First Drum Set

(album: Havasu - 2022)

I played the clarinet since fourth grade
A long time to wait for love
Cause ever since Beverly Hills Cop
The Heat Is On, I longed
For the saxophone

My dad's concern was that the embouchure
Was easy and might make my lips too weak
To ever play a woodwind in an orchestra
An experience he wanted for me

After three years it was time to switch to saxophone
But the band director shook his head, forget it
I'm up to my ears in tenors and altos
And you're solid on the clarinet

With tears in my eyes I looked up at my dad
Who looked back at the band director
Don't you have any other openings
He replied, I could use another drummer

I looked at my dad, he looked at me
I nodded my head & he agreed
To trade in my clarinet

To get my first drum set
You know I couldn't even play a beat yet
But I lugged it back to my room
Made it boom crack boom
All afternoon
I had no regrets
For trading in my clarinet
To get my first drum set
To get my first drum set
To get my first drum set

I showed up early to the band room
And heard some kid land a fill into a beat
Oh how I pestered that poor drummer
Begging him to show me repeatedly

To play sports about my feelings
Being in my body not my head
Oh it still sets my heart a reeling
I would already be dead without

My first drum set
I couldn't even play a beat yet
But I lugged it back to my room
Made it boom crack boom
All afternoon
I got no regrets
For trading in my clarinet
To get my first drum set
To get my first drum set
To get my first drum set