The Hold Steady - Teeth Dreams Album Lyrics

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I Hope This Whole Thing Didn't Frighten You

[Verse 1:]
I heard the Cityscape Skins are kinda kicking it again
Heard they finally got some discipline
Running up the score and stocking up like it's World War IV
I heard that some are getting sprung and some are back in
You know it's always back and forth
And most of them are dead
And some don't even live here anymore

[Pre-Chorus:]
So when I brought you back here for Christmas
I didn't think we would see them
I guess I should've explained

[Chorus:]
There was a side of this city I didn't want you to see
There's just these guys that I know, we go back pretty deep
And I hope this whole thing didn't frighten you
There were times that it terrified me
I know what they said, I don't know if it's true
I hope this whole thing didn't frighten you

[Verse 2:]
They're building a bunker down by the river
And someone said that that's where they've been getting together
They got masks for the gas, they're sleeping in their bulletproof vests
I guess Shepard came out of St. Cloud with a little ideology
Some new way of thinking, man
A view to the future
Jesus, this might be a mess

[Pre-Chorus:]
For me, it was mostly the music
I couldn't go to the shows with
I guess I should've explained

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]
They never care if it's true
As long as they got something to prove
And they always got something to prove

[Pre-Chorus:]
And the room full of dudes
And they cranked up the tunes
And I could tell this whole thing kind of frightened you

[Chorus:]
There was a side of this city I didn't want you to see
There's just these guys that I know, we go back pretty deep
I saw you look at his shoes, I saw you look at their teeth
I could tell this whole thing kind of frightened you
So you tapped me on the arm like you wanted to cruise
I could tell this whole thing kind of frightened you

 

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Spinners

Before she figures out what's wrong
They put another record on.
She picks it up and she carries the cross.
Heartbreak hurts but you can dance it off.
Sure some nights she'll curse these clubs
She's two years off some prairie town
She goes out most every night.
She dresses up and she spins around.

The same guy buys another round
To let her know he's interested.
The nights go on forever now
But the morning comes up quick.
You've got to loosen your grip.

Never let them tie you up
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
Salted rims and frosted mugs.
You gotta get back out there.

Flat champagne and inbound trains.
Soft hands and phantom pains.
Never let them tie you up.
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.

Once she's pretty sure it's safe
She goes to a different place.
Decides she's gonna get some guy
Before she even finds him.
Then she's got him if she wants him
But she cant decide if she wants him.
She goes out almost every night.
She cuddles up and she spins aside.

Never let them tie you up
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
Salted rims and frosted mugs.
You gotta get back out there.

Flat champagne and inbound trains.
Soft hands and phantom pains.
Never let them tie you up.
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.

She's two years off some prairie town.
She dresses up and she spins around.
Little looks and smaller talk.
Heartbreak hurts but you can dance it off.

She's two years off some prairie town.
She dresses up and she spins around.
She never lets them tie her down.
Its a big city and there's just so much love.

Once you're out there everything is possible.
There might be a fight. There might be a miracle.
Loosen your grip, it feels so incredible.
Let the city live your life for you tonight.

Once you're out there everything is possible.
Even the bad nights they aren't all that terrible.
Loosen your grip, it feels so incredible.
Let the city live your life for you tonight.

Never let them tie you up.
It's a big city, there's a lot of love.
Salted rims and frosted mugs.
It's a big city there's a lot of love.
Tavern wine and tiny bugs.
It's a big city there's a lot of love.
Never let them tie you up.
It's a big city.

 

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The Only Thing

Once you cut her loose.
I knew that she would leave.
For a while I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't even breathe.

Sure she's still with you
But first she was with me.
What tangled webs we weave.
She said some things I don't believe.

She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together

Is the thing that most matters at the end of the night.
Ashes to ashes and dust in the spotlight.
Flying all around like a fist in a fight.
Tired of always feeling frustrated.


This town was so much fun.
When there weren't so much police.
We didn't have to watch our speed.

First she's down in Texas.
Then she went back to Tennessee.
What tangled webs we weave.
For a while I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't even breathe.

She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together
Are these dreams.

Last night her teeth were in my dreams.
In my dreams.

It's the thing that most matters at the end of the night.
Ashes to ashes and dust in the spotlight.
Floating all around like a nurse in the night.
Tired of always feeling frustrated.

She's been senseless.
She's been sad.
It got bad around March or April then I thought it got better.
She's been wasted.
She's been honest.
She's got a necklace. It looks pretty expensive.
I'd like to know where she got it.

Sure she's still with you.
But first she was with me.
I've been trying to get in touch with her.
Last night her teeth were in my dreams.

She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together
Are these dreams.

Last night her teeth were in my dreams.

 

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The Ambassador

While you were in Michigan
She was pretty much living in
A 3.2 bars a stretch to call a club.

It was called The Ambassador
She was pretty much crashing there.
The space between the skin and all her blood.

The nights were hot and hissing like an iron.
The days spent climbing walls like a vine.

A Bay City tire shop.
It's just a temporary stop.
A touchdown on a trip that was mostly undefined.

While you were still staying there.
All the halls smelled like burning hair.
In the end it made you sick but at first you didn't mind.

The nights were hot and hissing like an iron.
The day were cold and crushed you like a can.
Years spent faking pain and making plans.

I'm pretty sure you'd recognize these guys.
That were asking around for you just the other night.
There was blood on the bed
And the lights in their eyes.
If you came around the back
We could take them by surprise.

Your friend from the tire shop.
He keeps talking about some rock
Like he wants something hard to hit his head on.

You said he's a mystic.
Well I know he's not Catholic.
He's got a cross all upside down carved in his arm.

The nights were hot and hissing like an iron.
The days were cold and crushed you like a can.
Years spent faking pain and making plans.

I'm pretty sure you'd recognize these guys.
That were asking around for you just the other night.
There was blood on the bed
And the lights in their eyes.

When you came back to us
In South Minneapolis
You said revenge exists outside of space and time.
Back behind The Ambassador.
Man it feels kind of magical.
I guess your friend can really move things with his mind.

It was called The Ambassador
There wasn't much diplomatic there.
The space between the skin and all the blood.

 

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On With The Business

Let's get on with the business.
I'm really sorry about that prick in the parking lot.
I wanted this to be our year.
But they cut off supplies and they sent over some guys.
And those guys they made it perfectly clear.
I know I made them a promise but those are just words
And words can get weird.
I think they made themselves perfectly clear.

Blood on the carpet
Mud on the mattress
Waking up with that American Sadness.
Dead receptors.
Body limitations.
Weak handshakes and great expectations.
Bountiful chemicals
Beautiful kitchens.
So many choices
Decisions, decisions.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.

They disconnected the phone last week.
That's how we lost the connection
So we went down to the taverns
And tried to make an impression.
I know I made them a promise but those are just words.
And words can get weird.
I think they made themselves perfectly clear.

Blood on the carpet.
Mud on the mattress.
Waking up with that American Sadness
Afternoon matinee.
Midnight madness.
Come on everybody, let's get on with the business.
Pledge of Allegiance.
War of attrition.
So many choices
Decisions, decisions.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.
Conventional wisdom says we should probably cruise.

We should probably cruise.

Blood on the carpet
Mud on the mattress
Waking up with that American Sadness.
Chemistry, currency
Plastic and magic.
Everybody rise, we're an American business.
Great expectations.
LA Fitness.
So many choices.
Decisions, decisions.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.
I saw that whole crew on the news.
We should probably cruise dude.

Now all our friends are acting
Sketchy and lifeless.
Waking up with that American Sadness.
Dead receptors.
Body limitations.
Weak handshakes and great expectations.
Chemistry, currency
Plastic and magic.
Come on everybody, let's get on with the business.
I said a couple things that probably weren't technically true.

 

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Big Cig

She says she always smoked cigarettes.
Ever since she was seven.
She always likes the big ones best.
You get more for yr money.

I know that she's gorgeous.
I can't take her serious.
She looks kinda ridiculous.
With her Malibu 120s.

Some nights she's a scientist.
She pulls me into experiments.
Squeezes hard and
Charts the forward progress.

Some nights she's a pharmacist.
She's got some pills some in her purse.
One to wake you up
One if yr nervous.
And I serve my purpose.

Burns on her skirt and smoke in her eyes.
I serve my purpose.
We power down and try to socialize.
I serve my purpose.
She can probably find a better guy
I serve my purpose.
She used to fool around with some friends of mine.

That's fine.
I mostly dig.
Her and her big cigs.

We met at a benefit.
It was a pretty big opening.
Her therapist says it's dangerous.
The way she seeks validation.

Some nights she's a magic trick.
Some nights she's a sinking ship.
She pokes around with a paper clip
She's the pistol at the party.
Once we get started

Burns on her skirt and smoke in her eyes.
I serve my purpose.
We power down and try to socialize.
I serve my purpose.
She can probably find a better guy.
I serve my purpose.
She used to fool around with some friends of mine.

That's fine.
I mostly dig.
Her and her big cigs.

I'm pretty sure we both agree.
We can both take some liberties.
We all have our anxieties.
This little tryst is hard to quit.
So we just sit here and live with it.

Burns on her skirt and smoke in her eyes.
I serve my purpose.
We power down and try to socialize.
I serve my purpose.
She can probably find a better guy.
I serve my purpose.
She used to fool around with some friends of mine.

It's not love.
It's not even a crush.
That's fine.
I mostly dig.
Her and her big cig.

 

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Wait A While

I'm sure they'll come around and ask you to the movies.
That decision is yours to make.
Another boyfriend isn't going to make you happy.
I'm sorry, maybe you should take a break.

All last weekend you spent crying in the bathroom.
What happened?
This just shouldn't be so hard.

Once they hear you've got a broken heart
They're going to come around and try to make you smile.
Little girl you're going to rush right in.
Why don't you wait a while?

Once they hear they've got an open shot
They're going to come around and try to make you smile.
Why don't you wait a while?
Why don't you wait a while?

I'm sure they'll come up in the parking lots and at parties.
You know you don't have to accept.
Collecting boyfriends isn't such a healthy hobby.
I'm sorry, but there's other words than yes.

Once they hear you've got a broken heart
They're going to come around and try to make you smile.
Little girl you're going to rush right in.
Why don't you wait a while?
Why don't you wait a while?

The truth yeah sure it hurts.
But the lies just make it worse.
The attention feels euphoric.
But the whispers will destroy it.
And a rep is such a tough thing to reverse.

Once they hear you've got a broken heart
They're going to come around and try to make you smile.
Little girl you're going to rush right in.
Why don't you wait a while?

Talking loud. Making eyes.
Like you're a little bit wild.
Why don't you wait a while?
Why don't you wait a while?

Why don't you wait a while?

 

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Runner's High

He stopped by and I didn't even recognize.
He looked shaky and sweaty and puffy and petrified.
He said that thing in California is kind of compromised.
I was hoping you'd help me.
Man, I'm so sick of running.

The doctors said that it was all in his head.
Then they discovered the blood.
Tried to duck out but we still got stuck.
Like a sneaker in the Mississippi mud.
Speeding through your story of guns and guts and glory.
I'm hoping what you're saying is true.
Dude you've got to slow down if you want me to save you.

He jerked around when we joked about the runner's high.
He said now that is one high I've never tried.
He said that thing in California is kind of compromised.
Someone must have said something.
Man I'm so sick of running.

The doctors said that it was all in his head.
Then they discovered the blood.
Tried to duck out but we still got stuck.
Like a sneaker in the Mississippi mud.
Prancing all around like some Kansas City clown.
I'm praying what you're saying is true.
Dude you've got to sit still if you want me to save you.

So quickly from city to city.
We never knew what state we were in.
They got me at some hospital and made me take medicine.
It rolled over me slowly and then it pretty much did me in.
Warm water and the nurses just floating.
When I came to in Houston.
I felt absolutely nothing.
No voices no visions.
I feel absolutely nothing.
No pressure no Jesus.
No crashes no hassles.
I remember a dream about you.
Getting hit on the head
And left to bleed to death in the vestibule.

And then it came true.

The pills they prescribed they made me fragile and fried.
I felt full body fuzzy then touchy.
I want you to help me.
Man, I'm so sick of running.
Someone must have said something.

 

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Almost Everything

Something might happen but nothing will be never ending.
Right from the start I told you I can't spend the night.
Forget all the feelings.
Remember the sessions.
How we made a connection.
With the lambs from my dreams looking up at your hands.
And your hands pointing up at the lights.

Yeah, there are nights I get terrified.
I'm sure you get terrified too.
So hey won't you show me a sign
If I'm getting through to you.
I'm still pretty into you.

The bus it rolled up into Franklin at dawn and everything seemed super slo-mo.
The Waffle House waitress that asked us if we were Pink Floyd.
Sat in the back of the theater just drinking and talking
About movies and Krishna and hardcore and Jesus and joy.

Yeah there are nights I get terrified.
I'm sure you get terrified too.
So hey won't you show me a sign
If I'm getting through to you.

When the lights come up.
I can't see so much.
I can hear you breathe.
I can feel almost everything.
We checked into Methodist
We met with some residents.
They maxed out my medicine.
And let me back loose again.

Went to some movie. It was loud dumb and bloody.
The third act took place in a wormhole.
The hero ascended to heaven.
Then we headed home.
Got blocked at the exits by medics with stretchers.
Finally they said just forget it.
The kid that went down isn't dead
He just can't find his phone.

Yeah there are nights I get terrified.
I'm sure you get terrified too.
So hey won't you show me a sign.
If I'm getting through to you.

I can hear you breathe.
I can feel almost everything.
Almost everything.

 

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Oaks

There were days from last week
I couldn't quite complete.
Skipped ahead to the next afternoon.
Sweat through the sheets.
Slept in my shoes.
Hung around with the House of Balloons.

Keep the speed steady.
Hold the wheel straight.
We scratch and we scrape.
We're scared then we're brave.
The kids on the corner making eyes at the cars.
If you want to saved all it takes is a wave.

There were kids at the car wash
That said they could get it.
Gave them half but they never came back.
Drove by so slowly
It felt like we're floating
An inflatable raft.

Our bodies are stoplights.
Our minds are the streets.
We scratch and we scrape.
We're scared then we're brave.
The kids on the corner making eyes at the cars.
If you want to saved all it takes is a wave.

Sarah I still think that you are so beautiful.
I'm sorry that you don't feel the same way as me.
We spent so much time in this town driving slowly.
We spent so much money on things that didn't stay.

So call for a taxi. Slide into the backseat.
It rolls like a glass bottomed boat.
The kids on the corner when they reach in the window
Their arms look like limbs from an oak.

Keep the speed steady. Hold the wheel straight.
I swear I feel each little sway.
Our minds are the windows.
Our bodies are screens.
We scratch
We scrape.
And we dream.

We dream of the limbs of the trees.
We dream of the views from the boats.
Of mountains all covered in oaks.

And we hope.
As we hang from the limbs of the trees.
We cling to the rails of the boats.
The mountains all covered in oaks.

And we dream.
We dream of the limbs of the trees.
We dream of the views from the boats.
Of mountains all covered in oaks.

And we hope.
As we hang from the limbs of the trees.
We cling to the rails on the boats.
The trees as they turn into smoke.
The trees they turn slowly to smoke.