1. |
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Here’s all I’ve got
It’s not a lot, it’s not a little
It’s somewhere in the middle
But yes, it is my best
And I hope that I can do for you
All that I’m expected to
I hope that I can be at least half as good
As I was in Dallas
But time passes
I develop habits
I can’t remember the last thing
I’ve learned worth knowing
Suddenly
All the people that really love me
I smile at
Then turn away
I’ve got nothing to say
I’d rather keep my mouth shut
I know I come from a family full of idiots
And I’m nervous that when I talk I’m gonna sound like them
And now all of my friends are trying to find out the person that they really are
They’re reading books and they’re going to seminars
We used to laugh about people like that but we don’t laugh much anymore
Sure, we might have before
But it really isn’t that funny anymore
So here’s what I know
I can go, or I can stay
I guess I’m fine either way
It’s just time to decide
And I can tell by your eyes that you’re getting bored
But sure, let’s stop into the grocery store
Maybe a good meal would help to Change our minds But time passes We used to fuck like rabbits Now we don’t do much But eat our carrots And it would be more interesting
To jump-cut to the next scene
All the world is a movie-screen
And we’re its players
Still sometimes there’s nothing to say
I’d rather keep my mouth shut
I know I come from a country full of idiots
And I’m nervous that when I talk I’m gonna sound like them
And now all of my friends are trying to find out the person that they really are
They’re reading books and they’re going to seminars
I got this piece of advice from a guy I met last week
When he was underneath the hood of my car
He said, “Friend...
Sometimes you might get stuck in the middle of the road
And wonder which way that you ought ‘a go
Should you turn to the right? Or should you turn to the left?
Which one of these paths is gonna take you home the best?
Well just take a guess and keep on moving
Doing exactly what you’re doing
Don’t turn off the engine, buddy, keep it in gear
It’s a whole lot easier to steer a car that’s moving...”
Now God knows there’s nothing in this whole wide world that I hate more
Than when some blue-collared jock tries to turn his car talk into a metaphor
And God knows there’s nothing in this whole wide world that’s any worse
Than when the words that he says they get stuck in your head
So loud and intense
And they won’t stop or quit
And they make so much sense that it hurts
Yeah, that sucks...
So here’s what we’ll do
You be you, and I’ll be me
And who knows, maybe
We’ll put the past in its place at last
And I don’t know if I’m in your future or not
I mean, you could hook up with an astronaut
And he just might have what it takes
To fly you to the moon and back But time passes I’d know we’d be more attractive If we had new faces, Hearts and asses But since we’re here with each other Go on and pour me another
I think I’ll call up my brother
And see if he can watch my dog for one more day
While I try to think of something to say
I’d rather keep my mouth shut
I know I come from a world full of idiots
And I’m nervous that when I talk I’m gonna sound like them
And now all of my friends are trying to find out the person that they really are
They’re reading books and they’re going to seminars
We used to laugh about people like that but we don’t laugh much anymore
Sure, we might have before
But it really isn’t that funny anymore
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2. |
Won't Say It Again...
08:29
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Break it to me slow and break it to me easily
I say I want the truth when I really want some sympathy
I’ve studied all your words like the notes to some great symphony
You’re not an artist, no, but a living soul and that really means a lot to me
It really means a lot
But I see you are embarrassed by the words I’ve wrapped us in
So I’ll shut down all my senses
And I won’t say it again
I could use a shot of something as I sit to write this down
The sickness that sits in me has sat on this whole town
But there’s power in the bloodline that follows you around
I need a place to hide so I crawl inside your heart or your gown
But you’ve tired of my mouth now and you’ve tired of my pen
So I’ll quit while I’m ahead
And I won’t say it again
But sometimes I get so worked up
I guess it’s ‘cuz I don’t see you enough
Send your family my love
Tell your sister that I love her picture of her kitten
Tell your mother not to worry about the age that she is getting
Tell your brother that I hope he’s seriously considering
Taking up the violin
I’ve got so many songs I’d like to use one in
Maybe we could out on the road, you, me and him
We’d be such an awesome band! ... I know it’s not so likely but allow me to pretend Before I drop it all completely
And I don’t say it again
… My brother killed a dear the other day
I said, “Hey, bro, that’s great...”
And I helped him cut it into meat
Now I don’t know if you’ve ever cut up a deer before
I got blood on my blue jeans, blood on my tee shirt,
Blood on the tarp in the floor
I couldn’t help but think as I used a knife to peel back it’s skin
That this was a condition I’d hate to find you in
And right then I remembered this thing I saw on the news
About a killer on the loose
Who skinned his victims too
They was all women, blonde, and five foot nine
And since you are his type
I called to make sure you was alright...
And while I’ve got you on my mind I need’a say one or two things
The first one is: I’ve changed so much
And the second one is the same
You know I finally read that book you left me a long time ago
About Pan, Osiris, and the Egyptian Pharaoh
It did me a lot of good – yes, I liked it very much
I even cast a spell on you Thursday after lunch
But I don’t know it worked so well...
I don’t believe it did
‘Cuz when I saw you Friday morning – I was dropping off the kid
And you came out in your pink shirt and tight yoga pants
You had a pencil tucked into your hair and a Starbucks in your hand
And I said, “Hey, what’s up?”
And we talked for a little bit
But I didn’t see no love in your eyes
Not even a little bit
So I said goodbye to my son and I got his backpack
Then I shot out of your long driveway like a racer on a track
And I cranked up my stereo just as loud as I could
‘Cuz if I can’t have you in the now
Then a flashback is just as good:
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Running around
Talking about making movies
You’d stay up with me all night in your see-through nightgown
I can see the pink tips of your boobies, baby
You know it’s hard on me I know what we’s supposed to be I know that I said I’d never say it again “I guess I just thought...” “I guess I was wrong...” “Let’s change the topic to something platonic...”
Alright, Fine!
I’ll keep it all inside!
But the next time you need a place to hide don’t come crawling back to my side
And you’re gonna need one soon
(like this very afternoon)
Remember that killer I told you about who was out on the loose?
Well, yes, yes....
I must confess
That I meet him late last night and gave him your address
You stupid bitch!
I thought we was friends
I told you I loved you but I won’t say it again
I won’t say it again!
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3. |
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My name is Ronny Giovanni
Though most folks call me Ron
I bring around the medicine that makes the world a place again
Full of laughter, full of friends and childhood wonder
I’ve got the stuff that you need
Priced, be sure, quite reasonably
To help you close your eyes and move on
My name is Ronny Giovanni
Though most folks call me Ron
I make myself available for afternoon or evening calls
Especially to hurting girls of a certain age
“My life is sad,” I hear them say - it doesn’t have to be that way
Take this pill twice a day and very soon you’ll be okay
Listen to what our reviewers say:
“We’ve learned again to laugh and play!”
They come to me and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay and pay
“Here’s the stuff and by the way...
You look beautiful...”
“Who me?”
“Yes you, do you want to come to my place
Saturday by the lake – we’ll party!”
And you know what they say:
“I’d love to! I’ll text you, Bae!”
So you see each Saturday
Ronny gets another lay
Yes, you bet, it’s safe to say
I’m quite a hit with the ladies
Just like my great, great, great, great, great, great, uncle Don
But right now I’m in a dilemma
Let me tell you all what I mean
I got a mamma who’s a big spender
And her daughter who’s only thirteen
Now the mother is very self-conscious
‘Cuz she do a lot of work at the church
And she’s always very precautious
In case someone ever see her from work
Sometimes I meet her on the elevator
Here’s the stuff, pay me later I know you’s always good for it
Sometimes I meet her on a city bus
“Excuse me ma’am, you dropped your lunch...”
You know that whole bit...
But sometimes she gets so nervous she says she needs my services
Delivered straight to her door
And me, I’m such a nice guy, I’m always willing to oblige for only fifty dollar more
Now I’ll bet you’d never guess what happened next
When I knocked upon that momma’s door
It seems the momma had just left
The only one home was her daughter
So I made up something real quick like:
“Uh, hello... I’m Bob with Cut ‘Em Lawns”
But she wasn’t falling for it
She said, “I saw you last week with my mom
I saw you meet her at the fairgrounds
Pull up, roll the window down
Then drive off into the night
She left home with her demons but she came home feelin’
Like the whole world was alright...”
I said: “I’m sorry little girl, you’ve got me all mixed up...”
Then I stepped away from her door
But I did stop my walking when she told me I was talking to a potential customer
Now I made a rule when I got in this business
I’d never sale to a child in their innocence
It isn’t right I’m sure you’ll agree
You buying from me you show your ID
But she didn’t care one bit for my rule
She told me she had lots of friends at her school
Who needed to buy and I’d be their guy
Do not let this once and a life pass you by
I just bought me a brand new shirt
She said I look like a movie star
But I know I don’t
‘Cuz my old blue jeans have begun to fade
And my white ice-creams have seen better days
And I’m eating beans instead of fillets
It’s like I’m stuck in some financial maze
And this girl is offering me such a big pay day
If only there was some other way…
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4. |
Ridgemore Hotel
04:06
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Been on the road nearly all of the day
On my way home I need someplace to stay tonight
My mind is beginning to shut down
And all these trucks they’re passing me by
I slap my face, peel open my eyes
Need’a pull over soon and lay my body down
Should I sleep on the side of the road?
No, I need a bed and a commode
What’s that light I see upon the hill?
Is it real?
A sign advertising a deal:
At Ridgemore Hotel
We have beds and commodes
Been on this diet nearly all of the week
I’m a little bit flabby so to speak
Been starving so long and I ain’t lost a single pound
Now my stomach’s starting to growl
Nothing in the fridge I can’t afford to go out
But I think I’ll die if I don’t get something in me quick
Just some chips and a cheeseburger
Perhaps a milkshake to complete the order
What’s that light I see upon the hill? Is it real? A sign advertising a deal: At Ridgemore Hotel There’s free meals, free meals
And free soap and razors and Sunday papers And a picture of a fish in every room And if you are a swimmer
Then yes, we have a pool
I’ve had this wife nearly twenty-four years
She ain’t too ugly but compared to her peers
I guess she didn’t age as well as I would’ve thought
Now Candy she works at the plant
She ain’t much better but at least she can dance
Candy says she’s free most Friday nights
But me I’m a family man - I gotta be as discreet as I can
What’s that light I see upon the hill?
Is it real?
A sign advertising a deal:
At Ridgemore Hotel
We won’t tell
We won’t tell
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5. |
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“Did you hear that noise? Sounded like a gun!”
“Alright, nothing more to drink for Mr. Paranoid.”
“Does anybody know whose turn it is?” “No, listen there... I thought I heard it again...” “I didn’t hear a thing...”
“Probably construction.”
“I think it’s Lizzy’s turn, but she’s busy taking a wiz.”
“You should’a heard this guy last week with his conspiracy stuff – He swore he saw a baby get thrown out of the back of a truck!”
“Oh yeah... that was pretty funny...”
“What was it?”
“It was really just a bag of laundry...”
“Ha-Ha!”
“Has anybody told Lizzy she needs to hurry up?”
Here Billy jumped
Over a coat laying in the floor
“Bravo, Billy, encore!”
“Does anybody know what a coat hanger is for?”
“You look sad tonight, Suze...”
“Nah, I’m fine I guess.”
“You’ll feel better, you know, once it’s off your chest.”
“Does anybody know whose turn it is?”
“Hey, come on now.. You can talk to me.
We’re all friends here – all family.”
“Well, this afternoon I said some things to Lizz...”
And she started her story but was cut short by Jim
Who said, “Come on now Honey, let’s not go into all that again... Teenagers are pretty crazy
You know what I’m talking ‘bout, don’t you Billy?”
“Sure, nobody ever learned a thing unless they were taught
I’m sure it wasn’t your fault.”
But Mr. Paranoid had the thought
That it was a suicidal gunshot!
While Suze played again the scene from the parking lot:
It started out nicely
We stopped by the grocery
And picked out an icee for Lizz
Because she is a real nice girl
And Jim riding with me
And both of us happy
And listening to oldies And thinking about what a good girl we’d raised: Lots of girls are pretty And lots of girls are funny Lots of girls have a talent or two But Lizz is something special We’ve known that from the very start
Now others see it too
Yeah, just the other day Luanne called me
And when the conversation turned to Lizzy
She said, “Really Suze, I wouldn’t be surprised If that girl wins a Nobel Prize
Or if that girl wins an Oscar
Or if that girl finds the cure for cancer.”
She’s so smart!
I wonder what part she got in the play...
It’d be a shame if it was anything
Other than the leading lady
“Here she comes now
It’s bad news I guess...
You can tell by her eyes
And the way that she walks.”
“Well, what we gonna say?”
“Let me handle this, okay?
I used to be a girl her age.”
Lizzy then opened the car door
Suze said, “How was your day?”
And Lizzy didn’t say a thing
She buckled in
And looked at her phone screen
A picture of Ryan Gosling
Which said, “Hey Girl,
Heard you had a rough day...
But let me make you some tea
‘Cuz I would love nothing more than to
Hear about your dreams...”
Lizz laughed and typed back:
“I’m so alone.”
She erased it then put up her phone
Suze turned around and said:
“I bought you an icee! And it’s blue!
I bought you an icee! ... By the way, how did you do?
Blue’s your favorite color, isn’t it?
By the way, what part did you get?”
What happened next no one could foresee
Lizz threw up her fists and said
“Fuck the icee!”
Then went on to say some rather mean things
About both of their bodies and both of their brains
“Sure, the part I got is the one that you like... The leading lady, yeah, I’m here all right...
But let me just say this before you shut me up
What’s the point of living with you two breaking up?”
(Divorces can be very hard on children –
Make sure you really think about it before you get one)
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6. |
Vitamin Supplements
09:33
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I had been up late, I was just waking up
When I heard the phone ringing from the edge of my bed
So I cleared my throat and I said, “Go ahead caller.”
Right then and there loud and clear
There was a voice in my head I hadn’t heard in at least ten years or more
“What on earth you calling for?”
“I’ve just been thinking ‘bout my buddy
Wanna get some coffee, or
Do you want to go to Jimmy’s Egg
Just like we used to?”
And I said I’d love to
So we got sat down in our booth downtown
I had a cold hash brown before he said:
“By the way, there’s a reason why I called you here today
I don’t know what you know, I don’t know if you know
About all the new advancements
In vitamin supplements
They’re quite a good investment
Trust me your while’s worth it
I know
What you’re thinking
‘Cuz I used to think it too
That was before I saw what these vitamins could do
Let me tell you right now this is not about the sale I just want to make sure that your body’s in good health
And if you don’t like taking a pill We’ve got ‘em in liquid form as well Can I put you down for twelve?”
Well I said alright and just like that I was out fifty bucks
But it got him off my back
And a few days later at a quarter till ten
I heard my doorbell ring and my shipment was in
There was vitamins to do everything he said
There was vitamins to put hair on your head
There was vitamins there to raise the dead
And there was vitamins to make you good in bed
“Alright!” I said
I might as well go ahead, pop the lid, and try me out a few of those
That’s what I did, by coincide I ran into the cutest girl I know
Who had Alabama eyes, Louisiana thighs
Move that thing make me lose my mind
Hips like they’s in a funny mirror
I knew her from school, she was in my home room
I even got the courage up a time or two
But never got the strength to get near her
With her Alamaba eyes, Louisiana thighs
Now who’d of thought fate put us side by side
Standing in line to see this big time pop singer
She recognized me almost instantly
Said, “you’re just the guy I wanna see
Wanna meet up sometime over dinner?”
Well of course I did
And my heart was glad
As I cooked the meal
Got the wine to chill, lit my best candle
Before she said:
“Oh, by the way there’s kind of a reason why I called you here today
I don’t know what you know, I don’t know if you know
About all the new advancements in Cutco Kitchen knife sets
They’re quite a good investment
Trust me your while’s worth it I know
What you’re thinking
‘Cuz I used to think it too
That was before I saw what these Cutco blades could do
Let me tell you right now this is not about the sale
I just want to make sure that your food’s getting cut well
And if you buy the knives right now We’ll send you a rebate in the mail
Can I put you down for twelve?”
...God knows I never needed twelve new kitchen knives
But I said, “Why don’t you stay and we’ll sleep on it tonight...”
She said, “Oh really! I’m not that type of girl!”
I couldn’t do it for anything less than twenty-four!
“Now that I’ve got your attention allow me to mention one more thing to you
Sure, you’ve bought the knives but you’ll wanna keep ‘em nice
So ya needa buy the sheaths too.”
I said, “the sheaths, please, you make a fortune on these
Alright, alright I guess it’s fine
But if you want me to buy ‘em you’ve got to let me try #@%#$ this time...”
“Now that we’re making a deal, come on let’s make it a deal
I’ve got an offer that you’ll think is swell
I know they cost a lot but if you buy the wooden block
I’ll let you try &%$(#&($&%#$ as well!”
I said “oh, I don’t know... Let’s just take it slow...”
I mean I’m not saying that I won’t
That’s just a lot of cash that right now I don’t have
But maybe if I sold my boat....
Well my knives came in and just in time for me to meet an old tennis buddy of mine
I told him I could meet him and hit him some balls
But if he tried to sale me something I’d cut of his toes
He laughed and he said that’s something he’d never do
“Yanno I’m just as sick of that shit as you!
I’ve got two more kids I’m trying to put through school
And the last thing that I’d wanna do
Is buy any knives or vitamins or any other useless things”
I said, “Amen!” I served the ball to him and we got started with our game
And I think I was winning when he said:
“But it is kinda funny that you should bring up raising money
Yanno my daughter’s team is going to State on Friday morning
If you need your car washed or something
We could really use the funding...”
I said, “man, I should have seen this coming...”
I threw down my racquet and started running
To my car and got the engine going
And I got out of there in a hurry
Yeah, I got out of there in a hurry!
When I was younger I heard my mother
Say to her darling boy,
“Be careful of strangers, to stay out of danger
It’s them that you’ll want to avoid.”
But now that I’m older and own my own motor
Strangers I like to see
Though I know they seem harmless, if I’m being honest
It’s old friends that worry me
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Works of Love Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Works of Love is a vinyl-focused record label based in Milwaukee, WI, founded and operated by Luke
Geddes.
Our first release is the vinyl edition of Tulsa musician Benjamin Dean Wilson's 2018 sophomore album, THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM.
... more
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