1. |
Tompkins Park
04:05
|
|||
|
I was stranded at Tompkins Park,
I was wasted, locked my keys in the car
So I stepped into the corner bar
Never been there so alone before.
But here I am, with a borrowed pen
I think I’ll keep it, take a dollar when I can
I feel so useless, cell phones dead
Maybe I’ll stay here, and make this booth my bed.
I can’t keep my shadow in front of me
How do I drown this fear that defines me
Pass me a note signed with an X and O
And a big old arrow, pointed to the exit door.
I was walking through Tompkins Park
Summer faded, 5 o’clock and getting dark
A man there told me he’s the son of God
He sat there cross-eyed with toe nails rot
But who am I to say this man’s no lord
When I can’t even tell a goddamn lover from a door
Wish I could scream out these lungs for good
But I don’t know what I’d scream if I could
I can’t keep my shadow in front of me
How do I love this fear that defines me
Pass me a note signed with an X and O
And a big old arrow, pointed to the exit door.
I was stranded at Tompkins Park.
|
||||
2. |
I Need to Be Alone
04:03
|
|||
|
I need to be alone
Cancel the birthday party
I need the night to bathe
In all the angst I’m feeling
And get loud,
Scream until my voice gives out
So I cant say nothing
Out loud,
Let the shower stream fill my mouth
And dream I’m drowning.
I need to be alone
(Breathe in, breathe out)
I need to be alone
(Breathe in, breathe out)
See what you’ve gone and done
Ruined the birthday party
Why didn’t you listen and run
To your intensifying heartbeats
And sink down,
Lower than your mind knows how
And find whats lurking
Reach out,
And hold it til you don’t know how
you live without it
I need to be alone
(Breathe in, breathe out)
I need to be alone
(Breathe in, breathe out)
|
||||
3. |
Wait
03:44
|
|||
|
Stream in the city,
Water overflowing.
The rainy years
Have made the water high
I want to know
So I drop my bucket.
But all I get,
Is water stuck in time.
I might as well stay dry.
Wait, dear,
I’m trying
Wait, dear,
I’m trying.
How do I catch you cause I need you so?
Fear between me and the rocks below.
If you love her, gotta let her go.
Cause when she’s still she’s running water no more.
How do I catch you cause I need you so?
Fear between me and the rocks below.
If you love her, gotta let her go.
Cause when she’s still she’s running water no more.
Wait, dear,
I’m trying.
Wait, dear,
I’m trying.
|
||||
4. |
Baby, My Baby
03:30
|
|||
|
I’m heading out for the city
To see my baby
I miss my baby
Heading out for the city
On a lonely drive
The city aint no friend of mine
The tin men walk, they judge and watch
All the crazies dancing
And say they’re fucked
Well, I’d say that we’re all quite fucked
I’m heading out for the city
To see my baby,
I lost my baby.
Heading out for city
On a lonely drive
Ghosts of lovers they follow me.
Say I’m guilty, I know I’m guilty
They say I’m wrong for thinking that love is free.
Well, don’t you tell me what love should be.
You got me baby,
But I don’t got you
You got me baby,
But all i want is you.
You got me baby,
But I don’t got you.
I got nothing lately,
And all I want is you.
|
||||
5. |
Illinois
04:46
|
|||
|
Lets go back to that apartment
Where the train ride started
Herb Alpert, a slow dance
Warm tushy in my cold hands
Back to that apartment,
Where the whole thing started
White walls, green eyes
Wet hair in the kitchen light
So pretty in the springtime
Let’s go back to Illinois
Illinois
Illinois
Illinois
I’m calling snake eyes
I think the dealers got my back this time
Really think you mean it
When you say you’ll treat me right this time
Lets go back to that apartment
Where the train ride started
Herb Alpert, a slow dance
Warm tushy in my cold hands
Back to that apartment,
Where the whole thing started
White walls, green eyes
Wet hair in the kitchen light
So pretty in the springtime
Let’s go back to Illinois
Illinois
Illinois
Illinois
|
||||
6. |
Why, Why Not
05:49
|
|||
|
Why did you try to kiss me that night when
I said that I couldn’t?
Well, love why not?
Why did you leave a gift on my dresser
But not leave your name?
Well, love why not?
I know you’ll look back tomorrow on today
Rewind, rewind, and regret every replay
Why do you hold yourself to things that you’ve said
When yesterday’s gone?
Well, love why not?
I never knew that no one had seen you
The way that I do
Tell me love, why not?
I know you’ll look back tomorrow on today
Rewind, rewind, and delete every replay
Why do you hold yourself to things that you’ve done
When yesterday’s gone?
Well, love why not?
|
||||
7. |
What A Wonderful Party
03:26
|
|||
|
Times are tough, but I dont mind
I’ll buy ya that ring, get it right on time
For the big old party
The one your father wants.
Old white man, got his ways,
His sofa chair, sits in the same damn place
Every god damn day.
You can’t say that word no more, sir.
Okay!
The kids are all screaming, picket signs,
They’re marching downtown, read all the clever lines
On our way to the party
The one your mother planned.
Cardigan ladies, button downs,
Their pantyhose and their diamond crowns,
Saying the kids will be kids,
Honey we’re running late!
What a wonderful party
Would you listen to that band?
What a wonderful party, yes it is.
What a beautiful party,
Would you listen to that band?
What a beautiful party, yes it is.
There’s the doctor, there’s his wife.
I heard he’s cheating, the rumor goes
There’s the Senator, so glad he came.
He heard he’s gay, or so the rumor goes.
There’s our old neighbors, Bill and Diane,
I heard they’re bankrupt, thats what I’m told!
There’s your sister, she looks so nice!
Her drinking problem is out of control.
Everyone’s leaving, the bar is closed,
What will we talk about now we’re alone?
What a wonderful party
Would you listen to that band?
What a wonderful party, yes it is.
|
||||
8. |
Prom Song
04:15
|
|||
|
Dear love, I feel sick
From fear of where you’ve been.
From men who called you names,
And the ones you maybe think of
When I’m not there
I’m far away,
So far that if I scream out
You won’t hear a single trace
Of a man whose heart is aching to come home.
Aching to come home.
Dear love, I missed your call.
I was busy overthinking
That summer night, late in bed
You wouldn't say what you were thinking
So I shut my mouth and turned
DIdn’t kiss you ‘til the morning.
How I’d hold your silent body
Here tonight, a thousand miles away from home.
Aching to come home.
I can feel my legs a shaking
Takes me back to Carolina
I could leave a late night message
And just imagine how you’d listen
I can feel your legs a shaking
Like early morns when no one’s listening
I could say it all I can but
You won’t know just how much I miss you love.
Aching to come home.
|
||||
9. |
The Story of Jim Jones
05:46
|
|||
|
Central Indiana, 1931
Lynetta and James have a boy
They named him Junior
But hes not like them
Never was a fan of his kiddy toys
Sidewalk preacher,
Ten years old
Telling all the black folk we’re all equal
And boy they loved him
For his open heart
No one expected the boy was evil
Welcome to the story of Mr. Jimmy Jones
The man you heard of but do not know
The preacher man, the masochist, oh the truly troubled soul
Out to fix the whole world on his own.
Sunny California, a bus filled caravan
Salvation around the corner, the promised land
Just do as your told, whatever Father Jim says
Or he’ll beat you silly, yeah he’ll beat you cold
He loved his ladies, the fellas too
Thick or thin, black or gold.
But don’t you cross the father
Or he’ll strip you down
And stand you naked by the altar for the whole damn town.
Welcome to the story of Mr. Jimmy Jones
The man you heard of but do not know
The story not yet over, so the legend goes
Jim wrote himself a final note.
I’ve lost my mind, I’ve lost my way,
I can feel the People’s Temple falling.
For my final trick, let my tombstone read,
“Everybody in this whole world is my friend”
(Jim Jones’s Death Speech)
900 people, 900 graves,
The whole world watched and cried for them
I’ve seen their faces, I’ve read their names
Now it hurts to have to tell their story for them
Mr. Jim Jones was a monster
A classic disguise
He walked the same streets as you and I
But I think I love him
For opening my eyes
To the power of the villain we hold inside.
Welcome to the story of Mr. Jimmy Jones
The man you heard of but do not know
|
||||
10. |
Overwhelming
04:50
|
|||
|
Exhale,
Soft and slowly.
Your nectar, your sweat.
Boils my blood.
Scream out my name.
Whisper you want me.
Your grip says the same.
The damage is done.
If I sang you this song,
Oh would you cry or sing along?
If you were to live out your dreams,
Would I be your man or a memory?
You darling, you overwhelm me.
Lets get
Old and crusty.
A letter and pen
As you run out the door.
I’ll write down your name
With funny spelling.
So old days feel the same,
As when we were young.
If I wrote you this song,
Oh would you run or tag along?
If you lived out my dreams,
Oh I’d give you my everything.
You darlin, you darlin, you darlin,
You overwhelm me.
|
||||
11. |
||||
|
Good morning, New York City
Can I hold you where you lay?
Your skin screams of the frozen air
In this January cold.
So close your eyes here next to me
Steal the sleep while we can.
Will you take me New York City
For the tourist that I am?
Good day to you, New York City
You’re quite the champion today.
You swept the leg and knocked me out
On your ground, I hoped I’d stay.
But its summer now on the west coast
And its raining in LA.
You won this round, New York City,
Know I’ll get you back someday.
I want you, you want me too
I crave you.
I want you, you want me too,
I crave you, the things you do.
Good evening, New York City
You look beautiful tonight
Will you drink with me ‘til the morning?
Will you help me miss my flight?
Your voice, sweet like tangerine
And your lips, a glass of wine
I want you New York City,
Yes I want you as mine all mine.
|
||||
12. |
Why, Why Not (Acoustic)
03:12
|
|||
|
Why did you try to kiss me that night when
I said that I couldn’t?
Well, love why not?
Why did you leave a gift on my dresser
But not leave your name?
Well, love why not?
I know you’ll look back tomorrow on today
Rewind, rewind, and regret every replay
Why do you hold yourself to things that you’ve said
When yesterday’s gone?
Well, love why not?
I never knew that no one had seen you
The way that I do
Tell me love, why not?
I know you’ll look back tomorrow on today
Rewind, rewind, and delete every replay
Why do you hold yourself to things that you’ve done
When yesterday’s gone?
Well, love why not?
|
||||
If you like Jack Symes, you may also like:
Here in the Pitch
by Jessica Pratt
On her fourth album, Jessica Pratt blends up 60s pop and bossa nova into a spooky mix of soft psychedelia.
go to album
Great Loveday Wonder : The Collected Demo Recordings
by Billy Childish / William Loveday Intention
From the always-great label Tompkins Square comes two-dozen plus demos from alt legend Billy Childish.
go to album
Dakota Blue Moon
by Jackson Harden
Gorgeous acoustic Americana from North Carolina, stripped-back and sublime.
go to album
The latest from the UK’s Chris Brain is a gorgeously wrought album of tender acoustic folk music.
go to album
they only talk about the weather
by Arny Margret
The Icelandic songwriter packs her stunning debut with sweeping melodies delivered via intimate, folky arrangements.
go to album
The Australian singer's debut solo album is filled with creative indie pop tracks.
go to album
Fool Me As Many Times As You Like
by Daudi Matsiko
featured on Bandcamp Radio Aug 29, 2023
go to album
