Face to Face Album

Try to convince you that you can't live without one
Hey look around man everybody's got one
So hurry up get your dollar bills together
They're going to try and get you something even better

You're not so sure but you heard it's great
You get there first so you won't be late
Everybody else will have to wait in line

I overestimated you
You knew that I probably would
We're so predictable
We've been sold a bill of goods

You want a choice want to make your own decisions
You want to make up the rules and the provisions

And everything is going to be so great
When you're the latest keeper at the gate
Everybody else will have to wait in line

I'm not what you've sized me up to be inside your head
No way you could ever see me how I really am
Be careful what you say
Because some things never change
It's such a waste of time, but it's so strange
You're only right when something's wrong

You've tried to give me everything that I could never have
I thought that you were trying to improve upon yourself
Be careful what you say
Because some things never change
It's such a waste of time, but it's so strange
You're only right when something's wrong

Are you ready to do something about it?
Or is it already too late?
I've given up everything
It hasn't changed a single thing
Are you ready to do something about it?
Or will you take the easy way?
I can already see you start to disappear
The take-away

14 hours to go
And the waiting's almost done
When I get back home
You're going to be the only one

Staring at the lights or staring at the sun
Everyday another fight or ill to overcome
Another day another place
Forgot the name but not the face
I've been away for too long to remember

14 hours to go
And the waiting's almost done
When I get back home
You're going to be the only one

Suspended animation countdown has begun
Hurry up and wait for all of the things that must be done
It doesn't matter what state I'm in
They've all been waiting so let's begin
I know that when I'm back I'm going to miss it

I hate it when someone complains about their life
So I hope you know exactly what I'm saying
You won't get what you want without a sacrifice
Just be careful what you wish for you might get it

You've got your reputation
I've got anonymity
I've got my self-respect
You can't take that from me

You've got to protect your interests
You've got your enemies
I've got a hundred reasons
To expose your treachery

There is no happy ending
Only what remains to be

I want an explanation
I want an apology
You ruined everything
You tried to run away but you can't
I want to hear the answer
I want the opportunity
You wasted so much time
You tried to run away but you can't

You had your way of speaking
I was full of naivete
We had a common interest
And a trust based on a need
I've got my own ideas
I've got my integrity
You've got your binding contracts
You've got your misery

Your power and position
Your hunger and your greed
Walk on the backs of others
Toward the goals you will achieve

You're alright, you're alive, you're the number one
They said that you're not ashamed of what you've done
Everyone makes mistakes
Make it up you'll be OK
That's what they tell you
You won't get the special treatment
I don't care what you do or say
Don't let them tell you what you're already thinking
It's a no win situation

Well enough of the old way
It's not working and the rules have already changed
What we need is a new way
There's something else just a little bit better
It's on the way

You're a drag, you're a bore, you're a rainy day
You take offense to almost everything they do or say
Everyone makes mistakes
Make it up you'll be OK

Stopped the fighting you don't care at all
Gave up trying you don't care at all
Something's dying you don't care at all
Sick of crying you don't care at all

Here we go
Lining up, taking sides
Waiting so long
Too ashamed, too much pride

Will unbending you don't care at all
No one's listening you don't care at all
Something's missing you don't care at all
Stop pretending you don't care at all

I was hoping for a chain reaction
I was waiting for the satisfaction
You were nothing but a brief distraction
I can't see the world in front of you

I've been involved and I've paid attention
I've listened to every word you've said
You tell a lie and I fake my interest
I was around when it really happened
From the beginning until the end
So what's the point of an explanation?

Why would I lie?
Is there anything I left from my story?
This type of deception would be
a waste of both our time

You start to trust as you dull your instincts
I've tried my best but I still don't care
You've opened up to a disappointment
I know my way around this conversation
You've had enough but you're standing there
I leave it up to interpretation

Maybe there's a chance that everything
is going to work out for the best
Maybe there's a chance
that pigs will grow wings and fly

Is there a way to become invisible?
You say you might but you wouldn't dare
I think it works when it's unintentional
I know you hear me and I know that you don't care
I'm not invisible

I didn't say that you were unemotional
You put it on like the clothes you wear
You've got emotion but it's one-dimensional
Your full of hate full of anger full of fear
I'm not invisible

No love is unconditional
No way to walk that line
You couldn't make it if you tried

Is there a way to become invisible?
I've done my best to be seen and heard
I'm not amazing and I'm not original
I'm not so sure did you even catch a word?
I'm not invisible

No love is unconditional
No love is unconditional
No love is unconditional
No love is unconditional

Back in '95 when this was new
I guess I didn't have a clue
I thought the world would change with the right song
So we picked it up and moved it out
And turned the whole thing upside down
I told myself it wouldn't be too long

And I believed in everyone
And everything they told me
And I believed that anything
Anything was possible

Shoot the moon
Shoot the moon
Shoot the moon
Hit or miss it makes no difference

Back when everything was looking up
I thought I'd never get enough
I didn't let the world obstruct my view
And we thought that it would never end
We had our fun in spite of it
And paved the way for something slightly new

Graded On A Curve

It's a waste of time
It's a race that can't be won
Call the whole thing off
Well that's easier said than done
And I try to shut it out
And I think I've figured out
That it makes no sense to compare what I've done

So what do I do now that I'm alone?
I've been building up and tearing down
and looking for what never can be found

So what do I do now that I'm alone?
God I tried so hard to get here
but still I'm averaged out
Graded on a curve

Put the blinders on and believe in someone else
You're not what they want that's exactly what they sell
And it's all been preordained but it's never quite the same
Once you've figured out that it makes no sense

And I don't care if I'm the one who makes mistakes
And I don't care how long this is going to take
Does it really matter how you played the game
when you were never really in it

We're ready to go
Ticking like a bomb that's about to blow
It's taking control
Pulling at your feet like an undertow
You don't really know
If you're all that capable
But you've been told

Figure it out
Don't pretend you're stupid
Sort it out
Go make yourself useful

You're better than dead
You really made a mess with the words you said
So easily fed
The flames of the fire rise above your head
They want to be led
You've joined the ranks instead
There's a voice in your head

I can't figure it out
Any more than the generation before me
I can't figure it out
How we got where we are today
I can't figure it out
Any more than the generation before me
I can't figure it out
We've got to fight not to fade away

I heard about this story in the news today,
About a man who lost his senses, lost his way,
About a man who had his will taken away.
He took his life but not before he made them pay.

So go on ask yourself the question
(Are you convinced that you're ok?)
Are you convinced that you're ok?
(So go on ask yourself the question)
And often times it makes you wonder...
Are we not that safe?

I heard this story about this woman yesterday,
A 27 year old teacher of 5th grade,
Kid bought a gun to school and took her life away,
The politicians placed the blame,
And nothing changed!

And I feel it today, (Feel it today)
It feels like nothing else, nothing else I am waiting to be saved.
HELPLESS!
I feel it today, (Feel it today)
It feels like nothing else, nothing else I am waiting to be saved.

So go on ask yourself the question
(Are you convinced that you're ok?)
Are you convinced that you're ok?
(So go on ask yourself the question)
And often times it makes you wonder...
Are we not that safe?

And I feel it today, (Feel it today)
It feels like nothing else, nothing else I am waiting to be saved.
HELPLESS!
I feel it today, (Feel it today)
It feels like nothing else, nothing else I am waiting to be saved.

I heard a story from the media today,
About a man who lost his senses, lost his way,
About a woman who was taken yesterday,
About the children who may never see the light of day!

And I feel it today, (Feel it today)
It feels like nothing else, nothing else I am waiting to be saved.
HELPLESS!
And I feel it today, (Feel it today)
It feels like nothing else, nothing else I am waiting to be saved.

So what if I'm just a little apprehensive
So what if I'm not exactly what I've led you to believe
It doesn't mean a thing

It's a total lie that we're expected to believe
There's no such thing as a level playing field
And I've never been one much for dependency
It's a fraud, your view of equality

So what if you don't believe the double standard
So what about everybody who comes after, are they the same?
Do they deserve a thing?

It doesn't matter how hard I have tried
Still I've given everything away
With nothing in return
I waited as I watched the world go by
Still I've given everything away with no return

You looked around but it wasn't there
You can't ignore the voice of reason
You can't be what you want, so you better be what you are
You fought your way to an inch of freedom
You did your best and they didn't care
You've had your share and you have your reasons You can't be what you want, so you better be what you are

So we begin our story
Beleaguered and taken down
Everybody wants a piece of what's going on
Afraid you'll become dull and boring
In a suit that doesn't fit
Everybody wants a piece of what's going on
You can't mean what you said
You're not sorry for a word of it
Everybody wants to get ahead
Now it's not too late to say you're sorry

You're alright
The Compromise
You've backed yourself into a corner
You looked around and it wasn't there
You're such a sucker for superstition
You can't be what you are

There's something wrong with me I don't know
if it's not just inside my head
It feels like I'm walking through a dream
I still remember what you said
I know that everything will be alright
It's going to work out for the best
I think there must be something better still
It isn't really so far-fetched

You know I'll go running out
and ruin everything
You know I'll go running out
and ruin everything

It's hard to trust in somebody else
responsible for your success
But in the end I know it's up to me
I live my life with no regrets
So tell me everything I want to hear
What do you like about me best?
I've been a king and I've been a fool
I'm not about to give up yet

You know I'll go running out
and ruin everything
You know I'll go running out
and ruin everything

I've had enough of the promises
I've had enough of empty threats
Some people wait for opportunity
Why should I wait? I haven't yet
I want to burn down the prejudice
I want to destroy the evidence
Is all that really matters what you're worth?
Then what is it worth for your two cents?

You know I'll go running out
and ruin everything
You know I'll go running out
and ruin everything

My friends are so wrong
They think they know it all
But I know what they're thinking
That I won't make it all of the way
And I won't remember them it's OK
Because I'm going to prove them wrong

Fresh-faced you're the new sensation
Are you happy now?
The voice of a new generation
Congratulations

My friends were so wrong
But I have new friends now
It didn't take me too long
To climb my way up here it's OK
Everyone is showing me the way
They tell me to enjoy my stay

Seemed like just yesterday you didn't have a clue
I never thought that this would happen to you

You're calling out
And no one pays attention
Looks like everything is still the same
It's nothing we can change

Charity is an illusion
No one really owns a thing
Complication and confusion
To ease your suffering and pain