Written by: Arthur Bruce Schroek
Written by: Alfred G. Nattoli
Arranged By: Joe Parnello
Album Title: The Reprise Collection, Disc 4
Label: Reprise Records
Recorded: January 25, 1983
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<INTRO>
Hear that music playing, listen
to what it's saying
Throughout the years I've made a
lot of friends
Many became famous, most of them
go nameless
But I dedicate this song to all
of them
I've sung with the best and I've
had it all
I've gone from neighborhood
saloons to Carnegie Hall
I've been down and out and I've
been in demand
But I wouldn't have made it
without them, here's to the band!
Those magical notes, those
musical pearls
I've sung with all the Counts,
the Dukes, the Kings, and the Earls
And the experience, I have to
say, was grand
But I wouldn't have made it
without them, here's to the band!
<BRIDGE>
Strings soaring, horns boring
Drums pounding in my ear
To start at the ground and reach
for the top
To have such a wonderful career,
I just gotta stop
Stop and turn around to thank
everyone that sits on the stand
`cause I wouldn't have made it
without them, here's to the band!
<instrumental>
Here's to those ladies and the
gentlemen
Here's to the AF of M
I wouldn't have made it without
them, here's to the band!
Here's to the band!
NOTE: "AF of M" is a
musician's union, the American Federation of Musicians
Transcribed by Ron Hontz