What You Want

What You Want

tcelliott's picture

Tags: 

Demo: 

Liner Notes: 

This is for my Mother's husband. I didn't know where this song was going when I started it. Didn't take long to figure it out. They're both dead now so I guess it's a few years too late.

Lyrics: 

I see you sitting in your rocking chair
So damn worried in your greasy hair
And too far gone to get yourself cleaned up

You think you're climbing a mountainside
Instead of a mole-hill in your wounded pride
You can't help but blame it on bad luck

It's not just your own life you're wasting
We all have to deal with the problems your facing
The past doesn't have to be the end
Tomorrow you can start to make amends
If that's what you want

You ask yourself why it happened again
Searching for excuses so you can pretend
That you don't bring it all down on yourself

It seems to me you really enjoy
Creating so much chaos that you destroy
Any chance that we might want to help

It's not just your own life you're wasting
We all have to deal with the problems your facing
The past doesn't have to be the end
Tomorrow you can start to make amends
If that's what you want

And I don't think you even know all the reasons why
You make everybody that you know want to cry
You've got to figure out what in life you truly need
You hurt the ones you love when they deal with your debris

We both know it's just a matter of time
Till your body starts itching and you lose your mind
And you steal from the folks you say you love

There's been a time or two I should have kicked your ass
I only ever stopped because my mother asked
She still loves you but I've had quite enough

It's not just your own life you're wasting
We all have to deal with the problems your facing
The past doesn't have to be the end
Tomorrow you can start to make amends
If that's what you want



Please keep your comments respectful, honest, and constructive. Please focus on the song and not the demo.

Comments

vivalarayna's picture

Wow. I'm almost at a loss for words with this TC. Every line is written with meaning and precision and your musical delivery is emotionally evocative.. You've told so many stories in one set of lyrics. The bridge and final verse really hit home.

I think you've inspired my next round of writing.

billwhite51's picture

i like your relaxed, affable way of storytelling and building a character

mike skliar's picture

Very powerful, astute and straightforward. You really state the whole thing in a direct and engaging way- excellent write, and I hope the process of writing it gives a little bit of closure or... something? great work, well done! one of the 'true life becoming art' ones for sure!

colgoo's picture

Wow! These lyrics are solid! Love this song!

AndreaB's picture

This is very powerful and emotional. I love the direct truthfulness - straight from the heart. It is very meaningful and I personally relate to this. Has me choked up. It's a really strong song!

tjeff's picture

Wonderful storytelling. Such a sad but all too familiar story - I relate so much to both the story and the emotion. Love your guitar playing, especially those little filler lines, and easy vocal delivery. A good song!

standup's picture

Favorite lines: "I only ever stopped because my mother asked / She still loves you but I've had quite enough"

Quite a story. I've been around these folks. I know them.