1. |
Run Don't Walk
05:35
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You know, if I were famous
You could all share my life
Be with me as I grow up
Leave my hometown, take a wife
Get fat
Get old
Get dopey and die
It's gonna happen anyway
It's gonna happen someday
Shit, it already may
But at least this way
Someone would care
In the late summer twilight
I'd pretend this was TV
Every school year a new season
The whole world was watching me
New plotlines to resolve
New supporting cast to meet
And the klieg light sun went down
On my famous house and town
And I'd interview myself
Because if I didn't
Nobody would
Run don't walk, don't turn around.
Not your boyfriend
Not you prom king
I am no one
I am free
Hear the fat man
He is singin
Sing "I'm walkin, yes indeed."
But this unfinished business
Grinds me slowly to a halt
Now I stare forever backwards
Like a pillar of salt
Here's a verse for my parents
Such a fine job raising me
Pass me blame for all my failures
But it's luck when I succeed
You said, "Get off your pointless path now, kid
No matter where it leads."
So now that it's brought me here
At least try to sound sincere
Though I shrugged off all your plans
You can still brag about me
To your friends
At my high school reunion
They will all gather round
From this hotel piano
I coax sweet, sacred sounds
It's the rumble of redemption
It's the tinkling of hope
At last the cheerleaders cheer
And the cool kids raise their beers
And the whole world strains to hear
Then I wake up
Knowing I won't even go.
Run don't walk, don't turn around.
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2. |
She Loves You (NO NO NO)
04:03
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Every girl I see is prettier than you
What am I supposed to do?
I'm leaving that alone.
I'ma stop and pick me up a slutty hoochie mama
Only kidding, ha ha
See you back at home.
Where I'll have to fall on all fours
When I walk through the door
May I please have some more?
And I'll have to nod and pretend
Like I'm happy again
Every time that you win
This is where we started:
Blind and shallow-hearted
Now you're all I've got
This is where we ended:
Cold and codependent
And you're all I've got
This is where we're stranded:
Guilty and red-handed
But you're all I've got
This is where we're going:
Absolutely nowhere
'Cause you're all I've got
Okay, I'm a prick
I'm a loser, I'm a grouch
Please kick me to the couch
So I can be alone.
Every time I think:
"My lawful wedded wife"
I scar myself for life
I'll see your ass at home.
Where I'll have to fall on all fours
When I walk through the door
May I please have some more?
And I'll have to nod and pretend
Like I'm happy again
Every time that you win
This is where we started:
Blind and shallow-hearted
Now you're all I've got
This is where we ended:
Cold and codependent
And you're all I've got
This is where we're stranded:
Guilty and red-handed
But you're all I've got
This is where we're going:
Absolutely nowhere
'Cause you're all I've got
(She says she loves you)
Shut up, I don't wanna know
(She says she loves you)
But I'm ready to go
(She says she loves you)
NO NO NO NO
This is where it started:
Studio apartment
Now it's been three years
This is where it ended:
Turning 27
Both of us in tears
This is what we promised:
Not to be alarmist
Not to disappear
Got your stupid ring here
Stick it on your finger
This is where we started:
Blind and shallow-hearted
Now you're all I've got
This is where we ended:
Cold and codependent
And you're all I've got
This is where we're stranded:
Guilty and red-handed
But you're all I've got
This is where we're going:
Absolutely nowhere
'Cause you're all I've got
(She says she loves you)
Shut up, I don't wanna know
(She says she loves you)
But I'm ready to go
(She says she loves you)
NO NO NO NO
Every girl I see is prettier than you
Well I guess I'm fuckin screwed.
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3. |
I Quit
04:37
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There are calls to return
There are visits to pay
There are far too many people
Who should just go away
That's it
Now I'm all out of sick time
I don't get paid for OT
There's no such thing as a promotion
And you can't fire me
I quit
This is my womb
This is my doom
This is my tomb
This is my bedroom
With every drip on my head
I learn what it's all about
Well you're my nasty little secret
Now I'm letting you out
Tough shit
And this is where you end up
When you're done laying blame
In a bed all alone
In a puddle of shame
I quit
This is my womb
This is my doom
This is my tomb
This is my bedroom
These are my hopes
These are my dreams
These are my plans
This is my face right here in my hands
This is my doom
This is my tomb
This is my bedroom
This is my womb
This is my doom
This is my tomb
This is my bedroom
You're a shape in the rain
You're a phrase in a note
You're a photo in an album
You're the lump in my throat
I quit
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4. |
You're Making Me Nervous
05:03
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Glass one:
The future's begun over cheap wine
You're busting out all of your best lines
I don't think you're funny
But I'll squeeze out some laughter
To hold off disaster
Glass two:
Don't ask what I do in my spare time
I know you don't care about my spare time
Uncomfortable silence
Did you kick me on purpose?
You're making me nervous
You're making me nervous
Trying to get to know me from the inside out
Stop groping me with questions
Picking at my doubts
Oh my God, you're making me nervous
You're making me nervous, yeah
Glass three:
Don't get up to pee
I won't be here when you reappear
You're not special enough for the special
You ordered too much now
We're going it dutch now
And don't ask if this was a date
And please don't ask me if I would rate the experience
A budding romance
Or at least more fun than cancer
You won't like my answer
You're making me nervous
Trying to get to know me from the inside out
Stop groping me with questions
Picking at my doubts
Oh my God, you're making me nervous
You're making me nervous, yeah
You're making me nervous
Staring at me sideways with your shifty eyes
Why can't we cut our losses
Skip right to goodbyes
Oh my God, you're making me nervous
You're making me nervous, yeah
You, me
And issues for three
Now it's clear you're
The key to the lock on the door of
My 7-11
Like Woody and Previn
A match made in Heaven
You're making me nervous
You're making me nervous
You're making me nervous
You're making me nervous
You're making me nervous
Trying to get to know me from the inside out
Stop groping me with questions
Picking at my doubts
Oh my God, you're making me nervous
You're making me nervous, yeah
You're making me nervous
Staring at me sideways with your shifty eyes
Why can't we cut our losses
Skip right to goodbyes
Oh my God, you're making me nervous
You're making me nervous, yeah
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5. |
The Good Parts
03:47
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Take care, it's a long long ride
Take care on the other side
Take care, man, it's cold out there
And when you arrive
I will not be with you
Understand it ain't up to you
Just doing what I gotta do
I don't want you to dwell on this
Ignorance is bliss
So I beg you
Don't you lose your grace or your dignity
Don't you lose one minute of sleep over me
No one ever learns from a broken heart
So may you only remember the good parts
Take care and the tears will dry
Never settle, never sacrifice
Take care knowing I'm aware
Nothing can compare
To the pain you've been through
Understand that you will pull through
Just do what you gotta do
Yeah it sucks, but I must insist
No more good-bye kisses
I beg you
Don't you lose your grace or your dignity
Don't you lose one minute of sleep over me
No one ever learns from a broken heart
So may you only remember the good parts
Remember how it feels to hold somebody
Remember how it feels to touch somebody
Remember how it feels to walk hand in hand
Remember how it feels to hug somebody
Remember how it feels to kiss somebody
Remember how it feels to dance in the sand
Remember how it feels to love somebody
Remember how it feels to know somebody
Remember how it feels to find someone
Believe that you can do it again
Take care, it's a long long ride
Take care on the other side
Take care, man, it's cold out there
And when you arrive
I will not be with you
Understand it ain't up to you
Just doing what I gotta do
I don't want you to dwell on this
Ignorance is bliss
So I beg you
Don't you lose your grace or your dignity
Don't you lose one minute of sleep over me
No one ever learns from a broken heart
So may you only remember the good parts
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6. |
Never Turn My Back
03:25
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Look me up when you're back in town
Call me up when you're kickin around
Blow the dust off the shoebox cover
And spare a smile for your long lost brother
Grow up, grow up
You can leave me here
Grow up, grow up
Now it's only fair
I'll keep the light burning in my room
And I'll never turn my back on you
Think of me every time you trip
Over your crate of long-forgotten manuscripts
Think of me every time you say
"Why can't I bring myself to throw this stuff away?"
Give up, give up
When you're lost and tired
Give up, give up
I will feed the fire
I'll keep it lit; I will see this through
And I'll never turn my back on you
You can give up, but I'm too proud
You can grow up, but I'm not allowed
You can marry anyone but me
And I'll be here when you need more than memories
Get up, get up
On some rainy night
Get up, get up
See the distant light
That's me, awake, writing in my room
I will never turn my back on you.
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7. |
The Bowery Electric
03:11
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I got so lost in thoughts of you
I missed the F at 2nd Avenue
I came in from the rain
And heard it pull away
I stepped back out into the street
And with the Bowery beneath my feet
I squint to see it as it was
When this neighborhood was yours
It never seemed so distant
All that's clear is something's missing
New York City is a little less warm tonight
It's a little less cool tonight
And New York City is a little less kind tonight
And a little less rockin tonight
Debbie's hanging on the phone
Danny's speechless, and hey hey, Arty's home
And now the Bowery Electric crew
Shines a spotlight star for you
While on the streets below
We wander slow, already lonely
New York City is a little less warm tonight
It's a little less cool tonight
And New York City is a little less kind tonight
And a little less rockin tonight
I still get lost in thoughts of you
And in those moments, I know what to do
I put my headphones on
And you are never really gone
Do you remember Hullaballoo?
Upbeat, Shindig, and Ed Sullivan too?
You know that I remember you
Yes, I still fuckin remember
New York City is a little less cold tonight
It's a little less lame tonight
And New York City is a little less cruel tonight
New York City, let's rock tonight
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8. |
Stick Around
03:50
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It's on
The long night is ending
It's off
You can't keep defending him
That douche
He drove you right into my arms
Now hold on
I'm not telling you to hate him
I'm wrong
If I give an ultimatum now
But how long
Do I have to be the other guy?
I've lived so long off of nothing
I'm choking on all this something
Alone ain't fun, but it's easy
I don't need this now
Phone rings
You don't have to get it, you can
Hang up
Before you regret it, c'mon
Don't cry
Just call me and forget it
'Til he beeps in
Man, he's never gonna let it go
Now hold on
I'm not telling you to hate him
I know I'm gone
If I give an ultimatum now
But how long
Do I have to be the big man?
I've lived so long off of nothing
I'm choking on all this something
Alone ain't fun, but it's easy
I don't need this now
All rise
This court is now in session
It's the case of The People
vs. Your Weird Obsession
With an ex-boyfriend
Who plays it sober and repentant
When it's crystal fucking clear
He's just a desperate codependent
And your best friend boomerangs
From jealousy to pity
Yeah, she thinks this is an episode
Of "Sex and the City"
And the harmless boys at work
Are all like, "Isn't it ironic
What she'll let me get away with
When she thinks it's all platonic"
While I hate it here in Limbo
And I wish that you would hurry
I'm aware my feelings are
The least of anybody's worries
I'm not doing this for points
I don't need you to be flattered
I just know whose opinion
Is the only one that matters
So
I'll stick around
'Til you make up your mind
I'll stick around
I'll wait for you to call
I'll stick around
I've lived so long off of nothing
I'm choking on all this something
Alone ain't fun, but it's easy
I don't need this now
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9. |
Do You Feel All Right?
03:59
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Is this supposed to change your life?
Or is it soundtrack Muzak?
Is this your motivation?
Or only decoration?
Should I want to change your mind?
Affect the way you use your time?
There's so far you can force it
Before you find out what's important:
Do you feel all right?
If you play this in your car
If you sing along, I've done my job
And if it's on while you make out
Then I've done real good
And though the lyric's shitty
If the chords are cliche pretty
You'd better learn to love it
You're gonna hear a lot more of it
Do you feel all right?
Do you feel all right?
Then let me hear you.
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10. |
Invisible Girl
03:45
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Falling into the role
You accepted long ago:
Getting old, getting fat
And collecting cats
Sit and stare at the walls
Where your shadow barely falls
And know you won't again be seen
In someone else's dream
Call it wrong
Call it sad
Call it life
Call it crap
Call it truth
Call it your last chance
Call it off
That was your last chance.
Turn around
Invisible girl
As you become aware
You need more from this world
You want someone to share
All your pain and your joy
If you only could see
That invisible boy
And what did you do
When somebody looked at you
When they tried to pull you free
From the scenery
Did you open like a rose?
Did you wilt, all exposed?
Did you freak out and hide?
Did you thrive outside?
Call it fear
Call it grief
Call it stunned disbelief
Call it truth
Call it your last chance
Turn around
Invisible girl
As you become aware
You need more from this world
You want someone to share
All your pain and your joy
If you only could see
That invisible boy, yeah
Turn around.
And what will you do
When somebody looks at you
When they try to pull you free
From the scenery
Take a long second glance
See the puppet that danced
What you thought was a toy
Is a real live boy
Call it shock
Call it shame
Call to him
Call his name
Call it truth
Call it your last chance
Turn around
Invisible girl
As you become aware
You need more from this world
You want someone to share
All your pain and your joy
If you only could see
Your invisible boy
Turn around.
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11. |
Across A Thunderstorm
04:39
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I reach for you across a thunderstorm
Two hundred miles
Bottle a message and I wish it on
Two hundred miles
This is the closest I can come to praying
The letters slip between the drops of rain
And through the dark they wend their faithful way
Two hundred miles
I try to count the times I've dreamed of you
In twenty years
I try to name something that hasn't changed
In twenty years
And as I sigh and set aside my phone
The handset tingles and begins to glow
I don't believe my heart has beaten so
In twenty years
Across a thunderstorm there is a hand
I need to hold
Across a thunderstorm there is a hand
You need to hold
See by the lightning the connection we were born to make
No time, no distance, and no power under Heaven can break
Not even twenty years
A thousand thousand raindrops
And two hundred miles
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12. |
Dream Big Enough For Two
04:34
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Curtains up
On the downbeat of your song
Command performer
Fielding encores at the bar
Dreamers wishing on your star
In the spotlight
Of unfamiliar eyes
You dance and shine
And you reflect 'em like the moon
The moving center of the room
Where I hitched my heart
To the darkest star
On my Walk of Fame
Leave a handprint by your name
And I'll stay right here
'Til you reappear
I can wait for you
I dream big enough for two
Will the cliffhanger ending
Of this night
See us together?
Or will you dissolve away
Twist it like a chapter play
In this lonely, darkened
Theater of absurd
Here's my hand
I have seen you unrehearsed
At your wildest, at your worst
Still I hitched my heart
To the darkest star
On my Walk of Fame
Leave a handprint by your name
And I'll stay right here
'Til you reappear
I can wait for you
I dream big enough for two
An orrery of wannabes
In orbit, trying to think of ways
To fit you for a pedestal
Or buy you for a drink
But you don't have to offer anything
To pack 'em out the door
And you don't have to leave 'em laughing
To leave 'em wanting more
Curtains up
On the downbeat of your song
Command performer
Fielding encores at the bar
Scenesters wishing on your star
In the spotlight
Of unfamiliar eyes
You dance and shine
And you reflect 'em like the moon
The moving center of the room
Where I hitched my heart
To the darkest star
On my Walk of Fame
Leave a handprint by your name
And I'll stay right here
'Til you reappear
I can wait for you
I dream big enough for two.
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Jed Davis Syracuse, New York
Song designer; founding member of The Hanslick Rebellion, Skyscape, Collider; oblivious to genre, trends and the passage of time.
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