Prefab Sprout:
A Life Of Surprises: The Best Of (lyrics)
(1992)

All my lazy teenage boasts are now high precision ghosts
And they're coming round the track to haunt me.
When she looks at me and laughs I remind her of the facts
I'm the king of rock'n roll completely
Up from suede shoes to my baby blues

Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque

The dream helps you forget you ain't never danced a step
You were never fleet of foot, hippy.
All the pathos you can keep for the children in the street
For the vision I have had is sweeping
- New broom, this room, sweep it clean

Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
High kickin' dandy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine oh yeah;
Long legged candy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine oh yeah;

Now my rhythm ain't so hot, but it's the only friend I've got
I'm the king of rock'n roll completely
All the pretty birds have flown now I'm dancing on my own
I'm the king of rock'n roll completely
- Up from, suede shoes to my baby blues

Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
High kickin' dandy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine oh yeah;
Long legged candy, fine figure fine cut a fine figure fine oh yeah;
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque
Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque

My love and I, we work well together
But often we're apart
Absence makes the heart lose weight, yeah,
Till love breaks down, love breaks down

Oh my, oh my, have you seen the weather
The sweet september rain
Rain on me like no other
Until I drown, until I drown

When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you

When love breaks down
The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you
When love breaks down,
Love breaks down

My love and I, we are boxing clever
She'll never crowd me out
Fall be free as old confetti
And paint the town, paint the town

When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you
When love breaks down

The lies we tell,
They only serve to fool ourselves,
When love breaks down
The things you do
To stop the truth from hurting you
When love breaks down
You join the wrecks
Who leave their hearts for easy sex

When love breaks down
When love breaks down

Hang out the flags a new world order's on the way
Start singing now a song to greet the joyful day
Just when we thought
The time was right for celebrating
With music of the spheres
What's this - Another boat of fleeing refuges on
A sea of children's tears

Once more the sound of crying
Is number one across the earth

We're only men and women doing what we can
Sometimes I think that god is working to a plan
Then other times I swear that he is improvising
- Discordant and remote
Another orphan baby in failed uprising
Another real bum note

Once more the sound of crying
Is number one across the earth

And if you're listening up there,
You could consider this a prayer
Well who am I to tell you how to run your business
Man, you could strike me blind
What kind of noise we goota make down here
Before we destroy your peace of mind

Once more the sound of crying
Is number one across the earth

Antiques!
Every other sentiments an antique
As obsolete as warships in the baltic
I'm driving on a straight road it never alters
And the radio serenades but doesn't falter

You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer paper spoons and bubble gum

Late sky
Like an all night radio station
Without morning
Like stumbling on pearl harbour
Without warning

You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer bubble gum

You give me faron young four in the morning
You give me faron young four in the morning
Every mother's son's romantic
Every mother's son's frantic !

The sunset makes a fence out of the forest
But here I am with head inside the bonnet
I've lost just what it takes to be honest

You offer infrared instead of sun
You offer bubble gum

You give me faron young four in the morning
You give me faron young four in the morning
Forgive me faron young four in the morning
Forgive me faron young four in the morning

Tonight let's raise a glass my friend
To those who couldn't make it
A century has shut its eyes
And who are we to wake it ?

Cool music we play, dance and say
Carnival 2000:
Lives come and go but life no denial
Is always in style. Welcome to:
Carnival 2000: 
Loves come and go but love above all
Is belle of the ball

We ask for any wrong we've done
The years ahead forgive us
We ask for any good we've done
That all of it outlive us

Cool music we play, dance and say
Carnival 2000:
Lives come and go but life no denial
Is always in style. Welcome to :
Carnival 2000:
Loves come and go but love above all
Is belle of the ball

Welcome to:
Carnival 2000:
Lives come and go but life no denial
Is always in style. Welcome to:
Carnival 2000:
Loves come and go but love above all
Is belle of the ball

Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny there is time for tears
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny you won't make it any better
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny you might well make it worse
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny I advise you to forget her

Ooh Johnny Johnny Ooh
You're not the first though it hurts, Johnny Johnny Ooh...

Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny what are you twenty-one?
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny why don't you give it a rest
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny the world is a million
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny there can be no contest

Ooh Johnny Johnny Ooh
Life's not complete till your heart's missed a beat
And you'll never make it up, or turn back the clock
No you won't, no you won't
No you won't, no you won't
Johnny Johnny Ooh

Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny she is a person too
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny she has her own will
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny why don't you join the foreign legion
Ooh Johnny Johnny Johnny you're still in love with hayley mills

Ooh Johnny Johnny Ooh
Life's not complete till your heart's missed a beat
And you'll never make it up, or turn back the clock
No you won't, no you won't
No you won't, no you won't
Johnny Johnny Ooh
Johnny Johnny Ooh

Nothing sounds as good as "I Remember That"
Like a bolt out from the blue, did you feel it too?
- I remember that

Name me one little thing, you'll be wanting to keep
As you give up the ghost as you sink into sleep
Maybe her face in the morning, maybe his in the evening
Maybe words never spoken, aren't they the ones worth hearin'?
Say I remember that

Nothing sounds as good as "I Remember That"
Like a bolt out from the blue, did you feel it too?
- I remember that
Nothing sounds as good as "I Remember That"
Like a bolt out from the blue, did you feel it too?
- I remember that

'Cos that's all we can have, yes it's all we can trust
It's a hell of a ride but a journey to dust
And there's nothing pathetic listing clothes she'd wear
If it proves that I had you, if it proves I was there
Say I remember that

Nothing sounds as good as "I Remember That"
Like a bolt out from the blue, did you feel it too? 
- I remember that
Nothing sounds as good as "I Remember That"
Like a bolt out from the blue, did you feel it too?
- I remember that

Did you feel it too?... I remember that
Did you feel it too?... I remember that...

(chorus adlib)

Cruel is the gospel that sets us all free,
Then takes you away from me

There is no Chicago urban blues
More heartfelt than my lament for you
I'm a liberal guy, too cool for the macho ache
With a secret tooth, for the cherry on the cake
With a pious smile, a smile that changes what I say
While I waste my time, in regretting that the days
Went from perfect to just O.K.

Lordy, what would I do?
Don't call me possessive,
But God if he's smoochin' with you
It's a jealous boy root
The world should be free,
But don't you go following suit
My heart is aligned - It couldn't be neutral,
I couldn't be that way inclined
It's hard to defend, ba ba ba, ba, ba ba,
These feelings my tuppentup friend
It's cruel, ba ba ba, ba ba ba, ba ba ba, ba ba ba, ba ba
It's cruel, ba ba ba, ba ba ba, ba ba ba, ba ba ba, ba ba
It's cruel, it's crueller than cruel

But cruel is the gospel that sets us all free
Then takes you away from me

Should a love be tender, and bleed out loud?
Or be tougher than tough, and prouder than proud
If I'm troubled by every folding or your skirt
Am I guilty of every male inflicted hurt ?
But I don't know how
To describe the Modern Rose
When I can't refer to her shape
Against her clothes
With the fever of purple prose

But cruel is the gospel,
That sets us all free
Then takes you away from me

Cruel is the gospel,
That sets us all free
Then takes you away from me
My contribution, to urban blues

Brucie dreams life's a highway too many roads bypass my way
Or they never begin. Innocence coming to grief
At the hands of life - Stinkin' car thief, that's my concept of sin
Does heaven wait all heavenly over the next horizon ?

But look at us now, quit driving, 
Some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
Just look at us now, start counting, 
What adds up the way it did when we were young?
Look at us now, quit driving, 
Some things hurt much more than cars and girls.

Life's a drive through a dust bowl, what's it do, do to a young soul
We are deeply concerned, someone stops for directions,
Something responds deep in our engines, we have all been burned
Will heaven wait all heavenly over the next horizon?

But look at us now, quit driving, 
Some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
Just look at us now, start counting, 
What adds up the way it did when we were young?
Look at us now, quit driving, 
Some things hurt much more than cars and girls.

Little boy got a hot rod, thinks it makes him some kind of new God
Well this is one race he won't win,
'Cos life's no cruise with a cool chick
Too many folks feelin' car sick, but it never pulls in.
Brucie's thoughts - Pretty streamers
- Guess this world needs its dreamers may they never wake up.

But look at us now, quit driving, 
Some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
Just look at us now, start counting, 
What adds up the way it did when we were young?
Look at us now, quit driving, 
Some things hurt much more than cars and girls.

But look at us now, quit driving, 
Some things hurt more much more than cars and girls.
Just look at us now, start counting, 
What adds up the way it did when we were young?
Look at us now, quit driving, 
Some things hurt much more than cars and girls.

There was that girl I used to know
She'd tease me about my name
Fan the embers long enough
I sometimes catch her flame
The soothing voice of distance tells me
"That was just a fling"
Other music fills my ears
But I still hear her sing :

She sings :
Paddy Joe, say Paddy Joe
Don't you remember me?
How long ago one gorgeous night
We let the stars go
Paddy Joe, say Paddy Joe
Don't you remember me?
How long ago one gorgeous night
We let the stars go free

There was a boy I used to be
I guess that he was cold
If she came to buy him now
How cheaply he'd be sold
But the light is gone and it is dark
What used to be the sky
Is suddenly embarrassing
To the naked eye

You see :
Paddy Joe, see Paddy Joe
Can't face this memory
How long ago one gorgeous night
We let the stars go
Paddy Joe, see Paddy Joe
Can't face this memory
How long ago one gorgeous night
We let the stars go
Long ago one gorgeous night
We let the stars go
Long ago one stupid night
We let the stars go free
We let the stars go free
We let the stars go free
We let the stars go free
We let the stars go free

You can keep the good times righteousness
The best parting line
Rather then pretend we are A1 ultrafine
Shall I be the first then to say what we have found
There's something in our lifetime won't let us settle down

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking

Never let your conscience be harmful to your health
Let no neurotic impulse turn inward on itself
Just say that you were happy, as happy would allow
And tell yourself that that will have to do for now

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking - Baby talking

Never say you're bitter Jack
Bitter makes the worst things come back

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking - Baby talking

Never say you're bitter Jack
Bitter makes the worst things come back

Darling it's a life of surprises
It's no help growing older or wiser
You don't have to pretend you're not crying
When it's even in the way that you're walking

Please be careful is never careful
Till it hears the gun
She will always pay the bills
For the having big fun
He talks so well, what can you do,
It's pretty plain he means it too
I don't want to sell you lines,
I only mean to do you right
But I'm a simple slave of appetite,
I'm a poor slave of appetite

Hunger howls, hungers red,
Hungers stays till it's fed
Then it some h-h-how fades,
Then it somehow leaves your sight
Depending on it's appetite,
Depending on your appetite

So if you take - Then put back good
If you steal - Be Robin Hood
If your eyes are wanting all you see
Then I think I'll name you after me
I think I'll call you appetite

Here she is with two small problems
And the best part of the blame
Wishes she could call him heartache
But it's not a boy's name

If you grow up to be, just like him, just like me
You're fighting for exclusive rights,
For honeymoons each sleepless night
In which case I'll call you appetite
Yes I think I'll call you appetite

So if you take - Then put back good
If you steal - Be Robin Hood
If your eyes are wanting all you see
Then I think I'll name you after me
I think I'll call you appetite

So if you take - Then put back good
If you steal - Be Robin Hood
If your eyes are wanting all you see
Then I think I'll name you after me
I think I'll call you appetite

Then I think I'll name you after me
I think I'll call you appetite
If You Don't Love Me 

If you don't love me, oh if you don't love me...
You can tell me anything,
You can tell me anything,
I'll believe you, you know it too
Shame the truth with lies
Say the sun won't rise
Only realise

If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know, I will know
If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know, I will know

You can ask me anything,
You can ask me anything,
I will do, you know it too
Nothing I won't do
If you want me to
But it's also true

If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know, I will know
If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know, I will know

If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know, I will know
If you don't love me oh if you don't love me
I will know, I will know

Through the rails I spied
Your ponytail. I tried
With sugar cubes - And they're O.K.
- But I don't think
I'll catch you that way
I hate myself 'cause you're so cool
With your mocking eyes
"Won't you look at the old fool"

Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to

Look at you - Unflawed.
Now look at me - Plain overawed
Grace and looks take no credit for
Girl you're young
And they're part of the score
Like the chemicals at war in me
'Til I'm a wolf with an eye for the ponies

Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to

I want extra time to play,
Afternoons in the hay
It's a sorry way for a man to feel
But sentimental is part of the deal
I hate myself because it shows how
I'm a fool for your rodeo

Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses

Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to have
Wild horses - I want to have you

Guess what! Summer's arrived I feel the world's on my side
The Brooklyn Bridge stretches below me
A billion souls all dying to know me
Well here I am! Loaded with promise
And knee deep in grace
What I want is here on my face and
I feel like I own the whole damn place

Hey Manhattan! Here I am! Call me star-struck Uncle Sam.
Strolling Fifth Avenue
- Just to think Sinatra's been here too
These myths we can't undo they lie in wait for you
We live them till they're true,
Manhattan doobie doo. Hey Manhattan doobie doo.

Someday's you've got to get outside - Look there's "The Carlyle"
That's the place where Kennedy stayed,
And where were you when he died?
(Yeah some things are slow to fade.)
There they were - Loaded with promise
Knee deep in fate - When what you want shows on your face
All that's left litters the whole damn place

Hey Manhattan! Here I am! Call it bad luck Uncle Sam.
Scrounging Fifth Avenue
- Just to think the poor could live here too
But what are they to do? These myths belong to you,
We live them till they're true,
Manhattan doobie doo. Hey Manhattan doobie doo

All the world loves lovers.
All the world loves people in love
Don't forget it. Don't forget it.
Love whatever the price
All the world loves lovers.
All the world loves people in love
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Love whatever the price
... LOVE

You and I won't lose our heads the way some lovers do
Saying "This will last forever" when it's just a year or two
You and I won't be the fools that other lovers are
Thinking every silver bottle top potentially a star still

All the world loves lovers.
All the world loves people in love
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Love whatever the price
All the world loves lovers.
All the world loves people in love
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Love whatever the price

We won't make the promises that every lover makes
Only to find that all we've made are similar mistakes
No you and I won't wish for things
Like other lovers do
But let's cross our hearts and hope to die
If none of them come true 'cause

All the world loves lovers.
All the world loves people in love
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Love whatever the price
All the world loves lovers.
All the world loves people in love
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Don't forget it. - LOVE
Love whatever the price

All the world loves lovers. Love whatever the price.
All the world loves lovers. Love whatever the price.
All the world loves lovers
... LOVE.