Get all 10 Russ Tolman releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of BOB ON THIS: The Songs of Dylan, Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe, Be Thankful (Fat Man Swagger version feat. Jawbo), Be Thankful, Russ Sings Fred: The Songs of Fred Neil, life, I Love Lightning (featuring Jawbo), The Trees Are In Love With You, and 2 more.
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I come home. Got her note
“Adios Amigo,” is all she wrote
No explanation, consolation prize
Just a big empty house and a sad surprise
She’s gone. Now she’s gone
I stand still while she moves along
Los Angeles, I beg you please
Take care of her
Los Angeles, I ‘m on my knees
Take care of her
She sent a postcard after month or two
“I’m doing fine, how bout you?”
And that’s last that I heard
Not another note, not another word
Through the lonely days and lonely nights
I even miss the arguments and fights
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2. |
Kid
04:01
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She’s just another California kid from a broken home
Her stepfather won’t leave her alone
Her Dad is married to another cop
The child support payments just don’t stop
Mom she bought herself the local bar
Now stepfather doesn’t have to drink IN the car
She just wants to stay out with her friends and drive the town
And Mom doesn’t even notice she’s not around
Please don’t make me go home
Please don’t make me go home
Just another California kid from a valley town
Her stepbrother doesn’t want her around
Her teachers think she might be smart
or talented at art
There’s a boy working up the nerve
To act and not obverse
She just wants to stay out with her friends and drive the town
And Mom doesn’t even notice that she’s not around
Just another California kid with an attitude
Her family’s come quite unglued
Every night’s a bona fide horror show
But she’s got no place else to go
She just wants to stay out with her friends and drive the town
And Mom doesn’t even notice she’s not around
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3. |
North Hollywood Dream
04:15
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You’re fresh off the bus here in North Hollywood
You walk down Magnolia to Lankershim
Things are a bit busier than they are back in Idaho
You wonder how much farther to the Econo Inn.
You’re finally in LA, let the dreaming begin
But right now, you’re hungry and tired
Ant there’s too much new to take in
Fast forward a few weeks, you’ve found yourself some roommates and a job
It’s a two bedroom in Valley Village and you’re working over at the mall
You’re finally in LA, let the dreaming begin
But right now there’s rent to make
And there’s too much new to take in
CH: Dream dream while you’re sleeping
Dream again when you wake
You’ll have plenty of time for dreaming
So dream for dreaming’s sake
Here comes your big break, they’ve finally called you back
Years of hoping and waiting, dead ends and sidetracks
You’re finally in LA, let the dreaming begin
But right now you’re not feeling well
And there’s too much new to take in
You’ve found yourself a partner, and now you’ve a couple kids
Buying’s better than renting, and now’s time to find new digs
You’re finally in LA, let the dreaming begin
But right now there’s mouths to feed
And there’s too much new to take in
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4. |
405
03:43
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Living on the 405
For all the time I’ve wasted
God I’m still alive
Morning noon or night
Any time you drive, the traffic’s never light
CHORUS : Four Oh Five, you really gonna piss me off
Four Oh Five, I’m stuck and I can’t get off
From Brentwood up to old Van Nuys
Everything is crawling
Only minutes seem to fly
Wish there was another way
Should’ve left earlier, maybe yesterday
On Sepulveda, I’ll take a pass
Some things, they just just weren’t made to last
Pack up and move away
Maybe it’s time to say goodbye LA So long LA
In my rear view mirror
I still see palm trees sway
Four Oh Five, you really done piss me off
Four Oh Five, adios mi amigo I’m gone
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5. |
Goodbye El Dorado
04:38
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Goodbye El Dorado, Golden City By The Sea
Destination for the Millions, The millions who came before me
So I’m like all the others, seeking answers, fame and gold
Clinging to a dream
No matter how ragged or old
The living here is easy and the weather’s mostly fine
The people aren’t so wicked
And it’s sunny most all of the time
So Goodbye El Dorado
I might see you again
Might drop back for a visit
A vist now and then
So Goodbye El Dorado, my time here is done
You’ve been a good companion and I’ve been a dutiful son
I’ve learned all your lessons and the teaching time is done
Pack up and move on toward the rising sun
Goodbye El Dorado, regrets I’ve had a few
But I’ll them all promptly, as we strike out for something new
Treasures lost and sometimes won, thank you it was almost fun
El Dorado in the sun, You’ve lost another one
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6. |
Yuba City
02:45
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Fire up my engine and let out the clutch
This town has never really shown me much
Catch a gust of wind, I think I’ll go back to
Yuba City
I’m going down to Yuba City, if I’m going down at all
I’ll wrap myself ‘round town as big as Spain
Loom over Gridley like a coming rain
Whisper to the sky, I think I’ll go back to Yuba City
I’m going down to Yuba City, if I’m going down at all
SOLO
I’ll barrel in like a drunk debutante, stagger down any avenue I want
No more sleepless nights, I think I’ll go back to
Yuba City
I’m going down to Yuba City, if I’m going down at all
I’m going down to Yuba City, if I’m going down at all
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7. |
California Winter
04:38
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In the California winter I turned my life around
In the California winter I rejoiced in the beauty I had found
I was enchanted by her ocean but it meant nothing
Compared to the way I am enchanted by you
I live for things that you say and all that you do
In the merry month of November I turned by attention to the dead
I don’t know how I couldn’t remember all the ludicrous things that you said
I had no choice but to be with you I would forgive you
You give me a thousand million pleasures in one day
I live for the things that you say, I live for the day
In the California winter I lost my way ahead
In the California winter my ego was left for dead
Discovering you helped me be reborn
But all there’s now is scorn, still my love is sworn
It can’t be torn
In the California winter I was humbled to the ground
In the California winter I shivered at the sound
Of your voice telling me I had to leave and go away
I don’t know how I survived that day
I live for things that you say and all that you do
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8. |
Do You Like The Way
03:37
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You're starting to win, you're seven beers in
Giving everybody kisses and hugs
There's alot of love the room tonight and you're working on a heck of a buzz
Adjust your crown, swagger around, making the rounds
Everybody bow down to the king of the barroom clowns
Do you like the way you look in this song
Stop me if I'm wrong or if I'm lying
You've got some innovative thoughts and I'm sure it's fun to think them
You're a free spirit or at least you like to drink them
You play the part of the lovable loser, it's performance world class
But a guy with as much talent as you doesn't need to play the stupid ass
We're all on your side and hope that you climb out
Stop digging, drop the shovel and find a better route
You're a mess, Jack but keep coming back
Go through to climb out
Do you like the way you look in this song
Stop me if I'm wrong or if I'm lying
Do you like the way you look in this song
Would you like to sing along or just cry
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9. |
Almost Heaven
03:32
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Red sky this morning, the fire’s getting closer
Sun through the smoke, making everything oranger
The desert’s all aglow
it’s a strange color, as the smoke wraps around
Protecting us from the hot sun, throwing shadows on the ground
Throwing shadows on the ground
Southern California’s almost heaven to me
With perpetual fun in the summer sun
It’s the only place to be
It’s almost heaven to me
Red boulders and a tiny sliver of blue, between the ground and the grey
The sand glows orange, a breeze it comes
And the birds fly away
You were my sweet thing, and I thought it would always be
But now I’m here in the desert smoke With just your memory
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10. |
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We’re all gonna go down past the rodeo
On our way to our just rewards
Don’t wait for me, I’m in no hurry
Don’t save me a place in line
I’ll be waiting here, order up a beer
And join me for awhile
Time goes by fast enough
We don’t need to give a shove (2x)
Take it easy, take it slow
I’m in no hurry to go
Take it easy, take it slow
Old Methuselah really had it down
That man knew how to hang around
969 sounds awfully fine
Let’s hope old Methus didn’t get bored
Take it easy, take it slow
I’m in no hurry to go
Take it easy, take it slow
And if you ever find the time
To put yours together here with mine
Come it rain or come it shine, together we’ll be fine
Looking forward to seeing some continental drift
And maybe an ice age or two
I’m sure if you just bundle up, just bundle up, it’ll be easy to get through
Take it easy, take it slow
I’m in no hurry to go
Take it easy, take it slow
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Russ Tolman Joshua Tree, California
As the son of a rancher and a former burlesque dancer, folk rock singer/songwriter Russ Tolman grew up in California and Arizona with a romantic view of the American West. Whether images of the open range of the cowboy, the hobo jungle of skid row, or the cross-country adventure of Kerouac's On The Road, Tolman held a fascination with the freedom and promise of the West. ... more
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