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Music © 1986 by John Tabacco and Nick DiMauro
Words by John Tabacco
Published by It Iz What It Iz Music (SESAC)

Inspired by the piano part in Hall and Oates' "Kiss On My List". The first time I played this idea to Nick, I had a real "spongy" sort of synth sound and an out of time sax sample break. When I did the song for real, I could not duplicate the synth sound. The sax break was not appreciated by NIck or my sister so I took it out. It was cool, too bad. The finished version features a sparse use of guitar, toy bells I sampled and an up middle section by Nick. The drum program (recorded with way too much reverse gate effect) was the first one I ever did. It's a happy sounding piece with accurate lyrics about how I feel about life. It was also the last tune I swore I would use the word "FOREVER" in.

lyrics

DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO

I met a girl from Babylon, she said: "John my man it's true, ..
The last remains of a peaceful life have been taken by the ZOO!"
Then she turned to her friend in chains and produced two rosewood sticks
They beat each other up black and blue
And the open wounds they'd lick

I met a man from Washington who said: "John my boy it's true, ...
The only way to enjoy yourself is to fill your head with GLUE!"

And I said:
DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO
DO WHAT YOU LIKE
YOU WON'T LIVE FOREVER SO YOU BETTER LIVE IT RIGHT
DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO
DO WHAT YOU LIKE
SO LONG AS IT DOESN'T CAUSE A MURDER
IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH ME
IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH ME

I know a fellow who spends his time writing songs no one can play...
He'll audition a thousand folks just to turn them all away
Ah, then he listens to the radio and examines the latest smash
Writes himself a pop song hit and then puts it in the TRASH!

I know a gardener from my home town, slavin' labor for some rich snob...
She won the "lotto" some years ago but she ain't givin' up her JOB!
And I say:
DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO
DO WHAT YOU LIKE
YOU WON'T LIVE FOREVER SO YOU BETTER LIVE IT RIGHT
DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO
DO WHAT YOU LIKE
SO LONG AS IT DOESN'T CAUSE A MURDER
IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH ME
IT'S ALL RIGHT WITH ME

credits

from DiMauro / Tabacco : Pasta Pre​-​Rivera (1984​-​86), released November 24, 2014
JT : Vocals, Keyboard, Drum Programming
ND : Programming

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John Tabacco Stony Brook, New York

John Tabacco is a composer, singer-songwriter, producer, recording engineer, and visual artist.

Like an unfolding musical diary / puzzle, Tabacco’s music and art are constantly being re-worked, juxtaposed and intertwined.

For more info : www.johntabacco.net ... more

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