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Wherefore Art Thou: Songs Inspired By Nick Hornby's Juliet, Naked

by Perry Serpa

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1.
And You Are? 04:02
AND YOU ARE? Words and Music by Perry Serpa D G D G D G D G (strings & horns in) D G D G D G D G D G THEY TOLD ME TALKING TO YOU D G WOULD BE LIKE CHEWING BARBED WIRE WITH A MOUTH ULCER D G D G BUT YOU NEVER ONCE HURT ME LIKE THAT D G THEY SAID YOU WERE A COILED UP SNAKE D G BUT YOUR VENOM’S JUST LIKE AN OPIATE D G A NOW I CAN’T GO BACK G/D A/C# YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS WAY UP THERE D A G/B G A AND ME ON THE FLOOR BELOW G/D A/C# MY PRIVILEGED PRINCESS IMPOSSIBLE D A G/B G G/A YOU’RE TOO DANGEROUS TO KNOW D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G WHY DO THE WHISKEY-A-GO-GO D G WHEN I GOT A BOTTLE BACK AT MY HOTEL D G D G MAYBE YOU’RE THE REASON-- BABY, YOU’RE THE REASON D G SHAKIN’ HANDS WITH ALL THE JOKERS AND THIEVES D G WHEN ALL I NEED IS YOUR COMPANY D G A BUT I’D DO ANYTHING FOR YOU G/D A/C# YOUR LIPS OF FIRE, SKIN LIKE CREAM D A G/B G A YOU’RE EVERYTHING TO ME G/D A/C# MY PERFECT PRINCESS IMPOSSIBLE D A G/B G G/A YOU’RE TOO DANGEROUS TO SEE D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G D G AND YOU ARE? A G/B I USED TO THINK I WAS INFALLABLE A G G A BUT I FELL JUST LIKE A STAR A G/B I USED TO THINK I WAS UNBREAKABLE A A7 BUT I CRACKED JUST LIKE A BELL JAR D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G D G AND YOU ARE? (Iinstrumental break) D G D G D G D G G A G/D A/C# YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS WAY UP THERE D A G/B G A AND ME ON THE FLOOR BELOW G/D A/C# MY PRIVILEGED PRINCESS IMPOSSIBLE D A G/B G G/A YOU’RE TOO DANGEROUS TO KNOW D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G D G AND YOU ARE? D G D G AND YOU ARE? D (cold end) AND YOU ARE?
2.
Adultery 04:13
ADULTERY Oh falling star youre my hero confidant youre my Nero Burn it down im your zero im your clown Oh love is war all is bloodshed there's the door there's the trail of lovers past none of whom were meant to last you turn me on you talk me down you leave the light on for me and i'll bask in the glow you turn the darkness on me i'll find my way back home you turn me on you talk me down oh ring of fire ball and chain or work for hire martyrdom or live the lie oh the things we'll justify oh love is war i'm your prisoner you're my whore i'm the page you can't ignore you be mine and i'll be yours you leave the light on for me and i'll bask in the glow you turn the darkness on me i'll find my way back home you turn me on you talk me down
3.
We're In Trouble We're in trouble I don't want to sleep alone tonight But I can't sleep with you We're in trouble and i'm left with all the things you told me Still I'm lonely You-- Your kiss is miles away alight is a dangerous flame And i am walking through We're in trouble Will you be crawling back to him Or are you here to stay We're in trouble What will the paparazzi say How will we both explain Or will you watch me fall apart While I watch him take your heart The cameras all on you C G C G C G D AM G I was done Already down And now I'm only sinking Further, love Oh, I played a losing hand But now i'm forced to fold em in the middle of game F we're in trouble C we're in trouble G we're in trouble I wish I could just push you back until my memory fades We're in trouble For you I'd fight a million wars For just another day But i'll never fight your will If you say you love him still I'd rather walk away I was done Already down And now I'm only sinking Further, girl Speak no words in our defense To save us from embarrassment It's written on the wall we're in trouble we're in trouble we're in trouble
4.
In Too Deep 05:03
in too deep INTRO: Csus2 G Csus2 G Csus2 G Csus2 G |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ |\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ Csus2 G Csus2 G I was a lone wolf with----sheep’s clothing on Csus2 G Csus2 G I was a stone skipping------o--ver the pond Csus2 G Csus2 G Doomed to depths----Blissful-- ignor--ance Csus2 G Csus2 G I was a thief Now I’m in too deep-- Yeah (sax theme) Csus2 G Csus2 G Csus2 G Csus2 G Sacred towns slip into----de---cay Fertile ground turns to muddy clay Csus2 G Csus2 G Csus2 G Csus2 G I am sinking--- Lord, help me please I be---lieve I am in too deep--Yeah sax theme repeat – then to MID-8 Cmaj7 G/B Cmaj7 G Cmaj7 G/B Cmaj7 Em Be the com----pa----ny For my mis---er----y Cmaj7 G/B C/A Csus2 I em--braced ob---liv--ious re-prieve G Csus2 D7 Now I’m in too---deep Doo doo doo doo da doo (4xs – intro chords) Siren song- everlasting friend Sixty coins take you from his hands Drawing water from pumice stone Drowning in the ocean I’ve sown Yeah In Too Deep – page 2 It was a flesh wound (bkg vox – Doo Doo Doo Doo Da Doo) Just scratch on skin I held the knife but you pushed it in Spilling blood like Halloween (strings in) I believe I am in too deep, yeah… sax theme repeat – then to MID-8 again… Cmaj7 G/B Cmaj7 G Cmaj7 G/B Cmaj7 Em Be the com----pa----ny For my mis---er----y Cmaj7 G/B C/A Csus2 I em--braced ob---liv--ious re-prieve G Csus2 D7 Csus2 G Now I’m in too---deep In too deep…. Doo doo doo doo da doo (4xs – same chords)
5.
WHO DO YOU LOVE? Took a riverboat south to Hades Followed the tide out to the sea Lost my money And I lost my lady Wait for the ocean to swallow me Who do you love? Who do you love? I had dream of an open prairie Had a dream of an endless sky I know it like the face of a loved one But I can’t find it No matter how I try Who do you love? Who do you love? Long must I wait Long must i toil Can't seal my fate Blood's on the boil Sometimes I feel like a fated prisoner Sometimes I feel like I’m caught in the rushes Trying to put my arms around a shadow Damned to reach for someone I can’t touch Who do you love? Who do you love? Who do you love? Who do you love?
6.
Dirty Dishes 04:57
dirty dishes G C G D G D G C G D G C G i can leave the night alone turn myself to stone leave it in the hands of old Jim Beam i can blame the moon and stars sleep out in the car but nothing's gonna fix this broken dream i could leave the road for good settle like i should get a little job right here in town put the guitar down tell the band i'm out but i can't trust that you won't break my heart CHORUS CHORDS: G C G C C G G C D D sus4 D G C G C G D G C G all day long all day long while i'm gone i got word, i have heard through the grapevine well, that man comes up and down leaves without a sound and you leave your dirty dishes all around INSTRUMENTAL LEAD - VERSE CHORDS/MELODY (piano?) G C G D G D
7.
The Better Man All alone I think of you And suffer through Like summer school You know you're hotter than July You know you made me cry Memories of your manic moods Now withered like an old balloon The thought of it just brings me down I hope you're happy now The better man Is the man The man you choose Sifting through the wreckage now Those silent voices scream too loud Those warnings falling on deaf ears Too stupid then to hear All around The blade comes down The switch gets switched the chair is kicked Oh, luck is a disease I don't want it near me The better man Is the man The man you choose INSTRUMENTAL BREAK D G A D G A I know all your intentions were out Riding on the road to hell Well here comes mr fantasy To tell it like it seems Nothing was quite like it should be Never realized what it could be Endless days and hopeless nights Of bottomless desire The better man Is the man The man you choose The better man Is the man The man you choose
8.
The twentieth call of the day Night defiles the day And I watch you walk away Oh tell me all about it As you choose your side Oh tell me all about it Tell your pretty lies I wasted all my time With missus wandering eye Oh tell me now Don't wanna play your game I'll smash the TV set From my hospital bed I'm falling all to pieces And I can't sit still I can't see any reason It's a bitter pill A hundred million memories Run through my head And suddenly I'm back with you again CHORUS say it isn't true say it's my obsession tell him i'm a fool who won't go away if you love me will you break down and finally tell him before i make the 20th call of the day say it isn't you, say it's me say nothing silence is the cruelest price to pay if you love him will you break down and finally tell me before i make the 20th call of the day

9.
Blood Ties 06:12
Blood Ties The television bars and tone Lights a corner of my room When everything has turned to dust I thought I could depend on us Blood ties Got you tangled in the truth Blood ties And I'm hangin onto you I am water, seep right through I fell with with gravity to you You turn to him, I turn away I have no choice, you're resolute Oh, be not afraid Let me lead the way But how your mind does change Oh be not afraid And everything you said But my how things have changed Pour a glass and spill a glass You don't even have to ask Nevermind how deep we are The ring will always matter more
10.
YOU AND YOUR PERFECT LIFE Words & Music by Perry Serpa F C/E Bb/D A A7 (bass & drums in) You and your perfect life Envy green I make the scene and I am half alive Dm G C C7 He took the soul I tried so hard to replace A7 Gm7 C C7 All the color disappeared from your face F C/E Bb/D A A7 Oh, you—the trophy wife I glimpsed eternity Alas, with no time left for me Dm G C C7 Before he took you to his cage in the sky A7 Gm7 C C7 My restless wild child dies ‘fore my eyes Dm C Bb/G Bb/C F Bbmi C7 I----- was such---- a fool Hope----- you’re happy now Dm C Bb/G Bb/C F Bbmi C7 I’m---- not over----- you Hope----- you’re happy now (strings in) F C/E Bb/D A A7 You and your diamond life You can’t hide behind the shine The flaws are plain to see Dm G C C7 But still I loved all that you were just the same A7 Gm7 C C7 The naked truth behind-----the trivial games Dm C Bb/G Bb/C F Bbmi C7 I----- was such---- a fool Hope----- you’re happy now Dm C Bb/G Bb/C F Bbmi C7 I’m---- not over----- you Hope----- you’re happy now SHORT GUITAR SOLO You And Your Perfect Life – pg 2 Dm Gdim7 C/E Dm Gdim7 C/E / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / F C/E Bb/D A A7 You and your perfect teeth With perfect poise--- you are the prize---of Edith Street Dm G C C7 Throwing stones until he came to the door A7 Gm7 C C7 So, where were you Mrs Steven Balfour? Dm C Bb/G Bb/C F Bbmi C7 I----- was such---- a fool Hope----- you’re happy now Dm C Bb/G Bb/C F Bbmi C7 I’m---- not over----- you Hope----- you’re happy now Dm Gdim7 C/E Hope----- you’re---- happy now----- Dm Gdim7 C/E Hope----- you’re---- happy now----- Dm Gdim7 C/E Hope----- you’re---- happy now----- Dm Gdim7 C/E Hope----- you’re---- happy now----- GUITAR SOLO Dm Gdim7 C/E Dm Gdim7 C/E / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Dm Gdim7 C/E Dm Gdim7 C/E / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / F C/E Bb/D A A7 (bass & drums in) You and your perfect life Envy green I make the scene And I am half alive Dm G C C7 He took the soul I tried so hard to replace A7 Gm7 C C7 All the color disappeared from your face You And Your Perfect Life – pg 3 Dm C Bb/G Bb/C F Bbmi C7 I----- was such---- a fool Hope----- you’re happy now Dm C Bb/G Bb/C F Bbmi C7 I’m---- not over----- you Hope----- you’re happy now Dm Gdim7 C/E Hope----- you’re---- happy now----- Dm Gdim7 C/E Hope----- you’re---- happy now----- Dm Gdim7 C/E Hope----- you’re---- happy now----- Dm Gdim7 C/E Hope----- you’re---- happy now----- GUITAR SOLO OUTRO (to fade) Dm Gdim7 C/E Dm Gdim7 C/E / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Dm Gdim7 C/E Dm Gdim7 C/E / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

about

“Magnificent. I love every song, words and music. It works completely on its own terms and sounds complete in a way that very few albums do anymore.” - Nick Hornby

It was 2009 and one-part NYC singer/songwriter, one-part music PR guy Perry Serpa had just read a great book; Nick Hornby’s latest, Juliet, Naked, a story about world-weary rockstar who had disappeared from view following the critical success of his hit album Juliet.

Hornby’s book described the 10-song album in enough detail for Serpa to take the tunes off the page and into posterity by writing and recording the “record of the book” - thus establishing a sort of unsolicited co-write dynamic with the author.

Serpa’s album lifts the title Hornby gives to the book’s (fictional) tribute record with one of the many guests on Serpa’s record - Scott McCaughey – actually “featuring” on the tribute record in the book. Fiction and fact blurring nicely.

Other guests include beloved Americana singer/songwriter, Laura Cantrell, who duets with Serpa on the country-tinged lead single, “Dirty Dishes”.

credits

released April 19, 2024

PERRY SERPA - WORDS, MUSIC, ELECTRIC & ACOUSTIC GUITARS, PIANO, AND OTHER NOISES. *
SCOTT MCCAUGHEY - LEAD VOX ON "AND YOU ARE?" * AJA WARREN - CO-VOX ON "ADULTERY"
* LAURA CANTRELL - CO-VOX ON "DIRTY DISHES" * EDWARD ROGERS - LEAD VOX ON "THE
BETTER MAN" * DON PIPER - BACKING VOX ON "THE BETTER MAN" * AIDAN SERPA – LEAD
GUITAR ON "AND YOU ARE?" AND "BLOOD TIES" * RON RAYMOND - PEDAL STEEL ON
"ADULTERY" AND "DIRTY DISHES" * TINY BOYLE - PIANO ON "DIRTY DISHES" * SCOTTY PHILLIPS -
LEAD GUITAR ON "YOU AND YOUR PERFECT LIFE" * JOHN BARRON - SAXOPHONES ON "WE'RE IN
TROUBLE" AND "IN TOO DEEP" * DAVID DENNISON - FRENCH HORN ON "WHO DO YOU LOVE?"
* AND "BLOOD TIES" * THE LINDA BLARE - HORN SECTION ON "WHO DO YOU LOVE?"
PAINSTAKINGLY PRODUCED AND RECORDED BY PERRY SERPA AT HAMPTON COURT STUDIOS *
AND ALSO RECORDED BY JAMES PERTUSI AT SEASIDE LOUNGE STUDIOS, BROOKLYN * LOVINGLY
MASTERED BY JAMES PERTUSI AT THE WHELPING BOX, RIDGEWOOD * PHOTOGRAPHY BY
MARGARET GASPARI * ALBUM ART BY MARGARET GASPARI AND PERRY SERPA

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