18 Down

Nicola Dixon

I want no more than now,
I’m not exactly proud of how – how I like it.
You just solved 18 Down,
And I don’t get out much, but God – I mean, really
You’re using ink on Friday.

Not sure how you want to play this,
You couldn’t pay me to trust in my instincts.
Do me a favor and listen to yours.
I’m afraid mine are in juvenile hall.
That’s where they should stay.

Don’t go and spoil it now,
Making all my wild assumptions redundant.
I envy that pen in your mouth.
Wave away your refill, think – think harder,
Until they sweep around you.

They call themselves students. They should be in school.
They call themselves students. They should be in school.

Not sure how you want to play this,
You couldn’t pay me to trust in my instincts.
Do me a favor and listen to yours.
I’m afraid mine are in juvenile hall.
That’s where they should stay.

And I don’t even know you by name,
But this only works if the both of us stay.
Baby it’s like we know how to behave,
Like people do when they’ve both had enough.

Oh they call themselves students.
They should be in school.
They call themselves students. They ruin the view.

The Expert at the Table

Nicola Dixon

It doesn’t require the dark.
You don’t need to stage an event – god I wish that you did.
I wish there were invitations.
Gold inlay invitations.

Now everything’s tailored to fit.
Equip every room, hold your breath – brace yourself for the hit.
At least you’re the only witness.
A good day, the only witness to this thing that I call…

I don’t want to say it out loud.
But you must have noticed, it’s hidden all over the house.
Please don’t tell me I’m brave.
‘Cause bravery’s as useless as everything else is these days.
Just take me to the park.
You know all the names of the trees – it never fails to impress me.

Now that you know, I’m afraid.
That you’ll think you’ll know, but you don’t – because I can’t explain,
How gatecrashers crash this brain, they break in and misbehave, they…
Math and the alphabet take me.
Take me home.

You Lie You Lie

Nicola Dixon

You lie, you lie, you must be up to something,
I know story matters more to you than life.
The doctor said you should be up and walking,
But your mother shook her head again tonight.

Just last week, you were saying to me,
“swear to god, I know I couldn’t believe it”
“swear to god I know, so hard to believe it,” and
Talking with your arms open wide.

You lie, you lie, and I’m surprised to sign a card,
Am I supposed to know what I should write?
Am I the only one in this department who’s aware
Of what you do on Thursday nights.

Just last week, you were saying to me,
“swear to god, I know I couldn’t believe it”
“swear to god I know, so hard to believe it,” and
Talking with your arms open wide.

You did the math.
I know you did.
The damages.
The benefits.
You lie, you lie.
Get out of bed.
You made this up.
At least I think you did.

Muscle Car

Nicola Dixon

It is because you said, the one phrase I cannot stand.
Once in the car and then again before the waitress brought the check.
You pulled the car around, because it was pouring out.
That said a lot but not enough for me to let the big one slide.

“These things happen,” oh god I hate it, go on just say it, say
“For a reason.”
“These things happen,” oh do they really? You think they do, do you?
For a reason? Why?

Is it a courtesy? It just occurred to me, this might be politeness, might be,
Something you just say in times like these.
Shall we just go to bed? Not bring it up again?
Things only get worse when you try to explain why you’re so convinced.

“These things happen,” oh god I hate it, go on just say it, say
“For a reason.”
“These things happen,” oh do they really? You think they do, do you?
For a reason? Why?

A Little Rain

Nicola Dixon

We could use a little rain.
Do you need a sign? There it is.
We could leave without a trace.
We were never there.
We don’t need a get-away.
We could catch a movie afterwards.
There’s a quarter tank of gas.
More than enough.

I wouldn’t steer you wrong love.
Trust me I know.
I’ll walk you through the whole thing.
I’ll get you home.

We’re correcting a mistake.
In and out and then we’re on our way.
If I could you know I would.
Best I stay inside.
Least we got a little rain.
That’ll make you sleep tonight.
It’s the only sound I know.
That can share your bed.

You’ve seen too many movies.
Regional news.
Two people caught on camera.
I’ve seen it too.
We’re not the sort of people.
Least of all you.
That’s why it’s stupid not to.
You know it’s true.

No-one in Pennsylvania knows who we are.
No-one in Jersey cares we got that far.

Map in Hand

Nicola Dixon

Touching the ground in a city that looks like a movie,
That you don’t understand and you don’t even want to try.
You took a cab then a train took you out to the airport,
Where you sat somewhere beside yourself and watched six hours fly.

A stamp on a book marks your ache on a page,
As you sit on a bed that a stranger just made,
For this night where you’ve crossed out each calendar day,
To be here in a space where you’re inches away.

Passport control asked if this trip was business or pleasure,
And the customs inspector just handled the sheets that you stole.
What do they see on those x-ray tv’s don’t they know you,
Simply must have some tangible proof that you get to take home.

A stamp on a book marks your ache on a page,
As you sit on a bed that a stranger just made,
For this night where you’ve crossed out each calendar day,
To be here in a space where you’re inches away.

It might be painful but it works.
It’s really quite sophisticated.
It’s all we’ve got, do not disturb,
Do not disturb it’s all we’ve got.

Just Say When

Nicola Dixon

This could be awkward or this could be one of those times when we,
Make the big picture so big we can justify anything.
As soon as we start saying things like we’re two grown adults or my,
Personal favorite, you only live once, I’m afraid we might.

Just say when,
Because I won’t,
Just say when,
Spare us both,
Say when,
I’ve had enough,
Just say when,
Let’s wrap this up.

There are a couple of things that could save us – is that the time?
I have a thing in New York in the morning, but even my,
Pre-paid advice and the best of intentions are no match for,
The quick fix you find in a four hour window behind closed doors.

Parallel parking,
That’s when I knew,
At least you had something that could be of use.
Three impressive moves.
Three impressive moves.

Camper

Nicola Dixon

I use my week to get over my week-end,
And my week-end to get over my week.
And it seems lately when I am sleeping, I’m not sleeping,
I’m just not awake.

And I don’t even know what month it is,
But it isn’t because I’ve been bad.
I don’t even know which part to crave,
I just want my eight hours back.
I use my week to get over my week-end,
And my week-end to get over my week,
And I’m not gonna count myself lucky,
Because I’m busy – or just because I get paid.

All this designated space just builds upon itself it takes,
More than I dare to calculate.
God only knows how I’m standing, I can’t sit.

I use my week to get over my week-end,
And my week-end to get over my week.

18 Down
Muscle Car
A Little Rain
Just Say When
The Expert at the Table
Camper
You Lie You Lie
Map in Hand

Nic did some preliminary research on Philly recording studios that might fit our mood. Bil got a new job so he can treat himself to new pedals. Ant and Ian go back and forth about our capabilities to, interest in, and impracticality of recording ourselves. Songs continue to evolve.

The Short List

• I Didn’t Go
• 18 Down
• Kleenex
• Camper
• Just Say When
• Wedding Band

Ok. That’s six. We eliminated one, but I can’t remember which one.