1. |
Johnnie's Going Down
03:53
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They always gunned for Johnnie, but 'til now the shot was out-of-range.
But nothing lasts forever and the weather is about to change.
And if he'd seen his cornered soldier changing sides,
that setting sun on the horizon wouldn't be surprising.
Johnnie's going down.
Word's been going 'round.
Searching through this town,
there's no friends to be found.
A new king will be crowned.
Yeah, Johnnie's going down.
Pirelli had been waiting at the gate and finally saw his time.
It wasn't very long before the songbird sang and dropped the dime.
At that point, Johnnie's well of options came up dry.
And as you're probably surmising without much analyzing.
Johnnie's going down.
Word's been going 'round.
Searching through this town,
there's no friends to be found.
A new king will be crowned.
Yeah, Johnnie's going down.
Caught without an alibi (that kind of gave it all away).
Johnnie's hanging out to dry.
Johnnie's going down.
Word's been going 'round.
Searching through this town,
there's no friends to be found.
A new king will be crowned.
The wheel of fortune keeps on spinning 'round and 'round and 'round and 'round.
Yeah, Johnnie's going down.
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2. |
To and Fro
03:55
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It's our final second.
But now, wait a second.
Isn't this the second
time or the third
that you've made that claim?
Everything is still the same.
Even though you've said it,
we could still forget it.
And you know I'd let it
go and be happy
to let it slide
because I'm on your side.
You say you're leaving but you'll never go.
Why are you keeping up this to and fro?
If it don't feel right, the door's open wide.
But I know tonight you'll be by my side.
Your non-action's speaking
louder than the freaking
words your mouth is leaking
out. All about
how you're up and gone.
But you're still here to hear this song.
You say you're leaving but you'll never go.
Why are you keeping up this to and fro?
If it don't feel right, the door's open wide.
But you know tonight you'll be by my side.
So, swallow your pride
And be my bride.
So, why would you
put us both through
the trials and tribulations
of a trial separation
when, in the final summation,
you will see the situation
like I do?
You say you're leaving but you'll never go.
why are you keeping up this to and fro?
If it don't feel right the door's open wide.
But we both know you'll wind up by my side.
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3. |
No Way Out
04:04
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So, you throw your life away.
Another glass of bourbon
makes it sugar-coated and fine.
Like the lines you're going to cross
a half a million times
half-loaded - makes it seem alright.
One catastrophe away.
Could happen any day.
Unfolding right before your eyes
that look into the mirror
at objects that appear
they're going to get cut down to size
and get what they deserve.
So, take it like a man
and finally accept there's . . .
No way out.
Should we say your fate is sealed?
Or, perhaps, destiny's
unfolding right before your eyes
that look into the mirror
and see nothing but fear
and loathing. Step up for your prize
that you picked out yourself.
You wanted it so bad.
And now you see it's left you . . .
No way out.
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4. |
So
03:39
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So long, it's been great to know ya.
So sad saying goodbye.
So hard believing it's over.
So much for making it fly.
But you'll shine on.
When all else is gone
and forgotten,
I'll still remember how
even the light changed
when it danced around you.
So long since you've felt it working.
You're so good at telling me so.
I'm so tired of trying to convince you
but so scared of letting you go.
But you'll shine on.
When all else is gone
and forgotten,
I'll still remember how
even the light changed.
And all of the good
that I'll still see,
no matter the distance
You choose to
put in between us.
So long, it's been great to know ya.
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5. |
Nothing's Changed
04:07
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Every day I wake
and nothing's changed.
Feel the same dull pain
through another day.
Every day I wake
and nothing's changed.
All the thorns remain,
they're just re-arranged.
Right about now,
I could use something to believe in,
or at least something to deceive myself.
Right about now,
I need some differentiation,
even a minor alteration would help.
But every day I wake
and nothing's changed.
Feel the same dull pain
through another day.
Every day I wake
and nothing's changed.
All the thorns remain,
they're just re-arranged.
How can this be?
Thought I'd escaped the desperation.
I really thought that this foundation was sound.
How can this be?
That I thought that I was there when
it's just another house I'm tearing down.
Down.
All roads leading down, down, down.
Where is the life
that I thought I would be leading
before these endless years conceding?
Every day I wake
and nothing's changed.
Feel the same dull pain
through another day.
Every day I wake
and nothing's changed.
All the thorns remain,
they're just re-arranged.
Nothing's changed.
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6. |
8Track
02:45
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My older sister used to spend all of her time
listening to 8Tracks.
She had a plastic Panasonic
that she carried in her backpack.
'Fresh as a Daisy' was her favorite song.
She taught me the words and we'd sing along.
We always had a lot of fun
listening to records on the 8Track.
Sometimes the way the music played it came out different on the 8Track.
They did a lot of crazy things to make the record
fit the format.
They'd move songs around to do the math.
Sometimes they'd even cut the songs in half.
But even so, the way my sister always listened
was on 8Track.
And we'd sing: "Ooh la la la. Ooh la la la.
Ooh la la la. Ooh la la la."
We'd start it off on Program 1
then Program 2
then Program 3
then Program 4
and then it STOPPED!
. . .
. . .
PRESS FAST FORWARD!!!!
I made this whole thing up - I was too young.
But still, it seems like it was lots of fun.
I know I missed out on a lot
because I never had an 8Track.
(I don't even have a sister.)
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7. |
Listening to NRBQ
04:36
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We started dating during Watergate.
We would stay up late
trashing Nixon.
Showed you my collection of vinyl sides
- LPs and 45s -
my addiction.
Even though we started out with some doubt
things got much better when
you took me back to your parent's
in their basement den.
And yours were stacked floor-to-ceiling
covering every wall.
(Then we made out a little.)
Later that night I drove around with you.
Listening to NRBQ.
I had a Charger with a big V8.
That mother started great.
Yeah, it hauled ass.
It had an after-market stereo
with FM radio
and an 8Track.
And together we would ride, side-by-side,
that year all summer long
and we'd turn on each other to our favorite songs.
And we'd sing out loud
with the windows rolled down
and your head on my shoulder.
And every night I'd drive around with you.
Listening to NRBQ.
All summer long - driving around with you.
Listening to NRBQ.
I got us tickets on your birthday
for a show in Detroit
And we drove four hours, one-way.
When we got there we sat down in front
and started to kiss.
And then Big Al took a solo and it went like this:
(solo)
And now I'm older with a wife and kid.
Won't believe what I did
with my vinyl.
Put it on eBay and sold all of it.
And though I regret it,
"All Sales Final."
But every now and then you pop in my head
and it brings me a smile
(and, yeah, I still miss that Charger every once in a while).
Though I wouldn't change a thing about the life I have now,
you know I still keep your picture.
And I remember driving 'round with you.
Listening to NRBQ.
All summer long - driving around with you.
Listening to NRBQ.
I wonder know if you remember, too
all the things we'd do.
Listening to NRBQ.
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8. |
||||
The bullies choose their morning fight to pick.
Another bus stop ambush;
Albert stands and waits to take his licks.
They beat him up for kicks.
But Albert's thinking of the task at hand.
Turning tables on the bullies
when he finally makes his stand.
He's got the whole thing planned.
Today could be the day.
The day when everybody's in for a surprise.
The day we chalk one up for Albert's side.
In gym with Albert on the dodgeball court.
We're being hunted by the popular,
who pick us off for sport
- the chubby and the short -
but soon we'll have our day.
And all those bully boys haven't yet realized
that something strange has caused a change in Albert's eyes.
There's a look that Albert really can't disguise.
We might just chalk one up for Albert's side.
Lunch comes 'round
and balls and bats have hit the ground.
The girls have thrown the jump-rope down.
It seems like everybody's running to where
Albert stands.
And he's clearly in command.
Now he has the upper hand.
We watched the bullies as their world was shattered.
The school bell rang and we all scattered.
Came back in late from recess,
greeting us was teacher's evil eye.
Everyone survived,
but nothing was the same.
It turns out everyone was in for a surprise
today when Albert cut the bullies down to size.
We never thought the underdog could win first prize.
He must have called up something lurking deep inside.
And even though nobody can believe their eyes
We have to chalk one up for Albert's side.
Hip, hip, hooray!
It's Albert's big day.
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9. |
On Your Birthday
02:43
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I found a photograph.
The only one I have.
Can almost hear you laughing
on your birthday.
'Cause that was you and me,
back in '92 or 3.
Underneath the Marquee
on your birthday.
Seems so long ago,
but I still recall that show
and how you sang
loud as the band.
Someone took our picture.
We had one too many drinks.
Then we were walking back to your house
hand-in-hand.
With flowers in your hair,
I led you up the stairs.
And all your friends were there
on your birthday.
Dandelion wine
under incandescent light.
And everyone's invited
on your birthday.
I waited for a year,
and I wasted some tears,
imagining you'd
come back again.
But one day you wake up
and you're over the breakup.
But I find myself remembering
now and then.
We had elaborate plans
but short attention spans
and too many Black and Tans
back in those days.
Our once and future past -
it ended all too fast.
And nothing seems to last
except for birthdays.
Are you going out
on your birthday?
Will you think about me
on your birthday?
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10. |
Three Weeks Shy
06:43
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Ma looked at her plate, then pushed it aside.
Since that day, she'd say she don't have an appetite.
The dishes in the sink are stacked four days high.
That was when the men came up our drive.
There was a blue sky.
The sun was in my eyes.
They said a few words
but Mama's scream was all I heard.
He was just three weeks shy.
My brother signed up the day he turned eighteen.
Said to me: "You see? I'm gonna be all that I can be."
The day he told us really caused quite a scene.
We didn't know he'd go so suddenly.
There was a blue sky.
Ma started to cry.
She asked him what day
he'd have to go away.
He said he was three weeks shy.
They shipped him off the first of July
to Fallujah. That was when
he lost a couple friends.
His tour came to an end.
They called him up again
and sent him into Baghdad this time.
Almost two years since he's gone,
he calls us on the phone.
Says he's coming home.
He's finally coming home.
Ma hung a calendar
up on the wall.
Every morning we'd pray
and then an "X" she would draw.
We were counting down
to his "Homeward Bound,"
to his "Safe and Sound"
but there was a blue sky.
The sun got in his eyes.
When that IED blew,
there was nothing he could do.
He was just three weeks shy.
He's never coming home.
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