IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD was written in 1980. It's a true story of something that happened to me in Manchester, CT - which to this day goes unexplained. That encounter bordered on a paranormal, eerily-spiritual experience. This song is about being looked upon as someone conveying anomalistic thoughts while trying to explain a quite unorthodox situation to some very cynical folks.
I was alone in the old Hilliard Mills Building, a somewhat desolate 1800's warehouse, where owners the Bezzini Brothers company - one of the largest furniture manufacturers on the east coast - supplied first-rate goods to retailers like Macys, G. Fox and Co. and Saks Fifth Avenue.
My first band The Offbeats - aka The Beatoffs to various neighborhood wiseguys - used a room in that facility as a rehearsal space. It was December and a traumatic, life-changing event had just disfigured my psychological state, vitality and marrow. And the bits, scraps and debris scattered across the universe.
I, in the thick of that overwrought miasma, hid away one afternoon in our cellar space to be left alone. Out of nowhere, there came ringing church bells. Oddly enough, there wasn't a nearby church. I at no time noticed them prior to that day - and - never again after that incident.
The bells were immediately both aberrant and uncanny. Yet at the same time, I felt safe. As if something or someone was giving me a personal connotation. A message of aspiration. Additionally, I also had the feeling that I was not alone in that room. I soon thereafter went home and wrote this song.
I realize now that it sounds like a fluff story and all that. But, it really did happen. Even now, I cannot make clear from where those church bells came. And on that day, I made a promise to myself to be the best songwriter I could be.
Welcome to the neighborhood.
lyrics
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
(Words & music by Michael Mazzarella)
Bringing in a new day passing by the neighborhood
Stepping down the sidewalk on a cloudy day
Naked trees and wasted gardens fall in grey so evenly
Like the way all death should be
On Sunday morning I heard church bells at the factory
They came from nowhere and they frightened me
On Sunday morning I heard church bells at the factory
Strange reassurance from this apathy
I was alone please believe me
Odd occurrence on around me
Why are all you so shortsighted?
Something's going on around in the neighborhood
Already Friday, the weekend is here
I'm a bit dizzy like I've been somewhere
I've been daydreaming - they know me for that
But this had magic of a talisman
Oh be no wiser and retire awake
My eyes have silenced to another escape
On Sunday morning I heard church bells at the factory
They came from nowhere and they frightened me
On Sunday morning I heard church bells at the factory
I answered back with an apology
I was alone please believe me
Odd occurrence on around me
Why are all you so shortsighted?
Something's going on around in the neighborhood
credits
from A Wishing Well,
released October 7, 1999
Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano – Michael Mazzarella
Lead Guitar – Kristin Pinell
Bass – Anne Benkovitz
Drums – Patrick Yourell
Background Singers – Dave Rave, Joe Mannix, Lauren Agnelli
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