Sportsman of the Year - A Suburban Philosophy

Sportsman of the Year - A Suburban Philosophy

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Sportsman of the Year - A Suburban Philosophy episodes

  • Sportsman of the Year

    These are your power years. Go on and take them.

    "Life is a series of victories and disenchantments. Once you embrace the disappointments your triumph will be greater."  - Jan Hellriegel 2019.

    SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

    It's a little bit like winning the Sportsman of the Year.

    You're only 12 you've got big feet and you're a girl.

    Or you've amassed a great idea and some old dude tells you off

    And calls you a big-headed fool.

    I may no longer be pretty or unusually thin

    But what I do have

    I never give in.

    It's not that the road you take is long and hard

    Or along the way you get dealt some hard cards.

    You shuffle them around till the purpose and the pain

    Form a wave so high you can surf any terrain.

    And you get getting on.

    And one funny day you realise the reason

    It takes so long to get served at the bar

    Is because you're no longer young or fair.

    And birthdays signify a new sexless age

    Where you redefine how you learn to behave

    As everyone looks through you now.

    I may no longer be pretty or unusually thin.

    But what I do have

    I never give in.

    It's not that the road you take is long and hard

    Or along the way you get dealt some hard cards.

    You shuffle them around till the purpose and the pain

    Form a wave so high you can surf any terrain

    And you get getting on.

    The princess years don't last for ever and

    Your time in the sun only lasts so long.

    So use it get your act together then

    Keep on...

    You can keep on getting stronger.

    You've got that light, let it shine girl.

    These are your power years

    Go on and take them.

    There's nothing to fear

    Just go on embrace them they're yours.

    These are your power years

    Come on and move with them girl.

    Take it all, take it in

    And just assume that they're yours.

    These are your power years

    Come on just shake the tree at them.

    In the night, in the morning

    In everything that you do.

    These are your power years.

    These are your power years.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    10 min
  • Winner

    Never ever, no matter what, take your eye off the prize until you have won it.

    "I've failed so many times now I've remembered how to win." - Jan Hellriegel 2019.

    WINNER

    The bells are chiming from the corner dairy store

    Ringing loud and their message is clear

    If you give up now then how you going to know

    If tomorrow is one day nearer

    If you just hold on a little longer

    Gut and grit will get you through

    How great does this feel

    How great does this feel

    To be standing here today

    How great does this feel

    How great does this feel

    To be standing here today

    Winner, winner, winner, I'm a winner, winner, winner

    I'm a winner, winner, winner, it's true

    Winner, winner, winner, I'm a winner, winner, winner

    I'm a winner, winner, winner, are you?

    And the days are calling a night time of fear as the blisters are starting to heal

    And you've fallen down and when you've had to get up

    On the way you've learned how to kneel

    If you just hold on a little longer

    Gut and grit will get you through

    How great does this feel

    How great does this feel

    To be standing here today

    How great does this feel

    How great does this feel

    To be standing here today

    And all the fussers and the fighters and the liars and the cheaters and the laggards and the braggarts and the energy depleters, on the whole they disappear

    And all the hard clap early-morning soul-destroying loser talk with blisters, sore back sore brain your gunna balk on yeah it disappears

    And all those old folks who told you to get a real job oh yeah they disappear

    And all those early ripe early rot privileged kids oh man they disappear

    So if you hold on a little longer

    Gut and grit will see you through

    Hold hold hold

    How great does this feel

    How great does this feel

    To be standing here today

    How great does this feel

    How great does this feel

    To be standing here today

    Winner, winner, winner, I'm a winner, winner, winner

    I'm a winner, winner, winner, it's true

    Winner, winner, winner, I'm a winner, winner, winner

    I'm a winner, winner, winner, are you?

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min
  • Home Not Home

    Music brings us into the world, travels with us on our journey and then bids us farewell.

    "Songs are like pictures encased in a melodic motif so when we can't talk, or we speak another language, we can still connect through music." - Jan Hellriegel 2019.

    HOME NOT HOME (MOTHER AND DAUGHTER)

    So I went home to your home

    But no one was home.

    It was no home

    I called out your name.

    No replies came.

    It was no home.

    I cleaned all the walls at your home

    I emptied out the cupboards and

    Put the stuff in my car.

    And I took it with me but can't you see

    It don't belong .

    And in the quiet I recall

    Only beauty that you could grow at home.

    And the longing gaze as you wrangled me

    Tempestuous and wild and not liking frilly things

    And I am sorry I never told you in time.

    How did I not notice?

    How did I not see?

    That a daughter of yours

    Was always going to end up

    Running wild, untameable, contrary

    But running free.

    So I went home to your home.

    It's the last time I know I'll probably be there.

    But I'll take you with me

    And I still got that key

    To your home.

    And in the quiet I recall

    How you went into bat for me.

    When you went down to the school and said

    "There will be no home economics for she"

    Because in your eyes I could have been a butcher or a baker

    A doctor or a lawyer or anything I wanted to be.

    You said "You've got this girl and after all

    You're more beautiful and intelligent than me"

    How did I not notice?

    How did I not see?

    That a daughter of yours was always going to end up

    Singing her owns tunes and thanks to you

    Always be running free.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    15 min
  • So Happy

    If you could do anything, what would you do?

    "Of all the hurdles you will face in your life, the hardest will be your self-imposed limitations." - Jan Hellriegel 2019

    SO HAPPY

    Some things are indescribable

    Until you know just what you want to say

    So just relax and remember

    Everything is going right today

    Everything is so good

    Everything is going right

    I never knew that I

    Could feel this way

    Oh so happy

    Things are finally on my side

    Feeling good

    Oh so happy

    It's true, life can get so hard

    You can feel like giving it all away

    So just relax and remember

    Everything is conspiring to go your way

    Everything is so good

    Everything is going right

    I never knew that I

    Could feel this way

    Oh so happy

    Things are finally on my side

    Feeling good

    Oh so happy

    Everything is so good

    Everything is going right I never knew that I

    Could feel this way

    Oh so happy

    Things are finally on my side

    Feeling good

    And so happy

    Words and Music: W.R. Bell and J Hellriegel

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min
  • Mother and Son

    Take one step at a time. Just put one foot in front of the other.

    "There is no denying life can sometimes be very prickly or it can be the sweet sniff of a rose." - Jan Hellriegel 2019.

    MOTHER AND SON

    How did I get caught like this?

    Tangled up so I can't run.

    How did I get caught in the cold though I am under the sun?

    Without the light of a smile of someone I love.

    How do I feel so alone?

    In a room full of people I know and they're having such fun.

    How can I raise the bar when it's so far above?

    What is the meaning of our nonsensical life?

    One step at a time my boy

    One foot in front of the other.

    The journey may take some time to unfold

    But you'll get there in the end.

    How did I fall so far down?

    Yesterday I was racing for the sky.

    How do I pick myself up and make it all right?

    How do I face it now?

    This wonderful fight.

    One step at a time my boy

    One foot in front of the other.

    The journey may take some time to unfold

    But you'll get there in the end.

    And all the things you will discover

    When you jump on a breeze

    It'll comfort and take you there.

    And know that you're loved

    But some things you must do on your own

    And I know in my heart

    You have all that you need.

    Oh ah.

    One step at a time my boy

    One foot in front of the other.

    The journey may take some time I know

    But you'll get there in the end.

    And all the things you will discover

    And all the mountains you will climb over time.

    From up there

    You'll see the world.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    16 min
  • High Maintenance Man

    Great loves have been the inspiration for a lot of great love songs. And a lot of rubbish, too.

    "So they don't love you anymore? Be grateful; they are standing aside so the right one can see you better." - Jan Hellriegel 2019.

    HIGH MAINTENANCE MAN

    Hot Dog

    Met him in the city, the neon lights weren't shining

    But tea and scones and cake were all around.

    You know I wasn't looking

    He wasn't looking

    For lovers

    But that is what we found.

    He came over

    We started talking

    He asked me questions

    Never did he talk about himself.

    I knew it had been a hard one

    He'd known it tough but

    The lights still flickered in his eyes.

    And I was hooked

    And I was stung

    And I was done

    High Maintenance Man.

    You're doing what you do to drive me crazy

    High Maintenance Man

    You demand every ounce, every part of my will

    High Maintenance Man.

    It's true

    Some things are sent to test us

    To show us new and bold ways

    To think about the things you've never done.

    No way

    Can you decline it

    The intervention

    Deep down you know it's what you're looking for.

    And I was hooked

    And I was stung

    And I was done

    High Maintenance Man.

    You're doing what you do to drive me crazy

    High Maintenance Man

    You demand every ounce, every part of my will

    High Maintenance Man.

    And the road is a time bomb

    Littered in debris.

    Caught in the cross fire

    Fake eyelashes mock me.

    And through all the accolades

    Blowouts and comedowns

    Here I stand with my head held high

    Poised and ready and reaching high

    High Maintenance Man .

    Hot Dog

    Met him in the city, the neon lights weren't shining

    But tea and scones and cake were all around.

    You know I wasn't looking.

    He wasn't looking

    For lovers

    But that is what we found.

    And I was hooked

    And I was stung

    And I was done

    And all the world

    It made more sense

    And everything

    The Art of War.…

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    13 min
  • Ode to the Promise of Youth

    When you are growing up, life sometimes seems totally random. But at other times it's all like a set of perfect coincidences.

    "If the darkest hour is right before the dawn then hold on and make a cup of tea while you are waiting to greet the new day.This episode is dedicated to those friends and family who have left us far too early." - Jan Hellriegel 2019.

    ODE TO THE PROMISE OF YOUTH

    There it goes the promise of youth

    Of handsome and might.

    There it goes faster than light.

    These are the stories we have told.

    These are the stories which go round and round till they get old.

    And I see you.

    You're in her eyes.

    She has your way about her.

    And shows such promise.

    And so it goes on

    Round and round.

    Till the stories get told and they make no sound.

    And the reasons why and the reasons because.

    And the reasons go round and round and round.

    Until they've gone.

    I remember the drive.

    We were young and we were so free.

    And we had things we had to do.

    Things seemingly so easy.

    And I see you

    You're in her eyes.

    She has your way about her

    And shows such promise.

    And so it goes on.

    Round and round.

    Till the stories get old and they make no sound.

    And the reasons why and the reasons because.

    And the reasons go round and round and round

    Until they've gone.

    Last thing I said was

    "Have a great day you,

    We just live down the road now,

    It was so good to bump in to you"

    And the stories get old.

    They go round and round.

    And the stories get told 'til they make no sound.

    And the reasons why and the reasons because.

    And the reasons go round and round and round

    Until they've gone.

    They go round and round and round and round until they've gone.

    Goodbye you x

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    10 min
  • Neptune and Me

    How hard is it for a woman to have a career in music?

    "No matter how uneven the playing field, I resolve to work with what I have on hand today. Because the alternative is to quit and, quite frankly, that is not going to happen." - Jan Hellriegel 2019.

    NEPTUNE AND ME

    Wash right through me dark blue currents.

    I belong to the rolling waters.

    I belong to the bubbling seas.

    And you.

    These things are becoming real.

    The lighthouse keeper has broken the seals.

    Light's shining through.

    Who cares at all about the troubles I've seen?

    They've got enough of their own.

    Who cares at all about the lessons I learned?

    They've got enough of their own.

    Dark blue ocean

    Stormy greys.

    Swimming in the sea is better that way'

    Being tossed in the waves till your hair begins to fray

    With Neptune.

    Who cares at all about the troubles I've seen?

    They've got enough of their own.

    Who cares at all about the lessons I learned?

    They've got enough of their own.

    Who cares at all about how cruel he can be?

    Who cares at all about the troubles I've seen?

    Wash right through me dark blue currents.

    I belong to the rolling waters.

    I belong to the bubbling seas.

    And you.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    17 min
  • For the Love Of Glory

    They say you should never meet your heroes. But that isn't always true.

    "I realise that things are pretty good right now and although I know there will always be trials and tribulations which accompany life, today I just say 'phew!'" - Jan Hellriegel, 2019.

    FOR THE LOVE OF GLORY

    I have trekked across the Tundra

    And wrestled in Japan.

    Sailed around The Horn

    And raced the Isle of Man.

    And it's all following you.

    Crossing desert plains on barefoot

    I discovered Noah's Ark.

    I worked 10,000 hours, left my family cold and dark.

    And it's all following you.

    Oh for the love of Glory, she is such an elusive Queen.

    Oh for the love of Glory, she will lick the damage clean.

    I have acted out in stadiums

    And made them beg for more.

    Humiliated lovers

    Smeared their hearts across the floor.

    And it's all following you.

    I have desecrated temples

    And I've told a thousand lies.

    I've sacked and burned and pillaged

    And I've left good men to die.

    And it's all following you.

    Oh for the love of Glory, she is such an elusive Queen.

    Oh for the love of Glory, she will lick the damage clean.

    I have lied and stolen, cheated

    Made them get down on their knees.

    Eliminated rivals, left them twisting in a tree.

    All for the love of you.

    Oh for the Love of Glory, she is such an elusive Queen.

    Oh for the love of Glory, she will lick the damage clean.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    17 min
  • Ice IV

    They say knockbacks, rejections and mistakes just make us stronger. The worst gig in the world tested this philosophy.

    "If everything was super easy and I didn't have to face the odd bump in the road or difficult time, then I guess my resilience muscles wouldn't be in such good shape." - Jan Hellriegel 2019.

    ON ICE III

    Gentle sparkle so serene.

    This is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

    And a good friend took me there.

    All I could do was stop and stare into this place,

    This space.

    Oh I, I'm on ice can't move anywhere.

    And it's so cold here on ice.

    The rune said you can not move.

    You're weighted down by forces, which are hidden from view.

    Take comfort that the time will come.

    When you will thrash your arms in legs in all directions

    And all will be forgiven.

    Oh I, I'm ice can't move anywhere

    And it's so cold here on ice.

    On ice the ghosts go stalking.

    They start to rearranging your mind.

    They get your mind

    And I've seen it and the sound that it makes.

    Could turn the warmest blood into the coldest of crystal

    If you would let it.

    The hue of the place is such

    That it could break your heart in two if you would let it.

    But will you?

    Will you?

    Go down to the lakeside and search out the meaning.

    Salvage what left you and start disbelieving.

    Will you, oh will you go down

    With me?

    Oh I, I'm on ice, can't move anywhere.

    It's so cold here on ice.

    On ice.

    Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    15 min

About Sportsman of the Year - A Suburban Philosophy

From the publisher's feed

A celebration of life, its foibles, & its perfect imperfection. It's singer-songwriter Jan Hellriegel's life journey; a story (& songs) not about the destination, but about grit and never…

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