Richie Kotzen
Strike Up the Band
[Intro]
Never ever getting paid, living off the friends we made
Never ever getting paid, kicking ass and paying dues
Lose our mind in self abuse
Loving ladies by the score, waking up and wanting more
I hope my Mama understands when I strike up the band

[Verse 1]
Well, I spit out my anger as the sweat do fly
Fifteen years of paying dues just to get me by
Mmm, now the barkeeps would pay us by the crowds we bring
Them sons-of-a-bitches never paid us one damn thing

[Chorus 1]
And my poor Daddy, he just don't understand
It's balls out tonight, watch the shit hit the fan
When we strike up the band

[Verse 2]
Now those drop dead ladies line the very first row, yeah
I do believe I'd like to spend some time after the show
Now them years gone by, the barkeeps pay in cash
And them lovely ladies feed me an earful of trash

[Chorus 2]
And my old lady, she just don't understand
Why those young floozies got their hands on her man
And my poor Daddy, he still don't understand
It's balls out tonight, watch the shit hit the fan
I give it all that we can, got to give it, goddamn
When we strike up the band
[Bridge]
Ah, oh
Oh, when we strike up the band
Ge-ge-ge-ge-ge-get, ow!

[Guitar Solo]

[Verse 3]
Living like a gypsy, air conditioned hippie
Who's never seen the light of day (oh-oh-oh-oh)
Rode dog and cowboy, don't know how, boy
I ever lived this long this way, no, no, said

[Chorus 1]
And my poor Daddy, he still don't understand
It's balls out tonight, watch the shit hit the fan
We give it all that we can, we don't give a goddamn
When we strike up the band