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The Former

from Wrecked by The Kevins

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about

I'm pretty sure I heard "The Former" for the first time during a rare visit with Mr. Bergey a couple of years earlier. He had brought some lyrics and ideas around, and this little gem really caught my ear.

Not only is it a catchy tune, but the lyrics were poignant, inventive and ruefully humorous. Bergey spins a tale about a guy who had a family and lost it - we don't know exactly how or why, but it's apparent his wife and kid aren't coming back. Then we discover he's a rich guy, or was, and he's been making a positive impact on the planet. But not anymore.

Whatever this fellow had is gone. I love this song, and gave it a George Harrison philanthropic-style slide guitar.

lyrics

THE FORMER by A. Bergey

I'm the former lover of the lady in the paper
Don't look to me to try something heroic to save her
If you think she's crazy now you should have seen her then
Even if they had a program they wouldn't let her in

I'm the former father of the girl knockin' at your door
She disowned me the day I couldn't get up off the floor
And now she's asking for donations that'll help out the poor
She's making this a better place, that's what daddies are for

You can ask me now, you can ask me later
You can ask the salesman, you can ask the waiter
You can ask for money, you can ask for free
If I was the former, and I'll always be

I'm the former founder of the foundation you have heard
Where they set up clinics and keep track of people they cured
The demographics and diversity have been defined
The funding and the leaders with concern have been aligned

You can ask me now, you can ask me later
You can ask the salesman, you can ask the waiter
You can ask for handouts, you can ask me now
If I was the former, why am I nothing now?

credits

from Wrecked, released October 1, 2004
Written by A. Bergey (c) 2004 Viable Tangents

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The Kevins Arvada, Colorado

The Kevins (Denver, CO) have been conjuring up home-made rock music since 1998: original songs by K. Dennis, tunes by friends & colleagues, and covers (Steppenwolf, Blondie, The Delfonics, Husker Du, The Banana Splits, more). Inspired by Neil Young, John Fogerty, Paul Westerberg, Ian Hunter and many more, The Kevins' continuing quest is to create the perfect single - or at least some cool b-sides. ... more

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