Tubeway Army

We have a random on the westside
Personality malfunction
He says i can't give you anything at all
Just a room with a bad view of you
He sent a letter to a downstat
Saying sorry that i missed you
But i can't think of anything to do
He's addicted to the time track

We have a technical
We have a technical

He's in a hotel where they all go
Saying "boy, i've lost my memory"
It's so surprising
Just how quickly things can end
Like a hero on a platform of friends
This table is so crowded
With people that i don't know
And i never really turn
My thoughts on you
So the image breaks down again

We have a technical
We have a technical

I suppose it's very shady
At least until the lights go out
Advertising posters on the wall
And the young boys singing softly
Do they ever come back
Or is it always at the wrong time
I could crawl around the floor
Just like i'm real
And move a hand in front of my eyes

We have a technical
We have a technical

Jo the waiter worked for me
Serving wine in basement bars
Only madmen ever stay, "got no time"
If you're mindless please take mine

Jo the waiter held me close
Behind the door marked `gentlemen'
Just for now that's all i need
Won't someone call me `friend'?

Long gone, i recall good times
I must confess, i cried

We burned out and the line went dead
At six o'clock i felt so alone
I crawled inside, where else to go?
I could be dead for all you know

Everyday i died for you
Valium boys with painted eyes
Young men need love special
I don't think i want it at all

Long gone, i recall good times
I must confess, i cried

Me, i've retired to a back street flat
Picture `eyes in a cold steel frame'
The freaks arrive, broken needles and blood
"what you on, man, to get those eyes?"

It's very touching, i'm so close to me
False smiles i've rehearsed for days
Come inside, you won't know i'm wrong
Give me your heart, i'm so quickly gone

Only a downstat
Personality problem
He would say things like 'i love you'
And cry real tears

Met him in some place
Like a home for old mothers
Where the cure is always death
But no-one ever leaves

He wore a number 7
Badge on his collar
He would show it with pride
And say 'it means i can feel'

He'd bribe the warders
To send letters to someone
Who didn't even know his name
But said she'd read them anyway

And in the evening (??)
He writes poetry for people
Who deny he's alive
And say 'i'll mention that name'

A violator of the law of no feelings
They should be put in the chair
Until their eyes come in (??)

If you have reasons
I might sell you my time
I'll leave it under the stairs
In a body of mine

Old memories are slowly fading out of me
We are the unknowns, we are all you need

My name is smith
Your silence is my trade
My name is smith
Here in this bar you fade out

Time heals nothing
It merely rearranges our memory
In zero bars
Even time no longer seems willing to try

Please look around
Empty faces that never quite die
Don't be surprised
Their bodies move by habit, look in their eyes

Nothing is real
If you break down and cry they won't even stare
Nobody feels
It's far too risky to admit that you care

My name is smith
Your silence is my trade
My name is smith
Here in this bar you fade out

The dream police
Slogan: "what is on your mind?"
The airwave boys
Junkies won't get radio time
The purist league
White trenchcoats in pre-war style
The aging queens
Mister won't you stay a while?

In death row with harlow
And others like you
I point my finger of hate
At your picture and love you and love you
The radio is talking
Is it you or me?
I must admit
It's far too late to dial police

What is your name?
We are the end of the line
Her eyes went out
Dreaming "overdose on time"
Hey you old grey eyes
Don't practice dying for real
The only one
September she knows i can feel

Me i've just died
But some machine keeps on humming
I'm just an extra piece of dead meat to keep running
Why won't you let me die in peace?
Why won't you let me die with some kind of honour?
Why won't you let me die at all?
I know
You've got your principles

My body lies immobile
I left it days ago
And me i watch from somewhere as the loved ones come and go
I see them glancing at the switch
I hear them whispering "maybe it's better that way"
I see the love turn into feelings
I know
Aren't quite the same

I see the men of learning
Pacing to and fro
But how can i expect the sane to ever know?
I'd rather die than have no mind
I know my brain is gone "damaged beyond repair"
I see an empty shell below me
I know
I've had my time

It's so quiet and dark
And i shouldn't be here
This machine won't last
For always

Just my steel friend and me
I stand brave by his side
This machine is all
I live for

I can see in your eyes
You're not so sure about me
This machine is my voice
Please listen

It's so noisy and bright
And i just love being here
This machine will last
For my life

"flow my tears" the new police song
The slogan of peace is "you must live"
They've got me and i'm one of them

Cancel: "silence" they screamed for days
"we've been here before, we won't stay"
They can die, they can just turn off

Some vehicle moves in circles
Some people need the heroes
But i don't mind
I don't mind

Please listen to the sirens
We don't wish to be your friends
Please listen to the sirens
We won't ever call again

Mister webb there is no way out
Love this room, please don't fight your walls
Can you see i'm wasting your time

A streetcar's rusting unseen
Music hall's empty like me
But i don't care
I don't care

Please listen to the sirens
We don't wish to be your friends
Please listen to the sirens
We won't ever call again

If i could stay here for now
With someone just a bit like you
"oh, no"
Maybe i would dream again
Of someone just a bit like you
"s'pose so"

Station boys keep their hands on steel
Tubeway days now seem quite unreal
It's always so close but never quite arrives

My vision's like an old film, shaky
There's nothing through my window, okay
No photo by my bedside, black/white
No image in my mirror, bye bye