boice b ice - subtletea · 4. everybody loves a comeback 5. hector 6. here’s the sin 7. wake up!...

inside cover cover

boce boice

H O W T O B E A N A D U L T

1. ITCHY BOYS

2. (THAT’S) THE SOUND

3. B.M.O.C.

4. EVERYBODY LOVES A COMEBACK

5. HECTOR

6. HERE’S THE SIN

7. WAKE UP! (HERE’S THE PART)

8. RIBBONS

9. HOW TO BE AN ADULT

10. HALF-BROTHER

11. PAUPER’S GRAVE

12. THE MAN WHO STOLE THE MOON

13. THE ANCHOR SONG (FOR MARY)

14. IT’S NOT ENOUGH

15. NOW THAT YOU’VE FOUND SOMEONE ELSE

16. I FORGOT ABOUT YOU

b iceH O W T O B E A N A D U L T

1. ITCHY BOYS

You should have seen it from a mile awaySome boys they only like to complicateI warned you once but here’s my final saySome boys don’t ever mean a word they claim

Those Itchy Itchy Boysthey don’t know what they wantThey don’t even think of the consequencesThose Itchy Itchy Boysthey live life on a larkDon’t hold your pretty breathwhile they come to their senses

Those Itchy Itchy Boysonly play Hide & SeekComing out to play when they think you don’t careThose Itchy Itchy Boys’games are not for the meekYou should know that I’m not an Itchy Itchy Boy-Not I

Boy #1, he did a job on youHe set the compass for Sad AvenueOne after one you let them stretch your truthSome boys lose interest when the point is moot


Those Itchy Itchy Boysonly play Hide & SeekComing out to playwhen they think you don’t careThose Itchy Itchy Boys’games are not for the meekYou should know that I’m not an Itchy Itchy Boy-Not I

So glad he’s gone; I’m just thinking out loudWho’s up in your queue? Make your mama proudWhat happens when you want to settle down?You’re such a satellite; stop moving ‘round and ‘round


Those Itchy Itchy Boysonly play Hide & SeekComing out to playwhen they think you don’t careThose Itchy Itchy Boys’

games are not for the meekYou should know that I’m not an Itchy Itchy Boy-Not I

2. (THAT’S) THE SOUND

My only fear is fearI’m living in my headI swear I heard a voiceIt wasn’t very clear

It said that I should leaveIt said that I should stayThe one inside my armsThey love the bed we’ve made

But now I’m feeling pulledBehind a lover’s pushI thought this was for kicksThe hook versus the crook

If I don’t move an inchOr maybe hold my breathShe’ll understand the noise‘Cause silence equals dread

That’s the sound ofThat’s the sound ofThat’s the sound of boys falling in love (2X)

Remember when you saidThat I wasn’t your type?Now you gaze into my eyesHumming “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?”

Remember when you saidThat love wasn’t a verb?Whatever happened toThe promise of your word?

‘Cause now I’m feeling pulledBehind a lover’s pushI thought this was for kicksThe hook versus the crook

If I don’t move an inchOr maybe hold my breathShe’ll understand the noise‘Cause silence equals dread

That’s the sound ofThat’s the sound ofThat’s the sound of boys falling in love (2X)

Pre-ChorusChorus (4X)

3. B.M.O.C.

What if I were Big Man On Campus?What if I chased your blues away?What if I remedied your problemsAnd loving me is all that it would take?

What would you do?What would you sayIf I just up and walk away?Would you move on?Would you lose groundAnd let all your horses run astray?

What if I gave you all the punch lines?What if I made your travel-ing light?What if I granted full permissionThen turn around and tax you for the rights?

What would you do?What would you sayIf I just up and walk away?Would you move on?Would you lose groundAnd let all your horses run astray?

What if I’m gaslighting your questions?What if you make it fun to do?What if you brought the worst out in me?Or maybe it all begins with you

What would you do?What would you sayIf I just up and walk away?Would you move on?Would you lose groundAnd let all your horses run astray? (2X)

4. EVERYBODY LOVES A COMEBACK

F. Fitz’ was wrongHe didn’t know a thingHe was stuck on a trampolineHalf-holding on

When I was your ageI traipsed across the moonI was one of the bright-est starsWho ever loomed

My fame was moviesMy fortune overwhelmedLean in close as I sell a tale:A boy of twelve-

-Whose fate was sownWhen mother flipped a trickOn a couch with a louseWho made some motion flix

It’s not in my designTo bitch about my lifeI was in on the jokeAnd I heard all the liesHere’s the true rise and fall…and the rise

Everybody loves a comebackEverybody wants a second act (2X)

That was the prologueA whiff of what’s to come‘Fore the tar and the feath-ers flungFrom everyone

But I digressI starred along the bestPlayed the son of a closet case(Set in the West)

Sweet accoladesMy face on magazinesI could “know” anyone I metKnow what I mean?

At 17I felt like Janis IanTEEN KING OD’S INCAESAR’S ROOM:A COKE MACHINE

It’s not in my designTo bitch about my lifeI was in on the jokeAnd I heard all the liesHere’s the real rise and fall…and the rise


Wasn’t an addictI just kept wanting moreBefore days when the public lovedA raging horror

I, piranhaUntil the Indies cameViva le Tinseltown RebelReclaim my fame

One year begat twentyAdd twenty more to thatKiss the Best Support-ing ActorLook who’s back!

It’s not in my designTo bitch about my lifeI was in on the jokeAnd I heard all the liesHere’s the true rise and fall…and the rise


5. HECTOR

It’s a shameIt’s so lameIt’s a painI don’t know why you chose meWaiting in the hallFor the bellFor 5th period Geometry

I get the hiccupsWhen you’re beating me upI need to stick upWhen you’re bruising me rough

Hector, you’re getting on my nervesYou’re pungent and disturbedStop making this ‘bout me

Hector, I’m not like other boysI swear it’s not a choiceIt’s just biology

Woe is meMiseryLet me beI was minding my businessFlipping through a bookFor adviceBut Ms. Post you’re so useless



Hector, I’m not like other boysI swear it’s not a choiceIt’s just biology Summer breakGained some weightI’m in shapeNow I’m looking for HectorStorming down the hallHere he comes

God, he’s bigger than ever



Hector, I’m not like other boysI swear it’s not a choiceIt’s just biology (2X)

6. HERE’S THE SIN

Here’s the sin:He was raised by a violent southpawIn a shackJust within Maryland

A dozen years oldHis father diedFrom a prayerSon whispered every night:“If you get me out of hereI won’t tell a lie again‘Cause Jesus loves meThis I know”

Where’s the end?She was running from her futureWith a limp, two bagsAnd an argument:

The one in her headWhere reason diesTo save herselfLeave Son behind

“I don’t really have a planMaybe hitch ‘til I get lostI’ll come for youWhen life makes sense”

The sin is in the lieUphold the truth or dieThere’s no such thing as paradise

Here’s the sin:It was just another storyWhere we already know the end

Here’s the sinHere’s the sinHere’s the sin

7. WAKE UP! (HERE’S THE PART)

I lose myself when I get lostI say dumb things at any costIt just might be coincidenceForgetting all my common sense

I swear I’ll never misbehaveI’ll do what’s right; I’ll never strayI keep my fingers squarely crossedBehind my back ‘til I get caught

Wake up! Stop dreaming about him

Here’s the part where I say, I’m sorryHere’s the part where I say, I love you (2X)

I’m up to books at 12 o’clockMy midnight oil burns hot with doubtI hear it’s been raining againYou go through umbrellas like men

So you’ve been sleeping with lions?The lamb wandered into the den?I know that I’m no innocentBut you’re always first to give in



Wake up! Stop dreaming about himDo you think you could do much better?When you’re fresh out of choicesI’m the less of two evils



8. RIBBONS

Why doStrangers keep telling meDon’t goWhere idle minds playI knowI only carry meSo ISeek as I entertain

How comeNo one will speak aboutWhat I Do in the darkIn my quest to accommodateI do My best to aid and abet

Solo, dominoEXIT above the doorI said, You should knowI’m ribbons for you

I thought you were wrongTo walk out the doorTearing me to shredsI’m ribbons for you

When youAsk me how I’m doingI lieAnd say, I’m okayI guessI want you to trust in meNot judgeFor how I behave

Solo, dominoEXIT above the doorI said, You should knowI’m ribbons for you

I thought you were wrongTo walk out the doorTearing me to shredsI’m ribbons for you

Men of these times with muscular plans

Produced, Engineered and

Mixed by Ben Rice

Recorded at Newkirk Studios,

Brooklyn, NY

Co-Produced and Arranged

by boice

All songs written by

boice-Terrel Allen (©2010

boicesongs/ASCAP) except

“Laugh To Keep From Crying”

(Madonna/Stephen Bray;

©WB Music Corp. o/b/o

Webo Girl Publishing & 1997

momma hattie’s muse. All

Rights Reserved.

Mastered by Mike Ofca/

Innovation Studios,

Steubenville, OH

Cover Concept: boice

Design: Emiliano Ortiz

Photography, Make-Up and

Styling: Jo Lance Photography

Musicians:

Howard Alper: Drums

Wayne Batchelor: Bass

Ben Rice: Guitars, Percussion,

Bass on “I Forgot About You”

Dave Sherman: Keyboards

Ben Spinrad: Drums on

“I Forgot About You”

boice: Lead and Backing Vocals

This album is dedicated to the

memory of my grandmother,

Mary Elizabeth Allen, who

taught me everything I know

about music.

Thank You:

God. My mom, Wanda Allen,

for her unflagging belief in me.

Great Friends: Michael Opest

and Peter Lee. Plus: Darie

Allen, Middle Collegiate Church

and the Jerriese Johnson

Gospel Choir (New York).

The Adult Team: Howard,

Wayne, Dave, Ben S., Emiliano,

Jo Lance, Mike and Ben the

Producer. Special Thanks: Alan

Cohen, Demo Producer.

Some of the time, we do what we canMen of these times, we know what we knowMen of these times, we never find home

Leave meAs you discovered meRight downTo every boneI letYou peel the meat from meInsideSow marrow for hope

Solo, dominoEXIT above the doorI said, You should knowI’m ribbons for you I thought you were wrongTo walk out the doorTearing me to shredsI’m ribbons for you

9. HOW TO BE AN ADULT

He was a good boyHe was the babyHe was the appleOf a big family

He never rocked boatsHe never washed dishesHe never knew struggleHis family’s wishes

They taught him how to say, Thank youWhen he was granted all desiresThey overlooked one golden rule:Without a spark there can’t be fire(I guess he never learned…)

How to be an adultIt isn’t easy when you’ve never had the practiceHow to be an adultAnd if you follow in his footsteps:You will be sorry

He was a good manHe was a bit olderHe worked in a boutiqueAs a shirtfolder

He never walked tightropesHe never chose actionHe never fell in loveHe never chose passion

Although he couldn’t save a centStill he was rich in sweetness and lightAlthough he fought to make his rentI guess his family did something right

How to be an adultIt isn’t easy when you’ve never had the practiceHow to be an adultAnd if you follow in his footsteps:You will be sorry

They taught him how to say, Thank youWhen he was granted all desiresThey overlooked one

golden rule:Without a spark there can’t be fire(When will he ever learn…)

How to be an adultIt isn’t easy when you’ve never had the practiceHow to be an adultAnd if you follow in his footsteps:You will be sorryYou will be sorry

10. HALF-BROTHER

Half-brotherHalf of me(A shared father)Where can you be?

When I met youWe were only thirteenHalf-brotherThat’s no mystery

And I prayWhen I dieThat you’ll bethere for meAnd I prayI don’t dieSo one dayI can finally believe

Half-brotherNever shared a homeEver feelLike you don’t belong?

Something’s missingIs it you or me?Shared father,Where’s our history?


Shouldn’t discomfort make a man of me?Shouldn’t I be okay?How many years must wither from me?Half-brother do you feel the same? (2X)

Half-brotherFamilyIf you’re lacking,Will I have what you need?


Shouldn’t discomfort make a man of me?Shouldn’t I be okay?How many years must wither from me?Half-brother do you feel the same? (2X)

11. PAUPER’S GRAVE

We took the moneyWe stole the carIt was all that he owned

Then we sped out to find relief

My brother and meOn a road from the EastFled the shell of a townwhere the devil reaps

Where the weeds look like flowersAnd footsteps don’t showThere’s a square of earthThat sits all alone

A stone this highwhere underneath he laysAnd now he rots every nightin a pauper’s grave

What we lostIs what we foundWhen we finally touched brakesIt’s like we’re living from side to side

My brother and ICan’t sleep at nightWhat became of the manthat we left behind?


A stone this highwhere underneath he laysAnd now he rots every nightin a pauper’s grave

“If you tellYou’ll go to hell”Is all that we heardAnd “sorry” is no sacrifice

My brother and ICan’t sleep at nightWhat became of the manthat we left behind?


A stone this highwhere underneath he laysAnd now he rots every nightin a pauper’s grave (2X)

12. THE MAN WHO STOLE THE MOON

Don’t weigh your love on the heartof a flim-flam manYou’ve had the world at your feetI do the best I canLet’s set a truce for tonightPretend we have no caresTen hours of miles in my eyeYou know I still get scared

I look over my shoulder for youTake one for the team for youLast thing that I need from youIs that you won’t be there

I’m the man who stole the moonConvinced the stars to show at noon

I gave away the life I knewI knew

Make way for the heart on the sleeveof the greedy kindI’ll raise your fortune in weeksJust put your faith in mine

South floods will make one of us richThe spoil’s in the landYou’ve ripped the heart off my sleeveFor another man

I look over my shoulder for youTake one for the team for youLast thing that I need from youIs that you won’t be there

I’m the man who stole the moonConvinced the stars to show at noonI gave away the life I knewI knew Word has it you’ll come and visitBefore the years get setCould he be the man that I wasOr just your new regret I look over my shoulder for youTake one for the team for youLast thing that I need from youIs that you won’t be there

I’m the man who stole the moonConvinced the stars to show at noonI gave away the life I knewI knew

13. THE ANCHOR SONG (FOR MARY)

How about a wishing songFor the rose in the window?Playing in the music hallClose your eyes for the dance

Do you want to move alongThrough the hall of desires?I could write a traveling songThat would play for your miles

It’s a lonely climbwhen you get to the topYou could save yourselfwhen you sense the plotIt’s a question markfor the missus heart:Do you save yourselfor just fall apart?

Mary, what did you dream of last night?Of life? Open your eyes in mid-flightI know you never thought you’d end here:Inside, standing knee-deep in your fearsTell me, who were you as a young child?Your life? I bet we were just alike

Big eyes get you in trouble sometimesOur lot? We’re never satisfied

Aprons choke like a noose ‘round your waistSpilled dreams swallow you whole in their lakeThese kids anchor you down with their weightOf love, stretching you ‘til you break–

14. IT’S NOT ENOUGH

I’ve got an appetite for somethingI ain’t bit beforeI see the others who’ve got fathersMaybe that’s the lure

To swing a batWho’ll show me thatWish I could teach myselfBut when you’re tenYou miss the ballJust like you miss the man

It’s not enough to say that you love me(So don’t)It’s not enough to say that you love me

I need to find a new directionI ain’t lived beforeConvince myself that noth-ing mattersA snake-oil cure

To swing a batWho’ll show me thatWish I could teach myselfBut when you’re tenYou miss the ballJust like you miss the man

It’s not enough to say that you love me(So don’t)It’s not enough to say that you love me (2X)

15. NOW THAT YOU’VE FOUND SOMEONE ELSE

Now that you’ve found someone elseI can tell you ‘xactly how I feelI’ve had a crush on you since ’96 and Baby it’s for real

Okay, what is it ‘bout you?You make oceans split in twoYou make poetry come trueI think I’ll get a tattoo…

…with your nameSurrounded by a heart chainSomewhere on my shoulder bladeWill that make you love me?


I’ll change if you want me toBe him or anyone for youPick me ‘cause now you know the truth

I think I’ll get a tattoo…

…with your nameSurrounded by a heart chainSomewhere on my shoulder bladeWill that make you love me?


Maybe I need to let you goI guess I don’t want to be aloneWasted my time; I was your foolAll of these years just wait-ing on you

…with your nameSurrounded by a heart chainSomewhere on my shoulder bladeWill that make you love me? Now that you’ve found someone elseI can tell you ‘xactly how I feelI’ve had a crush on you since ’96 and Baby it’s for real (4X)

16. I FORGOT ABOUT YOU

I forgot about youI forgot the things you doI no longer careFor your savoir faireI forgot about you

When the radio’s onI forget all your favorite songsThe ones that are sadOr just made you laughI forgot about you

I don’t ever think about regretOr what I’ve lostOr how I leftI swear it’s my truthI don’t think of you

At the dawning of a dayCount the hours ‘til I layOn sheets I once knewWhere I was consumedI forgot about you

I don’t ever think about regretOr what I’ve lostOr how I leftI swear it’s my truthI don’t think of you

I forgot about youI forgot the things you doI no longer careFor your savoir faireI forgot about you

I no longer careFor your savoir faireI forgot about you

boice b ice - subtletea · 4. everybody loves a comeback 5. hector 6. here’s the sin 7. wake up!...

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