Be (2001)
TRACK LIST
1. Be
2. Tree Surgeons
3. Running Up That Hill
4. All We'll Ever Be
5. He Got Up
6. Onto Me
7. 43
8. Independence Day
9. Family Tree
10. Stay with Me
CREDITS
MB, vocals, percussion; Matt Kite, guitar, keyboard; Jay Perry, bass; Roger Johnson, drums. Guest musicians: Dave Warburton, drums; Saundrah Humphrey, viola. Produced by Tommy Thew and TWBA. Recorded and mixed by Tommy Thew at Well Wrought Audio (Seattle, WA), except "Independence Day" (Scott Ross, Hanzsek Audio) and piano on "Stay with Me" (Tommy Thew, Kite House). Mastered by Scott Ross at Hanzsek Audio (Seattle, WA). Cover photo courtesy of Patrick Hagerty. Music by TWBA. Lyrics by Matt Kite. © 2001 Gargantuan Records/TWUBBA Music (ASCAP) except "Running Up That Hill" (© Screen Gems-EMI Music, Inc.).
REVIEWS
"The Whole Bolivian Army proves to be a cohesive rock band that expertly stirs impressive elements of production, emotional expression and practiced musicianship into each of their songs. Their latest offering, Be, extends the Army's assault with electric/ acoustic guitar transitions, heavy mood adjustments and just enough angst to keep things interesting."
— IndieMusicReview.com, Fall 2001
"This is the fifth recording by The Whole Bolivian Army and it's had the same effect on me that the previous four did... I slap it into my CD machine regularly. Be continues TWBA's penchant for writing lyrics that allow you to interpret the songs for your own pleasure, while being carried along by solid, hypnotic arrangements. Mary Beth Kite's silky smooth vocals lure you into the web of the band's tight, rhythmic arrangements."
— Wayne Ellis, The Every Other Weekly, May 17-30, 2001
Be
there was a time when… misery
there was a man who… mystery
I wanna be that one for you
I wanna be…
Tree Surgeons
there go the tree surgeons
it's time for carnival
whether to be the one who sings
with rusty blades this fall
just take a look at each man's hands
the hands that cut us down
they're the same hands that pull you close
the hands that lift your gown
hey now, hey-ee-yeah
hey now, hey-ee-yeah
just look at me
my hands are open wide
can't get them clean
can't let the seconds slide
our bed is free
my arms are open wide
just look at me
my arms are open wide
there may come a day
when stilts are all we've got
when the trees won't fall for us
when we leave the mills to rot
we'll raise the big top, baby
raise and gather 'round
we'll trade our chainsaws in
and build a better town
hey now, hey-ee-yeah
hey now, hey-ee-yeah
All We'll Ever Be
take the keys out, babe
you wanna stay
let go of the steering wheel, babe
I want you, too
ooh, let me show you the way, show you the way
ooh, let me show you the way, show you the way
take a look at me
tell me what you see
are we all we'll ever be? yeah?
are we all we'll ever be?
well, that's just fine with me
we're all we'll ever be, yeah
take your shoes off, babe
and close the door
let go of the future, babe
it's gonna come
ooh, let me show you the way, show you the way
ooh, let me show you the way, show you the way
take a look at me
tell me what you see
are we all we'll ever be? yeah?
are we all we'll ever be?
well, that's just fine with me
we're all we'll ever be, yeah
keep your ring on, babe
keep it on
keep the words we wrote
keep 'em all
He Got Up
one man, he read left
one man, he read right
they stood on top of their books
they stood and blocked out the light
they drew a line in the sand
and tempted me to cross it out
they talked like men who can
but I know they can't -- I know they can't
one man, he stepped back
one man, he thought twice
he stood on his own two feet
he stood on the thinnest of ice
he blurred the line in the sand
and tempted me to cross with him
he talked like a man who knows
and I know he knows -- I know he knows
he's been there too
he's seen it too, yeah
he's fallen down and down and down…
one man, he fell down
one man, he got up
he stood on his own two feet
he stood on the thinnest of ice
he let go of the books he read
uncovered the words himself
he talked like a man with hope
and I know he dreams -- I know he dreams
he's been there too
he's felt it too, yeah
he's followed it round and round and round…
Onto Me
I slip this dress on -- for you
it won't stay on for what we want to do
I crack the door open -- he sleeps
I crack in two the love he wants to keep
you belong to me
ooh, get onto me
I slip this dress off -- we're alone
it will stay off until you take me home
I crack the door open -- he waits
I crack in two the love he tries to hate
ooh, he's on to me
ooh, he's on to me
I slip this dress off -- one last time
it won't stay off
I know you know what's mine
I crack the door open -- he leaves
I crack in two the love he needs to believe
you belong to me
ooh, get onto me
43
here, flat on my back
waiting, 43
street lights strobe light my room
waiting, 43
I know, I know, I know you and me
I know, I k now, I know you and me
and you -- you never looked at me
and we -- we're partners, 43
I tried going with you
back up, 43
I knew they'd break you in two
back up, 43
I know, I know, I know you and me
I know, I k now, I know you and me
and you -- you never looked at me
and we -- we're partners, 43
have you seen my Lee?
sunlight on my back
it's over, 43
washed up on the beach
I'm over 43
I know, I know, I know you and me
I know, I k now, I know you and me
and you -- you never looked at me
and we -- we're partners, 43
have you seen my Lee?
Independence Day
don't tell me how to feel
and don't tell me what's real
I know I'm not stupid after all
I can see I'm not blind after all
you're gone tonight
the sky is all you need
you gave nothing
just empty seed
don't ever turn around
I won't suffer for you
I know you were never happy
now I feel like you wanted me to
you're gone tonight
the sky is all you need
you gave nothing
just empty seed
a long way home
we sold our souls
I won't be the one you love...
I know I'm feeling the right way
I can see I did the right thing
I know I'm not stupid after all
I can see I'm not blind after all
you're gone tonight
the sky is all you need
you gave nothing
just empty seed
Family Tree
I wanted to wait to tell you
I wanted to see you smile
I wanted to find the strength to tell you
to give you your dream, your child
hey, we're coming
hey, your family is waiting for you
I know you're scared of the future
so hold on to me and let's jump
we'll make the leap together
just hold on to me and let's jump
hey, we're coming
hey, your family is waiting for you
we don't have to be unhappy
or make the same mistakes our parents did
we can break free from our history
uncover the life they hid
hey, we're coming
hey, your family is waiting for you
Stay with Me
sit with me
stay with me
I lay back down and dream
just one more day
laugh with me
shake with me
I feel your hand on my own
just one more day