TOUGH LOVE
Don't Kill
>don't kill for lovin', please don't kill for hate.
Once again you didn't understand me.
Was it the the 'Thou' part that threw you? Thou means you.
There are no divinely sanctioned murders.
You say it's me that you worship. He said, "No, we can be who we want to be."
Jesus, Jesus, starting to pray, Jesus, Jesus starting to pray.
Jesus, Jesus, starting to pray, Jesus, Jesus starting to pray
The night is clear, reds and beer, stars in the sky and I like to drive high,
And her name, and her name, and her name, is America. Been 12 years since I've been high. Just like riding a bike.
Angel's smoke with snow on their wings,
There's people on the road with maps and flares And the moving men want someone to sign,
God called down from the mountain,
God called down from the sky
He said, "I told you, I told you, I told you.
don't kill, don't kill, don't kill
Don't kill in my name, don't kill for heaven's sake.
Don't kill, don't kill, don't kill.
or you disobeyed from all I can detect.
From what I remember I did more than ask you,
I commanded it, from what I recollect.
Was it the 'Shalt not' part that confused you?
Shalt not means don't.
Don't kill, don't kill, don't kill.
Who'd know better than me?
I'm God, why don't you hear me?
I've been saying the same shit for centuries.
All you Christians, all you Muslims, all you Jews.
I'm going to it one more time, don't kill your neighbor.
Jesus Christ this shouldn't be news.
Don't kill, don't kill, don't kill.
Halfway
I see you on the cover of Rolling Stone, or one of those other corny
music magazines, that's just an excuse to sell fashion or bullshit,
but occasionally sticks in a good writer or political story so at the
board meeting they can ease their conscience that the majority of
their readership has the IQ of well a Creed fan.
So you pucker your mouth and you show lots of thigh,
coy celebrity sexy, teasing cleavage. Ass in the air, selling
your product, down on your knees, why so shy? Cause you stand for
nothing really, you got nothing to say, it's insulting your pretense
of integrity. Take the movie's name, tattoo it on your labia, spread
your legs for the camera, what difference would it make?
I mean fuck it,why go halfway?
I mean fuck it, why go halfway?
So you think you might be Jesus, let's be frank,
you're the lead singer of a big rock band.
Let's get the bass player to nail you to a cross,
long rusty spikes, right through your hands.
You're a world leader with your finger on the button,
thinking that history is smiling on you.
Blow the shit out of everybody that doesn't agree.
Do it in the name of patriotism, what else should you do?
I'm a self-righteous prick, with a great mouth,
but I'm sick to death of mediocrity and lies.
And I'm preaching to the choir, and I'm yelling down a hole,
I used to sing between the lines but then I got wise.
When Destiny Calls
Noodles and Gimp loaned me their car,
I said I'll see you in an hour I ain't going far.
Called up Annie, I said I'll see you in ten,
and I never saw noodles and Gimp again.
Annie's kids were in Vegas, and her ex dealt crack,
he stole those kids we're stealing back.
Noodles has stole the car last night,
I looked at the registration and I went white.
It was New York crime boss's, then I checked the trunk,
Noodles had missed it but he's a fucking punk.
13 kilos a pretty good find, looked bad ahead, looked worse behind.
Are you gonna fly or are you gonna fall?
Are you gonna pick it up, when destiny calls?
Drove through the town, stole Pennsylvania plates,
figured we'd be safe if we made a few states. Back on 81 thought
we'd be fine 'til Annie, said "Pop the trunk, I want to do a line."
Drove to the diner, she stayed in the car, had a friend in Memphis
and it wasn't that far. Help move the coke, the only man I'd trust,
get back on track before we went bust.
I was paying the check when the TV caught my eye, I said "Turn up
the sound, I know that guy!" It was the owner of the strip club where
Annie been employed, she was wanted for murder, he was null and void.
Annie could sleep, got to Memphis by two,
told my man Larry 'bout the shit and he knew.
Larry told me something that exploded my head,
he got a call, Noodles and Gimp were dead.
He took the coke, thirty G's went down,
I know I took a beating but I couldn't stick around
Spilt the miles to Vegas, then hit a Denny's,
Annie needed coffee, cause she hadn't any.
Just sat down when two guys came over, slapped me up,
I woke in a Range Rover, tied in the back and I had no doubt,
heard talking up front that Annie sold me out.
One of the thugs said he ain't got the cash,
he pulled back the gag, I said, "I got it stashed"
"It's back at the car," then I made my bid,
"You can have it all 'cause I got it hid."
Most of the rest I heard on the news, they got back to the car,
met the crime boss's crew. Looking for his drugs and his reputation,
killing Annie and the Ex was a minor complication.
I'm going straight and I see the bigger plan.
It went how it went, however out of hand.
Destiny calls when common sense forbids.
I'm using the money to raise Annie's kids.
Hail
Tina Brandon and Brian Deneke,
met for coffee in heaven last week.
He said "I like mine black"
And she said, "Do you ever want to go back?"
He said, "No, we can be who we want to be."
He said, "No, we can be who we want to be."
Matthew Shepard dropped by for desert.
And they asked Matthew, "Does it still hurt?"
And he paused and spit over the rail,
And it flew down to earth, just like hail.
He said, "no, we can be who we want to be."
He said, "no, we can be who we want to be."
Down on earth, he held her tight, she held her tight, he held him tight.
It was morning, and they'd cried all night. Through the window he saw
the hail. And she asked, "Have we failed?"
He said, "No, we can be who we want to be."
95 South
You're a pretty pretty girl. It's a crazy crazy world.
We best be driving south, with that pretty pretty mouth.
95, 95 just to keep us alive, 95, 95 just keep us alive.
Balling the jack, there's a gun in the sack,
stopped by the cops, Jesus don't look in the back.
You better hold tight, don't get carried away.
95, 95 just to keep us alive, 95, 95 just to keep us alive.
Pounding the dash, he called her trash,
there's a head on the bed, and she took the cash.
You better hole out, don't get carried away.
And she sleeps, and she sleeps, and she sleeps, so peacefully.
95, 95 just to keep it alive, 95, 95 just to keep it alive.
down on his knees, begging her please, picture her eyes,
gave the trigger a squeeze.
I remember when we met, how lucky you get, would I do it again?
Bet on it my friend.
Downs
Almost dies in a car accident, they cut me from the wreck.
Flew me to the hospital, with a brace around my neck.
Said I would relearn to walk, my wife sat there and cried.
I thanked God for what I had, and what they had prescribed.
Downs. Morphine, Seconal, Percodan, Codeine.
Downs. Pleasure seeing you around.
A stiff upper lip when they got you on the drip, Downs.
Ain't it cool how the sky lights up, when you're doing stuff you like?
Mr. Pain don't bother me, or Mr. Money Man.
I'll be back to face you both, as slowly as I can.
Having a ball with the Demerol, Downs.
All That Was Said
(Him) Cold winds blow through where we live.
I don't know how much more to give.
You didn't say, I didn't know.
(Her) A full moon wakes me from a dream.
Nothing is quite as it seems.
All that was said, you didn't hear. All that was said, you didn't hear.
(Both) Such tender clouds that block the sun.
How can we change what has begun?
(Him) You didn't say, I didn't know.
(Her)All that was said, you didn't hear.
(Him) The birds pass north this time of year.
The night is calm, my path is clear.
You didn't say.
(Her) You didn't hear. All that was said.
(Him) I didn't know.
A Little Concerned, That's all
Heaven's walls are covered with frost,
the gates are locked, the key's been lost.
There's snow in the drive, the shades are down,
there's mail in the box, but there's no one around.
huddled in an alley saying some of those things,
that you shouldn't say out loud, that no one should hear,
but you take a look around and the meaning is clear.
'Cause the phone is dead, the bills aren't paid,
the housekeeper admits that she's afraid.
and a convoy of trucks move from there.
Some attempt help but are turned away
by a hand written sign, "no visitors today."
A conference of saints meet in the hall,
share coffee and crepes and stare at the wall
"Where have you gone? Don't bury your head.
We're getting concerned that you might be sick."
Satan conjures evil and when he's done,
there's silence from heaven, he's thinking "This is no fun,"
so he makes his way to heaven through the gates down the hall,
pounding on the bedroom door, he hears nothing through the wall.
a representative says that everything is fine.
When the TV camera's off, there's sweat on his brow,
and he wonders if purgatory has his resume by now.
In the shipping room, an old lady sits.
At five the whistle blows, she bends head and quits.
Ten miracles completed, it's been a busy day,
she can't keep up the pace but the work won't go away.
Everything and Nothing
She is the fireworks in my sky, she is the word at the door,
she is the circus come to town, she is my christmas,
she is the laughter on the streets, my lucky roll of the dice,
she is just plain fucking cool, she is my moonlight.
And we talk, and we talk, and we talk, and everything and nothing.
She is the sparks cross the rails, a dream awakening to a dream,
she is my best alibi, she is my birthday.
She is the gold in the crown, the executioner's song,
and she's sweet on the idiot, she is my radio.
And we love, and we love, and we love, like there's all time and no time.
She is the wind in my sails, she is the lighthouse past the fear,
she is the last day of school, she is my easter,
she is the punch in my punch line, the bop in my bop bop shoo op,
she is the fire on my wheel, she is my New Years.
And we laugh, and we laugh, and we laugh, about everything and nothing.
Tough Love
I don't know what hit me, but my good sense up and quit me,
left my job without getting my pay.
Had to take a loss, I put two holes in my boss,
I guess I gave my notice that way.
Drove home in a stolen car and you don't how wrong you are
when you say that crime doesn't pay. Went and got the wife,
told her starting a new life, "when we leaving?" is all she did say.
With the sirens closing in, I told the wife we must begin,
run before we go up in flames.
Police on our back, don't you know she had to pack woo that
woman drives me insane
Tough love, we're bringing it to your town, there ain't enough love,
we're spreading ours around. (2X)
Went and got a case of beer, my wife took aim and shot his ear
the guy behind the counter got rude, Lord, I itched to take a shot,
my wife said no that I should not, soaked him in his own attitude.
When we finally hit the road, all I could do to not explode,
this trucker forced his way in our lane, but it wasn't no bid deal,
my wife took aim and shot his wheel and left him in a ditch doused in flames.
Outside of that Memphis town, thought that we could settle down,
maybe catch a movie and rest, but I had to shoot a man,
talking while the movie ran, talking puts my nerves to the test.
Cross the desert had to go, headed down to Mexico,
kept the death toll low as we could.
Hanging at a water stop, hadn't seen a single cop,
the wife and I were feeling real good.
Along comes an SUV crass against the scenery,
I didn't pay it no mind, two shots from her .44, my wife just shrugged
and slammed the door and left that ugly driver behind.
Seems in short order we were standing at the border,
turned around to where we'd begun,
what can I say, we'll be heading your way,
I guess we're having way too much fun.
Dear Pete
Dear Pete, I couldn't sleep tonight and so I thought I'd write.
Things have gotten out of hand, but I've got a little plan.
You might want to take a seat. Are you seated, Pete?
Dear Joe, quit begging me for the dough. Things have been
a little slow. Don't sweat it. You'll get it. I gotta go, Joe.
Dear Pete, These inquiries you hate cause I know that you've gone
straight, you don't do jobs no more, but I need one more score.
It isn't funny, if I don't pay Joe the money, he's gonna do something
dumb, like cut off my thumbs. I'd hate to lose 'em,
I still use them when I eat, Pete.
Dear Jill, You've got the computer skill for which I'd kill.
Tonight I found this porno site. Cut and paste Pete's head to the guy
there on the bed between the naked girls on their and it's
Pete the aim to please and he's giving them their fill, Jill.
Dear Pete, how lucky can you get? I found this picture on the internet.
Good thing it didn't get seen by your lovely wife Darlene.
So about this job, this store I gotta rob. Are you in or are you out?
Hey, give Darlene a shout. is still packing a gun?
Oh, that Darlene's a lot of fun. This picture I could delete Pete.
Dear Joe, Enclosed you'll find your money, the job went smooth as honey.
Pete sends you his best as for me I'm going to rest.
Deservedly so, don't you think so, Joe?
There is a God
The big man called the press today, he said
"There's something that I'd like to confess today,
get something off of my chest today,
and get us all out of a mess today.
He said, "I don't know how I ever got here, I was thinking last night,
drunk on beer, I've murdered people, I've played on your fear, dumb
and vain, it seemed so clear." Put a gun in his mouth, the metal tasted,
he mumbled, "I'm sorry for your time I've wasted."
The flag behind him, scarlet basted,
the ambulance screamed and the news men chased it.
WooThere is a God, there is a God.
Don't doubt it, you got to shout it, there is a God.
Into the hallways reporters spill, multi-national corporation
boardroom-filled, apologizing for the people they killed, to make
amends schools they'd build. And they burned their suits and made a vow,
to only be working on hospitals now, and the NRA, as if on cue,
killed themselves, it was the least they could do.
Headlines bulge with mass suicide,
tormentors whose last acts of pride,
went to the mirror and when the image subsides,
what they beheld they could not abide.
First Date
They's been emailing so he asked for a date,
and he said that he wouldn't be late.
He rushed there a little after eight, he ran three red lights,
he got a ticket, he can lick it 'cause his brother knows the D.A.,
he copped a plea and he only got probation,
he sings along to an oldies station,
he sings "baby, baby I'll be true to you,"
He rings the bell, he can tell, that this night is gonna be swell,
'bout the time that the wine and the V's kick in,
to calm his nerves, he had a plan, he ingested 7 percodan.
And to get in the mood, a handful of 'ludes,
and a pint of Old Crow for the right attitude.
And as he stood at the door, of this girl he never met before,
her emails were sweet that's for sure, he thought,
"Baby, baby, I'll be true to you."
His head on fire, he was inspired,
to take his presentation one step higher.
Didn't want to be rude, but if she just saw him in the nude,
she could see how he truly was because
all the trapping like the money and clothes,
were nothing but silly shows, so off his pants and his shirt goes.
What can I say, his limbs gave way,
his head went blank to his knees he sank,
that's how she found him when she opened the door, naked,
passed out on the front porch, mumbling,
"Baby, baby, I'll be true to you."
She was gonna call the cops, then she stopped, he looked so cute
lying there, blood in his hair, on the bushes hung his underwear.
She brought him inside, she nursed his pride,
7 months later she became his bride.
They're still together, they brave the weather,
they love each other, tougher than leather.
(they sing) "Baby, baby, I'll be true to you."
Worry Wart
You worry that the light is red, you worry what's beneath your bed,
you worry 'bout what I just said, you're a worry, worry wart.
You worry about gravity and all the changes you see,
the earth is sucking constantly, you're a worry, worry wart.
Why don't you lighten up? Why don't you lighten up?
It's alright, alright everybody got to run and hide,
alright, alright, worry worry wart.
You worry that you're not thought bright, you worry that they might be
right, someone's gone and dimmed the lights, worry, worry wart.
You worry when someone's calling, they know your libido's stalling,
status needs an overhauling, worry, worry wart.
You worry that it goes slow, you worry that it seems so low,
you cant' stop that ebb and flow you're a worry, worry wart.
Why don't you lighten up, why don't you lighten up,
it's alright, alright, everybody got to run and hide worry, worry wart.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the most worried of all,
mirror, mirror hey, you got me talking to myself.
Why don't you lighten up, why don't you lighten up?
You worry that they trade inside, you'll wake up the earth is fried,
sometimes my worries are justified.
You're a worry wart.
Oughta Go Around
Out on the street where the gutter crawl,
with the neon shine at the dead man ball.
With the moonlight shining in her hair,
with the ballroom eyes that say beware.
With the leather boat on the pavement night,
with the covert transaction haloed streetlight.
With all my friends who could not be named,
with all the saints who could not be blamed.
With the darkness armor ghosts and jewels.
pills and paintbrush six-string tools.
Learning to fly before we can fall and hey
You and me, we ought to go around.
With the subway ride that is rhythm bound,
with hearts on fire lost and found.
With the 3 AM coffee stop,
with the lower east side diner blow your top
With the glowing knife blade twinkling blue,
with the first edition Howl stuck like glue.
With the lose your heart on 6th and A,
with the fall apart but baby, that's okay. And hey.
I walk 47 miles of guitar chord, I use a marshall stack for a necktie,
I got a Graceland mansion with a Cream Magazine highway,
made out of old 45's.
I got a tombstone chimney that sits on top, made up of car-crash teeth.
Take a little transatlantic flight with me honey and tell me,
d-d-d-o you love me?
With every building calling embraceable you,
I see no evil and you don't too.
I see mansions,
I see dreams and in my head a carnival with joyous screams.
Where are the tombstone New York Dolls?
Where is the melody that never falls?
Where is the vision that won't go away?
Come one city give me your best right hook today.
Detroit's Lullaby
You are a baby barely 2 months here.
I am your father and I hold you near.
Someday you'll ask me 'bout the badness in this world.
I'm gonna hold out, as long as I can.
Nothin' 'bout that stuff,
for as long as I can.