King Of America

I hate these flaming curtains they're not the color of your hair
I hate these striplights they're not so undoing as your stare
I hate the buttons on your shirt when all i wanna do is tear
I hate this bloody big bed of mine when you're not here

[chorus]
Well i finally found someone to turn me upside down
And nail my feet up where my head should be
If they had a king of fools then i could wear that crown
And you can all die laughing because i'll wear it proudly

Well you seem to be shivering dear and the room is awfully warm
In the white and scarlet billows that subside beyond the storm
You have this expression dear no words could take its place
And i wear it like a badge that you put all over my face

[chorus]

I'll wear it proudly through the dives and the dancehalls
If you'll wear it proudly through the snakepits and catcalls
Like a fifteen year old kid wears a vampire kiss
If you don't know what is wrong with me
Then you don't know what you've missed

We are arms and legs wrapped round more than my memory tonight
When the bell rang out and the air outside turned blue from fright
But in shameless moments you made more of me than just a mess
And a handful of eagerness says "what do you suggest?"

[chorus]

(chorus)
It's going round the town
It's going round the town
It's going round the town
You're so lovable

My baby gave me notice to quit
I just can't get used to it
She broke my little heart in two
Now somebody else is being the same old you

(chorus)

My baby has egyptian eyes
And a wicked look beyond compare
If you thought i was a fool for you
Then i must be a bigger fool for her

(chorus)

He'd turn the flowers of springtime into a wreath
He says he'd love you eternally
I say please please can't you keep it brief

They say they're going to bury you
Because you're so lovable
Put your money where your mouth was
You're so lovable
Each tender mumble brings us closer to bedlam
You're so lovable
The toast of the town and the talk of the bedroom
You're so lovable

You're so sweet
You're so honest
You say `i'll be true to you boy'
But i won't promise
Then you say you love me
Then you show me
As you lie there so lifelike below me

(chorus)

When we first met i didn't know what to do
My old love lines were all worn out on you
And the world walked round at my mouth
They lit me up and they snuffed me out

[chorus]
And i was everybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades

You won't know who to thank
You won't know who to blame
It's just a part of the murdering game
'cos down in the fleshpots
Where they pay you in pounds
They're laughing like drains
And baying like bloodhounds
For the jack of all parades
The jack of all parades

Once i knew a girl
That looked so much like judy garland
That people would stop and give her money
And everybody was frankie, jimmy or bobby
Not the jack, the jack of all parades,
Oh the jack, the jack of all parades,
Oh the jack, of all parades.

Now the way that i feel is no longer news
You know my love and how to refuse it
Cause you know where the door is
And how to use it
Oh you know you do

But from my chequered past
To this shattered terrace
Where you can't keep your mind off
The crimes of paris
And you can't keep your peace
And try to forget it
And i can't forgive you
For things you haven't done yet

Oh i was anybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades

When we first met i didn't know what to do
My old love lines were all worn out on you
And the world walked 'round my mouth
I didn't mean to say it
I just blurted it out
As you pretended not to notice
Or be taken aback
And i loved you there and then
It's as simple as that

Oh i was everybody's boy
But soon that thrill just fades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
To be the love of one true heart
Or the jack of all parades
Oh the jack of all parades

In chocolate town all the trains are painted brown
On the silver paper of the wrapper
There's a dapper little man
And he wears a wax moustache
That he twists with nicotine fingers
As he drops his cigarette ash
And someone comes and sweeps it up
And then he doffs his cap
And there's a rat in someone's bedroom
And they're shutting someone's trap
And they'll soon be pulling down the little palaces

And the doors swing back and forward, from the past into the present
And the bedside crucifixion turns from wood to phosphorescent.
And they're moving problem families from the south up to the north,
Mother's crying over some soft soap opera divorce,
And you say you didn't do it, but you know you did of course,
And they'll soon be pulling down the little palaces.

It's like shouting in a matchbox, filled with plasterboard and hope,
Like a picture of prince william in the arms of john the pope.
There's a world of good intentions, and pity in their eyes,
The sedated homes of england, are theirs to vandalize.

So you knock the kids about a bit, because they've got your name,
And you knock the kids about a bit, until they feel the same.
And they feel like knocking down the little palaces.

You're the twinkle in your daddy's eye, a name you spray and scribble,
You made the girls all turn their heads, and in turn they made you miserable.
To be the heir apparent, to the kingdom of the invisible.

So you knock the kids about a bit, because they've got your name,
And you knock the kids about a bit, until they feel the same.
And they feel like knocking down the little palaces.

This love of mine is packed with stepping stone
These shoes are made for walking in reverse
In the dead of night, you tiptoe out and leave me all alone
Putting on your satin slip-ons and your sultry french cologne.

She's wearing shoes without heels.
She's walking over the floor.
She's walking all over me
Weirder therein, you know how it feels
When she walks right out of the door.

Well, i thought that i was bigger than this town
I thought i'd spend a pace and go the distance
But she picked me out, she used me up, and then she put me down
Now i'm driven til i'm crying, or i'm dreaming 'til i drown.

She's wearing shoes without heels.
She's walking over the floor.
She's walking all over me
Weirder therein, you know how it feels
When she walks right out of the door.

While you're busy packing underwear and other worthless trinkets,
Spare a thought for worthless men who drag on women like they're
Cigarettes, 'cause you watch him walk away from you
While he gets down and deals
Oh, he'll watch you walk away without heels

Oh, you think that he's a fool to tolerate
All the liberty you cherish and you roughly take
But to watch your love turn slowly from indifference to hate
Would hurt him more than any heart that you might care to break.

She's wearing shoes without heels.
She's walking over the floor.
She's walking all over you
But when she's finished, i know (?)
When she walks right back through the door.

Enter madam x painted in a shocking pink spangled dress
Her teeth are perfect but her mouth is loose
Rubbing their hands together she persuades them that it's better to confess
Which unpleasant fate they'd like to choose

(chorus)
Every step might be your last
Money signs are in your eyes sucker
You've been taken in this time
You might just get out alive if you're lucky
All the vultures tuning in to glitter gulch
Are looking in on you
And they're hungry

He stood five feet tall in his elevator shoes and stovepipe hat
He was known by several different names
Prompted by madam x he answered all their questions
And then after that he said i'm sick and tired of stupid games

(chorus)

We've got prizes if you can afford
Some small humiliation before you get your reward
And i'd rather be an outlaw than an inlaw to you
And to live my life in miserable poverty
Than to have to grovel to have some dream home hovel
So watch me while i get away with prime time robbery

As he enters madam x he things of red raged faces and the sweet greenbacks
He climbed upon his honey and he covered her with money
As they do their victory dance
He thinks i hope they choke upon their laughter tracks
They can all go straight to hell while we howl down the whole hotel

Outside in new orleans the heat was almost frightening
But my hotel room as usual was freezing and unkind
On tv they prosecute anyone who's exciting
So i put on my overcoat and went down to find

In revlon and crimpelene they captured my heart
To the strain of a piano and a cocktail murderess
She was singing that "it's too late", i agreed with that part
For two english girls who had changed their address

[chorus]

Now it seems we've been crying for years and for years
Now i don't speak any english, just american without tears
Just american without tears

One had been a beauty queen and the other was her friend
They had known rogues and rascals and showbiz impresarios
While the boys were licking hitler they had something to defend
>from men armed with chewing gum and fine nylon hose
By a bicycle factory as they sounded the siren
And returned into the dancehall she knew he was the one
Though he wasn't tall or handsome she laughed when he told her
"i'm the sheriff of nottingham and this is little john"

[chorus]

At a dock in southampton full of tearful goodbyes
Newsreel commentators said "cheerio, g.i. brides"
Soon they'll be finding the cold facts and lies
New words for suspenders and young girls backsides

Now i'm in america and running from you
Like my grandfather before me walked the streets of new york
And i think of all the women i pretend mean more than you
When i open my mouth and i can't seem to talk

Now it seems we've been crying for years and for years
Now i don't speak any english just american without tears
Just american without tears

He thought he was the king of america
Where they pour coca cola just like vintage wine
Now i try hard not to become hysterical
But i'm not sure if i am laughing or crying
I wish that i could push a button
And talk in the past and not the present tense
And watch this hurtin' feeling disappear
Like it was common sense
It was a fine idea at the time
Now it's a brilliant mistake

She said that she was working for the abc news
It was as much of the alphabet as she knew how to use
Her perfume was unspeakable
It lingered in the air
Like her artificial laughter
Her mementos of affairs
"oh" i said "i see you know him"
"isn't that very fortunate for you"
And she showed me his calling card
He came third or fourth and there were more than one or two
He was a fine idea at the time
Now he's a brilliant mistake

He thought he was the king of america
But it was just a boulevard of broken dreams
A trick they do with mirrors and with chemicals
The words of love in whispers
And the axe of love in screams
I wish that i could push a button
And talk in the past and not the present tense
And watch this lovin' feeling disappear
Like it was common sense
I was a fine idea at the time
Now i'm a brilliant mistake

Baby can you understand me now
Sometimes i feel a little mad
Don't you know that no one alive can always be an angel
When things go wrong i seem to be mad

(chorus)
I'm just a soul whose intentions are good
Oh lord please don't let me be misunderstood

Baby sometimes i'm so carefree
With a joy that's hard to hide
Other times it seems that all i have to do is worry
And then i know you're bound to see my other side

Chorus

If i get mad at you i want you to know
That i never mean to take it out on you
Life has its problems and i get my share
But that is one thing i would never do 'cause i love you
Oh don't you know i'm human
I've got my faults just like any one
Sometimes i lie awake long regretting
Some foolish thing, some sinful thing i've done

Chorus x 3