We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Stuck In Quarantine

by J. Isaiah Smith

/
  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $17 USD  or more

     

1.
"In our world you'd be hard pressed to not have heard the word. There's a virus taking lives and it's absurd. Mourning souls who don't have toilet paper rolls. And as they go out to buy them they increase infection tolls. I dare not go and roam. I explore through my phone. And though I am here at home, I'm not truly alone. Let me take you back to a time before the rona struck. Before this attack though I still was this same lonely shmuck. I was low on cash when my girlfriend and I we had a clash Gone in a flash it was just me, myself and no rent when I smelled a familiar scent. It was my cousin James who had just started some new insurance job. "I'll pay the other half of rent" he claims. And I said "Yes" full well knowing he was a slob. I show him his half and he'd said "I can" I worked days and he worked nights I barely saw this man. Fast forward just a year now the virus is here. And now I see him all the time it's like I date him. And I've discovered I hate him! I'm stuck in quarantine with a man who's acting fourteen. Won't someone save me quick cus it's not my shtick to live with lunatics! I've hated everyone else of my blood, so why did I think my cousin was good? James Alabaster I could plaster your brains on the wall! But you're much faster than me plus you stand at six feet tall! But no one should have to tell you to flush the toilet! And put the produce up before you spoil it! And no girls over this is quarantine. I'm not catching rona cus you're horny! And why are your teeth yellow green? They not shouldn't look so corny! I can't believe you god you made this heinous anus! I'm stuck in quarantine with a man who's acting fourteen. Who when he takes showers they're for hours after he's smelled of week old chowder. Why Oh Why do I have to rely on this guy for half of the rent? Now my ex wasn't great but she had her moments I can't contemplate whose worse between rodents. But what can I say? What can I do? This rent won't get paid without us two. I hate you! I'm stuck in quarantine! I'm stuck in quarantine with a man who's acting fourteen."
2.
Places To Go 07:33
"Fade in on a man, Who lies with a girl the brightest star the sun to a thousand worlds. And as I get out of bed, I look over my shoulder and see, the break of a new dawn and my, destiny. And in the break of dawn I can see a warrior strong And that warrior is me I grab my sword and my shield I turn and she's standing there revealed and she sais "Come back to sleep." And I said "Babe, forgive me please" I can't stay here, my destiny's clear, I've got places to go Have you ever wondered what it's like to fly? Some men fear the thunder, but I will command the sky! And I will birth a legacy! I'm unstoppable! Babe! I've got places to go, I'll have stories to tell, I've got schemes to unfold I've got kingdoms to own, I'll have battles in hell, I've got men to dethrone! I was born to live and born to die, like every man who is alive. I was born to leave steps in the sand, l'll conquer far and distant lands, by any means by using war or force! I've got places to go! I've got places to see! I've got Oceans to sail upon! I have a destiny! I have a destiny. Babe! I've got places to go, I'll have ships I must sail, I've got treasures of gold. I've got seeds to be sown, I'll free people as well, I've got things to be shown. I've got battles to fight, I'll have people to save, I've got wrongs to make right! I've got sieges at night, I'll have times to be brave, I've got Tyrants to smite! I'll get ambushed at night! Places to go, battles in snow. There are men who are slaves, And I'll break every chain. I've seen it in the dawn! A warrior great and strong! It's me, it's me.. Don't assume I want to leave you; That's not what I want You could be my bride, and stand by my side. Wouldn't you just die to see what lies in store for me? And she said "No... cus, I already know." She said, "Men with places to go, Are always found somewhere dead and nowhere near their true goal. So get back on your horse, and ride off into you dawn, I'm sure you'll be back, of course!" Then she kicked me out of the brothel, and I fell face into the mud! And said, "Fine! Well screw you, you whore! I hope you die in a ditch!" And she said "Don't come back, sir!" And she said "By the way, dork, I've actually had better men, but that's what you pay me for!" I said "I'm born to live and born to die, but now you've gone and hurt my pride!" And she said "Well, if you weren't immature! Go to all you places! Or was it all a lie? I have seen that dawn a million times! You're a fake like every other man I bet that sword and shield's a hoax. Don't you ever come back to my brothel anymore." "Fine... I've got kings to kill, I'll have women to like. I'll have armies of.. will.." She said "You don't need me, you can blow yourself. Beat it. You've got places to go."
3.
"Son I wish I could say there's a way for you paved where you'd never know troubles. But for you that's not true. There are things you must do, though I don't mean to burst your bubble. But your dad and me, we, though the Crème De La Crème had to take out a couple. And the best at success who don't rest through these tests have just kept our moves subtle. Listen son you must watch your back at each turn. Cause friends from foes you cannot discern. Cus right when you think that you're clear The enemy is right here Don't slip up don't slip off trust your fears! Don't get lost it will cost ya they'll Eat you alive! And the best parts never survive! If you wonder what it took to get here just know when to duck and dive cus' they'll Eat you alive til' there's nothing left to revive! If you can't fight connive and survive. Deep within yes again I would sin and I'd win so to spare you the suffer. But in turn would you learn? Would you earn your own burns that could make you grow tougher? No, it's best that you learn this all on your own. Otherwise later down the line when you're grown, You can't take when they break you! Oh no! You don't know! They'll Eat you alive! You'll be swarmed and deformed they're a hive! If you want to win a free for all you don't attack. You just survive! cus' they'll Eat you alive! You still crash when you know how to drive! Cus if your enemies see you distressin' you might as well throw in the towel! So look as confident a Thurston Howell and put an open sound on all your vowels! And duck and dive the hive survive. They will eat themselves alive. Then take what's left of the hive and Eat them alive! And make sure no one's left alive! If you let them go they will be back, son. They know tend to to arrive! You must! You must Eat them alive! It's the only way you can thrive! Your dad and I built this from the bottom up and we won't see you muck this up! So every choice you make think about it twice duck and dive and wait out the hive! And you will prevail with your skill you will! And we will yes "We" will still survive! Now son I don't mean kill them! Not really! well, maybe! Eat them alive!"
4.
Call It Off 02:36
"M: We planned this date, last night a Lake Side Mall, so there's a slight possibility, that she won't show up at all. A: This will be a good day if she actually is there. Just relax. don't freak out yourself don't for get to do your hair. Both: I can't say that I'm scared it's just strange to actually care. Maybe we should call the whole thing off! Maybe this whole date will go south! I'd rather not embarrass myself at all. A: Nervous in my car, headed to the place to meet. M: Don't know why I picked this place. She might think it's sketchy A: This is sketchy. I could just turn the car around. Both: Keep on driving and just leave town! Maybe we should call the whole thing off! Maybe this whole date will go south! A: I'd be better off if I called it off. M: I'd be better off if I called it off. Both: Call it off! (15xs) I'd be better off if I called it off."
5.
She 05:56
"At the edge of the world, I took a shovel, and I buried the girl. With a tombstone to say, how she lived everyday. But, I know who she was, and I know what she loved... "She loved swimming and reading books. Unlike most she didn't care for looks. She loved climbing trees at dark. She loved staring at the stars. She was everything that you, didn't want. She was everything she loved. Everything that you had banned. she was nothing like your sons. And so I made sure that she'd rest where she'd belong! Far away from men like you, with morals that are wrong! And And the words I wrote where written from my heart, for the girl I loved but you sought us apart. Why did you seek us apart? Cus' I'm a normal boy, and you saw me unfit of your only girl. Cus I'm nothing like you. That makes your point of view askew. Cus you though she was like you? God forbid that she ever turned out like you two. Like you two. She was living. like truly alive. Not in some literal sense. I mean, she was Truly alive. She lived like she knew, how short her life would be. She lived like she could fly, if only you had seen. She was soaring like a bird that'd never flown. Not cus it couldn't fly but cus it didn't know it could fly. She was flying free, then you shot her down. Why am I blaming you? When it's not really your fault? Why aren't I blaming me, when I know deep down that it's my fault! If I had listened to you. If I had turned around and walked away, I can't say She'd still be soaring, but she'd still be here. She'd never had lived, but she never had died."
6.
The Greatest 02:50
"Many have come to me for some assistance rightly so, I'll do what some don't. I have a knack for success and persistence, some killer's may fail you, I won't. Give me a task that I've never heard said. I was born as a killer consider them dead. Yes, it's sad, but it's true. What do I need to do for you? Give a task. Go on ask. I'm the best killer trust me it's true. Kill a dragon! Clip it's wings! I have killed things thought un-killable things! I've killed many a beast with no aid. And I will do what it takes to get paid. I'm the reason that lives have unfurled. Because I'm the greatest assassin in the world. I have made few a disturbing decision. Like killing a man who forgot to pay me. So here's how I work to ensure my precision, pay now. Not later or maybe. If our terms adjust you'll be next and trust I'm the greatest assassin in the world. I killed a dragon and a spider and a poltergeist! Was in the Guinness book of records dated before Christ! I killed a judge and they adjourned the entire trial. I killed time before they invented the sundial. The greatest assassin in the world! In the world! In the world!"
7.
"I never thought he'd amount to much, given his lack in strength. He barely swings with a soft light touch, given his arm's length. And it's true he's no warrior at all. One swift move, get him cornered, he'll fall. Yet he could command any man I've seen. In all of this land Richie makes my balance careen. Strong and tall may not be what you are. But all in all you are so much more by far. And now and now each and every day I can see right through you. How yes how in each different way that you show love through you. I find it in your laugh I find it in your smile. When I address it you stay in denial. I see it when you train. Your work ethic's insane. It's like you don't feel pain! And I sense that you don't know but I'm falling for you! And I won't let you go! Those beast won't take you too! So I stop him and say that we're done for the day. You should go back inside. And he looks and blinks with those wonderous eyes, and I feel our hearts collide. And he goes to the spout, and I decide to search him out, and turn to see. Who's that man leaving with Richie? Strong and tall may not be what you are. But all in all you are so much more by far. Queens would fight for the love you'd provide. To lie at night with with such a man much by their side. Men were never man for war, but still they battle on. Just as love was some forbidden light, and but yet it's breaking with the dawn. And maybe my whole life I've been running from the fight! When I lost them the day it turned to night. And I built my world in darkness, and made vengeance out of spite. And the world it seemed so heartless, that I clenched to mines so tight, til I forgot the shine of light And I forgot that love could blind so bright until Richie brought it back to my site. I knew love and the world tore it apart, but Richie now has reminded my heart."
8.
Love To Ride 06:21
"You hear those sirens, and you feel fear. I hear those sirens, and I feel free. That sound's familiar to me. Chill out, babe; hold on to me. I've never been caught by the police. I've been a rascal since the day I was conceived You wanted to leave this town, but this trip ain't going around. When you ride with me, then you ride or die. Come on, babe, show me you'll survive You look excited, I love to see that smile. So let's go out in style! High speed chase! God I love a race! Let's go out with a fight! We're dynamite! Boom! We're gonna blow this site! They'll never stop us now, pull us to the side God! I love to ride! Woo! You're a pretty girl, from a pretty town. But I can make you beautiful show you life uptown. There's action written on our road trip. There's a million reasons for you to quit. You'll see things you've never dreamed before. You'll see things that will make you scream on the floor. You want to write adventurous books? Well I can dare say, you've got the looks. But if you write what you see you'll die. Hold on, babe. I'll lose em' for good this time. Let's ride! Speed high! We escape or die! Let's go swerve through the lanes! We're insane! And we won't be restrained! If we don't get away to we die God! I love to ride! Woo! You're in for a story that you'll wish you never lived. You wanted adventure, but you never saw things quite like this. Where we're going there's no leaving. Better write ya fam this evening. Cus you may never see them, again for any living reason I was born and raised in a life of crime. Sorry Babe, now you're in full time. We're riding into the night, but we're alright! Cus I will be your light! Where we're going is bad, but don't look so sad! Cus the underworld's run by my dad! He's the kingpin of to all crime, and his daughter loves to ride! Woo! I love to ride! (3xs) Write a book about this."
9.
Overnight 07:16
"A boy leaves a house. A boy flees insanity. "They're all doomed to fail", he thinks. Consumed by their vanity. So he leaves his mother, and father, his brother all behind. He leaves to some place, to some other he'll find. He leaves. He finds a town, a dying town \that he hopes to save. With his family's wealth he invest his share. He won't let it go to his grave. And month by month he starts to see, he's actually making a change The town begins to grow and grow. Increasing potential and range! And it wasn't done overnight! When it all seemed lost he did fight! When his life seemed bleak he found a way! When his bone were weak he won the day! But it wasn't done overnight! And soon he would find that his name had begun to make it's way across the lands. And people would come just to visit this town that they'd say he had built with his hands. But he said it was the people. "A town is made up of men. We all must do our part to build. I only helped them begin." Then people more so were taking a liking to the boy turning into a man. So much that the mayor had offered this man the hand of his daughter Fran. And soon this man was married to the woman known as Francine. And they went on to build a house. The biggest this town's ever seen! And it wasn't done overnight! When the darkness came they were the light! When they lost their footing they held on. If you win this battle the war is won. But you can't win over Can't win overnight! Twenty years now since the boy left home and grew into a man. A letter's received from a face he knows not bringing news of a thing he forgot to care about. A man looks to stone. A boy at his family. "They died poor; alone." He thinks. He warned of this tragedy. He tried to help but they turned him away. He tried to help but they turned him away! Now a man knows his way embracing a tragedy. He'll safeguard his home with all forms of strategy. And every day he shows his sons and daughter too, how to make the world yours with what's in you! If you can make your own way then there's nothing you can't do. And he will do his best to make sure that you carry through. But it won't be overnight. It can't be done overnight!"

about

It was May 9th, 2020 during the beginning of quarantine here in the U.S. when I had recently finished and previewed a draft of new song of mine I was working on called "Stuck In Quarantine". Shortly after I was approached by Nik Whitcomb who eagerly encouraged me to put together a "sung from home" original album, that would feature a group of handpicked stage actors singing some of my unheard and newer pieces. The idea was to make it feel like theatre from home. Each individual recording their songs by whatever means they preferred or had available to them from home (As so to avoid the potential spread of COVID).

Coincidentally I didn't have a great pull of newer songs, and many of the old ones I didn't deem to be good enough. I mean after all, they were unheard for a reason ;). So I got to work writing new and exciting songs and drastically remastering old songs from lyrics to vocal arrangement.

Many of the songs you will hear in this album were written over several months following Nik's pitch of the idea. Some songs, heard before, have been remastered and rearranged with new orchestrations.
And all of them were mixed together by my dear friend Jay Srygley who was already swamped with many other projects at the time and throughout the albums development.

I hope you enjoy this collection of songs brought to life by an outstanding cast from acting ability to vocal prowess. I honestly couldn't have done it without them, nor could I have been blessed with a kinder and more uplifting collection of skilled performers.

credits

released March 6, 2021

Vocalists:
Analisa Swerczek, Bailey Carlson, Jay Srygley, Katie Porter, Mackenzie Zielke, Marcel Daly, Nik Whitcomb, Roni Shelley Perez, Scott Van Den Top, Zhomontee Watson

Mixed by:
Jay Srygley

Put together by:
Nik Whitcomb & J. Isaiah Smith

Songs, lyrics, composition, arrangements & tracks by:
J. Isaiah Smith

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

J. Isaiah Smith Omaha, Nebraska

J. Isaiah Smith is a Best-Selling and Internationally Produced Playwright, as well as a Songwriter and Lyricist. His works, written for Highschool-College level performers, focus on internal morality, corruption, and self empowerment, presented in varying comedic and dramatic forms with moments of sincerity and self reflection. ... more

contact / help

Contact J. Isaiah Smith

Streaming and
Download help

Report this album or account

If you like J. Isaiah Smith, you may also like: