French Tickle
Copyright, Philip Radiotes.
Additional instrumentation by John Paul Labno
Pretend Psalm [lyrics][hide]
Closed Circle Theory [lyrics][hide]
Pineapple [lyrics][hide]
The Dance I’m Doing Doesn’t
Have A Name [lyrics][hide]
A Change Of Plans [lyrics][hide]
I’m Staying Put [lyrics][hide]
Single Men [lyrics][hide]
Beware: Fake Shaman [lyrics][hide]
Wabash County [lyrics][hide]
Looks Like A Full Moon To Me [lyrics][hide]
The Long Local Out [lyrics][hide]
Others [lyrics][hide]
Back To The Water Now [lyrics][hide]
Window Of Opportunity [lyrics][hide]
Rest upon ye laurels
nest within the niche each makes
domestic creature comfort
made from someone else’s mistakes
sing
snow into spring
take up your tambourine
shake out your sillies
paint your bottom blue
preen a senior new
chip a focal tooth
in the name of all who
snuck amung our loophole
late enough to dodge being caught
and soon enough to realize
you’re not (are) what they (you) say your not (are)
better to never go far
when never the better go all the way
back away and what stays in place?
The Word
A Great Speckle Bird
neither wing would work
hinged by it’s worm
in caverns -chomp chomp-
watch that sucker squirm
and dictate festive sermons
nothing left to learn
and this is not permission for
bangin’ gavels through closed doors
there’s a tendency to rot
from looking better on paper
better to never go far
never the better the all the way
back away and what stays in place?
hell
baits a holy ghost
a-swingin’ i must go
without leaving home
and the cherished smell
sweet as country roses
plenty of room here
under all of our noses
hollow out a smokestack
slip it ‘cross your decent frame
we are gwine pitch a sin
that will be put to shame
better to never go far
when never the better go all the way
back away and what stays in place?
CLOSED CIRCLE THEORY
they tell me that history repeats
who plays such a trick on somebody?
what future it takes to inherit
a past that does no more than blindfold the present!
with ideas previously sampled
and thoughts stole straight from example
your next move is easily written
from any recycled first of tradition
we’re going around in circles
and all out of the loop
there’s more than enough of the old news
to piece what is filling up your shoes
and more than enough bestsellers
to lie your way out of your own storyteller
but failing to pick up the last pen
perpetually scribbling your skin
with tales unable to finish
would write off your spin as only unnoticed
we’re going around in circles
and all out of the loop
if one thing should lead to another
we’re walking historical figures
pick all the ones you’re to play and you’ll be
making the rounds in a brand new way
we’re going around in circles
and all out of the loop
PINEAPPLE
there’s gonna come a day
when you’ll try to realize
those shoes of yours just aren’t fitting anymore
if it’s a matter more of what you say
than the look that’s in your eyes
you’re better off with your feet on the floor
that’s all that really matters
up until you give it a second guess
and i can see a pattern forming here
i think i’ll watch it all progress
cause i couldn’t care less
no i’m careful of what i don’t care about
I wouldn’t want to be careless
the sloppy hand won’t catch a greasy pig
anybody can have sorted the world out
but I sense the hesitance
that’s just too big of a hole to dig
i’ve had it with all of you
i can’t even see as humourous
everyday it’s getting harder to exist
in middle of this mess
when i couldn’t care less
the fly-by-nighters sleep
and they only need listen
for the safest catch phrase they can use
the whole goal is completely imcomplete
with nothing more to accomplish
unless you’re counting all the old pairs of shoes
our date with disappointment
hurry up and put on your party dress
i know there’s plenty on the horizon
that would hold your interest
but i couldn’t care less
THE DANCE I’M DOING DOESN’T HAVE A NAME
set up shop where the rain won’t be
tending to the fire lit under me
i can hot-step you right over glowing coals
so gracefully you’d think you felt the devil’s tickle
now and then i feel as tho i’ve made that trek
more times around then the scarf on a giraffe’s neck
but you hide a feeling better when you let it show
and i’ll whoop anyone who says it isn’t so
watch out everybody, clear the way
the dance i’m a-doin doesn’t have a name
woke up this morning with my eyes are mighty red
betcha forty dollars she was in my head
i think about me and her everyday still
jack and jillin all up the hill
it’s a habit it’s a habit that i have to break
if i want to know a thing but a heartache
she’ll probably just find herself somebody new
boy oh boy the way they always do
watch out everybody, clear the way
the dance i’m a-doin doesn’t have a name
this may seem mapped-out territory
but the same ol story is news to me
when i die you better find a pair of bobby socks
and bury me underneath the jukebox
but up til then you’ll have to bear with me
i suggest you learn to get yourself good and comfy
the fire is bright and the fire is warm
the fire thinks nothing of any storm
watch out everybody, clear the way
the dance i’m a-doin doesn’t have a name
i’m a runaway shaker and a bit afraid!
the dance i’m a-doin doesn’t have a name
A CHANGE OF PLANS
a subtle glance
and suddenly
a change of plans
you’re here with me
couldn’t have been
expectedly
but that’s just how it rolls
for two alluring souls
we’ll do it right
we’ll set a date
but not tonight
that’s too late
i need you now
i can not wait
to be fit in
when we’re a matter urgent
i’ve seen you leaned
out your window
by those just don’t matter at alls
right before they sound
your mating call
a patter heard
above the lane
where mockingbird
waits out the rain
whatever’s lost
is only gained
from what could be
ready for anything
i’ll do the chores
i’ll pay the rent
the rest is yours
however spent
i’m bankable
worth every cent
and priced to sell
hurry
i’m given just as well
i’ve seen you leaned
out your window
by those just don’t matter at alls
right before they sound
your mating call
i play the part
of welcomed theif
to tender hearts
spectacularly
forget about
forgetting me
it’s of no use
from here
there’s nothing you could do
i seen you leaned
out your window
by your just don’t matter at alls
right before you sound
your mating call
I’M STAYING PUT
the night invites
the moon delights
there’s a poetic ponder to the pale streetlights
and all of that stuff sounds really nice
or at least i’m told it should
but not for me
because you see
tonight the other life i find interesting
so friend thanks for asking
but i’m staying put
why should i bundle up for the cold
there’s a space right here that i call my own
i opened the window and took a look out
doesn’t that count as leaving the house?
i don’t think
of all of these
interesting people that i could meet
none of them take to listening
they’re too misunderstood
but now’s the chance
to do my dance
shake some of these ants right out of my pants
or sit a while and sulk over lost romance
i’m staying put
i’m gonna wibble my wabbles all out of the way
or sneak out the second after you vacate
i could rearrange my whole life to and fro
then put it all back
and no one would know
go out and have yourself a blast
i’ll be everywhere you were when you get back
this party’s taking a nap
and it’ll be just as good
SINGLE MEN
single men, single men
walking all the way home alone again
just another night without a friend
we’re used to it now
every end collected
got each others hopes erected
and a mended heart well hidden
unsought anyhow
oh the love of a girl
in the simplest of worlds
is so complicated
and it seems we can only get so close
for we’re busy smothering
everything that we should be
with each other’s relation
til alas, there’s no one left who knows
profuse sweat, crooked nose
maybe something’s the matter with our clothes
maybe it’s the hairdo, nobody knows
would you please take one home
40 minutes just to get
everyone of our hands on a cigtarette
and another dozen to get it lit
but a second to smoke
we pretend, best we can,
that we’d never go spending any attention
when one of our own flees the nest
but the single men know
oh the love of a girl
in the simplest of worlds
is so complicated
and it seems we can only get so close
for we’re busy smothering
everything that we should be
with each other’s relation
til alas, there’s no one left who knows
young debutante, fair bachelorette
don’t throw in the towel for us yet
there’s a bit of romance you haven’t met
for neither have we
just for now, please allow
any bit of affection, don’t let us down
could you lend us your hat to promenade around
til next we should meet?
BEWARE: FAKE SHAMAN
get straight to the helm of fate
their convincingly authentic way
a tuxedo at the usual
plain clothed social masquerade
around the bareable parables
a soul won’t authenticate
holy as the lock on a church’s gate
they know why the blues ain’t dry
and which tonic would settle the score
it’s the answer they are hired for
as you glide across the ouija floor
but if you slow down, watch how
they hover over the drift
you may be willing to sense how the message shifts
they paint sense along a wooden fence
so the splintering is overlooked
poor medusa with her head propped up
by a stack of self-help books
should be aware they share an
all too common vein
passing off their fraud in tradition’s name
they know why just enough to say
that fate is usually late
but they nevermind to tell you
that the devils always on time
they cater to all reddened palms
on which there’s fortune withering
like avenues layn askew
in a pile of their cross streets
but if they can they’ll channel
the pocketbook alone
it all makes mercy want to write a letter home
they know why just enough to say
that fate is usually late
but they nevermind to tell you
that the devils always on time
an eye snakes into having a way
of arresting better judgement
but words prove to manuver you
into purely product placement
as any psychic’s sidekick
learns keeping you where you are
is safe as doing wrong behind a police car
WABASH COUNTY
Wabash County
took me away on a President’s Day
from the asylum
of fog darkened clay
i’d started home
or for the Banks of the Ohio
seeing shadows
anywhere they could show
until a click
of halogen stabbed the escape
to make it’s home
in my every move since made
i didn’t mean it
i don’t even know if he dead
til i was sure
i won’t let it weigh on my head
but then i was turned
towards that Spanish chaplain’s face
i fell down on my knees
coulda been for days
there’s no soul
to tell what rang from ear to ear
it was the first words
that i ever did hear
go back home, girl
i didn’t know my love for you
til i felt
the ease of piercing him through
don’t tell your mother
please don’t tell your pa
they never fixed me
for this side of the law
and know i’m sorry
know our darkest horse is done
but know if my way were
there’d be two where there was one
Chorus:
you better get your soul familiar
with your maker
and don’t let the sun go down
on you
when you’re in my town
for if you do
your time is through
what need have i for warning
when this copper brown
filleting knife
sharpens so easily?
LOOKS LIKE A FULL MOON TO ME
you didn’t close the gate, anything could sneak right in
all your remains are leftovers and bobby pins
the whole world’s taking a turn, i found out in a dream
kinda silly now, there’s no other way it could have been
but you picked quite a time to leave
it looks like a full moon to me
i figured out, i could hold you for leverage
didn’t take me long to abuse the priveledge
i can make it alone, i can cover all my expences
there’s romance in the air but not many who can sense it
and you picked quite a time to leave
it looks like a full moon to me
remember how we used to fight ourselves to sleep
and then we’d wake up wrapped in a treaty
this and that, these and those
ah baby, what comes around still goes
and you picked quite a time to leave
it looks like a full moon to me
i like my purity to be just a little impure
we past a point, can’t be good all the way through no more
i’ll keep it quiet for a while but i know you’re not mine
after my turn, i’m getting right back in line
and you picked quite a time to leave
it looks like a full moon to me
THE LONG LOCAL OUT
born in the bile of limitation
while they were born into a vacation
four thirty in the morning
everyone’s tired, coming or going
from where we all have the same worth
our rights are equaled by our tract of birth
when you leave you get the carbon copy
print so faint it’s hard to even read
the swindle we’re getting
they say joe turner been here and left
the good man didn’t leave anything on my steps
as everything’s going sky high
see heads down, maxed out, walking the poverty line
our weary bones feel the housing crunch
the hot steps of good money to burn on us
could they ever see beauty smiling
through dirty nails and a mouthful of mournful teeth
just to make a living?
people people listen to me
i ain’t no doctor but i’s supposed to be
a wreckin ball’s has got its plan
this i know, this i understand
don’t you try to tell me
you’re the one that somebody needs to teach
oh, they think they got everything
we’ve got something they ain’t never seen
a community
Chorus:
on the long local out
if the rain don’t come around
scarcely see you on this route
we say your city’s running down
you never hear us make a sound
this just ain’t your part of town
the subway runs above the ground
on the last local out
OTHERS
ran into a lotta down time
running over any fine line
i could find left behind
from a world just as dangerous
but never numbing to this extent
more and more i feel less and less
you know and i know
when weren’t here when it began
and don’t think we’re lucky enough
we’ll be long gone when it ends
we got lost where the road winds
so i stood a while at it’s side
trying to flag a ride heading back in time
as you carried on up ahead
you seem a little dissenchanted
wasn’t what you expected, was it?
day in and day out
another one crossed off the list
But just the very second that
it all seemed finished
you found more
and if you’re looking for a difference
have yourself a seat
it’s going to be a while
not that far but it ain’t close
there’s others
and if you’re looking for a change
have yourself a seat
it’s going to be a while
it’s no way near our turn to go
we’ll have to wait
my baby she’s a rough and tough
has a steady form of any bluff
but knock long enough, she’ll open up
she made her own decision
kissed me all over the weekend
boys i’m never washin’ this cheek again
in and out, over and done with
is all they seem to know
but in between there’s too many
missing to disclose
there’ll always be more
and if you’re looking for destruction
have yourself a seat
it’s going to be a while
all the calm around the storm
there’s others
and if you’re looking for creation
have yourself a seat
it’s going to be a while
it’s no way near our time to go
it’s them who’s keeping your seat warm
we don’t know how it’ll happen
doesn’t mean we can resist it
i’ve felt in my bones since i don’t know when
i put my chips on patience
you won’t have to say i didn’t win
I get the hint, don’t rub it in
what’s left is probably right
but lets not take that chance now
this may be the only
train to come around for a while
but there’ll be more
and if you’re looking for the start of it
have yourself a seat
it’s going to be a while
no one’s going down without a fight
there’s others
and if you’re looking for an ending
have yourself a seat
it’s going to be a while
and we set the clocks back tonight
BACK TO THE WATER NOW
weave the reeds behind your
heavy marsh of doubt
shed all this armor
dragging you around
if it takes a lifetime
i’ve a lifetime here to take
a swimming streamline
left in it’s wake
hear that exit sound
it’s headed home now
i’m going back to the water
back to the water now
one if by land
you’ll know by hand
just where our banks will crowd
the lives we’re washing out
those whose eyes have yellowed
with what coffins crowd
servants and masters
to the stream run down
in the drowning of confusion
coming up for breath
the raptorous gesture
laughing free the death
from this living vow
i’m going back home now
i never knew my lover
until her dying day
underneath her cover
floods a waterway
like baptism by fire
an angel cut from stone
the last rite’s of a sunken ship
whose ambush had been choked
but spirit couldn’t float
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
the quiet she blew around
scenically just a second wind
i lay awake dreaming aloud
as her breeze plumped my curtain
to turned me towards a little
and strip the shade enough to see
past our street’s drizzle
through her window of opportunity
she moved like the heavens grin
a devilish lovelight softening
her every step’s decend
from dampness of our in-betweens
i started out my old paine
which never before so easily
submitted a perfect fate
with less objection than a squeak
under an overpass
silent but a second
leave a return address
the clouds will mail a rain check
the timing is right to reach
further than ever expected
for once it is shut you’ll cease
to hear her invitation
just a little louder, muse
excuse my kinetic form
it’s gotten so easy to confuse
love with a thunderstorm
the dealing of hearts are few
and only a gambler’s thanks are told
to their queen who shuffled through
for this fair hand i hold
miss many a chance and all that remains
a level of comfort too easily attained
if you want it, its yours as before
you can keep it, i’m after more
I’m raising the glass to sneak
to count each freckle gently
but careful of not locking
this window of opportunity
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