Chapter 12 – Finishing 'Urban Chipmunk'

JANUARY 12th 1981

A week after New Years, Alvin was still a little down over the death of his friend. But he was still recording the Chipmunks' new album which they are releasing next month. Dave was producing this album; along with his friend from college Ross Bagdasarian Jr. and his wife Janice Karman and also there friend Larry Butler.

Dave and Ross known each other since the 1950's before the Chipmunks came to Dave's doorsteps. However they were finishing off 'Coward Of The County'.

"OK, boys let's take from the top. 'Coward Of The Country' take 1" said Ross.

ALVIN:

Evryone considered him the coward of the county.
Hed never stood one single time to prove the county wrong.
His mama named him tommy, the folks just called him yellow,
But something always told me they were reading tommy wrong.

He was only ten years old when his daddy died in prison.
I looked after tommy cause he was my brothers son.
I still recall the final words my brother said to tommy:
Son, my life is over, but yours is just begun.

Promise me, son, not to do the things Ive done.
Walk away from trouble if you can.
It wont mean youre weak if you turn the other cheek.
I hope youre old enough to understand:
Son, you dont have to fight to be a man.

Theres someone for evryone and tommys love was becky.
In her arms he didnt have to prove he was a man.
One day while he was workin the gatlin boys came callin.
They took turns at becky.... there was three of them!

Tommy opened up the door and saw his becky cryin.
The torn dress, the shattered look was more than he could stand.
He reached above the fireplace and took down his daddys picture.
As his tears fell on his daddys face, he heard these words again:

Promise me, son, not to do the things Ive done.
Walk away from trouble if you can.
It wont mean youre weak if you turn the other cheek.
I hope youre old enough to understand:
Son, you dont have to fight to be a man.

The gatlin boys just laughed at him when he walked into the barroom.
One of them got up and met him halfway cross the floor.
When tommy turned around they said, hey look! ol yellows leavin.
But you coulda heard a pin drop when tommy stopped and blocked the door.

Twenty years of crawlin was bottled up inside him.
He wasnt holdin nothin back; he let em have it all.
When tommy left the barroom not a gatlin boy was standin.
He said, this ones for becky, as he watched the last one fall.
And I heard him say,

I promised you, dad, not to do the things you done.
I walk away from trouble when I can.
Now please dont think Im weak, I didnt turn the other cheek,
And papa, I sure hope you understand:
Sometimes you gotta fight when youre a man.

Evryone considered him the coward of the county.

"OK, very good Alvin!" said Dave.

"Thanks Dave!" said Alvin.

THE NEXT WEEK

"Alright guys, today we have got Brenda Lee" said Dave.

"Brenda Lee!" said the boys.

"Yes, THE Brenda Lee" said Janice Karman.

"Hey guys" said Brenda Lee.

"Oh my God!" said Theodore.

"Oh man, Brittany is going to kill me when I tell about this!" Alvin said.

They were soon recording the song. Alvin kept eyeing at Brenda Lee as part of the script they were singing together.

"Very good everyone!" said Ross.

TWO WEEKS LATER

They were ready to sing the final song for the album. Alvin was to be the lead vocal.

Wille Nelson was there to see how the song was going.

[Alvin]
On the road again,
I don't want to be on the road again.
The life I love is playin' baseball with my friends.
I can't wait to get OFF the road again.

[Dave, speaking]
Alvin...

[Alvin]
On the road again,
Going places I've already been,
Seein' thing I don't want to see again,
And I can't wait to get off the road again.

[Dave, speaking]
ALVIN...

[Chipmunks]
On the road again,
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway,
We're the best of friends,
Insisting the world keeps turning our way,
And our way is...

[Alvin]
Is OFF the road again.
Just can't wait to get off the road again,
The life I love is playin' football with my friends,
And I can't wait to get OFF the road again.

[Instrumental]

[Dave, speaking]
Alvin, either you sing the right words or we will get off the road and right back to school!

[Chipmunks]
On the road again,
Just can't wait to get on the road again,
The life I love is playin' music with my friends,
I can't wait to get on the road again.
I can't wait to get on the road again.
I can't wait to get on the road again.

Dave was very cross with Alvin about not singing the right words. He apologised to Wille Nelson.

"Mr. Nelson, I am sorry about that. It's just my son" he said. But Wille Nelson was laughing he loved what Alvin was saying and he loved it. Dave was pleased. And so they were ready for the producing and they annouced the album's date and waited for everyone to get excited.

E.O.C 12