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Almost Done

by The Sam Chase

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  • Full Digital Discography

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    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Live From Hopmonk Sebastopol - New Years Eve 2023, You Call This An Album, Tries Harder, Dragula, Almost Done, Lost & Found (Live at the Lost Sierra Hoedown 2019), The Last Rites of Dallas Pistol, Great White Noise, and 5 more. , and , .

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1.
Will I ever leave San Francisco go out on my own My sister and my brother are living it up Jet-setting all over the world but I’m sitting right here I’m sitting right here Will I ever get a good job That gives me what I need A great big house on a bigger hill in the lap of luxury while I’m sitting right here I’m sitting right here Will I ever have a family who won’t ever let me leave Little ones who I take care of until they can take care of me but I’m sitting right here I’m sitting right here Will I ever take a look back Be proud of what I’ve done Make a small dent in the tiny little spec that’s floating around the sun I’m sitting right here I’m sitting right here take in the world around me Right here is where I am To think to far ahead turns present into the past I always celebrate the stillness Leave every stone unturned I was never one for setting fires But if it’s there I’ll watch it burn am I just waiting for permission By doing what I’m told I’m a stubborn old man with his life in his hands which isn’t that much left to hold I’m sitting right here I’m sitting right here What’s the point of wishing If I never make up my mind Or am i wasting life just wondering At the moment I’ve got the time
2.
People wishing for more wishes Don’t know what they are missing is Saying “my only real wish” “Is for more days just like this” It sounds a little sappy But I just wish that at least once I’d cry because I was happy and not because i wasn’t These are the thoughts that I have when I’m not thinking about much some people shaking heads some people shaking hands shaking when they are agreeing shaking when they just can’t stand it some shaking up and down some shaking side to side we should all agree that this word isn’t properly defined. These are the thoughts that I have when I’m not thinking about much I’m just another white guy with a guitar It’s hard to really stand out When I walk into the bar I see another me standing up there playing People say my songs are better Or at least that’s what I’ve been saying These are the thoughts that I have when I’m not thinking about much It’s only when I’m writing songs that I’m thinking about dying But writing about my life without death feels like denial The journey is not the destination the future aint the past If it actually was I would have saved a lot on gas These are the thoughts that I have when I’m not thinking about much Thoughts about this and that these and those and such and such Little songs are fragile but they can pack a punch They are unbreakable but delicate You can look but you can’t touch People say music is medicine Don’t be so dramatic I think tylenol is medicine this music here is magic These are the thoughts that I have when I’m not thinking about much Thoughts about this and that these and those and such and such These are the songs that I sing You can look but you can’t touch These are the thoughts that I have when I’m not thinking about much
3.
If you celebrate a sunset You gotta shiver through the darkness Get sweaty in the sunlight to be deserving of a good life If you wanna be an earthling You gotta get a little dirty you can wait until the glory To wash it all clean If you wanna see the sunrise You gotta get up in the morning If you wanna see the sunset. You gotta make it through the day If you wanna take the long road You gotta get to walking. If you wanna cast a shadow You gotta get in the suns way If you celebrate a sunset You gotta shiver through the darkness Get sweaty in the sunlight to be deserving of a good life If you wanna be an earthling You gotta get a little dirty you can wait until the glory To wash it all clean If you wanna see time fly You gotta be patient If you wanna be the right guy You gotta make a few changes If you wanna be a bad boy you gotta make a few enemies If you wanna be remembered You gotta make a few memories If you celebrate a sunset You gotta shiver through the darkness Get sweaty in the sunlight to be deserving of a good life If you wanna be an earthling You gotta get a little dirty you can wait until the glory To wash it all clean life is full bad choices stupid decisions terrible voices and even worse lyrics but if you never stick your neck out Then you’ll never be the greatest You’ll always be the worst at ever being famous If you celebrate a sunset You gotta shiver through the darkness Get sweaty in the sunlight to be deserving of a good life If you wanna be an earthling You gotta get a little dirty you can wait until the glory To wash it all clean If you ever wanna stand out You gotta join the crowd If you wanna be heard You gotta get a little loud
4.
There’s a brush fire in my belly where shady places used to be There’s nothing in my pocket with holes to let it breathe and I know I could never really make it on my own good thing I’ve got my hat, my shoes a cheap fifth of booze to get me where I’m going Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way it always goes Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way it always goes There are problems in this world That no one wants to fix We are here for such a short while and I we want to do is get our kicks and I know I Ain’t trying any bit harder than you Still it’s hard to empathize, see through your eyes Why you doin the things you doin. Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way it always goes Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way it always goes Well, I know that I can’t miss you If you never go away I never knew a good song could ever last this long so tonight you might just have to stay Kings have ruled kingdoms that have fallen into dust There are heroes who would’nt want to have anything to do with us and I know I Can make it through with a little bit of love Just you and me babe Just you and me babe Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way it always goes Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way Ain’t that the way it always goes
5.
Write a Song 03:58
It’s not easy to explain the inner workings and lack there of in my brain I’ve got philosophers, and politicians sabateurs, and executors who think what's best is better than the others It takes awhile and a whole lot of words I know I make it easy but It’s not as simple as it looks I’ve got a lot of friends They look at me and say, "You got some shit That you should work on, Maybe put it in a song… But what do they know? all they want is a song for them sing along So I guess I’ll sit down and write out a tune Not just therapeutic for me but catchy enough for you This may be a weird analogy But It sure does seem your getting therapy for free. and I don’t think thats really fair... How does one write a verse that doesn’t come out contrived, and rehearsed I’ll String a few together hope the through line hits the better points to fool em into thinking I'm more thoughtful Than I ever claimed to be But where do they come from If they are not actually coming from me So, there ya go Are you happy now I just saved the universe through rhyming somehow Another notch on the belt A feather in my cap Another wasted afternoon When I could have been napping I could be a doctor If I apply myself better I’ve got the power to heal when we sing along together It looks like you’re doing good and that I gave some good advice I don’t really need it but A thank you would be nice I don’t really need it but a thank you actually’d be really nice I don’t really need it But a thank you would be nice.
6.
You’ve been walking your whole live now moving forward towards something new But it’s not you who built this road for you This road aint yours to just pass on through It’s nothing new all this I’m saying but for the sake of moving on let’s just pretend this will change it all everything we’ve ever thought This is where the tide turns Never to return again. This old gateway we’ve been seeking aint a passage its just a gate no, It aint no golden archway That’s just our ego at the end of the day It’s nothing new all this I’m saying but for the sake of moving on let’s just pretend this will change it all Everything we’e ever been taught This is where story we’ve told Will come to an end Take a number little soldier this wars not your to win today Lay down your rifle rather than your life now you’re an angel but you aint no saint It’s nothing new all this I’m saying but for the sake of moving on let’s just pretend this will change it all everything we’ve ever thought This is where the tide turns Never to return again. It will change it all Everything we’e ever been taught This is where story we’ve told Will come to an end this will change it all everything we’ve ever thought It stops us in our tracks no need to keep forward or to ever turn back A clarity of purpose the purpose is to be meaningless The light may have gone out but it will burn again and then it will go out and then it will burn again and then it will go out….
7.
No one expects the night to come When the suns still in the sky No one thinks they’ve won the race With no finish line in sight No one writes just half a song and expects it to be a hit No one gets over the hump and then decides to quit No one ever told you much without getting to the point No one sets their sites on NYC but settles on Des Moines No one tells a story without a beginning or an end It’s the middle that’s forgotten and never heard of again Don’t let me die middle aged don’t let me die middle aged Im too young to die old and too old to die young today Don’t let me die middle aged don’t let me die middle aged The sun rises and sets as we forget about the day No one climbs up half a mountain and then decides to stop If so, you ain’t no mountain climber You’ve just gone for a walk You hear “finish what you’ve start” and Once you start you see it through You hear “no one likes a quitter” Even if that’s not always true You hear “It’s better to die young” You hear “those stars burn the most bright” You also hear “A life well lived” Is to have lived a good long life” You never hear “the middle years are the best times to go” “once you’ve settled with a wife and kids that’s the time to blow” Don’t let me die middle aged don’t let me die middle aged Im too young to die old and too old to die young today Don’t let me die middle aged don’t let me die middle aged The sun rises and sets as we forget about the day its how a story works after a beginning is the middle After the middle is the ending It really is that simple But if you rate from best to worst which of these you most prefer The middle comes in last Which is not the way it works No one thinks the ending comes in the middle of the book There are so many more pages Someday we’ll have a look What’s read is in the past What we read is yet to come but “now” is not as exciting As what we’ll do or what we’ve done Don’t let me die middle aged don’t let me die middle aged Im too young to die old and too old to die young today Don’t let me die middle aged don’t let me die middle aged The sun rises and sets as we forget about the day There is just as much to do and just as much to say As I’ve already done and as all that I have said
8.
9.
10.
11.
There’s no fun in drinking to forget good things you won’t remember That haven’t happened yet. forget the past later for now you should choose To drink to remember what drinking is like without you So here’s to the winners Who know how to lose Who drink to remember what drinking is like without you. Heartache is a muscle that you can never lose It can be broken and beaten But your strength just accrues Whether it helps or it hinders You learn to push through to remember what drinking is like without you So here’s to the elders Who feel brand new When they drink to remember what drinking is like without you Shakespeare himself Would’ve hated Hemingway That’s one thing they’d have in common If they’d both lived today So it’s up to us to do what they’d choose To drink to remember what drinking is like without you So here’s to the tortured Who somehow make do Who drink to remember what drinking is like without you So here’s to the storm And here’s to the rain Here’s to the wounds And here’s to their pain Here’s to what’s here Here’s to the remains Of who drinks to remember And will do again And again And again And again And again Who drinks to remember...
12.
Not Tonight 03:34
Open all the windows to listen to the rain fall / wind blow No need to turn on any lights the streets lamps and headlights paint the ceilings and the walls god damn I love these rainy city nights When the world outside feels tortured and abused you were just looking for an excuse To look this Saturday right in the eye and say “not tonight" They say... Any day could be the big one Their fingers on the button Rich boys and their toys flexing their might all the men we’ve picked to lead The ones who write our histories are penning one that doesn’t look too bright When you watch the world dying on the news and All you really need is an excuse To tune out, and turn off the fight and say “not tonight” I’ve been trying so hard keep my head above water When there was never any wonder why I don’t just try going under I’ve been a swimming through the storm most of my life but not tonight.
13.
14.
Can someone please explain to me How this whole music thing can Make me money Is it too much to ask That I might see a little cash For making art I just want to entertain Play some chords and sing Live the good life doing what I know Isn't it a pity That living in this city Is the only thing that I cant afford. While I was learning scales and modes I should have been learning how to code And join the tech world But I can't really see me Working at air b n b and sell my soul Does it sound so wrong That I might write a song And get paid a decent wage To bring you joy Isn't it a pity That living in this city Playing music is considered unemployed Can someone please explain to me How money is a means to being happy When there isn't room for artistry Creativity is a Hobby for the poor. Maybe I'm just lazy Immature and crazy To think that id never have to grow up Isn't it a pity I am living in this city And it's the only place I've ever really loved. Isn't it a pity I'm living in this city Rent is due And I'm totally fucked
15.
Almost Done 05:27
Take all the weapons and take all the prisons take all the factories tear them all down put all the metals back into the mountain put all the oil back into the ground take all the criminals and take all the leaders take all these sinners and take all these saints take all the people who litter these landscapes someday she will put us back into our place Don’t worry about tomorrow There is time before the dawn and I won’t take long. Take all our fears and take all our dreams take all that we laugh at and for all that we scream take the world we’ve created not the one that were born on how selfish that we need a reason to breathe take all the strong armed bully pulpit preachers take the millions of followers who head towards the call and take those who sit quietly on the fringes and take the ones who will say nothing at all. Don’t worry about tomorrow There is time before the dawn and I won’t take long. the ground that we’ve covered s riddled with bodies the earth that we’ve torched will soon lay by their side I know deep down we are a people who just want to be happy we are seven billion people who don’t want to die But don’t worry about tomorrow There’s still time before the dawn and I won’t take long

about

"Almost Done" is a solo(ish) album by Sam Chase. In April of 2019 an unfortunate surgery due to an unfortunate motorcycle accident took Sam out of commission. After the surgery, Sam was hit with a hefty medical bill that he couldn't afford, even with his medical insurance (can you imagine that??? cough...)
This album was created as a reward to all of the incredible friends, family and fans who helped Sam pay his bill. His Kickstarter was fully funded within two days, and Sam, with his crutches and a big pink cast, hobbled his way into the studio to record this album.
Many friends lent their musical talents to the album as well. The album took 1 year almost to the day to finish. Here is Sam's most heartfelt thank you... "Almost Done"

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"A true testament to this man's artistry and songwriting abilities. Like witnessing a wordsmith working in the forge..." - Michael D. Carney

credits

released May 22, 2020

Sam Chase - lyrics, vocals, guitars, glockenspiel

PLAYERS:
Nathan Burke - bass, claps
Michael Carney - claps
John Courage - guitar
Kiki DeCat - vocals
Adam Dragland - guitar
Jeremy Elliott - guitar
Brendan Getzell- piano
Nate Harris - bass
Chandra Johnson - violin
Liss Leigh- bass
Devon McClive - cello
Nathan Moore - vocals
Debbie Neigher - piano
Doug pet - tenor and soprano sax
Dave Rapa - bass
Chloe Tietjen - vocals
Erika Tietjen - vocals
Rachel Tietjen - vocals
Chris Trainor - cowbell
Avi Vinocur - mandolin, vocals, slide guitar


SPECIAL THANKS:

Cary Sweeney - Shauna Reisner - Tara Navarro - Ron Rice - Michael Carney - Carol Pope - Maclane Georgeson - Renee Anderson - Thomas Greco - Kevin Korach - Christian Cagigal - Jabriel Donohue - Alice Pitt - Angela Bennett - Tiffany Marin Graves - Derek Dill - Tony Gibson - Katie - Rob LaRiviere - Bob Pagliuco - Tom Padula - J Stephenson - Paul Kindman - Mimi Milania Main - Jake Sneider - Alf Muller - Erin McGrath - Sarah Walls- Ryan Thinas - Zach Hauptman - Ingrid Hagerstrom - Julie Eickhof - Thesha Sims - Claire Schlecht - Stefanie Lee - Anthony Molinar - Lewis Abra - Christine Hayes - Carl Siegel - Bonnie Shaw - Corey Smith - Colleen McGaughey - Lauren Fields - Cass Mills - Erica Ely - Marianne Campbell - Kari Chance - Guy Zahler - Alan Glazier - Sean Philips - Cate Hillhouse - Rick Winfield - Deanne Sandoval - Karen Fields - Whyler Neubauer - Antony Rothwell - Jimbo Scott - Anila Roberts - Kaela Fox - Michael Shipley - Brenda Laribee - Jesse Chandler - Ivana Hubertova - Avery Hellman - Dave VanLoo - Nancy Bluestein-Johnson - Shoshana Friedkin Finacom - Teresa Bialik - Josh Decker - Gary C. Yules - Dave Collis - Fawn C Ferguson - Audra Nemir - Lisa Buchanan - Katie Hellier - Darnell Meyers - Mathew Caine - Federico Urban - Shery Rice - Forrest Frenzel - Loryn & Mark Barbeau - Isaac Kindel - Omild Far - Marcus Nordberg - Dazzia Szczepaniak - Kerik Kouklis - Zane Howard - Robert Levy - Natalie DAttile - Chris Trainor - Ryland Bauer - Jeff Blanchard - Alex Panin - Jim Dawn - Benjamin Wallen - William Nordberg - Cristina Radu - John Blair - Tim McCabe - Dan Clegg - Kody Cullum - Alex Shonkoff - Patrick Joseph Maloney - Kate Peksa - Burnzio - Walker Abel - Jamie Smith - Liam Kyle Cahill - Brett Cline - Cristina Hidalgo - Laurent Martini - Travis Hayes - Greg Keidean - Avi Vinocur - Dave Rapa - Sara Peters - Kathy Cleveland - Wally Tea Taylor - Sabrina Roncancio - Carl Scheidenhelm - Alex Switzer - Suzanne Taylor - Kie Hill - Scott McDowell - Danny Kennedy - Carol Carver - Kathleen Anderson - Aaron Darsky - Eric Soberstrom - Terry Hoke - Chris Bowen - Sharon Odom - Lisa Salopek - Lilly Collis - Steven Chase - Tyler Georgeson - Rhiannon Charisse - Zeya Schindler - Paul Trask - Muriel Missler - Adam Eads - Adam Dragland - Geri Logan


Recorded, Engineered & Produced by Nathan Burke and Sam Chase at Gulch Alley Studios in San Francisco
Also produced by Michael Carney and Nikko Rios.
“Drinking Buddies,” “Not Tonight,” and “If I Was More Drunk” recorded at GremlinTone Studios in Santa Rosa by John Courage
“Ace Up His Sleeve” and “Dream Your Dreams” recorded at Nikko’s house by Nikko Rios
“Don’t Let Me Die Middle Aged” recorded and engineered by Nathan Burke and Avi Vinocur

Mastered By: Piper Payne

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