FORGET THE DOWN

I feel there's something stirring
Tho' the urge is buried deep
And now the gap gapes wider
The time has come to leap
We meet and touch our hearts
We must not fall apart
Hampered by eternal values

FORGET the down-the down on us
Give us the bullets now we've got the gun
We've learned to walk-give us the chance to run
We're slaves of time-we must accomplish now
We've earned our place now we refuse to bow

Too many take too little and are happy not to learn
But a handful of the strong can teach the tide to turn
Detractors infiltrate-Defeat them
Then await-future sees our faith fulfilled

FORGET the down-the down on us
Their hunger is a different kind
The hunger of the blindest of the blind
Shout them down-if you don't shout I will
Your silence leaves a space for liars to fill

Instead of walking sideways
come and take a step with me
the light is on but your eyes are closed
the time has come to see
we stand where others fall
come with us when we call
share a fire they won't extinguish

FORGET the down-the down on us
That attitude will always make me sick
They'll never know the things that make us tick
Forget the fuss pessimists make
Its time this party was awake
Awake!
AWAKE!!!

[tell that to BONO!!!]

---

REMEMBER

Well it seems so right so you never wait
Cos isolation doesnt tell it straight
And your thoughts fly quicker than your thoughtfulness
But when they come to ground you're in a mess
Like the boy don't know but the boy been told
The streets of other towns are paved with gold
And he says to her it's a shame to think
You lose your passion when you leave the brink

Remember there's a different way
Remember you've got the chance to say
Remember so let your spirit fly!
Remember the limit is the sky

So he says to her drop the starry eyes!
I've got something you should memorise
It's a simple code that will never fail
But if it's too late only time will tell...

Remember i've got the hero's fire
Remember you're playing nero's lyre
Remember my bow of burning gold
Remember the tale that kerouac told

Now i don't know but i've been told
You don't know nothing till you're lying cold
Cos i've seen them come and then quicker go
And leave their lovers looking high and low
All the greying boys with their talk of 'art'
Whose role is always a supporting part
Let the bells ring out with a warning chime
Don't trust the present till the test of time

Remember i'll dare the poets to wail
Remember i won't be scared to fail
Remember i'll be the yardbirds horn
Remember i'm blowing up a storm
Remember i've got the hero's fire
Remember you're playing nero's lyre
Remember my bow of burning gold
Remember the tale that kerouac told

You think you've got it all worked
You think you're being talked about
Your thoughts are never fast and free
Perspective never was your key
Last laugh is the one that's best
Come on and take the final test...

Remember remember remember remember

PETE'S RECOLLECTIONS:
i really enjoyed listening back to this
i had trouble making out odd lyrics i couldn't recall!
and all kinds of thoughts flashed across each other as it went..

i kind of manifesto/jeez,washington is a genius!!!and so underrated[but not underrated by mani,for example...]/first evidence of kevin rowlands' influence/muscling for attention while attacking my peers/do i ,did i live up to the lyric?/would i pass the 'final test'/a clarion call to arms/a love story/the original mixed up kid/these wah!recordings done with washington and various others in s.o.s. 4 track studios in a liverpool back alley with pete coleman engineering are among my favourites,and in some ways capture what wah! was/should/could be really about.clive langer and alan winstanley who we love and admire produced the later single version for wea.much as i like that,and changed the wah!style with good reason which will be explained at some point,clive langer still apologises!i'm quite emotional![in a good way...]

---

SOMESAY

Somesay the offer a choice...
Somesay - to fall or be punished
Somesay we must end up nowhere
But they - their lives must be hushed!

Tired of looking in mirrors, seeing things I'll never be...
Angry with the figureheads who send us up blind alleys...
Bug guns come blasting - I'll have to stay and fight...
Big hooks are coming and the little fish they bite.

Somesay: "these things aren't for long."
Somesay - but history will tell.
Somesay - what's happened is just the start.
Somesay - less pain when we yell!

Talk about the future, listen to the past
Dance dance dance dance to the music of the last chance man
He's died a dozen deaths - he'll die a dozen more
Trouble from the start with a mind like yours

Somesay: "The truth is in check."
Somesay: "It's black or it's white."
Somesay - the secret's to not turn back...
Somesay - STAY! it's time for the fight!
Fight the liars!
Fight the liars!
- Ain't it the truth!

---

STORY OF THE BLUES (PART ONE)

Here in my pocket
I got the Story of the Blues
Try to believe me
'Cos it could be front page news

I say I live with it like it hasn't happened yet
I keep thinking of everyone
How I'm the one, the one they're trying to get
To tell the Story of the Blues

First, they take your pride
Turn it all inside
And then you realise
You've got nothing left to lose

So, you try to stop
Try to get back up
And then, you realise
You're telling the Story of the Blues

Feeling browbeaten
Day after day
I think it's over
But I just can't get away

You say forget it
We'll don't jump the gun
You're laughing this time
Next time you might be the one
To tell the Story of the Blues

First, they take your pride
Turn it all inside
And then you realise
You've got nothing left to lose

So, you try to stop
Try to get back up
And then, you realise
You're telling the Story of the Blues

(repeat)

What they gonna say 'bout me
When they tell the Story of the Blues

---

TALKIN' BLUES - STORY OF THE BLUES (PART TWO)

"...well that's my story and i'm sticking to that. So let's have another drink and let's talk about the blues. Blues is about dignity, it's about self-respect, and no matter what they take away from you - that's yours for keeps. I remember how it was, how every medium - T.V. and papers and radio and all those people were saying: 'you're on the scrap-heap, you're useless', and I remember how easy it was to start believing that. I remember how you'd hear people take it for granted that it was true - just 'cause someone with an ounce of power said so. And that's a problem now, too many oddballs, too many pocketbook psychologists and would-be philosophers with an axe to grind. But there's a solution, it's not easy, but it's a matter of coming to terms in your heart with situation you're in, a matter of choosing how things go for you and not having things forced upon you. There are plenty of forces against you, forcing you against your will, your ideals - you've got to hope for the best, and that's the best you can hope for - you've got to hope against hope... I remember something Sal Paradise said, he said: 'the city intellectuals of the world are debauched from the full body blood-of-the-land and are just rootless fools'. So listen, when the smile, the condescending pat-on-the-back comes and says: 'we're sorry, but you're nothing, you've got nothing for us and we've got nothing for you', you say: 'No', and say it loud: "NO!", and remember, people who talk about revolution and a class-struggle without referring explicitly to everyday life, without understanding what is subversive about love, and what is positive in the refusal and constraint...since people have a corpse in their mouth..."

---

HOPE (I WISH YOU'D BELIEVE ME)

When I woke up yesterday
Didn't understand a thing or two
But now I see with my own two eyes
The problem was all right down to you

Now I wake up every day,
Think about things you said
When you used to love me
It made sense

But everytime I think about
Where you are now
I start to take offense

'Cos you lied to me
I wish you'd believe me
I wish you'd believe me
Remember the time in the park?
Remember the time after dark?
I wish you'd believe me
Believe me

When you left me
I didn't try to push too hard
Until you tried to tell me
It's not easy
Why didn't you make it look hard?

When I hope
Yes I hope
You don't say it's alright be strong
'Cos I can't see it any other way
Now I know it's wrong

'Cos you lied to me
I wish you'd believe me
I wish you'd believe me
Remember the time in the park?
Remember the time after dark?
I wish you'd believe me
Believe me

Some things that are left unsaid
Give it to me
I'll get into your head
One day I'll take these things
And throw them all away

'Cos I hope
Yes I hope
You don't say
It's alright I'll mend
Stop talking to me
Or don't tell me
How everything will be in the end

You lied to me
I wish you'd believe me
I wish you'd believe me
Remember the time in the park?
Remember the time after dark?
I wish you'd believe me
Believe me

(repeat)

Tonight Tonight Tonight

When I woke up yesterday
I couldn't understand a thing or two

---

YUH LEARN 1
"LEARNING THE WAYS OF THE WORLD"

Once it was Survival of the Fittest!
Now...It's the Fittest! Slickest! and Quickest!
As the Cold Cunning and Subtly Sadistic
Fake Blue Blood Allegiance to the King of Tricksters:

Daylight Robbery as Mid-nite raiders
divide the peoples hopes with Razors
Lessons for the Damned are planned
then rammed down Sceptic Servile Throats.
Screams & Cries from Flashing Eyes
Force-fed if they don't
While in Ivory Towers reclining sublime
the perpetrators of hideous Crimes from a safe distance Gloat
SO TAKE NOTE!!!

All that's just Skimming the Surface
Drug overdose for the Hyper nervous
That's disturbing. But it's how Robot Physicians are caring
As for the hard-wearing: Bullets & Gas and Men with Masks
Limbs a-tearing: That's unnerving
Social Disaster turns Urban Wasteland into Urban Clearing.
Ducking and Dodging and Body Swerving.
Spraying the people as if they were pests
Then the Survivors clean-up the mess.
The Devil's Disciples sit back and rest
THE TIME...IS NEARING!!!

As Times get Rigid Rough & Rude
The Poverty-Striken search for food. Some seek only shelter.
The Street-Dogs ravage, rip and Welter,
It's all a vicious Helter-Skelter.
Sinews of War, Financial Provision
Silver & Gold maintain Division.
No time to laugh, no time to cry.
No time to think -
Just Do or Die!
No time to ask How When or Why
Can't trust the casual Passers-By
Everyone's looking for a Real Reason
or a fast way out -
No time for luxuries like Doubt
Just Sure-Shot Learning
THE WORLD'S TURNING!!!

---

I KNOW THERE WAS SOMETHING

Last night she said to me
Her words were ice
"Once upon a time
We could have counted for something
....Remember?"
I begged "Stop!"
But the taunts kept up
"'Coz we'd had the freedom and our optimism
....Remember?"

Heaven sent
Chances came and went
If we'd stood our ground
This feeling might stop coming round

'Cos I get glimpses
I get spastic echo
In fairground mirrors
I know there was something

Once our eyes and minds cut deep
'Cos talk was cheap
Our every action
Rang out sound not hollow
....Remember?
Why did we stop?
'Coz when our guard was dropped
Our aspirations had their consequences
....Remember?

Heaven sent
Heaven sent opportunities
Came and went
Lost! The teeth we'd found
How I wish we'd stood our ground
That's what I'm trying to say to you!

And I get glimpses
Deep in the night
Like a spastic echo
In fairground mirrors
I know there was something

So now the bottle's gone
And the chance is none!
Only torture for the likes of us
Whose hopes and aspirations
Stuck in our throats
Choked us close to death
("seconds away for the final round - k.o. to win")

Last night she said to me
Her words were ice
"The bubble's burst
- Why don't you blow another?
(other, other....)"

---

COME BACK

Down by the docks the talking turned:
"As some are striving to survive,
the others thrive"
(Reaching the realm of no return)
"I don't want charity, just half a chance
and it's all up to you, yes it's all up to you"

Come Back! I'm willing to try
Come Back! Don't let time go by
Come Back! The will to survive's
Come Back
Come Back! With time on my hands
Come Back! I'm making a stand
Come Back! To kill or to cure
Come Back! To god-given belief

Well did you ever hear of hope?
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
A small belief can mean
you'll never walk alone
And did you ever hear of faith?
Encouragement! Development!
And it's all to you!
Yes, it's all to you!

Come Back! I'm willing to try
Come Back! Don't let time go by
Come Back! The will to survive's
Come Back
Come Back! With time on my hands
Come Back! I'm making a stand
Come Back! To kill or to cure
Come Back! To god-given belief

Come Back! With time on my hands
Come Back! I'm making a stand
Come Back! To kill or to cure
Come Back
Come Back! I'm willing to try
Come Back! Don't let time go by
Come Back! The will to survive's
Come Back! I'm begging you please

Come Back! Now I'm making my stand
Come Back! with time on my hands
Come Back! Time to kill or to cure

And hats off to Hatton!!!

---

SINFUL!

It's sinful
It's tragic
It's sinful
It's tragic

Hey Joe! I got the news tonight
well, should I laugh or should I cry or should I stay and fight?
It's sinful, so true

Hey Joe! I know I sound confused
but do you ever get the feeling that you're being used?
It's sinful, so true, boo hoo; sing!

barada barada barada barada biyah

It's sinful
It's tragic
It's sinful
It's tragic

Hey Joe! I've never understood
when the elders are so wicked, why should we be good?
they're sinful, so true
don't cry, don't let it get you down,
Hey Joe! we ought to try and turn the world around
It's sinful, so true, boo hoo,

It's sinful
It's tragic
It's sinful
It's tragic

Don't you believe me?
I know it's true
I can say that i've seen it
can you?
(repeat)

It's sinful (repeat)

---

FOURELEVENFORTYFOUR

My love is a rainbow
And my love is falling grey rain
My love is a rainbow
And my love is falling grey rain
My love is a rainbow
From violet to red
She's infra and ultra
And all A to Zed
And she said
And she said

She is fourelevenfortyfour
She's deep and she's shallow
- Not only skin deep
She's beauty in black
And she's wolf dressed as sheep
And she's gone
Gone, gone, gone

She walks like a tiger
And sleeps like a Siamese
She can walk like a tiger
Sleeps like a Siamese
She'll charm and she'll tease
Until you've had enough
But she'll never back down
When you're calling her bluff
And she'll say
And she'll say

She is fourelevenfortyfour
She's deep and she's shallow
- Not only skin deep
She's a beauty in black
And she's wolf dressed as sheep
And she's gone
Gone, gone, gone

She got tall tales of anger
And anecdotes of light relief
She's got tall tales of anger
And anecdotes of light relief
She'll take all your secrets
And lock them away
Or go and tell everyone
All that you say
And she'll say
And she'll say

She is fourelevenfortyfour
She's deep and she's shallow
- Not only skin deep
She's a beauty in black
She's wolf dressed as sheep
And she's gone
Gone, gone, gone

She is fourelevenfortyfour
She is fourelevenfortyfour

---

HEART AS BIG AS LIVERPOOL

When all the lights go out forever
Somewhere near the end of time
The noise will pass and the dust will settle
And you'll be on my mind

Now you won't find it hard to understand
Though it's so hard to explain
The who and what and how and why and wherefore
You kept me sane
You kept me sane

'Cos you were there for me
Oh, and you set me free
To be what I want to be
With dignity

Heart as big as my hometown
Lay me down by water cool
Heart as big as the city
Heart as big as LIVERPOOL

Well I'll come running from the other side
When I hear you call my name
And if somebody wants to point the finger
I'll take the blame
I'll take the blame (I'll do the same)

'Cos you were there for me
Oh, and you set me free
To be what I want to be
With dignity

Heart as big as my hometown
Lay me down by water cool
Heart as big as the city
Heart as big as LIVERPOOL

And I am not alone
And I am not alone
And I am not alone
And I am not alone

And I am not alone (You are not alone)
And I am not alone (You are not alone)
And I am not alone (You are not alone)
And I am not alone (You are not alone)

You are not alone

Heart as big as my hometown
Lay me down by water cool
Heart as big as the city
Heart as big as LIVERPOOL

Heart as big as my hometown
Lay me down by the water cool
Heart as big as the city
LIVERPOOL

(And you are not alone)
And I am not alone!

---

ALONE

Six strings, one voice
There was supposed to be a bigger choice
Than bread and butter or the breadline

I'm supposed to make a move
I've got a thousand things to prove
And now I've got a deadline

Oh I guess it's just another case
Of me against the human race
I'll take a trip to face the twilight zone

Alone alone alone alone
Alone alone alone
Alone alone alone alone
Alone alone alone
Alone

I've got a voice
But we're not speaking
'Cos if I start you might think I'm weak
And anyway,
There's no way to convert you / con virtue

So my heart's off my sleeve and in my chest
Chip on my shoulder does the rest
And by the way
I never meant to hurt you

Oh I've come up with a list of names
Of who to bless and who to blame
Both of them keep ending up the same

So if my hatred's more than you deserve
I've nothing else left in reserve
So leave me here to eat myself alive
Down to the bone

Alone alone alone alone
Alone alone alone
Alone alone alone alone
Alone alone alone
Alone

---

SING ALL THE SADDEST SONGS

With your Elvis eyes and your angel heart
And your smile as big as China
Let me take my place in your cool and grace
'Til the feelings are finer

And I know (Oh yes I know)
There are songs of the broken hearted
Yes I know (Oh yes I know)
'Til you came along I would sing those songs

I used to sing all the saddest songs
'Til I believed the hardest words
Take it from me now
If you think I'm wrong I'm gonna
Sing all the saddest songs

In your lectric arms I can feel your face
And my soul comes back and cleaner
In your loving arms I can help myself
Lying where grass is greener

And I know (Oh yes I know)
I don't need someone to save me
Yes I know (Oh yes I know)
If you think it's wrong, I will sing those songs

I'm gonna sing all the saddest songs
'Til I believe the hardest words
Take it from me now
If you think I'm wrong I'm gonna sing the songs
Sing all the saddest songs
I'm staking my life because you care
I'll make you a deal now
If you don't wanna love me
(Don't wanna love me)
If you don't wanna love me
I will sing all the saddest songs
(Sing all the saddest songs)
Sing all the saddest songs
(Sing all the saddest songs)
Sing all the saddest songs

If you don't wanna love me
(Don't wanna love me)
If you don't wanna love me
(Don't wanna love me)
If you don't wanna love me
(If you think I'm wrong)
Yeah if you think I'm wrong I said Baby!
Sing all the saddest Songs

(Take it from me now)
If you think I'm wrong I'm gonna sing the songs
Sing all the saddest songs
I'm staking my life because you care
I'll make you a deal now
If you don't wanna love me
(Don't wanna love me)
If you don't wanna love me Baby!
Sing all the saddest songs
Sing all the saddest songs
Sing all the saddest songs
(If you think I'm wrong I'm gonna sing the songs)
Sing all the saddest songs

---

HEY! MONA LISA

Six o'clock in the morning
Summer time again
As the sun comes up I stand here in the rain

Tell my Sister I'm sorry
Tell my Mother please
Tell my brother now I break down on my knees

To think, to walk, to sleep, to talk
Today like yesterday
Hey! Mona Lisa make me smile that way
Hey! Mona Lisa

Help me Father I'm falling
Help me Father please
Help me Father now forever time to freeze
(Forever forever forever)

Six o'clock in the morning
Summer storm and pain
When tomorrow comes this son will rise again

To think, to walk, to sleep, to talk
Today like yesterday
Hey! Mona Lisa make me smile that way

And hand in hand to walk this land
To take what comes our way
Hey! Mona Lisa make me smile
Someday someday

And when the tired angels go to sleep
The tears we'll hide away
No more to weep

To think, to walk, to sleep, to talk
Today like yesterday
Hey! Mona Lisa make me smile that way

And hand in hand to walk this land
To take what comes our way
Hey! Mona Lisa make me smile
Someday someday
Someday someday

Hey! Mona Lisa
Hey! Mona Lisa
Hey! Mona Lisa
Hey! Mona Lisa

(Merry Christmas Elvis)

---

LOVERBOY

Loverboy was out tonight
Tall and tanned and toned and tight
In the darkness from the light
I stand here alone

Now I'm a raving lunatic and you're so cool
You turned out the golden boy and I'm the fool
Well golden boy you're breaking all the golden rules
And I can't let that go... baby

Loverboy you take my girl and use her
Loverboy you take her and abuse her
Loverboy you won't make me the loser
Loverboy

Loverboy d'you really think I'd let ya
Loverboy I'm coming out to get ya
Loverboy oh Loverboy

Now one and one and one is three
Her and you and you and me
Well like the royal family
I say three's a crowd

Now you're so cool and I'm a raving lunatic
Because you chose convenience to dip your wick
But Loverboy you'll never turn another trick
If I get you alone... baby

Loverboy you're worse than any nazi
Loverboy you're worse than paparazzi
Loverboy you're worse than liam 'n' patsy
Loverboy

Loverboy you shave just like your sister
Loverboy you weren't just playing twister
Loverboy oh Loverboy

Please don't take her just because you can
Please don't love her just to get to me no no

Loverboy I'm coming to get ya
Loverboy d'ya really think I'd let ya
Loverboy you're going down you betcha
Loverboy

Loverboy you take my girl and use her
Loverboy but I won't be the loser
Loverboy oh Loverboy
Loverboy

And girl if you listen
Think what you're missing
And I'll be back for you someday
Loverboy Loverboy Loverboy
Loverboy

You gimp you geek you frog you freak
You sting you're slime you're out of time
You gimp you geek you frog you freak

---

COUNTRY EPIC (CAN'T STOP CRYIN')

 

---

YOUR MOTHER MUST BE VERY PROUD

She came here from a one horse town
and I let my defences down
I thought that she was Heaven sent
but straight to Hell is where I went

Your mother must be very proud
Your mother must be very proud
So proud her eyes fill up with tears
each time she hears

Her heroine was Paula Yates
as famous as the men she dates
and heroin is what she'll do
to stop the feelings coming through

He made her spit roast at both ends
then made her airtight with his friends
his last boyfriend was on the game
now she's the same

Your mother must be very proud
Your mother must be very proud
how come she looks so ashamed
each time she hears your name?

Don't think I don't know what it's all about
you're guilty conscience 'cos you got caught out
you took my money lying flat
now isn't there a word for that?

And when you're playing happy families
will you deny you ever knew me please?
there's one last thing I have to say
I never loved you anyway

Your mother must be very proud
Your mother must be very proud
so proud her eyes fill up with tears
each time you're near

Your mother must be very proud
Your mother must be very proud
so proud she turns her head away
and dreams of yesterday

so go back to your one horse town
instead of bringing this place down
and as for me and my new kid
I hope you're proud of what you did

Your mother must be very proud
Your mother must be very proud
so how d'you think she's gonna be
to hear the truth from me….finally?

---

All lyrics (c) Pete Wylie

Thanks to FDBK & JF1 for submitting lyrics