The Essential REO Speedwagon

Sophisticated Lady try’n to change my ways
just because you’re caught in your social maze.
I think it’s about time that you realize
your money and your power’s got you mesmerized.

Pretty Lady.
Get Back.
Pretty Lady.
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on,
you’re anybody’s baby when your mama’s gone.

Educated lady with your college degree,
amazes me why you just can’t see.
Learned ev’rything from your books on the shelf,
but no one ever taught you how to think for yourself.

Pretty Lady.
Get Back.
Pretty Lady.
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on,
you’re anybody’s baby when your mama’s gone.

Sophisticated Lady , take a lesson from me,
I can help you be what you want to be.
Together we’ll see many brighter days,
if it takes forever, gonna change your ways. Pretty Lady.
Sweet Thing.
Pretty Lady.
Sophisticated lady put your blue jeans on,
you’re anybody’s baby when your mama’s gone.

Words & Music Terry Luttrell, Gary Richrath, Gregg Philbin, Neal
©1971 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album REO Speedwagon

Recently I’ve been thinkin about what I am and where my priorities lie
Gettin it together on some future plan, decidin what I need to get by
I tried workin and schoolin but there just not my plan, oh no
Can’t ya see I’ll always be a music man

Well I could be pickin bluegrass or singin the blues, it doesn’t really matter to me
As long as I’m playin the music I just can’t lose, and noones gonna tell me differently
Cause all I really care about is sittin right here in my hands, oh yeah
Can’t ya see I’ll always be a music man

Well my momma sits and worries about me for days
Even though she really likes the way the boy plays
My daddy tells her I’m just goin through a phase
But that’s just what he always says
I hear what they’re sayin but I take it with a grain of sand, oh yeah
Can’t ya see I’ll always be a music man
(repeat) yeah

(solo)

Well my momma sits and worries about me for days
Even though she really likes the way the boy plays
My daddy tells her that I’m goin through a phase
But that’s just what he always says
I hear what they’re sayin but I take it with a grain of sand, oh yeah
Can’t ya see I’ll always be a music man

Well I’ve told you my story now here’s what I’ve found
To be happy you need only be real
So don’t let anyone try to turn your head around
Just remember you are what you feel
You see all of my life people been tryin to tell me what I am, oh yeah
Can’t ya see I’ll always be a music man, oh yeah
(repeat)

Words & Music Kevin Cronin
©1972 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album R.E.O/T.W.O

Golden country your face is so red
With all of your money your poor can be fed
You strut around and you flirt with disaster
Never really carin’ just what comes after
Well your blacks are dyin’ but your back is still turned
And your freaks are cryin’ but your back is still turned
You better stop your hidin or your country will burn
The time has come for you my friend
To all this ugliness we must put an end
Before we leave we must make a stand

Mortgage people you crawl to your homes
Your security lies in your bed of white foam
You act concerned but then why turn away
When a lady was raped on your doorstep today
Well your blacks are cryin’ but your back is still turned
And your freaks are dyin’ but your back is still turned
You better stop your hidin or your country will burn
The time has come for you my friend
To all this ugliness we must put an end
Before we leave we must make a stand, oh yeah……

(solo)

Golden country your face is so red
With all of your money your poor can be fed
You strut around and you flirt with disaster
Never really carin’ just what comes after
Well your blacks are dyin’ but your back is still turned
And your freaks are cryin’ but your back is still turned
You better stop your hidin or your country will burn
The time has come for you my friend
To all this ugliness we must put an end
Before we leave we must make a stand

(repeat)

Words & Music Gary Richrath
©1972 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album R.E.O/T.W.O

Hometown lady, leavin’ for the city
Bags in hand, she’s boardin’ the train
Her last look through the window, I saw her eyes were as red as mine
I waved goodbye but I can’t believe she’s leaving.

But a woman can’t be high-class
In a lonely farmer’s town
And the son of a poor man
Ain’t gonna turn your head around
But if you ever get lonely
Just pick up the telephone
And the son of a poor man will bring you home.

Maybe soon I’ll see her on some television show
Painted lips and fingers singing for the world
A fashion plate for sure dancin’ for your plastic world
Call me up if you can but if not well I’ll understand

But a woman can’t be high-class
In a lonely farmer’s town
And the son of a poor man
Ain’t gonna turn your head around
But if you ever get lonely
Just pick up the telephone
And the son of a poor man will bring you home.

Words & Music Gary Richrath
©1973 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album Ridin’ The Storm Out

Lost, lost in a dream (It’s a dream)
And I think, it’s some evil scheme
They say, that I don’t feel, what I feel
But I know, that this ain’t no game

What am I supposed to lie?
That ain’t what I’m saying
You’re telling me that I could be
A little insane
I tell myself to pull myself
Together again
‘Cause I
Ain’t been the same

Words & Music Mike Murphy & Bruce Hall
©1974 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album Lost In A Dream

I used to be lonely till I learned about livin alone
I found other things to keep my mind on
And I’m gettin to know myself a little bit better
Whoa , I keep pushin on
Keep pushin on, yeah

Goin through all the changes I made so many mistakes, oh yes I did
Tryin to leave behind the heartaches
And sometimes I think I was a little bit crazy, oh yeah
Whoa, I keep pushin on

Keep pushin, keep pushin, keep pushin, keep pushin on
Keep pushin, keep pushin, you know you have got to be so strong
Keep pushin, keep pushin, well even if you think your strength is gone
Keep pushin on

(solo)

Well it’s comin together I finally feel like a man, oh yes I do
I never thought that I’d be where I am, oh
Everyday I wake a little bit higher
Whoa I keep pushin on, oh yeah
(repeat chorus)

Words & Music Kevin Cronin
©1976 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album R.E.O

You touched me. You took me away.
You left me confused when you said you couldn’t stay.
But now I know what you were trying to say.
I can understand that I’m not the only one.
But I believe our time is gonna come.

I dream of you through every night,
But you’re not risin’ with me, so I don’t wanna see the light.
Even if you can’t come over, and I hoping that you might
‘Cause when you’re not here nothing’s any fun.
But I believe our time is gonna come.

I believe our time is gonna come
I believe our time is gonna come
I believe our time is gonna
I believe our time is gonna come

Words & Music Kevin Cronin
©1976 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album R.E.O

Cool as the water melting from the winter snows
You are the island I’ve been looking for
I don’t know where you come from
But I can feel you comin on
You’re a storm inside my soul
That’s ragin out of control

Call the wind out
Call out the thunder
Oh lightning, only you can will the weather
I said come on
Won’t ya come on?
Lightning you’re mine
Tonight, tonight
You caught me while I was sleepin
Restin from a heavy run
I saw you in your evening gown
You were lighting up the sky
No matter what tomorrow brings
Lightning, your mine tonight
Woah, lightning your mine tonight

Crack the horizon
Only you can split the night
Then comes your mother cloud to take you away
Another wind will dry me
And the sun will make me warm
But to me my life will always be
The calm before the storm

Words & Music Gary Richrath and Kevin Cronin
©1976 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album R.E.O

Well I’ve seen women who cross their legs
Before they sit down to the table
And I’ve seen women who look to the sky
Screamin Lord I believe in the Bible
And I’ve seen hookers dancin through Times Square
With their heads held up so high
But I’ve never seen a woman
Who makes me feel
Woah, like you do

Well I’ve seen couples holdin hands
With that glazy look in their eyes
And I’ve seen lovers rollin round in bed
Screamin as if they’re gonna die
And I’ve seen lovers holdin hands
And then laughin when their back is turned
But I’ve never seen a woman
Who makes me feel
Woah, like you do

(solo)

Well I’ve seen women who cross their legs
Before they sit down to the table
And I’ve seen women who look to the sky
Screamin Lord I Believe in the Bible
And I’ve seen hookers dancin through Times Square
With their heads held up so high
But I’ve never seen a woman
Who makes me feel
No I’ve never seen a woman
Who can make me feel
Like you do

Words & Music Gary Richrath
©1972 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album R.E.O/T.W.O

Instrumental

Words & Music Gary Richrath
©1976 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album R.E.O

We flew into town on Sunday, had to find a place by Monday
Tried Bridgeport and Westport, ’til we found a place that we thought would do
157 Riverside Avenue.

Saugatuck River’s flowin’, Mother nature’s colors were showin’
So cold, so rainy, we couldn’t help feelin’ blue
Not enough time, too many things to do.

We met a young girl on Main street, wanted to just pass her by
She was homely, so lonely, She said, “Can I make love to you.”
We shouted 157 Riverside Avenue.

It’s over, Miss Lena, we’re leaving. Such a pleasant stay, I must say.
So nice, so easy, we hate to say goodbye to you
At 157 Riverside Avenue.

Words & Music Terry Luttrell, Gary Richrath, Gregg Philbin, Neal
©1971 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album REO Speedwagon

Ridin’ the storm out, waitin’ for the thaw out
On a full moon night in the Rocky Mountain winter.
My wine bottle’s low, watching for the snow
I’ve been thinking lately of what I’m missing in the city.

And I’m not missing a thing
Watchin’ the full moon crossing the range
Ridin’ the storm out
Ridin’ the storm out.

My lady’s beside me, she’s there to guide me.
She says that alone we’ve finally found home.
The wind outside is frightening,
but it’s kinder than the lightning life in the city.
It’s a hard life to live but it gives back what you give.

Words & Music Gary Richrath
©1973 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album Ridin’ The Storm Out

As soon as you are able
Woman I am willing
To make the break that we
Are on the brink of
My cup is on the table
Our love is spilling
Waiting here for you to
Take and drink of

So if you’re tired of the
Same old story
Turn some pages
I’ll be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes

I knew it had to happen
Felt the tables turnin’
Got me through my darkest hour
I heard the thunder clappin’
Felt the desert burnin’
Until you poured on me
Like a sweet sunshower

So if you’re tired of the
Same old story
Turn some pages
I’ll be here when you are ready
To roll with the changes

Roll with the changes

Words & Music Kevin Cronin
©1978 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish

I’ve been around for you
I’ve been up and down for you
But I just can’t get any relief
I’ve swallowed my pride for you
I’ve lived and lied for you
But you still make me feel like a thief

You got me stealin’ your love away
‘Cause you never give it
Peeling the years away
And we can’t relive it
I make you laugh
And you make me cry
I believe it’s time for me to fly

You said we’d work it out
You said that you had no doubt
That deep down we were really in love
Oh, but I’m tired of holding on
To a feeling I know is gone
I do believe that I’ve had enough

I’ve had enough of the falseness
Of a worn out relation
Enough of the jealousy
And the intoleration
I make you laugh
And you make me cry
I believe it’s time for me to fly

{Refrain} Time for me to fly
Oh, I’ve got to set myself free
Time for me to fly
And that’s just how it’s got to be
I know it hurts to say goodbye
But it’s time for me to fly

Oh, don’t you know it’s…
{Refrain}

It’s time for me to fly
{Repeat to end}

Words & Music Kevin Cronin
©1978 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish

Here I come again
I don’t really care to turn back
Trying to find you directions
But I seem to be losin’ track

I believe we ought to make a run for it
just to see how far we can go
I ain’t just around for the fun of it
But until you try it, baby, you’ll never know so…

Say you love me or say goodnight
Say we’ve made up or on with the fight
‘Cause there’s no love lying’ in the eyes of the night so,
Say you love me or say goodnight

There’s no use hangin’ on a memory
No good livin’ a lie
I got no use for mediocrity
You know tonight’s the night
We either do it or die

Words & Music Gary Richrath & Kevin Cronin
©1978 CBS Inc., all rights reserved

Original track from the album You Can Tune A Piano, But You Can’t Tuna Fish

Please don’t hate me mama for what I’m about to do
But the good times we’ve had together are just about now through
Please don’t misunderstand me, I hate to see you cry
But I think that it might look better if I told you now goodbye

I’m back on the road again, it’s time I leave you now
And maybe I’ll see you next time, that I’m around
Until then I hope your happy baby and good times come your way
I’m back on the road again, I’m on my way

Well I’ve loved you since the day I met you and I’ll love you till the day I die
But we both know the life I’m livin and we both know the reason why
That I’ve got to leave ya mama and I’ve got to leave today
But you know that I’ll see you next time that I come through your town to play

(chorus) ooh, bye-bye baby

(solo)

(chorus)

Words & Music Bruce Hall
©1979 Large Music, all rights reserved

Original track from the album Nine Lives

You may not know this but you are everything you’ve ever needed.
Heaven with a touch of New York. Silver with a touch of gold.
And I can see where you’re goin’, but I don’t really know the way.
It’s got too many changes, too much rearranging,
Too many ways to go astray.

So if you wanna go, let me go along
I never walked that road alone
I heard it was hard
I heard it was long
But we’ll come back alive
‘Cause only the strong survive

You walk on a wire, make a game of desire, pitchin’ pennies down a wishing well.
You’re leading the blind through there high and low times, but baby can you lead yourself?
So calm down, honey, forget about the money. If you need me I’ll always be there.
Go ride your high horse alone of course
‘Cause if you need me I’ll always care

Words & Music Gary Richrath
©1979 Buddy Music, all rights reserved

Original track from the album Nine Lives

You should’ve seen by the look in my eyes, baby
There was somethin missin
You should’ve known by the tone of my voice, maybe
But you didn’t listen
You played dead
But you never bled
Instead you lay still in the grass
All coiled up and hissin

And though I know all about those men
Still I don’t remember
Cause it was us baby, way before then
And we’re still together
And I meant, every word I said
When I said that I love you I meant
That I love you forever

And I’m gonna keep on lovin you
Cause it’s the only thing I wanna do
I don’t wanna sleep
I just wanna keep on lovin you

(solo)

And I meant every word I said
When I said that I love you I meant
That I love you forever

(chorus)

Words & Music Kevin Cronin
, all rights reserved

Original track from the album Hi Infidelity

In your letter ooh in your letter
In your letter ooh in your letter
In your letter ooh in your letter
In your letter ooh in your letter

In your letter you said you didn’t love me
You said you’re gonna leave me
But you could’ve said it better
Oh in your letter, you said you couldn’t face me
You said you could replace me
But you could’ve said it better

You could’ve left him only
For an evening let him be lonely
But you hid behind your poison pen and his pride
You could’ve told him something
And proved to me you don’t love him
But you hid behind your future full of lies

Instrumental bridge

You could’ve left him only
For an evening let him be lonely
But you hid behind your poison pen and his pride
You could’ve told him something
And proved to me you don’t love him
But you hid behind your future full of lies

In your letter you said you didn’t love me
You said you’re gonna leave me
But you could’ve said it better
Oh in your letter, you said you couldn’t face me
You said you could replace me
But you could’ve said it better

Words & Music Gary Richrath
©1980 Slam Dunk Music, all rights reserved

Original track from the album Hi Infidelity