when did it start?

there's something wrong,
something I can't put my finger on,
a slight difference in demeanor,

I felt ya pull back, get a little withdrawn
yeah, it's so uncouth to be outspoken,
in a world of introverted, trivial speculation
anything to avoid confrontation

not caring who is hurt in the long run

no verbal expression, it's all guesswork,
you're either in or out, very roundabout,
anti-what yer preachin', I'm calling a foul,
so snap this thought, let's say it's the fourth down,
it's not too hard to see punting became your routine,
when backed into a corner, I've learned your game by now

it's easier to distance ourselves
than engage in a little communication,
let it rot on the shelf,
where it's hidden but not forgotten,
affecting all around it,
disappearing in it's own corruption,
'til ya can't recognize a damn thing,
so yer left making assumptions,
stories riddled with plot holes
characters left undeveloped and dull,
and ya ask yourself, "what the hell was this all for?"
no more revelations, yer completely lost,
tuned into the wrong station, still payin' the cost
carrying that weight around, ya can't seem to settle down
or shake this feeling that something might be off
just ask yourself,
"when did it start?"

the selling out

you first saw them live playing in some beat up dive
you clung to the scene so you could socially survive

but it was alright, it was okay
we stuck it to the man the whole way
getting shitfaced and singing along
screaming how their old structures are wrong
we were changing the world with each song

how could it be an anarchist lands a record deal?
and how the hell could she abandon all her ideals?

if you don't understand, it's okay
just down another beer
live another day
go to college, get your degree
get a career
start your next phase
make room for the next kids to take the stage

it's so strange
how these rules don't apply both ways
they're accused for making the same money you're paid
and you never really believed the things you said,
'cause...

you woke up the next day to be on time for your job

you woke up the next day to be on time for your job

you woke up the next day to be on time for your job

you woke up the next day to be on time for your job

so how could you understand
when "it is what it is" and "you have to do it in the end"
and if you can make excuses why can't they?
when you're both looking forward to your payday
take some time, hear what I say
we're selling out together everyday

 ~
We're among them-- and when we finally give up we become them!
We're living on borrowed time here.
Every minute of our life is a minute we steal from them!
You see them out there. You know that when we die-- we become them.
 You think we hide behind scenes or songs to protect us from the selling out!
Don't you get it?
We ARE the selling out!
~

the wicked

you're addicted to the sensational,
fictional reality consuming your mind
where you can't accept you might be
at fault for this consequence
neglecting your guilty conscience

I hear- your voice-
ricocheting in the skull void
through the static, white noise
feeling your desire to destroy
I see- you lean-
the cupped hand, sideways look scene
spewing shit is the routine
and I'm sick of feeling stuck in between

I know I'm in your sights!

misdirection- manipulation-
a magician for twisting situations
ya putting in loads of dedication
to the narcissist's handbook of defamation

I know I'm in your sights!

they follow me around, yeah
wearing on my nerves, the wicked never take a rest

I'm better off keeping my head down
to stay alive in this part of town

to stay alive in this part of town

I can't control these wicked souls
not sure why I bother 'cause
I know, it's all for the show
always in the spotlight ready to go

I know you're wicked
and I've got ya in my sights!

they follow me around, yeah
wearing on my nerves, the wicked never take a rest

I'm better off keeping my head down
to stay alive in this part of town
they follow me around, yeah
eyes over shoulder, I'm sick of straining my neck

I'm better off keeping my head down
to stay alive in this part of town

to stay alive in this part of town

to stay alive in this part of town

why do the smallest dogs have the loudest bark?

how is it?
we're all trapped in a funnel
in the undertow of your life
you're at the bottom pulling everyone down
to your tragic daily strife

there's no light
at the end of this tunnel
it's blotted out from your lies
you like it dark so it's harder to detect
the insecurities ya' try so hard to hide

like a vampire sucking us dry
the nature of how you survive
you say anxiety's the reason why
it activates when your ego's jeopardized, yeah

so you hate
and create a sob story for bait
to get the attention you crave
you rally banner men under your flag
allies for your pity crusade

well I reject and I distance
the only thing I can do
only way I can avoid
this poison- you flood into our veins,
I'm left with no choice
drain the blood or succumb to toxic influence
 
like a vampire sucking us dry
the nature of how you survive
you say anxiety's the reason why
it activates when your ego's jeopardized

well I reject and I distance
the only thing I can do
only way I can avoid
this poison- you flood into our veins,
I'm left with no choice
drain the blood or succumb to toxic influence

how is it?
we're all trapped in a funnel
in the undertow of your life

it comes and goes

so what if I've become lazy?

I'm just so tired of the fight

I've grown friendly with apathy;
a comfortable constancy,
and though I always gave it my all
some would say I give up too damn quickly
it's so easy to forget
the resistance that I met

can't say that I miss
juggling personalities
of how and who ya gotta be
and always knowing what to say
but I have nothing left
and I'm running out of distractions
to get me through the day

I'm sorry it turned this way

here I go again
making excuses for myself
of why things have to be this way
stacking stone on top of clay
so I apologize in advance
if I have my reservations
with years passed and nothing earned
just compliments after the burn

I can't go through it again

my dedication
wasn't enough
it took the patience of a saint
dealing with the stress building up

my bones were breaking from the dead weight
buried my crushed body under 6 feet of blame
HEY!

I lost my bout with failure
but I swear I took it ten rounds
felt the sting of shame
as my body hit the ground
now I hide in my little bunker
where I'm weathering the storm

I promise things'll get better

just leave me alone

all I really know
is the bitterness comes and goes
all I really know
is the anger comes and goes

here I go again
making excuses for myself
of why things have to be this way
stacking stone on top of clay
so I apologize in advance
if I have my reservations
with years passed and nothing earned
just compliments after the burn

here I go again
making excuses for myself
of why things have to be this way
stacking stone on top of clay
so I apologize in advance
if I have my reservations
with years passed and nothing earned
just compliments after the burn

I can't go through it again