Alright To Be Shy

Life can be so scary when you can't even say hello
Always fear and wonder at what could be if you let yourself go
Sometimes you do it, sometimes it all seems to flow
Like water running softly, or the leaves rustling when the wind blows

It's alright, it's alright
It's alright to be shy

Believe in yourself because there's nothing wrong at all
Stop questioning why every jump becomes a tumble and fall
Get back on your feet, give yourself another chance and stand tall
There's no point going out there if you live with your back to the wall

One day we'll fly away on our own steam
Take a chance and live the dream
On that day we'll lose all our deepest fears
And we'll realise it's alright to be...
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Amber

Sitting alone again inside my head
I like to think I'm fine
And maybe I am, or maybe there's a hole
An emptiness that can be filled by you

God knows I wasn't looking for love
It just came and took me by surprise
I'm finding it hard to sleep again
But Amber helps me find my rest

So here's to you
I'll raise my glass in the hope that you'll join me some day
Should I hold my breath?

I don't like to think of it
But I can't control my morning thoughts
The sun comes up and it's you again
Just thinking of the next time I might see you
Keeps my heart going round and round
But Amber helps me and comforts me

God knows I wasn't looking for love
I was just biding my time
I'm finding it hard to sleep again
But Amber helps me

It's all changed now
My head goes round and round
It helps me glass by glass
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Blind Man Takes The Gun

When the blind man takes the gun
You know he's going to shoot everyone
And if your lifeline slips away
You you know you're going to pay for it some day
So thanks for taking me back
A few weeks for where I was standing
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Descent

In the sky with a lot on my mind and it's raining heavily on to my sanity.
Give me clarity, don't give me reasons.
I don't want to know the root of all of this.
Let me out of this cranial captivity.
Somethings gunna blow...
Yeah, somethings gunna blow in the end.

On a tightrope over barbed wire.
Over shark infested waters beating back reality.
Don't know why but I want to give in.
Want to sink in to myself.
Let go of my sanity.

Am I losing my mind or just losing control?
I'm just starting my decent into oblivion.

Taking time to remember all the things
that I don't want to remember feeding my sensitivities.
Letting go now forgetting all my blessings
and the ticking's getting louder.
and disturbing my sense of worth
Now the dizziness affecting me greatly.
I'm losing all balance and I'm bound to throw the towel...
I going to throw the towel.
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Drink It Away

Take all these knives
I'm sure they belong to you
I'll keep handing them back
So you can do what you do
Again and again and again and again and again

I'll take a drink to forget the pain
And another to forget the fear
What's the point in it all anyway?
So make mine another beer

Feed me a line
I'll believe every word you say
I'll tell you the same things...
That I say everytime
Again and again and again and again and again

Drink it away
Drink it away 'til it's gone
Drink it away
Drink it away, but it's still right here
It still lingers on
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Escape - part 2 (yours)

I hope you find your way
Worth the price you pay
It’s all too much to bear
Time to pretend you don’t care
That’s the easy way out

And when all the feelings are shot
And you’re out of control
Run along

I know that life gets hard
You can’t keep up your guard
And when you’re in too deep
Beware of the council you keep
They’ll lead you astray

You struggled to make it alright
So you did what you know
But try as you might
You can’t run away from yourself
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Freewheelin'

It looks like all the bad times are gone

Well, it looks like all the bad times are through
'Cos when you left I didn't know what to do
So I climbed, struggled up that mountain
With self doubt, loathing and fear
And now I've reached the top
I'm at the peak, and I know

It's all downhill from here. And I'm free wheeling

Well, I'm free
I'm free wheeling
Copyright © Phil Cooper

From This Chair

Everyone knows what's best for me
Everyone knows how it should be
But they don't know what it's like to be me

Everyone wants to show they care
Let me know that they're always there
But they can't see what I see from this chair
And they don't know what it's like to be me
No they don't know what it's like to be me

I'm stuck in the middle and I feel like I fading out
Everything I know seems to have got right up and wandered out
But I'm still in the frame of mine where nothing makes a difference anyhow
So I don't need the hassle right now
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Getting To Know You

You've been there all my life.
But I've never known you.
Now you're right with me.
And I won't lie, it's a little scary

I'm just getting to know you but I'm not sure I want to.
I'm just getting to know you and I'm not sure I like what I see.

You'd think it would be clear.
But it's always been hazy.
A reflection on my life.
Shows I'm not the person that I want to be.

Getting to know you like I should
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Grass is Greener

I never used to give a damn about anything going on outside.
Now recently, I start to see the grass is greener in everyone else’s world.

My blessings number high, so why do I find myself so dismayed.
I never used to give a damn about things like this so why...?
Recently, I start to see the grass is green.
The grass is green and so am I.

Jealousy builds up in me, and all I see is all I don’t have
Everything I crave seems far away from me now,
Like happiness, like love.
Like everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve ever needed.
Everyone else is fine, so why not me?

Let the light shine down on me.
Open doors and set me free from this self made misery.
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Introduction To An Ordinary Man

I’m just an ordinary man,
Hit 25 and put my life on cruise control.

Yeah, it might not be perfect, but at least it’s easy

There’s no real danger anymore.

But if there’s no real danger, then why am I so scared?

I’m just an ordinary man,
Placed neatly in a box under the stairs.
Tidied away, no threat to anyone, no real danger
And I don’t really want to be

But if there’s no real danger, then why am I so scared?

It might not be perfect, but at least it’s easy.
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Keep Me Down

There is always something getting in my way
Like satallites that form a powerful delay
I would like to see you, make you smile again
But life's not quite that simple, it's a crying shame
and it...

Keeps me down
But it won't keep me down forever

Once there was a girl and she lived in a dream
Somewhere in my mind it all built up some steam
I'm determined that I'll learn from this and see
But what will lif throw at me next from this debris
it tries to...

Keep me down
But it won't keep me down forever

Well I have seen within my few and tender years
That life can leave your face stained with a million tears
Our time is short upon this astronomic sphere
And how to make the best of it's not always clear
When it...

Keeps me down
But it won't keep me down forever
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Life After The Bomb

The calm is not as peaceful as it seems
Broken heart and shattered dreams
Life inside your own shell
Your idea of living hell

There's life after the bomb
But it's hard to think straight
There's life after the bomb
But you can't see past the mushroom cloud

Desolation, torn apart
Those ragged dreams, a broken heart

Destination built to break
There's nothings else for you to take
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Little Bird

Little bird,
Fly away
The nest is empty
Now you've flown

Things got cold
You moved with the times
To warmer places
But seasons change
I was reaching my harvest

Little bird,
Fly away
The nest is empty
Now you've flown south

Now it's time to sow again
Sow the seeds that one day I will reap
For now I'm content to wait
To sow the seeds
That will blossom in time
Then I will be nourished
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Nerves On A Pin

So listen to me
I know it's a maybe
But please can't you see
That maybe is me
At the end of the night
Do you question yourself
What's wrong or right
Can you see?

I wait for a day
I don't know if it's mine
If things go my way
And it's worth all the time
I invested in you
It's worth the prize
You're something brand new
Can you see?
You and me?

You tempted me in
Don't know if you meant to
My nerves on a pin
And I'm playing this through
A million times
In my head I can't stop
Can't commit other's crimes
Can you see?
You and me?
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Not Enough People Are Wearing Hats

You won't give up
Despite the pointless nature
You'll try to change the world
Desite the evidence that shows it can't be done
So try if you like and you will see
The only thing you can change is you

The little things
That play on your mind
The tiny flaws you see
In people you care about, but want to improve
So try if you like and you will see
That only you can change

Not enough people are wearing hats
But there's not a lot I can do about that
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Not Too Much To Ask

My blossoming garden's infested with weeds
Since I've been denied the most basic of needs
I can't make the best of the things that I find
Instead there's an emptiness deep down inside

And it's not too much to ask
For something and someone to call my own
So what will it take
It's not too much to ask

I thought that by now I'd be able to fly
My wings have been clipped and I can't figure why
Tell me your secrets and hide all your lies
Tell me it won't last, the tears and the cries

Tell me it's not going to stay like this
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Rejoin The Race

Send a lifeboat out for me I'm lost at sea.
Drowning in the man I want to be.
My lungs are all filled up with hatred and disgust.
Aimed towards the man I used to be.

It's safe to say I lost my mind.
It's for the best 'cos I now I find a better one.
Wipe the slate clean start afresh.
Physician, heal thyself again.

Put a ladder up for me I want to get down.
I've been up here far too long, with just my frown.
With a careful footing now, I'll make it down somehow.
And find it's not so bad there on the ground.

I've sent up my flare.
Laid my soul bare.
And it's time to rejoin the race.
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Sleazy Pop Song

For a while it's been burning
For a while there's been something there
It may be wrong, but tonight I don't care
And the way you look I can't help but stare

We both know what we're here to do
So c'mon baby climb up here with me

This may seem sleazy to you,
but it's a sleazy act and you know you want it too
So just forget your worries
kick off your shoes
There's no shame in what we're about to do.

Something has gotta give
I don't care if it's me or you
I need you now and I'll get what I want
Because I know you'll be happy to oblige

It could be said we're just using each other
In fact that is probably true
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Snowball

What is it you don’t understand about the way I’m feeling?
Do you think this all came from nowhere?
No warning signs that I was breaking down?

Wish I could give a little more.
But I’m so selfishly involved
Got my own issues, sorry if I bore.
Just got to work it out.

It started as a snowball as it tumbled down the hill.
I wish that I could stop it, but I’ve lost my own free will.
Now it’s reached proportions that I can’t control.
And it’s knocking me down, rolling me round.
Making me feel like crap and I’ve given in.

What do you say we take a trip to the hills?
To clear my head.
Leave all these issues buried where they are.
But they follow me.

The snowball is chasing me.
The snowball is making me run from my sanity.
Copyright © Phil Cooper

So Easy

Separate the dying from the dead
Resurrect the things inside your head
Time to Concentrate
Life's not handed on a plate

You've never had it so easy

Since you got the life of Riley
You forgot to think
I'm here on the brink
Just waiting for it to sink
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Taking Control

Crossing the line is easy when you can't see
So I've stopped walking
And yet you're trying to drag me across
Back to your territory
Well you don't have control anymore
You gave it up
And now it's mine and I've turned around
And I'm heading off in a new direction

So come on now, commit the crime and do the time
And don't complain
Don't take offence at what I say
Come on now, it's time for you to make this right
And leave with your tail between your legs

So you can't manipulate me anymore
You can't control my emotions
I'm stronger than that
I'll be my own man
And happy about it
Just leave me alone.
Copyright © Phil Cooper

The News is: The World Sucks

Look at the world today
It's not a nice place to play
No one seems to have control
Fighting here and there
Bombings everywhere
No one seems to give a damn

You know you're in a state...
When the asshole rules the world
And the nice guy doesn't bother
because he knows he'll only finish last

Like children in a row
They fight and argue so
That's the way the system goes
And neither side can see
Though it's clear to you and me
No one seems to have control

Time and time again
The same things repeating themselves
And it's always been that way
Copyright © Phil Cooper

There Flickers A Light

Finally, from the corner of the room there flickers a light.
And it calls to me telling me things will be alright.

Ironically, nothing's changed except my standpoint.
Now I can see without a judgement cloud to poison my mind.
With pessimistic, fatalistic, and simplistic words to doubt myself

I'm not suggesting that I'm seeing the world though rose tinted eyes.
But the mist has risen to show that there’s a break in the clouds.
Up ahead I see a dawn where I can comfortably do the things I’ve always dreamed I'd do some day.

I always told myself I'd be this way

There flickers a light...
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Throwaway

So the year is drawing to a close
And I know it been a tough one
It's time to look to the future now
And see where the road is heading
And if anything it's shown me that what we have
Is fragile, it can go at any point
So say what you need to and leave it behind
Thank **** it's over now to begin

It's all so throwaway
So throw it all away

And everyone gets to a point
Where they don't know to go left or right
And I hope you can look back and say that you've chosen
The right path at the right time
But you know that the past is not quite how you see it
And the memories are fading fast
And I won't say it's time for me to close that door
It's already slammed shut and I'm ready to shout
That...

It's all so throw away
So throw it all away

So the nights are drawing in sooner now
And I know what I'm trying to say
That I needed you all and all I can say
Is you were with me that's all I could ask
I know I don't say it often enough
But I love you all and I need you all
You're the people I want beside me
When everything else turns to dust

But remember what life is
Remember each day is a new an brilliant time
You can do what you want
You can do what you can
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Time

I feel like I'm stuck in a hole and I can't get free
Wake up today and I know that it's going to be
just like yesterday and just like tomorrow

Things I can't change are a hinderence these days
I've always tried hard to accept them with charm and grace
But it's getting harder with every passing day

You know I look to you for help, but my cries go unheard
My face is getting more and more blank every day
Throw me down a rope, or put out a net, for when I jump
'Cos the cracks are starting to show...
The bomb is getting nearer...
The bomb's about to blow.

Time on my hands is time I spend alone
That's not my choice it's just how the cards are thrown
And I'm impatient I need a decent hand

You know I look to you for help, but my cries go unheard
My face is getting more and more blank every day
Throw me down a rope, or put out a net, for when I jump
'Cos the cracks are starting to show...
The bomb is getting nearer...
the bomb's about to blow.
You know...
I wait and I wait and I wait.
yeah
I wait and I wait and I wait
Time passes by slower than ever before
But life is rushing by
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Water The Weeds

Misery isn’t me, but I find it so hard to get out of this.
Misery, set me free. How long do I need to put up with this?
Sense of personal worthlessness growing inside.
Can’t shake this anxiety.
Looking out of the window, I see people laughing.
Are they laughing at me?

Drag me down with you and I’ll water the weeds.
Keep the doors closed, ignore all your personal needs.
Space and time are passing, it’s all been a waste so far.
You’re a waste on this earth... set yourself free.

Lethargy and Fatigue, pouring over my naturally joyful soul.
Apathy holds the key, the door is locked, I won’t try to force it.
Because I’m finding myself in a state of unrest.
Can’t summon the energy
So I’ll lie by myself in this listless pose.
And what will be will be.

Set yourself free from this painless pain.
But you know you won’t because you still feel you’ve got so much to give.
I tell you you’re wrong... I tell you you’re wrong.
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Which Way To Go

Your number's on the other side of the dice
The way you could have gone
It's facing the floor now
And you're left floundering around
You don't know which way to go

There's only one card left in the deck
And that card is you
There's no way you can play poker
When the only card left is the joker
You don't know which way to go
Copyright © Phil Cooper

You Don't Have A Choice

Don't you know, people say to you
If you get what you want, get what you want
Don't let it slip away
Don't you know, people are stupid
You don't have a choice
When it's ripped from your arms, ripped from your arms

Don't you know, people say to you
That you make your own luck, make your own luck
You do
Don't you know, people don't have a clue
You don't get the chance
When it's all that you do, all that you can do
Just to keep yourself from breaking down

Don't you know, people say to you
If you follow your heart, follow your heart
You won't go far wrong
Don't you know, people don't understand
That it's all you've ever done
And it's left you stranded, left you stranded

No, in this life you don't have a choice
Copyright © Phil Cooper

Your Question Is Important

It's ok Mr Jones, your job is quite safe,
But I'm afraid you'll have to apply for it again.
It's not quite what you'd planned and we're sure you'll get the role
But your salary's not quite the same

We're very well aware of the issues that you'll have
And we'll deal with that if things get too sour
But we're sorry to announce that the questions you may ask
Are no match for our hierarchical power

We'll listen to the unions and then go our own way
Because we know what's best
And that's what lines our pockets with gold
When it all goes wrong we can say that we listened
To the voices of the people
Even if we didn't pay any mind

In this open forum you can say what you like
We keep telling you we're all friends here
If you kick up any fuss then we'll get you on your own
And confront you with confusion and fear

So your question is important but the answer is not to us.
Copyright © Phil Cooper