Americana

HAVE YOU EVER

Falling, I'm falling

Have you ever walked through a room

But it was more like the room passed around you

Like there was a leash around your neck that pulled you through

Have you ever been at someplace

Recognizing everybody's face

Until you realized that there was no one there you knew

Well I know

Some days, my soul's confined and out of mind

Sleep forever

Some days, I'm so outshined and out of time

Have you ever

Falling, I'm falling

Have you ever buried your face in your hands

Cause no one around you understands

Or has the slightest idea what it is that makes you be

Have you ever felt like there was more

Like someone else was keeping score

And what could make you whole was simply out of reach

Well I know

Someday I'll try again and not pretend

This time forever

Someday I'll get it straight but not today

Have you ever

Falling, I'm falling

Some days, my soul's confined and out of mind

Sleep forever

Some days, my darkest friend is me again

Have you ever

Someday I'll try again and not pretend

This time forever

Someday I'll get it straight but not today

Have you ever

When the truth walks away

Everybody stays

Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay

So if you walk away

Who is gonna stay

Cause I'd like to think the world is a better place

When the truth walks away

Everybody stays

Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay

So if you walk away

Who is gonna stay

Cause I'd like to make the world be a better place

When the truth walks away

Everybody stays

Cause the truth about the world is that crime does pay

So if you walk away

Who is gonna stay

Cause I'd like to think the world is a better place

I'd like to leave the world as a better place

I'd like to think the world

STARING AT THE SUN

Maybe life is like a ride on a freeway

Dodging bullets while you're trying to find your way

Everyone's around, but no one does a damn thing

It brings me down, but I won't let them

If I seem bleak

Well you'd be correct

And if I don't speak

It's cause I can't disconnect

But I won't be burned by the reflection

Of the fire in your eyes

As you're staring at the sun

When I ran I didn't feel like a runaway

When I escaped I didn't feel like I got away

There's more to living than only surviving

Maybe I'm not there, but I'm still trying

Though you hear me

I don't think that you relate

My will is something

That you can't confiscate

So forgive me, but I won't be frustrated

By destruction in your eyes

As you're staring at the sun

PRETTY FLY (FOR A WHITE GUY)

You know it's kind of hard

Just to get along today

Our subject isn't cool

But he fakes it anyway

He may not have a clue

And he may not have style

But everything he lacks

Well he makes up in denial

So don't debate, a player straight

You know he really doesn't get it anyway

He's gonna play the field, and keep it real

For you no way, for you no way

So if you don't rate, just overcompensate

At least you'll know you can always go on Ricki Lake

The world needs wannabe's

So do that brand new thing

He needs some cool tunes

Not just any will suffice

But they didn't have Ice Cube

So he bought Vanilla Ice

Now cruising in his Pinto, he sees homies as he pass

But if he looks twice

They're gonna kick his lily ass

Now he's getting a tattoo

He's gettin' ink done

He asked for a '13', but they drew a '31'

Friends say he's trying too hard

And he's not quite hip

But in his own mind

He's the dopest trip

So don't debate, a player straight

You know he really doesn't get it anyway

He's gonna play the field, and keep it real

For you no way, for you no way

So if you don't rate, just overcompensate

At least you'll know you can always go on Ricki Lake

The world needs wannabe's

The world loves wannabe's

So let's get some more wannabe's

And do that brand new thing

THE KIDS AREN'T ALRIGHT

When we were young the future was so bright

The old neighborhood was so alive

And every kid on the whole damn street

Was gonna make it big and not be beat

Now the neighborhood's cracked and torn

The kids are grown up but their lives are worn

How can one little street

Swallow so many lives

Chances thrown

Nothing's free

Longing for what used to be

Still it's hard

Hard to see

Fragile lives, shattered dreams

Jamie had a chance, well she really did

Instead she dropped out and had a couple of kids

Mark still lives at home cause he's got no job

He just plays guitar and smokes a lot of pot

Jay committed suicide

Brandon OD'd and died

What the hell is going on

The cruelest dream, reality

FEELINGS

Feelings

Nothing more than feelings

Trying to forget my

Feelings of hate

Imagine

Beating on your face

Trying to forget my

Feelings of hate

Feelings

For all my life i'll feel it

I wish I'd never met you

You'll make me sick again

Feelings, oh oh feelings

Of hate on my mind

Feelings

Feelings like I never liked you

Feelings like I want to kill you

Live in my heart

Feelings

Feelings like I wanna deck you

Feelings like I've gotta get you

Out of my life

Feelings, oh oh feelings

The hate's in my eyes

Feelings, oh oh feelings

You're not very nice

SHE'S GOT ISSUES

I'm seeing this girl and she just might be out of her mind

Well she's got baggage and it's all the emotional kind

She talks about closure and that validation bit

I don't mean to be insensitive, but I really hate that shit

Oh man she's got issues

And I'm gonna pay

She thinks she's the victim

Yeah

Now I know she'll feel abandoned

If I don't stay over late

And I know she's afraid to commit

But it's only our second date

Oh man she's got issues

And I'm gonna pay

She thinks she's the victim

But she takes it all out on me

I don't know why you're messed up

I don't know why your whole life is a chore

Just do me a favor

And check your baggage at the door

Now she talks about her ex nonstop, but I don't mind

But when she calls out his name in bed

That's where I draw the line

You told me a hundred times how your father left and he's gone

But I wish you wouldn't call me daddy

When we're gettin' it on

Oh man she's got issues

And I'm gonna pay

She's playing the victim

And taking it all out on me

My god she's got issues

And I'm gonna pay

If you think I'm controlling

Then why do you follow me around

If you're not co-dependent

Then why do you let others drag you down

I don't know why you're messed up

I don't know why your whole life is a chore

Just do me a favor

And check your baggage at the door

WALLA WALLA

Goodbye my friend, you've messed up again

You're going to prison, you're off to the pen

You've gotten off easy so many times

But I guess no one told you how to get a life

The judge wasn't lenient like he was before

You got three to five and a kick out the door

The public defender really did try

Too little, too late, you didn't get a life

Hey, in Walla

I'll see you in Walla Walla

Slap on the wrist? Well, not this time

Hey, in Walla

I'll see you in Walla Walla

Folsom prison is the destination

Hey, in Walla

I'll see you in Walla Walla

Slap on the wrist? Well, not this time

In the scheme of life, we're all just brothers

Rehabilitate with all the others

Well, I'll see ya

That car looked so tempting, so easy to drive

Just like that apartment that you burglarized

You started to run, but didn't get far

Cause under your arm was a VCR

Ho ho, not this time my friend

You'll be in lockdown by ten

I'm afraid you can't talk your way out of this one, son

Now four walls are your 24-hour-a-day, constant companions.

Hey, in Walla

I'll see you in Walla Walla

Slap on the wrist? Well, not this time

Hey, in Walla

I'll see you in Walla Walla

Folsom prison is the destination

Hey, in Walla

I'll see you in Walla Walla

Slap on the wrist? Well, not this time

In the scheme of life, we're all just brothers

Rehabilitate with all the others

Well, I'll see ya

Have a nice life

THE END OF THE LINE

When the siren's flash is gone

And we're left to carry on

All the memories are too few

When the pastor's music plays

And that casket rolls away

I could live again if you

Just stay alive for me

Please stay now, you left me here alone - it's the end of the line

Please stay I can't make it on my own - it's the end of the line

Make it on my own

It's the end of the line

Now that you are dead and gone

And I'm left to carry on

I could never smile cause you

Won't stay alive for me

Finally,

Your final resting day

Is without me

I weep

And think of brighter days

What about me?

You can't take back, the one mistake

That still lives on after life it takes

In that one day, that changed our lives

And bitter memories are left behind

NO BRAKES

Lay awake

I don't give a shit

If I even ever wake up in the morning

Down below

There's a pile of sin

Always waiting for a

Waiting for a warning

Burned at the stake

Inside I'm blistering

Not a whisper

Looking in you'd never know it

Miles below

I look up again

When you snap they say

Before you never show it

Someone said it's all right

Save it now, don't say it for my sake

Someone said it's all right

Faster now, you know I got no brakes

Fuses glow

Wounds festering

Till the wind comes up

And takes it to the last pow

Back and forth

Staring at the wall

This room's a cage

I know that something's got to give now

Someone said it's all right

Save it now, don't say it for my sake

Someone said it's all right

Faster now, you know I got no brakes

No brakes

WHY DON'T YOU GET A JOB

My friend's got a girlfriend

Man he hates that bitch

He tells me every day

He says "man I really gotta lose my chick

In the worst kind of way"

She sits on her ass

He works his hands to the bone

To give her money every payday

But she wants more dinero just to stay at home

Well my friend

You gotta say

I won't pay, I won't pay ya, no way

Why don't you get a job

Say no way, say no way, no way

Why don't you get a job

I guess all his money, well it isn't enough

To keep her bill collectors at bay

I guess all his money, well it isn't enough

Cause that girl's got expensive taste

I won't pay, I won't pay ya, no way

Why don't you get a job

Say no way, say no way, no way

Why don't you get a job

Well I guess it ain't easy doing nothing at all

But hey man free rides just don't come along

every day

Let me tell you about my other friend now

My friend's got a boyfriend, man she hates that dick

She tells me every day

He wants more dinero just to stay at home

Well my friend

You gotta say

AMERICANA

Well I'd like to tell you all about my dream, it's a place

Where strip malls abound and diversion's mere moments away

Where culture's defined by the

Ones least refined

And you'll be left behind

If you don't fit in

It's all distorted

In americana my way

Well my dream has come true

My vision has come true

Now give me my cable, fast food, four-by's, that's right away

I want it right now cause my generation don't like to wait

My future's determined by

Thieves, thugs, and vermin

It's quite an excursion

But it's okay

Everything's backwards

In americana my way

Well my dream has come true

My vision has come true

I'm a product

Of my environment

So don't blame me, I just work here

My rights are denied by

Those least qualified

Trading profit for pride

But it's okay

Everything's backwards

In americana my way

My nightmare has come true

My nightmare has come true

Yeah, it's all coming true

PAY THE MAN

See the way the wind blows

Lives are intertwined

Watch the way the world goes

The man deals out our plight

Jester in the corner

Laughs without a sound

Jester in the corner

Malady abounds

In our souls

See the way the sun sets

Twilight of this life

The man is making little bets

Playing with our lives

All that I believe now

Anything is possible

A simple explanation

For the evil in this world

And in our souls

In our souls

Come down to sorry and sable

It's always the man

Always keeping you down

Bow down cause I see it before me

Shadow and light

That always keeps you running

Shut up you talk too much

Pay the man

Shut up you talk too much

Look at you and your struggle for freedom

But you ain't nothing

We all pay the man for living

Wouldn't it be nice for a change now

To be unchained

My life is for me now

But this is life

Pay the man

Shut up you talk too much

Pay the man

Shut up you talk too much

Pay the man