It’s The Thought That Counts
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If In Times Of Transition explored relationship dynamics, these lyrics do the same… but on steroids.
Continuing many themes from the last grouping, It’s The Thought That Counts takes it to another level. While evolving in the process and creating some interesting results, it eventually leads to diminishing returns. By the end, these lyrics almost feel like a one note song that keeps getting played over and over again.
To be fair, I don’t think they really fall apart until Something Unexplained. Up to that point, there’s enough of a narrative tissue and variety to hold things together. Unfortunately, the home stretch is pretty rough. Quality takes a nose dive starting with the lyrics I previously mentioned and doesn’t recover much. (I only like two things out of the last five in the grouping actually.)
It’s The Thought That Counts was written shortly after In Times Of Transition and it shows. Looking back with hindsight, I think it would’ve been better by cutting Something Unexplained, Getting Out Of Here, Believe In Everything and maybe Where Should I Begin or I’m Not Sleeping (both seem to accomplish a similar purpose.)
Well, now that you inadvertently know what my least favourite lyrics are, I’d say that the best include Monkey Brain, Connections, Balancing Act and Not Again. Despite what I wrote in the previous paragraph, Where Should I Begin and even Falling Out Of Grace are just a rung below too.
For those interested, you can check out the original version of It’s The Thought That Counts in the Fireteddy National Library. Feel free to peruse some of what didn’t make the cut here.
Lyrics Content
01. Bumper Crops
03. Monkey Brain
04. December
06. Connections
08. I’m Not Awake
11. Balancing Act
13. Not Again
Bumper Crops
Tip toeing on the graves of those
Who knew the truth but then were still overthrown
Now in the darkness all these whispers have formed
They’re always circling like electrical storms
Golf clapping for the new pretend
Where skating by is what they all must defend
Feed the monster ’cause this shit never stops
It’s a crazy season for these old bumper crops
I don’t know why I can’t get away
You don’t know, there’s nothing more to say
Hide the dead and find the lines betrayed
Maybe she just knows she’ll get her way
Shadow boxing with some make believes
They’re almost fading but still always perceived
Now in the silence come the deafening cries
To end the madness that’s behind this disguise
Black listing for some consequence
They’d like to stop it but remain on the fence
Hide your demons ’cause they’re all gonna know
Why all these bumper crops are still overgrown
I don’t know why I can’t get away
You don’t know, there’s nothing more to say
Hide the dead and find the lines betrayed
Maybe she just knows she’ll get her way
Baby knows she’ll always get her way
Say what you mean and do what you want
We’re victims of course and we’ve got scars to flaunt
Excuses to carry the responsible droves
To bury the past and watch it explode
And no one here would ever even know
No one here would ever even know
I don’t know why I can’t get away
You don’t know, there’s nothing more to say
Hide the dead and find the lines betrayed
Maybe she just knows she’ll get her way
Baby knows she’ll always get her way
Baby knows she’ll always get her way
But maybe I’ll still come around someday
Falling Out Of Grace
We make our sacrifices to live a life of bliss
But no one understands them when they’re mostly hit or miss
It’s never quite as simple but that’s all in our mistakes
This profanity we spit out like a habit we should break
While making friends gets even trickier each time
I’m sure there’s a reason for this fear to speak my mind
In these hands to trust that maybe there’s some light
I’ve been searching for some meaning but I guess it’s out of sight
So tell me now why you question my judgement
I don’t know why I’m feeling out of place
You take your time until the point has been bludgeoned
Don’t look at me, I’m falling out of grace
We keep these phrases held so tightly to ourselves
But no one wants to think them much less trust somebody else
Raised in fear to voice a single thought alone
When it’s a matter of opinion that leaves us hanging by the phone
So tell me now why you question my judgement
I don’t know why I’m feeling out of place
You take your time until the point has been bludgeoned
Don’t look at me, I’m falling out of grace
Oh baby now I’m falling out of grace
So maybe we could sit and talk a little while
When the timing’s finally right we could air our grievances
Or I could make amends with my life stuck in denial
Waiting here bewildered, always wondering where the meaning went
So tell me now why you question my judgement
I don’t know why I’m feeling out of place
You take your time until the point has been bludgeoned
Don’t look at me, I’m falling out of grace
Oh baby now I’m falling out of grace
And this is such a bitter taste, this is such a bitter taste
But baby now I’m falling out of grace
Baby now I’m falling out of grace
Monkey Brain
Once again all the names never match
Reach for the phone, it’s an itch I can’t scratch
In my monkey brain all thoughts collide
But there’s always a problem that I can’t define
So where was my shoulder?
When the ceiling started to cave
I’ll honour your memory
Well I’d call but I’m just too afraid
My monkey brain, monkey brain, monkey brain
Now some phrases still run through the halls
They fill up the spaces and cracks in the walls
To my good friend I lie here ashamed
Convinced that I’ve cheated but lost all the same
So where was my shoulder?
When the ceiling started to cave
I’ll honour your memory
Well I’d call but I’m just too afraid
My monkey brain, monkey brain, monkey brain
I promise to read all the headlines
I’ll never skip mentions of names
I’ll listen for each misplaced accent
Though nothing’s repeated the same
I’ll never be myself again, I’ll never be myself again
I’ll never be myself again, I’ll never be myself again
Monkey brain, monkey brain, monkey brain
Monkey brain, monkey brain yeah
December
Hanging out with everyone
You still act like I’m not there
Please don’t flaunt your presence now
Because you know I’m well aware
You’ve barely said five words to me
Explaining it’s the thought that counts
Well ain’t that so ironic now?
When it’s my thoughts that won’t come out
My tongue is getting swollen still
Because I’m biting it so hard
For all the things I keep inside
Can you see me where you are?
You can’t see me where you are
Dropping down in rank and file
Please stop acting like my friend
I’ve got some things to say to you
Why can’t we ever make amends?
What the hell is wrong with me?
Are there feelings I should fake?
Believing false intentions now
But how much can I take?
My tongue is getting swollen still
Because I’m biting it so hard
For all the things I keep inside
Can you see me where you are?
You can’t see me where you are
Why is it so hard to be?
From every little piece of me
Like shooting stars across the sky
Burning out in suicide
I’ve still got my pride I guess
But December nights are meaningless
Where have they gone?
Where have we gone?
My tongue is getting swollen still
Because I’m biting it so hard
For all the things I keep inside
Can you see me where you are?
You can’t see me where you are
You can’t see me where you are
You can’t see me where you are
Well I’ve still got my pride I guess
But December nights are meaningless
Running In Circles
When I was young I could see it
All the lines that would run down my face
And somewhere in tune I’d believe it
For in time I’ve become a disgrace
So maybe it’s not how they meant it
But these days never stop feeling wrong
Find something to fake and defend it
As if anyone else could belong
I hate to admit that I’d want some of this
Yeah I’ve been waiting so long to get in
In the end I’ll digress and then try to confess
That I’m running in circles again
Now that I’m gone I can taste it
The rejection that comes with this stance
And somewhere in spades it’s deflated
I could change if you gave me the chance
So maybe I’ve jumped to conclusions
But these feelings are coming out strained
With something to feed my illusions
Hard to say but I’m still not the same
I hate to admit that I’d want some of this
Yeah I’ve been waiting so long to get in
In the end I’ll digress and then try to confess
That I’m running in circles again
I’ve been running in circles again
So where are all my friendly lies?
Tell me where are all my friends?
With nothing to say I’ll just give it away
And then turn it around in the end
I can turn this around in the end
I hate to admit that I’d want some of this
Yeah I’ve been waiting so long to get in
In the end I’ll digress and then try to confess
That I’m running in circles again
I still can’t explain all the choices I’ve made
Yeah it’s taken awhile to sink in
Now there’s nothing to do to get closer to you
And I’m running in circles again
I’ve been running in circles again
Connections
Late at night I sit alone
And curse the ones I can’t condone
Pretenders with their lovely lives
Struggling with their alibis
With everything swept underground
These whispers stopped from crying out
But I could take back anything
And now they try to pull my strings
I can’t stop feeling angry because I know it’s all my fault
An innocent civilian who gets lost in this assault
Bombarding me with words and thoughts that I can’t even see
And I don’t wanna be redeemed
I don’t wanna be redeemed
I used to know my friends I thought
But they took my name and then forgot
Lost inside a vacant mind
To drift and throw it back in time
Every night they’re talking now
But these whispered words keep coming out
Locked behind some guarded doors
Now I don’t trust them anymore
I can’t stop feeling angry because I know it’s all my fault
An innocent civilian who gets lost in this assault
Bombarding me with words and thoughts that I can’t even see
And I don’t wanna be redeemed
I don’t wanna be redeemed
Now everybody hates me
It doesn’t matter what they say
All words were made for lying
They’re all connections gone astray
Oh nothing really changes
With these thoughts kept to myself
Well no one stays exclusive
But maybe I just need some help
I can’t stop feeling angry because I know it’s all my fault
An innocent civilian who gets lost in this assault
Bombarding me with words and thoughts that I can’t even see
Won’t you look at me? Please look at me
I can’t stop feeling angry because I know it’s all my fault
An innocent civilian who gets lost in this assault
Bombarding me with words and thoughts that I can’t even see
And I don’t wanna be redeemed
I don’t wanna be redeemed
But look at me, please look at me
Won’t you look at me? Fucking look at me
Where Should I Begin
I’ve been picking up the pieces
Of this life I can’t reject
Well at least I still have someone
And I’m surprised she hasn’t left
I wake up every morning
Often struggling through some sleep
It used to be that nothing phased me
But now there’s no one to believe
Now there’s no one to believe
And somewhere deep behind these eyes
Shut so tight to keep my head
We’re all so quick to criticize
Now tell me where should I begin
I keep stumbling through the reasons
Wondering where I lost myself
But at least I’ve still got something
In these rumours to dispel
I’m running down the evening
Because it still won’t let me through
It used to be that I could take it
But now there’s nothing left to do
Now there’s nothing left to do
And somewhere deep behind these eyes
Shut so tight to keep my head
We’re all so quick to criticize
Now tell me where should I begin
We charged too fast and failed to look
It only led to civil war
Well I thought I had you figured out
But you weren’t meant to be ignored
You weren’t meant to be ignored
And somewhere deep behind these eyes
Shut so tight to keep my head
We’re all so quick to criticize
Now tell me where should I begin
Tell me where should I begin
I still don’t know why everybody bends
Well maybe I was wrong but tell me where should I begin
Oh tell me where should I begin
Tell me where should I begin
I’m Not Awake
Take me out of my element
Or you can beat me through the ground
But please don’t pass your judgements here
And I won’t ever make a sound
Now up against these tortured lies
Repressed to face another day
I’ve got some pride inside my head
Until it falls and rots away
But I’m better than this I know
She says that this is different but I still can’t let it go
Well no one looks for trouble but it follows me around
I’m always feeling lost so tell me where can I be found?
Oh tell me where can I be found?
Lead me into the arms of faith
But don’t be feeding me those tricks
Some beliefs they’ve learnt to make up
Until we’re only talking shit
Now up against my blinded eyes
I never thought to let you in
We’re not sure of where it came from
And that’s not how it should’ve been
But I’m better than this I know
She says that this is different but I still can’t let it go
Well no one looks for trouble but it follows me around
I’m always feeling lost so tell me where can I be found?
Oh tell me where can I be found?
Another altar to my lovers
It’s just a shrine for all the fakes
To keep these secrets unrecovered
With all the ties I had to break
And I don’t know what I should do
Are there some thoughts I should forsake?
I’m still asleep, I’m not awake
But I’m better than this I know
She says that this is different but I still can’t let it go
Well no one looks for trouble but it follows me around
I’m always feeling lost so tell me where can I be found?
Oh tell me where can I be found?
Take me out of my element
Or you can beat me through the ground
But please don’t pass your judgements here
And I won’t ever make a sound
I won’t ever make a sound
Something Unexplained
On these words I’ve tripped and choked
My thoughts dissected through these jokes
We’re always trying to guard ourselves
It gets so hard but they can’t tell
Now what’s to say and what’s to hide?
You pull me down and through both sides
Our love is great but shadowed light
Creates a darkness undefined
I wanted something to take back
But my thoughts they still won’t give me that
I’d rather speak and feel some pain
Than feeling something unexplained
My thoughts are unexplained
All these years that I’ve erased
My memories still can’t be replaced
Held so tightly to the ground
But in this silence I will drown
More black holes to suck you in
But this is how it all begins
Our shackled phrases will escape
And lead our heads to find their way
I wanted something to take back
But my thoughts they still won’t give me that
I’d rather speak and feel some pain
Than feeling something unexplained
My thoughts are unexplained
Waiting here beneath the rain
My words are skipping stones again
Rippling through some gravity
Deflecting how this had to be
In my head that’s how it plays
So I won’t go outside today
This is all that I can take
I think it’s time to break away tonight
I wanted something to take back
But my thoughts they still won’t give me that
I’d rather speak and feel some pain
Oh yeah…
I wanted something to take back
But my thoughts they still won’t give me that
I’d rather speak and feel some pain
Than feeling something unexplained
My thoughts are unexplained
Waiting here beneath the rain
It’s time that I get on my feet again
Getting Out Of Here
So I’ve gone off the deep end now
And I’m refusing to come back
Watch the walls, they’re slowly closing in
As the plaster starts to cracks
While crawling in your awkward mind
You keep stumbling for relief
But I’ll be counting down the days you’re gone
For our friendship’s sake at least
So you look at me as I walk away
And you’re dying to know what I was gonna say
I’ll say it now so don’t you fear
Now I’m getting out of here
Though we’ve wrestled with some stranger words
Our indecisions make us slaves
Is it time that we release our thoughts?
Only phrases to relay
Nowhere to go, now there’s nothing to save
I’ve been trying my best but it’s hard to behave
So you look at me as I walk away
And you’re dying to know what I was gonna say
I’ll say it now so don’t you fear
Now I’m getting out of here
I’m getting out of here
Self-destructive tragedies
They always want a piece of me
I’m wound so tight but even so
Beneath my skin you’ve found a home
Walking on a tightrope now
No safety nets for falling down
I’ll try to make this crystal clear
Now I’m getting out of here
I’m getting out of here
So you look at me as I walk away
And you’re dying to know what I was gonna say
I’ll say it now so don’t you fear
Now I’m getting out of here
I’m getting out of here
I’m getting out of here
Getting out of here
Balancing Act
Playing by the rules that you set in stone
But the game that I play isn’t quite the same
Bouncing in my head but I’m not alone
And the roles are reversed for some more restraint
For all of the time that I’ve wasted in fear
Thinking that I had to sacrifice myself
I don’t need your approval or anything here
Still watching as the silence trickles down the well
I’m trying so hard not to rub it in
When all these accusations keep surfacing
You think that it’s beneath you but I’m still intact
It’s just a balancing act
It’s all a balancing act, oh yeah
Waiting as your lips stay frozen shut
This matter of opinion leaves you stumbling straight
Trailing in your mind like a paper cut
Your thoughts are always burning ’til they’ve faded away
With all of the doubts you keep throwing around
Wondering when I’d just be falling out of my head
I don’t need to belong and I’m not backing down
For fake validation in the lines you’ve been fed
I’m trying so hard not to rub it in
When all these accusations keep surfacing
You think that it’s beneath you but I’m still intact
It’s just a balancing act
It’s all a balancing act, oh yeah
Now tell me where you draw the line
Between assurance and your grief
There’s still one word left on my mind
And it’s insecurity
It’s your insecurities
I’m trying so hard not to rub it in
When all these accusations keep surfacing
You think that it’s beneath you but I’m still intact
It’s just a balancing act
It’s all a balancing act, oh yeah
Nothing to say so let’s attack
It’s all a balancing act, oh yeah
Believe In Everything
We’ve wasted time still running down
This starlit life that we never found
Now lick your finger and turn the page
Point out the place where you wanna stay
While in your head it’s not the same
You never thought it would be so plain
With expectations raised so high
For the logic that your dreams defied
I don’t wanna see anything else again
It makes it easier when I have to pretend
That everything’s alright, but I can’t believe in everything
I’m trying hard to drown my thoughts
With these old feelings that we forgot
For confrontations I still don’t want
Yeah there’s still some better scars to flaunt
Now in your mind it’s always wrong
And you still insist we play along
In all the things you’ve gone without
Through some distant thoughts to build your doubts
I don’t wanna see anything else again
It makes it easier when I have to pretend
That everything’s alright, but I can’t believe in everything
Bring it down and pass the crown
Defences made for tired clowns
I’ll take it on where lines are drawn
But I’m never gonna be your pawn
So I guess I don’t belong
I guess I don’t belong
I don’t wanna see anything else again
It makes it easier when I have to pretend
That everything’s alright, but I can’t believe in everything
I don’t wanna see anything else again
It makes it easier when I have to pretend
That everything’s alright, but I can’t believe in everything
Some wings to fly attached to strings
Well I can’t believe in everything
I can’t believe in everything
Not Again
I walk alone by circumstance
But I’ll finally let this go
To save myself for someone else
For someone else who knows
Love could be a summer thing
So I’ll spin it back around
It’s time to change, to re-arrange
There’ll be no more breaking down
The words you say are over me
They’re with the things we’ll never be
Packaged up with my misery
It’s something I won’t do
At least not again for you
I spent so many nights on this
And we’ve been struggling through the days
But it seems you’re just a memory now
Another name to pack away
Watch this as it falls apart
Collapsing fast into the night
That’s all we are, we’re shooting stars
Two exploding bursts of light
The words you say are over me
They’re with the things we’ll never be
Packaged up with my misery
It’s something I won’t do
At least not again for you
So if these words were all mistakes
Would you keep them locked inside your brain?
Well they’re only thoughts we can’t restrain
All replaced with out a care
Embraced in your blank stares
The words you say are over me
They’re with the things we’ll never be
Packaged up with my misery
It’s something I won’t do
At least not again for you
Love could be a summer thing
That still resides to stretch through spring
But still in bloom, I’ll always sing
When the words aren’t coming out
Baby it’s the thought that counts…