In high school and college I dreamed of putting a band together, called Cheesecake And The Lowgrades. It never materialized, but I wrote enough lyrics for an elpee's worth of tunes. Here they are, unexpurgated and contextless:
THE CONVERSATION
Him:
You say you don't mind living
In the shadow of him
But then you’re not giving
You're just giving in
Her:
My existence is fine
If he's happy them I'm
My place is by his side
Where our paths won't collide
Him:
Just because you're his wife
Means you can't live your life?
Because of that role
You can't strive for your goal?
Her:
You don't understand
I need to stay manned
My psyche is such
That I often need a crutch
Him:
Are you telling me then
It's not him, it's his position
That inhibits your yen
To act through volition?
Her:
I chose him through free will
So I believe that therefore
He's someone I care for
And not just any run-of-the-mill
Him:
I believe you think it's true
That the choice was up to you
But it's just another cunning case
Of his manipulative grace
Her:
I'll need some time to think this through
If what you're saying is true
I'd feel used, abused, and saddened too
And then I wouldn't know wrhat to do
Him:
I know a way that you could be
free from all his tyranny
The answer is, oh don't you see
That you should run away with me
GOING SHOPPING
I'm going to the store today
The brand names are more expensive
But they're also of higher quality
I don't mind paying extra for them
YOU WRECKED 'IM
You couldn't give 'im a break
You had to give 'im more than he could take
It was obvious to all he needed out of your clutches
Now he'll be lucky if he makes it with crutches
I knew from the start that the road would be rocky
With you in the driver's seat all cool and cocky
Out of control, you pushed 'im down to the floor
And if this hadn't happened, you'd've probably done more
An accident you say?
You meant to protect 'm? I say no way
You wrecked 'im
You said, "I'll steer 'im in the right direction
He'll be the object of all my affection"
And when you spoke of breaking through the shield he’d made
Did you ever consider the impact on his head?
Never move an injured person is what we’re all taught
For worse can result—attempted help all for naught
But you like playing games with fears
And worsened the blow by shifting gears
An accident you say?
You meant to protect 'im? I say no way
You wrecked 'im
Alone in a hospital bed
Lacerations about the head
It hurts to laugh
It hurts to cry
It must be time for my med
An accident you say?
You meant to protect 'im? I say no way
You wrecked 'im
FLEETING DARLINGS
Well I'm not made of paper so thin
But I might just as well have been
I wonder who’s my favorite today
I have to choose my favorite today
Black on white—a good graphic technique
Black and White—my pick of the week
The ink comes off all over my hands
So I can write about the fingerprints band
Oh, but it's a crime to be understood
I'd be more cryptic if I could
Lifting ideas from poetry and prose
Obscure references abound--and so it goes
Oh, come to my arms my fleeting darling
For tomorrow you'll be a fading starling
Dance with me to a disco beat
For you'll be passé in another week
All I want to do is review you
All I want to do is screw you
Open me up and read all my pages
Then stick me in a drawer to keep for all ages
Give me your number and I’ll write you up
My stock is glossy and my graphics the top
I can teach you all about right and wrong
It's right from left that's confused my song
TRIP INTO TOWN
Uh-oh!
That guy up ahead is in my seminar
Check my watch -- what time is it?
Take normal steps
Look in that store window
Is my wallet still there?
Here it comes -- keep those eyes lowered! Ready
Look up. Smile-go!-"Hi!"
Hey!
What does that girl's t-shirt say?
Quick -- while she's talking to the saleswoman
Damn. Only caught the upper half
...Drop my keys
Can't look -- she's looking here now
Walk casually (casually!) away
One more quick glance?
No way
Oops!
Spilled my milk
Next table is watching
Make light -- shake your head! Smile!
No use. They're staring
Look out the window
No squirrels to watch!
OK -- clean up the rest
Eat up and get out
IF YOU WEREN’T HERE
As a child I thought
I looked like a monster
When the lights were out
As an adult I know
I look like a monster
When the lights are on
Oh, if only you could see me
When you’re not around
I let the thoughts go
I let the feelings come
I know I could love you
If you weren’t around
If you weren’t here
I’d look into your eyes
And whisper in your ear
And we’d look back at the lies
I’d been living for years
And there’d be no surprises
As we’d both shed our tears
And laugh in the darkness
And forget all our fears
If you weren’t here
(NOT) READY
I need to know
What's dirty and what's clean
What's beautiful and what's obscene
Where to draw the line between
Until I find out
I won't act, I'll dream
Is it cold then warm
Is it warm then cold
Or something else
I need to know
A kiss is clean
A kiss is dirty
A touch is everything
A touch is nothing
Am I innocent
Am I guilty
BROKEN CAR
I'll be a broken car
That no one wants to drive
I'll be a broken car
That no one wants to revive
I'll be a broken car
Too far gone to repair
I'll be a broken car
Too far gone to care
Don't take a chance
With a broken car
There's no hope for romance
With a broken car
No one will control me
When I'm a broken car
No one will own me
When I'm a broken car
I'm a broken car
With a risk-free existence
I'm a broken car
Needing nothing for subsistence
Don't take a chance
With a broken car
There's no hope for romance
With a broken car |
