The John McCloy Band: Lyrics

––––––––––––––––– LYRICS –––––––––––––––––

Our catalog's lyrics can be scrolled through below, starting with our latest release.
Hear the tracks on YouTube. For iTunes, please click on the CD icon for each album.

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Tornado
John McCloy

you could not ask for bluer skies
warmest weather that defies
any clouds to gather on her horizon

nothing in the distance there to see
he's in the sun and then suddenly
her sky turns black, something to keep an eye on
it's temporary

a pinpoint of bad weather, like a tornado
spinning in, like a tornado

life in the plains turns dangerous
his changing weather mysterious
she never knows when his funnel cloud descends

i don't care if it's rain or hail, if i can anticipate it i'll prevail
it's the surprise against which i can't defend
life in the prairie

a pinpoint of bad weather, like a tornado
spinning in, like a tornado

you can forecast rain, you can do your best
but in the end it's just a guess

there is no pattern or rule per se
to cause the twister to come my way
i'd avoid it at any cost to pay
even temporarily

a pinpoint of bad weather, like a tornado
spinning in, like a tornado

Emergency
John McCloy / David Walsh

bring back the good rules that have been forgotten
bring back the honor that held back the rotten
bring back our compass of integrity
do what we can now to avoid this growing…

emergency
common ground is closing up underneath our feet
emergency
time is running out but you refuse to see

day in day out, it just keeps getting harder
night in night out. we wonder why we bother
keeping us together is getting slippery
do what we can now to avoid this growing…

emergency
common ground is closing up underneath our feet
emergency
i'm trying to believe you're not trying to deceive
emergency
time is running out but you refuse to see

and i'm trying to believe
that we can end this fight, put an end to this night

you say you're trying, lying through your teeth
but all you got is me, me, me
no doubt about it, it's plain to see
you sold out your integrity

emergency
common ground is closing up underneath our feet
emergency
i'm trying to believe you're not trying to deceive
emergency
time is running out but you refuse to see

Cuts You Up
Peter Murphy / Paul Statham

i find you in the morning after dreams of different signs
you pour yourself over me like the sun through the blinds
you lift me up and get me out, keep me walking but never shout
hold the secret close i hear you say

you know the way it throws about, it takes you in and spits you out
it spits you out when you desire, to conquer it, to feel you're higher
to follow it you must be clean with mistakes that you do mean
move the heart, switch the pace, look for what seems out of place

on and on it goes, calling like a distant wind
through the zero hour we'll walk, we'll cut the thick and break the thin
no sound to break, no moment clear, when all the doubts are crystal clear
crashing hard into the secret wind

you know the way, it twists and turns, changing color, spinning yarn
you know the way, it leaves you dry, it cuts you up and takes you high
you know the way, it's painted gold, is it honey, is it cold
you know the way, it throws about, it takes you in and spits you out

it cuts you up

you know the way, it throws about, it takes you in and spits you out
it spits you out when you desire, to conquer it. to feel you're higher
to follow it you must be clean with mistakes that you do mean
move the heart, switch the pace, look for what seems out of place

it cuts you up

it's okay, it goes this way, a line it twists, it twists away
cuts you up and spits you out, keeps you walking but never shout

Cheeky
John McCloy

cheeky, it's what i'm gonna call you
it's the way you look around the room for trouble
cheeky, that's why i adore you
but when i hold you close i can feel you 'round the corner

all your problems are self-made
but still you pull the pin from your hand grenade

cheeky, turn down the volume
the noise inside you is getting louder
cheeky, you can't breathe in a vaccuum
you turn blue when you withdraw for hours

all your problems are self-made
and cheeky, you're always wanting something
so tell me why you pull the pin on your hand grenade
when your grip gets weak
it will fall between your feet, cheeky

I'm Standing Still
John McCloy

the ladder that you climb will always have a step above you
the clouds will fog your eyes the higher that you climb
the harder that you try

i'm standing stil. l after all this time waiting to open
i try 'till the emptiness fills, and the spell is finally broken

horizons like to lie, they offer hope that they may not deliver
treasures pass me by, so focused on the gold
i couldn't see the silver

i'm standing still, after all this time i'm waiting to open
i try 'till the emptiness fills, and i'm still standing
i'm standing still, after all this time the spell should be broken
i try 'till the emptiness fills

the harder that i pull, the harder that i push it
the harder that it pushes back, and that's a fact

so i'm standing still, after all this time my inner voice has spoken
i try 'till the emptiness fills, that is why…

i'm standing still

It Comes and Goes
John McCloy

it comes and it goes, leaving me somewhere in between
the warm and the cold, that is, if it comes to visit me
and if it should stay, though it has never stayed here yet
a moment a day, i guess that's the most i could expect

that's the way it comes and goes

it came and it went, i couldn't pretend to figure out
but if i knew why, i'd be too afraid to say out loud
why i don't understand, i guess that would
make such perfect sense, why i'm not aware
that i always speak in future tense

that's the way it comes and goes

if i ever try to find it, it will always leave me there
like a fawn that wants your offer
it will come forward, but only if you don't stare

it comes, it goes, this time i don't know why it chose to stay
i guess my superstition pays

it comes and it goes, leaving me somewhere in between
the warm in the cold, that is, if it comes to visit me

that's the way it comes and goes

Static In the Air
John McCloy

it's in the air, static in the air

taste the colors when your eyes are covered
you can see what others hear
you got antennae, and a new dilemma
you know damned well it's real

it's just signals of some deep and mixed emotions
an inner voice that you just can't explain

it's in the air, static in the air

it seems like nothing, but you know it's something
through the layers that you peel
maybe don't think, maybe trust your instinct
no denying how you feel

it's just signals of some deep and mixed emotions
an inner voice that you just can't explain
you're getting signals of some deep and mixed emotions
the nagging whisper that will echo in your brain
you're cursed with dealing and receiving
the tension and the strain

so maybe don't think, so maybe trust your instincts
you've always kicked yourself when you shut it down before

in the air, static in the air

Day In Day Out
John McCloy

day in day out, the world is spinning
night in and night out, to a new beginning
keep your hopes up, keep your eyes on
the light of the coming dawn
meanwhile in your darkness you can
count that your sun will shine upon… you

day in day out
anew
day in day out

day in, day out, within, without
up north go east, fly south find peace
don't curse your night 'cause your stars aren't bright
get close to one, and it becomes … a sun

day in day out, the work is done
day in day out
it's won, night in night out
just keep going, day in day out

you can do it, yes you can

Kashmir
Robert Plant / Jimmy Page / John Bonham

oh, let the sun beat down upon my face, stars can fill my dreams
i'm a traveler of both time and space, to be where i have been
sit with elders of the gentle race this world has seldom seen
talk of days for which they sit and wait, all will be revealed

talk in song in tongues of lilting grace, sounds caress my ear
not a word i heard could i relate, story was quite clear

oh, i've been flying, oh, there's no denying

all i see turns to brown as the sun burns the ground
and my eyes fill with sand as i scan with razor eyes
trying to find where i've been

oh, pilot of the storm that leaves no trac, like thoughts inside a dream
heed the path that led me to that place, that yellow desert stream
my shangri-la beneath the summer moon, i will return again
sure as the dust that floats high in june, when movin' through kashmir

when i'm on, when i'm on my way, yeah
when i see, when i see the way, you stay-yeah
ooh, yeah-yeah, when i'm down

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Flying When I Fall
John McCloy

I don't want to rob you of energy
I don't want to steal your soul
I don't want to cheat you of anything
just trying to make you whole

I can feel the wall that's in front of me
is it real or is it inside of me
or just the wheels spinning inside my head

when my heart is sinking inside of me
there's a part that's seeking to try to be
trying to start on getting my wings to spread

don't be afraid to fall
no need to be afraid at all

oh oh wohhh, I'm Flying When I Fall

when I hide the feelings that I can't trace
deep inside in memories that I can't face
I open wide and trust when I feel noise

I go to fly but sometimes I just fall
don't know why but it doesn't hurt at all
If I try to quiet my dark voice

don't be afraid to climb
the mountain building in your mind

oh oh wohhh, I'm Flying When I Fall

Unsung Heroes
David Walsh

I see you, still hear you
you did not go unnoticed
you never knew the lives you touched
glory seems to bless the chosen few
I won't rest till glory blesses you

recognize the ordinary
speak the names that no one knows
god bless the unsung heroes

your courage, your wisdom
you sacrifice and struggle
so many gifts you left behind
glory seems to want a precious few
I won't rest till glory honors you

recognize the ordinary
speak the names that no one knows
god bless the unsung heroes

when it seems its all in vain
it doesn't matter what you do
no one there to ease your pain
your glory waits for you

Crash and Burn
John McCloy and David Walsh

every time that I conquer the mountain
i always crash to the valley below
the only thing that you cannot be counting is
just how low

every night that i sit at the table
it doesn't matter, the cards that i get
i never know to get out while i'm able
no not yet

when every night i wager 'gainst the closing bell
and every day i wake to'a brand new hell
when will i realize i only ever learn

…when i crash and burn

every time i am given a bouna'ry
every time there's a line in the sand
it may be clear but to me it's all blurry
i'm that man

sabotage all the things that are worthy
take a risk with the ones that i care
roll the dice, go all in, in a hurry
don't you dare me

when every night i wager 'gainst the closing bell
and every day i wake to'a brand new hell
when will i realize i only ever learn

…when i crash and…

burn all the bridges that i built along the way
the resolutions that again i will betray
when will i realize the boomerang returns

…then i crash and burn

A Ghost In Your Bed
John McCloy and David Walsh

when you turn off the light
can you turn off your mind
when you look in your heart
are you scared what you'll find

is it just me or are you hearing
a voice inside your head
is it just me or are you feeling
that there will always be

a ghost in your bed

when I close my eyes
I can still feel you near
don't wake me up don't disappear

is it just me or are you hearing
a voice inside your head
is it just me or are you feeling
that there will always be

a ghost in your bed
I'm living in the shadows
a ghost in your bed
I'm living with a ghost
I'm living with a memory

is it just me or are you hearing
a voice inside your head
is it just me or are you feeling
that there will always be

a ghost in your bed

Madman Across the Water
Elton John & Bernie Taupin

I can see very well
there's a boat on the reef with a broken back
and I can see it very well

there's a joke and I know it very well
it's one of those that I told you long ago
take my word I'm a madman don't you know

once a fool had a good part in the play
if it's so would I still be here today?
it's quite peculiar in a funny sort of way
they think it's very funny everything I say

get a load of him, he's so insane
you better get your coat dear
It looks like rain

we'll come again next Thursday afternoon
the In-laws hope they'll see you very soon
but is it in your conscience that you're after
another glimpse of the Madman across the Water

I can see very well
there's a boat on the reef with a broken back
and I can see it very well

there's a joke and I know it very well
it's one of those that I told you long ago
take my word I'm a madman don't you know

the ground's a long way down but I need more
is the nightmare black
or are the windows painted?
will they come again next week
can my mind really take it?

When You Lose Your Voice
John McCloy

when you lose your voice
no one can speak for you
and all of your noise
is boiling inside
the silence destroys
what can be said for you
when you lose your voice

when you lose your voice
you feel like you're broken
when you can't find the words
and you need to be heard
what's deep in your heart
so your soul goes unspoken
when you lose your voice

when you lose your scream
it comes out like a whisper
emotion's extreme
with no place to go
the pendulum swings
from summer to winter
what's now just a stream
it will grow

when you lose your voice
you feel like you're broken
when you can't find the words
and you need to be heard
what's deep in your heart
so your soul goes unspoken
When you lose your voice

when you lose your voice
when you lose your scream
when you're filled with noise
when you're losing steam
if you listen within
and then listen without
when you can't even whisper
when you need to shout

Ch4
you will find your voice
you will find your voice
you will finally sing free
keep waiting gracefully
so when you raise your voice
you will raise your voice
you will let it ring out
bleed your heart out openly

but find peace with your noise
when you lose your voice

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I Know You Know
John McCloy

the universe won't give you more than you can handle
but still, you better buckle up
you don't lose your flame because you light a candle
keep your flame and light the whole world up

I know you know, you know the difference
I know you know it's true
I know you know, you know the difference
I know you know it's true

feel the universe giving you resistance
it tries to block you as you go
how come you never feel it when it gives assistance
you never listen when it flows

I know you know, you know the difference
I know you know it's true
I know you know, the universe resisting
I know you'll make it through

I love you, I know you know I do

I know you know, the universe resisting
I know you'll make it through
I know you know, the universe assisting
I love you, I know you know I do

I know you'll make it through

In Wonderland
John McCloy

she'll plant flowers somewhere in your heart
and she'll do it while you're sleeping
when mine blossomed I took it really hard
I woke up late and she went missing

In wonderland she goes
when she is torn
In wonderland she goes
'cause there roses have no thorns

tell her ride she doesn't want to leave the party
tell her ride to go on alone
tell her ride that I'm really very sorry
I'd love to be the one to help her find home

In wonderland she goes
while the world is waiting
In wonderland she goes
when it's tugging at her sleeve
wonderland just knows
just how to ease her breathing
In wonderland she stays to grow her roots
and never want to leave

In wonderland she goes
when everybody wants a piece of her
In wonderland she goes
when she turns the world away
wonderland just knows
just how bring the inner peace in her
In wonderland she goes to grow her roots
and wish that she could stay

In wonderland she goes
when she is torn
In wonderland she goes
'cause there roses have no thorns

In wonderland

Street Dance In Cairo
John McCloy

It's been a really long way from cairo
the hieroglyphics there were something that my heart could read
my happiness has got a little friend that she calls sorrow
their conversation's like a russian with a japanese

they both try to talk to me when I bleed
it's like hearing both the radio and the TV

it's been a really long time since Sunday
I didn't think that I would ever make it through the week
and when my day is done I hear a ring
don't care what you've got for me don't want a thing

it's like a street dance in Cairo

counter high when I say low, contradict me when I say no
in the middle is the very best place to be
so when you're shopping 'round and like the price
*me and my family* we'll make it nice and special for you

it's like a sweet street dance in Cairo

*this phrase pains me but… proper grammar takes a back seat to phrasing!
:D

My Seasons
John McCloy

when I feel winter behind my eyes
when euphemistic sayings don't apply
I long for summer inside my soul
I just keep holding on 'til...

seasons, my seasons
have made their way on through
I see how my seasons have brought me here to you

when leaves are falling inside your heart
when everything around you's feeling dark
it's all ok, I'm feeling for you
it will be may in my dark days
hey hey learn to trust yourself and say…

seasons, my seasons
have made their way on through
I see how my seasons have brought me here to you

I know you plow through your winter
just like you rake through your fall
springtime will blossom your flower
summer will pay for it all

seasons, my seasons
have made their way on through
I see how my seasons have brought me here to you

Blind to Hindsight
John McCloy

nothing said and there's nothing done
it's not just in my head it's in my bones
soured instincts will always bring me down
until my side of the fence always turns brown

when will I ever learn that I am blind
blind to hindsight
over and over I've been burned still I am
blind to hindsight

the angel on my left, she whispered in my ear
trying to tell me
confirming what I knew and what I feared
then a second later, the angel on my right
he justified the damage that I did last night

when will I ever learn that I am blind
blind to hindsight
over and over I've been burned still I am
blind to hindsight

I could not foresee repeating history
every day and night
I could not recall anything at all
now I know I'm blind to hindsight

Princess of Willowcrest
John McCloy

every day I wake up to the clatter of her slippers
on the hallway's hardwood floors
every night we sit and watch the magic in the lamp
we've seen a hundred times before

a plastic crown, a purple dress
she goes through metamorphosis
from a butterfly she then evolves into honey

she is the one, she is the best
princess of willowcrest

when it's dark and I return, the welcome that I get
well, you'd expect it if you were king
royalty is in her voice 'cause you should hear the way she sings
she gets that from her queen

I'm so aware my soul was kissed
I couldn't ask for more than this
when midnight comes and midnight goes
and she's still there

she is the one, she is the best
princess of willowcrest

there's a trail of plastic diamonds
leading to a room
with a mirror the corner
that will show the future much too soon

I got the one, I got the best
I got the princess of willowcrest
I wish it could be more
'cause rubber gold and plastic silver
is not enough but its all I can give her now

there's a trail of plastic diamonds
worth so much that you couldn't buy them

she is the one, she is the best

Driving Me Away
John McCloy

both hands are on the wheel, I am flying by
don't know where I'm going
the winding yellow lines hypnotize
without me knowing

I think what I need
is picking up my speed
headlights on, got a song
driving me away

I'm cranking up the gears be there fast
wherever that may be
I need to shed my skin, be there at last
a brand new me

not sure how I feel
tell me what is real
headlights on, got a song
driving me away

those aren't tears because I just can't cry
besides, wind will dry my eyes

I'm driving me away
I'm driving me away
I'm driving me away
she's driving me away

LaGuardia
John McCloy

feeling blue in a yellow cab
the light turns amber
the street is wet and shining black

la guardia take me home
la guardia from my home
it's hard to choose between new york gray
and carolina green

a rainbow of colors is surrounding me
but my heart has blinders
violets and purples are all it sees

la guardia take me home
lga, jfk, either way I'm leaving home for home

every color in the spectrum is noise inside of me
I wish that I could bathe in paint and color myself free
I find I flip flop between new york gray
and carolina green

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Epiphany (Trio)
John McCloy

I fell a bit behind while I was fixing me
I'll change the things I can and let the others be
they really think they got me by the balls and throat
their chance of winning against me is so damned remote

I got much more time than it may really seem
'cause time is friendly though it can feel mean

and one day I'll go:
whoah, I found me an epiphany

they're throwing stones at me from houses made of glass
got tired of losing, baby, sitting on my ass
I've got a future, lady growing greener grass

I got strong inertia moving right along
baby steps that keep me getting strong

one day I'll go:
whoah, I found me an epiphany

they can't see I'm rising, they can't see I'm rising to the top
look at me I'm floating, look, I'm floating and I just can't stop
I'll raise the ante in their poker game
all their money's on a hand that's lame

and I'm going to say that:
whoah, I found me an epiphany

Wait For Me
John McCloy

wait for me to try to make it better
wait for me to try to get it right
I can wait for you if you're coming with me
I can wait for you but don't be late tonight

I've been running around for way too long
since sometime yesterday
all this waiting around has made me strong
cause the payoff is today

wait for me i'm pulling it together
wait for me to get it really tight
I can't wait for you if you're not coming with me
I can't wait for you to come around any more

I've been running around for way too long
since sometime yesterday
all this waiting around has made me strong
cause the payoff is today

I've been running around for way too long
with the future in my eye
I've been stuck on the ground and waiting around
so clear me now to fly high

wait for me
I can wait for you

Heavy Groove Me
John McCloy

I really like the way you move
I really like the way you move me
I really like your heavy groove
c'mon now, and heavy groove me

I really like the way you sound
I really like the way you sound when you call me
and heavy groove me
c'mon and heavy groove me

I really like the way you are
I really like the way you float above me
just like the moon and stars
you glow above me

every time that you get close to me
it just feels like it's just destiny

you move me, you heavy groove me
I can see your eyes see right through me
'cause you move me you heavy groove me
I really like the way you move

heavy groove me

Vicious Voices
John McCloy

I went to france
and waited under the eiffel tower
I went to find what I misplaced
what has been missing

I think I lost it, where did it go
and if I found it, I may not know
it just comes to you

wherever I go I take with me
my vicious voices in my baggage
I can't escape the conversation of the voices

I went to rome and to nepal
then down to rio
I looked around in central park
and the trains of tokyo

I fled my worries, went to saipan
the only difference is now
I'm worried with a tan
and still I'm a sad man

wherever I go I take with me
my vicious voices in my baggage
I can't escape the conversation of the voices

vicious voices
they follow me around
vicious voices

I wish that I could disappear and start anew
but hotel cafes don't ever have that on the menu

my head is aching, my heart is cold
and my feet are sore and so is my soul
though it's all been given to me now
I still want more… and still I'm aching

wherever I go I take with me
my vicious voices in my baggage
I can't escape the conversation
of the voices

vicious voice,
malicious voices
but precious voices

I know now it's no use to run away
so I better stay andt face them

The Key
John McCloy

he's got 10,000 reasons
why it is that he's always bleeding
why it is that nothing is his fault

try to talk but there is no use in
wasting breath with all the excuse and
lying, denying and running away from it all

the key that fits perfectly
is cut with time and a little bit of patience
the key that fits right for me
will be mine with a little bit of time

she's done but she won't admit it
a brick wall, refusing to quit it
she thinks that she's a normal girl

so blind to anger misplacement
can't face the pain in her basement
self-loathing aiming at the world

the key that fits perfectly
is cut with time and a little bit of patience
the key that fits right for me
will be mine with a little bit of time

*Tribal chant*

and while I'm cutting out the perfect key
all I'm thinking is unlocking liberation
and when I think I cut it perfectly for me
it turns out I now need a combination

the key that fits perfectly
Is cut with time and a little bit of patience
the key that fits right for me
will be mine with a little bit of time

the key will be cut

Lady of Liberty
John McCloy

lady of liberty raise your torch up high
let it glow high above the rainbow
that makes your children

lady of liberty keep your colors pure
help us bridge the distance
while we celebrate our difference
that is why we're yours, our Lady

it will always rain on your children
tears and tears of joy
I cry gratefully for those who died for me
so that I can say out loud…

…this is me

if we don't see eye to eye I promise you I'll try
to say to you at night that today I did you right
'cause I want to sleep by you with a conscience clean and true
knowing in my heart

that I'm free

and earn the right to say
you're my lady of liberty