1. |
SHOWTIME
03:13
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So long ago since I put on a show and had to wear something this bright. I stare at the page at a quite different age, something just doesn’t feel right. I’m stood on the floor not too far from the door, in case I don’t remember my lines. I know what to say in my own funny way. Don’t know what I’m doing sometimes. It’s showtime again, so turn on the lights. All jazz hands and sympathy lit up tonight. Shuffle around just a little too slow. It’s not like it used to be, it’s all part of the show. It’s been a long long time since I made up a rhyme and had to make everything fit. I was never outrun. The ride was all fun, but I’m telling you this isn’t it. So let ‘em take in the show, dont let anyone know you were never really right for the part. Suckered and caught. Frozen under the spot. Take another one to the heart. It’s showtime again, so turn on the lights. All jazz hands and sympathy lit up tonight. Shuffle around just a little too slow. It’s not like it used to be, it’s all part of the show. Read the old instructions, written in a different hand. Trying to get my head around the beating of the band. It’s showtime again, so turn on the lights. All jazz hands and sympathy lit up tonight. Shuffle around just a little too slow. It’s not like it used to be, it’s all part of the show.
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2. |
WHETHER THE WEATHER
04:04
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We live in this temperate climate. No soaring highs, no desperate lows. Taking life just as we find it, that’s just the way that it goes. Passing by just like a rain cloud that can’t quite decide when to rain. Keeping us stuck in the shade now one drop away from the pain. And I wonder whether the weather ever gets you down. I wonder whether the weather ever gets you down. Dancing out into the sunlight, fixed to a smile, no obvious cares. That’s when everything seems right, this side of sweet unaware. Hiding beyond the horizon, unfair winds always blow. Stranded in the eye of the outcome. Running with nowhere to go. And I wonder whether the weather ever gets you down. I wonder whether the weather ever gets you down. Hypnotised by the fall of the snow. Try not to look and try not to see. In the end there’s nothing to show under a blanket of easy deceives. We live in this temperate climate. No screaming highs, no definite lows. Taking life just as we find it. That’s how it goes I suppose. Rushing out into a rainstorm just to feel the rain on your face. Drenched by the feeling of living. Heading to a much drier place.
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3. |
PEANUTS & MONKEYS
03:37
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I am bound to come down with a thump, the second it finally sinks in that working for peanuts and monkeys was the natural order of things. I thought I was biding my time till all the doors swung open for me, but maybe this leading to nothing is how it was all meant to be. Doesn’t sound much like a plan. Doesn’t seem worth all the fuss. Don’t think I’ll get out of bed today, some other fool can have my seat on the bus. So this is it, here I go, watch me now, I’m walking. This is it, watch me now, here I go, here I go. This is it, here I go, watch me now, I’m running. This is it, watch me now, here I go, bye bye. I’m taking a stock and step back, a slightly dispassionate view. Hey maybe I’m misunderstanding. Maybe they do have a clue. I might be the one with the problem, don’t have the time left to guess, but it’s possible here where I’m standing is as good as it get more or less. Still doesn’t sound much like a plan. Not a whole lot left to show, if working for peanuts and monkeys is the only thing I’ll ever know. Yeh this is it, here I go, watch me now, I’m moving. This is it, watch me now, here I go, here I go. This is it, here I go, I’m slipping, I’m sliding. This is it, watch me now, here I go, so long. This is it, here I go, watch me now, I’m flying. This is it, watch me now, here I go, here I go. This is it, here I go, watch me fly right outta here. This is it, watch me now, here I go, here I go.
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4. |
BETTER PEOPLE
03:49
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Well I hope that we’re all happy when the dust clears, looking back, with twenty-twenty hindsight gained so far beyond the fact. Were the heroes that we sanctify not the same the day before? Do we just not care to notice till they’re beating down our door? We should stand up to be counted, admit we played a part. It’s taken all this time to feel the beating of a heart. You can hear it pounding faster as it overrules our head. The wind of a collective sigh has blown us from our beds. It’s certain as the world spins round we will take each others space. Stand inside each others shoes to find another saving grace. Why should it have to catch us out? Why did it have to take our breath away? Why are we better people now? Weren’t we better people anyway? We will be there for each other now, prepared to stand and fight. Where were you when I needed you in the darkness of last night? Did you know I was still your brother when you wouldn’t hear my cries? Did we ever give a second thought to every lonely soul who dies? It’s certain as the world spins round, we will fill each others space. See inside each other minds to find a way of saving face. Why should it have to catch us out? Why did it have to take our breath away? Why are we better people now? Weren’t we better people anyway? Weren’t we better people yesterday?
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5. |
TOO COLD FOR SNOW
04:33
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The frost crunches under my feet. Spider webs hang heavy like string. Revealing the things I never noticed before. Funny what winter can bring. As cold as you are to me now, I tread where the ice is still weak. But the bitter intent of your discontent freezes the air as you speak. I can’t say the right thing. I don’t know what is right. Ice can still burn and if summer returns, I won’t be used to the light. Hide under plenty of layers. Don’t let an inch of flesh show. Never felt unsure of my footing before. Far too cold this year for snow. As cold as you are to me now, I look for a sign of a thaw. Must have been something I said or I did. Must have been something you saw. I can’t say the right thing. I don’t know what is right. Ice can still burn and if summer returns, I won’t be used to the light. It’s not just your hands that are cold now. It’s spread to your head and your heart. I’m holding my breath. I know it can warm you, I just don’t know when to start. I can’t say the right thing. I don’t know what is right. Ice can still burn and if summer returns, I won’t be used to the light.
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6. |
IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU
03:36
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Take a look at me. Take a look at you. Take a look at people who would love to have your shoes. No one else can touch. No one else can feel. Take a look around and just remember what is real. You came out of nowhere knocking me down. My best intentions thrown to the ground. You came out of left field, you came out of right. Convinced it was me that started the fight. Take a look around. No one has it worse. No one else has suffered such a terrifying curse. No one else is hurting. No one needs to cry. Take a look around, but this time open up your eyes. You came out of nowhere knocking me down. My best intentions thrown to the ground. You came out of left field, you came out of right. Convinced it was me that started the fight. Take a look at me. Take a look at you.
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7. |
PRETTY BLUE
04:41
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The stars look much bluer tonight. It’s a pretty blue, but it’s feeling much colder. Even though we dance in the light, I know you’re looking over your shoulder. Can something be so far away and still look so bright and so near? In our starlit romance we were taking the chance that the sky isn’t always this clear. Look up at the stars, try to count them. Are you certain that they’re all still there? Is it possible one might have fallen when you didn’t notice or care? Look straight in my eyes, try to read them to see if you see what I see. Reflecting the colour of your eyes, they look pretty blue to me. Holding you up to the light, trying to see a way through. But just like the stars out tonight, you’re starting to feel pretty blue. Were you always so far out of reach, further away than I knew? Let’s finish this dance, our starlit romance will fade with the first morning dew. Look up at the stars, try to count them. Are you certain that they’re all still there? Is it possible one might have fallen when you didn’t notice or care? Look straight in my eyes, try to read them, to see if you see what I see. Reflecting the colour of your eyes, they look pretty blue to me. With so many new constellations, who’s gonna notice the change? Just one more predicted decision in an old astrological game. The star that once had you shining, has fallen and disappeared. Our starlit romance never stood any chance. It died long before we got here. Look up at the stars, try to count them. Are you certain that they’re all still there? Is it possible one might have fallen when you didn’t notice or care? Look straight in my eyes, try to read them, to see if you see what I see. Reflecting the colour of your eyes, they look pretty blue to me.
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8. |
AFTERGLOW
04:29
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Burning bridges. Cutting ties. Call it what you like. Taking steps to repossess the heart I thought was mine. Moving on. Making plans. Moving you aside. Shouting from the darkness where the innocent collide. Don’t ever try to find me, It’s better you don’t know. I’m putting it all behind me, basking in the afterglow. Taking charge. On my guard to not step out of line. Step too lightly then no-one knows you’re stood there all the time. Can’t believe I ever thought you’d be there anyway. The only fool in Christendom who ever thought that way. Don’t ever try to find me, It’s better you don’t know. I’m putting it all behind me, basking in the afterglow. In the afterglow confusion we were still a double act. Pretending the solution was different from the fact. In the afterglow awakening we slap each other’s backs. Too ready to be taken in by the qualities we lack. Strutting blindly, head held high, avoiding the trap door. Don’t look down, It’s only ground, I’ve been crawling down there before. Don’t ever try to find me, It’s better you don’t know. I’m putting it all behind me, basking in the afterglow.
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9. |
SLIPPING AWAY
04:05
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The tracing paper moon that night hardly cast a glow. And everybody there that night was someone in the know. You thought that it would end that night. I hardly made a sound, and everywhere you went that night, I followed you around, watching me slipping, watching me slipping, watching me slipping away. Something in the air that night was calling me so near. Looking straight into the light and telling me you’re here, watching me slipping, watching me slipping, watching me slipping away. I think I knew more than you thought I did. I know you flew more than you thought you could. Time to say goodnight, tonight. Do as you are told. I know that you were there that night I only have two hands to hold. Watching me slipping, watching me slipping, watching me slipping away.
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10. |
GIVE THAT BOY A COCONUT
03:12
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It’s the magical eye picture. That you never ever see. You’re standing in the middle where you never thought you’d be. Like the tail end of a movie that you didn’t really get. Meeting someone from your past you don’t remember having met. Give that boy a coconut, looks like it’s sinking in. He’s finally understanding that right there in his hands is everything he ever needs to win. There’s a touch of mild confusion slowly seeping through your soul and a permanent sensation that they know something you don’t know. Don’t screw up your face like that it just might stay that way. Stop looking for the answers, it’s just another wasted day. Give that boy a coconut, looks like it’s sinking in. He’s finally understanding that right there in his hands is everything he ever needs to win. Roll up, roll up, roll up have another throw. Everyone’s a winner. Isn’t that the way it goes? Roll up, roll up, roll up. Don’t be so shy. Everyone’s a winner, but you pay for every try. Give that boy a coconut, looks like it’s sinking in. He’s finally understanding that right there in his hands is everything he ever needs to win.
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11. |
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There’s a street just off the Fulham Road, And a makeshift artists’ studio with a stack of vinyl records on a chair. Most of them are played to death. One stands high above the rest. A memory just shook me back to there. Three months in that scary place was all we could afford or face. The simple fact of living on the line. I moved around a lot since then. There’s no need for remembering the pile of unpaid bills we left behind. That’s the thing about inspiration, you don’t know if you’ve got it, till you get it or it’s gone. One unguarded situation. It’s gonna hit you if it hits you, it won’t hang around too long. Pot pourri and playing games. Three days now it’s still the same one. Indiana Jones and Sweet Revenge Some things stick as most things fade. In my mind those bills are paid. Too late now to try to make amends. That’s the thing about inspiration, you don’t know when you give it, but you give it all the same. No reason, rhyme or explanation. You do just what you do to a million little flames. We won’t go back again. Enough to have the memory and the songs Would never be the same. A moment, but the moment’s come and gone. It’s been thirty years or more I think. Three kids and the kitchen sink. A lot of love, a bit of pantomime. With all the noise and all the fuss, at times it’s still the two of us. Well, mainly me just drifting back in time to a street just off the Fulham Road, in a makeshift artists studio and a stack on vinyl records on the floor. All but one are broken now. Nothing stays the same somehow. Put it on and walk back through the door. That’s the thing about inspiration, you don’t know if you’ve got it, till you get it or it’s gone. One unguarded situation. It’s gonna hit you if it hits you. It won’t hang around too long. That’s the thing about inspiration, you don’t know when you give it, but you give it all the same. No reason, rhyme or explanation. You do just what you do to a million little flames.
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12. |
I'M GOING TO HELL
04:39
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I followed her down the aisle every Sunday, close enough to smell her sweet perfume. Took communion though I don’t deserve to, just to kneel beside her like a groom. She never knew that just two rows behind her, as the answer to my one unholy prayer. I was praying I could take her to up to heaven or hoping she would meet me halfway there. She had the voice of an angel and the power of the devil. Every thought I ever had of her was wrong. Just an unforgiven stranger trying to summon up a sin, hoping that there’s no one looking on. The hymns are kicking in like Christmas morning. I sing them loud in a kinda harmony. I hope her head will turn and maybe notice the way she makes me tremble at the knees. She had the voice of an angel and the power of the devil. Every thought I ever had of her was wrong. Just an unforgiven stranger trying to summon up a sin, hoping that there’s no one looking on. And I know I can have her in my dreams. And I’m sure I can take her to the point where she blasphemes. Lets try a little selfish flagellation. I get it now, I know I’m going to hell. I’ve taken it too far, but when I get there at least I’ll have a story I can tell. I swear next Sunday I might sit right down beside her and tell her why I do the things I do. If I get her blessing, we can both be left confessing an immaculate conception in the pews.
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13. |
LANGUAGE BARRIERS
03:21
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The barriers of language leave me fumbling for a way. Overwhelmed by how I feel, I can’t find the words to say. Bound by the restrictions of my clumsy native tongue. Tripping awkward meanings on the tip of every one. So until I find another way or they make up something new, I love you will have to do. Maybe in another language they already say it right, but I’m lost in the translation round in circles here tonight. All the words disintegrate at the speed of their own sound. Who decided any words could cover all the ground? So until I find another way or they make up something new, I love you will have to do.
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