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At some point of the year in 1990 or 91, my wife and I lived in Tulsa Time for a couple of weeks. Tulsa, Oklahoma to be exact. And that’s because I was booked in a snazzy hotel to provide live music. It was a very pleasant stay. Because the people were so nice to us. In fact, there was a nice, retired couple, Tom and Norma, who came in several nights, during the booking, and danced. And they particularly liked to dance to a couple of my original songs. One of those songs was “Be Careful What You Wish For.”And I’ll have to think about what the other song was. It’s not at the top of my mind right now. But I’ll go through my lyrics files and find it. And maybe I’ll share it later on.
Anyway…
If you’ve followed me for a while, you probably remember me saying I’m not a country music fan. And back when I was a full-time road musician, country music fans weren’t typically fans of mine either. Because I didn’t fit the stereotype. Cowboy hat. Boots. Twang. Country music repertoire.
In fact, my presentation was mostly the opposite. Un-country looking long hair and beard. Bright-colored Converse sneakers. Wild print vests. No twang. And a repertoire that went from western to rock to smooth jazz to pop to…well…just about anything but country. Or at least not country by definition at the time.
Certainly not much that fit into the Tulsa Time category.
But Tom and Norma, in Tulsa, liked what I sang anyway.
So much that they’d make extra trips to the hotel lounge just to hear me sing. And to sit and talk with my incredibly beautiful wife. (No, that’s not the reason…I know what you’re thinking.)
They even invited us to their house on a couple of occasions. And made wonderful food for us. And they even kept in contact with us for a few years after we left Tulsa Time. I remember both of them told me they liked my “Be Careful…” song because the words fit parts of their lives so well.
And that’s the kind of compliment or story a songwriter likes to hear.
I think I’ve shared the lyrics to the song before. But here they are again. Maybe they fit into some part of your life. Or the life of someone you know. If so…
Be Careful What You Wish For
You’ve got a house and your privacy;
A brand new car; you’re in the driver’s seat.
But you believe there’s a bigger dream you have to follow.
And so you work for your daily bread
And wish for something that could get you ahead,
Because losing the race would be such a hard pill to swallow.
Be careful what you wish for.
Look out ’cause it might come true.
You never, ever really know what’s in store.
So be careful…be careful what you wish for.
She feeds the kids and sends ’em off to school.
She never breaks or even bends a rule.
But in her mind she’s convinced that something is missin’.
And so she spends what her husband makes
And doesn’t think about the toll it takes.
Her mother tried to tell her once, but she wouldn’t listen.
Chorus
Now that old world can get its hands on you,
But only if you stop and let it.
You have the right to change your mind.
But somebody might just regret it…don’t forget it
Chorus to end
© 1990 Tony Funderburk
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