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Falling Behind

by Joker's Republic

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1.
There’s nothing free in the home of the brave The air we breathe has a cost and that’s frankly insane The “ka-ching” of the register is all that we crave And if you ain’t got no money then you better start digging your own grave So much for the land of opportunity So much for the “American Dream” There’s no such thing as ”starting from the bottom” When the best thing you can hope for is to keep yourself from going under Barely keep your head above the water And to top it off you’ll always wonder How you made it through every blunder Don’t ask for help you won’t get far Don’t ask for anything... HANDS UP! STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE! Don’t try to make a better life you’ll get shut down on the spot When the economic pressure is so heavy you got no choice BUT ROT! So much for the land of opportunity So much for the “American Dream” There’s no such thing as ”starting from the bottom” When the best thing you can hope for is to keep yourself from going under Barely keep your head above the water And to top it off you’ll always wonder How you made it through every blunder And the problem is the state of mind Of the people in this country who say “I got mine, FUCK YOU!” So much for the land of opportunity So much for the “American Dream” There’s no such thing as ”starting from the bottom” When the best thing you can hope for is to keep yourself from going under Barely keep your head above the water And to top it off you’ll always wonder How you made it through every blunder
2.
Mannequins 03:46
Every morning you look in the mirror Think to yourself “Well hey, did you lose weight?” Turn on the news and listen to the talking heads Spoutin’ bullshit about how your country’s great You go to work at a dead-end job And tell your boss that you love it there With a face that says your personally invested in the cause But inside you know you just don’t care We’re all just a bunch of mannequins Fake-ass stand-ins for a human heart and soul When did lying through your teeth become the social norm? Why can’t we be ourselves? Why can’t we tell the truth? When you’re in charge of your own life You’re expected to act a certain way And the moment that you break rank and try to mix it up You’re the misfit that everyone hates If you think that people care ‘bout what you think Take a seat and pay attention for a master class It doesn’t matter how you really feel, People want smoke blown up their ass We’re all just a bunch of mannequins Fake-ass stand-ins for a human heart and soul When did lying through your teeth become the social norm? Why can’t we be ourselves? Why can’t we tell the truth? Whatever happened to genuine? That’s all I aspire to be And I know there’s gotta be a few of you out there But it seems like we’re a dying breed We’re all just a bunch of mannequins Fake-ass stand-ins for a human heart and soul When did lying through your teeth become the social norm? Why can’t we be ourselves? Why can’t we tell the... We’re all just a bunch of mannequins Fake-ass stand-ins for a human heart and soul When did lying through your teeth become the social norm? Why can’t we be ourselves? Why can’t we tell the truth?
3.
Don’t mind me, mom and dad I’m just gonna talk to strangers In a quasi-care free get rich quick scheme that doesn’t pay much at all Don’t mind us, mom and dad We’re just gonna talk to strangers In a language only understood by those who came before us in this game The beat of the upbeat is the beat of the Republic Straight out of Jersey causing the butterflies in your stomach Objectively we tryin’ to get you to let your hair down And if you don’t got hair that’s cool let me see you Skankin’ now I wear my heart out on my sleeve I play my ass of trying to get you to care about me That’s what I wanna do for a living But even when some people see it for themselves they can’t accept that it’s a thing Don’t mind me, mom and dad I’m just gonna talk to strangers In a quasi-care free get rich quick scheme that doesn’t pay much at all Don’t mind us, mom and dad We’re just gonna talk to strangers In a language only understood by those who came before us in this game The world don’t understand our struggle Art is shunned on a daily basis, creative minds are forced to crumble Practicality takes all precedence And if you try to stay to the left of the dial then all you’re gonna get is the static hiss of ignorance Don’t mind me, mom and dad I’m just gonna talk to strangers In a quasi-care free get rich quick scheme that doesn’t pay much at all Don’t mind us, mom and dad We’re just gonna talk to strangers In a language only understood by those who came before us in this game Take my advice you’re not alone and I know what you’re feeling now Can’t let the sound of the people around you go and bring you down I hear them say I’m doing nothing but throwing my life away But I don’t care about no skeptic or what they got to say ‘Cause all it takes to make a scene is some unity One love for all and some respect for the community 'Cause all it takes to make a scene is some unity We gotta come together make sure we’re heard, seen? Don’t mind me, mom and dad (Go with the flow of the Ska-Punk sound waves) I’m just gonna talk to strangers (Blazin’ the trail can‘t look back gotta be brave) In a quasi-care free get rich quick scheme that doesn’t pay much at all Don’t mind us, mom and dad (Go with the flow of the Ska-Punk sound waves) We’re just gonna talk to strangers (Dance to the beat of the heart of the new wave) In a language only understood by those who came before us in this game “Don’t mind us, I fucked up the words.”
4.
Don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Singin’ don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Woke up this morning, smiled with the rising sun Three little birds pitched by my doorstep Singin’ sweet songs about melodies pure and true Sayin’ “This is my messge to you.” Singin’ don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Singin’ don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Woke up this morning, smiled with the rising sun Three little birds pitched by my doorstep Singin’ sweet songs about melodies pure and true Sayin’ “This is my messge to you.” Don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Singin’ don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Rise up this morning, and smiled with that rising sun Those three little birds pitched by my doorstep Singin’ their sweet songs about melodies pure and true Sayin’ “This is my messge to you.” Don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Singin’ don’t wory about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright We may be the “Elected Representatives”, but each and every one of you is the Joker’s Republic...and we can not do this without your support! One nation, under SKA, and together we will SAVE ROCK AND ROLL!!! Don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Singin’ don’t wory about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright SIngin’ don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna Singin’ don’t wory about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Singin’ don’t worry about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright Singin’ don’t wory about a thing ‘Cause every little thing is gonna be alright It’s gonna be okay It’s gonna be alright One Love. One Heart.
5.
Trump Card 02:58
I’m gonna build a wall in my narcissistic mind I’m gonna force them out ‘cause they are not my kind I’m not a politician I say it like it is The system’s broken and it’s rigged unless I win I’m playing the Trump card to shake things up They like to call us “them city folk, the liberal elite” But now I kinda wish I was a deadbeat Raised up on ignorance and born in the belly of the beast Shouting the loudest to drown out sanity The country’s fading fast, so let’s make it great again But I will never tell who, what, why, how, or when I can’t believe that you all bought into my lie But now we’re here and it’s too late to change your mind You’re playing the Trump card to shake things up They like to call us “them cityfolk, the liberal elite” But now I kinda wish I was a deadbeat Raised up on ignorance and born in the belly of the beast Shouting the loudest to drown out sanity We put a reality TV star In charge of the world’s greatest superpower We’re fucked now the country’s a Hollywood set And the eyes of the world watch us riot and fret ‘Cause we played the Trump card to shake things up They like to call us “them cityfolk, the liberal elite” But now I kinda wish I was a deadbeat Raised up on ignorance and born in the belly of the beast Shouting the loudest to drown out sanity To drown out sanity I WANNA SHOUT THE LOUDEST TO DROWN OUT SANITY! (No Trump. No KKK. No Facist USA.)
6.
What was the point of bands like The Damned, The DK’s and The Clash When mainstream radio was run by super groups? Punk Rock’s a force for change, it’s dangerous, it always was and should be How soon we all forget where the movement started from? Politics belong in Punk Rock Politics are the foundations of Punk Rock Just because we don’t agree doesn’t have to mean we can’t be friends That’s the point. We have our own opinions Punk Rock should make you think I’m sure you’ve noticed crazy people on both sides Social justice is important, but let’s not lose our fucking minds And calling people “snowflakes” makes you look like you’re a jerk Holy shit...(EVERYONE SUCKS!) Nobody ever shuts up, they drive us all berserk But we need an open forum of discussion We need a place where everyone is free to speak their minds We lose sight of the truth when we silence those who disagree Freedom of speech only works when you are truly free Politics belong in Punk Rock Politics are the foundations of Punk Rock Just because we don’t agree doesn’t have to mean we can’t be friends That’s the point. We have our own opinions Punk Rock should make you think Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up, pick it up Pick it up-up-up! Politics belong in Punk Rock Politics are the foundations of Punk Rock Just because we don’t agree doesn’t have to mean we can’t be friends That’s the point. We have our own opinions Punk Rock should make you think Politics belong in Punk Rock Politics are the foundations of Punk Rock Just because we don’t agree doesn’t have to mean we can’t be friends That’s the point. We have our own opinions PUNK ROCK SHOULD MAKE YOU THINK!
7.
Migraine 03:40
I’ve got a headache right behind my eyes It only goes away when I desensitize Someone pass the reefer this is madness in my head Oh I can’t take the pain or longing anymore I need another shot Of something that will cure me, and even though I like to think That it’s for fun deep down inside I know I wanna run away from Everyone that I hold dear (Everyone I love oh) Everything that I don’t need to survive (Everything that never fails to bring me down) The stress is just too much, and I know that this is wrong But I just need a break from the world outside my door Sensory overload. Can’t even hear myself THINK anymore As if I ever could it’s very easy to forget What independent thought can lead to when it’s not instant regret Pretty please give me what I need the pressure’s way too high It makes me wanna leave behind Everyone that I hold dear (Everyone I love oh) Everything that I don’t need to survive (Everything that never fails to bring me down) The stress is just too much, and I know that this is wrong But I just need a break from the world outside my door I don’t have a lot of time for anything but struggle, work, or pain in my life I’m not in a good frame of mind. It’s only now that I began to really try To fix all my problems and I just realized that I’m not ready to die But I still need a way to get by In the meantime...shoot up ‘till I’m blind To the pain! I’ve got to get away from Everyone that I hold dear Everything that I don’t need to survive The stress is just too much, and I know that this is wrong But I just need a break from the world outside my door GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!
8.
Take a step back for a minute, For a minute just to think Think of what you wanna do don’t just throw it back to me Not again, you always leave it up to me Come back down off your high back into reality Where you own all of your mistakes an take responsibility Oh that’s right, you’re never wrong. My mistake. You want my help with what’s in store But I’ve been burned once or twice before What do I think? I’m Indecisively Indifferent (What does that even mean) I don’t know, and I don’t care, so don’t ask me anymore I’ve had enough of this drama for one lifetime Take control of yourself, I won’t be standing by Hey, what’s that sound? Sounding off like a call to open arms It’s another fake, another lie, another fuckin’ cause for alarm It’s a trap set up to kill Ring the bell let them know that you’re on another tear Let them know that you’re incapable, a hypocrite, and scared Oh my god, I can’t believe that you exist But you sucked me into caring once again And I’m just counting down the seconds to the end What do I think? I’m Indecisively Indifferent (What does that even mean) I don’t know, and I don’t care, so don’t ask me anymore I’ve had enough of this drama for one lifetime Take control of yourself, I won’t be standing by I don’t wanna be that guy The one who went and left you out to dry But if you don’t care, then why should I? You can’t be bothered now to even try for yourself What do I think? I’m Indecisively Indifferent (What does that even mean) I don’t know, and I don’t care, so don’t ask me anymore I’ve had enough of this bullshit for one lifetime Take control of yourself, I won’t be standing by I won’t be standing by No I won’t stand by you no more I won’t be standing by No I won’t stand by you no more
9.
Grow Up 03:28
Take a look in front of you, I can almost guarantee I know just what you’ll see You’ll see a man who doesn’t know the basic rules on how to be a human being But can you even justify yourself in calling me a man When all I’ve ever done is fuck shit up and creep out all my friends? Oh here we go again. Not again with all the self-hatred Can’t you try to find another thing to bitch about my friend? Not when it never ceases to be true Grow up is all I wanted to do when I was young, But now I find myself with a mic on stage and my foot stuck in my mouth Grow up stop being melodramatic And heading South across the lines that I should know by now were there and drawn all this time And the saddest part about this feeling that I’m singing ‘bout It never comes as a surprise to me When you’re forced to sit there and absorb all of the feelings of Regret for all your past mistakes, plus the extra burning... Of inadequacy and stupidity Why can’t I ever seem to learn from these things? Grow up is all I wanted to do when I was young, But now I find myself with a mic on stage and my foot stuck in my mouth Grow up stop being melodramatic And heading South across the lines that I should know by now were there and drawn all this time Grow up is all I wanted to do when I was young, But now I find myself with a mic on stage and my foot stuck in my mouth Grow up stop being melodramatic And heading South across the lines that I should know by now were there and drawn Grow up is all I wanted to do when I was young, But now I find myself with a mic on stage and my foot stuck in my mouth Grow up stop being melodramatic And heading South across the lines that I should know by now were there and drawn all this time
10.
Just Don't 02:45
Just don’t do it If I were you I’d’ve tried to let this go by (Just don’t do it) To step aside and let the sleeping dogs lie (Just don’t do it) Just don’t do it Don’t you have respect for yourself? Just don’t do it You had your chances to go and prove us all wrong (Just don’t do it) But now I think it’s time to knock it off (Just don’t do it) Just don’t do it Don’t you have respect for yourself? Just don’t “Know when to quit” is more than just colloquial The situation calling for this tip ain’t hypothetical Something that has changed your life forever stands in front of you And not for better or worse, only detrimental And I guess it’s tempting to turn and get back what you lost To attempt to recuperate, eliminate the cost Cause in your head you’re unprepared for the tax of instability imposed on you But I gotta tell you now you’re better off.... Just don’t do it If I were you I’d’ve tried to let this go by (Just don’t do it) To step aside and let the sleeping dogs lie (Just don’t do it) Just don’t do it Don’t you have respect for yourself? Just don’t do it You had your chances to go and prove us all wrong (Just don’t do it) But now I think it’s time to knock it off (Just don’t do it) Just don’t do it Don’t you have respect for yourself? Just don’t So now you find yourself here, and yeah you’re all alone Filling up the hole in your heart with busywork I’m told Propelling yourself forward as you run away from ever-present hurt Might be unhealthy but hey, at least you’re not in the dirt But you’ll just keep keep pushing yourself and hope the pain will fade away You’ll just keep pushing yourself and say “I’ll be okay” That’s the most overtly false “liar liar, pants on fire” statement that I’ve ever made (‘Cause I don’t know when to quit!) Just don’t do it If I were you I’d’ve tried to let this go by (Just don’t do it) To step aside and let the sleeping dogs lie (Just don’t do it) Just don’t do it Don’t you have respect for yourself? Just don’t do it You had your chances to go and prove us all wrong (Just don’t do it) But now I think it’s time to knock it off (Just don’t do it) Just don’t do it Don’t you have respect for yourself? Just don’t do it Just don’t do it I can’t do it I should really try to let this one go by (I can’t do it) To step aside and let the sleeping dogs lie (I can’t do it) I can’t do it I don’t have respect for myself I can’t do it I had my chances to go and prove you all wrong (I can’t do it) But now I just can’t seem to knock it off (I can’t do it) I can’t do it I don’t have respect for myself I can’t do it... I can’t do it I can’t do it... I can’t do it I don’t have respect for myself I can’t do it! I can’t do it I can’t do it... I can’t do it I don’t have respect for myself I can’t do it!
11.
Listen to this song Do you hear the progression flying passing by? It’s only four freaking chords, I’ve never had to do that before And stupid lines and melodies recycled from the other songs I wrote already I guess I’m running out of words But the point I’m trying to get across to you is that I’ve never had a stronger urge or felt a greater sense of urgency To get a message out of me to get these superficial seeming feelings off my chest If I don’t do it now I might explode I was running out of breath running after you Time wasn’t on my side, I didn’t know what to do I tried to follow close but I kept falling behind You’re moving on and I can’t get you out of my... My mind My Mind My Mind My Mind My Mind My Mind I know I’m wasting my time Trying to get to you, you don’t want anything to do with me And that’s a certainty it doesn’t take a lens to see But I can’t just shake the feeling that there’s gonna be another epilogue being written on top of the ending to our story, The one that I was working hard to end correctly You know, the book that you’ve been closing not-so gently? And as cliché as it is to say I hope this feeling goes away cause... I was running out of breath running after you Time wasn’t on my side, I didn’t know what to do I tried to follow close but I kept falling behind You’re moving on and I can’t get you out of my... My mind My Mind My Mind My Mind My Mind My Mind I was running out of breath running after you Time wasn’t on my side, I didn’t know what to do I tried to follow close but I kept falling behind You’re moving on and I can’t get you out... I was running out of breath running after you Time wasn’t on my side, I didn’t know what to do I tried to follow close but I kept falling behind You’re moving on and I can’t get you out of my... My mind My Mind My Mind My Mind My Mind My Mind....

credits

released April 27, 2019

Austen Gray: Songwriter/Guitars/Lead Vocals
Billy Smolen: Bass/Vocals
Patrick Elwood: Drums/Vocals
Dave Barry: Keys
Ryan Weil: Gang Vocals
Brian Rechter: Gang Vocals
Becky Sudul: Gang Vocals
Co-Produced by Austen Gray and Ryan Weil
Recorded and Engineered by Ryan Weil at Weilhouse Productions in Middletown, NJ
Mastered by David Irish at Pot Of Gold Recording
Gang Vocals provided by Backyard Superheroes
"Three Little Birds" originally written by Robert Nesta Marley

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Joker's Republic New Jersey

We're a Ska-Punk band from North NJ, and Generally speaking there are WORSE ways to spend a Saturday night than checking out our band, so why not? ¯\_(ツ) _/¯

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