The Ken Oak Band, comprised of two members (Ken Oak; Cello/Vocals/Guitar, Ed Gorski; Guitar/Vocal), is a band based primarily around the LA area. With an independent label, they have toured the country with self-booked shows, and currently has two albums for sale: Symposium and From Vienna to Venice.
Ken, the cellist, is the lead vocalist, accompanied by Ed's soothing harmonies and mellow guitar riffs. Ken's heartfelt lyrics and pleasant voice are very well complemented by the usage of the cello as a bass instrument. The smooth sound of the cello helps to encompass the guitar and vocals, and creates a very relaxed kind of music. This is not to say that they cannot play with energy; as clearly illustrated in "What You Want" (Track 6, Symposium), they are able to mix energy with their own style to create a very unique sound.
The band has gone through a name change, and now perform under the name of "Oak and Gorski." The band has released their third CD under this new name, titled Good Advice, Bad Advice.
More can be found at their myspace or homepage.
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kenoakband
band site: www.kenoakband.com
Masquerade
Ken Oak Band Lyrics
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Run, run, don't stop you don't wanna stay
I've been hanging around too long here in L.A.
Who's idea was this madness anyway?
I could play along with this masquerade
Hide behind some fancy shades
Get used to wearing a different face
Maybe learn to break a smile
But can I let this precious time all go to waste?
The older I get the longer I wait
The faster I go the younger the chase
Just when I thought everything would be okay
I'm blindsided by this madness anyway
I could play along with this masquerade
Hide behind some fancy shades
Get used to wearing a different face
I could compromise for a little while
Maybe learn to break a smile
But can I let this precious time all go to waste?
Now that I've seen both sides it's time to
Make up my changing my I've got to
Take off the mask and face the fear
Truth isn't hard to find I've got to
Leave everything behind I'm gonna
Watch all my troubles disappear
Watch all my troubles disappear
Or I could play along with this masquerade
Hide behind some fancy shades
Get used to wearing a different face
I could compromise for a little while
Maybe learn to break a smile
But I can't let this precious time all go to waste
Tick tock the clock is ticking away
Run, run, don't stop you don't wanna stay
The lyrics of Ken Oak Band's song "Masquerade" delve into the feeling of being lost in the world, as if it's one big masquerade party where everyone is pretending to be someone else, and it's getting harder and harder to find genuine connections. The first verse starts with the ticking of the clock, drawing attention to the passing of time, which leads to a sense of urgency. The singer expresses dissatisfaction with their current situation in Los Angeles, stating that they have been hanging around for too long, and wonders whose idea it was in the first place. The chorus introduces the idea of playing along with the masquerade, hiding behind a mask, learning to compromise and break a smile. However, the singer seems uncertain about whether they can afford to waste any more time as they are getting older, but the faster they go, the younger the chase becomes.
In the second verse, the singer realizes that they have seen both sides of the masquerade, and it's time for them to change. They shift their focus to leaving everything behind, facing their fear, and finding the truth. Their troubles will dissipate once they take off their mask and start being true to themselves. However, they acknowledge that they still have a choice; they can either take a chance on themselves and pursue their truth, or they can continue to play along with the masquerade.
The song urges listeners to seize the day, take off their mask, and embrace their true selves. It highlights the importance of time, and how it waits for no one. It's a reminder that although it's tempting to play along with the games that society imposes, it's not always fulfilling.
Line by Line Meaning
Tick tock the clock is ticking away
Time is passing by quickly, and it's important to act before it runs out.
Run, run, don't stop you don't wanna stay
Don't be complacent, keep moving forward and don't be content with staying in one place.
I've been hanging around too long here in L.A.
I have spent too much time in one place and lost sight of my goals.
Who's idea was this madness anyway?
I am questioning the decisions that led me to this point in my life.
I could play along with this masquerade
I can pretend to be someone I'm not and participate in this deception.
Hide behind some fancy shades
I can use superficial things to create a facade and hide my true self.
Get used to wearing a different face
I can adapt to the role others want me to play and become someone else.
I could compromise for a little while
I can give up some of my values temporarily for the sake of fitting in or achieving a goal.
Maybe learn to break a smile
I can pretend to be happy even when I'm not in order to maintain the illusion.
But can I let this precious time all go to waste?
I am questioning whether compromising my values and pretending to be someone else is worth the time and effort it takes.
The older I get the longer I wait
As I get older, I realize that time is running out and I need to act before it's too late.
The faster I go the younger the chase
The more determined I am to achieve my goals, the more youthful and energetic I feel.
Just when I thought everything would be okay
Just when I thought I had things under control, something unexpected happens.
I'm blindsided by this madness anyway
I am caught off guard by the deception and chaos around me.
Now that I've seen both sides it's time to
Having experienced both the deception and reality, I am ready to make a decision.
Make up my changing my I've got to
I need to change my approach and make a decision that aligns with my values.
Take off the mask and face the fear
I need to remove the facade and confront my fears.
Truth isn't hard to find I've got to
The truth is out there and I need to uncover it.
Leave everything behind I'm gonna
I am willing to let go of my old habits and beliefs in order to move forward.
Watch all my troubles disappear
By being true to myself and facing my fears, I will overcome my problems.
But I can't let this precious time all go to waste
I cannot afford to waste any more time on deception and must pursue my true self.
Contributed by Carter K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.