Get all 10 Romanovsky & Phillips releases available on Bandcamp and save 40%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Turn Up the Fun!, Pittsburgh to Paris, It's A Boy! (a circus opera), Let's Flaunt It!, Brave Boys, Hopeful Romantic, Be Political Not Polite, Emotional Rollercoaster, and 2 more.
1. |
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I think penises are wonderful
I love to play with them
Masturbation is loads of fun
And so is loving other men
Watch them grow before your eyes
Lie back and watch them shrink
They can do a lot of things
But don't use them to think
Don't use your penis for a brain
Hard as it may be you really must refrain
'Cause it's meant to bring you pleasure
But it's bound to bring you pain
lf you try to use your penis for a brain
Some men are always collecting things
Like sports cars, guns and knives
They seem to think of them as masculine
Extensions of their size
Perhaps it makes them feel secure
Or smart, or even tall
But that kind of macho reasoning
Can only screw us all!
Don't use your penis for a brain
Hard as it may be you really must refrain
'Cause it's just a manly treasure
No it's not a gun to aim
So don't try to use your penis for a brain
Penises are fun but not intelligent
They have no lQ
Penises are cute but they're not logical
Don't let them make decisions for you
Now let's suppose you are a soldier
Or a sailor, or a marine
The chance is one in ten
That you might have to shower with a queen
Why does this terrify some men
Down to their very soul?
ls it because when they're with women
They have got no self-control?
Don't use your penis for a brain
Hard as it may be you really must refrain
'Cause it's not a way to measure
Your power or your fame
So don't try to use your penis for a brain
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2. |
Brave Boys
04:36
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No flags fly
No nation kneels in respect
No monument stands
Though we continue to die
No apologies from enemies so full of hate
No eulogies of comfort raised by any heads of state
On the front lines without a gun
Together they face the night
Those brave boys
Brave boys continue the fight
They are brave boys, every one
No rings bind
No medals pass to a spouse
No bereavement pay
For the wounded who get left behind
No bells will ring
From the steeples across the land
No choirs will sing
That God awaits to comfort with his hand
Still their love burns on the homefront
For those who have met the night
Those brave boys
Brave boys continue the fight
They are brave boys, every one
lf a full heart
Could make yours beat another time
lf mortal tears could mend your wounds
I'd give you all that's mine
You showed me God
With the courage in your eyes
And heroes live in more than myths
And bedtime story rhymes
But all I have is a humble song
And two arms to hold you tight
You brave boys
Brave boys continue the fight
You are brave boys, every one
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3. |
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He makes me smile when I am blue
He gives me answers when I really haven't got
A single solitary clue
He makes my troubles seem so small
He's so handsome, dark and tall
He doesn't judge me when I regress
His words are cloaked in tenderness
He's the lover I've never kissed
Oh no, no no no no
I'm in love
He helps me strengthen my resolve
There's not a problem he can't solve
He's always cheerful, he's never a grouch
Ooh, I wanna lay down on his couch
We get along like soup and salad
He reassures me that my anger is valid
He thinks it's good when I get pissed
Oh no, no no no no
I'm in love with my therapist
My friends encouraged me to get some therapy
'Cause when you left me I was such a mess
I thought life held no more for me
'Til he opened up his door to me
And I found myself surrounded by his sympathy
He reinforces my self-esteem
He likes to analyze my dreams
He always listens when I speak
I wish I could afford to see him
More than once a week
He lets me try out different roles
He pushes me to set some goals
Each hour we spend together is total bliss
Oh no, no no no no no no no
My friends encouraged me to get some therapy
'Cause when you left me I was such a mess
I thought it was the end for me
'Til he became a friend to me
And I found myself astounded by his empathy
He's got diplomas on his wall
There's fresh-brewed coffee down the hall
He's got begonias on his window sill
And Kleenex enough for a nuclear spill
He calls it "progress" when I cry
Oh what a sweet and sensitive guy
Why couldn't you have been like this?
Oh no, no no no no no no no....
I'm in love with my therapist
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4. |
These Things
04:13
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Love letters from across the sea
Reminders of a sweet affair
They keep alive the memory
Of secret pleasures men can share
These things I do respect
Perfect moments I collect
These things aren't mean to last
They live mostly in the past
But they make it all seem worthwhile
And they never fail to make me smile
The rose I placed upon your bed
The time we spoke our first goodbye
When no words needed to be said
'Cause they would only be a lie
These things I do adore
Gifts that leave you wanting more
These things so torn and tragic
Every bit so full of magic
They make it all seem worthwhile
And they never fail to make me smile
I fall in love, l fall apart
With my romantic heart
Now you could say that I'm a hopeless case
Or a hopeful romantic
on a never-ending chase
A single glance that lit the spark
A fire that burned for seven years
And still it flickers in the dark
lnviting us to shed our fears
These are the things I treasure
Precious jewels of stolen pleasure
Like shadows in the sand
You cannot hold them in your hand
But they make it all seem worthwhile
And they never fail to make me smile
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5. |
Womb Envy
03:59
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When I was a youngster
Playing house was all the rage
And I always played the mommy
And they all thought it was just a phase
But as I grew older
Still I wished to be a lady
Not so I could have a man
But so I could have a baby!
Womb Envy, I know it's kinda strange
Womb Envy, but please let me explain
Womb Envy, I know it’s kinda crazy
I got Womb Envy
I wanna have a baby
Now I like my equipment
I wouldn’t trade it for the world
But I might trade it for nine months
If I could only be a girl
I don't wanna wear a dress
Or be somebody’s wife
I just wanna have a chance
To feel the miracle of life!
Womb Envy, I know it's kinda strange
Womb Envy, but please let me explain
Womb Envy, I know it’s kinda crazy
I got Womb Envy
I wanna have a baby
I’d do it naturally
No Platex formulas for me
I’d study LaMaze
And I'd read Dr. Spock
If I could just be blessed with pregnancy
Well maybe someday science
Will make it a reality
If it’s been done in test tubes
Then why not inside of me?
I'm every bit as loving
And gentle as can be
Oh Lord, give me a chance to prove
My maternity!
Womb Envy
I know it's kinda strange
Womb Envy
Please give me labor pain!
Womb Envy
I know it’s kinda crazy
I got Womb Envy
I wanna have a baby
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6. |
Living with AIDS
04:21
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He's big and he's proud
He's abrasive and loud
He can roar like a lion, or be meek as a lamb
God knows he's courageous
And sometimes outrageous
He inspires me to be all that I can
But I'll never forget
The last time we met
How my heart stopped at the story he told
He said, "Life can be hard
When it deals you a card
That you never expected to hold"
But then he said, "It's not the end
I rely on my friends
For all the affection and the love they provide
And maybe with hugs
And without booze and drugs
There is still a good chance that I will survive"
And he probably will
'Cause he's active still
He goes to the marches and all the parades
He's not giving in
He's determined to win
He's a person who's living with AIDS
Living with love, not living in fear
Embracing the light when shadows appear
It's a place to begin, it's a good way to start
Releasing the power we hold in our hearts
The loss of our lovers
Our sisters and brothers
Is a wound that cuts deep through our history of pride
And one way to heal
All the pain that we feel
Is to stand by the living and remain unified
So if you've got a friend
Whose condition is grim
Don't go burying them or drawing the shades
Surrender your doubt
By reaching out
To a person who's living with AIDS
Living with love, not living in fear
Healing with hope and drawing them near
It's a place to begin, it's a step we can take
Empowering people whose lives are at stake
Living with love, not living in fear
Embracing the light when shadows appear
It's a place to begin, it's a good way to start
Releasing the power we hold in our hearts
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7. |
I Like to Polka
03:20
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I go dancing at the disco
Whenever l'm lonely and depressed
But it doesn't help, I just feel sorry for myself
'Cause I'm the only one without a pumped-up chest
So, I go slamming with the punkers
Whenever I feel angry and mean
But I'm too polite, and my hair's not spiked
And it's brown, instead of pink and green
Oh, I save slow dancing for romancing
And I boogie when it's time to take my leave
But when I meet a guy with a sparkle in his eye
I take out my accordion and polka
Oh, I go clogging with the cowboys
Whenever I need the exercise
But I always trip, or step in pig shit
And that's when my enthusiasm dies
Oh, I save slow dancing for romancing
And I boogie when it's time to take my leave
But when I meet a man and he wants to hold my hand
I take out my accordion and polka
Oh, life is a party, so let's all dance!
There's no need to be alone
We'll have bread and kielbasa
And a glass of vodka
And then we'll polka 'til the cows come home!
Oh, I save slow dancing for romancing
And I boogie when it's time to take my leave
But when I meet a boy who fills my heart with joy
I take out my accordion and polka
Oh, life is a picnic, so take it slow
You've already paid the rent
We'll have sauerkraut and noodles
And apple strudel
And then we'll polka to our heart's content!
I do the fox trot when I'm feeling mighty hot
But when I'm happy, I really like to polka
Oh I just take out my accordion and polka
'Cause when I'm happy... happy... happy...
I like to polka!
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8. |
Lost Emotions
02:52
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I am leaving on a journey
Striking out alone
My friend has come to see me off
And now it's time to go
I want to hold him in my arms
Tuck my head and cry
But with people all around
We simply say goodbye
I am sitting with my brother
In a restaurant
I'm rediscovering a long-lost friend
Listening to him talk
And knowing that he understands
And sees into my soul
I want to reach out for his hand
But that would break the rule
I am walking with my lover
The night is cool and clear
And everything he says to me
Is what I want to hear
Waiting for the light to change
We both want to embrace
But silently we both agree
That this is not the place
I want to hold him in my arms
Tuck my head and cry
But with people all around
We simply say goodbye
We simply said goodbye
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9. |
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I've been around the block
I've seen a lot of sights
From the outback of Australia
To Alaska's northern lights
And I have to say I'm so impressed
With the beauty of this earth
And I have a theory to impart
For whatever it is worth
Just think about the things you've seen
The mountains and the oceans and the prairies in between
Oh, people can't you see
It's obvious to me
That if there is a God, he's a queen
Just drive through the Canyonlands
And you, too, will believe
'Cause there are color combinations
That no straight man could conceive
The striations and the textures
You will see there in the land
Could have only been invented by
A nelly holy man
(Chorus)
Now the Bible says
He did it all within a week
And I'm quite impressed
Though I've also got a small critique
He should not have taken that seventh day of rest
'Cause he could have done a little more work
On the Midwest (at least Ohio!)
Stroll through New England
When Autumn's in full force
To confirm my reference to the sexual preference
Of the one we call The Source
And if you think I need more evidence
To really validate my claim
What about the guy who wrote
"for purple mountains' majesty
Above the fruited plains?"
(Chorus)
Now it seems we've solved one mystery
Of the earth and its creator
Jesus might have been a carpenter
But his father was a decorator!
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10. |
Waltz for the New Age
03:31
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I'm doing my affirmations
I'm chanting my mantra each day and night
I'm doing some visualization
Seeing my aura just glowing with light
And I'm breathing real deep, sitting perfectly still
Clearing my mind as I focus my will
While listening to music from Windham Hill
'Cause I want to be enlightened
Each morning I do meditation
I become one with the whole universe
I experience self-actualization
I'm seeing a rolfer and getting rebirthed
And I've given up sugar, red meat and caffeine
Wear crystals to keep all my energies clean
And of course I subscribe to New Age Magazine
'Cause I want to be enlightened
Each Monday I go to a channeler
To get some advice from the other side
On Tuesdays I get a holistic massage
And on Wednesdays I meet with my spiritual guide
I'm studying reincarnation
Finding out who I have been in the past
I'm practicing manifestation
In the hopes that I might make some money at last
And I throw the I Ching at least once a day
Burn incense to keep evil spirits away
And I'm planning a trip down to old Santa Fe
'Cause I want to be enlightened
Each Thursday I go to a workshop
On opening up the unconscious mind
On Fridays I see my astrologer
And on weekends I go get my chakras aligned
I'm giving myself validation
I acknowledge myself just for being who I am
By giving up all expectation
I surrender myself to the great cosmic plan
And I'm giving myself permission to win
Learning to nurture my child within
As I read for the seventh time, Out On A Limb
'Cause I want to be enlightened
Don't you want to be enlightened
Yes, we all want to be enlightened!
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11. |
To Myself
03:24
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I wanted more than anything
To be the man you needed
I thought at times that it would work
I thought I had succeeded
But all along you knew the truth
You knew that it would be no use
To keep on trying
Guess I was lying to myself
The night we met I liked you
But I never dreamed I'd love you
It's funny how as time went on
I wanted so much of you
You seemed to like me from the start
I soon believed we'd never part
It seemed worth trying
And I was sighing to myself
I wanted to know you
To let my love show
You let me be the fool
How could you be so cruel?
Why didn't you tell me?
You put me through hell
We never had a chance
To find our sweet romance
But you knew, didn't you?
Why didn't you tell me, too?
So now I guess it's over
But I just can't seem to face it
It seems I'm always looking for
Another to replace it
But finally I'm breaking free
I'm learning to depend on me
I've just stopped trying
But I'm still crying to myself
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12. |
Guilt Trip
04:14
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I gave you my heart
To have and to hold
You warmed it at first
Then you dropped it cold
Now you want to be friends
Oh, isn't that sweet
Well maybe I can
But first you'll have to go on a retreat
Not the kind of a vacation
For relaxing in the shade
I'm talking 'bout a guilt trip
All expenses paid!
Leave your problems far behind
Take mine along instead
It's what you deserve
'Cause you've been playing with my head
Pack your suitcase full of sorrow
And lock yourself inside
You won't feel any better
But I'll be satisfied!
You ruined my life
Deciding to leave
But you're gonna suffer
If I'm gonna grieve
Now you like to travel
You like being alone
Well here's a little trip
You can take all by your 'little' self at home
(Chorus)
Not the kind of a vacation
Where you lay out in the sun
I'm talking 'bout a guilt trip
Misery for one!
I do not want to see you smiling
You're not supposed to have a good time
You shouldn't think about your feelings
You should only be concerned with mine
(Chorus)
Not the kind of a vacation
That you take to just unwind
I'm talking 'bout a guilt trip
Leave your camera behind!
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13. |
Give Me a Homosexual
02:59
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With so many gay men and so little time
It never has been an obsession of mine
To try and pursue heterosexual men
The ones who are real or the ones who pretend
That kind of facade's not attractive to me
I like my lovers as queer as can be
Give me a homosexual
Who loves in a homoemotional way
I like a man of acceptance
Give me a guy who is glad to be gay
Now to some of my peers, it's the ultimate thrill
Seducing a straight man by bending his will
But I am a man who loves men who love men
And that is of course what I most recommend
While I'm sure there are men who just need some unstraightening
I haven't the patience to be educating
Give me a homosexual
One who's perfected his oral technique
I like a man who's had practice
Give me a guy who is fluent in Greek
And I don't understand all those classified ads
Filled with desires that I've never had
"Straight-looking Marine seeks straight cop to please..."
How straight do they look when they're down on their knees?
It's a taste that I've never been able to savor
This preoccupation with sexist behavior
And people will ask us, "Which one's the girl?"
'Cause they limit themselves to those roles in their world
But we don't have any such models to clone
We're perfectly free to develop our own
Give me a homosexual
I don't want a husband, I don't want a wife
I like a man who's my equal
Someone who's made it the style of his life
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14. |
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I met you on a rainy day
But the sun’s been out since
And I knew from that moment
That you were my prince
Funny how life is
Always a big surprise
I thought the man of my dreams
Would have blue eyes
And I thought you’d be taller
I thought you’d be rich
I didn’t think you’d be moody
And at times such a bitch
I thought you’d be brilliant
A real Einstein
But you’d rather watch TV
Than challenge my mind
I thought you'd be happy
And never complain
But you’re so neurotic
You make me feel sane!
I dreamt about you
Did you dream about me?
You wore shining armor
And you rescued me
Funny how dreams are
Not always as they seem
My handsome prince turned out
To be more of a queen
You’re not as romantic
As I hoped you'd be
You never buy flowers
At least not for me
We never go strolling
Or watch the sun set
We haven’t made love outdoors
Since the night that we met
I thought you'd be athletic
With muscles for days
But I guess it don’t matter
’Cause I love you the same
Do do do...
Nya nya nya...
But don’t fear my darling
’Cause you know it’s you I adore
And I know you can’t be blamed
If at times you’re a bore
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15. |
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Goodnight my daughter
Sleep tight my son
The world is full of injustices
Of which you known none
I wish that I could shelter you
So you'd never have to see
The ways in which some folks have made
An outlaw out of me
Goodnight my precious
Sweet dreams my little one
While the lawyers and the courts decide
What is to be done
I wish that you could tell them all
When they dare to question me
That we're every bit the model
Of a perfect family
It's not the pot that grows the flower
It's not the clock that slows the hour
The definition's plain for anyone to see
Love is all it takes to make a family
Good night my child
So innocent, so young
When they start teaching you to hate me
I pray you won't succumb
To prejudice and bigotry
To ignorance and shame
Because I'm proud of who I am
And hope you'll feel the same
It's not the pot that grows the flower
It's not the clock that slows the hour
The definition's plain for anyone to see
Love is all it takes to make a family
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16. |
No False Hope
03:50
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Why are the papers full of gloom?
Predicting a future of darkness and doom
There's no denying many have died
Lives have been lost, tears have been cried
And there's so much pain and so little relief
That it's hard to feel hope in our moment of grief
But if that's what it takes to help someone live
Then we have a lot we can give
(Chorus)
Because there's no such thing as false hope
There's no dream that isn't real
No such thing as false hope
No one can say what the future will reveal
lf we believe in our hearts that it's true
Surely our hope will pull us through
Don't listen in to the TV scare
It only weakens you with despair
They paint a portrait full of doubt
By leaving the long-term survivors out
And as a result how many are gone
Because their hope was denied for so long
But if that's what it takes to help someone live
Then we have a lot we can give
(Chorus)
Hope is on the horizon, help is on the way
Love will pull us through another day
Hope is the key that unlocks the mind
Lightens the burden or leaves it behind
And if that's what it takes to help someone live
Then we have a lot we can give
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17. |
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Guess that l was destined
To be the kind of guy
Who never really fits in
And never keeps in time
So now l've started askin'
The question on my mind
What kind of self respecting faggot am ll
I moved to San Francisco
It seemed the place to be
But I'm not into disco
And bars intimidate me
My only can of Crisco
Is where it's s'posed to be
What kind of self-respecting faggot am I?
Don't own a single record
By Barbra, Bette, or Judy
Heard of Bette Davis
But I never saw her movies
Guess I'm irresponsible
It seems I've shirked my duty
What kind of self-respecting faggot am l?
Don't have the nerve to pierce my nipples
Don't hang out in the leather bars and pose
Don't own a single thing from International Male
l've not seen any Broadway shows
I don't brunch on Sundays
I've never acted up
My life is somewhat mundane
From lack of shacking up
I even drive a Hyundai
I guess that wraps it up
What kind of self-respecting f.aggot am ll
I've never learned to do the two-step
Don't spend my mornings pumping at the gym
And if I happened to meet Ru Paul on the street
Don't know what l would say to him
So please be understanding
It's hard to be a fag
Whose only sense of camping
lnvolves a sleeping bag
Forgive me if I'm ranting
But it's really quite a drag
What kind of self-respecting faggot am ll
I like wearing dresses
Don't care for Birkenstocks
I'm not a vegetarian
And this may be a shock:
I sometimes use a dildo
That look just like a...rooster
What kind of politically correct lesbian am l?
What kind of self-respecting homos are we?
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18. |
Ho Ho Homophobia
04:37
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There was a man who took a stand to try to shed some light
He said the biz of preference is a basic human right
He lost his job, they laid him off, said the money was too tight
Sounds suspiciously like homophobia to me
There was a boy, his momma's joy, she never did him harm
But when his mother took a lover, people were alarmed
She lost the right to hold him in her lovin' arms
Sounds suspiciously like homophobia to me
It happens every day
No matter what they say
It's just because you're gay
Homophobia
It happens all the time
It's not considered crime
It's just another sign
Of homophobia
ln the service, they get nervous when they know you're gay
You can shoot a man but don't hold his hand they say
Don't tell your sarge, you'll be discharged, they always get their way
Sounds suspiciously like homophobia to me
Politicians, coalitions, following the trends
They court our votes, they raise our hopes,
they seem to be our friends
But we get neglected, 'cause once elected their allegiance ends
Sounds suspiciously like homophobia to me
It happens north and south
There really isn't any doubt
What it's all about
It's homophobia
It happens east and west
It's just another test
We never get a rest
From homophobia
Some liberals say that it's okay that some of us are queer
As long as we don't "flaunt" it, but now let's get one thing clear
That love and affection is nothing you should fear
Sounds a lot like blatant homophobia to me
It happens left and right
That's why we must unite
We gotta stand and fight
Homophobia
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Romanovsky & Phillips Santa Fe, New Mexico
Romanovsky & Phillips were the first “out and proud” American gay male musical duo to
achieve national
acclaim. From 1982-1999, an era when gay artists often hid their sexual orientation, this duo performed songs which openly celebrated their lives as gay men.
With tight harmonies and memorable melodies, their sassy and inspired songs uniquely capture the gay experience of those decades.
... more
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