Click on a song title to view its lyrics
500 Mountains
A.J.E.
Collusion Collision
Daphne
Foolin’ Yourself
Kentucky Sun
P.C. Religion
Queen Of The Nile
Ripple
Road To Nowhere
Sarasong
Say You Will
Sign From Above
Steal Me
Sun Risin’
Trip Up The Mountain
Tripping
What You Deserve
When Lilies Fade
WHAT YOU DESERVE
[I] run across the floor
as you scramble through the door.
I’ll never hear your pitter-patter ever again.
What is it you know?
I can’t understand a word.
Did you know all that silly, jibber-jabber sounds absurd?
So run the world down.
Pick me up and hold me.
Your big brown eyes see right through my disguise.
I can’t see anymore.
So go paint the town.
Piss on every corner.
Oh, but don’t have a fit. No, no.
You got what you deserve.
That curly brown hair.
I can’t help but stare.
But how much longer did you think
I could chase that bouncing ball?
Oh what will I do?
Where will you go?
When the time has come, for you da pass on by,
don’t let me know . . .
I’ll take the world down.
Take it by storm.
Lookin’ for you, or something new,
I’m not really sure.
Can’t get you outta my head.
Just think of all the wasted time.
Thank God my brown eyes saw right through your disguise;
you got what you deserve.
You got what you deserve.
You got what you deserve.
You got what you deserve.
Words & music ©2004 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
KENTUCKY SUN
I can’t live in the city anymore; too many women in the night.
I’m headed for the Bluegrass State
where people love the light and I will run. I’m on the run, run, run.
Yeah, I gotta get to the Southland so I can see Kentucky sun.
They call it “the meadow land,” the “land of tomorrow.”
From the Cumberland waterfall, to the sassafras of Owensboro.
I got to go, go, go.
I’ll find peace in the Southland underneath Kentucky sun.
The riverbank near Louisville is “dark and bloody ground.”
Lush hills of goldenrods.
And then there’s the state fair grounds. There’s enough for everyone.
So get to the derby and help yourself to Kentucky sun.
I’m not from the Big Apple with its neon night.
I come from the Bluegrass State – I got to spread my wings and fly.
And I’m on the run, run, run.
So get to the Southland and help yourself to Kentucky sun.
Words & music ©2005 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
TRIPPING
Groovy pop culture, overflowing ecstatic love.
Peace – tells it like it is.
Rock and roll and hippie beads,
boss to the jiveof the underground– never found.
Time, radio, and TV. How can they relate to me?
Swirly colors not they see. I am he but we are not together.
Oh, when you’re tripping, you gotta let go.
When you’re tripping, they move real slow.
When you’re tripping, oh, oh, oh,
When you’re tripping, aww, you gotta let go.
Symbiotic souls as one, laying under the same sun.
Same land and air and water space.
No one sees through my face.
Cameras and politics, still they never get my kicks.
Yeah, ’cause when you’re tripping, you gotta let go.
When you’re tripping, they move real slow.
When you’re tripping, oh, oh, oh,
When you’re tripping, aww, you gotta let go.
Family and kids have I. Can’t wait ‘till they learn to fly.
Oh, but will they feel the same pain as I…did?
When will humans learn to grow?
To understand what they don’t know?
To live for fun and not for show?
Yeah, ’cause when you’re tripping, they move real slow.
When you’re tripping, you gotta let go.
When you’re tripping, uh, uh, uh,
When you’re tripping, yeah you gotta let go.
Words & music ©1997 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
WHEN LILIES FADE
Take a deep breath, child within.
Collect. Ah, recollect. Now, how do you feel?
Invisible chairs, watching the world drive by.
Don’t you wish those dark Autumn leaves could fly you
higher and higher? I can make it just a
little further, where the world seems smaller.
Farther up that tree where all the lilies suddenly seem . . . faded.
Serenity is not a birthright.
You must love the Earth to feel it move.
Talk up a storm if it makes you feel better.
Evaporate your mind if it gets you
higher and higher. Life will stop you to
take that breath. Let the child inside scream
“father, I have made it to the top and I can see . . . forever.”
When lilies fade, memories flood
and time stretches still.
Lovers lost beneath an Autumn breeze, imagine.
You played the cards at hand, ‘cause the odds were in your favor.
But looking back you never won. Stop chasing the sun!
Well, there’s nothing wrong with a dreamer
but you can’t spend all your time asleep.
Words & music ©2005 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
ROAD TO NOWHERE
Driving down a paved road,
wave to the people passing.
Taking in the sights,
[there’s] so much to see.
Buildings everywhere
stretching the horizon.
At night they glow
it’s hard to breathe. So hard to breathe.
So I’m taking that road to nowhere, but this can’t be all I want to be.
One in a million odds we’ll meet again.
Just remember me.
Driving down a dirt road,
wave to the kinfolk.
Taking in the sights,
[there’s] not much to see.
When the sun shines
I will recognize
the sweetness that I used to feel
in your lying eyes.
And I’m on this road in the middle of nowhere, but this can’t be all I want to be.
One in a million, shining stars in the sky.
Could you be happy just getting by?
Hear the thunder, feel the rain drops falling on my head.
Coming down in buckets and filling me with lead.
And I take that road to nowhere when I’m alone at night and it’s hard to breathe.
One million, shining stars in the sky.
Could you be happy just getting by?
I’m happy right where I am, trying to get by. I’m getting by.
Words & music ©1997 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
RIPPLE
So you squeeze a little harder,
as hard as you can.
And pray it’s enough to get through the day.
Body is aching
but you dare not let go.
When you love a dream, do whatever it takes.
Go make your ripple
in the waters of time.
Find your sweat tastes bittersweet.
Those scars will vanish
in the smiles of children,
and you’ll feel the ripples collide.
Stop fishing for a lover
and chisel your niche.
And you’ll find the fish are finding you.
Say something peculiar
or speak nothing at all;
that’s always been my finesse.
And when life brings you to words
for which books have no meaning,
search your heart -
‘cause that’s where our ripples collide.
Oh, that’s where our ripples collide.
Words & music ©2004 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
A.J.E.
City lights in the distance
across the bay.
Out my window in the Bayview
I saw the day.
Freshwater marsh, saltwater air.
Run my fingers through your hair.
See your small hand, tiny fingers.
Then a smile, through your fingers.
Rest your head upon my arm.
The storm will pass there’s no alarm.
Lightning flashes. Hear no thunder.
I’ll protect you. Feel the rain fall.
And you sit there, at the table
eating your grilled cheese.
You’re the cutest little girl.
You’re the cutest, little girl.
Fly your kite out, on the beach.
In the soft sand, you’re the cutest.
Build your castle, live your kingdom.
Audrey. Little Audrey. A.J.E.
And I love you.
Words & music ©1997 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
SIGN FROM ABOVE
Never saw the Dark Side of Oz
and now I’ll never need to.
Max says I’m not missing much,
I think I was just missing you.
Who knew freedom could be ink on paper?
I always thought it was love.
But if it’s true how come I’m so lonely?
I needed I sign from above
just like this one.
Oh, singin’ and prayin’
ooh, oooooh
‘cause I was strayin’ from what I was born to do.
just like this one
There must’ve been something about the weather
ooh, oooooh
in that Georgia September.
I close my eyes to dream automatic
’cause I don’t want to see the end.
Wrap my soul in the blanket you gave me
and write a song again
just like this one.
Oh, singin’ and prayin’
ooh, oooooh
‘cause I was strayin’ from what I was born to do.
just like this one
There must’ve been something about the weather
ooh, oooooh
in that Georgia September.
Words & music ©2004 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
TRIP UP THE MOUNTAIN
When you’ve taken that first step there’s no turning back.
‘nd there will be a long road ahead of you so make sure you pack.
Now you’ll never make it to the top until you take the risk.
Until you take that first step and believe within yourself.
When the fire inside you goes away you’ll know loneliness
and what it feels like to be turned away; to be second best.
So you’ve got to reach into your soul and let the fire grow again.
Risk the only thing you’ve got left to hold on to
and let the cuts mend.
‘Cause it’s the trip up the mountain that counts in the end.
That’s where you’ll find the good times,
that’s where you’ll find true friends.
Baby it’s the trip up the mountain takes all that you’ve got.
If you want to make it to the top and claim your rightful spot,
you’ve got to give it your all and climb the highest you can.
Andwhen the others fall, lend a helping hand.
‘Cause even though the top of the mountain,
is what you’re aimin for; I tell ya it’s the trip up the mountain,
that counts for so much more…..
And it’s the trip up the mountain that counts in the end.
That’s where you’ll find the good times,
that’s where you’ll find true friends.
Don’t you know the trip up the mountain takes all that you’ve got.
If you want to make it to the top and claim your rightful spot,
Don’t you know the trip up the mountain counts in the end.
That’s where you’ll find the good times,
that’s where you’ll find true friends.
Don’t you know the trip up the mountain takes all that you’ve got.
If you want to make it to the top and claim your rightful spot.
Words & music ©1997 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
SARASONG
[I] Watch her watch the watch to watch the morning sun
come in, come in, come in, come in
to me from the cold garden.
“I love,” I scream. “It’s true!”
When seasons change it can be easy to
turn your cheek and harden your heart.
But you open your hand and satisfy everything on Earth.
פּ וֹ תֵ חַ אֶ ת ־ יָ דֶ ךָ וּ מַ שְׂ בִּ י עַ לְ כָ ל ־ חַ י רָ צ וֹ ן ׃
Living in that minimalistic, cliché paradise
a bohemian saw the light.
Another paradox deconstructed.
Andyou fill the air with your Sarasong.
“Follow your dreams with a backup plan”
Everybody’s on a different path.
Words & music ©2005 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
FOOLIN’ YOURSELF
Back when you were young
it was easy having fun.
But you got to work
to keep your love alive.
Here’s some free advice:
sometimes you gotta play nice.
Hold your baby tight
all through the night.
Or he’ll leave you broke. Broken hearted.
Your love, he departed.
Yes if you think your love’s not on a shelf -
girl, you’re only foolin’ yourself.
Well you can cheat, drink and lie.
Stay gone all night,
and at the end of the day
tell yourself it’s alright.
But you’ll be broke. Broken hearted,
’cause your love will have departed.
And if you think you won’t hurt anybody else
you’re only foolin’ yourself.
Words & music ©2008 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
P.C. RELIGION
I was down in Atlanta on a Sunday eve tryin to
pick up some liquor but I could not percieve why the
sign in the window said no liquor sold, and I
realized on Sundays no al-cho-hol was sold and I said
P.C. religion comin’ down from capitol hill …
’cause if they ain’t made no law about it, you can bet they will.
I was still in school and in the marching band. I used to
march my trombone across this holy land. One year the
4th of July parade was held on the 5th because you know
the Fourth was a Sunday. That ain’t no lie. You know that
P.C. religion comin’ down from capitol hill …
’cause if they ain’t made no law about it, you can bet they will.
Well I was up in the mountains talkin’ to some people ya know we
get along real well ’cause they like my people and my
Southern fried religion, comin’ down from hea-ven. You know that
Southern fried religion keeps me going twenty-four seven!
Words & music ©2001 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
QUEEN OF THE NILE
The dogwood wore a frown.
She almost became construction town.
I took control to save her soul
and I’m laying the ladder down.
I’ll take care of this land.
We’ll live in harmony.
I’ll give you my heart, and a helping hand;
heaven for you and me.
And you could be my queen of the Nile
if you’d just stay for a while.
Live in a river of Blues, with a love that’s true …
The oceans are warming, the weather’s getting stronger
and Earth can’t stand the pain any longer.
We may not have money, but we have soul
and together we can make this world whole.
And you could be my queen of the Nile
if you’d just stay for a while.
Live in a river of Blues with a love that’s true.
Until the Shia and the Sunni know the peace of Bahrain …
until war-torn Mogadishu shows the hope of Somaliland …
until there’s no more war in Darfur we must work to end the pain!
We can stop the poles from melting. We can learn to reuse.
We can stop drilling oil and emit less CO2.
Stop killing your cousins – the bell tolls for you!
You could be my queen of the Nile, if you’d just stay for a while.
We’ll live in a river of Blues, but with a love that’s true.
Yes you could be the queen of the Nile, if you’d just stay for a while.
We’ll live in a river of Blues, but with a love that’s true.
Words & music ©2007 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
SAY YOU WILL
I’m sitting all alone
waiting by the phone.
You told me you’d call,
but I haven’t heard a tone.
My heart is turning black and blue
from all these nights of missing you.
Say you will.
Say you will.
Say you will.
Say you’ll be mine.
When I ask, be my valentine.
Tell me you love me, and all your words are true.
Say you will. Love me through and through.
I trust you too much
and I love you even more.
I see your signals
but my eyes are focused on the door.
So come home babe.
Don’t play with me.
I promise to love you tenderly.
Say you will.
Say you’ll be mine.
When I ask, be my valentine.
Tell me you want me. Make this dream come true.
Say you will, and all my troubles will be through.
Words & music ©1999 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
SUN RISIN’
Oh there’s a sun risin. It’s gonna be a glorious day.
Oh there’s a sun risin. It’s gonna be a glorious day.
Mr. Evil’s movin out, he won’t be in my way. No more.
Yes, the sky is the limit. I want it all, all for me.
Every single green leaf, on every single tree.
Take the good over the bad now, don’tcha see? don’tcha see?
Oh YES sir I can see now, ’cause there’s a sun risin.
In the misty mornin, with its red, yellow and blue.
And I’m risin with it today. Maybe some day I’ll get to you.
Yes, the sky is the limit. I want it all, all for me.
Every single green leaf, on every single tree.
Yes there’s a sun risin, and this one’s inside of me.
Oh there’s a sun risin, right outside my front door.
Yes, there’s a sun risin, ‘n it’s right outside my door.
Mr. Evil’s movin out. He won’t be in my way no more.
There’s a sun overhead, and there’s one inside of me.
Yes, that sun rises, it rises every day.
I know that sun will always rise. Mr. Evil, go away!
Words & music ©2000 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
STEAL ME
Steal me with a photograph.
I’ll fake a smile, and make you laugh your
worries and your troubles all away.
Try your best to preserve the past
but sooner or later, shadows are cast.
Nighttime descends, memories fade.
Rich greens of Spring are a hazy jade.
Quick burst of light, F-stop of one.
By the time I see you, it’s already begun.
You’ve captured my soul, captured my heart.
Capture this moment and we’ll never be apart.
Steal me, steal me,
capture every moment passing by
to live another day.
Shoot me, shoot me,
capture every moment. Grab your Canon and steal away.
Words & music ©2007 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
COLLUSION COLLISION
Let me tell you a story
of a couple, newly wed.
They were living in the day-to-day.
One night after fighting,
a vision popped into their heads
of a better life in Kal-i-for-ni-a.
It was collusion collision.
A California vision.
But they couldn’t settle on arrival time.
Oh no, collusion collision:
a case of no decision.
It’s what happens when you can’t make up your mind.
If you want a life that’s better,
you can move to better weather.
But no matter where you run
You’re still the same inside.
And you can’t hide from your
Collusion collision.
A case of no decision.
It’s what happens when you can’t make up your mind.
Fighting with absolutes is
always a waste of time and gets you
nothing – except to bring you
back to your collusion collision … …
Words & music ©2007 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
DAPHNE
Well you can’t have change
without some sacrifice,
even for better.
“For better or worse.”
Spoken: “Daphne … Daphne …”
So you’ve been goin’ through your life misunderstood!
“Daphne … Daphne …”
So were the rest of us, we did the best we could.
You know it’s the things you do
not what you say that counts, oh
and I’ve found we can change our lives around.
Well you don’t need money.
Don’t need to make sense.
All you need is a little confidence!
“Daphne … Daphne …”
So you’ve been goin’ through your life misunderstood!
“Daphne … Daphne …”
So were the rest of us, we all did the best we could.
You know it’s the things you do
not what you say that counts, whoa and
I’ve found that we can turn our lives around.
Turn it around!
Turn it around.
Go on girl!
Like an underground stream,
Truth is a guiding motif.
So pack up your humdrum, ordinary life
’cause honey it’s time to leave it all behind.
“Daphne … Daphne …”
So you’ve been goin’ through your life misunderstood!
“Daphne … Daphne …”
So were the rest of us, we all did the best we could.
You know it’s the things you do
not what you say that counts, whoa and
I’ve found that we can turn our lives around.
Words & music ©2010 Nick Edelstein (BMI)
500 MOUNTAINS
I like to drink my bourbon neat.
I found my best friends on Main Street.
And one of the prettiest things I’ve ever seen
was tall mountains covered in green.
500 mountains up in West Virginia.
They used to be there, until
the coal burners tore ‘em down.
They tore ‘em down …
The Temperate Forest in West Virginia
is called “Overburden” -
they gonna tear it down.
Hey there, Old Appalachia!
They’re comin’ to getcha.
Oh for a pile of coal,
they’ll sell their soul.
Oh for just one burn,
a one-time burn.
500 mountains up in West Virginia.
They used to be there until
the coal burners tore ‘em down.
500 mountains up in West Virginia.
They used to be there until
the coal burners tore them down.
They tore ‘em down …
Oh … oh …
I knew an old man once
who needed a hand.
So I gave him a day
fixing up his house right,
and then we talked all night.
He lived on a mountain until
Massey tore it down …
Words & music ©2010 Nick Edelstein (BMI)