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The suicides of close, so close friends, Vince Welnick, followed by my former bass player Stan Rawls, and then most unbelievably, Bob Welch. The words speak for themselves. It was absolutely fucking devastating, and shut me down from going out and performing in public for a few years. This song was the most cathartic thing I have ever written. The line line was something Vince said to me about trying to figure out what people contemplating suicide are thinking, because he tried before and failed, and he told me I was not wired to get it, so be glad.

lyrics

Let me tell you ‘bout my old friend Vinnie, loved to play his piano giving joy to so many
He was funny and kind, with a demon or two, when you live with the dead it attracts’em to you
And the rug was pulled out and that world wasn’t kind, it was all too much and it messed with his mind
Still he wanted so badly to return to that life, no, those people didn’t kill him, but they sold him a knife
And I never saw it coming…
No, I never saw it coming…

I was standing too close and I swear that I never saw it coming

Let me tell you about my bass player Stan, he was always smiling, he was called the Glad Man
He could lift up a room, he would light up a stage, but deep-down inside him was a simmering rage
We made beautiful music for three or four years, then he gave it all up, couldn’t conquer his fears
And he put down his bass and became a bread baker, ‘till a 12-gauge barrel introduced him to his maker
And I never saw it coming…
No, I never saw it coming…

I was standing too close and I swear that I never saw it coming

Not one but two friends of mine, then were gone, by the very same hands that made beautiful songs.
It’s a soul crushing feeling when you’re left there behind, picking up the pieces, second guessing your mind.
There was nothing I could do, this is how it would be, but I really wasn’t ready for friend number three…

Let me tell you ‘bout my best friend Bob, he sold millions of records, never had a real job
He was the only damn reason that Stevie met Mac, and when he struck out alone well he couldn’t go back
He had glory, and riches, and it faded away, then his body was hurting, and he called me to say
“I just want you to know that I love ya man” and the next day I saw them haul him off in a van
And I never saw it coming…
No, I never saw it coming…

I was standing too close and I swear that I never saw it coming

You can never understand why they did what they do, so be grateful for that or you’d think it good, too.

Words and Music - Mike Lawson
Copyright 2021 - Psychtronic Music - BMI

credits

from More Wonders of the Visible World, released January 1, 2021
Mike Lawson - Vocals, Piano, Guitar
Fred Bogert - Strings
Tyra Juliette - Back Vocals
Joe Montague - Drums, Percussion

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Mike Lawson & Friends Nashville, Tennessee

Mike Lawson has, over 30 years, recorded and/or performed together with Merl Saunders, Vince Welnick, Vassar Clements, Pete Sears, Gary Talley, John McEuen, Bob Welch, Dennis Robbins, Joe Louis Walker, Jorma Kaukonen, Phil Keaggy, Jack Casady, Scott Guberman, Dianne Davidson, Noah Wall, Tyra Juliette, Bill Vitt, Rob Wasserman, Michael Cleveland, Phil Madeira, and a host of other amazing friends. ... more

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