2025 Competition Entry:
Where Settlers Go by Greg Lastrapes
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Genre
Pop
Artist
Website
Co-writer(s)
yes
Performer(s)
Nika Futterman – Vocals; Greg Lastrapes – Keyboards, BG Vocals; Jimmy Keegan – Drums; Ross Bolton – Guitar; Kevin Wyatt – Bass
Description
Two friends got together and wrote a banger.
Bio
Born in 1968, I’m a native Angeleno and former showbiz kid. I first sang on stage at the age of seven, and by the time I was twelve, I had earned my SAG and AFTRA union cards. In the early 1980s, I appeared in the popular live kids’ cabaret Let’s Put On a Show, which ran for nearly three years at the legendary Roxy on Sunset.
In my early twenties—while hustling as a recording studio runner and engineer—I squeezed in studio time whenever possible to record my band and dove headfirst into the Hollywood music scene. In the 1990s, I became a published songwriter and ASCAP memeber, with co-writes on albums by Shivaree (Capitol) & Karissa Noel (Sony/Epic).
For the last couple of decades, I’ve worked as a first-call session singer for advertising, lending my voice to international jingles for brands like Apple, Visa, IKEA, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Mattel, and Fiat, as well as film and TV productions such as La La Land, Mad Men, The Simpsons, and many more.
I also have a background in filmmaking and design and have directed music videos for Ambrosia Parsley and Holly Miranda. In 2023, I had the honor of directing the music video for my daughter Scarlet’s debut single, Shady Little Lady, as well as co-producing the track with her.
In my early twenties—while hustling as a recording studio runner and engineer—I squeezed in studio time whenever possible to record my band and dove headfirst into the Hollywood music scene. In the 1990s, I became a published songwriter and ASCAP memeber, with co-writes on albums by Shivaree (Capitol) & Karissa Noel (Sony/Epic).
For the last couple of decades, I’ve worked as a first-call session singer for advertising, lending my voice to international jingles for brands like Apple, Visa, IKEA, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Mattel, and Fiat, as well as film and TV productions such as La La Land, Mad Men, The Simpsons, and many more.
I also have a background in filmmaking and design and have directed music videos for Ambrosia Parsley and Holly Miranda. In 2023, I had the honor of directing the music video for my daughter Scarlet’s debut single, Shady Little Lady, as well as co-producing the track with her.
Lyrics
Why can’t I get what I want when I want it?
What makes it wrong if I go out and get it?
I’m so sick of all of the letdowns.
I know for sure that I can’t keep my head down.
My mind is racing,
Can’t keep on waiting,
I want it all,
No hesitating.
Cuz…
I’m fed up with all the pushing and pulling.
All fed up that everyone’s settling.
I can’t settle now,
No I never will.
I won’t go where settlers go.
Why can’t I go where I want when I need to?
Isn’t my mind the tool for my freedom?
I’m so sad about their stale state of conscience.
Don’t try to tell me that dreaming is nonsense.
My mind is racing,
Can’t keep on waiting,
I want it all,
No hesitating.
Cuz…
I’m fed up with all the pushing and pulling.
All fed up that everyone’s settling.
I can’t settle now,
No I never will.
I won’t go where settlers go.
I don’t need happiness all of the time.
Feeling half bad is feeling just fine.
I can get off on moments of aching.
All these emotions are mine for the taking.
My mind is racing,
Can’t keep on waiting,
I want it all,
No hesitating.
Cuz…
I’m fed up with all the pushing and pulling.
All fed up that everyone’s settling.
I can’t settle now,
No I never will.
I won’t go where settlers go.
What makes it wrong if I go out and get it?
I’m so sick of all of the letdowns.
I know for sure that I can’t keep my head down.
My mind is racing,
Can’t keep on waiting,
I want it all,
No hesitating.
Cuz…
I’m fed up with all the pushing and pulling.
All fed up that everyone’s settling.
I can’t settle now,
No I never will.
I won’t go where settlers go.
Why can’t I go where I want when I need to?
Isn’t my mind the tool for my freedom?
I’m so sad about their stale state of conscience.
Don’t try to tell me that dreaming is nonsense.
My mind is racing,
Can’t keep on waiting,
I want it all,
No hesitating.
Cuz…
I’m fed up with all the pushing and pulling.
All fed up that everyone’s settling.
I can’t settle now,
No I never will.
I won’t go where settlers go.
I don’t need happiness all of the time.
Feeling half bad is feeling just fine.
I can get off on moments of aching.
All these emotions are mine for the taking.
My mind is racing,
Can’t keep on waiting,
I want it all,
No hesitating.
Cuz…
I’m fed up with all the pushing and pulling.
All fed up that everyone’s settling.
I can’t settle now,
No I never will.
I won’t go where settlers go.
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