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Curtains

by Paris Street

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1.
First Song 02:06
Say all you want For a moment It was wonderful The sun starts to rise I think it's time Let's get down to things And there's no doubt That life continues somehow So lead the way I can't stay long, baby We'll make the most of it As church bells ring We do things that Are far from piety And as things stand Let's keep things unplanned If that's okay 'Cause I Have found It's just more fun that way You called it wonderful Or was it just necessary?
2.
16 Lovers 02:19
It was a feeling we could hardly recall As if the past had never happened at all It was strange and slightly comical And even sublime We had a history, still we didn't know; We had been through this before, although That was 16 lovers ago Such a long time And I never expected We'd again share the same bed We had learned so much since then So many ways to please time and again Things we could not comprehend At that first moment From excited teens with barely a clue To disenchanted adults with nothing to prove And somehow still unsure what to do Once it's over And I never expected We'd again share the same bed At your parent's house on Sawyer Road And with no one else but us at home That was 16 lovers ago Such a long time
3.
A tiny horse upon a giant chair I'm looking at the barrette in your hair We climbed the tower but there’s no one there It’s a beautiful day It’s a beautiful holiday And all the buses down on 16th Street (Past the chess-piece sculptures) run for free Out west there are restaurants named after me It’s a beautiful day It’s a beautiful holiday We chased the sunset on the short drive out to Boulder With cameras All of the hippies with guitars strapped over their shoulders Sing ‘tra-la-la’ We walk the square until the night starts to get colder And then head back I’m running out of time But everything will be fine As soon as I hold Your hand And all the jazz club’s drinks are watered down There’s still some leftover wine at your house (let’s go) And even though I’ll soon be leaving town It’s a beautiful day It’s a beautiful holiday If I could stay Just one more day With you
4.
Ah Ah Ah 05:04
There is a show tonight and we were both invited Plus there's a party being held at a friend's But we will spend our time, every single moment Together in your bed Put some music on - set the thing on 'shuffle' And make your way back to me I'm sure we won't be missed - not that it matters 'Cause all that matters is that we're both here There will be other shows And other parties thrown Other awkward repartees This town's a landmine of Ex's and former loves We will stay out of the fray I will get more wine - open another bottle And crawl back to your side Sleep can wait awhile - this is strictly a moment For me to do anything you'd like You say the oddest thing During our lovemaking A kink that's hard not to fall for It is the subtlety Of your absurdities That makes me love you more
5.
Aimless Song 01:49
I'll be aimless for a change All my other plans and goals can wait This is not a time to work The energy I'll most exert Will be spent getting out of bed today No thoughts towards creative means No attempts at deeper reasonings I'll see how long I can last Without reflecting on the past The infinite should-have and could-have-beens I'll be just fine Setting things aside for another time All regrets will be postponed The opportunities I've blown Will not be given any room inside my mind All lamentations will be stalled Both the business and the personal There'll be no dwelling on that girl As if it's the end of the world If she were never to return my call I will not think about the stress Or the irrational need to impress I'll keep anxieties at bay Let the chips fall where they may Keep the worries happily suppressed I'll be just fine Setting things aside for another time All regrets will be postponed The opportunities I've blown Will not be given any room inside my mind I'm sure it'll be okay To waste one measly little day And briefly let life's pressures pass me by I'll be aimless for today All my other plans and goals can wait In the morning I'll resume My misanthropic march towards doom That'll lead me to an early grave
6.
I turned my head at just the right time And what I saw I still can't get out of my mind You were just doing your job, I was with some friends A fluky moment that might not happen again I know I shouldn't think of you this way But let me indulge for at least one day It's a harmless thing to think Nothing will come out of it And that's how it will (probably) remain The status quo works for us at this time If we move closer, though, that'll be just fine I need someone to spur my creative side Everyone else in town bores me out of my mind So let's hang out for a while when your shift ends We'll keep the code of conduct of 'just friends' Let's get some drinks and chat Shoot the shit 'bout this and that I promise it'll be time well spent
7.
On a bench outside a bar whose name I couldn't pronounce Almost four in the morning but it was already light out With a girl by my side, it was a positive sign But the tears in her eyes were telling me otherwise I was cruising through this silly game surprisingly well On the cusp of having one hell of a story to tell Now the story's still good but it's changed horribly Foiled by the advance of U.S. breath mint technology Apologies to Sigrun I've never said 'I'm sorry' (and meant it) so many times Conquest was sadly now the furthest thing on my mind But she seemed to understand that it was just an honest mistake She forced a smile and, in broken English, said that she was o.k. Apologies to Sigrun I never thought I'd be On this island in the northeast corner of the sea Cursing Listerine I should be just like every other tourist in a drunken revelry Instead of stressing out over an overpowering burst of wintergreen My heart sank when she said that she wanted to go But she said my hostel was in the same neighborhood as her home So we shared a cab and - at her house - instead of saying goodbye She invited me in, it was a positive sign Apologies to Sigrun
8.
Let me break your heart Let me make you cry If you think I can't At least let me try 'Cause it won't take long It won't take long at all I will break apart Your fragile self-esteem I'll exploit your faults And destroy your dreams And it won't take long It won't take long at all And all the wasted tears in your eyes Will quietly go dry And all the pretty stars in the sky Will never take your side Let me break your heart Let me make you cry If you think I can't At least let me try 'Cause it won't take long It won't take long at all
9.
Walking Brooklyn in a never-ending rain Wondering if the Spring will ever come again The bobbing of umbrellas along Bedford Avenue Is a lovely thing to view Slip inside a coffeeshop though I am not thirsty Just looking for a place to dry off and rest my feet And try hard not to think of you, my sweet lady Please Brooklyn, distract me And every bite of some wonderfully tasty food And every drop of beer locally brewed Cannot make me forget that you are far from here I miss you so much, dear So many folks here remind me of friends I have back home An incessant reminder that I am here alone Watching pigeons from inside the coffeeshop Waiting for the rain to stop
10.
A boyfriend "or whatever" Or whatever becomes of this night Now I know never to say never Someday I might get this right It's so weird to be here together As together as our conscience permits To be sure, things could be so much better Better than . . . Better when . . . Better if . . . See us there, we are well aware It's not far from plain sight Prospects dim as fatigue sets in Black Mountain is quiet tonight Black Mountain is quiet tonight A boyfriend "or whatever" Or whatever becomes of this night Now I know things could be so much better Maybe someday I'll get this right See us there, we are well aware It's not far from plain sight Prospects dim as fatigue sets in Time grows anxiously tight See us there, we are well aware It's not far from plain sight Prospects dim as fatigue sets in Black Mountain is quiet tonight Black Mountain is quiet tonight Black Mountain is quiet tonight
11.
It's just another breakdown summer Another heart attack that's come and gone Ninety days of anxious waiting Coming clean and coming quite undone We were so drunk on Susan's front porch We stumbled all the way back to my place If you claimed you were so happy Then why do you keep calling this a mistake Fighting off thunderstorms, the humidity, and mosquitoes I'm walking past the wrong bushes and knocking on the wrong windows Your sister said she'd get us mushrooms She had a friend who knew a friend of friend A backroom deal and time well wasted In and out and here we go again When I looked into your eyes I swore I saw something there worth fighting for Now I'm not so certain anymore We understood the rules for action You wore a pair of my boxers to bed There were no subtleties required There were no words that needed to be said
12.
Sorry, I can't find the file with the lyrics to this song right now and I don't feel like typing them all out at the moment. For the record, my favorite part of these lyrics is the DSM-IV reference at the beginning. Everything else is . . . well, it's fucking stupid. Catchy, though!
13.
Chickenshits 04:04
Half-asleep upon your floor Huddled up against the heater's warmth You were sick and felt at last That the sickness had finally passed And I held you in my embrace Brushed the hair off from your face And the highlights tinted there I'm playing with your tawny hair Circumstances not quite clear Not sure yet how we got here The feelings that we thought were gone Come out in our new gypsy songs And I held you in my embrace Brushed the hair off from your face And the highlights tinted there I'm playing with your tawny hair We talked of all the friends we missed Of long-lost loves and the chickenshits The ones too scared to say a word Afraid to act and never heard And I held you in my embrace Brushed the hair off from your face And the highlights tinted there I'm playing with your tawny hair Darling I will stay with you As long as you want me to I'll keep you from the creeping cold I'll hold your hand and I won't let go And I held you in my embrace Brushed the hair off from your face And the highlights tinted there I'm playing with your tawny hair Aspirin for my aching head You were ready to go to bed The hangovers will pass in time But my love for you will never die
14.
I heard ya moved east like everyone else In time I’ll likely end up there myself Cuz I’m sure that when my lease is up I’ll be priced out of the neighborhood that I love You’ve asked me to meet you at a new cocktail bar You’re at a new cocktail bar because of course you are You said it's got a stupid name and the parking might be cramped You're gonna have to narrow it down better than that Cuz I’m out of touch And I’ve been gone for several months Blissfully unaware Of all the latest whens and wheres Is it Cleveland, Douglas, Trinity, or Hart? Where the Parkway ends or where it starts? It’ll take me some time, either way You know how traffic gets this time of day
15.
Well, the object of the game is to pretend nothing has changed A hug into a kiss into another girl to miss Please feel bad The fingers gently led - the movement of the waterbed Well, I thought I found it there - perfect in the Colorado air Please feel bad 'Cause I still care There is nothing left to say - nothing left from these false summer days A thin line between fate and another stupid mistake Please feel bad
16.
It was bound to happen It was set up for comic effect I was stumbling inside Struggling to find The way to affect you best Stoned and calculated Drunk and obvious With every smoke and every beer We'd get a little nearer . . . Vocal obligations Observing the etiquette The conversation was fine But we were just killing time For what surely would come next Thinly-veiled flirtations Intended to gently spur With a wink and a grin You took it all in And ate up every word The chemicals served their purpose As they quietly faded away We focused instead On the call of the bed There was nothing left to say Well, it was bound to happen It was set up for comic effect Let the darkness conceal Your being will feel These fingers around your neck
17.
Dawnsong 03:18
The same guy you claim is the love of your life Is the fool who makes you feel like shit all the time Do you really feel that he's the one guy for you? Who made you think that he's the best you can do? You're a light shining bright through a substanceless din It's a shame that the same can't be said about him Why do you deal with all that he puts you through? How long will this sad comedy continue? I know it's not my business But you're my dearest friend And all that I want is to witness You living your life to your heart's content The time at the wine bar where he gave the eye To the legs and the chests of every girl that walked by How can you tolerate his chauvinist ways? Would you really mind if I punched him in the face? I know it's not my business But you're my dearest friend And all that I want is to witness You living your life to your heart's content Is your heart content?
18.
Dismayed 03:34
I'm dismayed that we've found ourselves back here again In a town full of options we choose the dead end Another night in this depressingly dull bar's scene The chronicles of too much time in one place A modified version of 'more of the same' It's sad when there's nothing to look forward to but routine Pardon me if I seem a little lost Please tell me exactly where our signals crossed The signs were obscured but they were always there You were better suited for more 'punk rock' affairs And I'm careening dangerously towards the middle of the road The color of your skirt matches your eyes I ask you drunk questions, you give stoned replies And it becomes clearer that this is as far as things go It's over Don't you know that it's over There are no apologies Unlike the last time I showed you my serious side, and you laughed But it served me right, I probably deserved that How can we justify this continuing on? Can the jukebox drown out all our doubts with a song? Maybe something to remind us of our more contented days Let's face it, it should not come as a surprise You are as much of a complete mess as I And I'm equally culpable for making this go to waste It's over Don't you know that it's over There are no apologies Unlike like the last time
19.
Duet 02:43
Your handmade skirt fits you perfectly A pair of black socks pulled up to your knees "You put your most flamboyant dress shirt on We finished off the wine and we were gone" To make fools of ourselves in every bar To make the whole town exclusively ours "I took pictures of everyone we met" I bought more drinks and rolled your cigarettes "I danced although no songs were being played" I kissed the fool who kept looking your way And we laughed until we were falling off our chairs Last call came and went, we didn't care We made fools of ourselves in every bar We made the whole town exclusively ours I've seen my future in your reddened eyes I've found the point where your heart touches mine
20.
Feel Loved 05:24
"Don't go" - what a stupid thing to say 'Cause I know it won't help things either way And there's no denying that so much has changed In so little time with so little to say But that's okay It was fun, and I hope that you agree When you go please remember me Let us enjoy this moment while it lasts Because soon this moment will be all I'll have To hold on to The spring is almost through And the summer begins without you It'll just be me and the bugs and the humidity But I should not whine or complain 'Cause the memory of you shall remain And all the fun and the love that you gave to me Everybody Please fall in love tonight Be loved Give love Feel love
21.
Flattered 06:01
I was flattered by the anger you expressed On the night after I left Through the rancor, there’s a love there - I could tell 'Cause I know you better than you know yourself I don’t mind that you kept your love tucked away 'Cause if you had told me sooner I might have stayed So for now I will accept all of your spite There is no ‘good’ in your goodbye I was flattered by the anger you expressed On the night after I left Don’t be angry, don’t feel lonely, don’t be sad 'Cause it will not be too long ‘til I get back
22.
Folk Song 3 05:41
seeing our friends / through the camera's lens / and the good times that we used to have / our alcohol breath / and the light cigarettes / and the drugs so unselfishly passed / but the parties are done / and the morning has come / and sobriety deals us a blow / the house is a mess / there are beer bottles left / on the carpet that's stained with merlot / the workday begins / we crawl back to routines / of the everyday and the mundane / in seconds we miss / all the fun and blissful / excesses of our holidays / the hours are spent / wondering where they went / we are tired and broke and alone / the friends we embraced / with a warm drunken grace / are just voices from the telephone / a night at the bar / after a week of catharsis / a pint or three to wash it down / when i'm drinking slow / then the bartender knows / i am dreaming of leaving this town / but the thought of my friends / brings those dreams to an end / they are set aside for another time / some phone calls are made / soon we're all at my place / we are laughing and drinking cheap wine / but as soon as they've left / i start to second-guess / all my choices and what they might mean / do i leave it behind / or just stay here resigned / to a life of content wondering / i think of this land / with a wide-eyed romantic's / sense of all i can possible have / do i go out and see / where this life might take me / or just shrug it off with a nervous laugh / the night is just made up / of stars unaware of / the power that they can convey / the meanings derived / the effects on the lives / of so many so far away / but they do me no use / when it comes time to choose / whether to go or stay as before / it won't get any better / i know it's now or never / there's no reason to wait anymore / the charm of the road / and the countless ways to go / the possibilities once on the way / there are stories all around / there are lovers to be found / and mistakes that just need to be made / there's no more need for thinking / i'll pack up my things / sing a long hug goodbye to my friends / then get in my car / drive while counting the stars / i'll be smiling and dreaming again
23.
Folk Song 4 03:44
We don't know how to drink to perfection but we know how to cope The front porch is creaking, the wind is unsure where to go The words I say hang in the air then fall flat on their face And comfort ain't coming so I keep it all in for your sake Well damn if I still care, if I tend to still show concern I'm trying my best but these feelings can't help but return Your weakness was in finding fault where there's none to be found Do me a favor and act surprised when it all goes down We write with regret, then pick up and we proceed anew It's too hot on this otherwise-fine July afternoon The mosquitoes gather, take pity, and fly away And I'm sincerely sorry for having nothing to say
24.
Folk Song 5 03:24
Summertime comes to a grateful end At a bar with drunks and friends of friends Another vaunted start That quickly falls apart Summertime comes to a grateful end This in not the place where I should be Wasting time in wasted company There's no reason to stay But staying anyway This is not the place where I should be It's a long way to go It's a long way to go It's a long way to go From here Summertime comes to a grateful end Looking back and trying to comprehend A quiet basement kiss Another girl to miss Summertime comes to a grateful end
25.
Folk Song 6 02:53
I want you to know me completely and true No lies and no secrets shall I keep from you From now on I want you to trust me as I trust you now To place your faith in me and never to doubt If that's wrong If that's wrong And there is a darkness that stirs in me all day I want you to help me turn it away Til it's gone And there will be sadness and there will be pain Through all the bad times our love will remain Wholly strong Wholly strong
26.
Folk Song 7 08:48
The show was a mess although others said that they disagreed I thought the guitar was too low and my voice too weak It took too long before my nerves finally went away And I didn't open my eyes until the finally song was played I went up to the bartender and ordered a pint of Bass I hadn't drank or smoked at all so far and I knew that couldn't last I saw you and you said that you were sorry but you didn't catch the set And I said that that was alright, it was probably for the best There was nothing left to the night but seeing how it would end I took a seat by the fountain next to you and your friend And as the two of you talked I found I couldn't help but stare At your eyes and your smile and the single 'dred' in your hair When your friend went away you turned and leaned towards me I leaned forward until my face was next to your cheek And I must admit that I didn't hear a word that you said I was too focused on wanting to kiss you instead You said you were taken by surprise when I finally did We left after all the bands were done and I took my cut We walked to our cars and then kissed some more in the parking lot You asked if I would mind at all if you spent the night It was late, you were tired and your home was too long a drive The lights from the neighbors' house were still on when we got home Knowing they'd be awake, we crossed the street to say hello They were all in the back bedroom and one of them was about to start Cutting beans into lines using his frequent flyer card After all introductions were made we all sat around the bed And recalled past indiscretions over countless cigarettes Stories never heard before and the ones told a thousand times We made jokes and had fun and watched as they snorted their lines But after a while all the smoke was hurting our eyes So we made our way around the room, giving hugs and saying our goodbyes We crossed back over to my house and made our way inside I said we could share the bed and I promised that I wouldn't bite And I knew and you knew, we both hoped that I wasn't right
27.
Folk Song 8 03:16
Carrie, will you wait for me on this warm Christmas day I'll meet you at the Irish bar for their free Christmas buffet And I know you don't eat turkey but sometimes we must forgive When you're poor and vegetarian something's gotta give We'll drink beer and catch up on all the time since we last met I'll tell you all about Nashville as I conceal my regret And you'll discuss Miami Beach and how school's going for you And how your boyfriend sees you through and through Well it's really great to see you but it only makes things worse You asked me not to fall for you but you said 'I love you' first Now what am I supposed to do, just hold everything back Well I'm tired of restraint, I'm sick of being the doormat And now you're in south Florida and I'm in Tennessee Two hours on a plane is still a half a world for me And Tampa was our stomping ground for such a short, sweet time It stinks but I still wish that you were mine So i'm sorry if I spoil your holiday with my protests I'm sorry for my honest when lying would work best And I'm sorry if I still bemoan the good times that we knew And I'm sorry if I don't forget as quickly as you do Well I know that it's unfair for me to say I've suffered most When we all suffer differently and we must move on, I know And if the tables were turned I would certainly make haste To find another tall girl to embrace Well I guess sometimes we all have got to spill our guts in song Bare our souls awhile before the fictions come along To cover or enhance all the pleasures and the pains All told in the best possible way to entertain So despite all that I've said I wish the best for you and yours If he's your source for happiness then I hope that it endures But if some day you find yourself longing for escape Remember Nashville's not that far away No, Tennessee is not that far away
28.
Folk Song 9 08:33
it was quite a surprise to see you walk in to the bar, you said you were just visiting the boyfriend that you hadn't seen since last may when you first moved away you flew in last night and were staying at your sisters leaving in the morning on the first flight to pittsburgh then back to work monday to teach english lit to some sleepy college kids you told him that you'd meet him here at eleven but you showed up early in order to strengthen the resolve you felt was lacking in you to give him the bad news you called him a good man and a suitable mate but the feeling was fading and the distance too great cos six months between a lover's last touch is just six months too much and i couldn't agree with you more i've been there so many times before and the songs they inspired weren't worth the headaches required we had been friends for a while but we weren't really close for a couple of moments the remoteness showed an awkward pause here and the odd stammer there in the nicotine-fueled air we were both a part of the tired local scene where there's no ambition, just the same old dreams and when the teaching job opened you were quickly gone and you left us here to dream on the words flowed more freely as the evening progressed as we finished one drink and moved on to the next soon we were speaking with a relative ease that we both could clearly see we ditched the small talk for topics more varied for new conversations told slow and unhurried exchanging opinions, ideas, and views then i stopped and smiled at you 'why didn't we do this long ago, when you lived just blocks from my home? why did we have to wait until it was much too late?' another beer for me, for you a whiskey sour your boyfriend would be showing up in an hour the bar got more crowded, we could barely move as the smoke filled up the room you set down your drink and asked if i'd know of another more subdued place we could go where you wouldn't be forced to raise your voice just to be heard through the noise i suggested a park just a few blocks away that was down by the river where the homeless men stayed but otherwise quiet and empty at this time you said that sounded fine so we finished our drinks and started our walking past downtown's dull buildings, we continued talking til we found a park bench and took our seats then you turned and leaned towards me i could tell what'd come next from your eyes but your kiss still took me by surprise and the actions that followed just could not wait til tomorrow you told me not to worry cos you were on the pill and i had no choice but to believe you, still there is always some doubt when things are done this way with no barriers to separate so we gave way to motion and friction and feeling maneuvered the park bench with homeless eyes peering but we were oblivious to anyone else all our focus on ourselves with all things complete and with one final kiss, you regretted not bringing any napkins or tissues an uneasy walk, though still much worthwhile with a sly, mischievous smile so dirty and bedraggled and discreetly hushed with stains on our clothing and cheeks fully flushed we stopped at a corner to say our goodbyes before you went back inside 'i hope everything goes well have a safe flight back, farewell' you went back to the bar as i walked silently to my car
29.
Folk Song 10 04:55
on the road out of st louis after a much-debated choice and my tears did not dry til i was halfway through illinois it was the first week of december and i had no clue where i was going but, at the moment, certainty seemed less appealing than not knowing we had dangerously perfected the art of being aloof we could blame it on my stubborness or blame it on your youth someday i hope to understand how we failed so miserably and i still think that you're wonderful, it just was not meant to be there was no other incentive to remain in this drab town you were my only friend there, my only reason for sticking 'round but friends can be friends anywhere, distance is not as big an issue and though i leave, i hope you'll understand just how ridiculously i'll miss you it's just a boy and girl departing, you know it happens all the time there are far more sadder memories that take precedent in my mind like the error made in little league that cost my team the game or the college nervous breakdown when my dreams of film school waned or the way that my dog died or the day i made mom cry what is one more goodbye? so farewell to st louis and farewell to you, my dear i can't think of any circumstance that would bring me back here i wish you nothing but the best and i hope that you continue to live your life as beautifully as you did while i was with you
30.
Folk Song 11 02:48
No, I never should have kissed you Should have pursued a different tact Should have never ran my fingers along your back You said it wouldn't phase you My touch would have no effect But the way your body trembled proved that incorrect 'Cause, you see, there is another Whose love lies in me still She lives along those low, north Georgia hills Me and her were victims of bad timing We were brought apart by fate We met already when it was too late But those few months spent together Were the best I've ever had I would drop everything for her She only has to ask So i'm sorry if I misled you So sorry if I broke your heart I know I should have said all this from the start
31.
Folk Song 12 05:55
Cindy called me just after six 'Cause she had had a bad day and was ready for some drinks Maybe a bite to eat Down by Division Street She didn't want to eat alone I had nothing else to do that day But that was nothing new, so I said 'okay' And the drinks were nice But they were overpriced What do you expect so close to Music Row She said she wanted to get drunk She called it an 'alcoholiday' I called it a weekday I called it any other day We went our separate ways after a couple more rounds She had to meet up with her boyfriend, I had to go down To the little dive bar With the cheap PBR And drop off some flyers for a show There was a kid onstage doing the songwriter thing So I whispered to Ben, 'godddamn, if he sings Radiohead then I'm gone', Well it didn't take long Still I got one more for the road Now I was compelled to get drunk To hop on Cindy's 'alcoholiday' At the start of the week At the start of any other day I made my way over to Elliston Place And hit the Gold Rush - it wasn't too late And Cindy was there So I pulled up a chair And ordered myself a Miller Light I asked her if things were going as planned She said, 'more than you can ever understand' And there were a bunch more friends Down at the other end It was happy hour all night And most of them were already drunk Well into their 'alcoholidays' It was a Monday for some But for most, just another day On any given night we could all be found at the Rush Some of us were struggling to get by, some were pretending as such And I'm not sure why I guess it makes them feel inside Like it helps them to belong more But that's not important, they have no reason to pretend 'Cause we were best friends to each other - nothing else mattered in the end And we hoped that it would last As I raised another glass Of a drink I could not afford In the company of these wonderful drunks At the peak of our 'alcoholidays' It seemed like something profound But it was really just another day We were all at that point where it's almost time to choose Between the reality of careers and the dreams of our youths And the potential was there But the motivation was scarce It was too easy to set things aside There was more talent in this bar than anywhere in town, for sure But our words were too raw and our hearts too pure And it was a crying shame But, really, who could you blame As the lights went up for closing time So we were content to get drunk Make the most of our 'alcoholidays' But we couldn't escape the hollow feeling No, we couldn't escape the hollow feeling We tried to escape the hollow feeling In this hollow fucking town that polishes off all the feeling
32.
Folk Song 13 06:34
acting on a restless whim so as to salvage a dull weekend i hit the dive bar down the street for a pint or two or three amidst the late-night sunday crowd you and your roommate stood out she was as drunk as anyone can get you looked gorgeous, still wearing your sunday best in spite of your contrasting styles you both had been there awhile and had drank in equal measure but you could hold your drink better so while she played the drunken part you sat quietly at the bar i sat next to you and asked you how you were you smiled and seemed relieved to see me there in the month or so since i made the move over to this side of the town, i've seen you more than in the combined months before as i've searched for a nearby place where i could piss away my days and i'm glad i picked the same place where you choose to piss away your days too it was no time for conversations holding meaning or inspiration we were fine with the chit chat and with making the other laugh without a care for modesty we mocked the other's history tossing about every possible kind of jewish and hispanic stereotype as we kidded and we chided your roommate seemed to confide in some drunk boy that she found she could wrap herself around he was an asshole, we all knew as she would surely find out soon but that was her choice, her lesson to be learned it was not at that moment of our concern you had the day off and the next and you still weren't tired yet as the 'last call' bell rang out you said you were going back to your house you had a bottle of red wine we could share if i stopped by we could leave as soon as we could find a way to peel your roommate off that asshole's face first things first, we had to tend to putting your roommate to bed then we grabbed some glasses, popped a cork made our way out to your front porch we sat on the steps and spoke in a more meaningful tone of the goals and dreams we held throughout our lives and how they seemed to be passing us by well, it didn't take too long before all the wine was gone the alcohol slowly took over you put your head on my shoulder and we kissed and kissed again until fatigue finally set in i helped you up and led you back inside we kissed some more before i said 'good night' acting on a restless whim turned around a dull weekend it was the best choice that i've made in quite a while, in many days well i hope we can resolve to picking up where we left off and i hope that we can do it someday soon and i hope that you feel the same way, too
33.
Folk Song 14 01:59
This is the story of our swift decline After the truths became so hard to find As our secrets were exposed It made liars of us both This is the story of our swift decline This is the song I knew I'd sing someday Just not this soon and never in this way I thought I had my fill Of these type of laments, still This is the song I knew I'd sing someday This type of story's really nothing new It's premise is clichéd and overused It happens all the time, you see Why should ours end differently This type of story's really nothing new This is the song that we will think of when Something reminds us of the time we spent The Soulard's flower stands The Vietnamese place on Grand This is the song that we will think of then This is the story of our swift decline How something strong turned to a waste of time With nothing learned, we'll just Repeat this farce with someone else This is the story of our swift decline
34.
I'm forgetting flowers The ones I knew before Is it an evergreen or perennial A penta or ixora Is that a portulaca Or it's sister purslane I'm forgetting flowers Another every day You're my beautiful gardenia In full magnificence From the curve of your smooth petals To your sweet delicious scent Sometimes you're a hibiscus Craving the sun's rays Or sometimes an azalea In the shadow's hideaway But it really doesn't matter Whether scent or shape or name Be you jasmine or lantana I will love you just the same Well I wish I had a garden So i could take you there A little private Eden We could wander without care And we'd make love in that garden Past the dahlias and bluebells Crushing little flowers That stick to our sweaty selves Your hair full of impatiens Petunias and lilacs Your breasts will be crepe myrtle There’ll be heather on my back And I'll forget the flowers The ones I knew before As my love for you grows greater I'll forget a little more
35.
We’ll extrapolate our faults With the envy of the underground In the slow burn of the night Waiting for some kind of highlight (And this is the most heartfelt Of unexpected notions) Sneak out to the parking lot With a tension that is overblown We will be best friends for now 'Til the shit dries up in this town With the summer in decline And the autumn going through our minds And a whole night still to come There’s no need to know the ‘how and why’ There is nothing so heartfelt As this unexpected notion It will pick us, pick us, pick us up Make our silly little day before we all Come back down
36.
Goddamn you, Josh Why can't you see You're a dragon sleaze You're crazy as shit And too dumb to take the hint Goddamn you, Josh I've had enough You slimey mutant fuck You're a disgrace A dingy pickle face Goddamn you, Josh What can I say You are worthless in so many ways The world doesn't need Another jerk from Missouri
37.
Goodbye Song 02:40
So long Goodbye It's been a lovely time So long Goodbye It was a lovely time So long Goodbye All things must end in time
38.
Say what you want of me This should come as no surprise These tears don't mean a thing So you might as well dry your eyes Here's where we disagree: It's not that hard to say goodbye
39.
Too long spent on this darn highway We need a place to stay To crash out for a bit Vacancy sign at a run-down motel Upon that hill, oh well It could be worse, couldn’t it? A roach as big as we have ever seen before Scurries from the floor Up the wood paneling Unknown stains and cigarette burns On the comforter (Not very comforting) From a shattered motel window We are anxiously nonplussed What’s that figure by the swimming pool? Why ain't the water blue? What else can we expect? Bathroom smells of mold, piss, and stale beer What are we doing here? Why haven’t we left yet? From a shattered motel window We are anxiously nonplussed And the strange noises below Are they coming after us? Never thought I'd say it, but I must concede We don't have enough weed To help us see this through I'll admit I'm not a praying man But tonight I am Maybe you should be, too
40.
Helgafell 03:55
I wish I was able to tell from the start To trace the path of my kiss down to your heart So I could know right then for sure if you felt the same I wish I had the time to prolong this goodbye This sleepy front porch hug I'll make do with tonight Is not enough for me - is not enough for me, oh no Hey, it's a beautiful day But there's too much to discern And too much that's held from view Hey, it's a beautiful day But there are too many words And too much that I keep from you And I can still smell the cherry gloss on your lips I wish I knew the secrets in your fingertips I'm trying not to breathe I'm trying not to breathe
41.
I was too drunk to pursue the matter But I remember the kisses exchanged The new year had come and we had all gathered At the bar where we'd spend most of our days How many times did your lips meet mine? I think I recall two or three Do you find it was something simmering inside Or just an aspect of the revelry? Should we talk about this Or just chalk it all up to the alcohol? It was only a kiss Did it really mean anything at all? "My friends and I, we got the night started With some shots of Hennessy at my house By the time we began our walk to the bar, it Was clear we were all pretty darn soused And I was happy to see you were as tipsy as me As the ball on TV started to drop And when we went beyond what is customary I couldn't help but wonder what my friends thought" Well, I wasn't concerned About anyone else in there that day And the opinions discerned From the actions that we displayed I have this tendency To make too much of the smallest things I should wait at least until my head is clear "Our next embrace" Should not be based On Hennessy or beer Should we talk about this? "Let's just chalk it all up to the alcohol It was only a kiss Since when has that meant anything at all?"
42.
In The Air 05:00
Over an unknown Montana We'll just call it as such At the mercy of the atmosphere Wires, ailerons, and luck No headphones for the movie Though it doesn't look like much No plans, no expectations at all Getting away is enough
43.
The party is over and we're the last ones awake Amidst circumstances that help seal our fate I know you know and you know I know too And you know that the liquor provides an excuse Let's exchange kisses and see where this goes Though there's not enough time to take things slow Anticipation will grow everyday Til we find the next time to meet up again There are plenty of places where we can go Where we can be lovers and no one will know Can you really say that you think this is wrong The only surprise is that it took this long Let's forego reason and let feeling dictate There are plenty of questions but questions can wait We know we're unfaithful, we know we are weak But we're nothing without the secrets we keep It could mean a lot, it could not mean a thing Remember that sometimes a ring's just a ring
44.
In The Rain 05:47
When we left the restaurant We were surprised by the rain Caught up in a great meal And better talk as the storm came Beneath the awning we Debated what to do next Neither of us wanting The night to end just yet We were tourists in a town Where we had spent our younger days And coinciding work Brought us back there again To hang out and catch up As we did every couple years Without ever touching on The way things could have been Because for a moment Back then it seemed Like our paths would run concurrently Still we remained close A bond strengthened as we walked Talking about the past While dodging the raindrops That divey college bar The theater on the square And both then and now I should've kissed you there It's no longer that easy As close as we are There's no denying we're still far apart This hug should be much more This goodbye should not end It shouldn't be years til I see you again
45.
Eighteen hours spent on the road The sun rose just past Buffalo We were barely awake but determined to remain undaunted That afternoon at Revere Beach With gulls, sand, and unknown debris It was cold, it was grey, but it was exactly what you had wanted You'd never seen the Atlantic before, so I showed it to you And under the circumstance, this was the best I could do It was the worst week of your life There was nothing that had gone right And there's no sadder thing in this world than the sight of you crying An aimless drive around the town It had helped before when you'd been down You had stated that you wished you could spend all of the time driving But when you said you'd be happiest if you were by the sea There was no other option but to head east on 90 Let's focus on the beautiful All that was once lamentable Cannot reach you from here - it can wait, or just fade away, can't it? A hint of smile - it was a start Still it managed to reach as far As this beach, as the bay, as the gulf, and out towards the Atlantic
46.
Jamaican Rum 01:54
There's a dachshund lying on my lap He is licking my arm in haste It's been so long since I've been back I guess he missed my taste You are cutting figurines again Made from felt and aluminum Puffins, turtles, crows and cranes Between shots of Jamaican rum You know I have seen the best of you And the worst sometimes But there's nothing you could ever do That would make my love decline There's no denying things aren't right We are losing it in different ways But, who cares, let's just enjoy this night Pour another shot my way
47.
i had to get away the pressure got to me needed to leave town for awhile recharge the batteries this weekend’s just the start i took the whole week off i’ll stick around if i need more time or if i’m having too much fun they said it was too much to handle they’re only right for now i will prove those bastards wrong a little R and R spend a day in bed but if there’s a bar nearby i might go do that instead buy a couple rounds make the jukebox mine chat up the bartender and flirt with a couple guys and i’d dance because it’d be what i’d want to do and i’d tell the patrons that they should be dancing too some will say it’s futile to get the drunks off their stools i will prove those bastards wrong
48.
Hours spent on gravel roads Past the mango and papaya roads Fools of Fortune teasing fate The volcano faced the other way The first time A motel In the heart of Costa Rica That was named After my Patron saint Parents off to see the town Another bang - the ash came raining down The first time A motel In the heart of Costa Rica That was named After my Patron saint Somebody's daughter in my arms A nervous son working on charm A twist of luck, a turn of fate Lured by the fingers through the door These clumsy hands hoping for more A quick teen game of give and take I never caught her name Find the hot springs at the base The volcano faced the other way The first time A motel In the heart of Costa Rica That was named After my Patron saint
49.
Julie 04:33
Julie, are you being honest? Do you really feel that way? Terms you shouldn't use too lightly The words I never thought you'd say Is he the man that you've been seeking? A man of strength and purity? Free of vice and all-too-perfect The man that I could never be But those traits are overrated They do not carry any weight Sometimes you have to be the asshole Sometimes you must make dumb mistakes And this could be one, but who knows You've been sheltered for so long Promise me that you'll be careful Promise that you'll prove me wrong Do not buckle to suggestion Do not betray what's kept you good Do not offer him your body Sooner than you think you should Now I will remain at a distance I'll keep quiet from now on Julie, make your own decisions Don't be persuaded by a song
50.
Kingshighway 02:57
this is definitely not the right road i think i made a wrong turn getting out of webster groves it's hard for mento tell at this time of night i've just got to find my way back to richmond heights i'm lost on kingshighway i'm lost on kingshighway i think i've been to that diner before that's the one where the coffee's good and the service is poor does this go to where all the hospitals are? i might get situated once i reach forest park (if i reach forest park) i'm lost on kingshighway i'm lost on kingshighway i never learned my way around i never thought that i'd end up for so long in this town
51.
Laundry Room 04:15
I know that you're itching to get laid And, in the past, I'd be rushing to scratch That itch right away And when I arrived I still thought that I might But not tonight In your apartment complex's laundry room You are leaning against the washer Waiting for me to make my move No one would ever even have to know We're all alone There is a girl across town that I hold dear She is innocently sleeping And she doesn't know I'm here This is not where i told her I would be But she trusts me I met her shortly after our last tryst I know I really don't deserve her And she doesn't deserve this I do not love her, but it's early - things can change So I won't yet stray And, of course, I'm aware Of our prior affairs Where I repeatedly gave in to your charms Like the time on the stairs With your leg in the air Anchored down by the weight of my arms And I'll admit it's tempting, but I Think I'll try to be good this time Well, I'm sorry, but I must be going soon I made no promise to do anything But use your laundry room And I'm thankful, but it's getting late - besides My clothes are dry Thank you, goodnight
52.
Feel the wind shaking the plane Coming after me Knocked me down and left my face Chapped and hurting Even now it will not slow Can not wait to see me go Memories of crowded bars And the tourist scam A shot, a kiss, a clumsy charm All as planned Feel the wind shaking the plane I can only hope to find myself here again
53.
Leaving Song 02:48
this is not the way we said that it would be there's too big a risk, too much uncertainty it can only cause concerns that we don't need and i must i must leave these romantic notions that we tend to hold must be set aside before we let them grow it's unfortunate but that is life, you know and i must go i must go sometimes there are words we just cannot say when we know our time grows shorter every day even when the feeling's strong we back away cos i can't stay i can't stay this is not the way we said that it would be it's a choice we have to make reluctantly all our friends say we seem perfect, you and me but i must leave i must leave
54.
Let's Go 02:55
The worst Has faded from view The tears have dried The grief withdrew Somehow We've made it through And so now We're overdue It's all Fallen into place The car's been fixed The bills are paid There is no Reason to wait So let's go We're on our way We're on our way We're on our way
55.
It's time to go Goodnight Heathrow They took our photograph - Wednesday night, SoHo Over England Holding your hand The square was lit just right - we could barely stand Ocean's in sight Evening twilight I caught you falling in love with me last night
56.
Loveless 02:23
We walked the beach at night Amidst the turning tide You were so beautiful and sweet But as the hours went by It was my own advice That was turning against me I waited for a sign Or for the perfect time But the moment never came And soon the night was through There was no 'me and you' And I've only myself to blame And I never got the kiss that I hoped for No one seems to love me anymore It is a tired sight Another Friday night With no real place to go And once again I find I'm no one's Valentine For the fifth year in a row And though my friends mean well They offer little help But I guess that that's okay Some have their own love lives Some are preoccupied Some are oh so far away But it's nothing that I've never felt before No one seems to love me anymore
57.
We hung by the river Watching the train Cursing the summer And praying for rain Our friends at the landing Out by the slave dock We said we would join them Around 4 o’clock But first we were spending Some time by ourselves Just the two of us And nobody else And a breeze finally showed up To relieve the stale air You smiled and looked at me As it went through your hair And the song of the train Was calling out our names To the birds and the breeze Like a wonderful dream You knew I’d be leaving Though no one else did Almost as good as me At keeping things hid And there is no doubt that You will be the one That I will miss the most For as long as I’m gone It’s more like a dream Than an old memory Just a wonderful dream You were perfect to me We did not rush the moment We stayed by ourselves Just the two of us And nobody else We enjoyed the moment This time by ourselves Just the two of us
58.
Moreland 03:51
We drove around Lost in small towns With no real place to go On foggy nights The downtown lights Paint the clouds in gold A hug goodbye A lonely drive With no real place to go
59.
Mormon Lanes 04:03
4am Artificial light Boxes and pallets on the salesfloor Brand new endcaps Tomorrow's vegetables Paul McCartney muzak through the P.A. No doors sliding No beeps from the registers No sound of cart wheels on linoleum Just quiet stocking And my footsteps Discreetly dancing along the frozen foods These supermarket aisles As wide as Mormon lanes They stretch as far as the worlds they contain I want to hold your hand Make our way through the check-out line We'll change the world one aisle at a time
60.
The night Is where we belong We'll drive Get lost in the country The stars Our only company Tonight It's just me and you The night Only lasts so long We'll drive Run away from dawn The stars Won't always shine Tonight I'm in love with you
61.
Well I knew it was a fallacy An ideal that can't be met To resume romantic duties The privileges I used to get Months have passed since we last shared this space Through the course of life's events No doubt love is still reflected here But present in a different tense (I have never liked this part of town The condos steal our view Endless towers for the widows With no life to look forward to)
62.
Danish beer holds all my hopes for now a basement bar in Budapest cigarettes whose name I can't pronounce plenty of forints still left there's no reason to keep them anymore pointless to save or exchange this time tomorrow I will be airborne almost half a world away a Swedish girl takes the stool next to me she smiles and asks me where I'm from the smallest set of teeth I've ever seen it's all that I can focus on she swears that I am a photographer and I'm unsure how to reply I do not feel the need to lie to her but it's a good way to pass the time there's a hip hop night just across town the Swedish girl asks me to go it's impossible to turn her down too absurd to tell her 'no' I meet a serviceman from Boston there country-hopping while on leave shies away from the particulars for the sake of his sanity I am flailing to 'The Humpty Dance' it's my last night in this town a Swedish girl, a Boston serviceman it's as ridiculous as it sounds
63.
Casey wakes up wishing that he was dead Noticing he's thrown up off the side of the bed And everybody laughs A bruise of unknown origin on Cindy's knee Grass stains where grass stains just should not be And everybody laughs Anthony saw double on the short drive home The smell of yesterday is still on his clothes And everybody laughs Random cigarette butts in Annie's hair A comedic stumble down the nightclub stairs And everybody laughs Everybody laughs We each hold a key to the mystery A puzzle in our collective memories And everybody laughs Everybody laughs Trying to piece together the night before As I lay between the hallway and the bathroom floor And everybody laughs
64.
P.F.M.N. 03:26
and the words that you said were enticing the bluntness expressed was surprising and the brief history of your time here with me would soon be in need of revising we had said that we would take things slowly it was for our own good, even though we surely already knew that our abstinent moves would shortly prove to be baloney there's no reason to overanalyze to attempt to do so would be unwise so behind this closed door we shall twist and contort then twist a little more until sunrise i'll let you have control of the screwing because you clearly know what you're doing though i'll have little say that is more than OK i'm still getting my way and quite the viewing
65.
Petulence 02:35
I used to think that you were pretty great Everything you did would fascinate I was drawn in by your eccentricities But suddenly all the feeling changed With every layer that was peeled away And what was left held no intrigue to me It’s funny how quickly one can go From head-over-heals to ‘oh, hell no’ The temper tantrums and the ground-up pills The cynicism stubbornly instilled In every aspect of everything you do The suffocation of the ‘pros’ by the ‘cons’ To the extent that all appeal is gone Til I can’t remember what I once saw in you You’re too old to be so petulent At the first sign of disagreement But you’re still young enough to change some things If you can admit they need changing
66.
After the party and back at my place After sleeping the alcohol away We’re still not ready to get up and begin our day Each of us has other things to do Plans that were made long before we knew That the night before would turn out so great And maybe when the clock hits noon we’ll get up But then again this feels too good - what’s the rush? We could get breakfast at some place nearby Or we could make love one more time Or, if you’re up for it, maybe two or three Could be the prettiest day of the year My favorite bar could be giving away beer This is still the only place where I’d want to be And maybe when the clock hits two we’ll get up But then again this feels too good - what’s the rush? Half the day’s gone - might as well let the rest go There’s nothing that cannot wait until tomorrow
67.
Pop Shots 05:50
You need a lover who's bastard-sized Maybe a pop shot Valentine You try to give me a spiteful stare But I'm instantly likable I hope you find someone who cares Someone as desperate as you Dirty sequins on a tattered dress It's only the monsters that love you the best My friends thought me not to trust (No thanks to you) just let me Over-analyze myself The news and the late, late night conclude
68.
Pop Song 02:03
see these eyes so close to mine in a motel's stale confines from the west coast to the east on a rusting balcony and i knew - goddamn i knew of how history bruised you of the words you couldn't say the past that wasn't far enough away i will never understand how it broke down as if planned even though not much remains i still know you felt the same
69.
Pussyfingers 01:57
I offer up myself to you You offer up yourself to me We turn the lights off and we do The things they can't show on TV Maybe in Belgium or Germany The opening of the dresser drawer Anticipation is tautly wound We put the comforter on the floor Cos the bed makes too much sound And your roommate's still around The power in the fingertips The subtleties in a simple move The beauty in your parted lips The steady motions we go through The smells we've grown accustomed to When the rest of life restarts We clean up the mess we made And even though it's time to part I'll carry you with me all day I'll carry you with me all day
70.
I'm the same as you: Patently displeased Unsure what to do Or how to next proceed Is it up to me? "I'm not good at this As the past has shown Maybe the best thing is Just to remain alone It's a defeatist tone I know" (Oh, I know) Are we wasting our time? "I don't yet have a reply" How can we prevail If we're resigned to fail? Can't we just have fun? Take things as they come How much longer can we let our past control us? (I don't know - it's so hard to say) What if I were to say It'll be ok, come what may?
71.
Say It! 03:10
I know what you want to say And you know what I want to say And we both know why we should not say it But, oh, I wish that we could just say it
72.
here is the time and here is the consequence we're of no mind to act on these things we sense the last night in town the end of our holiday there's so little doubt we can't go on this way but for now just smile and i will smile with you let's find a quiet spot it's starting to rain we can't see the mountaintops a drink and a smoke dance the rest of the night and still hold out hope until closing time arrives but for now just smile and i will smile with you i feel it too how happy we both are but sadness is never far away here is the time and here is the consequence i'll pretend it's right if you pretend this makes sense life will go on and we will move on somehow we both know we're wrong but we're too weak to change things now but for now just smile and i will smile with you
73.
Small fucking town Everyone is out tonight Everyone I've met a thousand times Small fucking town Everyone barely alive Everyone I've seen a thousand times She's been with him Who's been with her Who's been with him and her A never-ending spit rotation Six dirty sheets of separation Small fucking town Everyone is out tonight Everyone I've met a thousand times
74.
open the window it's that time of year again to turn off the thermostat and let the breeze back in the neighbors are all out in the much-missed sunshine soon the blossoms will be as frequent as yard sale signs put the coats in the closet and hope they don't need further use then let's join the neighbors in a stroll that's long overdue your friend's band is playing down at the same place where seven months earlier we had our first date the other acts look promising it's an early show and since the weather is nice they'll have it on the patio they're the only ones in town with the beer that you like so a kostritzer for you, i'll have a maker's on ice i still steal a glance of you as often as i can and think of your beauty and how lucky i am the music has finished the evening's at an end we tip the bands and chat for a while with your friend but our focus has shifted, all that is now on our minds is an unmade bed next to a set of windows open wide so let's get back in the car and make our way home head up the stairs and take off our clothes let's shuffle in the sheets and then end our day with your head on my shoulder and a smile on your face i couldn't be happier to have you here this is my favorite time of the year
75.
Hey, please understand that we're through - it Was your one chance and you blew it And now I'm moving on I don't mean to sound so malicious But it'd not be at all fictitious To say I'm glad you're gone Hey, there's no need for underscoring All my friends thought you were boring And I would have to agree Though I know your heart's still a-flutter These lips of mine now kiss another And I couldn't be more happy
76.
Spanish Song 02:36
Ooh boy, let just go with the rough translation: "I'd like to know what we're going to do with this great evening We could go out or stay here - I could make you dinner And after, I believe what we should do is return to the bed To kiss and kiss and do much more - I will love you if you will love me" More or less.
77.
On a St. Louis balcony With little shade and facing east Intolerable in the late morning heat Less so as the day goes by Less so when you come outside The weather's now the last thing on my mind You can talk to me for hours as the world makes its slow turn You can talk to me for hours as my pasty white skin burns And peels away and burns again with a new intensity I don't care as long as you are here with me I love the stories that you tell Their cadences and rhythmic swells Pretending we don't know it's hot as hell It's funny to think how these Twists of fate brought us here, now we Only wish that it could be partly cloudy We'll keep talking as the moon and stars come out in the night sky When the only other source of light comes from the fireflies And even though I've to work early and could really use the sleep I don't care as long as you are here with me Don't tell me that you haven't Got enough cash for the Pageant It's my treat, it's what I can So you can see your favorite band So let us walk over the stars That line the sidewalks of Delmar Screw the humidity 'Cause it's just you and me
78.
Fireworks at the start of sunset It was as late as the children could wait White smoke drifting towards the valley Slipping through the corn fields and trees We were the last to exit the pool Waited all day for it to be just us two I lagged behind and watched you walk away Pretty sure I fell for you earlier in the day Heads turned up towards underwhelming blasts Still, the kids gave collective ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ Bursts of yellow, purple, red, and blue Through it all, I couldn’t help but look at you
79.
i'll bet this town is full of rebellion the signs are everywhere, i'm telling ya these kids must savor any chance to get rowdy i should have taken you to the alley party i should have taken you to the alley party i'm sorry, dear so we kill the time at this downtown dive bar instead the only one where membership is not needed with the same beer that we could be drinking if we had not left in a darkened corner next to the pinball machine behind the jukebox where some drunken guy is stumbling to round up change in order to play some Otis Redding i should have taken you to the alley party i should have taken you to the alley party i should have taken you to the alley party i'm sorry, dear i wish i wasn't tired but what can i say? you know that it's been one hell of a stressful day and you know tomorrow that an even longer drive awaits so we kill time with more beer and some crude drawings in a darkened corner next to the pinball machine and i can tell from your eyes that this is not where you want to be i should have taken you to the alley party i should have taken you to the alley party i should have taken you to the alley party i'm sorry, dear
80.
Reflections from the disco ball onto the dancefloor Make their way in circles through the crowd The smell of sweat, the air of cigarettes and thrift stores Sticky shoes from spilt beer on the ground The scenesters on the brink The ones here only for the cheap drinks The background characters of my life She leaves the bar and makes her way up to the D.J. And asks if he could play her favorite song Then starts to dance with an unparalleled, warm grace Shakes her hips and quietly sings along The slight smile that is sent The quick nod of acknowledgment Then, "Goodbye, see you in a couple months" I'm trying to catch up with my feet, my head is spinning Eyes are circling, taking it all in She grabs her purse and disappears into the evening The dancefloor empties out and the songs end It's only when I get to bed That I think of all the things I should've said
81.
We were a wreck, we were uninsured, but worse, We were slightly uninspired And a cold had made its way through both of us Still, we were too young to feel this tired It was safe to say that we were in what Can only be called a rut We were both very aware Still we were too reticent to change things up We had so many things to do and jobs We could not afford to miss But the car had finally reached the point Where it just was not worth it to fix There was no time to dwell upon these matters We could not pretend that we did not care We had to get to know the schedules Had to make sure we had correct fare So with cheeks battered by wind, Runny noses and tattered throats We stared blankly out the windows Happy only to get out of the cold We are riding the bus In a city that hates bus riders It was all falling apart so fast The stress was getting to us both But you had a knack for being beautiful Exactly when I needed it most I love you, still it's hard not to deny Things aren't what they used to be I am pining for the days When you meant the world to me So with cheeks battered by wind, Runny noses and tattered throats We stared blankly out the windows I could tell that you were giving up hope Confide in me and trust in me Do not yet give up hope or tire We are riding the bus In a city that hates bus riders
82.
kira, could you wear a dress is it so hard to change from the tired t-shirt and jeans that you wear everyday is it a selfish request is it too sexist of me to ask the girl that i love to show off her femininity it's a thought that i've had on my mind for quite a while it's not a comment on your beauty at all it's just a comment on your style recall the girl that we saw back at the coffeshop in that strapless number black with small, white dots punctuated by the small pink carnation on her chest and the matching, lace trim that ran along the hem is she prettier than you? that's not what i'm trying to say but in that moment she looked so beautiful i couldn't look away it doesn't have to reveal it doesn't have to be tight maybe a summer number now that the weather's right anything would be ideal anything would suffice i don't care about brand names and i don't care about price in fact, it should be cheap since it would be so overdue that it would not take me too long at all to tear that dress off of you
83.
I am a default napper We've been staying up all night Songs and drinks, smiles and after Doing what just feels right We are zombies through the workday Barely there, sleepwalking Needing sleep in the worst way But not regretting a thing Such an inane endeavor To try and put a name to this It's just the first days of "whatever" That's more or less appropriate
84.
On an impulse road trip when we should be at work instead In a car that smells of gyro meat, rice, and pita bread Cooled-down leftovers from that new Turkish cafe Where we came up with the idea and set off on our way But we're too broke to go as far as we'd like We won't worry about that until another time It was a reverse autumn as the trees went back to green At a Macon cemetery at the start of Halloween We photographed the gravestones, the monuments to those long-dead Then we walked back to our car and at the pita bread And we really didn't know were next to go We just wanted to remain off of the main roads We don't know If this fun can last It never has In the past We walked along the river on Savannah's bumpy streets Amidst the usual tourist traffic and the costumed revelry As they marched on past us, each one trying to top the next I liked the guys dressed as Ghostbusters, you liked the zombies best We don't know If this fun can last It never has In the past We don't know If this fun can last It never has In the past It'll never last It'll never last It'll never last
85.
When the daytime begins And the sunlight creeps in As it shines Through the blinds Onto you and me It's the greatest thing The greatest feeling in the world When you open your eyes And your glance catches mine And you smile And I smile Half-asleep It's the greatest thing The greatest feeling in the world But sometimes love Is not enough To keep you here Keep you lying Next to me And there's nothing I miss More than the morning kiss But soon a- Nother day Will be here And it's the greatest thing The greatest feeling in the world
86.
The Heart 03:20
Smoke is exhaled and dispersed into the air Expectations rise and fall throughout the night I might be drunk but I'm nowhere near as drunk as I would like Chatter fills the room with a steady constant tone The jukebox never tires of Dylan, Cash, or Waits Pretty girls at the end of bars will never take your place Hey you With the freckles on your shoulder And your calm distinctive style And the subtleties you express with your smile There are many nights like these where I need to be alone With a notebook, pen, and a nice strong rum and Coke Many words tend to disappear as quickly as the smoke Hey you But there are some that don't escape me Regardless of the drinks I've had And I know without a doubt you understand It feels right It feels true It's incomparable to anything that I felt Before you There is 'I' And there is 'you' And there can only be one thing that can come Between the two Hey you With a grace that seems so fragile And a charm that can't be faked Let my fingers trace the outline of your face Hey you You're my source for inspiration And I'm so glad that you're here Kiss me on the lips - you know how, don't you dear?
87.
Let's just say there's a reason why this is the one song in which I bury my vocal deep in the mix.
88.
The Hop 02:03
In those summer days We used to slip away Into the smoky haze of the nightclub None of the friends we knew Ever had a clue It was where me and you would always meet up And we would dance all night Under the garish lights Just two kids with no rhythmic coordination But we didn’t really care about that Always the youngest there Breathing the same stale air Totally unaware of all around us The games of courtship played The suitors and their dames The desperate displays that would surround us And we would dance all night Under the garish lights Just two kids with no rhythmic coordination And we didn’t really care about that I heard the place is still there With that same stale air And the tinted hair of all the usuals If we ever find Ourselves back at the same time We should make it a night - it would be beautiful
89.
You taught me the lighter trick I hurt my fingers once or twice But slowly got the hang of it Maybe you can teach me other things Like how to hold my chopsticks right Or perhaps the art of whistling There's nothing going on tonight In this town, that comes as no surprise So Saturday with boutique beers that don't twist off I'll be in Florida for a couple days To meet familial obligations I've Consistently tried to delay I should have some free time before coming back Is there anything that you would like Some chintzy trinket or knick-knack? A baby shark dead in a jar Shells from the beach, a manatee phone charm A lighthouse snowglobe, a flamingo figurine Or anything In a dream I kissed you twice For now, this dream will have to suffice 'Cause I'll be far away And you'll be making do With these tired Dayton blues You thought me the lighter trick I hurt my fingers once or twice But slowly got the hang of it
90.
looking out on lake champlain on a windy springtime day with occasional reminders of the winter’s remains the waters rise and rise the flooding won’t subside over the rocks, towards parking lots, to the streets and homes nearby and the clear blue sky above belies the tension down below that builds concurrent of the way the water goes if the lake keeps creeping up and the current’s strong enough it could set me free from where i’ve been standing for too long and if the wind obeys then i could float away far from the shore and out towards the place where i belong drifting aimlessly towards islands in the north past bridges and ferries or westward to new york it’s where i’m meant to be where i’m supposed to go with new stars above me free but still alone
91.
i think i've had enough it doesn't matter anymore keep me out of it feel free to call me uninformed calling it a day i couldn't be more unimpressed the old-school apathy what doesn't kill me makes me care much less staring at the clock anything to pass the time i'll detach myself i like to pretend not to mind laze about the day it never really does get old sometimes i make sense sometimes i imitate a casserole yeah, i don't care
92.
Under the shadow of lists, I try to keep going Under the shadow of lists, I go on But the shadows persist as the lists keep growing The shadow of lists grows on I'm biding my time with the pen and the paper But the pattern of words come out wrong Tell myself it'll be fine - that the best can come later Putting off, putting off, putting off Under the shadow of lists, I try to keep going Under the shadow of lists, I go on But the shadows persist as the lists keep growing The shadow of lists grows on I'm wasting my time with the pen and the paper The patterns always come out wrong Stare at the lines as the dread grows greater Putting off, putting off, putting off It's too much to bear and the worst of it is that The fault is no one's but my own The solutions are there - I know that I can beat this but It's easier to let the lists grow Under the shadow of lists, I try to keep going Under the shadow of lists, I go on But the shadows persist as the lists keep growing The shadow of lists grows on I'm just killing time with the pen and the paper And the pattern of words come out wrong Tell myself it'll be fine - that the best can come later Putting off, putting off, putting off It's too much to bear and the worst of it is that The fault is no one's but my own The solutions are there - I know that I can beat this but It's easier to let the lists grow I don't want to wait anymore I don't want to wait anymore I don't want to wait anymore I don't want to wait anymore Under the shadow of lists, I try to keep going Under the shadow of lists, I go on But the shadows persist as the lists keep growing The shadow of lists grows on Under the shadow of lists, I try to keep going Under the shadow of lists, I go on But the shadows persist as the lists keep growing The shadow of lists grows on
93.
Back and forth it goes Neither one of us at home To receive the call that comes from The other Answering machine Records my awkward message Every stumble, every nervous Stutter Back and forth it goes Neither one of us at home It's almost to ridiculous To be true To see how you are To hear your voice would be terrific, but Who knew it'd be so difficult To reach you I keep missing you
94.
Wake up It's noon and you'll be late You can't afford to miss another day I've drawn your bath A kiss and a farewell Now I must go or I'll be late myself But those sleepy, trapdoor eyes Lure me back to bed We'll make love all afternoon instead
95.
i want to feel myself falling close my eyes and jump from this balcony i can not hear what they're saying all that i hear is the sound of the wind life is unfair and unrelenting should come as no real surprise but it still does failure will come the senses go numb there's only one way to be free why must the fix be so easy yet filled with so much doubt and uncertainty i can't let go of this railing as much as i want to i know that it's not time and failure still comes the senses go numb but there's more than one way to be free
96.
Too Far 03:57
She asked me how far away was my place, I said, “It’s not too far - you know it’s not too far.” “Maybe we should start heading out that way, If it’s not too far.” “No, it’s not too far.” We played by the rules, we accepted our roles I acted my part to a T Though nothing was certain until the sun Came through the blinds to show That the scene was over But in that morning’s haze we were wondering If we went too far - if we went too far “Did you really mean those words that you said to me?” Did we go too far?” “I think we went too far.” And it didn’t take long for everything to change Our care-free encounters were gone Replaced with a tension that soon became Too much to bear The scene was now far from over We can claim it was nothing - just part of the game We can lie to ourselves if it’s not too late And convince each other that things can be Just as before - The scene can be started over But, in the end, I fell back on my selfish ways ‘Cause we went too far - yeah, we went too far “How can you act like it was just another day?” “It’s not that hard - no, it’s not that hard.”
97.
Truth 02:12
There's no greater mystery Than what keeps you right here with me I was cynical, I was aloof Couldn't understand the truth I'm a novice in this game Three time's all that I can claim There are many stories out there I don't refute They can't be further from the truth I had problems and I had fears But now I'm free of worry when you're near There's a heaven up there and I have proof You are beauty, you are truth
98.
This river lacks the romance that it once had A warm park bench inviting integration On a faded springtime night With two fingers inside A gentle moan of affirmation The rain turns to a drizzle then comes to an end The wind and trees in casual conversation A sky of airplane lights And quiet satellites We're left alone to our infatuations You've got to learn somewhere And if not here, then where? Now the rocks are littered with bottles and cans The water brown from unknown infestation The old oak trees are bare There's dog shit everywhere And posted signs to note our violations (motherfucker)
99.
Your arms, I guess, will do tonight If you’ll make do with mine I tried, I failed, I’m here, you just Did not feel like trying I wish my heart could accept yours And yours could accept mine It’d make things so much easier There’d be no need for hiding No one knows our secret Your arms, I guess, will do tonight If you’ll make do with mine And afterwards - who knows - I guess We’ll just keep on trying No one knows our secret
100.
Last Song 04:35
This is the last hurrah A prolonged denouement Won't help anyone Get over it . . . it's done I can't say as yet That I have no regrets 'Cause that would just mean I must overlook a couple of things There doesn't appear To be anything here That makes me want to stay It's unfortunate but that's just the case I've made some great friends And I'll miss most of them No bonds have been made That are strong enough not to break This is the last hurrah A prolonged denouement Won't help anyone It's over . . . deal with it I can't say as yet That I have no regrets 'Cause that would just mean I must overlook some things I'm just a sarcastic fraud Beneath this cynical facade Lies a sympathetic fool Who loves each and every one of you

about

A collection of songs recorded over the past ten years (more or less) that have been sitting unloved in my hard drive for too long. It's a bit overwhelming, I know, but I need to finally say goodbye to these songs so that I can move on to other things.

How to listen to this collection:

1) Download the whole thing, or stream it via Spotify or whatever. Get in your car, press play, and take a road trip, 3 hours each way. I'm well-traveled, so if you need road trip suggestions, drop me a line at carlpolgar@gmail.com.

2) Download the whole thing, or stream it via Spotify or whatever. Hit 'shuffle'. Let them blend in with the rest of the songs in your collection, popping up here and there. That way, you'll still be pleasantly surprised months later when an unheard Paris Street song pops up.

3) Bookmark this page. Visit it whenever you'd like. Click on a random song and let it play through to the next 10 songs. Come back every now and again and do the same thing.

credits

released March 5, 2013

All songs written by Carl Polgar.

Performed by Christy Anderson, Philip Clark, Mark Harris, Laura Joseph, Nathan Keith, Carl Polgar, Darrin Revell, Leslie Sanders, Marissa Smith, J. Avery Vaughn, Neely Vaughn, and John Weatherly.

Recorded between 2002 and 2013 in Tampa, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Honolulu, Hawaii; and various hotel rooms in Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.

Please see individual tracks for recording information, complete lyrics, and additional photography.

Much love and gratitude to all who participated in these recordings. Special thanks is extended to Christy Anderson (for her lovely vocals), Darrin Revell (for the enduring support), and Jenna Robl (for shelter and the nylon guitar).


Thanks for listening. You mean the world to me.

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Paris Street Sacramento, California

Catchy shit

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