Gather round people, whoever you are
And I'll tell you how one boy, became a star
And when you get sad and you feel all alone
Remember the ballad of Bobby McStone

Bobby McStone, welcome to your life
It won't be easy, struggle and strife
Heartache and pain is the only way through
Bobby McStone, good luck to you

Bobby McStone, you're born with a chance
To sing people happy, and play people dance
But you'll need more than talent to get by in this world
You're gonna need the love of a very special girl

When people say you're just a dreamer,
You gotta tell 'em that they're right
And though they try to put you down,
Don't ever give up the fight

Bobby McStone, beleive the songs you write
If you try to fake it, it won't come out right
Don't try to hide your feelings, cause you think you're being cool
Your lies will be transparent, and people will just see through you

Bobby you can use your guitar
To say what you want to say
With a little bit of practice
There's nothing you can't play

Bobby McStone, forget what others say
You'll always have your music, no one can take it away
You are very special, let us have no doubt
This is your ballad, and it's what you're all about

He won't play with cars or GI Joes
He'd rather plunk around on the old piano
He doesn't like the toys we buy him
We got him some legos, but he won't even try 'em

All the other kids think he's insane
Cause he don't want to play with video games
Well I wonder what we did
To raise such a weird kid

Bobby is so strange, he's oh so strange
He has my name but he's not the same
Bobby is so strange, he's oh so strange

I'm worried about the boy
Something isn't right
When he finally goes to bed
He keeps the oldies station, on all night

We can't leave him by himself
If we do, every record's off the shelf
Life is hard, and kids can be cruel
A kid that into music, just won't be cool

Bobby is so strange, he's oh so strange
He's sure got brains, but he sure is strange
Bobby is so strange, he's oh so strange

Well he listens to his headphones
With the volume way too high
And when I tell him to turn it down
He just asks me why

Just because our boy's not like, every other kid
Doesn't mean it must be, something that we did
Listen to him playing, It's a beautiful sound
And he'll just resent us, if we keep him down

A child is a magic thing, he should bring us together
But this is a storm, I don't know if we can weather
Bobby's filled with something, many folks won't see
He'll need a lot of loving, so it's up to you and me

Instead of showing him what you know
You scowl and watch a T V show
If this keeps up we're gonna leave
And I'll get custody

The funny thing to me is, you were a musician too
If anyone would understand, I'd think it would be you
Open up your heart, Ben, and you'll see that nothing's wrong
And it'll all work out, if we just help him along

I hope this doesn't mean the end
I don't think it has to Ben
Just open up your heart
So we don't fall apart

Try to think about your son, and not about yourself
He's very special, and he's gonna need our help
Consider this a warning, if you stay on your present course
I'm gonna take Bobby, and file for divorce

I'm gonna write a love song for my parents
I'll sing it to them when they fight
And maybe if they listen to me
Everything will be all right

I can't stand it when they're fighting
Especially when it's about me
But if I write them their own love song
That might save our family

I hate it when they fight about me
I'm a strange one it is true
But there's no reason for them to argue
Cause there's nothing they can do

I wish my parents wouldn't fight so
I feel guilty and it makes me sad
I wish they'd get on like they used to
And stop treating each other bad

Sometimes I listen to my headphones
With the volume way up high
Cause when I can hear them fighting
It always makes me cry

Your mom and I've been talking, about you and your rocking
Your song has made me see, just how selfish I can be
Instead of worrying what to do, I should figure out what's best for you
We can compromise and set up some rules

If you promise to stick with it and study hard
and you get a B average on your report card
The we'll let you keep playing your guitar
And maybe build a studio out in the backyard

It's up to you, now Bobby, if you want to rock and roll
You know the rules, now Bobby, it's time for you to take control
Getting B's ain't easy, you're gonna have to work hard
But if you do then you'll get your reward

I wanna give your something, so you know I mean it
It's my old Stratocaster, you've never seen it
It's probably worth lots of money, but I'd never sell
I want you to play it, and play it well

It's in the hall closet all covered with dust
The neck's probably warped and the strings turned to rust
But when you flip the latch, and you open the case
I want to be there to see your face

It's up to you, now Bobby, if you want to rock and roll
You know the rules, now Bobby, it's up to you to take control
Getting B's ain't easy, you're gonna have to work hard
But if you do then you'll get your reward

It's true my son, I've been in your shoes
Your old man used to play the blues
Country, pop, and a little bit o' soul
Back then folks just called it rock and roll
I used to play the rhythm guitar
But I never dreamed of being a star
With my Stratocaster and a Fender twin
I was having fun, not playing to win

Your daddy used to be a rocker
Your daddy used to be a rocker
Your daddy used to be a rocker
Ya, your daddy used to rock and roll
But he don't rock and roll no mo'

You've heard of Eddie Money
He's a famous man
Did you know your own dad
Played in his high school band

We were called the Hoods and we were pretty good
We even played some gigs down in Hollywood
I met your mom at one of our first shows
Soon I loved her more than rock and roll
I finally gave it up when you came along
I took on more work and forgot my songs
I've got some friends who have stayed with it
But you know I don't ever miss it

Your daddy used to be a rocker
Your daddy used to be a rocker
Your daddy used to be a rocker
Ya, your daddy used to rock and roll
But he don't rock and roll no mo'

Now that his parent are happy again
Bobby still has his work cut out for him
If he doesn't study, and keep up his grades
He knows the price that will have to be paid
(The Strtocaster will go unplayed)

I'm going to school and I'm shooting for B's
Cause my dad is putting on the squeeze

Shooting for B's in a public school
Toeing the line and bending all the rules
Shooting for B's to appease my dad
Cause I can't play if I'm doing bad

I'm going to school and I'm studying hard
Shooting for a studio in the back yard

I'll take time out from practicing scales
Cause I won't get to play guitar if I fail
I'll study hard but when my homework's done
I'll take out my guitar and have myself some fun
I'm gonna have some fun

When lunchtime comes around
And everybody hits the playground
While my friends are playing soccer
I get my guitar from my locker
And sit by the woodshop strummin'
Singing softly and taking the sun in
I'm in the shade as long as I get good grades

If I get an A in English class
Then I can get a C in math
I just hope that in chemistry
I don't flounder and end up with a D
I can't get a D

So I'm shooting for B's

Percy Sledgehammer ain't dumb
Just because he plays the drums
He's really quite sophisticated

And though he's quiet when he's at school
He's sure loud when he's on his stool
I always like the way he plays it

Sonny California plays
Mean old lines upon his bass
He knows where to find the pocket

Set it up, he knocks it down
But he knows he is a clown
Give him a chance and he can rock it

Hey man, we're a band
It looks like we really can
Play hey, it sounds OK
Especially for our first day

Playing rock and roll's the best
Way that I've found to express
All the things that I am feeling

When we jam on some old tune
And I go crazy as a loon
The things I play can be revealing

Golly gee, how hard can it be
We're gonna change rock's history
You'll see, it'll be easy
Just tune up and follow me

We're lucky there's no draft to dodge
We'll spend all summer in the garage
Making music and having good times

All we need are a couple of chords
And we won't ever get bored
Trying to figure out what would rhyme

Mrs. Bell's a music teacher at my school
She's stern and harsh, and she has lots of rules
I like music so I try to do my best
But she seems to hate me more than all the rest

For my final presentation I composed a tune
And when my turn came up I began to croon
It was an idle love song about lying in the grass
In which I'd used some things I learned in class

When my song was over and I looked around
Mrs. Bell was scowling as she stared me down
I got up and walked to my seat with a bowed head
But Mrs. Bell had followed me and this is what she said:

Bobby McStone
Your song is so bad
You're the worst student
That I've ever had
That song was so awful
I could hardly take it
Put away that guitar
Before I come and break it
What were you thinking?
What was your goal?
I can tell you've been listening
To that rock and roll
Bobby McStone
There is no excuse
For music like that
There ain't no use
You thought you had talent
You thought I would hail you
But you were so bad
That I'm gonna fail you
You can't write songs
You'll never know how
You might as well
Stop trying now
Sell your guitar
Buy a calculator
Maybe if you're lucky
You can use that later
You have no talent
Why even try?
Oh, look at the boy
He's starting to cry

Graduation Day

Well I just graduated from school
And I was wondering what I should do
Maybe I'll try my hand
At playing covers, in a cover band

Mrs. Bell has set me straight
Now I know I'll never be first rate
But It's hard, so much harder to go wrong
When you're playing other people's songs

Oh, Graduation Day

All of my friends are going away
If they're smart, they'll go to stay
Cause there's nothing going on in my hometown
But I'm nothing, so I'm gonna stick around

Oh, Graduation Day

Now I'm feeling older
Heavy burden on my shoulders
Each summer feeling colder now

I would write songs if I could
But the songs I write are no good
I have nothing new to say

I used to think that I was hot
But Mrs. Bell showed me I'm not
Playing covers is the only way

Bar Band

When I'm home I play real fast
But on stage I hold it back
I don't want to stand out in any way

The drunks are shouting from the bar
No one wonders who we are
The songs they shout out are what we play

Bar Band, now I'm playing in a
Bar Band, I'll make it pay in a
Bar Band, looks like I'll stay in a
Bar Band

If we play the hits
We get bigger tips
That's the music biz

Bar Band, I got it made in a
Bar Band, I'm getting paid in a
Bar Band, I might get laid in a
Bar Band

Well I was walking down the street just minding my own
When I heard Mrs. Bell cry out "hey Bobby McStone,
I see by your case that you're still playing the guitar
Playing other people's music for the drunkards at the bar

I hope you know that you're wasting your life
Why don't you get a real job, and find yourself a wife
Instead of wasting time making that unholy racket,
Get yourself some money, patch the holes up in your jacket."

I mumbled some excuse about someone I had to meet
And with a sigh she turned away and stepped into the street
I guess she wasn't looking or she couldn't see too well
For just then a bus was driving by and it hit Mrs. Bell

Watch out for that bus! Watch out for that bus!

As I turned away I heard a scream and then a thud
And when I looked I saw the bus, it's front covered with blood
And yards away Mrs. Bell lay crumpled up on the ground
I rushed over to her side and heard a gurgling sound

And as she lay dying she looked up into my eyes
And the last words that she ever said were "I apologize."
And later as I walked away from that grizzly scene
My mind was twisting turning and I felt like it was a dream

I wondered just what she had meant, those last words that she said
But most of all I couldn't believe that Mrs. Bell was dead
And as I thought about my head was filled with song
She said that she was sorry, that means that she was wrong

Watch out for that bus! Watch out for that bus!

It will hit you, you will die
But first you'll apologize,
Oh, watch out for that bus

It means that I can write and sing, no matter what they say
The only one to please is me, and I like how I play
And if people don't like it, well we'll all be dead some day
And then there won't be anything left that they can say

Watch out for me now! The bus has shown me how!

You are dead and I am free
Now my life belongs to me,
Oh, watch our for that bus

The fog has lifted from my brain and now I clearly see
My future lies in front of me
My fear had blinded me before, I was too scared to live
But all the sudden I am free

For so long I've been a slave, too shy to stake my claim
Too timid to try and make my name
But now she's dead and in my head I am feeling free
And doors are opening for me

Playing covers is OK, it keeps my chops in shape
But I have something more to say
Up till now I've been confused, something in my mind was blocked
But now I just want to rock

I want to rock
I want to rock
I want to rock
I want to rock

I've got ideas I've stashed away and never realized
But I can't remember why
My future stretches out before me I can see it clear
Now I know what I want to hear

I want to rock
I want to rock
I want to rock
I want to rock

I feel ashamed, I was insane, I let her keep me down
But now she is not around

Bobby wants to rock, and play his own tunes
Cause now he knows he has nothing to lose
Now that the bus, has shown him how
Bobby just wants to play guitar now

My name is Bobby McStone
I didn't come here all alone
I brought my band, the Stony Express
When it comes to rockin', we're the best

It's rock and roll yeah
And you need some
We're the Stony Express
And we're here to have some fun
Play guitar now
And bash them drums
When Sonny pulls the bass
It's gonna make the little girls suck his thumb

We're working hard, doing the chores
Cause rock and roll is it's own reward
We'll rock our hearts out, and it won't be long
Till everybody's gonna sing this song

It's rock and roll yeah, And you need some
We're the Stony Express
And we're here to have some fun
Play guitar now, Play it every day
Then maybe you can learn to play this way,
Play guitar! Play that guitar now!

And if I die before long
And no one sings these stony songs
That's OK, and that's alright
Because we rocked them here tonight

It's rock and roll yeah
And you need some
We're the Stony Express
And we're here to have some fun
Play guitar now
And bash them drums
When Sonny pulls the bass
It's gonna make the little girls suck his thumb

Cupid shot me with his bow,
Then I saw you and now I know,
That love is all we have to do,
And all our wishes can come true, it's true,

Love is,
Love is, yeah,
Love is, me and you.

My love for you is something new
It's never been described before
All those old songs just get it wrong
My love is so much more

I'm gonna write a brand new love song
One that I can really use
A song that I can sing to my baby
When she's kicking off her shoes

And it's a brand new,
Brand new love

A love that's loose and easy
A heart that's light and free
A couple verses and a chorus
To say what you mean to me

Our love should be in pictures
It should be up on the silver screen
Then I could show everybody
Exactly what I mean

And it's a brand new,
Brand new love

The history of art is vast, if you look through it
But you've given me something brand new to add to it

A brand new love is special
It's something to celebrate
I've been wanting to have a party
Since we went on our first date

I've found a love that's novel
I had to write about it right away
Cause whenever I think about you
I have so much to say

About a brand new,
Brand new love

Hey buddy, you're really good
Are you signed? I think you should be
My name's Kenny, and I'm from ABS
And I'm already a fan I must confess

I like your playing and I like your hooks
We can work on your singing and looks
We know you have talent, and that's why we are courting you
So if you sign with us we'll be supporting you

Sign, sign, sign, the dotted like
The ABS label's gonna treat you fine
So come with us, we'll wine and dine
And all you gotta do is just sign, sign, sign

It's our standard contract, you won't do better
There's no use reading every letter
You're gonna wanna stick with me
Cause I'm good friends with Kennedy

Sign, sign, sign, the dotted like
The ABS label's gonna treat you fine
A big advance ought to ease your mind
And all you gotta do is just sign, sign, sign

Please realize we're in a recession
So you're gonna have to make a few concessions
We're a lean machine and our ship is tight
So sign with us and it'll be alright

If you want to rock and roll
You gotta give up some control
There is no alternative to me

If you want your band to last
Then you better kiss my ass
There is no alternative to me
There is no alternative to me

If you want to get the chicks
Then you gotta be a dick
There is no alternative to me

If you want to be the top of the pops
Then you better forget your chops
There is no alternative to me
There is no alternative to me

First you sign the dotted line
Then your ideas are mine
There is no alternative to me

But if you have a heart
Then you won't fit the part
There is no alternative to me
There is no alternative to me

The record company man
Just doesn't understand
If he did, he would have been nice
I love rock and roll
But I won't sell my soul
I'll sell my songs but I'm gonna get full price

I'm gonna do it, do it, do it, do it, do it myself

I don't need a coorporation
To help me rock the nation
I'll sell my records through the mail
I'm gonna make a bet
On the power of the internet
And I'll have fun even if I fail

I'm gonna do it, do it, do it, do it, do it myself

It's not about how much money you spend
It's the songs that matter in the end
If the music flows just like it should
Then the people will buy it because it's good

They offered me a deal
They said it was for real
You can rock and roll and you'll get paid
But when it all came down
They were playing me for a clown
And that's not the way I want to play

So I'm gonna do it, do it, do it, do it, do it myself

Well it's heading, up to the top
Picking up momentum, I don't think it's gonna stop
All the DJ's, really seem to like it a lot
And they're saying, it's making the phone lines hot

The first time I heard my song
Playing on the radio
My heart jumped into my throat
I cried and I'll tell you so, now it's

#4 with a bullet, and rising up the charts
#4 with a bullet, just like I wanted right from the start
#4 with a bullet, looks like it's going to #3
#4 with a bullet, it kinda feels like it's a dream
No time to wonder what it means

Now the kids, are coming to see the show
And there's more of 'em, in every town we go
Well I did my chores and I learned to play the blues
Now they got me quoted on MTV news

And when I see my CD
Up on the record store shelves
I'll know that it's the real me
Cause I did it just for myself, and now it's

#4 with a bullet, and rising up the charts
#4 with a bullet, just like I wanted right from the start
#4 with a bullet, looks like it's going to # dos
#4 with a bullet, I'm gonna make the most
This is no time, to coast

Play Guitar Now's charting in Chico
Man that is really cool
I got some fan mail from Puerto Rico
And basically it said we rule

Now tonight, when we play that song
We'll do a version, that's 20 minutes long
Where I thank the people for making us number four
Then we'll rock, like we never have rocked before

And when I see my CD
Up on the top of the charts
It's gonna make me happy
Cause It came straight from my heart, and now it's

#4 with a bullet, and rising up the charts
#4 with a bullet, just like I wanted right from the start
#4 with a bullet, looks like it's going to #1
#4 with a bullet, I'll get my moment in the sun,
So let's all have some fun

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