There's an angel on the stairs
(as if you'd even care)
When the lights go up,
and the sun has nearly gone down.
Did you see him on the street?
Did you pass him at your feet?
Did you think aloud,"how dare they
even look me in the eye'?
And he loves the girls.
And he loves the boys.
Going to make twenty dollars
before the weekends over.
So set him up,
Let him fall.
Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans.
Got a ticket to a show.
Going to see him take a blow.
When the drunk one said,
"Cat Sssstevens was the greatest singer!"
And did you kick him in the head?
Did you see the blood run down? Did you laugh at all when the
people walked right by and said aloud,
"You gutter punks are all the same.
"Probably make twenty dollars 'fore the weekends over."?
So set him up,
Then let him fall.
Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans.
Radio in my head.
Radio in that car.
Going down again,
he's going down again....
Anyway you look, anyway you talk it over.
It's easier to let it slip out of your mind.
But it rips your heart out.
Then it kicks your head in.
Just give him one more chance,
try to see the beauty in his world.
All the way in on my hands, in on my feet,
and shoulders. Going to make twenty dollars
before the weekends over.
So set him up,
Then let him fall.
Turn him over in your hands.
God save the King of New Orleans.
God save the King of New Orleans.
Better Than Ezra - Friction, Baby Album Lyrics
Better Than Ezra - Friction, Baby Lyrics
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Rewind
Cut a tape of my favorite songs
Said what I can't face to face
I hoped that you would share all my thoughts
We are young and unimpressed, with all you'd recognize.
So play it all over
Turn it wide.
Now there is nothing but a
Mix tape left behind
Now it won't rewind
In my car we are superstars
Run your lipstick down your chin
While up ahead we saw such a crash
Right there a song became a soundtrack for this space in time.
So play it all over
Turn it wide.
Now there is nothing but a
Mix tape left behind
Now it won't rewind
Wonder is often lost
Jaded at such a cost
Time undermines you when you close your eyes.
We pass right by you.
So play it all over
Turn it wide.
Now there is nothing but a
Mix tape left behind
Now it won't rewind.
Said what I can't face to face
I hoped that you would share all my thoughts
We are young and unimpressed, with all you'd recognize.
So play it all over
Turn it wide.
Now there is nothing but a
Mix tape left behind
Now it won't rewind
In my car we are superstars
Run your lipstick down your chin
While up ahead we saw such a crash
Right there a song became a soundtrack for this space in time.
So play it all over
Turn it wide.
Now there is nothing but a
Mix tape left behind
Now it won't rewind
Wonder is often lost
Jaded at such a cost
Time undermines you when you close your eyes.
We pass right by you.
So play it all over
Turn it wide.
Now there is nothing but a
Mix tape left behind
Now it won't rewind.
Writer: Kevin M Griffin
Copyright: Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Long Lost
Are you lost?
Do you find life turning out
Not quite the way you planned?
Come around stay awhile
That's OK That's Alright
Couldn't get to sleep so talk about it.
Let's talk about it right now.
Here it comes on my head again
I guess I'm born to be the long lost friend.
Long Lost Friend
Are you cold?
Is there no place better, safer, friendlier than this?
Call me up, I'm alone.
That's ok, That's Alright
Rather it be me than go without it.
So don't think about it right now.
Here it comes on my head again
I guess I'm born to be the long lost friend.
Long lost friend
I've given ballast
Held you up when you were failing down
What happens when I'm not around?
Friend?
Friend?
Long Lost Friend
Do you find life turning out
Not quite the way you planned?
Come around stay awhile
That's OK That's Alright
Couldn't get to sleep so talk about it.
Let's talk about it right now.
Here it comes on my head again
I guess I'm born to be the long lost friend.
Long Lost Friend
Are you cold?
Is there no place better, safer, friendlier than this?
Call me up, I'm alone.
That's ok, That's Alright
Rather it be me than go without it.
So don't think about it right now.
Here it comes on my head again
I guess I'm born to be the long lost friend.
Long lost friend
I've given ballast
Held you up when you were failing down
What happens when I'm not around?
Friend?
Friend?
Long Lost Friend
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Normal Town
I still remember you dressed in grey.
Working undercover for the CIA
You were cursing Silber living in Back Bay
Sailing on the Charles when I heard you say
Let's go down to Normal Town
Right now
Down, down, down
I washed you lover and scrubbed your face
Running from Miss Porter's you showed up one day
From a flat in South End where you made me strong
You said, "We're burning out at both ends."
So I came along.
Let's go down to Normal Town
Right now
Down, down, down
Hey! Wouldn't it be great to never worry about your future never asking why?
Hey! Hey? In a subdivision watching television and our lives go by.
Let's go down to Normal Town. Let's go down to Normal Town. Right now
Down, down, down ...
Working undercover for the CIA
You were cursing Silber living in Back Bay
Sailing on the Charles when I heard you say
Let's go down to Normal Town
Right now
Down, down, down
I washed you lover and scrubbed your face
Running from Miss Porter's you showed up one day
From a flat in South End where you made me strong
You said, "We're burning out at both ends."
So I came along.
Let's go down to Normal Town
Right now
Down, down, down
Hey! Wouldn't it be great to never worry about your future never asking why?
Hey! Hey? In a subdivision watching television and our lives go by.
Let's go down to Normal Town. Let's go down to Normal Town. Right now
Down, down, down ...
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Scared Are You?
Strong hands
Big plans
All reduced to this.
Hard won Freedom
How could you have missed?
Scared, are you?
You do it on your own
You do it all alone.
We all did.
Scared, are you?
Half the lines we make up dear
The best that you can do
Everything you would be
Passed you like a ghost.
And kind words are scarce at best
When you need them most.
Scared, are you?
You do it on your own
We all did.
Scared, are you?
Half the lines you make up here.
The best that we can do.
Hope brings you luck
Doors open up.
And if you should fall,
I'll catch you dear.
It must be!
It must be!
Scared, are you?
Finally on' your own
You do it all alone
We all did
Scared, are you?
Half the lines you make up dear.
The best that we can do
And we do
Big plans
All reduced to this.
Hard won Freedom
How could you have missed?
Scared, are you?
You do it on your own
You do it all alone.
We all did.
Scared, are you?
Half the lines we make up dear
The best that you can do
Everything you would be
Passed you like a ghost.
And kind words are scarce at best
When you need them most.
Scared, are you?
You do it on your own
We all did.
Scared, are you?
Half the lines you make up here.
The best that we can do.
Hope brings you luck
Doors open up.
And if you should fall,
I'll catch you dear.
It must be!
It must be!
Scared, are you?
Finally on' your own
You do it all alone
We all did
Scared, are you?
Half the lines you make up dear.
The best that we can do
And we do
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Return Of The Post Moderns
Ten cent lovers
beneath the covers
Riding on a wet dream Silver tonic free
High stool sweet tarts
Equipped with green cards
Chomp their 401 k's
Semi-chocolate brie
Digging in Los Cruces
for an army drab container
Carbon dating clothes for the last time they were washed
Shelby and Sheila
Onomatopoeia
Catch hang nail on Banlon
Shiver Martin Sheen
Preschool mothers
in Technicolor
Are fire bombing Dresden
Stanton, Harry Dean
Feeding line caught tuna to a neutered Bodhisattva
Writhing peaches for the President
Out on the White House lawn Beating Herbert Hoover
With a leather tipped Pinada Thorn and Katy drink the milk tinted
Amerasian Green RETURN, RETURN, RETURN
beneath the covers
Riding on a wet dream Silver tonic free
High stool sweet tarts
Equipped with green cards
Chomp their 401 k's
Semi-chocolate brie
Digging in Los Cruces
for an army drab container
Carbon dating clothes for the last time they were washed
Shelby and Sheila
Onomatopoeia
Catch hang nail on Banlon
Shiver Martin Sheen
Preschool mothers
in Technicolor
Are fire bombing Dresden
Stanton, Harry Dean
Feeding line caught tuna to a neutered Bodhisattva
Writhing peaches for the President
Out on the White House lawn Beating Herbert Hoover
With a leather tipped Pinada Thorn and Katy drink the milk tinted
Amerasian Green RETURN, RETURN, RETURN
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Hung The Moon
They say you're off (a bit confused)
But when the day is done
I'll be with you
I like your eyes
They say you're true
The others whisper and lie
And you framed the sun
Shot out the stars
You paled the sky
And hung the moon
They say "your loss"
That your mind's diseased
But when you finally won,
Tell me who always believed
[Chorus:]
Down way low
They never remember
Down way low
Down way low
You always remember
Don't let the words you hear leave your head.
They say you're gone
That you left today
But if you change your mind
Know I still feel the same way
[Chorus:]
But when the day is done
I'll be with you
I like your eyes
They say you're true
The others whisper and lie
And you framed the sun
Shot out the stars
You paled the sky
And hung the moon
They say "your loss"
That your mind's diseased
But when you finally won,
Tell me who always believed
[Chorus:]
Down way low
They never remember
Down way low
Down way low
You always remember
Don't let the words you hear leave your head.
They say you're gone
That you left today
But if you change your mind
Know I still feel the same way
[Chorus:]
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Desperately Wanting
Past the road to your house
That you never called home
Where they turned out your lights
Though they say you'll never know
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
When they pumped out your guts
Filled you full of those pills
You were never quite right
Deserving all the chills
Said the worst is over
Kicked it over again
Then they ask what went wrong
When they turn you on again
Then they turn you on again
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
Kick 'em right in the face
Make them wish they weren't born
And if they bring up your name
Well they'll say you won the war.
Baby burst in the world
Never given a chance
Then they ask what went wrong
When you never had it right
No, you never had it right
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
Oh the letters have dropped off
Though they say you got them all
I finally figured out some things you'll never know
Take back your life
Let me inside
We'll find the door
If you care
If you care to anymore
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
That you never called home
Where they turned out your lights
Though they say you'll never know
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
When they pumped out your guts
Filled you full of those pills
You were never quite right
Deserving all the chills
Said the worst is over
Kicked it over again
Then they ask what went wrong
When they turn you on again
Then they turn you on again
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
Kick 'em right in the face
Make them wish they weren't born
And if they bring up your name
Well they'll say you won the war.
Baby burst in the world
Never given a chance
Then they ask what went wrong
When you never had it right
No, you never had it right
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
Oh the letters have dropped off
Though they say you got them all
I finally figured out some things you'll never know
Take back your life
Let me inside
We'll find the door
If you care
If you care to anymore
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
I remember running through the wet grass
Falling a step behind
Both of us never tiring
Desperately wanting
Copyright: Lyrics © Original Writer and Publisher
Still Life With Cooley
Everybody talking saying you will be walking
This neighborhood will never be the same
You said we'd understand.
You found out what's happening now.
So we all sat down and you broke the news.
Now Daddy don't love her anymore.
It's still life with Cooley
Now Daddy don't love her anymore.
It's just still life with Coolly.
All your friends show on time.
They come in bringing red wine.
You said if it's over then we'll go in style.
You better best take care keep one hand to your ear
So you're not left hanging when they're finally gone.
[Chorus:]
Watcha' saying?
You're going to stay of at St. Madigan's?
(reeled in again)
You're just fooling around fooling around
People hanging with their good friends
Listening to those old songs.
Now Daddy don't love her anymore.
It's still life with Cooley
Now Daddy don't love her anymore.
It's just still life
It's just still life with Cooley.
This neighborhood will never be the same
You said we'd understand.
You found out what's happening now.
So we all sat down and you broke the news.
Now Daddy don't love her anymore.
It's still life with Cooley
Now Daddy don't love her anymore.
It's just still life with Coolly.
All your friends show on time.
They come in bringing red wine.
You said if it's over then we'll go in style.
You better best take care keep one hand to your ear
So you're not left hanging when they're finally gone.
[Chorus:]
Watcha' saying?
You're going to stay of at St. Madigan's?
(reeled in again)
You're just fooling around fooling around
People hanging with their good friends
Listening to those old songs.
Now Daddy don't love her anymore.
It's still life with Cooley
Now Daddy don't love her anymore.
It's just still life
It's just still life with Cooley.
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
WWOZ
WWOZ is on in stereo
A string of flowers haloed around your head
Candle light
Ceiling fan
Curtains blow away and back again
Back again
Don't wake me, I think I'm in a dream
Sleeping is easy
I used to lay in bed for hours
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Calling back and forth through heavy air
The barges sound their warnings in the dark
Peace comes like a trusted friend
As it starts to rain again fall away
Fall away
So don't wake me I think, I'm in a dream
Now sleeping is easy
I used to lay in bed for hours
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Sleeping is easy
I used to walk the streets for hours.
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Let go of you fear, let's grow old together
Find a place along the way
Let's reel through the years
Each makes the other better.
But what thoughts can I call allies
when this circle of ribs keeps working on its own?
[Chorus:]
WWOZ's on in stereo. Well it's on in stereo.
A string of flowers haloed around your head
Candle light
Ceiling fan
Curtains blow away and back again
Back again
Don't wake me, I think I'm in a dream
Sleeping is easy
I used to lay in bed for hours
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Calling back and forth through heavy air
The barges sound their warnings in the dark
Peace comes like a trusted friend
As it starts to rain again fall away
Fall away
So don't wake me I think, I'm in a dream
Now sleeping is easy
I used to lay in bed for hours
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Sleeping is easy
I used to walk the streets for hours.
I've waited a lifetime now maybe I'll learn
Let go of you fear, let's grow old together
Find a place along the way
Let's reel through the years
Each makes the other better.
But what thoughts can I call allies
when this circle of ribs keeps working on its own?
[Chorus:]
WWOZ's on in stereo. Well it's on in stereo.
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Happy Endings
And though you will say I'm wrong.
It's much easier with you along.
Sundays were made for this.
Seeing Bond give the villain a kiss ....
Holding your face in the glow
Play on, play on
Happy endings
I thought that you'd like to know.
I'm finally letting her go.
You always said, "Tell me when
You're ready at last to begin."
Learning to chance it again.
Play on, play on
Happy endings
So let them all dissolve
And welcome a new resolve
Here's where the credits run.
Riding off into the sun
And love is real
Reading your eyes in the glow
Play on, play on
Happy endings
It's much easier with you along.
Sundays were made for this.
Seeing Bond give the villain a kiss ....
Holding your face in the glow
Play on, play on
Happy endings
I thought that you'd like to know.
I'm finally letting her go.
You always said, "Tell me when
You're ready at last to begin."
Learning to chance it again.
Play on, play on
Happy endings
So let them all dissolve
And welcome a new resolve
Here's where the credits run.
Riding off into the sun
And love is real
Reading your eyes in the glow
Play on, play on
Happy endings
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Speeding Up To Slow Down
If they calm you down,
Then excite them
If they call you out,
Then ignore them.
You're speeding up
You're speeding up
To slow down
When they all believe
You reject it.
When they all are for,
Be against it.
You're speeding up
You're speeding up
To slow down
If they call you out
They-will tear you down
When your world falls in
Then they'll leave you dry
You're speeding up
You're speeding up
To slow down
Down,down,down
Then excite them
If they call you out,
Then ignore them.
You're speeding up
You're speeding up
To slow down
When they all believe
You reject it.
When they all are for,
Be against it.
You're speeding up
You're speeding up
To slow down
If they call you out
They-will tear you down
When your world falls in
Then they'll leave you dry
You're speeding up
You're speeding up
To slow down
Down,down,down
Writer: KEVIN GRIFFIN
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Copyright: Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Friction, Baby is the third studio album by Better Than Ezra, released in 1996.
The album's title comes from a television interview with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. When asked how he and Mick Jagger stayed together for so long, Richards took a long drag from his cigarette and said "friction, baby." This may also be a reference to the fact that the band had replaced its original drummer, Cary Bonnecaze, between the recording of their previous album and this one.
The album produced two hits on the Billboard modern rock charts: "King of New Orleans" and "Desperately Wanting." "Desperately Wanting" also narrowly missed the Billboard Top 40, peaking at #48. The third and fourth singles, "Long Lost" and "Normal Town," failed to chart.
Performed By:
Better Than EzraThe album's title comes from a television interview with Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. When asked how he and Mick Jagger stayed together for so long, Richards took a long drag from his cigarette and said "friction, baby." This may also be a reference to the fact that the band had replaced its original drummer, Cary Bonnecaze, between the recording of their previous album and this one.
The album produced two hits on the Billboard modern rock charts: "King of New Orleans" and "Desperately Wanting." "Desperately Wanting" also narrowly missed the Billboard Top 40, peaking at #48. The third and fourth singles, "Long Lost" and "Normal Town," failed to chart.
Genre(s): Alternative rock, post-grunge
Producer(s): Don Gehman
Length: 51:44
Released: August 13th, 1996
Year: 1996