Archive for the 'Lyrics' Category

Lyrics — In These Walls

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Here are the lyrics for In These Walls.

VERSE

Just took the moment
to end the torment
I couldn’t know that I would trade your life for mine

I had no choices
Shut out the noises
I know we’d hoped that everything would turn out fine

CHORUS

I’m in these walls
Nowhere for me to go
I’m in these walls
Somewhere deep inside you’ve known

I’m in these walls
Don’t you leave me too
It’s in these walls
That I wait for you

VERSE

Through the crack reminds me
Of the stack that sat beside me
The details of the cases and how they start to swim

I’m looking at you
I’d have loved to join you
But the letters on the pages felt like they were closing in

CHORUS

I’m in these walls
Nowhere for me to go
I’m in these walls
Somewhere deep inside you’ve known

I’m in these walls
Don’t you leave me too
It’s in these walls
That I wait for you

BRIDGE

She’s on her way now
Don’t wait for another minute
Time to decide now
Are you out or are you in it
She’s on her way now
And she’s pretty close to finding
She’s at the door now
And the doorbell sound’s unwinding

VERSE

I think that heaven’s up there
But Helen I’d rather stay where
I could feel your fingers running circles down my arm

Now I just imagine
If I hadn’t turned my badge in
Those tidal waves of sadness, they no longer do me harm

CHORUS

I’m in these walls
Nowhere for me to go
I’m in these walls
Somewhere deep inside you’ve known

I’m in these walls
Don’t you leave me too
It’s in these walls
That I wait for you

Lyrics — Song for Summer

Monday, June 1st, 2009

Here are the lyrics for Song for Summer.

VERSE

Say what, you know, I do
In just a minute I’ll be along there too
Put on the sandals, the sunscreen, and the shorts right now
I love the sand and surf and the sun and how

I would love to go out but there is work to do
I can see the ocean from the inside too
And I promise to be there when my work is done
There’s no way that I would miss all that fun

CHORUS

Lonely feeling round my bonfire heart
No one understands that I’m a wave apart, and
I like the summer from inside
(With the air conditioning on)

VERSE

James Taylor writes those summer songs
Give someone else a chance James, it won’t be long
Before some other people with their other ways
Enjoy the summer months out of those harmful rays

Everyone’s sunning, almost nothing on
I’ll be waving from the window with my sweater on
Spend all night looking, did your mole change shape
I’ll be sleeping like a baby, with my clear landscape

CHORUS

Lonely feeling round my bonfire heart
No one understands that I’m a wave apart, and
I like the summer from inside
(With the air conditioning on)

BRIDGE

Don’t you think I want to be there
Don’t you think It doesn’t seem fair (why do I burn so easily)
Don’t I know that’s where the girls are with their looks
There might be a couple of girls inside, who don’t like sand in their books

VERSE

Friday morning’s you’re all suddenly sick
I’m alone in the office, that’s what I would pick
Cause it’s hot outside and as the climate warms
We’ll have summer during Christmas, and July snow storms

But I’m well prepared you’re gonna wanna be me
I’ll be watching all of summer on my TV
When the ice cap melts and Florida sinks
You’re gonna wanna get a ticket to my private ice rink

CHORUS

Lonely feeling round my bonfire heart
No one understands that I’m a wave apart, and
I like the summer from inside
(With the air conditioning on)

REFRAIN

Lonely feeling round my bonfire heart
No one understands that I’m a wave apart

Lyrics — My Chemical Brain

Monday, May 18th, 2009

Here are the lyrics for My Chemical Brain.

VERSE

My chemical brain sends me from one bright thought to another
I’m falling and reeling, I skin one knee and then hurt the other
My chemical brain sends out a pulse and the new ones come faster
The back and forth’s tiring and my feet are embedded in plaster
And I stall…

CHORUS

Euphoric now I’m crying,
Historic low and I’m dying to see
The way that you stay even
I can almost taste the way it should be

VERSE
My chemical brain sends me from one pair of arms to the other
I’m tumbling and turning in and out on my way to another
My chemical brain flips and wants some time alone, and I am
I’m the last train it’s cold it’s night and I’m almost home
And I fall…

CHORUS

Euphoric now I’m crying,
Historic low and I’m dying to see
The way that you stay even
I can almost taste the way it should be

BRIDGE

When the neuron fires
And when the synapse retires
The receptor binds
Electricity blinds

Again the neuron fires
And when the synapse retires
The receptor binds
Electricity blinds

VERSE

My chemical brain is doing backflips and then does a tumble
Trampoline bounces twice three times and I start to fumble
My chemical brain it pops you free and wants you to return, and
then it changes its mind, lights a match, and watches you burn
And I call…

CHORUS

Euphoric now I’m crying,
Historic low and I’m dying to see
The way that you stay even
I can almost taste the way it should be

(repeats, with bridge on top)

Lyrics — Brookline

Sunday, November 23rd, 2008

Here are the lyrics for Brookline.

VERSE A

It’s 4:45 on friday
Summer job winding down and you say
Get over to Kenmore Square in time

Head up to your roof, inspect it
The building next door’s connected
We can climb up inside the Citgo sign

VERSE B

That switch is so big it’s humming
I’m the one, I switch it off, and now
You want me to go back turn it on
Fuck you no way not me, no how

And it was dark for several games

VERSE A

It’s past 1am on Tuesday
The smoke settles down and you say
Let’s get some food at the falafel truck

The doctor’s done ordering and I
want the shishkebab sandwich, that guy
who’s taking my order thinks I suck

VERSE B

I know that he knows just what i want
He won’t admit it, not tonight
My Lebanese friend, please feed me
I’m so hungry, I don’t care who’s right

And now I’m so full of lamb

CHORUS

Remember a time when i would never leave you
Remember a time when you were always there
Look real close and I can almost see you
Look real close and I am standing right there

VERSE A

It’s 2:26 on friday
Shuffle up to your boss and you say
Will you let me off early for my party tonight

Asshole says no, you steal snacks
You say you’re going on break, be right back
Are you gonna return, you say “yeah right”

VERSE B

Green line from coolidge corner
straight to your house setting up the keg
300 people showed up
We’re the ones who who called the cops and begged

Please come and throw everyone out

CHORUS

Remember a time when i would never leave you
Remember a time when you were always there
Look real close and I can almost see you
Look real close and I am standing right there

ENDING REFRAIN

I’m so there…

Lyrics — Take the Picture

Monday, November 10th, 2008

Here are the lyrics for Take the Picture.

VERSE

I think the rain has stopped, the cherry blossoms dropped
Take a walk outside, and maybe go for a ride
Let’s throw the ball around, see the rocks that we found
I think we’ll be home soon, that big white ball is the moon

CHORUS A

Will you know that I was right there with you?
And do you know that I already miss you?
And please don’t forget that if I’m not in the scene
I was off to the side, someone had to take the picture

VERSE

The last bite is yours, we can’t go into that store
Let’s go sketch the lake, you want the pink cupcake
It’s already 10 to 8, look I cleaned my plate
I loved the breakfast in bed, mmm peanut butter on bread

CHORUS A

Will you know that I was right there with you?
And do you know that I already miss you?
And please don’t forget that if I’m not in the scene
I was off to the side, someone had to take the picture

CHORUS B

Give me a second and one more try
The light’s not right, please move to the side
If you could stay put for one with me
Everyone smile on the count of three
I just want a shot before the sun goes down
I need another battery, I’ll run into town
Hey check out the one that I just took
It’s perfect

VERSE

I’m a shark in the pool, drop you off at school
Another concert today, of course I saw you play
Alright I skipped that one, that concert wasn’t much fun
I admit, I confess, I swear I saw all the rest,

CHORUS A

Will you know that I was right there with you?
And do you know that I already miss you?
And please don’t forget that if I’m not in the scene
I was off to the side, someone had to take the picture

CHORUS B

Give me a second and one more try
The light’s not right, please move to the side
If you could stay put for one with me
Everyone smile on the count of three
I just want a shot before the sun goes down
I need another battery, I’ll run into town
Hey check out the one that I just took
It’s perfect
(It’s my favorite face, don’t give me that look)

Lyrics — Dear Editor

Tuesday, August 5th, 2008

Here are the lyrics for Dear Editor.

VERSE

Inside my pages the second act closes
Our hero’s been through so much she seems hopeless
What will she do next, you don’t know what it will be
You can’t stop reading, cause I’m chapter 203

CHORUS

You wouldn’t know something that was well written
if it jumped off the page and moved into your home, Barnard
BA in English says I should be streamlined
Fix your typos and commas and leave me alone

VERSE

I know someone that deserves your “affection”
Story goes nowhere and reading them’s a chore
I’m sure they’d love all your “expert” attention
Do me a favor and bug chapter 94

CHORUS

You wouldn’t know something that was well written
if it jumped off the page and moved into your home, Barnard
BA in English says I should be streamlined
Fix your typos and commas and leave me alone

VERSE

I guess I know we’re running long and could get lighter
Maybe a few words should stay lost instead of found
I don’t appreciate your yellow highlighter
No my author isn’t paid by the pound

CHORUS

You wouldn’t know something that was well written
if it jumped off the page and moved into your home, Barnard
BA in English says I should be streamlined
Fix your typos and commas and leave me alone

Lyrics — Days Like This

Saturday, July 26th, 2008

Here are the lyrics for Days Like This.

VERSE

You’re in my airspace and I tell myself it doesn’t matter
We’re steady circling, and i feel my common sense begin to scatter

CHORUS

Nobody told me there’d be days like this
When you’d be there to hold me, there’d be days like this
You could have bought and sold me, there’d be days like this
And I’m holding out for more

VERSE

Knock interrupts us and it’s just in time to stop for getting
We’re still connected and I think we know where this is heading

CHORUS

Nobody told me there’d be days like this
When you’d be there to hold me, there’d be days like this
You could have bought and sold me, there’d be days like this
And I’m holding out for more

BRIDGE

I couldn’t place you, you’re not the same as those i see
It took forever, to figure out the problem was with me

VERSE

The sun is up and reality is back, and now we’re in it
Though we said goodbye, all i know is you each hour each minute

CHORUS

Nobody told me there’d be days like this
When you’d be there to hold me, there’d be days like this
You could have bought and sold me, there’d be days like this
And I’m holding out for more

Nobody told me there’d be days like this
When you’d be there to hold me, there’d be days like this
You could have bought and sold me, there’d be days like this
And I’m holding out for more

Lyrics — SkyMall (Jonathan Coulton Cover)

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008

Lyrics to Skymall by Jonathan Coulton.

VERSE

O’Hare is nice this time of year
I check my bags and find my seat and buy a beer and settle in

Such is my life here on the road
Now my seat back is up, tray table stowed and there’s nothing to do
I gotta get myself through

CHORUS

So I am shopping in Sky Mall
That five-mile-high mall
That always has just what I need
When I get to the gate and remember too late
I should have brought something to read
I’m OK, cause I know that I’ m gonna shop SkyMall

VERSE

I bought a pair of bonsai trees
I bought a big fake rock where I can hide my keys from everyone

And I imagine what all my friends would say
To see this lovable Santa dance and sway to my favorite songs
My favorite holiday songs

CHORUS

And I am shopping in SkyMall
That five-mile-high mall
That always has just what I need
When I get to the gate and remember too late
I should have brought something to read
I’m OK, cause I know that I’m gonna shop SkyMall

BRIDGE

In Cleveland, I bought a replica of the sword that was broken
And then somewhere above Detroit some Successories that say “Lead with Vision”

VERSE

I love you best when I’m away
And while I’m out here I look forward to the day when I come home

Cause there’s something special waiting there
It’s a whimsical statue of a bear that holds a bottle of wine
But please don’t touch it, it’s mine

CHORUS

Because I bought it at SkyMall
That five-mile-high mall
That always has just what I need
When I get to the gate and remember too late
I should have brought something to read
I’m OK, cause I know that I’m gonna shop SkyMall
Cause I know that I’m gonna shop SkyMall

Lyrics — 1000 A.D.

Monday, June 23rd, 2008

I’ve gotten a couple of requests for the lyrics to some of my songs. So here’s the first set, for the latest track — 1000 A.D.

VERSE

Where the hell am I
And what’s this bump on my head
I’m sure not in Kansas
Could it be that I’m dead

It’s my standard nightmare
Of sudden time travel
Back a thousand years in Europe
I’m gonna unravel

Gotta calm down
I’ll be fine
I’ve got skills
I’ll use my mind

VERSE

I can read and write
And almost no one else can
Two years of high school Latin
Now I need a plan

I’ll sell boiled water
Better yet I’ll boil some wine
I’ll make a mint selling brandy
They’re all drunk all the time

Gotta calm down
I’ll be fine
I’ve got skills
I’ll use my mind

CHORUS

But it’s harder than I thought
These people aren’t so dumb
And they don’t understand a thing I say

Before I get rich
and discover electricity
I’ve gotta find some food and a place to stay

VERSE

I can do math
Right here in my head
I’m like a walking computer
They’ll hire me instead

Of making me a slave
If I could help them with their war
I’d invent the Haber process
Give them guns and bombs and more

Gotta calm down
I’ll be fine
I’ve got skills
I’ll use my mind

CHORUS

But it’s harder than I thought
These people aren’t so dumb
And they don’t understand a thing I say

Before I build my castle
and invent indoor plumbing
I’ve gotta find some food and a place to stay

VERSE

I’ll reenact every movie
in the form of a play
Luke will be Jesus
Leia’s Mary Magdalene

Every song by the Beatles
I’ll re-sing as my own
I will get satisfaction
Cause it’s mine and not the Stones

Gotta calm down
I’ll be fine
I’ve got skills
I’ll use my mind

CHORUS

But it’s harder than I thought
These people aren’t so dumb
And they don’t understand a thing I say

Before I change history
and discover America
I’ve gotta find some food and a place to stay
I’m starting to get thin and waste away
I’m sure I’ll find some food and a place to stay

Lyrics — Betty

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008

These are the lyrics for Betty.

VERSE

There’s something wrong when your best friend hates you
It’s been so long I think she might erase you
You and her, you were like sisters for a time
Now you’re only good for her hand-me-downs

Look in the mirror you say you don’t look pretty
She agrees and I think god that’s shitty
Please don’t think that she is really on your side
Especially when it comes to your love life

CHORUS

How can you still be in love with him
Every time she shows you see your chances dim
He can’t see what I’ve been watching all this time
Let the rich girl have him, and you’ll be mine

VERSE

Step on the scale you think its ten too much
I want to shake you and say what the fuck
Are you thinking, you’re beautiful just the way you are
I know that you don’t see it like I do

You starve yourself for him, and he deserts you
He doesn’t care, all he does is hurt you
Why do you let him walk all over your heart
You’re crying into your ice cream

CHORUS

How can you still be in love with him
Every time she shows you see your chances dim
He can’t see what I’ve been watching all this time
Let the rich girl have him, and you’ll be mine

BRIDGE

Maybe you’ll wake up and stop this sadness
Maybe you’ll finally see me tonight
Maybe you’ll see how all this is madness
Maybe you’ll see I’m right

VERSE

You spill your sorrows she is your confessor
She doesn’t care, your tears they don’t impress her
Your secrets help her break your heart even worse
She is thinking about those shoes she bought

He runs to her even though she hates him
He buys her presents and she berates him
Can’t you see that they aren’t worth your time
You deserve so much better

CHORUS

How can you still be in love with him
Every time she shows you see your chances dim
He can’t see what I’ve been watching all this time
Let the rich girl have him, and you’ll be mine

How can you still be in love with him
Every time she shows you see your chances dim
Even the kid with the crown has found the apple of his eye
But you’re still smiling like you’re happy and we’re wondering why
You’re still chasing after Archie and I wonder why