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Monday Morning, Echo Park
Monday morning, Echo Park. In the bedroom, love is dreaming of a way to escape
this mistake we call living. The fog is rolling in it’s nothing to my
mind. One more time, Monday morning, Echo Park. Looking for a reason, mired
in my season of discontent and it will never end. Used-to-bes and could-have-beens
don’t count for shit when the glory train rolls in. I’d like to
say it’s not my fault. I’d like to say it’s not my call. I’d
like to say a lot of things but a lot of things are lies. If killing time’s
the biggest crime, then I’m Queen for a Day. Feeling fine’s one
long memory away. Monday morning, Echo Park. The ice cream man is screaming
that his ship is coming in and so he’ll soon be bleeding. We won’t
see him ‘round again until the drugs run thin. Monday evening, Echo Park.
The devil dogs are running. The Victorians are crumbling as the lotus flowers
die. Crash and burn, turn the tide. Blue eyes black with suicide. Why’d
you go and leave me here behind. Let me hear you, Angelus. Let me hear you,
Angelus. Let me hear you, Angelus; let me hear you chime. Let me hear you, Angelus.
Let me hear you Angelus. Let me hear you, Angelus, one more time. Let me hear
you, Angelus. Let me hear you, Angelus. Let me hear you, Angelus; let me hear
you shine. Let me hear you, Angelus. Let me hear you, Angelus. Let me hear you,
Angelus, one more time. One more time.
Unemployment Line
I’ve done my time in the unemployment line where working hard can be defined
as barely hanging one. And I’ve seen it in their faces, burned clean of
any trace of hoping for a life where they belong. Half-past ten and I’m
here in bed again. The golden cup is right outside my door. I’ve tried
so hard and it never seems to end so this week I’m through with trying
an more. I used to say “Everything will be okay ‘cause I can earn
a dollar without losing who I am.” but a college education mixed with
Commie inclination don’t sit so well with Uncle Sam. Half-past ten and
I’m here in bed again. The golden cup is right outside my door. I’ve
tried so hard and it never seems to end so this week I’m through with
trying anymore. The rich folks cried “Why should we be vilified? You’ve
only got yourself to blame if you can’t be like us!” Well, I’d
love to share the hate in this ages-old debate but don’t you know I’m
late for the bus. Half-past ten and I’m at the bar again. Howdy, boys!
Let’s have a little cheer. It won’t last long so I guess I’ll
sing a song and maybe some kind soul will buy the beer. It won’t last
long so I guess I’ll sing a song and maybe some kind soul will buy the
beer. Because I’ve tried so hard and it never seems to end so this week
I’m through with trying anymore.
Shooting Stars
Well, it’s ten o’clock. I paint a smile on my face. I’m going
down to that honky-tonk place where I know you’ll be and so we’ll
see just how much this masochist can stand. Shooting stars in my heart when
you walk into the room. Foolish tears appear again too soon. You’re in
love with another but oh why can’t it be me? Shooting stars in my heart
you’ll never see. Twelve o’clock and there you are with your sweet
little baby haning onto your arm. “Hello.” “Hello.”
and off you go, leaving me standing all alone. Lovers dancing ‘round and
‘round like ponies on a carousel. Seems to me you’re heaven-bound
while I’m stuck here in hell. Two o’clock. I’m still sitting
in the corner. The barmaid says, “Honey, are you sure you need another?”
Line ‘em up; this round’s on me. Drink a toast to my sweet misery.
Shooting stars in my heart when you walk into the room. Foolish tears appear
again too soon. You’re in love with another but oh why can’t it
be me? Shooting stars in my heart you’ll never see. Shooting stars in
my heart you’ll never see. Shooting stars in my heart you’ll never
see.
Niagara, Niagara
Niagara in winter. The falls are frozen over. The falls are frozen over and
there’s no one around. It’s over in a barrel and into thin air.
Pretend you still love me, I’ll pretend I still care. Did I hear you correctly?
“What a beautiful sight.” Is this how you reject me? Is this what
it’s like? And it’s clear we feel nothing in this desolate place
where some dreams are rewarded and others erased. Niagara in winter. The falls
are frozen over. The falls are frozen over and there’s snow in my heart.
It’s over in a barrel and into thin air. Pretend you still love me, I’ll
pretend I still care. Pretend that you brought your heart with you, that you
didn’t leave it in Toronto with her. And I wonder what the hell I am doing
here and what made you become so perverse. Niagara in winter. The falls are
frozen over. The falls are frozen over and there’s no one around. It’s
over in a barrel and into thin air. Pretend you still love me, I’ll pretend
I still care. Pretend you still love me, I’ll pretend I still care. Pretend
you still love me, I’ll pretend I still care.
Green Expectation
When you filled up my bedroom with green expectation, you sent me running down
the stairs. I’ve been losing myself in false infatuation. I think I need
a little air. Excuse me for my hesitation. I didn’t mean to lead you on.
Something about springtime; breath of trepidation. It’s been so long since
I was the magnificent one. Ring around the moon tonight. Same old moon that
shines so bright on other hearts and other minds. Lovers out of time. Making
movies you call real life, filtered through your golden light. Don’t cast
me to play the savior. I’ll just let you down, let you down. I know I
said I’d say goodbye. I couldn’t bring myself to do it so I’ll
just walk off into the night, leave you to write a happy ending. Ring around
the moon tonight. Same old moon that shines so bright on other hearts and other
minds. Lovers out of time. Take that ring and make it shine. I’ve gotta
leave something behind, behind for next time. Ring around the moon tonight.
Same old moon that shines so bright on other hearts and other minds. Lovers
out of time. Next time things will be better; I’ll try and get it together
next time, next time. Lovers out of time.
Little Red Bird
Little red bird held my fortune, held my fortune ‘neath her wing. Little
red bird held my fortune. Listen to her sing. Hey little bird, whatcha doin’
in the city when there’s so much blue to fly? Sweet little bird living
in a prison yard. Do you wonder why? Little red bird held my fortune, held my
fortune ‘neath her wing. Little red bird held my fortune. Listen to her
sing. She said “You’re the foolish one! Chasing after money, never
having any fun. I may be just a little bird, but my heart is free.” Sweet
little bird sing me the secret. What is to become this life? “There is
one thing I can tell you: girl, you’re only born to die. Girl, you’re
only born to die. Girl, you’re only born to die.” I wished her Good
Day, she bade me Good ‘Morrow and I walked away with a pocketful of sorrow.
Little red bird held my fortune, held my fortune ‘neath her wing. Little
red bird held my fortune. Listen to her sing. Well, the little red bird held
my fortune, held my fortune ‘neath her wing. Little red bird held my fortune.
Listen to her sing.
Slaughterhouse Ceiling
Build me a cottage. Tear down this fortress, this mighty fortress I’ve
been living in so long. Let down the drawbridge. Bring out the horses. We’ll
go riding. We’ll go riding. Grow me a garden in the middle of the desert.
No use chasing what will eat out of your hand. Talk deconstruction pouring your
foundation. Contradiction you will never understand. I’ll build you a
song to sing while you’re working. Roses raining down from the slaughterhouse
ceiling. You call me a tough girl, living in a rough world. I say you’re
a dreamer with his head up in the clouds. Listen, babe, you say I don’t
hear you but words were never clearer to me. Even though I’ll live my
life alone, I hope you come and visit when the chaos turns to quiet. We’ll
sit out in the garden for awhile. Back here on earth, in the darkness, that
mighty fortress came tumbling down.
Carolina’s Last Ride
“Hey, buddy,” he said to me. “How long ‘fore we get
to S.C.? You know I gotta see a man this morning about a gun. Put the pedal
to the metal and step on it, son.” I never really paid much mind to fate
but now it’s looking like a little too late. Keep my hands on the wheel
and my eyes on the road; take this fella where he paid me to go. Cotton high
on the left-hand side. Haven’t seen a sign in many a mile. Riding with
the devil in a race against the night. Taking Carolina on one last ride. I don’t
know when the stranger blew into town but he was hangin’ at The Dixie
when the sun went down. He bought me a beer and he bought me another. In a couple
of hours, we were laughing like brothers. He slapped me on the back and he said
with a smile, “I’ll pay you five hundred dollars; drive me five
hundred miles.” I said, “Shoot, sounds good to me!” Nothing
better going on as far as I could see. Cotton high on the left-hand side. Haven’t
seen a sign in many a mile. Riding with the devil in a race against the night.
Taking Carolina on one last ride. The name she gave was Carolina. Stranded at
a truck stop cross the Alabama line. Hitching home, or so she said. Room for
one more, so off we went. We drank a little wine. We got a little high. We told
each other stories as the miles flew by and the stranger took a shine to Carolina.
I couldn’t bring myself to take the hush-up money and as he slammed the
door he said, “Much obliged, buddy.” I found a stand of pines without
a soul around. The sun came up I put her down. I put Carolina in the cold, cold
ground. And I think about that gal from time to time. Poor Carolina, ‘neath
the shady pines. Cotton high on the left-hand side. Haven’t seen a sign
in many a mile. Riding with the devil in a race against the night. Taking Carolina
on one last ride. Cotton hight on the left hand side. Haven’t seen a sign
in many a mile. Riding with the devil in a race against the night. Taking Carolina
on one last ride. One last ride. One last ride.
The Boy With The Lou Reed Eyes
A beat-up motorino going ninety clicks an hour, singing bella ciao louder than
the wind. Well, I’m higher than a kite. Eternal city do me right. The
night ain’t dead to dreaming after all. I know you’ve seen a million
girls. Hey, that’s okay ‘cause you always remember the one who got
away. I’ll think about you from time to time. The boy with the Lou Reed
eyes. I found you in the ghetto hanging laundry out the window. We talked our
way from London to Bombay. Spaghetti western appetite. Fascists itching for
a fight but if it makes you laugh, I’ll take the fall. You know I’ll
fly ten thousand miles. Hey, that’s okay ‘cause you always remember
the one who got away. I’ll think about you from time to time. The boy
with the Lou Reed eyes. California’s calling: Come on back to the breakneck
life! But somehow kicks will never be the same. And if all roads lead to Roma,
I’ll be walking in a coma ‘til the day we say hello again. I’ll
think about you from time to time. The boy with the Lou Reed eyes. I’ll
think about you from time to time. The boy with the Lou Reed eyes.
Do You Really Wanna Know?
Stockhausen underground mass production happiness abounds here. Tear it out
the demon hair. Blind response to your blank stare. I’m dealing in revealing.
I cannot hope to comprehend. My thoughts don’t end they don’t begin.
Do you really wanna know every single thought in my head? Do you really wanna
weigh every single ounce of my brain? Do you really wanna know? Girl, I can’t
confide secret dreams I haven’t even dreamt up yet. Manufactured titillation.
Tabloid fodder fuels the nation. I’m busted; can’t be trusted. You
cannot hope to comprehend. My thoughts don’t end they don’t begin.
Do you really wanna know every single thought in my head? Do you really wanna
weigh every single ounce of my brain? Do you really wanna know? Do you really
wanna know? Chemical induction to the Fuck-Up Hall of Fame. Demanding autographs
before you know my name. Oh you cannot hope to comprehend. My thoughts don’t
end they don’t begin. Do you really wanna know every single thought in
my head? Do you really wanna weigh every single ounce of my brain? Do you really
wanna know? Do you really wanna know? Wanna know? Wanna know?
Iron Girl
All he wants is a German girl to iron his clothes. He waits, he waits and so
the time goes. “I don’t mind the run-around,” he says with
a smile. “If love comes too easy, it can’t be worthwhile.”
He goes down, down, down, away from the world. Where is this girl? One day Obsession
answered the door. He knocks, he knocks, she's not there anymore. Searching
the sushi bars and Smart cars for signs. No rest for the wicked. He’s
falling behind. He goes down, down, down, away from the world. Where is this
girl who will feed him and heed him and keep him alone in the wilds of his mind?
Around the next corner he’ll find her standing as still as a stone. He'll
be home. All he wants is an iron girl to march down the aisle but dish washing
angels have gone out of style. The world is a coffin, the lid open wide. A place
to decay while watching the skies. He goes down, down, down, away from the world.
Where is this girl? Where is this girl? Where is this girl?
Green Lights
Tearin' through the green lights, listening to that Great Speckled Bird. Whistling
down the tree-lined streets heading out of this burg. And I suppose I've been
here long enough, where everyone was wishing they were somewhere else. What
the fuck are they thinking? Don’t they notice all the green lights in
this town? All the green lights. Roll down the window. Your shoulders want some
good country dust. Some days I don’t worry what will become of us. I suppose
we’ve been here long enough, where everyone was wishing they were somewhere
else. What the fuck are they thinking? Don’t they notice all the green
lights in this town? All the green lights staring back at us. Fortunes reverse
in the blink of an eye. Wave goodbye to the stand-still life. We’ve got
the world and we’ve got each other; that’s good enough for me, good
enough for me tonight. And now I know we’ve been here long enough, where
everyone was wishing they were somewhere else. What the fuck are they thinking?
All the green lights. All the green light. All the green lights in this town.
All the green lights staring back at us.
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4 AM
Well it’s four in the morning and you’re still
out wandering. I’m lying sleepless in bed. I think of you and the things
that you do and I think I’ll go out of my head. You’ll come home
smelling like some other woman, telling me she’s just a friend. Lipstick
stains and worn-out refrains, oh when will this fool’s errand end? I’m
poisoned half dead, I’m out of my head and I don’t think that I
can go on. With or without you, I’m crazy about you. There’s something
so hard about saying so long. There’s nothing to say when love goes away
except “Better luck next time, my friend.” Well I know that it’s
true but I still fall for you and if I can’t have you I’d rather
be dead. So I’ll cut up this mess and throw blood in your kitchen. I’ll
tear down the walls and I’ll leave your ears itching with curses and cusses
and spitting and such. You said that you loved me; guess it wasn’t that
much. I’ll leave behind this cold corpse of mine as a little reminder
of happier times. With or without you I’m crazy about you. There’s
something so good about saying goodbye.
Another Light
Yesterday I saw the light but now it’s all eternal night. If I defy the
ties that bind, will I be left alone? There’s no God and there’s
no love and even all the stars above are nothing more than satellites. They’ve
been dead for years. No new beginning and no end in sight. I’m longing
for another light. It seems a long, long time ago that things went how they’re
supposed to go and now the only thing I know is everything’s a lie. Fill
my heart with empty space, obliterate it and erase this memory that mocks my
fate. Time’s no friend of mine. No new beginning and no end in sight.
I’m longing for another light. Disillusion and disgust; in doomsday prophesies
we trust and I’m consumed by my own lust for things I’ll never own.
Cut my wrists from side to side. My mind is weary of this ride but like a vampire
I can’t die. This blood of mine is cold. Wine in the morning and breakfast
at night. I’m longing for another light. No new beginning and no end in
sight. I’m longing for another light.
In California
In California, I dream of snow and all of the places we used to go with the
night falling down, with the night falling down. Now I’m living in Koreatown,
waking to the sound of car alarms. I remember your face when I showed you the
ticket. Said you were happy for me; your heart wasn’t in it. Just a phone
call away but there’s nothing to say as the days roll by, disconnected.
In the land where the sun’s always shining I’m crying and all of
the palm trees are laughing at me. Another fool playing songs that don’t
matter to people who chatter endlessly about cars and TV. Another suicide on
the 405. The Black Dahlia, she smiles and smiles. It’s the same old town
that bled her dry. One more starlet one more time, bound to make it do or die.
Take a walk to Bonnie Brae. Try and wash these dreams away. They tell me L.A.’s
beautiful when it rains.
Little Sugar
Green grass, summertime. The sound of the honeybees buzzing by. Heat pressing
heavy from the clear blue sky. You came walking through the afternoon looking
like a firecracker gonna go off soon and I know I wanna be there when you do.
Imagine my surprise: you looked into my eyes and said, “Lay a little sugar
on me. Kisses sweet as raindrops falling. Won’t you lay a little sugar
on me? Lay a little sugar on me. Time’s flying and the world is calling
so honey won’t you, honey won’t you, honey won’t you please
lay a little sugar on me.” Well we loved away those long hot days and
then at last the winter came. Time for me to go seeking after fortune and fame.
You asked me to be your wife but I was hungry for another life. Never understood
why you had to stay. As we said goodbye, you looked into my eyes and said, “Lay
a little sugar on me. Kisses sweet as raindrops falling. Won’t you lay
a little sugar on me? Lay a little sugar on me. Time’s flying and the
world is calling so honey won’t you, honey won’t you, honey won’t
you please lay a little sugar on me.” All the things he wanted, they didn’t
seem like much. I was restless; I had to go my way. And all the things I gave
up ‘cause love was not enough. I learned my lesson a little bit too late.
Then one day a letter came saying you had passed away. I shed a tear for the
chances I’d passed by. Cross the miles and clear the mind, going back
to happy times when all that mattered was the green grass and your blue eyes.
Lying down beside your grave, what I wouldn’t give to hear you say, “Lay
a little sugar on me. Kisses sweet as raindrops falling. Won’t you lay
a little sugar on me? Lay a little sugar on me. Time’s flying and the
world is calling so honey won’t you, honey won’t you, honey won’t
you please lay a little sugar on me.”
Two Songs
I wrote two songs about her, two songs about her. Two sad reminders that push
came to shove. I wrote two songs about her, two brand-new melodies and two fewer
lovers in love. She was a beauty, she hailed from Kentucky and I fell for her
in the blink of an eye. But how was I to know that hellfire and sorrow were
waiting for me at the end of the line? And how does it happen? You find yourself
screaming at three in the morning in some broken-down dive. Heaven have mercy;
come here and kiss me. Forgive and forget and call it a night. I wrote two songs
about her, two songs about her. Two sad reminders that push came to shove. I
wrote two songs about her, two brand-new melodies and two fewer lovers in love.
She was a beauty. She left me in Houston. I wasn’t surprised to get her
goodbye. Now I’m sitting in Luby’s, drinking black coffee. Wrote
a song for your light, dear, and one for your lies. I wrote two songs about
her, two songs about her. Two sad reminders that push came to shove. I wrote
two songs about her, two brand-new melodies and two fewer lovers in love.
Feelin’ Lucky
I lost my last dime in a card game and my puppy ran away. I got a flat out on
the turnpike; just another average day. I can’t go fishing, ‘cause
I broke my line but I get to feelin’ lucky, because you’re mine.
Well the bill collector’s knocking, knock-knocking on my door and the
Welcome Wagon don’t come around no more. The roof is leaking and the sun
don’t shine but I get to feelin’ lucky because you’re mine.
And when I look into your big brown eyes my troubles blow away. I get lost inside
your lovin’ and everything is a-ok. I bought a lovely piece of swampland
and my pony finished last. I was struck by lightning while a black cat crossed
my path. So I’ll never win the lottery but that’s just fine. I get
to feelin’ lucky because you’re mine. I’m on a slow boat to
China, but I’ll bide my time. I get to feelin’ lucky all because
you’re mine.
Broke
It’s been a year now since you went away. Still can’t believe it;
seems like yesterday. Is it too late to say I’m sorry? Is it too late
to say I’m sorry? Well there’s a million ways to hurt someone; I
tried them all on you. I know I’ll find a million more before the time
we’re through. Best laid plans, one-night stands, a broken heart in your
hands. The thing I still don’t understand is why you’re back for
more. But if you come down to this place by the river and if you forgive everything
that came before when the day turns to nighttime I will be your lover and the
moonlight will follow us all the way home. I’m running as fast as I can
and still I never know exactly where I am. Well I’ve got nothing in my
pocket but a lick and a promise and a cross-my-heart and hope-to-die. But they’ll
be no looking back for this sorry sinner ‘cause with you for my angel
everything’s all right. And if you come down to this place by the river
and if you forgive everything that came before when the day turns to nighttime
I will be your lover and the moonlight will follow us all the way home.
How I Got My Pretty Smile
Fame and fortune got nothing on me. I burn and I burn like a Christmas tree.
Save your little epiphany. Fuck it: let’s get drunk. Fuck it: let’s
get drunk. Lost my mind on a train. It happened this way: after Bob left me
and Bob Jr. died, I’d given until I had nothing inside to give so I took
a little trip. I took a little trip. Whistle stops, one-horse towns; all it
was doing was dragging me down. So I gave ‘em a piece of my mind anyway.
I planted a piece a day. Under the snow in Minnesota. Under the blue grass of
Kentucky. I lost my shirt in Tallahassee; in Reno, I got lucky. Under the skirts
of Lady Liberty. Under the sun in Californie. Remember the Alamo, no turning
back. You know the rain in Maine’s not the same as Seattle. Ohio Turnpike.
New Orleans ‘round midnight. Nebraska, Nebraska, Nebraska, Nebraska. So
after my mind was all given away, I found myself feeling much better this way.
No need to worry and no need to hurry. Taking my time and everything’s
fine. That’s why fame and fortune got nothing on me. I burn and I burn
like a Christmas tree. I burn and I burn and I burn and I burn and I burn and
I burn and I burn oh I burn. I burn and I burn and I burn and I burn. Could
I have another drink, please?
Fortune Ran True
My baby makes the sky catch fire. My baby makes the wind blow cold. My baby
feeds on my desire; turns my blood to gold. My baby breathes underwater. My
baby makes the bridges burn. My baby leads me to the crossroads. Push the point
of no return. Fortune ran true. A bug and it bit me. A shot and it hit me. Why
don’t you just quit me? Why don’t you put me down. Crash of thunder;
I don’t like it. Flash of lighting and I am blinded. This body not my
own. This will that turns to stone. What’s so wrong about being alone?
Better off than burning, burning. Better off than burning. And if I heard that
he never loved me, I’d throw my heart to the world above me. Free at last
and six feet somewhere. Free at last to dream.
The Rain
Nothing matters but the rain falling from the sky. Nothing matters but the rain
I’ll tell you why. Ever since you went away, it’s been raining every
day. Nothing matters but the rain. Nothing matters but the rain falling from
the sky. Nothing matters but the rain I’ll tell you why. Raindrops falling
from the sky hide the raindrops in my eyes. Nothing matters but the rain. I
die every time I remember you but there’s no one else to blame. Nothing
left to me but sorrow clouding all of my tomorrows. Where I am it’s always
raining.
Beer & Whiskey
I did time and you did holler. You got lipstick on your collar. I got mad and
you got misery. I got the guts but you took the glory. They say we’re
nuts but we ain’t sorry; we enjoy each other’s company. I threw
up and you threw dishes. Ruined all your birthday wishes. Spent the night in
the drunk tank in Spokane. Up and at ‘em it’s another day. I’ve
got a splitting headache but that’s okay ‘cause we’re living
life as best as we can. Beer and whiskey one follows another like a three-legged
dog in search of its mother. No matter what happens we’ve still got each
other. Beer and whiskey one follows another. You said “Hell!” and
I said, “Heaven!” Held us up a 7-11. Counting all that money made
me smile. We got hitched and you went crazy, after that it all gets hazy…
All I know is we drove 900 miles. Then you said “Black!” and I said
“Red!” I hit you once upside the head. I bought a man in Reno just
to watch you cry. Hit the road and hit the hay. I don’t care what my kinfolk
say ‘cause Darlin’, you’re the apple of my eye. Beer and whiskey
one follows another like a three-legged dog in search of its mother. No matter
what happens we’ve still got each other. Beer and whiskey one follows
another.
The House of Tolerance
In this house of tolerance, where I met my end, Sunday comes and Sunday goes
and I’m alone again. The faceless, nameless strangers that stopped and
stayed awhile: gamblers, jugglers, snakes and whores, killers, liars, troubadours.
They left me with a smile. Mirror, mirror on the wall. Ghosts appearing in the
hallway. They’re the only company I keep. And death might be as beautiful
as flying. And death might be as beautiful as flying. Melancholy wrap around
me; comfort cold and sweet surround me. Here at last my past has found me empty-handed.
Calendars and books of days bear witness to my wicked ways. Those who fought
and those who prayed, those who tried to fade away, their fate is all the same.
Mirror, mirror on the wall. Ghosts appearing in the hallway. They’re the
only company I keep. And death might be as beautiful as flying. And death might
be as beautiful as flying. And death might be as beautiful as flying. And death
might be… Lay your head upon my pillow. Lay your hand upon my heart. We
can try again tomorrow. We can make a brand new start.