LYRICS

 

Lights, Camera, Accident

Call 911

lights, get ready get set / hold on don't you pull that trigger just yet / we've got everything is set exactly where we want it / and i bet you by the end we'll wish we'd never done it / well, somebody grab a cell you can dial it at will / they'll find us in the ruin of habit we worked so hard to build / it takes a lot of skill, even i'll admit  to hold on to what we've always thought, even in the midst of this contradicting evidence / and if you've got two cents i can get you color prints / i call it common sense, we call it heresy / we say unwavering, i say emergency / we've got to get the paramedics on the run / umm... // call 911 there's been an accident / your plans were so elaborate / this track is stopping traffic and i bet you wish this wasn't happening / call 911 // camera, almost ready for the shot / hold on there's been unexpected twist in the plot / we've fought for so long to stick with what we've got / forgot to take a breath assess the dialogue / between real and ideal, what is true / and what's so comfortable that we just won't move / open mind does not mean you approve / it just means you're willing to think it through / dial that number when change is cumbersome / sorry... / one thing never changes: nothing stays the same / we built this set for a million people / made it out to be such a big deal / traditions may suffer asphyxiation / only to be revived and revised by the next generation

All the Girlies Say

how long's he gonna last? well, in fact / looks like every limb's intact / man, fifteen went to twenty-six in no time flat / check e-mail in the morning, now the crowd in the evening / 2005 i arrived but there's no telling when i'm leaving / i’ve got a backstage pass to a star trek convention / they finally made me an ensign now ladies and gentlemen / can i get your attention? every ear to the stage / without further delay come on and // all the girlies say / whoa, oh oh / i heard you on the radio / it probably wasn't me but thanks / and all the fellas go / whoa, oh oh /  i heard you on the radio turn it up loud / you're bound to make the speakers blow // clear, he's got a pulse so no reason to complain / and if i'm breathing in the morning then you know who to blame / i put my six-string in the back of my esteem / and i pray i play a / show for more than a crowd of sixteen / but hey, if it so happens that it's just you and me / i wouldn't miss it for the world / heaven's opportunity / it's your lucky day i'm on cassette tape / now you've got something to play

Write Yourself a Love Song

okay, first hand information / i've seen about enough to make my case and every time i turn around there's someone newtrying to prove that he's got it better than you / bigger name, bigger label, bigger property / more people, more cash, bigger offering / better shows and he knows the phone to Mat Kearny / hand to my, you caught me yawning / so when you finally get your caddy / go ahead and holler at me // write yourself a love song / make sure it's got a catchy melody / write yourself a love song and burn it for me / i just don't have time to play the biz / i'll get straight to the point: you make me sick / i'm sure we all exaggerate a tiny bit / well congrats bro, you've made an art of it / i want no part of it, can we part from it and try to figure out exactly what your problem is / i guarantee if you're part of the industry you can try your best to impress everybody / oh, you can drop the show  / i'm sure everybody knows by now / you make it all up and that's the way it goes / oh, you can drop the show / don't act like you don't know by now / the audience has got you figured out

After You

this is it, god, where do you want me now / you got the spotlight i'll take the background / you got the stage cuz i can step down / and it's all right if you want the mic / cuz apparently it's not about me but finding some way to let you have your / way / let me take a step back you can do what you do / i'll let you be first // i'm after you and all you got / you are god and i'm so not / i might make mistakes in my pursuit / but either way i'm after you / i'm after you // all knowing, you take the lead / and you can show me exactly what i need / can you hold me when i get weak / it always helps to know that you've got control / you're thoughts are way ahead anything that could ever comprehend / on you, god, my life depends / so when it all ends / all knowing you take the lead / and you can show me exactly what I need / your thought are way ahead anything that I could ever comprehend / on you god my life depends / so when it all ends

On High

the heavens cannot hold you / so how  then can you live inside of me / the greatness of your glory remains a mystery / and maybe we will never fully understand your ways / just as long as i'm allowed to sing your praise / as long as i'm allowed to lift your name // on high / you are greatly to be praised / your name we raise on high / oh the wonder of your ways / we lift your name on high // if the heavens can't contain you how can my heart even obtain you / and even entertain the thought  that somehow you're next to me / and to be with you is somehow my destiny / but hey, it doesn't exactly need to make sense to be reality / i'll remember you are god, you can do as you please / you're love surpasses technicality

Watching it burn

day one was the day that i hit suspicious / you might even have the hits on your playlist / i've been swinging with my feet and my fists / and still i'm up against unforeseen events / this is not the first that you've heard me lament / i've spent a couple tracks to explain how i went / from so young and so confident to so numb and no confidence / i'm hesitant just to up and forget / the source of my faith and my source of regret / i'm ready and i'm set it's time to connect / the matches and the 76 // i'm standing still watching it burn to the ground / it's too late to turn back now / you're ashes to embers come down / tonight we cancel the crowd / at least 'til I figure this out // i've got matches and a motive package and the postage / no shape to try and be your host / a salesman must believe in what he boasts and absolute truth is only a ghost / i can almost touch it but nobody knows when i'm going to see it in the saturday post / i'm holding tight to the little bit i own and for the rest i've got the charcoal / sundown, I shoot this scene / and burn down what you think of me

(Plan B)

i wrote the script and it says you’re gonna make it / think it’s too late then you’re sorely mistaken / i know your heart is aching / let me hold your hands are shaking / no matter what your arms say / you’re still worth saving

Bleeding

in our opening scene we can see our hero / resting on a building and all we can hear / is the flapping of a cape and maybe the rain / occasional flash of light, a little thunder, it's middle of the night / washington and a hundred and fifth / an explosion lets him know another bank is hit / before the sirens race in he's got the place pinned / except for one man who's got a gun aimed at him / a pistol is no match for invincible / and heroes have the confidence to watch that trigger pull / so the bullet flies /  in slow motion it collides / ineffable surprise /  he's bleeding // somebody save me / it's so defeating / my suspicions are sinking / i'm suffocating / fallen, believe me / so long as we're breathing / everybody's bleeding // fade into scene two, a hospital room / our hero's waking up with a bandage on his wound / now still in shock cuz early in his youth he knew that from every sort of pain he was immune / never one flaw, he never had a weakness / "was it luck all along or did I dream this" / fade to black his only consolation / is that he knows now what everybody's facing / no one's all right / no one's immune / and everybody's hero has a weakness too / no one escapes pain and mistakes / i'm just as frail and dependent as you

Arms Are a Motion Picture

on to plan B / looks like she can barely even breathe / i'm about to intervene / i won't even make a scene i'm just a breeze / she probably doesn't even know i'm listening / she's a writer but not the kind you'd take her / her pen is a razor and her arms are the paper / the weight of mistakes makes her feel like a failure / she's high, and I am moving in to save her / awake she wonders if it's possible / to escape what seems so unstoppable / for now let's just get her to a hospital // i wrote the script and it says you're gonna make it / think it's too late then you're sorely mistaken / i know your heart is aching / let me hold your hands are shaking / no matter what your arms say / you're still worth saving // all the way back to the day she arrived / every syllable she's said i've got it memorized / tonight the hospital won't take her so i've got her neighbors and her friends up late / they're a splint for the current situation / and it'll be a while til  back to okay / sometimes miracles are just a combination of everyday people and a little motivation / hey... / i can mend this accident / don't tell me it's hopeless / i've read the end so think again

Romeo + Juliet

long time coming / finally put you on an album / three years running / you know what / everyday i'm becoming even more convinced that we've really got something / though i think it's kinda funny / despite how opposite we are we've made it this far / this guitar that I'm strumming / plays a little song that starts in the bottom of my heart // i'll be your romeo and you can be my Juliet / it's been said a thousand times but i still like the sound of it / i love you more than any character contending / let's rewrite the script and we can have ourselves a happy ending // kiss me goodbye before you start your day / give me one last wave as i drive away / have fun and don't you worry about a thing / i promise on the way i'll make sure to drive safe / you know i feel so lucky to have this / you're one of a kind / let me give you a hand / it's almost fairy tale romance and one day i'll be as cute as jonathan brandis / kiss me one more time / remind me that you are mine as time is unwinding / i never say enough

A Story to Fall Asleep to

i've got a story for you to fall asleep to / before you can dream i've got to make a move and tell you / drift and listen / there was a boy he was invited to a birthday / he picked out a gift to give his best friend in first grade / all was well until he arrived /  he couldn't go inside / his stomach was in knots / he was nervous / he couldn't figure out the thing that made him stop / he didn't know what to say so that day he ran away / now he's hiding // i'm watching you fall asleep to a story about you

Say Hello

i am the victim of a series of unfortunate events / the consequences act as evidence against the kids responsible / in over my head ima crack this case /  we're coming to the end of a high-speed chase / tell you what i can hardly wait to see the face of this headache when he hits the brakes / on the ground is the FBI / the local news team has cameras in the sky / he's coming to a stop now open that door /  wait this can't be the man that we're looking for // say hello / i'd like you to meet the criminal / say hello /  it was me all along so now you know // slam the prison gate on cell block five / send me a cake with a chain saw inside / now order in the court / come to attention / my alter ego in apprehension / as you can see from exhibit a exhibit b / guilty of selfishness how do you plead /  i can’t deny but i can’t understand it / i've caught me red handed / i could have sworn that i was framed / i put myself away / my disaster i'm to blame / this havoc is just my habit

Lonely, Lonely Road

it's not even worth my time to wait / to sit back hesitate or contemplate / it's dead weight as i try to find my way to escape what i think you think of me / i've spent so much time in hideaway / wrapped up in red tape sidelines i'll play it safe / stomach ache i'll take my chances  and see what fate can bring my way / man it's about time i took a break from playing your game for safety sake / it's getting harder to navigate through the maze of amazing masquerade / i'm not gonna fake it i'd suffocate / this is just too much for one to take / over the horizon you'll see me fade / into the blur of a summer day // if i have to walk this all alone it's gonna be a lonely, lonely road / but i could never stay behind and know i knew it all along and let it go // don't think i'd leave you all behind / it's not a location it's really a state of mind / and though i don't think i wear the current style i imagine we'll end up in the same single file / maybe a matter of preference / but either way I know i'm ready to set this aflame / send this ship to the bottom of the sea and forget how much i care what i think you think of me / you just deal with each consequence / to walk away with a clear conscience / i've built this edifice only to wreck it / this path is more narrow than i ever expected

A for Effort

uncomfortable is an understatement as you shift your eyes over my resignation / don't ask me how I make these hard decisions / i watch you clean your frames with 20/20 vision / oh oh oh oh this doorway is missing a door / you can see me catch a taxi / head against the glass of the 13th floor // close is just a nice way of saying you couldn't get it together / i'd be lying if i said you didn't try so you get an "a"  for effort // i clocked in and i found you sleeping / so maybe my leaving is your morning caffeine / maybe i'm just feeling stuck / i think i'll try my luck up in baltimore / back seat i'll just be relaxing / head against the glass of the taxi door / it's nothing personal / maybe not even eternal / give me an excuse to turn around 

Nothing

i came into this world with nothing and i'm sure i'll return with less than something / so right now in the middle of these two places anything i could offer you still remains nameless / and you can take this, whatever i have /  whatever worthwhile thing i still hold in my hands / and i know you've already got everything / but let's make sure everything contains me / just take a look at me and remind me every time i come to you my hands are empty // i've got nothing to give you but me // my hands are empty and there's nothing you could want from me more than me myself and, God, maybe nothing elseyeah, i could give you my pocket change / but you'd rather hear me say "i could change” / you own the hills, you own the skies / you own the oceans and the sunrise / east and west is carried in your breath and my heart is the only thing left / maybe all you've ever wanted was nothing that i have only everything i am

 

The Downfall of Authenticity and Other Unforeseen Events

collapse

i wanna see this floor collapse/ kick the dial to the right give me some feedback/ we keep it moving like it's action packed/ and we rock it non stop cuz we like it like that/ i wanna see this floor collapse/ the dj’s in the back just flipping tracks/ we've done it before and we'll do it again/ oh, you know we don't stop until the floor caves in// i feel good tonight, i feel i could tonight/ drop everything remove the roof tonight/ we just move the light to the right spot/ i got the mic tonight whether you like it or not/ now somebody give me something to work with, reverse it/ line after line like we kinda rehearsed it/ we've heard it, what's to come/ and we've burned it into our cranium/ um, let's push this thing to the edge of it/ if you never get tired, burnt out, bored i think you're full of it/ but we keep pushing and we never forget/ ever to remember why we push for it/ sometimes life is a temporary irritation, isn't it?/ but in the meanwhile i'll try to be optimistic/ if you missed it hit rewind i think you'll find you'll memorize every line when you hear it a second time// kid tested mother approved/ you've got no excuse to not move, so move/ we move to the rhythm of a completely different system/ inconspicuous and yet demanding some attention/ no holding back cuz we got momentum/ ready to get amped every chance we're given/ and by the way man  if you're not having fun/ you'll be glad you stuck it out when the night is done/ participation, everybody join in/ til the floor crops out and the night is spent/ it's the moment we've been waiting for/ so wake up your friends in case the got bored/ come on i wanna feel that burn again/ moving faster than a speed chess tournament/ outstanding, never slow down, advancing/ now that's the type of thing to get your grandmas dancing// turn the tables my friend, the time has come/ crop the stale the ends, to win some you lose some/ willing and able where i come from/ we've been at it 2k's, no break in the run/ the sun is still rising but the nights so young/ we train for the fighting so you know we're not done/ not even close man, just you wait and see/ don't get ancy, it's nothing fancy/ just the same thing for years and years/ but you've never seen it like you've seen it here/ no we persevere, continue, outlast/ attach to the new, subtract the past/ at last, we'll come to a halting crash/ the most poetic finale we could ever grasp/ but until that floor collapses/ yo i'll stick around just to see what happens

the simple life

well, i've never been to compton and i've never been to l.b.c., so you'll probably never see me rock the mic on mtv/ that's okay cuz i've got better things on which to put my focus, playing local shows in eugene oregon, that's where my home is// this simple life is what i've got/ everybody on the left coast make some noise, everybody on the left coast raise your voice// i'm the amateur hit the stage and i'm not sporting fancy clothes or driving escalades/ but hey if you ask me i'd say i've got it made, i've got a beautiful girl and i'm making more than minimum wage/ i don't gauge my success by the dollar amount cuz god knows what i've got in my checking account/ ambercrombie, armani, versace, vuitton, before i take my last breath they'll all be gone/ so grab your cell phones and make sure you pick out your favorite screen savers and ring tones/ you'll be alone before you reach the top with your gold teeth and benzis and benjis and whatever you got/ it's not like i haven't thought about living the life, but as for now my life is feeling just about right// this simple life is what i've got/ everybody on the left coast make some noise, everybody on the left coast raise your voice/ give me that hometown, elementary sound, only got a couple fans it won't get me down/ it's either all for god or all for nothing, better learn that now before it's all for money// is it all for money? is it all for fame? is it just another way to reach the top of the game? take your recognition and stake your claim but when your six feet under, man what have you gained?/ status, oh man they're coming at us, and as of now i've already had enough of this/ and as tough as it is or as tough as it can get, i'll go ahead and enjoy just being content/ oh mary kate and ashley tell me what to wear and if i can't afford it man life ain’t fair/ so much for nik fury being a millionaire, but i would gladly trade it all because nothing compares to this simple life/ take the time to unwind, get home after work, destiny by my side/ oh yes, this is where my heart is at, help me always remember where i started at

knock me out

go ahead and try to knock me out/ i’ll keep coming back round after round/ man, even if you try to knock me down/ i’ll keep fighting full swing, and nothing’s gonna stop me now// i’m invincible, you know grab a star i’m super mario/ and i knew all along it was a risky show/ all by myself and yet i’m not alone/ hardly anybody chose to walk the road that i’m walking/ sooner or later i knew you’d come knocking/ talking like i should panic/ but the effort you exert to work me is tragic/ almost slapstick, and it so happens that you’re dealing with a top gun, a maverick/ furious nik, not speaking just for myself but my sisters and bros and all my personnel/ hell just won’t get to me even though it’d like to be a threat to me/ but it was never me, ironically the fact: someone rougher than you has got my back// wipe the blood from the side of my lip, i’ll never quit/ and what you didn’t expect was the kung-fu grip/ i’ll hold tight to every weapon i can get/ but don’t make me use that jedi mind trick/ nothing to myself, but everything to you/ and a high-risk must be subdued/ i’m an issue you never subscribed to/ i’ll try to open the eyes of everybody you lied to/ collide into you every chance you get/ your hands off of me i’m not your marionette/ no strings attached is what you’ve always said/ no thanks, my friend, i know exactly where that ends/ it’s all pretends/ my best defense sometimes feels like common sense when i look to the sky for my confidence// i don't fight this fight alone/ i could never take you on my own/ leave my arrogance at home/ ima battle with faith and hope/ if you wanna fight this fight tonight/ it’s all up to you, decide/ if you wanna fight this fight tonight/ you’re not taking on me, you’re taking on the most high

digits

let me see your digits/ girl give me your digits/ friday night here's your chance/ we're gonna go to the high school dance/ friday night you and me/ don't forget your school i.d.// oh man, girl, just give me a chance, girl/ scribble down those numbers / and i could be your champ, girl/ there's no time to waste / and the week is late/ and by the way all my friends already got dates/ so we can make it happen/ girl, don't send me packing/ i'll make it romantic/ we can pull up in my/ station wagon/ luckily i got my permit just in time/ so my mom and i will pick you up, like 7:45?// what are you waiting for?/ could you ask for more?/ i'm no keanu reeves/ but i'm the cutest sophomore/ friday night is creeping up we're wasting time/ so what's it gonna take for me to change your mind?/ i don't wanna be the only one sitting at home/ and if you want me to i could wear my tommy cologne/ i spent $47 on a pair of khaki pants, girl/ don't leave me hanging/ let me take you to the dance, girl// friday night here's your chance/ friday night, you and me/ we're gonna go to the high school dance/ and did i mention? i can dance/ i can dance like j.t.

wide open

with you're mouth wide open and your mind so shut/ i'll take you on and battle you if i must/ we go round for years/ you just toss me out and close your ears// nobody ever told me it would be like this/ and now i see how i just took it all in/ reason was the enemy and logic my foe/ so i go on believing even if i had no reason/ growing up i could trust just about everyone/ you'd tell me what the truth, i'd accept without a question/ with fury by my side my mind would recollect / the time i'd stay up praying late into the night/ expecting indulgence and from myself perfection/ if i spend enough time i'll get a flawless inspection/ god's #1 selection, i fooled my self/ i guess it doesn't really work like everybody tells/ maybe i misunderstood how to play the game/ but i've just gotta ask when all my friends are doing the same/ we're all living our lives without a doubt in the sky/ but how can you tell me you love jesus when you don't even know why?// now times have changed my mind has changed/ and i've rearranged my view on so many things/ it's kinda scary what will happen when you're real with yourself/ and after that i pray you have the strength to deal with yourself/ you see, nobody want to attack the challenging/ nobody wants to find out that their faith is actually a fallacy/ but if we're so convinced that god even exists/ why so afraid and the question dismissed? forget it/ regret it? no i never have i never will/ i've lost too much to ever turn back, rewind and still/ in my heart it's the security that i miss/ but i'd rather live here than live in ignorance/ it's up to you to convince me of anything more/ so don't expect me to believe without knowing what for/ you tell me that i'm crazy and my faith is gone/ but i have yet for someone to prove me wrong// we let tradition dictate our beliefs/ we make promises that god won't even keep/ blind faith? i think that's a nice excuse/ when your reasons for believing are spent and used/ do you even think before you open your mouth?/ you repeat things based on how nice they sound/ and the saddest part of you being this way/ is you teach everybody else to be exactly the same

glory 

exhale nice and slow / sometimes i look forward to the day i get to let go/ it gets harder with every passing minute/ if i'm in it any longer i'm stretching all my limits/ give it time to all unwind/ without my eyes on you i swear i'd lose my mind/ behind my faith, my peace often i want release/ god, take hold of me, take care of me/ before i find myself in therapy/ eternity more than ever is now a gift/ but until i'm out i'll sing a song like this// one day i'll see your glory/ one day we'll end this story/ this hope you set before me/ your glory, your glory/ i don't belong here/ how much longer must i get along here/ i might be wrong/ i've almost lost my strength to carry on// one breath at a time i'll keep myself together/ 'cuz i know i won't have to deal with this forever/ sever myself from whatever i face/ it takes so much out to keep up the pace/ i'm still waiting for that life abundant/ 'cuz right now it's life redundant/ but ima take what i can get/ for the times i'm feeling desperate// help me hold out for just another minute/ in a state that can't be permanent/ oh god, give ear don't ignore/ here i am awaiting your glory

to the left 

to the left (uh)/ to the right (uh)/ we’re coming at you both ears and we make it sound tight// left to right from right to left/ we’re gonna pull the crowds in til nobody’s left/ yes, play on through it don’t stop the music/ got that left coast style and i’m not afraid to use it/ i can’t stress enough the importance of/ checking the repetitive and switch it/ upside down if you want to, if it’s a must/ now everybody in the back let me see you up front/ dim the lights a bit, oh yes that’s how i like it/ get the atmosphere right and i’m glad you we’re invited/ exited and alive, the passion and the drive/ don’t even leave me hanging man where’s my high five?/ bring ‘em on in push ‘em on up/ hit the automatic and we never get enough of that ruckus rowdy howdy how ya doing?/ if you’re short on good music i recommend john reuben/ side to side you can step or slide/ but get down buckle up and enjoy the ride//all right everybody group hug/ maybe not but come on guys, where’s the love?/ i’m not dr. phil meets oprah winfrey/ and if i look dumb you’re gonna look dumb with me/ for the heck of it no sense in wrecking it/ but ima try my best to keep it relevant/ i’m not selling it nor am i telling it like i’ve got it figured out don’t embellish it/ relish it, every moment you can grab/ cuz every second that you waste is one you’ll never get back/ sit back enjoy yourself/ laugh a little bit it’s good for your health/ and it’s good for the crowd are you hearing me?/ yes it’s good to get loud, come here and see/ so let me know when you’re ready for the chorus/ get your thumbs up, say thank you chuck norris// ladies, gentlemen lend me your ears/ we’re gonna boldly seek out brand new frontiers/ lets check the norm and switch up the gears/ it’s quite the task can i get some volunteers?/ cuz everybody needs to know/ yep i’ve made the world my studio/ so from left to right from right to left/ we’re gonna tell it like it is and you know the rest

touch

let me see a little bit of what you got/ it's like i'm caught in the brights and my faith is shot/ now i'm hesitant to beg for signs/ but at the end of my rope i'm losing hope/ i'm losing traction, it's my reaction/ to the silence that i get from you/ and if i'm acting cynical/ god tell me where i'm off/ don't want to find myself resentful, lost/ but if that's the product of being honest/ i'd rather take the risk than fake my happiness/ this time i'm trying so hard to fight for/ the balance in the middle of faith and sight or/ find something, anything that brings it all back/ to the certainty, the surety, far from what's hurting me/ find my security, got the facts now, bring it back now// i want to touch you/ sometimes i need some evidence that you exist/ persist with honest as i toss my feelings up in the mix/ i want to touch you/ all i need right now is some reassurance/ sometimes you feel so far from this/ give me a little bit to help my confidence// confidence a rarity these days. / and oh man, how i miss the clarity these days/ you stare at me these days, and not much to say/ feels like more to lose/ than i’ve got to gain/ but if i refrain and skip reality/ i drop the most important thing you ever taught to me my honesty a thing to cling to/ pursue it on through and obtain the truth/ now what am i gonna do when i find the truth/ and find out it's not what i thought i knew?/ will you meet me here? will you make it all clear?/ embrace the fact that my track is sincere?/ this is all i've got now stomach in a knot now/ faith is harder than i thought now/ is it too much too ask to bring it back to me / i just got to know you're listening// this is killing me/ every breath i'm suffocating/ will i ever see/ the light of day i'm waiting/ more than what i see/ you alone know what i need to believe

waiting

save your act for the stage/ i've seen it so many different times, so many different ways/ hey, it's all the same to me, it's all lame to me/ the way you think you can relate to me/ thumbs up for the suit and tie/ the most effective way to make me change my mind/ and last time i checked you just weren't with me/ and no, i wasn't born in like 1950/ take your door to/ door solution, your salesman religion/ your door to door pollution, i'm not taking what you're giving/ pamphlets, flyers, great for starting fires/ you can be the seller, but no i'm not the buyer/ i can't afford the closing cost/ so drop the "buddy, buddy" the sale is lost/ this isn't something you can fake through/ if you want to change my generation/ give me something i can relate to// i know exactly what you're waiting for/ i know exactly what you take me for/ oh man you think i'm so desperate/ don't act like you care, it's all counterfeit// you're getting nervous now, i just reversed it now/ cuz it's not happening the way/ that you rehearsed it now/ i'm supposed to go along with whatever you say/ then you can rejoice with all your fake friends at church on sunday/ let me shake your hand mr. salesman/ you've done a fine job with your fairy tales man "give your heart to jesus" receive the benefits/ tell me this: why would i follow someone i've never even met?/ well, i just met you and you're a hypocrite/ cuz i'm just another way for you to get your benefits/ come on admit it. that's exactly it isn't it/ to get your one-way, glory-train heavenly ticket/ you think i'm stupid, right? well, man i think you should know i'd be a moron to believe just because you told me so/ just one more thing before we end our session: how can jesus be the answer when i never asked a question?// i've tried your twelve step program, believe me i've tried/ grabbed my feel-good moment i'm still empty inside/ you can come back later when you've got something real/ try me again when you actually understand how i feel/ you've gotta know there's a million things out there everyone's throwing my way/ and if i thought for one second you cared maybe i'd give you the time of day/ if we're talking about eternity don't even try to tell me where i'm going/ until you drop the show, lose the face, and maybe take the time to know me

since 1980

everybody wants to be individual/ everybody wants to be original/ and yes it's a day to day task just to be who i am/ to take off the mask not become another brand/ and this is the downfall of authenticity/ the put-on, the made-up, the sure to be missing me/ mystery, misery loves company/ so hang out and see how artificial we can be/ yes impress your friends, the drama never ends/ we'll observe just how far our integrity bends/ before we snap, hit the ground, and all the king's men/ are just standing there scratching their heads/ you gotta sift, search, weed, and wade through the debris/ the television, movies, the ads and magazines/ the chance to be sincere is always waiting in the wings/ and where we go from here remains to be seen// come on, feel the beat/ let it all go you can tap your feet/ i don't want to be a jay-z, a 50, or a shady/ nik fury in the making since 1980// 25 years, loud and clear/ the call to be authentic is ringing in my ears/ (ringing in my ears) don't let yourself disappear/ despite what's being said by every one of your peers/ so what's the new hair do? the faux-hawk appears/ can i pull it off? no. but so what? i'll persevere./ it's not the end of the world if i can't fix my hair/ i already spend way too much time in front of a mirror/ cosmo tells me what i need to know/ who i need to date and to imitate/ what's my target weight? what's my horoscope?/ how to correspond with the status quo/ if you wanna be exactly like ashton kutcher/ just say i wanna be like ashton kutcher/ cuz if you wanna be exactly like ashton kutcher/ well, at least you're being honest// god's been working on me from the day i was born/ and i've come too far to conform/ don't push me, pull me, or attempt to mold me/ i'm gonna try to be real and be it boldly/ people won't face their fears/ when they've worn the same face for years/ and if it's at school or work or home or even church/ you've gotta live what you believe even if it hurts

don’t grab my guitar

well give that acoustic-rock-hip hop the nik fury/ we just toss it in a blender and we hit puree/ and whatever comes out yep we know it’s all about/ the way the truth and that’s right the only way/ to get it all going like we all want it going/ is to keep our eyes up and don’t forget to throw in/ the attitude, a joke or two i might choke on some but i’m sure i’ll hit a few/ if you’ve got suggestions or maybe advice/ i’m always up for new ways to rock the mic/ it’s coming around  tonight we’re gonna get down tonight/ and it’s the grace of god i’m making it sound all right/ cuz i can’t do this on my own/ do not think that i’m a pro/ you can ask my friends i’m known/ to blow at least a couple lines at every single show/ so one two check, the microphone’s on/ if you hear me in the back just sing along// i don’t grab my guitar just to make you smile/ i hope every single rhyme is worth your while/ from here to eternity rehearsing every line/ i’m reserving all my lyrics for the most high// hi, how ya doing? this is verse two/ and i’m sure there’ll be a bridge if you just stay tuned in/ ruined is my set if only entertainment/ and though i aim to please there’s always more to it/ and if you’re bored of it you can go ahead and flip the track/ i tried my best to make my album a variety pack/ and after that if it’s still just noise/ you’re probably better off listening to the backstreet boys/ enjoy what you can you can hand the rest to me/ i’d never claim to be the best or the greatest mc/ let’s see come on in,  sit on down you’ve been invited to the only salvation around/ i’ll just stick to what matters and skip the show biz/ cuz i don’t ever want to forget what my purpose is// who’s the one who makes the earth spin remind me again?/ who’s the one who’s been breathing from beginning to end?/ the one who still laughs at my jokes when all your heads are shaking/ the reason for my hope i owe it all to him

suspended

half-smile across my face / just thinking how ironic things have changed/ i'm shaking my head in disbelief/ my search for joy has brought me grief/ ask the things no one would ask/ what's the point of my faith? give me the facts/ god, are you even real? and where's the proof?/ that's the hardest thing i've ever had to do/ so i'm sitting there crying in my car/ amazed that i even went that far/ cuz everybody knows nik, foundation 10 feet thick/ now christian ideals make me so sick/ sick to my stomach, but what's it gonna change?/ everything i know is wrapped up in quote unquote faith/ my options are kinda gray/ so i'm leading into apathy, cuz it's just easier that way// i'm suspended, disbelief/ i can't give up but i can't agree/ let me know when it's ended/ until then i'm still suspended// i can't even face my friends/ don't say a word, i'm all pretends/ i wouldn't wanna be a cause for doubt/ but really, i'm afraid that they'll find out that/ i'm not exactly bread and sunday grape juice/ i'm not exactly lift my hands and praise you/ i know i'm never suit and tie, and i admit/ i'm not exactly baptism or give 10%/ so what's on your mind when you hear my song?/ will you count me out he's just too far gone?/ i feel like an outcast, still hanging around/ stuck between the freedom and division i've found/ i might have to battle this for the rest of my life/ tradition, culture, the truth and what's right/ that's my heart and i'm wondering/ how many people are thinking the exact same thing?// wrap me up tight, i can feel the walls closing in

 

Feet and Fists (EP)

I got the mic

i got the mic, you got the stereo // i gotta do this correctly or it could wreck me / and if i’m wrong, feel free to correct me / check me, test me, examine of course / i wouldn’t want the first verse to set you off course / this is life or death from the right to left / i’ll be taking those who want it, you can have the rest / and if the rest want another chance, okay, that’s fine / just make up your mind because we haven’t much time / do-overs don’t exist in eternity. are you feeling me? / ‘cuz if you’re feeling me that means we’re doing fantastic / if you’re having trouble, bring it back like elastic / to stretch your mind, get your mind going / take another minute to get your thoughts flowing / with things above, expand capacity / nik fury out of breath ‘cuz he’s the rookie // take another breath ‘cuz i’ve got more time / let your headphones…what was my line? / here’s the mandate from the most high compelling me / so i put the message into melody / oh my, don’t it feel so fine / when you feel the sub bumping it renews your mind / so turn it up y’all, crank it higher / before the night is done we lights it on fire / dj, could you push play? / i grab the mic and away, away… / away we go and it’s resolute / this recording is truth and it’s absolute / open your ears, turn it up like so / get the vinyl scratching ‘cuz i’m sure you all know // i got the mic tonight we’re gonna light it up / raise a cup to the sound man, turn it up / it feels good, keep listening / throw your hands up, you won’t miss a thing / bounce to the rhythm, bounce to the beat / uh-huh, that’s good, like the energy / so once again, ladies and gentlemen / i present the truth, but not to offend / you got the stereo, it’s the hi-fi / the sound you’ve been looking for, and you can’t deny / the party’s better in the middle of the circle / it’s getting hot inside the inferno / everybody’s popping like a popcorn kernel / just don’t miss out on life eternal / as the melody hits your neighborhood blocks, I’m not regretting what I’m letting hit your boombox

Greatest MC

i’m the greatest mc to rock this mic / i’m the greatest mc, ima prove it tonight / what will i do when out comes the truth / all my fans all my family up and abandon me / i’m making lps so everybody’s pleased / live off of one hit ‘til the next one’s released / and increasingly afraid i step to the stage / you think i’ve got it made when the light’s just right and you see my face / but reality fades in the drown of the bass / i mean, all i’ve got to do is prove to you what i’ve never been is what i am, yep that’s my plan / the greatest scam on the face of the earth / i hide my self-doubt when the public’s alert / i’m the expert phony, phone me when you think you know / i’ve concealed it so well that i can barely tell this is make-believe…uh, i mean // i’m the greatest mc, man, you gotta believe me / i’ll do anything to make you stay, just don’t leave me here to rot / this is all i’ve got, the chance to make you think i’m everything you’re not / believe it or not, i’m the sure-shot, everyday remain myself ‘case i forgot / when will it stop? it haunts my every thought / if my fans find out my imitation hip-hop / years upon years upon tears upon fears the lies that ensue exponentially severe / and i can’t remember who i used to be / the records and the beats have overtaken me / awakening the alter-me, a freakishly revolting hollywood facsimile / time will only tell when i bid my farewell / but up until then i’ll keep telling myself // yeah i’ve got issues, man i’ve got a subscription and if it’s all a masquerade at least you’re listening / i’ll fool the world if i’m not myself but when it comes down to it that’s just a cry for help / i’m the fakest mc / my real identity is a well kept secret, my insecurity/ but never let them see, never let them see

Motivation

another day gone by, another week, another month / and i’m week in the knees from the same old stuff / it’s getting rough i admit, but that’s what happens when you lay back and sit / you get used to it and forget my motivation, my momentum / yep you get dumb / it’s time i get done / the clock ticks by and i take a dive (9.5) into procrastination / look what i’m facing, my mind is racing for maybe just a little inspiration / God, can you wake me up? i suppose / sometimes it’s like i’m freaking comatose, but that’s the way it goes and goes and goes / God only knows how many days i’ve been sporting these clothes / laziness, i confess, has gotten my best / and the worst part about it is nobody’s impressed // what’s my motivation? i’ve been sedated, i used to be so animated / what’s my motivation? can you tell me, how can i escape this? // it’s february 19th and counting / i’m twenty-four and i’m not about to say i’m washed out / we’ve got a ways to go and i’m in for the duration of this episode / but my lack of motivation’s got me wondering, pondering anyway and everyway that i can drop this thing / i mean, honestly, come on, i don’t get it / sometimes i feel like i’m the only one / nik fury, let’s hurry / man, roll up your sleeves it’s time to get dirty / all right, tonight i’m ready for the fight / the objective is clear but destination blurry / all i can do is trust in you and hope i don’t blow it / with this new found glory i shut my eyes for a moment / so wake me up when we begin and let me know exactly what…what…what was i doing again? // from 2am to 2pm, what happened to my fury? i’m sleeping in / i feel it creeping in, am i beat again? / my feet are sinking in to concrete again / and it feels so lame to be in the same place playing a game of give and take with god’s grace / let’s face it / i need some medication for motivation and give my laziness my resignation / sometimes i wonder if i’m narcoleptic / i lay back so much i probably make myself sick / yeah, sick of wasting time, my disregard / hey, i’m surprised i made it this far / another day gone by another week, another month / will i get fed up or just get up, don’t give up / i know you’ll hand me what i need / give me fury, give me passion, give me this intensity

Wax On

wax on, wax off / now everybody give me something to work with // cobra kai never die but i wish they would / daniel san tried every move he could / and every move was good but not good enough / you see, johnny and the kais were playing rough / now let me go back to jersey, i never wanted to leave / cheer up kid, it’s too early / southern california is the place to be / whatcha gonna do? practice your karate / it really doesn’t help when the girl you want is johnny’s ex-girlfriend, yep it’s unfortunate / i’m catching flack everywhere i turn / but we did it all for the glory of love / i’m picked on, tripped on, on and on / will it ever end i need some friends, they’re all gone / if you stay tuned you’ll be glad you did / continue the epic saga, the karate kid // yo, mr. miyagi, pass me the wasabi / don’t waste my flavor, we savor teriyaki / every time i face johnny i fold like origami / so teach me how to move my body / focus, daniel san, don’t sweat it / after we’re done the kais won’t forget it / mr. miyagi show me the ways / hey, weren’t you the cook on “Happy Days”? / i said focus, wash my car, sand the deck / drive every nail with a single hit / hey man, don’t be such a jerk mr. miyagi / all you make me do is work, but hey, i think you taught me full style like block every fist / yo, i want to master self-defense / and i know i’m so not a pro, but if you take another swing i’ll paint the fence // the odds are five to one / daniel san couldn’t run away, miyagi saved the day / now daniel needs some aspirin again / we’ll settle this in a tournament / now i know y’all think you’re untouchable, but that’s just a bunch of bull / i’ve got the skill to show / if you think you’re a man do you think you can catch a fly with some chopsticks? / no. i don’t think so / step to me we step in the ring, johnny’s got a dirty trick up his sleeve, sweep the leg / now daniel’s face-down, slap the mat, but miyagi heals when he claps his hands / so you wanna put me in a body bag? go ahead and try it / cobra kai trash talking, you know i’ll never buy it / all the lies, intimidation, y’all just make me sick / i’ll end this right here, right now, bust a crane kick

Some Things

i’m sure i’m killing myself, just trying to be what i was made to be and forgetting what’s left / but what else could i be? in a world of hypocrites, fakes, and phonies, it’s really up to me to grab my shovel of seclusion / and dig as deep as i possibly can, only to exhume the body of long lost Fury, asking God to resurrect what was dead and buried in a well planned attempt to play it safe / no risks to take, nothing to break / my mistake / ‘cuz what was meant to preserve me could only hurt me and almost permanently reserve me to nothing but all that’s attainable / all that i myself am able, the same old, some old things / my chains / oh god, rescue from rotting in my own mediocrity / i open my eyes to see who i am and find i’m living what i never planned / i open my ears to this last refrain / some things gotta change // some things just gotta change // so who am i standing here? / when the smoke clears and there’s no mirrors and my illusions disappear / can i trick myself any longer to be perfect? man, does anyone belong here? / with every fiber of my being my intentions were clean, nothing obscene, everything routine / so where’s my freedom? my release? the courage? the peace? all this time i thought perfection was my liberty / i was sadly deceived and now just appalled at the fact that i could believe relief could be gained by effort teamed up with being good enough / man, religion is rough / teach me your grace ‘cuz i can’t go on / i’ve been in this place for far too long / teach me your mercy and show me your ways / some things gotta change // one way or another it’s all gotta change / i’ve spent my life suppressed, afraid / and i realized the only way is to trust in you to take away my stains / everyone makes mistakes, can i stand up straight? / grasp the fact dos and don’ts won’t keep me safe? / it only goes to show i’ve got a ways to go because some things gotta…gotta…

Anthem for the Letdown

here’s the anthem for the letdown // well i never had it bad, but tell me what’s bad / i was a thrift store kid, void of all fashion / passing the sixth grade, just trying to get a date and my comic book passion / and if you’re asking, no i never had to eat from a trash can / but pass this along, i never paid for school lunch thanks to my dad’s income / get your hands up if you’ve been there / you can lie to yourself and say that you don’t care / but it’s true we all do, and it’s a hard-knock life when you’ve got the wrong shoes / it sounds silly but it’s the truth / the upper class always has a way of getting to you, forgetting you and me and so suddenly, we’re left behind, tell me who’s feeling me? / well, maybe that’s bad and of course it stinks, but don’t cheat yourself out of learning some things / here’s the anthem for the letdown / all the kids trying to get their feet of the ground / jump, i said jump / here’s the anthem for the letdown / all the ids always getting pushed around / get your hands up // well i never had it good, but define what’s good / at least i never really had it like they say i should, but i still stood / and now looking back, god filled in the gaps for the things i lacked / we overreact, man, it can always be worse / i mean, i can’t complain, living in the suburbs/ even though i know it’s difficult at times, you feel you’re losing your breath in the race of life / and if it’s millions they seek, then maybe they’ll find / but as for you, you’re searching for nickels and dimes / i guarantee, at the top it’s lonely / if we think we’ll be happy, we’re losing our mind / my advice to you: always stay true / be content with what you’ve got, it’ll do you some good / friends and family, god surrounding me / even if my pockets are empty, i’m just glad you found me // so here’s the bottom line, never stop trying even if you never get past the nickels and dimes / sometimes it takes a little bit, you know we never quit / for all the letdown, keep your heads up high

Number One Gun

get your guns blazing there’s no time to be tame when they’re coming in from every which way / and every single move you make has an equal counteraction even the simplest distraction can make you slip and break / concentrate, don’t let them fake you out / don’t even hesitate, kid you gotta take them out / it’s either you or them, who’s it gonna be? / two smoking barrels and now reloading / give me that fire, give me that flame give me fury within when i call on your name // you’re the number one gun, feet made to run, fury in the fist you’ve got momentum / keep chasing the sun, faded by no one, you’re the number one, number one gun // move in slow motion like frame after frame as you shower sparks and powder with each ricochet / scale every wall like it’s nothing the fluency of your movement is stunning / and with each attack you’re flipping acrobatics while your foes taken aback at your tactics / don’t think it lasts for long, they’re coming on so strong they wanna knock you off the last straw you’re on/ now pause, as the camera surrounds / foes on the ground and down for the count / all you hear is heart pound and you never doubt / deliver the swiftest roundhouse like chinese take-out // stuck at straight up is where you keep your eyes ‘cuz suckas sneaking in from every side / give me that fire, give me that flame give me fury within when i call on your name / and sometimes, you gotta improvise keep steady, and focus the prize / give me that fire, give me that flame give me fury within when i call on your name

Skeptics

is it you or me, or is it even one of us? hard to trust what i feel in my heart, in my gut / “gotta go, see you soon” no you won’t, tell the truth / so recluse. putting words in your mouth, i assume / what are we doing anyway? ‘cuz you know we always say “spend some time, talk to god, memorize the book of james and don’t forget to pray / 3 easy steps and life will be great” / but hmm… somehow i don’t see it that way / i blame you for so many things, so many rings i call you up all i get is your machine / drop a note, leave a message, why the disbelief? / it’s no surprise you’re no answering / maybe it’s just me or make believe maybe a lie and we’re all deceived when we’re told God is near when we’re on our knees / this is nick are you sick of my honesty? if you want to make things crystal clear, you know you can always find me here // in the midst of feet and fists all i fight for is air and the end of this / here’s a lament for what i sadly miss and a glimpse into the hardened heart of skeptics // no i don’t think it’s too late, lift me out of solid state put me down, brush me off, good as new… not the case / wish it was, man, there’s so many days when all my friends say it is, slip my grasp of faith / all i want is to say it like it is, make a list of every single time our thoughts are dismissed / tell me, where’s the glory? my faith is boring compared to what they tell me every sunday morning / are you making it up? don’t be pulling my chain i’m not feeling what you feel unless you’re feeling insane / you think i’m playing but this isn’t a game while you push us forward toward ideals too high to attain / now seems the longest, i’m just trying to be honest / blaming God for things he probably never even promised / and that’s sad. really, really sad / i can’t even begin to explain the couple of years i’ve had // let me apologize if i seem too rude i never meant to give you any attitude / my gratitude is light, i might be wrong or right, oh, jesus, i never want to leave your side / it’s just that i have a hard time wasting our time on fairy tales and fables and nursery rhymes / i’ll stay with you if you promise to tell me the truth and i’ll do my best to put it to use / i guarantee my sincerity, honest and real / let me tell you how i feel