Dinosaur (2009)

Everything passes on, new forms arrive. We will quite naturally vanish in turn- and its interesting to consider that in 200 million years time there will be fossils of human skeletons wearing the faint imprint of wristwatches, fossils of cars and washing machines in dried riverbeds, fossils of bicycle tracks, car treads, footprints in  the rock bearing the Nike swoosh. We mammals scuttled in terror around the feet of the dinosaurs in the Triassic period, and now those dinosaurs have become the chicken bones we toss outside KFC.  The only eternal element of life is the helix, the endless lifespan of Genetic Life. It’s a ladder built out of our bodies, stretching back to the first pseudo-protozoan form… so whilst considering the insignificant flicker of your own existence,  its slightly comforting to bear in mind that through our genes we all play a tiny part in this immortal family history. This was an attempt to write a song about this. To be honest I didn’t do it justice yet. After all, its a big theme- its got 3.8 billion years of sex and death built into it. That’s a lot to pack into four minutes.

DINOSAUR
DIDNT KNOW, HE WOULD FALL
-NOW HE’S GONE.
YEARS GO BY, SO MUCH TIME..
NUMBER ONE, LIVING IT, KILLING IT
-NOW HE’S GONE.
FORM TO FORM, LIFE KEEPS ON

EACH IN TURN
HAS A DAY IN THE SUN.
LIFE GOES ON
FORM TO FORM- TOOTH AND CLAW.
YOU AND ME,
AND EVERYBODY YOU CAN SEE,
ARE ANIMALS -
AND ANIMALS RISE AND FALL.

WE’LL NEVER END
WE CARRY ON
AND WE CAN NEVER KNOW
WHAT WE’LL BECOME.
IT’S SOMETHING OF A SYMPHONY
WHERE THE LITTLE NOTES
WERE YOU AND ME.
SKIN AND BONE, THATS ALL OF US
BECOME THE PAST, BECOME THE DUST
BUT WE’LL NEVER END – WE NEVER END.

Time’s Up (2009)

This song was an attempt to visualise the current state of the world through the imagery of the chaotic end of a selfish and hedonistic party.

SO THATS ALL.
WERE DONE.
WE HAD A LITTLE FUN- NOW WE WISH WE WERE AT HOME.
WE MADE A MESS OF THE PLACE.
NOW, TIMES UP.
AND ITS TOO LATE TO CLEAN UP.
AND EVERYTHING’S MESSED UP.
DRAINED AWAY.

WILL YOU WONDER WHERE YOUR PARTYS GONE?
WHEN THERES NO TIME LEFT TO CARRY ON,
WHEN THERES NOWHERE LEFT TO HIDE?

SO GOODBYE-
SO LONG.
IT SEEMS WERE ALMOST DONE- ITS TIME TO MOVE ALONG.
ITS THE END OF THE LINE,
TIMES UP.
AND ITS TOO LATE TO CLEAN UP.
AND EVERYTHING’S USED UP.
GONE AWAY.

AND IT WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING CLOSE TO ALRIGHT,
ITS THE END OF IT ALL AND IT HAPPENS TONIGHT.
THE HANDS OF THE CLOCK SAY ITS TIME TO BEGIN,
AND NOW EVERYONES EQUAL, YOU’RE ALL GETTING IN.
BUT YOU WONT COME OUT.
GOODBYE.

IF YOU GIVE NOTHING OUT TO NO-ONE.
THEN YOU GET NOTHING BACK FROM NO-ONE IN RETURN.
YOU’RE GIVING NOTHING OUT TO NO-ONE.
YOU’RE GETTING NOTHING BACK FROM NO-ONE IN RETURN.

The Up Sound For Down People (2009)

I always wanted to write the Loser’s National Anthem- this is one of several attempts I’ve made. I wanted to catch that feeling when you are slouching homewards at dawn- dishevelled, reeling, filthy but strangely proud of yourself, sniffing the clean air with pleasure. You feel electric- very much ‘of the world’ yet also detached and above it at the same time. Gutter Aristocracy.

PLEASE DON’T FEEL WRONGED
DON’T GET ME STARTED.
BECAUSE AFTER ALL- LESS IS MORE
LESS IS MORE.
MY PROBLEM WITH EVERYONE- OR MOST OF THEM
IS THEY PRETEND.
WELL I DON’T PRETEND.
YOU SHOULD SAY WHATEVER YOU MEAN
AND TAKE WHATEVER YOU NEED
(AND I KNOW WHO I MEAN)

I MEAN THE MAN IN THE DOORWAY WHO JUST GAVE ME A LIGHT
THE JUNKIES ON THE CORNER WHO ARE HAPPY TO SEE ME.
THEY DON’T CARE HOW LOST THEY ARE
WE DON’T CARE HOW LOST WE ARE.

I’LL NEVER GET TO HEAVEN WITH A STORY LIKE THIS
BUT IN THE WRONG DIRECTION THEY’LL BE HAPPY TO SEE ME.
WHERE THEY DON’T CARE HOW LOST YOU ARE
THEY DON’T CARE HOW LOST YOU ARE.

TO WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING
THAT’S NOT OUR STYLE.
BECAUSE WE KNOW, WE’VE SUNK SO LOW
-WE’VE GOT NO FURTHER TO GO.
SO THERE’S NO REASON TO DEAL WITH THOSE THINGS ANYMORE.
SO POUR OUT SOME ANYTHING
THAT’S JUST MY STYLE.
I’VE SAID BEFORE
THAT LESS IS MORE.
(BUT LESS MEANS MORE
IF IT GETS US OUT OF IT ALL)
-THEN, WE WILL TAKE IT ALL.

THE MAN IN THE DOORWAY WHO JUST GAVE ME A LIGHT
THE JUNKIES ON THE CORNER WHO ARE HAPPY TO SEE ME
THEY DON’T CARE HOW LOST THEY ARE
WE DON’T CARE HOW LOST WE ARE.
I’LL NEVER GET TO HEAVEN WITH A STORY LIKE THIS
BUT IN THE WRONG DIRECTION THEY’LL BE HAPPY TO SEE ME.
WHERE THEY DON’T CARE HOW LOST YOU ARE
THEY DON’T CARE HOW LOST YOU ARE.

THEY DON’T CARE HOW LOST YOU ARE.

BABY, IF WE SINK ANY MORE IN THIS TOWN
THEN WE’RE ALL THE WAY DOWN- ALL THE WAY DOWN…
AND MAYBE IF WE SINK ANY LOWER WE’LL DROWN
ALL THE WAY DOWN ……. MAYBE.

Stay On The Outside (2007)

COULD HAVE BEEN, SHOULD HAVE BEEN 1,2,3
BUT RECENTLY SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO ME.
EVERYTHING ALWAYS CAME EASILY
YET TODAY I WOKE UP AND FELT NOTHING.

COULD I BE, FINALLY, FINDING OUT
THAT THERES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WORTH SHOUTING ABOUT?
AND FACED WITH THE CHOICE OF JUST LOSING MY VOICE,
I’D RATHER SHUT UP AND SAY NOTHING?

ON THE OUTSIDE
WE HAVE TO STICK TOGETHER.
BUT- ON THE DOWNSIDE
YOU’D JUST GET IN THE WAY.
I SEE GREY SKIES AHEAD, AND I FEEL A LITTLE BETTER.
I SEE GREY SKIES AHEAD, AND THATS FINE BY ME.

OH, ALL THE RIGHT PEOPLE SEEM SQUEAKY CLEAN-
WELL ALL THE RIGHT PEOPLE MEAN NOTHING TO ME.
CREEPING AND CHEATING JUST TO STAY ON TRACK,
THEY’LL OFFER ONE HAND THEN PUT A KNIFE IN YOUR BACK.
YOU’LL NOTICE THAT SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG
FIRST THEY OFFER THE WORLD- THEN THEY TURN
AND THEY’RE GONE.
SEEMS THEY KNEW FROM THE START YOU COULD NEVER BELONG.
YOU CAME FROM THE OUTSIDE, YOU’LL STAY ON THE OUTSIDE.

WELL WE’RE FROM THE OUTSIDE – WELCOME ABOARD !
AND WERE HAPPY TO OFFER YOU NOTHING AT ALL !
THIS IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT, SO MAKE NO MISTAKE-
IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS, YOU LOOKED THE WRONG WAY.
YES, IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS YOU’RE IN THE WRONG PLACE
WE’VE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WORTH TRYING TO SAY.
JUST…
WATCH WHERE YOU’RE WALKING.
AND WHO’S IN YOUR WAY.
AND STAY ON THE OUTSIDE.
STAY ON THE OUTSIDE.

Send Out The Clowns (2009)

An attempt to express the disgust/frustration felt by any rational human being who spends more than a few hours looking at the real structure and motivation behind current affairs. You find a blatant pantomime that stinks when you get up close, and endless simple sleight-of-hand tricks intended to keep us all busy looking in the wrong directions.

AND ALL THE LITTLE SLEEPING MEN
ARE RESTLESS IN THEIR SLEEP.
ALL TROUBLED BY THEIR DREAMS OF WHAT COULD BE.
AND EVEN IN THOSE DREAMS
A THOUSAND PETTY SCHEMES
ARE SLICING UP THEIR DIGNITY.
THOSE CLOWNS WHO DANCE BEFORE THEIR EYES
ARE CAREFULLY DISGUISED
AS PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME.
YET NO OTHER MEN ON EARTH
ARE ALLOWED TO DO THEIR WORST
THEN WIPE THEIR DIRTY HANDS ON US.

SO SEND, SEND, SEND
SEND OUT THE CLOWNS.
WE’VE BEEN WATCHING TOO LONG,
WE NEED SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
SEND OUT THE CLOWNS.
WE NEED SOMEONE TO HELP US
SEE, SOMETHING TO HELP US
BREATHE, SOMETHING TO HELP US
BREATHE, SOMETHING TO HELP US
BREATHE.

SENSATION, ALL THIS INFORMATION
STEALS OUR CONCENTRATION
KEEPS US IN A STATE OF APATHY.
AND EVEN WHILST WE SLEEP
A THOUSAND GRINNING CREEPS
ARE FEEDING OFF OUR ENERGIES.
THOSE CLOWNS THAT DANCE BEFORE YOUR EYES
ARE CAREFULLY DISGUISED
AS PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME.
YET NO OTHER MEN ON EARTH
ARE ALLOWED TO DO THEIR WORST
THEN WIPE THEIR DIRTY HANDS ON US.
THEY WIPE THEIR DIRTY HANDS ON US.

SEND, SEND, SEND
SEND OUT THE CLOWNS.
WE’VE BEEN WATCHING TOO LONG,
WE NEED SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON.
SO PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
SEND OUT THE CLOWNS.
WE NEED SOMETHING TO HELP US
SEE, SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON.
SOMETHING TO HELP US BREATHE
SOMETHING TO HELP US BREATHE
SOMETHING TO HELP US BREATHE
SOMETHING TO HELP US BREATHE.

Liars, Vipers, Jokes and Fakes (2009)

If you need this one explained, you need to look closely at the world. There’s a growing chance it might come and take a look at you.

WE HAVE BUILT A SPECIAL PLACE
WHERE THE SECRET PLANES FLY EVERY DAY
WHERE YOU CAN MEET OUR INTERNATIONAL PARTY.
WE’VE PREPARED A PRIVATE ROOM
AND A COMPLIMENTARY ORANGE SUIT.
WELCOME TO THE INTERNATIONAL PARTY.
AND YOU WILL NEVER GO HOME
UNTIL YOU SAY YOU WERE WRONG.
UNTIL THE PLACES YOU LOVE
COMPLETELY BELONG TO US.

WE WONT EAT
AND WE WONT SLEEP
UNTIL WE GET THAT OIL BENEATH YOUR FEET.
WE NEED IT FOR OUR INTERNATIONAL PARTY.
AND IF YOU RAIN ON OUR PARADE
WE’LL TURN YOUR HOMES INTO YOUR GRAVES.
YOU DONT REFUSE THE INTERNATIONAL PARTY.
AND WE WILL NEVER GIVE UP.
AND WE WILL NEVER BACK OFF.
AND WE WILL NEVER BACK DOWN.
AND THERE ARE MILLIONS OF US.

WE HAVE A MAN IN A ROOM
WITH A PHOTOGRAPH OF YOU
AND A VERY LONG LIST.
WE REALLY GET AROUND
EVERYBODY’S WRITTEN DOWN
NO-ONE EVER GETS MISSED.
WE KNOW YOU THROUGH AND THROUGH
KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU
THAN YOU KNOW ABOUT YOURSELF.
WE’VE GOT A MAGICAL MACHINE
THAT HEARS EVERY WORD YOU SPEAK
AND IT CAN WRITE IT ALL DOWN.
SO YOU’D BETTER WATCH YOUR MOUTH
OR WE’LL COME AND KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR.

WE ARE THE LIARS AND VIPERS AND JOKES AND FAKES
EVERYWHERE YOU GO.
THE LIARS AND VIPERS AND JOKES AND FAKES
ON YOUR RADIO.
WE ARE THE LIARS AND THE VIPERS AND THE JOKES AND THE FAKES
IN THE DRIVERS SEAT.
WE ARE THE LIARS AND THE VIPERS AND THE CLOWNS
AT THE WHEEL OF HISTORY.
AND YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN MEAT
SO LISTEN CAREFULLY-

UNLESS WE GET EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.
YOU’LL SEE EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE.
UNLESS WE GET EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT.
YOU’LL SEE EXACTLY WHO WE ARE.

NOW YOU ALL BELONG TO US.
NOW YOU ALL BELONG TO US.
NOW YOU ALL BELONG TO US.
NOW YOU ALL BELONG TO US.
NOW YOU ALL BELONG TO US.