Jim James & The Damn Shames: words & music

(for "Kosmo")

I’VE BEEN WOODSHEDDING FOR SIXTEEN WEEKS,
BEEN LIVING IN THE BASEMENT, BUT NOW I’M ON THE STREET.
I’M SHOUTIN’ OUT THE GOOD WORD,
FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT.
MAKING AMENDS WITH SOME DEVILISH FRIENDS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE NIGHT.

THERE’S A MIST ACROSS THE WATER,
LIKE THE LACE THAT LAYS ACROSS HER FACE,
AS THE SUN SETS ON THE RIVERSIDE,
AT IT’S OWN STEADY YET FAMILIAR PACE.
THERE’S NOTHING WE CAN DO,
TO IMPROVE ON THIS PERFECTION
LIKE A DANCER WHO FEELS THE MUSE,
WE MUST MOVE, IN OUR OWN DIRECTION.

WE’VE ALL GOT DIRECTION. IT’S ALL ABOUT DIRECTION.

I WALK LIKE I’VE BEEN THERE,
BECAUSE I’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE.
AND WHEN THE MAN COMES YOU JUST PLAY IT COOL
AND SLIP RIGHT OUT THE DOOR.

STEP INTO MY JEANS.
SEE HOW IT FEELS.
TAKE A TURN IN THESE BOOTS, BABY!
THIS HERE IS THE REAL DONE DEAL.

YOU SEE ME STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES, YOU THINK I’M STRIKING ROCK‘N’ROLL POSES.
BUT NOBODY KNOWS HOW THE STORY REALLY GOES
WHEN THEY’RE LOOKING DOWN THEIR NOSES.
I AM AN ANCIENT OUTLAW, YES, A SELF-REALIZED MYTHOLOGY,
WALKING DOWN THESE MEAN AND DUSTY STREETS OF THIS HERE WICKED AND WILD
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY.

AND I WALK LIKE I’VE BEEN HERE, BECAUSE I’VE BEEN THERE BEFORE.
SO WHEN THE MAN COMES, YOU JUST DIG HIS JIVE AND WALK RIGHT OUT THE DOOR.

STEP INTO MY JEANS.
SEE HOW IT FEELS.
TAKE A TURN IN THESE BOOTS, BABY!
THIS HERE IS THE REAL DONE DEAL.

James Travis Spartz
Summer 2001