No Mystery - Apr 2000
color me in black & white or anything in between
anything but shades of gray
it would take the color from a hundred skies
to color you
how did you get so blue
paint a picture from a memory of me
paint it right upon my face
if i look into a mirror would i notice any change
what do i know... what i know is

life with you sure ain't no mystery
day to day's about the same
we make our way
we don't make history
and baby that's ok

picture your life as a single photograph
behind glass and inside the perfect frame
does it reveal every tear or every laugh
that ever came to your face
imagine your life on the giant silver screen
with nothing on the cutting floor
i would buy another ticket just to listen to the score
you're what i know and what i know is

life with you sure ain't no mystery
day to day's about the same
we make our way
we don't make history
and baby that's ok

while you slept the other night
i took out paper and a pen
and traced a line all around you
i am almost ready
i just need one more sky to color you

how'd you get so... blue

Hard Lessons - Apr 1998
I never thought of anything that was worth remembering
except the time when you and I feel in love
but then it died
Hard lessons at such tender ages
making life - now that blows me away
and I'll remember for the rest of my days
for the rest of my days

How you could say I don't want it, when I gave you my heart
I promise when this memory fades I won't stop it
yea, I won't

I've memories of little things
they're hardly worth remembering
The thoughts I wish I could erase are of a child without a face
There's no question that when second chances are handed down
I'm the head of the line
and I'll be waiting for the rest of my life
for the rest of my life

How could you say I don't want it, when I gave you my heart
I promise when this memory fades I won't stop it
yea, no I won't, no

now tell me how could you say I don't want it
when I gave you my heart
I promise when this memory fades I won't stop it
yea, I won't

Golden Jewel - Apr 1975
i don't know
the color of your eyes
or anything about you
but you know
i'm gonna try
i see you at a distance
and a warm wind passes by
then you wave my direction
and i really don't know why
the only words you ever spoke to me
have been goodbyes

if i could talk to you
and just be free
if silence wasn't golden
and in truth
love is all we needed
if i was more than lonely
my hands would be too full
if you were here
then only life wouldn't be so cruel
i see your face
it shines upon my mind
like a golden jewel

i have tried
and i have been on trial
i have won
but it's in losing that
i find that seat upon the aisle
now i may never ever really
find the truth
and skies may become cloudy
and then never again be blue
but for right now
well, i can only think
of you

Old Times - Sept 1998
I was once in new orleans
like a pinball shot down bourbon street
I kinda tilted but I stayed on my feet
and it was lucky for me

all my friends been to Mexico
me, I'd rather see the northwest coast
Nancy and I say someday we will go
but I don't know about Idaho

I lived awhile upon a jersey shore
had the boardwalk out my front door
had my heart broken three times or more
yea, it was a lop-sided score

spent too little time in southern Maine
something there sweetly calls my name
if I go back would it be the same
you know I don't like change when
it's only the past replaced

I tripped the light fantastic
and like a child I still believe in magic
and I will never say never

'been so many towns that I've lost track
memories slippin' through the cracks
looking forward and I'm looking back
one more thing before I fade this song to black

sometimes I wanna go crazy
is it alright if I go a little crazy in the night
you and I could go crazy for old times
sometimes I wanna go crazy
is it alright if I go a little crazy in the night
you and I could go crazy for old times
and I'll drive
I'll drive
I'll drive

Rand McNally - May 1998
rand mcnally says you're too far away
the problem is i do agree
and it's not as simple as adding up miles or money
it is a myriad of things

i could almost die that i cannot fly
i could almost scream, you're too far from me
i could almost swear that i saw you there
what's come over me today

rand mcnally says you live in the golden state
well that sounds wonderful to me
but don't you live in fear
i mean, shouldn't you move a little east
before it falls in to the sea

i could almost die that i cannot fly
i could almost scream
you're too far from me
i could almost swear that i saw you there
what's come over me today

there's an info center in the heart of mission bay
at least that's what rand mcnally says
go and ask them why it is
that even after all these years
i'm missing you so much today

i could almost die that i cannot fly
i could almost scream, you're too far from me
i could almost swear that i heard you there
what's come over me

The Dam Just Broke - May 2002
the serenade was nice
it wrapped around me like a perfumed coat
and so i wore it home that nite

she caught me dreaming with a guilty smile on my face
my fantasy went up in smoke
i sift the ashes that were left behind on the ground
i found the traces of a note
it said
the dam just broke...

her silhouette was nice
close to perfection and i had to study close
she caught me once or twice

into the evening
and in places i've never known
i follow anywhere she goes
i will admit i was blind but you know, in my mind
i was safe until she spoke
and then the dam just broke

the silhouettes and lights
the rhythmic cascades
when everything was right
we began our serenade
and the dam just broke

True Blue - Mar 2001
no one else has seen those secret sides of you
that is alone my prize
and sometimes a shame it's true
but i won't tell a soul if you don't want me to
what if i write a book
and put this on page two
and dedicate to you

i'm surrendering my heart
take this prisoner in your arms
i want to be anything and everything for you
and when it's hard to do
if I could be only one
yea, if i could choose one
i would choose true blue
true blue

in my eyes are reflections of the places we have been
they've seen the glory and defeat
and in between
they have looked to you to pull me through
the healing of my troubled soul
all begins and ends with you
that and this is true

I'm a prisoner of my heart
you could say right from the start
if i could be anything and everything for you
i would see it through
but if i could be only one
yea, if i could choose one
i would choose true blue
i would choose true blue

surrender to your heart
surrender to your heart

i'm surrendering my heart
you could say right from the start
i want to be everything
and everything i do
oh it's all for you
but if i could be only one
if i could be only one
yea, if i could choose one
i would choose true blue
i would choose true blue

Long Way Home - May 2000
all alone on a windswept boardwalk
doin' the soul search again
now that summer and tourists are gone
it's just me and this October rain
up ahead the pay phone awaits
right beside the arcade
there's no laughter behind the locked gate
did i really escape

it was a long way home
over bridges i burned
a long way home

leaving home leaving no note
and i looked back again and again
don't recall that i proved anything
on my knees at the end

and it was a long way home
over bridges i burned
it's still a long way home

yesterday i knew it all
but today it escapes
it's ok 'cause i learned how to fall
tuck & roll, give & take

now i've found a comfortable love
soft and faded and warm
imperfections but i don't care
even roses have thorns

it was a long way home
over bridges i burned
a long way home

but i guess i've always known
somehow love finds a way
'cause it gets me always home

it was a long way home
over bridges i burned
but i'd take the long way home
again

Song For Meg - July 2000
it's like you're living in a cage
pacing back & forth for days you call to me
seeking nuggets of advice
hoping maybe that one might just set you free
in order to see rainbows, i will warn
you will have to weather many storms
until the sun comes over you
and the sun will come over you

when no solution can be found
you temporarily meltdown, it's hard to speak
you'll get better so you say
but then again it's getting late
what do you need
you shut yourself inside your room
i heard you were in there
painting pictures with words
and the song comes over you
let the song take over you

is this the calm before a storm
or an awakening of sorts
what do you think
you have questioned everything
maybe all you really need's a change of scene
of the great unknown, don't be afraid
be wary of routines that come your way
and when love comes over you
let love take over you
like when the song comes over you
and the song takes over me

Do What They Do - May 1999
i see you spending alot of time
with alot of other people’s simple needs
and it makes me wonder who is driving and who is
in the backseat
when you say that you want to be an artist
i just laugh and say hey, i do too
well first we’ll need some different clothes
and then we’ll step in their shoes
and just do what they do
we’ll do what they do

you’re working hard at hardly working
you say that making art is such a breeze
the studio pays and the radio plays
and you’re tapping your feet
then you say you want to be a folk singer
and get a band and then head out on the road
you’re kinda like a kite with no tail
you know, out of control
you want to do what they do
do what they do
you can do what they do
just do what they do

we were driving, i mean i was driving
‘cause you were asleep
in the backseat
in to the station for directions
and something to drink
i said, “can you help us find sanctuary?”
i think we took a wrong turn right from the start
he said you just can’t follow your nose
you’ve got to follow your heart if
you want to do what they do
do what they do
i want to do what they do
can i do what they do

Can't Dance - Sept 2001
i got your messages he said
but i've got nothing for you
but hey pete, i"ll keep you in mind
you see, i'm looking for somebody
not just anybody
and you don't fit the bill
i wonder if i ever will find the rainbow's end
and then finally score
finally soar
but for now and until then
what can i do when i'm stuck in these shoes
can't dance _ can't dance

i get the feeling this is over
i'm taking my heart and i'm going home
i just can't make it rhyme
you don't need somebody like i need somebody
and that's such a hole to fill
i wonder if i ever will find the rainbow's end
and finally soar
finally soar
but for now and until then
what can i do stuck in these shoes
and i'm stuck in these shoes
can't dance_ can't dance
cant't dance_ can't dance

ahh...ahh...
what can i do
can't dance

No Man's Land - Sept 2001
i used to long for you
it happened every day
i can't remember how or why or when it went away
fearing it was a sin
to think what might have been
i fought to erase your memory and scored a win

but now i'm here in no man's land
and where you are i'm wonderin'
i'm lost without your love
and without love i'm lost
in no man's land

i had that dream last night
where we are more than friends
you fell into my arms
and so i fell in love again
and then when evening came
for you i hung the moon
and you said count the stars
and you'll see how much i love you

but now i'm here in no man's land
i carry on but i pretend
i haven't lost your love
it's all i can think of
in no man's land
~*~
but now i'm here in no man's land
and where you are i'm wonderin'
i need three things
or i can't go on
i need your smile and loving arms
' cause i'm lost without your love
and without love i'm lost
in no man's land

i'm lost without your love
it's all i can think of
in no man's land

Heartbreak - Oct 2001
It’s so dark on Heartbreak Street
his car on the road makes no sound
needle says quarter to E
but no song of a siren could turn him around
no inspection, no direction
flashing high beams from fate
but he’ll never brake, he thinks it’s too late
he crashes straight in to tomorrow

he’s heading down Heartbreak
flag of surrender in tow
he’s heading down Heartbreak
leaving to chance all that he knows

hand on the mirror
foot to the floor and his back’s to the wall
beyond the shadows, eternally searching
and waiting for something to fall
recollections of rejection seem to reflect on his face
there is no disgrace consenting to fate
if he could just see past his sorrow

he’s heading down Heartbreak
with his flag of surrender in tow
he’s heading down Heartbreak
leaving to chances all that he knows

he’s heading down heartbreak
he’s heading down heartbreak
it’s all that he knows
it’s all that he knows

Nothin' But The Blues - June 1982
well i've got a couple questions but
ain't gonna wait in line
the only thing i got from you
was too much overtime
you probably don't remember
but who was keeping score
the time i gave you my last dollar
and you kept expecting more
don't want to think about you
and the way you left me flat
yea i just wish i could forget
it's like a monkey on my back
i wouldn't give a penny for a single thought from you
won't give the time of day you know it's true
i ain't got nothing but the blues

i'd like to get a car
and drive you out of my head but
you'd probably find a way
to haunt my dreams when i'm in bed
the only way i want to see you walk is out the door
?cause i ain't got no sweet thing to give to you no more
ain't got no diamond ring or no fancy cadillac
yea all i've got's this old guitar and the shirt upon my back
and i won't give a penny for a single thought from you
won't give the time of day you know it's true
i ain't got nothing but the blues

i'd like to give you something
like a piece of my mind
i'd like to give you something else but that would be unkind
you gave me so much baby, you gave me something new
a brand new way of living and it ain't nothing but the blues
i ain't got nothin' but the blues

Television - May 1998
i could say life is extraordinary
i wonder what’s awaiting me
but i’ll convey that i am ordinarily
much too contented just to see what is on television
what is on television
i hope it isn’t a repeat
refrain from your opinion
if you think television is nothing more than a tv
well not to me

i could say i look so ordinary
in my t-shirts and blue jeans
but i maintain i’d be extraordinarily at home on vh1 or e!
don’t tell me television brainwashes by submission
there’s too much on that is must see
i don’t like your position
you think that television is nothing more than a tv
well not to me

i could say my life is ordinary
a lot of work and eat and sleep
and i should state for the record
my vcr gets more exercise than me
i replace fact with fiction thanks to my television
i can escape reality
you can keep your opinion
if you think that television is nothing more than a tv
i’ve heard that television looks good from all positions
my favorite’s horizontally
do you like television ‘cause i like television
and i’m not talking casually
you could watch television with me on one condition
the fancy remote stays with me
see if you can envision my color television
(it is a stereo sony)

Let Love Go - Oct 2001
should not feel sorry for me
when it’s you that it’s due
melancholy is always
turning favorites to fools
i am just a little bit worn
and i shouldn’t care
but sometimes your memory’s too much to bear
but someone’s gotta pay
when they’re willing to let love go

forgiveness, no stranger to me
payback, the same
weren’t you always looking for someone to blame
i looked at the mysteries of love
and you’d look away
you thought our love was a crime
i say crime doesn’t pay
but someone’s gotta pay
when they’re willing to let love go
yea someone’s gotta pay
when they’re willing to let love go

did i dream about you again
i really can’t say
but i got a fidgety feeling that won’t go away
i know it’s just the same old thing
if i saw you today
could i summon the courage to come out and say
just go away
just go away

someone’s gotta pay
when they’re willing to let love go
someone’s gotta pay
you were willing to let love go

White Horse - Feb 1999
i thought i had a white horse
i knew i needed more because her rescue was my fate
so i bought a suit of armor
but when i tried to put it on i could never get it straight
i could never get it straight
so if you see her crying
tell her i'm on my way
and if you see her smiling
i hope i'm the one to blame
i hope i'm the one to blame

i got up on my white horse
i knew of course
that wasn't all it was going to take
but it always takes so long to get inside my armor
that i'd always end up late
why do i always end up late
so if you see her crying
tell her i'm on my way
and if you see her smiling
i hope i'm the one to blame
i hope i'm the one to blame

i thought i had a white horse but
now i'm not really sure
it's funny how things change with age
my shiny suit of armor is rusted and tarnished
but it never fit anyway
it never fit anyway
so if you see her crying
tell her i'm on my way
and if you see her smiling
i hope i'm the one to blame
i hope i'm the one to blame

if you see her crying
tell her that i'm trying
tell her that i'll be on my way
and if you see her smiling
you know i'm the one to blame
you know i'm the one to blame
you know i'm the one to blame

Is This Love? - Nov 1999
my baby buzzes like a bee
she's so busy she hardly has any time for me
i'm left reminiscing
about the night we met
she drove me home because i had no car
but conversations lead to harder stuff
so here we are
but i'm thinkin' i might stay
cause this might be love or something
i'm curious, ok
is this love
is this love

hey baby, now i'm buzzin like a bee
yea i've been drinkin'
i'm killin' time before i go to sleep
and then i start thinking
i play by all the rules
but i found out that she does not
the first time that she smiled i looked away
and she stole my heart
but i'm thinkin' i might stay
cause this might be love or something
i'm curious, ok
is this love
is this love

do you believe in games of chance
isn't it fate that brings us romance
i think of it often
i haven't forgotten about

the night we met i had no car
she drove me home
now she drives me crazy
if only i had known
still, i'm thinkin' i might stay
cause this might be love or something
i'm curious, ok
is this love...
or something?

Without Me - Dec 1999
how can i stop when i didn’t know i started
why did you go
was it something that i said
turn back the clock, my baby’s broken hearted
hey don’t look at me
the way you do it makes my heart bleed
ok i’m pleading guilty
i always hate to say i am wrong
it’s like i think the world couldn’t go on
without me right
somebody jumped to the wrong conclusion
somebody fell from someone else’s grace
everyone knows there’s only one solution
apologies
i’m tongue tied and feeling guilty
i can’t deny it
i know it might be hard to believe
but the world is gonna have to proceed
without me right
it’s really ok, take my love for granted
why should i care
i’m going nowhere
you know i’m keeping my feet planted
with you i never have to fake it
with you i can do what i want to
until i have to say i am wrong
and suddenly the world must go on
without me right

Break Her Fall - Jan 2000
i have seen her climbing mountains
i have seen her climb the walls
she has no choice
she has no chance
she has no safety net at all
i am not sitting here in judgment
when i say i think that things have gotten out of hand
no one should have to fall so many times
but who am i to question the almighty plan

yet every day she lives with it
every day she lives with it
every day she lives with it
break her fall
break her fall

see her battle with her demons
see her wrestle with her chains
she tries her best to keep them quiet
but they rattle anyway
you know that i’ve tried
more than once to break her free
i’ve worn my fingers to the bone
i pray that soon and somehow god will let her see
there’s a reason for her carrying that load
every day she lives with it
every day she lives with it
every day she lives with it
break her fall
break her fall

i don’t think she does too much dancing in the dark
when she’s at home and all alone
and though it’s not my battle can i help her see
that goliath fell from just one single stone
every day she lives with it
every day she lives with it
every day she lives with it
break her fall
break her fall

I Don't Wanna Call You Baby - June 1999
if you were a fortune teller
and not the kind like on tv
then you could read between the lines upon my face
and find the words that i’m afraid to speak
the promise that i’ve held so long
i can no longer keep

i don’t wanna call you baby no more
i don’t wanna be your man
it’s closing time
let’s say goodbye with no fights baby
i’m sorry, now there i go again

who was it first that said i love you
who’ll get the last word in this time
when did my love line fade
how and why and where
you know i always try and pray before i sleep
it’s usually for miracles and usually for me

i don’t wanna call you baby no more
i don’t wanna be your man
it’s closing time
let’s say goodbye with no fights baby
i’m sorry, now there i go again

if i go how would i make it
but if i stay i know i couldn’t fake it
i must go

but i always try and pray before i sleep
usually for miracles and usually for me

i don’t wanna call you baby no more
i don’t wanna be your man
it’s closing time
let’s say goodbye with no fights baby
i’m sorry, now there i go again
there i go