The Distance Decade

by Cesar Alvarez

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released May 21, 2012

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Cesar Alvarez Los Angeles, California

Cesar Alvarez is an alternative rock singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Blending emo with indie rock, pop- punk, surf, and blues, Cesar delivers an assortment of power pop anthems featuring driving guitars, catchy vocals, and heartfelt storytelling lyrics. ... more

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Track Name: The Distance Decade
The Distance Decade

I can look into the past,
but there's not a moment I'd take back,
always jumping into the deep end
of what often felt like the ocean.

I put myself to the test
by taking on many endless quests,
chasing knowledge, new worlds, love,
I journeyed into the unknown.
But I always found that I was never alone,
no matter how far off the road.

Here's to exposing our hearts
by wearing them on our sleeves
and discovering just who we really are.
Here's to never turning back
and discarding things we were supposed to believe.
Here's to you and me.

I learned there was clarity
in a little spontaneity,
took a one-way flight once to heartache city.
'Cause I was never one to believe
in restricting possibilities,
with time you find out if it's wrong or meant to be.

Seeing lights, losing touch,
falling down, getting up.
But I always found that I was never alone,
no matter how far off the road.

Here's to exposing our hearts
by wearing them on our sleeves
and discovering just who we really are.
Here's to never turning back
and discarding things we were supposed to believe.
Here's to you and me.

Here's to exposing our hearts
by wearing them on our sleeves
and discovering just who we really are.
Track Name: You Sing Lead, I'll Do the Harmony
You Sing Lead, I’ll Do the Harmony

Early morning, cold December,
I took the shortcut this time.
Watched my breath cloud my sight
as I waited for the train underneath
an open sky waiting for sunlight.

Patience through transport switches,
shivering before these gallant wings.
Initiate my transfer through the door
to familiar eyes on a flawless face
as I realize that some things in life
are worth waiting for.

And that last night we were singing about how
we both carry the mark of the dark side,
how we’re not ashamed to say those two words,
and how you’re not afraid of me leaving.
The sad part was that we knew I was leaving.

Time won’t stand still yet memories
return and constantly repeat.
If I would have known that the dam
would flow I would have said:
“Don’t wake me, please. Don’t wake me,
I don’t want to go.”

And that last night we were singing about how
we both carry the mark of the dark side,
how we’re not ashamed to say those two words,
and how you’re not afraid of me leaving.
The sad part was that we knew I was leaving.

Don’t mind me, you go ahead and sing lead.
I want to do the harmony.

But I still want to believe
that one day we’ll be singing about how
we both carry the mark of the dark side,
how we’re not ashamed to say those two words,
and how you’re not afraid of me leaving.
We’ll spend the whole night singing
because this time I won’t be leaving.
Track Name: So Tell Me
So Tell Me

Waking up, it's a new day
three thousand miles away
from all I've ever known,
but it's not the first time on my own.
And I'm looking forward to making
memories here without you
despite the years that we invested,
after all, this is my town too.

And when you told me about the
kind things he did for you
I knew that something wasn't right
but didn't want to start a fight
so I found the proof and that's when I said:

I think it's time you tell the truth, (no sense in hiding anymore),
I won't stand by and waste my youth, (no more, no more),
No need extending any longer (no),
These broken promises that won't be honored.
So tell me, so tell me the truth this evening.

I'm gonna see the city
and take the late train in.
Gonna fly home to California
and spend a few days with my friends.
And if they ask me what happened
and why I'm not with you,
I'll tell them something wasn't right
but didn't want to start a fight
so I found the proof and that's when I said:

I think it's time you tell the truth, (no sense in hiding anymore),
I won't stand by and waste my youth, (no more, no more),
No need extending any longer (no),
These broken promises that won't be honored.

Sometimes we find it hard to face reality
when life goes on and love gets lost along the way.
You could have said this wasn't what you thought it'd be,
instead I found out that you'd moved on without telling me.
But now I'm free, now I'm free.

I think it's time you tell the truth, (no sense in hiding anymore),
I won't stand by and waste my youth, (no more, no more),
No need extending any longer (no),
These broken promises that won't be honored.
So tell me, so tell me the truth, I said,
So tell me, so tell me, so tell me.
Track Name: Urban Deserts
Urban Deserts

I want to see the orange lights of the Lincoln Tunnel
flickering through the windows ‘round,
then get to your door and call up to your room,
so you could toss down your keys to let me in.
We could spend the whole night like before,
isolated away behind closed doors.

If all the best moments of your life
were like all the stars in the clearest of nights
then I just tried to be one of the brightest
among those myriad spheres of light.
Will you remember to look up and find me?
Will you remember me at all?

The calm blue waters of your Arabian eyes
made me believe that they’d continue hydrating my heart,
at least for the meantime, ‘cause nothing lasts for long.
But you can still walk through these urban deserts with me
‘til the earth rumbles and divides between us,
pushing you east and pulling me west.

If all the best moments of your life
were like all the stars in the clearest of nights
then I just tried to be one of the brightest
among those myriad spheres of light.

Will you remember to look up and find me?
Will you remember me at all?

Don’t walk away from me in fear…

If all the best moments of your life
were like all the stars in the clearest of nights
then I just tried to be one of the brightest
among those myriad spheres of light.

If all the best moments of your life
were like all the stars in the clearest of nights
then I just wanted you to give me a chance
to make a place for me in that sky.

Will you remember to look up and find me?
Will you remember me at all?
Track Name: Within Me (Ft. Vic Fuentes)
Within Me

It’s hard to go on when you’re stuck where you don’t belong.
As much as you try to fit in, you find yourself wearing thin.
I stand all alone and I say out to the cold night air,
I hope there’s an open or reserved place waiting for me elsewhere.

Time never moves quick enough when you need it to.
Instead it laughs in your face as it rolls on at a snail’s pace.
So I close my eyes and put my head down to make time feel sorry for me.
But I know too well, it has no sympathy.

And I think to myself what the hell am I doing here?
I should be out having a blast and making it last, but I’m not.
I guess I could blame myself, but that wouldn’t be fair.
It’s not my fault that there’s nothing to do, no one to see,
nothing for me.

I'm tired and worn.
It's like a dull pain moving through my core
keeping my will on the floor.

I need some motivation, some inspiration,
to get me out of this depressing situation,
but this place sucked out that positive feeling
and left me with this emptiness that resides within me.

And I think to myself what the hell am I doing here?
I should be out having a blast and making it last, but I’m not.
I guess I could blame myself, but that wouldn’t be fair.
It’s not my fault that there’s nothing to do, no one to see,
nothing for me.

I've got to believe
it’s just a matter of time before I can see
what’s waiting out there for me.

I need some motivation, some inspiration,
to get me out of this depressing situation,
but this place sucked out that positive feeling
and left me with this emptiness that resides within me.

I need some motivation, some inspiration... (within me).
And though this place sucked out that positive feeling,
I know my time will arrive and until then I will be waiting patiently.
Track Name: The Things You Take
The Things You Take

Taking you where you’ll depart,
I can’t let you go.
Look at what you’ve done to me,
you’ve run deep into my soul.
And I know that there’s no sure guarantee,
this won’t be easy, no.

Then you walk away, I wish you could stay.
I need you here by my side.
But I will take on these lonely nights,
I’ll be waiting for you.
What can I do?
You took my heart with you.

Seeing your face in pictures of you,
brings me your smile and helps me pull through.
Remember the time that we sailed away to Mexico?
And we felt so free, we could do anything.
All of those times that we’ve shared,
they never seem long enough to me, no.

Then you walk away, I wish you could stay.
I need you here by my side.
But I will take on these lonely nights,
I’ll be waiting for you.
What can I do?
You took my heart with you.

And I just can’t wait to see you again to hold you.
And I just can’t wait to see you again to kiss you.
Look what you do to me.

Counting the days until you will stay.
I need you here by my side.
But I will take on these lonely nights,
I’ll be waiting for you.
What can I do?
You took my heart with you.
Track Name: 90 Mile Light
90 Mile Light

How did we get to where we are today,
trying to force the pieces where they just don’t fit.
Well, I can’t continue going on this way.
I’m losing my mind over it.
How many times must I try before I can get it right?

I remember when the thought of you
used to illuminate the road I drove when I would go see you
and the mountaintops that towered around
showed where I felt above the ground to take you like I had,
but that 90 mile light is gone and it’s not coming back.
It’s not coming back, no.

I know you’ll think that I’m just giving up.
And that this is just another battle we must win.
But I can’t continue fighting every day.
I’m losing my mind over it.
How can you be beside me and still feel so out of reach?

I remember when the thought of you
used to illuminate the road I drove when I would go see you
and the mountaintops that towered around
showed where I felt above the ground to take you like I had,
but that 90 mile light is gone and it’s not coming back.
It’s not coming back.

Reaching this point brings such hurt,
but not all things that fade lose their worth, no.

I remember when the thought of you
used to illuminate the road I drove when I would go see you
and the mountaintops that towered around
showed where I felt above the ground to take you like I had,
but that 90 mile light is gone and it’s not coming back.

I gave you all that I had, but that 90 mile light is gone
and it’s not coming back.
Track Name: If You Change Your Mind
If You Change Your Mind

If only I could somehow change your mind
so you’ll no longer fear and want to hide,
buried deep within the walls you built throughout your life
that keep you holding all the pain inside.
But the only one who can decide is you.

Divided by culture and divided by where we stand,
but joined by flesh and blood just like the rest who walk this earth.
I’m sorry being myself made you hurt,
but there’s no point in running from the truth.

There will come a day when everything will fade
and the last thing left to take away will be the memories that you made,
and you’ll look for the times we never shared,
but if you change your mind just know you’ll find I will be there.

See, I believe there’s no honor in filling you with lies.
You might just understand if you would try,
‘cause there’s no point in running from the truth.
No, there’s no point in running from the truth.

There will come a day when everything will fade
and the last thing left to take away will be the memories that you made,
and you’ll look for the times we never shared,
but if you change your mind just know you’ll find I will be there.

You might be surprised with the courage you might find inside of you.
And you might be surprised with the peace that you might find
if you change your mind.

There will come a day when everything will fade
and the last thing left to take away will be the memories that you made,
and you’ll look for the times we never shared,
wondering what became of all those years.
It’s not too late to drop that cross you bear,
‘cause if you change your mind just know you’ll find I will be there.
Track Name: Sleeping
Sleeping

I turn to my side as I open up my eyes,
hoping I’ll see your silhouette in front of me.
Were you here at all?
Will I hear footsteps down the hall?
But no one’s there.
And I know I should get up
‘cause I’ve laid here long enough to think.

Was it just a dream that you were right here
sleeping next to me, in our bed at home,
the sheets feel so warm, but then I wake up alone.

I reach for the telephone
as the only means to feel you breathing close to me.
We can talk all day and forget you’ve gone away every day.
But how long is enough
before I feel your touch again?

Was it just a dream that you were right here
sleeping next to me, in our bed at home,
the sheets feel so warm, but then I wake up alone.
I wake up alone.

I don’t want to spend another day
wandering the empty space where you once stood.
I just want to hold you here at night
and live our lives the way we said we would.

Was it just a dream that you were right here
sleeping next to me, in our bed at home,
the sheets feel so warm, but then I wake up alone.
I can’t take waiting, I need you right here
sleeping next to me.

But now those days are gone, today you’re here to stay.
Tonight when I go to sleep, you’ll be here with me.
Track Name: This Island
This Island

This island, so desolate and gray. Its sky forms
pompous clouds that never care to open and the only
sounds invading ears are defined by the mechanical
rise and recession of moon-inflicted ocean waves.
Watch the water saturate the sand and quickly fade away,
much like the encasement of a spirit that has chosen to decay.

Two ships lay docked displaying their grandeur. I’m
captured by their appearances, yet tied down by indecision.
One holds my place for I cannot board both. I have
witnessed the meaningful hopes of one and the other’s
promises of treasure and gold. Still I remain bound
to this island, weak from its simple inebriating hold.

Retreat to my cave, a settlement embraced by those
before me. Markings remain affirming past residence.
The echoes they once made seem preserved within these
walls, whispering notions of guidance providing comfort
for bonds broken apart. Oh voices of reason,
renew this man, renew this dying heart!

I can hear the captains calling out now, they’re lifting
up the anchors. Accelerating pulse, no thoughts
left to think and no time left to try. Eyes pinpoint
target, legs start to react. I’m abandoning this island
of fear and doubt. A decision has been made, no need
to debate. The night approaches and my ship awaits.
Track Name: Las Cosas Que Te Llevas (The Things You Take, Spanish version)
Las cosas que te llevas (The Things You Take, Spanish Version)

Hoy me despido de ti.
Ya te vas de aquí.
Ahora sigue el dolor
que viene con el amor,
y yo sé que este tiempo sin ti
no va a ser fácil, no.

Yo voy a lograr hacerte quedar.
Te quiero aquí junto a mí.
Y yo pasaré estas noches sin ti,
Yo te esperaré.
¿Qué puedo hacer?
Te fuiste con mi corazón.

Sonrisas tuyas llegan a mí
viendo fotos que tengo de ti.
¿Recuerdas el viaje que hicimos a México?
Y nos sentimos libres allá por fin.
Todo ese tiempo vivido
no es suficiente para mí, no.

Yo voy a lograr hacerte quedar.
Te quiero aquí junto a mí.
Y yo pasaré estas noches sin ti,
Yo te esperaré.
¿Qué puedo hacer?
Te fuiste con mi corazón.

Y no pienso más que en volverte a ver y abrazarte.
Y no pienso más que en volverte a ver y besarte.

¿Qué has hecho de mí?

Ahora a contar los días pasar.
Te quiero aquí junto a mí.
Y yo pasaré estas noches sin ti,
Yo te esperaré.
¿Qué puedo hacer?
Te fuiste con mi corazón.