BARE TONES

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LYRICS

All selections by Andy Roman and Bobby Steel

Still Around

One and one and a closet friend -

the smoke has broken for the window’s edge.

The sun is up, and the shades are down.

It’s kind of like you were still around.

You run it through a clay-pot smile -

the best of ten, and that leaves nine.

See the pages fill the ground.

It’s kind of like you were still around.

The paws of sleepy winds are here -

a paddle wind dispensing clear.

A look alive at the choking crowd -

it’s kind of like you were still around.

And if I kind of cry, it had to be.

Whether it was mine or tried, it had to be

had to be

had to be

had to be

The nest aside, the room is free.

There’s no one here except for me.

The smell is spam and the water is brown.

It’s kind of like you were still around.

And if I kind of cry, it had to be.

Whether it was mine or tried, it had to be

had to be

had to be

had to be

Crayon

I’m never never gonna be a superman, I’m never gonna let the other win.

I’m a crayon pacified - a front, a middle and old inside.

A whole lotta nothin’ left to do, just look at you dyin’ cryin’ fool.

I’m a crayon mystified at the little bit of something left inside.

And I can see one more day of killing.

And I think I see one more day of killing - killing me.

Your tearing it apart right next to me, broken down, it’s so sad to see

a crayon petrified that I’ll never get to see the better side.

You swallowin’ followin’ hollow fool, can’t you even see the truth?

A crayon testifying to the great wide open askin’ why.

And I can see one more day of being.

And I think I see one more day of being - being me.

I’ve had enough, I will not play this anymore.

I have to say I’m feeling stronger now.

A crayon’s kiss across the page, I make the plan, I choose the shade.

Here, getting stronger.

Yes, getting stronger.

A little stronger.

Yes, feeling stronger.

I never never have to be a superman, only ever gonna be what I am

a crayon alive inside from the picture painted for my eyes.

Won’t turn away, I’m here to stay - I fall, I hurt, I cut, I pray -

a crayon who doesn’t hide from the smoke, the broken and all the lies.

And I can see one more day of living.

And I think I see one more day of living – living free.

Everything

Take for keeps, these blue-eyed weepings, setting sun, Phoebe

Kill your head and curse and nullify everything

Amazing how a kingdom proud, once just begun is sifted dead

and set aside from everything

I ain’t the one, just genius, clown or nothing new

Break bread with me, we’ll laugh and talk about everything

Endure with me until I see or else lose sleep

I cannot move my legs, so I guess I won’t do anything

Time and time alone is paced and left to stone - a curse again, you know

The only thing she knows is fighting words and going tooth and nail

Her wars are stale and does not fight for anything

She wobbles hard and stands to fall for everything

I’ve dressed her up, I’ve filled her cup, I’ve taken her from off the wood that binds

and made her seem like everything

She’s moved to save, she’s blind or brave and I don’t care

as long as I can take all the time I need for everything

Well, damned and clean, we’ve never been ones to speak

but I can say except for nothing, I don’t need anything

Time and time alone is paced and left to stone - a curse again, you know

The only thing she knows is how to be here with me

Let Me Be

Don't call me "honey," that ain't my name.

Don't call me "baby," that ain't my game.

Don't call me later, I'll feel the same.

Just let me be.

Don't say you love me, I do not care.

Don't say you need me, 'cause it ain't there.

I'm sorry, babe, but life's unfair.

Let me be.

Let me be (Let me be)

Let me be (Let me be)

I'm sorry, babe, but life's unfair.

Let me be.

Don't come around, 'cause I'm not home.

Don't try and call me on the phone.

When we were together, I was still alone.

Let me be.

Let me be (Let me be)

Let me be (Let me be)

When we were together, I was still alone.

Let me be.

Don't start your lovin', don't be a fool.

There's no how nothin' that you can do.

You see that door? Just walk right through And let me be.

Let me be (Let me be)

Let me be (Let me be)

You see that door? Just walk right through And Let me be.

Let me be (Let me be)

Let me be (Let me be)

You see that door? Just walk right through And let me be.

Don't say you love me, I do not care.

Don't say you need me, 'cause it ain't there.

I'm sorry, babe, but life's unfair.

Let me be.

Uptown Q

Off from the train, where you get that smell

trucks and scum and street meat and its hot as hell

A busking strummin' mister with a face to match

says he's lost and could I help him find his way back

Help me, dude, he said it freaking, dont know what to do

You'll find it if you just take the Uptown Q.

Monkey diving killer biking 'cross Broadway

Chaos smells like duck, and beer and old shrimp paste

Davey's sure the middle card is black, but he dont play

Dealer says that you'll be sorry if you walk away

Davey grabs a pretzel and a cold yoo hoo

Then quickly slips away to the grab the Uptown Q

Junkies on the ferries, singers at the gate

race and grind and killing just to hurry up and wait

Lady grabbed a blade and said "I know a better way"

Then lost her cell and money on an outbound A

Tried to switch and wound up at the Prospect Park Zoo

This never would have happened on an Uptown Q

All the 'Chocks" are Dunkins now, all the phones are smart

And if you time your jumping right, don't need a MetroCard

Mikey says he'd rather spend the money on a slice

Jumping stiles, Mikey say, "I get it. Ain't too nice.

I'll take my chance, I never had a problem on the 2.

but I'd always drop the coin to take an Uptown Q.

Gonna take the Uptown Q

Find it riding on the Uptown Q

Gonna make it on the Uptown Q

Na, na, na, na on the Uptown Q

ooooh, make the Uptown Q

Make it, make it, make it, gonna make an Uptown Q

Grins of Nothing

I never want to knock you down with lots and lots to say.

Here we go, again, you know, on and on we play.

To keep the peace alive is worth your storm of empty words.

So I nod and smile for a while, as if I've really heard.

And then we go on our merry ways. Yes, we go on our merry ways.

Never kid ourselves. We play it very well.

By and by, noble guy, promises like wine.

Lure the empty with your hanging low fruit on the vine.

On the cuff, we eat it up, then pepper him with words.

He nods and smiles for a while as if he's really heard.

And then we go our merry ways. Yes, we go on our merry ways.

Everyone's aware. We carry everywhere....

...Our grins of nothing. Our grins of nothing.

These grins of nothing. We keep 'em nice and safe here.

(Do-do-do-do)

Our grins of nothing. Our grins of nothing.

These grins of nothing. We keep "em nice and safe here.

(Do-do-do-do)

Perfect place to play all day, busking for a taste.

Sounding like a dime-for-twelve, red meat for the brain.

Not a penny droppin' in, just lots of talking on,

so I nod and smile as if I care never lettin' on.

that I pray they go their merry ways. Yes, please go on your merry way.

I hate I'm sounding cold, but naked truth be told...

These are grins of nothing. We got grins of nothing.

Take our grins of nothing. And keep them nice and safe here.

(Do-do-do-do)

Our grins of nothing. Our grins of nothing.

These grins of nothing. We keep 'em nice and safe here.

(Do-do-do-do)

My Special Friend

Where is my life today?

Right now I could not say.

I've lost myself along the way,

It dawned on me today.

And where is your life today?

I know it's hard to say.

They've beaten, scarred and tried to change you

But still you're here today.

Hey, hey.

My twilight friend, I'll come again

If you should need my hand.

We've shed a Monday's secret tear

like children in the sand.

I understand.

There is so much to say

And yet it would not pay.

So here's a word I'll leave for you

Before I go away.

Hey, hey.

My sunset friend, I'll come again

If you should need my hand.

We've shed a Monday's secret tear

like children in the sand.

I understand.

My sundown friend, I'll come again

If you should need my hand.

We've shed a Monday's secret tear

like children in the sand.

I understand.

Where are our lives today?

We've made it day by day.

My friend, you'll see, I'll always be.

I promise this today.

Hey, hey.

Just Like Rock and Roll

I’m gonna make this song rock and roll, I can see it ain’t easy:

Chicks, cars and drums that go BOM BOM BOOM

Snake it down, crush the crowd, keep it all bleeding

Don’t go down if you can’t take the BOM BOM BOOM

Make it throb, rock and roll, even the squeezing

Ink, Jack, dudes that roll…BOM BOM BOOM

One, two, three, four on the ground, all fall down

Burn me where I can see, made my bed, and I’m good with that

Satisfy like rock and roll, how is it feeling?

It don’t mean nothing if you never go BOM BOM BOOM

Turn it up like rock and roll, but they’ll know if your posing

They’ll bounce you ‘round, take you down - BOM BOM BOOM

Look at mama’s sweetie pie taking it easy

Long ago your mama go BOM BOM BOOM

One, two, three, four on the ground, all fall down

Burn me where I can see, made my bed, and I’m good with that

Making this song rock and roll, see it ain’t easy:

Chicks, cars and drums that go BOM BOM BOOM

Pick me up off the ground, I need what I’m needing

A little more of that stuff that goes BOM BOM BOOM

It’s quite alright if it’s someone else’s baby that’s pleasing

As long as we can make it go BOM BOM BOOM

One, two, three, four on the ground, all fall down

Burn me where all can see, made my bed, and I’m good with that

Make this song like rock and roll, it’s crazy easy:

Chicks, cars and drums that go BOM BOM BOOM

Chicks, cars and drums that go BOM BOM BOOM

Just like rock and roll, BOM BOM BOOM, BOM BOOM

Honey Feet

Well, it changed when I first saw you.

And just like that, I adored you.

It wasn’t your smile or dress.

It was the way you took your step.

Hey, hey woman with the honey feet.

You got that glide and you look so good to me.

You’re stepping one, two, three.

Don’t need shoes, just let those babies breathe,

and let me see those honey feet.

Sweet little honey feet.

Yeah.

Now, honey, when you first walked by,

I didn’t even see your eyes.

With your toes painted rhythm and blues,

I had to have you.

Hey, hey woman with the honey feet.

You got that glide and you look so good to me.

You’re stepping one, two, three.

Don’t need shoes, just let those babies breathe,

and let me see those honey feet.

Sweet little honey feet.

Honey feet, honey

Honey feet, honey

Honey feet, honey

Honey feet

Let me see those honey feet

Days of Reaction

These are the lazy, crazy days of reaction.

These are the lazy, crazy days of reaction.

Pretty girl with the long black hair’s been looking for a time.

She only digs what’s laying along the line.

And the music man with the outdoor jam trying to make it rhyme –

he only needs to play it all the time.

And Be Good Johnny cops the words with just a twist of lime.

He only cups the clear when all is fine.

And the lovely lady by his side say, “Let’s go for a ride.”

And everyone is here right on time.

Well, would you care to see him in the morning

After everything went so fine?

Let’s do another song for my baby.

These are the lazy, crazy days of reaction.

These are the lazy, crazy days of reaction.

Pretty girl in a Dylan whirl, she digs her sugar sweet.

She only plans to lay it on the line.

While the music man, his head in then, say, “I’m gonna make her mine.”

He cannot pry that woman from his eye.

And Johnny grip the melody like freshman cherry wine.

He only tries to say it all the time.

And the lovely lady, by his side, say, “Everything’s alright.”

Let’s come back again tomorrow night.

Well, would you care to see him in the morning

After everything went so fine?

Let’s do another song for my baby.

These are the lazy, crazy days of reaction.

Yeah, the lazy, crazy days of reaction.

With You

You know, I’d love a little time with you

Nothing more than to spend some time with you

When you’re not here, my world is broken, blue.

Can’t you see I want to be with you?

You know, I need to be alone with you.

Nothing more than to be alone with you.

When you’re not here, I don’t know what to do.

Can’t you see I want to be with you?

Well, you know I’m gonna find my way to you.

You’ll never hide. I’ll find my way to you.

When you’re not here, who knows what I’ll do?

Can’t you see I want to be with you?

Firefly

Firefly, firefly in the night

with the yellow

with the yellow

with the yellow light

How I'd like to watch you shine tonight

Shine tonight

Firefly, firefly in the night

with the yellow

with the yellow

with the yellow light

How I'd like to watch you shine tonight

Shine tonight

Shine tonight, over my head

around my bed

Shine tonight, over my head

around my bed

Where you are, blinking star

Where you are, don't go far

Firefly, firefly in the night

with the yellow

with the yellow

with the yellow light

How I'd like to watch you shine tonight

Shine tonight

Shine tonight, over my head

around my bed

Shine tonight, over my head

around my bed

Where you are, blinking star

There you are, don't go far

Firefly, firefly in the night

with the yellow

with the yellow

with the yellow light

Shine on tonight

Twelve O’Clock Running

The twelve 'o clock keeps running

gunning along the line

Oh, rain, shine, right on time

Her wheels stop for nothing

How many here will show?

Oh, sun sets, it's me, alone.

And should it be it's them instead of me

just take it in hand and raise it to the sky

and drink to me one more glass of wine

The twelve 'o clock is coming

among the willows ride.

Oh, could be it is my time

She's here, bold and stunning

My two feet on the ground

Oh, there ain't no backing down.

And should it be it's them instead of me

just take it in hand and raise it to the sky

and drink to me one more glass of wine

Caught between the clock and a hard place

But like the clock, I've got time on my hands

and I can't lose face.

I can't lose face.

And should it be it's them instead of me

just take it in hand and raise it to the sky

and drink to me one more glass of wine

I Gotta Write This Down

I don’t know nothing, and that’s nothing new,

But I can’t say nothing, what’s true is true.

Across from clever where the sky keeps turning

I make a little space for you.

I can’t see nothing since I woke today.

All of a sudden, I got nothing to say.

I ain’t so clever, and the sky keeps turning.

I make a little space for you.

Oh, you you you came to me

with a dream in your pocket and your uptown blues.

Hit me like I’ve never been alive ‘til you.

I gotta write this down

I gotta write this down

I gotta write this down

I gotta write this down

I don’t know nothing, and that’s nothing new,

But I can’t say nothing, what’s true is true.

Across from clever where the sky keeps turning

I make a little space for you.

Oh, you you you came to me

with a dream in your pocket and your uptown blues.

Hit me like I’ve never been alive ‘til you.

I gotta write this down

You know, I gotta write this down

I gotta write this down

It may never come around

Oh, I gotta write this down

I gotta write this down

Mood

I’ll have you like the way it was before

when the five was still a four.

Maybe soon, you’ll see it like I see

like the way you look at me.

I sense a little play ‘til the holiday.

Pretend that the clouds have gone away.

I will be your friend

until the end.

I want you. Like a whisper falling hard,

I’ve never gotten far.

If you do, you’ll find me in the sun

learning how to run.

I sense a little change in how we play.

Don’t stay inside and think of when.

I will be your friend

until the end.

When I’m through, the pride that keeps me free

will get the best of me.

Maybe you can look and look again.

It happens now and then.

I sense a little change has come my way.

When the pain comes silently I’ll say

that you have been my friend

until the end.