What Kind of Brother
from: What Kind Of Brother
Written: 01/1999 in Bob Franke's songwriting workshop. He threw the gauntlet down and challenged me to write in a style I admired. This song is an apology to a number of women in my life, for the times that I have stilled my tongue when I should have spoken. Thanks for the inspiration Ani.
As you and I were walking down the street I heard you talk your line
You said "look at the rich chick, look at the fat chick, hey don't that hippy chick look fine."
What is it in your background that makes you think that it's okay
To talk about a woman that you've seen in such a ruthless way
She's somebody's mother, she's somebody's daughter, she's somebody's lover
She's somebody's sister and I'm saying mister, what kind of brother are you?
I know I haven't mentioned this before, I guess I was afraid
To tell you how deeply offended I was at the comments that you made
I know that you think everything's a joke, even after all these years
But if you take the time to look behind that pretty smile
Then you would see the tears
She's somebody's mother, she's somebody's daughter, she's somebody's lover
She's somebody's sister and I'm saying mister, what kind of brother are you?
No I don't think I'm perfect, and I'm not throwing stones your way
But I can't ignore what you say anymore so my silence stops today
I know that you're a good man so think about what you say and do
'Cause that could be your mother, sister or lover being hurt by a good man like you
She's somebody's mother, she's somebody's daughter, she's somebody's lover
She's somebody's sister and I'm saying mister, what kind of brother are you?
She is your mother, she is your daughter, she is your lover
She is your sister so tell me hey mister what kind of brother are you?
As you and I were walking down the street I heard you talk your line
You said "look at the rich chick, look at the fat chick, hey don't that hippy chick look fine."
What is it in your background that makes you think that it's okay
To talk about a woman that you've seen in such a ruthless way
She's somebody's mother, she's somebody's daughter, she's somebody's lover
She's somebody's sister and I'm saying mister, what kind of brother are you?
I know I haven't mentioned this before, I guess I was afraid
To tell you how deeply offended I was at the comments that you made
I know that you think everything's a joke, even after all these years
But if you take the time to look behind that pretty smile
Then you would see the tears
She's somebody's mother, she's somebody's daughter, she's somebody's lover
She's somebody's sister and I'm saying mister, what kind of brother are you?
No I don't think I'm perfect, and I'm not throwing stones your way
But I can't ignore what you say anymore so my silence stops today
I know that you're a good man so think about what you say and do
'Cause that could be your mother, sister or lover being hurt by a good man like you
She's somebody's mother, she's somebody's daughter, she's somebody's lover
She's somebody's sister and I'm saying mister, what kind of brother are you?
She is your mother, she is your daughter, she is your lover
She is your sister so tell me hey mister what kind of brother are you?
© 1999 Joe Jencks