"Utopia" by Ken Sharp

33 years is a long time; that's the last time I saw one of my favorite bands, Utopia, in concert. Now a dream of mine has become reality and Todd Rundgren's Utopia are back and set to launch a U.S. tour in late April 2018.

Elated and thrilled at the news, this long suffering fan was inspired to write an anthemic flavored prog-pop song called "Utopia," my stylistic tip of the hat to the group and the fans/band collective ethos. I quickly roped in two extraordinary musicians and fellow Todd/Utopia freaks, Fernando Perdomo and Rob Bonfiglio, and we cut this new song of mine at Reseda Ranch Studios in tribute to our Utopian heroes, Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Willie Wilcox and Roger Powell.
 
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Lyrics:

"Utopia"
Written by Ken Sharp

Chorus: A mighty crack came down split the land and sea
Where the prog is good and the drugs are free, utopia
Silly Willie is back there towin’ the line
While the boys in the band play in 7/4 time, utopia, utopia, that’s where I’ll be

Verse 1: Transcending time, the faster we climb, planets aligned

Chorus 2: There’s a million radios tuned to the sound
‘Til the search for the lost chord is finally found, utopia, utopia
Where the dreams are real and the colors don’t fade
and the grass is green and the bills are paid, utopia, utopia, utopia
That’s where I’ll be

verse 2: and when I rise, a watcher of skies, some kind of sign

Bridge: Transmission hope, I feel it all around me, one satellite, orbiting above me
I’m floating now, see if you can touch me, touch…

Bridge 2: ‘Cause now I’m starstruck, starstruck, suspended in pure animation
wired up, a technicolor fantasy

Chorus 3: If you wanna be the best dressed nominee where Todd is God
and the drinks are on me, utopia
Where every boy and girl is a rock and roll star & every spaceship’s filled with electric guitars

 Produced by Fernando Perdomo and Ken Sharp
Recorded at Reseda Ranch Studios, Reseda, CA

Ken Sharp: Lead and background vocals, piano, synthesizer, electric guitar, lead guitar, bell tree, sleigh bells
Fernando Perdomo: Drums, bass, guitar solos, electric guitar, tambourine, sleigh bells
Rob Bonfiglio: Background vocals
 
Ken Sharp is a New York Times Best Selling writer who has authored or co-authored over eighteen music books, contributes to a variety of national music magazines, works on music documentaries and has done liner notes for releases by Elvis Presley, Sly & the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Small Faces, Santana, Cheap Trick, Raspberries, Eric Carmen, KISS, Hall & Oates, Rick Springfield, The Babys, John Waite, The Guess Who, Jellyfish, Jefferson Airplane and others. Contact Ken Sharp

His books include: Starting Over: The Making of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s Double Fantasy, Elvis: Vegas ‘69, Nothin’ to Lose: the Making of KISS (1972-1975), Elvis Presley: Writing for the King, Sound Explosion: Inside LA’s Studio Factory with the Wrecking Crew, Overnight Sensation: The Story of the Raspberries, Raspberries: TONIGHT!, Eric Carmen: Marathon Man, Reputation is a Fragile Thing: The Story of Cheap Trick, Play On!: Power Pop Heroes, Kooks, Queen Bitches and Andy Warhol: The Making of David Bowie’s Hunky Dory, KISS: Behind the Mask, Meet the Beatles…Again!, Small Faces: Quite Naturally, Rick Springfield: A Year in the Life of a Working Class Dog, Power Pop, The KISS Years!, and KISS Army Worldwide!: The Ultimate KISS Fanzine Phenomenon.