Coming Into Focus Lyrics

Recorded Oct-Nov 2017 at
Recording Arts, Arlington, VA
Produced by Marco Delmar
Mastered by Mark Reiter

Released April 6, 2018

Album Credits:

Patrick Garrity: Vocals, Rhythm Guitars
(Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals on
”Little Things” & “Bad Man”)
Aaron Lowenberger: Lead Guitars
(Lead Vocals on “Summer Dreaming”)
Dave Mehring: Bass Guitar
(Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitars on
”Little Things” & “Bad Man”)
Paul Nicholas: Drums

Featuring Mark Bower:
Organ on “Chasing Sublime” &
"Last One Standing”
Electric Piano on “Perfect For The Part”

Lyrics & Song Thoughts

1 - Chasing Sublime
written by Patrick Garrity
©2018 Waltzing on Glass Music (ASCAP)

I wanted the opener for this album to have a similar vibe to a few songs I love: Son Volt’s “Loose String” and Will Hoge’s “Secondhand Heart.” Basically a big, crunchy, Tele-heavy, ramshackle kind of feel. I don’t know if we got there, but our friend Mark Bower’s organ sure helped, and Aaron’s solo is nuts. My favorite part is Dave and Aaron’s “aah-ahh” backgrounds in the last choruses. - Patrick

First you see her, then you need her
There’s nothing else required to be hers
And she's gone, before you even said hello

She's outspoken, not a token
But no one’s ever hinted at broken
But she's gone
You didn't even see her go

Heartbreak can be a solitary notion
It’s never far behind
The hard part is keeping your heart open
When you’re chasing sublime

She floors you, won't ignore you
If you're lucky one day she might adore you
When she's gone
You don't have anything to show

Chorus

You might worry 'bout your first impression
As long as you're pointed in her direction
You keep staring ‘cause you see your future
If only you had found her sooner

So she loves you, thinking of you
Never puts another above you
And you're gone
‘Cause you’re finally going home

Chorus 2x

2 - You’re My Favorite
written by Patrick Garrity
©2018 Waltzing on Glass Music (ASCAP)

A love letter based around a progression in the key of E which allows most of the chords to share many of the same notes, giving the rhythm guitar part a jangly kind of feel. Aaron’s riff always reminded me of something I’d hear in a song by the The Cure.

- Patrick

Looks like we’re standing here
Upon the brink of greatness
We’ve come a long way
Since we made those blind date faces
And I, I never could describe
The way I felt that night
You’re everything that I could ever need

I wasn’t sure you’d come along
Or if I’d write another song
We’ve all got our own stuff
To figure out where we belong
Now you’re here and I can see
What it means to be happy
Always know that you’re my favorite
My very favorite thing

Already feels like we’ve
Been planning this forever
Or simply on our way
To growing old together
And I, was taken by surprise
That I finally got it right
You’re everything that I could ever need

Chorus

And I, I wasn’t sure I’d find
A heart I could give mine
You’re everything that matters most to me

Chorus

3 - Perfect For The Part
written by Patrick Garrity
©2018 Waltzing on Glass Music (ASCAP)

This song was directly inspired by a Chris Collingwood (from Fountains of Wayne) song called “Minor is the Lonely Key.” I wanted to see if I could capture a similar musical vibe, as well as try and replicate his regularly non-linear lyric-writing that focuses more on cadence and interesting imagery and rhymes. First verse, maybe, but ultimately it ended up a song about the masks we wear and how we’re scared to show our true selves. I was very happy how this one came together; everyone’s playing is awesome; unique, yet cohesive, and our pal Mark Bower’s electric piano was a great final touch for it. - Patrick

The shimmering lampshade hues
The drowning in shallow water
All the drama that keeps you amused
Has just begun
As you settle into act one
Your patience is growing smaller
Like the voice of a big top barker
When the carnival’s overrun

Play on when you can’t be heard
Scream every sound, shout every word
No one can hear what you refuse to say
Stay strong as if you’re assured
All the promises read in some brochure
Hurry without delay, once more you’re
Perfect for the part you play

In the shell of a broken man
You listen to hear commotion
Disappointed it’s just the ocean and full of sand
The calmness it leaves unease
In which you drown all emotions
So adept at ignoring pleas
Like waves at sea crash into land

Chorus

This weight that you carry
Your reasons contrary
The burdens exclusive
A smile you bury
It’s your starring role with total control
A casting you think was inspired

So farewell to the trying tropes
Though the curtain calls demand more
The house is empty for your encore
The spotlight reveals the joke

Chorus

4 - Little Things
written by Dave Mehring
©2018 Yamato Group Music

To this tune I say “You’re my Favorite”. It was about my experience becoming a parent. I feel the arrangement pulls a lot of different feels together into a nice pop song and that the lyrics are a bit more clever than my standard fare. The key change at the end is fun and Aaron’s guitar work throughout rocks. Love his echo/delay tone. - Dave

Seems like only yesterday
My thoughts were my own
No second guessing, double checking
No eyes on my phone
Too many choices
I don’t know what to do
Indecision is my terminal condition
And the only cure is you

Little things always running through my mind
Little things always taking up my time
Little things can’t wait till the day I die

GPS and navigation
Won’t show me the way
Talking heads and infomercials
Have led me astray
Registration cards, assembly required
Now I’m hating
All these things accumulating
They’re just making me tired

Chorus

I know it makes no sense
To worry and agonize
Can’t let these little things go
No matter how hard I try

Now I sit and ponder over
All that I’ve missed
As I try to satisfy
These checks on my list

Chorus

5 - Last One Standing
written by Patrick Garrity
©2018 Waltzing on Glass Music (ASCAP)

I had the riff that is the majority of this tune for years before finally hitting on an idea I liked enough that transitioned it into a B section so I could finish the thing. It was inspired by a tune called “Curious” by a now defunct band named Rockwell Church I was a fan of in college. Once again, Mark Bower’s organ part really helped fill it out, and Aaron plays really good stuff all over the track. - Patrick

Open up ’cause I’m coming in
Finish up and then we’ll begin
I think it’s time for us to have a talk
I know it don’t come as any shock to you
This ain’t some kind of riddle

Aiming as if you’re set to kill
I’m only stunned because you seem thrilled
Even though I may have gotten my way
I still said things no one should say to you
The blame goes down the middle

The talking’s over and we’re going to war
Our forces keep advancing
Wounded and broken I can’t take anymore
But I’ll be the last one standing

There’s no need to dig a little deeper
It costs a fortune but your price is steeper
You’re unsure of what you ever wanted
And show your misery as if to flaunt it
Oh the battle lines were drawn

I couldn’t tell I was a willing party
That I had started raising my own army
I didn’t know I was placing landmines
Instead of reading all your blatant signs
I guess we’re dueling at dawn

Chorus

So I’m looking over all this wreckage
I can’t say that it was unexpected
Shots fired like we meant forever
Years from now we won’t even remember
What the hell we’re fighting for

Chorus

These invasions we’ve been planning
That ensure we’re both crash landing
And they’ll leave no last one standing

6 - Timing
written by Patrick Garrity
©2018 Waltzing on Glass Music (ASCAP)

This song started out as slow, plodding percussive idea musically and went through a few changes of identity before finally settling into the 6/8 tune as we recorded it. I’ve always wondered if these lyrics are a little too cute by half, but never disliked them enough to do anything about it, so I guess you can take it or leave it. I appreciate the slide work Aaron did on this one. - Patrick

She went out with Larry a couple of times
’Cause he begged with sincerity
He fell in love at the first glass of wine
Regardless of chemistry
Say goodbye, he tried so hard

A couple weeks later when Michael called
His voice had a hint of intrigue
But after he talked for the entire show
She was suffering date fatigue
Say goodbye, exhausting nights

Searching for something that she’s never seen
Elusive, unknown, unsatisfying
Left holding the bag when it’s not meant to be
She’s out of timing
And timing’s everything

Billy was billed as the breaker of hearts
But told her that he’s changed his ways
He said I’m finally ready to keep it real
Just tell me what I should say
Say goodbye, you heartbreaker

Chorus

Soldier on, this ain’t no sleight of hand
There’s no magic wand, to grant your wish
So find what’s missing now

Chorus 2x

7 - Summer Dreaming
written by Aaron Lowenberger
©2018 Soul Lever Music

This song was actually written for a different project that was specifically intended to have a "summer" theme. Dave and Patrick have both noted that the main arpeggiated riff is a bit reminiscent of "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," and if you listen closely in the outro you can hear Dave mimic the ascending bass line of that song as well. - Aaron

Well I told you from the start
That I might do you wrong
I’m a man who doesn’t stand still for too long
And I won’t apologize
Though it’s hard to understand
Nothing’s ever gonna change who I am
Or my wandering

Summer dreaming’s got me on the road again
Off to places undiscovered
Though it means that you’ll be on your own again
Doesn’t mean you won’t be right here in my heart

Just a few steps on the path
And I’m already lost
Wonder if this endless search is worth the cost
But it’s just too hard to stop
Sit still and I might rust
I guess I’ll just continue placing trust
In my wanderlust

Chorus

Then I ask myself how can anything I find
Ever live up to everything I left behind
And it finally occurs to me
That you are what I wanted to see

Summer dreaming’s got me on the road again
Back through places I’ve discovered
And so it means that I’ll be coming home again
Pretty soon I’ll have you right here in my arms

Repeat Chorus

I don’t remember a lot about this one coming together other than liking the major 7th chords used in the verse progression, and being surprised at hearing (welcome) additional harmonies on the choruses which were manufactured during mixing. It’s an album track to me. - Patrick

The weight of empty promises
Can be too much to carry
Things that you had right keep going wrong
Your history of near misses
Is quite extraordinary
An avalanche instead of keeping calm
So open your eyes, reveal your disguise
There’s nowhere to hide

Everything I know that you could be
Beyond your hopes and dreams
It’s all right there for you
Everything you say that you believe
All that you want to achieve
It’s all right there for you

The past is never coming back
The future’s not in stone
And yet that’s where you’re
Spending all your time
You treat the present as a trap
The reason you’re alone
A prison you’re afraid to look inside
The feigning surprise, imagined demise
Let’s drop all the lies

Chorus

With all that’s at stake
I wouldn’t tempt fate
Your mistakes don’t define you
You still have a shot
Even more than you thought
This life’s the only one you’ve got

Those beautiful eyes, as blue as the sky
They’re so full of life

Chorus

The title is intended as sarcasm, because this tune is about a narcissist delighted at the idea of always getting all the attention (hence all the lyrics being in first person). This was my “twangy” contribution for this album, and once again the guys delivered in giving it that feel. - Patrick

Left to my own devices
I’m prone to hyperbole
I make the biggest sacrifices
No one would dare to disagree

Without any checks or balance
The worst of all my tendencies
They seem to highlight all my talents
Of making it all about me

I was mistaken, always forsaken
It’s the first of many chapters
Of my fighting off disaster
I’m so weakened, even as your beacon
I can’t help it that I’m smitten
I just love to play the victim

So much in my life to juggle
Time is always my worst enemy
If you could only see my struggle
You’d give me all your sympathy

I don’t know a better way
To show you everything I overcame
This chip that I carry it may seem arbitrary
It holds up all the slights that I’ve accrued
I can’t let go even though the facts refuse
I swear it’s true

Left to my own devices
Attention never wanes
This must be what paradise is
I’ve got my choice of who to blame

It was so hard to find the right tempo for this one to make it groove without being too slow or fast. I feel like the hook should have repeated again before diving into the bridge, but oh well. I liked the guitar echoing the lyrics in some spots, which I hadn’t really done much before. End with the bridge, woot woot! Again, the lyrics are not really about me. I should probably “Stop Pretending”. - Dave

Wasn’t this way from the start
Wasn’t born without a heart
There’s no voices in my head
To blame for why my
Conscience has gone dead

Wasn’t poor and beat down
Grew up on the proper side of town
No tales of heartbreak or abuse
No broken home to offer an excuse

You ask if I was born this way
Or dealt a losing hand
You can try to explain the things I’ve done
But you may find I’m just a bad man

It may ease the pain
To say it’s not all in vain
So you won’t spend the rest of your days
Wondering why

Chorus

It may ease the pain
To say it’s not all in vain
So you won’t spend the rest of your days
Wondering why

In a nutshell this is a song about acceptance. Being the solo acoustic coda for this record (as all our albums have), I wanted to try something different as a C section and came up with a vocal part I’m happy with that undoubtedly aims to be reminiscent of Mumford and Sons, Lumineers, etc. - Patrick

You’re giving me a scare ahead of schedule
Things are going smoothly as they stand
Turns out life can end up pretty special
Even though it wasn’t what I planned
I count on you for listening and counsel
I never worried you wouldn’t be there
The odds of getting over this are doubtful
Don’t know how I’m supposed to call it fair

I’ll miss you if I can’t convince you to stay
If payment comes due and you want to
I’ll let go and say
Wave to me as you’re floating away

I learned so much from
All the things you told me
A lot of which is clear in who I am
The most important lesson
That you showed me
Took me a while to understand
That when our old dynamic
Started changing
In looking at you I’d begin to see
You’re nothing like the
Picture I’d been painting
Instead you’re just another guy like me

Chorus 2x