DESCRIPTION:
Available on iTunes and Apple Music: http://bit.ly/futonsong
A Billy Barone Production

Video directed by Jason Lester
The track was produced and mixed by Matthew Billy

"Hey, Can I Sleep on Your Futon?" is former Bongos frontman Richard Barone's contribution to the all-star Occupy This Album compilation, created to benefit the Occupy Wall Street movement and featuring songs from 99 diverse artists. All proceeds from the album will go to the movement, a cause that can now be found in 951 cities and 83 countries.

Barone's track, written with his frequent collaborator Matthew Billy, is a melodic but persuasive call to arms detailing the struggles of four characters hurt by the recession; a soldier, a musician, a recent graduate, and a finance industry worker. Inspired by the song "Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?" from the Great Depression era, the lyrics of "Futon" speak to how this country's implicit promise of being rewarded for hard work has been broken. Of the OWS movement itself, Barone says, "This is an unprecedented raising of voices. I am thrilled to add mine to the many."

The music video for the song was directed by New York/Los Angeles filmmaker Jason Lester, an ardent supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

It was filmed at the Gibson Guitars Showroom NYC, Zuccotti Park, and on location at other OWS gatherings in New York City.

©℗ 2012 RBM Special Editions/Billy Barone Productions
 
Producer: Matthew Billy
Engineer: Ric Schnupp at Soundtrack, New York 
Assistant engineers: Kyle Miller & Roni Pillischer 
 
Vocals, guitars, bass: Richard Barone 
Additional guitar: Matthew Billy 
Drums: Donna Kelly 
Percussion, bongos: Candy John Carr 
Drum Circle Chanters: Jane Cole, Candy John Carr, Alex Emanuel, Roni Pillischer, Matthew Billy

Video Directed and Edited by Jason Lester
Cinematography: Jake Saner
Production Designer/Art Director: Emi Bell

Grips: Andrew Baik, Trevor Silverstein

Assistant Art Director: Aaron Kurlander

Starring:
Gary Avnilov - "The Soldier"
Linda Freund - "The Musician"
Nicken Kotak - "The Student"
Doug Rossi - "The Financial Worker"
 
Special thanks to Gibson Guitars, Jason Samel, and all at Soundtrack Studios, New York. 

Lyrics:

Two tours of Afghanistan and one in Iraq
I gave 'em six years and I got nothing back
Trying to make things better and to be a good dad
I found out the hard way

She left her home in the fall of '09
Grabbed a guitar and kissed her mom goodbye
If Lady Gaga can do it then why can't I?
She found out the hard way

We believed what they said
Now the dreams looking dead
And I can't pay my rent
Oh please

Hey can I ask you a favor
Let me buy you another PBR
And hey would you be a life saver
And save me from sleeping in my car
Can I sleep on your futon your futon
Sleep on your futon on your futon tonight

Six years of school and an advanced degree
And still no job is calling me
Just student loans and delinquent fees
I found out the hard way

I got a job at Lehman's in bonds and sales
Twelve hour days in a cubicle jail
They said it was too big to fail
Found out the hard way

We believed what they said
Now the dream's looking dead
And I can't pay my rent
Oh please

Hey can I ask you a favor
Let me buy you another PBR
And hey would you be a life saver
And save me from sleeping in my car
Can I sleep on your futon your futon
Sleep on your futon on your futon tonight

It's time to unite and fight as one
Join the circle and bang the drum
Gonna take back what they took away
The moment is here and it's here to stay
It's time to unite and fight as one
Join the circle and bang the drum
Gonna take back what they took away
The moment is here and it's here to stay

Hey can I ask you a favor
Let me buy you another PBR
And hey would you be a life saver
And save me from sleeping in my car

Hey can I ask you a favor
Let me buy you another PBR
And hey would you be a life saver
And save me from sleeping in my car
Can I sleep on your futon your futon
Sleep on your futon your futon
Sleep on your futon on your futon tonight
Can I sleep on your futon your futon
Sleep on your futon your futon
Sleep on your futon on your futon tonight
Hey can I ask you a favor

Songwriters: Richard Alan Barone / Matthew Constantine Billy
© Richard Barone Music (BMI) / Dead Air Holding Company (BMI). All Rights Reserved.

℗ 2012 RBM Special Editions/Billy Barone Productions. All Rights Reserved.

Links:
Richard Barone: http://richardbarone.com
Jason Lester: https://vimeo.com/jasonlester
Click here to follow Richard on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RichardBarone

Interview video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geeXy2EE6MY