The Usual Stories & Usual Lies (2006)
Long Island Sound
Candystore Dropout
Last Goodbye
Just Like You
Santa Cruz
Bar On 4th Ave
Anastasia
Franklin Street
That Would Be A First
Secret
Love Song No. 1
The Daily
Last Chance
Love Song No. 2
She Drives Me Crazy - EP (2007)
Superpowers
Silly Little Trinket
Aluminum Siding
Long Island Sound
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
Flying in over a dreary Monday rain
Dripping droplets washing me into the drain
I get out of the cab at 45th and 9th
Asking how I could be getting here on time
Then I see you
In the high rise
Then I'm near you
Underneath these New York skies
Waiting hours just to see you move your legs
Begging someone that it's not just in my head
A look a movement a little dancing star
Hiding from your eyes cause you don't want to go that far
When I see you
In the high rise
When I'm near you
Underneath these New York skies
And someday
If these fates I just met
Will let me
I'll tell you about myself
And maybe
We’ll take a ride together on that ferry
Across the long island sound
Across the long island sound
Yesterday I spent four hundred dollars on my soul
Praying that tomorrow I might learn to let her go
Missing out on listening to Manhattan radio
Losing my last chance cause I wonder if you know
That when I see you
Something in me cries
To be near you
Underneath these New York skies
And someday
If these fates I just met
Will let me
I'll tell you about myself
And maybe
We’ll take a ride together on that ferry
Across the long island sound
Across the long island sound
Across the long island sound
Chaos and karma can't teach me to love
But maybe there's something that speaks from above
Cause somebody somewhere has brought me to you
And I pray that someday last night's dream will come true
And I'll walk into something new
And someday
If these fates I just met
Will let me
I'll tell you about myself
And maybe
We’ll take a ride together on that ferry
Across the long island sound
Across the long island sound
Across the long island sound
top
Candystore Dropout
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
So look at you now you’re like some candystore dropout
All grown up on the outside but a kid underneath
There’s only so much that you can share in one night
But let the truth be told you didn’t learn anything you didn’t already know
But that’s how it starts
You take just one look
And she has you by the heart
And that’s how it goes
You lose just a touch
And she lets everybody know
You were never a saint a good girl with a bad streak
All tied up in the backseat with a bubble gum kiss
I’ve seen it all before all the tricks in your bag
All the things you might have had
But of it wasn’t for me then tell me
What was it all for?
And that’s how it starts
You take just one look
And she has you by the heart
And that’s how it goes
You lose just a touch
And she lets everybody know
You were always in control knowing when to come and when to go
But what would you say if you were ever to stop were ever to give it up
Could you give that much
Solos
I was always in touch never a whiz kid but never a fool
Bright enough to know that I loved you but just too dim to never know how much
But that’s how it starts
You take just one look
And she has you by the heart
And that’s how it goes
You lose just a touch
And she lets everybody know
She lets everybody know
She let’s everybody know
top
Last Goodbye
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
She was wearing his jacket it was getting cold
The light on the corner said it was time to go and she said,
“I don’t know if this is working out for me.
“We’ve been at this now for a couple of years
And when we started out we went with nothing to fear but
You scare me more everyday.”
“You used to give me so much hope with your big plans
And now you drag me with your slack.
I’m sure you’ve just got some things to work out on your mind
But I don’t want to waste your time.”
She buttoned his coat as they crossed the street
And walked on in silence while he stared at his feet and she said,
“So do you have anything to say?”
He pounded his fist and he scratched at his beard
He stubbed out his cigarette and said, “well my dear,
“I never thought you’d be unkind.”
“You used to give me so much more of yourself
And now you hold it all inside.
And yeah, I’ve got some shit to work out on my mind
But I wouldn’t want to waste you time.
“How could you, how dare you
What kind of a fool do you take me for?
Just turn away, just walk away
I don’t wanna see your face no more
Don’t wanna see your face
Don’t wanna see your face
No more.”
She gave him his jacket, which he threw on the ground
And pulled down her sleeves as she turned around and thought,
“If that’s the way that it has to be.
Should I let him talk like that to me?
Wait a minute
You son of a bitch now don’t you see?
“For three long years I gave you everything I had
And leftovers were all I got back
And you bet your ass I’ve got some words on my mind
But I'm not going to waste my time
Cause I know that I’ll be just fine
And you’ve said your last goodbye
To me.
You’ve said your last goodbye.”
top
Just like you
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
I think I know what you mean now
When you said I was afraid
It took me too long to figure out
But I guess there’s something I could say
If I had done things different
Would you still feel the same?
And if I had made a choice
Would this mess be swept away?
How long must we wait
Till we can breath again
Until our eyes can open up
And we can see again
Yeah we move through this world so blindly
We take our blinders from the past
We never take things lightly though
We only take things way too fast
You with your little ways
Can you see me here with this pen?
Cause I can see you I can see you wrapped up in your bed
With your cigarettes and your prozac pills and the words to your memories in a dime bag swill
And the words you use when you place the blame are the same words you’ll use when you damn my name…
Do you remember mornings?
Lying in your bed
Wrapped in each other’s arms
Breathing the same breath
I swore to myself
I had three words to say
Maybe I would wait another hour
Maybe I would wait another day
How long must we wait
Till we can breath again
Until our eyes can open up
And they can see again
Yeah we move through this world so blindly
We take our blinders from the past
We never take love lightly though
We only take love way too…way too fast
I know that every time you give yourself you feel the same way
Another Monday filled with joy
Another weekend marked by pain and
Maybe I could have changed all that if I had only thought things through
But I had my reasons
I had my doubt
Just like you
top
Santa Cruz
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
Alison I came here tonight just to hear you
To see you to teach you to learn from and steal you
My usual friends are with me tonight
All the usual stories and usual lies
I’ll wait just a moment while you get the phone
Your roommate is pretty and I’m glad she is home
So pass me a beer while I light one more smoke
I’ll tell you my life if you tell me a joke
I knew you’d be at home
It’s cosmic and karmic and very unknown
But I’ll be here with you
We’ll sit on the beach at night in Santa Cruz
And I’ll see you through
Until we part again
Until we part again
Alison I know you’ve been on the road to happiness
Your mother and hank have just found it themselves
But how is your sister and the three kids named Erin
Yours mine and the one who fools parents
Tell me is your hair still as soft as your voice
And would you be mine if you could make the choice
Do the stupid things I say still get you high?
And does the Marlboro man still make you cry
I knew you’d be at home
It’s cosmic and karmic and very unknown
But I’ll be here with you
We’ll sit on the beach at night in Santa Cruz
And I’ll see you through
Until we part again
Until we part again
Until we part again
top
Bar on 4th Ave.
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
She’s a regular girl; she takes on the world from this bar on 4th avenue
She serves them up drinks, she smiles and she thinks about all that she’s wanted to do
Her job makes her sad but it’s all that she’s had in the three years she’s lived in this town
Sometimes she cries when she thinks of the lies that he told just to keep her around
She makes up songs to sing to pass the time
She sings about lovers and cafes and wine
The words may change
But the tune stays the same
La la la la…
I play the keys on Fridays till three in this bar on 4th avenue
She sings me her songs while I play along when the last call drinkers are through
Then we’ll talk till four, share a drink maybe more till the quiet hours silence our words
Then she’ll drive me home while I pretend not to know how badly this town makes her hurt
I think she’s most beautiful when she sings
A bartending angel without the wings
Her words may change
But her beauty stays the same
La la la la
And you can see it in her eyes
You can feel it when she cries
All the pain that she has tasted
All the time that she has wasted
All the hatred she’s saved up for him
It’s late in the night it’s raining outside of this bar on 4th avenue
Tonight she won’t sing she’s got other things on her mind and something she’s got to do
It may take all night but the world won’t be right till she tears that highway in two
Till she finds some place where love can feel safe and she can sing about something brand new
And she’ll make up songs to sing to pass the drive
She’ll sing about lovers and romance that shines
The words will change
She’ll never be the same
La la la la…
Three years have passed since I saw her last in this bar on 4th avenue.
top
Anastasia
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
The daylight breaks and the city takes on its everyday kind of feel
The blue suits and bankers and the 9 to 5 takers shake each other down for a deal
While Anastasia lies with the sleep in her eyes in her black curtained studio shell
At six she’ll wake up and put on her makeup and get herself dressed to kill
And brother there won’t be a thing you can do
Don’t try to find her cause she’s the one looking for you
She’ll take you and break you she won’t have to fake you
There’ll be nothing left to be made of you after she’s had her fill for the night
But you don’t care
Cause Anastasia makes it all right
One more day you wake up feeling OK even though she’s not by your side
You’re gonna do your best you’re gonna give it a rest and you’ll keep away from her tonight
But you’re afraid it won’t last the night is coming on fast and Anastasia knows where you’ll be
She’s gonna look right through you she knows how to move you to bring you down on your knees
And boy you can just forget all you’ve learned
Cause she’s gonna school you in ways that you’ve never heard
She’s gonna pick you up she’s gonna take you down
She’s gonna do things to you that you can’t get a round
She’ll keep you up through the night
But man, you won’t care
Cause Anastasia makes it all right
You’re a warm piece of clay molded in her hands
You’re like ice melting under her tongue
You’re a Champaign bottle shaken up for an hour
Begging to be twisted undone
You’re less than a man but more than a boy
You fly so high while you’re her little toy
She’ll push you a way but never let you go
You’ll ache until you can’t say ‘no.’
You turn yourself in you know you can’t and there ain’t no point in trying
You beg for you mercy, say ‘come on and hurt me, then leave me in the darkness crying.’
That’s when it comes her one big surprise
You wake up and she’s there beside you as the sun rises
She was there all along she was waiting for you
It’s all in your hand what are you gonna do?
You make sure that you get this right
Cause at the end of the day
Anastasia makes it alright
top
Franklin Street
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
She’s a cool one that Christine
Daddy’s little girl mommy’s drama queen
And she’ll grow up someday
But until she does you best step out of her way
When she goes out on Fridays
Saturday’s the same
Down Franklin Street
I have to come and see you
but I’m afraid of what I’ll say
On Franklin Street
And she’s a wild one with a quiet face
An art school muse with a debutante’s taste
And I hear she’s doing just fine
Since she left her boyfriend and his pills behind
And nothing ever changes
It all just stays the same
On Franklin Street
I had to come and see you
But I forget just why I came
To Franklin street
Where we used to meet
And all off the faces they just stay the same
They may add a couple of years now or change their last names
But you could put this all down and take a chance with me tonight
We’ll go and not look back I swear I’ll make it all alright
I’m going to make it all alright for you Christine
And she’s trying to be a good girl
She never drinks too much with the boys she keeps her head secure
And she’s almost made it out of this town
But every time she takes that leap it all gets turned around
Cause nothing ever changes
But still it’s not the same
On Franklin Street
I had to come and see you
But I don’t know why I came
To Franklin street
top
That Would Be A First
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
It’s three in the morning
The game has just begun
Say goodbye to the warning
It’s time you had some fun
She stares up at the ceiling
While she spins herself around
And you hide all your feelings
And you try not to make a sound
Till she falls down
And she falls down
And it’s not your first time
Or one you’ll soon forget
You’ve passed all the road signs
But the dead end hasn’t come around yet
And god only knows the last time
You had learned to dance
And if you could just unwind
You might get half a chance
If you can make it last
If you can make it last
You…wake her in the morning
Still breathing perfume in her hair
You…lie awake in her bed waiting
Waiting for a kiss that isn’t there.
And it’s not that cold out here
But you can’t find your coat
And maybe next time when she turns to stare
You might give her a look
But you can feel her breathing
And every time she sighs
But you’re not allowed to reach in
And touch behind those eyes
But she will make you try
Yeah she will make you try
You…wake her in the morning
Still breathing perfume in her hair
You…lie awake in her bed waiting
Waiting for a kiss that isn’t there.
She approaches you this time
Naked and unafraid
But deep inside your peace of mind
You only feel ashamed
So you might get kicked around
You might get hurt
You climb the ladder and don’t look down
Cause you know things could be worse
And that would be a first…
That would be a first…
top
Secret
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
Sometimes I feel the difference
Between your feelings and your words
Other times I feel your defense
From your scars from your burns
But if there’s an easy answer
Would you tell me what to say
If you could be a believer
Would you come outside and play
Cause I have a secret
That I’m much too scared to tell
Cause I found an angel
Buried deep inside her hell
And I have been witness
to the little mask that she wears
and now with myself
I have a secret
So every night lost in the darkness
Under those deep following lights
There’s a moment when we kiss
And in that moment I feel so right
But if there’s a god above me
Let her see the look on my face
And in that moment she might be
Very happy in that place
Cause I have a secret
That I’m much too scared to tell
Cause I found an angel
Buried deep inside her hell
And I have been witness
to the little mask that she wears
and now with myself
I have a secret
Oh and I know her so well I can see
Every word that she might share
But I’ll damn myself if don’t ever tell her
Every word that I have to share
I have a secret
That I love too much to tell
Cause I’ve seen an angel
Falling deeper into her own hell
And I have been witness
to the long white dress that she wears
and only with myself
I have a secret
top
Love Song No. 1
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
I’ve got something to say
I know you’re afraid but know I
Will be by your side
We took every chance
on this whirlwind romance and now here
We are tonight
And I’ve never seen anything nearly as beautiful as you
The girl in my arms
I’ll stay with you all through the nighttime and I
I’ll be by your side
More than a prayer
More than my needs
And the silly things
I make you believe
You made me alive
You made me complete
When it’s just you and I
You’re such a perfect thing
You’re more than a dream
And I’ve never seen anything nearly as beautiful as you
The girl in my arms
I’ll stay with you all through the nighttime and I
I’ll be by your side
More than a prayer
More than my needs
And the silly things
I make you believe
You made me alive
You made me complete
When it’s just you and I
You’re such a perfect thing
You’re more than a dream
top
The Daily
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
The sign says for rent
There’s a picture in the doorway
The letter that you sent
Says you’re going out your way
I’ve been sitting here alone
For quite some time now
It’s time to go home
But I just can’t see how
To leave this booth at the daily
The same sad song
Keeps playing on the jukebox
But I’m too far gone
To let the words in my thoughts
It’s late in the evening
It’s way past my bedtime
And it’s cold and I’m thinking
Of all the reasons on my mind
To leave this booth at the daily
And somewhere in the corners of my mind
I really believe you might think to stop by
Cause how can you ignore that kind of feeling
Where everything else seems to lose all meaning
And you swear that you’d stayed if I hadn’t given you away
But you just forgot my birthday
My life has a soundtrack
Full of all those sad songs
And I’d try not to look back
But I’m really not that strong
My candle burns quicker
Each and every year
From the madness from the sadness and the fear
And everything seems so clear
After I’ve paid for my last beer
From this booth at the daily
top
Last Chance
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
There’s a little place inside me that can’t bear to let you go
The shepherd of these useless dreams has torn apart my soul
I’ve given up on lost rewards that I can’t ever win
And left a window open to my heart to answer for my sins
But let me take you out tonight
And please you if I can
And make you’ll see I’m alright
And give me one last chance
If I told you I remembered all the things you ever said
Would you have left the sheets pulled back for me in your unadultered bed
And if I’d had the years to save for you and build a shiny band
Could you have put aside your feelings and saved a place on your left hand
Your voice and your dreams have been left along the way
While your heart you kiss are in between the things you often say
And my road has left me damaged and unclean
But I’m beginning to hear the voice inside and understand what it means
I’m sitting underneath the eves at the pier after the rain
The wind behind me brings a chill and reminds me of the pain
The children stop to feed the gulls their little voices fill the air
And I can feel the future in my throat and how badly I am scared
So let me take you out tonight
And please you if I can
And make you’ll see I’m alright
And give me one last chance
top
Love Song No. 2
Word and Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2006 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
Pancakes in the morning
A glass of water by my bed
Kisses when you come home
All over my fuzzy head
A six pack of beck’s beers
A frozen pizza from the corner store
You’ll go without me asking
Whenever I need more
And this is the way that you love me
Without condition and totally free
I don’t know where on this earth I would be
Without the way that you love me
You pick me up when I’m done working
You wait up for me at night
Give me pills to ease my headache
And make everything all right
You pay my way when I’m broke down
And ask for a joke in return
You’re amazing and forgiving
You’re too good for me I’m sure
And this is the way that you love me
Without condition and totally free
I don’t know where on this earth I would be
Without the way that you love me
top
Superpowers
Words & Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2007 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
I can be strong
Stronger than anybody
I can lift cars above the street – for real
I can read minds
Start a fire with beams from my eyes
I can get by on an hour of sleep – in a week
All these things
All these superpowers
They don’t mean a thing
They don’t mean a thing
If I don’t have you
I can fly
I’ve got a billion in the bank
People’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ – that’s me
I can cook
Read a book in less than an hour
Drink from noon till a quarter to five – and I don't have to pee
All these things
All these superpowers
They don’t mean a thing
They don’t mean a thing
Without you
All these gifts
All these superpowers
They don’t mean a thing
They don’t mean a thing
Cause I can’t smile
I haven’t laughed since we’ve been through
I can’t get you off my mind
I can’t forget about you
But I can fix cars
And I have fourteen PhD’s
I can outshoot LeBron by a hundred and three – on my knees
I can speak to the dead
I can speak French, German and Czech
I get my cable in HD – and it’s free
All these things
All these superpowers
Don’t mean a thing
Don’t mean a thing
Without you
All these gifts
All these superpowers
Don’t mean a thing
Don’t mean a thing
If I don’t have you
I don’t mean a thing
I don’t mean a thing
If I don’t have you
top
Silly Little Trinket
Words & Music by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2004 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
The silly little trinket that I made in shop for you
Is sitting in my window drinking in my ugly view
I’ve squandered all the language I’ve been saving up in lieu
Of silly little trinkets that have never carried through
There’s a silly little trinket that my teacher thought was neat
But her funny little ways have left my understanding bleak
I’ve written songs, I’ve sung in plays, I’ve danced with my own feet
But silly little trinkets always leave me looking beat
And I spy with my little eye
Something that starts with a K
And you seem to be selfish and mean
So I don’t think that I’m going to stay
The silly little trinket that you gave to me last year
Has gathered dust and takes up space and sometimes brings a tear
My eyes have grown accustomed to the scary things I fear
Like the silly little trinkets that you gave when you were near
The silly little trinkets always make me wonder why
You call me when you’re lonely in the middle of the night
My loving arms still keep you warm my kisses are alright
But my silly little trinket only seems to leave you dry
And I spy with my little eye
Something that starts with a K
And you seem to be selfish and mean
So I don’t think that I’m going to stay
This silly little trinket of a song has run its course
My fingers all are bleeding and my singing voice is hoarse
I’m sick and tired of waiting on my knees outside your door
So I’ll leave my little trinkets here to dry up on your shore
top
Aluminum Siding (love theme from THE REST OF YOUR LIFE)
Music & Lyrics by Brian Sharpe
Copyright 2001 Brian Sharpe/Naked Lettuce Music
She told me there’s a million things that you touch when you fall a sleep
I told her there’s a million and one that I don’t think I’ll need
She laughed at my joke and gave me a penny for my thoughts
I laughed in her face and I told her that she could go piss off
Oh oh oh I’m calling out your name
To see if you hear me
Oh oh oh I love you just the same
I just can’t have you near me
She told me there wasn’t a secret that she could ever keep
I gave her one just to keep her warm but she left it at my feet
Her love is like aluminum siding I don’t think it ever wears
And I’ve got a ticket to somewhere and I don’t think she cares
And now there’s one thing left to do
There’s one thing left to say…OK
I’m leaving this one out
I’m leaving this one behind…Alright
Her love is like aluminum siding I don’t think it ever wears
And I’ve got a ticket to somewhere for someone else who cares
I’ve had my share of this town all these faces and all these lies
And I’m getting out of this place before all my hope dies
Oh oh oh I’m calling out your name
To see if you hear me
Oh oh oh I love you just the same
I just can’t have you near me
Oh oh oh I’m calling out your name
To see if you hear me
Oh oh oh I love you just the same
I just can’t have you near me
Oh oh oh I’m calling out your name
To see if you hear me
Oh oh oh I love you just the same
I just can’t have you near me
top
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