learn from my mistakes

I don't want to be perfect

I don't claim to be smart

but I always try my best

from the corner of my heart

I don't have to be a rich man

I don't have what it takes

all I really want is to 

learn from my mistakes

I do it over and over

the same old stupid thing

fall in with strangers'

with suspicious reasoning

I could've done better

but I guess those are the breaks

all I really need to do 

is learn from my mistakes

Lord, grant me the wisdom

to let the small things go

the daily humiliations

that only I can know

I need to do some changing

if only for my own sake

all I really have to do

is learn from my mistakes

foot traveler

he's a foot traveler

he walks all over town

all by his lonesome

with no one else around

he walks on the sidewalk

he walks on the street

he walks right on up to

the people he meets

and when he is finished

he doesn't walk back home

where exactly he goes

is completely unknown

he's a foot traveler

walks all over the places

his shoes may be worn

but there's a smile on his face

he walks in the morning

and late afternoon

he thinks about freedom

as he whistles a tune

and when he is finished

there's nothing to say

he packs up his knowledge

and just walks away

he's a foot traveler

it's what he must do

he's looking for someone

reminiscent of you

and if he should find her

she won't be well hid

he'll probably do

the same thing I did

and when he is finished

here's what he'll do 

keep right on walking

until he runs into

someone who'll love him

that's exactly like you

closer to you

every step I take

leads me closer to you

every move I make

tells me what to do

I must believe that I can do it

I can make it if I try

I just have to go through it

like an eagle in the sky

and then I'll arrive

safe and sound

knowing that I

am glory bound

every road I travel on

leads me closer to you

all the songs have ended

all the songs have ended

and it's time to go home

the band is packing up

where they're going, I don't know

it's two o'clock in the morning

and I don't know what to do

tonight, everything

is depending on you

back in my apartment

it's the same old thing

the boredom surrounds me

and the tea kettle sings

if you are willing

you can follow me there

or we can chase freedom

we can go anywhere

please don't desert me

I'm begging of you

you are the only reason

I am making it through

tomorrow morning

if you're not with me

I will be lost

I don't know who'll I'll be

all the songs have ended

and you're walking out the door

if you walk beside me

I couldn't ask for more

but I always end up lonely

like I did when I came in

will you be here tomorrow night

when I come here again

destination unknown

the night is still and quiet

and the lights have all gone out

nothing here is moving

there is nobody about

so why am I standing silent

I should be on my way back home

instead I'm heading onward

destination unknown

there must be something to do here

to get me moving my feet

something to suit my feelings

to help me feel complete

I don't need someone to call me

up on my cellular phone

I just need to walk ahead

destination unknown

will you be there to see me

to soothe my worried soul

I want you to make decisions

I want you to take control

I no longer have to live life

completely on my own

I am coming for you

destination unknown

science of love (rewrite 1)

I'm not as stupid

as you think I might be

I read the New York Times

I watch Jeopardy!

but there's a theory

I know nothing of

so I'm learning about

the science of love

the science of love

is a story so true

but you can't believe it

till it happens to you

it can paralyze you

if your spirit's not tough

you must be careful

with the science of love

          the science of love

          will test your heart

          it can break down and cry

          it can tear you apart

          but when it goes right

          it won't call your bluff

          if you open yourself

          to the science of love

the science of love

involves all you see

the emotions inside

of you and in me

it carries us through

when the going gets rough

with the thought of the promise

of the science of love

           the science of love

           is the secret of giving

           it gives you a purpose

           to the life that you're living

           shining like diamonds

           in the sky up above

           you get all you need

           in the science of love

the science of love

can make you blue

but that's not all

that science can do

it can fill up your heart

with just enough

hope for tomorrow

it's the science of love

the science of love

I'm not as stupid

as you think I might be

I read the New York Times

I watch Jeopardy!

but there's a theory

I know nothing of

I need to learn about

the science of love

the science of love

is a story so true

but you can't believe it

till it happens to you

it can paralyze you

if your spirit's not tough

you must be careful

with the science of love

          the science of love

          will test your heart

          it can break down and cry

          it can tear you apart

          but when it goes right

          it won't call your bluff

          if you open yourself

          to the science of love

the science of love

involves all you see

the emotions inside

of you and in me

it carries us on

when the going gets rough

with the thought of the promise

of the science of love

           the science of love

           is the secret of giving

           it gives you a purpose

           to the life that you're living

           shining like diamonds

           in the sky above

           you get all you need

           in the science of love

the science of love

can make you blue

but that's not all

that science can do

it can fill up your heart

with just enough

hope for tomorrow

it's the science of love

all I can do

all I can do

is not good enough for you

but I'm still trying

I'm still trying

whatever I say

just gets into the way

there's no denying

but I'm still trying

and I will work

till the end of time

for a way

to give me peace of mind

I don't know

just what I find

but I hope that it's faithful and true

all I can do

is keep looking for you

the best we can do

I wake up every morning

on the wrong side of bed

worrying and moaning

about the day ahead

exactly what will happen

is anybody's guess

all I know is I will do

whatever I think is best

it's a tough road to travel

these lives that we lead

sometimes inspiration

is all that we need

and if we're not inspired

and we don't understand

we'll just have to fake it

as well as we can

          give me a reason

          to follow it through

          all we can accomplish

          is the best we can do

look at tomorrow

hope for the good

for whatever can happen

in my neighborhood

Lord knows I've been trying

the hardest I try

I just want some living

before I die

          tell me my secrets

          I'm asking of you

          all we can accomplish

          is the best we can do

welcome to outside

you're waiting for something to happen

but nothing is happening now

you've spent your whole life waiting

for whatever fate will allow

open up the front door

there's a whole world before you

there's nothing to be afraid of

just a few more steps will do

          welcome to outside

          you've been here before

          welcome to outside

          here's something you can't ignore

you've been afraid for far too long

right now is your big chance

to no longer think of yourself

as a victim of circumstance

put on your hiking boots

it's time to take a walk

there's so much you can do

the last thing you need is talk

          welcome to outside

          it's the best that you can do

          welcome to outside

          the world is waiting for you

wipe away the fear from your mind

and let the sunshine in

if you never play the game

there's no chance you will win

it's all there for the taking

but first you'll see it in your mind

you don't need memories

of the place you'll leave behind

          welcome to outside

          it's now your chance to roam

          welcome to outside

          you're returning safely home

just like you

he used to live in a house

just like you

now he has a tent on the sidewalk

there used to be another world

that he once knew

now he's on the wrong block

he spends his days now

just trying to live

with a sign on the corner

and no one to give

he pulls through

he used to be just like you

he used to work at a job

just like you

now he lives on the street

once he had promise

he once had a clue

life would be his to meet

he spends his days now

in sun and in rain

people in locked cars

always complain

about the view

he used to be just like you

there you go again

there you go again

treating me like I mean nothing

like I'm a stranger

who needs to be alone

lost and searching for my home

loneliness aching in my bones

while you go away

I knew you wouldn't stay

but I was hoping

that maybe I was wrong

there you go again

ignoring all I have to give you

like I'm a stranger

who needs to be someone else

someone other than myself

I could use just a little help

but you deny me

you won't even try me

but I was hoping

that maybe I was wrong

I will follow you

I will follow you

wherever you may go

it's a chance I take, I know

but I'll take it

I will follow you 

wherever you may turn

I've got my lessons learned

I don't have to fake it

I don't need anyone to tell me

I've gone the wrong direction

I know what I'm looking for

and I don't expect perfection

I will follow you

whichever may you lead

it's you alone I need

so I'm working

I will follow you

into your darkest thoughts

I know I won't get caught

still, I'm hurting

I don't need anyone to tell me

I don't know what I'm thinking

I've been lost in a stormy sea

and I believe I'm sinking

I will follow you

heaven knows I'm trying

this time there's no denying

I'm on the right path

I will follow you

I don't know where I'm going

but the faith is in knowing

it's for our own behalf

I don't need anyone to tell me

I'm heading into night

of all the things I've ever done

this one feels right

there's so many things

that I can do

and so I will follow you

rooster in the hen house

I've never been as lonesome

as I am right now

I'd like to find a sweetheart

but I don't know how

all my friends are busy

or else they don't exist

what I wouldn't give to get

a warm, sloppy kiss

          rooster in the hen house

          wild pigs in the pen

          ain't nothing I wouldn't give

          to have you once again

the world outside is quiet

the day has turned to dusk

anything you want me to

is something that I must

all my world's in tatters

I have troubles and trials

what I wouldn't give to get

a look at your sweet smile

          rooster in the hen house

          wild pigs in the pen

          ain't nothing I wouldn't give

          just to see you once again

nothing going on

I have nothing going on

so I can be of service to you

my time ain't worth much

but I can do what I can do

I can wash your windows

I can mow your lawn

I could fight your villains

though I don't mean any harm

there's a whole lot of things

I know I can do

and I'll do them for you

I have nothing going on

so you have my full attention

I may not be the best

but I'm filled with good intentions

all I want is the best

and the best is what you have

when I imagine you with me

all I can do is laugh

there's a whole lot of things

that need to be done

you are the one

when you were here

a set of keys left on the dresser

a guitar sits unplayed

your clothes are now in boxes

plans have been arranged

everything's in place

like you never disappeared

just like you would have had it

when you were here

all those hopes and wishes

all your unbroken dreams

still echo in my memory

but I don't know what they mean

just when I'm getting closer

I realize I am not near

I always had so many questions

when you were here

          I will always miss you

          but I will carry on

          but nothing will be the same

          now that you are gone

I miss you in the mornings

and in the afternoons

I never would have quessed

that you would leave so soon

my thoughts fly up and fly away

into the atmosphere

I wish everything was the same

when you were here

top of the hill

I tried my best

I did what I could

but all that I got

was no damn good

but that doesn't stop me

I try everyday

in case something special

might come my way

there are so many things

I miss from my past

moments with people

that refuse to last

I could cry at the thought

of my history

but then I'd miss

all that's in front of me

          time moves onward

          while I stand still

          this is what I see

          from the top of the hill

mistakes I have made

dreams that don't come true

opportunities missed

I don't have a clue

all those combined

are what's troubling me

I could open my eyes

but I don't want to see

          time moves onward

          just like time will

          I see all my treasures

          from the top of the hill

I keep hoping someday

it will all rearrange

and something will happen

something will change

but for now I am here

with these thoughts in my mind

why do my memories

leave me behind

          time moves onward

          but I don't get my fill

          this is what I see

          from the top of the hill

waiting for the clearing

the day is dark with clouds of smoke

it's fire season again

when ashes fly into the sky

into the atmosphere

I stay inside my apartment

out of reach of the wind

and wait for rain to fall

and make the mornings clear

but there's no rain coming

everything is dry

only soot and dried ashes

color the sky

and I, like you,

am waiting for the clearing

I keep running

I keep running

I don't know what else to do

so I keep running

away from you

as far as I can go

because I know

the trouble I'll get into

if I stay

I keep hiding

or at least I'm trying to

I keep hiding

away from you

where I can't be seen

I'll know what I mean

when my time is through

if I stay

          don't look for me

          I'm hiding behind these tears

I keep searching

that's what I do the best

I keep searching

for a moment of rest

I will not be here

the answer won't be clear

in one of life tests

if I stay

I keep running

I do the best I can do

and I keep running

away from you

as far as I can

because I won't understand

I won't have a clue

if I stay

some advice

what I need is some guidance

what I need is a lesson to learn

today my mind is empty

at least as far as love's concerned

could you give me some pointers?

I will listen to every word you say

there is nothing I wouldn't give

for some advice on this brand new day

I have not had many teachers

no one had clues to say to me

if I had known what was in the future

I would have prepared what I could be

instead it seems I know nothing

and I am desperate to know

the ways that life can include me

I have no idea where to go

          I will do what you want me to do

          as long as I know what I'm getting into

wrecking crew

nobody notices me

but that's okay

I do what I do

and that's the only way

I can keep the rhythm

I can play the tune

I can work with everyone

in this room

and I have feeling

in whatever I do

I am part of the wrecking crew

if you need music

then I am your man

I will play something

you all understand

I can follow

wherever you move

and I'll be the time

tongue in groove

and you'll be proud

when we are through

I am part of the wrecking crew

          you think we can't do it?

          don't make me laugh

          we are the sounds

          on your phonograph

you'll recognize

the parts that we play

we are the finest

in all of L.A.

we make you happy

we make you dance

we'll make the records

if you give us a chance

we play the melodies

you always knew

I am part of the wrecking crew

this is your life

you wake up every morning

wanting to stay in bed

but you get up anyway

to do your chores instead

you try and do the best you can

but you can't believe your eyes

this is your life

this is your life

you don't know what you want

but you know it isn't this

everything reminds you

of all the joy you've missed

all the promises you told yourself

are nothing but lies

this is your life

this is your life

          this is your life

          and you don't want to waste it

          because life looks good

          and you can't wait to taste it

everything you've ever wanted

may not come someday

so you must greet the treasures

you find along the way

you try to ignore the pain

that cuts through you like a knife

this is your life

this is your life

you never give up

no matter how hard it gets

all of your worries

they haven't happened yet

so forget all your sorrows

forget all the strife

this is your life

this is your life

this is what I want

this is what I want

a new morning in the new light of day

a place to call home and a reason to stay

luck that is good and won't go away

this is what I want

this is what I need

a new job with a future in store

a woman who will touch me deep in my core

a world where nobody is keeping score

this is what I need

this is what I have

a today that I totally appreciate

a brain that insists on keeping it straight

a soul that's insisting inside I can't wait

this is what I have

I cannot forget about you

I have absolutely nothing to say to you

you have hurt me for the last time

I've tried everything to say or do

but I feel left behind

all the words you spoke to me

the bitterness of lies

live within my memories

and still take me by surprise

          I cannot forget about you

          I cannot forget about you

why do you exist inside my mind

I cannot get rid of you

whatever I might hope to find

I have a feeling it's untrue

I have lost what I once had

my injuries are real

I never thought you'd turn out bad

as bad as how I feel

          I cannot forget about you

          I cannot forget about you

peaceful

I want everything to be peaceful

because that's not the way I am inside

and my emotions still control me

and there's no way to run and hide

I am shaking, I am trembling

like a junkie without a fix

I have tried and I am telling you

there is no way out of this

I want everything to be normal

not at all the way life has been

I want to predict everything that happens

before it happens again

I don't want choices, I just want to know

that everything will be okay

I will do anything you ask

if you just show me the way

          I have lived my whole life in fear

          that all I am will disappear

I want everything to be boring

because change gives me anxiety

I want to control my daily thoughts

the voices that are inside of me

I've heard no two days are the same

I'd like to challenge that theory

by doing the same thing day after day

there'd be no cause to worry

I want everything to be peaceful

with no chance of conflict or grief

just one day after another

corresponding to my own beliefs

keep me away from life's surprises

I know you can show me how

I want everything to be peaceful

not the way it is right now

 

if you go to school (rewrite 1)

this is what they teach the teachers

in these modern times

lock the doors

turn out the lights

and close the window blinds

everybody must be silent

nothing can be said

and if you make an error

there's a chance you'll end up dead

all the students must obey

if they want another day

you must follow all the rules

if you go to school

this is how you run a high school

in these modern times

only one door will be open

staff will be assigned

to be aware of what can come

if violence breaks out

we must protect each other 

that's what school is now about

and everybody lives in fear

that Columbine can happen here

you must learn to keep your cool

if you go to school

everybody everywhere

in these modern times

will know the danger and the drill

and recognize the signs

everyone in every school

they all learn the same

staff and students meet the guns

and no one is to blame

and everybody must obey

and go through this everyday

the world outside is hard and cruel

if you go to school

you forgot me

you forgot me

I used to be your friend

back in my young days

that will never come again

you don't remember my face

but I had a place in your heart

isn't it sad

that what we once had

fell apart

I could be a memory

but you forgot me

I am old news

you don't even know my name

I'm around and

I'm not the only one to blame

I have to say

I have not gone away

I'm still here

all that remains

is a pain

that won't disappear

there's nothing to see

you forgot me

          the love we once knew

          has not faded away

          you just withdrew

          and left me stranded

          with nothing to say

you forgot me

I once thought that you cared

I always remember

a past when our love was still there

where have you gone

I cannot carry on like before

I need a place

that time can't erase or ignore

why can't I set you free

you forgot me

          

come into my sight

my work is all done

now the night time exists

it's been a hard day

and I am pissed

but slowly I enter

into the night

where starlight and dreams

come into my sight

everything's silent

inside my home

where yesterday's worries

are all but unknown

I turn out the lights

I get into bed

surrounded by thoughts

running through my head

in time they are resting

thoughts not so deep

my body cries mercy

and then goes to sleep

until the morning

sun comes up, and then

I start a new day

all over again

Lord, please allow me

a moment of peace

where worries and anger

temporarily cease

until I enter

into the night

when starlight and dreams

come into my sight

in front of me

you can teach me

I will let you

show me what you know

if you reach me

I won't forget you

I won't let you go

I never knew that love

was meant for me

prove me wrong

help me learn to see

what's in front of me

I have purpose

but I don't know

what I have become

it's a circus

when you go

back to where you came from

you have proven

love can be 

in store for you

help me learn to see

what's in front of me

don't be leaving

me to find out

how to be alone

I am breathing

I have a mind to

leave well enough alone

you have set

my spirit free

when you smile

then I can see

what's in front of me

that's what my mind says

whatever I do

it will be wrong

that's what my mind says

wherever you are,

you don't belong

that's what my mind says

you don't like what I say? 

that's tough

nothing's wrong when something's up

my best is never good enough

that's what my mind says

this is how I live my life

I start each day by taking pills

for the voices in my head

for heart and blood and so much more

the fact that I'm not dead

the emotions in my tattered brain

pain cuts like a knife

I take my medicine everyday

this is how I live my life

I put off my doing chores

I read the internet

I make mistakes and never learn

I happen to forget

I try to do the best I can

and somehow I survive

and yet I still hold out for good

this is how I live my life

          maybe, if I do, I'll take a shower

          wash my hands and legs and feet

          I know when it comes my final hour

          I will know that everything's complete

every night I say my daily prayers

for peace to come my way

but sometimes I stop to listen

but I can't hear what my heart will say

I focus on the good things

and try to ignore the strife

pack my stuff and move on to tomorrow

this is how I live my life