GET OUTA HERE

Get outa here and don’t you dare come back
you keep behavin’ like a maniac
you had enough rope
maybe too much slack
get outa here and don’t you dare come back

You treat me bad and you treat me rough
but let me tell you that I’ve had enough
I used to be a slave to your command
but you’ve gone too far
you’re gettin’ outa hand

Get outa here …

Whenever friends came around at night
you’d start actin’ all sweetness and light
it took some time for them to see through that
they know what you are
you’re just an alley-cat

Get outa here …

Your bags are packed and waitin’ in the hall
don’t say, “Goodbye”, don’t say nothin’ at all
don’t call this number, don’t drop me a line
just hit the road and stop wastin’ my time

I need to get some time out on my own
just lock the door and disconnect the ‘phone
I need to wipe you from my memory
think about nothin’ ’til you’re history

Get outa here …

© Pete Hicks/Dik Cadbury

COLD AUGUST DAY

She wakes up early, she wakes alone
walks to the hallway, picks up the ‘phone
she dials that number, calls her ‘special’ friend
and she says,
“Why can’t you tell me when this hurting ends?”

She takes a shower, she combs her hair
calls out to someone, but no one’s there
she takes a moment just to dry the tears
and she says,
“I guess this pain will never disappear”

It’s a cold day, for an August day
the chill cuts to the heart
so much she gave away
and it keeps on tearing her apart
it’s a cold day for an August day
it’s a cold, cold day

She does her make-up, paints on a smile
she checks the mirror, and all the while
she thinks about him, wonders where he’s gone
and she says,
“It’s days like this I feel I can’t go on”

It’s a cold day …

She takes the subway and the cross-town bus
no point in running from the past
she needs the comfort of familiar places
oh, but deep inside where shadows cast

She leaves the office, she climbs the stairs
opens the window, and tastes the air
she feels no anger as she shuts her eyes
and she says,
“This is forever” – and she begins to fly

It’s a cold day …

© Pete Hicks

TROUBLE, PASS ME BY

I just like an easy life
I don’t court trouble, don’t like strife
got an even temper, like to keep things sweet
one jump ahead and fast on my feet
I don’t bear no grudge, don’t grind no axe
the only thing certain death and tax
when the going gets tough this tough’ll relax
I let trouble pass me by
ooh, ooh, ooh

I’ve no mind to be astute
I ain’t that clever, ain’t that cute
don’t chase the dollar, never felt the need
just keep my pace at a slower speed
you can keep your Porsche, and your ‘Fil-o-fax’
the only thing certain death and tax
when the going gets tough this tough’ll relax
I let trouble pass me by
ooh, ooh, ooh

You can talk about your
high rise
sanitized
modernized
enterprise
I need it like I need a hole in the head
your G.N.P.
means nothing to me
I’d sooner roll over and stay in bed

You can keep your modem, and mobile fax
the only thing certain death and tax
when the going gets tough this tough’ll relax
I let trouble pass me by
ooh, ooh, ooh

I just like the way things are
won’t hitch my wagon to no star
so leave me alone, I’ll be just fine
(you can) shove your riches where the sun don’t shine
you can fight your wars, and sign your pacts
the only thing certain death and tax
when the going gets tough this tough’ll relax
I let trouble pass me by
ooh, ooh, ooh

© Pete Hicks/Dik Cadbury

RECESSION BLUES

The tax and my girlfriend are both overdue
I have to wonder what I’m gonna do
searching for something, but don’t have a clue
recession blues

The crack in the ceiling is two feet across
I told the landlord, he don’t give a toss
my start-up bizz’ness turned in a loss
got the deep depression
double-dip recession blues

I’m flat broke and busted, I’m down on my knees
I’m feeling the pinch, I’m feeling the squeeze
somebody out there come and help me please
got the deep depression
double-dip recession blues

This ain’t the way it was planned out
I’ve made mistakes, too plain to see
I need a hand up, not a hand-out
and I ain’t looking for your sympathy

I’m stuck in this rut and the die’s been cast
ev’rything seems to be moving too fast
sadly my future’s got stuck in the past
recession blues

Maybe there’s something wrong with the system
it’s falling apart, there’s not enough wisdom
where are my options? I must have missed ’em
got the deep depression
double-dip recession blues

Ev’rything’s totally sewn up
even a Saint would surely cry
someone upstairs ought to own up
too many fingers in too little pie

I tell you there’s something wrong with the system
talk about options, I must have missed ’em
too many asses and I never kissed ’em
got the deep depression
double-dip recession
down on my knees
I’m making my confession
got the deep depression
double-dip recession blues

© Pete Hicks/Dik Cadbury

IF I COULD HOLD ON TO TIME

If I could hold on to time
I would keep these precious days
you always eased my troubled mind
and helped to mend my foolish ways
I’ve never really been that bad
but then again, I’m not that good
you are the best friend I’ve ever had
the only one who understood

If I could hold on to time
what a diff’rence there would be
I would be yours and you’d be mine
together for eternity
it’s never simple like it seems
and once again, fate’s been unkind
I’m left with nothing, not even dreams
I wish I could hold on to time

If I had to choose one day
any day would be just fine
I’d seize the chance to make you stay
before it all starts to unwind
maybe I’m selfish and unfair
but then again, that’s all I know
it’s just my way to show you I care
I never thought that you would go

If I could find the right words
that at least would be a start
somehow it comes out so absurd
to talk of feelings in my heart
too much is lost, and there’s the shame
but then again, love once was mine
I wish that life would remain the same
and I could just hold on to time

If I could hold on to time
I would keep these precious days

© Pete Hicks

CARNIVAL OF CLOWNS

There’s a carnival of clowns; watch the city burn
they’re all backed up this side of the turnpike
fire in the sky
and the sirens wail
there’s a killer on the loose
and he should be in gaol

Rats in the alley and they wanna see you dance
gotta face the blade and make with the chances
blood on the street
it’s a switch-blade fight
only dead swim the river
in the middle of the night

No heart in the city
no heart in the man
just keep it together
the best that you can
screaming at lightning
won’t get you very far
there’s a carnival of clowns
and they know where you are

When the things you want become the things you need
in this promissory world you’re a slave to your freedom
bruised and deafened
and blinded by light
the temp’rature’s rising
it’s about to ignite

No heart in the city …

There’s a game in this city, they call it survive
you play to win or you’re dead on arrival
fathered by fear
it’s a mother of a street
there’s a killer on the loose
and the bitch is on heat

No heart in the city …

© Pete Hicks

WARM SUMMER NIGHT

Don’t talk to me of conscience
that’s a crazy alibi
I don’t regret a moment
or the things I had to try
now I’m standing in the shadows
where a younger man once stood
and I’m thinking ’bout my life
all the bad times and the good

You forget about the springtime
once the autumn comes around
and memories that haunt you
turn that smile into a frown
and once when you were younger
there were those who eased the pain
in the places you remember
and may never see again

Ah, those gaily painted ladies
and those hot neon lights
they could make you lose your reason
on a warm summer night
and I’d sit there in the bar-room
take a chaser with my wine
talking dirty with the old men
spending money, wasting time

Now I’m back here in the city
in the concrete and the glass
take a stroll down to the corner
reminisce about the past
and I’m watching all the young men
hustle drinks up at the bar
and the nights are closing in
Lord, I wonder where you are

Ah, those gaily painted ladies …

© Pete Hicks

ANOTHER SAD CASE OF THE BLUES

I long for the morning and the start of the day
I get into work where there’s something to do
I’m keeping my mind just a hair’s breadth away
of trying to get over you

I sit in the bar-room and talk with my friends
they never mention your name anymore
I’m trying to work out where it’s gonna end
what all this heartache is for

And I’m staying up late
and I’m thinking too much
I’m placing a bet that I’m gonna lose
I want to forget you
wish I’d never met you
it’s another sad case of the blues

I scratched out your name by the ‘phone in the hall
I don’t go places that we used to know
I turned all your photographs to face the wall
how long ’til the memory goes?

And I’m staying up late
and I’m drinking too much
you made me an offer I could not refuse
I’ll never say, “Never”
if it takes ’til forever
it’s another sad case of the blues

I remember the day
when you called my number
and I heard your voice on the line
there was half of me crying
and half of me lying
when I said I was doing just fine

(Now) I long for the morning and the start of the day
I get into work where there’s something to do
I’m keeping my mind just a hair’s breadth away
of trying to get over you

And I’m staying up late
and I’m thinking too much
there’s a heartache I wish I could lose
I want to forget you
wish I never met you
it’s another sad case of the blues

© Pete Hicks/Dik Cadbury

GOOD ENOUGH (THREE CHORD TRICK)

Oh, oh, we reached for the stars
and bought some guitars
and thought about making a band
when we’d learned how to play
we’d be on our way
well, at least that was part of the plan

We bought a second-hand truck
and trusted to luck
that we’d be playing ev’ry night
we’d be singing our song
and before too long
we’d be setting the world alight
we’d be making that –

Down home noise
and me and the boys’ll
sing another chorus with full harmony
if you wanna join in
we’ll go ’round again
if it’s good enough for you
it’s good enough for me
if it’s good enough for you
it’s good enough for me

Oh, oh, we got us a deal
and the cheque seemed real
’til it bounced right back from the bank
you know we almost cried
when the music died
so tell me, who the hell do you thank
for still making that –

Down home noise …

Down came the man in the big limousine
got the ‘gift of the gab’ with the old routine
talking all night ’bout the people he knows
the records and the press-men
the money and the ‘yes-men’
the chance of a spot on a local radio show

(So) We signed on the line
and guessed it was time
when ev’rything would turn out right
we’re the boys in the band
at a one night stand
and we’re gonna give it all tonight
gonna give you that –

Down home noise …

© Pete Hicks

PHOEBE

Instrumental

© Dik Cadbury

SEVEN AND SEVEN

When I’ve slaked down the dust
Lord, it’s baked like a crust
in the pit of my stomach tonight
some cheap dime-store liquor
would get me drunk quicker
but first let me shed you some light

For medicinal reasons
this alcohol’s easin’
the pain that I feel in my heart
‘cos when I’m seeing double
I forget half my trouble
and I guess you could say that’s a start

A seven and seven
will get me to Heaven
it’s too far to walk when I’m dry
a Bourbon and ice
will sit very nice
’til I’ve shaken this tear from my eye

Was it ‘Computer Dating’
or ‘Club-Over-Eighteen’
on a blind date that started out right
she rolled me with one hand
left town with some new man
this bottle’s all I need tonight

A seven and seven …

I don’t wanna bore you
but let me assure you
you’re better off holding a glass
they’ll cry when they kiss you
swear they will miss you
yeah, love’s just a pain in the ass

A seven and seven …

Now, I’m just supposin’
if I make it to ‘closing’
you’ll stay here and talk to a fool
now this bottle’s empty
hey, buddy, don’t tempt me
I’d rather stay here on this stool

A seven and seven …

© Pete Hicks

JUST ANOTHER HONKY-TONK

It’s another Honky-Tonk, just another bar
they start to look the same, you wonder where you are
they keep calling for numbers I don’t even know
I’m getting left behind, I guess it’s time to go

Oh, I sure could use a drink, I’m starting to choke
but I can’t find the bar through the cigarette smoke
I should maybe do something, get to change my ways
‘stead of working these bars for the rest of my days

I’m gonna quit this job
gonna kick some ass
I’m getting too slow at dodging broken glass
I’m getting too old to wanna spend my time
in a Honky-Tonk bar
going outa my mind

I suppose it’s a living, it pays for the rent
but it’s low on return for the time I’ve spent
you know that one man’s Heaven is the next man’s hell
and from working these bars you get to know it so well

I’m gonna quit this job …

The parking lot is just a sea of mud
there’s a stain on the floor and it looks like blood
there’s a fight in the corner over someone’s wife
I keep telling myself, “GET A LIFE!”

Just a Honky-Tonk bar in another town
gonna quit this life before it wears me down
some people say they were born to love it
I’m gonna show ’em all where they can shove it
I’m getting too old to keep playing this role
in a Honky-Tonk bar, going outa control

I’m gonna quit this job
gonna kick some ass
I’m getting sick and tired of dodging broken glass
I’m getting too old to wanna spend my time
in a Honky-Tonk bar
going outa my mind

© Pete Hicks/Dik Cadbury

WAITING FOR THE CALL

And who are you to step inside my mind
by causing me to break down my defences
and how could you in just one night
pull me apart and string out all my senses
sleepless nights I spent alone
waiting by the telephone
I’m waiting for the call that never comes

And who are you to look inside my soul
to rearrange it and the way I’m feeling
you broke the heart I gave to you
the only thing I never caught you stealing
one-way love is hard to take
victim of a sad mistake
still waiting for the call that never comes

Small time deceiver
won’t you
pick up your receiver
talk to me before I go insane
when it comes to choosing
I’m always
on the side that’s losing
just say “Goodbye”
I’ll never try again

And who are you to come into my life
to help yourself and leave me discontented
and how could I have been so wrong
to think this heartache could have been prevented
if I’d known your love was cruel
there would never be this fool
just waiting for the call that never comes

© Pete Hicks/Dik Cadbury

CADBURY HICKS

Dik Cadbury
Six-String Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Twelve-String Acoustic and Electric Guitars
Bass Guitar
Bottleneck Guitar
Mandolin
Fiddle
Vocals and Backing Vocals
he also programmed the Drums
and made a lot of coffee

Pete Hicks
Six-String Acoustic Guitar
Tenor Guitar
Vocals and Backing Vocals
he also drank a lot of coffee

Special thanks go out to
Steve Hackett for the Blues Harp
on ‘Just Another Honky-Tonk’
Nick Magnus for mastering at his
Magick Nuns Studio

Engineered by Dik Cadbury
Produced by Pete Hicks and Dik Cadbury