Lyrics and poetry of D.C. & Co.

Lyrics and Poetry

Thanks for checking out this page. Some people have said to me, that they'd been listening to D,C. & Co. for years, got our CDs, and just recently read the lyrics and couldn't believe how good they were. I'll leave that for you to judge, but they're important to me, as important as the music. Whether they're funny, sad, fact or fiction, they are an integral part of the song. Click on the title below to read the lyrics. (They're in alphabetical order and I'll get the rest up when time allows) I hope you enjoy!

100 Angels

written by Dave Costarella & Andy Miller

Hush my sweet Baby

Close, Close, Close, your heavy eyes

There’s a hundred angels

Singing Sweet Lullabies

Rainbows, rocking horses

Mermaids, shooting stars

Close your eyes and make a wish

Cause you know, you were ours

Mermaids swim beneath the ocean

As the moon beams dance above

And there’s a hundred angels singing

Just to fill your sleep with love

Sweet love

This is a lullaby, that Andy and I wrote, I recorded it as a 5 part a capella. Haven't released it don't know tape is still around. I'll have to check

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Blame it on December

written by Dave Costarella

December is a woman.

A bitter, damaged soul

It was happiness she promised

It’s hopefulness she stole

October and November

With all their colors and the smells

Bring back memories and ambitions

Of the strength within ourselves

But December just gets colder

As she takes your breath away

Takes your money – people disappear

All colors turned to gray

And December’s such liar

She’ll say anything to please us

But she just takes and takes and in the end

She pretends to give you Jesus

All that’s left is hangin’ on

In the couple months till thaw

And if I didn’t last that long

It’s cause December took it all

These are lyrics to a song that I'm in the process of writing. usually the words and the music come at the same time, but I had one of those months, where all you can do is stay still and hope nothing else can go wrong. These words came.

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Bottom Shelf Blues

written by Dave Costarella

A bowl half filled with jello
Two pieces of pie

You looked us all over
Now give me a try
A pork chop, a grapefruit, macaroni and cheese
It’s starting to smell bad, pick me won't you please –

Don't want no more bottom shelf blue
It's a Tupperware jungle - even the best stand to lose.

You left me here facing some chicken and rice
You loved me for one night - you can sure love me twice
I'm ready, I'm waiting - you don't need nothing new
Take me as I am - or turn me into stew

Don't need no more - No more bottom shelf blues
When will you people learn - Don't make more than you can use

I'm counting the minutes - I won't last one more day
I'll be no good to no one when you throw me away
You left me in the dark - and you left me in the cold
I'm not getting better - I’m just getting old

I was looking in the fridge trying to decide what to eat when the leftovers started singing this. Bottom Shelf Blues is on our Somethin's Happenin' CD. click here to check it out.

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Down On the Corner of Alphabet Street (starring Mr. H)

written by Dave Costarella

Down on the corner of Alphabet Street –

Where the numbers won’t go but the letters all meet

Few hang out alone – most gather in groups

In clusters and gangs and alphabet soups

When they hang out together on days that are warm

Syllables, words and sentences form

You can tell some of the leaders – they’re bigger in size

Bolder in print, and capitalized

But the one with the power – the brains as they say

Is sneaky and shy and stays out of the way

Mr. H is the letter – the one with the clout

The type that your mother has warned you about

He’s quiet and gentle – when no one’s around

But when some stand beside him, he changes their sound

I think that he’s jealous of those who are strong

Cause they sound so much weaker when H is along

He started with C, G, P, and S

Then the T and the W and he wants more I guess

Because others are nervous – at least one or two

Mr. Q won’t come out with out taking the U

They say H has been angry since the beginning of time

The only letter made with no words that rhyme

So Children and parents beware when you meet

Mr. H,…He’s the bully of Alphabet Street

This is a childrens' book that I've written and had a wonderful artist named Jamie Noviki illustrate. I haven't had the time or the money to market it yet. If you have any suggestions or know a publisher that might be interested in working with it please click here to contact me.

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If It's All the Same

written by Dave Costarella

If it’s all the same to you

I’ll just pack my bags and step aside

Try to take another broken heart in stride

If it’s all the same to you

And if it’s just the way it seems

Why‘d we pretend for so long that it was real

How’d I get so caught up in the way you make me feel

I should know the rules by now

Well I’ll just walk away

I know I’ll never be all the man you need

I might’ve let you cut me, baby

But I’m damn sure not gonna sit here - and let you- watch- me –bleed

If it’s all the same to you

I’ll just pack my bags and step aside

Try to take another broken heart in stride

If it’s all the same to you

I just sat down at the piano and wrote this one day, We haven't recorded it yet, but it works well live.

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It's Only In Your Head

Written by Dave Costarella

They’re zoomin’ round inside me

Wearing me down as they get strong

They’re trying to take me over

And I’m barely hanging on

And I’m sinking so deep inside my self

That I can barely see

And their screamin’ til my ears hurt

And they’ll never let me be

But I know what you’re up to

And I know what you did

They say

It’s only in your head …Boy, why you always dreaming

It’s only in your head….go out and have some fun

What ever it is, get past it

Cause the past is gone and done

What more can you take from me

There’s only one thing left to give

You took my childhood and poisoned me

And now you don’t want me to live

And If you’d let me see your face

You know, your power will be gone

You’ll just be a sick memory

That I can file and move on

They say

It’s only in your head …Boy, why you always dreaming

It’s only in your head….go out and have some fun

What ever it is, get past it

Cause the past is gone and done

When you get to a certain age all the painful memories that you suppressed as a child start trying to tell their stories by becoming alive inside you. They also come with an evil little tag, "If You Tell You Die" So the closer they come to telling the story the louder the suicide voices get.

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Katrina

written by Dave Costarella

Who made you mad Katrina

Baby, how’d you get so mean,

The way you beat up old Biloxi

And you’re drowning New Orleans

You the roughest woman

That this place ever seen

So tell me Miss Katrina

How’d you get so mean

With gustin’ winds of fury,

As the hateful waves just pound,

The water keeps arising

And the levy’s crumbling down

You took away my house

And you’re trying to take this town

And the water keeps arising

And the levy’s crumbling down

Never underestimate

A woman who’s been scorn

Don’t let her wrath come cross your path

Or you’ll rue the day you born

I can’t find my family

And she’s trying to take this town

And the water keep arising

And the levy’s crumbling down

After watching the hurricane and the aftermath of it. I sat down at the piano and this is what came out.

I did a demo of it that you can listen to by clicking here.. This was very powerful when I performed it live.

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Let’s Rock It

written by Dave Costarella

There’s whiskey on the table

To drown the demons in my soul

The blues is trying to take me over

So now I’m playing Rock & Roll

So lets rock it – Rock it all night long

Yea, we’re gonna rock it – rock it all night long

The blues are tearing up inside me

But the rockin’ keeps me strong

There’s girls that say they love

Girls that say they care

But when I woke up this mornin’

Lord,There weren’t nobody there

So now we’ve got to rock it –rock it all night long

So Let’s Rock it –from dusk till dawn

So let’s rock it-Rock it from now on

The Blues is tearin’ up inside me

But the rock’n keeps me strong

The bills are comin’ in the mail

They even call me on the phone

But when I told my dear rich Daddy

He said boy your on your own

You got to rock it

It’s the reaper, Jeepers creeper

How he snuck up I don’t know

But If he catches me he’ll kill me

Come on, go katz go katz go

We’ve got to rock it – rock it all night long,

We really got to rock it – rock it all night long

The Blues is tearin’ up inside me

But the rock’n keeps me strong

So now we’ve got to rock it –rock it all night long

So Let’s Rock it –from dusk till dawn

So let’s rock it-Rock it from now on

The Blues is tearin’ up inside me

But the rock’n keeps me strong

After laying a gig one night and hearing my guitarist Big Tone' playing in my sleep, I wake up and wrote this. We haven't recorded it yet. It's gonna be fun!

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Sweet Sleep

written by Dave Costarella

The gentle smell of sweetness

Fills my soul & cures my weakness

With every breath I breathe

The softness of her skin

With her nose against my chin

And her body wrapped around me

And I can’t believe she found me

And I’m home again

Home sweet- home sweet – home sweet – home sweet home again

To feel her heart a’poundin’

Steady rhythms safe and sound and

I have peace again

….

And it’s always a surprise

Each time I open up my eyes

To find this angel

As she lies so close beside me

Lives so deep inside…..me

…

Then to close my eyes again

So quick for fear this dream might end

And I’ll be back to where I’ve been

So long so lonely

But When It’s really time to wake

And she’s still there, my heart don’t ache

And I believe that I can make

It through the day a’smiling

Let me tell you it’s a sight

To watch her sleep in mornin’s light

I must go back and hold her tight

She takes my breath away

….

And it’s always a surprise

Each time I open up my eyes

To find this angel

As she lies so close beside me

Lives so deep inside…..me

Once in a while you find peace.

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Betrayed

Written by Dave Costarella

When there’s nothing left – there’s no confusion

When it’s all a lie - there’s no belief

And there’s a peace in emptiness

Even failure offers some relief

Like St. Peter when the rooster crowed - Like Judas rolled over for a bag of gold

There’s nothing left to feel or reason to be afraid

Like St. Peter when the rooster crowed - Like Judas sold out for a bag of gold

There’s no one to be strong for and I have been betrayed

I have been betrayed

Death like a shot of heroin – Warmth and calmness rolling through my veins

Drowning all these frantic demons – Sooth and saturate my brains

Rid this haggard, tired body of a wounded soul that could not heal

Next life, place it just a little deeper and cast it in a shell of steel

And there’s a peace in emptiness – Even Failure offers some relief

When there’s nothing left - there’s no confusion

When it’s all a lie - there’s no belief

And there’s a place – that you just end up

Man, you’re thinking it’s all wrong

But once you’re in there – It’s so familiar

Like you knew it all along

Like St. Peter when the rooster crowed - Like Judas rolled over for a bag of gold

There’s nothing left to feel or reason to be afraid

Like St. Peter When the rooster crowed – Like Judas sold out for a bag of gold

There’s no one to be strong for – And I have been betrayed

I have been betrayed

I wrote this when I was on the verge of suicide, in fact I probably wrote this instead of killing my self. It was weird. When suicidal thoughts come to you, they sneak in. It's like when you walk out of your house and get in the car, in between you make a small mental note that the grass needs cut. Well they come like that. "I ought to organize everything so they won't have a mess to clean up when they find me" ,"They'll understand that it wasn't selfish" just these passing thoughts and 20 minutes later your wondering why these thoughts are coming to you, "I don't want to kill myself" But the demons of the past keeps eating at you, and sending these thoughts at you. After a while you get to this place, this calmness (I had the same feeling when I almost drowned), it's not scary, it's just the way things are. But I sat down at the piano, and this song just came out of me, and then the feeling subsided, for the time being.

Betrayed is recorded on our "Ain't That Somethin'" CD click here for more info.

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Ain’t You Gonna Love Me

written by Dave Costarella

Ain’t you gonna Love Me

Baby Don’t you want to stay

Ain’t you gonna Love Me

Baby Don’t you want to stay

You say that I’m your baby

But baby then you always run away

You tell me that you miss me

So much – it make you want a cry

You tell me that you miss me

So much – it make you want a cry

Well you wouldn’t have to miss me

If you wouldn’t always have to say good-bye

My hearts a burninig

And my souls on fire

I said my hearts a burning Darlin’

And awe my souls on Fire

And you’re my one and only one and

Only one that I desire

You say you’ll never hurt me

Awe but baby would you please explain

You said you’ll never hurt me but

Baby would you please explain

If your not gonna hurt me

Tell me why I’m feelin’ so much pain

A certain woman was driving me crazy when I wrote this. We haven't recorded it yet.

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Another Day

Written by Dave Costarella

What A Day - Pour myself a strong one

What A day - Thought it never end

The tingle of bourbon as it slides past my tongue

Seeps into my chest and burns through the numb

But it can’t burn fast enough

Gonna be another long one

The only light – It comes from the outside

It feels too bright- but I’m not messing with the shade

As I sink in the sofa surrounded by pillows

I pull in my legs till they’re smashing my breasts

And I can’t get close enough

Gonna be another long one

By now things should be better – but they just stay the same

Even worse would be better- cause nothing and no one and no where

Is no way to end –Another day

The morning sun – saturates the sofa

I need more sleep – there isn’t anywhere to hide

As I crawl to the kitchen and put on some coffee

I tell myself that it’s gonna be ok

But I don’t sound sure enough

It’s gonna be another long one

Cause nothing and no one and no where is no way to end another day

I wrote this for the great Jazz vocalist Robin Work to perform, and was excited to have her record it. It's on our Ain't That Somethin' CD. Click here for more info.

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Boom Boom Boom

Written by Dave Costarella

Every Time I see your face

My Heart starts beating at an awkward pace

It goes

Chorus…

Boom boom boom

Bang bang bang

Boom boom boom

Bang bang bang

Pitter patter Pitter patter

What could be the matter

It must be love – it must be love – it must be love – it must be love

Every time I hear your voice

My heart goes crazy, girl I got no choice

It goes

Chorus…

You’re in my dreams – But when I wake

You’re not there – I think my heart might break

It goes

Chorus…

This is just a fun song, I must of had the hots for somebody at the time! It's on our Ain't That Somethin' CD. Click here for more info.

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My Christmas Baby

written by Dave Costarella

Ain’t you gonna be my Christmas baby

Don’t let me spend this holiday alone

It’s a snowin’ and a blowin’

Let’s go missile toein’

Kiss me Hold me tight

Don’t want no silent night

We’ll deck the halls and drink some eggnog too

Travel in a sleigh that’s made for me and you

Pulled by Donner, Dasher, Dancer

There’s only one right answer

Promise don’t say maybe

That you’ll be my Christmas baby

Bridge

Peace on Earth and joy to men

I walk these city streets alone

Children sing and bells a ring

I got to find a Christmas baby

Why can’t I have my Christmas baby

I want a Christmas baby of my own

Now Santa grab your list and check it twice

Don’t it say that I’ve been good and nice

Gonna put you to the test

I won’t settle for nothin’ less

Say you’ll bring my Christmas baby

Say you’ll bring my Christmas baby home

I wrote and recorded this for a CD that was recorded of Lancaster area bands doing Christmas music. I think it was called "A Lancaster Christmas"

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Clip My Wings

Written by Dave Costarella

Chorus…

Don’t you try to clip my wings

I’ve got to fly I’ve got to sing

I got to stay out till the night turns into day

Don’t you try to clip my wings

I’m taking all that life can bring

I’ll keep flying till the lord takes me away

Last night we had a blast

They tried to end it all too fast

They yelled last call and the band can play one more

As the song would reach the end

We’d just start it all again

Till the sun shined through the windows and the door

Chorus…….

Me and Tina we went out

She didn’t know what I’m about

She said I think it’s time we spent more time alone

As she was turning out the light

I said my girl you’re just half right

And I walked down to the club all on my own

Chorus…..

I wrote this for Mr. swing him self "Frnk Dinunzio. He recorded it with us and it's on our Ain't That Somethin' CD. Click here for more info.

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Don’t Let Go

Written by Dave Costarella

Hey little girl – what ya say

Works all done – now it’s time to play

No sitting at home – there’s too much goin’ on

You get ready – cause I got a plan

There’s a place in town -got a rockin’ band

So put on your party dress – dust off them dancing shoes

Chorus..

Everybody loves you

When you’re out there dancing

Movin’ your body baby

You make us smile

The joint gets jumpin’ – bout a quarter to ten

Gotta get there early or you won’t get in

They’ll swinging and swaying and groovin’ all night long

The rhythm gets rockin’ and the horns ablowin

The guitar screams and the drinks are flowin’

The dance floor’s movin’ and everybody’s watching you

You know we work so hard all through the week

Just to do it all again – Some times I swear it seems

It might never end

But when you get to movin’ and a groovin’ to the beat

Then all I can say is all I can say is

Baby don’t let - don’t let go

Chorus……

This lady used to come to our gigs and dance from the our first song to the last, with a partner or with out and she alwyas lit up the room. I was thinking of her when Iwrote this. It's on our Ain't That Somethin' CD. Click here for more info.

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Fifty Years

written by Dave Costarella

Fifty years of living hear

Pack it all away

Not much room for anything

At this place I’m gonna stay

I put my kids through college

I just put my woman in the ground

They say I shouldn’t be living here

When there’s no one else around

….

Fifty years of my life

Packed in boxes to be hauled away

Pop, you know we love you

It’s just the way things are today

…..

The house looks bigger empty

But, even empty it’s still my home

The lines drawn on the pantry wall

That measured how fast the kids had grown

Late night kitchen conferences

And those fire side debates

The squeaky step that let us know

When the kids got in to late

….

Fifty years of my life

Packed in boxes to be hauled away

Pop, you know we love you

It’s just the way things are today

…..

Living with people my age

They say you’ll like it, If you give it a try

Lot’s of things to talk about

As we wait our turn to die

They say they’ll bring the grand kids

They say that they’ll call me all the time

It’s the best decision for everyone

Awe pop, you’ll do just fine

….

Fifty years of my life

Packed in boxes to be hauled away

Pop, you know we love you

It’s just the way things are today

I wrote this years ago. Marshall Jones wrote the music and asked me to write the lyrics. I recorded it with the Keystone Kopps, and signed a publishing deal on it and never heard from them again. Maybe I'll re-record it and put it out???

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Heaven Can’t

Written by Dave Costarella

Tell me why, Why would they want to do this to me

Tell me how, How I’m gonna to make it through the day

It took most my life, Just to find you, baby

Now they’ve gone and took it all away

Tell me how, How am I gonna pull this one off

When I can’t even pull myself out of bed

The thought of life with out you, just breaks my heart

To think at all, it just hurts my head

Oh God, this ain’t the way it’s suppose to be

Heaven can’t need you, more than me

Tell me when, when will I stop staring at the door

Expecting that you’re just gonna stroll right on in

You’ll just say, awe babe, I’m sorry I’m so late,

And did I miss you, Darlin’ how you been

Tell me what, what’s the use of a man like me

I never had a reason, till you came along

I can’t imagine how I lived before

Or what I’m gonna do, now that you’re gone

Oh God this ain’t the way it’s suppose to be

Heaven can’t need you, more than me

I wrote this after going to a friends funeral and witnessing the family's grief. the next morning when I woke up, this whole song was written and playing in my head.

It's on our Ain't That Somethin' CD. Click here for more info.

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Don’t Mind

(Underline is your vocals.. H=harmony

U=unisen) Written by Dave Costarella

They say that you’re doin’ me wrong

You drink too much stay out too long H

It’s all right

Stay out all night H

They say that I’m living a lie

I’m home alone while you’re with other guys yea H

If that’s your thing U

Then make it sing U

Cause…

I don’t mind – I don’t mind

Anything you want to do What you want a do H

You’re so fine – I’d stand in line

Just to get next to you awe to get next to you H

They say that I lost my pride

That I sold my soul to the other side yea H

Awe let’em talk cause

they don’t know what we got goin

They say you’re puttin’ me through school

Gonna break my heart makin’ me a fool H

If it’s your school U

Then I’ll be your fool U

cause

I don’t mind – I don’t mind - Anything you want to do what you want to do H

You’re so fine –I’ll stand in line – Just to get next to you - next to you H

I’d do anything – cause you mean everything to me H

I’d die for you – I’d steel the sun the moon the clouds H

I’d steel the sky for you - if you want me to H

Cause no one else has ever – Made me feel this way H

I wrote this when a friend of mine was going out with woman, and she was going out with everybody else. He couldn't stop seeing her, everybody was telling him all these things and he'd try to break it off but he just had to go back for more. He killed himself later.

"I Don't mind is on our Ain't That Somethin' CD. Click here for more info.

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Love In The Purest Form

written by Dave Costarella

When Your feeling down - And Your Feeling used

When You want some one around – Let me be the one you chose

And when the roads get rough – In the middle of your storm

Come on Baby look me up – I’ve got love in the purest form

I’m talking 24 carrot – So refined

Aged to perfection – custom designed

Never loses a second – The colors won’t fade

Won’t weaken in weather – The best ever made

I’m talking

Lo-ove lo-ove lo-ove

Love in the Purest form

Bridge…

Oh Baby –I know love can break your heart

And maybe – You knew better from the start

But I’ve got somethin’ real – Somethin’ safe and warm

The way love’s suppose to feel – In the purest form

I wrote this a couple years back and haven't gotten the chance to record it. It a big harmony R & B thing.

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Old Love

written by Dave Costarella

Old Love - Hello old friend of mine

Old Love - Hello Old friend of mine

Your old love baby

It make me smile all the time

Old love – Old but awe so true

Your old love baby

Lord it make me feel brand new

We got rid of all the head aches

Rid of all the tears

Buried all the jealousy

And covered it up with years

Piled up our insecurities

And gave em all a shove

Our love ain’t blind – It’s just refined-I’m talking old love

I recorded this as a duet with Laura Reardon of the Silver Hawks Band. You can hear it on our "Somethin's Happenin'" CD Click here to check it out.

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Party on The 4th of July

written by Dave Costarella

Chorus..

Stars and stripes for ever –Hail to a heart that’s true

We’ve got the perfect weather – Hooray for the red white and blue

We’ll be grilling in the backs yard –we got homemade apple pie

Enough fire works to rock this town – we’re gonna party on the 4th Of July

I called up all my family – I’ve been telling all my friends

And they can’t wait to celebrate the pride of the Americans

I’m digging out the horse shows – a rope for tug of war

And that ain’t all I’ve got volley ball and a whole lot of fun in store

Chorus……

Put the flags out on the front porch - Checking every detail twice

I got burgers, dogs and chicken, - soda beer and ice

They’ll be here in no time –we’ll party all through the night

It’s a Holiday for the USA –and everything’s all right

Chorus……………

This song got play on NBC's "Today Show" I wrote this for an album with 4th of July songs put out by the Song Writers Guild of New York on the "13 Stories" label.I released it on our "Ain't That Somethin'" CD.

Party on the 4th of July is on our Ain't That Somethin' CD. Click here for more info.

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Somethin's Happenin'

words written by Dave Costarella

Somethin’s Happenin I can’t put my finger on it

But I feel it all around me And I feel it deep inside

Somethin’s Happenin’ I can feel it in the air

It’s people nice to people , nice to people every where

And I feel it in the music That knows no color and no point of view

Awe don’t you feel it too?

Somethin’s Happenin’ And things get only better

It’s a different way to wake up A brand new way to feel

Somethin’s Happenin’ The beginning of forever

People grab a hold cause this time it’s for reel

And I shed these tears of happiness to celebrate this joy I never new

Awe don’t you feel it too?

I wrote this with the band, I had this melody, and the only words that would come were "Somethin's Happenin'" so I kept playing with it, It was like right there but would disappear when you went for it, I couldn't put my finger on it, but I felt in in the music.... That's how it came out the band changed the tempo, installed some key changes and it got to be the tittle cut of our second album.

You can hear it on our "Somethin's Happenin'" CD Click here to check it out.

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Separate Your Wash

written by Dave Costarella

You gotta separate your wash

Don’t Give your whites the blues

And if you mix them with some reds

You’ll have pink socks in those shoes

So when the washer starts to slosh

Did you separate your wash

You know you got to read the tags

All clothes have them when they’re new

And if you follow the directions

Keep your colors bright and true

You want to move up another notch

You got to separate your wash

Every days another thing

Every time’s another test

First you have to do your delicates

And then your permanent press

So when the washer starts to slosh

Did you separate your wash

So don’t say you didn’t know

Don’t want to hear no Oh my gosh

Don’t want to hang around with no one

That doesn’t separate their wash

This song has gotten more air play and requests at live gigs than any other song I've written. Some people say I really know what you mean with those lyrics, like they're something deep, but I just put a new red shirt in with my whites and everything turned pink. So I wrote this. It's on out first CD "Somethin' Definitly Goin' On'" Check it out by clicking here Back to menu