Morrissey

Morrissey - Lyrics

Track list MUTE WITNESS . . . . . . . . 11
KING LEER . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Viva Hate 3 FOUND FOUND FOUND . . . . 12
ALSATIAN COUSIN . . . . . . 3 DRIVING YOUR GIRL-
LITTLE MAN, WHAT NOW? . 3 FRIEND HOME . . . . . . 12
EVERYDAY IS LIKE SUNDAY 3 THE HARSH TRUTH OF THE
BENGALI IN PLATFORMS . . 3 CAMERA EYE . . . . . . . 12
ANGEL, ANGEL, DOWN WE (I’M) THE END OF THE FAM-
GO TOGETHER . . . . . . 4 ILY LINE . . . . . . . . . . 13
SUEDEHEAD . . . . . . . . . . 4 THERE’S A PLACE IN HELL
LATE NIGHT, MAUDLIN FOR ME AND MY
STREET . . . . . . . . . . 4 FRIENDS . . . . . . . . . . 13
BREAK UP THE FAMILY . . . 5
THE ORDINARY BOYS . . . . 5 Your Arsenal 14
I DON’T MIND IF YOU FOR- YOU’RE GONNA NEED
GET ME . . . . . . . . . . 5 SOMEONE ON YOUR SIDE 14
´
DIAL-A-CLICHE . . . . . . . . . 6 GLAMOROUS GLUE . . . . . . 14
MARGARET ON THE GUIL- WE’LL LET YOU KNOW . . . 14
LOTINE . . . . . . . . . . . 6 THE NATIONAL FRONT DISCO 14
CERTAIN PEOPLE I KNOW . 15
Bona Drag 7 WE HATE IT WHEN OUR
PICCADILLY PALARE . . . . . 7 FRIENDS BECOME SUC-
INTERESTING DRUG . . . . . 7 CESSFUL . . . . . . . . . . 15
NOVEMBER SPAWNED A YOU’RE THE ONE FOR ME,
MONSTER . . . . . . . . . 7 FATTY . . . . . . . . . . . 15
WILL NEVER MARRY . . . . . 8 SEASICK, YET STILL DOCKED 15
SUCH A LITTLE THING I KNOW IT’S GONNA HAP-
MAKES SUCH A BIG PEN SOMEDAY . . . . . . 16
DIFFERENCE . . . . . . . 8 TOMORROW . . . . . . . . . . 16
THE LAST OF THE FA-
MOUS INTERNA- Vauxhall and I 17
TIONAL PLAYBOYS . . . 8 NOW MY HEART IS FULL . . 17
OUIJA BOARD, OUIJA BOARD 8 SPRING-HEELED JIM . . . . . 17
HAIRDRESSER ON FIRE . . . 9 BILLY BUDD . . . . . . . . . . 17
HE KNOWS I’D LOVE TO SEE HOLD ON TO YOUR FRIENDS 17
HIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 THE MORE YOU IGNORE
YES, I AM BLIND . . . . . . . . 9 ME, THE CLOSER I GET 18
LUCKY LISP . . . . . . . . . . . 9 WHY DON’T YOU FIND OUT
DISAPPOINTED . . . . . . . . 10 FOR YOURSELF . . . . . 18
I AM HATED FOR LOVING . . 18
Kill Uncle 11 LIFEGUARD SLEEPING,
OUR FRANK . . . . . . . . . . . 11 GIRL DROWNING . . . . 18
ASIAN RUT . . . . . . . . . . . 11 USED TO BE A SWEET BOY . 19
SING YOUR LIFE . . . . . . . . 11 THE LAZY SUNBATHERS . . . 19

2 TRACK LIST

SPEEDWAY . . . . . . . . . . . 19 THE LOOP . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
PREGNANT FOR THE LAST
Southpaw Grammar 20 TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
THE TEACHERS ARE SKIN STORM . . . . . . . . . . 27
AFRAID OF THE PUPILS 20 COSMIC DANCER . . . . . . . 27
READER MEET AUTHOR . . . 20 MY LOVE LIFE . . . . . . . . . 27
THE BOY RACER . . . . . . . 20 I’VE CHANGED MY PLEA TO
THE OPERATION . . . . . . . 21 GUILTY . . . . . . . . . . . 27
DAGENHAM DAVE . . . . . . . 21 YOU’VE HAD HER . . . . . . . 27
DO YOUR BEST AND DON’T JACK THE RIPPER . . . . . . 28
WORRY . . . . . . . . . . . 21
LET THE RIGHT ONE SLIP IN 28
BEST FRIEND ON THE PAY-
PASHERNATE LOVE . . . . . . 28
ROLL . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
THERE SPEAKS A TRUE
SOUTHPAW . . . . . . . . . . . 22
FRIEND . . . . . . . . . . . 28
B-Sides 23 INTERLUDE . . . . . . . . . . . 28
I KNOW VERY WELL HOW I I’D LOVE TO . . . . . . . . . . 29
GOT MY NAME . . . . . . 23 MOONRIVER . . . . . . . . . . 29
OH WELL, I’LL NEVER LEARN 23 BOXERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
SISTER I’M A POET . . . . . . 23 HAVE-A-GO MERCHANT . . . 29
MICHAEL’S BONES . . . . . . 23 WHATEVER HAPPENS, I
EAST WEST . . . . . . . . . . . 23 LOVE YOU . . . . . . . . . 30
GIRL LEAST LIKELY TO . . . 24 NOBODY LOVES US . . . . . . 30
AT AMBER . . . . . . . . . . . 24 YOU MUST PLEASE RE-
GET OFF THE STAGE . . . . . 25 MEMBER . . . . . . . . . . 30
JOURNALIST WHO LIE . . . . 25 SUNNY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
TONY THE PONY . . . . . . . 25 BLACK-EYED SUSAN . . . . . 31
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT . . 26 A SWALLOW ON MY NECK . 31

Viva Hate 3

Viva Hate
ALSATIAN COUSIN did that swift eclipse he does not want to depress
torture you? you
Were you and he lovers?
a star at eighteen oh no no no no no
and would you say so if you
and then - suddenly gone
were? he only wants to impress
down to a few lines
on a forecourt you
in the back page
on a Friday
of a teenage annual Bengali in platforms
passing my way
Were you and he Lovers? oh but I remembered you he only wants to embrace
and if you were, then say I looked up to you your culture
that you were! and to be your friend for-
on a groundsheet EVERYDAY IS LIKE ever
under canvas SUNDAY
with your tent-ﬂap Bengali, Bengali
Trudging slowly over wet
open wide oh shelve your Western
sand
A note upon his desk: plans
back to the bench where
“P.S. Bring Me Home And
your clothes and understand
Have Me!”
were stolen that life is hard enough
Leather elbows on a tweed
this is the coastal town when you belong here
coat
that they forgot to close
- Oh! - A silver-studded rim that
down
Is that the best you can do? glistens
Armageddon - come Ar-
So came his reply:
mageddon and an ankle-star
“...but on the desk is where
I want you!” come Armageddon - come that. . . blinds me
So I ask (even though I Everyday is like Sunday a lemon sole so very high
know): everyday is silent and grey
hide on the promenade which only reminds me, to
were you and he Lovers? tell you
etch on a postcard
How I Dearly Wish I Was so I break the news gently
LITTLE MAN, WHAT
Not Here
NOW? I break the news to your
in the seaside town
gently
An afternoon nostalgia that they forgot to bomb
television show come, come Nuclear bomb! “Shelve your plans”
you spoke in silhouette everyday is like Sunday Bengali, Bengali
(but they couldn’t name everyday is silent and grey
it’s the touchy march of
you) trudging back over pebbles
time
although the panel were and sand
very polite to you and a strange dust lands on that binds you
but I remembered you your hands don’t blame me
from Friday nights 1969 (and on your face)
ATV - you murdered every everyday is like Sunday don’t hate me
line “win yourself a cheap tray” just because I’m the one to
too old to be share some grease-tea with tell you
a child star me that life is hard enough
too young to take leads everyday is silent and grey
four season passed when you belong here
and they axed you shelve your Western plans
BENGALI IN
nervous juvenile
PLATFORMS life is hard enough
(won’t smile!)
What became of you? No no no when you belong here

4 Viva Hate

ANGEL, ANGEL, I’m so sorry but I think it’s you in my
DOWN WE GO Why do you come here room
TOGETHER when you know it makes by the bed (. . . yes, I told
things hard for me? you it was silly. . . )
Angel, Angel
when you know, oh and I know
don’t take your life tonight
why do you come? I took strange pills
I know they take
You had to sneak into my but I never meant to hurt
and that they take in turn
room you
and they give you nothing
just to read my diary oh truly I love you
real
it was just to see I came home late one night
for yourself in return
everyone had gone to bed
and when they’ve used you all the things you knew
I’d written about you nobody stays up for you
and they’ve broken you
when you have sixteen
and wasted all your money but so many blank pages
I’m so very sickened, oh stitches
and cast your shell aside
all around your head
and when they’ve bought I’m so sickened NOW
the last bus I missed to
you
LATE NIGHT, Maudlin Street
and they’ve sold you
MAUDLIN STREET so, he drove me home in the
and they’ve billed you
Van
for the pleasure
The last night on Maudlin complaining: “Women
and they’ve made your par-
Street only like me
ents cry
goodbye house for my mind. . . ”
I will be here
goodbye stairs Don’t leave your torch be-
believe me
I was born here hind
I will be here
I was raised here, and power-cuts ahead
. . . believe me
. . . I took some stick here as we crept through the
Angel, don’t take your life
love at ﬁrst sight park
some people have got no
may sound trite but no I cannot steal a pair
pride
but it’s true, you know of jeans
they do not understand
the Urgency of life I could list the details oﬀ a clothesline for you
but I love you more than of everything you ever wore but you. . . without clothes
life or said, or how you stood oh I could not keep a
I love you more than life that day straight face
I love you more than life and as we spend the last me - without clothes?
I love you more than life night well a nation turns its back
on Maudlin Street, I say and gags. . .
“goodbye house - forever!” I’m packed
SUEDEHEAD
I never stole a happy hour I am moving house
Why do you come here around here a half-life disappears today
and why do you hang Where the world’s ugliest every slag waves me on
around? boy (secretly wishing me gone
I’m so sorry became what you see well, I will be soon
I’m so sorry here I am - the ugliest man oh - I will be soon)
why do you come here It’s the last night on there were bad times on
when you know it makes Maudlin Street Maudlin Street
things hard for me? and truly I do love you when they took you away
when you know, oh oh, truly I love you in a police car
why do you come? When I sleep with that pic- dear Inspector - don’t you
Why do you telephone ture of know?
and why send me silly you framed beside my bed don’t you care?
notes? oh, it’s childish and it’s don’t you know - about
I’m so sorry silly Love?

Viva Hate 5

Your gran died now, does that sound mad? I DON’T MIND IF
and yor mother died Captain of games, solid YOU FORGET ME
on Maudlin Street framed
in pain and ashamed I stood on the touchline I don’t mind
with never time to say hailstones, driven home
I don’t mind if you forget
those special things in his car - no brakes?
me
I took the keys from I don’t mind
Maudlin Street I’m just so glad to grow having learned my lesson
well, it’s only bricks and older I never left an impression
mortar! to move away from those on anyone
and. . . truly I do love you darker years
wherever you are so now you send me your
I’m in love for the first time
wherever you are hardened ’regards’
and I don’t feel bad
so wish me luck my friends when once you’d send me
BREAK UP THE goodbye ‘love’
FAMILY sincerely I must tell you
The strange logic THE ORDINARY your mild ‘best wishes’
of your clumsiest line BOYS
they make me suspicious
stayed emblazoned on my Ordinary boys
mind but I don’t mind
happy knowing nothing
break up the family I don’t mind if you forget
happy being no one, but
and let’s begin to live our me
themselves
lives
Ordinary girls, supermar- having learned my lesson
I went to see
ket clothes I never left
all my friend tonight
who think it’s very clever
it wasn’t Youth, it wasn’t an impression on anyone
to be cruel to you
even Life
for you were so different the pressure to change, to
born Old, sadly wise
you stood all alone move on
resigned (well, we were)
and you knew was strange
to ending our lives
I’m so glad to grow older that it had to be so
avoiding ordinary boys and very strong
to move away from those
awful times happy going nowhere so this is why I tell you
I want to see all my friends just around here I really do understand
tonight in their rattling cars
and ordinary girls bye bye
Yes you found love but you
weren’t never seeing further I don’t mind if you forget
at peace with your life than the cold, small streets me
home late, full of Hate that trap them no no no no no no no
despise the ties that bind but you were so different
you had to say no rejection is one thing
oh I’m so glad to grow older
to move away from those when those empty fools but rejection from a fool
younger years tried to change you, and is cruel
now I’m in love for the first claim you
for the lair of their ordinary rejection is one thing
time
and I don’t feel bad world but rejection from a fool
Let me see all my old where they feel so lucky is cruel
friends so lucky, so lucky
let me put my arms around with their lives laid out be- and I don’t mind if you for-
them fore them get me
because I really do love they’re so lucky, so lucky I don’t mind if you forget
them so lucky, so lucky me

6 Viva Hate

´
DIAL-A-CLICHE because people like you
make me feel so old inside
Further into the fog I fall
please die
well, I was just
and kind people
following you! do not shelter this dream
when you said: make it real
“Do as I do make the dream real
and scrap your fey ways” make the dream real
(dial-a-clich´ )
e make it real
“grow up, be a man, and
close
your mealy-mouth!”
(dial-a-clich´ )
e
But the person underneath
where does he go?
does he slide by the way-
side?
or. . . does he just die?
when you ﬁnd that you’ve
organised
your feelings, for people
who didn’t like you then
and certainly don’t like you
now
yet still you say:
“Do as I do
and scrap your fey ways”
(dial-a-clich´ )
e
“grow up, be a man, and
close
your mealy-mouth!”
(dial-a-clich´ )
e
“the Safe way is the only
way!
there’s always time to
change, son!”
yes well I’ve changed
but I’m in pain!
(dial-a-clich´ )
e

MARGARET ON
THE GUILLOTINE
The kind people
have a wonderful dream
Margaret on the guillotine
because people like you
make me feel so tired
when will you die?
when will you die?
when will you die?
when will you die?
when will you die?

Bona Drag 7

Bona Drag
PICCADILLY INTERESTING spawned a monster
PALARE DRUG in the shape of this child
who later cried:
Off the rails I was and There are some bad people
“But Jesus made me, so
off the rails on the rise
Jesus save me from
there are some bad people
I was happy to stay pity, sympathy
on the rise
GET OUT OF MY WAY and people discussing me”
they’re saving their own
on the rack I was a frame of useless limbs
skins by
“easy meat” what can make GOOD
ruining people’s lives
all the BAD that’s been
but a reasonably good buy bad, bad people on the rise
done?
a reasonably good buy Young married couple in
And if the lights were out
the Piccadilly palare debt
could you even bear
- ever felt had?
was just silly slang to kiss her full on the
young married couple in
between me and the boys in mouth
debt
my gang (or anywhere?)
- ever felt had?
“so bona to vada, OH YOU on a government scheme poor twisted child
your lovely eek and designed to kill your dream so ugly, so ugly
your lovely riah” oh mum, oh dad poor twisted child
once poor - always poor oh hug me, oh hug me
We plied an ancient trade
la la la la one November
where we threw all life’s
interesting drug spawned a monster
instructions away in the shape of this child
the one that you took
exchanging lies and digs who must remain
TELL THE TRUTH - IT
(my way) a hostage to kindness
REALLY HELPED YOU
well, in a belted coat and the wheels underneath
interesting drug
oh I secretly knew the one that you took her
that I hadn’t a clue God, it really really helped a hostage to kindness
the Piccadilly palare you and the wheels underneath
I wonder why you’re only her
was just silly slang
half-ashamed? a symbol of where mad,
between me and the boys in
“Because ENOUGH is mad lovers
my gang
TOO MUCH! must PAUSE and draw the
exchanging palare line
and look around. . .
you wouldn’t understand So sleep and dream of love
. . . can you blame us? CAN
good sons like you you blame us?” because it’s the closest
NEVER DO you will get to love
So why do you smile that November
NOVEMBER
when you think about is a time
SPAWNED A
Earls Court? which I must
MONSTER
but you cry when you think put OUT of my mind
of all Sleep on and dream of Love oh one fine day
because it’s the closest you LET IT BE SOON
the battles you’ve fought
will she won’t be rich or beau-
(and lost)?
get to love tiful
it may all end tomorrow poor twisted child but she’ll be walking your
or, it could go on forever so ugly, so ugly streets
(in which case: I’m poor twisted child in the clothes that she went
doomed) oh hug me, oh hug me out
it could go on forever. . . one November and chose for herself

8 Bona Drag

WILL NEVER Most people keep their In our lifetime those who
MARRY brains kill
between their legs the newsworld hands them
I’m writing this to say
(don’t you find? ) stardom
in a gentle way
Leave me alone - I was only and these are the ways
Thank You - but no
singing on which I was raised
I will live my life as I these are the ways
leave me alone because
will undoubtedly die - on which I was raised
I was only singing
alone but I never wanted to kill
leave me alone - I was only
I’m writing this to say I AM NOT NATURALLY
singing
in a gentle way EVIL
leave me alone
Thank You. . . such things I do
you have just proved
I will live my life as I. . . just to make myself
(again)
for whether you stay more attractive to you
MOST PEOPLE KEEP
or you stray HAVE I FAILED?
THEIR BRAINS
an inbuilt guilt catches up
BETWEEN THEIR LEGS
with you
OUIJA BOARD,
and as it comes around to
THE LAST OF THE OUIJA BOARD
your place
at 5 a.m. it wakes you up FAMOUS Ouija board
and it laughs in your face INTERNATIONAL would you work for me?
PLAYBOYS I have got to say Hello
SUCH A LITTLE to an old friend
Dear hero imprisoned
THING MAKES Ouija board, ouija board
with all the new crimes
SUCH A BIG would you work for me?
that you are perfecting
DIFFERENCE I have got to get through
oh I can’t help quoting you
to a good friend
Such a little thing because
She has now gone
such a little thing everything that you said
from this Unhappy Planet
but the difference it made rings true
with all the carnivores
was grave and now in my cell
and the destructors on it
there you go (well, I followed you)
ouija board, ouija board
wielding a bicycle chain and here’s a list of who I
would you help me
oh why won’t you change slew
because I still do feel
change and be nicer? Reggie Kray - do you know so horribly lonely
such a little thing my name? would you, ouija board
a gentle tone of kindness don’t say you don’t would you, ouija board
or written words on paper please say you do, I am would you help me
- can you write? the last of the famous because I just can’t find
How I love all of international playboys my place in this world
the very simple things of the last of the famous she has now gone
life international playboys from this Unhappy Planet
(God’s good air) and now in my cell with all the carnivores
how I love all of (well, I loved you) and the destructors on it
the very simple things of every man with a job to do Oh hear my voice(“hear my
life Ronnie Kray - do you know voice”)
such a little thing my face? oh hear my voice(“hear my
a fumbling politeness don’t say you don’t voice”)
the difference it saved me please say you do, I am The table is rumbling. . .
wielding a bicycle chain the last of the famous the table is rumbling
“I WILL NOT CHANGE international playboys the glass is moving
AND I WILL NOT BE the last of the famous “no, I was NOT pushing
NICE” international playboys that time”:

Bona Drag 9

P.U.S.H.O.double F HE KNOWS I’D ‘cause in my sorry way I
LOVE TO SEE HIM love you
Love’s young dream
HAIRDRESSER ON He Knows (he knows)
aren’t you sorry
FIRE Or, I think he does
for what you’ve done?
because when I lived
Here is London, here is well, you’re not the only
in the Arse of the world. . . one
London
he knows, he knows and in my sorry way I love
is it home of the free -
he knows I’d love you
or what?
to see him happy Yes, I am blind
can you squeeze me (or as close as is allowed)
into an empty page of your but I do see
because when I lived Evil people prosper
diary in the Arse of the world. . .
and psychologically save over the likes of you and me
he knows, he knows ALWAYS
me he knows I’d love
I’ve got faith in you Little lamb
to see him happy on a hill
I sense the power (or as close as possible run fast if you can
in the fingers as close as possible good Christians
within an hour the power as close as is allowed) want to KILL you
can totally destroy me My name still conjours up and your life has not even
(or, it could save my life) deadly deeds begun!
here in London and a bad taste in the
‘home of the brash, outra- mouth
geous LUCKY LISP
the police - they actually
and free’ know me When your gift unfurls
you may be repressed they said: when your Talent becomes
but you’re remarkably “You’re just another per- apparent
dressed son in the world I will roar from the stalls
is it Real? you’re just another fool I will gurgle from the circle
and we’re all so busy with radical views The Saints smile shyly
busy scissors you’re just another who has down on you
busy clippers maddening views they couldn’t get over
hairdresser on fire you want to turn it on its your nine-leaved clover
all alone, Sloane Square head Lucky lisp was not wasted
by staying in bed!” on you
oh you’re far too busy
I said: “I know I do” lucky lisp wasn’t wasted on
to see me
you
“busy, busy”
YES, I AM BLIND When your name is with
hairdresser on fire’s
the best
half day. . . Yes, I am blind will my name be on your
Was a client over-cautious no, I can’t see guest list?
he made you nervous the good things I will roar from the stalls
and when he said just the bad things oh the balcony fool was me,
“I’m gonna sue you” Yes, I am blind you fool
I really felt for you no, I can’t see Jesus made this all for you,
so can you squeeze me there must be something love
into an empty page of your horribly wrong with me? He couldn’t get over
diary Love’s young dream your Grandma’s omen
and supernaturally change I’m the one who shopped Lucky lisp was not wasted
me you on you
CHANGE. . . CHANGE I’m the one who stopped lucky lisp wasn’t wasted on
ME. . . you you

10 Bona Drag

DISAPPOINTED
Our unsleepable friend
gets the message on an ill-
wind
‘all your friends and your
foes
would rather die than have
to touch you’
TO SAY THE LEAST:
truly disappointed
truly, truly, truly
Drank too much
said too much
and there’s nowhere to go -
but Down
young boy - I wanna help
you
SEE THESE LINES?:
truly disappointed
truly, truly, truly
Don’t talk to me now
about people who are
“nice”
‘cause I have spent my
WHOLE LIFE
in RUINS. . .
because of people who were
“nice”
This world may lack Style,
I know
but each bud must blossom
and grow
Young girl one day we re-
ally will be old
but the thing is: I love you
NOW
This is the last song I will
ever sing
No I’ve changed my mind
again
GOODNIGHT
AND THANK YOU

Kill Uncle 11

Kill Uncle
OUR FRANK what drugs are you on? oh sing your life
Tooled-up Asian boy oh sing your life
Our frank and open
has come here to avenge Others sang your life
deep conversations
the cruel, cold killing but now’s your chance to
they get me nowhere
of his very best friend shine
they bring me down, so
Tooled-up Asian boy and have the pleasure of
give it a rest, won’t you? has come here to take re- saying what you mean
give me a cigarette venge the rare pleasure of
God give me patience for the cruel, cold killing meaning what you sing
just no more conversation of his only friend oh, make no mistake, my
Give us a drink Peace through the school friend
and make it quick so quiet in the hall all of this will end
or else I’m gonna be sick it’s a strange sign for one so sing it now
sick all over of what’s to come all the things that you love
your frankly vulgar Tough and hard and pale
red pullover all the things that you
oh they may just impale loathe
now see how the colours you on railings
blend oh sing your life
oh English boys the things you love
Our frank and open it must be wrong
deep conversations the things you loathe
three against one? oh sing your
they get me nowhere Brakes slammed, and
they bring me down, so oh sing your
a gun jammed, and Don’t leave it all unsaid
give it a rest, won’t you? as far as I could tell
now will you just give over somewhere in the waste-
brave Asian boy
the world may be ending land of your head
dealt a blow and fell
but look, I’m only human and make no mistake, my
I’m just passing through
Give us a drink friend
here
and make it quick your pointless life will end
on my way to somewhere
or else I’m gonna be sick but before you go
civilised
all over can you look at the truth?
and maybe I’ll even arrive
your frankly vulgar You have a lovely singing
maybe I’ll even arrive?
red pullover voice
now see how the two SING YOUR LIFE a lovely singing voice
colours blend and all of those
Won’t somebody stop me Sing your life who sing on key
from thinking all the time any fool can think up words they stole the notion
about everything that rhyme from you and me
so deeply many others do
so bleakly why don’t you? MUTE WITNESS
do you want to?
Sing your life Your poor witness
ASIAN RUT
just walk right up the mi- crying so loudly on the
Day oh so late crophone ﬂoor
strangely the sun still and name oh but she’s only trying to
shone all the things that you love tell you
oh Asian boy all the things that you what it was that she saw
what are you on? loathe she is only trying to tell you
Day oh so late sing your life what it was that she saw
strangely the sun still all the things that you love Now see her standing on
shone all the things that you the table
oh Asian boy loathe with her small arms ﬂailing

12 Kill Uncle

and you feel such compas- and. . . nothing much hap- all the time
sion pened
in your soul for and you didn’t phone me DRIVING YOUR
Your poor mute witness you didn’t even phone me GIRLFRIEND HOME
still testing the strenght because it’s not your style
of our patience to dial I’m driving
oh but she’s only trying to Your boyfriend, he your girlfriend home
tell you displays to me and she’s saying
what it was that she saw more than just how she never chose you
Now see her pointing to the a hint of cruelty “turn left“, she says
fresbee I tried to surprise you so I turn left
with a memory too fuzzy I crept up behind you and she says
with a homeless chihuahua “So how did I end up
as her silent words
you gushed for an hour so deeply involved in
describe the fright of last
you handed him back and the very existence
night
said I planned on avoiding?”
4 a.m. Northside, Clapham
“You’ll never guess and I can’t answer
Common
I’m bored now” I’m driving
who knows what she was
your girlfriend home
doing there?
FOUND FOUND and she’s laughing
will she sketch the answer
FOUND to stop herself crying
later?
“drive on”, she says
Well, I’ll ask her Found found found so I drive on
“now dry your tears, my found found found and she says
dear” someone who’s worth it “So how did I end up
Now see her mine in time in this murkiness attached to this person
so nicely someone who’s never when his sense of humour
it would all have been so seeming scheming gets gradually worser?”
clear found found found and I can’t tell her
if only she had never volun- found found found I’m parking
teered someone who’s worth it outside her home
“your taxi is here, my in this murkiness and we’re shaking hands
dear” someone who’s never goodnight, so politely
seeming scheming
KING LEER Oh, but if I’d never found THE HARSH TRUTH
oh, but if I’d never found OF THE CAMERA
Your boyfriend, he oh, but if I’d never found
went down on one knee EYE
I do believe that
well, could it be the more you give your love Churchillian legs
he’s only got one knee? and I do believe that hair barely there
I tried to surprise you the more you oﬀer trust the harsh truth of the cam-
with Vodka the more you chase era eye
or Tizer the more you cry Your eyes signal pain
I can’t quite remember the more you’re bound to because of the strain
but you didn’t thank me lose of smiling
you didn’t even thank me the more you’re bound to the harsh truth of the cam-
because you never do lose era eye
Your boyfriend, he Oh, but if I’d never found telling you all
has the gift of the gab oh, but if I’d never found that you never wanted to
or, could it be somebody know
the gift of the grab? who wants to be showing what
I tried to surprise you who wants to be you didn’t want shown
I lay down beside you with me My so friendly lens

Kill Uncle 13

zooms into THERE’S A PLACE
“the inner you” IN HELL FOR ME
and it tells the harsh truth AND MY FRIENDS
and nothing but There is a place
Laugh with us all here reserved
that’s if you can for me and my friends
then take the pictures and when we go
home we all will go
and scream so you see
telling you all I’m never alone
there is a place
that you never wanted to
with a bit more time
know
and a few more
showing you what gentler words
you didn’t want shown and looking back
This photographer we do forgive
he must have really had it (we had no choice
in for you we always did)
“Oh, I don’t want all that we hope
to be judged anymore is that when we go
I don’t want to be judged our skin
I would sooner be Loved and our blood
and our bones
I would sooner be
don’t get in your way
just blindly Loved. . . ” making you ill
the way they did
(I’M) THE END OF when we lived
THE FAMILY LINE There is a place
a place in hell
With no complications reserved
ﬁfteen generations for me and my friends
(of mine) and if ever I
wanted to cry
all honouring Nature
then I will
until I arrive because I can
(with incredible style)
I’m the end of the line
the end of the family line
the end of the line
No baby pulled screaming
out into this seething whirl
by chance or whim
(or even love?)
our family tree hacked into
decline
and I’m spared the pain
of ever saying
(“goodbye”)
I’m the end of the line
the end of the family line
the end of the line

14 Your Arsenal

Your Arsenal
YOU’RE GONNA Third week with the jar they’re not supposed to
NEED SOMEONE ON you find, mean a thing,
YOUR SIDE everything dies. la da da. . .
“We won’t vote Conserva- We may seem cold,
With the world’s fate rest- or we may even be
tive,
ing on your shoulders, the most depressing people
because we never have”,
you’re gonna need someone you’ve ever known.
everyone lies, everyone lies,
on your side. At heart, what’s left, we
Where is the man you re-
You can’t do it by yourself spect? sadly know
any longer, that we are the last truly
And where is the woman
you’re gonna need someone you love? British people you’ll ever
on your side. Everything of worth, know.
Someone kindly told me on earth, We are the last truly
that you’d wasted is there to share. British people you will ever
eight of your nine lives. I used to dream and I used know.
Oh, give yourself a break to vow, (You will ever. . . never
before you break down. I wouldn’t dream of it now. want to know)
You’re gonna need some- We look to Los Angeles
one on your side. for the language we use THE NATIONAL
And here I am! London is dead. FRONT DISCO
And here I am! I’m too much in love,
Well, you don’t need to I’m too much in love. Davie, the wind blows,
look so pleased. the wind blows
I know, bits of your life away.
Day or night, there is no I’ll go,
difference, Your friends all say,
empty hand “Where is our boy?
you’re gonna need someone from the land.
Ah, we’ve lost our boy”.
on your side.
But they should know,
Day or night, there is no
WE’LL LET YOU where you’ve gone,
difference,
KNOW because again and again
you’re gonna need someone
you’ve explained
soon. How sad are we? that you’re going to. . .
And here I am! And how sad have we Oh, oh, oh, going to. . .
And here I am! been? Yeah, yeah, yeah,
Well, you don’t need to We’ll let you know, “England for the English”,
look so pleased. we’ll let you know. “England for the English”.
Oh, but only if David, the wind’s blown,
GLAMOROUS GLUE you’re really interested. the wind’s blown
You wonder how all of my dreams away.
First day with the jar you we’ve stayed alive ’til now. And I still say,
find, We’ll let you know. “Where is our boy?
everyone lies. but only if Ah, we’ve lost our boy”.
first day with the jar you you’re really interested. But I should know
find, We’re all smiles why you’ve gone,
everyone lies, then, “honest I swear it’s because again and again
nobody minds, the turnstyles you’ve explained
everyone lies. that make us hostile”. you’ve gone to the Na-
Where is the man you re- We will descend tional. . .
spect? on anyone unable to defend Ah, to the National. . .
And where is the woman themselves. There’s a country,
you love? And the songs we sing, you don’t live there,

Your Arsenal 15

but one day you would like they break their necks YOU’RE THE ONE
to. and can’t afford to FOR ME, FATTY
And if you show them what get them fixed
you’re made of, You’re the one for me,
They’d sacrifice all fatty,
ah, then you might do.
of their principles for you’re the one I really, re-
But Davie, we wonder,
anything cashable ally love.
we wonder if the thunder
is ever really gonna begin, I do believe it’s terrible And I will stay,
begin, begin promise you’ll say if I’m in
Your mum says, your way.
WE HATE IT WHEN You’re the one for me,
“I’ve lost my boy”. OUR FRIENDS
But she should know fatty,
BECOME
why you’ve gone, you’re the one I really, re-
SUCCESSFUL
because again and again ally love.
you’ve explained We hate it when our friends And I will stay,
you’ve gone to the Na- become successful, promise you’ll say if I’m
tional, we hate it when our friends ever in your way.
to the National, become successful. All over Battersea,
to the National Front disco,Oh, look at those clothes, some hope and some de-
because you want the day spair.
now look at that face it’s so
to come sooner, All over Battersea,
old,
you want the day to come some hope and some de-
and such a video,
sooner, spair.
you want the day to come well, it’s really laughable
You’re the one for me,
sooner, ah hahahaha fatty,
when you’ve settled the We hate it when our friends you’re the one I really, re-
score. become successful, ally love.
Oh, the National. and if they’re northern And I will stay,
that makes it even worse promise you’ll say if I’m
CERTAIN PEOPLE I and ever in your way.
KNOW if we can destroy them You’re the one for me fatty,
I take the cue from you bet your life we will de- you’re the one for me-a-
certain people I know stroy them. hey.
I use the cue If we can hurt them, well,
and then I we may as well. SEASICK, YET
hand it on to you. It’s really laughable STILL DOCKED
And when I swing it ah hahahaha
so, it catches his eye I am a poor, freezingly cold
You see, it should have
(Weren’t you there? soul,
been me.
-you’d have died!) so far from where I in-
It could have been me.
I trust the views tended to go.
Everybody knows, every-
of certain people I know Scavenging through life’s
body says so.
they look at Danger very constant lows,
They say, “Oh, you have so far from where I’m de-
and they
loads of songs, termined to go.
LAUGH THEIR HEADS
so many songs, Wish I knew the way to
OFF
Their clothes are Imitation more songs than they can reach the one I love.
George the 23rd stand - there is no way.
(don’t you find this ab- Verse, chorus, middle Wish I had the charm to at-
surd?) eighth, break, fade. . . ” tract the one I love,
I’d hate to be like Just listen but, you see, I’ve got no
certain people I know “La lalalala” charm.

16 Your Arsenal

Tonight I’ve consumed Tomorrow,
much more than I can hold, does it have to come.
All I ask of you,
oh, this is very clear to you.
and you can tell I have is one thing that you’ll
never really loved. never do,
You can tell, by the way, I would you put your arms
sleep all day. around me,
And all of my life no-one (I won’t tell anybody).
gave me anything. Tomorrow,
No-one has ever given me and what must come be-
anything. fore. . .
My love is as sharp as a Oh! The pain in my arms!
needle in your eye. Oh! The pain in my legs!
You must be such a fool to All through my shiftless
pass me by. body.
Tomorrow,
I KNOW IT’S it’s surely nearer now.
GONNA HAPPEN You don’t think I’ll make
SOMEDAY it,
I never said I wanted to.
My love, Well, did I?
wherever you are, Oh! the pain in my arms!
whatever you are, Oh! the pain in my legs!
don’t lose faith. All through my shiftless
I know it’s gonna happen body.
someday Tomorrow,
to you. Tomorrow.
Please wait. . . All I ask of you,
Please wait. . . is would you tell me that
Wait. . . you love me,
Don’t lose faith. Tell me that you love me.
You say that the day Oh! I know you don’t mean
just never arrives it.
and it’s never seemed so far Oh! I know you don’t mean
away. it.
Still I know it’s gonna hap- Tell me, tell me that you
pen someday love me.
to you. Tell me oh!
Please wait. . .
Don’t lose faith.

TOMORROW
Tomorrow,
will it really come?
And if it does come,
will I still be human?
All I ask of you,
is one thing that you never
do,
would you put your arms
around me,
(I won’t tell anyone).

Vauxhall and I 17

Vauxhall and I
NOW MY HEART IS SPRING-HEELED did you hear?they turned
FULL JIM me down
yes, and it’s all because of
There’s gonna be some Spring-heeled Jim winks an
us
trouble eye
and what was in our eyes
a whole house will need re- he’ll “do”, he’ll never be
and what was in our eyes
building “done to”
Say, Billy Budd
he takes on whoever flew
and everyone I love in the I would happily lose
through
house both of my legs
“well, it’s the normal thing I would lose both of my legs
will recline on an analyst’s to do”
couch quite soon if it meant you could be free
Spring-heeled Jim lives to if it meant you could be free
your Father cracks a joke love
and in the usual way now kissing with his mouth
empties the room full HOLD ON TO YOUR
FRIENDS
tell all of my friends and his eyes on some other
(I don’t have too many fool A bond of trust
just some rain-coated so many women has been abused
lovers’ brothers) his head should be spinning something of value
ah, but no! may be lost
Dallow, Spicer, Pinkie, Cu-
Spring-heeled Jim slurs the give up your job
bitt
words: squander your cash - be
rush to danger
“there’s no need to be so rash
wind up nowhere knowing just old on to your friends
Patric Doonan - raised to take life at five times your There are more than
wait average speed, like I do” enough
tired again - tried again, until Jim feels the chill to fight and oppose
and “oh, where did all the time why waste good time
now my heart is full go?” fighting the people you like
now my heart is full once always in for the kill who would fall defending
and I just can’t explain now it’s too cold your name
and he feels too don’t feel so ashamed
so I won’t even try to
old to have friends
Dallow, Spicer, Pinkie, Cu-
But now you only call me
bitt
BILLY BUDD when you’re feeling de-
every jammy Stressford pressed
poet Say, Billy Budd when you feel happy I’m
loafing oafs in all-night so you think you should? so far from your mind
chemists everyone’s laughing my patience is stretched
loafing oafs in all-night say, Billy Budd my loyalty vexed
chemists so you think that you you’re losing all of your
underact - express depres- should? friends
sion everyone’s laughing! Hold on to your friends
ah, but Bunnie I loved you since I took up with you hold on to your friends
I was tired again Things have been bad resist - or move on
yeah, but now it’s 12 years be mad, be rash
I tried again, and
on smoke and explode
now my heart is full now it’s 12 years on sell all of your clothes
now my heart is full yes, and I took up with you just bear in mind:
and I just can’t explain I took my job application there just might come a
so I won’t even try to into town time

18 Vauxhall and I

when you need some some men here I am hated for loving
friends they have a special interest I am haunted for wanting
in your career anonymous call, poison pen
THE MORE YOU they wanna help you to brick in the small of the
IGNORE ME, THE grow back again
CLOSER I GET and then syphon all your I still don’t belong
dough to anyone - I am mine
The more you ignore me why don’t you find out for I am falling
the closer I get yourself with no one to catch me
you’re wasting your time then you’ll see the glass I am falling
the more you ignore me hidden in the grass and there’s still
the closer I get you’ll never believe me, so no one to catch me
you’re wasting your time why don’t you find out for anonymous call, poison pen
I will be yourself brick in the small of the
in the bar sick down to my heart back again
with my head that’s just the way it goes I still don’t belong
on the bar some men here to anywhere
I am now they know the full extent of I just don’t belong
a central part your distress
of your mind’s landscape they kneel and pray LIFEGUARD
whether you care and they say: SLEEPING, GIRL
or do not “long may it last” DROWNING
yeah, I’ve made up your why don’t you find out for
mind yourself Always looking for atten-
the more you ignore me then you’ll see the glass tion
the closer I get hidden in the grass always need to be men-
you’re wasting your time bad scenes come and go tioned
the more you ignore me for which you must allow who does she
the closer I get sick down to my heart think she should be?
you’re wasting your time that’s just the way it goes the shrill cry through dark-
Beware! Don’t rake up my mistakes ening air
I bear more grudges I know exactly what they doesn’t she know he’s al-
than lonely high court are ready
judges and. . . what do YOU do? had such a busy day?
when you sleep well. . . you just SIT somebody tell her. . . sshhh
I will creap THERE It was only a test
into your thoughts I’ve been stabbed in the but she swam too far
like a bad debt back against the tide
that you can’t pay so many many times she deserves all she gets
take the easy way I don’t have any skin the sky became mad with
and give in but that’s just the way it stars
yeah, and let me in goes as an out-stretched arm
IT’S WAR slowly
disappears
I AM HATED FOR
oh hooray
WHY DON’T YOU LOVING
Please don’t worry
FIND OUT FOR
I am hated for loving there’ll be no fuss
YOURSELF
I am hated for loving she was. . . nobody’s noth-
The sanest days are mad anonymous call, poison pen ing
why don’t you find out for brick in the small of the When he awoke
yourself back again the sea was calm
then you’ll see the price I still don’t belong and another day passes like
very closely to anyone - I am mine a dream

Vauxhall and I 19

USED TO BE A SPEEDWAY I could have mentioned
SWEET BOY your name
And when you slam
I could have dragged you in
Used to be a sweet boy down the hammer
guilt by implication
holding so tightly can you see it in your
by association
to Daddy’s hand heart?
I’ve always been true to
but that was all All of the rumours
you
in some distant land keeping me grounded
in my own strange way
Blazer and tie I never said that they were I’ve always been true to
and a big bright healthy completely unfounded you
smile when you slam in my own sick way
used to make all down the hammer I’ll always stay true to you
of our trials worthwhile can you see it in your
Used to be a sweet boy heart?
and I’m not to blame can you delve so low?
but something went wrong and when you’re standing
something went wrong on my fingers
and I know can you see it in your
I can’t be to blame heart?
and when you try
THE LAZY to break my spirit
SUNBATHERS it won’t work
because there’s nothing left
A world war to break
was announced anymore
days ago All of the rumours
but they didn’t know keeping me grounded
the lazy sunbathers I never said that they were
the lazy sunbathers completely unfounded
the sun burns through You won’t sleep
to the planet’s core until the earth that wants
and it isn’t enough me
they want more finally has me
Nothing oh you’ve done it now
appears You won’t rest
to be until the hearse that be-
between the ears of comes me
the lazy sunbathers finally takes me
too jaded oh you’ve done it now
to question stagnation You won’t smile
the suns burns through until my loving mouth
to the planet’s core is shut good and proper
and it isn’t enough FOREVER
they want more All of the rumours
Religions fall keeping me grounded
children shelled I never said that they were
“. . . children shelled?that’s completely unfounded
all and all those lies
very well, but would you written lies, twisted lies
please keep the noise well, they weren’t lies
down low? they weren’t lies
because you’re waking they weren’t lies
the lazy sunbathers. . . ” I never said

20 Southpaw Grammar

Southpaw Grammar
THE TEACHERS never bother to play the THE BOY RACER
ARE AFRAID OF tunes
THE PUPILS I’ve seen it coming for dear He’s just too good-natured
life and
There’s too many people
He’s got too much money
planning your downfall
and
when your spirit’s on trial READER MEET
these nights can be fright- He’s got too many girl-
AUTHOR
ening friends
Sleep transports sadness You don’t know a thing I’m jealous, that’s all
to some other mid-brain about their lives Have you seen him go,
and somebody here They live where you though, oh ?
will not be here next year wouldn’t dare to drive Have you seen him go,
So you stand by the board You shake as you think of though, oh ?
full of fear and intention how they sleep Boy racer
and, if you think that but you write as if you are
We’re gonna kill this pretty
they’re listening my side by side
thing
well, you’ve got to be jok- Reader, meet Author
ing He’s got many girlfriends
with the hope of hearing
Oh, you understand change sense He thinks he owes this city
and you think it’s essential But you may be feeling let He overspeeds and he never
but when your profession down gets pulled over
is humiliation by the words of defence Have you seen him go,
Say the wrong word to our He says : ”No-one ever sees though, oh ?
children me when I cry” Have you seen him go,
we’ll have you, oh yes, we’ll You don’t know a thing though, oh ?
have you about their lives Boy racer
Lay a hand on our children
Books don’t save them, We’re gonna kill this pretty
and it’s never too late to
books aren’t Stanley knives thing
have you
And if a fight broke out He thinks he’s got the
Mucus on your collar
here tonight whole world in his hands
a nail up through the staff
chair you’d be the first away, be- stood at the urinal
cause you’re that type
a blade in your soap He thinks he’s got the
and you cry into your pil- And the Year 2000 won’t
whole world in his hands
low change anyone here
as each fabled promise flies And I’m gonna. . . kill him !
To be finished would be a
so fast Oh, no !
relief
Say the wrong word to our you’ll swear it was never Boy racer
children there We’re gonna kill this pretty
we’ll have you, oh yes, we’ll Oh, have you ever escaped thing
have you from a shipwrecked life ? He’s just too good-looking
Lay a hand on our children So safely with your soft- He’s just too good-looking
and it’s never too late to ware all miles from the
He’s just too good-looking,
have you front line
and
To be finished would be a you hear the way their sad
relief voice sings, and you start and, and. . .
I’m very glad this thing has to imagine things Boy racer
come Oh, any excuse to write We’re gonna kill this pretty
sometimes I’m so glad more lies thing

Southpaw Grammar 21

THE OPERATION you’re just not the same, against the worst of how
no way you are
You fight with your right what the hell have
hand and again, you won’t win
they stuck into you ?
and caress with your left With your standards so
hand high
DAGENHAM DAVE
Everyone I know is sick to and your spirits so low
death of you Head in the clouds, and a at least remember
With a tail that’s a mile mouthful of pie
wide Head in a blouse, every- this is you on a drab day,
in the kite that you’re fly- body loves him you in a drab dress
ing I see why Just do your best and
Everyone I know is sick Dagenham Dave, Dagen- don’t. . .
to death of you ham Dave Don’t worry, oh
Ever since Oh, Dagenham Dave
The way you hang yourself
you don’t look the same ”I love Karen, I love
is oh, so unfair
you’re just not the same, Sharon” on the win-
no way dowscreen Just do your best and
you say clever things and With never the need to don’t. . .
you never used to fight or to question a single Don’t worry, oh
You don’t catch what I’m thing The way you watch your-
saying Dagenham Dave, Dagen- self is oh, so unfair
when you’re deafened to ham Dave
advice Oh, Dagenham Dave
everyone here is sick He’d love to touch, he’s
to the back teeth of you afraid that he might self- BEST FRIEND ON
With a tail that’s a mile combust THE PAYROLL
wide I could say more, but you
in the kite that you’re fly- get the general idea I turn the music down
ing Dagenham Dave, Dagen- and I don’t know why, this
Everyone here is sick ham Dave is my house
to the tattoo of you Oh, Dave
I turn the music down
Ever since
DO YOUR BEST and I don’t know why, this
you don’t look the same
AND DON’T WORRY is my house
you’re just not the same,
no way The best friend on the pay-
Compare the best of their
you say pleasant things and roll
days
there is no need to with the worst of your days No, no, no, it’s not gonna
Still, you fight with your you won’t win work out
right hand With your standards so It’s not gonna work out
and caress with your left high No, no, no
hand and your spirits so low
Sad to say. . . at least remember More breakfast in bed
How once I was in love with this is you on a bad day, and I’ll bring the paper in
you you on a pale day later
Sad to say. . . Just do your best and The best friend on the pay-
You don’t catch what I’m don’t. . . roll
saying Don’t worry, oh
Oh, no, no, it’s not gonna
when you’re deafened to The way you hang yourself
work out
advice is oh, so unfair
Ever since See the best of how they It’s not gonna work out
you don’t look the same look No, no, no

22 Southpaw Grammar

SOUTHPAW
You were a boy before
you became a man
I don’t see the joy
And you ran with your pals
in the sun
you turned around and
they were gone
again. . .
A sick boy should be
treated
so easily defeated
Oh, I just don’t understand
So you ran with your pals
in the sun
you turned around
you were alone
again. . .
And you ran back to Ma
which set the pace for the
rest of your days
And now, there is some-
thing that you should know
there is something that you
should know
The girl of your dreams is
here all alone
Girl of your dreams is
here all alone
sad and all alone
here all alone
There is something that
you should know
there is something that you
should know
Girl of your dreams is
here all alone
sad and is all alone
sad and is feeling all alone
Oh, there is something that
you should know

B-Sides 23

B-Sides
I KNOW VERY SISTER I’M A POET Your gentle hands are
WELL HOW I GOT frozen
All over this town
MY NAME and your unkissed lips are
Yes, a low wind may blow
blue
A child with a curios face And I can see through Your thinning clothes are
A man with sudden ways everybody’s clothes hopeless
Oh, I know very well how With no reason and no one was mad about
I got my name To hide these words I feel you
You think you were my first And no reason Michael’s bones
love To talk about the books I were very young
read but they were never to
You think you were my first
But still I do know
love
That’s ‘cause I’m a impetuous fun
But you’re wrong
Sister I’m a Mr. policeman I don’t
You were the only one
All over this town know
who’s come and gone Along this way where you get such notions
When thirteen years old Outside the prison gates from!
who died his hair gold? I love the romance of crime His gentle hands are frozen
Oh, I know very well And I wonder and his unkissed lips are
I don’t need to be told Does anybody feel the blue
You think you were my first same way I do? but his eyes still cried
love And it’s evil just something and now you’ve turned our
You think you were my first you are last bend
love Or something you do? and see are we all
But you’re wrong Sister I’m a judged the same, at the end
You were the only one All over this town Tell me, tell me
who’s come and gone All over this town Oh, you lucky thing
They pull over in their Cit- You are too brave
roen vans and I’m ashamed of myself
OH WELL, I’LL Not to shake your hands as usual
NEVER LEARN With the meths on their
breaths EAST WEST
Looking up at the sign
And you and youth on your
It said “Please, keep away” side (Grahm Gouldman / Her-
And so in I run Oh, no, now I waiting at man Hermits)
You see, I’ll never learn the lights East West
Oh, I’ll never learn But not this time Over the ocean
I’ll never learn Sister I’m a Perpetual motion
Chapter one again All over this town Travelling around
Here I go again No rest
I find a fountain of youth MICHAEL’S BONES Singing and playing
and I fell in Night out and day in
Michael’s bones Doing the rounds
How could I ever win?
lay where he fall What a great life this must
I’ll never learn
face down seem!
I’ll never learn on a sports ground Swell joints
I’ll never learn He was just somebody’s Everything classy
Why should I mind? luckless son Nothing is tacky
Why should I care? Oh, but now look what he’s Only the best
I’ll never learn done Lush girls
I’ll never learn Oh, look what he’s done Ogle and dying

24 B-Sides

Sighing and crying Page after page of sniping I sit and support with a du-
This is success rage tiful smile
What a great life this must an English singe or an because there’s nothing I
seem! American tinge can say
But when I hear your voice “There’s a publisher” she So chopping and churning
singing out the bells of said “in the New Year” and turning the knife
hope it’s never in this year on everything except your
I really know I do think this but I can’t own life
and I feel all alone admit it and a clock somewhere
and I think of my home to the girl least likely to. . . strikes midnight
Cold times So one more song with no and an explanation it
The wind through the technique drains me
houses If only there could be a
one more song that seems
The bleakness arouses way!
all wrong
A longing to leave There’s a different mood all
and oh the news is bad
Time flew over the world
again
I wanted to see you a different youth unfamiliar
See me as I am again views
Somehow I could not to and the scales of Justice
Because of success and dearest this could all
away one way be for you
What a strange life this can in the rooms of those least so will you come down and
be! likely to. . . I’ll meet you?
But when I hear your voice Oh deep in my heart how I With no more poems with
singing out the bells of want to be wrong nothing to hit
home but the moods and the Oh darling it’s all for you
I really know styles do frequently change darling it’s all for you
and I feel all alone from twenty one to twenty
and I think of my home five AT AMBER
from twenty five to twenty
GIRL LEAST LIKELY nine I’m calling you from the
TO I sit and I smile and I say foyer
“Well done” of the Sands Hotel
How many times have I where the men and the
been around? to the girl least likely to. . .
women
Recycled papers paving the Oh one more song about are acquainted quite well
ground the Queen
And the drunkers
Well she lives for the writ- or standing around shops keep on drinking
ten word with. . .
and oh, my room is cold
and people come second or “But somebody’s got to I’m disputing the bill
possibly third make it” she screams
I was sleeping in my clothes
And there’s no style but I “so why, why can’t it be And you my invalid friend
say “Well done” me?” you slam the receiver
to the girl least likely to. . . But she would die if we when you say
Oh deep in my heart how I heard her sing “If I had your limbs for a
wish I was wrong from the heart wich is hurt day
but deep in my heart I So how many times will I I would steam away”
know I am not share a tear I’m calling you from the
and there’s enough gloom and another stage the first foyer
in her world I’m certain to cheer? of this awful hotel
without my contribution When you shine in the pub- where the slime
So I sit and I smile and I lic eye, my dear and the crime gel
say “Well done” please remember these And I cannot
to the girl least likely to. . . nights when Oh I do not

B-Sides 25

and oh, my room is cold And the song that you just by spreading sickening lies
and I’m envying you sang about the ones
never having to choose it sounds exactly like the who’ve made their name
And you my invalid friend last one give us the knife
you slam the receiver and the next one I bet you give us the knife
when you say it will sound like this one Journalist who lie
“If I had your limbs for a So get off the stage so sick and belaboured
day get off the stage they want to be favoured
I would steam away” and when you get down off they only want to be
I’m calling you from the the stage favoured
foyer please stay off the stage See how
of the Sands Hotel Get off the stage they’re only trying
It’s not low-life oh, get off the stage to make their name
it’s just people and when we’ve had our with unproveable lies
having a good time money back about the ones
And oh, my invalid friend than I’d like your back in who’ve made their name
oh, my invalid friend plaster
in our different ways Oh, I know that you say TONY THE PONY
we are the same how age has no meaning
over here is your audience Still drinking on the cor-
now ner?
GET OFF THE
and that they’re screaming Just don’t say I didn’t warn
STAGE
Get off the stage you
Oh you silly old man get off the stage Always a nagging big
you silly old man ‘cause I’ve given you brother
you’re making a fool of enough of my time he’s only looking out for
yourself and the money that wasn’t you
so get off the stage even mine Tony the Pony
You silly old man Oh, get off the stage Tony the Pony
in your misguided trousers get off the stage You’re still standing on the
on with your mascara corner
and your Fender guitar Just don’t say I didn’t warn
JOURNALIST WHO
and you think you can you!
LIE
arouse us Old and jealous big brother
But the song that you just Journalist who lie you had your time
sang stealing the money and you spent it crying
it sounds exactly like the prospering with spite Tony the Pony
last one hate-in-a-hurry Tony the Pony
and the next one I bet you Yeah, well So that’s what they call
it will sound like this one they’re only trying you now
Downstage and offstage to make their name when you’re free outside
don’t you feel all run in? by spreading biz-myth lies so cold and hard and in
And do you wonder when about the ones control
they who’ve made their name and. . . there’s a free ride on
will take it away? stick in the knife Tony the Pony
And this is your final fling stick in the knife Why do you always wanna
but then applause ran high Journalist who lie stop me
but for the patience of the truth is, it happens from doing the things in life
the ones behind you praise then crucify that
as the verse drags on just follow this pattern makes me happy?
like a month drags on And see how And when I’m outside with
it’s a very short but it they’re only trying friends
seems very long to make their name laughing loudly

26 B-Sides

why do you always wanna Days of speed and slow But then you see someone
stop me? time mondays new
But you will carry the can Wake up 6 AM and think and you want someone new
for anyone about your holidays
Open window and breathe- so you have someone new
There’s a free ride on little
Tony in petrol I don’t blame you
You’re drunker quicker Cold flat with a damp on We would all do the same
and you’re sicker the walls as you
even quicker Yes, that’s entertainment,
that’s entertainment if ever we had the nerve to
Well something heavy
is gonna fall on you Two lovers kiss among the Chips with cream for the
and what do you call you screams of midnight last time
now? Two lovers miss the tran- The people’s friend for the
When you’re free outside quillity of solitude last time
so cold and hard and in Read graffiti of slashed-
Oh we’re so glad that
control seat affairs
Splattered walls and a kick you’ve finally decided
and. . . there’s a free ride on
Tony the Pony in the balls Tiny striped socks for the
I will never say “I told you Is all that you got last time
so” in the name of entertain-
Pokes and prods for the
or “How I knew that some- ment
last time
thing bad
THE LOOP And the doctor said:
Will happen to you”
I don’t wanna say “I told “Don’t knock your head
I just wanna say until june”
you so” I haven’t been away
But Tony!I told you so! I’m still right here But then you see someone
I told you so! where I always was new
So one day and you want someone new
THAT’S if you’re bored say it and have someone
ENTERTAINMENT by all means come new
because you can do
(Paul Weller / Jam) I don’t blame you
but only if you want to
Police car with a screaming I just wanna say we would all do the same as
sirens I ain’t been away you
Pneumatic drill on a ripped I’m still right here
up concrete if ever we had the chance to
where I always was
Baby whails, a stray dog So one day Sick at noon for the last
howling time
if you’re bored
Brakes screech as a lamp- by all means come and who is gonna clean up?
light blinking because you can do Would you been so kind?
That’s entertainment, but you might not get
that’s entertainment Everybody’s staring
through
A smash of glass and a at the strange clothes
rumble of boots
PREGNANT FOR that you’re wearing
Electric train and a ripped
THE LAST TIME Bad advice for the last time
up phone booth
A hot day and a sticky Phlegm lapels for the last and people being nice
black tarmac time for the last time
A hot day and I’m wishing Corned beef flesh for the
I was far away last time We’re so glad
That’s entertainment, Oh we’re so glad that you have FINALLY DE-
that’s entertainment you’ve finally decided CIDED

Morrissey

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