We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Everyone's Invited

by The Offhand Band

supported by
/
  • Streaming + Download

    Immediate download of 12-track album in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire. Bonus: Complete cover art, album artwork and liner notes.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Buy Compact Disc

1.
Naked Time 02:55
Well, got to have a get-up to express just what I’m feeling myself No goin’ through the closet full of hand-me-downs from somebody else And I’m not goin’ shopping to indulge in any new fashion trend They just come and go But, indeed, I know On what I can always depend It’s naked time! Take it all off and dance It’s naked time! Even your underpants It’s naked time! There’s nothing less expensive and it never ever goes out of style And it’ll always fit me even if I don’t wear it for a while Yeah, it’s with me forever and there’s nothing in which I look more cute It’s my outfit prime Don’t you know that I’m Talking about my birthday suit It’s naked time! Take it all off and dance It’s naked time! Even your underpants It’s naked time! When you’ve got all your clothes off you’ll be lettin’ loose and feelin’ so free Some do it all the time but even sometimes is a nice way to be And if you really can’t, well, you can still pretend when you’re in the mood Every gal and gent And the President! We can have a nude attitude It’s naked time! Take it all off and dance It’s naked time! Even your underpants It’s naked time! Take it all off and dance It’s naked time! Even your underpants It’s naked time! It’s naked time!
2.
In the Melodious Ocean On the island of G Flat Key Lived many musical notes Spending their days singing, yes, you guessed it, songs in G-flat together Viola was a C-flat note And though everyone thought that she Fit in with everyone else She felt that she didn’t harmonize with her home island’s endeavor She knew deep inside C-flat was not what she ought She felt much more like B-natural And every single day she thought “Where I am factually free To actually be naturally me That’s the key” One day she finally tried it But they all said, “No way, that’s wrong! The only naturals here Are all the Fs, and they’re fine at times, but followed best by a flat note” So, though they all thought her perfect Knowing that she did not belong She chose to leave them behind Visit the Musical Keys nearby on her old family sailboat And though she was scared Off-key, at last, this was it Perhaps this key change would help her find A place where she could finally fit “Where I am factually free To actually be naturally me That’s the key” Each island was smaller and stranger With even more naturals than previously And she even heard tell of a place with only natural tone Though the Key of B-flat was clearly not where it’s at She soon found her first natural key But at the Key of F, near the entryway clef, the only flat was B alone Seemed to Viola the next key Had to be the all-natural one So she was shocked to find out All of the other keys long ago were swallowed up by the ocean About to give up and go home Several notes said, “It could be fun to have a B-natural around Compared to the flatter keys, you’d be fine here, at least consider the notion” And though she was scared A smile grew on her face They made new songs weird and wonderful Viola finally found her place “Where I am factually free To actually be naturally me That’s the key” “Where I am factually free To actually be naturally me That’s the key”
3.
Let It Out 04:14
Like a balloon with too much air An apple pie, lots of steam in there A subway train with no room to spare Jack in the box, snakes in a can Fruit in a peel, shell-wrapped pecan Bird in a cage, well, what’s the plan? Do like the seeds from a flower And clouds about to shower The geyser at the geysering hour Oh Let it out Let it out It’s so much better if you get it out now Let it out Let it out Save it for later and there’ll be a kapow Let it out You’ve got some loose and dangly teeth Some CO2 every time you breath About to cough, hiccup or sneeze Some sweaty socks with your feet in Whatever else you’re secretin’ And a while after drinking or eatin’ Oh Let it out Let it out It’s so much better if you get it out now Let it out Let it out Save it for later and there’ll be a kapow Let it out And when you’ve got something you feel And you’re not sure just what is real And you don’t know how you can deal Just let it fly like a rocket Reaching escape velocity Then finally nothing will stop it Yeah Let it out Let it out It’s so much better if you get it out now Let it out Let it out Keep it inside and one day you’ll have a cow Let it out Let it out It’s so much better if you get it out now Let it out Let it out Save it for later and there’ll be a kapow Let it out Let it out
4.
To the land of amazing things we’d come Where there’s something amazing for everyone Chris carried climbing boots, Robin brought rope A flashlight from Fran, and I took a telescope So we got to the jungle and in we dived To have the adventure of our lives No worry what might be left behind Dreaming of what we’d find (Searchin’) Lookin’ around (Searchin’) Up and down (Searchin’) Wonderin’ how We’ll be gettin’ somewhere Wherever we looked, we felt chagrined For all we found was a voice in the wind “Stop, come back!” it would protest But we just couldn’t stop our quest (Searchin’) Lookin’ around (Searchin’) Up and down (Searchin’) Wonderin’ how We’ll be gettin’ somewhere Never finding a thing, our luck was out So we went to see what that voice was about We’d forgotten just what would save the day Our friend Morgan with a map, hooray! (Searchin’) Lookin’ around (Searchin’) Up and down (Searchin’) Knowin’ that now We’ll be gettin’ somewhere (Searchin’) Lookin’ around (Searchin’) Up and down (Searchin’) Knowin’ that now We’ll be gettin’ somewhere
5.
Go Get It 02:51
The movie in my mind It’s playing all the time And mostly showing scenes from way back when I didn’t get my way But in my mind today I get to do them all over again Just like a restaurant I order what I want And so I make things come out differently At first it satisfies But then I realize The rewrite urge is still right there in me If there’s something that you want go get it If it slips away because you let it Then you’ll never forget it And you’ll always regret it Don’t let it Go Get it It isn’t just a lack That keeps me going back It’s that I didn’t do all that I could If I had only tried With all I had inside I wouldn’t need a rewrite to feel good If there’s something that you want go get it If it slips away because you let it Then you’ll never forget it And you’ll always regret it Don’t let it Go Get it So now I vow to bring This movie-making thing To look ahead instead of back behind When there’s a want I’ve got I’ll give it my best shot And maybe then I’ll get what’s on my mind Perhaps I won’t succeed In getting what I need But now at least I’ll know I tried my best And then I won’t regret The things that I don’t get I’ll just begin whatever movie’s next If there’s something that you want go get it If it slips away because you let it Then you’ll never forget it And you’ll always regret it Don’t let it Go Get it If there’s something that you want go get it If it slips away because you let it Then you’ll never forget it And you’ll always regret it Don’t let it Go Get it
6.
In the land of Rochambeau lived lots of paper and scissors And they all enjoyed cuttin’ lots of interesting shapes all day Then one time some scissors cut themselves into quite a frenzy Whippin’ such a strong wind that lots of papers were blown away Soon the flyin’ papers covered up a pile of boulders But those rocks enjoyed nothin’ more than bein’ seen standin’ tall So the great big rocks became so unbelievably angry That they rolled themselves into town with this rockin’ rally call We’re gonna rock paper and scissors We’re gonna make ‘em scream and shout We’re gonna rock paper and scissors They’re gonna see what rock’s about We’re gonna rock paper and scissors Yeah, we’re rockin’ out So the rocks smashed lots of scissors, makin’ everything mangle And let’s face it, those rocks could shred the paper with just a scrape Every little thing they bullied made ‘em feel even stronger All the monster rocks loved to leave most everything in real bad shape We’re gonna rock paper and scissors We’re gonna make ‘em scream and shout We’re gonna rock paper and scissors They’re gonna see what rock’s about We’re gonna rock paper and scissors Yeah, we’re rockin’ out Soon enough all the papers were hidin’, all the scissors were broken And a little one lay down scared she’d get bent again But to everyone’s surprise, when a rock came down upon her Both her blades were now sharp And flat as a tarp She felt better than she’d ever been Feeling oh so happy, she cut up her very own frenzy Only this time no papers flew away with those rocks on top And the rock that fixed her noticed just how good he was feelin’ And he shouted out, “All the smashin’ better come to a stop!” He told all the rocks that sharpenin’ and paperweighin’ When compared to the smashin’ made him feel so good and just as strong So they fixed all of the scissors and brought back all the paper And made interesting shapes together now they all got along We’re gonna rock paper and scissors We’re gonna make ‘em scream and shout We’re gonna rock paper and scissors They’re gonna see what rock’s about We’re gonna rock paper and scissors Yeah, we’re rockin’ out We’re gonna rock paper and scissors We’re gonna make ‘em scream and shout We’re gonna rock paper and scissors They’re gonna see what rock’s about We’re gonna rock paper and scissors Yeah, we’re rockin’ out
7.
Some people think they know all there is to know And they tell everyone everywhere they go But when there’s so much to see And so much to be More than we can do We simply can’t know it all Or even recall All we ever knew I know everything Can’t be known by anyone If you try to know everything It may as well be none I know a little, and that’s enough, and it had better be Because a little for each of us is all we’ll ever see And still some people try learning ever more As if somebody somewhere were keeping score When there’s a question at hand Right up they will stand Putting on a show Even if they’re not so sure They just can’t endure Saying, “I don’t know” But I know everything Can’t be known by anyone If you try to know everything It may as well be none I know a little, and that’s enough, and it had better be Because a little for each of us is all we’ll ever see The more I learn, the more I see more to know And I’m just fine with what I know even so And when I’m feeling a yearn And wanting to learn That’s alright with me I start by taking it slow And say, “I don’t know” That’s the starting key ‘ Cause I know everything Can’t be known by anyone If you try to know everything It may as well be none I know a little, and that’s enough, and it had better be Because a little for each of us is all we’ll ever see Yes, I know everything Can’t be known by anyone If you try to know everything It may as well be none I know a little, and that’s enough, and it had better be Because a little for each of us is all we’ll ever see
8.
Aggie and Timmy had an idea They thought it was really winning They would spin round and round and around And then they would keep on spinning After her sixty-third time around She started to lose her smile She was so dazed she figured she’d spin ’round Only once in a while He was told it wouldn’t be good So he moved like he thought he should And so from that day Timmy would Fidget and wiggle whenever he could Aggie and Timmy liked all the same stuff The only difference was how much was enough Aggie and Timmy had an idea They thought it was a real winner They would each have a gallon of ice cream And nothing else for dinner After her seventh chocolate scoop She started to lose her smile She was so sick she figured she’d eat it Only once in a while He was told it wouldn’t be good So he ate what he thought he should And so from that day Timmy would Gobble and gorge whenever he could Aggie and Timmy liked all the same stuff The only difference was how much was enough Aggie and Timmy had an idea That even in lovely weather They would stay inside everyday watching Television forever After nine days glued to the boob tube She started to lose her smile She was so bored she figured she’d watch it Only once in a while He was told it wouldn’t be good So he did what he thought he should And so from that day Timmy would Couch potato whenever he could Aggie and Timmy liked all the same stuff The only difference was how much was enough Aggie and Timmy liked all the same stuff The only difference was how much was enough
9.
When you’re afraid or angry, hurt or sad Some say, “Don’t cry, calm down, it’s not so bad” Away perhaps they send you The only thing they know to No thought of the impatience that they had Sometimes it feels like there’s too much rainfall We try to force the storm from big to small And yet whatever we try The clouds stay up in the sky They only go away once they’ve rained all It seems that it’s here to stay But see what it’s trying to say Just a feeling, coming from part of you Just a feeling, take a walk in that shoe Step right in, but also aside Close up shot, but also a wide angle view And you’ll be feeling, you’ve a clue what to do You’re full of happiness, love, hope and pride It all seems right, you’re smile’s oh so wide Everyone says it’s so great They wish that they had your fate And even you don’t want to turn that tide A hot fudge sundae sets your taste aflame But if it’s all you eat, then you’ll feel lame Even when we take to it We still can overdo it It goes for things like broccoli just the same It seems that it’s here to stay But see what it’s trying to say Just a feeling, coming from part of you Just a feeling, take a walk in that shoe Step right in, but also aside Close up shot, but also a wide angle view And you’ll be feeling, you’ve a clue what to do Sometimes we bottle up, sometimes explode Yet always something new comes down that road So whether sure or in doubt With one part in and one out You just may be surprised where things will flow Just a feeling, coming from part of you Just a feeling, take a walk in that shoe Step right in, but also aside Close up shot, but also a wide angle view And you’ll be feeling, you’ve a clue what to do
10.
At the Animal School, at the Animal School Everybody learns, indeed Running, climbing Swimming, flying Everything that everyone needs The duck was excellent at swimming, good at flying, too But with running and climbing he showed little hope So they kept him after school to do some extra work Running ’round the track and climbing up a rope As his webbed feet and feathered wings became so badly worn He was now only average when he’d fly and swim And he heard the teachers say “Average gets you through the day” They all thought it was okay — except him At the Animal School, at the Animal School Everybody learns, indeed Running, climbing Swimming, flying Everything that everyone needs No-one could climb a tree as quickly as the little squirrel And her flying was fine when starting treetop down But her climbing suffered when her legs got sore because The flying teacher made her take off from the ground As for the eagle, he beat everybody to the top But it’s cheating to fly in climbing class, and how So they kept him after school Sitting on a little stool Writing, “I will follow rules, I vow” At the Animal School, at the Animal School Everybody learns, indeed Running, climbing Swimming, flying Everything that everyone needs The kangaroo could outrun everyone until the day That the teacher said, “Use four legs like all the rest” They said bear was dumb and lazy, but when school was closed In the summer there was much that he did best And when the gophers saw that no-one taught their kids to dig They began a new private school to call their own And though testing proved the bee’s Wings were far too small, well, she Just kept flying fancy free, even so At the Animal School, at the Animal School Everybody learns, indeed Running, climbing Swimming, flying Everything that everyone needs At the Animal School, at the Animal School Everybody learns, indeed It’s okay if we’re all middling If we all learn every little thing Yes, everything that everyone needs
11.
This is the story of a dog named Sam. Sam lived with a couple of grown-ups and a couple of kids, and he loved his life. One day, nobody knows how, but he could talk and think and feel just like a person. And the grown-ups thought, “Ah, no more teaching this dog old tricks, it’s time for some new ones. Because the difference between a dog and a person is what you train them to do!” Used to be, Sam would want to play outside He’d run to the door, they’d let him out, and he’d run free in the breeze Oh, but now, now that Sam could talk and think He ran to the door, they looked at him, and they told him, “Sam, say ‘please’!” So he did, and one fine day The only thing they had to say was “Whaddaya say?” — and he said it And he wondered if I don’t feel it, do I get credit? But everytime, whatever he wanted, he’d get it So when they would say, “Whaddaya say?” — he said it Then when Sam trackin’ mud would come back in They’d clean up the floor, clean off his feet, and it all was fine somehow Oh, but now, now that Sam could talk and think He tracked in the mud, they looked at him, and said, “Say, ‘I’m sorry,’ now!” So he did, and one fine day The only thing they had to say was “Whaddaya say?” — and he said it And he wondered if I don’t feel it, do I get credit? But everytime, whatever he wanted, he’d get it So when they would say, “Whaddaya say?” — he said it Later on, when the dinnertime would come They’d pour the food, he’d run to his bowl, and he’d eat up every gram Oh, but now, now that Sam could talk and think They poured the food, he ran to his bowl, and they said, “Say, ‘Thank you,’ Sam!” So he did, and one fine day The only thing they had to say was “Whaddaya say?” — and he said it And he wondered if I don’t feel it, do I get credit? But everytime, whatever he wanted, he’d get it So when they would say, “Whaddaya say?” — he said it Belly full, wanting just to take a nap Sammy would yawn, then he would head to the cushion where he snoozed Oh, but now, now that Sam could took talk and think When he was done, right then they were saying “Say ‘May I be excused”!” So he did, and one fine day The only thing they had to say was “Whaddaya say?” — and he said it And he wondered if I don’t feel it, do I get credit? But everytime, whatever he wanted, he’d get it So when they would say, “Whaddaya say?” — he said it Sam could have learned so many valuable things. But he didn’t even learn what the grown-ups thought they had taught him. He didn’t learn to be grateful or regretful or considerate. He only learned to say what people wanted to hear so he could get what he wanted. But he remembered, he got what he wanted even easier before he could talk. So he stopped talking, and the grown-ups thought he was just a plain old dog again. So they stopped treating him like a person. They just did for him all the things they used to do, asking nothing in return. And when the kids in the family saw Sam was loving his life again, well, they stopped talking, too. What happened then, that’s a story for another time.
12.
On the Way 02:29
Heavy things pushing me Walls far as I can see It can be hard to deal Each and every day But there won’t be surprise If with two open eyes I see things as they’re really drawn While on the way Often I wish for things Different from what life brings And even that’s just one More thing to parlay It may seem hard to do And yet I always knew It’s led to all I’ve undergone While on the way Sometimes I feel I’ve Gone off track, then I see If it’s not my track Then whose else could it be Though the path here was set What’s ahead isn’t yet The course can always bend Anytime I say Each night will always end with dawn I’m on the way

about

Stuffed with satisfying songs for people big and small, this debut album from The Offhand Band is a creative collection of catchy confections that you’ll savor for some time to come.

Cool for kids, fun for families and even great for the grown on their own, you’ll have a blast hopping with the OHB from one style to the next — pop and rock, R&B and country, old sounds and new, with even the occasional marching band thrown in. And with lyrics hosed with humor, packed with positivity and reveling in reality, you’ll find yourself singing and dancing your way toward making good things happen.

From the music to the words and whatever may be in between, with nobody talking down, you’ll be lifted up by these songs that everyone can truly appreciate and enjoy together. Tell your friends… tell your enemies… tell everyone… because whatever your shape or size, happy or sad, hopeful or mad, the OHB is having a party, and Everyone’s Invited!

credits

released November 11, 2008

Release Date: November 11, 2008
Formats: CD and MP3
Catalog Number: PCA 00001

Compact Disc Credits:

Ⓟ&© 2008 Mark S. Meritt. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.

Released by Potluck Creative Arts, 41 Fraleigh Street, Red Hook, NY 12571.1526, USA / potluckcreativearts.com

Manufactured in the USA. Printed on certified 100% green forestry practices board, minimum 10% post-consumer recycled content, with all vegetable inks.

Layout, band logo and illustrations by Omnirock / omnirock.com

All songs written by and © 2008 Mark S. Meritt (BMI). All rights reserved.

Dianne Mucci – Vocals / myspace.com/sparkleysledgehammer

MSM – Instruments, additional vocals / marksmeritt.com

Produced, arranged, recorded and mixed by MSM in the basement in the village, Red Hook, NY, using a MacBook Pro, MOTU Digital Performer 5.13, Native Instruments Kontakt 3, EastWest/Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra Gold Complete, Quantum Leap Colossus, EastWest/PMI Bösendorfer 290 Grand Piano, and an M-Audio Keystation Pro 88.

Vocals recorded in the garage on the mountain, Bloomingburg, NY.

Mastered and manufactured by Oasis, Delair, NJ / oasiscd.com

Layout, band logo and illustrations by Omnirock / omnirock.com
All illustrations © 2008 Erik Battey. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Mark thanks: Dianne, a welcome collaborator in so many ways; Sophia, who it’s all for; and Jen, who makes it all possible.

Dianne thanks: My inspirations Ron, Blaze and Jett.

For lyrics, music, merchandise, blog, mailing list, conversation and other things weird and/or wonderful, everyone’s invited to theoffhandband.com.

For songwriting workshops, custom-written works, creativity coaching and other music, arts and creativity services you can do with Mark at a distance and in person, visit potluckcreativearts.com.

Lyrics for The Animal School based on the story published by ArtScroll / Mesorah Publications, Ltd., in turn based on the original story by George H. Reavis, now in the public domain.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

The Offhand Band Schenectady, New York

“… brilliantly written lyrics… an eclectic sampling of funky, kid-friendly and parent-approved music that will have your little one jumpin’ and jivin’… you just might wonder if Mark isn’t perhaps the most astute parent to have ever composed children’s music… I can totally envision The Offhand Band becoming a popular household name.” — RootandSprout.com ... more

contact / help

Contact The Offhand Band

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like The Offhand Band, you may also like: