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Gonna Be Alright (LP)

by Chico Harpo

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1.
A Thousand Zillion Hundred Dollar$ 02:36
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VERSE 1 Peacefully, lying there asleep Forming tiny thoughts cerebral parts while you dream Yeah I can’t wait to teach you everything I know Yeah I can’t wait to take it slow Cause all I’ve ever really wanted was someone to understand the person that I really am And now that you are here I feel more complete CHORUS So place your little hand in mine And I will love you all your life All of your life VERSE 2 Yeah everyday, the problems that life sends our way How they try to erase you, break you, and make you wanta scream But they don’t bother me, who cares if this sounds so cliché You take all of that away that’s why I do it all for you Cause a thousand zillion hundred dollars Would not could not ever replace all the things you mean to me It’s you’re well-being that is so priceless to me CHORUS So place your little hand in mine And I will love you all your life
2.
He's In The News Again (feat. Dave Keuning & Marysol Arellano) 03:39
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VERSE 1 The monsters we prefer are in the ground and can’t make a sound Cause we know they’re like you and me with a strange disease A sick man with a gun shot John Lennon He’s on the run shooting at… CHORUS Everyone says, “isn’t it horrible what he did?!” Then we don’t change a thing but we all say, “isn’t it horrible that he’s in the news again?!” VERSE 2 Oh how the world weeps then forgets, they have a memory short as a goldfish’s He’s the dirty dish in the kitchen sink that we all see but hate to clean A sick man with a gun shot 20 children He’s on the run shooting at… CHORUS Everyone says, “isn’t it horrible what he did?!” Then we don’t change a thing but we all say, “isn’t it horrible that he’s in the news again?!” BRIDGE The bully at the pulpit shouts, “we mustn’t forget our freedom or God’s only son!” Cause happiness is a warm gun CHORUS Yeah we all say, “isn’t it horrible what he did?!” Then we don’t change a thing but we all say, “isn’t it horrible that he’s in the news again?!” Yeah he’s still on the run shooting at everyone…
3.
Dear Carla (feat. Alpha Particles) 03:39
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VERSE 1 On the blue line train to downtown LA, I saw some kids On a school field trip, who gazed with wonderment at the city’s grit Reminding me of how I should be and all you mean to me And what this life could be CHORUS Dear Carla, don’t be afraid and let the past get in the way With what we have today cause you’re the one I love, that I’ve been dreaming of We’ve seen our lies and truths but I’m still willing if you are too I know together we will find love VERSE 2 I like it when we read to each other in bed, your cats sure love To stare and sit, while we get animalistic, so curious Homecoming Queen looking for her fairytale king What you found was me, a frog swimming upstream CHORUS Dear Carla, don’t be afraid and let your fears get in the way With what we have today cause you’re the one I love, and I’m the one you love We’ve seen our lies and truths, but I’m still willing if you are too BRIDGE Some say we may be wrong, cause it’s taken us so long But we did it our own way to find love Yeah we did it our own way and found love
4.
Gorgeous Girl 03:41
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VERSE 1 My heart was a lonely, lonely place I filled it up with empty things Till’ you came my way How you opened up my eyes and showed me a whole new world I never thought I could be so happy cause CHORUS You are the most gorgeous girl I just want to love you as my own Forget Miss. Misery, let’s start a family You know how happy we will truly be Cause we got something real, so don’t let if go And I won’t ever let you go VERSE 2 Oh love is a silly, silly game Where the rules always change It’s strange how we still love to play Ya know I tried to play it cool, so easily you saw right through me And made me feel like a school boy and a wise man cause CHORUS You are the most gorgeous girl I just wanta love you as my own Forget Miss. Misery, let’s start a family You know how happy we will truly be Cause we got something real, so don’t let you go BRIDGE I’ve been deaf, dumb, and blind in this life so many times With you now here by my side I can say so honestly that everything’s now clear to me cause… CHORUS You are the most gorgeous girl I just wanta love you as my own Forget Miss. Misery, let’s start a family You know how happy we will truly be Cause we got something real So don’t let it go And I won’t ever let you go
5.
You're A Fuckin' Joke (feat. Detangler) 04:05
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VERSE 1 I keep hearing racism’s dead, cause we had a black president Maybe that’s why my boss thinks it’s all right, to call me a bean whenever he likes Or maybe that’s why my boss’s boss don’t feel bad, For standing up for The Confederate Flag You keep telling me, telling me, telling me, telling me, don’t be alarmed They’re just a couple good ole boys never meaning no harm PRE CHORUS 1 Ooh they know what they’re saying Ooh yeah they know just what they’re doing CHORUS When you use words filled with hate then say “I was just kidding” Don’t you know you’re a fuckin joke that’s not funny? Cause if our words have no meaning it don’t matter what I sing Don’t you know you’re a fuckin joke and I’m not laughing? VERSE 2 So now you’re accusing me, of joining up with the PC police When all I that wanted was some decency, you tell me how much more fun I used to be Philistine frienemy, you need to work on your stand-up routine Tell me didn’t you, didn’t you, didn’t you, didn’t you feel strong and bigger When you cracked that joke about ‘what makes a black man a…’ PRE CHORUS 2 Ooh you know what you’re saying Ooh yeah you know just what you’re doing CHORUS When you use words filled with hate then say “I was just kidding” Don’t you know you’re a fuckin joke that’s not funny? Cause if our words have no meaning it don’t matter what I sing Don’t you know you’re a fuckin joke and I’m not laughing? BRIDGE Maybe Shakespeare’s to blame, didn’t he say, “what’s it a name?” Sticks and stones they may break our bones but can words really do the same thing? CHORUS When you use words filled with hate then say “I was just kidding” Don’t you know you’re a fuckin joke that’s not funny? Cause if our words have no meaning it don’t matter what I sing Don’t you know you’re a fuckin joke and I’m not laughing? Don’t you know how to take a joke, so why aren’t you laughing?
6.
Something's Gotta Give 03:11
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VERSE 1 I never ever wanted to be your case of charity But I’ve had enough to know that I can’t do this on my own I thought hard work would be enough That only made me look like a naïve schmuck System isms and luck sometimes decide who gets loved and who gets fucked CHORUS Something’s gotta give, something’s gotta give Someone’s gotta give, I’m sorry it’s gonna be you POST CHORUS Hunger pains and hunger games consume my world I’m trying to rise above it all Don’t you forget, I won’t forget how the mighty can still take a fall VERSE 2 I can’t let my baby down, I’ll play the pimp, prostitute, or clown I’m just hustlin’ to make rent, tryin’ to make a dollar outta 15 cents, ya know that CHORUS Something’s gotta give, something’s gotta give Someone’s gotta give, I’m sorry it’s gonna be you POST CHORUS Hunger pains and hunger games consume my world I’m trying to rise above it all Don’t you forget, I won’t forget how the mighty can still take a fall BRIDGE I’m sorry, so sorry Yeah I’m sorry, that someone’s gonna be you CHORUS Something’s gotta give, something’s gotta give Someone’s gotta give
7.
The Hanging Tree (feat. Dave Keuning) 03:24
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VERSE 1 I was angry with myself for wasting so much time Trying to do the right thing by simply falling in line Reluctantly I did as I was told and ended up like a catatonic clone CHORUS Do you feel like you’re just hanging on to a life that was never your own? Do you feel like you’re just hanging on, and on, and on, and on VERSE 2 So I chose to leave their world behind It’s better than living a life that’s not mine What’s the point, the game’s rigged anyway You better figure out who’s the real enemy So like Van Gogh, I let go, of their status quo Crazy’s what they may call me but I would rather be painting My canvas, my way CHORUS Do you feel like you’re just hanging on to a life that was never your own? Do you feel like you’re just hanging on, and on, and on, and on BRIDGE I remember when I was a child, my imagination ran for miles Then one day I was told to put those thoughts on hold Cause it’s time to join the fold and be a man But now I’m here to take back what was mine all the time My life CHORUS Do you feel like you’re just hanging on to a life that was never your own? Do you feel like you’re just hanging on, and on, and on, and on Will you join me at the hanging tree?
8.
Our National Anthem 04:16
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VERSE 1 When I was a kid, I saw on TV, the police beat down Rodney King Resisting arrest is what they said he did, I was a young boy with brown skin Now I see on my Twitter feed, black men getting killed by police They say they were resisting arrest CHORUS It’s been going on for so damn long, racism’s in our nation’s song It’s been going on for so damn long, can’t we all just get along? VERSE 2 Abraham Lincoln proclaimed emancipation, It cost six hundred thousand lives and tore apart our nation For doing that he got a bullet in his head Martin Luther King protested peacefully, To end racial injustice, bring forth equality For doing that he got a bullet in his head So Colin Kaepernick decides to quietly sit, And the internet has an epic hissy fit For doing that they want a bullet in his head CHORUS It’s been going on for so damn long, racism is our nation’s song It’s been going on for so damn long, can’t we all just get along? VERSE 3 Obedience to authority means more than equality that’s what our history keeps telling me Obedience to authority means more than equality that’s what our history keeps telling me Obedience to authority means more than equality that’s what our history keeps telling me It’s time our nation has an honest conversation, Ignorance and hate has been taught for generations Riots will erupt, changes must be made We’re sitting on a powder keg chain smoking CHORUS It’s been going on for so damn long, racism’s in our nation’s song It’s been going on for so damn long, can’t we all just get along?
9.
Always On My Mind (feat. Alpha Particles) 03:31
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VERSE 1 Patiently I’ll wait like I’ve done all my life Just to see the smile that I can bring to your eyes Even though I know this situation’s not perfect But I’ll always do my best to make the most of it PRE CHORUS 1 Even though I’ll booze in bars all through the night And drink with friends to pass the time But you’re always on my mind Yes you’re always, always, you’re always on my mind CHORUS Are you just like me, bored and indoors in search of something more So you go to your corner bar with all the broads and bros looking to score Even though I’ve committed no crime Before a judge I would testify That you’re always on my mind Yes you’re always, always, you’re always on my mind VERSE 2 Patiently I wait like I’ve done all my life Just to see the smile that I can bring to your eyes Oh yes I know this situation’s not perfect This heartache and loneliness I’ll make the best of it It’s what I do PRE CHORUS And so I’ll sing in dives all through the night And have some laughs and whiskey rye But you’re always on my mind Yes you’re always, always, you’re always on my mind CHORUS Oh you’re just like me, bored and indoors in search of something more So you go to your corner bar with all the broads and bros looking to score Even though I’ve committed no crime Before a judge I would testify That you’re always on my mind Yes you’re always, always, you’re always on my mind
10.
Gonna Be Alright (feat. Geoff Stradling) 04:06
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VERSE 1 He laughs the loudest at his own jokes, the salesman with the plan He’s charismatic and tragic; he knows the script, feels equipped To be the next Citizen Kane, I’m just singing in the rain I suppose I’m the bigger fool for dropping out of their schools I tell myself I’m not a loser, I’m just a slow learner CHORUS That’s why I’m gonna be alright, we’re gonna be alright Cause I know how to love and fight Gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright Cause I know where my demons hide VERSE 2 My therapist helped me to see nobody beats me up better than me A suicidal recital but the show must go on Masquerading my true feelings with a quick clever quip The black hole I kept trying to fill with broken toys and empty thrills I tell myself I’m not a loser, I’m just a late bloomer CHORUS That’s why I’m gonna be alright, we’re gonna be alright Cause I know how to love and fight Gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright Cause I know where my demons hide BRIDGE Tell my sister that I miss her and I’m hope she’s doing ok Tell my brothers and my mother that I love them too Tell my dad I love you CHORUS That’s why I’m gonna be alright, we’re gonna be alright Cause I know how to love and fight Gonna be alright, we're gonna be alright Cause I know where my demons hide

about

After years of experience under his belt in various bands, Chico has gone solo and found a voice of his own with “Gonna Be Alright”. While it’s clear that the singer, songwriter and guitarist is more than capable, he has attracted talented collaborators such as Dave Keuning (The Killers), Davin Givhan (Detangler, The National, Lauryn Hill) and composer Geoff Stradling (Mad Men) to help fulfill his vision, to great effect.

From the beginning it’s clear that Chico Harpo is going to give us a wide scope of the human experience. The opening track “A Thousand Hundred Zillion Dollar$” is a blissful power pop track of unquantifiable love. Moods change quickly with the follow up track “He’s in The News Again” (featuring Dave Keuning), a dark waltz through the aftermath of countless school shootings since the Sandy Hook massacre.

Honey-soaked love songs like the 1960’s chamber pop of “Dear Carla” and the 1920’s jazz influenced “Gorgeous Girl” balance the highly political cumbia-inspired “Our National Anthem” — which explores the all-too-familiar feelings of watching Black men being gunned down by police throughout America’s history. Rich harmonies and soaring melodies entice listeners to consider the heavy topic of casual racism in the workplace while swinging to the expert guitar work of Davin Givhan on the jazz / rock “You’re a Fuckin’ Joke”. Dave Keuning once again adds his anthemic lead guitar skills on the head bobbing stomp of “The Hanging Tree”. As the title track finishes the record soaring on strings from composer Geoff Stradling, Chico gives a fearlessly self-reflective and cathartic confession: we are all screwed up in our own special way. All we can do is love one another and love ourselves all the more.

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released June 27, 2018

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Chico Harpo Long Beach, California

Drawing from influences ranging from punk rock, jazz, Latin, and folk, with passionate vocals and sincere yet humorous lyrics that balance the personal and political, Chico has a unique songwriting style inspired by icons like John Lennon, Elliott Smith, and Paul Westerberg. ... more

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