Better

He’s a special little kid

Born on accident, raised by a fist

But in a little twist

Of fate he makes his name well known

When he runs from home

You know you can do better

You know you can do better than that

You know you can do better

Cause better’s what you got

Don’t tell the loner he’s a fake

Don’t hold your breath that he ain’t gonna flake

You’re home is not a hostel but

You gave him the key

Now he’s free

Won’t tell a soul I’m going in

Won’t let momma ask how it went

I might die not knowing what I was capable of

But I’ve known love

You know you can do better

You know you can do better than that

You know you can do better

Cause better’s what you got

You got a food stamp mom

You’re dad’s an ex con

But they’re all related

Your tombstone sister said your brother’s a bum

Cause he’s so sedated

An outstretched hand from my old man

But it’s so belated

I’m doin’ what I can but I know I can do better

Cause better’s what I got.

All I Need

So I’m talking along with the frosty haired girl at the bar

Says she’s from Mexico and I respond wow that’s far

Somewhere there in between vodka fueled breath in my ear

Lose hold of gravity keeping my legs put right here

And oh Margarita

I’m taking it easy

Cause I got a promise to keep

It’s depending on me

Seniorita, she’s all I need

Discussion ranges from the movies to how drunk you got

Better keep talking for fear that there isn’t a lot….to say

Inevitably I’ll tip get home and sneak into bed

I’ll tell you I love you and you won’t quite hear what I’ve said

 

And oh Margarita

I’m taking it easy

Cause I got a promise to keep

And it’s all on me

It’s right here on me

And now I believe, I believe

I finally see

It’s depending on me

Seniorita, she’s all I need

Pop Tart Heart

You can’t finish what you started

Now there’s a pack of broken hearted

Dudes knockin’ at your door

They sing some forgotten carol

All dressed in the same apparel

How could you ask for more?

Ooh, they’re comin’ for us, ah.

They’re coming for us

Had a dream that I ate your heart

Toasted like a strawberry poptart

All hot soft and sweet

It took its place inside my belly

My insides turned to jelly

When it slowly began to beat

Payback is a bitch

If there’s an itch you gotta scratch it

If there’s a will there’s a way

You don’t get paid you gotta nab it

It don’t’ come for free

If there’s a fee you gotta pay it, now…

Kind Of Guy

Growing up will make you humble

Getting old will make you tired

I’m not thinking about dying

I’m thinking about life

I’m that kind of guy

There’s a light in your window

There’s a moon in my sky

If you leave me tomorrow

I’ll break down and cry

I’m that kind of guy

I’ll keep fighting the good fight

Though the words won’t come out right

If I could light a candle

I’d burn it bright

In spite of the night

And make you see

I’m a hell of a guy

I’ve played poet and gambler

When I lose, I lose in style

If I could hang onto this moment

I’d never let it die

I’m that kind of guy

And I went to the stream and I saw my reflection

Delivering me to a  light in the sky

I went to the stream and I saw my reflection

There in my dream, face up toward the sky

Downtown Letdown

The sun is high; I’m just waking up

And I think I might finally be giving up

My boots are tight when I’m standing up

They tap to the sound of my half empty cup

And you say “change your ways”

But I really don’t think that I could

I’ve been walking round

With my head hanging down

And I really don’t’ think that I should

I’m gonna head downtown

Let down.

I can’t hide behind your preconceived

Notions of who you think I should be

Hold my tongue if you have a vice

If you press hard enough I might try to play nice

I don’t pretend be what I’m not 

It’s wasted energy

Nothing left for me

I am dying if I’m not

Elated

I’m not anything

If I don’t feel a beating

And I don’t feel a beating…heart. 

The moon is mine and I’m getting up

And I think I will rise and I’ll rise up

The moon is mine and I’ve had enough

And I think I will rise.  I will rise up.

And you say “change your ways”

But I really don’t think that I could

I’ve been walking round

With my head hanging down

And I really don’t’ think that I should

I’m gonna head downtown

Let down.

Mrs. Vance

I was just making my way

Trying to buy a ticket home

You just get out of my way

After they de-plane, I’m gone

I’m just here making my case

Speech was never my best class

Just debating away

Find a side can’t think that fast

You got it all wrong

For a mitten girl she fits like a glove

Singing an old song

You say I’m smitten girl I think I’m in love

If you won’t let me in

Let me use your kitchen phone

It’s got cordless action

Must be nice to be free to roam

Mrs. Vance

You got no romance

Why don’t you give me a chance, oh yeah

Your daughter’s so fine,

She has the right at least to be free,

Holding the door, you’ve got no right

To manipulate me

I’m just here making my case

Speech was never my best class

Debating away…honey I can’t think that fast, that fast, that fast

Election Day

Who will lead the way?

Who will make a play for Autumn

We all just need to change….back

No one comes around

In this nothing town, it’s Summer

And the sun is on display

Where the paint has chipped away

Gonna keep the fire burning

keep the records turning

Gonna keep my eyes from blurring

Head against the pane

Head against the pain

And watch you leave

What will anger do?

When the wish comes true, in theory

The times they are a-changin’

It’s a brand new hurt

Print it on my shirt, be witty

It’s easier to laugh

It’s easier to laugh

Gonna keep the fire burning

keep the records turning

Gonna keep my eyes from blurring

On Election Day

You never come around

Never come around, never

Silverspoon

I’ll take the ego

If we go

I’ll need a Winnebago

Like I need another hole in my head

I went loco

Took ocho

Doses of my No Doz

Feeling like I’m never in bed

Just don’t hate me

Cause lately

I’ve been a little shaky

Hiding out in this Happy Meal

I like you

You like me

Let’s try and see a movie

Then we’ll know if it’s for real

Everybody rise

Salute

He’s the King

He’s the winner of the prize

Better pay your dues

All the children rise, salute

He’s the King, he’s the winner of the prize

Better pay your dues

I took a right

It didn’t matter

Waiting for a fight

A better letter

Delivered to my door

Here comes one more,

Song to be song

The bell will be rung

Everybody rise, salute, he’s the king

He’s the winner of the pirze, better pay your dues

All the children rise salte, he’s the king, he’s the winner of the prize

Better open your eyes.

Holiday

Waiting

My hands up

A bug caught in the lights

You signal

My cut off

A bark behind the bite

Oh my holiday

It weighs me down, holding ground

I just called to say

I’m hanging around…

Lazy

Fish tank

I sit and watch the fish

Amazing

Resilience

Marine life with a wish

Oh my holiday

It weighs me down, holding ground

I just called to say

I’m hanging around…

Wishing

Thanksgiving

Way behind the times

Read up

I’m just fine

Look between the lines…

Oh my holiday

It weighs me down, holding ground

I just called to say

I’m hanging around…

Safe and sound…

Ready Steady

If I gave you a kiss

Would you give me your funny face

Is there something I missed

Leaving your mouth agape?

Should I try to enlist?

Is there room on your cavalcade?

Would your boyfriend be pissed

If he knew I was pulling rank

Are you ready to move on?

It’s hard to tell

Hard to tell

Who’s leading who on?

It’s hard to tell

I’ll never tell

What’s your address?

You left it so long ago

Along with your mess

Washed out with the undertow

Living in sheets

Loving like thunderstorms

Forgiving the thieves

For not really taking more

Who do we blame for the things that we both took for granted

It’s hard to tell

I’ll never tell

The light and the fights in the streets have all risen and landed

And it’s hard to tell

Hard to tell

Alright

The car is too tired

And I’m still awake

Heartbeat’s on fire

At an alarming rate

You won’t believe me

When I tell you I’m fine

Desertion may be

My only crime

I waited in line

I paid the price

I took your advice

And now I’m alive

Now I’m aligned

Car is too quiet

And I’m heading home

My friend said it’s better

To not be alone

My problem may be

The opposite of that

Then why am I racing

To get myself back?

I got off the track

Knife in my back

You saved my ass

And now I’m alright

I’m alright

I’m alright…Alright

The highway men at night they see

A different kind of light than me

They never taught me

What pride is for

Just open the door, the door

It’s a scary procedure

I’ve got to take

Hands are still shaking

Decision’s made

When you’re not with me

I wish that you were

Know that in my head

I’m not unsure

Making to turn

Willing to learn

Willing to learn

I have arrived

Medicated

Pavement can caress

The treads of my distress

Grip onto cow that

Is my seat and speed the plow

Your words were gentle oh

Reflected in my window I knew

You

Would be the kind of girl

That I could talk to

And you seem like your kinda strange

Why can’t you be a little less insane

I may be crazy at least I’m medicated

Later on that day

When sun began to fade

The Nebraska sky showed

Why it was Nebraska

You said I was intense

I quietly took offense

You laughed but I didn’t think it was funny

I was saving your place

Fear that you’d be replaced

How can I stop myself from

Making the same mistake

Only one thing

As awkward as goodbye

Having to stand up in your seat to let her by….

Never meet again

Never speak again

Maybe in another life, maybe, we could have been

Something To Say

Dancing with fate he’s late when they ring the bell

Bow tie won’t lie he’s gonna have to do it himself

He’s not one to listen

Fear is his religion

Opens the door, foot on the floor

And he’s got something to say

Every dog has his day

Thinks he’s got something to say

Every dog has his day

Don’t’ ask her why the sky is bluer in Bell Air

Castle afloat, the moat ensures you won’t get her there

People stare

Trees are interference

Looking for some clearance

Fear taking hold

You’ve got to be bold

If you’ve got something to say

Everyone has her day

She’s got something to say

Every one has her day

You can’t bring me down

You can’t bring me down

If you think you have something to say

Put it on the edge of the stage

Everyone has his day

If you think you have something to say

Put it on the edge of the stage

Everyone has his day

Wasted Afternoon

And you can’t blame yourself

Another wasted afternoon

Them tears won’t dry themselves,

Make it hard to see the room

And every step I make

There’s one more there ahead of me

Every firm handshake

My bones are breaking in my sleeves

And you can’t have it all

But you take it anyway

The night begins to fall

As you lose another day

Behavior of the day

Turns into habit of the week

Every month is near

The year’s getting away from me

And you can’t have it all

But you take it anyway

The writing’s on the wall

When it should be on the page

Won’t you come

And save me

Save me

And you can’t blame yourself

Another wasted afternoon

These cigarettes taste like hell

Make it hard to see the room

Waiting on the wave

That breaks and roll right over me

I’ve forgotten how to swim

Still remember how to breathe

And you can’t have it all

But you take it anyway

The shades already drawn

As you lose another day

Waiting on a wave

Saying, you can’t have it all

Suit and Tie

Start of the Act

Cue up the lights

Shaving your back

Massaging your pride

Right down the drain

Waving goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

And you look like a liar

With your suit and your tie around your neck

It’s called denial

Cause you feel it…

Losing your cat

To the Great Outside

Kitty come back

Or drop me a line, a line, a line

And you look like a liar

With your suit and your spare tire

You know it’s called denial

But you feel it….

You say you’ll write a letter

It’ll make you feel much better

When you order that enhancer

That you saw while watching Sportscenter

It might take a while

But your job is just so vile

All you do is file

Your feelings

Answer machine, more lonely than you

Just one bell will ring, it’s your microwaveable food

Sometimes you sing, the neighbors complain

You hide behind your Acura YOU

Want to stop it

But you know it takes a lotta, What you don’t got

You gotta but you can’t stop, The knot in your chest

There’s no denying, That deep deep inside

You feel, you feel you feel….

More alive

Operator

The street smells like glycerin                                               

There’s something sweet on me tonight

And my brothers bike

The air is like honey

It’s thick and it’s sticking to my ride

The pedals stop at the

Dial tone                                                                                

Got no quarters

To atone

From this payphone

So alone

It’s why I loiter

Oh Operator

Age is a numbers game

And I lost cause you’re throwing me away

Why judge a guy by his birthday?

Is that you paging me?

I know it’s lame but I’m only 23

I’ll get a phone when I need one

Dial tone

Got no quarters

To atone

From my payphone

So alone

It’s why I loiter

Oh, Operator!

But girl I need you now                                             

It’s the only moment that I know                                                      

Won’t you please accept my charges

This was a bad idea

And now I’m really late for work

I’m just a grocery clerk

It’s just a stop for me

On the greater highway that I see

My whole life’s ahead of me

Gina Knows

Take a number and wait in line

You can yell at me but not on my dime

So many questions I plead the 5th

Keep on punching I can take the hits

You must be some kind of private eye

You should start a new career as a spy

You really think I’m that kind of guy?

I only whisper when I’m caught in a lie

(I’m caught in a lie)

Oh no no no, Gina Knows

Pack up my clothes, Gina Knows

Only bad men do the whodoneit

Lock me up in a cave on a summit

Where I can only make out with myself

I won’t tell on me, you know I won’t tell

Oh no no no, Gina Knows

Pack up my clothes, Gina Knows

She knows!

I’m only guilty of nothing to say

You look so angry with your face that way

So much finger pointing coming my way

I think I might need a place to stay

This really blows, Gina Knows

So many highs and lows, Gina knows

I think I’m really hosed, Gina knows

She knows

I think I gotta go….

Let’s go.

Blind

Must’ve been a few things I left along the way

But that’s an easy thing

To do

I’m hoping for a lost and found at the end of the day

So I can get back the time

That I blew

But it’s worse than being blind

I got my sight, but I can’t find

My way on back

To you

Must’ve been something bad I did to deserve

The beating I took (from you)

I’m not bruised, and I ain’t got any visible scars

Except a broken heart

My broken heart

And it’s worse than being blind

I got my sight, but I can’t find

My way on back

To you

I got wings and I can fly

But it’s not like being high

I can’t find my way back to you

If I had it all to do all over again

I’d get right back to where you stand

Throw my arms around your neck

So we could be back together again

I’m sorry for what you call my inexcusable charm

There’s nothing worse than a salesman in the cellar

I wish I could say something that hasn’t been already said

Even that there sounds familiar

And it’s worse than being blind

I got sight but I can’t find

My way on back

To you

I got sight but I can’t see

The road in front of me

And I can’t find my way back to you

A Lot to Learn

I think I fell

I fell apart

I fell to pieces

Get the glue, it don’t’ stick right no more

When I was new

I never knew

I’d expire,

my fire wouldn’t burn bright no more

I sit and watch the world go by

Like an astronaut hanging from a satellite

I can conjugate the spins and turns

Of its axis but I still got a lot to learn

About you and I….

The picture is a mess

What a mess

I’m  a mess

I think I missed it when you counted to three

Such a bad shot

I’m looking shot

I need a shot

I need something, inject me oh please….

Standing on the edge of a cliff

I could slip and float into the afterlife

I can make the world go around

I’m the god of my ground

I got a lot to learn

About you and I

Gotta take a ride

Take her right

Take it easy

It’s not easy, adapting with me

We’ve got so many hours                  

The days are ours

We’ve come so far

We’re much stronger than we pretend to be

Rock Song

I hear the sounds eminating from my radio

I get excited when I hear a song I didn’t know

5 o’clock never comes too fast

Each day feels like the last

I think I have to quit 

Never trust a man who promises

He’s the boss so he doesn’t mean a word he says

The day turns into night

Let’s get this party started right

And now you’ve waited too long

And it’s just another rock song

And you don’t know the words

But if we try to get it right

We can party on a Tuesday night

Scream and we’ll be heard

I hear the sounds eminating from my radio

The cubicle is small

I keep the music low

Break the monotony

Who cares if we have to be back here at 8am

Yeah we’ll call in sick again

The day turns into night

We’ll get this party started right

I think I’ll call my friends

Where are all my friends?