It Was The Best Of Times
Album: Some Things Never Change
Released: 1997
Total Total: 65:40

Rick Davies - Vocals, Keyboards
Mark Hart - Vocals, Keyboards, Guitars
John Helliwell - Saxophones, Woodwinds
Cliff Hugo - Bass
Bob Siebenberg - Drums (except "And The Light")
Lee R. Thornburg - Trumpet, Trombone, Background Vocals
Carl Verheyen - Guitars
Tom Walsh - Percussion (Drums on "And The Light")


 

1 - It's A Hard World

2 - You Win, I Lose

3 - Listen To Me Please

4 - Ain't Nobody But Me

5 - Sooner Or Later

6 - Free As A Bird

7 - Cannonball

8 - From Now On

9 - Breakfast In America

10 - Give Me A Chance

11 - Rudy

—————  Disk 2  —————

1 - Downstream

2 - Another Man's Woman

3 - Take The Long Way Home

4 - Bloody Well Right

5 - The Logical Song

6 - Goodbye Stranger

7 - School

8 - And The Light

9 - Don't You Lie To Me

10 - Crime Of The Century

 

It's A Hard World

I live in a vacuum, no air

I'm stuck in a back room, somewhere

But it don't bother me anyway 'cos I know

I'm gonna get out soon, I got places to go

There's a big world waiting for me

I just need a break, someone to believe

But right now I'm just tryin' to survive

Livin' rough, shackin' up, hangin' tough, shapin' up



Get the picture, get the scene I paint for you

Yeah, but it's worth it, all the pain I'm goin' thru

Beat the sidewalk, hear the fast talk, everyday

I don't worry 'cos I know I'm on my way



The view from my window, it ain't too good

Should be some mail for me soon from Hollywood

When the phone rings, could be big things, anytime

Operator is there something wrong with this line



Rejections, I've had a few

Happens to the best, that ain't nothin' new

Still I keep on swingin' away

S'gonna be a breakthrough any day



Keep hanging in there, that's my philosophy

And soon I'll find my big chance, yeah just you wait and see

Some make it fast, but they just come and go

Me, I'm built to last that's one thing I know



It's a hard world

It's a hard world

It's a hard world

It's a hard world



It's a hard world

It's a hard world

It's a hard world

It's a hard world



It's a hard world

It's a hard world

It's a hard world

It's a hard world



Those straight life people, they don't understand

Yeah they just want it all laid out and planned

Me, I'm not like them, I do things my own way

And I know I'll get that breakthrough anyday



Life in the city, can get you down

There's a million guys out there all snooping around

You gotta think you're the best, beat out all the rest

And fight your way up to the top of the town



There's a big world waiting for me

I just need a break, someone to believe

But right now I'm just tryin' to survive

I know I'm gonna get there, dead or alive



Dead or alive

I know I'm gonna there

Oh, I know I will

I'm going to reach for the moon

And all the stars too

I want the universe

I want all the planets

I want everything

I need a big house, I need a big car

I'm gonna get it

It's just a matter of time


  Up    Down  



You Win, I Lose

You win, I lose

I beg, you choose

You're so cool and I'm confused



Well I'm me and you're you

You're so loose and I'm uptight

You're day and I'm night



Like two ships in the night in foggy weather

Just a waitin' for fresh winds to blow

Maybe we're losin' one another

But I could be wrong I don't know



You get the best, I get the rest

You pass the test, I'm just a mess

You got it made, I'm in the shade



Like two ships in the night in foggy weather

Just a waitin' for fresh winds to blow

Maybe we're losin' one another

I could be wrong I don't know



Like two dopes in the boat, without a paddle

Just a wonderin' why it don't go

We could be losin' one another

I could be wrong I don't know



I know you're tryin' to phase me

It's gonna drive me crazy

I can't wait for the day when



I win and you lose

You beg and I choose

You're in the shade, I'm on parade



Like two ships in the night in foggy weather

Just a waitin' for fresh winds to blow

Maybe we're losin' one another

I could be wrong I don't know



Like two dopes in the boat, without a paddle

Just a wonderin' why it don't go

We could be losin' one another

I could be wrong I don't know



Like two ships in the night in foggy weather

Just a waitin' for fresh winds to blow

Maybe we're losin' one another

I could be wrong I don't know



Like two dopes in the boat, without a paddle

Just a wonderin' why it don't go

We could be losin' one another

I could be wrong I don't know



...


  Up    Down  



Listen To Me Please

Well if you want some advice

You gotta listen to me

Get a hold of your life

And you can have a new dream

Forget the ups and the downs

There's a new game in town

For every turn in the road

There's a new way to go



I don't care what you say

Gonna find my own way

You just try to persuade

Everyone around you



We'll make it easy for you

Plan everything that you do

Won't have to work very hard

You'll make it big from the start

Don't have to take it from me

Here's a list you can see

Where every one of those names

Have found their fortune and fame



Well it all sound so sweet

So simple and so neat

But can I... I believe

Anything you tell me?



I know your life's a big mistake

Let's go, this music you must face



Listen to me please

I'm down upon my knees

They'll never treat you like they did before

I'll make your dreams come true

Now all I need is you

Please believe me and all this will be yours



You'll have a penthouse in town

You'll be the king with a crown

Live on country estate

You'll have a twenty foot gate

And getting tanned by the pool

You'll be making them drool

Taking trip overseas

Do anything that you please



I feel so alone

Where did I go so wrong?

Do you know? Can you tell?

Maybe can you help me



I know, it's hard for you to take

Let's go, this move you have to make



Listen to me please

I'm down upon my knees

They'll never treat you like they did before

I'll make your dreams come true

Now all I need is you

Please believe me and all this will be yours



Your vision will be clear

Your pain will disappear

You'll know that I'll be watching over you

I'm gonna chase your blues away

So change your life today

Everything I say to you is true



Listen to me please

I'm down upon my knees

They'll never treat you like they did before

I'm gonna make your dreams come true

Now all I need is you

Please believe me and all this will be yours



Your vision will be clear

Your pain will disappear

You'll know that I'll be watching over you

I'll chase your blues away

Change your life today

Everything I say to you is so true



Listen to me please

I'm down upon my knees

They'll never treat you like they did before

...


  Up    Down  



Ain't Nobody But Me

Let me tell you a story that'll make a change

Let me tell you when I'm way out of range

It's about a man who's cruel and mean

So promise not to cause a scene

Heaven help the one's you love

There's no big need for stars above



Well you can run, you know he'll find you

It don't matter now, just look behind you

You had your warning, you knew the score

You got it wrong, and that means war

So, why d'you have to treat me rough

Your explanation's not enough



Ain't nobody but me

Gonna lie for you

Gonna die for you

Ain't no fish in the sea

Gonna sigh for you

Gonna try for you

Gonna lie for you

Gonna die for you

Wooh



You see, I've got a mental disposition

Sometimes, I'm mean, sometimes I'm vicious

I'm Dr. Jekyll, I'm Mr. Hyde

So if you want to stay alive

Just give me all you've got to give

And then perhaps I'll let you live



Ain't nobody but me

Gonna lie for you

Gonna die for you

Ain't no fish in the sea

Gonna sigh for you

Gonna try for you

Gonna lie for you

Gonna die for you

Gonna sigh for you

Gonna try for you

Gonna lie for you

Gonna die for you



Hush - Now baby, stop your crying

Oh Yes - I know that I've been lying

Hush - Now baby, stop your crying

Oh Yes - I know that I've been lying

Won't you hush - Now baby, stop your crying

Oh Yes - I know that I've been lying

Won't you hush - Now baby, stop your crying

Oh Yes - I know that I've been lying

Won't you hush - Now baby, stop your crying

Aaaaah


  Up    Down  



Sooner Or Later

Sooner or later it's gonna get better

Sooner or later I'm gonna get over her



You know I can't go on like this

It's just a matter of time

There'll come a day when I will wake up

Without her on my mind



Sooner or later it's gonna get better

Sooner or later I'm gonna get over her



They say that time will heal everything

So I'm winding the clock

And waiting for the glorious moment

When my heartache will stop



She let me go

It took me by surprise

I feel out of place

Without her by my side



Sooner or later it's gonna get better

Sooner or later I'm gonna get over her

Sooner or later

Sooner or later

Sooner or later

Sooner or later

Sooner or later


  Up    Down  



Free As A Bird

When a spirit is broken

Why go on

When there's nothing to say

And a love just a token

It was strong

Now it's fading away



Ah but I'm free as a bird

As I walk right out that door

You have my word

I won't bother you no more

Yes I'm doing alright

As I face the lonely night



And our love it was over

Long ago

But we just didn't say

And the years they have fallen

One by one

How they drifted away



But now I'm free as a bird

As I walk out that door

You have my word

I won't bother you no more

Yes I'm feeling OK

As I face the brand new day

As I face the brand new day



You know I'm free as a bird

As I walk right out that door

You have my word

I won't bother you no more

Yes I'm doing alright

As I face the lonely night

As I face the lonely night



No more sorrows will I find

I've got tomorrow on my side

No more teardrops will I cry

Left my teardrops way behind

No more sorrows will I find

I've got tomorrow on my side

No more teardrops will I cry

Left my teardrops way behind

No more heartaches bother me

Don't wear my heartaches on my sleeve



It's gonna be a brand new story

What's the use of former glory

It's better not to do if you can't do right

It's time to get to celebrating

After all the years of waiting

I'm gonna have a ball if it takes all night


  Up    Down  



Cannonball

You're tellin' lies, so don't you criticize

Yeah I got used, all messed up and abused

You let me down, with all your runnin' round

Still you pretend and try to call me friend



Don't say a word, I know just what I heard

Yeah you've been loose, you just go no excuse

Just feel my rage, why can't you come of age?

I felt it all, just like a cannonball



Then you got mad, you said that I'm all bad

So what's the use, you lied and that's the truth

You took the key and drove right out on me

I never knew, put all my trust in you



OK that's it, I'm leaving now, I quit

I was unwise, so don't apologize

I paid the price, for taking your advice

I felt it all, just like a cannonball



You can say what you want all day

But I've never been so outraged

I'm washing my hands of you

How could you be so untrue

You know I can't stand no more

You know I can't stand no more

I can't stand no more

Can't stand no more

No


  Up    Down  



From Now On

Monday has come around again

I'm in the same old place

With the same old faces always watching me

Who knows how long I'll have to stay

Could be a hundred years of sweat and tears

At the rate that I get paid



Sometimes I slowly drift away

From all the dull routine

That's with me every day

A fantasy will come to me



Diamonds are what I really need

Think I'll rob a store, escape the law

And live in Italy

Lately my luck has been so bad

You know the roulette wheel's

A crooked deal, I'm loosing all I had



Soon be like a man that's on the run

And live from day to day

Never needing anyone

Play hide and seek, throughout the week



My life is full of romance



Guess I'll always have to be

Living in a fantasy

That's the way it's got to be

From now on



Guess I'll always have to be

Living in a fantasy

No it won't be really me

From now on



You think I'm crazy I can see

It's you for you, and me for me

Living in a fantasy

From now on



Guess I'll always have to be

Living in a fantasy

That's the way it's got to be

From now on



Guess I'll always have to be

Living in a fantasy

It's you for you, and me for me

From now on



Guess I'll always have to be

Living in a fantasy

That's the way it's got to be

From now on



Guess I'll always have to be

Living in a fantasy

It's you for you, and me for me

From now on



Guess I'll always have to be

Living in a fantasy

That's the way it's got to be

From now on


  Up    Down  



Breakfast In America

Take a look at my girlfriend

She's the only one I got

Not much of a girlfriend

Never seem to get a lot



Take a jumbo cross the water

Like to see America

See the girls in California

I'm hoping it's going to come true

But there's not a lot I can do



Could we have kippers for breakfast

Mummy dear, Mummy dear

They got to have 'em in Texas

Cos everyone's a millionaire



I'm a winner, I'm a sinner

Do you want my autograph

I'm a loser, what a joker

I'm playing my jokes upon you

While there's nothing better to do



Don't you look at my girlfriend

She's the only one I got

Not much of a girlfriend

Never seem to get a lot



Take a jumbo cross the water

Like to see America

See the girls in California

I'm hoping it's going to come true

But there's not a lot I can do


  Up    Down  



Give Me A Chance

In time this fire will turn to ashes

The sun will fall out the sky

Still you see no urgency

To spend some time with me

Time with me



I can't believe you haven't noticed

Just how long I've been waitin' for you

I've been such a patient man

But I still don't understand

You won't



Give me a chance to show how much I love you

Give me a chance to show how much I care

How I care



It's hard to know just what you're thinkin'

You cloak yourself in mistery

Conversations always brief

Like a sigh with no relief

You won't



Give me a chance to show how much I love you

Give me a chance to show how much I care

Give me a chance to show how much I love you

If you dare



Give me a chance to show how much I love you

Give me a chance to show how much I care

If you dare



You gotta give me a chance to show how much I love you

Give me a chance to show how much I care

Give me a chance to show how much I love you

Give me a chance

Give me a chance

You gotta give me a chance

You gotta give me a chance to show just how much I love you

Give me a chance

...


  Up    Down  



Rudy

Rudy's on a train to nowhere, halfway down the line

He don't wanna get there, but he needs time

He ain't sophisticated, nor well-educated

After all the hours he's wasted, still he needs time



He needs time - he needs time for livin'

He needs time - for someone just to see him

He ain't had no lovin'

For no reason or rhyme

And the whole world's above him

Well it's not as though he's fat

No there's more to it than that

See he tries to play it cool

Wouldn't be nobody's fool



Rudy thought that all good things comes to those that wait

But recently he could see that it may come too late



All through your life, all through the years

Nobody loved, nobody cared

So dim the light, dark are your fears

Try as I might, I can't hold back the tears

How can you live without love, it's not fair?

Someone said give but I just didn't dare

What good advice are you waiting to hear?

Hearing's alright for them that's all there



You'd better gain control now

You'd better show'em all now

You'd better make or break now

You'd better give and take now

You'll have to push and shove now

You'll have to find some love now

You'd better gain control now



Now he's just come out the movie

Numb of all the pain

Sad but in a while he'll soon be

Back on his train


  Up    Down  



Downstream

Took a boat Sunday, down by the sea

It just felt so nice, you and me

We didn't have a problem or a care

And all around was silence, everywhere



You are the reason I was born

Be with you through all seasons, I'll always hear you when you call

We'll keep the love light shining through each night and day

A lonely life behind me, oh what a change you've made



So down here on the ocean we will stay

Went through a lot of changes

Turned a lot of pages

When I took a boat Sunday



To know you as I know you now, that is all I need

And we will get along somehow, if we both believe



So down here on the ocean we will stay

Went through a lot of changes

Turned a lot of pages

When I took a boat Sunday


  Up    Down  



Another Man's Woman

If there's no way of knowing where's the answer

You should know if you need me by now

Tell me how



You saw me in the first place

Who d'you think I am

How can you be so two-faced

And tell me where I stand

Yeah, we've been here once before

I see you by the door

You said you knew an all night party

Yeah, you know you just can't lose

All you have to do is choose

Let me in on where your heart is



You ain't nothing but another man's woman

Living on another man's land

At night I hear a hound dog calling

Calling me a cheating man

I'll tell you something, I need good loving

But you don't understand

At night I see your cannonball coming

To blow me to the promised land



If there's no way of showing where your love lies

Is it me? Is it him? Or no-one?

What will be done?



About the mess you made me

Oh don't you give a damn

You're gonna drive me crazy

It's more than I can stand

'Round and 'round we always go

First it's yes and then it's no

Oh whatever keeps me staying?

I'm so helpless, can't you see?

Did you cast a spell on me

Say you love me please, I'm praying



You ain't nothing but another man's woman

Living on another man's land

At night I hear a hound dog calling

Calling me a cheating man

I'll tell you something, I need good loving

But you don't understand

At night I see your cannonball coming

To blow me to the promised land


  Up    Down  



Take The Long Way Home

So you think you're a Romeo

Playing a part in a picture-show

Take the long way home

Take the long way home



'Cause you're the joke of the neighbourhood

Why should you care if you're feeling good

Take the long way home

Take the long way home



But there are times that you feel you're part of the scenery

All the greenery is comin' down, boy

And then your wife seems to think you're part of the

Furniture oh, it's peculiar, she used to be so nice



When lonely days turn to lonely nights

You take a trip to the city lights

And take the long way home

Take the long way home



You never see what you want to see

Forever playing to the gallery

You take the long way home

Take the long way home



And when you're up on the stage, it's so unbelievable,

Unforgettable, how they adore you,

But then your wife seems to think you're losing your sanity,

Oh, calamity, is there no way out?



Althought you feel that you life's become a catastrophe?

Oh, it has to be for you to grow, boy

When you look through the years and see what you could

Have been oh, what you might have been,

If you'd had more time



So, when the day comes to settle down,

Who's to blame if you're not around?

You took the long way home

You took the long way home

...


  Up    Down  



Bloody Well Right

So you think your schooling's phoney

I guess it's hard not to agree

You say it all depends on money

And who is in your family tree



Right, you're bloody well right

You got a bloody right to say

Right, you're bloody well right

You know you got a right to say

Ha-ha you're bloody well right

You know you're right to say

Yeah-yeah you're bloody well right

You know you're right to say

Me, I don't care anyway!



Write your problems down in detail

Take them to a higher place

You've had your cry - no, I should say wail

In the meantime hush your face



Right, you're bloody well right

You got a bloody right to say

Right, you're bloody well right

You know you got a right to say

Ha-ha you're bloody well right

You know you're right to say

Yeah-yeah you're bloody well right

You know you got a right to say

You got a bloody right to say

You got a bloody right to say

You got a bloody right to say

You got a bloody right to say


  Up    Down  



The Logical Song

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,

A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical

And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily,

Joyfully, playfully watching me

But they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible,

Logical, responsible, practical

And then they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,

Clinical, intellectual, cynical



There are times when all the world's asleep,

The questions run too deep

For such a simple man

Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned

I know it sounds absurd

But please tell me who I am...



Now watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical,

Liberal, fanatical, criminal

Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're

Acceptable, respecable, oh presentable, a vegetable!



At night, when all the world's asleep,

The questions run so deep

For such a simple man

Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned

I know it sounds absurd

But please tell me who I am...


  Up    Down  



Goodbye Stranger

It was an early morning yesterday

I was up before the dawn

And I really have enjoyed my stay

But I must be moving on



Like a king without a castle

Like a queen without a throne

I'm an early morning lover

And I must be moving on



Now I believe in what you say

It's the undisputed truth

But I have to have things my own way

To keep me in my youth



Like a ship without an anchor

Like a slave without a chain

Just the thought of those sweet ladies

Sends a shiver through my veins



And I will go on shining

Shining like brand new

I'll never look behind me

My troubles will be few



Goodbye stranger it's been nice

Hope you find your paradise

Tried to see your point of view

Hope your dreams will all come true

Goodbye Mary, Goodbye Jane

Will we ever meet again

Feel no sorrow, feel no shame

Come tomorrow, feel no pain



Now some they do and some they don't

And some you just can't tell

And some they will and some they won't

With some it's just as well



You can laugh at my behavior

That'll never bother me

Say the devil is my savior

But I don't pay no heed



And I will go on shining

Shining like brand new

I'll never look behind me

My troubles will be few



Goodbye stranger it's been nice

Hope you find your paradise

Tried to see your point of view

Hope your dreams will all come true

Goodbye Mary, Goodbye Jane

Will we ever meet again

Feel no sorrow, feel no shame

Come tomorrow, feel no pain

...


  Up    Down  



School

I can see you in the morning when you go to school

Don't forget your books, you know you've got to learn the golden rule,

Teacher tells you stop your play and get on with your work

And be like Johnnie-too-good, don't you know he never shirks

He's coming along!



After School is over you're playing in the park

Don't be out too late, don't let it get too dark

They tell you not to hang around and learn what life's about

And grow up just like them - won't you let it work it out

And you're full of doubt



Don't do this and don't do that

What are they trying to do?

Make a good boy of you

Do they know where it's at?

Don't criticize, they're old and wise

Do as they tell you to

Don't want the devil to 

Come out and put out your eyes



Maybe I'm mistaken expecting you to fight

Or maybe I'm just crazy, I don't know wrong from right

But while I am still living, I've just got this to say

It's always up to you if you want to be that

Want to see that

Want to see that way

You're coming along!


  Up    Down  



And The Light

So many years have come and gone since then

Still I can't forget the past

But you and me, we'll surely meet again

And maybe find the truth at last



And the light, in the night

Shines on brightly

If it's alright with you

It's alright with me



Well I believe, that fate will find a way

To guide us through these restless years

And yes I know, we will speak one day

With no more doubts, no more fears



And the light, in the night

Shines on brightly

If it's alright with you

It's alright with me



So tell me now, if you can share my view

Tell me where you're comin' from

We've both had time, time to think it through

To know just where we both belong



And the light, in the night

Shines on brightly

If it's alright with you

It's alright with me



If your heart is real

Tell me how you feel

'Til then I'm saying

If it's alright with you

It's alright with me

It's quite alright with me

It's all alright with me


  Up    Down  



Don't You Lie To Me

 

  Up    Down  



Crime Of The Century

Now they're planning the crime of the century

Well what will it be?

Read all about their schemes and adventuring

It's well worth the fee

So roll up and see

And they rape the universe

How they've gone from bad to worse

Who are these men of lust, greed, and glory?

Rip off the masks and let's see

But that's no right - oh no, what's the story?

There's you and there's me

That can't be right  

  Up  

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