Dominoes

was it fate, my prodigal friend
that brought you here to this very door
talk until dawn about the things you’ve seen
my head in the sand, no complaints, no remorse
you’re safe here with me

are you the cure for loneliness or am i just sore
something familiar, something warm
let them stand there and stare while we kiss,
while we strut, we haven’t a care

been a while, some five or six years
rolling ’round on a marble floor
succumbed to your charms as my head hit the door
laid bare, unbridled with a playful grin
a wink and a grin

are you the cure or are you the cause, dear friend
they’ll never corrupt us or taint our love
let them stand there and stare, let them stumble and fall
yes they’ll stumble and fall

we were thick as thieves
we were doomed to fail
we were thick as thieves
i hold my head up high

one by one, we will fall like dominoes
one by one, we will fall like dominoes

One Of A Million

you’re so demanding, i’ve got to tell you
well, are you pleased or sick to see me
i did my time, i’ve made my choice*
what about us, you ask, well…never mind

i’m at the lap of luxury
i drink from his cup, i kiss his feet
you look surprised, your face in horror
high friends, low places
my standards lower
the lights come on, it’s time for action
you recoil while the cameras flicker
we’re in the nude, the secret’s out

i’d rather starve than seek employment
i’ll dance and steal for your enjoyment
all i want is to be loved, to be famous
so close but now she wants to take me away

you always said you’d be more supportive
now it’s essential that you’re more submissive
a little longer, it’s like how we practiced
just wipe those tears for i’m near the end
a start and a stop now i’m falling over
now clean up, darling, i’d have never done this without you
i can’t go back now, don’t try to take me away
i’m a star, she wants to take me away

now it’s your closeup so smile for the camera
i hope you understand now why i’m leaving
from here out, you’re one of a million, my darling
so don’t you dare try, don’t try to take me away

i’ll never see you again
don’t try to take me away
i’ll never see you again
don’t try to take me away

Words Are Weapons

don’t mention love for it doesn’t exist
don’t mention us for our cupboard is bare
i’m tired, i’m afraid what we had’s turned to rust
i’ve lost all my faith in you, the picture’s fading

words are weapons we effectively use
to pierce, cut down to desired size
i’ve been shot, i’ve been hurt, there’s a smile on your face
it’s done, must i wear the shame, it is finisheddon’t mention friends for my wallet is bare
can’t stand on my own for my backbone is bent
i’ve loved, i’ve been loved, i was led to believe
no words, no more words for you, you’ll be sorry

chorus

we sit far apart in disgust
the strands of the ties that held us have snapped
we tried, yes we tried yet we failed in the end
goodbye, shake hands, goodbye, it is over (say nothing, feel nothing)

words are weapons, what exactly’s been won
i wear no shield still you lust for blood
i’m down, i have lost all my battles with you
i’m hurt, i have lost all my battles with you
with you..
with you..

Where Have the Club Kids Gone

the morning came but we were still dancing
high on life, eight hours and counting
as sweat rolled down our backs, we shined like stars
so young so free, with reckless abandon
tongues entwined, perfection in motion
the calm before the storm, dressed in blue
they came, the doors flew open wide
sunlight brought in the feds
in broad daylight, we’re dangerous and wayward
where oh where have all the club kids gone

you said we’d meet again
i gave you all my stash
cold steel on skin
the cops took me away
but where oh where have all the club kids gone

i won’t see light again
no friends, celebrity
but officer, i never hurt a soul
where oh where have all the club kids gone

the bands, they sing for revolution
on deaf ears, your cellular’s ringing
the clubs are closed, the music bought and sold
it shouldn’t matter now, you’ve a job and a car
i should have known it can’t last forever
the glitter and glitz, the club kids have gone home

we’re left to stew in far dark corners
old strobelights, all cracked and frayed
dancing by myself, i close my eyes
you’ve found what you’ve been missing while the record plays on
moved on, found love, someone sterile and boring
the lights are out, the club kids have gone home

Nobles Of the Concrete

Nobles of the concrete…

the subway screams where men and rats join forces
the sounds of smashing glass and drunken revelers
stares and glares, they lead to dares to fight
while the minstrels shrug and sigh playing their lullabies

it really shouldn’t be this hard
we could be princes or paupers
nobles of the concrete
it really shouldn’t be this hard
we’ll snatch, we’ll grab and claw if you deny us

the night is young with stench of sweat and urine
lovers against the wall, they can’t be bothered
tourists with guile to spare and broken noses
saturday night fights, the way it ought to be

chorus

so grab my hand and don’t let go
the cast revolves, the story stays the same
we’re part of the scene, we’re neglected, don’t you see
we’re the others, the afterthoughts, dreamers and never-weres

bridge

Bedford Galleries

from the midwest, they come
to suck the oxygen dry

dress up in your worst
it doesn’t matter, we’re all striking the pose
from miles around they dream to be seen in the bedford galleries

this is real, this is me
full price for secondhand clothes
to be seen, that’s our scene
we’re works of art, we are young
sex sells, yet it’s our minds that you’re after
weak-kneed by lethem and proust
at the club where the band is for show
enthusiasm is vile

dancing with no passion, it’s no crime when you’re privileged and bored
we’ll defend, we’ll offend just as long as we recoup in the end

we will clash with the family dynamic, it’s the american way

both choruses

Just Lay There and Smile

what she lacks in charm, she makes up for in purpose
not a lot of money though she’ll gladly have mine
i only want your time, fit right under your thumb
i am young, let the corruption begin
she knows just what she wants, let there be no debate
i’ve got a certain fear, i’m little more than prey
my body for some culture, i will give she will take
this is real, is this real?

Throw me down, do with me what you will
she says she loves me, how can it be?
Sixteen and fumbling, it’s all i have to offer
this docile body

Have you ever had the fear of being buried alive
a sea of soiled sheets and a glazed face to boot
i’m feeling rather ill yet she’s only just started
so please be gentle for i’m only sixteen
she held me down, i thought of yeats
a state of panic, the sound she makes
so when do i enjoy this, is it part of the deal?
I’m drowned in sweat so i just lay there and smile…

New Hyde Park

nothing to declare
we want what we can’t have
you’re beautiful, you’re talented
you’ve left us wanting more
precious and so delicate
forever young, immaculate
on the silver screen

(always a step away from failure and the shame
you won’t have us to blame, the bitter taste of fame
you’re irreplaceable, you’re unmistakable
you made us proud of you, we own a part of you)
well it’s a fact that you’re the one i’ve craved
a lovely diamond in the rough from new hyde park
such potential
squalor to glamour, the bitter taste of fame

we watched you laugh,
we watched you cry
you’ve done your hometown proud
but you never returned
you haven’t got much time for us
you’d rather not acknowledge us
discourage, mock us, kick the dirt in our faces
you can run away but the stigma remains

you’ve turned your back
they’ve got your ear
promise of stardom
you were doomed here
the world can’t save you
they’ll abuse you
there’s a home here
there is a life here

Then the Morning Comes

have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moon light
all your inhibitions left on the dance floor
we tried warning you
one shot turned to six, his smile stretched ear to ear
as your tongue licked your lips
then you’re gone

then the morning comes
you realise he may have done this more than once before
lying prone, you’re alone
with dreary crusty eyes, you look surprised
that there’s no written note, no rose on the pillow
just your naked self, you’ve been jilted

your lust a gift you’ve no issue giving but love yet to receive
you’re off for a meeting yet you’re still unemployed
tonight, a scene of drunken revelry fades to dawn’s discovery
of the memory in a wrapper in the trashbin

then the morning comes
someone new, you’ve got a job to do
you lay there half ashamed
there’s a part inside that craves for more
that doesn’t care much for some written note
a rose on the pillow, you’ve done this all before

then the morning comes you’ve got a job to do, the camera’s fixed on you

The Trouble With Girls

a knife in the back then turn it like so
the trouble with girls, they’d rather watch you bleed
first a kiss, she draws you nearer
suddenly there’s a ring on her finger
a newly wed is nearly dead

must be something that’s in the water
i would rather not wed your daughter
the aisle procession leads to the lamb to slaughter
there’s too many things i want the world to know
too many reasons why i won’t propose
the trouble with boys, they always want to leave

they’ll fight to the death for the lady’s hand
she’s not concerned where the punches land
it’s not exactly what i came here for
i’m truly flattered yet i must say no
i’m a slave to passion but i won’t be chained

must be something that’s in the water
just a plan to upset your mother
a killer smile and a clean-cut face
and a nasty case of the wandering eye
well, is it passion or passing time, we
want to feel like we really matter
my truest love is the one i have for myself
there can be no other, be no other

we want it, we crave to feel safe and warm
the trouble with boys, the thrill is in the chase
the dreams we had turn to plans we make to bills we pay for
the diamond ring
the trouble with girls, they always must have more

Madeleine

and down we go
the depths of the sea
wake up, wake up
you’ve taken things a bit too far
you’ve turned ocean blue
are you calling home
are you playing games, dear madeleine

and now you, you planned it this way
i know you did
the world owed you fame, your legend
all the other boys, all the other girls
who’ll tell you things, who’ll sell you things
where have they gone, where are they now
the sirens blare, poor madeleine

live fast, die young
but nobody does
you’ll make it just fine
your mother will cry, the neighbours stare
and blame it on me
no one sees you wink, no one has a clue
dear madeleine

so there you were
the foot of the bar
you couldn’t lose, you faker
you had been chasing dragons, climbing tables
falling forward, crash to the floor
you bloody mess, i brought you here
what did you prove
poor madeleine

but things won’t change
the urge is too great
you’ll crave for more
but i’ll still come ’round to save you

The Gift and the Curse

such a comedy
the mirror shows
such a tragedy
everybody knows
is it still possible
am i still lovable
how i wish you’d care
i’ve stood in front of you
laid right next to you
won’t you laugh
won’t you cry
i write the words you can’t deny
you pay me no mind

pinned still, i’d like to hang on your bedroom wall
my voice in your head
my thoughts and fears on stage, i leave them all to you
can i reach you
it must happen here, it must happen now
it has to

i gave my heart to you
with every single word
there’s nothing else i own
of any worth to you
i’ll sing in front of you
i’ll do a dance for you
yet positivity, they say
have some patience
don’t you dare
pass me by
my life and times in words and rhyme
it’s all i can do
it’s all i will do
held down, i’ll kick not scream
have i left a mark
would you let me
you’ll never understand the things i’ve seen and tried
i’m blessed and cursed
it must happen here, it must happen now
it’s got to

it must happen here, it must come now
what more can i say, will you listen
have i scared you off

Somewhere Along the Way

it never turns out how it’s planned
we only have so much to spend and kill
such a shame that it’s come to this

time slips through our fingers as we laugh
friends become strangers passing by
there’s so much left to say
of course, mother i should have paid you mind
such passion and hopes, a fairytale
a waste of time

we want to run and hide away
the coast was clear, so effortless and calm
it was then we made our pact
along the way we lost the plot
when desperation and concentration come to blows
a safe path you chose

chorus, bridge, chorus

it never turns out how it’s planned
we only have so much to spend and kill
such a shame that it’s come to this
us against this troubled world
we’d fight them off, we’d leave it all to chance
it was our master plan

I Think I’ve Fallen In Love With You

I think i’ve fallen in love with you

heaven help me if you dare
i know only fools believe in love
am i an evil person at heart
i think i’ve fallen in love with you
my way with words, the gift of the gab
appealed to her senses, she wanted more
being lonely and saddened, how is it a crime?
i’m clung to your sleeve, i’m fond of you

people lie, pictures lie
the smile on my face, they’ll claim i’m content
they think i’ve fallen in love with you

found solace in monologues, soliliquies, asides
she matched every word with three of her own
no fingers were crossed, she stayed while i slept
oh no, there’s no avoiding you

those people lie and pictures, they lie
love is a sentence even harsher than death
but i think i’ve fallen in love with you

no fault of my own, you know way too much
by the river where we kissed, you meant me no harm
my arms outstretched, you would not turn away
i can’t, i won’t fall for that again