^ the light in ^
van hise
Other albums:
Minnesota
Boy
8 1/2
Avenue
all songs copyright 1996
jake donze |
TALKING
ABOUT NOTHING
The weekend's here,
leave your worries at the door
Join us on the couch or pull up a piece of floor
We all have gathered round, but we've saved a place for you
We're talking about nothing, it's 1:02
The night is
young and so are we
Don't worry about our level of maturity
There may come the day we all go our separate ways
But for now let's enjoy our company
We laugh about
our common insecurities
We share what we can, we're in no hurry
Looking around this friendly sound, it's like we're family
We're talking about nothing, it's 2:03
The night is
young and so are we
Don't worry about our level of maturity
There may come the day we all go our separate ways
But for now let's enjoy our company
Everyone has
reclined around the room
But no one falls asleep, no it's way too soon
Politics, religion, relationships and more
We're talking about nothing, it's 3:04
For our eyes
have adjusted to the night
Even so, eyelids close upon our sight
Everyone is drifting away, we'll share dreams a different day
And we'll talk about nothing, and that's okay.
The night is
young and so are we
Don't worry about our level of maturity
There may come the day we all go our separate ways
But for now let's enjoy our company
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
CITY OF THE TREES
Slow the car down to
thirty as you pass through town
Turn the radio off, roll all the windows down
Rest your left arm in the sunshine, don't give the map a stare
When your tired touch the gravel then you'll know you're almost
there
The town's
water tower introduces you to its name
The townsfolk may not know you, but they wave back just the same
They'll meet you on the front lawn or on the front porch depending
on the weather
When you park don't take the keys or lock the doors, the car
here is not the treasure
Escape into
the city of the trees
Where they've traded in the buildings for the breeze
Where the parking lots are fields of green with gravel roads
running in between
It's an afternoon's drive, but once you arrive, you'll never
want to leave
The kids have
been on the trampoline all day
Never getting tired, they just want to play
They'll all sleep well tonight with the windows open and the
covers pulled up tight
They'll be asleep and dreaming just as soon as you turn off the
light
Escape into
the city of the trees
Where they've traded in the buildings for the breeze
Where the parking lots are fields of green with gravel roads
running in between
It's an afternoon's drive, but once you arrive, you'll never
want to leave
Go outside
and lie beside the willow tree
And enjoy the fact that you have no where to be
Take off your shoes, leave your sunglasses on
And revel in the fact that you're getting nothing done
The sun settles
into a horizon of glowing clouds below
The old wooden porch swing gently creaks to and fro
Go upon a late night walk and talk of stories once untold
Guided by the sounds of nightfall and a gentle hand to hold
Escape into
the city of the trees
Where they've traded in the buildings for the breeze
Where the parking lots are fields of green with gravel roads
running in between
It's an afternoon's drive, but once you arrive, you'll never
want to leave
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS
I know I'll miss you
after all we've been through and all we've shared
I wanted to thank you for the little things you do that show
you care
I will support you if you try to follow what you feel
Forget about what's practical, forget about what's real
Doubts may cloud the many routes that appear along the way
But if you're following your dreams it'll all be clear as day
Always love
what you do, do what you say, say what you mean
Encourage, influence, entertain and intervene
Answer questions, question answers, to yourself be true
Laugh and play, sing and say, act and follow through
Take only memories, leave only footprints
You can see
right through me while others only see my wall of protection
You help me set free feelings that used to be safe from detection
Regrets dwell within the wells of things you haven't tried
You have to build your sandcastles then await the tide
And if they fall rebuild the walls and take the time to mend
The only mistake that you could make is to never try again
Always love
what you do, do what you say, say what you mean
Encourage, influence, entertain and intervene
Answer questions, question answers, to yourself be true
Laugh and play, sing and say, act and follow through
Take only memories, leave only footprints
We have read
between the lines and changed each other's minds
through our conversations
We now have our goals set high and are limited only by
our imaginations
Always love
what you do, do what you say, say what you mean
Encourage, influence, entertain and intervene
Answer questions, question answers, to yourself be true
Laugh and play, sing and say, act and follow through
Take only memories, leave only footprints
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
THE
LIGHT IN VAN HISE
I wasn't in a hurry so
I didn't really worry when I came upon a friend of mine
We started talking as we were a' walking down observatory drive
He said he's an engineer, that's what he always wanted to do
He asked me where I'm going and I said I had no clue
I asked him why I'm nicheless, why is my future blurry in my
eyes
He smiled as he told me there's a light in van hise
And I said
wait, what are you trying to say
That some light will help me get through today
He told me that it's stable and that it's always there to find
So take my word right now my friend to keep that thought in mind
Later I wondering
about our discussion all alone on my road of strife
How could the lighting in the nineteen-story building give me
any guidance to my life
I'm sure someone just turns it on, it's not that big a deal
It's just a light, some fluorescent bulb, it's not that surreal
Call it what you will, he had said before he shook my hand and
waved goodbye
I returned his wave and then turned away from the light in van
hise
And I said
wait, what are you trying to say
That some light will help me get through today
He told me that it's stable and that it's always there to find
So take my word right now my friend to keep that thought in mind
Why should
I bother with the philosophy of a friend
When every means I find in life is not a means to any end
I ignored my
friend's advice and went searching for a vice that would give
my life a goal
Without even knowing which direction I was going, I went spinning
out of control
The night was dark and lonely, I was walking home alone
I looked up into the cold night sky and I saw one light that
shown
I smiled as I realized he was right about my sorrow
I forgot about the todays in life and thought only for tomorrow
And he said,
wait and leave the leave lie where they lie
And stop to let the seasons just go by
That light will keep on shining, don't give up on your dreams
Van Hise's light may not look like much, but it's really more
than it seems
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
SUMMER'S
COMING
The campfire smell has
been left on my clothes
Driving back home I look at the rows of cars
All going somewhere, but they don't look at me
Wondering about my individuality
Summer's coming,
but I've gone away
My mind's just fine, but it has no place to stay
The white sky's
turned gray and the rain starts to fall
It pounds on the windshield and throws a veil over all of the
Exterior surroundings beyond these glass walls of mine
I focus upon the car's interior design
Summer's coming,
but I've gone away
My mind's just fine, but it has no place to stay
Tape cases
and loose change are scattered on the floor
A crumpled piece of paper dampens noise from the door
All this debris gives me a change in my tone
It may not be new, but this space is my own… my own…
my own.
The rain has
refrained and the wipers stop to rest
I sign in the distance shows me how much is left of my
Journey back home and my journey into me
Feeling a bit better about my individuality
Summer's coming,
but I've gone away
My mind's just fine, but it has no place to stay
Summer's coming,
but I've gone away
My mind's just fine, because it needs no place to stay
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
FRIDAY
I met her on the street
one morn
The air was cold, but her smile was warm
I can see it now, those bright blue eyes aglow
Wondering if I would see her tomorrow
I called her
late one day and I wondered if she'd remember
That cold and windy morn in mid to late November
When I hung up the phone I hardly could believe
That I'd see her soon again on that Friday eve
After what
felt like months Friday came
Waiting for classes to end I was going insane
Then she arrived with those smiling eyes
We left my room, I was hypnotized
After dinner
we bought tickets to a show
Of course it didn't start for hours so where do we go
We bought hot chocolate and we saw a guitarist play
If I could live a day forever it would be that day
When I am with
her my heart, my joy abounds
And if I know that she is there my feet can't touch the ground
I think of her face and I just whistle a happy tune
She is my thoughts, my dreams, my stars, sun and moon
The hours flew
by, but felt like seconds gone
Time to say goodnight, the eve was lingering on
I felt her eyes and I returned their stare
We stood silent and relived the evening's memories there
I left the
building and I felt anything but tired
I couldn't believe the moment that had just transpired
One little touch and now I'm singing in the rain
Now everywhere I am forever I can hear her name
When I am with
her my heart, my joy abounds
And if I know that she is there my feet can't touch the ground
I think of her face and I just whistle a happy tune
She is my thoughts, my dreams, my stars, sun and moon
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
THE MAN ON THE STREET
It was an autumn night
and the moon was bright
And I came upon a man playing guitar
On the sidewalk all alone
There was no
one around, but I liked the sound
So I decided that I'd listen
His voice was strong and his face was chiseled stone
He heard my
feet as I crossed the street
And he lifted his eyes to see me for a moment
Then he looked back at the ground
His case was
there, but my pockets were bare
And the glittering coins glared up at me
The change that everyone else had found
He seemed surprised
when I averted my eyes
When he glanced at me again
I felt a guilt that I really couldn't explain
He sensed my
thoughts by the look he caught
Deep within my puzzled eyes
Then he ended his song and said without disdain...
If you like
what I play then I'd love for you to stay
And maybe throw a quarter in my case
If you happen to know the song it's okay to sing along
Whatever puts a smile on your face.
When he was
done he already begun
Another tune from his memory
Before I had a chance to reply
I still felt
bad for not having had
Anything to give in return
For his music, his talent and his time
I got all distraught
about what I haven't got
And because of this in the meantime
I stopped listening to the beauty of his style
I guess he
knew because when he was through
With the song that he was playing
He looked at me and said again with a smile…
If you like
what I play then I'd love for you to stay
And maybe throw a quarter in my case
If you happen to know the song it's okay to sing along
Whatever puts a smile on your face.
Once again
he played before I'd made
Any effort to respond, then I listened
To his music and it set my mind at ease
After a while
I cracked smile
He saw it and knew I'd heard his creed
He smiled back and said 'kid, that's all the thanks I need."
If you like
what I play then I'd love for you to stay
And maybe throw a quarter in my case
If you happen to know the song it's okay to sing along
Whatever puts a smile on your face.
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
FOR
STEPHEN
A young man raises his
hand in a class
Surrounded by his peers
They hold a real respect for his voice
His words are soft but clear
He holds an
invisible power in the room
A confidence in his face
The young man never speaks very much
But when he speaks he speaks with grace
There need
to be rainy days in every season
To move the rivers and fill the lakes
Everything on earth may happen for a reason
But that doesn't always make it easier to take
After turning
in our papers, thoughts of break flooded the room
We all would leave this place for now, but class would start
again soon
He left with a smile and a goatee hanging from his chin
No one ever suspected that we may never see him again
Weeks later
we got our papers, but he'll never see his grade
This world is so strange and cruel, he sat two seats away
He sat two seats away…
There need
to be rainy days in every season
To move the rivers and fill the lakes
Everything on earth may happen for a reason
But that doesn't always make it easier to take
Now this man
is walking among the clouds probably looking down with a smile
We're thankful now that such a man could grace us all for that
small while
His stay here wasn't long, and his leaving wasn't fair
But I know he appreciates every moment he was here.
There need
to be rainy days in every season
To move the rivers and fill the lakes
Everything on earth may happen for a reason
But that doesn't always make it easier to take
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
THE
THRILL
You've always like the
hunt, you've always liked the chase
But when you get to the catch, that's the end of your race
Looking from afar is much easier than near
How did you get this close, the thrill brought you here
You always
want what you can't get
There's no escape and there's no denying it
It's more fun to hunt the queen when you're just a pawn
Once you get it, you've got it, it's gone
You know nothing
about her, you don't even know her name
It's all part of the challenge, it's all part of the game
Though you've never met her, she's the best you've ever known
It's easy to create the perfect date when you're all alone
You always
want what you can't get
There's no escape and there's no denying it
It's more fun to hunt the queen when you're just a pawn
Once you get it, you've got it, it's gone
Once she's
given in, and you take her out to dinner
You then within your head somehow declare yourself the winner
You've chased her all this time in the search for perfection
Now the thrill that's lead you all this way has suddenly changed
direction
Are you scared
of commitment, are you scared of what's to know
Someone who once was so tough to capture is so easy to let go
Someday you'll learn to trust, someday you'll learn to feel
But for now you'll ride on the passenger side with the thrill
behind the wheel
You always
want what you can't get
There's no escape and there's no denying it
It's more fun to hunt the queen when you're just a pawn
Once you get it, you've got it, it's gone
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
AND SOMETIMES 'Y'
Drowning in her details,
soaking up my senses and saturating my mind
Needing her to notice, tempting all the tables to turn my direction
this time
Maybe this time…
And sometimes
'y'
Tell me why I wonder why
And sometimes 'y'
Tell me why I wonder why
Hoping I'm an exception to the rule
And I'm hoping she is one, too.
Doubting the
decisions, coming to a crossroads and the counting the excuses
I employ
Finding out my feelings, forcing myself to face the music of
her I enjoy
The music I enjoy…
And sometimes
'y'
Tell me why I wonder why
And sometimes 'y'
Tell me why I wonder why
Hoping I'm an exception to the rule
And I'm hoping she is one, too.
Maybe I think
too much about things that I don't need to think that much about
The over-analyzation of every single situation
ruins the fine-tuned syncopation of my days, I should change
my ways…
Milling over
moonlight, staring at the starlight and satellites that dimly
streak the sky
Takes away the tension, reminding me to mention to myself we
have lots of time
Before the sunrise…
And sometimes
'y'
Tell me why I wonder why
And sometimes 'y'
Tell me why I wonder why
Hoping I'm an exception to the rule
And I'm hoping she is one, too.
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
BIG
CARS
All of our cars are
American made
Not one of 'em built in the last decade
Ten miles to the gallon on a pretty good day
Inanimate objects
will step aside
When they see you driving your vintage pride,
Hey you in the Toyota, you better go and hide
Big cars, you
know you'll see 'em coming around the bend
Big cars, you know you'll wonder when that hood will end
They're big and loud and old and proud
And produce some nasty air
And they'll almost always get me from here to there
If the car's
not working, just open the hood
You could take it to the shop, but really, who would
Just leave it at home and fix it up real good
Just ignore
that little give in the brakes
And the rattling noise the fan belt makes
It'll all be as good as new with a little duct tape
Big cars, you
know you'll see 'em coming around the bend
Big cars, you know you'll wonder when that hood will end
They're big and loud and old and proud
And produce some nasty air
And they'll almost always get me from here to there
Hey pal, that's
my spot, don't even try to pass
Because parallel parking this thing is a pain in the…
Ask me why
I drive a car this size
It's not for the safety or to impress the guys
It's 'cause it's all that my big big money buys
There's a '71
Olds that big and green
It drives like a bus, and it's easily see
It could total a tank and come away clean
There's an
'84 Buick, a '79 Ford
With a hood the length of a diving board
And an '80 Malibu with a built-in see-through floor
Big cars, you
know you'll see 'em coming around the bend
Big cars, you know you'll wonder when that hood will end
They're big and loud and old and proud
And produce some nasty air
And they'll almost always get me from here to there
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
APT
21
I woke up lying on the
ground
With the phone cord tightly wrapped around my face
Making that annoying sound
I think I fell asleep talking to you
A simple sorry just won't do, this time
I think I'll tell the truth
I thought you'd
figured by my snoring that our talk was rather boring
Or didn't you get the clue
She said she got the clue
And then, this is where the conversations ends
Hey, we can still be friends
Oh well, I'll
deal
There wasn't
hot water in the shower
Then I couldn't find a towel
To get the soap out of my eye
Looking for one I slipped and hit my head
I just wanted to go on back to bed
I need a vacation from my life
Went off to
work today and got mocked 'cause I wasn't wearing matching socks
Who says that blue and black don't match
That's when I started swearin'
Too bad the boss was there and
He released me from my position
Oh well, I'll
deal.
Now with all
this free time on my hands
I decided to make some bigger and brighter plans
Or I could go home and take a nap
Well, I decided on the latter
It turns out it didn't matter
Because of the construction work next door
Instead of
sitting there to sulk I decided I'd take the dog for a walk
But I didn't even have a dog
Alone, I slowly walked around the block
When a little kid hit me with a rock
It was only two o'clock
Oh well, I'll
deal… and I did.
That night
I played cards with my friends
I decided I'd take it out on them
Everybody took out their money
Fact is I can cheat like you wouldn't believe
I can take more cash than you care to leave
And today I was feeling lucky
Okay, I'll
deal.
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
YOU JUST KNOW
Emotional, devotional
and caring
Hopeful, honest, sensitive and sharing
Dealing with our lives, smoothing out the ridges
Putting out the fires before we burn our bridges
And the times
goes by, it gets brighter every day
Every heart you've touched has helped them on their way
And the world is seen from many points of view
I can understand them now because of you
Stopping on
the trail, smelling all the roses
Helping us see how much is right under our noses
Hearing your voice, just thinking about the sound
The soothing whisper of a friend that always can be found
You just know
what it takes to make us happy
You just know how to smile to turn a cry into glowing eyes
You know the road we're traveling, you help us on our way
Everyday
Tradition as
old as time, it happens every year
Friends come from all around, talk and maybe have a beer (here)
Sharing all their memories, counting up the past
Creating many moments that are moments sure to last
And as the
night wears on the laughter fills the air
The friends around you have come because they care
There have been stories told, there'll be stories told again
This is my gift to you that I send
Tears of joy
running down your face
Like raindrops racing down the window pane
Taking what comes, letting what goes by go by
Smile on your face 'cause it's the love that you cry
You just know
what it takes to make us happy
You just know how to smile to turn a cry into glowing eyes
You know the road we're traveling, you help us on our way
Everyday
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
BOOM MIC GIRL
She's looking down,
she'll move it around
She can be found hearing all the sounds
She's my boom mic girl
She's standing
high, looking in my eye
Throwing out her line, she is so fine
She's my boom mic girl
She won't say
a word, but she'll make you be heard
Things are looking up when she's pointed down at you
She's sweeping
low, how low will she go
She steals the show 'cause she just knows
She's my boom mic girl
I wish I knew
what else she could do
Would be true, it's up to you
She's my boom mic girl
She won't say
a word, but she'll make you be heard
Things are looking up when she's pointed down at you
C'mon send
me a shipment of that sensual equipment
She's my boom mic girl
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
|
YOU
Your smile says so much
about you
And your eyes light up in all you do
My heart runs fast and my thoughts run faster every time we meet
I want to sweep you off your feet
I don't compare
with the strength of the strongest man
Nor can I provide with the riches others can
But I can give you a shoulder to cry on and catch the tears you
weep
I could sing you off to sleep
I could sing
you a lullaby to forget all your woes
Sing you a melody that only my heart knows
A melody line that's intertwined with thoughts of hope and care
Wherever you'd need me, I'd be there
I don't want
to scare you with my confessions
But from my life I've learned some lessons
We all have so many feelings and are honest with so few
I wanted to share my thoughts… with you
|
Track listing:
1. talking about nothing
2. city of the trees
3. leave only footprints
4. the light in van hise
5. summer's coming
6. friday
7. the man on the street
8. for stephen
9. the thrill
10. and sometimes 'y'
11. big cars
12. apt. 21
13. you just know
14. boom mic girl
15. you
^top^ |
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