1. |
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I'm really good at sleeping.
I'm really good at sleeping.
I don't have too many skills, less than you can count on one hand.
My mom makes me take these stupid pills, they're supposed to help me understand.
Today at school the teacher said, "I don't like the company you're keeping."
I wish I could go back to bed, because I'm really good at sleeping.
Most of the stuff I say is true, I first see it in my dreams.
What's green to most, to me is blue, life is never what it seems.
I whisper songs to kids at night, my dad says I've gone off the deep end.
I'm bad at living in the light, but I'm really good at sleeping.
I'm bad at school, I'm bad at sports, all things when I'm awake.
But I conceive of lovely things when my body takes a break.
Don't look me over, don't look down on me, please avoid all kinds of peeping,
Don't set alarms, just let me be, because I'm really good at sleeping.
Sing me a song, say a prayer for me, although my soul is not for keeping.
I'm bad at remembering what I can be, but I'm really good at sleeping.
I'm really good at sleeping.
I'm really good at sleeping.
Yeah, I'm really good at sleeping.
I'm bad at school, I'm bad at sports, all things when I'm awake.
But I conceive of lovely things when my body takes a break.
Today at school the teacher said, "I don't like the company you're keeping."
I wish I could go back to bed, because I'm really good at sleeping.
I'm really good at sleeping.
I'm really good at sleeping.
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2. |
Emotion vs Logic
01:55
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Oh love, love (love, love)
love, love (love, love)
love, love (love, love)
We closed our eyes when we kissed, our mouths opened wide.
Slowly your eyes opened to let in logic's light,
but emotion kept mine shut tight.
Oh love, love, emotion has served, logic returns the volley.
Rushing the net, a put-away shot, emotion's point is logic's folly.
I'm afraid to speak my mind, losing touch with myself.
The words that I use don't come out right,
but it's what I don't say that causes fright.
Oh love, love, emotion has served, logic returns the volley.
Rushing the net, a put-away shot, emotion's point is logic's folly.
We get hung up on forever when forever is a term we cannot define.
Emotion in light of logic is a hard thing to keep in line.
Our love on our permanent records, a matter of fact.
Mind over matter on the center court,
I wonder why we're both feeling hurt.
Oh love, love, emotion has served, but logic has attacked.
Breaking the serve, game-point and set, logic has proven emotion's match.
Oh love, love (love, love)
love, love (love, love)
love, love (love, love)
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3. |
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Our hot love got left on the back burner.
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
When I thought I knew all there was to know the flame was burning bright.
But the answers implant further questions that grow and I found I wasn't that bright.
Now the lessons I learned are the lessons I teach.
And somewhere while going from teacher to learner,
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
Remember holding me close and calling my name the night our lips first touched.
But good fortune alludes an illusion of fame and feeling the need to be touched.
Now the wages of war are the prices we paid.
And dishing out pain from payer to earner,
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
Now the wages of war are the prices we paid.
And dishing out pain from payer to earner,
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
Boiling mad, we're equally steamed,
I burdened the shoulder on which I leaned.
When you cut off the excess you made your life trimmer,
put my affection on hold and hoped it would simmer.
So the present will pass in the blink of an eye but my eyes are always closed.
The future is planned so don't even try, to be open will show me closed.
Now spinning around is what made me dizzy.
And standing alone to a two-person-turner,
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
Our hot love got left on the back burner.
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4. |
Controlled Amnesia
02:33
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Haven't we met somewhere before?
Yes I'm sure I've seen your pretty face just outside my door.
Didn't you knock and then run, ring the bell just for fun,
leaving me asking for more and what for?
Number the days and count them down.
Yes, you're right when you say these blast-offs are not reknown.
I feel pain and sorrow, there is no tomorrow.
Be leaving and believing that you'll be gone.
Was it better for me to hold than to seize ya,
since there's no such thing as controlled amnesia.
Was it better for me to hold than to seize ya,
since there's no such thing as controlled amnesia.
Spilling my heart out in your hands.
Remember when we first embraced and there were no further demands.
You forgot when we kissed, a memory hard to resist.
And slept through my one-night stands.
Was it better for me to hold than to seize ya,
since there's no such thing as controlled amnesia.
Was it better for me to hold than to seize ya,
since there's no such thing as controlled amnesia.
Betraying your body with my mind.
When letters are all we have to keep me in line.
I am puckering there, kissing only thin air.
Another body gives the all-clear sign.
Was it better for me to hold than to seize ya,
since there's no such thing as controlled amnesia.
Was it better for me to hold than to seize ya,
since there's no such thing as controlled amnesia.
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5. |
Everybody But Me
02:46
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Everybody does it (everybody)
Everybody but me.
We are the opposite, two magnets that attract,
though the pulling power slowly dies.
I was jealous of time, crime after crime,
each time you couldn't look in my eyes.
Everybody does it (everybody)
you freely admit
Everybody does it, everybody but me
true love is counterfeit.
Everybody but me.
Everybody but me.
Everybody but me.
Hmmm, everybody but me.
Swallowing deceit, revenge wasn't sweet,
just the bitterness of misunderstanding.
The run wasn't long, it was the path that we were on,
the twists and turns were demanding.
Everybody does it (everybody)
you freely admit
Everybody does it, everybody but me
true love is counterfeit.
Everybody but me.
Everybody but me.
Everybody but me.
Hmmm, everybody but me.
Though the day still comes and goes, our love no longer grows,
thoughts of you are never far away.
Living will go on, although the past is never gone,
I hope you know I want you to stay.
Everybody does it (everybody)
you freely admit
Everybody does it, everybody but me
true love is counterfeit.
Everybody but me.
Everybody but me.
Everybody but me.
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6. |
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Haven't we always pushed you around 'til you believed what we said
and are living out the dead
dreams of a poor girl's nightmare.
You fell asleep again tonight,
with the dreams of last night,
etched on the back of wet eyelids.
You gave the air a goodnight kiss,
never being one to miss,
all that consciousness forbids.
Why do you always push yourself around and put yourself down,
count the tears that the clown,
cries while he makes us all laugh.
Tackled the issues when you fell down
pushed around and put down (put down).
Handful of tissues, the tears fell down.
pushed around and put down (put down).
pushed around and put down (put down).
pushed around and put down (put down).
I know it's tempting to talk about love but it only makes the men swoon,
little boys who've grown too soon
to understand more than words.
Why can't you see the beauty instead of staring at the doom
and looking for a tomb
to hide in eternal unrest?
You run away from the inside,
but there is no place to hide,
even with a drab disguise.
Losing slow while beating fast,
your broken dream is in a cast
to fool you with what it denies.
Why do you always push yourself around and put yourself down,
count the tears that the clown,
cries while he makes us all laugh.
Tackled the issues when you fell down
pushed around and put down (put down).
Handful of tissues, the tears fell down.
pushed around
pushed around and put down (put down).
pushed around and put down (put down).
pushed around and put down (put down).
pushed around and put down (put down).
Haven't we always pushed you around 'til you believed what we said...
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7. |
Does Time Tell Us?
02:25
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Saturday night sunset, the moon comes up - big, orange and bright.
Too late for being on time, too early for saying goodnight.
You sit undisturbed, absorbed in the concentration of being three.
Your bedtime comes and goes, now what becomes of me?
What do we know, what is the fuss?
Do we tell time or does time tell us?
What do we know, what is the fuss?
Do we tell time or does time tell us?
I buried a wish in the sandbox when I was eight.
And lost more than my friends when they could not relate.
Now I hold your tiny hand and I'm back in the right place,
I thank the clock each time I see your face.
What do we know, what is the fuss?
Do we tell time or does time tell us?
What do we know, what is the fuss?
Do we tell time or does time tell us?
They mismanage the time they save for themselves,
while little kids listen for fire trucks, fairies, and elves.
You and me, we are the secret no one understands,
colored paper meeting scissors, manipulated by little hands.
Hour glasses to measure time, alarm clocks to wake us up.
Too much sand is passing through while morning is too abrupt.
Saturday night sunset, the moon comes up - big, orange and bright.
Too late for being on time, too early for saying goodnight.
What do we know, what is the fuss?
Do we tell time or does time tell us?
What do we know, what is the fuss?
Do we tell time or does time tell us?
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8. |
I Lost Sight of You
03:45
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Of you, of you
I lost sight of you,
of you, of you
I lost sight of you...
Hindsight has perfect vision but I want to look ahead.
Feeling bad about the past is a feeling that I dread.
But I'm looking at you now and foresight quickly fades.
I blink to adjust to what's happened and to see through different shades.
I had my eyes tested, it proved my narrow view.
When I lost sight of myself, I lost sight of you.
Of you, of you
I lost sight of you,
of you.
I lost sight of you...
First prescribed were green lenses to unearth what I cling to.
But in error they added yellow, and my feelings turned out blue.
One time the shade was lovely, the bright blue in the skies.
But clouds moved in to cover up like a hand before my eyes.
I had my eyes tested, it proved my narrow view.
When I lost sight of myself, I lost sight of you.
Of you, of you
I lost sight of you,
of you.
I lost sight of you...
I had my eyes tested, it proved my narrow view.
When I lost sight of myself, I lost sight of you.
Of you, of you
I lost sight of you,
of you.
I lost sight of you...
Hindsight has perfect vision so I guess I "should have" last night.
But you wanted a tall order and I viewed it with a short sight.
Still I'm always thinking of you, though this fact is not big news.
I can't see why you love me, I envision other views.
I had my eyes tested, it proved my narrow view.
When I lost sight of myself, I lost sight of you.
Of you, of you
I lost sight of you,
of you.
I lost sight of you...
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9. |
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10. |
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You better STOP!
It's time to DROP!
I said to STOP!
It's time to DROP!
C'mon and STOP!
It's time to DROP,
It's time to stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
Stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
When there's a spark on the dance floor and you find yourself on fire,
You cool the burn with music baby, it's all that you desire.
When there's a spark on the dance floor and you find you are the coal,
There's one thing you've gotta do, you've gotta stop, drop & rock 'n roll.
Stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
You better STOP!
It's time to DROP!
I said to STOP!
It's time to DROP!
C'mon and STOP!
It's time to DROP,
It's time to stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
Stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
They say we need to practice to make sure we know the drill,
So let's rub these sticks together baby, there are dreams we can fulfill.
I may not be the greatest teacher but in my school you can enroll,
Take my class on burning so you can stop, drop & rock 'n roll.
Stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
You better STOP!
It's time to DROP!
I said to STOP!
It's time to DROP!
C'mon and STOP!
It's time to DROP,
It's time to stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
Stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
I've seen those fire walkers, their feet will never blister,
but my whole body's been a-burnin' since the first time that I kissed her.
Fan the flames of passion, this fire's getting out of control,
Stand up and get moving so you can stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
Stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
When there's a spark on the dance floor and you find yourself on fire,
You cool the burn with music baby, I know I'm preaching to the choir.
When there's a spark on the dance floor and you find you are the coal,
There's one thing you've gotta do, you've gotta stop, drop & rock 'n roll.
Stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
You better STOP!
It's time to DROP!
I said to STOP!
It's time to DROP!
C'mon and STOP!
It's time to DROP,
It's time to stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
Stop, drop and rock 'n roll.
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11. |
Crosses to Bear
02:37
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There is no here, there is no there. There is no past and no future.
Every time is everywhere. Bending the shoulders with crosses to bear.
There is no here, there is no there. There is no past and no future.
Every time is everywhere. Bending the shoulders with crosses to bear.
Pushed around in life, pushed around in death.
Crying eyes, drying eyes. Until the last breath.
All the young men, all the old men.
Living life, giving life. Now, always then.
There is no here, there is no there. There is no past and no future.
Every time is everywhere. Bending the shoulders with crosses to bear.
There is no here, there is no there. There is no past and no future.
Every time is everywhere. Bending the shoulders with crosses to bear.
Bullet in the heart, bullet in the chest.
Wanting life, haunting life. Never put to rest.
One is one too many, none is none too few.
Neither nor, either or. It's one of the two.
There is no here, there is no there. There is no past and no future.
Every time is everywhere. Bending the shoulders with crosses to bear.
There is no here, there is no there. There is no past and no future.
Every time is everywhere. Bending the shoulders with crosses to bear.
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12. |
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Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) and dirty
Down and dirty
He's always so confident playing with other people's money.
He raises the bet when the stakes are already too high.
I bet he never thought he could lose.
Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) and dirty
Down and dirty
He's always had his way, now his way is our command.
Takes his ball, he can't play. Grown-up has nothing to do with age.
I bet he doesn't think he is too old.
Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) and dirty
Down and dirty
Soothed by his voice another convert
folds in the face of his bluff.
But a player has called, he's losing our shirt
with stupid remarks off the cuff.
Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) and dirty
Down and dirty
Modern-day Robin Hood with a comical twist.
Falling where others stood, the poor give to the rich.
I bet he thinks he's doing some good.
Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) and dirty
Down and dirty
He's always so confident playing with other people's money.
He raises the bet when the stakes are already too high.
I bet he never thought he could lose.
Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) Two thumbs down (duh-duh) and dirty
Down and dirty
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13. |
The Pain of Today
02:23
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You were always trying to make me a liar.
I'm only saying I was misunderstood.
My actions were honest, just burned in the fire.
When you questioned the strength of my manhood.
I'm not going to live for tomorrow anymore.
With the pain of today knocking at my door.
If I keep quiet it will go away.
Although the knocking lingers, I'll find my own way.
You told me I was weak to pour out my heart.
I thought it meant love only it overflowed.
You can't be touched, you think you're so smart.
Now holding back tears, the spilling is slowed.
I'm not going to live for tomorrow anymore.
With the pain of today knocking at my door.
If I keep quiet it will go away.
Although the knocking lingers, I'll find my own way.
I was content...
Content to wait for you.
Content to learn of fate with you.
I was content...
Content to dream of you and I as we.
Content, but you couldn't wait for me.
It surely is wrong, perhaps it's dishonest.
But the things you won't say, I don't know myself.
When you tell me you're tough, I think you're too modest.
All that tough talk, is that your true self?
I'm not going to live for tomorrow anymore.
With the pain of today knocking at my door.
If I keep quiet it will go away.
Although the knocking lingers, I'll find my own way.
The pain of today... I'll find my own way.
The pain of today... I'll find my own way.
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14. |
Love Found and Lost
02:37
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When they met, he had a twinkle in his eye.
When they kissed, their hearts would touch the sky.
Oblivious to all yet their love was so profound.
Her life in his, his love was lost and found.
When she left, a colder wind did blow.
She lost sight in the blinding snow.
Feeling her cold shoulder, her heart outlined with frost.
Shivering, exposed, his love was found and lost.
Love found and lost, he is upside down.
Love found and lost, his smile is a frown.
Love found and lost, breathing her exhaust.
She was his life of love and now he's found and lost.
Taking stock, of their lasting love.
He lost faith when her push became a shove.
She was sharing her affection, the profits all were quashed.
Interest rates went down, his love was found and lost.
Love found and lost, he is upside down.
Love found and lost, his smile is a frown.
Love found and lost, breathing her exhaust.
She was his life of love and now he's found and lost.
A lost love letter is a bittersweet reminder.
He said he'd go get her but didn't know where he'd find her.
A lost love letter, one she probably just tossed.
She was his life of love and now he's found and lost.
Left alone with nothing but one thought.
She sold out, just look at what he bought.
All sales are final, just exchanges for the crossed.
Traded for another, he is found and lost.
Love found and lost, he is upside down.
Love found and lost, his smile is a frown.
Love found and lost, breathing her exhaust.
She was his life of love and now he's found and lost.
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15. |
You Hold the Key
02:39
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You hold the key
You hold the key
I want the future now
But you hold the key.
This door, swinging both ways, like the future hinging on the past.
Locked up, I'm on the outside while inside my role is being cast.
Am I too blind to wait and see?
I want the future now - you hold the key.
You hold the key.
These days, you treat her well, ends are not justified by means.
Goodbyes, kissing the cheek, cut out the love-making scenes.
Am I too blind to wait and see?
I want the future now - you hold the key.
You hold the key.
It's tough to say what I mean and mean what I say when you're hiding me in your pocket.
The past is the past, let the future be now - you've got the key to unlock it.
Breathe deep, then close your eyes, I could be your wishing well,
Dust off your crystal ball, you can still kiss and fortune-tell.
Am I too blind to wait and see?
I want the future now - you hold the key.
You hold the key.
I want the future now - you hold the key.
You hold the key
You hold the key
I want the future now
But you hold the key.
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16. |
All of the Above
02:05
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You're laughing and dealing with illusion in sound.
Your head in the clouds and the silver lining on the ground.
But you plan and fantasize and build from silence.
When a fortune in echo testifies in my defense.
Now you answer my questions like hate responding to love.
Never wait, you simply state, "All of the above. All of the above."
While defending I'm offending and pull you in every way.
A wishbone broke and you were left with the small end that day.
Still I'm personal and open and close enough for you to touch.
Tell me why you are hurt when I'm not asking that much.
Now you answer my questions like hate responding to love.
Never wait, you simply state, "All of the above. All of the above."
I handed you the survey, I hoped it would be fun.
I gave you many options, thinking you would pick just one.
I'm still speaking, you're not listening, a disconnected mess.
If you said you didn't do it, why do I need you to confess?
Still I want a simple answer, one that I can understand.
You simply say, "Everything" and I lose track of the strand.
Now you answer my questions like hate responding to love.
Never wait, you simply state, "All of the above. All of the above."
"All of the above. All of the above."
"All of the above. All of the above."
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Recteur Schmitt Seattle, Washington
Recteur Schmitt likes to think of himself (itself, themself, themselves?) as either the grandfather, grandson, or weird uncle of whatever would happen if you put The Ramones, Gogol Bordello, and Tom Waits in a blender to make a musical smoothie, that is if a smoothie could have a grandfather, grandson, or weird uncle. ... more
Recteur Schmitt recommends:
Super Taranta! (15 Year Anniversary Edition)
by Gogol Bordello
Open your mixed tape with "American Wedding," then follow with our "Stop, Drop and Rock'n Roll."
go to album
Real Gone (Remastered)
by Tom Waits
We suggest "Sins of My Father," especially if you're a deejay and need to take a pee break. Back in Seward, AK in1982, we used "Riders on the Storm" but this is more contemporary.
go to album
Tribute to The Pogues
by Tribute to The Pogues
If you don't want to make your own mixed tape, just play this record. LOUD.
go to albumIf you like Recteur Schmitt, you may also like:
The third album from Minneapolis band Green/Blue sparkles with dreamy melodies carried along by clammy post-punk.
go to album
Twisted songs of heartbreak and desire set to off-kilter post-punk lightly kissed with bubblegum.
go to album
Gothy post-punk from Pittsburgh with sparkling, melancholic melodies and propulsive rhythms.
go to album
