SONGS by Rob Imes


songs
(last updated on January 13, 2011)



TABLE OF CONTENTS:

ALL I HAVEN’T BOUGHT
ALLIGATORS DON'T WEAR PANTS
ALONE (incomplete)
AMEN
ANOTHER SONG
ANY DAY NOW
APPLE SONG
ARE YOU INTO THE GROOVE? (incomplete)
AT THE ZOO
CAN WE BE FRIENDS?
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
CAR SICK
CITY LIMITS
DARLIN I LOVE TO SEE YOU LAUGH
DID YOU LOOK OUTSIDE TODAY?
EMPTY
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
FILTHY LIL' SOP
FLOWER GIRL
GASMAN
HEAVEN HELP ME
HELLO MR. MONDAY (incomplete)
HONESTY (incomplete)
I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE!
I GOTTA FIND THAT GIRL (incomplete)
I HATE YOUR GUTS
I'D RATHER BE WITH YOU (incomplete)
I'M AN AMERICAN
I'M FALLING
I'M GETTING BETTER
IF A WISH
JESSICA
KEEP THE AIRHEADS DANCING
KILL ME, I'M DYING
KRISHNA KRISHNA
LOVE TOUCH (incomplete)
MISTER MUSIC
MY DISGUISE (incomplete)
NATALIE
NICKEL AND DIME
NO
NOBODY LOVES ME
NOTHING AT ALL
ON THE ROAD
PICKY EATER
PULL OUT
SATURDAY
SHADOW LOVE
SHE’S THE KIND OF WOMAN
SILLY GIRL
SING FOR ME
SORROW MAN
SUICIDE, POETRY, AND A RAINY DAY
SWALLOW ME (fragment)
TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER (fragment)
THANK THE LORD
THAT'S ROCK N' ROLL
TOGETHER AGAIN
VIRGINIA BLUES
WHAT'S THE PERFECT SONG?
WHEN I PLAY MY GUITAR
WHERE ARE YOU?
THE WONDER OF IT ALL
YOU DON'T HAVE TO CRY
YOU DON'T LOVE ME ANYMORE
YOU GOTTA GET OUTTA THAT CAGE
YOU MAKE IT SEEM




ALL I HAVEN’T BOUGHT
(Written on November 5, 1988)

I don’t need wet bark and baby
I don’t need a bong
I don’t need your depressing poetry
I don’t need another song

I don’t need all these possessions
I don’t need to eat my food
I don’t need all these illusions
Maybe all I really need is you

You know I can’t stand to be alone
You’re always in my thoughts
You make life worth living, girl,
For you’re all I haven’t bought

I don’t need a TV to be happy
I don’t need Siouxsie Sioux
I don’t need to hear I sing crappy
I don’t need to hear what I should do

I don’t need to buy Love & Rockets
Don’t need to buy any more records
I don’t need to buy my contentment
Money can’t buy what your love is worth

And now I know, I’ve come to see
That it’s you I always sought
Now I know why I wasn’t happy
‘Cos you’re all I haven’t bought

I don’t need any shallow helloes
I don’t need any more new clothes
I don’t need to play their game
No, I don’t need Madonna’s fame

I don’t need all these things
‘Cos you’re all I haven’t bought
I don’t need all these THINGS
You’re all I haven’t bought.




ALLIGATORS DON'T WEAR PANTS
(Written in August, 1988)

I don't like alligators
Alligators don't wear pants
Elephants don't like Felicia
Felicia doesn't like ants

People think she's crazy
She never combs her hair
She never rides her bike
She never goes nowhere

But alligators don't wear pants.

Felicia makes a castle
Felicia eats some dirt
Felicia smiles and walks away
Pretending she's never hurt

Everybody thinks she's crazy
Elephants point and sneer
She reads her Tarot cards
To figure out what to wear

But alligators don't wear pants.




ALONE
(Unfinished, written in Spring, 1987)

Alone
When there's so many people
All alone
And I can't reach out
I'm all alone
And I feel I want to die
There's so many people in this world
And I'm dying of loneliness.

Alone
When I want to grasp her hand
All alone
When I sight her in a crowd
I'm all alone
When I know she's sitting there
There's so many people in this world
And I'm dying of loneliness.




AMEN
(Written on November 30, 1988)

If there’s a God that loves us,
then I believe in Him
If there’s a Heaven above,
then I want to go in
Yes time and time I waited,
Time and time again,
To say my Lord, forgive me
To say my Lord’s Amen

Amen to the Lord
Amen to the sky
Amen to the rivers
Amen to our lives
Amen to loving
Amen to what we are
Amen to the wonder of it all

If there’s a life beyond this one,
then our love will go on
If there’s a Lord that loves us all,
I need to hear His call
For time and time I waited
Time and time again
To pray my Lord forgive me
To sing my Lord’s Amen

Amen to the glory
Amen to the kind
Amen to the faithful ones
The most blessed one could find
Amen to the peaceful
Amen to the sunshine
Amen to the goodly side of life

If there really is a Heaven above,
then I want to go in
If there really is a God who loves,
then I know I love Him
For time and time I waited
Time and time again
To seek my Lord’s forgiveness
To sing my Lord’s Amen

Amen to the Lord
Amen to the sky
Amen to the rivers
Amen to our lives
Amen to loving
Amen to what we are
Amen to the wonder of it all




ANOTHER SONG
(Written on August 10, 1988)

I wanna say I love you
I wanna say I love you
I wanna say I love you
But it’s just another song

I know you know I need you
You know how much I need you
You know how much I love you
But it’s just another song

Why do I love you?
I could count the ways
But you know if I bothered to try
I’d be here all day.

I can’t put into poetry
What I’m babbling on
So all I end up singing
is just another song.

All I’m trying to say is I love you
I’m trying to say I love you
I’m trying to say I love you
but it’s just another song




ANY DAY NOW
(Written on December 3, 1992)

I looked
in the field
For their cotton

I head down
To the well
And bring up their water

I wait for the day
I will drink my own cup
For the hill to come down
For the hand to lift up

Any day now
Any, any day
Any day now
Any, any, any DAY

I will walk the last mile
Will walk past the pain
To see my own child
Will not be born in vain

Do not look
To the ground
For it is not waiting

I pray
For the day
The sky will stop raining

For the wind on my back
To break free all these chains
When I'll know at last
That the rain's gone away

Any day now
Any, any day
Any day now
Any, any DAY




APPLE SONG
(Written on November 1, 1989)

I see you there all wrapped up
You and the CIA are all covered up
You toss and turn in your creaking bed
Your blanket of fears wrapped 'round your head

All I know is I don't even know that
The earth may be round but my world is flat
Death is pointless if life still goes on
So c'mon boy, sing your apple song

Apple song needs a lot to get by on
Apple song needs a lot to get high on
Apple song needs a love so come on

A second sun explodes by the sea
Birds above look for you and me
Lightning strikes cities dead
The airpig talks to voices in his head

If plants are alive then I believe in ghosts
I'll settle for two if you'll settle for toast
Take me to bed and I'll take you along
Or c'mon boy, sing your apple song

Apple song needs a lot to get by on
Apple song needs a lot to get high on
Apple song needs a love so come on

Tulip-borne but under rosary rule
Bondage-gear bandit hums Don't Be Cruel
Gladys shivers sadly under purple skies
But who can stop the fiend with the housekey eyes?

Red-eyed giant worm with birdy in his sights
Whatever you do, don't mention Jesus Christ
Billy burning baby with the bleeding tongue
Cries out, "Boy, sing your apple song"

Apple song needs a lot to get by on
Apple song needs a lot to get high on
Apple song needs a love so come on




ARE YOU INTO THE GROOVE?
(Unfinished, written in 1987)

Are you into the groove
Or are you out of touch?
Are you jamming tonight
Or are you out to lunch?

Are you shaking your hips
Because you love to dance?
Or are you doing it all
For some new romance?

Are you into the groove?
Are you on the ball?
Are you new to this game
Or have you seen it all?

Are you shaking your body?
Are you ready to party?
Oh I like how you move
Yeah you're into the groove




AT THE ZOO
(Written Spring, 1988)

Happy day
Sunshine hits your hair
I try not to stare your way

Cloudy day
The rain bathes your form
Bathes your form, my dear

And then the monkey screams
And then the lions roar
I wake from these dreams as my thoughts soar

Boy loves girl
Girl loves boy
At least they think they do
At least they think they do
It’s just another day at the zoo.

Delicate hands
in a checkered dress
Ribbon in her hair

To a lake
I now confess
my thoughts for her

And then some children scream
When the lions roar
When we’re holding hands my heart soars

Boy loves girl
Girl loves boy
At least they think they do
At least they think they do
It’s just another day at the zoo.




CAN WE BE FRIENDS?
(Written on July 25, 1988)

Can we be friends, to the end?
Can we be friends, and then who knows?
Ohhhhh

I see you every day
You never look my way, but I know

I think of you, my dear
Whenever you're near, and you know

Can we be friends, to the end?
Can we be friends, and then who knows?
Ohhhhh

I know you pretty well
Your love I'd never sell to another

You think you're pretty smart
Cos you've stolen my heart forever

Can we be friends, to the end?
Can we be friends, and then who knows?
Ohhhhh

Take me far away
To your private hideaway in the trees

Stay with me night and day
And I'll love you anyway, if you please

Can we be friends, to the end?
Can we be friends, and then who knows?
Ohhhhh

Can we be friends, to the end?
Can we be friends, and then you know




CAN YOU HEAR ME?
(Written on April 8, 1989)

In a room with windows drawn
I sit here so pale and young
I am frightened by the light
So I close the curtains tight
I trace my hand along the wall
I sometimes bleed but that is all
Out the drape I've often seen
Something there that makes me scream!

Outside I hear them laugh at me
Laugh at what they've never seen
Shadows guard my silent form
Staring at the bedroom door
Inside I feel my leather tongue
Outside they play beneath the sun
Sometimes I feel I must get out
Sometimes I feel like I must shout!

Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
You scare me,
Outside.

I sit here in my face of gray
I'm alone, it's safe to say
My eyes stare blankly, dead and cold
So they'll stay until I'm old
I hate your world with all its pain
In my dark room, I'll remain
I will live only to die
My lonely heart begins to cry:

Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
You scare me,
Outside.




CAR SICK
(Written on November 27, 1988)

We’re taking a vacation
Down south
Our lives are threatened
Passing through Columbus
I don’t want to mention it
It’s so long ago
I’m in the back seat
Seatbelt up around my throat
I’m half-asleep
Almost comatose
I don’t feel so well
I won’t tell Mom so
Should stare at the road
Then I won’t get dizzy
I want to throw up
This drives me crazy
All night in a car
is not at all fun
If I could do it again
I would’ve stayed at home

God, I hate cars




CITY LIMITS
(Written in 1986)

Nothing but black in the sky tonight
Seems like it gets blacker with every night
Days get longer and the years get shorter in my mind
Every night, dreams so blind
Every day, in my mind
City limits,
City limits

City limits
Nowhere to go up
City limits
No one can grow up
City limits

Barb-wire fences all around me
Never letting go or letting free
It seems as though my dreams
Are all that can comfort me now

City limits
Mark where I been
City limits
Tying me in
City limits
Pullin me down
City limits
They're all around this town

You don't understand
You don't understand
You don't understand what I been through

You never gonna learn
You never gonna learn
You never gonna learn until you do

City limits
Taking their toll
City limits
They're stealing my soul
City limits
Draggin me down
City limits
At the edge of town

City limits,
City limits,
City limits.




DARLIN I LOVE TO SEE YOU LAUGH
(Written in Summer 1986)

Well,
Baby said yes to goto the show
And we're heading out tonight
Well don'tcha know
Nothing will come 'tween my baby and me
Yeah, yeah
(Yeah, yeah)

Took her out
Well don'tcha know
Like I'm really glad that she said she'd go
Oh baby and me had the craziest time
Brought her home at a quarter to nine
The next mornin' oh don'tcha know

Darlin I just love to see you laugh
Sometimes wonder if it's me you're laughing at
Oh but I don't care
No I don't care
'Cos you're so fine
And I might find
That baby pleasin' you is the only thing on my mind

Darlin I just love to see you laugh




DID YOU LOOK OUTSIDE TODAY?
(Written in 1987)

How many men have died my friend?
How many men cried to the end?
How many wars did we fight today?
How many lives did we take away?

How many men have we fought?
How much hate have we taught?
How many death camps have we filled?
How many children have we killed?

All these questions fill my mind
Answers I shall never find

Did you look outside today?
Did you see the bomb?
All the children’s broken dreams
All the love that’s gone

Did you look outside today?
Did you see the sky?
All the loving life we knew
All the love that’s died

All these questions fill my mind
Answers I shall never find

Little child lying in the dirt
Charred and burnt, fried and hurt
Little baby crawling in the sand
Darlin come and take my hand

Little child don’t look around
Gently sleep now in the ground
No more laughter, no more play
No more night and no more day

Did you look outside today?
Did you see the bomb?
All the children’s broken dreams
All the love that’s gone

Did you look outside today?
Did you see the sun?
No place to hide, can’t you see?
There’s no place to run

Did you look outside today?
Did you see the bomb?
All the children’s broken dreams
All the love that’s gone




EMPTY
(Written circa 1992)

Flower in a jar
Dead man in the park,
So much to lose, so little time to choose it

Watch me out the door
Heading for a pole
Oh, I think I nearly crashed my car

Use one off the street
Give her a good beating
Oh, I hardly know myself today

Say you don't mean it
Don't be that unfair
But I don't get a say
'Cos I'm not even here

Watching out the window
Looking in the glass
Watching you sleeping, you know I'll get there yet

Zombie-eyed
I got my .45
All my friends are either dead or dying

Steadily
Look at me
Mom take a look upon your favorite son now

I'm going down
To my knees
When I'm gone, they'll have to wash this carpet clean

Empty, empty
Empty it, now empty me




FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
(Written in early 1988)

Let me tell you about our boys overseas
Deep in a trench as they crawl on their knees
Dodging them bombs that light up the sky
As they fight for our flag, Mom, and apple pie

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Never gonna rest til we win the fight
Win! Win! Win! Win!
We're gonna blow them Nazis right out of sight

O' say can you see by the dawn's early light?
There's our flag flying high through the night
Just remember Pearl Harbor and then you'll see
Why we gotta avenge that Day of Infamy

Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Never gonna rest til we win the fight
Win! Win! Win! Win!
We're gonna blow them Nazis right out of sight

Fight! Fight! Fight!
Win! Win! Win!
Fight! Win! Fight! Win!
Fight to Win!

Uncle Sam needs us to conserve
The paper upon which you read these words
Your dollar may be for
Buying the bullet that wins the war!

Fight! Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight! Fight!
FIGHT! -- To WIN!!




FILTHY LIL' SOP
(Written on June 16-17, 1989)

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(Buy me my name)

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(His is the same)

Cobblestoned and hashbrowned stew
Liquid diamondlime for two or more

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(My mean ol' game)

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(Roland's away)

Snottish webs and face of glue
Yacht not a loan alone fortune it sold

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(So be my vein)

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(I'm quite insane)

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(So please don't scream)

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(Beneath the weeds)

Crusting piggish appled-tart
Requesting finish of this song so long

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(Safely hid)

Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
Filthy lil' sop
(Near the bridge)




FLOWER GIRL
(Written on March 3, 1989)

Long locks of white
Blue eyes all bright
Flower girl, flower girl

Ends up skipping class
To go sit in the grass
Flower girl, flower girl

Leads you by the hand
Into her flowery land
Flower girl, flower girl

Nothing's as it seems
It's just a beautiful dream
Flower girl, flower girl

Flower, flower girl

Take me on a trip
Into your flowery ship
Flower girl, flower girl

Let's lie in the earth
For what it's worth
Flower girl, flower girl

Gimme some green
Like I've never seen
Flower girl, flower girl

But don't wilt away
'Cos I want you to stay
My flower, flower girl

Flower, flower girl
(repeat and fade)




GASMAN
(Unfinished; written circa 1988-89)

Gasman (Gasman, gasman) [voice: "Gasman!"]

Mr. Meter Man
Reading my meter again
Another street he must roam
Hoping you are at home
Just trying to make everybody happy
Though he's feeling mighty crappy

Gasman (Gasman, gasman) [voice: "Gasman!"]

Mr. Meter Man
Reading my meter again
Probably an ex-con
Hate when he walks on the lawn
Makes me drop everything I'm doing
I'll probably end up suing that

Gasman (Gasman, gasman) [voice: "Gasman!"]

And man is he a gas!




HEAVEN HELP ME
(Written in 1987)

Heaven help me
I don’t know where I’m going
Heaven help me
I don’t know what I’m doing
Since I left home
I been living in ruin

It’s enough to make a strong man cry
And I’ve never been very strong
That’s why I need you to pray to, Lord,
Because I’m not supposed to cry anymore

What am I gonna do?
In June, the baby’s due
And there’s no room for a crib

I love Louise, I swear I do,
But it’s times like these
I go through the roof
Everything’s gone wrong:
What am I to do?

Heaven help me
If you can
I promise I won’t ask again
I need a favor for the little kid
For my baby to have what I never did

Heaven help me
Help me please
I’m begging you upon my knees
Everything’s gone wrong
Heaven help me




HELLO MR. MONDAY
(Unfinished, written in 1989)

Hello Mr. Monday
He goes on all week
Without a name
But it doesn't seem to matter then

Hello Mr. Monday
He'll return the tip
So he says
But he doesn't know just when

Hello Mr. Monday
Skipping out the back
In his Thom McAnns
Tied so snug around his hands

Hello Mr. Monday
Take me as I am
Or as I'll be
Next time you see me again




HONESTY
(Unfinished, written circa 2003)

I'm so tired
Of even trying
To make you see
What I'm try'n to say

I've given up
On using words
I gave my heart
But it did no good

Can it be
I lost my nerve
What do you see
When you look at me?

All I need is your honesty
All I need is your honesty

I'll sing my song
I sing it well
I sing for you
You could not tell

So don't pretend
You're still my friend
I told the truth
And said farewell

All I gave was my honesty
All I gave was my honesty

Now can you do
The same for me?
Would you describe
What you believe
I don't wanna be
The last to know

What I need is your honesty
What I need is your honesty




I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE!
(Written on March 3, 1989)

I can't stand it anymore!
I can't stand it anymore!
I can't stand it anymore!

Once
Upon a time
I felt just fine
I was a happy bloke
A favorite joke
In everybody's mind

Now
I know not how
But I'll say it loud
I'm in like massive pain
I'm going insane
Stuck in this stupid hick town

I can't stand it anymore!
I can't stand it anymore!
I can't stand it anymore!

Hon,
You are no fun
Nor is our son
You'll be the death of me
If I'm not free
I wish I had a gun

Yes
I'll go out west
To the forest
Or I could stay right here
With my honey dear
And off the blasted pest

I can't stand it anymore!
I can't stand it anymore!
I can't stand it anymore!

It seems
I need my dreams
More than your screams
So my boring life
With my boring wife
Is not enough for me, it seems

So
I'll hit the road
Just pack and go
That's what I'll do
I'll start anew
No one will ever know

I can't stand it anymore!
I can't stand it anymore!
I can't stand it anymore!




I GOTTA FIND THAT GIRL
(Unfinished song written circa 1987-88)

[chorus #1]:
So
I think I'm looking for
A girl I've met before
Somewhere out of time
I gotta find that girl
I want her in my world
She's with me in my mind
I want her to be mine
I gotta find that girl

[chorus #2]:
I gotta find that girl
I know she's in this world
I've seen her eyes before
A long, long time ago
I gotta find that girl
For she knows quite well
How I've often tried
To bring her by my side
I gotta find that girl




I HATE YOUR GUTS
(Written on July 18, 1988 under the title/chorus "You'll Get Yours Yet";
retitled "I Hate Your Guts" on Dec. 4, 1988)

You can be such a jerk
Putting me down at every turn
I thought we were supposed to be friends
But now you're following trendy trends
You're getting so MTV
Well I'll show you, just wait and see

I hate your guts
I hate your guts
I'll be famous, I'll make you look so dumb
You'll wanna second chance and I won't give you one

Oh my God you're getting on my nerves
You say you think Lewis Carroll's a perv
Well I'm gonna make you eat those words
I'm gonna buy me a gun then I'm gonna have some fun

I hate your guts
I hate your guts
I'll be famous, I'll make you look so dumb
You'll wanna second chance and I won't give you one

I hate your guts
I hate your guts
I hate your guts!




I'D RATHER BE WITH YOU
(Unfinished song written circa 2004)

You said you're true
To your own life
To explain why you're
Not meant to be my wife
But that don't explain
What you're doing here with me

That isn't right
To think you're like
Some stupid phrase
You read about in Psych
I don't know how to deal with it
I'm going out of my mind

I'd rather be with you
Nothing I'd rather do
Even when we're not together
I'm never far from you

I wanna leave
It all behind
I want my words
To waken up your mind
Just because we don't agree
Doesn't mean you can't be on my side

Perhaps you're right
Perhaps it's cool
For you to see
The other boys at school
But even if given the chance
I'd rather be with you

I'd rather be with you
Nothing I'd rather do
Even when we're not together
I'm never far from you

Let's show our cards
And not pretend
Part of girlfriend
Is still friend
And after all that has been said
I'm still friends with you

I need you, Jill
Now no more lies
No looking for
More words to disguise
I'm still here for you to see
If you would open your eyes

I'd rather be with you
Nothing I'd rather do
Even when we're not together
I'm never far from you




I'M AN AMERICAN
(Beach Boys parody; written on August 10, 1988)

Freedom has got a name (AMERICA)
Around the world, they say the same
(U.S.A., all the way)

Where is the land of the free? (AMERICA)
Where does everybody wanna be?
(Home of the free, sea to shining sea)

I'm an American
Love my government
I vote Republican
In every election

I'm an American
Love my government
I am a Christian
Christian American

I'm an American
Love my government
Love the red white and blue
And the Constitution, too

I'm an American
Love my government
Mom and applie pie
Firecrackers on the fourth of July

[explosion, segues into "Bomb-Bomb Iran" for remainder of song]




I'M FALLING
(Written on April 8, 1989)

In the garden
Where the creek stream flows
I can feel your hair and feel your red, red rose

And the sun shines bright
Like candle light
The moon has rose and fell three times tonight

Honey, all that sky
Is waiting for our love
It can hold its rain
But holding's not enough
The moon may fall down
Before the sun comes up
But falling is a long, long way

On the grass hill
Where the clouds hang near
I'll run my windy hand through your sunny hair

Deep in the earth
There's burning heat
Smoking fire, can I be your new release?

Listen, grass will grow
And wind will ever blow
Summers shall always be only winters' memory
And when that sky falls
It never ever hurts you at all
'Cos falling is a long, long way

[bridge]: I can see angels in the stars
I can see love there in your heart
I can see that golden sky
I can see you in my mind's eye
I can see the field beyond
I can see that you're my only one
I can see just what to do
I can see that I love you, love you, love you...

I'm falling
I'm falling, babe
I'm falling right over you




I'M GETTING BETTER
(Written on March 8, 2003)

You know my name
And took the blame
I've been changed forever
When I call your name
I'm not the same
I've been changed for the better
I'm getting better and better
Better and better each day

I heard your call
Forgot my flaws
Took up your cause 'cos you saved me
You made things right
You turned on the light
You're outtasite and you made me
I'm getting better and better
Better and better each day

You made amends
Crossed the fence
Took my sins and made me a friend
Now I'm so amazed
How things fall into place
I even see your face on the internet
It's getting better and better
Better and better each day

I might go around
Without a crowd
To cheer and shout or support me
If I must stand alone
Go against the flow
At least I'll know you are with me
I'm getting better and better
Better and better each day

Why do you wait
To set skeptics straight
For us to celebrate your second coming
You're giving men more time
To fall in line
See you in the headlines and acts of loving
It's getting better and better
Better and better each day

I'm fading fast
This world won't last
This too will pass and that's the end
But forever you stand
So I'll hold your hand
You died like a man and then rose again
We're getting better and better
Better and better each day

You know how I feel
I pray and you heal
You make it real, it's a mystery
I can't do enough
To earn your love
It's all above and within me
I'm getting better and better
Better and better each day

I'm getting better and better, better and better
Better and better, better and better
Better and better, better and better each day




IF A WISH
(Written on May 21, 1989)

I been wishing every night
Praying you'd see the light
'Cos darlin only you
Can make my wish come true
Wishing it'll be all right

I been wishing all of the time
Praying you'd still be mine
'Cos darlin only you
Can make my wish come true
Wishing it'll be just fine

It sounds so stupid, but I know it's true
Our love is magic and that's you, you, you
So if a wish comes true, I wish for you

I been wishing every day
Praying you'd see my way
'Cos darlin only you
Can make my wish come true
Wishing it'll be okay

It sounds so stupid, but I know it's true
Our love is magic and that's you, you, you
So if a wish comes true, I wish for you

I been wishing and I've tried
Praying you'd see my side
'Cos darlin only you
Can make my wish come true
Wishing you were by my side

I been wishing days on end
Praying that our love will mend
'Cos darlin only you
Can make my wish come true
Wishing for you again

Wishing for you again
Wishing for you again
Wishing for you again




JESSICA
(Written in October, 1988)

Streaks of dawn upon the lawn
Memories of our youth
I still can see the rickety swing
Another thing that makes me think of you

Nine months of waiting, anticipating
A lovely daughter or son
Examinations, complications
Now our lovely child is gone

Oh baby don’t feel alone
In our hearts, you’ll have a home
Oh Jessica, you’re not alone

The doctor frowned and sat us down
He says he’s sorry she didn’t live
I can’t forget the great regret
All the love we couldn’t give

Yet God’s above with our love
That baby we shall never raise
The look on your face as we left the place
Shall stay with me to my dying days

Oh God how can you kill?
Murder our dreams by force of will?
Oh Jessica, we love you still

Oh baby in the sky
You will never truly die
You will live in our minds
We will never say goodbye
Oh Jessica, do not cry

Jessica?
Can you hear?
It’s daddy, honey
Daddy, dear.




KEEP THE AIRHEADS DANCING
(Written on December 4, 1988)

That's too old hat to cover your head
Slicken the song, I don't like what I heard
Take it from me, don't trust nobody's word
Just keep the airheads dancing is all I heard

Polish that up, it sounds so plain
Do better than your last, so do it again
It sells best when you sing like somebody else
So keep the airheads dancing, for your wealth

Why do you hate them? They love you
Or until they find something else to dance to
So stay with the trends but keep yourself new
Just keep the airheads dancing, and you gotta tour, too

Just keep the airheads dancing
Or else they'll forget about you

The world
Will forget
All about you




KILL ME, I'M DYING
(Written in 1987)

Kill me, I'm dying
Kill me, I'm dying
Dying from the pain
Driving me insane

Oh, kill me, I'm dying
Kill me, I'm dying
Dying from the pain
Driving me insane
Dying from the pain
I got from you

There's so much horror, so much pain
There's a monster inside feeding on my brain
I've got to keep reminding myself of what you did to me
You killed all my dreams and caused all my misery

What else can you do but -
Kill me, I'm dying
Kill me, I'm dying
I'm dying from the pain
It's driving me insane
I'm dying from the pain
I got from you

Nothing nothing nothing can take the pain away
Pain pain pain stabbing at my brain
Same same same as it's always been
Pain pain pain pain pain

Please! Kill me, I'm dying
Kill me, I'm dying
I'm dying from the pain
It's driving me insane
I'm dying from the pain
I got from you

Nothing nothing nothing (can kill me)
Pain pain pain (can kill me)
Same same same (can kill me)
Pain pain pain pain pain




KRISHNA KRISHNA
(Written in December, 1987)

Happy is the road that led mine to yours
As though every trouble at that moment fled the world
A second without your smile is a tormented eternity
But now my eyes have opened, now my eyes can see

I am a Krishna man; Krishna, you and me
I love my mantra and, my baby, she loves me

All along the sighing fields of my melancholy
Days go by, I count them quite unconsciously
I would simply perish, a second without my Lord
Bless my Holy Krishna and I'll never get bored

I am a Krishna man; Krishna, you and me
I love Lord Krishna and, my baby, she loves me

OM KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA
OM KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA
OM KRSNA KRSNA YEAH

Say a golden hallelujah and forever praise
The meditative Master and his holy ways
Worm of infernal pride, break out of your shell
Love Lord Krishna and all will be well

I am a Krishna man; Krishna, you and me
I love Lord Krishna and, my baby, she loves me

OM KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA
OM KRSNA KRSNA KRSNA
OM KRSNA KRSNA YEAH




LOVE TOUCH
(Unfinished, written in 1987)

All I've seen, all I've known
All you've been, all you've shown
All I want, all you say
All I got everyday
All I've told to my friends
That your love never ends

It doesn't mean much
(Without your love touch)
It doesn't mean much

All you've seen, all you've known
All the loving that I've shown
All I want, things you say
All I got anyway
All you've said to your friends
That my love never ends

It doesn't mean much
(Without your love touch)
It doesn't mean much
(without your love)




MISTER MUSIC
(Written on November 13, 1988)

Look at my song printed on the screen
Computer error? What does it mean?
Don't use a guitar, don't use no drum
A computer's better than the best human

I'm Mister Music and I write my songs
On my computer and I need no one
But my computer, it's got everything
With which I need for my hit songs

Nobody uses real things anymore
All the sound's from electric boards
The guitar I wear in my video
Is just a prop so you dont know that

I'm Mister Music and I write the songs
So kids dance and don't think about 'em
I'm Mister Music and it's not at all wrong
To have my IBM make up my songs

Airheads proliferate the Top Forty sound
Bubblegum mentality's getting me down
Whitney Houston is making me sick
Can't she wake up and smell the muzak?

I'm Mister Music and I write my songs
On my computer and I need no one
But my computer, it's got everything
With which I need for my hit songs




MY DISGUISE
(Unfinished, written in late 1990s)

Jumping down stairs
I'm caught unawares
I don't even need to say hi

See me today
Gonna make it Omega
And all that I need to ask why

[chorus]:
My disguise
Nobody can see through it
How could you ever prove it?
My disguise




NATALIE
(Written on November 20-21, 1988)

Precious are the times we’re together
Sweet are the words I remember you sayin’
Intense is the conversation
Our relationship should have survived
I know you’re always on my mind

Natalie
You’re all that my eyes can see tonight
And all that I need is to be with you
Natalie, I need you

Gray are the skies since you left me
You can laugh at my words, but you hurt me
Girl, if you knew for certain that
A love like yours, I’d never find
Perhaps you would have changed your mind

Natalie
You’re all that my eyes can see tonight
And all that I need is to be with you
Natalie, I need you




NICKEL AND DIME
(Written on November 3, 1988)

Nickel and dime, nickel and dime
I'm having a fabulous time
Nickel and dime, nickel and dime
Who knew money'd make you mine?

You might say I'm a short guy
But I'm not short of money, my friend
You might say I'm a sad boy
But there's no hurt nickel and dime can't mend

Nickel and dime, that's my line
I like this life, where do I sign?
Nickel and dime, millions are mine
If it's you you're selling, then I'm buying

You might say that I'm not nice
But I know every girl has got her price
Just tell me I'm the boss
And then, little girl, I'll meet your cost

Nickel and dime, I'm feeling fine
I've purchased my feelings for this rhyme
Nickel and dime, nickel and dime
If you want the time, you'll have to purchase mine




NO
(Written in 1987)

You say you're going to go away
All I can say is no
You say you never loved me anyway
All I can say is no

No, no, no
All I can say is no
No, no, no
All I can say is no

You say you have to say goodbye
All I can say is no
You say your loving words were all a lie
Oh, all I can do is cry
And all I can say is

No, don't go
Don't go away from me
No, don't go
Don't go away from me




NOBODY LOVES ME
(Written on August 16, 1988)

I need you
I need you
You don't need me
Nobody needs me

I reach out
I reach out
Nobody reaches out for me
Nobody loves me

I don't want your pity
I just need some love
It don't need to be pretty
Oh I just need your love

I need somebody
I need anybody
They don't need me
Nobody needs me

I love you
I love you
You don't love me
Nobody loves me

Why won't you be my friend?
I really need some love
I want us to be friends
'Cos I just need your love

I love nobody
I love nobody
If nobody loves me
Then I should be the one to love nobody




NOTHING AT ALL
(Written in 1987)

I've seen many a thing in the ocean
I've seen many a thing in the sky
I've hated and loved and cared with emotion
For those that I thought might die

I've known people who wait and people who hate
People who know and people who think so
All sorts of characters in so many guises
All sorts I've known; there are no surprises

I've seen it all
But it doesn't really mean nothing at all

I've helped those who needed another
I've loved a girl who loved another
I've lost my way and felt so confused
I've been cheaten, beaten, and abused

I've felt down and out, and up and in
I've lived my life, don't know where I been
I've kissed and told and told again
Just as would any other man

I've seen it all
But it doesn't really mean nothing at all




ON THE ROAD
(Written on November 28, 1988)

I've got a dollar in my pocket
She's got a quarter in her sock
If we don't find a home by Thursday
I fear we're gonna be locked up

We're just trying to find a home
But we can't find it alone
On the road

A different motel room a day
A different room every night
We've been traveling for six months now
And you would know it from the sight

We're still trying to find a home
One we've never known
On the road

[bridge]
Sometimes you find yourself
You're lucky if you find somebody else
You always wander round and round
Your babbling is the only sound
Happiness is a sad delusion
In your life, there's nothing new
Sometime you gotta stop and wonder
What is it I'm running to?

I've learned so much from her
I think she's learned a lot from me
I pray we'll both stay together
But then we'll have to wait and see

I'm still trying to find my home
I can't find it all alone
On the road

Though my feet surely ache
The best of it I have to make
Grit yer teeth, boy, force a smile
Because there's always that next mile
On the road




PICKY EATER
(Written on November 30, 1988)

Picky eater don’t need feeding
Felicia’s heirs are streaming
Abstract sleepy dreaming

Creepy Crawler
Mister Morgan's Monster
The Question is The Answer
Electric Metal Dancer
Chancellor Flaskbirth
Needs a plan to properly plan

Chorus for a funeral
for a figure just like me
Roland write the songs, you see
and death is all I sung

Ultranglendocrine flapper
Flighty frightening cancer
Cold cryogenic napper

After beef for microwaving seashore
Boats caught in mutant fish no more
King Barfer fought the Slow War: snore, snore
Lazing Daisy sleepwalks and sleepruns

Roland, brother, twin of mine
Master of the songs I sing
The dead twin fell by my hand
and I stole everything

Hee hee: Laughing Daphne sees me
Reporters don’t believe me
Read The Nose and leave me breathing

Picky eater just eats freezing
Food cos it’s so easy
Only instruction reading and heating
Picky picky stick yer vicar around




PULL OUT
(Written circa Spring, 1986)

The great maw of the cave covers me
Sweat runs down my brow
Darkness thus embraces me
No way out, no how --

Pull out, baby
Can't you see
That your love is killing me?

Pull out, darling
Don't you know
That I await the day you go?

The silence between us is like an iron wall
Regret is what we hide
The facade of our existence
Is all that hasn't died

Don't you know it's you I love,
My lover, when you're near?
Can't you see it's you I love
And not the mask you wear?

Pull out, baby
Can't you see
That your love is killing me?

Pull out, darling
Don't you know
That I await the day you go?

Pull out,
Pull out,
Pull out.




SATURDAY
(Written in 1994; guessing from memory on the lyrics here...)

Here comes Saturday
Saturday in vain
Painted all in blue
Another day to do-oo

Underneath the glass
Hiding in back of class
Frozen in polar white
Locked up and out of sight

Her name is Saturday
Her game is Saturday
Saturday in view
Saturday and the moon and you

Today I think I might
Be locked up and out of sight
Find her way is cool
Frozen in back of school

Saturday's the name
Saturday's the game
Anything you wanna say
You say Saturday

Shatter all the glass to fly
Sit and sound of record sigh
Tattered tome of rippled rhyme
Drip summit and crystallime

Saturday's her name
Saturday's the same
Any way you wanna stay
You stay Saturday

Snippet sound of Saturday
Fragment stand in picture frame
And now she's gone away
I'm lost in Saturday




SHADOW LOVE
(Written circa December, 1987)

Girl against the bricks
Blood against the lips
All the things I ever wanted
All these promises bonded
to my shadow love

Whip against the chain
Girl without a name
All the loving that you give
My whole life I live
for my shadow love

Can it be?
A love to call my own?
A family and a home?
Trenton’s such a boring town
Cos nothing’s ever goin’ down
You’re my shadow
You’re my shadow
You’re my shadow love

You’re only mine
You follow me all the time
You’re my lady
You’re my baby
You’re my shadow love




SHE’S THE KIND OF WOMAN
(Written on November 21, 1988)

She’s the kind of woman in the morning to be with
She’s the kind of woman that you never miss
She’s the kind of woman and I never met a woman like this

(She knows) but she don’t need to say
(She shows) it in her own special way
(She goes) when I don’t want her to stay
What I want is what she needs
That’s the kind of woman for me

She’s the kind of woman to spend your life with
She’s the kind of woman grants your every wish
She’s the kind of woman and no woman ever treat me like this

(She speaks) when I want her to speak
(She leaves) when I want her to leave
(She is) what I want her to be
What I want is what she needs
That’s the kind of woman for me

She’s the kind of woman to spend your life with
She’s the kind of woman and you understand
She’s the kind of woman and no woman ever treat me like that

She’s the kind of woman, oh yes
She’s the kind of woman, oh yes
She’s the kind of woman, oh yes
She’s the kind of woman, oh yes




SILLY GIRL
(Written on November 1, 1989)

I remember a time
Though how long it seems
Remember a rhyme
Y'know how fun it reads

All day long
Silly how far away I feel
All day long
With that silly girl

How can things be so fine
Better than they've ever been
I'm yours and you're mine
And that's all that matters, friend

I'll sing it again
I never saw a brighter day
I pray it won't end
And be upon its merry way

So much for that
Silly how far away I feel
It's time I sat
With that silly girl

She's a girl of the sky
I swear she must be heaven-sent
I just don't know why
It's better than it's ever been

There could never be
Nowhere else in the world
I'd rather be
That with that silly girl

All day long
Silly how far away I feel
All day long
With that silly girl,
Silly girl,
Silly girl,
My silly girl.




SING FOR ME
(Written on August 17, 1988)

Sing, sing for me
Sing for tomorrow
Sing, sing for me
Of all my sorrow

I gotta let you know
I gotta show you my heart
I gotta make you see
What it's like to be me

Sing, sing for me
Sing for tomorrow
Sing, sing for me
Of all my sorrow

I gotta let you know
I gotta show you my love
I gotta make you see
What it's like to be me

Sing, sing for me
Sing just for me
Sing, sing for me
Sing it just for me




SORROW MAN
(Written circa 1987)

Sorrow man
What have ya done?
Sorrow man
Ya ruined their fun
Sorrow man
Ya grabbed yer gun

I am not a sorrow man

Sorrow man
Where's your home?
Sorrow man
Are you that alone?

Across the night
Where death is a game
I walk these streets
With not a friend to my name

I am not a sorrow man,
I am not a sorrow man.

Sorrow man
Have you ever known love?
Sorrow man
Yeah you know life is tough.

Sorrow man
What tricks do they play?
Sorrow man
We'll get 'em back someday.

Across the night
Where death is a game
I walk these streets
With not a friend to my name

I am not a sorrow man,
I am not a sorrow man.




SUICIDE, POETRY, AND A RAINY DAY
(Written on March 3, 1989)

Glass will shatter
I'm the spider on the wall
You know I'm not here for fun

Everybody calls my name
Everybody looks the same
Am I the only one who sees?

Take away my mask and you'll
Find that I've another who'll
Be the first to take off theirs?

Look inside your bag of tricks
Hearts broken by stones or sticks
Or pictures hanging on my wall
(So far)

Take a ride to the moon
See that feature coming soon
Your eyes are hypnotized by the scene

Doctor, baker, candlemaker,
King or cur, saint or faker,
I'm the one who listens to you scream

Orbs of fire growing higher
Dead queen spider in her wire
Suicide, poetry, and a rainy day




SWALLOW ME
(Fragment, written in Spring/Summer 1986)

Swallow me
Up with your love
Follow me
Like a free dove
That cascades across empty blue seas

Tighten your affection
I'm begging you please
Give me something real to hold
Like your hold on me

Swallow me
Up with your love
Follow me
Far enough until you know you love me




TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER
(Fragment only; written on December, 3, 1992)

We could talk about the weather
We could talk about the time
We could talk about the weather
If we only had the time
To...

Talk about the weather
We could talk about the time
We could talk about the weather
If we only had time




THANK THE LORD
(Written in 1987)

Thank the Lord for your life
Thank the Lord for your happiness
Thank the Lord for your love
Thank the Lord that you're still alive
When you're not really living at all

Thank the Lord for your food
Thank the Lord when it's down the toilet pipes
Thank the Lord for the foul, stinking air
And the screams in the middle of the night

Thank the Lord
You're all right

Thank the Lord for war
Thank the Lord for death
Thank the Lord that you'll be dead
Before you see what's in store for us next




THAT'S ROCK N' ROLL
(Written on October, 1988)

Somebody's trying to stop our song
They don't listen when we say that's wrong
They don't want you hearing my tune
It'll turn you into a raving loon

My songs are evil, my rights are sold
I don't want to write for eight-year olds
My good friend Satan tells me what to say
If you believe that, you should be put away

But hey! That's rock n' roll
Burn yer Bible and sell yer soul
Hey! That's rock n' roll
Don't blame me, I told you so
Yeah, yeah, yeah

Call the army, we gotta stop this guy
He's singing about Lucy in the Sky
That one, he's got Satanic songs
We'll decide what's right or wrong

Rock n' roll, it's a Satanic thing
But I never seen no devil sing
They say rock will drive you insane
That's the only true thing I've heard 'em say

But hey! That's rock n' roll
Listen up, I'm tellin' you so
Hey! That's rock n' roll
So turn it up and sell your soul
Hey! That's rock n' roll
So rock n' roll, just rock n' roll
Hey! That's rock n' roll
Rock n' roll, baby, rock n' roll

(ad lib like this till end)




TOGETHER AGAIN
(Written on April 8, 1989; to the same tune as "I'm Falling")

In the morning
Or in the evening
I don't want to leave you baby again

Oh babe in the good times
Oh yeah in the bad times, too
I can't stand to be without you, oh babe

Honey, I don't care
To be running on this road
But we need the pay
And I got nowhere else to go
And it's so tough
To tell these big wheels no
But I've had enough
And I feel like coming home
Where I can be with you again
Oh yeah
Where we can be together again

In the evening
And in the nighttime, too
All I wanna do is be with you, babe

I miss you so
Why did I go
No paycheck is worth my baby you know

Honey, I should be there
Holding your tender hand
No sight is more right
Than seeing your face again
And every day
I dream about your smile
And then awake
To this lonely mountain mile
I can't take it, babe
But I got to for a while
Until I can be back with you again
Oh yes
Until we can be together again




VIRGINIA BLUES
(Written in late July, 1988)

Virginia I'm marking my calendar, dear
Waiting for the day to draw near
When I can be with you there
Where love awaits and never hesitates,
Never fear

Honey I'm saving my money
Making your bankbook dreams
Loving is money, it seems
But you're worth every penny
And I hope to make many,
If any

Why does the world have to spin so fast?
Why do happy moments never seem to last?
Is there some way to stop time
before Virginia stops being mine?

For when she's gone, I couldn't go on
My heart would only keep on longing for her

Why can't yesterday be tomorrow?
Why can't tomorrow be today? (Hey, hey. Hey, hey.)
Why can't it be? (Hey, hey. Hey, hey.)
Answer me (Hey, hey. Hey, hey.)
Oh, I've got those Virginia blues

Darlin
You'll never know how much I miss
Your touch, your lips, your kiss
Your whispers in my ear
when you're near

Oh darlin
Whenever we're together
Whenever we're apart
I'll love you forever
With all of my heart

Why does the world have to spin so fast?
Why do happy moments never seem to last?
Is there some way to stop time
before Virginia stops being mine?

Why can't yesterday be tomorrow?
Why can't tomorrow be today? (Hey, hey. Hey, hey.)
Well, I got those Virginia blues (Hey, hey. Hey, hey.)
I said I got those Virginia blues (Hey, hey. Hey, hey.)

(ad lib to end with the "Hey, hey. Hey, hey." backing)




WHAT'S THE PERFECT SONG?
(Written on November 14-15, 1988)

What's the perfect song?
What's the one you wanna sing along?
Gimme a clue and I'll sing it for you, hey!
What's the perfect song?

Gather 'round, I'll tell ya a story
About the library one Monday morning
I just had to peruse
Some negative XTC reviews

These magazine critics complained
About how the singers sang
It's too Fab Four, they said
Words I wished I'd never read

What's the perfect song?
Name me one that ain't too long
Gimme a clue and I'll sing it for you, hey!
What's the perfect song?

Critics will call you names
Jealous of your fame
No matter how hard you try
They'll cut you down to size

What's the perfect song?
Where's the one with nothing wrong?
Gimme a clue and I'll sing it for you, hey!
What's the perfect song?




WHEN I PLAY MY GUITAR
(Written on October 25, 1988)

These strings can change the world
These strings are gonna get me some girls yeah
These strings are on fire
God I wish there were more record buyers

These strings are gonna rock
These strings are gonna make me some bucks yeah
These strings are gonna blow your mind
These strings, you're gonna find that

When I play my guitar
Your ears aren't gonna be far
When I play my guitar
I'll get enough cash to buy a new car

These strings are my tool
These strings make me sound so cool yeah
These strings scream so rude
These strings make me look like such a dude

When I play my guitar
Your wallet ain't gonna be far
When I play my guitar
You'll forget who Clapton and Page are

When I play my guitar
You're gonna realize that I'm a star
When I play my guitar
I got the world, I got the power

I want to rule the world
With my guitar, with my guitar

I want to change the world
With my guitar, with my guitar

I want to make a huge pile of money!
With my guitar, with my guitar

Oh, when I play
My guitar




WHERE ARE YOU?
(Written on October 8, 1991; 11:45am-12:10pm)

I told them so
I told them all to go to hell
I would roam
One time after dark
I cried in the park
And went home

I've been around
I've been around this town
I've seen its ugly face
I've been up every street
I've walked these feet
Every place
I've seen everything
But you

Where are you?
Where are you?
You're never around

Tell me straight
Do I make you hate
Everything I am
When you leave me here
I think your care
Is a sham

I need you again
You other people can
Fill this empty space
So many hours
I watch passing cars
For your face
I've seen everything
But you

Where are you?
Where are you?
You're never around

Help me friend
On the other end
You're so far away
I call you on the phone
So I won't feel so alone
Today

It's all rearranged
My head is on straight
For the first time at last
Now I gotta put straight
My stupid mistakes
Of the past
But first I need to
Find you

Where are you?
Where are you?
I'm coming around




THE WONDER OF IT ALL
(Written on December, 1 1988; to the same melody as "Amen")

It's far too late for crying
It's far too late for lies
It's too late for denying
Our love of disguise

Our time together is fleeting
The sun is going down
There's no excuse for being
So cold and selfish now

Mr. Travers married Ms. Lee
I got back my Natalie
Chancellor Flaskbirth's seeing
The wonder of it all

I'm looking for the good day
I'm waiting for your call
I'm living for the wonder of it all

I'm looking for the new day
I'm waiting for your call
I'm living for the wonder of it all




YOU DON'T HAVE TO CRY
(Written on November 11, 1988)

You don't have to cry
You don't have to say goodbye
You don't have to hide the tears in your eyes
Just understand, my dear

You don't have to cry
You don't have to say goodnight
You don't have to hide behind more lies
Just take my hand, dear

(You know, you know) That I really care
(You know, you know) that I'll always be here
(You know, you know) Those that you're near
Always hurt you the most

You don't have to cry
There's more to life
You don't have to live another lie
Just take a stand, dear

You don't have to cry
You don't have to hide your eyes
You don't have to try another time
Why cry again?

(You know, you know) That I really care
(You know, you know) that I'll always be here
(You know, you know) Those that you're near
Always hurt you the most

(You know, you know) You don't have to cry
(You know, you know) You don't have to cry
(You know, you know) You don't have to cry
(You know, you know) You don't have to cry




YOU DON'T LOVE ME ANYMORE
(Written on November 21, 1988)

You don't come around anymore
You don't even say hello
You don't even give me a sign
You won't even tell me why

You don't come around anymore
You don't come to my door
You don't even give me a call
You don't come around at all

You don't love me anymore
(I guess I should hate you)
You don't love me anymore
(But I still love you)
You don't love me anymore
But I still (I still)
I will (I still) love you

You don't come around anymore
You only ignore
I make you uncomfortable
So you act like I'm invisible

You don't come around anymore
You'll never knock again on my door
The way you act makes plain to see
That you don't care a thing for me

You don't love me anymore
(I guess I should hate you)
You don't love me anymore
(But I still love you)
You don't love me anymore
But I still (I still)
I will (I still) love you

You don't come around anymore
I know we'll never be like we were before
And you won't even tell me why
And I just can't say goodbye.




YOU GOTTA GET OUTTA THAT CAGE
(Written on November 30, 1988)

Mr. Travers knows all about Ms. Lee
He has seen all he needs to see
She’s so alone for being forty-three
Oh yeah something’s happening, total abandon
Someone’s breaking out of the cage

Mr. Travers likes to think of his youth
Thinks of what he used to say and do
The places he loved and the people he knew
But something happened, the fancy flight landed
Someone wants out of the cage

You’re a little monkey sitting in your cage
You won’t get no food if you don’t act your age
Your madness is in check, but your life is a waste
You gotta get outta that cage

Ms. Lee don’t want to go on a date
She goes on hoping knowing time won’t wait
She wants magic, but she fears it’s too late
Oh yeah something’s happening, total abandon
Someone’s breaking out of the cage

Ms. Lee remembers as a girl
Hope was in her heart; she had the world
She dreamed of fame and tried as hard as she could
But something happened, the fancy flight landed
Someone wants out of the cage

You’re a little monkey sitting in your cage
You won’t get no food if you don’t act your age
Your madness is in check, but your life is a waste
You gotta get outta that cage

Mr. Travers glances at his phone
Ms. Lee don’t want to be alone
They’re sick of Saturday nights at home
Oh yeah something’s happening, total abandon
Someone’s breaking out of the cage

Two doors down, but they’re so far apart
Two souls crying for the other’s heart
But no one goes nowhere if no one will start
But something happened, the fancy flight landed
When will they get outta that cage?

You’re a little monkey sitting in your cage
You won’t get no food if you don’t act your age
Your madness is in check, but your life is a waste
You gotta get outta that cage




YOU MAKE IT SEEM
(Written in August 1988)

You sing for Mandela
You sing for hunger
You sing for MTV
And now I'm singing for you

You think you're right
You think that you're so right
Writing down somebody's wrongs
And singing them as hit songs

You make it seem so bad
You make it seem so mean
You make it seem so bad
You make it seem

You're a propaganda man
When your songs are in demand
You gotta have a cause
To make your million dollars

Issues make you feel bright
When you can't tell wrong from right
South Africa sells, babe
So you say what you're supposed to say

You make it seem so bad
You make it seem so mean
You make it seem so bad
You make it seem




All songs on this page were written by Rob Imes.
All songs Copyright © 1986-2011 by Rob Imes and may not be reprinted or reproduced without permission.