Get all 47 The Mike Penny Orchestra releases available on Bandcamp and save 20%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of If There Was an After (single), For Solo Shamisen: A Prelude to Pretense, Shamisenology: The Anthology, Vol. 2, Shamisentimental: The Anthology, Vol. 1, Echo Boom (Feat. DJ Arkmay), San-Byoushi/三拍子, Mike's Room, Catten, and 39 more.
1. |
Leaving Forever
03:16
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Were the lies your way of sayin'
That you didn't care?
Was it wise for me to stay and
Count on a prayer?
I don't know where
The love is now but
I can see that it's time for me to go so I'm
Leavin' fo'evah
Leaving forever
Takin' my love and I'm
Leavin' forever
Leaving forever
Time to move on
By the time you read this letter
I'll be long gone
All the cryin' I can do won't
Fix what went wrong
Sad is the song that I am hearin'
In my mind rememberin' times we shared
But I'm Leaving forever
Leavin' fo'evah
Takin' my love and I'm
Leavin' forever
Leavin' forever
In search of the heart that you severed, baby
Who will save me?
It was there by the ocean
A summer night that you said to me
It could be an eternity of happiness
We didn't need anybody else
But baby it's not the same now, baby.
Oh no
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2. |
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Look at all these happy me's
Lucky to be
The citizenry of
My heavenly kingdom
None of them brainwashed by
Filthy outsiders' abominable lies
That I'm some kind of evil guy
Why would I subject my subjects to such dreck?
Hence, there's no World Wide Web
Nobody minds
They're all too busy just trying to
Cope with famine and disease
No anesthesia
In my North Korea
Where I'll never feed ya
Loving the juche way
(Arirang!)
Pour me some Henne
Before I go on telly
Hey
Today is my birthday so
Hey
Though you're all thirsty
Say
Just how much you love D.P.R.K
Hey
It's always my birthday so
Hey
Though you're all thirsty
Stay
You know you can't leave anyway
My fellow comrades
Say
Just how much you love D.P.R.K
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3. |
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4. |
Crichton Pillows
00:11
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Crichton Pillows
Sleep in peace with pride
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5. |
One More Try
05:07
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Little child
You thought it'd be okay to sit and wait
Little Child
You thought it would never be too late to be great
(To be great)
It's no mystery
What happened to you, 'cause you see
It happened to me
It happened to me
Life and love, tragedy
Once in a while
I flip through the phonebook 'til I find her name
Still the same
I pick up the phone but I just can't dial
(Oh, no)
Your problem's like mine
The both of us ran outta time
Our lives were composed
Just like an old gramophone melody
That's so bittersweet you cry when you hear it
When I die I wonder if I'll get to meet the composer
Of a life like an old melody
That's so bittersweet you cry when ya hear it
Maybe it's not too late
Baby this could be fate and
Together the slate we could clear if
We gave life and love 1 more try
I'm in a rut and I don't know what I should do now
But baby there's somethin' that we could do under the covers
I wouldn't say it
But I know you relate and
Baby we could discover new things with each other
Because there are no rewrites
No there are no rewrites
But baby we just might
Be able to beat these long lonesome nights that define you and I
But no more
Not no more
No, no more
And here's why
Yeah, here's why
You and I
We'll give life, life, and love one more try
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6. |
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Talkin' 'bout a man who's got the lock on amiable traits
In one too-good guy do these two cool names culminate
Mister Randall Moore may your good health never wane or be weakened
Everybody's dying just to wish you a happy b-day
Talkin' 'bout Sir Randall Moore
Taught the birds to soar
Tyrannosaurus Rex to roar
Immortal Randall Moore
Mister Randall Moore may your goatee be the emblem of valor
Saved those little girls from that volcano without any help
Talkin' 'bout Sir Randall Moore
Guy who ended war
And booked the Famer's Market tour
Omnipotent and MOORE
Picture Honest Abe meets Thor
Mister Randall Moore
Guy kills it on the disco floor
Immortal Randall Moore
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7. |
Mike's Room
01:18
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8. |
Sou Da Ne
04:28
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9. |
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10. |
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Talkin' about life
Talkin' about things
Talkin' about three flavorful strings
Talkin' about that which you know least
Educatin' you from the point of view of an artist
You thought you were the smartest when it came to composin'but
I was busy honin' my skillz while you were dozin'
Admittedly, I'm waxin' self-congratulatory, but
Hear me outIt's not about meIt's 'bout the story of
Little Ginger Mike
Pickin' up the spike lute
In pursuit of new sounds
Despite the copious frowns incurred
It's not that people weren't down
The
Y just thought I's a clown
Which I am but that don't mean I can't write a round...
("Row, Row, Row Your Boat" canon transposed to minor key ensues)
So much love and respect to the real shamisen heroes
The Takahashi Chikuzans and the Gunpachiros
And countless others bringin' the real Tsugaru flavor
Fukushi and the Nittas are ones you gotta savor
Yo! Kmetz and I are blowin' up in the Chito-Shan
Rockin' Mugen 21s made by Katoh san
Never disrespectin', just tryin' to have some fun
We got Abbot and Reimer representin' the (831)
We are the crew who you knew would never take a breather from
Writin' the futuristic licks hotter than a fever
Some haters they be sayin' we just playin' it like guitar
Exploitin' the Japanese culture and takin' it too far
I see where they comin' from but I disagree
Of course! Respect tradition but simultaneously you can
DO YOUR THING
And what we bringin' is steamin' on these three little strings!
I'm out
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11. |
Sake Rondo
02:26
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12. |
Perfect Alley Rare
03:14
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Been a while since MPO's been out
Time to film again, but first we scout
Looking for the perfect alleyway
With steam billowing out from a grate
I will try to find the perfect alley
Hoping to lean like Springsteen
On a crumbly grey wall in worn out jeans
No luck so far and my feet are sore
Though I've come across some lovely stores
None of these are right
Soon it will be night
Worst case, we use a green screen
Those tricks won't fool a Springsteen
Follow that green grouch
I'm starting to have doubts that I'll ever get my perfect scene
I will try to find the perfect alley
Hoping to lean like Springsteen
On a crumbly grey wall in worn out jeans
Face in the mirror
Of someone inferior
Now paler from failure
I fade
Neither hide nor hair
Of perfect alley rare
Worst case, we use a green screen
Those tricks won't work on Springsteen
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13. |
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14. |
Silly Shamisen
01:49
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15. |
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Randall Moore
It's your birthday
But I can't stay
I just dropped in to say "hey"
A candle for
Every dear year that you've been here
Three cheers for the man who was born Randall Edward Moore
(yeah)
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16. |
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17. |
Lions and Gazelles
02:48
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Maimed and ashamed, he came into the room
No face, his classmates saw him as food
And I knew he was doomed
Preyed upon
In the schoolyard, lone fawn
Quiz today: Are we at play?
Nay!
We're lions and gazelles
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18. |
Have You No Soul?
02:43
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Girlie you know
It wasn't long ago that you had no flow
Now you're too cool
And you play me for the fool
Baby, have you no soul
You were lookin' through them shades
At the girls and boys at play thinking "How can I relate?"
But I finally coaxed you out
And I smiled at you said "How about I take you out on a Date™?"
You and I
Were riding sky high
For a while
But it was just a matter of time
The butterfly found a sweeter ride
Where was it I left my heart
Cruising up and down the boulevard
At the wheel
You by my side
And then you found your stride
That's when I fell by the wayside
I'd die if it would make
A girlie like you take another look at how you done did me
I guess this is the end
I guess I'll join the men in the dating videos
You and I
Were flying sky high
For a while
But it was just a matter of time
The butterfly found a sweeter ride
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19. |
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(MC Penny)
You wanna tell me all about the things that you think are cool?
Well, first allow me to tell you about the NEW SCHOOL!
We like the hard, fast, loud stuff that you say hurts your ears
And when you're going to bed, we're cracking open new beers!
You just don't understand, man
Nah, you can't get with the new crew climbin' out your TV set
I'm talkin' about MC Penny
No, there ain't that many
Who combust this way
So remember this day
Keep the chumps at bay while I pass the mic to Arkmay!
(DJ Arkmay)
A guest spot?
My own verse?
Okay, I'll take a crack at this and I'll see if it works
It's a school that's NEW
I finally get to you in the queue of guest spots that I've gotta get to
We're in for the kill and the thrill of this
You enrolled, you signed up, so here's your syllabus
Boffo's the motto in Poffo 101
Droppin' albums and elbows, but you gotta choose one
Choose one
Time's up
(Randy Macho Man Savage)
And then...180 degrees!
Space is the place
That lonesome highway, yeah
I'm goin' straight to the top!
One shining star in the night
Shining brighter than all the other ones, yeah
'Cause I'm the champion and Hulk Hogan's not
(MC Penny)
So now I'm walkin' the strip
Rockin' my new kicks
Some jokers wanna trip
So I serve 'em some hot licks
Man, you wanna call the cops after givin' me guff?
I'm like Houdini with handcuffs!
(DJ Arkmay)
No guest list
Line's outside
Here's my Little Caesar cipher leavin' chumps tongue tied
You think you're hot
I see you talk the talk
But it's hard to talk when you're in a lockbox!
Three count
Stay down
NEW school
You're through
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20. |
San-Byoushi
01:55
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21. |
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Well, due to a sudden influx
Of big bucks
I've decided to go buy a new tux
Chuck the Chucks
'Cause my luck's about to
Do a 180
And maybe then, baby
You'll finally like me for
What I buy
Instead of lovin' me just for my mind.
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22. |
Shamisentimental
03:13
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Brown eyes
No joke, I'm
Bad with words
So you can kindly just infer
My sentiment
I'm no poetic type
I'll skip the pretense
Truth is I'm useless without my three-stringed friend
He's got the lines
I just have my big awkward plectrum
I scrape the love-prose pail
But fail
Here's the sham sentimental part:
Hear my melodies and know my heart
Let's start with a phrase
That's my way of saying that, like...I like what you look like
Words ain't no friends of mine
When I'm
Feeling sham sentimental, girl
You might wanna go before I make you hurl
(SHAMONSTERS) As you can see he has difficulty
(MIKE) Finding the words to say what I mean
(SHAMONSTERS) Cure your self-doubt, check out a couple magazines
Clip out the coupons and get a new face
(MIKE) Shouldn't you be telling me to just be myself or something
(SHAMONSTERS) Wouldn't you rather be somebody else
(MIKE) What's that supposed to mean
(SHAMONSTERS) Nothing. Whatever. We're just trying to help
It's hard to be dignified
When I'm
Feeling sham sentimental, I
Lose my cool in front of you 'til I find
Courage again in my little friend
(SHAMONSTERS) At least it's not booze, it's just his shamisen
When I get stuck, my courage I pluck
Lucky for you, I'm all of of puns
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23. |
Catten
01:15
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If you were but a kitten
I'd not call you a catten
But through puberty have you not passed
For you - compared to humans - life elapses so fast
But face the facts
You're a catten
That's all there is to it
At least a decent kittenhood you had
Was it really that bad
It was much better than mine
At least you were fed on time
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24. |
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25. |
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We factor in the facts of life
United Interns of Brentdale!
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26. |
Hey, I Get It
01:26
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Hope all's well on Earth II
Back here it's all bad news
First question: How's the food?
Next question: How come you and a few other rich famous dudes got to go there?
Thanks for the shirt and mug
Clean water'd be nice, too
Too bad I couldn't come
Too bad I'm doomed
You have to admit, though
A premium shit show you're missing!
I'm assuming there's no room in
Teslamerica for your old mate
Thought compassion might prevail but
Hey, I get it
Show resolve!
No handouts!
Bootstraps, all that
You're absolved
At least there's still TV
Kardashians and E!
Kim K's OK 'cause she
Inspires me to reach for the stars
Though the tickets are far too expensive
Well, don't forget to write
I'm heading toward the light
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27. |
The Slippery Ascent
02:24
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28. |
My Dogs Are Barking
01:47
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This road leads to nowhere
I shouldn't care, I'm just here to roam
But still...I'd like to find home
My dogs are barking
Soul's in a sling
Things sting
Some say that in life you MAKE your own way
They might be right
Then, I've never been big on those old clichés
So, I'll just ride the wave, I guess
Unless you've got a better idea
Either way, I'll need a beer
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29. |
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30. |
The Fighting Roses
02:55
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31. |
The Anxiety Derby
01:33
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And away they go!
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32. |
Ding!
01:43
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33. |
Exit Plan
02:55
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Talkin' 'bout
Gettin' out
I got an exit plan
Empty flask
Running fast
No explanation can
Make you see
Not from me
It was so long ago
I'll make amends
"Cause I know
I can't go home again
Blame spread between our four names
I forgive
But I gotta live
But it can't be done
As long as the wrong is unsung, so
Here it is
Plain as day
Got to get
Far away
I'm settin' down the load
Choosin' to
Start anew
A balanced view of things askew
I'll crack the family code
I'm no saint
But the taint of havin' been around
Backward thoughts
How it rots away and beats me down
Here we go
Into the sieve
Don't chase what falls below
Let's make our peace
'Cause we know we can't go home again
Blame spread between our four names
I forgive
But I gotta live
Got to try to be fine, realign
And I know your side
Oh, you tried
Though you tried
I'm stopping the replay ride
Shame's lost its claim on me now
I forgive
But I got to live
So so long
This is my life, I'm movin' on
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34. |
Dark Winter
01:06
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35. |
The Rise and Fall of MPO
03:47
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Next time I see ya
In sunny Santa Clarita
We'll have a few margaritas
And we can catch up
And grab us some grub
Lush rolling chain stores
So when you're bored you just buy more
And show your sticker support for
Whatever war
My Ford reads "stay the course"
Shamisensation
That's my destination
Worldwide they'll watch me
Out rockin' my bachi
Nothin' gon' stop me
'Til then...sorry, could you spot me?
Oh, what
Cruel fate
Came close but
It's too late
For old
M.P.O.
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