Song Lyrics

Keep it Simple

album: Step by Step (1990), track 6 of 14
author: Chuck Pyle
publisher: Bee 'n' Flower Music BMI

Well, I woke up this other morning
To this meeting in my head
My ego'd formed a terrorist group
And I knew what lie ahead

There'd be death threats on my confidence
And extortions of my heart
And I have to remain in control
So as not to fall apart

So I called my new-age girlfriend up
She'd self-helped herself for years
And asked her how to overcome
All my unrest and inner fears

She said force'd drive it deeper
I needed to love my fear away
But she sounded so together
I was ashamed of being afraid

So I called my local talk show
Radio therapist of the air
She told me to write myself little love notes
And paste 'em up everywhere

She said it was not good to be ashamed
I should get therapy or meditate
And I realized I felt guilty
That I was ashamed of being afraid
   She said thank you for sharin'
   And put me on hold
   I got right off the line,
   I knew she was trying to trace the call

So I said "I know I'm in there,"
And I walked over to the mirror to see
"If I don't come out with my hands up"
I said "I'm coming in after me."

I know my inner child's enraged
But all my outer man can say
Is that I'm angry that I feel guilty
That I'm ashamed of being afraid
   Right about then my committee kicked in
   And there I am on the streets of Boulder, Colorado,
   The supposed New Age center of the known universe,
   Not being totally present
   Could'a gotten busted
   I ran home, turned off the phone
   And changed the machine
   "Hi, this is me, 
   If I should return while I'm gone
   Please detain me until I get back."

So I called this twelve-step cowboy friend
I thought might maybe know
Just why I felt so crazed these days
Like a psycho-desperado

He took me to his support group
And I shared about my rage
They said everyone's addicted to anger
It's the rage this day and age
   I said "You mean I'm addicted
   To being angry for feeling guilty
   That I'm ashamed of being afraid?"
   He said "Yup!"
   And I said "What about 'Keep it Simple'"?
   He said, "Easy does it."
   God grant me the serenity to accept the things
   That I cannot change