The Jam were an English punk rock/New Wave/mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. They were formed in Woking, Surrey. While they shared the "angry young men" outlook and fast tempos of their punk rock contemporaries, The Jam wore smartly tailored suits rather than ripped clothes, and they incorporated a number of mainstream 1960s rock influences rather than rejecting them, placing The Jam at the forefront of the mod revival movement.
They had 18 consecutive Top 40 singles in the United Kingdom, from their debut in 1977 to their break-up in December 1982, including four number one hits. As of 2007, "That's Entertainment" and "Just Who Is the 5 O'Clock Hero?" remained the best-selling import singles of all time in the UK.[citation needed] They released one live album and six studio albums, the last of which, The Gift, hit number one on the UK album charts. When the group split up, their first 15 singles were re-released and all placed within the top 100.
The band drew upon a variety of stylistic influences over the course of their career, including 1960s beat music, soul, rhythm and blues and psychedelic rock, as well as 1970s punk and new wave. The trio was known for its melodic pop songs, its distinctly English flavour and its mod image. The band launched the career of Paul Weller, who went on to form The Style Council and later had a successful solo career. Weller wrote and sang most of The Jam’s original compositions, and he played lead guitar, using a Rickenbacker. Bruce Foxton provided backing vocals and prominent basslines, which were the foundation of many of the band’s songs, including the hits "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight", "The Eton Rifles", "Going Underground" and "Town Called Malice".
This is a modern world - This is the modern world
What kind of a fool do you think I am?
You think I know nothing of the modern world
All my life has been the same
I've learned to live by hate and pain
It's my inspiration drive -
I've learned more than you'll ever know
Even at school I felt quite sure
That one day I would be on top
And I'd look down upon the map
The teachers who said I'd be nothing -
This is the modern world that I've learnt about
This is the modern world, we don't need no one
To tell us what's right or wrong -
Say what you like 'cause I don't care
I know where I am and going too
It's somewhere I won't preview
Don't have to explain myself to you
I don't give two fucks about your review
I think we must have all gone mad
Maybe right turned over
They promise us the earth
Instead we've got the great depression
Now you're free and easy with the base
You blame your brothers and sisters
And neurotics say ";sod the rest";
It's the new dissention
Into the abyss
By pushing forwards
It's always down
It's a desperate war
You're trying to blow yourselves up
You don't care who you stand... with the help about
Hey hey - well that's not the way
No sense or reason in your fussing and fighting
And your violent obsession
Who's ever really left feeling fine
After the great depression?
No sense of purpose in the competion
Keeping up with the Jones's
You buy a house,
You buy a car
You buy a marriage and a bed of rosesInto the abyss
By pushing forwards
It's always down
It's a desperate war
You're trying to blow yourselves up
You don't care who you stand ... with the help about
Hey hey - well that's not the way
Letting loose the lunatics - wasn't the greatest of ideas
Giving them plans and money to squander -
Should have been the worst of our fears
The dream life luxury living was a pleasant No. 10 whim,
But somewhere down the line of production
They let out human beings
They were gonna build communities
It was going to be pie in the sky -
But the piss stench hallways and broken down lifts
Say the planners dream went wrong
If people were made to live in boxes
God would have given them string
To tie around their selves at bed time
And stop their dreams falling through the ceiling
And the public school boy computers -
Keep spewing out our future -
The house in the country designs the 14th floor
Old Mrs. Smith don't get out much more -
Coitus interruptus 'cause of next doors rows
Your washing gets nicked when the lights go out -
Baby's scream in the nightmare throng
But planners just get embarrassed when their plans GO WRONG!
The place I love is a million miles away,
it's too far for the eye to see
Still it's me at least, and you can't come there
No one is allowed at all
Only animals that love, will always, only, ever could be
And it's always at the back of my mind.
The place I love is overgrown now
With beautiful moss and colourful flowers
And goldfish that swim in a pool, there's a small brick wall
With neon lighting controlled by lightning
I'm making a stand against the world
There's those who would hurt us if they heard.
The place I love is no where near here,
Not within a mile of those trendy do's,
Where dogsbodies pick you up, and graciously give you a lift,
With cherished thoughts and bitterness.
I'm making a stand against the world,
There's those who would hurt us if they heard
And that's always in the back of my mind
And life is very difficult, when you're in the crowd
When you're in the crowd, you see things as they really are
You can smell the fear and hate, generated by all around -
I wanna breakaway, but the ties are too strong
Wanna go on holiday, but the crowd says I can't
See life is very different, when you're in the crowd
Oh, sometimes in the night, I wish I was faraway
But then I realize, even escape will be in vain
I wanna close my eyes and be like the rest
I mean, nobody wants to die, although the crowd say they do
Look, life is very intricate, when you're in the crowd
Life becomes the movies
And everyone has a role
It's easy being the actor
When the combine's the only star -
Sunday papers
And the dailies
Ena Sharples
Page 3 girls
News at ten
War in Rhodesia
Far away
In a distant land
But we're alright
We're nice and warm here
No one to hurt us
Except ourselves
So you finally got what you wanted
You've achieved your aim by making me walk in line
And when you just can't get any higher
You use your senses to suss out this week's climber
And the small fame that you've acquired
Has brought you into cult status
But to me you're still a collector
There's tarts and whores but you're much more
You're a different kind 'cause you want their minds
And you just don't care 'cause you've got no pride
It's just a face on your pillowcase
That thrills you
And you started looking much older
And your fashion sense is second rate like your perfume
But to you in your little dream world
You're still the Queen of the butterfly collectors
As you carry on 'cause it's all you know
You can't light a fire
You can't cook or sew
You get from day to day by filling your head
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs
Has worn off
And I don't care about morals
'Cause the world's insane and we're all to blame anyway
And I don't feel any sorrow
Towards the Kings and Queens of the butterfly collectors
There's tarts and whores but you're much more
You're a different kind 'cause you want their minds
And you just don't care 'cause you've got no pride
It's just a face on your pillowcase
That thrills you
As you carry on 'cause it's all you know
You can't light a fire
You can't cook or sew
You get from day to day by filling your head
But surely you must know the appeal between your legs
Has worn off
And I don't feel any sorrow
Towards the Kings and Queens of the butterfly collectors
Move - move - I've got the gift of life
Can't you see it in the twinkle of my eye
I can't stand up and I can't sit down
I gotta keep movin' - I gotta keep movin'
All the time that gets wasted hating
Why don't you move together and make your heart feel better
Groove - groove - to the beat of this drum
Feel it in the wind and the warmth of the sun
Don't sit down and don't stand up
Keep on movin' - keep on movin'
Think of the future and make it grow
Why don't you move together an' make your heart feel better
Take a pinch of white and pinch of black
Mix it together and make a movin' flavour -
Take a pinch of white and pinch of black
Tell you move together an' make your heart feel better -
Move - move - we got the gift of life
Go and shout it from your roof mountain top
Give it to me once and give it to me twice
We gotta keep movin' - we gotta keep movin'!
Sup up your beer and collect your fags,
There's a row going on down near Slough,
Get out your mat and pray to the West,
I'll get out mine and pray for myself.
Thought you were smart when you took them on,
But you didn't take a peep in their artillery room,
All that rugby puts hairs on your chest,
What chance have you got against a tie and a crest.
Hello-Hurrah - what a nice day - for the Eton Rifles,
Hello-Hurrah - I hope rain stops play - with the Eton Rifles.
Thought you were clever when you lit the fuse,
Tore down the house of commons in your brand new shoes,
Compose a revolutionary symphony,
Then went to bed with a charming young thing.
Hello-Hurrah - cheers then mate - its the Eton Rifles,
Hello-Hurrah - an extremist scrape - with the Eton Rifles.
What a catalyst you turned out to be,
Loaded the guns then you run off home for your tea,
Left me standing - like a guilty (naughty) schoolboy.
We came out of it naturally the worst,
Beaten and bloody and I was sick down my shirt,
We were no match for their untamed wit,
Though some of the lads said they'll be back next week.
Hello-Hurrah - there's a price to pay - to the Eton Rifles,
Hello-Hurrah - I'd prefer the plague - to the Eton Rifles.
Hello-Hurrah - there's a price to pay - to the Eton Rifles,
Hello-Hurrah - I'd prefer the plague - to the Eton Rifles.
A police car and a screaming siren -
A pnuematic drill and ripped up concrete -
A baby waiting and stray dog howling -
The screech of brakes and lamplights blinking -
that's entertainment.
A smash of glass and the rumble of boots -
An electric train and a ripped up 'phone booth -
Paint splattered walls and the cry of a tomcat -
Lights going out and a kick in the balls -
that's entertainment.
Days of speed and slow time Mondays -
Pissing down with rain on a boring Wednesday -
Watching the news and not eating your tea -
A freezing cold flat and damp on the walls -
that's entertainment.
Waking up at 6 a.m. on a cool warm morning -
Opening the windows and breathing in petrol -
An amateur band rehearsing in a nearby yard -
Watching the tele and thinking about your holidays -
that's entertainment.
Waking up from bad dreams and smoking cigarettes -
Cuddling a warm girl and smelling stale perfume -
A hot summers' day and sticky black tarmac -
Feeding ducks in the park and wishing you were faraway -
that's entertainment.
Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight -
Two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude -
Getting a cab and travelling on buses -
Reading the grafitti about slashed seat affairs -
that's entertainment.
Bring you a tale from the pastel fields
Where we ran when we were young
This is a tale from the water meadows
Trying to spread some hope into your heart
It's mixed with happiness - it's mixed with tears
Both life a death are carried in this stream
That open space you could run for miles
Now you don't get so many to the pound
True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I'll always run to
Won't you join me by the riverbank
Paradise found down by the still waters
Joined in the race to the rainbow's end
No fears no worries just a golden country
Woke at sunrise, went home at sunsetNow life is so critical, life is too cynical
We lose our innocence, we lose our very soul
True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I'll always run to
True it's a dream mixed with nostalgia
But it's a dream that I'll always hang on to
That I always run to
Won't you join me by the riverbank
Come on and join me by the riverbank
Your twisted cynicism - makes me feel sick -
Your open disgust for 'Idealistic naive'
You've given up hope you're jaded and ill
The trouble is your thoughts a catching disease
Ooh - you need to get away -
Ooh - you need a change of pace -
Because you're all dried up and you don't believe
You reckon I'm dreaming when I say I still feel real
You say you work for yourself and its the only way
But I look at you talking and to me you just scrape away -
What makes once young minds get in this state,
Is it age or just the social climate
You're talking like some fucking hardend MP
You're saying power's all!
And it's power you NEED!
Ooh - you need to get away -
Ooh - you need a change of place -
Because you've given up on hope -
You're emotionless -
You've no need for love it's just hate, hate, hate.
But I look at you shaking and it is you -
who is scraping away
You who is scraping away.
I was in the pub last night
A mutual friend of ours said
He'd seen you in the uniform
Yeah the leather belt looks manly
The black boots butch
But oh what a bastard to get off
Promises, promises
They offer real solutions
But hatred has never won for long
You was so open minded
But by someone blinded
And now your sign says closed.
Promises, promises
They offer real solutions
But hatred has never won for longI think we've lost our perception -
I think we've lost sight of the goals we should
be working for
I think we've lost our reason
We stumble blindly and that vision must be restored!
I wish that there was something
I could do about it
I wish that there was some way
I could try to fight it
Scream and shout it -
But something you said set the house ablaze!
It is called indoctrination
And it happens on all levels
But it has nothing to do with equality
It has nothing to do with democracy
And though it professes to
It has nothing to do with humanity
It is cold, hard and mechanical.
High town - high street connections
With clothes at the top of my list
You could steal things from the jewelry department
But you can't take kind or steal a kiss
As I flit from shop window to window
I'm trying to pick up a friendly bargin
But it's not like the adverts all make out
And there's no one to greet you as a friend
I dress myself for the part
I smile but it just don't work
Something about my face - must just be the wrong shape
I better try another brand pretty quick
I'm haunted by the colours and holding a reminder that I must be inadequate
High town - high street connection
With clothes at the top of my list
Here we go again, it's Monday at last,
He's heading for the Waterloo line,
To catch the 8 a.m. fast, its usually dead on time,
Hope it isn't late, got to be there by nine.
Pin stripe suit, clean shirt and tie,
Stops off at the corner shop, to buy The Times
'Good Morning Smithers-Jones'
'How's the wife and home?'
'Did you get the car you've been looking for?'
Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so.
Sitting on the train, you're nearly there
You're part of the production line,
You're the same as him, you're like tin-sardines,
Get out of the pack, before they peel you back.
Arrive at the office, spot on time,
The clock on the wall hasn't yet struck nine,
'Good Morning Smithers Jones'
'The boss wants to see you alone'
'I hope its the promotion you've been looking for'Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so.
'Come in Smithers old boy'
'Take a seat, take the weight off your feet'
'I've some news to tell you'
'There's no longer a position for you' -
'Sorry Smithers Jones'.
Put on the kettle and make some tea
It's all a part of feeling groovie
Put on your slippers turn on the TV
It's all a part of feeling groovie
It's time to relax, now you've worked your arse off
But the only one smilin' is the sun tanned boss
Work and work and work and work till you die
There's plenty more fish in the sea to fry
So sad about us
So sad about us
Sad - never meant to break up
Sad - suppose we'll never make up
Sad about us
So bad about us
So bad about us
Bad - let the music stop now
Bad - suppose we can't turn back now
Bad about usApologies mean nothing when the damage is done
But you can't switch off my loving
Like you can't switch off the sun
So sad about us
So bad about us
Sad - never meant to break up
Sad - suppose we'll never make up
Sad about us
Sounds from the street, sounds so sweet
What's my name?
It hurts my brain to think
Sounds from the city, sound so pretty
Young bands playing
Young kids digging - And I dig them
The USA's got the sea
Yeah, but the British kid's got the streets I don't mind, the city's
right
Sounds from the street, sounds just fine
I know I come from Woking and you say I'm a fraud
But my heart's in the city, where it belongs
Words from the voices
Rock and roll rejoices
It's something new, it's something young for a change
Sounds from the street, they sound so sweet
They gotta take notice
Why should they stop us? We don't need them
We're never gonna change a thing
And the situation's rapidly decreasing
But what can I do?
I'm trying to be true
That's more than you, at least I'm doing something
Oh we make the standards and we make the rules
And if you don't abide by them you must be a fool
We have the power to control the whole land
You never must question our motives or plans -
'Cause we'll outlaw your voices, do anything we want
We've nothing to fear from the nation
We'll throw you out of your houses if you get too much
If we have to we'll destroy your generation
'Cause we've built up a frontage and we've gained respect
There's no one to endanger our position -
Standards rule OK
Standards rule OK
Standards rule OK
Standards rule OK
And we don't like people who stand in our way
Awareness is gonna be redundant
And ignorance is strength, we have God on our side
Look, you know what happend to Winston
It's not important for you to know my name -
Nor I to know yours
If we communicate for two minutes only
It will be enough
For knowing that someone in this world
Feels as desperate as me -
And what you give is what you get.
It doesn't matter if we never meet again,
What we have said will always remain.
If we get through for two minutes only,
It will be a start!
For knowing that someone in this life,
Loves with a passion called hate
And what you give is what you get.If I never ever see you -
If I never ever see you -
If I never ever see you - again.
And what you give is what you get!
Baby when I found out you were lying
Playing around and conniving
Undesired tears I was crying
'Cause sugar coated as I was buying
I was just a backseat driver in a car of love
Going wherever you take me
Don't know why I put up with the pain
'Cause no one else can make me
You've got me going - stoned out of my mind
And when you led me to the waters I drank it
But I drank more than I could hold
And you took my mind off my body
And now you want to take my soulWhere can I run?
Where can I hide?
Who can I talk to?
Tell me what more can I do?
You've got me going - stoned out of my mind
Playing around with every guy in town
It's funny I just can't put you down
See my head - it's spinning around
Since the day you let me down
Well come on pretty baby you know what I like now
You're shakin' all over and it's feeling alright now
You're rockin' and rollin' and I don't know what to say
But daddy's little cat's gonna rock all day
Well come on pretty woman you know what I mean now
The beat's just screaming right thru' your head
You're shakin' my heart, you're shakin' my soul -
I just go crazy when you rock-n-roll
There you go takin' my love from me
There you go takin' my love from me
Drive you home my country rose now
Hold you tight never let you go now
Kissing and huggin' outside your door
Til your pa sees and wants no more
Liza Radley - see the girl with long hair
See her creeping 'cross summer lawns at midnight
And all the people in the town where we live say
";She's not quite right";
But she don't fit in with a small town
They just can't understand why she's got to be free
And for their lives only, she cries
Liza Radley - see her jump through loneliness
Liza Radley - take me when you go
And all the people in the town where we live say
";She's not quite right";
But she don't fit in with a small town
They just can't understand why she's got to be free
And for their lives only, she cries
Liza Radley - I pledge myself to you alone
Then she kiss my face and says ";love means nothing at all";
She kiss my face and says ";Life means nothing at all";
Do you know what you're looking for?
Streets of gold, fame and fortune?
You didn't fancy working in a factory
But your mum and dad didn't agree
You slept on Waterloo station at first
But now you've moved to a posher squat
You wonder where your next meal will come from
Still it's better than living at home
You're looking tired 'cause it's been three weeks
Since you changed your clothes or washed your feet
But you're learning fast all the time
How to cadge cigarettes and pills
I don't condemn what you done
I know what it is to be young
You're only searching for today
To see the answers about yesterday -
And I hope you find
Looking from a hilltop, watching from a lighthouse, just dreaming
Up here I can see the world
Ooh, sometimes it don't look nice - That's OK
Life from a window, I'm just taking in the view
Life from a window, observing everything around you
Staring at a grey sky, try to paint it blue -
Teenage blue
Some people that you see around you
Tell you how devoted they are
They tell you something on Sunday, but come Monday
They've changed their minds
I'm looking from a skyscraper
I'm standing on the Post Office tower
So I can see - all there is to see
Its funny how you never knew what my name was,
Our only contact was a form for the election.
These days I find that you don't listen,
These days I find that we're out of touch,
These days I find that I'm too busy,
So why the attention now you want my assistance -
What have you done for me.
You've gone and got yourself in trouble,
No you want me to help you out.
These days I find that I can't be bothered,
These days I find that its all too much,
To pick up a gun and shoot a stranger,
But I've got no choice so here I come - war games.
I'm up on the hills, playing little boy soldiers,
Reconnaissance duty up at 5:30.
Shoot shoot shoot and kill the natives,
You're one of us and we love you for that.
Think of honour, Queen and country,
You're a blessed son of the British Empire,
God's on our side and so is Washington.
Come out on the hills with the little boy soldiers.Come on outside - I'll sing you a lullaby,
Or tell a tale of how goodness prevailed.
We ruled the world - we killed and robbed,
The fucking lot - but we don't feel bad.
It was done beneath the flag of democracy,
You'll believe and I do - yes I do - yes I do -
yes I do -
These days I find that I can't be bothered,
To argue withthem well what's the point,
Better to take your shots and drop down dead,
then they send you home in a pine overcoat
With a letter to your mum
Saying find enclosed one son - one medal and a note -
to say he won.
Rainclouds came and stole my thunder -
Left me barren like a desert
But a sunshine girl like you
It's worth going through -
I will never be embarrassed about love again -
Tortured winds that blew me over -
When I start to think that I'm something special
They tell me that I'm not -
And they're right and I'm glad and I'm not -
I will never be embarrassed about that again.
Oh baby I'm dreaming of Monday,
Oh baby will I see you again
Oh baby I'm dreaming of Monday.
Hush now child and don't you cry
Your folks might understand you by and by
Move on up towards your destination
You may find from time to time
Complications
Bight your lip and take a trip
Though there may be wet road ahead
You cannot slip
So move on up and peace you will find
Into the steeple of beautiful people
Where there's only one kind
So hush now child and don't you cry
Your folks might understand you by and by
Just move on up and keep on wishing
Remember your dreams are your only schemes
So keep on pushingTake nothing less - not even second best
And do not obey - you must have your say
You can past the test
Move on up!
London traffic (state of confusion)
London traffic (blocking the streets)
London traffic (going nowhere)
London traffic (polluting the air)
Drive round London in a car
Don't really want to go far
So many cars fill the streets
Wonder why we bother at all
London traffic is a problem
London traffic too many cars
One way systems look very neat
Coloured signs direct the streets
No one knows the answer
No one seems to care
Take a look at our city
Take the traffic elsewhere
Leave the city free from traffic
Give the place a chance to survive
Dirt and filth cover London
Puts up the closed sign does the man in the corner shop
Serves his last then he says goodbye to him
He knows it is a hard life
But its nice to be your own boss really
Walks off home does the last customer
He is jealous of the man in the corner shop
He is sick of working at the factory
Says it must be nice to be your own boss (really)
Sells cigars to the boss from the factory
He is jealous is the man in the corner shop
He is sick of struggling so hard
Says it might be nice to own a factory
Go to church do the people from the area
All shapes and classes sit and pray together
For here they are all one
For God created all men equal
All we seem to do is talk about it
we always end up shouting about it
there was a time we could overcome it
But it's too late to say we'll just forget it
It's too bad that we had to break up
and too much said for us to every make up
I could get by if I could just forget you
but things remind me and I feel so sad now
I could say I'm sorry
but it's not the point is it?
you want to play your games and
you don't mind if I get hurt
Same old feeling everytime I see you
and every avenue I walk I'm behind you
your back is turned and your eyes are closed girl
you move in circles that are out of my reach now
Hello darlin' - I'm home again
Covered in shit and aches and pains
Too knackered to think so give me time to come round
Just gimme the living room beat to the TV sound -
My hard earned dough goes in bills and the larder
And that Prince Philip tells us we gotta work harder!
It seems a constant struggle just to exist
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists -
From this window I've seen the whole world pass
From dawn to dusk I've heard the last laugh laughed
I've seen enough tears to wash away this street
I've heard wedding bells chime and a funeral march
When as one life finishes another one starts -
Alright then love so I'll be off now
It's back to the lunchbox and worker/management rows
There's gotta be more to this old life then this
Scrimping and saving and crossing of lists
Come down - your tea is on the table
Nothing seems to matter anymore
And if you're good we'll go out on Sunday
Spend the whole day thinking of you
Take you sailing across the water
To a faraway place
Remember when life was lovely
Forever was captured in your smile
When we were young and life was hopeful
No one threatend our existence
We were laughing
They couldn't stop us
No one in the worldRemember when life was lovely
Forever was captured in your smile
When we were young and life was hopeful
No one threatend our existence
We were laughing
They couldn't stop us
No one in the world
Daylights dawns, you wake up and yawn - Mr. Clean
A piece of toast from the one you love most - and you leave
You get the bus in the 8 o'clock rush,
And catch the train in the morning rain
Mr. Clean - Mr. Clean
If you see me in the street - look away
Cause I don't ever want to catch you looking at me - Mr. Clean
Cause I hate you and your wife
And if I get the chance I'll fuck up your life
Mr. Clean - etc. -
IS THAT SEEN!
Surround yourself with dreams, of pretty young
girls, and anyone you want, but -
please don't forget me or any of my kind
cause I'll make you think again
When I stick your face in the grind -
Getting pissed at the annual office do -
Smart blue suit and you went to Cambridge too -
You miss page 3, but the Times is right for you -
And mum and dad are very proud of you -
Mr. Clean - etc.
Saturday's boys live life with insults,
Drink lots of beer and wait for half time results,
Afternoon tea in the light-a-bite - chat up the girls - they
dig it!
Saturday's girls work in Tesco's and Woolworths,
Wear cheap perfume 'cause its all they can afford,
Go to discos they drink Babycham talk to Jan - in bingo
accents.
Saturdays kids play one arm bandits,
they never win but that's not the point is it,
Dip in silver paper when their pints go flat,
How about that - far out!
Their mums and dads smoke Capstan non filters,
Wallpaper lives 'cause they all die of cancer,
What goes on - what goes wrong.
Save up their money for a holiday,
To Selsey Bill or Bracklesham Bay,
Think about the future - when they'll settle down,
Marry the girl next door - with one on the way.
These are the real creatures that time has forgot,
Not given a thought - its the system -
Hate the system - what's the system?
Saturdays kids live in council houses,
Wear v-necked shirts and baggy trousers,
Drive Cortinas fur trimmed dash boards,
Stains on the seats - in the back of course!
I was hoping we'd make real progress -
But it seems we have lost the power
Any tiny step of advancement
Is like a raindrop falling into the ocean -
We're running on the spot - always have - always will?
We're just the next generation of the emotionally crippled.
Though we keep piling up the building blocks
The structure never seems to get any higher
Because we keep kicking out the foundations
And stand useless while our lives fall down.
I believe in life - and I believe in love
But the world in which I live in - keeps trying to prove me wrong.
Out in the pastures we call society
You can't see further than the bottom of your glass
Only young but easily shocked
You get all violent when the boat gets rocked -
Just like sheep - little lambs into the slaughter
Don't fully grasp what exactly is wrong -
Truth is you never cared - still -
You get all violent when the boat gets rocked -
Intelligence should be our first weapon
And stop reveling in rejection
And follow yourselves, not some ageing drain brain
Whose quite content to go on feeding you garbage
We're running on the spot - always have - always will?
We're just the next generation of the emotionally crippled.
Closer than close - you see yourself -
A mirrored image - of what you wanted to be.
As each day goes by - a little more -
You can't remember - what it was you wanted anyway.
The fingers feel the lines - they prod the space -
Your ageing face - the face that once was so beautiful,
is still there but unrecognizable -
Private Hell.
The man who you once loved - is bald and fat -
And seldom in - working late as usual.
Your interest has waned - you feel the strain -
The bed springs snap - on the occasions he lies upon you -
close your eyes and think of nothing but -
Private Hell.
Think of Emma - wonder what she's doing -
Her husband Terry - and your grandchildren.
Think of Edward - who's still at college -
You send him letters - which he doesn't acknowledge.
'Cause he don't care,
They don't care.
'Cause they're all going through their own - Private Hell.
The morning slips away - in a valium haze,
And catalogues - and numerous cups of coffee.
In the afternoon - the weekly food,
Is put in bags - as you float off down the high street
The shop windows reflect - play a nameless host,
To a closet ghost - a picture of your fantasy -
A victim of your misery - and Private Hell
Alone at 6 o'clock - you drop a cup -
You see it smash - inside you crack -
You can't go on - but you sweep it up -
Safe at last inside your Private Hell.
Sanity at last inside your Private Hell.
I've got a pocket full of pretty green -
I'm gonna put it in the fruit machine -
I'm gonna put it in the juke box -
It's gonna play all the records in the hit parade -
This is the pretty green - this is society
You can't do nothing - unless it's in the pocket
- oh no -
I've got a pocket full of pretty green
I'm gonna give it to the man behind the counter
He's gonna give me food and water -
I'm gonna eat that and look for more -
And they didn't teach me that in school -
It's something that I learnt on my own -
That power is measured by the pound or the fist -
It's as clear as this oh -
I've got a pocket full of Pretty Green!
Your precious love - that means so much
will it ever stop or will I just lose touch
What I want to say - but my words just fail
Is that I need it so I can't help myself
Like a hungry child - I just help myself
And when I'm all full up - I go out to play
But I don't mean to bleed you dry
Or take you over for the rest of your life
It's just that I need something solid in mineLonely as the moors on a winter's morning
Quiet as the sea on a good calm night
In your tranquil shadow - I try and follow
I hear your distant show clicks
To the midnight beat -
I feel trapped in sorrow
In this imagery
But that's how I am and why I need you so
Kid walks down the street
Bumps into emptiness
Pow!
Kid looks at the sky
Looks at his watch
Decides to go home
Zap!
Kid spies pretty girl
Walks up to her
Kisses her
On the mouth
Where else?And all day long I was thinking
I was thinking this, that and the other
And...
When!
So am I
I made this up as I went along
It's good innit?
The streets of pleasure took you to top
But every light was red and every sign said stop
I felt so confined, just like glued to this spot, oh
'Cause we were sleeping in the noon day sun
We escaped the test and the marathon run
And no one heard and these mournful cries of ";Alfie!";
We put a stop to that
Whoa, but Alfie, I wish you'd please come back
So no one's hurt - we might have made it through
But now there's nothing left except the memories of you
With overflowing powerful woes
'Cause there's real and fright
To the top of the stairs to find poor Alfie
And blood stained letters don't count for change
And don't look for blame
'Cause it's a fair exchange
For the last adventure I have left
'Cause we were sleeping in the noon day sun
We escaped the test and the marathon run
And no one heard and these mournful cries of ";Alfie!";
We put a stop to that
Oh, but Alfie, I wish you'd please come back
Now it's gonna be hard for me to make it through
When all that's left is the memories of
Nothing left except the memories of war and pain
Please pity poor AlfiePoor Alfie put a stop to that
Poor Alfie I wish you'd please come back
Poor Alfie put a stop to that
Oh, but Alfie I wish you'd please come back
Poor Alfie!
You'll never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
'Cause when you put your arms around me
I get a fever I can hardly bear
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever through the daytime
I get a fever all through the night
Sun lights up the daytime
Moon lights up the night
I light up when you kiss me
And I know you're gonna treat me right
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever through the daytime
I get a fever all through the night
Bless my soul I love you
Take me so far away
Take these arms I'll never use
Just believe what my words have to say
You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever through the daytime
I get a fever all through the night
You give me fever
Non-stop dancing, truly out on the floor
Non-stop moving, baby, baby
Still you scream out for more
We don't care if it rains or shines
Cause everything's fine inside, when we're dancing
Non-stop dancing
I said, non-stop loving, with my girl by my side
Everything's just cool, now baby, baby
She's the sweetest thing I know
I don't even mind guys trying to compete
I know our love's as strong as the beat, when we're dancing
Non-stop dancing
People say we're wasting our time
They don't seem to understand
Cause when you're dancing all night long
It gives you the feeling that you belong
Non-stop dancing, I'm truly out of my head
But I ain't sleepy, baby, baby
You see the dance is my bed
Things are really getting wild
The kids are screaming for that James Brown style, when we're dancing
Non-stop dancing
If it's not you moaning, then it's someone else,
Jumping down my throat, every chance you get,
If it's not you crying, then it's probably me
You're the little dog messing up my tree -
Billy Hunt is a magical world,
Full of strippers and long legged girls
Clark Kent's got nothing on me,
I'll spy like James Bond and die like King Kong
Billy Hunt, Billy Hunt, Billy, Billy, Billy
Billy Hunt, Billy Hunt, Billy, Billy, Billy
I remember the first day at my job,
I didn't get along with the foreman, Bob
Do this. Do that. Don't even stop for a cough.
He used to be a sergeant in the R.A.F.
No one pushes Billy Hunt around,
Well they do, but not for long
'cause when I get fit and grow bionic arms
the whole world's gonna wish it weren't born -I could be a Superman
Satisfy any whim that I wanted to,
I could be a Human machine
I could show Steve Austin a thing or two -
If it's not you moaning, then it's someone else,
Jumping down my throat, every chance you get,
If it's not you crying, then it's probably me
You're the little dog messing up my tree -
No one pushes Billy Hunt around,
Well they do, but not for long
'cause when I get fit and grow bionic arms
the whole world's gonna wish it weren't born -
Billy Hunt, Billy Hunt, Billy, Billy, Billy
Billy Hunt, Billy Hunt, Billy, Billy, Billy
Boy About Town
See me walking around i'm the boy about town that you heard of
See me walking the streets i'm on top of the world that you heard
Oh like paper caught in wind
I glide upstreet, I glide downstreet
Oh and it won't let you go
Till you finally come to rest or someone picks you up
Upstreet downstreet and puts you in the bin
See me walking around i'm the boy about town that you heard of
See me walking the streets i'm on top of the world that you heard
Oh i'm sitting watching rainbows
And watching the people go crazy
Oh please leave me aside
I want to be a, I want to be,
I want to live in,
Upstreet downstreet like paper caught in wind
Upstreet downstreet it won't let you go
Na na na nah, na na na nah
Na na na na na na nah
Na na na nah, na na na nah
There's more than you can hope for in this world
Knew the time to leave had come when you pointed out your ring
Never could see what was in this matrimony thing
Baby, baby, baby you sure made a noise when I left
And your father started shouting lest you ironed my shirts
'fore I left
Would've liked to explain first but it was a split decision thing
Couldn't see me settling down with a mortgage and a kid
Now I hear you've been looking for me
Combing every single inch
You'll probably find me in Hyde Park
Try the hotel first then a bench
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I know it's for the best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best
No one's gonna tie me down
Nobody tell me what to do
Don't you see I've got to be free
Sorry baby that's the way it is - get with me
I said maybe!
I didn't mean to break your heart and I know it's not your choice
Better think of it this way, there's other fools to entice
That's right!
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I know it's for the best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
I didn't mean to make you cry but I'm sure it's for the best
Baby, baby, baby I've changed my address
It's OK being in love girl, but then fun is second best
I need you to keep me straight,
When the world don't seem so great,
And it's hard enough you know
I need you to be around
When my conscience brings me down
And the world feels so obscure
I want you to be the one
Who tells me off when I do wrong,
And you know I can be bad
I need you, I need you
Say you'll stay, make my day
Now what have I done,
Was it something I said - oh dear
I need you to turn me off,
When you think I've said enough,
To the extent of being a bore
I need you to tell me no
Slap my wrists and send me home
Tell me I can't come again
Now why are you crying -
When I'm in the crowd, I don't see anything
My mind goes a blank, in the humid sunshine
when I'm in the crowd I don't see anything
I fall into a trance, at the supermarket
the noise flows me along, as I catch falling cans
of baked beans on toast, technology is the most.
and everyone seems just like me,
they struggle hard to set themselves free
and their waiting for the change
When I'm in the crowd, I can't remember my name
and my only link is a pint of Wall's ice cream
when I'm in the crowd - I don't see anything
Sometimes I think that it's a plot,
an equilibrium melting pot
The government sponsors underhand
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowdAnd everyone seems that they're acting a dream
'cause they're just not thinking about each other
and they're taking orders, which are media spawned
and they should know better, now you have been warned
and don't forget you saw it here first
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
And life just simply moves along
in simple houses, simple jobs
and no ones wanting for the change
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
When I'm in the crowd
In the city there's a thousand things I want to say to you
But whenever I approach you, you make me look a fool
I wanna say, I wanna tell you
About the young ideas
But you turn them into fears
In the city there's a thousand faces all shining bright
And those golden faces are under 25
They wanna say, they gonna tell ya
About the young idea
You better listen now you've said your bit-a
And I know what you're thinking
You still think I am crap
But you'd better listen man
Because the kids know where it's at
In the city there's a thousand men in uniforms
And I've heard they now have the right to kill a man
We wanna say, we gonna tell ya
About the young idea
And if it don't work, at least we said we've tried
In the city, in the city
In the city there's a thousand things I want to say to you
In the street today
Murder on the terraces
And fools in high places
It's all so sickening
And we're so satisfied -
In the street tonight
Hate on every pavement
Paranoia on shop doorways
The kids want some action
And who can fucking blame them now
It's all so sickening, and we're so satisfied
I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour
That's when my love comes tumbling down
I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour
That's when there's no one else around
I'm gonna take you, gonna hold you
Do all the things I told ya
Midnight hour, oh baby
I'm gonna wait 'til the stars come out
And see the sweet look in your eyes
I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour
That's when my love begins to shine
Well you're the only girl I know
Who really loves me so
Midnight hour, oh yeah
I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour
That's when my love comes tumbling down
I'm gonna wait 'til the midnight hour
That's when there's no one else around
I'm gonna take you, gonna hold you
Do all the things I told ya
Midnight hour, oh baby
A boy I know is sick in his head -
At least that's what the doctors say he is
Shut in his room for hours on end
Looks like he's forgotten, but is he
His mind it ticks, more than you know
One day something in his head will click
Warders fill him full of lies, he fights he knows
They'll never convince him that he's mad!
At breakfast he is strapped in a chair (won't go far)
Just a word out of place, he's sent to his room
Don't tell them you're sane
They'll laugh and put you to sleep
Don't tell them you're sane, but you are
Tell me what you did today, was it good
What was it like and who was it with
Don't think I'm prying I'd just like to know
Why it is you do things so slow
Take him to the doctor, see what he says
I don't know why he bothers, he's in for good
The distant echo -
of faraway voices boarding faraway trains
To take them home to
the ones that they love and who love them forever
The glazed, dirty steps - repeat my own and reflect my thoughts
Cold and uninviting, partially naked
Except for toffee wrapers and this morning's paper
Mr. Jones got run down
Headlines of death and sorrow - they tell of tomorrow
Madmen on the rampage
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight
I fumble for change - and pull out the Queen
Smiling, beguiling
I put in the money and pull out a plum
Behind me
Whispers in the shadows - gruff blazing voices
Hating, waiting
";Hey boy"; they shout - ";have you got any money?";
And I said - ";I've a little money and a take away curry,
I'm on my way home to my wife.
She'll be lining up the cutlery,
You know she's expecting me
Polishing the glasses and pulling out the cork";
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight
I first felt a fist, and then a kick
I could now smell their breath
They smelt of pubs and Wormwood Scrubs
And too many right wing meetings
My life swam around me
It took a look and drowned me in its own existence
The smell of brown leather
It blended in with the weather
It filled my eyes, ears, nose and mouth
It blocked all my senses
Couldn't see, hear, speak any longer
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight
I said I was down in the tube station at midnight
The last thing that I saw
As I lay there on the floor
Was ";Jesus Saves"; painted by an atheist nutter
And a British Rail poster read ";Have an Awayday - a cheap holiday -
Do it today!";
I glanced back on my life
And thought about my wife
'Cause they took the keys - and she'll think it's me
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight
The wine will be flat and the curry's gone cold
I'm down in the tube station at midnight
Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight
I am a dull and simple lad
Cannot tell water from champagne
and I have never met the Queen
And I wish I could have all he has got -
I wish I could be like David Watts
And when I lie on my pillow at night
I dream I could fight like David Watts
And lead the school team to victory
Take my exams and pass the lot
He is the head boy at the school
He is the captain of the team
His is so gay and fancy free
And I wish I could have all the money he's got
I wish I could be like David WattsAnd all the girls in the neighbourhood
Try to go out with David Watts
The try their best but can't succeed
For he is of pure and noble creed
I used to know everything about you
But today when I tried to point you out to one of my friends
I picked the wrong girl again
Can't see you in the crowd anymore
I think it's you but I can't be sure
You're wearing disguises
Occasionally a girl suprises me when she turns out to be you
Wearing disguises
I don't think you want me to see you ever again
Yesterday I saw you dressed as a flower bed
Last week you had a wig on your head
Mis-directed traffic in the street
And your shoes were too big for your feet
You're wearing disguises
Occasionally a girl suprises me when she turns out to be you
Wearing disguises
I used to know everything about you
But today when I tried to point you out to one of my friends
I picked the wrong girl again
Can't see you in the crowd anymore
I think it's you but I can't be sure
You're wearing disguises
Occasionally a girl suprises me when she turns out to be you
Wearing disguises
Picked you up and let you down and
I never said a word -
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl
Mess you 'round and upset you I
hurt you most of all -
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl
Fun lasts for seconds, love lasts for days but
But you can't have both -
And I'm different now but I'm glad that you're my girl
Because I know I done some things
That I should never have done
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl
If you gave me a fresh carnation
I would only crush its tender petals
With me you'll have no escape
And at the same time there'll be nowhere to settle -
I trample down all life in my wake
I eat it up and take the cake
I just avert my eyes to the pain
Of someone's loss helping my gain
If you gave me a dream for my pocket
You'd be plugging in the wrong socket
With me there's no room for the future
With me there's no room with a view at all -
I am out of season all year 'round
Hear machinery roar to my empty sound
Touch my heart and feel winter
Hold my hand and be doomed forever -If you gave me a fresh carnation
I would only crush its tender petals
With me you'll have no escape
And at the same time there'll be nowhere to settle.
And if you're wondering by now who I am
Look no further than the mirror -
Because I am the Greed and Fear
And every ounce of Hate in you.
Because it's real you think it's a joke
Because it's on your doorstep you have to have a poke
At someone
It's only a cliche because it's all true
Time after time it happens through and through
To a new generation
You're just so smug in your elected seat
You've got your papers sorted out but you can't find your feet
Well, I'm not surprised
Hey mister with your head in the clouds
You can't see further than the shillings and pounds
The things that you say don't mean nothing anymore
You have no control they've broken down all the doors
And the only way that you'll fix them up
Is another war
If you think I'm gonna die in a financial war
You've got another thing coming and
And what's more there's lots like me
You juggle lives around with the stroke of a pen
But we've paid to see that move and now we won't pay again
The cost is too high
Hey mister your smiles been erased
You can't understand why we're losing face
Perhaps it's the promises that you never kept
";Never had it so good";
Well do you want a bet?
Dear,
How are things in your little world, I hope they're going well and you are too.
Do you still see the same old crowd, the ones who used to meet every Friday.
I'm really sorry that I can't be there but work comes first, I'm sure you'll understand.
Things are really taking off for me business is thriving and I'm showing a profit and.
And in any case it wouldn't be the same, 'cause we've all grown up and we've got our lives
and the values that we had once upon a time, seem stupid now 'cause the rent must be paid
and some bonds severed and others made.
Now I don't want you to get me wrong, ideals are fine when you are young and I must admit
we had a laugh, but that's all it was and ever will be, 'cause the Burning Sky keeps
burning bright. And as long as it does (and it always will), there's no time for dreams
when commerce calls. And the taxman's shouting 'cause he wants his dough and the wheels of
finance won't begin to slow.
And it's only us realists who are gonna come through 'cause there's only one power higher
than that of truth and that's the Burning Sky.
Oh and by the way I must tell you, before I sign off, that I've got a meeting next week,
with the head of a big corporate I can't disclose who but I'm sure you'll know it and.
And the Burning Sky - keeps burning bright. And it won't turn off til it's had enough,
it's the greedy bastard who won't give up, and you're just a dreamer if you don't realize,
and the sooner you do will be the better for you, then we'll all be happy and we'll all be
wise and all bow down to the Burning Sky.
Then we'll all be happy and we'll all be wise and together we will live beneath the
Burning Sky.
I feel good
I knew that I would now
So good
So good
I've got you
I feel nice
Like sugar and spice
So nice
So nice
I've got you
When I hold in my arms
I know that you do me no harm
Saw a girl that I used to know
I was deep in thought at the time
To recognise the face at first
'Cause I was probably looking at mine
Well she was the only girl I've ever loved
But my folks didn't dig her so much
I was young
This is serious
To me she was the world (she was my world now)
I thought I'd never live without her,
But I got by in time
Well let me tell you now,
Saw a guy that I used to know
Man he'd changed so much
I think it hurt him to say 'hello',
'Cause he hardly opened his mouth
Yeah well he was my best friend a few years ago
Truly inseperable
We were young
We were full of ideals
We were gonna pull this whole world
But something happened
I didn't know why
But that's the way that it goes.
I suppose,
What you say - what you do
Don't mean nothing, nothing at all
And all the bonds you make between ya
Can be broken any time you want now
Please tell me if my philosophy's wrong
I've got to know the truth
I don't mean to offend anyone but,
You know it's something that I do, oh-
So nice to see you tonight,
And I'm so glad that you came
Some of the people standing outside, say
Sure feel the same
Yeah my point is in a round about way
Given time he'll always forget
'Cause the memories
That ... me on
To me everything (you're everything now)
And it always will be mine, yeah
fuck my body from my head onto my feet yeah
but wear and condom and live long and prosper
if you tell me that you don't get irie
thinkin' you some angel but they don't see no wings
but if they tell you that they love you and no other
ask them now why they fuckin up your brother
and when they tell you that they clean and sober
look another one them getting' drunk fallin' over
fuck my body from my head onto my feet yeah
but wear your condoms and live long and prosper
if you tell me that you don't get irie
thinkin' she's some angel but they don't see no wings
[Mad Skillz]
Now who done passed you a diaper and got you thinkin you the shit?
The styles I be inkin get you hyper when I get and attack tracks
Bruise and snooze on the wack
My crew's in the back, gettin blitzed like a slow quarterback
No introduc's needed, this be the jam
Which occurs everytime that the mic hits my hand
Now understand, me not makin MC's sweat
is like seein a brother sellin the Final Call chillin in the short set
Check the drill when you see me write your will
Makin cheese like grill, here to test a nigga's mic skills
When I rhyme REAL heads get the shivers
Here comes that nigga name Shakwan, signed sealed and delivered
to your tape deck, CD's and crossfaders
Beats be hard like blowin bubbles with Now or Laters
Don't front, like you don't know who I am
Fully equipped to mic rip, brother here comes the jam
[Chorus]
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
Money you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
Kid you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
Yo you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
And you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
[Mad Skillz]
Now if you wanna play around don't play with me
You can play with AIDS, I'm puttin H's in your IV's
Bum raps over drum taps; rappers jumpin up in my face
like the ground was covered with thumbtacks
I'm in your face like mace, take a taste
Make a crowd vibrate, like a device on my waist
Skillz Mad, will he be bad? Ask your dad
Don't front, he know about the skills that I had
Or should I say got cause my mic still hot
Back up it's Shakwan I'm lettin off verb shots
I take MC's, wake 'em up out they sleep
Pour ammonia in they face, slap 'em with some microphone techniques
After that, niggaz retire, cause I'm iller
and my lyrics are thicker than Richard Pryor
One time for my crew, two times for the fam
Givin crews sun tans, make way for the jam
[Chorus]
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
Yo you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
Money you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
You'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
Yeah you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
[Mad Skillz]
Yeah, the jam has arrived so all that garbage can walk
before I personally interact with that ass like Box Talk
So pass the steel when I flex on the reels
You know the deal that nigga Skillz be up in dips like Massengil
douche, ass toosh, who get loose
Funk money times five gettin live call a truce
From Compton to Maine I tear, niggaz out the frame
I don't battle I show niggaz how to play the cryin game
Like last November, when your man got dismembered
It was me I ate his meat, and it lasted through the winter
So enter, cause yo I been, bombin since
ninety-one when I started destroyin MC's confidence
So peace, to the real MC's
Kalonji the Mindbenda and my man Lonnie B
Javon, Little Rock, Big Street my man
Fuckin 'round with Skillz you get caught up in the jam
[Chorus]
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
You'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
Yo you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
You'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
You'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
You'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
Yeah you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
And you'll be like, oh shit! That's the jam
When the mic hits my hand, you know I'm gonna slam
I sat alone with the dreams of children
Weeping willows and tall dark building,
I've caught a fashion from the dreams of children
But woke up sweating from this modern nightmare, and
I was alone, no one was there
I caught a glimpse from the dreams of children
I got a feeling of optimism
But woke up to a grey and lonely picture
The streets below left me feeling dirty, and
I was alone, no one was there
I was alone, no one was there
Something's gonna crack on your dreams tonight...
You will crack on your dreams tonightI fell in love with the dreams of children
I saw a vision of all the happy days
I've caught a fashion from the dreams of children
But woke up sweating from this modern nightmare, and
I was alone, no one was there
I was alone, no one was there
Something's gonna crack on your dreams tonight...
You will crack on your dreams tonight
You will choke on your dreams tonight
Streets I ran - this whole town -
Backstreets and all - I wanted to leave there.
But no matter how fast I ran, my feet were glued, I just couldn't move
there.
I saw the hate and lots of people
I heard my name called above the noise
I tried to speak but my tongue was tied
Bumped into emptiness and started to cry - oh no
I saw the lights and the pretty girls
And I thought to myself what a pretty world,
But there's something else here that puts me off.
And I'm so scared dear, my love comes in frozen packs,
Bought in a supermarket.
Streets I ran, through wind and rain,
Around this place amongst streaming sunshine.
Scared I was, sweating now.
Feeling of doom, my bowels turned to water.
I felt hot breath whisper in my ear,
I looked for somewhere to hide but everywhere's closed.
I shut my eyes pretend not to be here,
This feeling's much to real to ever disappear - oh no.
I saw the lights and the pretty girls
And I thought to myself what a pretty world,
But there's something else here that puts me off.
And I'm so scared dear, their hate comes in frozen packs,
Bought in a supermarket.
And I'm so scared dear -
My love comes in frozen packs
GOING UNDERGROUND
Some people might say my life is in a rut,
But I'm quite happy with what I got
People might say that I should strive for more,
But I'm so happy I can't see the point.
Somethings happening here today
A show of strength with your boy's brigade and,
I'm so happy and you're so kind
You want more money - of course I don't mind
To buy nuclear textbooks for atomic crimes
And the public gets what the public wants
But I want nothing this society's got -
I'm going underground, (going underground)
Well the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground, (going underground)
Well let the boys all sing and the boys all shout for tomorrow
Some people might get some pleasure out of hate
Me, I've enough already on my plate
People might need some tension to relax
[Me?] I'm too busy dodging between the flak
What you see is what you get
You've made your bed, you better lie in it
You choose your leaders and place your trust
As their lies wash you down and their promises rust
You'll see kidney machines replaced by rockets and guns
And the public wants what the public gets
But I don't get what this society wants
I'm going underground, (going underground)
Well the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground, (going underground)
[So] let the boys all sing and the boys all shout for tomorrow
We talk and talk until my head explodes
I turn on the news and my body froze
The braying sheep on my TV screen
Make this boy shout, make this boy scream!
Going underground, I'm going underground!
Girl on the phone keeps a-ringing back
Her voice is smooth but the tone is bland
She's telling me this and she's telling me that
She talks about me and I must agree
With what she says about me
About how nice I can be
But it makes no difference to my mind
Girl on the phone keeps a-ringing back
She knows all my details - she's got my facts
She tells me my height and she knows my weight
She knows my age and says she's knows fate
And I must say - it's logical
What foresight she must have
I've got to meet her whenever I get time
Says she knows everything about me
Every word I've ever said
Every book I've ever read
She told me that we met along time ago
I can't think when but she should knowGirl on the phone keeps a-ringing back
Knows where I get my shirts and where I get my pants
Where I get my trousers where I get socks
My leg measurements and the size of my cock
And I must say it's un-nerving
To think that she knows me
Knows me so well - better than anyone
Better than myself
Says she knows everything about me
Every record I've listened to
Every window that I've looked through
She told me that we met along time ago
I can't think when but she should know
Girl on the phone keeps a-ringing back
She's telling me this and she's telling me that
Whenever I'm with you
Something inside starts burning
Snd my hearts filled with fire
Stop this - it's got a hold on me
I said this ain't the way it's supposed to be
It's like a heatwave burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying
Tearing me apart
Whenever she calls my name
Sounds so soft sweet and plain
Right then, right there
I feel this burning pain
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
I said this ain't the way love's supposed to beWhenever I'm with you
Something inside starts burning
And my hearts filled with fire
Something's got me amazed
Don't know what to do
My head's in a haze
Thought that I would forget you?
Heaven knows that's not my style
And that I would let you?
Walk away without at least goodbye
You shouldn't let those feelings fool you -
You shouldn't let those feelings get you down
Thought that I was a devil?
But I'm an angel waiting for my wings
And I was out to hurt you?
But I've no wish to ever cause you pain
Cause there's enough in this world of sorrow
I've no wish to add some more to it
We're happy together now
The way that sunlight flits across your skirt,
makes me feel I'm from another world,
To touch your face in the morning light.
I hope you're always gonna be around.
The times I struggle to understand why,
The ancient proverbs like Who am I?
Why am I here and What have I done?
I see the answer's place my trust in you
Trust in you love, be with me then,
That's when I want you, that's when I need you the most.
I want us to be like Peter Pan
But dreams it seems are weightless as sand,
And man's supposedly is made of sand
It seems that man cannot survive at all
Let's disappear love, let's fly away
Into the demi-monde, into the twilight zone
The times inside I spent screaming at you
Release me please from this mortal jail
One shrug or smile can determine my fate,
I'm lost for days and have myself to blame
Something I'm giving, is yours for the taking,
Something like sunlight, Love is a spotlight
Love is all sorrow, still I'll meet you tomorrow
And look forward to see you, now I can't live without you
No matter where I roam
I will come back to my English rose
For no bonds can ever tempt me from she
I've sailed the seven seas,
Flown the whole blue sky.
But I've returned with haste to where my
Love does lie.
No matter where I go I will come back to my English Rose
For nothing can ever tempt me from she.
I've searched the secret mists -
I've climbed the highest peaks
Caught the wild wind home to hear her soft voice speak
To hear her soft voice speak
No matter where I roam
I will return to my English Rose
For no bonds can ever keep me from she.
I've been to ancient worlds
I've scoured the whole universe
And caught the first train home
To be at her side.
No matter where I roam
I will return to my English Rose
For no bonds can ever keep me from she
Why are you frightened - can't you see that it's you
That ain't no ghost - it's a reflection of you
Why do you turn away - an' keep it out of sight
Oh - don't live up to your given roles
There's more inside you that you won't show
But you keep it hidden just like everyone
You're scared to show you care - it'll make you vulnerable
So you wear that ghost around you for disguise
But there's no need just 'cos it's all we've known
There's more inside you that you haven't shown
So keep on moving, moving, moving your feet
Keep on shuf-shuf-shuffling to this ghost dance beat
Just keep on walking down never ending streets
One day you'll walk right out of this life
And then you'll wonder why you didn't try
To spread some loving all around
Old fashioned causes like that still stand
Gotta rid this prejudice that ties you down
How do you feel at the end of the day
Just like you've waked over your own grave
So why are you frightened - can't you see that it's you
At the moment there's nothing - so there's nothing to lose
Lift up your lonely heart and walk right on through
You say that you miss him
I can tell by the way you kiss him
Get yourself together
And you'll be alright
You say that you love him
Now he's gone so please forget him
Get yourself together
And you'll be alright
I'm just like you so take my lead
You see me as a friend but
I'm a friend in need
Get yourself together
And you'll be alrightSo if you feel that you need me
I'm here beside you
Can't you see me?
Get yourself together
And you'll be al-right
Get yourself together
You're gonna be alright
Bricks and mortar, reflecting social change,
Cracks in the pavement, reveal cravings for success
Why do we try to hide our past
By pulling down houses and build car parks
Windows and mirrors like a two-way glass
This is progress, nothing stands in its path
Yellow bulldozers, the donkey jackets and J.C.B.'s
While hundreds are homeless they're constructing a parking space
Why do they have to knock them down
And leave the site dormant for months on end?
Who has the right to make that choice?
A man whose home has cost forty grand
Tell me!
Bricks and mortar, bricks and mortar
Knock 'em down!
If we tell you that you've got two days to live
Then don't complain, 'cos that's one more than you'd get in Zaire -
So don't hang around and be foolish
Do something constructive with your weekend -
From Monday morning I work for Friday nights
Collect my wages, then try to paint on the smell of soap -
'Cause tonight I get ready early
Score what I need and go pick a girl up
It seems like ages since we had some fun -
Here comes the weekend - I get to see the girls
Long live the weekend, the weekend is here
(the weekend starts here)
Everything feels right now
I know why I'm alive now
Everything else is a lie now
Now I know why I'm here
Here comes the weekend - I'm gonna do my head
Long live the weekend, the weekend is dead
Tell me, i wanna know
is what you reap tryly what you sow
i wanna know
please please please
i wanna know
today is the day that i tell you
tell me i wanna know
is what you reap try what you sow
could there be infamy in all this ecstasy?
what we all want: wanton autonomy
today is the day that i tell you (let it sink) let it
Open up the sky
'Cause I'm coming up to you
So send down your wings
It'll bring me to you
You know I'm standing at the station
Ready to go
Big ol' airplane, you know I trust in you so
Get on up big bird
To my baby, love
Get on up big bird
To my baby, love
Get on up big bird
I got to make it heard
Get on up big bird
I got to make it heard
Get on up!
Way down here
You up there
Well we know is
Is it ain't no fairYou know I'm standing at the station
Ready to go
Big ol' airplane, you know I trust in you so
Get on up big bird
To my baby, love
Get on up big bird
To my baby, love
Get on up big bird
I got to make it heard
Get on up big bird
I got to make it heard
Get on up!
Things are getting just too cozy for me
And I see people as they see me
Gonna break away and gain control
You free your mind
You free your soul
I was the type who knocked at old men
(history's easy)
Who together at tables sit and drink beer
(somewhere is really)
Then I saw that I was really the same
So this link's breaking away from the chain
Away from the numbers
Away from the numbers
Is where I'm gonna be
Away from the numbers
Away from the numbers
Is where I am free
I was sick and tired of my little niche
Well gonna break away and find where life is
And all those fools I thought were my friends
(coaching is easy)
They now stare at me and don't see a thing
(reality's so hard)
Till their life is over and they start to moan
How they never had the chance to make good
Away from the numbers
Away from the numbers
Is where I'm gonna be
Away from the numbers
(away from the numbers)
Away from the numbers
Is where I am free
Is where I am free
Is where I'm gonna be
Is reality
Anything that you wanna do, anyplace that you wanna go
Don't need permission for everything that you want
Any taste that you feel is right
Wear any clothes just as long as they're bright
Say what you want, 'cos this is a new art school
Do what you want if it takes your mind
Better do it now, 'cos you won't have time
And never worry if people laugh at you
The fools only laugh 'cos they envy you
Time is motion and the hands are fast
Young words are mumbled, they don't always last
It's up to us to be sure they understand
Who makes the rules that make people select
Who is to judge that your ways are correct
The media as watchdog is absolute shit
The TV telling you what to think
Anything that you wanna do, anyplace that you wanna go
Don't need permission for everything that you want
Any taste that you feel is right
Wear any clothes just as long as they're brightSay what you want,
'cos this is a new art school
Do what you want, 'cos this is the new art school
Tell me that you've got everything you want
But you don't get me
You say you've seen seven wonders
And you're bird is green
But you don't see me
When your prized possessions start to weigh you down
Look in my direction,
I'll be 'round
I'll be 'round
When your bird is broken
Will it bring you down
You may feel awoken
I'll be 'round
I'll be 'roundYou tell me that you've heard every sound there is
And your bird can swing
But you don't get me
You can't hear me
Seen you before, I know your sort,
You think the world awaits your every breath
You'll be my friend, or so you say
You'll help me out when the time comes
And all the time we're getting rich,
You hang around to help me out
But when we're skint, Oh God Forbid!
You drop us like hot bricks
Artistic Freedom. Do what you want.
But just make sure that the money ain't gone
I'll tell you what, I got you sussed
You'll waste my time, when my time comes.
Feel is a word I can't explain
At least not in words that are plain
Make it easy to express
But I'll try to do my best
To hit you where it counts
I just want to build up
A solid bond in your heart
(Yeah) A solid bond in your heart (Aha)
I'm fuelled by the idea
That this world was made to share
But it never seems to work out
And all we seem to share
Is doubt and misery
Please let me try to build
A solid bond in your heart heartAah, I just want to build up
A solid bond in your heart heart
It's what's missing from this life
And the trust you need to ignite
Any dream worth holding dear
When that dream is so near
You gotta try and try to get it back
Push it to the limit and build
A solid bond in your heart
Where the streets are pave with blood,
with cataclysmic overtones
Fear and hate linger in the air
A strictly no-go deadly zone
I don't know what I'm doing here
'cause it's not my scene at all
There's an 'A' bomb in Wardour Street
They've called in the Army, they've called in the police
I'm stranded on the vortex floor
My head's been kicked in and blood's started to poor
Through the haze I can see my girl
Fifteen geezers got her pinned to the door
There's an 'A' bomb in Wardour Street, it's blown up the City
Now it's spreading through the country
Law and order takes a turn for the worst,
In the shape of a size 10 boot
Rape and murder throughout the land,
and they tell me that you're still a free man
Well if this is freedom I don't understand
'cause it seems like madness to me.
'A' bomb in Wardour Street.
Hate Bomb, Hate Bomb, Hate Bomb, Hate Bomb!
A Philistine nation, of degradation,
And hate and war. There must be more.
It's Doctor Martin's A P O C A L Y P S E - Apocalypse!
Meet me on the wastelands - later this day,
We'll sit and talk and hold hands maybe,
For there's not much else to do in this drab and colourless
place.
We'll sit amongst the rubber tyres,
Amongst the discarded bric-a-brac,
People have no use for - amongst the smouldering embers of
yesterday.
And when or if the sun shines,
Lighting our once beautiful features,
We'll smile but only for seconds,
For to be caught smiling is to acknowledge life,
A brave but useless show of compassion,
And that is forbidden in this drab and colourless world.
Meet me on the wastelands - the ones behind,
The old houses - the ones - left standing pre-war -
The ones overshadowed by the monolith monstrosities -
councils call homes.
And there amongst the shit - the dirty linen,
The holy Coca-Cola tins - the punctured footballs,
The ragged dolls - the rusting bicycles,
We'll sit and probably hold hands.
And watch the rain fall - watch it - watch it -
Tumble and fall - tumble and falling -
Like our lives - like our lives -
Just like our lives.
We'll talk about the old days,
When the wasteland was release when we could play,
And think - without feeling guilty -
Meet me later but we'll have to hold hands.
Tumble and fall - tumble and falling -
Like our lives - like our lives -
Exactly like our lives.
It's like the middle of a ... age
I feel the space between us all
A forced expense
But the big divide
Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Let's take a chance with beginner's luck
We have nothing so there's nothing to lose
I can't believe the only reasons we're here
Are the reasons in the Bank of England
Hear me now
We've only started
They'll just exploit us but it's only day one
We haven't got that far
Not far at all
Better stop dreaming of the quiet life -
cos it's the one we'll never know
And quit running for that runaway bus -
cos those rosey days are few
And - stop apologising for the things you've never done,
Cos time is short and life is cruel -
but it's up to us to change
This town called malice.
Rows and rows of disused milk floats
stand dying in the dairy yard
And a hundred lonely housewives clutch empty milk
bottles to their hearts
Hanging out their old love letters on the line to dry
It's enough to make you stop believing when tears come
fast and furious
In a town called malice.
Struggle after struggle - year after year
The atmosphere's a fine blend of ice -
I'm almost stone cold dead
In a town called malice.
A whole street's belief in Sunday's roast beef
gets dashed against the Co-op
To either cut down on beer or the kids new gear
It's a big decision in a town called malice.
The ghost of a steam train - echoes down my track
It's at the moment bound for nowhere -
just going round and round
Playground kids and creaking swings -
lost laughter in the breeze
I could go on for hours and I probably will -
but I'd sooner put some joy back
In this town called malice.
Ordinary people don't get time to think
not that it's their fault
cos you have to hustle and bustle about your work
just to make sure the food gets bought
goverments threaten you with recession
then they threaten you with war
how the other side wants to take away
all the things you ain't got no more
keep us divided with their greed and hate
keep you struggling to put the food on your plate.
Imagine if tomorrow the workers went on strike
not just British Leyland but the whole world
who would earn their profits?
who would make their bombs?
you'd see the hands of oppression fumble
and their systems crash to the ground
and you men in uniform will have to learn the lesson too
not to turn against your own kind
whenever governments tell you to.
Get the trans-global express moving
and see our marvellous leaders quiver
they know that if it happens
their lazy days are over
the day the working people join together
we'll all rest much more easy
the responsibilty you must bear
when it's your own future in your hands
maybe a hard one to face up to
but at least you will own yourself!
To be someone must be a wonderful thing
A famous footballer a rock singer
or a big film star, yes I think I would like that
To be rich and have lots of fans
have lots of girls to prove that I'm a man
And be No. 1 - and liked by everyone
Getting drugged up with my trendy friends
They really dig me and I dig them
And the bread I spend - is like my fame - it's quickly diminished
And there's no more swimming in a guitar shaped pool
no more reporters at my beck and call
no more cocaine it's only ground chalk
no more taxis now we'll have to walk
But didn't we have a nice time -
didn't we have a nice time
Oh wasn't it such a fine time
I realize I should have stuck to my guns
instead shit out to be one of the bastard sons
and lose myself - I know it was wrong - but it's cost me a lot
And there's no more drinking after the club shuts down,
I'm out on me arse with the rest of the clowns
It's really frightening without a bodyguard
so I stay confined to my lonely room
Tonight at noon, tonight at noon
When we meet in the midnight hour,
I will bring you night flowers (coloured)
Like your eyes
Tonight at noon, I'll touch your hand
Held for a moment amongst strangers
Amongst the dripping trees
Country girl
Walking in city squares in winter rain -
Walking down muddy lanes or empty streets -
Arranging a time and place to meet -
Tonight at noon, you'll feel my warmth
You'll feel my body inside you
We'll be together for hours
Time and tears -
Won't wait for evermore
For the time is now -
And now is the time to explore
Why waste the world outside
Times were so tough, but not as tough as they are now,
We were so close and nothing came between us - and the world -
No personal situations.
Thick as thieves us, we'd stick together for all time,
and we meant it but it turns out just for a while,
we stole - the friendship that bound us together -
We stole from the schools and their libraries,
We stole from the drugs that sent us to sleep,
We stole from the drink that made us sick,
We stole anything that we couldn't keep,
And it was enough - we didn't have to spoil anything,
And always be as thick as thieves.
Like a perfect stranger - you came into my life,
Then like the perfect lone ranger - you rode away - rode away,
rode away - rode away.
We stole the love from young girls in ivory towers,
We stole autumn leaves and summer showers,
We stole the silent wind that says you are free,
We stole everything that we could see,
But it wasn't enough - and now we've gone and spoiled everthing,
Now we're no longer as thick as thieves.
You came into my life -
Then like a perfect stranger you walked away - walked away -
walked away - walked away.
Thick as thieves us - we'd stick together for all time,
and we meant it but it turns out just for awhile,
we stole the friendship that bound us together.
We stole the burning sun in the open sky,
We stole the twinkling stars in the black night,
We stole the green belt fields that made us believe,
We stole everything that we could see.
But something came along that changes our minds,
I don't know what and I don't know why,
But we seemed to grow up in a flash of time,
While we watched our ideals helplessly unwind.
No - we're no longer as thick as thieves - no,
We're not as thick as we used to be - no,
We're no longer as thick as thieves - no,
We're not as thick as we used to be -
no it wasn't enough - and we've gone and spoiled everything
Now we're no longer as thick as thieves.
Whatcha trying to say that haven't tried to say before
You're just another red balloon with a lot of hot gass
Why don't you fuck off?
And you think you've got it worked out
And you think you've got it made
And you trying to play the hero
But you never walk home in the dark
I think it's time for truth
And the truth is you've lost uncle Jimmy
Admit your failure and decline with honour while you can
And you think you've got it sussed out
And you think that we're brain washed
And you're trying for a police state
So you can rule our body and minds
What ever happend to the great empire?
You bastards haved turned it into manure
Time for the young to stick together now
I bet you sleep at night with silk sheets and a clean mind
While killers roam the streets in numbers dressed in blue
And you're trying to hide it from us
But you know what I mean
Bring forward those six pigs
We wanna see them swing sod high