They're plotting something

The chord progression for the verse / chorus is : G Major / A Major / G Major / D Major. The 4 / 5 / 1 chord progression has an effect of putting your nose right there in the face of the action and of giving you a big whiff of what's going on. The middle eight chord progression is : D 7 / G Major / G minor 5 / G b Minor 7 / E Major / E minor / A Major. The constant changing of the chords in the middle eight, turn your head to focus on the action of the story line and call into question your own thoughts about what is taking place.

Every week it's the same dark meat for sale. There's a sale going on every week and it's a slave auction. A long time ago, when cable television was in its infancy, there was something called Select TV. We had it and we saw movies on there, such as "Mandingo" and "Drum", which may have influenced the slave block concept idea. And like others I know, it's hard to pass up a sale. I call that a bargain, the best I ever had. You want it, you take it, you pay the price. Speaking of Bruce, seeing Springsteen back in 1976, was a moment when you had to have been there, to have experienced what it was like and to be able to describe it. Back then, you could sneak down as close as you could to the stage, and squat down in the aisle so that the seat attendants couldn't see you and ask for your ticket stub. During the songs , he would tell his stories and I would get goose bumps from the emotion of the performance. Pastor Bruce had a grip on his flock and church was in session. I would sing or scream Springsteen songs at the top of my lungs in the garage with my guitar plugged into my amp. The only other time I can remember getting goose bumps at a show, was seeing Gary Numan during his "Telekon" tour, when the lights and music kicked in for the very first time during the opening song of his set, "This Wreckage". And at the very least, she'll keep me warm. It's always a nice feeling to have a warm body next to you. Nine months to the day, field hand is born. That is a pregnancy and birth to come to fruition, and the ultimate destination and future destination of the newborn, is to work in the fields. Stone cold slaver, ship bound for cotton fields as Michael Philip Jagger or Mick Jagger, as you know him once wrote in the song "Brown Sugar". Everyone looks the same, darkmeat for sale. Really that is a statement that is leveled at all nationalities. No one has a last name. Just as in the bible, no last names are given. "X" marks the sale. Either by branding or a signature. Those who could not write, could muster an "x" on a page. There's a fork around your neck. This was a shackle for the neck. Forks are for food. As are knives and spoons. It was just a joke to lighten the mood. There could perhaps be some taunting going on here. There's a song in the air, the boys start to sing. Railroad songs, blues songs, or spiritual songs were the songs of the day in the repertoire. It's as if through their words, they're plotting something. Which was the case, the slaves were singing messages to each other through their song choices. The original deleted line was, "And though I sing along, it don't mean a thing". Every week it's the same. Every week in the world, someone plays the starring role of a slave, and it's up to y'all to break the cycle.

The track "Darkmeat 4 Sale", contains vocals and acoustic guitar by myself and keyboards and drums by Dennis.

Dark meat 4 Sale (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 03/15/1992

Song 21. The Flag (Demo)

Song 18 off of our LP "Racially Yours", is "The Flag". It was written on October 26, 1991 between 7:45 and 7:50 P.M. and completed the next morning October 27, 1991 between 8:20 and 8:35 A.M. There was a comedian named Benny Reno, I'm guessing a stage name, way back in 1976, who gave a speech on stage about how we need to live in harmony just like the black and white keys on the piano, way before Paul McCartney and Little or Big Stevie Wonder did "Ebony And Ivory". One time when we were driving with Benny in a car, we stopped in his back alley and Benny's kid came out crying to Benny by the car. Benny yelled at his kid to be a man. So much for his I love everybody speech.

Let us go over the colorful colors and meanings behind our past, present and futuristic flag. Ladies and gentlemen I give you, "The Flag" :

Who made the flag red white and blue?

Color's one thing and skin's another

So brother, let's make the flag

Red, white and black

Red's for the Indian, also blood

White's the one took us through the mud

And black ain't no color at all

Who made this country? What's it stand for?

I understand it stands for peace not war

So brother, let's make the flag

Red, white and black

They talk about an uprising, I don't know

Some say rain, some say snow

So brother, let's make the flag

Red, white and black

So brother, let's make the flag

Red, white and black

The chord progression for the verse / chorus is : E Major / E 7 / A Major / A 7 (B b in Bass) / E Major / B 7 / E Major. The song ends on an E minor.

Who made the flag red, white and blue? That was, I'm gonna have to research that one. Color's one thing and skin's another. Color is color and skin is skin, but some feel the need to apply a stereotype to fit the mold and skin color model. So brother, let's make the flag red, white and black. So if we in fact believe in love and peace and harmony, let's change the colors, not only to reflect different race color but to represent a crystal blue persuasion. Red's for the Indian, also blood. Self explanatory. White's the one, took us through the mud. Mudslide slim and the blue horizon. Electric slim and the factory hen. And everything emptying into white. It all comes out in the wash. And black, ain't no color at all. The definition of black is the absence of color. Who made this country? It appears the singer is speaking of America. Who made it, once again, I'll get back to you on that one. What's it stand for? Pride, strength, privilege, courage, freedom? Your call. I understand it stands for peace, not war. That is the composer's understanding. So brother, let's make the flag red, white and black. How's that for a color scheme? They talk about an uprising, I don't know, some say rain, some say snow. Uprisings like weather are hard to predict and forecast. So brother, let's make the flag red, white and black. A sight to behold.

The track "The Flag", contains vocals and acoustic guitar by myself and keyboards by Dennis.

The Flag (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 10/26/1991

Song 22. An Unwanted Child & A Wanted Man (Demo)

Song 19 off of our LP "Racially Yours", is "An Unwanted Child & A Wanted Man". It was written on piano on June 14, 1991 between 12:45 and 1:55 P.M. It is a situation some find themselves in, as in not being wanted as a child and subsequently later in life being wanted on a wanted poster.

Here are the lyrics we want to read :

An unwanted child and a wanted man

Are one in the same

The prowler and the lamb

Brought up in the ghetto

Where nothing changes much

Souls are sold for money

And love is out of luck

Given birth for some unknown cause

Lookin' around

For ma and pa

Given two choices

A broom or a mop

I'll take the broom

And sweep this white trash up

The chord progression for the verse / chorus is : A minor / E minor / F Major / D minor. The chord progression for the middle eight is : G Major / C Major / D minor / D minor 9 / B b Major / F minor / G Major. I am self taught on piano. Personally for me, the notes, chords and structure are a natural extension to transpose from guitar to piano. I started playing piano in 1977. It is an easy instrument for everyone to make some sort of sound on, as the beautiful tones from the hammers and strings, produce an automatic boomerang response to the player. Being right handed my specialty would be in the chords and notes, as opposed to someone like Paul McCartney who is left handed and is busier in his bass notes in songs like "Lady Madonna", because of his dominant hand's adeptness. That being said, my bass notes for the most part follow the root chord and subsequent chords. I am humbled with admiration by those with mastery over this or any instrument and especially in the realm of the classical form.

An unwanted child and a wanted man. Some children are wanted as in planned parenthood and adoptive parents and some just happen to be Mr. Saturday night specials. To be wanted as in having needs fulfilled, the warmth of love. A child looks up to a parent, as a giant who can acclimate these needs and desires. A wanted man is wanted for father figure duties. All bad daddies hold the secret to love and fear in their trembling hand. Just one key unlocks them both, it's there at their command. A wanted man's photo is posted on a wanted poster. An unwanted child and a wanted man are one in the same, the prowler and the lamb. The unwanted child was not wanted and grew up searching outside of himself for the love he so desperately craved. Like Pinocchio, or translation Pine Nut as you know him, his world contains the hard realities of the need for food, shelter and the basic measures of daily life. Brought up in the ghetto where nothing changes much. You're caught in a vicious circle, surrounded by your so-called friends. I saw Lou Reed during his 1976 "Rock And Roll Heart" tour and again in 1978 on his "Street Hassle" tour. On his latter tour during his "Street Hassle" title song, Lou was in the middle of the song singing the song and when it came to the lyric when the band stops and Lou Reed says "Bad luck", a guy that worked at a record store called Mainstream Records yelled out "Bad Luck" before Lou could say the line. Lou, visibly pissed off, finished the song and walked off stage. After 7 songs, the show was over. Souls are sold for money and love is out of luck. When times are tough, during the lean years, the focus often ends up on the money aspect, relegating love to the backseat. When an interviewer said to Keith Richards, "All you need is love", Keith replied, "Try livin' off of it". Given birth for some unknown cause. Questioning one's reason and purpose for existence. You wanna talk about a deep lyric, this is one that cuts right or left through the clutter and goes straight to the core. How is it, we are here? On this land we walk. Lookin' around for ma and pa. When Richard Branson was 3 years old , his ma dropped him off by the side of the road and from then on he was on his own. By the way, he did alright for himself. Given two choices, a broom or a mop. I've used both at jobs. There are in fact more job choices than these two of the janitorial distinction. I'll take the broom and sweep this white trash up. The employee is once again fed up with his white employer.

The track "An Unwanted Child & A Wanted man", contains the original demo of myself on vocals and piano, with overdubs by Dennis ..boards and drums. The drums played throughout the track but upon playback, they came in just at the end and I thought it was cool the way it sounded, so we kept it like that. Like "When Doves Cry" by Prince, he heard the song on playback minus the bass guitar track that was played throughout the song, and when Prince listened to it, he liked it and kept it that way.

An Unwanted Child & A Wanted Man

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Piano

Written by Jimmy Flemion 06/14/1991

Song 23. Blackman, Blackman (50 edits)

Dennis wanting 2 create the ultimate version, splices 50 different chord sequence fragments from other takes 2gether.

Blackman, Blackman (50 edits)

Jimmy Flemion : Electric Guitar

Dennis Flemion : Drums

Song 24. 2 Blacks Don't Make A White (Demo)

Song 20 off of our LP "Racially Yours", is "2 Blacks Don't Make A White". It was written on June 30th and July 1st of 1992. I was at the library at my work, looking through books, when I came across a book with words in alphabetical lists. David Bowie or as you know him David Jones, used William Burroughs "cut up technique" with lyrics, writing something, cutting it up and then reassembling the fragments. For example in the lyrics to his song "Moonage Daydream", ("I'm an alligator, I'm a momma-poppa comin' for you, I'm the space invader, I'll be a rock 'n roll bitch for you, keep your mouth shut, you're squawkin' like a pink monkey bird, and I'm bustin up my brains for the words"). Here in this song "2 Blacks Don't Make A White", I wrote down certain words out of that book that I liked and strung them together, ("happy, today, blame, blessing, danger, hypocrisy, gallows, whore").

Here now are the lyrics that make up "2 Blacks Don't Make A White" :

Happy today

Blame the blessing of danger

The hypocrisy of the gallows

And the whore

If I could

I'd make white black

And black white

Every white has his black

2 blacks don't make a white

Happy, happy

2 blacks don't make a white

The chord progression for the verses is : G minor / G b minor. The chord progression for the chorus is : G minor / G b minor / E Sus4 / E Major. It is quite unusual to use a chord progression that starts out on a minor chord and then to go down a half step minor on the following chord, and unusual as well to end up on a major chord, a step and a half removed from the minor root chord. The song has a Leonard Cohen type mood feel to it. I saw Leonard on his "I'm Your Man" tour, as well as on his "The Future" tour. I had the honor of meeting Leonard outside after the latter tour show in Chicago. He signed my ticket stub asking if he could sign "To Jim" instead of Jimmy, so that he could fit it on the stub. He has a wonderful power of clothing his thoughts in the form of words.

Happy today, blame the blessing of danger. Even though we may not agree with friction in life, it is a necessity for growth and evolution. Some things are blessings in disguise. As mother's plaque stated on the wall, ("Troubles are the tools with which god fashions us for better things"). The hypocrisy of the gallows and the whore. Is it truly necessary to hang a harlot for providing a happy hooker service? Hindsight is 36-24-36. Keep her from the gallows pole. If I could, I'd make white black and black white, every white has his black. A penguin and a zebra are caught up in a deep conversation. 2 blacks don't make a white. Since when. Happy, happy. Are you happy now? 2 blacks don't make a white. 2 whites don't make a black. 2 rights don't make a wrong. 2 wrongs don't make a right. 2 blacks don't make a white. If a black male and a female procreated, the end result would be something other than white in tonality. 2 blacks don't make a white. This is an orgy, where 2 blacks aren't interested in getting it on and making it with a white. 2 blacks don't make a white. In the laboratory, the twin black Dr. Frankenstein-esque mad scientists were steadfast in their refusal to make a white. Make of the song what you will but "2 Blacks Don't Make A White".

The track "2 Blacks Don't Make A White", consists of myself on vocals and acoustic guitar and keyboards by Dennis.

2 Blacks Don’t Make A White (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion: Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 06/30/1992

Song 25. The Purification Of The Race (Demo)

Song 21 off our LP "Racially Yours", is "The Purification Of The Race". It was written on September 4, 1992, upstairs in the loft area, on the squeaky office chair by the stairway railing. Loved it as soon as it came out of my soul. I think the chorus is beautiful, the way it holds onto and caresses the A diminished chord and ultimately is released and set free on the E major chord.

Here now are the terrific, purific lyrics from "The Purification Of The Race" :

It's wrong to interfere with what we've got

Would a chimpanzee make it with a dog?

I don't think so, I don't think so

The purification of the race

Should not be tampered with

Should not be tampered with at all

It's wrong to interfere with what we've got

Would a spider make it with a rose?

Would a tiger make it with a toad?

I don't think so, I don't think so

The purification of the race

Should not be tampered with

Should not be tampered with at all

The chord progression for the verses is : E Major / E 7 / E Major / E 7 / E Major / E 7 / E Major / E 7 / E Major / A b 7 / G b 7 / A Major. The chorus chord progression is : B Major / D b minor / A Diminished / A Major. The 1 / 3 / 2 / 4 major verse chord progression is out of the ordinary and is in keeping with my desire and position from the inception of my songwriting, to explore the different feelings and emotions of different chord choices by placing them in different sequences. Average songwriters use and copy the same worn out rock 'n roll cliche chord progressions to the detriment of the human ear, by virtue of their lack of musical knowledge. As Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull sang in his song "Wind Up", ("I'd rather look around me, compose a better song, 'cause that's the honest measure of my worth"). In the chorus of "The Purification Of The Race", when the A Diminished is played and literally stops time on the word "race", it is at once touching and spellbinding.

It's wrong to interfere with what we've got. My point is, when something is beautiful, priceless and perfect, let it be, leave it at that and marvel in it. Would a chimpanzee make it with a dog? Really it depends on the chemistry. You've got a chemistry class, I want a piece of your mind, you don't know what you've started when you've mixed it up with mine. You'll have to define dog too. Is it a dog literally, or a dog as in, he's or she's a dog, as in not up to a certain beauty standard. I don't think so, I don't think so. Horniness may sway your decision and opinion in the looks department, when beauty's on a budget. The purification of the race should not be tampered with, should not be tampered with at all. At the heart of essence is purity. It's wrong to interfere with what we've got. Hey, hey get out of my way, I just came back from the U.S.A. Would a spider make it with a rose? Is this Rosemary from the "Shallow Hal" movie, Rose McGowan, Rose Marie from the "Dick van Dyke Show", Rose from the "Titanic" movie, or come to think of it a flower? Would a tiger make it with a toad? Hiding in the road like a Pasolini toad, I'm gonna give up all my load and go ooh yeah. I don't think so, I don't think so. I think therefore I am, therefore I am, I think. The purification of the race should not be tampered with, should not be tampered with at all. Thought is the fount of action, life, and manifestation, make the fountain pure and all will be pure. Yes Reverend Flemion, whatever you say.

The track "The Purification Of The Race", contains vocals and acoustic guitar by myself and keyboards by Dennis.

The Purification Of The Race (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 09/04/1992

Song 26. You're A Bigot (Demo)

Song 22 off of our LP "Racially Yours", is "You're A Bigot". It was written on December 12, 1989. There is no finger pointing going on here, but rather my point of view here is that people of this type of caliber exist. Life goes on, it happens everyday. Regardless what you may think of them, it is their path that needs adjusting and calls out for remedy. It is them and those who pretend to be other than what they are, who need to own up to their own true nature.

Here now you got your big lyrics for "You're A Bigot" :

You hurt me

Be big about it

Yeah, you destroyed my character

Be big about it

Yeah yeah yeah yeah you're a bigot

Yeah yeah yeah yeah you're the only one

Yeah yeah yeah yeah you're a bigot

Out to have some fun at my expense

You're cast out

Be big about it

Castrated with barbed wire

Be big about it

My feelings are the only ones that matter

My healings will stop all your chatter

The chord progression for the verses is : B minor / B minor (G in bass) / B minor (G b in bass) / B minor (E in bass). The chord progression for the chorus is : D Major / G Major / A Major / B minor / D Major / G Major / A Major / G b Major. The chord progression for the middle eight is : E minor / D Major / C Major / B Major. At the end of the middle eight, as the chord ends on B Major and in turn morphs into a B minor to start the verse, the magical pain spell is cast and sadness rains down on the title character, so caught up in how hurt he is.

You hurt me. Stick and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me. Why didn't I, I didn't think of this. Until I got hurt, 'til I got hurt, I didn't know what love is. Cat Stevens is one of my favorites. Incredible singer-songwriter, guitar player. We have traveled pain and love to call ourselves high born. Be big about it. Grow up. Get over it. Yeah you destroyed my character. Silly boy, you self-destroyer. Slander my name all over the place, do anything that you wanna do, but uh uh honey lay off of my shoes, don't you step on my blue suede shoes, you can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes. Sow a thought, reap an act, sow an act, reap a habit, sow a habit, reap a character, sow a character, reap a destiny. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah you're a bigot. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah you're the only one. Legend has it that Rollo, the first duke of Normandy, refused to kiss the foot of the French king Charles III, uttering the phrase bi got, his borrowing of the assumed old English equivalent of our expression by god. There is more than one out there, understandably they exist, so the mere mention of the line, "You're the only one" was intentionally tongue in cheek. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah you're a bigot. Out to have some fun at my expense. There are bullies who by their very nature, purposely push people's buttons. You're cast out. And East of Eden, mama he was cast. All the flowers that you planted mama, in your backyard, all died when you went away. Be big about it. As Shirley Manson of Garbage once said to me, "It's time to be a man, Jimmyfrog". Castrated with barbed wire. A bit drastic. For those in the dominatrix field or in the business of hurting, karma is a boomerang, it will come back to you. Peg, it will come back to you. Be big about it. Work through it. Work it girl. And when you smile for the camera, I know I'll love you better. My feelings are the only ones that matter, my healings will stop all your chatter. The hurt one, caught up in how people easily get to him, realizes by healing himself, and not getting caught up, this in turn will put an abrupt end to the smack talk chatter. And he thought of those he hurt, for he was not a cruel man, and he thought of those he frightened, for he was not an evil man, and he understood, he understood himself, upon this he saw that when he was of anger or knew hurt or felt fear, it was because he was not understanding, and he learned, compassion, and with his eye of compassion, he saw his enemies like unto himself, and he learned love, then, he was answered.

The track "You're A Bigot", contains acoustic guitar and vocals by myself and drums and backing vocals by Dennis.

You’re A Bigot (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 12/12/1989

Song 27. Blackout

Cops r searchin’

Wondering’ which 1 is which

But I pray there’s no blackout

Darkness is a snarlin’

Gun’s on my hip

But I pray there’s no blackout

& all of the red lights r cryin’

& all of the white lights r dyin’

& all of the blue lights r shinin’

Cops r searchin’

Wondering’ which 1 is which

But I pray there’s no blackout

All of the red lights r cryin’

All of the white lights r dyin’

All of the blue lights r shinin

Cops r searchin’

Wondering’ which 1 is which

But I pray there’s no blackout

Darkness is a snarlin’

Gun’s on my hip

But I pray there’s no blackout

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 08/28/1990

Song 28. The Blue-Eyed Devil & The Brown-Eyed Angel (Demo)

Song 23 off of our LP "Racially Yours", is "The Blue-Eyed Devil & The Brown-Eyed Angel. It was written at work on August 27, 1992 and completed on August 29, 1992. It has the same pentameter as Bernie Taupin's lyric to, "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy".

Keep your eyes on the piercing lyrics as they grip you like a vice:

All the time while on the cross

You had a white heart

Favoring one race, keepin' us apart

Reduced to loving you

Racially dissected, white and unproud

Racial spirituals, divinity denied

The streets of hell are unequaled

In heaven the blue-eyed devil

And the brown-eyed angel

The chord progression for the entire song is : G Major / D Major / C Major / E minor. The chords revolve in a circle creating a trance like state and timelessness quality. The keyboard melodies were created by Dennis.

All the time. The first song I wrote was written in 1977 and was called, "Out Of Fear". The first lyric in that first song I wrote was "Time", ("Time goes by and I'm only sitting here"). The song "9 To 5" by The Kinks off of their "Soap Opera" LP contains the line, ("And time goes by, the hours tick away". The LP "Soap Opera", was and remains one of my all time favorite albums. In 1976, I used to put on the LP, and while my friends were over, I would mime all the lyrics complete with wardrobe changes. I saw The Kinks on their "Sleepwalker", "Misfits", "Low Budget", "One For The Road", "GiveThe People What They Want", tours along with seeing Ray Davies on his solo "Other People's Lives" tour. They are one of my all time favorite bands. I love Ray's writing and his charismatic stage presence. While on the cross. We all have our problems, some BIG, some are small, soon all of our problems will be taken by the cross. The cross is comprised of two beams, one vertical and one horizontal. The vertical beam represents our relationship to god. The horizontal beam represents our relationship to others in the human family. The horizontal beam is wholly dependent upon the vertical beam to maintain it's place. Without the vertical beam, it is impossible for the horizontal beam to function. You had a white heart. Pure and glowing. Favoring one race. Biased. Keeping us apart. It's easy to hate and draw a line, for error is human, forgiveness divine. Reduced to loving you. Non-dual beyond compare and none can measure you, without color, expression or form, nor attributes to lend. Racially dissected. Break it down. We're all the same. White and unproud. Say it loud. If one is black and proud, it goes without saying that the alternative is white and unproud. Racial spirituals. Let me bring you songs from the cross. Let me bring you songs from the wood. Divinity denied. Come home brother, all is forgiven, we all cried when you were driven away. All access divinity pass. By denying the beast, he became the son of god. I'll never end, transcend, transcend. The streets of hell are unequaled. On the streets of Philahellphia. You have got to agree that nothing comes close to the streets of hell. In heaven the blue-eyed devil and the brown-eyed angel. Behind blue eyes. I've got blue eyes. Baby's got blue eyes. Old blue eyes. I saw Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich in 1983 in Milwaukee. As old blue eyes walked into the arena to take the stage, I touched his shoulder. He would be forever changed. The songs last lyrics are the song's title, like George Michael's song "One More Try", that also ends on the title where he was "Looking out for angels". The Rascals are one of my all time favorite bands, simply amazing. Their LP "Once Upon A Dream", is one of my all time favorites. Vocals, talent and musical perfection. You're out looking 'til you look inside, and I see you've found it, there's a place called heaven, you might think it's kinda square, oh, oh yeah, don't believe in heaven, you ain't never been there. Just as new life will come from death, love will come at leisure, love of love, love of life, and giving without measure gives in return a wondrous yearn of a promise almost seen, live hand in hand and together we'll stand on the threshold of a dream.

The track "The Blue-Eyed Devil & The Brown-Eyed Angel", contains vocal and acoustic guitar by myself and keyboards by Dennis.

The Blue-Eyed Devil & The Brown-Eyed Angel (Demo)

Jimmy Flemion : Vocals & Acoustic Guitar

Written by Jimmy Flemion 08/27/1992

Song 29. U Owe Me

I take responsibility 4 the faults of my race

400 years of slavery & it’s such a disgrace

U owe me

U owe me 4 all those years of servitude

Plantations gone

It wipes the memory clear

Plantation’s gone

& with it our guilt & fear so

I take responsibility 4 the faults of my race

Face

Look what we’ve done

Written by Dennis Flemion & Jimmy Flemion 11/11/1992

Song 30. Uncle Sam Loves U (Instrumental)

i writ it and jah lyrics is:

it's time to meet your maker

uncle sam loves you

i will set you free

it's time to meet your maker

uncle sam loves you

i have set you free

so love me, love me now

first off- is uncle sam yer maker? second off- does he love you?

third off- did he/she/it really & truly set you free? should you there"four" love him- NOW? i give up u tell me. reader's choice. now onto the meaning of the song at hand/foot. u.s. = creator, preserver, destroyer. hmm i may have something here.

up to heaven's pearly gates/whites and whom do we meet? why uncle sammy (davis of junior) of course- what a treat. hey that rhymed. free at first/last, flee at first/last thank god the f**k almighty we can flee at lisp/last. obvi-ref to doctor king (not mal) and his speech/word.

when i writted this one up w/the lines "i have set you free" i meant in the good old honest abe days. you on the other foot/hand can make of it what you will/won't. we are all slaves in one sense or another until we are set free- TRUE freedom being debatable/datable. this tongue in cheek parable of mine w/a needy god at the end of the day saying "love me -now" -- hardly a realistic view of a Deity but who am i rain on your parade/slave trade. it goes without saying that the u.s. of a. is indeed one needy/greedy god w/a once hot bod t' boot- until apparently something went down w/the indians starting around 1492 and now they too have a gripe with good ol' uncle (you know who) samuel. how dare they!

this one i did all by my lonesome- all bits- keyboards, vocals etc.- courtesy d.f.

The chord progression for the verses is : D Major / A minor / E minor / D Major / F Major / D Major. The chord progression for the bridge is : G Major (A in bass) / A Major. The chord progression for the second bridge is : G Major (A in bass) / A Major / G Major (A in bass) / A Major / G Major (A in bass) / G b Major / E Major / D Major / D minor.

uncle sam- he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not, he loves me, he loves me not--- he loves me!

Uncle Sam Loves U (Instrumental)

Dennis Flemion : Keyboards

Written by Dennis Flemion 07/01/1991

#jimmyflemion #dennisflemion #thefrogs

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