Sandusky, Ohio

An album by Dave Paulson inspired by the 1995 comedy film “Tommy Boy,” starring Chris Farley and David Spade.

And it’s no joke.

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Sandusky, Ohio

Sandusky, Ohio

An album by Dave Paulson

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  • 1. Sandusky
  • 2. Golden Child
  • 3. My Old Man
  • 4. Don't Let It Get You Down
  • 5. Interlude
  • 6. Sunrise
  • 7. Turning Around
  • 8. Here It Comes
  • 9. Feels Like Home

All songs written by Dave Paulson (The Privates, NORM). Co-produced and engineered by Jordan Lehning (Andrew Combs, Joshua Hedley) at his East Nashville studio, The Duck.

Drums, percussion and cover art: Sam Smith
String arrangement, cello and violin: Larissa Maestro
Violin and viola: Avery Bright

Mixed by Jordan Lehning
Mastered by John Baldwin

Special thanks to Michael Eades at YK Records
Love to all of my Pledgemusic backers

Extra special thanks to the elite Pledgemusic Junior Producers: John Huff, Carrie Thomas, E.G. Cameron, Matt Bell, Ashley Spurgeon, Dylan Allen, Alan Pendergrass, Alexis Paulson, Amy Kurland, Balz Biellmann, Scott Bartley, Mark Wukas, George Van Geem, Denis Deck, Rafael Cevallos, Remo Williams, Ken Paulson, Jonathan Rogers, Andrew Mischke and Josh Watson

"Sandusky"

Tommy returns from college to his hometown, ready to prove he’s not a screw-up as he takes a prominent role at his father’s company

Gentlemen, raise your glass to long nights I can't recall
I finally cleared a path with good friends to break my fall
They thought I was good for nothing
Said “Hurry up, or you’ll be late for school again”
But I’ll have a brand new start
I'm gonna play my part in sweet Sandusky
I’ve never had a plan, but found ways the rules could bend
but I’ve been an honest man, with a good heart, an ear to lend
That’s gotta count for something
I’ve got a feeling something great will come along
There’s no other way to be, and I know
The old man has saved me a seat
in Sandusky

I’m gonna amount to something
If only my mom could see me now, well I guess she can (I know she can)
And we’ll have a brand new start in sweet Sandusky
View Lyrics

"Golden Child"

Tommy’s old schoolmate, Richard, who also works at the company, resents the obvious nepotism at play in Tommy’s hiring, as well as Tommy’s effortless rapport with other employees. In the second half, Tommy explains how his mother’s death set him adrift in his teenage years and into college

For three years now, while you’ve been tapping kegs
I’ve been working towards an early grave
Still seems like no one knows my name
But everybody loves you
Change the mood when you come through the factory
But you won’t see me smile
Golden child

I’ve seen you slacking off since second grade
Cause your daddy paid your way
Pulled out my hair to keep my GPA
Doesn’t everyone?
Oh right, not you

Life’s a cinch, just spare an inch for Tommy
and he’ll take a mile
Golden Child

We’d be better off without you
The world’s just one big cow tip in Sandusky
You’re not seeing that your old man’s getting rusty
And I’ve got your file
Golden child

My mother passed when I was 17
And Dad stayed busy at the factory
I couldn’t focus, couldn’t fall asleep
The teachers saw this and they let it slide
Til I ran out of good places to hide
I tried to tune out and enjoy the ride
But now I’m home, and all the race is run
I cried to hear my Dad has found someone
I’ll gain a brother and he’ll gain a son
And we’re back
We’ll all find someone new
And I’ll be happy too, I will
We’re gonna be a family
View Lyrics

"My Old Man"

Tommy’s father suddenly dies during his own wedding reception, and Tommy has to reconsider his future at the company now without his father at his side. He decides to do his best to fill his dad’s shoes.

The storm rolled away on my old man’s wedding day
He smiled and straightened my tie
It was the last day of his life
As the band began to play, I was floating away
But with his heart’s final pound
Felt my two feet on the ground
Now I’m lost again
Sandusky called to me to come back home
Can’t shake the only fate I’ve ever know
Joy and pride working side by side
Now I’m the only one
Now I need to be alone
On the sand, skipping stones
Simple things set me free
On the shores of Lake Erie
And the storm’s kept at bay
So it’s anchors aweigh
I would take to the seas
If I only had a breeze
I could sail away
Sandusky, I don’t want to be alone
Can’t shake the only fate I’ve ever known
If this town needs to turn around
Guess I’m the only one
View Lyrics

"Don't Let It Get You Down"

Tommy and Richard hit the road to try to sell enough brake pads to save the company, and have to stay optimistic through numerous rejections

You and me
Driving away from Sandusky
We’ll trace the dotted line
Crossing our hearts and hope you’ll sign
But one by one our friends leave us behind

Don't let it get you down
We've got another town
I know this'll turn around

Me and you
Look at the mess we got into
We’re dead last in this race
I can’t find the words to state my case
And then they slam the door right in your face

Don't let it get you down
We've got another town
I don’t want to turn around

I know I’m my father’s son
And he just had a way with everyone

I won’t let it get me down
There’s always another town
I know this’ll turn around
Watch Video View Lyrics

"Interlude"

An instrumental designed to score the long, mind-numbing drives Richard and Tommy take through the midwest

An instrumental.
View Lyrics

"Sunrise"

Tommy and Richard are at their wits’ end and come to blows. After their fight, they decide to keep driving

Turn off the car, and take a swing
You leave a mark, I feel the sting
Friends never meant that much to me
I’m driving long enough to see the sunrise

These towns begin to look the same
I start to wonder why we came
Can’t let it get the best of me
The night’s darkest just before you see the sunrise
View Lyrics

"Turning Around"

Tommy has a breakthrough. He finds his own bizarre way to connect with clients, and Tommy and Richard become more confident as they start making sales. They also start to suspect Tommy’s new mother-in-law and brother-in-law are planning to oust Tommy and sell the company

Something you said just set off a chain
Like one ray of sun that breaks through the rain
We might burn up, or we could melt down
But I’ve gotta think it’s turning around

You found a way just like your old man
playing the fool right into your hand
You’ve got a gift, as strange as it sounds
Could things really be turning around

Signals get crossed, and lost on the way
I can’t shake the feeling that we’ve been betrayed
But I’ve got a plan to get off the ground
And then when we land, we’ll turn this around
View Lyrics

"Here It Comes"

Tommy and Richard make one last desperate attempt to save the company and — SPOILER ALERT — they succeed! They also bust Tommy’s in-laws.

Look alive, time to take a dive into the sea
All we got is a final shot it’s up to me
Here it comes, here it comes
There it goes
Where it stops, where it stops
No one knows

There’s a town, it’s been circling round and round the drain
It’s up to you, all you gotta do is sign your name
Here it comes, here it comes
There it goes
Where it stops, where it stops
No one knows

You’ve been on the screen
Selling us a dream
But back behind the scenes
You tear us down
Now it’s on the line
Where the spotlight shines
And there’s nowhere to run
Now the deal is done

Pardon me, King, there’s just one last thing
We’re on to you,
Said and done, hope you had some fun
Cause now you’re through

Here they come, here they come
Time to go
Where it stops, if it stops
No one knows
View Lyrics

"Feels Like Home"

Tommy reflects on his journey, tells his dad he’s found love, and decides that there’s no better place in the world for him than Sandusky, Ohio.

One man’s factory is my family
It laid out the blueprint of the man I could be
With some wind in my sail
The pure hearts prevail
We took on the titans and lived to tell the tale

With friends like these, never be alone
And sweet Sandusky’s gonna feel like home

With her at my side
There’s nowhere to hide
I know you’ll be watching when I make her my bride

And with love, I know no matter where I roam
Sweet Sandusky’s gonna feel like home
View Lyrics
Dave Paulson

An album by Dave Paulson