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Rarities And Casualties

by Chris Hludzik

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1.
MY (Chris Hludzik) My feet are achin', but I can't stop walkin' My mouth is tired, but I can't stop talkin' My head is hurtin', but I can't stop thinkin' My thirst has been quenched, but I can't stop drinkin' My hunger is gone, but I can't stop eatin' I'm wide awake, but I wish I was sleepin' CHORUS 1: And life's a game, but I've been cheatin' My, my, gonna cry My game is over, but I keep on playin' There's nothin' left to say, but I keep on sayin' I don't understand religion, but I keep on prayin' My spirit lives in the night, but always lets the day in I found a good home, but I kept on strayin' I stumbled to the door, but couldn't find the way in CHORUS 2: And life's a play I got the worst part in My, my, gonna try My voice is hoarse, but I can't stop singin' My ears hear bells, but there ain't no bells ringin' My eyes see things where there's nothin' to see In my heart's a desire, a fire burning me I see feet movin', but nobody's walkin' Mouths are movin', but nobody's talkin' CHORUS 3: And life's a bad conversation that i just walked into My, my, gonna die. CHORUS 1, 2, and 3, then fade out ©2006, 2017, Chris Hludzik.
2.
SLEEP FOREVER (Chris Hludzik) INTRO: Tony! This song's for you. You spoke it harsh, but you spoke it true. Wake up my love! Don’t worry – I won’t. The day breaks, my love! What’s the hurry? It’s the same as before. What can you do When your heart’s been broken in two? What can you say When there’s nothing – left to live for? CHORUS: I wish that I could sleep forever – And ever and never wake up. I’d close my eyes and dream – Until the world breaks up. Come on, my love! Don’t push me – I won’t move. Turn on, my love! What are you trying to prove? What can you do When your will’s been taken from you? What can you say When you don’t think that you can see it through one more day? CHORUS: Where can you go That you haven’t already been to? What do you know In a world that’s cold and untrue? I wish I (x4) I wish that I could sleep forever – And ever and never wake up I’d close my (x4) I’d close my eyes and dream – Until the world breaks up I wish that I could sleep forever – And ever and never wake up. ©2003, Chris Hludzik.
3.
NEGATIVE SPACE (Chris Hludzik) I’m not alone, but I may as well be You’re about as friendly as a withered old tree Talking to you is like talking to air I see someone, but there’s nobody there Your intellect is the size of a pin Your ignorance is like original sin Your eyes are hollow just like a drone Your lights are on, but there’s nobody home. A dark void blacker than a hole You’re like a demon sucking your soul You’re like a virus slowly eating me You’re like a cruise ship lost at sea Worse than a headache that won’t go away Like a discrepancy in my pay You’re like an itch that I can’t reach You never practice what you preach. I came to you to fill my void But instead I became annoyed Your attitude, worse than a prude If I spoke my mind you’d say that I was rude You’re like dead weight hanging around You’re so noisy but you don’t make a sound You’re superficial, you put me to sleep But you're just part of a growing cult - the negative deep. You have no heart, but you’re still alive You feed off me so you can survive You write your words in invisible ink You are the drain in my life’s sink You don’t fulfill me, you let me down But I feel so inclined to have you around You’re like sex without protection You’re the opposite of perfection The antithesis of what I am But I’ll remain with you, and be forever damned. You’re like writing on a wall But I can’t see what has been scrawled The rain has washed it all away Just another empty part of another empty day Come around, knock me down, safe and sound and go away. ©2004, Chris Hludzik.
4.
INSTRUMENTAL
5.
ALL AMPED UP (Chris Hludzik) Did you ever get that feeling, from deep down below? Glad and excited all over, feel like you’re on a roll. It’s like a fire in your heart, and an aching in your soul. But you just sit there wasted, dazed in the afterglow. Then you put down your guitar, and down the stairs you go. You jump into your car, with no special place to go. And you saw the light turn red, but you never even seen, That while you were waiting hungrily, all the time it was green. And so another dull day passes, with the sunset one more will grow. And you feel so used, mislead and confused, abused by an overthrow. And as the day slowly dims, and then quickly turns to black, You wish you could have held on, you wish you could take it back. And after all your friends have left you, there’s only one thing that you know: It’s no use being all amped up, when you got no place to go I’ve seen freedom in the mountains, I’ve seen fighting on the streets, But I’ve got a deeper hunger, one that can’t be beat. I’ve seen criminals walking free, I’ve seen peacemakers hang from the poles. I’ve seen people who were all amped up, but too afraid to come out of their holes. I’ve seen beauty in the darkness, I’ve seen evil in the light. I’ve seen people who are killing, but no one wins the fight. I’ve used all the excuses, now all my friends are foes. But no one hears me crying, no one feels my woes. And we’ve created a prison, where anyone can go. But we can never break away, because we do not know. In the sky the sun is shining, but it’s always rain in my heart. And it’s hard to be all amped up, broken down and torn apart. So I try not to get excited, ’cause if there’s one thing that I know, It’s just a goddamn shame, when you’re all amped up, and you got no place to go. ©2005, Chris Hludzik.
6.
NEED (Chris Hludzik) I don't need no big brother Already got one watching me From the day I was born, it's the eye in the sky It just won't let me be. I don't need no candy My bag is full to the brim But the taste so sweet, just can't beat The bitter state I'm in. I don't need no friends I've got one or two of them But where will they be, when I'm in need? They'll just run away again. I don't need no sunshine I've already seen the light But the light is dim, and the future's grim It's darker than the night. I don't need no tall tales I've been told enough of those But they kept me locked up in the dark From the things I should have known. I don't need no justice Never had it anyway Well they say it's blind, so it might not find A place for me today. I don't need no money My wallet's not what it seems It can't help you, it can't help me It can't buy us our dreams. I don't need no doctor I already know what's wrong It's a social disease, brought me to my knees That's why I'm singing this song. I don't need no medicine I'm gonna die anyway And when I do, I hope it's quick 'Cause I've got to get away... ©2006, Chris Hludzik.
7.
Live (Demo) 05:53
LIVE (Chris Hludzik) You’re movin’ on without me But I wanna come too You say “Don’t worry, I’ll be around” But how do I know if it’s true? They say that weather changes moods And it’s been rainin’ an awful lot You act like you know what you want But you don’t even know what you’ve got. CHORUS: So what should I do While you shuffle your thoughts through your head? You say live – live or be dead. It seems fair enough For you to try new things Come out of your corner swinging In life’s boxing ring It seems clear enough For you to hold your own But PLEASE make up your mind Or I’ll just have to go it alone. CHORUS: CHORUS: Ever since you’ve left me I’ve been able to see You were not what I thought you were And you could never be. I often think about you And the advice that you would give And boy, I’m glad I listened ‘Cause I’ve finally started to live. So what do you do – Just shuffle your thoughts through your head? You’d better live – or you’ll wind up dead. ©2006, Chris Hludzik.
8.
INSOMNIA (Chris Hludzik) It’s tough to fall asleep When you’ve got these dreams that you can’t keep And nightmares that just won’t let you be Knowing you’re only hours away From the pain and frustration of another day You wonder, “will I ever be free – to be me?” My head feels heavy, as I turn out the light But no matter what I do It’s so hard to say goodnight… CHORUS: Insomnia (There ain’t no cure for) (x2) Insomnia The only sure thing Is that you gotta wake up That clock is foolin’ me It can’t be as late as it seems to be 2 a.m.? My mind is on the run Computer screen that shines so bright In the middle of my darkest nights Convincing myself that this is fun Tossin’ and turnin’ I can’t get a wink I’m tryin’ hard to nod off But all I can do is blink… CHORUS: BRIDGE: And all my days I will wander In a dreary, weary, sleepy haze This caffeinated culture barely keeps me awake Through the daily grind and the promise of another empty handshake… CHORUS (x2): ©2007, Chris Hludzik.
9.
LEAVE IT AT HOME (Chris Hludzik) I don’t want any more of your cheap talk Don’t ya know that I’m poor enough as it is? And I don’t wanna hear any more late night stories Cause nowadays everybody thinks they’re in showbiz I don’t wanna hear about the day you had And I’m pretty sure you don’t care to hear about mine I didn’t come out tonight to resurrect the past I came here with the sole intention of having a good time CHORUS: So don’t talk to me about all the same old shit Or remind me of the losers chomping at the bit Or brag about the winners (they’re so full of it) Please spare me, just leave it at home If you can’t make me laugh, I want you out of my face If you can’t bring me joy, in my life you’ve got no place If you can’t ease my mind then why the hell are you here? If you can’t help me, then please, just disappear If you can’t make me feel alive then just go away So I can live to hear your bullshit some other day If you’re just gonna tease me, then don’t come around I don’t need a lifted spirit that I have to bring down CHORUS: BRIDGE: Please don’t insult my intelligence With your stupidity and ignorance Now I don’t wanna come off as arrogant But I know that my time can be better spent And don’t try to massage my intellect ‘Cause half of what you know is incorrect Now I don’t mean you any disrespect But to me you’re just another reject CHORUS (x2) ©2007, Chris Hludzik.
10.
FRIEND (Chris Hludzik) You tell me that I’m a good time But I’m not good enough for ALL of your time I’m just a jester- A perfume tester for you to prime Your eyes seem so sincere, But it’s really evil stares Looking down Turning your smile to an evil frown I wonder what you say When I’m not around When you lift me up, Are you really bringing me down? CHORUS: Some would say that I’m foolish Some would say that I’m weak Some would say my soul will never mend Some would call you a liar Some would call you a thief But me? I call you “Friend”. Your actions make me suspicious But I’m not one to judge I don’t like mind games, or dropping names And I NEVER hold a grudge Truth is stranger than fiction But fiction’s much more fun When you know I’ve nowhere to go And you’ve got me on the run I wonder what you’d say If you could say it to my face I wonder what I’d say If I didn’t feel so out of place CHORUS: If ya can’t say something nice, then Don’t say nothing at all I’d rather shut up Than have to put up with taking the fall They say that he who has no sin Can cast the first stone That’s not for me – Just wanna be left alone. I could’ve saved myself some trouble If only I knew All I needed was a friend But instead, I got YOU CHORUS: OUTRO (Repeat through fade): Goodbye old friend, goodbye!!! ©2007, Chris Hludzik.
11.
THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR (IN GOD WE TRUST...?) (Chris Hludzik) On the almighty dollar It says "in god we trust" It says it on the nickels, quarters and dimes And the pennies full of rust The establishment bleeds ya And you supply the stuff They tell ya to hand it over And don't give then any guff CHORUS 1: And the price to live is high And even if ya wanna die That'll cost ya too Cause even if you have a say There's a price to pay In god we trust...god who? Prices are risin' Misers are misin' And another hard-earned dollar Is sucked down the drain Until we're poor and full of pain But what they don't realize Is that we already are Generic brands, 30 year mortgage And a beat up domestic car CHORUS 2: And the price to live is high And even if ya wanna die That'll cost ya too Cause even if you find a way There's a price to pay In god we trust...god who? And even in the churches They're preachin' interest rates "We need a new roof, collars for my suit - Load the collection plate" Then when they find you're out of money That's when they throw you out You have no dollars, and it makes no sense You wish you could find a way out CHORUS 3: And the price to live is high And even if ya wanna die That'll cost ya too Cause even if you wanna pray There's a price to pay In god we trust...god who? SOLO The teachers are on strike again Their pickets scream "MORE PAY" But the children haven't got smarter I see no reason for them to stay And the neatly-crafted currency Still boasts "in god we trust" But no one cares who god is He's blowin' in the dust FINAL CHORUS: And the price to live is high And even if ya wanna die That'll cost ya too Cause even if you wanna play There's a price to pay In god we trust...god who? ©2007, 2017, Chris Hludzik.
12.
BLEEDING EARS (Chris Hludzik) Heard a mother say to her child “Wish you were never born” Heard a poor man on the street cryin’ For clothes he’s never worn Late at night I heard the TV howlin’ Talkin’ about the war And it makes me so curious So I listen, quietly listen… CHORUS: With my bleeding ears I hear the cries of the world And with my bleeding eyes, I can see All the bleeding hearts Licking each other’s wounds Longing to be free. On the radio Heard all the same old songs When so many others never got a chance to sing along Felt the cut of hatred – its wounds never heal All the good blood is in the gutter The bad blood left to congeal And it makes me so furious As I listen, quietly listen… CHORUS: And it makes me delirious It’s so hard to listen, but I still listen… CHORUS: (x2) ©2007, Chris Hludzik.
13.
THE THANKS I GET (Chris Hludzik) When your empire was crumbling I was there to pick up the pieces And put it back together again When your world didn’t turn And hard lessons were learned I was with you through it all, my friend But when I pulled you from the ditch And put you back on the road You seemed to forget who got you there Well they say life – it’s a bitch It leaves you lost and leaves you cold Full of doubt and full of fear And when I needed you, you weren’t there I guess you didn’t think to care… And that’s the thanks I get I was always setting things up To help you make a name I did the work, you took the credit But when things didn’t pan out It was me who got the blame I’ll never forget it I held my end of every bargain Stayed true to my word Took too many falls for you Lies, excuses and jargon From you were all I heard What did you expect me to do? But you wouldn’t drop your agenda for MY affairs I guess you felt you were too important to care… And that’s the thanks I get Yeah that's the thanks I get. ©2008, Chris Hludzik.
14.
NORTHWEST SONG (Chris Hludzik) Crank it up real loud To get the message through And if you don't seem too proud They might believe in you Just don't wash your hair And tear some holes in your jeans Just cast a blank stare Make them feel what you think you've been CHORUS: But we weren't stars We wouldn't last that long Just kids with guitars Trying to play those Northwest songs So young and so bold We thought we knew it all In a world so cold With our backs to the wall Distortion and gain To make it all come down Frustration and pain Like a gray day in a Northwest town CHORUS: BRIDGE: Can you feel the pain? Can you feel the shame? Does it feel the same As everything else? But we'll insist it's a new sound We'll try and cover some new ground Even though it's the same ground That's been trampled by everyone else CHORUS: ©2009, Chris Hludzik.
15.
FOR MERCY (Chris Hludzik) I’m tired of always keeping the peace All I ever wanted was to say my peace What I could use in my life is a little peace Oh please Please let me be I don’t want to go through this again But there’s no way to be sure it won’t happen again Well I don’t think I can make it through this again Oh please Please let me be Oh please Please let me be at ease CHANGE But you know me It just wouldn’t be a normal day Without a little rain You can show me But somehow I’d feel a little lost Without the pain SOLO CHANGE I’m sick of always feeling left out If I’m not wanted here then I should just get out Sometimes I think I’m better off being left out Oh please Please let me be Oh please Please let me be at ease ©2009, Chris Hludzik.
16.
RESURFACED (Chris Hludzik) So you thought that it was over Done and gone away You’ve left it all behind But it’s never really over It comes back to you someday How could you be so blind? CHANGE And no one is immune to it It’s something we all face The unrest of never knowing The time or the place So when it finally hits you Don’t act with such surprise You should have known by now ‘Cause you can leave the past behind you And you can try to compromise But it still catches up somehow CHANGE 2 And no one is immune to it It’s something we all face The unrest of never knowing The time or the place So don’t think for one second That it can’t happen to you All your problems have resurfaced Out of the blue… ©2009, Chris Hludzik.
17.
BALL'S IN YOUR COURT (Chris Hludzik) I've waited on the sidelines I've been a good sport The ball's in your court The ball's in your court I've followed all the guidelines Reviewed the reports The ball's in your court The ball's in your court CHANGE: Do you think that I will wait forever? I might Did you think that I would just give up Without a fight? You were right I got tired of cleaning It's such a mess to sort The ball's in your court The ball's in your court I tried to find the meaning I'm such a worry wart The ball's in your court The ball's in your court CHANGE: I won't ring your telephone You'd only cut me short The ball's in your court The ball's in your court If you need some space all of your own Your view I won't distort The ball's in your court The ball's in your court If the weight becomes too much for you To carry and support The ball's in your court The ball's in your court Just remember when you're ready to I'll help tear down this fort The ball's in your court The ball's in your court OUTRO (Repeat through fade) The ball's in your court The ball's in your court Just remember when you're ready to The ball's in your court ©2010, Chris Hludzik.
18.
SURROUNDINGS (Chris Hludzik) Get up in the morning Tired and blue It's just another empty day That will be taken from you Turn on the TV Hear what the newsmen say Well it seems the whole damn world Is being thrown away CHORUS: Look around you It surrounds you (x2) Kids on the street With no direction in their lives Instead of pen and paper in their hands They've got guns and knives Out of the picture Hanging on to the frame Well it's hard to point the finger When we're all to blame CHORUS: Man must face a test A race against time But his evil ways will make sure We never see the finish line Somewhere in the distance A killer makes his mark And it's hard to make light of the situation When everything is dark CHORUS: OUTRO: Look around you It confounds Look around you It astounds Look around you It surrounds you. ©2013, Chris Hludzik.

about

A collection of demos, alternate versions and outtakes, spanning a decade - from 2003 to 2013. A total of 18 songs - 16 previously unreleased in the forms presented here, along with 2 NEVER before released.

credits

released September 10, 2017

ALL SELECTIONS © CHRIS HLUDZIK. COMPILATION PRODUCED, ENGINEERED AND MIXED BY CHRIS HLUDZIK BETWEEN 2003 and 2013 AND ASSEMBLED SUMMER 2017.

ALL VOCALS, INSTRUMENTATION AND DRUM PROGRAMMING BY CHRIS HLUDZIK. LIVE DRUMS BY BRYAN BROPHY (Courtesy of "AN AUTUMN SUNRISE").

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHNATHAN HLUDZIK. ARTWORK EDITING, DESIGN AND LAYOUT BY CHRIS HLUDZIK.

FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE VISIT chrishludzik.com

All selections (EXCEPT 6) administered by SOUNDS GOOD GUYS MUSIC, BMI.

©2017, CHRIS HLUDZIK.

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Chris Hludzik Scranton, Pennsylvania

CHRIS HLUDZIK is an original musician from Northeastern Pennsylvania. Chris has been writing songs for several years, and has been involved with many bands and projects (performing, writing, engineering, mixing, and producing), covering many styles and genres of music. His original music represents this diversity. ... more

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