Serenity  

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

Stick to the script 

Stay in my lane 

Focus on my part  

And not all the other roles to play. 

  

Give me strength to listen 

Patience to find grace 

The words to express resentments 

and my role in them 

  

How will you remember me? 

What would I leave you with? 

How will you speak of me? 

What words would fall from your lips? 

How will I be missed? 

  

I will be much better than this. 

  

You caught me at my weakest 

Left me - as you should have 

For the sake of self-preservation 

I don’t want you to look back. 

  

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, piano 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming 

Steve Belleville - bass, vocals 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitars 

Bobby Chase - violins, violas 

Melodie Chase - cellos 

  


Doubts  

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

I don’t know where to start here 

It’s all been building inside me for days 

I’m too used to avoiding fears 

But what kind of life does that make? 

  

But then love wouldn’t come around here no more 

And I’d scream that it can’t be of my design for sure 

  

So let it go and let me stay 

Breathe in slow and just remain 

Because I don’t want to lose you now. 

I don’t want to go without 

I don’t want to lose you now 

Let me be ok with doubts. 

  

I’m already far ahead of myself 

Easy to see how I could make that mistake 

I want to control all the variables 

But what kind of life would that make? 

  

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards  

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming, synths, vocals  

Steve Belleville - bass 

Kit Karlson - keyboards 

Chip Johnson - electric guitars 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitars 

 

 

Ambulance Rides 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

Ambulance rides at night 

Are a foggy memory 

Like a half-remembered dream. 

  

Or the bracelet gift with my name on it 

Then a lonely car ride home 

To self-destruct there all alone 

  

I can’t put enough space between myself and the horrors I’ve seen 

Or find the time to rest, give grace what little I have left 

And I’ve built up these resentments dear, from thinking you were more present here 

But now there’s nothing I can say to wipe away those days. 

  

So, what now? I’m learning to live with, but I can’t find forgiveness for free. 

Not with all the bridges I’ve melted and the hopes that I’ve left in debris. 

How could I let myself live happy? 

  

It’s the smallest things 

That bring me back again 

And the feelings are as if  

I never walked away from it. 

  

Like a car crash I re-live all the time 

Of a wreckage of a man 

Who just wants to be whole again. 

  

And I’ve built up these resentments dear, from not reaching out to pull you near 

Now I’m learning how to pray, but doubt gets in the way 

  

So, where were you then? How were you feeling when I was alone? 

You call me your friend, but I don’t think I know what that means anymore. 

  

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, synth, piano, 12-string guitar 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion 

Steve Belleville - bass, vocals 

Lee Sylvestre - electric guitars 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitars 

Bobby Chase - violins, string Arrangement 

 

 

 

Smile 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

 

Your hair falls just the way I remember 

Hard to believe it’s been two years, this December 

There’s something calming in your voice, 

The way you talk about your dreams and your choices 

Decisions to leave, hard to believe that we were almost something 

  

Your eyes light up with a spark when you talk about your life and your loves 

I don’t remember you being so strong, but it’s so fitting, love. 

  

Now look who you’ve become 

And look who I once was to you 

I won’t stand in your way; you seem better these days 

But I’m reminded of all the mistakes that I’ve made 

Just forgive me if I pretend once in a while 

That it’s me making you smile… 

  

All those secret nights we spent in my parent’s basement 

Locked in embrace, with your hands on my face - a quiet safe haven. 

You used to believe in us, regardless of how I acted 

I had your love in my hands, but I’m alone again 

How did this all happen? 

 

I should have loved you when I had the chance. 

 

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, synth, piano 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming, vocals  

Steve Belleville - bass 

Lee Sylvestre - electric guitars 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitars 

Bobby Chase - violins, violas 

Melodie Chase - cellos  

 

 

 

See Me Changing 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

 

I’ve been living inside this cloud 

A touch of grey, with strong shades of doubt 

You were sending signals from the ground 

But it’s too late to change course now. 

  

I never meant to let you down.  

No apology can save me. 

I didn’t see this all play out,  

And I can see how that’s crazy 

I’m sorry that you can’t see me changing. 

  

I’ve been living here in this town 

Ten years with sunken eyes until now. 

I never paid attention to the sounds 

Of a life worth living that was fading out. 

  

They say grace over guilt 

And I’ll repeat that until 

It flows through me 

And comes easy 

To remember  

without re-living.   

  

I never meant to let you down.   

It was always just the opposite really 

I just wanted to make you proud.  

But I’ve failed at that lately.  

I’m sorry you can’t see me changing. 

 

 

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, synth, electric piano 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming, synths 

Zena Kay - pedal steel 

Kit Karlson - synth Bass, keyboards 

Steve Belleville - vocals 

 

 

 

Conversations With Ghosts 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

 

I spent last night yelling at ghosts 

still trying to decide which one I’m mad at most 

and this is how it all comes pouring out 

there’s no letting things drain slowly now 

  

I’m sadder than I let on to be 

made quiet peace with losing sight of dreams 

Each day playing out like a formulaic song 

One foot in front of the next, just follow along 

  

Don’t take your eyes off of me 

though I’m not doing anything 

Just know that I’m scared of failing you now,  

of losing somehow 

and though I’m not who I want to be 

please don’t take your eyes off of me 

  

And I’ll admit I need more love than I want 

but it’s dark inside and I fear that part of me is gone 

You don’t know the words I’ve never spoken 

or seen the scars to what will always be broken 

  

And that’s fine, I don’t need anyone to know me 

but it sure would be nice if I could love more completely 

I can’t change the horrors of things I’ve done 

but I’m working to right the ship, this battle has begun 

 

And though I might fail miserably, please don’t lose your faith in me. 

 

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, synth 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming, synths 

Steve Belleville - bass 

Dennis Carroll - piano 

Lee Sylvestre - electric guitars, vocals 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitars 

 

 

 

All These Things I Choose 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

I’ve come to this conclusion 

As I sit here all alone 

I am my own worst enemy 

And I’m haunted by my own ghosts 

  

I didn’t think it would take this long 

To fall back in line again 

While you haven’t lost faith in me 

You will soon I bet 

  

Why is it that I never feel like who I want to be here in this life 

And then all these things I choose push me further away from being happy here with you. 

Now what do I do? 

  

I’ve never felt this sick or low 

I’ve dug down deep this time, my friend. 

Has everyone else found their way but me? 

I’m tired of feeling so different? 

  

Why is it that I always seem to fall behind where I want to be in life 

And then all these things I choose make it harder to see all these simple truths 

And just be here with you. 

  

  

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing 

Dennis Carroll - piano, B3 organ 

Zena Kay - pedal steel  

Lisa Piccirillo – vocals 

 

 

 

Take This For What It Is 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

Do you ever find yourself missing me? 

Or has time done well to pull apart 

The feelings tied to memories 

Like light from a burned-out star? 

  

It’s this winding road I’ve traveled down 

I can’t expect you to understand 

But like I faded from your active concerns 

I’ve done well to redirect my plans 

  

So, I’ll stop wasting our time. 

But feel free to relive this once in a while 

  

I’m done pouring myself into this  

Just to watch you get drunk on all my hits and misses 

it makes less sense to stay - I can’t live life in reverie 

But feel free to remember me, and get lost in memories 

  

Did you think I’d always stick around? 

And just wait to make time for me? 

Convenience gives off an unpleasant sound 

And isn’t noticed if you’re not listening. 

  

I’m not bitter or lost in denial 

Just coming to terms with who I have been for a while. 

  

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, synths 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming 

Steve Belleville - bass, vocals 

Kit Karlson - keyboards, synth bass 

Chip Johnson - electric guitars, acoustic guitars 

 

 

 

In These Trying Times 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

East Broadway is nothing like it used to be 

like a prisoner in its own cell 

a ghost town with forgotten memories 

except I remember them all too well. 

  

Now the strangers pass on by me 

Keep your distance now they say  

But it feels like once there were courtesies   

Now long forgotten and gone away.  

  

Are you ok? 

Are you alright? 

Are you being safe? 

Are you getting by?  

Do you get lonely at night? 

  

We’re all just dying for some normalcy 

but has this all forever changed 

I don’t want to hear you say “unprecedented”  

just bring me back to when I can see (that smile on) your face 

  

Are you ok? 

Are you all right? 

Are you afraid? 

Because so am I. 

  

I can’t believe the things I found here lost in this mess 

And funny that it took all this for me to step outside of my head 

  

Are you scared 

In these trying times... 

Are you afraid? Because so am I... 

  

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, synth, piano 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming, synths 

Steve Belleville - bass, vocals 

Lee Sylvestre - electric guitars 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitars 

 

 

 

Clean 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

Hide behind the words you write 

Do they match up with the way you wanted to leave this life 

This wears me down, these awful sounds 

How much would it hurt to show the love you want to keep around? 

  

If embrace came to shove, while I don’t know you, love 

I’m fine to put aside all the things we can’t agree on 

  

I find it’s better when I breathe 

Fill these lungs with what I can’t see 

  

You don’t know where I’m coming from  

And it’s fine to just believe 

There will be air to share when the morning comes 

And I’ll keep my side clean. 

  

These extremes play out for me 

Like a pendulum swinging from pretty to ugly.  

Have you ever found that some life was turned around 

From the vitriol that pours from your fingertips and mouth? 

  

I need to stop myself from scrolling the hate 

I’m dizzy and I’m overwhelmed, I’m losing faith 

Maybe it was always like this 

Or maybe… 

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming 

Steve Belleville - bass, vocals 

Kit Karlson - keyboards, synth bass 

Chip Johnson - acoustic guitars, electric guitars 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitars 

 

 

 

Penance 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

Will I always feel like I owe you something 

like I debt I’ll never repay? 

Will I ever find forgiveness for myself 

what amount of guilt will color this grey? 

  

Cause I find myself looking for substitutes  

wasting thoughts on what I can’t change 

But letting go seems too easy a task 

when there’s more penance to make. 

  

Need to stop myself from reacting to you 

like I would when I did yesterday 

Rewiring this brain hasn’t come easy 

and it shows in these choices I still make 

  

Now I find myself scared of losing you 

wasting time on things that I can’t change 

owning my part in life feels half the battle  

but there’s still more penance to make 

  

Please remind me to stop holding my breath 

just remind me to breathe 

Please remind me to start forgiving myself 

It’s in the blood, or so it seems.  

  

What will it be like when I wake tomorrow 

will you still look at me that way? 

Or will it move around like it always does 

I can’t seem to keep it all in place. 

  

Now I find myself scared of fooling you 

on believing I could ever change 

Maybe you’ve forgiven too easily  

there’s more penance to make.   

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, synth 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion, programming, synths 

Steve Belleville - bass 

Dennis Carroll - piano 

Lee Sylvestre - electric guitars, vocals 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitars 

 

 

 

Being 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

Do you think that you could love me 

So, we won’t be lonely 

If we stole away this story 

We could rewrite this ending. 

Maybe a comedy with heart 

Where you’d know the ending from the start 

we could walk away convinced 

That there’s a love like this. 

  

I was on the other side of a screen feeling sorry for myself 

You were there with your head in your hands silently asking for help. 

Turns out that you knew of my band from when you studied back in school 

Turns out that you stole my heart the minute I walked into that room. 

Now I can’t imagine life… 

  

So, do you think that you might love me 

Because I’m falling kind of madly. 

This is more than just a strange thing 

I’ve never felt this all so deeply. 

We’re a comedy with heart 

It’s been that way from the start 

Wouldn’t have it any other way 

I don’t care what those critics say. 

  

Now being is believing 

  

I’m sure there’s pieces here we’d change to make it easier on ourselves 

Fast forward to the part of this where we’ve run past heartbreak hill 

Or iron out details to smooth the wrinkles of these days 

But what little things would we miss in the troubles that we’d face 

Now I can only imagine life… 

  

So tell me that you love me. 

And that you’re always going to need me. 

Because I’ve fallen for you madly 

And this is all so surprising  

So tell me that you love this 

And that you could never leave it 

And even if you tried 

You’d fail every time. 

  

I’ll tell you that I love you. 

I’ll show you that I need you. 

And if we fail, though we’ve tried 

I’ll still be grateful every time. 

  

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums, percussion 

Steve Belleville - bass 

Lee Sylvestre - acoustic guitar 

 

 

 

Day By Day 

(music and lyrics by Chad Perrone) 

  

The weather’s real bad tonight 

I can hear tires in the snow 

Easy to fall back on bad behaviors 

When there’s no where to go 

  

But I refuse to let that man come out 

Keep him quietly at bay 

Find solace in a 6-string and the hopes of 

This all melting away 

  

It’s day to day they say 

It’s day to day or so they promised me 

Before you know it, it’s just a phrase that you’ll use 

Because day by day will be everyday soon. 

  

Maybe you never knew the darkness I sat in 

Or how lonely I became 

But none of that is important now 

I’ve hit my knees and the suns in my face. 

   

Somebody else will lead you in, someone better than me, my friend 

Somebody else will lead you in because I’m not far from the beginning 

Somebody else should lead you in…but I’m here to listen. 

  

Chad Perrone - vocals, acoustic guitar, synth 

Rob Griffith - production, engineering, mixing, drums 

Steve Belleville - bass 

Andy Sorenson - electric guitar 

Dennis Carroll - piano 

Lisa Piccirillo - vocals 

Bobby Chase - violins, violas, string arrangement 

Melodie Chase - cellos