ðHgeocities.com/SunsetStrip/Diner/4111/lyrics/papahookah.htmlgeocities.com/SunsetStrip/Diner/4111/lyrics/papahookah.htmldelayedx“qÔJÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÈ&~tEOKtext/html0TjtEÿÿÿÿb‰.HSun, 03 Oct 1999 09:04:05 GMTÆkMozilla/4.5 (compatible; HTTrack 3.0x; Windows 98)en, *“qÔJtE Papa Hookah

Papa Hookah

1995-1997

These lyrics are from my post-Scatman days, when I moved back home from Alabama and was hanging out with my ol' friend Sean again. We picked up writing songs again, and continued it after we both moved to Athens in the summer of '96. After my sister had a stillborn, I wanted to record a song I had written for her, and so Sean and I taped the bulk of these songs while we were at it. We were hoping to hit the acoustic singer/songwriter scene here in Athens, but that didn't end up realizing. Nonetheless, we came up with some really good songs and both wrote a bunch of really good lyrics. If nothing else, it was a good training era for me.

Apocalypse
Peterson
An attempt to rip off Elvis Costello's "Hurry Down Doomsday." Not quite as classic, lyrically nor musically, but a pretty cool song in the end.

The flames burn high in an industrial town
While the countryside waits its turn
And a boy turns to man just as fast as he can
Before the fields start to burn
And a woman cries as her husband dies
And his body gathers flies
Though the doctor said there was no way to save him

Disaster's impending, doom's on its way
I never thought I'd hear you say
Apocalypse comes tomorrow

The body count grows higher, as the stench it comes nearer
Saving graces thrown away, and liberty, we fear her
The world is in disarray, carnage is all around us
The sun burns black in amber sky, as we take to our numbers
(Repeat bridge)
So pack your bags, though we've got nowhere to run
'cause in a week's time, the earth will meet the sun
Prepare to die, no time to hide
Apocalypse comes tomorrow
All our lies, become our truths
We find in life, there are no absolutes
We've gotta' fly, no time to cry
Apocalypse comes tomorrow

Hope you tied up your loose ends, no time for all that now
We've gotta' head for the hills, no times to discuss how
If we wait around anymore, it may be too late
We gotta' leave this place, leave this world of hate
(repeat bridge)
And in the red glow, of this aftermath
We see the shadows, left from our past
And the longer we run, the sooner they'll catch up
And if the black sky hides the sun, it means we can finally look up
From this world that we've made, into a new lifetime that we crave
(repeat bridge)
(repeat chorus)

Who's to Blame
Peterson/McCreary
I saw some video (forget what) and thought of this story. Who knows how inspiration works, anyway? I was thinking of this as a story about a runaway girl (purely fictional). Sean wrote the bridge and last verse, and apparently thought it was about a prostitute. Hey, it works.

Nicotine smears across your face
You would swear this is the place for you to be
But I keep trying to get it through to you
These men that you call lovers
Look at you as if you're supper
And throw the bones away when they're done
You say you try, but you never run away

Anyday it will change you say
But it stays the same, and who's to blame?
If it all came crashing down
Could you count on them to hang around?
You say you're headed somewhere
But it all looks the same, and who's to blame?
If it all came to an end today
What would you do tomorrow?

These streets seem so lonely, no one cares why you're here
Maybe that's why you've walked these mean streets
For so many years
Out here you can think the things, no one wants to hear
You'd go back home today, if someone else would steer
(repeat chorus)
Your last smoke, and you're coming home broke
Spent your last dime, now you're wasting all my time
Where did you eat your last meal, where did you strike your last deal?
But who's to blame, 'cause you're causing all my shame

3 AM, swore you'd be back here, you told me this shit would stop last year
But I keep trying to get it through to you, I'm gonna' leave you now
If you don't see me somehow
And you deal it out for a thrill, to the cold-hearted men who leave anyway
(repeat chorus)

Nicotine Fix
Peterson
A fun hokey country song. =) A great defense for any guy whose girlfriend chides him for smoking (and vice-versa, I guess).

I smoked my last cigarette, need to get another pack
It's just another monkey, I can't get off my back
There are things I just can't say, without a cigarette at my lips
There are things I can't do without, like you...
...and my nicotine fix
When you don't call, I smoke a pack a day
And when you don't come around, I smoke them all away
So pull into the corner store, I need one for the road
Today's been hard on me, it lightens my load
And there are things I can't go without, like you...
...And my nicotine fix

I tried to give them up, but I couldn't hack it
I tried to give you up, but you've become a habit
So I said screw it, it's a habit I don't want to break...
...Anyway

It's freezing cold outside, but I'll smoke one anyway
'Cause I can't smoke inside, and I know what you will say
It's gonna' kill me soon, may not have another day
But there are things I can't do without, like you...
...And my nicotine fix
You tell me how bad they are, but you know you're not so far apart
The smoke gets into my hair, and you get into my heart
And when I give two bucks, to the man at the store
It just means I'll keep you for, 20 cigarettes more
And there are things I never want to lose, like you...
...And my nicotine fix

Brain Freeze
Peterson/McCreary
I figured every young songwriter these days has at least one "I'm a white suburban kid" teen angst piece. So I threw one together...kinda intended to poke fun of the whole teen angst thing, but when it was done and over, you realize why there's so many of 'em. The brain freeze idea was Sean's...apparently after I told him I really just wanted to write a song about Slurpees.

They said if I ate right, I'd grow up strong and straight
But a couple years later, I guess I still have to wait
They said to learn a lot, so I sat up and read all night
Now I'm just tired a lot, and I still can't do anything right

I was everything that they needed
But all I can do is just stay alive
And if they choose to send me away
I need a brain freeze to make me stay

They said to meet a lot of people, but it never seemed that I could
And though I know a lot of names, who they were I never understood
And they said don't stay out late, hell, there's a rule I couldn't follow
'Cause sitting inside all the time, makes my life dull and shallow

My TV is my best friend
It's always there when I need some sleaze
And if it goes on the fritz again
That's when I crave my brain freeze

There wasn't ever much to do, around my home town
Plenty of places to spend my cash, but nowhere to hang around
We never had a 7-11, only Circle K and no gas
We never got the taste of Slurpees, only coffee you couldn't drink too fast

A couple of years ago I had big visions
Dancing in my head, rotting in my brain
Now I don't see them, but I've got a brain freeze all the same

Unknown Lover (Da' Booty Shakin' Rag)
Peterson
One of my favorite songs I've written...just a funky little number about my inability to dance, complete with a really horrible rap. All inspired by a night at late-night 80's disco at the Georgia theater where some girl asked to dance with me. Apparently I was tanked enough to actually sway to the beat. She walked off and I saw her kissing some other guy later...no biggie. Thank you, random chick, if screwing up easy scores always resulted in songs like this, I'd go get shot down every night!

My ears are still ringing, and your voice is still singing
And my heart's still going boom, boom, boom
My eyes are wide open, and I'm just hoping
I can get you back to my room

Baby, give me some time
Girl, you're lookin' fine
Honey, swear I'm not lying to you
I wanna' make you mine

This party is jumping, the music is thumping
Let's do the bump and grind
Your eyes penetrate me, the scent of your hair just sends me
I wish I could think of a line
(repeat chorus)
(no-rhythm rap)
I wish I didn't have, two left feet
I try to force it but it's gotta come naturally, see?
It's hard with no rhythm, to get a girl to listen
To all the things I want to say to you
We don't even have to do much talkin'
But I'm getting bored of all this gawkin'
I've seen the wares that you're hawkin'
And I'm ready to check out
Lord I feel so phony, prob'ly why I'm so lonely
Since everybody's into acts these days
Hey, call it a phase, the latest craze
You got moves that amaze me
Forgive me my transgression, I've only got just one question
Before you become and obsession --
Girl, can we sit down?
(repeat chorus)
I got a couple beers in me, and this appears to be
Yet another losing cause
Can't blame me for trying, please tell me you're lying
When you told me to get lost
(repeat chorus)

Greyhound Blues in D #3
Peterson/McCreary
I had just seen Paul Westerberg, so I was trying to knock off a song in his style. Actually, while trying to write a bass part for it, I realized it really came out a lot more like Blondie's "One Way or Another." Sean wrote the last verse and chorus.

When he met her, she was waiting
For a train at the Greyhound station
She said it was a metaphor for her life
He had a dream, she had a mission
But he got held back by her ambition
It's true, it always gets to you

She couldn't tell you the name of a star in the sky
If you say it's important, she'd only ask you why
She never understood why everyone has to die
But they do...so she goes boo-hoo-hoo

Now they're married, moved to California
Raising a family though they can't afford it
It's strange, but it seemed so right
He'd get a mistress, if he had the courage
But one look in her eyes his guts turn to porridge
But she's got hers, down on the Southside

He couldn't tell you the name of a star on the screen
Those things are never as important as they seem
He can't understand why everyone's always so mean
But they are...and they take him down with them

They separated, everything had faded
He sits around feeling cynical and jaded
That's life, can he ever get it right?
She came back one day, having something to say
Honey we're in the family way again
Tell all our friends

You could see the stars in their eyes
Even though he knew it was all a lie
This is what he wanted, he never asked why
But they're like talk show guests, praying for the best

Now he's faded, the times never changing
His wife dying in bed at home
He's tried, had to ask himself why
Now everyone's gone, kids have all moved on
To greener pastures of life
It's time, answer the call at the door

He remembers an old face on the screen
Moving on with a head of steam
He wants to know what it all means
But they can't, answer the call of this man

TC
Peterson
The most unfortunate song I've ever had to write. My sister had a stillborn, Tyler Christian, and since I'm not the most emotional guy around, I had a hard time expressing my sympathies, at least in any form that I felt truly sincere. I wrote this song pretty quickly after the funeral...it just seemed to come to me, words and music both. I wanted to tape it so I could give it to my sister, and so Sean and I taped all our stuff to this point.

I had a dream where I went up to heaven
Woke up to find someone went in my place
I don't know if I believe in a god
But I know there are angels 'cause I've seen your face

We've cried our tears and said our prayers
Though we may never think it fair
And when I look to the sky and stare
I'm sure that you'll be there

Though we never got to know you, I'm sure we'll get to talk
'Cause you'll always be with us in our thoughts
Life is like a candle, sometimes the light blows out too soon
But we keep the fire burning in our hearts

You may never have known the joy you brought
And we may never find the answers we sought
After we shed the sorrow we bear
I know that you'll be there

And we ask why, but may never know
Why you left before you came
And who are we, to wonder why?
But we love you just the same

If I try to understand it, I only get confused
There are no easy answers for such tragedy
If I tried to forget it, you'll still come to mind
'Cause you'll always be a part of me

We're still crying tears and saying prayers
Though we may never think it fair
Every time I look to the sky and stare
I know I see you there

[ Early Lyrics | IHOL | Matthew Post | Work in Progress | Lyrics Main]