The Smiths
Complete Lyrics

The Smiths (1984)

Reel Around the Fountain

It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old

It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
You made him old

Reel around the fountain
Slap me on the patio
I'll take it now

Fifteen minutes with you
Well, I wouldn't say no
People said that you were virtually dead
And they were so wrong

Fifteen minutes with you
Well, I wouldn't say no
People said that you were easily led
And they were half-right
They were half-right

It's time the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old

It's time that the tale were told
Of how you took a child
And you made him old
You made him old

Reel around the fountain
Slap me on the patio
I'll take it now

Fifteen minutes with you
I wouldn't say no
People see no worth in you
But I do

Fifteen minutes with you
I wouldn't say no
People see no worth in you
I do, oh I do

I dreamt about you last night
And I fell out of bed twice
You can pin and mount me like a butterfly

But "take me to the haven of your bed"
Was something that you never said
Two lumps, please
You're the bee's knees
But so am I

Meet me at the fountain
Shove me on the patio
I'll take it slowly

Fifteen minutes with you
I wouldn't say no
People see no worth in you
But I do

Fifteen minutes with you
No, I wouldn't say no
People see no worth in you
I do, oh I do
Oh, I do
Oh, I do
Oh, I do

You've Got Everything Now

As merry as the days were long
I was right and you were wrong

Back at the old grey school
I would win and you would lose

But you've got everything now
You've got everything now
And what a terrible mess I've made of my life
Oh, what a mess I've made of my life

No, I've never had a job
Because I've never wanted one

I've seen you smile
But I've never really heard you laugh

So who is rich and who is poor?
I cannot say…oh

You are your mother's only son
And you're a desperate one
Oh…

But I don't want a lover
I just want to be seen…oh…in the back of your car

A friendship sadly lost?
Well this is true…and yet, it's false
Oh…

But did I ever tell you, by the way?
I never did like your face

But you've got everything now
You've got everything now
And what a terrible mess I've made of my life
Oh, what a mess I've made of my life

No, I've never had a job
Because I'm too shy

I've seen you smile
But I've never really heard you laugh

So who is rich and who is poor?
I cannot say…oh

Oh…
You are your mother's only son
And you're a desperate one
Oh…

But I don't want a lover
I just want to be tied… oh…to the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
To the back of your car
Oh…

Miserable Lie

So, goodbye
Please stay with your own kind
And I'll stay with mine

There's something against us
It's not time
It's not time
So, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye

I know I need hardly say
How much I love your casual way
Oh, but please put your tongue away
A little higher and we're well away
The dark nights are drawing in
And your humor is as black as them
I look at yours, you laugh at mine
And "love" is just a miserable lie
You have destroyed my flower-like life
Not once - twice
You have corrupt my innocent mind
Not once - twice
I know the wind-swept mystical air
It means : I'd like to see your underwear
I recognize that mystical air
It means : I'd like to seize your underwear
What do we get for our trouble and pain?
Just a rented room in Whalley Range
What do we get for our trouble and pain?
…Whalley Range !
Into the depths of the criminal world
I followed her…

I need advice, I need advice
I need advice, I need advice
Nobody ever looks at me twice
Nobody ever looks at me twice

I'm just a country-mile behind
The world

I'm just a country-mile behind
The whole world
Oh oh, oh…

I'm just a country-mile behind
The world

I'm just a country-mile behind
The whole world
Oh oh, oh…

Take me when you go
Oh oh, oh…

Take me when you go
Oh oh, oh…

I need advice, I need advice

Pretty Girls Make Graves

Upon the sand, upon the bay
"There is a quick and easy way" you say
Before you illustrate
I'd rather state :
"I'm not the man you think I am
I'm not the man you think I am"

And sorrow's native son
He will not smile for anyone

And pretty girls make graves
Oh…

End of the pier, end of the bay
You tug my arm, and say : "give in to lust,
Give up to lust, oh heaven knows we'll
Soon be dust… "

Oh, I'm not the man you think I am
I'm not the man you think I am

And sorrow's native son
He will not rise for anyone

And pretty girls make graves
Oh really?
Oh…

I could have been wild and I could have
Been free
But nature played this trick on me

She wants it now
And she will not wait
But she's too rough
And I'm too delicate

Then, on the sand
Another man, he takes her hand
A smile lights up her stupid face
(and well, it would)

I lost my faith in womanhood
I lost my faith in womanhood
I lost my faith…
Oh…

Hand in glove…
The sun shines out of our behinds…
Oh…

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

Please don't cry
For the ghost and the storm outside
Will not invade this sacred shrine
Nor infiltrate your mind
My life down I shall lie
If the bogey-man should try
To play tricks on your sacred mind
To tease, torment, and tantalize
Wavering shadows loom
A piano plays in an empty room
There'll be blood on the cleaver tonight
And when darkness lifts and the room is bright
I'll still be by your side
For you are all that matters
And I'll love you to till the day I die
There never need be longing in your eyes
As long as the hand that rocks the cradle is mine
Ceiling shadows shimmy by
And when the wardrobe towers like a beast of prey
There's sadness in your beautiful eyes
Oh, your untouched, unsoiled, wondrous eyes
My life down I shall lie
Should restless spirits try
To play tricks on your sacred mind
I once had a child, and it saved my life
And I never even asked his name
I just looked into his wondrous eyes
And said : "never never never again"
And all too soon I did return
Just like a moth to a flame
So rattle my bones all over the stones
I'm only a beggar-man whom nobody owns
Oh, see how words as old as sin
Fit me like a glove
I'm here and here I'll stay
Together we lie, together we pray
There never need be longing in your eyes
As long as the hand that rocks the cradle is mine
As long as the hand that rocks the cradle is mine
Mine
Climb up on my knee, sonny boy
Although you're only three, sonny boy
You're - you're mine
And your mother she just never knew
Oh, your mother… As long…as long…as long
I did my best for her
I did my best for her
As long…as long…as long as…as long
I did my best for her
I did my best for her
Oh…

This Charming Man

Punctured bicycle
on a hillside desolate.
Will nature make a man of me yet?

When in this charming car
this charming man.

Why pamper life's complexities
when the leather runs smooth
on the passenger seat?

I would go out tonight.
but I haven't got a stitch to wear.
This man said "It's gruesome
that someone so handsome should care".

A jumped-up pantry boy
who never knew his place
he said "Return the ring".
He knows so much about these things.
He knows so much about these things.

I would go out tonight
but I haven't got a stitch to wear.
This man said "It's gruesome
that someone so handsome should care."

This charming man.
This charming man.

A jumped-up pantry boy
who never knew his place
he said "Return the ring".
He knows so much about these things.
He knows so much about these things.
He knows so much about these things.

Still Ill

I decree today that life
Is simply taking and not giving
England is mine - it owes me a living
But ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye
Oh, ask me why, and I'll spit in your eye
But we cannot cling to the old dreams anymore
No, we cannot cling to those dreams

Does the body rule the mind
Or does the mind rule the body?
I dunno

Under the iron bridge we kissed
And although I ended up with sore lips
It just wasn't like the old days anymore
No, it wasn't like those days
Am I still ill?
Oh
Am I still ill?
Oh

Does the body rule the mind
Or does the mind rule the body?
I dunno

Ask me why, and I'll die
Oh, ask me why, and I'll die
And if you must, go to work - tomorrow
Well, if I were you I wouldn't bother
For there are brighter sides to life
And I should know, because I've seen them
But not very often
Under the iron bridge we kissed
And although I ended up with sore lips
It just wasn't like the old days anymore
No, it wasn't like those days
Am I still ill?
Oh
Oh, am I still ill?
Oh

Hand In Glove

Hand in glove
The sun shines out of our behinds
No, it's not like any other love
This one is different - because it's us

Hand in glove
We can go wherever we please
And everything depends upon
How near you stand to me

And if the people stare
Then the people stare
Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care

Kiss my shades

Hand in glove
The good people laugh
Yes, we may be hidden by rags
But we've something they'll never have

Hand in glove
The sun shines out of our behinds
Yes, we may be hidden by rags
But we've something they'll never have

And if the people stare
Then the people stare
Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care

Kiss my shades…oh…

So, hand in glove I stake my claim
I'll fight to the last breath

If they dare touch a hair on your head
I'll fight to the last breath

For the good life is out there somewhere
So stay on my arm, you little charmer

But I know my luck too well
Yes, I know my luck too well
And I'll probably never see you again
I'll probably never see you again
I'll probably never see you again
Oh

What Difference Does It Make?

All men have secrets and here is mine, so let it be known
For we have been through hell and high tide
I can surely rely on you
And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
But still I'd leap in front of a flying bullet for you

So what difference does it make?
So what difference does it make?
It makes none, but, now you have gone
And you must be looking very old tonight

The devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole and I lied, and why? Because you asked me to
But now you make me feel so ashamed
Because I've only got two hands
Well I'm still fond of you, aha ho

So what difference does it make?
What difference does it make?
It makes none, but, now you have gone
And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight

Oh, the devil will find work for idle hands to do
I stole and then I lied just because you asked me to
But now you know the truth about me
You won't see me anymore
Well I'm still fond of you, aha ho

But no more apologies
No more apologies
I'm too tired
I'm so sick and tired
And I'm feeling very sick and ill today
But I'm still fond of you, aha ho

I Don't Owe You Anything

Bought on stolen wine
A nod was the first step
You knew very well
What was coming next

Bought on stolen wine
A nod was the first step
You knew very well
What was coming next

Did I really walk all this way
Just to hear you say :
"Oh, I don't want to go out tonight"?
"Oh, I don't want to go out tonight"

Oh, but you will
For you must

I don't owe you anything, no
But you owe me something
Repay me now

You should never go to them
Let them come to you
Just like I do
Just like I do

You should not go to them
Let them come to you
Just like I do
Just like I do

Did I really walk all this way
Just to hear you say :
"Oh, I don't want to go out tonight"?
"Oh, I don't want to go out tonight"

But you will
For you must

I don't owe you anything, no
But you owe me something
Repay me now

Too freely on your lips
Words prematurely sad
Oh, but I know what will make you smile tonight

Life is never kind
Life is never kind
Oh, but I know what will make you smile tonight

Suffer Little Children

Over the moor, take me to the moor
Dig a shallow grave
And I'll lay me down

Over the moor, take me to the moor
Dig a shallow grave
And I'll lay me down

Lesley-Anne, with your pretty white beads
Oh John, you'll never be a man
And you'll never see your home again
Oh Manchester, so much to answer for

Edward, see those alluring lights?
Tonight will be your very last night

A woman said : "I know my son is dead
I'll never rest my hands on his sacred head"

Hindley wakes and Hindley says :
Hindley wakes, Hindley wakes, Hindley wakes, and says :
"Oh, wherever he has gone, I have gone"

But fresh lilaced moorland fields
Cannot hide the stolid stench of death
Fresh lilaced moorland fields
Cannot hide the stolid stench of death

Hindley wakes and says :
Hindley wakes, Hindley wakes, Hindley wakes, and says :
"Oh, whatever he has done, I have done"

But this is no easy ride
For a child cries :

"Oh, find me…find me, nothing more
We are on a sullen misty moor
We may be dead and we may be gone
But we will be, we will be, we will be, right by your side
Until the day you die
This is no easy ride
We will haunt you when you laugh
Yes, you could say we're a team
You might sleep
You might sleep
You might sleep
BUT YOU WILL NEVER DREAM !
Oh, you might sleep
BUT YOU WILL NEVER DREAM !
You might sleep
BUT YOU WILL NEVER DREAM !"

Oh Manchester, so much to answer for
Oh Manchester, so much to answer for

Oh, find me, find me !
Find me !
I'll haunt you when you laugh
Oh, I'll haunt you when you laugh
You might sleep
BUT YOU WILL NEVER DREAM !
Oh…
Over the moors, I'm on the moor
Oh, over the moor
Oh, the child is on the moor

Meat Is Murder (1985)

The Headmaster Ritual

Belligerent ghouls run Manchester schools
Spineless swines, cemented minds
Sir leads the troops, jealous of youth
Same old suit since 1962
He does the military two-step
Down the nape of my neck

I wanna go home
I don't wanna stay
Give up education
As a bad mistake

Mid-week on the playing fields
Sir thwacks you on the knees
Knees you in the groin
Elbow in the face
Bruises bigger than dinner plates
I wanna go home
I don't wanna stay

Belligerent ghouls run Manchester schools
Spineless bastards all
Sir leads the troops, jealous of youth
Same old jokes since 1902
He does the military two-step
Down the nape of my neck

I wanna go home
I don't want to stay
Give up life
As a bad mistake

Please excuse me from gym
I've got this terrible cold coming on
He grabs and devours
He kicks me in the showers
Kicks me in the showers
And he grabs and devours
I want to go home
I don't want to stay

Rusholme Ruffians

The last night of the fair
By the big wheel generator
A boy is stabbed and his money is grabbed
And the air hangs heavy like a dulling wine

She is Famous, she is Funny
An engagement ring
Doesn't mean a thing
To a mind consumed by brass (money)

And though I walk home alone
I might walk home alone
But my faith in love is still devout

The last night of the fair
From a seat on a whirling waltzer
Her skirt ascends for a watching eye
It's a hideous trait (on her mother's side)
From a seat on a whirling waltzer
Her skirt ascends for a watching eye
It's a hideous trait (on her mother's side)

And though I walk home alone
I might walk home alone
But my faith in love is still devout

Then someone falls in love
And someone's beaten up
Someone's beaten up
And the senses being dulled are mine
And someone falls in love
And someone's beaten up
And the senses being dulled are mine

And though I walk home alone
I might walk home alone
But my faith in love is still devout

This is the last night of the fair
And the grease in the hair
Of a speedway operator
Is all a tremulous heart requires
A schoolgirl is denied
She said: "How quickly would I die
If I jumped from the top of the parachutes?"

This is the last night of the fair
And the grease in the hair
Of a speedway operator
Is all a tremulous heart requires
A schoolgirl is denied
She said: "How quickly would I die
If I jumped from the top of the parachutes?"

So scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen
(This means you really love me)
Scratch my name on your arm with a fountain pen
(This means you really love me)

And though I walk home alone
I just might walk home alone
But my faith in love is still devout
I might walk home alone
But my faith in love is still devout
I might walk home alone
But my faith in love is still devout

I Want The One I Can't Have

On the day that your mentality
Decides to try
To catch up with your biology
Come 'round

'Cause I want the one I can't have
And it's driving me mad
It's all over, all over, all over my face

On the day that your mentality
Catches up with your biology
I want the one I can't have
And it's driving me mad
It's all over, all over, all over my face

A double bed
And a stalwart lover for sure
These are the richest of the poor
A double bed
And a stalwart lover for sure
These are the richest of the poor

And I want the one I can't have
And it's driving me mad
It's all over, all over my face

A tough kid who sometimes swallows nails
Raised on Prisoner's Aid
He killed a policeman when he was thirteen
And somehow that really impressed me
And it's written all over my face

Oh, these are the richest of the poor
These are the richest of the poor

I want the one I can't have
And it's driving me mad
It's written all over my face

On the day that your mentality
Catches up with your biology
And if you ever need self-validation
Just meet me in the alley by the railway station
It's all over my face

What She Said

What she said:
"How come someone hasn't noticed
That I'm dead
And decided to bury me?
God knows, I'm ready !"

What she said was sad
But then, all the rejection she's had
To pretend to be happy
Could only be idiocy

What she said was not for the job or
Lover that she never had
Oh, No no no

What she read
All heady books
She'd sit and prophesize
(It took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead
To really really open her eyes)

What she read
All heady books
She'd sit and prophesize
(It took a tattooed boy from Birkenhead
To really really open her eyes)

What she said:
"I smoke 'cause I'm hoping for an
Early death
and I need to cling to something"

What she said :
"I smoke 'cos I'm hoping for an
Early death
And I need to cling to something"

That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

Park the car at the side of the road
You should know
Time's tide will smother you
And I will too

When you laugh about people
Who feel so very lonely
Their only desire is to die
Well, I'm afraid
It doesn't make me smile

I wish I could laugh
But that joke isn't funny anymore
It's too close to home
And it's too near the bone
It's too close to home
And it's too near the bone
More than you'll ever know

Kick them when they fall down
Kick them when they fall down
You kick them when they fall down
Kick them when they fall down
You kick them when they fall down
Kick them when they fall down
You kick them when they fall down
Kick them when they fall down

It was dark as I drove the point home
And on cold leather seats
Well, it suddenly struck me
I just might die with a smile on my face, after all

I've seen this happen in other people's lives
And now it's happening in mine
I've seen this happen in other people's lives
And now it's happening in mine
I've seen this happen in other people's lives
And now it's happening in mine
I've seen this happen in other people's lives
And now it's happening in mine

How Soon Is Now?

I am the son and the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and the heir of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth, how can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human, and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

I am the son and the heir
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar
I am the son and heir of nothing in particular

You shut your mouth, how can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human, and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

There's a club if you'd like to go
You could meet somebody who really loves you
So you go, and you stand on your own
And you leave on your own
And you go home, and you cry, and you want to die

When you say it's gonna happen now
Well, when exactly do you mean
See I've already waited too long
And all my hope is gone

You shut your mouth, how can you say
I go about things the wrong way
I am human, and I need to be loved
Just like everybody else does

Nowhere Fast

I'd like to drop my trousers to the world
I am a man of means (of slender means)
Each household appliance
Is like a new science in my town

And if the day came when I felt a natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump in the ocean
And when a train goes by
It's such a sad sound, no, no…
It's such a sad thing

I'd like to drop my trousers to the Queen
Every sensible child will know what this means
The poor and the needy
Are selfish and greedy on her terms

And if the day came when I felt a natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably jump in the ocean
And when a train goes by
It's such a sad sound, no, no…
It's such a sad thing

And when I'm lying in my bed
I think about life and I think about death
And neither one particularly appeals to me

And if the day came when I felt a natural emotion
I'd get such a shock I'd probably lie
In the middle of the street and die
I'd lie down and die
Oh, oh

Well I Wonder

Well I wonder
Do you hear me when you sleep?
I hoarsely cry
Well I wonder
Do you see me when we pass?
I half died
Please keep me in mind
Please keep me in mind

Gasping, but somehow still alive
This is the fierce last stand of all I am
Gasping, dying, but somehow still alive
This is the final stand of all I am
Please keep me in mind

Well I wonder
Well I wonder
Please keep me in mind
Keep me in mind
Keep me in mind

Barbarism Begins at Home

Unruly boys
Who will not grow up
Must be taken in hand
Unruly girls
Who will not settle down
They must be taken in hand

A crack on the head
Is what you get for not asking
And a crack on the head
Is what you get for asking

Unruly boys
Who will not grow up
Must be taken in hand
Unruly girls
Who will not settle down
They must be taken in hand

A crack on the head
Is what you get for not asking
And a crack on the head
Is what you get for asking
No … a crack on the head
Is what you get for not asking
And a crack on the head
Is what you get for asking
A crack on the head
Is just what you get
WHY? Because of who you are !
And a crack on the head
Is just what you get
WHY? Because of what you are !
A crack on the head

Because of :
Those things you said
Things you said
The things you did

Unruly boys
Who will not grow
Must be taken in hand
Unruly girls
Who will not grow
They must be taken in hand

Meat Is Murder

Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die

A death for no reason
And death for no reason is MURDER
And the flesh you so fancifully fry
Is not succulent, tasty or kind

It's death for no reason
And death for no reason is MURDER
And the calf that you carve with a smile
It is MURDER
And the turkey you festively slice
It is MURDER
Do you know how animals die?

Kitchen aromas aren't very homely
It's not "comforting", cheery or kind
It's sizzling blood and the unholy stench
Of MURDER

It's not "natural", "normal" or kind
The flesh you so fancifully fry
The meat in your mouth
As you savour the flavour
Of MURDER

NO, NO, NO, IT IS MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT IS MURDER
Oh … and who hears when animals cry?

The Queen Is Dead (1986)

The Queen Is Dead

Farewell to this land's cheerless marshes
Hemmed in like a boar between arches
Her very lowness with her head in a sling
I'm truly sorry - but it sounds like a wonderful thing
Dear Charles, don't you ever crave
To appear on the front of the Daily Mail
Dressed in your mother's bridal veil?

So I checked all the registered historical facts
And I was shocked into shame to discover
How I'm the 18th pale descendant
Of some old queen or other

Has the world changed or have I changed?
Has the world changed or have I changed?
As some 9-year old tough peddles drugs
(I swear I never even knew what drugs WERE)

And so, I broke into the Palace
With a sponge and a rusty spanner
She said, "Eh, I know you and you cannot sing."
I said, "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano."

We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
And talk about precious things
But when you're tied to your mother's apron
No-one talks about castration
We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
And talk about precious things
Like love and law and poverty
These are the things that kill me
We can go for a walk where it's quiet and dry
And talk about precious things
But the rain that flattens my hair
These are things that kill me

Past the Pub that saps your body
And the church who'll snatch your money
The Queen is dead, boys
And it's so lonely on a limb

Past the Pub that wrecks your body
And the church - all they want is your money
The Queen is dead, boys
You can trust me, boys

(life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely
life is very long, when you're lonely)

Frankly, Mr. Shankly

Frankly Mr. Shankly, this position I've held
It pays my way but it corrodes my soul
I want to leave, you will not miss me
I want to go down in musical history

Frankly Mr. Shankly, I'm a sickening wreck
I've got the 21st century breathing down my neck
I must move fast, you understand me
I want to go down in celluloid history, Shankly

Fame, fame, fatal fame
It can play hideous tricks on the brain
But still I'd rather be famous
Than righteous or holy any day, any day, any day

But sometimes I'd feel more fulfilled
Making Christmas cards with the mentally ill
I want to live and I want to love
I want to catch something that I might be ashamed of

Frankly Mr. Shankly, this position I've held
It pays my way and it corrodes my soul
Oh, I didn't realize that you wrote poetry
I didn't realize you wrote such bloody awful poetry, Shankly

Frankly Mr. Shankly, since you ask
You are a flatulent pain the ass
I do not mean to be so rude
But still I must speak frankly, Mr. Shankly

Oh, give us money

I Know It's Over

Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
And as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well, enough said
I know it's over, still I cling
I don't know where else I can go over…

Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
See the sea wants to take me, the knife wants to slit me
Do you think you can help me?

Sad veiled bride, please be happy
Handsome groom, give her room
Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly
Though she needs you more than she loves you
And I know it's over, still I cling
I don't know where else I can go, over over over over…

I know it's over, and it never really began
But in my heart, it was so real
And you even spoke to me and said:
"If you're so funny, then why are you on your own tonight?
And if you're so clever, then why are you on your own tonight?
If you're so very entertaining, then why are you on your own tonight?
If you're so very good looking, why do you sleep alone tonight?
I know, because tonight is just like any other night
It's why you're on your own tonight
With your triumphs and your charms
While they're in each others arms

It's so easy to love, it's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind, over over over over
It's so easy to love, it's so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind, over over…

Love is natural and real
But not for you my love
Not tonight my love
Love is natural and real
But not for such as you and I, my love

Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Mother I can feel the soil falling over my head
Mother I can feel the soil falling over my head
Mother I can feel the soil falling over my head

Oh mother I can feel the soil falling over my head,
Oh mother I can feel the soil falling over my head,
Oh mother I can feel the soil falling over my head.

Never Had No One Ever

When you walk without ease
On these
Streets were you were raised
I had a really bad dream
It lasted 20 years, 7 months, and 27 days
I never, I'm alone, and I
Never, ever oh … had no one ever

Now I'm outside your house
I'm alone
And I'm outside your house
I hate to intrude …
Oh, Alone, I'm Alone, I'm Alone, I'm Alone
I'm Alone, I'm Alone
And I never, never … oh … had no one ever
I never had no one ever
I never had no, no one ever
Had no one never
Never … no …
Oh …

Cemetry Gates

A dreaded sunny day
So I meet you at the cemetry gates
Keats and Yeats are on your side
A dreaded sunny day
So I meet you at the cemetry gates
Keats and Yeats are on your side
While Wilde is on mine

So we go inside and we gravely read the stones
All those people, all those lives
Where are they now?
With loves, and hates
And passions just like mine
They were born
And then they lived
And then they died
It seems so unfair
I want to cry

You say : "'Ere thrice the sun done salutation to the dawn"
And you claim these words as your own
But I've read well, and I've heard them said
A hundred times (maybe less, maybe more)
If you must write prose/poems
The words you use should be your own
Don't plagiarise or take "on loan"
'Cause there's always someone, somewhere
With a big nose, who knows
And who trips you up and laughs
When you fall
Who'll trip you up and laugh
When you fall

You say : "'Ere long done do does did"
Words which could only be your own
And then produce the text
From whence was ripped
(Some dizzy whore, 1804)

A dreaded sunny day
So let's go where we're happy
And I meet you at the cemetry gates
Oh, Keats and Yeats are on your side
A dreaded sunny day
So let's go where we're wanted
And I meet you at the cemetry gates
Keats and Yeats are on your side
But you lose
'Cause weird lover Wilde is on mine

Sure !

Bigmouth Strikes Again

Sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking when
I said I'd like to smash every tooth in your head
Sweetness, sweetness, I was only joking when
I said by rights you should be bludgeoned in your bed.

And now I know how Joan of Arc felt,
Now I Know how Joan of Arc felt,
As the Flames rose to her Roman nose
And her Walk-man started to melt.

Big mouth la da da da da
Big mouth la da da da
Big mouth strikes again and I've got no right to take
My place with the human race

Oh, oh, oh oh oh Big mouth la da da da da
Big mouth la da da da, Big mouth strikes again
And I've got no right to take my place with the
Human race.

And now i know how Joan of Arc felt,
Now i know how Joan of Arc felt,
As the Flames rose to her roman nose
and her hearing aid started to melt

Big mouth la da da da da
Big mouth la da da da da
Big mouth strikes again and i've got no right to take
My place with the human race

Oh,oh,oh oh Big mouth la da da da da…

The Boy With The Thorn In His Side

The boy with the thorn in his side
Behind the hatred there lies
A murderous desire for love
How can they look into my eyes
And still they don't believe me?
How can they hear me say those words
Still they don't believe me?
And if they don't believe me now
Will they ever believe me?
And if they don't believe me now
Will they ever, they ever, believe me?
Oh…

The boy with the thorn in his side
Behind the hatred there lies
A plundering desire for love
How can they see the Love in our eyes
And still they don't believe us?
And after all this time
They don't want to believe us
And if they don't believe us now
Will they ever believe us?
And when you want to live
How do you start?
Where do you go?
Who do you need to know?

Oh…
Oh no…
Oh…
La…

Vicar In A Tutu

I was minding my business
Lifting some lead off
The roof of the Holy Name church
It was worthwhile living a laughable life
To set my eyes on the blistering sight
Of a vicar in a tutu
He's not strange
He just wants to live his life this way

A scanty bit of a thing
With a decorative ring
That wouldn't cover the head of a goose
As Rose collects the money in a cannister
Who comes sliding down the bannister?
The vicar in a tutu
He's not strange
He just wants to live his life this way

The monkish monsignor
With a head full of plaster
Said : "My man, get your vile soul dry-cleaned"
As Rose counts the money in the cannister
As natural as Rain
He dances again
My god !
The vicar in a tutu
Oh yeah
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh …
The vicar in a tutu
Oh yeah
Oh …

The next day in the pulpit
With Freedom and Ease
Combatting ignorance, dust, and disease
As Rose counts the money in the cannister
As natural as Rain
He dances again and again and again

In the fabric of a tutu
Any man could get used to
And I am the living sign
And I'm a living sign
I am a living sign
I'm a living sign
I am a living sign
I'm a living sign
Sign …
I am a living sign

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

Take me out tonight
Where there's music and there's people
And they're young and alive
Driving in your car, I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one anymore

Take me out tonight
Because I want to see people, and I want to see light
Driving in your car, oh, please don't drop me home
Because it's not my home, it's their home
And I'm welcome no more

And if a double decker bus crashes into us
To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure, the priveledge is mine

Take me out tonight
Take me anywhere, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
And in a darkened under-pass
I thought, oh God, my chance has come at last
But then a strange fear gripped me, and I just couldn't ask

Take me out tonight
Oh, take me anywhere, I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
Driving in your car, I never, never want to go home
Because I haven't got one, oh, I haven't got one

And if a double decker bus crashes into us
To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die
And if a ten ton truck kills the both of us
To die by your side
Well, the pleasure, the priveledge is mine

Oh, there is a light, and it never goes out
There is a light, and it never goes out
There is a light, and it never goes out
There is a light, and it never goes out
There is a light, and it never goes out
There is a light, and it never goes out
There is a light, and it never goes out
There is a light, and it never goes out

Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others

From the ice-age to the dole-age, there is but one concern
I have just discovered

Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others (than others)
Some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others (than others)
Some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers

As Anthony said to Cleopatra as he opened a crate of ale
Oh, I say

Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others (than others)
Some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others (than others)
Some girls' mothers are bigger than other girls' mothers

Send me the pillow, the one that you dream on

Send me the pillow, the one that you dream on

And I'll send you mine

Louder Than Bombs (1987)

Is It Really So Strange?

I left the North
I travelled South
I found a tiny house
And I can't help the way I feel
Oh yes, you can kick me
And you can punch me
And you can break my face
But you won't change the way I feel
'Cause I love you
Oh …

And is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange?
I say NO, you say YES
(and you will change your mind)

I left the South
I travelled North
I got confused - I killed a horse
I can't help the way I feel
Oh yes, you can punch me
And you can butt me
And you can break my spine
But you won't change the way I feel
'Cause I love you
Oh …

And is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so strange?
Oh, is it really so, really so strange?
I say NO, you say YES
(But you will change your mind)

I left the North again
I travelled South again
And I got confused - I killed a nun
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
I CAN'T HELP THE WAY I FEEL
(I lost my bag in Newport Pagnell)

Why is the last mile the hardest mile?
My throat was dry, with the sun in my eyes
And I realised, I realised
I could never
I could never, never, never, go back home again

Sheila Take A Bow

Is it wrong to want to live on your own?
No, it's not wrong - but I must know
How can someone so young
Sing words so sad?

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow
Boot the grime of this world in the crotch, dear
And don't go home tonight
Come out and find the one that you love and who loves you
The one that you love and who loves you
Oh…

Is it wrong not to always be glad?
No, it's not wrong - but I must add
How can someone so young
Sing words so sad?

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow
Boot the grime of this world in the crotch, dear
And don't go home tonight
Come out and find the one that you love and who loves you
The one that you love and who loves you

Take my hand and off we stride
Oh, la…
You're a girl and I'm a boy
La…
Take my hand and off we stride
Oh, la…
I'm a girl and you're a boy
La…

Sheila take a, Sheila take a bow
La…
Throw your homework onto the fire
Come out and find the one that you love
Come out and find the one you love

Shoplifters Of The World Unite

Learn to love me
assemble the ways
now, today, tomorrow and always
my only weakness is a list of crime
my only weakness is … well, never mind,
never mind

Oh, shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
hand it over
hand it over
hand it over

Learn to love me
and assemble the ways
now, today, tomorrow, and always
my only weakness is a listed crime
but last night the plans of a future war
was all I saw on Channel Four

Shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
hand it over
hand it over
hand it over

A heartless hand on my shoulder
a push - and it's over
Alabaster crashes down
(six months is a long time)
tried living in the real world
instead of a shell
but before I began …
I was bored before I even began

Shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
unite and take over
shoplifters of the world
take over

Sweet And Tender Hooligan

He was a sweet and tender hooligan
and he swore that he'd never, never do it again
and of course he won't ( not until the next time )

poor old man
he had an "accident" with a three bar fire
but that's OK
because he wasn't very happy anyway

poor woman
strangled in her very own bed as she read
but that's OK
because she was old and she would have died anyway

Don't blame
this sweet and tender hooligan
because he'll never, never do it again
(at least not until the next time)

So jury you've heard every word
but before you decide
would you look into those "Mother-me" eyes
I love life for you, my love, you my love
you my love, you my love

So jury you've heard every word
but before you decide
look into those "Mother-me" eyes
I love you for you my love, you my love
I love you just for you, my love

Don't blame
the sweet and tender hooligan
who claims that
"In the midst of life we are in debt ETC"
ETC! ETC! ETC! ETC!
In the midst of life we are in debt ETC!

Half A Person

Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six long years
On your trail
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent six years on your trail
Six full years of my life on your trail
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life:
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y….W.C.A
I said: "I like it here - can I stay?
I like it here - can I stay?
And, do you have a vacancy
For a Back-scrubber?"
She was left behind, and sour
And she wrote to me on the hour
She said: "In the days when you were
hopelessly poor
I just liked you more…"
So if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life:
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
I went to London and I
I booked myself in at the Y….W.C.A
I said: "I like it here - can I stay?
I like it here - can I stay?
And, do you have a vacancy
For a Back-scrubber?"
Call me morbid, call me pale
I've spent too long on your trail
Far too long
Chasing your tail
And if you have five seconds to spare
Then I'll tell you the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
That's the story of my life
Sixteen, clumsy and shy
The story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
That's the story of my life
The story of my life

London

Smoke
Lingers 'round your fingers
Train
Heave on - to Euston
Do you think you've made
The right decision this time?
You left
Your tired family grieving
And you think they're sad because you're leaving
But didn't you see the Jealousy in the eyes
Of the ones who had to stay behind?
And do you think you've made
The right decision this time?
You left
Your girlfriend on the platform
With this really ragged notion that you'll return
But she knows
That when he goes
He really goes
So do you think you've made
The right decision this time?

Panic

Panic on the streets of London
panic on the streets of Birmingham
I wonder to myself

Could life ever be sane again?
on the Leeds side streets that you slip down
I wonder to myself

Hopes may rise on the Grasmeres
but honey pie, you're not safe here
so you run down
to the safety of the town

but there's panic on the streets of Carlisle
Dublin, Dundee, Humberside
I wonder to myself

Burn down the disco
hang the blessed DJ
because the music that they constantly play
it says nothing to me about my life

Hang the blessed DJ
because the music they constantly play
on the Leeds side streets that you slip down
on the provincial towns that you jog 'round

Hang the DJ
Hang the DJ
Hang the DJ…

Girl Afraid

Girl afraid
Where do his intentions lay?

Or does he even have any?

She says :

"He never really looks at me
I give him every opportunity
In the room downstairs
He sat and stared
In the room downstairs
He sat and stared
I'll never make that mistake again !"

I'll never make that mistake again
I'll never make that mistake again

Boy afraid
Prudence never pays

And everything she wants costs money

"But she doesn't even like me !
And I know because she said so
In the room downstairs
She sat and stared
In the room downstairs
She sat and stared
I'll never make that mistake again !"

Shakespear's Sister

Young bones groan
And the rocks below say :
"Throw your skinny body down, son!"

But I'm going to meet the one I love
So please don't stand in my way
Because I'm going to meet the one I love
No, Mamma, let me go!

Young bones groan
And the rocks below say :
"Throw your white body down!"

But I'm going to meet the one I love
At last! At last! At last!
I'm going to meet the one I love
La-de-da, la-de-da
No, Mamma, let me go!
No…

I thought that if you had
An acoustic guitar
Then it meant that you were
A Protest Singer
Oh, I can smile about it now
But at the time it was terrible
No, Mamma, let me go
No …

William, It Was Really Nothing

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, the rain falls hard on a humdrum town
This town has dragged you down
Oh, no, and everybody's got to live their life
And God knows I've got to live mine
God knows I've got to live mine
William, William it was really nothing
William, William it was really nothing
It was your life…

How can you stay with a fat girl who'll say:
"Oh! Would you like to marry me?
"And if you like you can buy the ring"
She doesn't care about anything
Would you like to marry me?
And if you like you can buy the ring
I don't dream about anyone - except myself!
Oh, William, William it was really nothing
William, William

You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby

If you're wondering why
All the love that you long for eludes you
And people are rude and cruel to you
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why

You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You just haven't earned it, son
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You must suffer and cry for a longer time
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
And I'm telling you now…

If you're wondering why
When all I wanted from life was to be famous
I have tried for so long, it's all gone wrong
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why
But you wouldn't believe me

You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You just haven't earned it, son
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You must suffer and cry for a longer time
You just haven't earned it yet, Baby
And I'm telling you now…
I'll tell you why
I'll tell you why

Today I am remembering the time
When they pulled me back
And held me down
And looked me in the eyes and said
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You just haven't earned it, my son
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
You must stay on your own for slightly longer
You just haven't earned it yet baby
And I'm telling you now…

You just haven't earned it yet, baby
Oh…
You just haven't earned it yet, baby
Oh…
Oh

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now

I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now

In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die?
Two lovers entwined pass me by
And heaven knows I'm miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now

In my life
Oh, why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die?
What she asked of me at the end of the day
Caligula would have blushed
"You've been in the house too long" she said
And I (naturally) fled

In my life
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye?
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now
"You've been in the house too long" she said
And I (naturally) fled

In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die?

Ask

Shyness is nice, and
Shyness can stop you
From doing all the things in life
You'd like to
Shyness is nice, and
Shyness can stop you
From doing all the things in life
You'd like to

So, if there's something you'd like to try
If there's something you'd like to try
Ask me - I won't say no - how could I?

Coyness is nice, and
Coyness can stop you
From saying all the things in
Life you'd like to

So, if there's something you'd like to try
If there's something you'd like to try
Ask me - I won't say no - how could I?

Spending warm summer days indoors
Writing frightening verse
To a buck-toothed girl in Luxembourg

Ask me, ask me, ask me
Ask me, ask me, ask me

Because if it's not love
Then it's the bomb
The bond, the bomb
The bond, the bomb
The bond, the bomb
That will bring us together

Nature is a language - can't you read?
Nature is a language - can't you read?

So, ask me, ask me, ask me
Ask me, ask me, ask me

Because if it's not love
Then it's the bomb
The bomb, the bomb
The bomb, the bomb
The bomb, the bomb
That will bring us together

If it's not love
Then it's the bomb
Then it's the bomb
That will bring us together

So ask me, ask me, ask me
Ask me, ask me, ask me
Oooh

Golden Lights

Golden lights displaying your name
Golden lights it's a terrible shame
But oh my darling
WHY DID YOU CHANGE?

Boy in a million, idol, a big star
I didn't tell you how great you were
I didn't grovel and scream
And rip your brand new jacket at the seams

You made a record, they liked your singing
All of a sudden the phone stops ringing
Ah … I never thought that you would let
The glory make you forget

Golden lights displaying your name
Golden lights it's a terrible shame
But oh my darling
WHY DID YOU CHANGE?

Top ten idol, king of your age
Who do you turn to when you're backstage?
Don't you remember you once knew a girl
You loved her more than the world

Is life always like this, brother?
Good for one side but bad for another
I must put you behind me tonight
'Cause you belong to the lights

Those golden lights displaying your name
Golden lights it's a terrible shame
But oh my darling
WHY DID YOU CHANGE?

Oh, oh my darling
WHY?
WHY DID YOU CHANGE?

Oscillate Wildly

(instrumental)

These Things Take Time

My eyes have seen the glory of the sacred wunderkind
You took me behind a dis-used railway line
And said "I know a place where we can go
Where we are not known"
And then you gave me something that I won't forget too soon
But I can't believe that you'd ever care
And this is why you will never care
But these things take time
I know that I'm
The most inept
That ever stepped

I'm spellbound, oh…but a woman divides
And the hills are alive with celibate cries
But you know where you came from, you know where
You're going and you know where you belong
You said I was ill, and you were not wrong
But I can't believe that you'd ever care
And so, you will never care
But these things take time
And I know that I'm
The most inept
That ever stepped

Oh, the alcoholic afternoons
When we sat in your rooms
They meant more to me
Than any, than any living thing on earth
They had more worth
Than any living thing on earth
On earth, on earth, oh …

Vivid and in your prime
You will leave me behind
You will leave me behind

Rubber Ring

A sad fact widely known
The most impassionate song to a lonely soul is so easily outgrown
But don't forget the songs that made you smile
And the songs that made you cry
When you lay in awe
On the bedroom floor
It's a dull world
Smother me, mother…

The passing of time
And all of it's crimes
Is making me sad again
The passing of time
And all of its sickening crimes
Is making me sad again
But don't forget the songs that made you cry
And the songs that saved your life
Yes, you're older now
And you're a clever swine
But they were the only ones who ever stood by you

The passing of time leaves empty lives waiting to be filled
The passing of time leaves empty lives waiting to be filled
I'm here with a cause
I'm holding a torch
In the corner of your room
Can you hear me?
And when you're dancing and laughing and finally living
Hear my voice in your head and think of me kindly…

Do you Love me like you used to?…

You are sleeping, you don't want to believe, you are sleeping
You don't want to believe
You are sleeping, you do not want to believe, you are sleeping

Back To The Old House

I would rather not go
Back to the old house
I would rather not go
Back to the old house
There's too many
Bad memories
Too many memories
There …
There …
There …
When you cycled by
Here began all my dreams
The saddest thing I've ever seen
And you never knew
How much I really liked you
Because I never even told you
Oh, and I meant to
Are you still there?
Or … have you moved away?
Or have you moved away?
Oh …
I would love to go
Back to the old house
But I never will
I never will …
I never will …
I never will …

Hand In Glove

Hand in glove
The sun shines out of our behinds
No, it's not like any other love
This one is different - because it's us

Hand in glove
We can go wherever we please
And everything depends upon
How near you stand to me

And if the people stare
Then the people stare
Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care

Kiss my shades

Hand in glove
The good people laugh
Yes, we may be hidden by rags
But we've something they'll never have

Hand in glove
The sun shines out of our behinds
Yes, we may be hidden by rags
But we've something they'll never have

And if the people stare
Then the people stare
Oh, I really don't know and I really don't care

Kiss my shades…oh…

So, hand in glove I stake my claim
I'll fight to the last breath

If they dare touch a hair on your head
I'll fight to the last breath

For the good life is out there somewhere
So stay on my arm, you little charmer

But I know my luck too well
Yes, I know my luck too well
And I'll probably never see you again
I'll probably never see you again
I'll probably never see you again
Oh

Stretch Out And Wait

All the lies that you make up
What's at the back of your mind?
Oh, your face I can see
And it's desperately kind
But what's at the back of your mind?

Two icy-cold hands conducting the way
It's the Eskimo blood in my veins
Amid concrete and clay
And general decay
Nature must still find a way
So ignore all the codes of the day
Let your juvenile impulses sway
This way and that way
This way, that way
God, how sex implores you
To let yourself lose yourself

Stretch out and wait
Stretch out and wait
Let your puny body, lie down, lie down
As we lie, you say
As we lie, you say
Stretch out and…
Stretch out and wait
Stretch out and wait
Let your puny body lie down, lie down

As we lie, you say :
Will the world end in the night time?
(I really don't know)
Or will the world end in the day time?
(I really don't know)
And is there any point ever having children?
Oh, I don't know
All I do know is we're here and it's now

So…stretch out and wait
Stretch out and wait
There is no debate, no debate, no debate
How can you consciously contemplate
When there's no debate, no debate?
Stretch out and wait
Stretch out and wait
Stretch out and wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Wait
Oh…

Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want

Good times for a change
See the luck I've had, can make a good man turn bad
So please please please let me
Let me, let me, let me get what I want this time

I haven't had a dream in a long time
See the life I've had, can make a good man bad
So, for once in my life, let me get what I want
Lord knows it would be the first time
Lord knows it would be the first time

This Night Has Opened My Eyes

In a river the color of lead
Immerse the baby's head
Wrap her up in the News Of The World
Dump her on a doorstep, girl
This night has opened my eyes
And I will never sleep again
You kicked and cried like a bullied child
A grown man of twenty-five
Oh, he said he'd cure your ills
But he didn't and he never will
Oh, save your life
Because you've only got one
The dream has gone
But the baby is real
Oh, you did a good thing
She could have been a poet
Or, she could have been a fool
Oh, you did a bad thing
And I'm not happy
And I'm not sad
A shoeless child on a swing
Reminds you of your own again
She took away your troubles
Oh, but then again
She left pain
So, please save your life
Because you've only got one
The dream has gone
But the baby is real
Oh, you did a good thing
She could have been a poet
Or, she could have been a fool
Oh, you did a bad thing
And I'm not happy
And I'm not sad
Oh …
And I'm not happy
And I'm not sad
Oh …
And I'm not happy
And I'm not sad

Unloveable

Oh…
I know I'm unloveable
You don't have to tell me
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours
Oh…

I know I'm unloveable
You don't have to tell me
Oh, message received
Loud and clear
Loud and clear
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours

I know I'm unloveable
You don't have to tell me
For message received
Loud and clear
Loud and clear
Message received
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours

I wear black on the outside
'Cause black is how I feel on the inside
I wear black on the outside
'Cause black is how I feel on the inside

And if I seem a little strange
Well, that's because I am
If I seem a little strange
That's because I am

But I know that you would like me
If only you could see me
If only you could meet me

Oh…
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours
I don't have much in my life
But take it - it's yours
Mmm…
Oh…

Asleep

Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
I'm tired and I
I want to go to bed
Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
And then leave me alone
Don't try to wake me in the morning
'Cause I will be gone
Don't feel bad for me
I want you to know
Deep in the cell of my heart
I will feel so glad to go
Sing me to sleep
Sing me to sleep
I don't want to wake up
On my own anymore
Sing to me
Sing to me
I don't want to wake up
On my own anymore
Don't feel bad for me
I want you to know
Deep in the cell of my heart
I really want to go
There is another world
There is a better world
Well, there must be
Well, there must be
Bye bye.

Strangeways Here We Come (1987)

A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours

Hello…
I am the ghost of Troubled Joe
hung by his pretty white neck
some eighteen months ago
I travelled to a mystical time zone
and I missed my bed
and I soon came home

they said:
"there's too much caffeine
in your blood stream
and a lack of real spice
in your life"
I said:
"leave me alone because I'm alright, dad
surprised to still be on my own…."

Ooh, but don't mention love
I'd hate the strain of the pain again

urrrrrrggghh a rush and a push and the land that
we stand on is ours
it has been before
so it shall be again
and people who are uglier than you and I
they take what they need, and just leave

Ooh, but don't mention love
I'd hate the pain of the strain all over again

urrrrggghh a rush and a push and the land that
we stand on is ours
it has been before
so why can't it be now?
and people who are weaker than you and I
they take what they want from life

Ooh, but don't mention love
no no-don't mention love!

urrrggghhh a rush and a push and the land that we stand on is ours
your youth may be gone
but you're still a yound man
so phone me, phone me, phone me
so phone me, phone me, phone me
Ooh, I think I'm in love
Ooh, I think I'm in love
Ooh, I think I'm in love
Urrgh, I think I'm in lerv

I Started Something I Couldn't Finish

The lanes were silent:
there was nothing, no one, nothing around for miles
I doused our friendly venture
with a hard-faced,
three-word gesture

I started something, I forced you to a zone and you were clearly
never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me, I started something
…and now I'm not too sure

I grabbed you by the guilded beams
Uh, that's what tradition means!
And I doused another venture
with a gesture that was absolutely vile

I started something, I forced you to a zone and you were clearly
never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me, I started something
…and now I'm not too sure

I grabbed you by the guilded beams
Uh, that's what tradition means!
And now eighteen months' hard labour seems…
… fair enough

I started something and I forced you to a zone and you were clearly
Never meant to go
Hair brushed and parted
Typical me, typical me, typical me, I started something
and now I'm not too sure

I started something
I started something
Typical me, typical me, typical me, typical me
typical me, typical me, typical me
I started something and now I'm not too sure!

Death Of A Disco Dancer

The death of a disco dancer
well, it happens a lot' round here
and if you think Peace
is a common goal
well, that goes to show
how little you know

The death of a disco dancer
well, I'd rather not get involved
I never talk to my neighbor
I'd just rather not get involved
Love, peace and harmony
Love, peace and harmony
Oh, very nice
very nice
very nice
very nice
…but maybe in the next world

Love,peace, and harmony
Love,peace, and harmony
Oh , very nice
very nice
very nice
very nice
very nice
but maybe in the next world
maybe in the next world
maybe in the next world

Love,peace,and harmony
Love,peace,and harmony
oh, very nice
very nice
very nice
maybe in the next world
maybe in the next world
the next world
the next world

The death of a disco dancer
The death of a disco dancer
The death of a disco dancer

Girlfriend In A Coma

Girlfriend in a coma, I know, I know, it's serious,
Girlfriend in a coma, I know, I know, it's really serious.
There were times when I could have murdered her,
But you know I would hate anything to happen to her,
No I don't want to see her.

Do you really think she'll pull through?
Do you really think she'll pull through?
Doohoo ohoo oo hoo

Girlfriend in a coma, I know, I know, it's serious,
My, my, my, my, my, my baby, you're mine.
There were times when I could have strangled her,
But you know I would hate anything to happen to her.
Would you please let me see her.

Do you really think she'll pull through,
Do you really think she'll pull through,
Doohoo ohoo oo hoo

Let me whisper my last goodbyes, I know, it's serious.

Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before

Stop me, oh, stop me
Stop me if you think that you've
Heard this one before
Stop me, oh, stop me
Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before

Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
…Only slightly, only slightly less than I used to, my love

I was delayed, I was way-laid
An emergency stop
I smelt the last ten seconds of life
I crashed down on the crossbar
And the pain was enough to make
A shy, bald, buddhist reflect
And plan a mass murder
Who said lied I'd to her?

Oh, who said I'd lied because I never? I never!
Who said I'd lied because I never?
I was detained, I was restrained
And broke my spleen
And broke my knee
(and then he really laced into me)
Friday night in out-patients
Who said I'd lied to her?

Oh, who said I'd lied? - Because I never, I never
Who said I'd lied? - Because I never

Oh, so I drank one
It became four
And when I fell on the floor…
…I drank more

Stop me, oh, stop me
Stop me if you think that you've
Heard this one before
Stop me, oh, stop me
Stop me if you think that you've heard this one before

Nothing's changed
I still love you, oh, I still love you
…Only slightly, only slightly less than I used to, my love

Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me

Last night I dreamt
That somebody loved me
No hope no harm
Just another false alarm

Last night I felt
Real arms around me
No hope, no harm
Just another false alarm

So, tell me how long
Before the last one?
And tell me how long
Before the right one?

The story is old - I know
But it goes on
The story is old - I know
But it goes on

Oh, goes on
And on
Oh, goes on
And on

Unhappy Birthday

I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
because you're evil
and you lie
and if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(but I won't cry)

Loved and lost
and some may say
when usuallly its Nothing
surely you're happy
it should be this way?

I say "No, I'm gonna kill my dog"
"May the lines sag heavy
and deep tonight "

I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday
because you're evil
and you lie
and if you should die
I may feel slightly sad
(But I won't cry)

Loved and lost
and some people say
when usually its Nothing
surely you're happy
it should be this way?

I said "No"
and then I shot myself
so, drink, drink, drink
and be ill tonight
from…. the one you left behind
from the one you left behind
from the one you left behind
from the one you left behind
behind (X6)
Oh unhappy birthday
behind (x4)

Paint A Vulgar Picture

At the record company meeting
On their hands - a dead star
And oh, the plans they weave
And oh, the sickening greed

At the record company party
On their hands - a dead star
The sycophantic slags all say :
"I knew him first, and I knew him well"

Re-issue ! Re-package ! Re-package !
Re-evaluate the songs
Double-pack with a photograph
Extra Track (and a tacky badge)

A-list, playlist
"Please them , please them !"
"Please them !"
(sadly, THIS was your life)

But you could have said no
If you'd wanted to
You could have said no
If you'd wanted to

BPI, MTV, BBC
"Please them ! Please them !"
(sadly this was your life)

But you could have said no
If you'd wanted to
You could have walked away
Couldn't you?

I touched you at the soundcheck
You had no real way of knowing
In my heart I begged "Take me with you …
I don't care where you're going…"

But to you I was faceless
I was fawning, I was boring
Just a child from those ugly new houses
Who could never begin to know

Who could never really know
Oh …

Best of Most of
Satiate the need
Slip them into different sleeves
Buy both, and feel deceived

Climber - new entry, re-entry
World tour ! ("media whore")
"Please the Press in Belgium !"
(THIS was your life…)

And when it fails to recoup?
Well, maybe :
You just haven't earned it yet, baby

I walked a pace behind you at the soundcheck
You're just the same as I am
What makes most people feel happy
Leads us headlong into harm

So, in my bedroom in those 'ugly new houses'
I danced my legs down to the knees
But me and my 'true love'
Will never meet again …

At the record company meeting
On their hands - at last ! - a dead star !
But they can never taint you in my eyes
No, they can never touch you now

No, they cannot hurt you, my darling
They cannot touch you now
But me and my 'true love'
Will never meet again

Death At One's Elbow

Oh Glenn
Don't come to the house tonight
Oh Glenn
Oh Glenn
Don't come to the house tonight
Oh Glenn
Because there's somebody here
Who really really loves you
Oh Glenn

Stay home
Be bored
(It's crap, I KNOW)
Tonight

Oh Glenn
Oh Glenn
Don't come to the house tonight
Oh Glenn
Oh Glenn
Don't come to the house tonight
Because there's somebody here
Who'll take a hatchet to your ear
The frustration it renders me
Hateful, oh …

Oh, don't come to the house tonight
Oh, don't come to the house tonight
Because you'll slip on the
Trail of all my sad remains
That's why, that's why
GOODBYE MY LOVE, GOODBYE MY LOVE
GOODBYE MY LOVE, GOODBYE MY LOVE
GOODBYE MY LOVE, GOODBYE MY LOVE

I Won't Share You

I won't share you, no
I won't share you
With the drive
And ambition
The zeal I feel
This is my time

The note I wrote
As she read, she said
"Has the Perrier gone
Straight to my head
Or is life sick and cruel, instead?"

"YES !"
No - no - no - no - no - no
No - no - no - no - no - no
Oh …

I won't share you, no
I won't share you
With the drive
And the dreams inside
This is my time

Life tends to come and go
That's OK
As long as you know
Life tends to come and go
As long as you know
Know, know, know, know, know
Know, know, know, know

I won't share you, no
I won't share you
With the drive
And the dreams inside
This is my time

I want the freedom and I want the guile
I want the freedom and the guile
Oh, life tends to come and go
As long as you know
Know, know, know, know
Know, know, know, know
Oh …

I won't share you, no
I won't share you
I'll see you somewhere
I'll see you sometime
Darling …