The Best Of What's Around

Hey my friend
It seems your eyes are troubled
Care to share your times with me
Would you say you're feeling low and so
A good idea would be to get it off your mind
 

See, you and me
Have a better time than most can dream
Have it better than the best
And so can pull on through
Whatever tears at us
Whatever holds us down
And if nothing can be done
We'll make the best of what's around
 

Turns out not where but who you're with
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around
 

If you hold on tight
To what you think is your thing
You may find you're missing all the rest
She run up into the light surprised
Her arms are open
Her mind's eye is
 

Seeing things from a
Clearer side than most can dream
On a better road I feel
So you could say she's safe
Whatever tears at her
Whatever holds her down
And if nothing can be done
She'll make the best of what's around
 

Turns out not where but what you think
That really matters
And hurts not much when you're around
 
 

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What Would You Say

Up and down the puppies' hair
Fleas and ticks jump everywhere
'Cause of original sin
 

Down the hill fell Jack and Jill
And you came tumbling after
'Cause of original sin
 

Rip away the tears
Drink a hope for happy years
And you may find
A lifetime's passed you by
 

What would you say
If you a monkey on a string
If you a doggie on a chain
What would you say
 

I was there when the bear
Ate his head, thought it was a candy
Everyone goes in the end
 

Knock knock on the door
Who's it for, nobody in here
Look in the mirror my friend
 

I don't understand at best
I cannot speak for all the rest
But you may find a lifetime's passed you by
 

Every dog has its day every day has its way
Of being forgotten- "Mom it's my birthday"
 

What would you say
(Dont' drop the big one)
If you a monkey on a string
(Don't cut my life line)
If you a doggie on a chain
(Don't bite the mailman)
What would you say
 
 

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Satellite

Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How I wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station

Winter's cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite

Satellite, headlines read
Someone's secrets you've seen
Eyes and ears have been
Satellite dish in my yard
Tell me more, tell me more
Who's the king of your satellite castle?

Winter's cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite
Rest high above the clouds no resrictions
Television we bounce 'round the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling,
I laugh about the weatherman's satellite eyes.

Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky
How i wonder.
Satellite strung from the moon
And the world your balloon
Peeping tom for the mother station

Winter's cold spring erases
And the calm away by the storm is chasing
Everything good needs replacing
Look up, look down all around, hey satellite

Rest high above the clouds no restrictions
Television you bounce from the world
And while I spend these hours
Five senses reeling
I laugh about this world in my satellite eyes.
 
 

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Rhyme and Reason

OH WELL OH WELL SO HERE WE STAND
BUT WE STAND FOR NOTHING
MY HEART CALLS TO ME IN MY SLEEP
HOW CAN I TURN TO IT
'CAUSE I'M ALL LOCKED UP IN THIS
DARK PLACE - AND I DO NOT KNOW
I'M GOOD AS DEAD
MY HEAD ACHES - WARPED AND TIED UP
I NEED TO KILL THIS PAIN
 

MY HEAD WON'T LEAVE MY HEAD ALONE
AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT WILL
'TIL I'M DEAD AND GONE
MY HEAD WON'T LEAVE MY HEAD ALONE
AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT WILL
'TIL I'M SIX FEET UNDER GROUND
 

HOW LONG I'M TIED UP
MY MIND IN KNOTS - MY STOMACH REELS
IN CONCERN FOR WHAT I MIGHT DO OR
WHAT I'VE DONE
IT'S GOT ME LIVING IN FEAR
WELL I KNOW THESE VOICES MUST
BE MY SOUL
I'VE HAD ENOUGH
I'VE HAD ENOUGH
OF BEING ALONE
I'VE GOT NO PLACE TO GO
 

CHORUS... IN MY GRAVE
LYING WIRED SHUT AND QUIET IN MY GRAVE
LEAVE ME HERE
LEAVE IT TO ME TO WASTE HERE
 

SO YOUNG HERE I AM AGAIN
TALKING TO MYSELF
A T.V. BLARES
OH MAN OH HOW I WISH I DIDN'T SMOKE
OR DRINK TO REASON WITH MY HEAD
BUT SOMETIMES THIS THICK CONFUSION
GROWS UNTIL I CANNOT BARE IT ALL
NEEDLE TO THE VEIN
NEEDLE TO THE VEIN
TAKE THIS NEEDLE FROM MY VEIN MY FRIEND
 

CHORUS....IN MY GRAVE
LYING LYING COLD IN MY GRAVE
REASON - MY REASON
TAKE MY HEAD OFF THIS TERROR
I'M FEARING I'LL COME BACK
I'LL SEE
MY MIND'S ALL WIPED CLEAN
THE NEEDLE
MAKE MY GREAT ESCAPE
I'LL SEE THE COLD IN TIME
MY HEAD LEAVES ME BEHIND
LET ME FADE AWAY
 

I SEEM CAUGHT IN TIME
MY HEAD LEAVES ME BEHIND
BODY FALLS COLD
AND I SEE HEAVEN
 
 

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Typical Situation

Ten fingers we have each
Nine planets around the sun repeat
Eight ball is the last if you triumphant be
Seven oceans pummel the shores of the sea
 

It's a typical situation
In these typical times
Too many choices
 

Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
And everyone'll come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't step in line
We'll lock you away
 

Six senses keeping
Five around a sense of self
Four seasons turn on and turn off
I can see three corners from this corner
Two is a perfect number
But one
 

Everybody's happy
Everybody's free
We'll keep the big door open
And everyone'll come around
Why are you different
Why are you that way
If you don't step in line
We'll lock you away
 

It's a typical situation
In these typical times
We can't do a thing about it
 
 

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Dancing Nancies

Could I have been
A parking lot attendant
Could I have been
A millionaire in Bel Air
Could I have been Lost somewhere in Paris
Could I have been
Your little brother
Could I have been
Anyone other than me
Could I have been
Anyone other than me
Could I have been
Anyone other than me
Could I have been
Anyone
 

He stands touch his hair his shoes untied
Tongue gaping stare
Could I have been a magnet for money?
Could I have been anyone other than me?
 

Twenty three and so tired of life
Such a shame to throw it all away
The images grow darker still
Could I have been anyone other than me? Then I
 

Look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide, lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn, turn we almost become dizzy
 

Iam who I am who I am who am I
Requesting some enlightenment
Could I have been anyone other than me?
 

Sing and dance I'll play for you tonight
And thrill at it all
Dark clouds may hang on me sometimes
But I'll work it out then I
 

Look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide, lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn, turn we almost become dizzy
 

Falling out of a world of lies
Could I have been dancing nancy
Could I have been anyone other than me?
 
 

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Ants Marching

He wakes up in the morning
Does his teeth bite to eat and he's rolling
Never changes a thing
The week ends the week begins
She thinks, we look at each other
Wondering what the other is thinking
But we never say a thing
These crimes between us grow deeper

Goes to visit his mommy
She feeds him well his concerns
He forgets them
And remembers being small
Playing under the table and dreaming

Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down, you up and die

Driving in on this highway
All these cars and upon the sidewalk
People in every direction
No words exchanged
No time to exchange

And all the little ants are marching
Red and black antennas waving
They all do it the same
They all do it the same way

Candyman teasing the thoughts of a
Sweet tooth tortured by the weight loss
Programs cutting the corners
Loose end, loose end, cut, cut
On the fence, could not to offend
Cut, cut, cut, cut

Take these chances
Place them in a box until a quieter time
Lights down, you up and die
 
 

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Lover Lay Down

Spring sweet rhythm dance in my head
Slip into my lover's hands
Kiss me oh won't you kiss me now
And sleep I would inside your mouth
 

Don't be us too shy
Knowing it's no big surprise
That I will wait for you
I will wait for no one but you
 

Look please lover lay down
Spend this time with me
Together share this smile
Lover lay down
 

Walk with me, walk with you
Hold my hand your hands
So much we have dreamed
And you were so much younger
Hard to explain that we are stronger
 

A million reasons life to deny
Let's toss them away
See you and me we
Lay down look see
She and he
By my lover's side
Together share this smile
Each other's tears to cry
Together share this smile
Lover lay down
 

Oh please
Look please lover lay down
Oh please lover lay down
And you weep
Lover lay down
Cause it's over
Lover lay down
Say lover, say lover, say lover, say lover, say lover
Could I love you
Could you love me (4x)
Darling it's
All the same (4x)
'Til we dance away (4x)
Chasing me all around
Leading me all around
Leading me all around in circles (2x)
Say...
 
 

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Jimi Thing

Lately I've been feeling low
A remedy is what I'm seeking
Take a taste of what's below
Come away to something better
What I want is what I've not got
But what I need is all around me
Reaching searching never stop
And I'll say...
 

If you could keep me floating just for a while
'Til I get to the end of this tunnel...mummy
If you could keep me floating just for a while
I'll get back to you
 

Take a Jimi Thing
Just to keep me swingin'
I'd like to show you what's inside
I shouldn't care if you don;t like it
Brother chaos rules all about
Sometimes I walk there
Sometimes, God knows, I take a bus there
I should't care I shouldn't care bereaved as
I'm feeling
 

Day is gone I'm on my back
Staring up at the ceiling
I take a drink sit back relax
Smoke my mind makes me feel
Better for a short time
What I want is what I've not got
What I need is all around me
Reaching searching never stop
And I'll say
 

If you could keep me floating just for a while
"Til I get to the end of this tunnel...mummy
If you could keep me floating just for a while
I'll get back to you
 
 

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Warehouse

Hey reckless mind
Don't throw away your playful beggining
You and I let us fumble around in the touches
And be sure to
 

Leave all the lights on
So I can see the black cat changing colors
And walk under ladders
And travel my eyes over you
 

Hey we have found
Becoming one in a million
Slip into the crowd
This question I found in the gap in the sidewalk
 

Keep all your sights on
The black cat changing colors
I can walk under ladders
And swim as the tides choose to turn me
 

And here I sit
Life goes on, end of tunnel, TV set
Spot in the middle
Static fade, statistic bit
And soon I fade away, fade away
 

This I admit
Taste so good, hard to believe an end to it
Smell touch feel
How could this rhythm ever quit
Bags packed on a plane
Hopefully to heaven
 

Shut up I'm thinking
I had a clue now it's gone forever
Sitting over these bones
You can read in whatever you're needing to
 

Keep all your sights on
The big bad black cat that's
Changing colors
 

It's not the colors that matter
But that they'll all fade away
 

This I admit
Seems so full
Hard to believe an end to it
Warehouse is bare
Nothing at all inside of it
Walls and halls have disappeared
 

My love I love to stay here
In the warehouse
 
 

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Pay For What You Get

Work ourselves, fingers to the bone
Suck the marrow, drain my soul
Fingers to the bone
Pay your dues, and your debts
Pay your respects, everybody tells you
You pay for what you get
You pay for what you get
 

Everybody asks me how she's doin'
Has she really lost her mind?
I said, I couldn't tell you
I've lost mine
 

Words, words, words, have you heard
A bird in hand is much better than,
Any number free to wander
Fly away... Stay
You pay for what you get
You pay for what you get
 

Everybody asks me how she's doing
Is she really all she says...
Everybody asks me how she's doing
Since she went away
I said I couldn't tell you
I'm OK I'm OK (I'm OK)
 

Surprise, surprise
You pay for what you get
You pay for what you get
 

Everybody asks me how she's doing
Has she really lost her...
Everybody asks me how she's doing
Since she went away
I said I couldn't tell you
I'm OK I'm OK I'm OK (How are you?)
 

Pay for what you get
Pay for what you get...oh...
Pay for what you get
Pay for what you get oh...
Oh...
 
 
 

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All Songs Written By David J. Matthews