Jim Cuddy – Skyscraper Soul

Warner Music Canada

2011

Release Date

September 27, 2011

Produced By

Jim Cuddy, Colin Cripps, Chris Shreenan-Dyck

  • 1
    Skyscraper Soul
    5:02
    Everyone knows it, try not to show it,
    This city can bring you down
    I’m a believer some days are hard, but
    I couldn’t leave this town

    I got a skyscraper soul
    Like a flower that comes where the sun never goes
    Skyscraper soul
    Filling my heart where there once was a hole

    Look out my window
    Watching the sun go down
    On the crowds below
    I know the struggle,
    Weaving through trouble
    Life can be hard, I know

    I got a skyscraper soul
    There’s mud in my veins and there’s steel in my bones
    Skyscraper soul
    Building it all up from water and stones

    Look through the market stalls
    Over broken walls
    To this hollowed ground
    Looks are deceiving
    There’s a heart beating
    Here in this battered town

    Cause I got a skyscraper soul
    Like a flower that comes where the sun never goes
    Skyscraper soul
    Filling it all up with water and stones

    I’ve got a skyscraper soul
    There’s mud in my veins and there’s steel in my bones
    Skyscraper soul
    Brushing the rust off and losing control
  • 2
    Regular Days
    3:55
    Up all night and you come here barely alive
    Move on in real close and just let me drive
    Outside the window the sun’s gone down
    Night so calm not a soul around
    We’ve got reason to fly away
    Even if ends up being for a single day

    You just sleep, don’t worry we’ll get there soon
    I’ll turn off the dashboard lights and follow the moon
    Got some money and a case of wine
    I brought you clothes and I hope they’re fine
    Nighttime’s a mystery we need to explore
    Lying in a bed of a suite that we can barely afford

    I know it always seems to come to this
    You and me making up for the time we miss
    But I can feel all our worries fading away
    What can I say, for us there’s no regular days
    No regular days

    The day that we first met you were very young
    So when I climbed up into your room you were pretty stunned
    You said it’s fun but your head was clear
    Things like this never last all year
    Sure seems funny as time goes on
    Guess you read the future, but honey you just read it wrong

    I know it always seems to come to this
    You and me making up for the time we miss
    But I can feel all our worries fading away
    What can I say, for us there’s no regular days
    No regular days
  • 3
    Everyone Watched The Wedding
    5:32
    Sister’s got her baby now and I’m glad for what she did
    But her older one’s in trouble, man I really love that kid
    Maybe he could live here, for us it would be nice
    He needs some time to grow up, needs a father in his life

    Me I guess I’m lucky, mine have almost grown
    It’s amazing what they turn into from a seed that we have sown
    I remember nights just lying there, worrying a while
    I look across the room now, and I see them and I smile

    All we ever want at night’s our families to be safe
    So we hold their hands and pick them up until they take their place
    We know that there’s no promises, no no guarantees
    So we pray and pray and pray at night whatever will be will be

    Oh look at it coming down, making a mess of this whole town
    And I think that I know why

    Everyone watched the wedding, two people in love
    Two people whose blessing comes from higher up above
    They’re not like you and me, they were destined to be
    Oh everyone watched the wedding, couldn’t get enough
    At least for one moment we were right there up above
    Looking down on all the royal fuss Monday we were back upon the bus
    Driving through the neighbourhoods and factories that are us
    That one day, hope was all that we could see
    And they looked so beautiful to me
    Hope was all that we could see
    And they looked so beautiful to me

    Oh sister I am tapped out, this month is really bad
    Can you hold on through May and then I’ll give you what I have
    Everything is going up, business going down
    I’ve been through this so many times it always comes around

    My brother he’s a charmer, a snake with a silver tongue
    Sometimes he up and disappears and we don’t know where he’s gone
    My mother she’s a fighter, always made her way
    She can’t believe she worries about us all to this day

    Me I just keep going, guess that I’ll be fine
    But I can’t believe I keep my head above the waterline
    Some people round here want to get rich and run away
    That’s not for me no, I’ve got so many reasons to stay

    Oh look at it coming down, making a mess of this damn town
    And I think that I know why

    Everyone watched the wedding, two people in love
    Two people whose blessing comes from higher up above
    They’re not like you and me, they were destined to be
    Oh everyone watched the wedding, couldn’t get enough
    At least for one moment we were right there up above
    Looking down on all the royal fuss Monday we were back upon the bus
    Driving through the neighbourhoods and factories that are us
    That knowing all our lives will never be
    But they looked so beautiful to me
    All our lives will never be
    But they looked so beautiful to me
  • 4
    Still Want You
    4:31
    Well I took my car to find you
    Drove down every lane
    Looked in all the backyards
    Then I went back through again

    Then I took a Greyhound
    Headed way out West
    I found some friends who knew you
    But they told me you had already left

    Oh why do I need you so
    Like a cop needs a crime

    Well I’ve practiced in the mirror
    Saying things to make my mind go clear
    Prayed until my knees were black and blue
    And if love is a cut well it’s one that never seems to shut
    Comes up every morning like it’s new
    And I still want you

    Remember when we travelled up
    To see the Arctic sun
    Stopped to buy you cigarettes
    Came back and you were gone
    Then I had to follow
    A trail of unpaid bills
    You maxed out all my credit cards
    And took all of the money from my till

    Oh why do I need you so
    Like a drowning man needs a line

    Well I’m burning with desire
    Standing way too close to every fire
    I know I’ll pay the price when it comes due
    And no matter how I try resolutions fall in record time
    Thoughts of your sweet smile coming through
    And I still want you

    Oh why do I need you so
    Like a drunk needs wine

    Well there’s grey skies behind me
    Thunder up ahead
    I’m hooked on this sensation
    And I’m easily misled
    And if I ever find you
    I hope I will someday
    I won’t waste time on clever lines
    Just smile at you and then I’ll walk away

    Oh why do I need you so
    Like a dying man needs time

    Well I’ve practiced in the mirror
    Saying things to make my mind go clear
    Prayed until my knees were black and blue
    And if love is a cut well it’s one that never seems to shut
    Comes up every morning like it’s new
    And I still want you
    And I still want you
  • 5
    Wash Me Down
    4:51
    Last Friday they had a masquerade
    Everyone was there
    All decked out in stars and silver
    Moonlight in their hair
    Darkness fell down around us
    We were lost in the mystery
    Left our clothes by the side of the road
    And jumped into the sea

    Wash me down
    Wash me down
    Take me away from the beating drums
    Let the great world go by
    Wash me down
    Wash me down
    And when you go
    I will never forget

    I heard a rumour ‘bout a miracle
    In a town by the Buffalo Leap
    People came from miles around
    To watch the statue weep
    They filled the square with their caravans
    Cameras lit up the trees
    Every time a light went off
    They fell down to their knees

    Wash me down
    Wash me down
    Take me away from the beating drums
    Let the great world go by
    Wash me down
    Wash me down
    And when you go
    I will never forget

    I swear I’ve seen your face before
    Somewhere when I was young
    You make me feel the miles I’ve walked
    The things I’ve left undone
    Come here and lay beside me
    One more hour, that’s all
    When you leave I’ll close the door
    Maybe then I’ll fall

    Wash me down
    Wash me down
    Take me away from the burning sun
    Let the great world go by
    Wash me down
    Wash me down
    And when you go
    I will never forget
    And when you go
    I will never forget
  • 6
    Watch Yourself Go Down
    5:33
    There’s a fork in the road, but you never take it
    Always go the same way home
    It’s 6 o’clock so you’re medicated
    Easy when you’re living alone
    And all the girls who come and go
    They whisper in your ear “oh baby you know”
    “Oh baby you know”

    This town’s got a crooked grin
    You know it’s got a cold, cold heart
    Came here thinking it was yours to win
    But you’re dead before you even start
    And all the friends who understood you
    Smile and shake your hand saying “really we should”
    “Really we should”

    And you dream, dream of better days
    And it seems they’re moving far away
    But you can’t ever stop
    You keep climbing for the top
    Till the wind comes and blows you away
    You’re gonna watch yourself go down
    You’re gonna watch yourself go down
    You’re gonna watch yourself go down
    Down, down, down

    When you were a kid the world was waiting
    You were everybody’s favourite son
    But now you wake up in a room where the light is fading
    I think you’re finally catching on
    And all the days they fly just like
    People in your life who’re passing you by
    Passing you by

    And you dream, dream of better days
    And it seems they’re moving far away
    But you can’t ever stop
    You keep climbing for the top
    Till the wind comes and blows you away
    You’re gonna watch yourself go down
    You’re gonna watch yourself go down
    You’re gonna watch yourself go down
    Down, down, down
  • 7
    Don't Know That Much
    1:48
    Oh, they don’t know that much about us now do they
    Slow down let your feelings go
    No point letting other people run the show
    Oh, they don’t know that much about us now do they
    Close your eyes let the wind blow through your hair
    There’s no need for you to get so scared
    Oh, they don’t know that much about us now do they
    Oh, they don’t know that much about us now do they
  • 8
    Banks of The 49
    5:12
    Sometimes I lie awake and I wonder how you’re doing
    It’s been a long time since we spoke
    Last time I was there you had music in the air
    We listened till the stereo broke
    I told you I believed you it’s not really true
    I only want to see you come alive
    Winter’s come and gone and there’s flowers on the lawn
    I miss you coming up my drive

    You’d tell me different if I ever lost my way
    You’d tell me different if I needed somewhere to stay
    You’d tell me all the things I needed to hear and never could
    And you’d always be careful and kind

    If you want to know what’s on my mind
    Let me be some help to you this time
    If you want to wake up in the morning and throw roses in the rain
    Cry yourself to sleep at night and practice your pain
    If you want to know what’s on my mind
    Come on up and see me I’ve been waiting for you all this time

    Up here the days last forever it seems
    The sunlight caresses your face
    You can hear the dogs howling at night
    You’ll think you’re in the holiest place
    I’ve always played it careful now maybe I was wrong
    I think of you as fragile and young
    I have seen the darkness come over your face
    Felt the poison of your tongue

    You’d tell me different if I tried to hide away
    You’d tell me different if you had something to say
    You’d tell me all the things I needed to hear and never could
    And you’d always be careful and kind

    If you want to know what’s on my mind
    Let me be some help to you this time
    If you want to wake up in the morning and throw roses in the rain
    Cry yourself to sleep at night and practice your pain
    If you want to know what’s on my mind
    Come on up and see me I’ve been waiting for you all this time

    Lately there’s something disturbing my sleep
    I dream about you almost every night
    You’re alone in your place and there’s a look on your face
    I don’t know if it is anger or fright
    All that I can tell you is I’m waiting to hear
    You know that I am faithful to a flaw
    When you change your mind and you step outside
    Hope I’ll be the one you call

    If you want to know what’s on my mind
    Let me be some help to you this time
    If you want to wake up in the morning and throw roses in the rain
    Cry yourself to sleep at night and practice your pain
    If you want to know what’s on my mind
    Look over your shoulder I won’t be far behind
    Come on up and see me on the banks of the 49
  • 9
    What Is So Wrong
    4:36
    Whatever became of the one that we knew
    When did heartless raven ever become you
    Pictures on my mantle they’re gonna go too

    Cause you never even noticed the world gone by
    Could be gone in the blink of an eye
    What is so wrong, what is so wrong

    You gotta admit that it’s funny the mess that we made
    Maybe we could have fixed it, but there was nothing to save
    I could walk right down there, but I’m not that brave

    No, you never even noticed the world gone by
    Could be gone in the blink of an eye
    What is so wrong, what is so wrong
    Something turned me away that’s true
    Could be something about me or you
    What is so wrong, what is so wrong

    There’s a place on the corner where we used to go
    You could drink with the poets and then sleep through the show
    Everybody’s gone now so you can never go home

    No, you never even noticed the world gone by
    Could be gone in the blink of an eye
    What is so wrong, what is so wrong
    Something turned me away that’s true
    Could be something about me or you
    What is so wrong, what is so wrong
    You never even noticed the world
    Never noticed the world
    What is so wrong, what is so wrong
    Could be something about me
    Could be something about you
    What is so wrong, what is so wrong
  • 10
    Ready To Fall
    4:43
    Guess that I was wrong
    I know I played along
    And let the little things go by
    Like the look in your eye
    You loved me too much
    Then you loved me just enough
    To keep me coming back for more
    Wondering what this game is for

    I’m mad about you
    I just couldn’t read the writing on the wall
    Surely you could see that
    This time I was ready to fall

    I’ll go one by one
    Through everything we’ve done
    And all the places we have been
    And we’ll never go again

    I’m mad about you
    I just couldn’t read the writing on the wall
    Surely you could see that
    This time I was ready to fall

    I’m lost around you
    We never looked at things the same at all
    It’s always gonna be there
    This time I was ready to fall
    Why weren’t you

    You told me there was time now
    Hold on and go slow
    It’s way too late for that now
    I’ve already let go
    Now I can’t believe it’s true
    That you can’t hear my heart beating when I’m looking at you

    So now we let it go
    Pretending it was fate and we were never in control
    But I think we’ll always know

    I’m mad about you
    I just couldn’t read the writing on the wall
    Surely you could see that
    This time I was ready to fall
    I’m lost around you
    I never looked at things the same at all
    It’s always gonna be there
    This time I was ready to fall
    Why weren’t you
  • 11
    Water's Running High
    4:24
    Mama, mama, mama, can you see the water is running high
    Mama, mama, mama, oh, the water is running high
    And you just keep on wondering now
    How in the world are you going to keep all your little babies dry
  • 12
    How In The World
    3:41
    Just in time the morning came
    Stopped my mind from dreaming
    And I tried to sweep the night away
    Stepped out on ice cold floor
    Sun was hazy, sky was grey
    I thought of how we used to be
    Just two together wasting time
    Not needing any more

    And I’m losing my way
    And I feel wasting all my days
    How in the world gonna make my way on through
    I’m walking around in a world that’s shades of blue
    Shades of blue

    Dropped you at the airport line
    We cried a little, said goodbye
    Winter, spring, and summer nights
    Not so long for us to wait
    I hope you made your plane on time
    I know your parts will all go fine
    It’s not that I can’t see you shine
    It’s changes that I hate

    And your face lingers on
    When I wake, wonder where you’re gone
    How in the world gonna make my way on through
    I’m walking around in a world that’s shades of blue
    Shades of blue

    And I feel wasting all my days
    But I’m true in my way
    How in the world gonna make my way on through
    I’m walking around in a world that’s shades of blue
    How in the world gonna make my way on through
    How in the world gonna make my way without you
    Without you
  • 13
    City Birds (Instrumental)
    2:05
  • 14
    With You
    5:03
    I’m sitting by the window with the echoes in my ears
    Your footsteps walking down the hall
    Maybe there were words that could have dried up all our tears
    I couldn’t find them at all

    I’ve made up my mind I can’t do this anymore
    Can’t watch the damage we do
    I’ve wandered so long wondering where I might belong
    Cause I know it’s not here with you

    So sweep me away like the wind blows the leaves
    Just like the seasons gone by
    I’m not one of those who can easily go
    I need to know you’ll be fine

    I’ve made up my mind I can’t do this anymore
    Can’t watch the damage we do
    I’ve wandered so long wondering where I might belong
    Cause I know it’s not here with you

    I’ve made up my mind I can’t do this anymore
    Not after all we’ve been through
    I can’t risk any more time and it’s always on my mind
    I know it’s not here with you

    I’ve mixed up all the memories of the things that we have done
    Can’t quite believe them anymore
    And I’m stunned by the beauty of you standing across the room
    Even as I’m closing the door

    I’ve made up my mind I can’t do this anymore
    Can’t watch the damage we do
    I have wandered so long wondering where I might belong
    Cause I know it’s not here with you
    I’ve made up my mind I can’t do this anymore
    Not after all we’ve been through
    I can’t risk any more time and it’s always on my mind
    But I know it’s not here with you