Gems (1988)

  • 1

    Rats In the Cellar

    Goin' under, Rats In The Cellar
    Goin' under, skin's turnin' yella
    Nose is runny, losin' my connection
    Losin' money, getting no affection

    New York City blues
    East side, West side rules
    Throw me in the slam
    Catch me if you can
    Believe
    That you're tearing
    Tearing me apart

    Ain't complaining, 'cause everything's rotten
    Go insanin', and ain't a thing forgotten
    Feelin' cozy, Rats In The Cellar
    Cheeks are rosy, skin's turning yella
    Loose and soggy, lookin' mighty lazy
    Consume my body, pushin up a-daisies

    New York City blues
    East side, west side rules
    Throw me in the slam
    Catch me if you can
    Believe
    That you're tearing
    Tearing me apart

    (Guitar & Harmonica Solo)

    New York City blues
    East side, west side rules
    Throw me in the slam
    Catch me if you can
    Believe
    That you're tearing
    Tearing me apart

  • 2

    Lick and a Promise

    Johnny come late on a Saturday night
    Singin' how de go
    Backstage boogie in the house of delight
    Where they steal the show
    money comes sour but the ladies are sweet
    it's a love affair
    Whole place rockin', people stompin' their feet
    When the gang's all there

    He gets his woman every night for free
    He's out there rockin' like you wouldn't believe
    Singin' na, na, na...

    Johnny like to gamble with his lady Louise
    She was a black jack deuces are wild
    He got to thinking 'bout his nose in the breeze
    And there Johnny looked and he smiled
    He started thinking 'bout the fortune and fame
    with the young girls down at his knees
    He dug the money but forgot all the names
    So he knew just how to appease

    Lick And A Promise
    Lick And A Promise
    Lick And A Promise
    (He gave the ladies a) Lick And A Promise

    Lick and a promise
    (he gave the ladies a) Lick and a promise

    Loose change clover in his early, early years
    Had his poor mama pacin' the floors
    He grabbed a guitar and a couple of beers
    Now the crowd keeps screamin' for more

    He gets his woman every night for free
    He's out there rockin' like you wouldn't believe
    Singin' na, na, na...

  • 3

    Chip Away the Stone

    You act like a primadonna
    Playing so hard to get
    Sittin' so cool and nochalant
    Raggin' on a cigarette

    You keep a wall all around you
    I'll get through some day
    I want your love babe
    If a push come to shove
    Gonna chip that wall away

    (Chorus)
    Chip away
    Chip Away at The Stone
    I won't stop 'til your love is my very own
    Chip away
    That's what I'm gonna do
    Sweet little mama
    I wanna get next to you

    You stand like a marble statue
    Trying to look so hard
    All decked out in your antique dress
    While the boys all promenade

    Even a rock will crumble
    If you strike it night and day
    If hammer I must
    I'm gonna get through your crust
    Gonna Chip That Stone Away

    (Repeat Chorus 2x)

    Chip away , Chip away at the stone (2x)
    I won't stop (6x)
    Chip it, I'm gonna nip it
    All night long

  • 4

    No Surprize

    Nineteen seventy one
    We all heard the starters gun
    New York is such a pity
    But at Max's Kansas City we won

    We all shot the shit at the bar
    With Johnny O'Toole and his scar
    And then old Clive Davis said
    He's surely gonna make us a star
    I'm gonna make you a star
    Just the way you are

    But with all his style
    I could see in his eyes
    That we is goin' to trial

    It was No Surprise

    The boys kept kickin' ass
    As usual time would tell
    But some bitch in the choir
    Threw water on the fires of hell
    She loved to show and tell
    Lord she loved to tell

    But with all our style
    You could see in our eyes
    That we is still on trial

    And it was No Surprize
    No Surprize
    No Surprize
    No Surprize

    Midnight lady
    Situation fetal
    Vaccinate your ass
    With a phonograph needle

    I say
    Look it here
    Friend of mine
    Scratch like you need calomine
    Flamingo boots
    Sole's a creakin'
    Still in love and Puerto Rican too

    Ridin' on the wheels of hell
    Smokin' in our axle grease
    Oh the backstage is rockin'
    And we're coppin' from the local police
    That's right the local police
    Or the justice of peace

    But with all our style
    You could see in our eyes
    That we is still on trial

    Baby it's No Surprise
    No Surprise
    No Surprise
    No Surprise

    Rock and roll
    Junkie whore
    Got my foot inside the door
    Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock
    Nobody's keepin' score

    Bad times
    Go away
    Come again some other day
    Topaz and sazzafrazz
    Will keep the blues away

    Candy store
    Rock and roll
    Corporation jellyroll
    Play the singles it ain't me
    It's programmed insanity

    You ascap
    If BMI
    Could ever make a mountain fly
    If Japanese can boil teas
    Then where the fuck's my royalties

  • 5

    Mama Kin

    It ain't easy
    Livin' like a gypsy
    Tell ya honey how I feel
    I've been dreamin'
    Floatin' down the stream n'
    Losin' touch with all that's real

    Whole earth lover
    Keepin' under cover
    Never know where ya been
    You've been fadin'
    Always out paradin'
    Keep in touch with Mama Kin

    Well you've always got your tail on the wag
    Shootin' fire from your mouth
    Just like a dragon

    You act like a perpertual drag
    You better check it out
    'Cause someday soon you'll have to
    Climb back on the wagon

    It ain't easy
    Livin' like you wanna
    It's so hard to find peace of mind
    Yes it is
    The way I see it
    You gotta say shit
    But don't forget to drop me a line

    Said, you're bald as an egg when you're eighteen
    Workin' for your dad is just a drag
    You still stuff your mouth with your dreams
    You better check it out
    'Cause someday soon you'll have to
    Climb back on the wagon

    Keep in touch with Mama Kin
    Tell her where you've gone and been
    Livin' out your fantasy
    Sleepin' late and smokin' tea

    Keep in touch with Mama Kin
    Tell her where you've gone and been
    Livin' out your fantasy
    Sleepin' late and smokin' tea

    (Short Guitar & Harmonica Solo)

    It ain't easy
    Livin' like you wanna
    It's so hard to find peace of mind
    Yes it is
    The way I see it
    You gotta say shit
    But don't forget to drop me a line

    Said you're bald as an egg at eighteen
    Workin' for your dad is just a drag
    You still stuff your mouth with your dreams
    You better check it out
    'Cause someday soon you'll have to
    Climb back on the wagon

    Keep in touch with Mama Kin
    Tell her where you've gone and been
    Livin' out your fantasy
    Sleepin' late and smokin' tea

    Keep in touch with Mama Kin
    Tell her where you've gone and been
    Livin' out your fantasy
    Sleepin' late and smokin' tea

  • 6

    Adam's Apple

    Back when Cain was able
    Way before the stable
    Lighting struck right down from the sky
    A mother ship with fate said let's give it a try
    Conscience was related
    Man he was created
    Lady luck took him by surprise
    A sweet and bitter fruit it surely opened his eyes
    Well she ate it
    Lordy it was love at first bite
    Well she ate it
    Never knowin wrong from right right right
    Even Eve in Eden
    Voices tried deceiving
    With lies that showed the lady the way
    At first she stopped and turned and tried to walk away
    Man he was believer
    Lady was deceiver
    So the story goes but you see
    The snake was he and she just climbed right up his tree
    So she ate it
    Lordy it was love at first bite
    Well she ate it
    Never knowin wrong from right right right
    Whooooaaa......
    Conscience was related
    Man he was created
    When lady luck took him by surprise
    The sweet and bitter fruit it surely opened his eyes
    Evil came like reignin
    Who knows who's to blamin
    Something tried to lay her to waste
    And all she want and need was just a little taste
    Whooa, she ate it
    Lordy it was love at first bite
    Well she ate it
    Never knowin wrong from right right right
    Well she ate it
    Lordy it was love at first bite
    Yeah she ate it
    Never knowin wrong from right right
    Oh that's right

  • 7

    Nobody's Fault

    Lord I must be dreamin'
    What else could this be
    Everybody's screamin'
    Runnin' for the sea

    Holy lands are SINKIN'
    Birds take to the sky
    The prophets all are stinkin' drunk
    I know the reason why

    Eyes are full of desire
    Mind is so ill at ease
    Everything is on fire
    Shit piled up to the knees

    Out of RHYME or reason
    Everyone's to blame
    Children of the season
    Don't be lame

    Sorry
    You're so sorry
    Don't be sorry

    Man has known
    And now he's blown it
    Upside down
    And hell's the only sound
    We did an awful job
    And now they say
    It's Nobody's Fault

    Old SAN ANDREAS
    Seven years ago
    Shove it up their richters
    Red lines stop and go

    Noblemen of courage
    Listen with their ears
    Spoke but how discouragin'
    When no one really hears

    One of these days you'll be sorry
    Too many houses on the stilt
    Three million years or just a story
    Four on the floor up to the hilt

    Out of RHYME or reason
    Everyone's to blame
    Children of the season
    Don't be lame

    Sorry
    You're so sorry
    Don't be sorry

    Man has known
    And now he's blown it
    Upside down
    And hell's the only sound
    We did an awful job
    And now we're just a little too late

    Eyes are full of desire
    Mind is so ill at ease
    Everything is on fire
    Shit piled up in debris

    California showtime
    Five o'clock's the news
    Said everybody's concubine
    Was GOIN' to take a snooze

    Sorry
    You're so sorry
    Don't be sorry

    Man has known
    And now he's blown it
    Upside down
    And hell's the only sound
    We did an awful job
    And now we're just a little too late

  • 8

    Round and Round

    If you believe in me
    Like I believe in you
    You wouldn't be tellin' me things
    That weren't exactly true

    Now everything changes
    Ain't got nothing to say
    I'm having the strangest feeling, baby
    I can't remember my name

    'Cause the life I've been livin'
    And the love I've been givin'
    Will be sure to send you spinnin'
    With your feet never touching the ground
    Goin' round n' round

    When it was one for all
    And it was all for one
    And everything that we did
    Never bothered anyone

    Now everything changes
    Ain't nothing the same
    I'm having the strangest feeling, baby
    I can't remember my name

    'Cause the life I've been livin'
    And the love I've been givin'
    Will be sure to send you spinnin'
    With your feet never touching the ground
    Goin' round n' round

    Can you remember the days
    When you were sweet sixteen
    And always followed the ways
    Of someone elses dream

    (Look here)
    Now everything changes
    Ain't nothing the same
    I'm having the strangest feeling, baby
    I can't remember my name

    Goin' round n' round n' round n' round....

  • 9

    Critical Mass

    Arriving in boats
    Black hooded coats
    Tormentors climbed into my room
    I crawled under my bed
    Covered my head
    But they're flushin' me out with a broom
    The leader, she's small
    Pinned my ass to the wall
    For my seeds or she'd be losin' her past
    Time after time
    She'd be readin' my mind
    But she never got the feelin' to last

    Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate it
    This is Critcal Mass

    So far, so good
    I heard the other say
    So good, so far
    They're takin' me away
    I drink to you, your mind, her ass
    We'll take a drink and break the glass
    Celebrate, celebrate, celebrake it
    This is Critical Mass

    Now the tallest of two
    With a brush full of blue
    Paints surrealist scenes on the wall
    So I tell her for fun
    That it's really well done
    But she just ain't listenin' at all
    She points to my heart
    Tellin' me if I'm smart
    I'll practise and phase
    Out and admit, when the shoe doesn't fit
    And I went screamin' out down the hall

    Really need it
    Really need your love
    Just then I heard a poundin' on the wall
    We're all there, sang the voice of twenty more
    I drink to you alas
    We'll take a drink and break the glass
    Celebrate, celebrate, celebreak it
    We are the Critical Mass
    Time and space is takin' me away
    Time erase, don't know the time of day

  • 10

    Lord of the Thighs

    Down to who knows who just to socialize
    I'm waitin' for my girls, when you caught my eyes
    You got your ways to make a man
    Honey, you got to understand
    I'm your man, child, Lord Of The Thighs

    Well, well, Lordie my God
    What do we got here
    She's flashin' 'cross the floor
    Make it perfectly clear
    You're the bait and you're the hook
    Someone bound to take a look
    I'm your man, child, Lord Of The Thighs

    You must have come here to find me
    You've got the look in your eyes
    Although you really don't mind it
    I am the Lord Of Your Thighs

    You must have come here to find me
    You've got the look in your eyes
    Although you really don't mind it
    I am the Lord Of Your Thighs

  • 11

    Jail Bait

    Take me, take me...

    Take it or a-leave it on a saturday night
    And what you see is what you get so give me a bite
    Here are lots of ladies, they are so insecure
    Leave it to the boys and the fool on the hill

    Hello baby, yeah it's me
    There'll be no judge, no third degree no Jailbait
    Play the fool and you play the punk
    Wake up babe, I'm a-don't know Jailbait

    I believe in someone talkin'
    Can't let go you don't get hold no Jailbait
    What it is, but you believe it
    What you got, got up the sleeve and Jailbait

    (Look here!)
    Oh, J-j-j-Jailbait
    Oh, J-j-j-Jailbait
    Oh, J-j-j-j-Jailbait

    Take it, leave it, roll the dice
    You're hard as hell, I'm cold as ice no Jailbait
    Tell your daddy how you do me
    Put the woodcheck, do it to me Jailbait
    What you see in daddy's eyes
    Check the boys, no surprise no Jailbait

    Oh, J-j-j-Jailbait
    Oh, J-j-j-j-j-j-Jailbait
    Oh, J-j-j-Jailbait
    Oh, J-j-j-Jailbait
    Oh, J-j-j-j-j-Jailbait

    Do me, do you, tell me what you see in me too
    Do me, do you

    I ain't complainin' the Bitch's Brew
    There's a lover who never knew she's Jailbait
    Steep the chase, call the sweat
    You steep the feet, oh gracer bed, oh Jailbait

    Oh, J-j-j-j-j-Jailbait
    Oh, J-j-j-j-j-Jailbait
    Oh, J-j-j-j-j-j-Jailbait
    J-j-j-j-j-j-j
    Oh, J-j-j-j-Jailbait....

  • 12

    Train Kept a-Rollin'

    Well on a train, I met a dame
    She rather handsome
    We kinda look the same
    She was pretty
    From New York City
    I'm walkin' down that old fair lane
    I'm in heat, I'm in love
    But I just couldn't tell her so

    (Chorus)

    I said, Train Kept A Rollin' all night long
    Train Kept A Rollin' all night long
    Train Kept A Rollin' all night long
    Train Kept A Rollin' all night long
    With a heave, and a ho
    But I just couldn't tell her so, no, no, no

    Well, get along
    Sweet little woman get along
    On your way
    Well, get along
    Sweet little woman get along
    On your way
    I'm in heat, I'm in love
    But I just couldn't tell her so, no, no, no

    Well on a train, I met a dame
    She rather handsome
    We kinda looked the same
    She was pretty
    From New York City
    I'm walkin' down that old fair lane
    I'm in heat, I'm in love
    But I just couldn't tell her so

    (Chorus)

    Well, get along
    Sweet little woman get along
    On your way
    Well, get along
    Sweet little woman get along
    On your way
    I'm in heat, I'm in love
    But I just couldn't tell her

    Well, we made a stop in Albuquerque
    She musta thought
    I was a real cool jerk
    Got off the train, and put her hands up
    Lookin' so good, I couldn't let her go
    But I just couldn't tell her so

    (Chorus)

    I'm in heat, I'm in love
    But I just couldn't tell her