Artist: Pete Townshend Album: Another Scoop {1987}

You better, you better, you bet
You better, you better, you bet

I call you on the telephone, my voice too rough with cigarettes
I sometimes feel I should just go home
But I'm dealing with a memory that never forgets
I have to hear you say my name especially when you say yes
I love your body on my mind, oh, mind
And I drunk myself blind to the sound of old T-Rex, oh, yeah

When I say I love you, you say you better
You better, you better, you bet
When I say I love you, you scream you better
You better, you better, you bet
Your life or love can cut you like a knife, scuff

I want those feeble minded axes overthrown
I'm not into your passport picture, I just like your nose
You welcomed me with open arms and open legs
They say only fools have needs but this one never begs
I don't really mind how much you love me, a little, really, is alright
When you say come over and spend the night tonight

And then, when I say I love you, you say you better
You better, you better, you bet
When I say I love you, you scream you better
You better, you better, you bet
You bet your life or love is gonna cut you just like a knife

I lay on the bed with you, we could make the book of records
Your dog keeps licking my nose and chewing up all those letters
Saying, "You better, yeah, you better bet your life."

You better love me, all the time now
You better shove me back into line now
You better love me, all the time now
You better shove me back into line now
You better love me, all the time now
You better shove me back into line now
You better love me, all the time now
You better shove me back into line now

I showed up late one night with a neon light for a visa
But knowing I'm so eager to fight can't make letting me in any easier
I know I been in the crazy clothes and I look pretty crappy sometime
But my body feels so good and I still write a razor line everytime
And when it comes to all night living I know what I'm giving
I've got it all down to a tee and it's free

When I say I love you, you say you better
You better, you better, you bet
When I say I love you, you scream you better
You better, you better, you bet
Hey, when I say I love you, you say you better
You better, you better, you bet
When I say I love you, you scream you better
You better, you better, you bet

When I say I love you, you say you better
You better, you better, you bet
When I say I need you, you scream you better
You better, you better, you bet
You better, you better, you better, you bet
You better, you better, you better, you bet
You better bet your life or love will cut you just like a knife

When I have to get on my bike
When I look back on my life
I think of the days of the wine
Of what I put you through that time

When I have to move away
Pick up the pieces another day
I remember little white lies
And pretty brown blue eyes

Little girl in a suitcase
Little girl in a suitcase
I'll be leaving you behind, oh yeah

Girl in a suitcase
I took you with me round the world
Couldn't get use to a new place
So I packed away my suitcase girl
Took you along in a suitcase

When I think about the past
All the best things happened last
Yet, you where always there
When carried down the stairs

I think about my effect on you
The way you were born so true
Did you really care
How Dallas cut my hair

Little girl in a suitcase
Little girl in a suitcase
I'm leaving you behind

Girl in a suitcase
I took you with me around the world
I couldn't get use to a new place
So I packed away my suitcase girl
I took you along in a suitcase, oh, traveling

Girl in a suitcase
I took you with me round the world
I couldn't get use to a new place
I packed away my suitcase girl
Yeah, I took you along in a suitcase

Girl is on a white sheet, she's tripped in a trance
While her friends go out and dance
She's all alone, don't ask me why
This kid from Brooklyn cries

Boy struts on the main street, he's dressed for effect
But his eye's reveal he's really wrecked
He's all alone, don't ask me why
This kid from Brooklyn cries

And they're both just a mile apart
Just streets away from a kindred heart
But there might as well be an ocean between them
There might as well be an ocean between them

You and me just can't relate
We get love given on a plate
Is it love or is it fate we're not alone

Same girl in the sunshine, such a perfect shape
But he can't talk, he just passed again
She walks alone, don't ask me why
This kid from Brooklyn cries

Same boy doing cell time, hanging his head
Pickup didn't go quite as he planned
He feels alone, don't ask me why
This kid from Brooklyn cries

And they're both just a mile apart
Just streets away from a kindred heart
But there might as well be an ocean between them
Yes, there might as well be an ocean between them

Ever since I was a young boy I've played the silver ball
From Soho down to Brighton, I must've played them all
But I've never seen anything like him in any amusement hall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball

He stands like a statue, becoming part of the machine
Feeling all the bumpers, always playing clean
Plays by intuition, the digit counters fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball

He's a pinball wizard, there has to be a twist
A pinball wizard's, got such a supple wrist

How do you think he does it - I don't know
What makes him so good

He ain't got no distractions, can't hear those buzzers and bells
Don't see lights flashing, plays by sense of smell
Always has a replay, never tilts at all
That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball

He's a pinball wizard, there has to be a twist
The pinball wizard, got such a supple wrist

Even on my usual table he can beat my best
His disciples lead him in and he does the rest
He got crazy flipper fingers, never seen him fall
That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball

I was listening to a guitar, bass drum thing
Started hearing chairs screech, thought I heard a gut string
Then I saw a big band, right on the pavement
Violins and heavy boots, wondering where the wave went

You - what
I'm talking to you
Your wearing the wrong colored scarf - so what
Well, your playing your tune to the terrors of the enemy half
Hey, you - what
I'm talking to you
Concentrate on the game - what for
Well, the whistle just blew, the conductors going to complain
Play the song on the wall, come on, son, pass me the ball

Don't let the violinist trouble your play
Fierce looking people, but their manager's gay
Syncopation to the sound of the ball
Trouble with the ref out in the concert hall

Hey, you - what
That cellist was fouled, that conductor must be blind
It's a goal - woo
Oh, look at the crowd, this session's run to extra time
Sit back or piss off, I'll see you never walk alone

Music has arrived at the football stadium
A logical step would be spears at the Palladium
Fifty thousand watts screaming out for a goal
Why don't they blow the whistle in rock and roll
Hey, you - what
Get back tp your seat
The song has just begun - so what
We need two encores to beat and the band needs space to run
Hey, you - what
Get down off of the wire
The spirit of the game's still strong - say's who
Well, I'll never tire of kicking my piano along
All you fans of this score, if you give us your support we'll win

Happy Jack wasn't old but he was a man
He lived in the sand at the Isle Of Man
The kids all would sing, he would take the wrong key
So they rode on his head with their furry donkey

But they never stopped Jack in the water lapping
And they couldn't distract him from the seagulls flapping

The kids couldn't hurt Jack
They tried and tried and tried
They dropped things on his back
They lied and lied and lied and lied and lied

But they never stopped Jack nor the water lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy

They never stopped Jack nor the water lapping
And they couldn't prevent Jack from feeling happy

You think we look pretty good together
You think my shoes are made of leather
But I'm a substitute for another guy
I look pretty tall but my heels are high
The simple things you see are all complicated
I look pretty young, but I'm just back-dated, yeah

So substitute lies for fact
Can see right through your plastic mac
I look all white but my dad was black
My fine looking suit is really made out of sack

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth
North side of my town faced east and the east was facing south
And now you dare to look me in the eye
The crocodile tears are what you cry
If it's a genuine problem, you won't try
To work it out at all, just pass it by, pass it by

So substitute me for him
Substitute my coke for gin
Substitute you for my mom
At least I get my washing done

I'm just a substitute for another guy
I look pretty tall but my heels are high
The simple things you see are all complicated
I look pretty young, but I'm just back-dated, yeah

I was born with a plastic spoon in my mouth
North side of my town faced east and the east was facing south
And now you dare to look me in the eye
The crocodile tears are what you cry
If it's a genuine problem, you won't try
To work it out at all, just pass it by, pass it by

So substitute me for him
So substitute my coke for gin
Substitute you for my mom
At least I get my washing done
Substitute lies for fact
See right through that plastic mac
I look all white but my dad was black
My fine looking suit is really made out of sack

Down at the Astoria the scene was changin'
Bingo and rock were pushing out X-rating
We were the first band to vomit in the bar
And find the distance to the stage too far
Meanwhile it's getting late at ten o'clock
Rock is dead they say - long live rock

Long live rock - I need it every night
Long live rock - come on and join the line
Long live rock, be it dead or alive, yeah

People walk in sideways, pretending that they're leaving
We put on our makeup and work out all the lead-ins
Jack is in the alley selling tickets made in Hong Kong
Promoter's in the pay-box wondering where the band's gone
Back in the pub, the govenor stops the clock
Rock is dead they say - long live rock

Long live rock - I need it every night
Long live rock - come on and join the line
Long live rock, be it dead or alive

Landslide, rocks a-falling
Coming down round our very heads
We tried but you were yawning
Look again, rock is dead
Rock is dead, rock is dead

The place is really jumping to the Hi-Watt amps
Till a twenty-inch cymbal fell and cut the lamps
In the blackout they dance right into the aisle
As the door fly open even the promoter smiles
Someone takes his pants off and the rafters knock
Rock is dead they say - long live rock
Come on and sing, yeah, yeah

Long live rock - I need it every night
Long live rock - come on and join the line
Long live rock, be it dead or alive, yeah

Long live rock - I need it every night
Long live rock - you come on and join the line
Long live rock, be it dead or alive

See that girl who comes here nightly - dum, dum, dum, du rang
Well I reckon she's cool and I reckon rightly - dum, dum, dum, du rang
She's good looking and I'm not frightened - dum, dum, dum, du rang
I'm gonna show you why they call me lightning - dum, dum, dum, du rang

Dum, dum, dum, du rang
Dum, dum, dum, du rang
Dum, dum, dum, du rang
Dum, dum, dum, du rang

Hey little girl who's dancing so lightly - dum, dum, dum, du rang
My XKE is shining brightly - dum, dum, dum, du rang
The noose around us is slowly tightening - dum, dum, dum, du rang
I'm gonna show you why they call me lightning - dum, dum, dum, du rang

Let me baby - dum, dum, dum, du rang
I'm fast as can be - dum, dum, dum, du rang
Why don't you watch me and see - dum, dum, dum, du rang
You can't catch me - dum, dum, dum, du rang
Watch it girl

Hey little girl who's dancing so lightly - dum, dum, dum, du rang
My XKE is shining brightly - dum, dum, dum, du rang
The noose around us is slowly tightening - dum, dum, dum, du rang
I'm gonna show you why they call me lightning - dum, dum, dum, du rang

Dum, dum, dum, du rang
Dum, dum, dum, du rang
Dum, dum, dum, du rang
Dum, dum, dum, du rang

I went to Dallas back in '82
The cafe society was numero uno
Surrounded by models, girls and guys in boots
I watched as they conspired to take parking lot toasts
Looking back on a cherished memory
A strange conception seems to dawn on me
Holly's like ivy - she grows on ya

I realize if all the beautiful girls
Were lost like gems of uncultured pearls
Now Holly is behind me and I fall from the place
I got this burning sensation when she brushed my face
Looking back on a cherished memory
A strange conception seems to dawn on me
Holly's like ivy - she grows on ya

I'm looking back on a cherished memory
A strange conception seems to dawn on me
Holly's like

I know now that I must hurry back there
And look for Holly with her long brown hair
I was threatened by some palm leaf
But all I want for Christmas is her two front teeth
Looking back on my cherished memory
A strange conception seems to dawn on me
Holly's like ivy - she grows on ya
Holly's like ivy - grows

When they begin the beguine
It brings back the sound of music so tender
It brings back a night of tropical splendor
It brings back a memory evergreen

I'm with you once more under the stars
And down by the shore an orchestra's playing
And even the palms seem to be swaying
When they begin the beguine

To live it again is past all endeavor
Except when that tune clutches my heart
And there we are, swearing to love forever
And promising never, never to part

What moments divine, what rapture serene
Till clouds came along to disperse the joys we had tasted
And now when I hear people curse the chance that was wasted
I know but too well what they mean

So don't let them begin the beguine
Let the love that was once a fire remain an ember
Let it sleep like the dead desire I only remember
When they begin the beguine

Oh yes, let them begin the beguine, make them play
Till the stars that were there before return above you
Till you whisper to me once more, "Darling, I love you."
And we suddenly know what heaven we're in
When they begin the beguine
When they begin the beguine

If I see you put that on the wall I'll smack you
I'm not, I'm not
You got a mischief look in your eye

If I'm so lost without a friend, tell me, who's this by my side
This girl with eyes like gems and cool reactions to your lies
Lies, la, la, la, la, la, la, lies

You can't repeat what you put round, all the things that made me cry
You kicked me when I was down and they hurt me all those lies
Lies, la, la, la, la, la, la, lies

I've got my girl and together we're strong - strong
To laugh at you and prove you wrong

I don't insist that you feel bad, I just want to make you smile
Don't ever think you made me mad, I didn't listen to your lies

If I'm so lost without a friend, tell me, who's this by my side
This girl with eyes like gems and cool reactions to your lies
Lies, la, la, la, la, la, la, lies

I don't insist that you feel bad, I just want to make you smile
Don't ever think you made me mad, I didn't listen to your lies

INSTRUMENTAL

INSTRUMENTAL

INSTRUMENTAL

Sitting in clouds of air, playing that no one's there
Holding your head to the sky, in vain
Swinging the smoke around, crosslegged and heaven bound
Hotline is cut off cos your bills over paid

Praying's a game you play, sayings from saints to say
One minute here again, out of your pray
Playing the praying game, staying away from pain
Keeping out of the rain - praying the game

And it's all a loser's start
As your hurting on together
Are you really getting through
Would you be wrong to sing and dance
Life goes on forever
Understanding isn't really new

I am a fool you claim, we are one, all the same
Then you surrender and the case is closed
Guess you ride innocence, I cause the same offense
Short change my heart for a fashionable home

Praying's a game we play, all do it every day
No point pretending, nobody's fool
Staying the same we say, bring on a change our way
Treating the Lord like a teacher in school

And we check over each shoulder
Making sure that no one knows
As we get down on our knees
And yet the witness is inside
Looking out through our own eyes
Is there really world beyond the trees

Praying's a game you play, sayings from saints to say
One minute here again and out of your pray
Playing the praying game, staying away from pain
Keeping out of the rain - praying the game

I'm drifting and drifting, like a ship out on the sea
I'm drifting and drifting, like a ship out on the sea
Nobody seems to want me except the wide and lonely sea

My ship ain't got no captain, my ship ain't got no crew
My ship ain't got no captain, my ship ain't got no crew
The wind and tide that blow me, they're my past and future, too

I look around for a savior to snatch me from the hungry sea
I look round for a savior to snatch me from the hungry sea
Maybe he's down at the bottom waiting patiently for me

Did you ever see the faces of the childen, they get so excited
Waking up on Christmas morning hours before the winter sun's ignited
They believe in dreams and all they mean including heaven's generosity
Peeping round the door to see what parcels are for me in curiosity

And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
He doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is
How can he be saved from the eternal grave

Surrounded by his friends he sits so silently and unaware of anything
Playing poxy pinball
Picks his nose and smiles and pokes his tongue at everything
I believe in dreams but how can men who've never seen light be enlightened
Only if he's cured will his spirit's future level ever heighten

And Tommy doesn't know what day it is
Doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is
How can he be saved from the eternal grave

I used to wake up in the morning
I'd always feel so bad
I got so sick of having sleepless nights
I went and told my dad

He said, "Son, now here's some little somethings."
And stuck them on my wall
And now my nights ain't quite so lonely
In fact, I don't feel bad at all
I don't feel bad at all

And it was pictures of Lily that made my life so wonderful
Pictures of Lily to let me sleep at night
Pictures of Lily that solved my childhood problem
Pictures of Lily, they made me feel alright
Pictures of Lily, pictures of Lily
Pictures of Lily - Lily, oh, Lily
Pictures of Lily - Lily, oh, Lily
Pictures of Lily, pictures of Lily, pictures of Lily
Pictures of Lily, pictures of Lily, pictures of Lily

And then one day things weren't so fine
I fell in love with Lily
I asked my dad where Lily I could find
He said, "Don't be silly
She's been dead since nineteen-twenty-nine."
Oh, how I cried that night
If only I'd been born in Lily's time
It would've been alright

But there were always pictures of Lily to help me sleep at night
Pictures of Lily to help me feel alright
Cos me and Lily are together in my dreams
Hey, I was wonderin' mister, have you ever seen pictures of Lily

I can't be held responsible for my behavior
I lost all contact with my only savior
Please don't lock me out just cos I missed to phone ya
I can't bear to live forever like a loner

Don't let go the coat, don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat, don't let go the coat

I sit alone on a Tuesday morning
Everyone but me seems still to be yawning
I can't write a line and another teardrop
Am I going blind thinking about you a lot

Don't let go the coat, don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat, don't let go the coat

I try to explain but you never understand it
I need your body but I can't just demand it, oh no

Don't let go the coat, don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat, don't let go the coat

I can't be held responsible for my behavior
I lost all contact with my only savior
Please don't lock me out just cos I missed to phone ya
Can't bear to live forever like a loner

Don't let go the coat, don't let go the coat
Don't let go the coat, don't let go the coat

Keep singing - don't let go of the coat
Keep telling myself, now - don't let go of the coat
That's why I'm singing now - don't let go of the coat
Ooh, don't let go of the coat

Drum it into myself - don't let go of the coat
That might be bad for my health - don't let go of the coat
Just gotta look after myself - don't let go of the coat
Don't let go of the coat, don't let go of the coat
Don't let go of the coat, don't let go of the coat
Don't let go of the coat, don't let go of the coat
Don't let go of the coat, don't let go of the coat
Don't let go of the coat, don't let go of the coat

I don't mind other guys dancing with my girl
That's fine, I know them all pretty well
But inside I know I must get out in the light
And leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright

Sometimes I feel I gotta get away
Bells chime, I know I got to get away
And I know if I don't I'll go out of my mind
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright

I know if I go things'll be a lot better for her
I had things planned but her folks wouldn't let her

I don't mind other guys dancing with my girl
That's fine, I know them all pretty well
But inside I know I must get out in the light
And leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright

Sometimes I feel I gotta get away
Bells chime, I know I gotta get away
And I know if I don't I'll go out of my mind
Better leave her behind with the kids, they're alright
The kids are alright
The kids are alright
The kids are alright
The kids are alright
The kids are alright
The kids are alright

INSTRUMENTAL

I asked her once, I asked her twice
Your first reply just seamed as cold as ice
Never ask me if I love you

I was in doubt, I begin to shout
She kept on laying the same line out
Never ask me if I love you

She said, "Never ask me if I love you, baby
What do you really think I'm going to say?"
You never asked me if I loved you
Cos if you don't know now you never will
And words are still just words until

Just tell me once, just tell me twice
And baby, baby, I'd fly to the heights
Never ask me if I love you

I have you near, I kiss your ear
But I'm so insecure, I've just got to hear you say it
Never ask me if I love you

I just got to pin her down
My heart bleeds for the sound
Of her shouting out she loves me
As it is I sit and guess
My head's in such a mess
What's the use, the whole trip's above me
Does she really love me

Never ask me, never ask me
Never ask me, never ask me

Never ask me if I love you
Cos if you don't know now you never will
And words are still just words until

I asked you once, I asked you twice
Your first reply just seamed as cold as ice
Never ask me if I love you

I'm in such doubt, I got to shout
You keep on laying the same lines out
Never ask me if I love you

Please tell me - never ask me
Please tell me - never ask me
Please tell me
I love you, I love you, I love you
I love you, I love you, I love you

Do I really understand
Do I really understand
Ask yourself, ask yourself, ask yourself, ask yourself

Do I really trust this man
Ask yourself, ask yourself, ask yourself, ask yourself

Do I really love this man
I ask myself, I ask myself, I ask myself, I ask myself
Do I really love this man

The river is always flowing
Relentlessly towards the coastal tides
It travels down to the great oceans
While most of us simply watch from the water side

The water becomes Siddhartha's teacher
Sometimes powerful and stern, sometimes gentle, forgiving
It never changes in direction
As it carries even mountains down to the sea

I'll take you over, I don't want your money
Just hang on tight till we reach the other wall
Kings and beggars, they all cling to my ankle
The foam blows white and the currents roar

God fill this gutter that breaks my shoulder
Smash me to pieces and wash me to mud
Dry me to dust and set me to smolder
Please let me dissolve in the awesome flood

The river's always flowing
But I'm free now from it's grace
I'll be swept down to the ocean
And now you, you will take my place

I miss you, I miss you
I remember lying by your side
Up in the hidden waters of paradise
Then one day you walked out
Now I have nothing to do but shout, oh
Oh, I got to shout, oh, nothin' left to do but shout, oh
Nothing to do but shout

And I want my voice to cut over mountains
And I want my soul to gush up like a fountain
To where you reside