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John D Lamb's Lyrics
A Little Joke
The Answer Lies
Beautiful Garbage Guy
Che Penzi?
Comin' Undone
Deeper Than the Name of the Rose
Do The Slide
Dog Went Wild
Don't Make Me Laugh
Don't Sound Sound
Drained
Fire Me
Get The Damage Done
Got It So Good
Hell Am I Doin' Here
Hold On To Me
I Want You Bad
If You're Lovin' Me Tonight
Keep An Eye
The Lecture
Let The Love Begin
Little Flower
Louie's Lament
Love In The Park
Love Will Command (You Wait)
Loverman
Matador
More and More
My Girl (Ain't Comin' Back)
Pearl of Love
The One That You Love (She’s Yours Now)
Suburbia Boy
Thick and Thin
39 Years Old (Baby It's Your Birthday)
The Unbeliever
We Never Meet Again
What They Say
When Worlds Collide
When You're Thinking Clear
You Take Out All The Fun (When You Start
To Cry)
You Threw Me
Your Horoscope is Third
All Your Good Times Will Be Found
In the season of intolerance - procreation all around
I am collecting all the evidence - recording every sound
You might be singing in the treetops
Tap dancing on the grass
All your good times will be found
There's no reason for extravagance
There's no reason to have fun
I'd rather see you suffer petulance
Hey, the party's just begun
You might be drinking diet soda pop
There might be wine in your glass
All your good times will be found
And we'll just see who stands their ground
You'll be found beyond the variance
You will find we don't agree
Just where the hell the outhouse is
In relation to the sea
Yeah, we got our ordinances
And if you wanna be free
Don't bring your family
Around
All your good times will be found
In the summer of your arrogance
You took your love to town
Me and the neighbors don't much tolerate
What we think is going down
Yeah, you've got your mistress
And you play so sweet
Underneath the starlight
And away from the street
And you think you're safe
But I can hear your heart pound
All your good times
All your good times
All your good times will be found
Guilty or not you will be found
2001© John D. Lamb
I made a little joke
'Haunts me to this day
Stereotypical poke
It will not go away
'Subject in the corner didn't think it was so swell
Someone should have warned me I was diggin' myself a well
But I barreled through the punch line without a rattle from his rib
cage
And it's painful to remember but I lost a friend that day
Help me get this yoke
Off my face and hands
It's crusty and it smells like Gary
Down in Indiana
There I go again raising the specter of hell
Someone should have warned me the folks I couldn't nail
But I barreled through the insult like Rickles in a steroid rage
And it's painful to remember but I lost a friend that day
I took a
little drag
Inhaled in a big big way
A typical fag
Blew smoke rings in your face
Underneath my halo; not an ashtray in sight
Someone should have warned me no joking on this flight
But I barreled through the cigarette and the air was heavy and gray
And it's painful to remember but I lost a friend that day
I made a little joke
Haunts me to this day
A stupid little joke
Do not go away
1994© John D. Lamb
You see a man of modest means
He's a man nonetheless
He plays a game of subterfuge
Deep in the wilderness
In the dark of the day light slips through the trees
And he makes his way back home
And the white of her nightgown waves in breeze
And the wind blows cold
Ah, the answer lies
She knows 'em right from the start
Oh, the answer lies
She can tell 'em apart
You see a woman who wants to believe
And he must confess
But when he tries to improvise
She believes him less
Well, it might be the way words slip through his teeth
As the story unfolds
And the whites of her eyes roll back in disbelief
She can explode
Ah, the answer lies
She knows 'em right from the start
Oh, the answer lies
She can tell 'em apart
Ah, the answer lies
She knows 'em right from the start
Oh, the answer lies
Deep inside she knows the answer lies
Will only break her heart
2000© John D. Lamb
Beautiful Garbage Guy
11-8-03
My middle name is Anthony – A-N-T-H-O-N-Y
But the kids ‘round here, they call me
Beautiful Garbage Guy
My last name I forgot – don’t ask me why
But everything I’ve got is
Right here in this hefty bag of mine
(chorus)
And if you look inside you’ll see I own
Everything a man needs to make his home
Oh beautiful garbage, beautiful garbage
Beautiful Garbage Guy
My legal name is Johnny – J-O-H-N-N-Y
But the feds ‘round here, they call me
A master spy
My family has forgotten me – they think I died
All that I have left is
Right here in this hefty bag of mine
And if you look inside you’ll see I own
Everything a man needs to make his home
Oh beautiful garbage, beautiful garbage
Beautiful Garbage Guy
My ex-wife’s name is Di – Princess D-I
She took the kids and left me
For some other life
That’s when I took the name Garbage Guy – G-U-Y
That’s when I started working
For the FBI
Yeah, the kids ‘round here, they love my beautiful things – T-H-ings
Bottle caps and pop can tabs
Make necklaces and rings
When I lighten up my load, I’m feeling fine – feeling fine
‘Cause I feel my silver lining
Right here in this hefty bag of mine
(chorus)
2003© John D. Lamb
No one told me I'd be led to slaughter
Trying to make it with the judge's daughter
I am an immigrant's son
You are the multilingual one
German, Russian and Portuguese
A little Latin and legalese
Si vous ples means if you please
Come over here and lay by me
Che penzi? Niente.
Che penzi? Niente.
What are you thinking of?
Not a thing, my love
You want to work at the United Nations
Something to do with public relations
How do you keep your grades so stable
When you drink me under the table?
You're a blue-eyed blonde and you drive a Honda
A hard bargain and you're fond of Fonda
you stand tall and you've got your rights
Come over here and treat me nice
Che penzi? Niente.
Che penzi? Niente.
What are you thinking of?
Not a thing, my love
Well, you talk about your politics
And how your mama is a full-fledged Republican
I talk to you but you only listen
When I'm speaking in tongues or talking Italian
No one told me I could be so green
Trying to make up with the cherry queen
Talking in tongues, well, it just won't do
In plain English, you and I are through
1995© John D. Lamb
Comin' Undone
from A Novel Day
Angel girl, you keep me comin' undone
Every song I sang to you was sung
With deep conviction from the bottom of my heart
It's you I wanted to keep right from the start
You fly in on your wings of desire
Your perfect landing set the room on fire
You stole my thunder, made me feel so woebegone
Angel girl, you keep me comin' undone
You were gonna be the one
I was gonna spend my spare change on
I was gonna keep you, yeah, I was gonna keep you
Angel's gonna keep me comin' undone
Every night you drift into the club
Your aura expanding in my lungs
Chokes me up and spins around my head
One hit of you could surely raise the dead
You were gonna be the one
I was gonna spend my spare change on
I was gonna keep you, yeah, I was gonna keep you
Angel's gonna keep me comin' undone
You fly in on your siren smile
I want to keep you deep in Eurostyle
I'll work it out, I'll be your only John
Angel girl, you keep me comin' undone
1995© John D. Lamb
Deeper Than the Name of the Rose
Your mouth is on a gradual lift
Suddenly a rocky decline
Your lips have a natural gift
For never making up their mind
There's a smile right under your nose
Aw, you bit yourself keeping it closed
Now, it's swollen like a river
Deeper than The Name of the Rose
Umberto Eco, echo, eh?
You know he had a lot on his mind
The way your lips look today
Leonardo would have taken his time
There's a twinkle right next to your mole
Call it a beauty mark, if you say so
The shade of red he'd give her
Deeper than The Name of the Rose
I know you must be sick of the guy
Saying, "How's about a little grin?"
Don't you break down and cry
Girl, you gotta hold it in
When you put out your lower lip
Aw, baby that's the way it goes
On a mighty strange trip
Deeper than The Name of the Rose
Your mouth is on a gradual lift
Suddenly that crazy decline
You don't have to get miffed
At the drop of a dime
Then you punch this guy right in the nose
You're watchin' as the red blood flows
Flowin' like a river
Deeper than The Name of the Rose
Well, I put out my lips to kiss her
And she landed a couple more blows
Now I'm swollen like a river
Deeper than The Name of the Rose
'Swollen like a river
Deeper than The Name of the Rose
1997© John D. Lamb
You play a game of dirty pool
You break all the rules
I played along, I played the fool
Now we're staying after school
The tide has turned
But I've tried
And I keep finding it harder to abide
Well now, I'm doing the slide
I had a plan, you had a scheme
I had a fit, you had a dream
I feel ashamed, you're feeling proud
Do you have to smile so loud?
Badly burned
I've tried
And I keep finding it harder to abide
Well now, I'm doing the slide
Do the slide
You can't hold it and you can't fight it
You can't control it
And you can't be too excited when you do the slide
I'm a threat, you're a vixen
I sweat, you glisten
I'll make a bet you're not listenin'
To every word you're missin'
I'm a thorn in your side
But when your lips open wide
I feel like I'm doing the slide
Lovers quarrel, lovers clash
Love bats a false eyelash
Smoker's cough, joker's wild
You used to scoff at the old man-child
The tide has turned
But I wouldn't lie
Stick a needle right in my eye
I've been burned
But I've tried
And I keep finding it harder to abide
Well now, I'm doing the slide
Do the slide
Do the slide
1987© John D. Lamb
by John D. Lamb 8-26-95
Hey little sister, now you got yourself a dog
Alaskan something that you found at the pound
Full grown when you brought him home
So well groomed we assume he's sound
Hey little sister, are you gonna keep a dog?
'Bit our daddy and the kitty next door
Took a big hunk out of your lover
And a chunk of your brother they were rolling on the floor
chorus
Pretty little sister I remember you a baby, a baby so cute
I remember little sister if you only knew
When he turned on you and the face of a child
What could I do?
When the dog went wild
Hey little sister, 'member Whitey's dog?
Dalmatian on chain in that big backyard
Your foot got tangled and your pretty face mangled
101 stitches now think back hard
You were three years old I remember the blood
Whitey's mom screaming, "Get your daddy, boy, run!"
I never seen daddy run so fast
That's what scared me the most I guess
chorus
You're beautiful now even with your scars
With a smile and a wink you can break a man's heart
I know it comes as no big surprise
How close he came to scratching out your eyes
Every time I look into the face of a child
I think about you and how that dog went wild
I keep wondering what could I do
Pretty little sister you a baby so cute
1995© John D. Lamb
Don't Make Me Laugh
from A Novel Day
We met over an hour ago, I barely know her
We've been getting on famously
Our hands are all over
Sway above me gentle now
Don't make me laugh
The first time was a barrel
'Second time carafe
Lay your hands off of me, I'm out of money
Once is fun and twice is kind of funny
Tonight I pulled out all the stops, I'm feeling bolder
'Tried to give her all I've got
I even tried to hold her
But when I fell asleep she cried,
"Don't make me laugh"
The first time I got lucky
Second, time for a nap
Lay your hands off of me, I'm out of money
Once is fun and twice is kind of funny
Sing for your supper, suffer the fools
Love one another and follow the rules
You don't roll over
You can't be through
Don't make me laugh so soon
You better search me darling gentle now
Don't make me laugh
When you reach into my pocket
All you'll find is a buck and a half
1995© John D. Lamb
Don't Sound Sound
from A Novel Day
Don't sound sound to me
Don't sound sound to me
That plan of yours, it don't sound
Beat a path to Wyoming
Beat a path to Wyoming
Build a log cabin with your drugs
I got a brother with a real job
He's gonna take good care of you
'Sell your house for a two dollar profit
Don't sound sound to me
Don't sound sound to me
That plan of yours, it don't sound
I'm gonna get out of town
I'm gonna go to the cowboy town
I hope the sheriff don't shake me down
I got a brother with a real gun
He's gonna take good care of you
Shoot your horse, lose all your profit
I got a winner for a brother
Look at the rags you're wearin'
Look out for each other
Even when the songs we're singin'
Don't sound sound to me
Don't sound sound to me
That plan of yours, it don't sound
I'm goin' to Jackson hole
I'm goin' to Jackson hole
But this old hole ain't in Wyoming
It don't sound to me
It don't sound to me
It don't sound like you are goin'
1995© John D. Lamb
Got to be a reason I can't maintain
I'm a little mixed up but it's all the same
I'm drained
I was searchin' for the vein but I'm all blocked up
I got you to blame
I'm drained
And there's something wrong with my brain
I'm hurtin, but I feel no pain
You started something when you walk that walk
Now I'm feeling kind of lame
And I'm drained
'Had a full deck but it wasn't enough
Didn't take long, I fell for your bluff
I'm drained
Since you, girl, I'll never be the same
you beat me bad at my very own game
Now, I'm drained
And there's something wrong with my brain
I'm hurtin, but I feel no pain
You started something when you talk that talk
Now I'm feeling kind of lame
I'd build a bridge across this great divide
But you done sapped me of my strength
And I'm drained
'Miss a few marbles and I miss my mom
My speech gets garbled when I hold my tongue
I was searchin' for that certain strain
Sounds like Angel or Angeline
Maybe Angelica or Angelique
Then again, it might be sweet Lorraine
I'm drained
1989© John D. Lamb
from Live in the Barn
When it comes to me you've got your reservations
You're not quite sure about my motivations
Every time I try an in depth conversation
It's brief
Every time I say good-bye
I know you breathe a sigh of relief
You fire me
Then you rehire me
Then you fire me again
When you fire me
You inspire me to no end
When it comes to me you've got no imagination
You thought that you had hired an imitation
Now you can't deal with your expectations
And the grief
Every time I say good-bye
I know you breathe a sigh of relief
You fire me
Then you rehire me
Then you fire me again
When you fire me
You inspire me to no end
Another night, another dive bar
Another regular says, "Play something we know, will you?"
He's out of beer
Tempers flair
The bartender could really care
And every time I feel like I'm going somewhere
It's brief
Every time I say good-bye
I know you breathe a sigh of relief
You fire me
Then you rehire me
Then you fire me again
When you fire me
You inspire me to no end
1986© John D. Lamb
from Live at Legs
by John D. Lamb 2-7-03
Getting pretty sick of myself
Having much too much fun
I ought to make one mistake
Get the damage done
We got a good thing, don’t we?
Only one thing left to do honey
Get the damage done
Letting you stick with myself
Makes me want to run
So, I’ll make your heart break
Get the damage done
We got a good thing, don’t we?
Only one thing left to do, honey
Get the damage done
Honey, I got something to tell
I ain’t feeling so well
Do you know what it’s about?
Do I have to spell it out?
I’m in hell, hon’,
I got to get the damage done
Letting you slip from myself
Was completely dumb
I made a big mistake
I got the damage done
We had a good thing, didn’t we?
Only one thing left to do, honey
Undo the damage done
Honey, I got something to tell
I ain’t feeling so well
Do you know what it’s about?
Do I have to spell it out?
I'm in hell, hon', I got the damage done
2003© John D. Lamb
You're pullin' my leg - get outta here
You're pullin' my leg - no really, get outta here
Got it so good, keep it to yourself
No one wants to hear how you're
Pullin' my leg - you're pullin' it
Pullin' my leg - you're really full of it
Top of the world, keep it to yourself
No one wants to hear how you've
Got it so good - you got it
Got it so good - you really got it now
Bangin' my head, I'm so happy for you
Sick of myself cause you
Got it so - without trying
Got it so good - you weren't lying
Pullin' my leg, things that you said
Stick in my craw and I'm
Bangin' my head - against the wall
Bangin' my head - you're so tall
Top of the world, out of the loop
Feelin' so bad 'cause you
Got it so good - you're blowin' it
Got it so good - you're really blowin' it
Feeling so bad 'cause you're feeling so good
'Like you much better when you're
You're pullin' my leg - get outta here
You're pullin' my leg - no really, get outta here
2000© John D. Lamb
Like an episode of the fugitive kind
This man was crying
Fear and rage
Or was it fear?
And hey, the hell am I doin' here?
How do you get loaded like the lotta money kind?
When you're always loaded
Like a fusillade
Or was it the beer?
And hey, the hell am I doin' here
'Scuse me while I disappear
Set 'em up, Joe
You know, Frank had a very good year
But me, the hell am I doin' here?
I been down this road about a million times
And I miss my turn
Time to act your age
Let the questions burn
And hey, nothin' you can learn will help you face
The mirror and say
The hell am I doin' here?
Like the serial of the opera kind
This man was cryin'
My tears fall like rain
Or they will not stop
And hey, snap your fingers pop
'Scuse me while I disappear
Set 'em up, Joe
You know, Frank had a very good year
But me, the hell am I doin' here?
1999© John D. Lamb
One starlight evening I looked away
A spectral vision, her face
One wicked moment, I tried to pray
My salvation, her grace
Alarm and resignation
You try my will
My heart beats with impatience
I could kill
Hold on to me, hold on to me, hold on to me, you
One siren called me, you looked away
With no derision, no trace
Your permissions mean to haunt me
I'm made to look a fool
You have me where you want me
You rule
Hold on to me, hold on to me, hold on to me, you
1999© John D. Lamb
I Want You Bad
from A Novel Day
There's a light show flashing 'cross the morning sky
Something's going on with the moon and stars
Dishes crashin' on ceramic tile
You're throwing me out of this home of ours
You call me a louse and you wreck my car
You drink even more than your dad
When you hit me, baby, you caught me off guard
I love you and I want you bad
Bubble tops flashing out in the drive
Someone called the cops, must've been next door
Here they come crashin', "Anyone alive?"
She tells me I'm rotten to the core
You called me a louse and you wrecked my car
'Drank all my Granddad
When you treat me nice it breaks my heart
I love you and I want you bad
When you scream my name and the lord in vain
I don't feel so sad
Now, I ain't ashamed cause I need the pain
I love you and I want you bad
I love you and I want you bad
'Only way to do it is to make you mad
I love your face when it's red as a beet
'Veins pop out my love's complete
When you scream my name and the lord in vain
I don't feel so sad
Now, I ain't ashamed cause I need the pain
I love you and I want you bad
1995© John D. Lamb
If You're Lovin'
Me Tonight
from A Novel Day
If you're lovin' me tonight
Let's not discuss the children and
Let's not talk of differences in age
If you're lovin' me tonight
Put your dog out on the doorstep
Lock your birds up in a soundproof cage
Shut the door behind you
Don't forget to dim the light
You've got to believe in my love this evening
If you're lovin me tonight
If you're lovin' me tonight
Abandon all illusions
This train is headed for reality
Shut the door behind you, girl
Don't forget to dim the light
Need I remind you now
No one will find out how
You're holding me so tight
You've got to believe in my love this evening
If you're lovin' me tonight
1995© John D. Lamb
She says you're workin' on a Bible
And a dream you call survival
You just might save a little soul
She say's you better be comin' soon
And you better keep an eye on her
You know that I know you won't make parole
I will keep an eye
I will hang tight
And I will try to keep an eye
She say's you made a bad connection
And you left her in the worst condition
Maybe it's better you're under arrest
I will keep an eye
I will hang tight
And I will try to keep an eye
Every now and then I bail you out
Every now and then you tell me about
How you'd kill any man
Who'd dare to ask her out
Now, when you're finished with that Bible
And the warden says it's time to die
You can bet the devil, I will keep an eye
I will keep an eye
I will hang tight
And I will try to keep an eye
1986© John D. Lamb
Your mom and I we met on drugs
I recall we had loads of fun
We laughed and we philosophized
Some years later we had you, son
We often wondered if there'd be some bugs
Lord knows we experimented some
Will you be healthy, will you be wise?
Abuse yourself like your mom and I
We started out with some innocent hugs
She might recall I got a little rough
Slept alone on the couch that night
Some time later, I treated her right
We often wondered 'bout the two of us
Did we love each other enough?
We lost a child, gave up on one, too
Years later we had you
Son, I see you're fascinated with bugs
You like to step on 'em and stare at their guts
Your little brother, he looks up to you
Sometimes you two drive me nuts
I want to say, son, say no to drugs
Your mom and I don't want to worry our butts
Still, I'm amazed that you're my brilliant boy
Holding you is my greatest joy
1995© John D. Lamb
(Easter)
On this day we celebrate
Our union with a reception
When we feed each other cake
We have our sweet confection
And on our face the sweet remains
Frosting on my chin
And when you flick me with your tongue
My love comes rushing in
Let the love begin
Let the love begin
Let the love begin again
And when the maid of honor saw this
Act of our affection
She told herself, "Admit it girl,
You love this predilection."
A tier of cake in her hand
Careful with sleeves of lace
She taps the shoulder of her man
And smashes it in his face
All around, couples frown yet they
Huddle for protection
The children stop and stare
At their parents slow reaction
Cake is flying through the air
No one seems to move
Until it splatters everywhere
And I turn to you
Let the love begin
Let the love begin
Let the love begin again
One year later we celebrate
Our union with affection
By pulling from the freezer
A bakery's confection
Of a man, a woman, made of sugar
And food coloring
We melt them in the microwave
And pour them on our skin
(Chorus) (2 or 3 times)
2002 © John D. Lamb
11-9-02
Blossom time to take a look
Heavy lips and heavy books
'Carry on your back
Horticulture, decadence
Try to make some sweet, sweet sense
Mystery is back
Little Flower
The petals bloom, the cycle starts
Make room for breakin' hearts
'Carry on you're back
Someone tried to hold you tight
Someone called in the middle of the night
To take you back
Little Flower
Every little breeze seems to whisper and sneeze
I don't mind the social squeeze
I'm tied up, now I'm free
Little Flower and me
She's been downtown, she's been overseas
She's seen the statues of the gods and the goddess of Greece
Little Flower, protect me now
Little Flower, Fiorina
Forbidden fruit and perennials
No match for my red, red rose
Hold me back
Blow what you may, I know you feel awesome
Give me the pollen of my sweet blossom
Hold me back
Little Flower
No time to carry on
In the Garden of Eden it's understood
Temptation, damnation
Carry on, Little Flower, you feel so...
Every little breeze seems to whisper and sneeze
And they serve red meat at the Dairy Queen
You're tied up until three
Then you flower
I'll take you downtown, I'll take you to Lafayette
I'll show you Greeks and I'll show you grease
Little Flower, I'll protect you now
Little Flower, Fiorina
Little Flower, Fiorina
Little Flower, Fiorina
Little Flower, Fiorina
1987© John D. Lamb
Sittin' on top of the ledge
Louie's wiggin' out he's a little on edge
I had to grab him by the shirt and slap him in the face
Said, "Louie, join the human race, make a pledge"
Swear you're gonna layoff
Say you're gonna stay off
But he blew it
One more line ought to do it
Don't call me Louie like you did
I jammed with the Rock Mountain kid
That's what I did in the summer of the big score
Then we did a little more
And I swore
Yeah I'm gonna lay off
I'm really gonna stay off
But I blew it
One more line ought to do it
Get out of bed, you're near the end
Calling me a fed when I'm a friend
Hey Louie, don't you know me?
You and I we could've made it to the top
You've got to show me
You really mean it when you say you're gonna stop
But you blew it
You didn't have to do it
Don't call me Louie like you did
I blew a lid with the Rocky Mountain kid
That's what I did in the summer of the big score
Then we did a little more
And I swore
Yeah, I'm gonna layoff
Really gonna stay off
This time
Really ought to pay off
1984© John D. Lamb
Love
in the Park
from A Novel Day
Girl, it's gettin' late
'Don't want to end this date
I don't want to take you home
I want to take you with me for a ride
We'll park in the park
Get outside and walk
We'll slide on the slide
Hang on the jungle-jim now in the dark
We'll make love, baby, love in the park
We'll swing on the swing
Every song we'll sing
Lie beneath an oak tree
Stare up through the branches at the stars
We'll make love, baby, love in the park
When I think about my teachers and the folks back home
I think about the preachers and the ones who made feel all alone
I laugh
Into this tree I etch my heart
Though our love may be in vain
The memory remains beneath the bark
We made love in the park
1995© John D. Lamb
She doesn't like the room
What she wants is a view of the bay
Back in the car they go zoom
Her royal highness got to have her way
She doesn't like they way he drives
He'd like to drop her at the next rest area
Love will command, you wait
But for now she's the queen of hysteria
Roll your eyes for the queen
Roll your eyes for her winsome ways
She'll hit you in between and in the middle
Love will command, you wait
She doesn't like the tunes
He doesn't think she ought to touch that dial
One more block she starts to fume
'Calls him every little name that's vile
Roll your eyes for the queen
Roll your eyes for her milquetoast mate
Why she treats him so obscene that's the riddle
Love will command you -
Are you a man, you?
You wait
Love will command, you wait
He'll make a stand when the time is right
Love will command, you wait
Our lord and ruler only comes in the night
Make way for the king
Make way for the hand of might
You had your day and now it's gonna sting a little
Love will command you -
Make way for the king
Make way for the swingin' vine
You had your fun now hang on to me honey
Love will command, you wait
Love will command, you wait
Love will command, you wait
Love will command you -
Understand you
You wait
2001© John D. Lamb
from Live in the Barn
I realize how I feel about you
How you feel about me, I wonder
Look in my eyes, oh, the way you do
Now, I'm goin' under
I've been hot, baby, you've been cool
That's one thing I can't stand
I want to be nobody's fool
I want to be your loverman
No need to lie or try to disguise
How you feel about a man with candor
Look him in the eye, oh, the way he tries
Now, he's hard to handle
I've been hot, baby, you've been cold
That's one thing I can't stand
When you complain 'I'm bold
I want to be your loverman
I'll try and I'll hold out my hand
Will I be the real one or one more one night stand?
Don't you turn away and run
I want to take you and hold you like nobody can
I want to be your loverman
I want to be your man, girl, I need you
I'm your little lost lamb trying to reach you
'Sneak up behind you, I will find you
I'll whisper in your ear
I've been so damn confused
I can't stand
All I know is I'm being used
And I've got to be your loverman
I want to be your loverman
1985© John D. Lamb
from Live at Legs and Live in the Barn
Papa wakes at the crack of light
A novel day, the mood is write
For civil wars on distant shores
Exploits become folklore
Oh, to be a matador
The bell tolls across the river
Into the trees and blow the bridge high
Venice and Paris a feast
Spain contains the beast
Young American in search of danger
Kill the bull by the horns
Attack not in anger
Run the risk of being gored
Oh, to be a Matador
Nick Adams, you are an explorer
Now you're gambling south of the border
With caballeros who come with Castro
Pick up the pieces and move to Idaho
Oh, to be a matador
Black dog and a Smith Corona
Faded poster from Pamplona
Twelve gauge in a dusty corner
The lion's final roar
Oh, to be a Matador
1995© John D. Lamb
More
and More
from A Novel Day
When the moon hits your eye
Like a Miss American pie
The blood starts flowing
She sings a tune, it makes you cry
Her fangs are showing
She's got a spell on you and
She keeps killing you
You've never been dead before
Once you get a taste
You'll need it more and more
Pretty soon you wonder why
You've never felt so high
Your cheeks are glowing
It ain't no use, you can't stop
You want to give her every last drop
Your love is flowing
She's got a spell on you and
She keeps killing you
You've never been dead before
Once you get a taste
You'll need it more and ...
The more I bleed, the more you live
I want to give and give
There's a red cross, baby, painted on my door
Anytime you need more
Our love is doomed, we both know why
We kill each other
Just to stay alive
Our love is showing (watch it growing)
So, when the moon hits your eye
Pull the shades and the shudders tight
'Cause tonight I ain't going
I need more, more and more...
1995© John D. Lamb
Smokey say he got to go
Got to make it on the golden coast
So he leave the girl all alone
When you know she needs him most
The girl with the French name
Made a buck off a drive train
And the mayor he be yellin' back
he say, "My girl, she ain't comin' back no more"
Your papa was a rolling stone
Your mama be the queen of soul
Some people say she lost the knack
Temptation hit the beaten path
The girl with the French name
Made a buck off a drive train
And the mayor he be yellin' back
he say, "My girl, she ain't comin' back no more"
She found a mountain high enough
'Found a man who's rich enough
'Wonder who will telephone
Tell the girl she's welcome home
The girl with the French name
Made a buck off a drive train
And the mayor he be yellin' back
he say, "My girl, she ain't comin' back no more"
1986© John D. Lamb
Dive deep, deep into the sound
Mother of pearl, you're feelin' down
You stay up all night
I had enough but you want to make it right
That's tough
Back at the restaurant you're feelin' hurt
You don't eat and you dish the dirt
You had enough
'Try to be a woman in a little girl's world
It's rough
Dive deep for a genuine pearl
Pearl of love
You join the club, you work hard
Do your stuff on the exercise on the exercise bar
Leotards, fishnets
Last night you wore your castanets
That was tough
Back at the restaurant way past two
Le bon vivant haven't got a clue
How tough
Try to keep your figure in a little girl's world
It's rough
Dive deep for a genuine pearl
Pearl of love
Here on the mantle of your shell I place a small bead of sand
Wait several years, now, who can tell?
We'll cry bitter tears
And we'll free all your needless fears
You're a woman, you're a girl
You're a genuine
Pearl of love
Dive deep, deep into the bay
And recall your gymnast days
Skin tights, pigtails
A routine that never fails
That's tough
Back at the restaurant the tears unfurl
The one who loves you loves that little girl
Yeah, pearl of love
Try to be woman in a debutante's world
It's rough
Dive deep for a genuine
Pearl of love
Look up and down for a genuine
Pearl of Love
1987© John D. Lamb
The One That You Love (She’s Yours Now)
4-22-03
The one that you love will never be yours
‘Make her your bride, take her all around the world
You can build her a house in the land of your birth
The one that you love will never be yours
She’s yours now, she loves you, yeah
She’s yours now, that’s what she said
She’s the one that you love
The one that you love
The one that you love will never be had
She can’t promise she won’t ever be sad
You can give her all the things she won’t be getting’ from her dad
The one that you love will never be had
The one that you love, she loves you too
Repeat these words, make believe they’re true
Say ‘em over and over til your face turns blue
The one that you love, she loves you too
The one that you love will never be mine
I thought that she was but I misread the signs
She’s yours now, buddy, that I can’t deny
The one that you love will never be mine
2003© John D. Lamb
He crawled in from the walk in a rainstorm
Strad in hand, Vivaldi's bad
Your showing much too much concern
Don't let on that you've been worrying 'bout a worm
Leafing through a book with your coke-bottle lenses
You look me up; you think I'm funny
Wait'll you hear the punch line, it'll make you squirm
Now you're lyin' right beside me and I'm feeling like a worm
Will you ever learn to play the violin?
You are a creep some days but I love you through thick and thin
Rifling through the wreckage of your diary
'Stumbled on my little entry
'Had the gall to read it, every word
Scribbling up the page where you reveal the worm
Getting stepped on feels good when you deserve it
Though you won't admit it when it's time
Call me the slime, the little germ
How does it feel to be conquered by a worm?
Will you ever learn to play the violin
You are a creep some days but I love you through thick and thin
Yes, I love you through thick and thin
1996© John D. Lamb
39 Years Old (Baby, It’s Your Birthday)
7-22-03
It took 9 minutes to make you
Your mama had to be consoled
9 more months to bake you
And soon you were 9 months old
You took 9 steps and stumbled
‘Fell on your ass and cried
You cried when the cookie crumbled
You cried
It took 9 years before you
Could say you were 9 years old
Mommy and daddy adore you
But still they like to scold
Now, 9 times out of ten, dear
You spill the milk and cry
You cried until your tenth year
Yeah, you cried
(Chorus)
Baby, it’s your birthday
Nine years older than yesterday
Baby, it’s your birthday
Walk with me, honey, let me wipe those years away
Only 19 when you left town
Mama warned you not to be bold
19 hours to Houston
You never listen to what you’re told
The nightlife brings you down here
And you keep it all inside
If you want to make it to next year
You better call your mom and cry
(Chorus)
It took 9 years to find the guy
The right one for the job
9 months later a little guy
The one who calls you mom
Well, he keeps you up all night, dear
You were fit to be tied
Remember your 29th year
How you cried
(Chorus)
39 years old
The end of the road
Walk with me honey put your hand in mine
Together we’ll take things slow
Dry your eyes
Wipe your nose
Walk with me honey put your hand in mine
Together we’ll buy some clothes
Have some cake
Drink some wine
Hush little baby now don’t you cry
Put your hand in mine
Put your hand in mine
Things'll get better
Not even thirty-nine
Lasts forever
2003© John D. Lamb
Well, I found the way from Farmington
With a reptile on my button down
And legs dressed in corduroy
I've got an attitude and a pile tunes
Campus cool and a silver spoon
Now, I'm gainfully unemployed
Suburbia boy, you will never be a man
Until you suffer and you work with your hands
Hey boy, pack your guitar case
Reach across the boundaries of style and good taste
From the 'Kitchen to the Blind Pig
And the Lizard's Underground
When I finished the audition
Not a one of them hung around
For the hippies in Ann Arbor
Would never let me in
And now the poseurs are nervous to attend
Suburbia boy, you'll never be a man
Until you find a drummer who will lend you a hand
Hey boy, pack your guitar case
Reach across the boundaries of style and good taste
The gall and the pretense to feign your innocence
We'd never fall for that kind of ploy
The nerve and the insolence to actually play your instruments
You'll never make it in Detroit
At a pow wow on Lake Michigan
We burned a few with the Indians
And beat drums along the shore
We swore that we'd be back again
For the few that we could not offend
The rednecks, cherry farmers we adore
On the outskirts metropolitan
'Saw white boys playin' the blues
And they promised we could jam with them
When we paid a few more dues
Well, we watched and we listened
To the licks they were missin'
Only the passion and the joy
Suburbia boy, you will never be a man
Until you wallow in your sorrow and you cry
Hey boy, try to understand
Take it from a veteran
You will never be a man
Until you make some noise
And you pack your guitar case
And reach across the boundaries of style and good taste
Cross the boundaries of style and good taste
You've got to cross the boundaries of good taste
1987© John D. Lamb
from Live at Legs
Don't give a damn for the pagan unbeliever
Not a good goddamn for the lonely redeemer
The backwoods man makes his stand
On the rising peaks and retreating land
Far away from idols and deceivers
Don't pray for the decent unbeliever
Believing thieves and decent unbelievers
A nation grieves for the fate of the Indian
Too late for Jesuits and fishermen
Don't pray for the decent unbeliever
Don't send a dollar to the heathen unbeliever
'Had a job to do, how could he leave her?
Not a red cent for the malcontent
A tenderfoot until the money's spent
Now he's sleeping on skins of coyote and beaver
Don't pray for the decent unbeliever
Believing thieves and decent unbelievers
A nation grieves for the fate of the Indian
Too late for Jesuits and fishermen
Don't pray for the decent unbeliever
Don't pray for the decent unbeliever
Believing thieves and decent unbelievers
Overachievers and inquiring minds
Need to know the divining line
Don't pray for the decent unbeliever
Don't pray
Don't pray for the unbeliever
For Geronimo
Don't pray for the unbeliever
1988© John D. Lamb
from Live at Legs
I can dream you are a stranger
A rearranger now and then
Make believe, let's pretend
We may never meet again
Tell me a story 'bout who you used to be
Using a different voice, tuck me in
Make believe, let's pretend
We may never meet again
We never meet again
We never meet again
We never meet again
I can dream you are a savior
In need of some danger, say amen
Dominique - unique
C'mon and be my custodian
We never meet again
We never meet again
We never meet again
Wear your uniform with your Maidenform
A little double talk, innuendo
You are Victoria, now Francesca
Well, no matter, I surrender
Don't you fear my love has gone away
'Long as you lead me on it's hear to stay
So, make believe, let's pretend
We may never meet again
2001© John D. Lamb
from Live in the Barn
by John D. Lamb 4-14-95
They say I slept with you to get this job
Well, I'm offended
That implies that I ain't qualified
I know what happened and that's why I'm working now
I'll do my job and I'll punch out
And put an end to all these lies
They say I live with you just to survive
Well, I'm offended
That implies that I just can't get by
I know what's happening in my home
I do my share I don't need a loan
And what they say will not fly
chorus
They say this, they say that
Baby, you and I both know that ain't where it's at
They say this, they say that
That's what they say
They say I left you flat to get that girl
But I defended you, hey, big surprise
I don't want to be one of those guys
I say you left me and that's why I'm crying now
I lost my job and my home
They say they never realized
They say this, they say that
Baby, you and I both know that ain't where it's at
They say this, they say that
That's what they say
Give me a kiss, pay no mind to that
Baby, you and I both know what's the real facts
They say this, they say that
That's what they say
1995© John D. Lamb
John D. Lamb 3-16-02
My world, your world
The embrace of our love is so wide
Sometimes its heaven, you never can tell
Sometimes we don't work out so well
When worlds collide
My world, your world
By the planets we do abide
Sometimes we share and it feels pretty good
Sometimes we don't play like we should
That's when worlds collide
Your mind is worlds away
Not like the other day
When we lied and we spoke of our love
On that day who were you thinking of?
When worlds collide
One world, two worlds
We made love on the day that they died
If this is our hell I will spend it with you
You know perfectly well that's what I will do
When worlds collide
When worlds collide
2002© John D. Lamb
When You’re Thinking Clear
7-11-03
She calls me up just to say
I need you here
She was wrong, she was wrong
She wasn’t thinking clear
I tried to leave, leave today
No use me being there
When I’m gone, when I’m gone
That’s when she’s thinking clear
I think I’m in love, oh
And I hurt so
I wanna go
Away from you
Lay down your guard my sweet angel
‘Strugglin’ with your pride
It’s when I’m near, when I’m here
That’s when you can’t decide
Whether to love, love this man
This man who might disappear
When I’m gone, when I’m gone
That’s when you’re thinking clear
I think I’m in love, oh
And I hurt so
I wanna go
Away from you
You promise to love, love me madly
Love me when I’m home
Easy to say, you had me
And never would I roam
When I was there, I was there
You had nothing to fear
When I’m gone, when I’m gone
That’s when you’re thinking clear
2003©John D. Lamb
You Take Out All
The Fun
(When You Start To Cry)
Our running word game on that morning
Took a sorry turn without a warning
When the lids began to blink in tandem
This may not be the date you planned on
Well, it's hard to argue, hard to be mean
Hard to have a discussion when you start to scream
Wah, you take out all the fun when you start to cry
On the day that I began to bug you
You told me all I had to do was hold you
Why don't I give you what you want?
Instead of sitting her in this restaurant
Well, it's hard to argue, hard not to come clean
When you wail like a widow from the old country
Wah, you take out all the fun when you start to cry
You're the last word freak on every story
And you make out like you won when you let it fly
Down your cheek run the tears of glory
And you take out all the fun when you start to cry
So, here we sit, eyes on the menu
Time for the guy to find a new venue
Why don' t I give you what you want?
No surrender, no détente
Sorry honey, sorry dear
Maybe I shouldn't have brought you here
Well, I want to argue and I want a cold beer
And I want to treat you so cavalier
Wah, you take out all the fun when you start to cry
2000© John D. Lamb
I'm searching for the girl I admire
Fallin' back on my wicked ways
I'm burning with misguided desire
Before I leave I've got to say
The way we kiss,
I could've sworn we had some fusion
Love was bliss,
Your love for me was all an illusion
I thought I knew you, you fooled me
I hate to say, it girl, you really threw me
I'm returning to the woman I admire
Crawling back with my beat red face
I'm learning I'm wild
I'm guilty girl and I've got to say
The way we kiss,
Your love is like a blood infusion
Better than this,
Honey, all the others were a mild intrusion
I thought I knew you, you fooled me
I hate to say, it girl, you really threw me
Hold on with forgiving arms
Shield me from my misery
With you everything's all right
And I hate to say it, girl, you really threw me
Oh, the way we kiss
I must be suffering delusions
B etter than this
All we've got to do is heal these bruises
I thought I knew you, you fooled me
I hate to say, it girl, you really threw me
1995© John D. Lamb
I love my wife, she's the one for me
I love myself because it's free
The stars in the sky say, "One, two, three"
Your horoscope is third
She's an Aries, fire and sun
Sagittarius, I'm her hon'
Hey little Leo, wanna have some fun
Your horoscope is third
If you could be mine, I would not want you
There ain't no hope in this world
The moon could be blue but the stars will still haunt you
Your horoscope is third
I love my wife, she's so divine
I love myself when I'm feeling fine
Baby, you're a nasty Valentine
Your horoscope is third
She's the one I depend on
Baby, I don't want to offend you
Even though we had a little innuendo
Your horoscope is third
If you could be mine, I would not want you
There ain't no hope in this world
The moon could be blue but the stars will still haunt you
Your horoscope is third
Okay, well maybe we kissed a bit
That might not have been the end of it
Baby, you don't have to throw a fit
"Cause your horoscope is third
Yeah, I swore I'd be there for you
"Mean it when I say I adore you
Get the feeling I'm beginning to bore you...
I love my wife, she's the first
Next myself, I'm the worst
Baby, your bubble I don't want to burst
Your horoscope is third
1998© John D. Lamb