big dreams

Owen - Bad News

Whatever it is you think you are
you aren’t:
a good friend, unique, well-read
good-looking, or smart.
Well, now you know.

Well I hate to be the one to bear such bad news.
I know it hurts to hear
but it’s true.
You don’t mean anything
to anyone but me.
And even I think
that you’re blinded by conceit.
So now you know.

Free beer
and basement shows
don’t mean you’ve made it.
It’s what you do
not who you were, or what you wear, or where you’ve been,
so do something.

Whoever you think is watching you dance
from across the room,
they aren’t.
If anything, they feel sorry for you
‘cause you try so hard.

I know it hurts to hear
but it’s the truth
So you might as well hear it
from a friend.
You’re a has-been
that never was.

And I know it’s mean to say
but it’s something I’ve been meaning to say to you
for a while.
You’re a has-been
that never was
or will be.

Elliott Smith — Instrumental (Basement Demos)

Owen — “Windows and Doorways”

windows and doorways
i don’t know which way to leave this room,
cause i’m afraid of heights.
and i’m afraid of you tonight,
those striped socks and punk rock pajamas.
someways i’ve changed, but in most ways i’m the same.

for better or worse i can’t say,
only time will tell.
like an addict i’m cursed in a good way
i’ve done it so long and i’m not sure how not to

Mike Doughty - Lazybones (live)

when all the limbs are numb and clean
and you’re in transit dream to dream,
i’ll drift there to meet you, lazybones

when all the world has lain and sank
and money sleeps inside the banks
i’ll be there to meet you, lazybones

cameraman sways to remember how the eye dances
drunkenness is a hand-held, scrambling down Delancey
i come stumbling, well i hear you had to take a shine
and firing at random, i hear the rays fell upon mine

cool you, miss amaze with a handful of water
trucks encircling, bearing down, coming louder
if i could stay here, under your idle caress
and not exit to the world and phoniness and people

lazybones, lazybones

when all the noise has left your head
will someday you rise off the bed?
i’ll be there to lift you, lazybones

lazybones, lazybones

finally i don’t mind,
not as smart as you require

Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing) - No Peace, Los Angeles

ice cracking
fickle junkie
your girl calls
where have you been last night?
loverboy
where you been hiding?

no peace,
los angeles

coming down
wilshire boulevard
blurry stream of light
radio
road sign
and you are more awake
than is possible

and the true dope on salvation is
two weeks in a clinic
and a public testimonial
you tell them kids
tell them not to hurt themselves
speeding out from who you are

do this for the remembrance of me