Here's The Thing About America
Chuck’s ‘Here’s the Thing About America’ resonates with the best songs in the great tradition of social conscience and racial healing. And he has the rich voice and musical chops to deliver it with grace.’
– Rosanne Cash
"Chuck"s song "Here's The Thing About America" is a beautiful, powerful song for our times. It's a moving tune, I hope we all get to hear more from this thoughtful songwriter."
– Buddy Miller
Chuck McDermott: Vocals
Marco Giovino: Drums
Marty Ballou: Upright Bass
Phil Grenadier: Trumpet
LYRICS: Here's The Thing About America
Here’s the thing about America
She’s dirty as she’s clean
She’s as gentle as she’s mean
She’s everything between
Sheer hell and fantasy
She’ll take the best of you
And send it off to war
No telling what it’s for
Leave your lover at the door
Or in the vestibule
The workin’ man can’t understand
Why his world don’t seem free
Here’s the thing about America
if you wield the heavy tool
If you play by all the rules
In the end you feel the fool
When she leaves none for you
She’ll sing “equality”
As if she means every word
As if all those cries were heard
As if color lines were blurred
Just don’t sit next to me
The workin’ man can’t understand
Why his world don’t seem free
(not one shred of dignity)
There’s sin in silence
They say the lone wolf dies
But the pack always survives
We won’t know unless we try
To finally prove it
Here’s the thing about America
It’s only ours if we claim it
If we must then let’s reshape it
Lest the young rightfully blame it
On our apathy
The workin’ man can’t understand
Why his world don’t seem free
(won’t you take this walk with me)