LyricsWise words and sympathy tell the story of our history
The pattern is set, the reaction will start
Complete but rejected too soon
Looking ahead in the grip of each tear
Recalls the life that we knew
The shadow that stood by the side of the road
Always reminds me of you
How can I find the right way to control
All the conflicts inside, all the problems beside
As the questions arise, and the answers don't fit
Into my way of things, into my way of things
Why is the bedroom so cold? You've turned away on your side
Is my timing that flawed - our respect run so dry?
[on the Peel version, Ian sings here:
Is my timing that flawed - have our feelings run dry?]
Yet there's still this appeal that we've kept through our lives
Love, love will tear us apart again --
You cry out in your sleep - all my failings expose
There's a taste in my mouth, as desperation takes hold
Just that something so good just can't function no more
When love, love will tear us apart again --
We'll share a drink and step outside
An angry voice and one who cried
We'll give you everything and more
The strain's too much, can't take much more
Oh I've walked on water, run through fire
Can't seem to feel it anymore
It was me-ee, waiting for me
Hoping for something more
Me-ee, seeing me this time
Hoping for something else
So long sitting here, didn't hear the warning
Waiting for the tape to run
We've been moving round in different situations
Knowing that the time would come
Just to see you torn apart
Witness to your empty heart
I need it - I need it - I need it --
The following verse is in the unreleased (Warsaw) version only:
Two-way mirror in the hall
They like to watch everything you do
Transmitters hidden in the wall
So they know everything you say is true
Turn it on - don't turn it on - turn it on
The released version contains this spoken extract from the book The House Of Dolls:
Through the wire screen, the eyes of those standing outside looked in at her as into the cage of some rare creature in a zoo. In the hand of one of the assistants she saw the same instrument which they had that morning inserted deep into her body. She shuddered instinctively. No life at all in the house of dolls. No love lost. No love lost
Both versions then converge again:
You've been seeing things in darkness, not in learning
Hoping that the truth will pass
No life underground, wasting never changing
Wishing that this day won't last
To never see you show your age
To watch until the beauty fades
I need it - I need it - I need it --
Someone told me being in the know is the main thing
We all need the security that belonging brings
Can't stand on your own in these times against all the odds
I don't want to act uncool like all the other sods (in the original version)
You'll just fall behind like all the other sods (in the later version)
You slap our backs and pretend you knew
About all the things that we were gonna do
What ya gonna do, what ya gonna do when it's over?
You're all on your own now - don't you think that it's a shame
But you're the only one responsible to take the blame
The original version concludes:
When ya gonna grow up and act, and be yourself
Cause pretty soon you'll find yourself nailed to the shelf
Grab it while you can, but don't ever relax
Cause there's always someone gonna stab your back
What ya gonna do, what ya gonna do when it's over?
The later version omits that bit and concludes:
So what ya gonna do when the novelty has gone?
Yeah what ya gonna do when the novelty has gone?
You slap our backs and pretend you knew
About all the things that we were gonna do
What ya gonna do, what ya gonna do when it's over?
Watching the reel as it comes to a close - brutally taking its time
People who change for no reason at all - it's happening all of the time
Can I go on with this train of events - disturbing and purging my mind
Back out of my duties, when all's said and done
I know that I'll lose every time
Moving along in our God given ways - safety is sat by the fire
Sanctuary from these feverish smiles - left with a mark on the door
Is this the gift that I wanted to give - forgive and forget's what they teach
Or pass through the deserts and wastelands once more
And watch as they drop by the beach
This is a crisis I knew had to come - destroying the balance I'd kept
Turning around to the next set of lives - wondering what will come next
To the centre of the city where all roads meet, waiting for you
To the depths of the ocean where all hopes sank, searching for you
Moving through the silence without motion, waiting for you
In a room with a window in the corner I found truth
In the shadowplay, acting out your own death, knowing no more
As the assassins all grouped in four lines, dancing on the floor,
And with cold steel, odour on their bodies, made a move to connect
I could only stare in disbelief as the crowds all left
I did everything, everything I wanted to
I let them use you for their own ends
To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you
To the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you
And she turned to me and took me by the hand and said: I've lost control again
And how I'll never know just why or understand she said: I've lost control again
And she screamed out, kicking on her side and said: I've lost control again
[on the Peel version, Ian sings here:
And she kicked out, screaming on her side and said: I've lost control again]
And seized up on the floor - I thought she'd die
She said: I've lost control
She's lost control again - she's lost control --
Well I had to phone her friend to state her case and say she's lost control again
And she showed up all the errors and mistakes and said: I've lost control again
But she expressed herself in many different ways until she lost control again
And walked upon the edge of no escape and laughed: I've lost control
She's lost control again - she's lost control --
Jimmy's got a new piece
Lying cold for the quarter line
Took it out of his suitcase
Shot him dead right on the floor
Hey man, you shouldn't do that
Don't you know you'll stain the carpet
Hey man, you shouldn't do that
Just like Sister Ray says
Too busy sucking on a ding dong
Hey don't you know you'll stain the carpet
Too busy sucking on my ding dong
Hey you know you shouldn't do that
I'm searching for my mainline
I couldn't hit it sideways
I'm searching for my mainline
Going to count one, two, three, four
Jimmy came from Carolina
Wants to know a way to earn a dollar
Says he didn't like the weather
It's just like Sister Ray says
Hit on it Jim - hit on it Jim --
Had a good night - had a good night --
Jimmy's got a new piece
Cold heart for the fingering
Took it out in front of him
Shot him dead right on the floor
Hey man, you shouldn't do that
Hey don't you know you'll stain the carpet
Hey man, you shouldn't do that
Don't you know you'll stain the carpet
It's just like Sister Ray said
Just like Sister Ray said
Had a good night - had a good night --
Just like Sister Ray said
Two ways to choose - which way to go
Decide for me - please let me know
Looked in the mirror - saw I was wrong
If I could get back to where I belong
Where I belong
Two ways to choose - which way to go
Had thoughts for one - designs for both
If we were immortal - we were not there
Washed up on the beaches - struggling for air
I see your face still in my window
Torments yet calms - won't set me free
Something must break now - this life isn't mine
Something must break now - wait for the time
Something must break
See my true reflection - cut off my own connections
I can see life getting harder [I can see it getting harder]
So sad is this sensation - reverse the situation
I can't see it getting better
I'll walk you through the heartbreaks - show you all the out-takes
I can't see it getting higher
Systematically degraded - emotionally a scapegoat
I can't see it getting better [I can't see it getting higher]
Perverse and unrealistic - try to make it all stick
I can't see it getting better [I can see it getting harder]
Hollow now I'm burnt out - all I need's a way out
I can't see life getting higher [I can't see it getting higher]
Love - life - makes you feel we're higher [Love - life - don't you feel higher]
Love of life makes you feel higher [Love - life - don't you feel higher]
Higher, higher, higher, higher --