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Zero Avenue

by A Northern Band

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about

I was inspired to write the lyrics of this song after driving along Zero Avenue - the road that runs along the Canada/US border between British Columbia and Washington State. The homeless situation is creeping out of control all around us. This song looks into the ill-fated life of one man down on Zero Avenue.

lyrics

Born on a street without a number
It starts up in the heartlands and ends here without you
On the city walls the graffiti scrawls
Read no escape from Zero Avenue

I walked my blues away for hours
Kicked up the dust and scuffed off all the shine left on my shoes
Between the cracks and empty caps
That define the view without you on the avenue
Zero Avenue
Down on Zero Avenue

And I say love is overrated
These days it seems a little priced beyond my means
Winter grips the heart of our hero
With colds as low as zero
Down on Zero Avenue
On Zero Avenue

No winds of change
Blow dreams of revolution
These streets are paved
With the stones of disillusion
I hope some day I'll find a way
To make my great escape
But no one's got the fare to ride

I'll play the accidental tourist
I’ll learn to love these ways and make this road my own
I’ll spend my days swinging off a suitcase
Guess I've walked that way since I was born

I'll stroll the sidewalks in the evening
With certain friends that crossed the border north from Veracruz
I'll send my warm regards from the boulevard
The street where only broken dreams come true
Zero Avenue
Down on Zero Avenue
Zero Avenue

Written by:
Al Hovden and John Roles
SOCAN

Contact Al Hovden
P: 604-737-1308
E: ahovden@gmail.com

credits

released January 21, 2005

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Al Hovden Vancouver, British Columbia

Written songs for Bruce Fairburn – producer of Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Yes and more; songs published by Bruce Allen (manager of Bryan Adams, Michael Buble and Diana Krall) and produced material for many other Canadian artists and publishers. Also wrote songs for two albums by Terry Jacks (famous for the #1 international hit Season’s In The Sun). This year placed a song in a US TV show TBA. ... more

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