All songs and videos on this site © Jonathan Ochshorn
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I wrote One Life (Is All You Get) in 2003 and recorded it with GarageBand software in 2008. The video was made in July 2010, using some Flip video footage that I shot of the 2009 Phillies-Yankees World Series (I was hoping for something to reinforce the third verse lyrics — catcher wants a breaking ball, etc. — and happened to capture C.C. Sabathia eschewing the curve ball only to surrender a home run to Chase Utley in Game 1). Legendary baseball announcer Tim McCarver unwittingly supplies a perfect counterpoint to the song's theme.
One Life (Is All You Get)
Words and music © 2003 J. Ochshorn
1. Driving down that dusty road pulling such a heavy load
With no directions to tell me where I'm gonna go
Looking down that road ahead should I take that turn instead
Don't ask me brother truth is I just don't know
2. Working at this job so long don't know if it's right or wrong
No use thinking 'bout what might have been
Just like my daddy said to me: "If you finish up that damn degree"
Well there's no telling whether I will lose or win
[Chorus] As the world keeps on turning forever
Move on living with no regret
Boys and girls whether it's foolish or clever
One life is all you get
[Instrumental/Chorus]
3. Catcher wants a breaking ball pitcher's waving off the call
He throws a high heater with the series on the line
Batter scores the winning run pitcher wants that pitch undone
But nobody can turn back the hands of time
[Chorus x2]
Production notes:
Song was arranged, produced, and recorded on Garageband software by J. Ochshorn. All instruments and vocals by J. Ochshorn. Instruments include some software instruments (e.g., drums and bass) played live on a midi keyboard by J. Ochshorn.
Recorded at home in Ithaca, NY, January 2008. Re-mixed in 2018.
First posted 1 September 2014. Last updated: August 27, 2019