Sidelines is now available on all streaming services. Listen using the links below, or head down to the bottom of this post to read the lyrics.
Spotify
Apple Music
YouTube
Amazon Music
SoundCloud
This song came from a songwriting challenge that one of the writers from the Ben Folds Songwriter Retreat suggested, which was, “Write a song with the month in the title.” It was November (2021), so my goal was clear: write a song with November in the title.
The song started out as “47 Novembers”, and then became “Sidelines (47 Novembers)”, and then became the final title as it is today, “Sidelines”.
Guess I failed the challenge! 😀
Hope you enjoy it.
Written, performed and produced by Brian Orr, © 2023.
Lyrics
It’s been 47 Novembers My story seldom told A day nobody remembers…when my My bluff became a fold It’s been 47 Novembers Since livin’ in this cold Gotta place between the vendors A place where I’ve grown old A man walks by Does he notice my sign? He turns his eyes Out of sight, and out of mind There ain’t no hope on the sidelines Still hanging on at the sidelines It’s been 47 Novembers Once humble, now I’m bold How the world has changed the lenders Only plastic cards they hold It’s been 47 Novembers Since living on the dole Spent a lotta time in the centres Staring down an empty bowl A man walks by Does he notice my sign? He turns his eyes Out of sight, and out of mind There ain’t no hope on the sidelines Still hanging on at the sidelines It’s cold, so cold, oh so cold I give, I give, up my soul It’s been 47 Novembers My body’s paid the toll I drop the sign I’ve rendered “Please pray for my soul” A man walks by He picks up my sign I close my eyes “Dear God”, I hear him cry The lights flash bright In this moment I feel fine The blue, red and white Rush on as I fly high There once was hope on the sidelines I say goodbye to the sidelines Words and music by Brian Orr, © 2022