Philadelphia Inquirer Reviews Dan's Latest Release:
"Montgomery keeps it real - there are not a lot of happy endings here - but he makes the journey a richly rewarding one. Once again, everything is framed in superbly crafted arrangements that dip into country, folk, even gospel ("Working on a Building" plays off the standard of that title), and flat-out rock ("Wheels of Soul"). And, like Montgomery's often hangdog vocals, they're suffused with a deep soulfulness."
You'll Never Be A Bird
You'll Never Be A Bird Lyrics & Bio
Review from Philadelphia Inquirer
A former South Jerseyan and old Ben Vaughn sidekick who now lives in Memphis, Dan Montgomery really came into his own with 2006's Rosetta, Please (A Love Story), which made our year-end top-10 list. This long-in-coming follow-up, his fourth album, builds on the strengths of that gem.
Montgomery is a gifted storyteller who spins moving, empathetic narratives like "Waltz for Charlie," "Girl With a Broken Bell," and "Dollhouse." With "I.O.U.S.A.," he also produces a sing-along lament for the times that deserves to be a hit.
Montgomery keeps it real - there are not a lot of happy endings here - but he makes the journey a richly rewarding one. Once again, everything is framed in superbly crafted arrangements that dip into country, folk, even gospel ("Working on a Building" plays off the standard of that title), and flat-out rock ("Wheels of Soul"). And, like Montgomery's often hangdog vocals, they're suffused with a deep soulfulness.
See the review here...LYRICS: WORKING ON A BUILDING
I'm working on a building but it keeps falling down
I'm working on a building but it keeps falling down
My hands are willing but i can't use these tools I've found
Twigs and leaves can't hold back a storm
Twigs and leaves can't hold back a storm
And I believe come winter time they won't keep us warm
I'm working on a building but it keeps falling down
I'm working on a building but it keeps falling down
My hands are willing but I can't use these tools I've found
Bricks and mortar you know they never fail
Bricks and mortar you know they never fail
You just add water and make your own jail
I'm working on a building but it keeps falling down
I'm working on a building but it keeps falling down
My hands are willing but I can't use these tools I've found
The walls are kind of creaky the roof is kind of leaky
And somethings going wrong in the yard
I know that I can fix it but man i just wish it
Didn't have to be so hard
I'm working on a building but it keeps falling down
I'm working on a building but it keeps falling down
My hands are willing but I can't use these tools I've foundLYRICS: I-O-U-S-A
The alarm goes off - it's still dark in my bedroom
I spend each day the same old way - pushing a broom
Things are really tight - and it ain't funny
But there's always too much month left - at the end of the money
You talk about change - that's all I've got
And mostly I find it sweeping this parking lot
Tryin' to hang on to what I've got
Tryin' to stay - ahead of these bills I pay
In the IOUSA
You come home from one job - just to go to another
All I can think about - is my father and mother
I remember - when things were rough they'd always say
Before you go to bed boy - get on your knees and pray
But faith is a luxury I can't afford
And I already knelt down falling on my sword
But I'm open to some kind of miracle Lord
Tryin' to stay - ahead of these bills I pay
So they don't take my house away
In the IOUSA
In the IOUSA
The kids need food - the house needs heat
The wife needs tenderness - and I need sleep
I got this job - but I feel like job
Sweeping up ashes here by the side of the road
I'm more than willing to carry my load
Tryin' to stay - ahead of these bills I pay
So they don't take my house away
Tryin'' to get by day by day
In the IOUSA
In the IOUSA
In the IOUSALYRICS: I'M LOST
Down on the street down on my luck
Down on my knees coughing up blood
Im lost in this world
Too drunk to work too broke to eat
Too gone to stand on my own two feet
Im lost in this world
Bridge
You see me on the street you look right thru me
But if our eyes were to ever meet
You might realize you once knew me
They took away my kids i dont know where they are
Now Im living in the shell of this burned out car
Im lost in this world
Down on the street down on my luck
Down on my knees coughing up blood
Im lost in this world
Im lost in this world
Im lost in this world
Im lost in this worldLYRICS: TOMORROW THIS TIME
Why would you expect too much from me
Ive always lived my life like a sailor in from sea
I never asked you to be more than what you are
Noah was a drunk but God still gave him the ark
I came home just to find your note
And I couldnt get over those last few lines and I quote:
"All the mistakes that you made they never really mattered
But its that one thing you forgot that left me shattered"
Therell be rain or the sun may shine
But itll all be the same tomorrow this time
Tomorrow this time 'cept you wont be mine
Cause once in a while becomes every now and then
And every now and then becomes I cant remember when
And what are you left with not even memories
And it all got said with just a few words like these
Therell be rain or the sun may shine
But itll all be the same tomorrow this time
Tomorrow this time 'cept you wont be mine
Theres no pure love theres no sure love
I was your love now no moreLYRICS: WALTZ FOR CHARLIE
Charlie gets loaded, leans back and smiles
Pictures the world in his hand
He played with Lester Young, he jamed with Miles
Now he plays bass in the state prison band
And their books pretty square, but what can you do
I mean, its better than playing alone
A bass needs something there that it can play to
Like a stray dog needs a home
The reason hes here, is there on his arm
And I dont mean that bad tattoo
The one of a rose and the words lucky charm
The only love he ever knew
No one understood him like Rose did
She looked like a woman and thought like a kid
Charlie thought maybe, when he left the Navy
That he could stay one step ahead
And learn to ignore all the pusheres and whores
And just play that bass till he bled
But busted for dealing and busted for stealing
It all adds up one day
Till youre standing in court, numb with no feeling
Waving ten years away
No one understood him like Rose did
She looked like a woman and fought like a kid
Charlie writes till he feels his nod
And then he just slips away
Dreams that hes loaded and fighting with God
For taking Rose that day
I watch Charlie, like he watches me
From a cell across the aisle
I conjure a clarinet, he leans back and smiles
We play a blues for a whileLYRICS: WHEELS OF SOUL
Jessie used to ride with wheels of soul
Outlaw bikers feared city wide
People would move aside when the wheels would roll
Black leather black pride
Black leather black pride
Rev those engines up keep em running right
You know the wheels of soul are gonna ride tonight
Outlaw bikers need outlaw names
Just in case they - have to hide
He was Jessie - so they called him Jessie James
Black leather black pride
Black leather black pride
They were born to roll they were born to fight
You know the wheels of soul are gonna ride tonight
Pool cues, two by fours chrome and steel
Outlaws, warriors brothers, wheels
Jessie used to ride with wheels of soul
Outlaw bikers feared city wide
People moved aside when the wheels would roll
Black leather black pride
Black leather black pride
Black leather black pride
Black leather black pride
Black leather black pride
Black leather black pride x 4LYRICS: GIRL WITH A BROKEN BELL
People are talking - talking bout you
Bout who you once were and the things you used to do
Forget them just sing your song
If they were right half the time then half the time they were wrong
History shows one side of the story
History knows to the winner goes the glory
What you're doing now no one asks
And there's no future in the past
You know prides a funny thing it'll tear your soul in two
It don't really mean a thing but it'll take its toll on you
When you try to be everything to everyone
You wind up being nothing to anyone
I know its hard sometime to say whats on your mind
You don't speak but you sure do yell
And you're just the girl with a broken bell
You're just the girl with a broken bell
You made me the man i am today
I guess someone has to take the blame
But i always loved you the way that you are
The fables, the foibles the secrets, the scars
You know prides a funny thing it'll tear your soul in two
It don't really mean a thing but it'll take its toll on you
When you try to be everything to everyone
You wind up being nothing to anyone
you just need some help to believe in yourself
You're a salesman who forgot how to sell.
And you're just the girl with a broken bell
You're just the girl with a broken bellLYRICS: WE WENT TO THE WORLDS FAIR (1964)
We went to the Worlds Fair 1964
No one we know had been there or been that far before
Except for uncle Joe who went to Europe in the war
We went to the Worlds Fair
We went to the Worlds Fair brought back presents for the boys
The girls were older, didnt care they had no need for toys
Im sure they had their boyfriends over when we werent there
We went to the Worlds Fair
We went to the Worlds Fair and not a day too soon
The last time we were alone was on our honeymoon
After that we did our best to help the population boom
We went to the Worlds Fair
We went to the Worlds Fair for three whole days
Saw the kitchen of the future that could be yours today
Everybody smiled and everybody waved
We went to the Worlds FairLYRICS: THE WINTER WHEN WE DIDNT SPEAK
The winter when we didn't speak
Though we spent it side by side
Wed talk to the kids, go to Church, but not a word was said
All for stubborn Irish pride
The winter when we didn't speak
At least nothing I can remember
We didn't yell - we didn't fight
We just couldn't get anything right
It was that way since at least early September
The winter when we didn't speak and the kids there were four
Two girls almost grown, one boy who's just fine
And the other one well, I wont say anymore
The winter when we didn't speak
And I couldn't even tell you why
It was probably money, it was always money
Either that or someone told a lie
The winter when we didn't speak Christ it was cold
Snow on the ground, ice on the streets
It didn't take long for that to get old
The winter when we didn't speak
And together we spent it alone
But with the first day of Spring,
I come through the door and said "Honey I'm home"LYRICS: DOLLHOUSE
She worked at the Dollhouse Tuesday thru Thursday nights
Never on the weekend they said her look just wasnt right
Maybe it was the bad tooth maybe it was the scar
Either way no-one would say
Shed ever be the star
She worked at the Dollhouse and I used to sell her Speed
Shed give a free show for pills or blow
Whatever she might need
But I was there on business not there for fun
If it were up to me - id just leave
Once the deal was done
But outside of the Dollhouse in the parking lot
Taking down numbers off license plates was a Jersey cop
So you couldnt just git & split you had to stay & shop
For twenty eight minutes Id talk to her
At a dollar a pop
Mirror balls and mirrored walls
Shed tell one and shed tell all
It dont ever have to stop
Pretty please with cocaine on top
Wed talk in the Dollhouse between glass inside that booth
Just like in confession the only time I told the truth
But there was no reason to lie there was no-one to impress
Id been there a hundred times never seen that girl undressed
I came into the dollhouse and they said that she was gone
A guy came in in a Mercedes Benz and they both moved on
They said he liked her bad tooth he really dug that scar
Now Ive no-one to talk to and that cops standin by my carLYRICS: 'GOIN HOME
Drink up drink up drink up everyone
Cause you know its time to leave
If you can think of, think of anyone still open
Then buddy, you just lead
Cause I tell you friend Im not goin home
Cause I tell you friend Im not goin home
I know a place i know a place
That stays open until four
And you can drink, you can drink, you can drink till six
If you get there before they lock the door
Cause I tell you friend Im not goin home
Cause I tell you friend Im not goin home
Cause nothing makes me think less of myself
Than another night with no-one else
And nothing makes me less likely to go back home
Than an empty bed - all alone all alone all alone
So drink up drink up drink up everyone
Cause you know its time to leave
If you can think of, think of anyone still open
Then buddy, you just lead
Cause I tell you friend Im not goin home
Cause I tell you friend Im not goin home
Cause I tell you friend Im not goin home
Cause I tell you friend Im not goin home - aloneLYRICS: YOU'LL NEVER BE A BIRD
Did you ever see a bird - and wonder where she'll fly
You wish that you were her - but you're too afraid to try
Cause if you were a bird - you'd have to say goodbye
But you'll never be a bird - so you hang your head and cry
Did you ever hear a song - and you didn't know a word
Somehow you sang along - oh you sang just like a bird
But then you stop to think - oh what if someone heard
And you're too afraid to sing - that's why you'll never be a bird
But if you've got wings then you should fly
If you've got a voice then let it sing
All these things they'll pass you by
And you don't know what the future brings
I threw my self against the sky forgetting i might fall
I thought for sure that I would fly
Now Im learning how to crawl
Did you ever see a bird - and wonder where she's been
And wonder what she's learned - from all the things she's seen
Cause if you were a bird - you'd have to say goodbye
But you'll never be a bird - so you hang your head and cry
Did you ever see a bird
Did you ever see a bird
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