I MADE A LIST

 

I made a list of what I’m prepared to be bored by

London, New York, Paris, airplanes and you

I found a way; it's brutal and it's stupid but it's all mine;

Bang my head against the wall until it breaks; it's what you have to do

It's not as stupid as it sounds; decisions like these make the world go 'round

And I've got a head start on you

I wanna be so bored

I'm gonna be so bored

I've got an interesting plan; you can be my girl and I will be your man

We're gonna be so bored

I made a list of all tomorrow's parties for the door guys

No shirt, no shoes, no service; it's the only rule you ever have to know

A velvet rope; a 6-foot tall gorilla meets your steel eyes

But you'll walk straight through as usual 'cos you're bored with everything you've ever done

How did you get so bored?

I wanna be that bored.

 

BAD MEMORIES

 

It's hanging by a slender thread just over your head

It's hanging, fit to drop, just over your head

All those old mistakes they follow you

Oh my friends, I go down

All my friends they go down too.

What did I do? What did I say?

Why won't you talk to me today?

Fill me in on last night; it's a blur

Bad memories gang up in the dark

But they're just there to bring you down

They're just there to beat you up

You're alone and everything's so tough

Remembering your past mistakes

You're too tired to concentrate

Wish I hadn't, wish I had

Wish I never, never said

All these things come back

What I said I never meant

What I did, the consequence

All these memories they still haunt me

I'm out of place, I'm off my face

But I've still got some fight in me yet

All my friends long ago forgave

But some things they can never forget.

 

SIXES & SEVENS

 

Say what you've been thinking of before it sours and eats you up

Virtue is it's own reward but honesty's a bitter cup

Let me out, let me off, I can't stop the train

Get me out, get me off, I can't stop

At sixes and sevens with everyone else

It's pretty time, it's gorgeous time, It's worshipping the mirror time

It's vanity, It's vanity, everything is vanity

It feels the time each you strain while reaching for redemption

A troupe of players cast about and looking for a tragedy

Mimic me, mimic me, I'm made for mass production

But what you sell and what you buy are really the same

I'll feel my way inside your brain and nestle like a cancer

I want your heart, not just your mind. This is not a drill.

 

AN ELOQUENT TESTIMONY

 

Oh you kids today. Is anyone listening?

Oh you kids today. Is anyone there?

It's a fine occupation with excellent prospects

A noble profession with respectable goals

You'll have a future assured and protected

I'd do it all the same again knowing what I know

 

Is anyone listening?

Is anyone there?

 

Spiders spin webs in the corners

The trophies are dusted when the season begins

It's an eloquent testimony, browning and faded

The next generation pass by

 

It's unthinkable, it's preposterous

Is anyone wondering?

It's unethical, it's just plain dangerous

Does anyone care?

 

It's a foregone conclusion with unanimous backing

A partisan decision with no scope for change

There's no abstentions, no voice in opposition

Clear out your desk and go and please act your age

 

Is anyone listening?

Is anyone there?

Is anyone wondering?

Does anyone care?

 

TALK THE TALK

 

New York this is London calling

No, not that one, this one now

I’ve got to get myself across the Atlantic

Three more times before the month is out

And I go...

Why's it feel like we're never going to get it together?

Why's it feel like it's been this way for ever?

London this is New York talking

We can’t give you permission to land

There has been too much talk lately

Things are getting out of hand

And we go...

You say you've changed but I've heard it all before

You talk the talk then you walk it right on out the door

Sweating through your dreams with a monkey on your back

Waking in the morning to a cup of Heart Attack

Looking through the paper for a hot tip at the track

Don't turn around; there's a monkey on your back

It was just an indiscretion

It was barely thought about

It is just a simple matter

I know we can talk it out

And we’ll go...

Oh no.

 

EARLY MORNING WAKE-UP CALL

 

Early morning wake-up call

They won’t let you forget, oh no

Early morning wake-up call

Can I stay in bed? Oh no

Forever in your debt, oh no

 

Thank you for last night; it was wonderful

I’m so glad to see you’re all so well

You all came from so far away; I know it wasn’t easy

You make living just a little better

 

You all know by now that you’re part of me

I wouldn’t want it any other way

You’ve all had so much faith in me; I don’t think I deserve it

You’ve made living just a little better

 

It won’t be too long before all your troubles are over

We’ve known all along that you’re the pony to bet on

 

Early morning wake-up call

They won’t let you forget, oh no

Early morning wake-up call

Time to pay your debts, oh no

Nothing’s free my friends, oh no.

 

SONG TO THE ARTIST

 

These grey steel buildings are so cold

You feel their history at your throat

Blotting out the sun; you can't get warm

Draining all the substance from your form

But you still see the surfer in the sky in your mind's eye

 

Spray your grey walls over

Your name writ large

Your day lived large

All your days starting grey

 

Change the window to a picture frame

All you have to do is sign your name

What if it is not as others see?

Beauty you can't get on your TV

You swapped all your senses around and showed us what you found

 

I'm yours; I'm your boon companion

Your last great hope

Be mine; be my one salvation

My one saved grace

I couldn't do it without you

 

All of your hopes, all of your dreams, all of your visions sprayed on walls.

 

SMARTMOUTH

 

You've got 5 minutes to pack your bags and get out before I burn the building down

 

I never liked your smart mouth anyway

 

It breaks my heart to see that you're taking water

Buoys my soul to give you your marching orders

You've got a poison tounge stuck in your lying mouth

It strings me along; I'd like to cut it out

 

Save me from the arrows of my enemies

Give me a level playing field but a big stick, baby

 

You better take care what you say on the way out

Don't wanna burn your bridges now

Everybody knows that you can't lie straight in bed

If I had my way there'd be a law against what's in your head.

 

SMOKE & MIRRORS

 

Hey my young friend, I can see you’re new in town

Well it’s a jungle out there kid; I’ve been around

It’s a simple mistake, and I’ve often made it

Be careful who you trust before it’s too late

Say it isn’t so

You’re on the level

And I need someone to believe in

Come play my game. It’s called “Smoke and Mirrors”

It’s everywhere you turn. It fascinates.

You’re a helluva guy; a sharp operator

You could clean up in this town with the right connections

Don't go down to the city it'll leave you cold

It'll make you hard; turn you to stone.

 

FOR SALE

 

I pressed my face against the window

It can’t really be for sale

I watched my breath fog up the window

And wiped away all the condensation

You know all about the complications

Of things of value, things for sale

Open up the gates and let the flood out

And wash away all my expectation

Hidden away from view

Hidden away from you

Can you tell me more about the background?

Fill me in on the motivation

The room is full of dinner suits and ballgowns

But you can hold your own in the conversation.

 

I HAVE A PLAN

 

I have a plan to get me where I’m going

I have a plan; it comes from where I’ve been

I am the man; I’ve got to believe that

I am the man; you’ll see what I mean

Lots of people tell you why you can’t do something

I have only listened to the ones who say I can

You've got the moves; baby, I got the music

You've got the moves; I love the way you dance

If you’ve got the time, I’ve got the inclination

If you’ve got the time, you’ve got all I need

Lots of people tell you why you can’t be happy

I have only listened to the ones who say you can

And if on the way I can pick you up

I’ll carry you along like a song in my heart

If I lose my way will you help me navigate through the dark?

I can make it on my own but you make it feel not so tough

But that’s not all you do

I have a plan; it got me where I’m sitting

I have a plan; it got me what I need

I am the man that loves you more than breathing

I am the man that loves you in his dreams.

 

©2004 Jason Allen. All Rights Reserved..