1. |
Various People
03:24
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Jane, the universe gets worse and worse
We thought it was in good repair
But stupid us, oblivious, Jane
You came to make us all aware
It’s nice to save the world from bigotry.
Liberate the masses, fine with me.
But are you sure you don’t belong?
The system done you wrong?
It’s so simple
You’ve got pimples, lots of pimples, Jane
I’ve got pimples, too
There are various people in the world
Ooh, various people
And you are one
Of them.
Jane, you know their names
The special ones, Jane
The ones that make it all okay
You’ve read Faucault and Derridas, Jane
I’m sure they have a lot to say
Why the hell won’t you go out with me?
What you got against my family?
I’m a suburban kid, for sure
I never listen to the Cure
And I don’t wear black
And I don’t smoke crack
Or whatever
Jane, I’m just a simple guy
There are various people in the world
Ooh, various people
And you are one
Of them.
At night you dream another world
Made in your image
What can you do to save the world
Not that much
Ooh yeah!
I present you Velveeta Cheese
Merry Christmas, Jane, do try it, please!
Because you will go out with me
And we’ll be listening to Garth
You might like it
Jane, I like it
Jane, you’ll like it forever
Keep an open mind
There are various people in the world
Ooh, various people
And you are one
You are one
You are one
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2. |
What's A Booty?
05:39
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I was drivin’ all night on eighteen wheels
I changed the dial
Electronic squeals commanding me
To lose my dull, old-fashioned ways
Not sure what this is all about
But sign me up; I’m gonna check it out
I’ll find a nightclub and proceed to boogie down
I’m ready...
But what’s a booty?
What’s a booty?
I’ve got to move
With the groove
So what’s a booty?
I’m told it mends the broken heart
It heals the soul, and it makes you smart
It sates the urge for something greater than yourself
And I’m ready...
But what’s a booty?
What’s a booty?
Hands in the air
Like I don’t care
But what’s a booty?
And I will be accepted like a brother
The women there will love me like my mother
Bless her heart, she’d be so proud
So proud of me
Goodbye to beer and barbecues
I’ll trade these boots for a pair of dancing shoes
The folks back home won’t recognize me anymore
And I’m ready...
So what’s a booty?
What’s a booty?
You’ve got to move
With the groove
So what’s a booty?
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3. |
Day-Glo Underwear
03:59
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I’m wearing Day-Glo underwear
I’m fully dressed; you never would guess that it’s there
You may sense a certain something interesting
Do you?
It’s my Day-Glo, my Day-Glo, Day-Glo
You can only imagine
I look just like a normal guy.
And at my job, I’m merely a suit and a tie.
Show it to you? No, but thanks for asking me,
I guess
Day-Glo, my Day-Glo, Day-Glo
You can only imagine
Some people put it on display.
Is that because they love you?
Next thing, they’re giving it away.
Is that because they love you?
Is that because they love you?
Other guys have ass tattoos.
And though it stings, they’re soothed by the glowing reviews.
I’m the one who needs to know I’m interesting.
Just me.
In my Day-Glo, my Day-Glo, Day-Glo
You can only imagine
I’ll be okay
You’ll be giving it away
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4. |
Teenage Man
02:50
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No zits on me, I’m looking tan
Who says it’s too late to be a teenage man?
See all these dudes I’m smoother than
Who says it’s too late to be a teenage man?
Teenage: cuz I want to
Man: cux I know how to
Nine years of wallowing in shame
Who says it’s too late to be a teenage man?
Now the bully fears my name!
Who says it’s too late to be a teenage man
Teenage: cuz I want to
Man: cuz I know how to
I know so much more than you
No one tells me what to do
I buy all I want with the money I make
I can afford to make my next mistake
No more kept down
No more confined
Why leave those teenage dreams behind?
My friends slow down fast as they can
They think it’s too late to be a teenage man
Not me, cuz I’m the teenage man!
Who says it’s too late to be a teenage man?
Teenage: cuz I want to
Man: cux I know how to
Yes I know how to
Yes I know how to
I’m not afraid I’m not afraid I’m not afraid I’m not afraid
To be a teenage man!
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5. |
Baby
03:00
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Don’t come between my girl and me, Little Baby
You’re climbing up the family tree, Little Baby
When you squirted out
All slick and drooling
Who’d you think that you were fooling?
I know who you are!
I’m the cute one in the house, Little Baby
All you do is burp and grouse, like a baby
Shut your stupid mouth
You want my protection?
You’re stealing her affection?
Shut your stupid mouth!
You ain’t no fine fine superfine boy!
You ain’t no bundle of joy!
My girl says what is there to fear, Little Baby
As you sing sweet nothings in ear, Little Baby
When you learn to talk,
You’ll give the order
Send him across the border!
When you learn to talk
Mama Mama Mama Mama
Mama Mama Mama Mama
Give it to me!
Give it to me!
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6. |
Don't Know Why
04:10
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Girl, I know you’re really smart;
You wouldn’t give away your heart
For no compelling reason.
He’s in love, but here’s the deal:
Lovers change the way they feel
With every change of season.
He comes on strong, I know he does.
But he’s all wrong, and that’s because...
What his feelings signify,
He hasn’t got a clue
And he don’t know why
He’s in love with you
He’s a man who never sweats
Never has regrets
And never sits in contemplation
Girl, I know you will agree
Such inactivity
Demands an explanation
You say you heard it’s really great with him
But just you let me debate with him
He’ll stammer when he speaks
He won’t know what to do
Cuz he don’t know why
He’s in love with you
But I can state my reasons for loving you:
One - you’re the most beautiful girl in the world
Two - your secret glance
Three - you’ve been to France
Four - how you help the poor
I’ve got a million reasons more!
Tell me, tell me: who’s side are you on?
Is it Brains or is it Brawn?
And will you kindly clarify
How you fell for someone who
Don’t know why
He’s in love with you
He’s real happy and he don’t know why.
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7. |
Stupid Sissy Boys
03:42
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I’ve discovered life is meaningless
No point in living
No point in living
And if you want friends, go kiss somebody’s ass
And all the pretty girls like stupid stupid stupid guys
So I’m arranging a suicide
But I’m hearing a noise from below
My sister’s radio
It’s distracting me
Won’t she let me be?
Stupid sissy boys
In that song
Stupid sissy boys
What went wrong
It’s so frustrating
Self-annihilating
When those sissy boys sing of love
She’s obsessed; her room is like a shrine
Posters of boy bands; there goes her virtue
Turn the music off - Hey!
Tell your little boys they’re stupid stupid stupid girls
They don’t even write their songs
There’s a man who makes up what they say
It’s my ascension day
They annoy me so
Won’t they let me go!?!
Stupid sissy boys
In that song
Stupid sissy boys
What went wrong
They’ve got a 900 number
They tell her that they love her
But they don’t even use her name
Ooh La la la
Soon she’s gonna meet some creep
Who’ll say he’s not too young to fall in love
And he’ll sing that sissy song
Gonna stay alive
Just to fight the jive
I will live to keep her safe!
Stupid sissy boys
In that song
Stupid sissy boys
What went wrong
Gonna save her life!
She won’t end up sad like me.
Ooh La la la.
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8. |
It Hurts To Be Seen
04:06
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I once kissed a girl, but I’m told it was kind of a joke.
Just your basic first base; we’re not talking about any tongue.
Was that the peak of my success? I guess.
Once I dared to dream of tenderness.
Yeah it hurts to be seen
By a girl like you
I’m alone, I’m alone
With my love
I’ve practiced my lines in the mirror I pose with a smoke.
But out in the world, it’s like talking without any tongue.
Yes, I cry a little bit, I admit.
But when I cry, I have a reason for it.
Cuz it hurts to be seen
By a girl like you
I’m alone, I’m alone
With my love
And I have decided this isn’t for me anymore.
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9. |
Edgar The Nothing (I Am)
03:22
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I’m Edgar the Nothing, I am
I’m so glad you know my name
I’m Edgar the Nothing, I am
Yes, I am
If I could rule
Just the people on the subway train,
Would I abstain?
I’d probably
Be an abject failure
But I’ve got trum-trum-trumpets in my head
Trum-trum-trumpets in my head
On the other hand,
They’re not for me
I’m Edgar the Nothing, I am
I’m so glad you know my name
I’m Edgar the Nothing, I am
Yes, I am
“Cut off his head,”
I harass a sleeping passenger
But not a stir
And nobody looks to see who’s talking
My accent’s fake as it can be
I’m from Jersey actually
And by all authority not vested in me,
I decree
I’m Edgar the Nothing, I am
I’m so glad you know my name
I’m Edgar the Nothing, I am
Yes, I am
I’ve been told that I’m somebody
But I know better
You’ve been told that you’re somebody
But you know better
You know what you are not
Make do with what you’ve got
To those in charge,
Passing laws that say “do this or that”,
I tip my hat
Thank you!
Thank you!
I’m Edgar the Nothing, I am
I’m so glad you know my name
I’m Edgar the Nothing, I am
Yes, I am
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10. |
Permission
04:05
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Hello, it’s me
The masochist.
So you forgot that I exist?
Or could it be
You find me easy to resist?
Ooh, say yes, say yes
But I know the secrets in your heart
And I know what makes you stop and start
I do
Give me permission
Give me permission
With your permission,
I’ll do anything
While I’m not here
To intervene,
That guy you’re with,
The libertine:
He won’t be true;
He’s married to his tambourine.
Allow me, girl, to be completely candid
He’s not the kind of guy to be commanded
No.
Give me permission.
Yeah.
Give me permission.
Yeah, yeah.
With your permission,
I’ll do anything.
Believe me, I’ll be waiting
I’ll be waiting for you
Were I a punk,
A scowling dude
With brutal wit and attitude
You’d worship me
You’d bend the knee with gratitude
But I am no one other than I am
And I’m not gonna make you give a damn
So you don’t
Either you will or you won’t
Give me permission
When you’re all tired out
Give me permission
When you’re all used up
With your permission,
I’ll do anything.
I’ll do everything.
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11. |
Too Late For Disco
03:54
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Everyday - up at eleven
Everyday - crawl out of bed
And check the messages to see if anyone cares
Everyday - beer and a light lunch
Everyday - radio buzzing
Dimly I can hear the ghost of ‘79.
Think of showing up for work
Go to bed instead
Feet would be steppin’
Knees would be bending
Hands would be pointing
Hips would be shaking
Hearts would be breaking, but it’s…
Too late for disco
It’s never coming back again
Am I just a man without a God?
Too late for disco
I’m never havin’ fun again
Once I was “fantastic”, now I’m “odd”
Everyday - browse through the porno
Everyday - once I could score, though
No one had a camera on that magical night
Ride the stationary bike
Back in time
Back to the nightclub
It was exclusive
I was good lookin’
I was the future
Whatever happened?
Now it’s..
Too late for disco
It’s never coming back again
Like a lost and lonely butterfly
Too late for disco
I’m never havin’ fun again
And I will wear this frown until I die.
Recall a girl from long ago
Did she like me?
Look in the mirror
Pose like a rock star
Pose like a salesman
It isn’t fair they had to make me a salesman
Now it’s too late for disco
I’m never havin’ fun again
When all that I was dancing for is gone
Too late for disco
It’s never coming back again
But I go on and on and on and on
And it hurts more and more
Everyday.
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12. |
Sneed
03:29
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When I arrived, I surmised that my parents adored me
And I came to believe I would walk in the sunshine forever
First day of school,the girls knew that I was a genius
Born to lead
Knew how to read
I had what it takes to succeed
‘Til Mrs. Meade
Made me sit with Sneed.
Sneed’s a troubled boy
He needs someone to show him round
Play a game with him
He’s badly dressed and tightly wound
Help him to get what he wants in this sad world.
He let out a scream and he ran himself into the bathroom
Mrs. Meade said to wait, so I waited, it took him forever
And when he came out he said “Won’t someone pull up my trousers?”
He looked at me
Expectantly
And I saw what this friendship would be:
Agony.
My schoolmates sang with glee:
Bill’s the wiener king
He really wants to see your thing
When you take a poo,
He’ll wait outside the door for you
Help you to pull up your pants in this sad world
Then I knew I’d be stuck with the meek and the useless forever
And that this was despite the fact I was superior to them
So I told him to run into cars, but the cars swerved around him
Hiss and crawl
Swing at girls
Break Legos on your head
Play with fire
Play with fire
Sneed’s a troubled boy
He needs someone to show him round
Play a game with him
He’s badly dressed and tightly wound
Help him to get what he wants
Help him to get what he wants
I like to play with him
Make him hurt himself a lot
Steal his Oreos
Tie him a little knot
Fine way to get what you want
Nice day to get what you want
Okay to get what you want
In this sad world.
In this sad world.
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13. |
Don't Go Insane
03:25
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Oh, Baby, you cried, cried
Down the wedding aisle
Someone took some pictures,
But they’ll fade in a while
The sun was shining
Your dress was white
The people with us there
Were those we cared to invite
So we arranged the wedding day
But we just get one
It’s not too kind to change your mind
Once the wedding’s done
Oh, Baby, I’ll die, die
If you go insane
Though I hate to think about it,
It’s a common refrain:
She speak in riddle
She kiss and tell
She take up the fiddle
While the place goes to hell
We cannot see the future
Though it’s coming fast
Just don’t go live the future
Like you did your past
Cuz summer’s over
Summer’s over
Soon.
Baby, summer’s over soon
Don’t go insane
Don’t go insane
Summer’s over soon.
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The Shut-Ups Atlanta, Georgia
We're a five-piece new-wave power-pop band from Atlanta and Athens, GA and practice daily at 6AM. We do more before 8AM than
most bands do all week.
We're not about Pleasure or Fun. You may enjoy listening to us. You may not. You may pretend to enjoy us because others you respect seem to. They may be pretending, too. In which case you may want to consider what else they're pretending about.
... more
The Shut-Ups recommends:
Dingbats
by Casper & the Cookies
Jason plays here
go to album
Ben plays here
go to album
Magnet Factory
by PYLON REENACTMENT SOCIETY
Jason also plays here
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