HOLDING ON TO HOPE Avrim Max Topel My peace of mind has gone I'm tryin' to hang on Like stars that hide at dawn When sunrise comes along When day has finally woke There’s just one way I cope … CHORUS I'm holding onto hope I’m fightin’ for my faith The powers I evoke To keep me here and safe When life feels so unfair And my whole world goes up in smoke I handle my despair With prayer I’m holding onto hope RAP Yo, I’m still holding on tight to my hope It’s the way that I roll and the way that I cope People tellin’ me I’m at the end of my rope But ain’t no way in hell I’m not bailing’ on hope They say if ya’ sway from your faith just one day That you’ll never find grace and you’ll never be safe So I gotta good grip and I ain’t lettin’ it go And I’m not gonna slip holding on to my hope No, it’s not an illusion It’s my faith that I’m usin’ CHORUS OUTRO Can you grasp or imagine You try to be strong But your trust and your passion Have sung their last song … END
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Testimony Avrim Max Topel I sit in solitary alone inside my head Thinkin’ how I lived my life an’ what I shoulda done instead We swore we’d be forever but I didn’t stick around You waited half a lifetime, I left and let you down CHORUS This is my testimony, this is my one and only truth If leavin’ makes me guilty, my crime was leavin’ you This is my testimony, this is my nothin’ but the truth I’d tell a judge and jury my crime was leaving you Nah nah-nah-nah Nah-nah, nah-nah Nah nah-nah-nah Nah-nah If I could do it over I’d have never left this dance But now I’m back again, asking you for one more chance You said the clock was tickin’, and the deck was stacked too high I folded on commitment, you said your last goodbye CHORUS Now I wait, wait, wait, til the jury casts my fate CHORUS END Avrim Max Topel ave@avrimtopel.com 302-750-8563
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Don't Feel Much Like Christmas There’s something that I wanna do Before this holiday is through I’ve been calling up my angels, I don’t want to be alone anymore I need to make things right with you and I’m praying that you’ll hear me through All I wanna do is fix us and get back to where we were before ‘cause it don’t feel much like Christmas since the day that you walked out the door You got the kids on Christmas eve I’m home alone but I still believe in redemption and forgiveness and the power to renew and restore ‘cause the way that I’ve been feeling it just don’t feel much like Christmas no more I know I’m not the only Dad who’s sitting home alone and sad this Christmas. The gifts beneath my Christmas tree seem empty without you and me, I miss us So there’s something that I gotta to do to bring it back to me and you I’ve been prayin’ to my angels that they’ll carry me this Christmas Day ‘cause it don’t feel much like Christmas ever since you left and went away I know I’m not a perfect man But I need you understand this Christmas. I’ve changed my ways, I’ve seen the light and what I need this holy night’s forgiveness There’s something that I’m gonna do Before this holiday is through I’ve been calling up my angels, I don’t wanna be alone any more ‘Cause it don’t feel much like Christmas since the day that you walked out the door No, it don’t feel much like Christmas since the day that you walked out the door Avrim Topel ave@avrimtopel.com 302-750-8563
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Windows and Doors  Avrim Max Topel, Jason Severs, Jody Sloan, He could see it right away, I was busy building walls   Wasn’t dirt under my fingernails and I wasn’t wearing overalls  Was the way I was orderin’ double rounds round here at 2:00 p.m.   He’d seen him me here a hundred times but never seen me with a friend   You’d think I’d know his name by now, he damn sure knows mine He never has that much to say but there’s wisdom in his eyes I can tell he has a story one I probably should’ve asked I was holed up in my own little world, drowning in a glass CHORUS   I wasn’t there to hear him preach I wasn’t payin’ him for advice   I was payin’ him for top shelf whiskey  Lies poured over ice,  He wasn’t there to judge me When I ordered up one more   But he said, I can’t watch this kid, And went off to sweep his floors,   He said go on and build your walls son, but don’t forget the windows and the doors     I sat there on that barstool, and I let those words sink in I’d been pushin’ everyone away, ‘n I was doin’ it to him   Didn’t happen in an instant, it took a little time   But one by one those bricks I laid started comin’ down that night   CHORUS     I walked out to that parking lot and sat there in my truck   I watched him turn off the neon sign and lock those front doors up   CHORUS END Avrim Max Topel   ave@avrimtopel.com 302-750-8563
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HEROES A Topel, L Miller, P Dodge From the farmers waking up plowing crops in the field To the business suits making Wall Street deals To the single moms working double hard To the dreamer kid staring at the stars To the stranger passing you on the street in a rush Different walk of life, same race to run All looking for a way to just get by Wishing that the world will make itself right, but  Waiting for the hurt to stop hurting Like waiting for the earth to stop turning  We don’t need a superman Just the face in the mirror and our own two hands CHORUS Heroes Heroes Heroes Don’t we know, We are the heroes Heroes Heroes Don’t we know We can be the heroes Some of us been waiting for a voice on tv To tell us how to be, how to fix everything Some of us turn to a God in the sky Others to Jack poured over ice, but  PRE-CHORUS CHORUS We can be the light in the dark and the helping hands Isn’t it time we start Having each other’s back We bleed the same red blood walk the same brown dirt That means that all of us have gotta do the work CHORUS END
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PHASES Avrim Max Topel It was freshman year, early September when I first felt the power of love She launched my heart into her orbit I was too young to know what it was, My world went dark the night she left me like the shadow from a lunar eclipse, now every time I see that crescent I go back and get lost in that kiss CHORUS In a lifetime, love constantly changes like the moon as it goes through its phases, From sliver to full, it evolves like we do push and pull as it’s waxing and waning, You try to recapture the passion and rapture when its gravity’s felt so amazing These days all I know is love ebbs, and it flows like the moon, as is goes through its phases When moonbeams shine on your forever you’ll wish time would stop and stand still, but you find yourselves knee-deep in children and caught up with paying those bills, You’ll live for those Friday nite date nites when you’ll stare at those stars in her eyes it’s not always romance and moonlight, but you laugh ‘cause you understand why {CHORUS} BRIDGE It’s a journey with lulls and elations rotating beyond expectations {CHORUS} END
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Searching For Someone To Be Avrim Max Topel We could have called that girl Columbus           As she sailed off to find a new world             In search of her right place among us With her freak flag and colors unfurled             He mapped out his route like Magellan       As he charted his course ‘cross the sea He was open and there was no tellin'  Where he’d wind up or who he might be CHORUS     Life is relentless with questions Fate brings the answers we find  Struggle is part of the journey           Destiny takes a long time,    You won’t heal your heart With a map or a chart Or by changing geography, Love’s sweet rewards Are the dominant chords We’re all searching for someone to be, We’re all searching for someone to be Trial is how we are tested     Error’s the way that we learn Knowledge is always respected,  Reward’s not how much we earn  CHORUS   ? There's no guarantees or for-certains  In a life full of uncertainty,  There’ll be plenty of times when we’re hurtin’ Where only the truth sets us free CHORUS END?
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BE THE SPARK AVRIM MAX TOPEL We’ve all heard that the way you treat others is the same that you’d hope they treat you, When we love everyone like a brother there’s no limit to what we can do ? No one ever needs being reminded In this world that we all play a part, We’re all neighbors deserving of kindness so remember, wherever you are CHORUS  BE THE SPARK, SHINE A LIGHT TOUCH A HEART, CHANGE A LIFE, YOU CAN ALWAYS HELP SOMEONE              WITH JUST A KIND WORD AND A SMILE, SHARE THE LOVE, IT AIN’T HARD RISE ABOVE, TOUCH A HEART                SHINE A LIGHT, CHANGE A LIFE BE THE SPARK When you see someone down, make a difference all it takes is a moment or two, In the end, little things like that matter when someone needs a hand getting through {CHORUS} WHEN IT SEEMS… ALL IS DARK… LET ‘EM SEE … THEY’RE A STAR… {CHORUS} OUTRO SHINE A LIGHT, CHANGE A LIFE BE THE SPARK END?
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TO BEACH HIS OWN Avrim Topel, Kenny Curcio , Dan Harrison, Karen Kiley Some people like to dip their toes, in Mexico, spring break Cancun Some like to catch a couple waves, bathe in those rays, off Malibu  Or Tybee Island, Georgia Key West, edge of Florida PCB or LBI Where ever it feels right CHORUS To beach his own it’s all good There’s a spot for you by the water Grab somethin’ cold  Cuz we all could  Use a little buzz as the sun gets hotter Board shorts or bikinis  From Maui to Fiji As long there’s sand on a coast Jamaica, Bahamas Yeah wherever you wanna go To beach their own Barefootin’ like a Buffet song. get your chill out on, park it in a chair Fish hookin’ as you reel ‘em in, salt on the rim and in the air This rock’s just one big island Wherever you wanna dive in REPEAT CHORUS Each one’s a paradise that’s different from the rest Find that vibe that fits you best REPEAT CHORUS END
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The Girl Who Changed The World aka Change The World Avrim Max Topel My Dad said there's no limits as to all that I can be If I follow in the footsteps other women left for me I wanna right the dark like Rosa Parks who sat strong on that bus And sing out like Aretha with Respect for everyone I’ll kiss the sky like Whitney ‘fore I die And NASA’s Katherine Johnson who gave us space to fly CHORUS I’ll dare to make a difference like those women did for me The ones who went the distance going down in history, I’ll spend my whole life learning How to stand up like they stood I’’ll dedicate my life each day to hope and spreading good, Yeah, I’ll be flying with my freedom flag unfurled I wanna be that girl and change the world POST CHORUS Oo oo oo oo oo oo Change the world, Oo oo oo oo oo oo I’ve been watching Oprah Winfrey touching lives and healing hearts An’ I’ll take those lessons with me when it’s time to lead the charge I’ll be speaking truth like Maya Angelou And soar Godspeed like Flo Jo before my time is through CHORUS You’re gonna watch me go the distance Change the world You’re gonna see me make a difference BREAKDOWN I’ll dare to make a difference like those women did for me The ones who went the distance going down in history CHORUS I’ll spend my whole life learning How to stand up like they stood I’’ll dedicate my life each day to hope and spreading good, Yeah, I’ll be flying with my freedom flag unfurled I wanna be that girl and change the world OUTRO You’re gonna watch me go the distance Change the world You’re gonna see me make a difference END
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HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE - FEMALE VOCAL Avrim Max Topel We all have loved ones That we rely on They light us up On rainy days But when their hearts break We feel the heartache That’s when our happy Walks away CHORUS Hurt people hurt people While the heart keeps score                        Love heals when love’s real It seals the deal But never before, Worry when our close ones fall apart Back to being lonesome once they start And that’s how we feel today because Hurt people hurt people Whenever we’d be feelin’ down They laugh and dance to Crazy Town But now they don’t come ‘round Anymore You can try a hundred times To comfort them and stop their cryin’ I don’t know what they need more time for {CHORUS} INSTRUMENTAL They go from catch us when we fall To now they won't return our calls {CHORUS/BREAKDOWN} END
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HURT PEOPLE HURT PEOPLE - FEMALE VOCAL Avrim Max Topel We all have loved ones That we rely on They light us up On rainy days But when their hearts break We feel the heartache That’s when our happy Walks away CHORUS Hurt people hurt people While the heart keeps score                        Love heals when love’s real It seals the deal But never before, Worry when our close ones fall apart Back to being lonesome once they start And that’s how we feel today because Hurt people hurt people Whenever we’d be feelin’ down They laugh and dance to Crazy Town But now they don’t come ‘round Anymore You can try a hundred times To comfort them and stop their cryin’ I don’t know what they need more time for {CHORUS} INSTRUMENTAL They go from catch us when we fall To now they won't return our calls {CHORUS/BREAKDOWN} END
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Shadowland Avrim Max Topel I hustle hearin' footsteps  I stumble in my fright That rustle in the bushes Got my radar up tonight  I’m feelin’ like some heathen Has made me as his mark I’m havin’ trouble breathin’ (‘Cause) There’s danger in the dark … CHORUS Shadowland, Shadowland Haven’t sensed this kind of violence Since the silence of the lambs, It might be Jeffrey Dahmer Or another Son of Sam  No I can’t see who’s stalkin’  me But I won’t stand a chance      Tonight from where I am  In Shadowland, Shadowland There's evil large and lurkin' Loomin' behind every tree The way my mind is working’s Gonna be the death of me ... HALF CHORUS Shadowland, shadowland Haven’t sensed this kind of violence Since the silence of the lambs, It might be Jeffrey Dahmer  Or another Son of Sam… RAP It's clear the fear that's here tonight Is kickin' in my fright and flight This shortcut that I’m takin’ home Has now become my own death row, Imagination got to me  It’s not the way I thought it’d be I'm tryin' to conjure up my faith But now it’s all a waste, I'm blinded by what I can't see This terror is insanity I'm runnin’ from that Boogyman Right here in Shadowland … All these devils and demons … All these nightmares I’m dreamin’ CHORUS END
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THE PROMISE Avrim Max Topel I was havin' a li'l guy talk with a friend About spending life with someone til the end He asked me 'bout commitment What it is and what it isn't And today, if I would do it all again He said that he loved everything about her But was scared somehow the sweet would turn to sour I smiled because I knew  How love had changed me, too, But I never knew until I said I do     CHORUS 'Cause it's way more than a courthouse piece of paper Or my grandma’s emerald diamond ring I gave her I knew she was the one When those vows were said and done To the girl I loved And witnessed by my Maker, So, lookin’ back, now If I’m bein’ honest, When I said I do I knew it was The promise There’ll come a day your heart will let you know You’ve found the perfect one you can’t let go You’ll feel the joy inside When you’re standing side by side And those two words you recite produce one soul CHORUS When he asked me if I’d do it all again ? I told him, “In a heartbeat, my old friend”     CHORUS/BREAKDOWN END
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THIS IS THE VIBE Avrim Max Topel, Kyle Jefferson Oh Yeah Oh Yeah! This is the vibe! This is the vibe Yeah, This is the vibe! All that and a bag of chips Sun in the sky bout to take a dip Feeling so good yeah I’m feeling fresh Gotta go big never second guess PRE CHORUS We vibing we thriving We’re so high we’re flyin Yeah we got that perfect timing We shine bright like diamonds What we doin? Yeah what’s up Got that fire We bout to light it up CHORUS Yeah what sup! What’s Up What’s Up Light it up Light it Up! (2x) Its that best day ever It’s a vibe Party all night Gonna have a good time Yeah! POST CHORUS This is the vibe Ahhhhhh (3x) Everybody throw ya hands in the air I’m on top make the haters stare Fame and the glam I’m everywhere Wanna ride with us pull up a chair PRE CHORUS CHORUS POST CHORUS VAMP OUT We doin’ what we doin’ what we doin’? What we doin’, what we doin’ let’s get to it! POST CHORUS END
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Handle It With Prayer Avrim Max Topel, Jason Sever, Les Hague Been rode hard and put up wet Run as ragged as it can get Not sure that there’s much left  For you to use Still you’re wantin’ too So if you wanna take hold girl you gotta know I’ve taken this thing far as it can go You better take it slow And since we’re telling truth Girl if I were you CHORUS I’d handle it with prayer Cuz it’s cold and dark in there It ain't seen the sunshine  Since it got broke up the last time I’ve drug that thing around Chasin’ whiskey down It’s been places even the devil would dare My heart’s in a sad state of repair If you can handle it Handle it with prayer I know this ain’t your first rodeo We’re diggin’ deep we’re gettin close That cross hangin’ round your neck Is the only faith I’ve known I’ve been going it alone So when you’re talking to God say a little for me Help me be the man I know you’re gonna need Cuz when I’m with you girl that's who I wanna be I hope that there’s hope for me CHORUS CHORUS/BREAKDOWN END
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Tomorrow Tonight Avrim Max Topel, Riley Roth, Karen Kiley I’ve never felt this way before Sitting on a kitchen floor     Sharing everything about me,  to you  There must be magic in the air Something ‘bout you I swear  Has me falling and forgetting how to  Breathe  Yeah I  Don’t wanna sleep Or say goodbye  CHORUS I wanna stay in this moment  Lost in your eyes So let's keep this conversation going Like we’re never gonna run out of time  Like we got forever  Til the sun’s in the sky  Cuz Baby, I don’t wanna think about  Tomorrow tonight  Let’s put the world on pause Keep it all about us  While we still got the moonlight shining  I know it’s not just me Feeling something between You and I, baby let’s not fight it  We Feel right  To hell with the sleep Or saying goodbye  {CHORUS} {CHORUS} END
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You Loved Me Wrong (Baby, Ain’t That Right) Avrim Topel, Jamie Floyd, Dale Giffen Yeah, you loved me wrong, baby ain’t that right You put the break in my heart, the tears in my eyes You used every trick, and told every lie You loved me wrong, baby ain’t that right You got me good, and you don’t feel bad You gave me the best of the worst I ever had Yeah, you blew my mind so I can’t be mad That you got me good, and you don’t feel bad CHORUS We were on fire till you burned it down, down, down We were getting higher and higher, till we hit the ground You said out with the old and in with the new You did everyone you had to do Yeah, you made your bed now she sleeps it in too So I say old with the old and in with the new CHORUS We were on fire till you burned it down, down, down We were getting higher and higher, till we hit the ground Yeah, you loved me wrong, baby ain’t that right You put the break in my heart, the tears in my eyes Yeah, you used every trick, and told every lie Yeah, you loved me wrong, baby ain’t that right Oh you loved me wrong, baby ain’t that right Oh you loved me wrong, baby ain’t that right END Avrim Topel ASCAP IP# 661491733 ave@avrimtopel.com 302-750-8563
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When Christmas Time Comes Avrim Max Topel, Lucy LeBlanc, Jeffrey Scornavacca aka The Mistletoes Here comes that time of year When family meets back here Ready to celebrate, Board games and lots of fun Laughter from everyone Gathered the old fashioned way CHORUS Plenty of love and cheer All that we need right here Lifting our voices We’ll be rejoicing Before day is done, It’s music to our ears Coming thru loud and clear Back to the spirit We love to hear it When Christmas time comes Everyone’s carolin’ Even the kids join in Traditions that live on and on, Grateful for all we have Sharing our hearts and laughs Singing together in song CHORUS Family visits with Hugs and kisses, Kids with wish lists, it’s Merry Christmas Fires burning bright Trees with twinkle lights Nothing lifts us like Merry Christmas CHORUS It’s music to our ears Coming thru loud and clear Back to the spirit We love to hear it When Christmas comes Back to the spirit We love to hear it When Christmas time comes END
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LOVE’S CONTAGIOUS Avrim Max Topel, Jeffrey East, Rachel Barrentine Love’s contagious A little goes a long long way Has the heart to heal the pain It’s magic and it’s just the way God made us Might take some time Trust me it can change us Love’s contagious Love is fearless It’s not afraid to run right in Find a place it hasn’t been Lend a hand and lift up troubled spirits You can see it, you can feel it, you can hear it… Love’s contagious CHORUS LIke the breath we’re breathin’ now, The heartbeat in our chest It’s one thing we can’t live without So catch it if you can... Love’s contagious POST CHORUS Catch it if, catch it if, catch it if you can (2x) Love is power The strongest weapon ever made Been here since the dawn of day It’s not a gun, it’s not a blade It’s a match that strikes and lights the way In our darkest hour Love is power... CHORUS POST CHORUS/INSTR Catch it if, catch it if, catch it if you can (4x) CHORUS POST CHORUS Catch it if, catch it if, catch it if you can (4x) END
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Breakin’ Broken Hearts Avrim Max Topel, Robert Bednarz ?No one can say I didn’t try? I even let you see me cry I finally had enough That's when I called it off ?I didn’t even say goodbye CHORUS; I’m countin’ all my lucky stars So glad we finally fell apart You didn’t even call 'cause you don’t even care at all, cause You’re always breakin broken hearts POST CHORUS Whoah’s (2x) ?I always thought that love was true? That was until I fell for you? I tried my best to stay But then you lied straight to my face ?I figured out your games ?And had to get away CHORUS POST CHORUS BREAKDOWN I’m countin’ all my lucky stars Grateful we finally fell apart You didn’t even call cause you don’t really care at all, cause You’re always breakin broken hearts You’re always breakin broken hearts CHORUS I’m countin’ all my lucky stars So glad we finally fell apart You didn’t even call cause you don’t really care at all, cause You’re always breakin broken hearts You’re always breakin broken hearts. END
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SHE KNOWS ME BETTER        Avrim Max Topel, Victoria Banks, Diana Taub The sunrise is painting the sky overhead But my piece of heaven’s right here in this bed The first thing I see when I open my eyes Is the last thing that I ever thought I would find CHORUS She’ll finish my thoughts before I say a word She sees who I am when the lines are all blurred She’s right by my side every fire I walk through She knows me better than I do She knows me better than I do She’s the sweet to my tea, the calm to my storm That I can’t get enough that I always want more She’s the rock to my roll, the smile to my blues Without her I’m Johnny that don’t have a June {CHORUS} When no one else gets me, she understands Knows the map of my heart like the back of my hand She’s my angel on earth, better half, my best friend I send up a prayer and she’s the amen {CHORUS} END
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Girl At The Texaco Avrim Max Topel, Jay Brunswick, David Hill It’s 1800 miles from my house down to Cabo I wasn’t sure if my old Silverado would get me there On four bald tires and a prayer 400 miles and two tanks of gas later I coasted in with a bad alternator Then there she was,  Shining-like-that-star on pump number one From the moment I first saw her I knew I was a goner ‘cause                 CHORUS       That girl at the Texaco Had me twisted like a tornado               She roped-me-in like a rodeo ‘Fore I could even say adios, Oh, that girl at the Texaco                        On my way down to Mexico                          I never made it but I got real close  To that girl at the Texaco She said she usually blows off out-of-towners Next thing you know we were talking for hours,  Going round for round In-a-bar in-that border town When the sun hit those covers Never had me a lover like CHORUS  CHORUS         I never made it but I got real close  To that girl at the Texaco END
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UBER ON OVER Avrim Topel I was parked on my Friday night barstool Workin' on my fifth Bud lite              When she called me and told me  I don't wanna be lonely tonight,           I said Damn, my pick-ups out of commission, She said hon, don't let that stop you from missin' What I've got in mind when it's just you and I, And right now we're just wasting time 'Cause you can     CHORUS Uber on over, call up that chauffeur,                If you don’t have a car or you're stuck where you are                    You can tap on an app, and arrive like a star Yeah, you can Uber on over, roll in that clover                  Hammered or sober, from Dallas to Dover,     Or anyplace that you're going to, oo oo oo              Uber on over                                                                     My driver drove up in a Tahoe When she opened her door I said uh-oh She smiled when she asked me if I wanted her to take me home,  I said I appreciate the invitation  But tonight that's not where I'll be stayin' Then she said “call me in the mornin’ when you wake up and you’re ready to go, 'Cause you can…” CHORUS   BRIDGE  As we rolled off that ride got me thinkin'                       Ain’t no need to be drivin' and drinkin’,     So the next time a date wants to party-on late       There ain't no reason to hesitate 'Cause you can...   CHORUS END
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