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Thoughts at an Intersection

by Sue Fink

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  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Beautifully packaged, includes 12-page booklet with completely legible lyrics, photographs, artwork, & detailed credits. Graphic Artist: Mary Lewis.
    Track #s 1, 4, 5, 9-12 recorded & mixed by Bruce Roper at The Little School St. Studio, Chicago; Produced by Bruce Roper & Sue Fink
    Track #s 2, 3, 6-8 Recorded & mixed by Jeff Frankel at Jeff Frankel Recording, Chicago;
    Produced by Jeff Frankel and Sue Fink
    Noah Z’s guitar part in #1 recorded by John Abbey at New Soup Recording, Chicago

    Mastered by Dan Stout at Colossal Mastering, Chicago

    Includes unlimited streaming of Thoughts at an Intersection via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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1.
Bad Heart 02:34
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Bad Heart © 2005, Sue Fink Bad heart, bad heart Go stand in the corner ’till I call your name Stop pounding so, I won’t let you go from my sight Bad heart, bad heart I give you commands, why don’t you obey I know what’s best, but still you put up a fight You never seem to learn from experience Your choices in love just don’t make any sense His eyes may be brilliant, his smile divine – He’s a different bottle with the same old wine Bad heart, bad, bad heart I don’t mean to be unkind But if I listen to you, you’ll be lost and I’ll be out of my mind Do I need to put you on a short leash To keep you from running after things out of reach You’re straining too hard, you’re way out of line If you fall, maybe I won’t pick you up this time Bad heart, bad, bad heart How could you be so wrong Come when I call, ’cause it’s time we were moving along, along Oh, why do you keep me singing the same sad song Yeah, why do you keep me singing… the same… sad… Ba da ba ba ba… Hey, where ya going? Wait for me! Bad… bad… heart
2.
Alternate Universe 03:16
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Alternate Universe © 2005, Sue Fink In my alternate universe Things only get better-not-worse There’s not a cloud in the deep blue sky And I’m floating along In my alternate universe There’s only forward-no-reverse Any door I knock on opens wide And I feel I belong I’m not quite sure how I got here I don’t know what lies in store Might as well enjoy the atmosphere Until I fall through the hidden trap door Back to my regular universe Where often I weep–and-I-curse I’m in no big hurry to return Oh no, unh unh unh unh I’m on a slow-moving carousel My horse draws near the brass ring Can’t help but feel that this ride is unreal But ’till it’s over, I’m gonna sing… I love my alternate universe Where every sow’s ear’s–a-silk-purse We’re all makin’ lemonade And it’s naturally sweet Why don’t you come visit me We’ll dine on fine chocolate – and tea Just think of how happy we would be If only we’d meet In my alternate universe….
3.
Warning Signs 03:41
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Warning Signs © 2006, Sue Fink A man out walking late at night Comes to a chain-link fence Too high to climb, with a “Keep Out!” sign, But the man’s been drinking, don’t have much sense as he Finds a chink in that great chain-link, Scoots through to the railroad track A sign reads “Danger! Electric rail!” – This man ain’t coming back Didn’t he see the warning signs? Looming large and yellow in bold designs Now he’s goin’ where the sun don’t shine, Why didn’t he heed… them warning signs A couple keeps driving down a mountain road, Though a sign reads “Bridge out ahead!” A zoo visitor tries to pet a lion – They interview her from her hospital bed and Someone steals needles from a big ol’ box ’Neath a sign reading “Hazardous Waste” And a woman loves a man who sings Broadway tunes And has all male friends with impeccable taste… Didn’t they see the warning signs? Looming large and yellow in bold designs Now they’re hurtin’, hear them whine Why didn’t they heed… them warning signs In ninety-nine percent of the cases, The experts all agree The person says, “Yeah, I saw the signs, but I didn’t think they were meant for ME!!” Then there’s that other one percent… A girl walks up to a creaky old house The audience squirms in their chairs And everyone screams at the movie screen: “For God’s sake, girl, don’t go up the stairs!” Two aisles over, a man’s on his cell – No surprise when his neighbor attacks But back to the movie: she goes up the stairs And out jumps the psycho with the bloody axe And these were her very dying words: Why didn’t I see any warning signs? Everything seemed perfectly fine! If only something had been outta line, but I just didn’t see… any warning signs Yeah, I sure wish there’d been… a warning sign
4.
Boys Are So Sensitive 02:53
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Boys are So Sensitive © 2007, Sue Fink Boys are so sensitive Don’t hurt their feelings Because if you do, it will Set their souls reeling, but They will not tell you, They’ll just try to hide it – Make a bad joke, and you Try to decide if it’s Something you said, but no, They will deny it ’cause Boys are so sensitive, yeah Girls react differently They will start crying, gasp: “Why did you say that?” There’s No point in lying, but You can apologize, Then it’s all over: A quick summer storm, there’s no Need to take cover, but Not so with boys, they are Lingering bad weather, ’cause Boys are so sensitive, yeah Just like John Wayne And Marshal Matt Dillon Their outsides are tough while Their insides are killin’ ’em Get them to talk? Hmmmm, Better not try it Their faces turn stone and They get… way too quiet… Just leave them alone, Just give them some time They’ll touch your arm and then Everything’s fine because Boys are forgiving Maybe more so than girls And boys still will want you Around in their world… They’re thick-willed and thin-skinned, And you cannot change them ’cause Boys are so sensitive… yeah
5.
Tracking System 05:17
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Tracking System © 2004, Sue Fink Eighty-three, and out on the road It’s dark, he’s afraid, he’s so far from home… Or perhaps not. What was he thinking? Why did he leave? His forehead wrinkling… Rivers of ice cream drip down the front seat Oh yes, to the store! – for this peppermint treat… His wife’s favorite flavor – but she died in June So she won’t be waiting, but he should get home soon… Old man pulled over on the shoulder Stars dot the sky, indecipherable code Giving so little light to this Insignificant road… Inside his car is a… a tracking system. A gift from his son, who explained it to him: “Just type your destination, and she’ll give directions” Her voice somewhat friendly, with few inflections: Turn left at the next light. But how does she know? She’s up in the stars, can see all the roads She must see him now, so shattered and shaking If she’s there in heaven, her heart must be breaking… Eighty-three and out on the road Frustration kicks in, and he types the word: HOME The voice says, Thank you. Now I can help I know the way, so take a deep breath And the old man relaxes, he closes his eyes Her voice sounds familiar, the air smells like… pies Cherry, blueberry – like she used to bake Is this a dream? Is he still awake? – and HOME! he commands, and the voice says: 'I hear you I see your position, now I can steer you' The tracking system, so worth the expense His son had been right, at the time it made no sense, but Aaaaah, she sees from above Her voice soft and soothing, her words filled with love, and HOME! And the apple trees blossom with snow HOME! Eighty-three, and he’s not alone HOME! His eyes closed, he’s on his way… home…
6.
Ready 03:24
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Ready © 2007, Sue Fink Sometimes when I’m dreaming I’m sure I can fly Soaring over meadows I hear the tall grass sigh Sometimes with my eyes closed I see how it might be Fields all turn to golden When you turn to me And the world will part its darkness Like a blade pulled from its sheath I will stand before you, ready The ground trembling underneath… Bird sings on the wire Rivers forever run But there is no tomorrow Without promise of sun Your hands, like the sun’s rays Gently will touch my face Some day – in my dreaming – I’m held in your embrace And your love will part the darkness Like a blade pulled from its sheath I will stand before you, ready The ground trembling underneath Yes, I will stand before you, ready The ground trembling… underneath
7.
Advice Giver 03:36
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Advice-Giver © 2007, Sue Fink “You know what I think you should do?” he said, sipping his chamomile tea I cocked my head and I raised my eyebrows: Here comes advice, for free “It’s time to clean out your cabinets, get rid of all your trans-fats, Sugar and cookies and all processed foods… no more crappola like that! Just take a day… that’s what I say… anyways… it’s just my opinion…” And I said, “Thank you! That’s good advice! I’ll think it over, better yet, I’ll think while I light up this cigarette You have such great opinions, really and truly, it’s so nice to see you again!” “You know what else I think?” he asked – I gave him a cold, dark stare “You know, I wouldn’t tell you these things if I didn’t really care Perhaps you should start to play out in bars, so what if they’re drunk or they’re stoned – And advertise for a cute bass player – it’s better than gigging alone, hey: It’s food on the table, you could find romance, could be win-win… it’s just my opin…” “Thanks!” I said, “you’re so full of… ideas! I’ll think them over, better yet, I’ll light up another cigarette, Thanks for sharing, thanks for caring, it’s so nice to see you again!” “What are you writing?” he asked. “Oh, it’s nothing,” I said, “go on, give more advice!” “Well…” he mused, “if you re-paint your kitchen a taupe-color, that might look nice… Recycle? That’s good,” he said, “there’s just so many ways to improve, you see… Hey, I just had a brilliant thought: why not write something ’bout ME?!” And I said, “Thanks! That’s a great idea – I’ll think it over, better yet, Hmmm, I seem to have run out of cigarettes… Do you think I should quit? Do you really? It’s so nice to see you again,” I said, “It’s so nice to see you again, oh yeah: It’s so nice to see you again!”
8.
Formerly Chicago 04:02
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Formerly Chicago © 2003, Sue Fink [NOTE: so as not to accidentally endorse any products, I Bleeped out their names…] In the city formerly known as Chicago Near the place that used to be Meigs Field I was sipping a Bleep in Bleep Park When I saw the future revealed I felt the world swirl around me It seems I had lost my way With all institutions renamed by corporations Just where I was, I couldn’t say I think I’ve seen shows at the Bleep Arena, U.S. Bleep Field is for sports… I lit a cigarette at Bleep Lane I was feeling pretty out of sorts: aaaaaah… I knew to my south was the Bleep Amphitheater And Bleep Center, too I couldn’t remember their previous names And it made me feel lost and blue At the outskirts of Bleep Millennium Park I opened up the Billy Gates A crow watched from the Bleep Release 85.x Archway As I pondered my city’s fate The skyline was filled with large structures of steel, Our architectural doom, it was sealed – And a large flying saucer had been built atop Of what was once known as Soldier Field: Aaaaaaah… To the east, I knew, lay Lake Bleep But you couldn’t see it anymore – The foliage was replaced by large billboards That blocked the view of the shore And in the city formerly known as Chicago In either Bleep or Bleep Field I parted the Bleep flowers And in the tall Bleep grasses I kneeled I looked up to the sky for guidance I didn’t know what else to do And there, through the leaves of the Bleep trees I saw a clear patch of blue It was the only place left with no logo And its purity made me sob Then I thought I saw a plane fly by, trailing a banner: This space still brought to you by God
9.
Day in the Sun 03:48
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Day in the Sun © 1998, Sue Fink You and I never had our day in the sun Back then, you were still married – you had married far too young… And your childhood was so tragic, too much damage had been done All I could do was look at you and see what might have been You haven’t crossed my mind for quite some time now – I’ve pushed you to a quiet distant corner of my life But just the other day I thought I saw you Some stranger in the street, his green eyes cut me like a knife And it toppled my defenses, falling bottles in a game My heart was pounding madly, and I almost called your name ’Cause time and space and memory all got jumbled in my brain… But the stranger passed and I just stood there as the streets filled up with rain Hey, Alex, the cold moon gleams even stronger still tonight It sings its lonely tune from way up high It searches for you, shines a single beam like a spotlight Down the darkest streets and alleys, and I think I hear it cry… Ooooooooohhh... So maybe you’re not here, you must be somewhere Spinning webs of magic with your words, recounting tales of woe You give a new-found friend some bread for bottle You’re asking for spare change, ’cause you’re a little short on dough And my heart still breaks from sadness like a glass that’s almost shattered, Like a fault line in the earth, or like a wound that won’t stop bleeding But perhaps my sorrow is misplaced, perhaps right now you’re happy… In the darkness, there’s a wisp of smoke, the smell of cigarettes… the gentle sound of footsteps now receding…
10.
Slip Away 04:13
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Slip Away © 2001, Sue Fink It’s 4 A.M., the room is still dark But outside the dark is alive Robin’s cry pierces the silence so stark He waits for his world to arrive And soon it’s a chorus of birds on the rise Singing their sweet morning song Go away, go away, I won’t open my eyes It’s too early to start being strong [Chorus] For when I’m asleep I still lie by your side Wrapped in your arms, like our love never died The night is my friend, please don’t bring on the day When darkness dissolves, that’s when you… slip away Sun blinks its eye and the sky’s rosy dawn Tells me you’re nowhere in sight How can day break as though nothing is wrong I wait once again for the night [Chorus] Life without you I refuse to believe Days are the dreams from which there’s no reprieve Still, every night you return by my side ‘Till the birds start to sing, then my two worlds collide… [Chorus]
11.
Time Song 03:25
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Time Song © 2005, Sue Fink Time is a steer that I cannot rope It careens through the street like a dangerous dope Some day soon it will slow down, I hope… Time is a steer that I cannot rope And time used to stretch like a rubber band I used to hold time under my command Now it slips through my fingers like grains of sand… Time used to stretch like a rubber band Well, I’m just sittin’ in this field of hay… Takin’ time to think about time today And time is not something that you can store In a time bank until you need a little more It draws no interest and becomes a bore Time is not something you can store… Time is a madly spinning top It sings as it zings with a skip and a hop Just slow it down, but don’t let it stop… Time is a madly spinning top And time is the stallion that will not be reigned It’s the far-away star that cannot be chained It’s the love you lose, it’s the wisdom gained… Time is the stallion… Time’s a quicksilver creature, I’m told It flies past the young and crawls for the old It’s a fleeting feeling that you just can’t hold… Time’s a quicksilver creature, I’m told Well, I’m just sittin’ in this field of hay… Takin’ time to think about time today Well, I’m just sittin’ in this field of hay… Takin’ time to think about time
12.
Thoughts at an Intersection (on a Rainy Night) 03:05
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Thoughts at an Intersection (on a Rainy Night) © 2008, Sue Fink Red means STOP Green means GO You’re turning yellow So I just don’t know You’re the puppy in the window Who keeps waggin’ his tail When I inquire I’m told you’re NOT for sale Or like those rare works of art Displayed in the museum: Can’t take ’em home with me, But sure do love to see ’em, yeah… Seasons change Time goes by The only thing that stays the same is You still make me high Sky is blue and the Earth is brown The only thing that makes me sad is When I see you frown Life gets tricky, Pitfalls and twists Rain is beating down on me like Tiny fists: Saying, why Are you surprised… Read the signs (they don’t lie) Open your eyes… Red means STOP and Green means GO You’re still yellow but I Think I know Room is cold My blanket’s warm In the palm of my hand I hold my Lucky charm I’ll put it under my pillow Soft as cream I’ll try to sort this all out In my next dream…

about

Sue explores the intersections that we encounter – literally and figuratively, consciously or not – every day. Poignant, lyric-driven songs, memorable melodies, highly recommended for car trips and contemplation! Physical CD package includes 12-page booklet with legible lyrics, interesting notes, and beautiful pictures. Graphic artist: Mary Lewis.

credits

released June 19, 2009

These excellent musicians add grace, depth, and beauty to these songs: John Abbey, Larry Kohut, Bob Lizik (bass); Tony Dale, Jim Hines (percussion); Jeff Frankel, Noah Zacharin (guitar); Jessica Fogle, Bob Long (keyboards); Meg Lauterbach (cello); Kathryn Lake (violin); Bruce Roper (of Sons of the Never Wrong -- mandocello). Produced by Bruce Roper & Sue Fink.

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Sue Fink Chicago, Illinois

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Sue Fink enchants audiences with her whimsical perspective on the world. Her genre, “urban campfire cabaret,” is folk with a hint of jazz, a large dollop of humor, and a drop of sadness for good measure: think Christine Lavin, with a dash of Rickie Lee Jones, Melanie, and Nellie McKay. ... more

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