DRINK WITH THE GROWNUPS AND LISTEN TO THE JAZZ THEY STUCK ME IN A BOX IN THE GROUND PART 1 They stuck me in a box in the ground and left me here alone. Man, I feel so weird. There's not much room to move around inside. I can't be bothered with this now. When they realize its a mistake- they'll hurry back I'm sure. I hope its not too long. I've got some things I need to get back to. Elephants Clouds roll by and all she sees are elephants. I don't ask why- I don't beleive it has to make sense. When everything gets turned around, when everything gets tense, we drink a round +fall to the ground, it pulls me down from the fence. I don't need to understand why. I might be down, but I can still see the sky. I don't need to understand how. I might be down- It's just for now. Clouds roll by and all she sees are elephants. Funny how I've never even seen circus tents, and every day I lose a little more innocence. And clouds roll by. The Strongest Man in the World I bend the bars. After the clowns and jugglers, I go on to lift the lead. "Strongest Man in the World" they call me + I belong with the freaks. It's true. I'm just the same as I once was before the show traveled around and got so famous. Soon I was known "The Strongest Man in the World" they called me, It's true. You know my name. Devine Sarcasm I had a talk with God. He told me everything was going fine. We're really on our way- "wouldn't change a thing" The Last Train to Deathville Way back in the darkness, I find you. You take my hand. You pull me in close now. I don't mind to say nothing at all - I'm sure we talk too much. I'm glad for this time here with you now. I'm scared I might scare you off with this knife. Set to Stun A man on the corner looks everything over - He don't know where he's going next. He's never worried, never too hurried. Always finds a place to lay his head. He never understands why everybody plans for tomorrow and not today. Another's in his suite, he works late on Wall Street. A million dollar view he's never seen. He's always planning, saving, scanning. No one dare interrupt, it's his routine. He never understands why everybody stands still in a world full of demands. but just once when things were slow, he saw the corner man below looking back with eyes he somehow seemed to know. And as the two stared blind, the same thought crossed their minds: I only feel so sorry for your kind. They turn away. Drizzle The same imaginary scene flashes bright in front of me - polar opposites collide. they wont ever see inside what i want. Jesus Loves Mike D. You dug me in your garden. Drug me inside- I'm in your room. Where they all were next to you. I couldn't wait forever. Sometimes you can't rely on time. After all, You might change your mind. Its fair to say you might go, and I might stay. I hope I won't be like the other ones. They Stuck Me in a Box in the Ground Part 2. Monday started out wrong, woke up with a coat and tie on. Don't they know I never wore this? I can't even breathe in this thing! I think I've even got make-up on. They line up to look inside - I don't know who they're looking for. I want to smile, to just say hi. But now my mouth won't move and right when I finally figured out exactly what it is i want to say. Forget the fact that i've been so surprised to see - so many people I don't know. I'm gonna leave. Monday started out wrong, something tells me it might be a while. The Experts You stay so quiet. You never talk much. Still you say more than most people here. For you words aren't a crutch. So save it for now. When everyones an expert somehow. So stay quiet. I know you want it that way. I would love the silence if only i knew the words. Enjoy the New Planet Ran into a decision: go on where i'm needed or stay here. Enjoy the New Planet. Four thorns will leave you feeling ok. Wrong turn- I'm with a king. Just one of his subjects I won't be here long. It's too crowded. I'll move on. It's the way life's got to be. I'll be back again. I'm really good at that. Make sure to keep count cause I keep losing track. Ran into a decision: go on where i'm needed or stay here. Enjoy the New Planet. Four thorns will leave you feeling no fear. I Color Outside the Lines I don't mind if you don't act your age - I can't find any reason to act mine. While we're asking, Who makes the rules today? And why do we have to act? I'm going back - I started old. I'm going down another path. Only get one chance + It's gone quick. And the next one knows Japanese, and I won't understand. I won't plan any more into this one. I won't plan anymore. Alarm Clock Yeah - I know it seems so long ago - Its not. Have you forgotten all you've said before? It seems once more you're fooled by a song. Yeah - I've been around since then. Alarm Clock or control? Make sure to save your place, the first in line. Its all a sign. THE RETURN OF THE DRUNK VENTRILOQUIST I am Still the King of Confusion "Reply hazy try again" - it says. I need to know right away. I drive in circles in a big white van. Should I make anything out of this? I am the King of Confusion - I forget sometimes. I second guess and blur the lines. I'm out of focus like in Deconstructing Harry. I relate to the scene where Woody Allen goes into a panic. Square "It's not fair" you say. I'm square. It's okay with me, I don't want to be cool. Make up your mind. I've found you'll find it's not really so hard to do. Don't take this wrong. It's all good. Belong! And don't complain it's all the same to you. I say to myself, I shout to the day. Undone! And I tell you : I'm not the only one here. I Put Opium in the Food Come anytime. We're always open and business just gets better every day. The lines are long but then they'll tell you - it's worth the wait to stay. Just through the door and down the stairs. I think you might agree. I'll bet in fact that you'll be back from now on consistently. Come on down you'll thank me in the end. You won't feel the same again - until tomorrow. Not everyone knows about us. Not everyone really should. I'll put something new in your dinner. You'll be back again. It's understood. Corrective Lenses The headlines read: "Times won't be the same now that you're gone." You blew your candles out and forgot to wish. Now I drink myself to sleep. I'm hoping it might slow everything down again. I'm still here. I go to work. And sleep. And eat. And breathe. Though I wouldn't call it living anymore. My mind spins round. Too fast. Sometimes I've got to slow everything down. Now I'm somewhere in between and I don't think it's fair. The candle burns down and I realize it's time to go. Just one more drink and I'll be in my haze. I can dull my senses for another day or two. I'll slow everything down. And either I'll speed up or drown in another day. Jack Never Crashes I'm doing 60 in a 30, got your 45 stuck in my... head. i've been drivin' since five you made it easy i could get out of bed. i never heard anything sound like this. almost seems unfair. i swear. i can't remember anything before today. it's all new to me. and something in the way you sing about kinda makes me feel good. all the best records remain misunderstood while the radio songs win awards in hollywood. and i found it first. it's all clear now : you're not even on this earth. (almost seems unfair). Bitter Old Man Blues I don't like anyone in the world. I don't care if they don't like me. I'll be fine on my own. I'll be fine all alone with my thoughts and my dog. I don't like my dog. Clever found a name The first time I ever think to try to resist you - check the lost and found. You tell me you're not feeling up for today, they never stay around. Why can't I be more like you? God knows I try - God knows it's true. You tell me you're not buying into that game. Now clever found a name. I wanna crash a car. I wanna beat the odds. Nineteen to one. Pray to your gods. You tell me you're not feeling down for the same. Now clever found a name. Evaporated I'm all alone. I hate to worry. Don't wanna think. Don't wanna hurry. I'll take my time before it takes me. I'll lose my mind before it aches me. No other way. I'm the contender. I'm gonna pray you won't surrender. When everything gets complicated and everyone's captivated, it blurs the lines in my mind. It's true... I stare above into the same moon you call your own yellow balloon. You hold the key. It keeps me guessing. Such a curse. Such a blessing. Behave You Silly Freaks Behave you silly freaks. You haven't slept for weeks. Half circles underneath your eyes. Behavior doesn't stay good long - black turns to gray. Save yourself the same surprise. I'm going with the slow pace and counting all the cars that join the race. I can see you're in place - one in the same. In case I never told you I'm not getting old. Unless you're there to hold me up. Find another star to fall - I'm not afraid to stand and count them all - I'll be here but not on call. One and the same. We're one and the same. I Never Thought Today Would be so Strange I never thought today would be so strange. Somebody told me don't ever expect this to change. And now everything feels inside out. And I think I like it better now. Strange isn't bad. Never had it so good. There's no doubt in my mind. Wouldn't change if I could. And miss out. It's not the first time I felt this way. But somehow it always seemed to fade. Strange isn't bad. Never had it so good. There's no doubt in my mind. Wouldn't change if I could. We've been running away. From the things that we should seek out. How to Tune a Guitar Tell me the truth: they put you on a stand to prove you belong in a suit. "Yes Sir. No I can't forget, I've been around for too long something's always gotta give. I hope you get this all down cause I'm not done." Sell me some glue cause I just fell apart. It's the sound of a start. Dear in the Headlights I don't want you. to go away. go away. leave me here. all alone. with you. say goodbye. to loneliness. it's over. I don't need you. to go away. go away. leave me here. all alone. with you. say goodbye. to loneliness. it's over. The Quiet Game I Killed Mr. Red I killed Mr. Red. Mr. Red now he's dead. I like you. I like you. I like you. Wait, that's love. I'm all confused. Chinese Checkers and Devo Records Look into my eyes and see how cloudy they can be today. I left a trail of dead behind me. Follow close now. Don't delay. I'll take everything for granted. You'll take everything. They used to twist my arm until one day it broke. I spoke up then. Ever since my innocence is gone. I don't care. He's not my friend. THE DAY OF THE RAY (pictured is autralian release american release has a black backround) Is This On? Time I know has come to go it alone. I got all dressed up-to stay home every night, every day I'd wait around. Even learned how to comb my hair and put on a tie. I washed my house, I cleaned my car. It's customized. Is this on? You never say. Is this on? Looked around to find- I'm in a frame. Right now I can say you're a freak. It's okay, I'm just the same: Another call away from insane. I could stay right here and wait another twenty years, or change what I despise- Customize. I'm From the Future "You've got to think about the future", you tell me over again. And you don't even know it's where I'm from. I can prove it: you'll sleep in a cave at night, wake up with the sun and go work like a traffic light. But I'll never say I told you so. It's hard to figure out when you're stuck inside - so I came back to show you that the same thing happens over again. I don't pretend. I wouldn't make this up. Not again. Don't Point at the Stoners We've been over this too many times. We don't finish our conversation. It's enough to make up that you're stuck - say your luck is off on a vacation. But don't point at the stoners. Cats land on their feet when owners throw them around. And all I want is to stare into space- fall into place up above. And the clouds are all elephant shaped. The telescope range: a long way down. Persuasive is Your Name I didn't make this up. I lost another bet. Still I've got no regrets. Consider this : assign meaning where there's none. Then you'll think like everyone. I'll call another time and offer up the same. No reason to deny. Persuasive is your name. I couldn't put this down until I had every line. I'm the cynic in the shrine. Consider this the same: meaning where there's none. Then you'll think like everyone. She Can Play Me Like a Drum Machine I know a girl who thinks just like I do. Stays in her room, reads numbers not words. Make an assumption: a new equation. Now I can't think about other birds. Under the seven numbers she gave me, only a first name. With anyone else I'd throw it away. But she can play me like a drum machine. I look out the window. I know I'll be here for a while. Under the stars we don't wish for money, just another sunny afternoon. I should go solo and play on the banjo along with her favorite Bill Monroe tune. Over the counter prescriptions surround her. She's up and down on a trampoline. With anyone else I'd throw it away. But she can play me like a drum machine. Know something: I'm not a stand-in. I'll be here a while. Know something: I'm not a stand-in, but I don't know why. I know a girl who thinks just like I do. That might not be true. She comes close. Make an assumption: a new equation. If she were a drug I'd overdose. The Aztec God You were out before the band played your favorite from "redo the stacks". You passed out behind the curtain. Clubbing is no way to relax. On another song about ordinary days the Aztec God is what they called you anyway. Making sense is overrated and difficult. It interferes with everything you understand. Can't stand that ringing in your ears. On another Saturday at the Crystal Chandelier: the Aztec God is what they'll call you first. The Aztec God is what they'll call you sir. The Aztec God is what they call you when you're here. Her First Party "Everyone here sucks", she says to me. I laugh cause I take things seriously. How did she get so jaded when she's only fifteen? She's never been anywhere outside. Only seen life from the glow of a computer screen. And now she gets so scared. It's easier when she talks with a keyboard to her friends. The Medication's Gone You tell me you don't see in color - since you woke up in the cellar. You ran the risk and walked the plank, but skipped the jump into the tank. The only way you might feel better. I don't live in that kind of weather. You said, "only girly boys wear sweaters". You ran the race, and walked the mile, but skipped the jump down the isle. No- you know you won't forget her. The medication's gone. Spinecraker My hands are tied. My ears are ringing. My senses died after you left me stinging. My teeth are stained. My eyes are bagging. My mind is drained. But I'm still bragging. Spinecracker- you done me wrong. Starting to Stop You're not around enough these days. Even when you're alone- you're far away. You're starting to stop. Pulling Teeth Talking to you is like pulling teeth. It might do some good, but God it's painful. I can remember the day you went away. It felt like I was stuck in cement. Now it surrounds me. I can't even get some rest. Listen to me I sound just like a fire drill. I should be over this. But I'm not yet. I can remember the 13th of June. We'd float above the town in our balloon. And you'd make a face when I'd sing out of tune... The Stuck Me in a Box in the Ground pt.4 A puzzled look from the man in the plane as I jump into open sky. It seems as though he's yelling something about a pair of shoes (parachute!) But I've got Nike's on so I flip him the bird and act like one myself . . . I fall down. Now the man from the plane stands above me and claims he was the only one who tried to save me. And how he bravely stood in front of death and laughed, stuck out his neck. Stupid giraffe. No water here- but I took a bath. And now I'm on the floor. Suddenly they gather round and I'm the one asking where the hell my Nike's are. They don't hear a word. All they talk now about: the parachute he jumped without....but it's okay because- "he's upstairs in those shiny new wing-tips." It's Hard to Run Uphill on Stilts I've been staying out so late. I kind of miss the sun against my face. I've been looking for a place to hide. It's hard to run uphill on stilts. It's not my fault, that's just the way I'm built. So hold still. If you can wait- I swear I'll make the climb. Number the race and remember the day I learned to decide. I could settle down to take on another chance. I sing the cake. I'll jump in the leaves when you rake. Every time. I could rattle on all night. It doesn't matter if I get this right. I don't give a damn. This kite will fly. There's Too Much Ulterior in Your Motive J. was dumb. He played drums just like Moe Tucker. Until one day he got run over by a trucker. Now he thinks he's Shirley MacLaine. Talks smack in the back of his pick-up. Looks in the mirror to get rid of his hiccups. Fat cash from his daily bank stick-ups. You don't need canvas to paint. And you'll feel so inferior when you see his new interior. There's too much ulterior in your motive. J. was bad. He drank motor oil in a container that he thought was filled with vodka. Now he thinks he's Shirley MacLaine. WITHOUT A TRACE b/w THEY STUCK ME IN A BOX IN THE GROUND PT. 3 (45 rpm record nearly out of print) Without a Trace i'm doomed to make the same mistake again today. i pour gasoline all over the place. you light up the matches and watch it erase all evidence. gone. without a trace. you bore yourself until you're jinxed and say what do i think maybe another one? They Stuck Me in a Box in the Ground pt. 3 i'm alive. at least that's what they say. all in white. don't know my name or age. with no signs, or way to know. at midnight i'm told i passed away. it's 12:05 and just another day. with no clue of who i am. and i don't know where to start. spell your name if you can't talk, they say. and who you know, we'll bring them right away. now i'm like everyone 'cause i don't know where to start. MIDNIGHT AT THE BLCK NAIL POLISH FACTORY GONE AGAINST THE TIDE I'm finding out your fond of mirrors, December first on accident. Love the silence in operation. they come and go, you never went. Slow: the perfect speed. Assistance! Make a note of it today. Instrumental indecision- I know you'll never run away. They sent out their son with no place to hide. I'm the only one, gone against the tide. All the Saints and all the sinners have gotta make some room for me. I'm the only one around. This time is luck- it's plane to sea. I've got it figured out in my head, I'm gonna write it down before it's time to check out. It's time to wake up from everything you knew before. I WAS THAT MASKED MAN I took a phony name and waited for the sunlight to burn off. Gone- this oversimplified life I had, it's gone. Landed an easy job: had to find a volunteer to help me track down my former self. I lost him late last week. THE GIRL WHO STOLE THE EIFFEL TOWER Hey freaky girl can I take you home? I'm under the impression you shouldn't be all alone. Under the stars I wished for you + now here you are. I've got an opinion on everything. You'll fall in love with me unless you hear me sing down at the Barley on a Sunday. I think I'm a star. Don't go to the bar. I've been strange for seven days. Don't go to the bar, you'll find out quick it's not just a phase. Hey freaky girl can I take you home? Your purple hair looks good but I wanna comb out all the knots, take off your clothes- connect the dots. It's funny how everything falls in place. Nothing made sense until I saw your face. Under the stars I wished for you and now here you are. LOW AND SILENT Don't follow me- low and silent. I've been there everyday. For far too long I've been quiet, I won't go back, I won't say sorry now. I'm not sorry now. One day found me in silence. I can't fake what I don't feel. All this sound is to violence what borrowing is to steal. I was down in it, now I'm done with it: this isolation. HOW TO WIN AT ROULETTE red. red. black. red. How much do I have now? How much do we need? black. black. red. black. DOMINIQUE Dominique, you make me weak. I wrote this down and found a way to say what I can't speak. I fail to keep this all inside. I've been known to sing what's on my mind. You're the star of the play we're in. I can't explain this, it seems way too strange today. I wouldn't even know where to begin. Mr. Ink- it's not what you think. She's like my sister, she's like my shrink, she's like the bar when I need a drink or two. When there's nothing new, she's been known to find another view. Dominique, you make me weak. I wrote this down when you found the ground to stand on your two feet. MAGGIE DOESN'T BLINK Maggie won't complain about another game, just don't expect to see her lose. They line up by the door. I came to see what for, I wanna walk in her shoes + stare into her eyes. I'm glued like watching television. Then before I do what I swore I wouldn't do, I know the score. It started in the first grade, it was the worst: she thought she had a curse (or two) Until she saw the bright side was out of sight. Doctor said, "It's alright, you can keep a straight poker face or play dead in the movies..." Then before she knew it adoring fans were at her door. I REGRET THE DAY I TRIED TO STEAL DANIEL'S EGO Days go by so slow. Nights I'm on my own. On and on, we almost made it. I'm overwhelmed, it's understated. They'll figure out it's not related soon. I got in past the cameras, I was right on time. Can't say I remember getting caught, that's the real crime. Weekends I can call old friends outside these walls. I'm not about to rat them out, it's understood I'm over doubt. They'll thank me someday when I get out. Eight years isn't so bad, I did school for nine. Learned more in the first week here than all my years. Now I regret the day I tried to steal the only thing she ever cared about. Now it's too late and I regret the day I tried to steal. The only thing she cared about was herself. Days go by so slow. Nights I'm on my own. I'm not the kind, the kind to fake it. I saw a chance I thought I'd take it, they'll figure out it's all related soon. Now I've got a record, though it's not the kind I dreamed up when I grew up. So I'm locked up in here.... THEY STUCK ME IN A BOX IN THE GROUND. PT. 5 Under your microscope, it's all I've ever known. Mapped out this life defined by circuitry that's blown. And you wonder why I still make up songs about my death. It's just the same as making up words about what's left...Down? I'm not down as much as anyone I know. Or maybe it's just a part of me I'm too scared to show. And you wonder why I still make up songs about my life. Write on command and you'll understand- words can dig in like a knife. YOU SHINE LIKE THE SUN It's not like I can read your mind. I'm not like superman, green lantern, captain america. I'll do everything I can, but I can't make you feel like me. I can't make you see. You shine like the sun, you make me feel like I've just begun. You laugh- I come undone. I don't write such stupid words for everyone. I'm sorry but I don't believe you when you say it's over. I don't understand again. MIDNIGHT AT THE BLACK NAIL POLISH FACTORY I've got a choice I've got to make. It never got down to this. I've got a chance to make it up, I've got a chance to make it right. I know soon I'll be howling. I've got the ground, I've got the sky. I had the sun in my eyes. I'll take off my disguise. I had the sun in my eyes.