Direction, Reaction, Creation - Disc 3

• Girl On The Phone
  
• Thick As Thieves
  
• Private Hell
  
• Little Boy Soldiers
  
• Wasteland
  
• Burning Sky
  
• Smithers-Jones
  
• Saturday's Kids
  
• Heatwave
  
• Going Underground
  
• The Dreams Of Children
  
• Start!
  
• Liza Radley
  
• Pretty Green
  
• Monday
  
• But I'm Different Now
  
• Set The House Ablaze
  
• That's Entertainment
  
• Dream Time
  
• Man In The Corner Shop
  
• Music For The Last Couple
  
• Boy About Town
  
• Scrape Away
  
  

Girl on the phone keeps a-ringing back
Her voice is smooth but the tone is bland
She's telling me this and she's telling me that
She talks about me and I must agree
With what she says about me
About how nice I can be
But it makes no difference to my mind

Girl on the phone keeps a-ringing back
She knows all my details - she's got my facts
She tells me my height and she knows my weight
She knows my age and says she's knows fate

And I must say - it's logical
What foresight she must have
I've got to meet her whenever I get time

Says she knows everything about me
Every word I've ever said
Every book I've ever read
She told me that we met along time ago
I can't think when but she should know

Girl on the phone keeps a-ringing back
Knows where I get my shirts and where I get my pants
Where I get my trousers where I get socks
My leg measurements and the size of my cock

And I must say it's un-nerving
To think that she knows me
Knows me so well - better than anyone
Better than myself

Says she knows everything about me
Every record I've listened to
Every window that I've looked through
She told me that we met along time ago
I can't think when but she should know

Girl on the phone keeps a-ringing back
She's telling me this and she's telling me that

Times were so tough, but not as tough as they are now,
We were so close and nothing came between us - and the world -
No personal situations.
Thick as thieves us, we'd stick together for all time,
and we meant it but it turns out just for a while,
we stole - the friendship that bound us together -

We stole from the schools and their libraries,
We stole from the drugs that sent us to sleep,
We stole from the drink that made us sick,
We stole anything that we couldn't keep,
And it was enough - we didn't have to spoil anything,
And always be as thick as thieves.

Like a perfect stranger - you came into my life,
Then like the perfect lone ranger - you rode away - rode away,
rode away - rode away.

We stole the love from young girls in ivory towers,
We stole autumn leaves and summer showers,
We stole the silent wind that says you are free,
We stole everything that we could see,
But it wasn't enough - and now we've gone and spoiled everthing,
Now we're no longer as thick as thieves.

You came into my life -
Then like a perfect stranger you walked away - walked away -
walked away - walked away.

Thick as thieves us - we'd stick together for all time,
and we meant it but it turns out just for awhile,
we stole the friendship that bound us together.

We stole the burning sun in the open sky,
We stole the twinkling stars in the black night,
We stole the green belt fields that made us believe,
We stole everything that we could see.

But something came along that changes our minds,
I don't know what and I don't know why,
But we seemed to grow up in a flash of time,
While we watched our ideals helplessly unwind.

No - we're no longer as thick as thieves - no,
We're not as thick as we used to be - no,
We're no longer as thick as thieves - no,
We're not as thick as we used to be -

no it wasn't enough - and we've gone and spoiled everything
Now we're no longer as thick as thieves.

Closer than close - you see yourself -
A mirrored image - of what you wanted to be.
As each day goes by - a little more - 
You can't remember - what it was you wanted anyway. 
The fingers feel the lines - they prod the space -
Your ageing face - the face that once was so beautiful,
is still there but unrecognizable - 
Private Hell.

The man who you once loved - is bald and fat -
And seldom in - working late as usual.
Your interest has waned - you feel the strain -
The bed springs snap - on the occasions he lies upon you -
close your eyes and think of nothing but -
Private Hell.

Think of Emma - wonder what she's doing -
Her husband Terry - and your grandchildren.
Think of Edward - who's still at college -
You send him letters - which he doesn't acknowledge.
'Cause he don't care,
They don't care.
'Cause they're all going through their own - Private Hell.

The morning slips away - in a valium haze,
And catalogues - and numerous cups of coffee.
In the afternoon - the weekly food,
Is put in bags - as you float off down the high street

The shop windows reflect - play a nameless host,
To a closet ghost - a picture of your fantasy -
A victim of your misery - and Private Hell 

Alone at 6 o'clock - you drop a cup -
You see it smash - inside you crack -
You can't go on - but you sweep it up -

Safe at last inside your Private Hell.
Sanity at last inside your Private Hell.

Its funny how you never knew what my name was,
Our only contact was a form for the election.
These days I find that you don't listen,
These days I find that we're out of touch,
These days I find that I'm too busy,
So why the attention now you want my assistance -
What have you done for me.

You've gone and got yourself in trouble,
No you want me to help you out.

These days I find that I can't be bothered,
These days I find that its all too much,
To pick up a gun and shoot a stranger,
But I've got no choice so here I come - war games.

I'm up on the hills, playing little boy soldiers,
Reconnaissance duty up at 5:30.
Shoot shoot shoot and kill the natives,
You're one of us and we love you for that.

Think of honour, Queen and country,
You're a blessed son of the British Empire,
God's on our side and so is Washington.

Come out on the hills with the little boy soldiers.

Come on outside - I'll sing you a lullaby,
Or tell a tale of how goodness prevailed.

We ruled the world - we killed and robbed,
The fucking lot - but we don't feel bad.

It was done beneath the flag of democracy,
You'll believe and I do - yes I do - yes I do -
yes I do - 

These days I find that I can't be bothered,
To argue withthem well what's the point,
Better to take your shots and drop down dead,
then they send you home in a pine overcoat

With a letter to your mum

Saying find enclosed one son - one medal and a note -
to say he won.

Meet me on the wastelands - later this day,
We'll sit and talk and hold hands maybe,
For there's not much else to do in this drab and colourless place.
We'll sit amongst the rubber tyres,
Amongst the discarded bric-a-brac,
People have no use for - amongst the smouldering embers of yesterday.

And when or if the sun shines,
Lighting our once beautiful features,
We'll smile but only for seconds,
For to be caught smiling is to acknowledge life,
A brave but useless show of compassion,
And that is forbidden in this drab and colourless world.

Meet me on the wastelands - the ones behind,
The old houses - the ones - left standing pre-war -
The ones overshadowed by the monolith monstrosities - 
councils call homes.

And there amongst the shit - the dirty linen,
The holy Coca-Cola tins - the punctured footballs,
The ragged dolls - the rusting bicycles,
We'll sit and probably hold hands.

And watch the rain fall - watch it - watch it -
Tumble and fall - tumble and falling -
Like our lives - like our lives -
Just like our lives.

We'll talk about the old days,
When the wasteland was release when we could play,
And think - without feeling guilty -
Meet me later but we'll have to hold hands.
Tumble and fall - tumble and falling -
Like our lives - like our lives -
Exactly like our lives.

Dear,
How are things in your little world, I hope they're going well and you are too. 
Do you still see the same old crowd, the ones who used to meet every Friday.
I'm really sorry that I can't be there but work comes first, I'm sure you'll understand.
Things are really taking off for me business is thriving and I'm showing a profit
And in any case it wouldn't be the same, 'cause we've all grown up and we've got our lives 
and the values that we had once upon a time, seem stupid now 'cause the rent must be paid 
and some bonds severed and others made.

Now I don't want you to get me wrong, ideals are fine when you are young and 
I must admit we had a laugh, but that's all it was and ever will be, 'cause 
the Burning Sky keeps burning bright. And as long as it does (and it always will), 
there's no time for dreams when commerce calls. And the taxman's shouting 'cause 
he wants his dough and the wheels of finance won't begin to slow.

And it's only us realists who are gonna come through 'cause there's only 
one power higher than that of truth and that's the Burning Sky.

Oh and by the way I must tell you, before I sign off, that I've got a 
meeting next week, with the head of a big corporate I can't disclose who 
but I'm sure you'll know it and. And the Burning Sky - keeps burning bright. 
And it won't turn off til it's had enough, it's the greedy bastard who won't 
give up, and you're just a dreamer if you don't realize, and the sooner you do 
will be the better for you, then we'll all be happy and we'll all be wise 
and all bow down to the Burning Sky.

Then we'll all be happy and we'll all be wise and together we will 
live beneath the Burning Sky.

Here we go again, it's Monday at last,
He's heading for the Waterloo line,
To catch the 8 a.m. fast, its usually dead on time,
Hope it isn't late, got to be there by nine.
Pin stripe suit, clean shirt and tie,
Stops off at the corner shop, to buy The Times
'Good Morning Smithers-Jones'
'How's the wife and home?'
'Did you get the car you've been looking for?'

Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so.

Sitting on the train, you're nearly there
You're part of the production line,
You're the same as him, you're like tin-sardines,
Get out of the pack, before they peel you back.

Arrive at the office, spot on time,
The clock on the wall hasn't yet struck nine,
'Good Morning Smithers Jones'
'The boss wants to see you alone'
'I hope its the promotion you've been looking for'

Let me get inside you, let me take control of you,
We could have some good times,
All this worry will get you down,
I'll give you a new meaning to life - I don't think so.

'Come in Smithers old boy'
'Take a seat, take the weight off your feet'
'I've some news to tell you'
'There's no longer a position for you' -
'Sorry Smithers Jones'.

Put on the kettle and make some tea
It's all a part of feeling groovie
Put on your slippers turn on the TV
It's all a part of feeling groovie
It's time to relax, now you've worked your arse off
But the only one smilin' is the sun tanned boss
Work and work and work and work till you die
There's plenty more fish in the sea to fry

Saturday's boys live life with insults,
Drink lots of beer and wait for half time results,
Afternoon tea in the light-a-bite - chat up the girls - they dig it!
Saturday's girls work in Tesco's and Woolworths,
Wear cheap perfume 'cause its all they can afford,
Go to discos they drink Babycham talk to Jan - in bingo accents.
Saturdays kids play one arm bandits,
they never win but that's not the point is it,
Dip in silver paper when their pints go flat,
How about that - far out!

Their mums and dads smoke Capstan non filters,
Wallpaper lives 'cause they all die of cancer,
What goes on - what goes wrong.

Save up their money for a holiday,
To Selsey Bill or Bracklesham Bay,
Think about the future - when they'll settle down,
Marry the girl next door - with one on the way.

These are the real creatures that time has forgot,

Not given a thought - its the system -
Hate the system - what's the system?

Saturdays kids live in council houses,
Wear v-necked shirts and baggy trousers,
Drive Cortinas fur trimmed dash boards,
Stains on the seats - in the back of course!

Whenever I'm with you
Something inside starts burning 
Snd my hearts filled with fire
Stop this - it's got a hold on me
I said this ain't the way it's supposed to be

It's like a heatwave burning in my heart
I can't keep from crying 
Tearing me apart

Whenever she calls my name
Sounds so soft sweet and plain
Right then, right there
I feel this burning pain
This high blood pressure's got a hold on me
I said this ain't the way love's supposed to be

Whenever I'm with you
Something inside starts burning 
And my hearts filled with fire

Something's got me amazed
Don't know what to do
My head's in a haze 

Some people might say my life is in a rut,
But I'm quite happy with what I got
People might say that I should strive for more,
But I'm so happy I can't see the point.
Somethings happening here today
A show of strength with your boy's brigade and,
I'm so happy and you're so kind
You want more money - of course I don't mind
To buy nuclear textbooks for atomic crimes

And the public gets what the public wants
But I want nothing this society's got -
I'm going underground, (going underground)
Well the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground, (going underground)
Well let the boys all sing and the boys all shout for tomorrow

Some people might get some pleasure out of hate
Me, I've enough already on my plate
People might need some tension to relax
Mem, I'm too busy dodging between the flak

What you see is what you get
You've made your bed, you better lie in it
You choose your leaders and place your trust
As their lies wash you down and their promises rust
You'll see kidney machines replaced by rockets and guns

And the public wants what the public gets
But I don't get what this society wants
I'm going underground, (going underground)
Well the brass bands play and feet start to pound
Going underground, (going underground)
Well let the boys all sing and the boys all shout for tomorrow

We talk and talk until my head explodes
I turn on the news and my body froze
The braying sheep on my TV screen
Make this boy shout, make this boy scream!

Going underground, I'm going underground!

I sat alone with the dreams of children
Weeping willows and tall dark building,
I've caught a fashion from the dreams of children
But woke up sweating from this modern nightmare, and
I was alone, no one was there

I caught a glimpse from the dreams of children
I got a feeling of optimism
But woke up to a grey and lonely picture
The streets below left me feeling dirty, and

I was alone, no one was there
I was alone, no one was there

Something's gonna crack on your dreams tonight...
You will crack on your dreams tonight

I fell in love with the dreams of children
I saw a vision of all the happy days
I've caught a fashion from the dreams of children
But woke up sweating from this modern nightmare, and

I was alone, no one was there
I was alone, no one was there

Something's gonna crack on your dreams tonight...
You will crack on your dreams tonight
You will choke on your dreams tonight

It's not important for you to know my name -
Nor I to know yours
If we communicate for two minutes only
It will be enough
For knowing that someone in this world
Feels as desperate as me -
And what you give is what you get.

It doesn't matter if we never meet again,
What we have said will always remain.
If we get through for two minutes only,
It will be a start!
For knowing that someone in this life,
Loves with a passion called hate
And what you give is what you get.

If I never ever see you -
If I never ever see you -
If I never ever see you - again.

And what you give is what you get!

The distant echo -
of faraway voices boarding faraway trains
To take them home to
the ones that they love and who love them forever
The glazed, dirty steps - repeat my own and reflect my thoughts
Cold and uninviting, partially naked
Except for toffee wrapers and this morning's paper
Mr. Jones got run down
Headlines of death and sorrow - they tell of tomorrow
Madmen on the rampage
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight
I fumble for change - and pull out the Queen
Smiling, beguiling
I put in the money and pull out a plum
Behind me
Whispers in the shadows - gruff blazing voices
Hating, waiting
"Hey boy" they shout - "have you got any money?"
And I said - "I've a little money and a take away curry,
I'm on my way home to my wife.
She'll be lining up the cutlery,
You know she's expecting me
Polishing the glasses and pulling out the cork"
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight

I first felt a fist, and then a kick
I could now smell their breath
They smelt of pubs and Wormwood Scrubs
And too many right wing meetings
My life swam around me
It took a look and drowned me in its own existence
The smell of brown leather
It blended in with the weather
It filled my eyes, ears, nose and mouth
It blocked all my senses
Couldn't see, hear, speak any longer
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight
I said I was down in the tube station at midnight

The last thing that I saw
As I lay there on the floor
Was "Jesus Saves" painted by an atheist nutter
And a British Rail poster read "Have an Awayday - a cheap holiday -
Do it today!"
I glanced back on my life
And thought about my wife
'Cause they took the keys - and she'll think it's me
And I'm down in the tube station at midnight
The wine will be flat and the curry's gone cold
I'm down in the tube station at midnight
Don't want to go down in a tube station at midnight

Liza Radley - see the girl with long hair
See her creeping across summer lawns at midnight
And all the people in the town where we live
Say "she's not quite right"
She don't fit in with a small town

They just can't understand why she doesn't say much
But in her darkend room it's for their lives only
She cries

Liza Radley - see her jump through loneliness
Liza Radley - take me when you go

And as the people pass by - their heads in the air
Haunting with their noise - she recalls a lonely sigh

But no matter what they say in her mind
She knows their dream of life, they won't ever find

Liza Radley - I pledge myself to you alone
She'd kiss my face and say "Love means nothing at all"
She'd kiss my face and say "Life means nothing at all"

I've got a pocket full of pretty green -
I'm gonna put it in the fruit machine -
I'm gonna put it in the juke box -
It's gonna play all the records in the hit parade -
This is the pretty green - this is society
You can't do nothing - unless it's in the pocket
- oh no -

I've got a pocket full of pretty green
I'm gonna give it to the man behind the counter
He's gonna give me food and water -
I'm gonna eat that and look for more -

And they didn't teach me that in school -
It's something that I learnt on my own -
That power is measured by the pound or the fist -
It's as clear as this oh -

I've got a pocket full of Pretty Green!

Rainclouds came and stole my thunder -
Left me barren like a desert
But a sunshine girl like you
It's worth going through -
I will never be embarrassed about love again -
Tortured winds that blew me over -
When I start to think that I'm something special

They tell me that I'm not -
And they're right and I'm glad and I'm not -
I will never be embarrassed about that again.

Oh baby I'm dreaming of Monday,
Oh baby will I see you again
Oh baby I'm dreaming of Monday.

Picked you up and let you down and
I never said a word -
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl
Mess you 'round and upset you I 
hurt you most of all -
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl

Fun lasts for seconds, love lasts for days but 
But you can't have both -
And I'm different now but I'm glad that you're my girl

Because I know I done some things
That I should never have done
But I'm different now and I'm glad that you're my girl

I was in the pub last night
A mutual friend of ours said
He'd seen you in the uniform
Yeah the leather belt looks manly
The black boots butch
But oh what a bastard to get off

Promises, promises
They offer real solutions
But hatred has never won for long

You was so open minded
But by someone blinded
And now your sign says closed.

Promises, promises
They offer real solutions
But hatred has never won for long

I think we've lost our perception -
I think we've lost sight of the goals we should 
be working for
I think we've lost our reason
We stumble blindly and that vision must be restored!

I wish that there was something 
I could do about it
I wish that there was some way
I could try to fight it
Scream and shout it -

But something you said set the house ablaze!

It is called indoctrination
And it happens on all levels
But it has nothing to do with equality
It has nothing to do with democracy
And though it professes to
It has nothing to do with humanity
It is cold, hard and mechanical. 

A police car and a screaming siren -
A pnuematic drill and ripped up concrete -
A baby waiting and stray dog howling -
The screech of brakes and lamplights blinking -
that's entertainment.

A smash of glass and the rumble of boots -
An electric train and a ripped up 'phone booth -
Paint splattered walls and the cry of a tomcat -
Lights going out and a kick in the balls -

that's entertainment.

Days of speed and slow time Mondays -
Pissing down with rain on a boring Wednesday -
Watching the news and not eating your tea -
A freezing cold flat and damp on the walls -

that's entertainment.

Waking up at 6 a.m. on a cool warm morning -
Opening the windows and breathing in petrol -
An amateur band rehearsing in a nearby yard -
Watching the tele and thinking about your holidays - 

that's entertainment.
Waking up from bad dreams and smoking cigarettes -
Cuddling a warm girl and smelling stale perfume -
A hot summers' day and sticky black tarmac -
Feeding ducks in the park and wishing you were faraway -

that's entertainment.

Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight -
Two lovers missing the tranquility of solitude -
Getting a cab and travelling on buses -
Reading the grafitti about slashed seat affairs -

that's entertainment.

Streets I ran - this whole town -
Backstreets and all - I wanted to leave there.
But no matter how fast I ran, my feet were glued, I just couldn't move there.
I saw the hate and lots of people 
I heard my name called above the noise
I tried to speak but my tongue was tied
Bumped into emptiness and started to cry - oh no

I saw the lights and the pretty girls
And I thought to myself what a pretty world,
But there's something else here that puts me off.
And I'm so scared dear, my love comes in frozen packs, 
Bought in a supermarket.

Streets I ran, through wind and rain,
Around this place amongst streaming sunshine.
Scared I was, sweating now.
Feeling of doom, my bowels turned to water.

I felt hot breath whisper in my ear,
I looked for somewhere to hide but everywhere's closed.
I shut my eyes pretend not to be here,
This feeling's much to real to ever disappear - oh no.

I saw the lights and the pretty girls
And I thought to myself what a pretty world,

But there's something else here that puts me off.
And I'm so scared dear, their hate comes in frozen packs,
Bought in a supermarket.

And I'm so scared dear -
My love comes in frozen packs - 

Puts up the closed sign does the man in the corner shop
Serves his last then he says goodbye to him
He knows it is a hard life
But its nice to be your own boss really
Walks off home does the last customer
He is jealous of the man in the corner shop
He is sick of working at the factory
Says it must be nice to be your own boss (really)

Sells cigars to the boss from the factory
He is jealous is the man in the corner shop
He is sick of struggling so hard 
Says it might be nice to own a factory

Go to church do the people from the area
All shapes and classes sit and pray together
For here they are all one
For God created all men equal

See me walking around - 
I'm the boy about town that you've heard of.
See me walking the streets - 
I'm on tope of the world that you've heard of.
Oh, like paper caught in wind
I glide up street - I glide down street
Oh, it won't let you go
Till you finally come to rest 
And someone picks you up
Up street - down street
And puts you in the bin.

Oh, I'm sitting watching rainbows (sick)
I'm sitting here watching the people go crazy
Oh please leave me aside
I want to do what I want to do and
I want to live how I want to live and
Up street - down street
like paper caught in wind
Up street - down street
It won't let you go.

Your twisted cynicism - makes me feel sick -
Your open disgust for 'Idealistic naive'
You've given up hope you're jaded and ill
The trouble is your thoughts a catching disease
Ooh - you need to get away -
Ooh - you need a change of pace -
Because you're all dried up and you don't believe
You reckon I'm dreaming when I say I still feel real
You say you work for yourself and its the only way
But I look at you talking and to me you just scrape away -

What makes once young minds get in this state,
Is it age or just the social climate
You're talking like some fucking hardend MP
You're saying power's all!
And it's power you NEED!

Ooh - you need to get away -
Ooh - you need a change of place -
Because you've given up on hope -
You're emotionless -
You've no need for love it's just hate, hate, hate.
But I look at you shaking and it is you - 
who is scraping away

You who is scraping away.