Welcome to the Lyric Corner!!

You can view the lyrics to any of the songs on The Smashing of Pictures. Some of my favorite lyricists include Bob Dylan, Prince, Lennon/McCartney, and spoken word poets (Kerouac and Maggie Estep). I like witty pop songs that unnerve you.

Lyrics from the CD The Smashing of Pictures

Modest Appeal

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Love Me.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

U Fear The Thing U Love.

In the beginning, U caress it
like Ur 1stborn--
U hold it close, tickling it with Ur fingers
and making silly goo-goo noises
as U teach it 2 nurse.
Then, when U feel its baby breath on Ur breast,
and realize that it is clutching 2 U 4 its very life--
U fear it is getting 2 close.
U think U're losing control of what was once only Urs.
U can try 2 abort its allegiance--
But U can't deny what U know is there--
Deep deep Nside U feel. . .
This is the thing U love.

U Hate the thing U love.
U rule it like a daughter--
one that prides herself on doing exactly what U told her not 2.
One who, when U force feed her Ur ideals,
refuses 2 swallow her pride--
She insists on staying out 2 late when she's supposed 2 B home by 9
The anger swells Nside U when U meet her at the door
It crests at Ur neck,
lashes out wildly with Ur tongue
as U belt her with words.
U hate her for wanting independence
But independence is the most U can ever hope 2 give
this is not what U hoped 4. . .
This is the thing U love.

U divorce the thing U love.
U dissect it like a lover.
U learn 2 segregate and amputate it
from its past--
U sever it from friends and family
2 keep it all 2 Urself
Boxed up N Ur little white suburban picket fence life
U strip away its painted behaviors and patterned responses
2 leave it fearful, naked, and crying
U push it away if only 2 C how U look N its eyes
And it does the same 2 U
Cuz' it already knows what U R doing and feeling--
which, of course, is and is not
exactly what U wanted N. . .
The thing U love.

U feel
that still
U love it
if only because
it was. . .

The thing U love.

the thing U love

the thing U love

the thing U love

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

Oh! Yoko/Dear John

Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
U're my Yoko.

Worn suitcase by the bed
Torn pictures on the floor
Scattered memories all R chasing me,
crying out 4 more.

Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
U're my Yoko.

Pictures can tell our story,
but they can never show
How much I love U baby--
U will always by my Yoko.

Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
U're my Yoko.

Oh! Yoko.

Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
U're my Yoko.

Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
Oh! Yoko. Don't U go!
U're my Yoko.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

Now that we've let our defenses down, we've found our Common Ground.
Now that we've let our defenses down, we've found our Common Ground.
It wouldn't hurt nobody and there's no one else around--
Why don't we get 2gether on the Common Ground?

Pictures from the trip spread themselves around
After everyone else went home.
Half-empty drinks on the bookshelf there
Wouldn't dare 2 leave us alone.
When she grabbed his picture I heard it say,
"U really should make him leave! "
But she had one hand on him,
the other on me
And she was squeezing my knee. . .

Yeah. Would U meet me?
Yeah. Could U meet me?
I want U--
on the Common Ground.

I had 2 ask--I had 2 ask her. . .
and 4 their first time, it was great.
But he left her wanting and a little sore
And now she's getting late. . .
"Don't know Y I'm telling U
But when I checked it came up blue--
What's a pretty girl 2 do
When Everyone knows--yeah everyone in town knows U?"

Yeah. Would U meet me?
Yeah. Could U meet me?
I want U--
on the Common Ground.

Now that we've let our defenses down, we've found our Common Ground.
Now that we've let our defenses down, we've found our Common Ground.
It wouldn't hurt nobody and there's no one else around--
Y don't we get 2gether on the Common Ground?

Getting closer on the couch than we needed 2 B--
I was comforting her as she was comforting me.
And 4 a while things got messy, but she swears she's doing fine.
But I'm left wanting a baby that I know is not mine.

Yeah. Would U meet me?
Yeah. Could U meet me?
I want U--
on the Common Ground.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

Getting Stronger

It's getting stronger
It's getting stronger--
Stronger every day. . .
Say U won't B leaving me--
Baby, say U'll stay.

Can U hear it?
It's calling U and U can't turn away.
Do U think it's a game?
Or do U feel the same?

Whenever we're apart--
It's pounding on your heart.

It can only get stronger.

It's getting louder
It's getting louder--
Louder every night
It won't B denied.
Not without a fight.

Whenever we're apart--
It's pounding on your heart.

It can only get stronger.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

There's a kid on the street with a gun N his hand.
His brother's N the army N a foreign land.
My girlfriend is sleeping with another man.
She never told me--said I don't understand. . .

Y do I face the trigger
And wait 4 U 2 pull it?
Y am I praying 2 God
Praying 4 a faster bullet?

My Dad has 2 work 4 a son of a bitch,
while the dealer on the corner is getting rich.
Acid rains from heaven above.
Even sex can kill U and those U love.

Y do I face the trigger
And wait 4 U 2 pull it?
Y am I praying 2 God
Praying 4 a faster bullet?

Crumpled N the corner with my pictures of U,
I hear <<I Love U>> over a tear or 2.
U think it's the truth, but it can't really B. . .
Y do the people I really love, really love 2 hurt me?

Y do I face the trigger
And wait 4 U 2 pull it?
Y am I praying 2 God
Praying 4 a faster bullet?
Y do I face the trigger
And wait 4 U 2 pull it?
Y am I praying 2 God
Praying 4 a faster bullet?

Someone says we were born 2 war.
I want 2 know what we're fighting 4.
There's so much hate, Y must we fuel it?
Is it 4 the power of the faster bullet?

Y when I feel my head,
Y is it bleeding?
Y my body feels the pain,
but I can't understand the beating.

Give me the Faster Bullet.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

Those eyes, alive,
Behind the glass,
with 1,000 words--
And the ring
U lost and never found--
A snapshot of what we were.

Nearly kissing,
our arms around each other,
our hair wet with rain.
The ships behinds us,
fighting painted waters--
Her crewmen showing strain.

Shatter all I've known.
Break me on the phone.
Picture me alone.
Picture U--
Gone, and the pieces torn.
The Smashing of Pictures!

Break! Break!

4 her gentle fingers,
the roundness of her shoulder,
And the chance 2 win,
the smell of blood,
4 sounds of breaking glass,
Let the show begin.

Shatter all I've known.
Break me on the phone.
Picture me alone.
Picture U--
Gone, and the pieces torn.
The Smashing of Pictures!

Break! Break!

Breaking our Egos,
and tearing ourselves
N2 tiny pieces,
Shattering all the memories--
These R my releases.

Shatter all I've known.
Break me on the phone.
Picture me alone.
Picture U--
Gone, and the pieces torn.

Yelling that I'm wrong.

I can't believe U're gone.

The Smashing of Pictures!

Break! Break!

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

OOh baby--tell me what went wrong
Tell me U thought it would all along
Cuz I've tried true love, tried 4gettin' 2
(There's not much left 2 do.)

I gotta get all over U.

OOh baby--don't talk about mistakes
Cause I don't know how many more of your lies I can take
Stop jammin' my transmissions, U gotta let me thru'--

I'm gonna get all over U.

Got 2 get all over U.
Got 2 get all over U.
Got 2 get all over U.
Nothing else is ever gonna do, baby.

OOh Baby--I've never hurt like this b4.
I know I've never hated or loved anyone more.
Can't repair my head since the last U said was:
"I never wanted 2 hurt U."

Yeah O.K. I'ma get all over U.

Got 2 get all over U.
Got 2 get all over U.
Got 2 get all over U.
Nothing else is ever gonna do, baby.

What am I gonna do baby?

What am I gonna do baby?

What am I gonna do baby?

What am I gonna do baby?

OOh baby--did U ever stop 2 think of me?
Did U 4get that I was your only fantasy?
Do U think he even cares about U?
Do U really think he'd die 4 U?

Or is he just all over U?

Got 2 get all over U.
Got 2 get all over U.
Got 2 get all over U.
Nothing else is ever gonna do, baby.

U lied and cheated and used me 2.
So I'ma get all over U.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

No Passing Thing

Lying outside, on the ground,
rolling around as the sun is going way down
N2 darkness, I feel Ur breath N my ear--
What I hear is so clear dear, it must B sincere dear.
With my necklace on Ur chest won't cha dare 2 B bold
U start 2 shiver softly, but U're really not cold.
Then I C U above me, hear the rain on my car--
Coming down slowly, coming down hard.
The stars spin, as we notice the wind.
And now U're getting closer--yeah, 2 close 2 B friends!
The Thunder it blows, the Lightning it shows
Our shadows as they blend--
U know just then,
U got no more boyfriend.
The rules that we break R part of chances we take
But it's no mistake these R the choices we make
And if I'm lying, cut my soul from its string.
Cuz I felt all along this was no passing thing.

On it's always gonna keep on keepin' on
This is no passing thing.
On it's always gonna keep on keepin' on
This is no passing thing.

She said, "Baby, I'm leavin!
I'm on the way out the door.
Cuz I don't think I can B Ur baby no more.
I thought we needed time--but it didn't change a thing
And I've done my very best 2 give U everything.
"So U shouldn't B mad. (No.) U shouldn't B hurt. (No.)
Cuz I'm not here 2 rub Ur face N the dirt.
It'll work out 4 the best N the end.
And I really hope U'll speak when U C me again.
"There's so much 2 say but I really can't stay
Don't wanna hurt U baby, but 2morrow is a new day
No matter what, I hope U'll stay my friend
But U Know Who called me. . .
And I am getting back with him."
The fever N her eyes said she couldn't tell me lies.
I told her Best of Luck
Then we said our Goodbyes. . .
"Oh Baby, (Yeah?) there's just one more thing--
I know what U're thinking,
But this is no Passing thing."

On it's always gonna keep on keepin' on
This is no passing thing.
On it's always gonna keep on keepin' on
This is no passing thing.

Now I'm lying outside--where there's no where 2 hide
As the sun is goin' way down, I can't think though I try.
I C nothing but darkness, feel the wind N my ear--
What I hear is so clear, dear--it must B sincere, dear.
Some things that I told U should have never been told
I start 2 shiver softly, but I'm really not cold
The sky gives no answers, the stars they just spin
I know just then,
I am not Ur boyfriend.
Except 4 the pain, I have nothing 2 gain
I close my eyes and I sigh and it's starting 2 rain
I know from the rhythms of the rain on my car--
It's coming down slowly, coming down hard.
I cannot 4get, and I will not reget--
I didn't want U 2 leave, but I wonder if U're there yet.
Cuz U R the coolest, by far, that I've ever seen
And this way that I feel is no passing thing.

On it's always gonna keep on keepin' on
This is no passing thing.
On it's always gonna keep on keepin' on
This is no passing thing.

On it's always gonna keep on keepin' on
This is no passing thing.
On it's always gonna keep on keepin' on
This is no passing thing.

Although U're gone, this feeling that I got is goin' on.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

There's a kid on the street and he's packin' a gun--
He's got bloodshot eyes, nowhere 2 run,
And a date N the alley at a quarter 2 1
with a dose of reality and who he's become.

My girl slept around with an older man--
So I left with my pictures and my broken plans.
3 months had passed since their affair began
b4 her friends told me--now I understand.

Y should I face the trigger
and wait 4 U 2 pull it?
Y should I face the gun--
there's no need 4 a faster bullet.

Someone says we were born 2 war--
Well, I want 2 know what U're fighting 4,
And how U expect 2 settle the score
when the rest of us don't wanna fight no more.

Y should I face the trigger
and wait 4 U 2 pull it?
Y should I face the gun--
there's no need 4 a faster bullet.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

As President William admired his false teeth and tongue
He said, "I know I don't listen well, but at least I look young."
Valentino was N the parlor with his blue jeans undone,
When Bill's wife said "Come closer, Val--his hearing is gone.
Cuz I wanna thank-u 4 my daily bread."

A desperate Noah said, "I'm gonna grow me a beard
until the last holy rain cloud has finally disappeared
Cuz when I look around this boat, man, I can tell it's getting weird
U know at the last sacrifice, the lamb he volunteered!
So I wanna thank Him 4 my daily bread.
So I wanna thank Him 4 my daily bread."

Old Reverend Hodges he turned the baptism 2 wine
And the entire congregation well they began 2 feel fine
Somebody in the choir whispered it must be a sign
as the Reverend noticed, "Excuse me, but I think we're outta time
But I wanna thank Him 4 my daily bread.
But I wanna thank Him 4 my daily bread."

Adam caught the serpent looking at Eve
said, "God, U know I believe.
But I can tell he's got more than a few tricks up his sleeve."
The serpent said, "Excuse us, but I think U should leave."

The power hungry princess after Joe killed the girl a queen
said, "Joe, I'm still starvin' man. Don't U know what I mean?
And you've got 2 be the cutest assassin that I've ever seen!
Come let me thank U 4 how naughty you've been.
Cuz I wanna thank you 4 my daily bread.
Cuz I wanna thank you 4 my daily bread.
Cuz I wanna thank you 4 my daily bread."

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog

Listenin' 2 the clock,
she's thinking of leaving
the restless summer nights
where she boxed up her feelings.
A soft angelic face
that she sees N the ceiling
whispers the words of wisdom
that she hears N his breathing.

She gets up b4 him
Quietly raises the shade
And watches the August night
turn slowly N2 the day
Rubbing her eyes,
she tries 2 stare through the pain
Looking 2 explain
what she'll never say

Don't know how long since you been my baby
Don't know how long since you been my baby
Maybe when I'm gone, I'll know what you meant to me baby
But I don't know what I'll do without U.

He doesn't understand
so she does her best 2 explain--
how time spent together
is time you can never reclaim--
And without tomorrow
2day will set in again--
And all the pieces that remain
You can't put back again. . .

Don't know how long since you been my baby
Don't know how long since you been my baby
Maybe when I'm gone, I'll know what you meant to me baby
But I don't know what I'll do without U.

I love U baby.

I love U baby.

I love U baby.

I love U baby.

Copyright 1995 Brian Hartzog