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Second Skin

by Alfa

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1.
Supergirl 03:11
VERSE 1 Do not be scared of your own shadow Be honest, girl, give it time. But don’t wait Until the chemicals fade. You may be one of a million But you speak and everyone listens Your voice is a crater on the moon (bass fill) Time to make your move CHORUS: Follow yourself, don’t waste your time Throw your body into the fire And come on, come on Fly like you’re super girl. Hold your heart like you hold your hand If you doubt yourself ‘cause you think you can’t Be my super girl. VERSE 2 One man’s plans may give way, Don’t you sway Hangin’ on by your voice It’s an anchor in the sea You won’t sink if you can swim CHORUS BRIDGE I’m finally waiting; anticipating a change While the tides pull in, and filter out – away…always I’m Finally waiting; anticipating a change And you can be my ticket out of here… Follow yourself don’t waste your time Throw your body into the fire And come on, come on Fly like you’re super girl Hold your heart like you hold your hand If you doubt yourself ‘cause you think you can’t And even if you think you’re gonna fall Even I’ve been through it all Better follow yourself, don’t waste your time Throw your body into the fire Come on come on Fly like you’re super girl Hold your heart like you hold your hand If you doubt yourself cuz you think you can’t Be my super girl… be my super girl Be my super girl…be my super girl. Yeah… yeah.
2.
“Love As Tragedy: A Play in Three Acts” Verse 1: Act I was brilliant / We played our parts so convincing and I still Remember the lines You had me going on first dates and I fell Like Icarus falling away from the sun. CHORUS Now that it’s all over and done I notice You just needed someone to play your damsel Now that I can see things a little clearer I feel sorry for the next girl You will always see (you’ll always see) Love as tragedy. Act II was gripping She came out of nowhere, storm in a teacup The irony bare You seem so honest Playing your parts so convincing but she Is speaking my lines. Now that it’s all over and done I notice You just needed someone to play your damsel Now that I can see things a little clearer I feel sorry for the next girl You will always see (you’ll always see) Love as tragedy. Now that it’s all over and done I notice You just needed someone to play your damsel Now that I can see things a little clearer I feel sorry for the next girl Now that it’s all over and done I notice You just needed someone to play your damsel Now that I can see things a little clearer I feel sorry for the next girl You will always see (you’ll always see) Love as tragedy. You will always see (you’ll always see) Love as tragedy. Don’t let me sit through another minute Cuz Act III’s the part that I couldn’t get right. And you’ll be persistent ‘til somebody gets it But I don’t intend to find out tonight.
3.
Second Skin 03:38
“Second Skin” by Alfa Garcia © 2008 Verse 1: I’m in love with love, they say But I’m not sure it falls so neatly She’s a little bit too strong A bite too large to chew on, Oh what a tragedy Cuz I don’t wanna be alone anymore If this means anything... CHORUS I’ll be the last thing that you hear be the first thing that you taste In the morning when you wake up I’ll be the reckless love you wait for the storybook you never Stopped believing in. I’ll be your second skin. Verse 2: And I’ll wear your heart on my sleeve Never forget the way they feel And do what you will tonight You’re the only one who ever knew me OH what a tragedy Cuz I don’t wanna be alone anymore If this means anything: CHORUS BRIDGE: And when the world falls in I’ll keep your peace of mind I’ll wrap my arms around your tired shoulders And when the earthquakes come I’ll be a steady rock That you can walk on… I’ll be the last thing that you hear be the first thing that you taste In the morning when you wake up, yeah… I’ll be the reckless love you wait for the storybook you never Stopped believing in. I’ll be your second skin. I’ll be your second skin I’ll be your second skin
4.
Don’t Write Your Goodbyes You don’t know your way around my heart so don’t pretend you can read between the lines. I am a mystery, I’m a play, and I will set this stage So take your chances Don’t write your goodbyes when you fall in love I’ll fall apart I won’t write you a word when I fall in love You’ll find out by some other way… Underneath the truth to me and you I’m fearful that I cannot fight you; Soften your steps, call me a liar; I’ll cast this mask aside Just take your chances And don’t write your goodbyes when you fall in love I’ll fall apart I won’t write you a word when I fall in love You’ll find out by some other way… Bridge: I won’t be bitter, no I will remember I won’t be bitter, no I’ve got a lot to learn, so… Don’t write your goodbyes when you fall in love, I’ll fall… CHORUS (x2) Find out by some other, find out by some other Find out by some other way.
5.
Isabelle 04:17
VERSE: Isabelle waits by the window her eyes meet The sky in the afternoon glow She sees the sun even before it comes when the mountains give it away. Down past the street is a church and a vineyard When she was a child she’d run through. Now she sits still while I play on piano The sun no longer moves. CHORUS: Isabelle tell me again Oh I remember your stories so well. How could I ever know? For you the world lived on in echoes VERSE: Often I’d find her asleep in the garden The one-eyed cat slept by her feet Then in a moment she’d rise and the old woman watched the sun took my hair; she’d say Colors are what make a girl And this world is so fragile, so hold on for life. You have the heart of a child and I understood then That she was mine. CHORUS: Isabelle tell me again Oh I remember your stories so well. How could I ever know? For you the world lived on in echoes BRIDGE: Here when the sun meets the sky I can hear your lullabye: “Cherie... toujours je t’aime pourquoi il n’y a rien de toi? je reste toute seule la nuit et l’aube c’est moi sans autre... jusqu’ a la fin du monde... INTERLUDE CHORUS: Isabelle tell me again Oh I remember your stories so well. How could I ever know? For you the world lived on in echoes REPEAT CHORUS
6.
“Foot Out the Door” Verse I: Don’t know if I trust you yet To walk me into the dark And I know a smile’s a smile Despite my foolish heart Pre-Chorus: Now’s about time for us to take A little more wine before I say… Chorus: I am the one with my foot out the door Scared and confused haven’t been here before You remind me love is a road that’s long I’ve got nothing to fear at all. (pause) Verse 2: And I’ve tried to take my time Without looking so far But what good is a promise if they stop where they start. Pre-chorus: Give me some room and leave me to ponder upon impending doom… Chorus: I am the one with my foot out the door Scared and confused haven’t been here before You remind me love is a road that’s long I’ve got nothing to fear at all. (extra hold) Repeat Chorus BRIDGE: So calm these fears My attempts to be rational Are pulling in The parts that waited ages … Pre-Chorus: Give me some room and leave me to ponder upon impending doom… 2x Chorus You remind me love is a road that’s long I got nothing to fear at all. (whoas)
7.
8.
Wear Your Shoes Verse 1: Mama says I laugh too much But sometimes it’s just not enough I guess I’m like a child who runs and hides. You will look me in the eye And it’s as if you see inside All the worn out places that I tried. You still listen anyway CHORUS: I am dressed in my own jeans They’re blue and bland and in-between I’m trying hard to change my ways It’s not as easy as it seems But you stand perfectly in brighter shades What I would do to be like you What I would do if I could wear your shoes. Verse 2: True to form I’m back to who I was before Afraid of showing who I am To the world. You always tell me just enough To help me out and build me up I’ve been ignored but you’re not one to judge Even if I’m so far gone… CHORUS Bridge: I would be invincible Remarkable, meaningful Nothing in the world would be impossible I’d be unstoppable Travel at the speed of light a million miles, I could fly I am dressed in my own jeans They’re blue and bland and in-between I’m trying hard to change my ways It’s not as easy as it seems CHORUS What I would do to be like you, what I would do if I could wear your shoes What I would do to be like you, what I would do if I could wear your shoes.
9.
Hazy-eyed troubadour Sing me a song on your 12-string Running on ideals and all of the pretty things That you believe in. I tend to overthink Watching my words on a TV screen Fitted in my head, I’m subtle but I can’t help falling … CHORUS Oh what a pair we make Better than pieces of puzzle games they would fit perfectly in a world of gray But oh – the colors we’d paint Oh the colors we’d paint. (pause after 1) VERSE 2 Doesn’t make sense to them To you it’s all or nothing Your mind is intense burning Patterns into my silhouette And we tend to disagree On everything but frankly It’s for a moment – it never lasts I’m still falling… CHORUS Oh what a pair we make Better than pieces of puzzle games they would fit perfectly in a world of gray But oh – the colors we’d paint Oh the colors we’d paint BRIDGE It’s you and me against the world. Beside each other every turn Have I found someone to be somebody to? To dive into? Oh what a pair we make Better than pieces of puzzle games They would fit perfectly in a world of gray But oh – the colors we’d – Oh what a pair we make Better than pieces of puzzle games They would fit perfectly in a world of gray But oh – the colors we’d paint Oh, the colors we’d paint Oh, the colors we’d paint.
10.
I Won't 03:48
“I Won’t” by Alfa Garcia © 2008 Verse 1: On the floating pier we held our thumbs to the sky Blocked out the moon, uncovered secrets in the dark You told me how you’d go and save the world And somehow we’d find ourselves togethere again Pre-chorus: Too strong, too fast To keep safe in our hands We’re here by chance Did we ever understand? CHORUS How do we walk away, as if this never happened? How do I fool myself when I’m trying to move on? Why are we letting go, to keep ourselves from falling? How do I say goodbye? I won’t. Verse 1: On the drive back home the thoughts escaped from my lips Do you sometimes think there is no point to this? Tomorrow you’ll be gone on a plane to somewhere Maybe years from now you’ll call my name on the street Pre-chorus: Too strong, too fast To keep safe in our hands We’re here by chance Did we ever understand? CHORUS Bridge: And as for me, I’ll be fine I’ll stay here and pass the time And you’ll try to just forget We’re probably too different. Breakdown: How do we walk away, as if this never happened? How do I fool myself when I’m trying to move on? (FULL) Why are we letting go, to keep ourselves from falling? How do I say goodbye? CHORUS I won’t (4x)
11.
Home to Me (by Alfa Garcia. Copyright © 2008. ) Mother came home late Closed the backyard metal gate And then walked into the house Not a word or a sound. She saved herself a place by the TV and a plate of her favorite mistakes and a tall glass of dreams. Chorus: Where her daughters all have gone? She don’t know but she thinks that One day they’ll come home calloused and bruised With the world on their fingertips She is home to me. All the boys and girls Years ago in their own world Now they’re workin’ 9 to 5 and it’s an ordinary life But I’ve been staring at my feet to take me where I’ve never been So I can make her proud of me and she’ll know this wasn’t all for nothing. Chorus: Where her daughters all have gone? She don’t know but she thinks that One day they’ll come home the depth of the ocean Standing all by themselves She is all I need… She is all I need… Bridge: When I look in her eyes: unspoken sacrifice Through her weary bones she hides inside a smile and when you tell I am just the same I find I smile the same way. Mother came home late Closed the backyard metal gate Then she walked into the house Not a word or a sound. She saved herself a place by the TV and a plate of her favorite mistakes and a tall glass of dreams. Chorus: Where her daughters all have gone? No, no she don’t know but she thinks that One day they’ll come home calloused and bruised With the world on their fingertips The world on their fingertips… The world on their fingertips She is home to me. (by Alfa Garcia. Copyright © 2008. )

about

Thank you's to: Alex, for helping me craft this dream together, for enduring my moods and tangents, supporting my creative sparks and far-flung ideas, and for sushi runs. Mom, stepdad and grandparents for being loving and encouraging, and not scratching their heads when I decided to pursue this madness. Ate Faye for being the best big sister a spoiled little bunso could ask for. M-Top for helping me keep things in perspective and for being patient and understanding throughout the months this album was being written and recorded. Loads of gratitude to Michael Violago, Virginia Kamenitzer, Emily Tan, Billy Becerra, Don Lawrence and Tina Shafer. Thanks to the fans for listening and waiting patiently for my first full-length! Love to friends and family for egging me onward on this adventure and for Him, who made all this come to life.
- Alfa (2009)

credits

released July 31, 2009

All songs written by Alfa Garcia, except Tracks 8 and 10, which were written by Alfa and Alex Houton.
Produced, recorded and mixed by Alex Houton, Red Bank, NJ.
Additional record engineering by Craig Mawhinney.
Track 11 recorded at Shorefire Studios in West Long Branch, NJ.
Mastered by David Ives at 101 Mastering, Beverly Hills, CA.
Photography by Virginia Kamenitzer.
Special thanks: Bob Kelly for his late 1930's Gibson Kalamazoo Archtop acoustic guitar on Supergirl, and Kentucky mandolin on Isabelle.
Violin on Isabelle by Jorge Miranda.
French Hotn on Supergirl & Foot Out the Door by Dave Paterno.

Alfa sang, played piano, guitar and violin on this album.
Extra guitars and programming by Alex Houton.

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Alfa Los Angeles, California

Armed with a voice, an instrument, and a keen sense of crafting a song, Alfa has been hailed as "an artist who has a spectrum of colors in her palette, a songwriter with a knack for tickling a mainstream ear" (Music Connection) Her songs have been heard on E!, MTV, nationally-released films and Spotify Philippines' Viral Top 50 in 2016. Alfa has opened for Sam Smith, Us the Duo, and Howie Day. ... more

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