1. |
The Residence of Ben
02:27
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You've reached the residence of one named Ben
I thank you for calling, but I'm presently not in
And it's such a shame
I would have loved to chat with you
We could have passed the day right through
But today I've gone away
To a better place, my feet just itched to stray
I had to flee my cagey blue-walled room
For the radiator was leaking gloom
And it's far too cold, but I'll call you soon
Won't you leave a message at the tone?
Please tell me your story, just speak it through the phone
I'd really like to know
Give your name and number, too
I'll return your call, will do
But today I've gone away
To a better place, my feet just itched to stray
I had to flee my cagey blue-walled room
For the radiator was leaking gloom
And it's far too cold, but I'll call you soon
Laying on my bed I pondered loudly
While the neon drone of the city oppressed my ear
Looking out on the concrete vegetation
Oh, why did I move down here?
You've reached the residence of one named Ben
Why haven't you called me? I've been checking quite often
But no one has rung
I really need to chat with you
I'm so bored, if you only knew
Don't forget me I'll be back home soon
I had to get away, get away
From this town and the humming streets
I could no longer sleep
My midget cell made me want to yell
So I fled, went away, to where the voices don't dwell
I gotta be where I am not lonely
So if you'd be so kind as to come get me
I'll be waiting at the station at noon
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2. |
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Hurry up, there's not much time
Before the meat-grind music will cease to chime
The ladies are a hoppin' to the hip-hop rhyme
As they jiggle and they giggle, lookin' so divine
The hour is approaching when the glaze-eyed yearn
Aching for some love to douse the midnight burn
If you wanna get some action, gotta be a stud
For no latin-hipped lover ever thanked a dud
Hey, why did I even come?
Before it was just plain fun
But now that the dance is done
It's not so amusing
Icky, sticky people all pressed up close
Their bodies dripping sweat like an oven roast
Squalor is abounding in this dancing den
While the hunter is a prowlin' for some flesh to rend
A graceful-legged beauty to the waterhole goes
Soon to be the victim of the predator's show
With preying smile and carny grin
The beastly two make the dance of skin
Hey, why did I even come?
Before it was just plain fun
But now that the dance is done
It's not so amusing
Hey, it was worth it until I came
But this flesh pot's getting lame
I'm an animal and can't be blamed
And yet I'm sure that I'll come again
How can it be?
Can it be?
That I could find this dismal scene beguiling
The acting's poor! To watch, a chore!
Not to mention the plot's a bore!
To tell the truth I think the exit's calling
These nights are all the same
Hey, why did I even come?
Before it was just plain fun
But now that the dance is done
It's not so amusing
Hey, it was worth it until I came
But this flesh pot's getting lame
I'm an animal and can't be blamed
And yet I'm sure that I'll come again
Is my destined love in here?
Does she look out with her beer?
Why do I delude myself?
She's somewhere else
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3. |
Clarity
03:21
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I want to close my eyes and see
The rise and stretch of dawn
She comes to baptize me
In the heat of her waking yawn
Rain, sweet, it's been so long
And drown me with your tender song
Oh, I feel her. She's somewhere near
Surround me. Embrace
Her splendour, oh so chaste
Don't leave me. It'll grieve me
Why won't you stay?
I am dust and yet believe
The shades eternal prance
The beauty she now weaves
Whispers, no, 'tis not chance
Speak soft, morning star, remain
And may we never part again
Oh, I feel her. She's somewhere near
Surround me. Embrace
Her splendour, oh so chaste
Don't leave me. It'll grieve me
Why won't you stay?
I'm begging you, hold on
Just hold on, just hold on
And now she's gone
Please know I'm waiting
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4. |
The Noble Life
02:26
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Oh, I am sick of comfort's ease
It's everywhere like an STD
Itching, irritating, gnawing on my placid pride
I'm ill, the doctors say I should take a pill
But the cure is suspect when its purpose is to get me high
Maybe it's not me
The world's to blame
Yes, can't you see
I'm not nuts, just uneasy
Afflicted by la vie sans esprit
Is this it? There's gotta be a better way
But wait
I'm not done
This song's not yet begun
When I read of ancient times
Of noble deeds in metered rhyme
I am rather taken by the grandeur of the glory-mad
But war is not a venture I'm suited for
Perhaps I'm modern, your average lotus-loving cad
Yet I vaunt, enemies taunt
My foes oppose and virtues flaunt
And though I seek to be valiant
Better still cultivated
Is this it? There's gotta be a better way
Up to the heights I 'spire
On the clouds I fix my aim
Greatness, oh Greatness
In this respect I do not clown
Greatness, oh Greatness
Honour me with laurel crown
A big soul, lofty goal
Do heaven's work, the good extol
A real celeb, no mere pleb
Ignobles suffer fear and dread
Greatness, oh Greatness
Descend upon me now
Greatness, oh Greatness
Unto you my life I vow
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5. |
Get Off the Stage
02:39
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Geriatric rock star, old and greying
Don't you think it's time now, to hurry up and end the show
You flourished once, but now it's over
Your revival tour I'm sad to say did really blow
Do you realize what the kids all say: LAME!
Rock's no place for Viagra addictions and graves
Shaking in your hot pants your skinny ass
I would kill for this burlesque to pass
Pass the torch, man, for both our sakes get off the stage
I know you'll be angry at this suggestion
But, please remember, your weak heart and your BP's low
Take not offence, friend, none was intended
I'm simply speaking for those who'd gladly have you go
We both are driven by the same desire: FAME
However, you've had your fill and I'm planning on doing the same
If you'll not step down then we'll have no course
But to get Darwinian with a show of force
Please, sirs, please gracefully shove off and leave
Crowds cheering, sound searing, groupies worship me
You've had it, I want it, make way
Our spectre is going to get you
If you don't move it you're gonna lose it
So go away!
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6. |
Pakistan and England
02:44
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A frigid wind blows dry and westerly
She repels and toys with me, and whips so callously
Seeking as the crescent moon meanders on its lonely path
Only for a glowing hearth to escape Aeolus' wrath
Hoping in the twilight mire
For an entre from a house just passed
Come in you silly fool
Why do you wander all alone?
Kiss me, I've missed you dear
You could have called me on the phone
It's cold and late and the fire waits
And I've been worrying about you so...
But the wind just blows
The wind just blows
Unceasingly
Will it end? Who knows?
Strangers carouse and drink and reel
With their jaded senses feel the pleasures that they steal
Though this is the way things are
We needn't now live in the past
Love would be a welcome change
Won't you now remove that ugly mask?
Let us all now laugh and sing
Before they chant requiem mass
Come in you silly fool
Why do you wander all alone?
Time's so short, my friend
Allow yourself but to be known
Break down the walls that have enthralled
Your spirit to the dusty low
Tear and shatter
It's such an easy matter
Come and join with me
We'll make the scoffers see that the nowhere land is not a hollow dream
Companions are around, although they must be found
You've just to care and smile and let your love abound
Take my hand
To the grand bandstand, we'll go
I'll show
And they you'll see that I was right and you were right to leave
The music's playing, there's no delaying, for the time is here and now
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7. |
Paradise Misplaced
03:47
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Where do you say we are?
This dreadful place ranges barren, wide, and far
And I know that it's my fault
I know that it's my fault
Farewell bliss, au revoir
What do you want from me?
Have I not sought your pardon on contrite knee?
'Cause I know that it's my fault
I know that it's my fault
But your justice ain't a remedy
No, no, no remedy
I told you it's my fault
I told you it's my fault
I ask but for a full reprieve
Give it! Don't be a tease
Why does it have to be this way, this way?
I don't understand it, no
You saw how I was led astray
Must I languish? Take pity on a poor man's soul
A pauper-soul
You laugh. What, you think me droll?
How far we've come
So far from where we had first begun
This is no longer fun
Those cords that bound have now been undone
And what now? Shall I exit left? Take my bow?
Bid you happiness? Hide a scowl?
All my life regret?
Ruefully knowing that I'll never forget...
Your touch, smile, joy, wiles, and the song in your voice
I've no choice
I'm broke, lost, disconsolate, tossed
By the thought of your loss. Don't be so cross. I said yeah
I know that it's my fault, yeah
I know that it's my fault, yeah
I told you it's my fault, yeah
Grant me the grace that I have earned
Are you not at all concerned?
Or is it that, cruel one, you'd rather see me burned?
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Showroom Toronto, Ontario
Showroom was a band. A good band. While Toronto is a city, Showroom was a band within that city, and received praise from
music critics who themselves were human beings with feelings.
Showroom made music that made people want to dance, smile, reflect, run, walk, roll over, heel, and eat dinner. Their records were projected to sell over 1,000,000,000,000 copies. Outrageous? No. Just call it true.
... more
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