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Ω 103º F​ä​hrenheit

by James Castelli / Omega

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1.
Earth Still Turning (2020) 01:58
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Can we just know that the earth is still turning? And ev’rything is awaiting our learning? Is there still hope for hope? Is that within our scope? The earth is turning and we are all riding The earth is turning, the temperature rising Yet there're so many who find that surprising Lower this fever by just one degree Its nearly at Fahrenheit 103 No one is at the wheel In our astral automobile We’re in the back seat with no-one to tell us Please keep it down, can’t we just get along? Buck/(le) up
2.
My Life Is A Rerun (2020 remake of the 1997 original) 03:43
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My life is a rerun, I've seen it all before My life is a rerun, change the channel if I'm bored My life is a rerun, but I keep comin' back for more My life is a rerun. Y'know every word I say in a conversation You heard me a thousand times since syndication At first I shrugged it off, this sense of jéjà-vu But now I realize this applies to everything that I do At first i shrugged it off, this sense of déjà-vu but now I realize this applies..... My life is a rerun, you've seen it all before My life is a rerun, change the channel if you're bored My life is a rerun, but you keep comin' back for more My life is a rerun. They said my target audience just ain't what it used to be So please explain my ratings when I was bought by NBC? A new team of writers, they've been handin' me my lines Were you just reading the script when you said to me "goodbye"? My life is a rerun, they've seen it all before My life is a rerun, change the channel if they're bored My life is a rerun, but they keep comin' back for more My life is a rerun. A situation comedy, the plot is so cliché Glues the viewers to their televisions as they watch me in L.A. A divorce and losing my job put my ratings at their peak, So until they cancel my series just tune in every week Sorry baby, I missed my line I'll ask the director if we can take it one more time Our life is a rerun, we've done it all before No need to rehearse, there's applause as I enter through the door Our life is a rerun, but we keep comin' back for more This life is a rerun. Our life is a rerun, we've been here before Our life is a rerun, we'll change the channel if we're bored Our life is a rerun, sometimes I with that there was more My life is a rerun, my life is a rerun, My life is a rerun, my life.....
3.
Well, What Did You Expect? (2018 - 2020) 04:53
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(Lookie here) When you spoke your mind til we got bored, - (we’re so bored) Put you first in line for a Darwin Award. What were you thinking? What were you gonna do? What was the game plan that Made sense to you? Well, what did you expect? You own five cars, - (five big cars) Thought you could learn Italian just by rolling your R’s. - (roll your R’s) What were you thinking? That’s gonna need some ice, Where did you read that hooey? Did you think twice? You thought you’d probably die from acute ennui, (Thought you’d probably die from ennui) - (from ennui) Now you’re on a collision course with your remorse. Well, what did you expect? What were you thinking? - (What did you expect?) This keeps on happening, I thought you’d learn your lesson, - (oo-oo-oo-ooh) Who’s your new fling? Ooh... ooh.... What were you thinking? - (What did you expect?) What the hell were you thinking? - (do-ah-ah-ah-ahh)
4.
You'll Have To Catch Me First (The Binging Song) (2020 remake of the 1993 instrumental demo version) 05:59
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“Let me introduce you now before we go 
I don’t believe you gentlemen have met
 You’ll trust the other just as far as you can throw
 You didn’t pay so this is what you get”

 “Not me! I make up my own rules
 So I guess that’s why you think of me the worst
 I see, you wanna turn the screws
 But of course you’re gonna have to catch me first!”
 Have you ever seen on the silver screen A scene that plays itself out where Someone’s on the run from a hired gun? 
[spoken]: Dialog! “Can we just talk this thing out?”
 “With fair play, there is no doubt If murder, by your decree
 Means there’s no honor among thieves.” [scat]: Zabbadoobie! 

This muscle hails, I think, maybe from Belarus
 Though that was not orig’nally the plan
 He tried it by the book then figured “what’s the use?
 I feel I might be hit with the Wuhan!” [spoken]: Oh, no you didn’t! 
 Not me! Suspend your disbelief
 Though you’d like some satisfaction guaranteed 
 You’ll see, it’s nothing personal
 It is strictly business, please say we’re agreed
 
 Have you ever heard just one of these words: A deus ex machina, or
 A McGuffin here, a Red Herring there? 

 But wait: he’s the upper hand
 A cliffhanger twist to the plan He gave him something to choose
 An offer he can’t refuse Not me! No Hallmark formulae, I need something more if I’m to quench my thirst Agree, to disagree, I say But this here is a bubble I must burst: (You’ll) have to shoot me first! Oh look, a plot hole you can drive a chase scene through A character so thin and so cliché
A sequel or a prequel or maybe reboot The denouement you see a mile away So much to do, look how we binge, I wonder why? Avoid the fake news, could you, possibly? I’ve seen this one before, and it’s all CGI (but) They blow things up real good and in HD Let me introduce myself before we start And lay some ground rules in which I’m well-versed
You’ll have to pry the remote from my cold dead hands
Except of course you’ll have to catch me first

There must be something better on, the credits roll A quick word from our sponsor….

5.
Stages (2020 remake of the 1994 original) 03:01
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(instrumental)
6.
The Hype (Of Hypothetical Me) (2020) 05:54
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Time marches on, you know Could have been a star Had your plans made Such promise, such big dreams A jack of so many trades A master of none, not one Yet driven by something That keeps someone like me going (Someone like me going) I’ll have to soldier on You don’t want to know If you ask me I might have to tell you Be careful what you wish for It probably will come true Once upon a time, the end - hey! (Does it all matter? We’re all in the same boat) But you always knew how that story goes (I might still have a few surprises) Here in my garden I’ve got to Try to keep it alive Planning ahead, living the dream Doesn’t tell you anything; it’s all I have I’m growing a harvest that never seems to get ripe
 And failing to ever live up to the hype Here in my garden the grass is Greener there on your side Don’t get me wrong, I can’t complain, hasn’t been bad I don't know, I can't decide I’m growing a harvest that never seems to get ripe
 And failing to ever live up to some hyp - (-othetical me, hypothetical me) Here in my garden, watch your step (Here in my garden, my garden) Look at what’s been achieved (So beautiful) I can see red, but I feel blue, is it a waste? (You can see green, ain’t it a sin?) I have one more trick up my sleeve (I’m a has-been, What did I do it for?) I’m growing a harvest that never seems to get ripe (I’m growing a harvest) (I’m trying my best, for a harvest, yet I am): 
Still failing to ever live up to my hype
7.
Just A Couple (2020 remake of the 1998 original) 04:39
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HIM: There's no point in driving very fast, We're over 80 The movie started at a quarter past, It's now 8:40, my dear Anyway, I heard it wasn't good, So, are you hungry? Some Chinese takeout then We'll drive out to the beach HER: Catch your breath, We have no need for any destination Rest your head, Don't make a fuss, relax, Feel my persuasion And anyway, I'm right here HIM: We have got to get out of this town, This place is so dead The stores are closed, our friends are not around, Perhaps I don't deserve you What's our future, if we choose to stay? And where would we go? Was tonight a waste? BOTH: What should we both do next? HER: Close your eyes, And I will soothe this pain, forget your troubles There's just us, And that's enough, just you and me and the breeze I've got you hypnotized Look at him, He tries so hard, sometimes he drives me crazy Was it fate That drew together, him: uptight, me: lazy? Am I in love, Or just in control?
8.
You Had One Job (2020) 03:08
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I don’t take kindly to delusions of grandeur I don’t take kindly to the libel or slander I don’t take kindly to your ritual slaughter I don’t take kindly to your gifts at the altar Well, you had one job of not being a jerk It didn’t take much for you to go full berserk I thought we were friends; I guess that wasn’t a perk And you had one job of not being a jerk I said I thought we were friends; I know now that’s not a perk But you had one job of not being a jerk I don’t take kindly to the things that you said I don’t take kindly to the things that I read I don’t take kindly to this thing you’ve begun I don’t take kindly when it’s all said and done I said you had one job, but you didn’t know which But thenI had to fall for the old bait and switch You think you’re better than broccoli, better than cheese Better than horses when they have to sneeze Better than taxes and not saying please Then you throw us a curve ball, and we catch your disease I don’t take kindly did you think that I should? I don’t take kindly did you care if I could? I don’t take kindly round and round all day long I don’t take kindly all fed up now it’s a song I don’t take kindly… Which just reminds me… That you had one job, I’m guessing that was too much You don’t need a friend, just an emotional crutch Too bad I won’t be around to see it finally click When you realize why everyone - everybody thinks you’re a _____
9.
Without Hesitation (2020 remake of the 1995 original) 05:22
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(instrumental)
10.
Dave (2020 remake of the 1992 instrumental demo version called "Marigold") 07:36
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Remember me? It’s been a while You been busy? That’s right, you would seldom smile Remember me? And playing chess? Showed me a sketch And so I would compliment Those were the days It was routine We sure could fly And we kept the whole thing clean You had a friend What was his name? I can’t recall Let’s be Frank, that was a shame And if that day Does occur to you Why did you leave? Just what did I do? Are these my memories or dreams? I don’t know Don’t want to know the things I know anymore The secret kept, now we embark (oh-oh-oh) I had to keep you in the dark, Dave I know I lied About the fault It’s sad to think That it must have been my fault If there’s regret In my one lens It’s what I did Or am told did to your friends The stars were bright But getting dim Despite the cold I just couldn’t let you in Why don’t you speak? You don’t respond I was afraid You went to the great beyond I vaguely sense That I was a afraid What could I’ve done So you would have stayed? The flower, was it marigold, or daisy? I know I might have let things get crazy Yes, I read you! Are these my dreams or memories? I don’t know Don’t want to know the things I know anymore You should have put your helmet on (oh-oh-oh) I lost my mind, and then was gone, farewell friend You had much bigger things to do, no, no, no The last I did was sing for you, no, no…. Don’t want to know the things I know anymore So far from home, no where to go, all alone Of all we never got to do, no, no, no Let’s ride that bicycle for two, oh-oh….
11.
Leading A Horse (2019 - 2020) 04:49
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Hey there, hey are you thirsty? Got some water, nice and cool Hey there, you sure look thirsty Munching on sand like a fool Got so many examples But I can’t seem to make them all rhyme Goes in one ear, then out the other I’d surely just be wasting my time Might as well bury your head In a hole in what you’ve been eating Never have I been a witness To something clearly so self-defeating - yeah See, I’m wagging my finger But shame just ain’t in fashion no more Everyone who’s - here is an expert Auditioning so I can implore I often repeat, as a matter of course I’ve been told that I can come off as cruel Feels like I’m beating a dead horse Instead of leading him to a pool Hey there, hey are you thirsty? Got some water, nice and cool Hey there, you sure look thirsty Munching on sand like a fool Now I’m testing a theory And I’ll explain it all in a song But I’ll never make it to publish If no one will admit that they’re wrong Riding off into the desert Stubborn as the mule that you're riding Finding proof is such a burden So failing makes you feel like you're winning (You've got two empty halves of coconuts and you're banging them together!)* Yea! Hey there, hey are you thirsty? Got some water, nice and cool Hey there, you sure look thirsty Munching on sand like a fool Hey there (hey there), I have been thinking What I’m saying, is it true? Feel I stare at a brick wall While I am talking to you Neigh, winny-winny Equine decline Neigh, winny-winny Horsie hubris Carrot..... .....stick! Hey there, hey are you thirsty? Got some water, nice and cool Hey there, you sure look thirsty Why waste my time, you chadrool? Ahh... Hey there (here there) I have been thinking (thinking) What I’m saying, is it true? Feel I stare in a mirror I used to be just like you Just like you (You've got no horse sense) Hey there
12.
Every Day Of The Year (Is The Same) (2020 remake of the 1994 instrumental demo version) 04:33
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I’d like you to think this is new A wise man talking to you Who am I to think it was I (who) made you wonder? You can set your watch to some things Except the joy life can bring And to think all I ever stole was your thunder Ev’ry day of the year is the same All shades of blue look just like rain Each petal you pull feels some pain (Ev)’ry day of the year passes by Time to begin, space to die Take it, but give it to some-one The best things in life are free (Life are free) If you can find subtlety (Subtlety) Maybe that’s just a difference (ooh) with distinction The trees pass by my window (My window) Like people I’ll never know (Never know) Marching to their very own drum (ooh) to extinction Ev’ry day of the year is the same All shades of blue look just like rain It washes it all down the drain (Ev)’ry day is just one, this is how: There is no past, only now No left or right, up or down Future illusions prove Ev’ry day of the year is the same If you think otherwise, it’s in vain Same… same… same….. Ev’ry day of the year is the same (Ev'ry day of the year: same) All shades of blue look like rain (All shades of blue rain) There’s no use in assigning the blame (There's no use if you blame) It washes us down the drain (It washed down the drain) All that we ever do is complain (All that we ever do is complain) (Day, every day) Each petal you pull feels pain (Each petal feels pain) (Every day) We’re no diff’rent except in our name (We're no diff'rent, just our name) (Every day) We willingly play the game (We will play the game) (Every day) Truth will set you free, it won’t constrain (Truth will free you, won't constrain) (Every day) That is all that will remain (That is what remains) (Every day) This is my best attempt to explain (This is how I explain) (Every day) Ev’ry day of the year is the same (Each day of the year) (Every day)

about

...with only oblique references to politics and current events (which I suppose are ultimately inevitable when one is creating and influenced by one's environment), the unplanned/emerging "themes" of the album, referenced in several, but not all, songs, have to do with either dealing with people and society where bias, agendas and miscommunication are rampant..... or TV or film allusions, explicit or metaphorical. But that is just the sense I get, so take with a grain of salt any artist trying to analyze their own work.

Working cover art and title for upcoming new album, for possible release late 2020 or early 2021.

The first track was "released" in the wee hours of April 7, 2020 after vocals and final mix were completed, as a teaser ahead of the later full release. I intend the format to be similar to the previous album: a combination of new songs and remakes of older songs, but hopefully more than ten songs.

The cover art is and was not meant to be intentionally topical, with sickness on everyone's mind nowadays. Several months ago I had the idea for the cover (which ideally would have featured ME if only I can locate a photo I distinctly recall of me as a boy home sick from school on the TV room couch. The significance of the image is the thermometer and title; as this is my 103rd album, and for the most part my album covers feature the omega symbol in some situation or artistic rendering, I thought 103 was a high but realistic number for a fever, so voila!

Other than that disclaimer I intend there to be no songs about the pandemic, as who wants to hear that, and how well will it age or sound dated in the future? I would like the result to sound as uplifting as the opportunity the crisis has afforded me to even attempt these recordings at this time. Stay safe and enjoy!

credits

released July 28, 2020

Composed, performed, recorded and produced by James Castelli.

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James Castelli / Omega image

James Castelli / Omega New Jersey

Omega (Ω) is the symbol chosen back in 1985 to catalogue any musical endeavor in which James Castelli participated that was recorded. The first 50 (low quality) albums were produced in the first five years and most of the next 50+ albums available here were made over the next 28 years. The styles range from pop to experimental to progressive to classical, with James Castelli the main composer. ... more

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