lyrics - confession in the backroom - tom sheehan

9 Years Gone...Here comes your ghost again, tearing at my heart again. It’s like you never left. I was thinking that I left you behind, part of some other time gone by. It’s not as simple as that. Now, everywhere I go I hear your voice, I see your face, it’s like I’ve got no choice. But you’re 9 years gone. We can’t replace the time that’s slipped away. 9 years gone. We may get older but we’re still the same It’s not too late, baby, for us to save 9 years gone. Everywhere I turn, baby, there you are. And every move you make just goes too far. Now you don’t have to say a word. What I’m thinking goes against everything that I’ve learned, but that’s not important right now. And I know damn well it’s not fair to do this to you. It’s just that lately I’ve been thinking of you Is that so wrong. Now everywhere I go I hear your voice, I see your face, it’s like I’ve got no choice. But you’re 9 years gone. We can’t replace the time that’s slipped away. 9 years gone. We may get older but we’re still the same. It’s not too late, baby, for us to save 9 years gone.

Open All Night...The sign in the window says baby won’t you come inside. You won’t need any money, honey, all you gotta do is smile. The band in the corner is thumping funk and rhythm and blues. Before the night is over we’ll all be kicking off our shoes. There’s confession in the back room not a priest in sight. It’s a little bit of heaven and it’s open all night. On a Friday after midnight you can get your ticket punched for free. Get your name on the list, you can be whoever you want to be. It’s first names only, baby, you can really disappear for a while. Just slip into the music and vanish into the crowd. You can have your little fantasy it feels so right. It’s everything you hoped for and it’s open all night. Open all night—Come over here, baby; come over here. Open all night—Step over here, baby; right over here. Open all night—Buy you a drink, baby; get you a drink. Gonna drive it all night—Get you some ink, honey; you’re on the brink.| Wanna get tight—It’s who you know, baby; it’s all who you know. We’re open all night—Nowhere to run, you got nowhere to go. Got your table waiting, stay as long as you like. Always glad to see you and we’re open all night. Well, this city’s full of stories, baby, most of which you’ve already heard. It’s like Raymond Chandler fiction, just pick the passion you might prefer.| At La Cienega and Sunset, it’s just down the steps to the right.| It’s LA Confidential and it’s the story tonight. You’ve got Johnny on the left side and Charlie to the right. Nothing lasts forever, but we’re open all night

Crimes of Passion...Hey little girl, tell me, what was your name. I could make you a star. You know you drive me insane. The way that you move and the light on your skin. You could be like Madonna. Come on, baby, get in. I got lots of connections. Could make lots of scores. Maybe call in some favors, baby, open some doors. Sound good to you honey?. Let me fix you a drink. But before you say "yes,” there's just one little thing. Crimes of passion—In the heat of the night. Crimes of passion—Burning inside. Crimes of passion—It’s just a moment in time, and it's gone. Once you’ve tasted the top, you won’t settle for less. You’ve got beautiful eyes, and that’s a very nice dress. Seen you hanging around. Bet you’re heaven to hold. This can be our special thing, but you can’t tell a soul. Hey little girl, tell me where have you been. I’ve been thinking about you, let’s do this again. I know what it's like; how it's tough to get by. I see you're new in town, baby. Let's go for a ride. Crimes of passion—In the heat of the night. Crimes of passion—Burning inside. Crimes of passion—It’s just a moment in time, and it's gone.

Forbidden Love...Pull me closer. Hold me now. Say you'd leave him, but you don't know how. It doesn't matter wrong or right. Don't want to know, girl. Just hold me, hold me tight. Don’t waste your wishes on the stars above. All we'll ever have is forbidden love. It breaks my heart to do this again. To leave your arms and go back again. So for the moment, can't we forget. This is as close as we're gonna get. Don’t waste your wishes on the stars above. All we'll ever have is forbidden love. Another place, girl, another time. Things could be different. You could be mine. Don’t waste your wishes on the stars above. All we'll ever have is forbidden love.

That’s the Way It’s Supposed to Be...The sky is raining bullets on the windshield of my car. Still I drive on through the darkness and push it to the floor. I never meant to hurt you, I never meant to walk. And I keep thinking I could make it right, baby if we could only talk. I know I never said "I love you". Can't change that, what's done is done. Thought I didn't have to tell you, thought you'd always be the one. Don't you ever miss me, aren't you lonely too?. Tell me you never woke up at night. And cried ’cause it's only you. Baby, I’d drive all night. If I just thought that you’d be waiting there for me. I’d drive all night. ’Cause you and me together, that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Yea, that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Maybe time builds a bridge, maybe time builds a wall. Maybe love is a candle in an empty dark hall. Maybe true love can save all that time steals. Maybe love gets so hurt that time can’t heal. You know, I dreamed we were together again. Baby, you and me. Together and forever the way lovers are supposed to be. Baby, I’d drive all night. If I just thought that you’d be waiting there for me. I’d drive all night. ’Cause you and me together, that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Yea, that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

In the Sandbox...Spike leans back, puts her feet on a chair. Everyone knows she's the angel of death. Pulls another stick from a fresh pack of Kools. Someone matches her cigarette. It's money for arms and arms for the cause. It’s the deal in the back of a car. It’s a dead letter drop in the heat of the night. It’s the news in the blink of a star. There's a blood red moon over Jerusalem. Cafe music blaring down the block. It’s showtime for Spike, a Jihad in the night. Gonna get ’em all off down in the Sandbox. A load of boot C-4 and a Swiss bank account through a company somewhere in France. Crates full of guns and a couple million rounds make those camel jockeys wanna dance. You can call it economic development. You can call it anything you want. It’s not about the balance of power. It’s just the way that it’s done. There's a blood red moon over Jerusalem. Cafe music blaring down the block. It’s showtime for Spike, a Jihad in the night. Gonna get ’em all off down in the Sandbox. Those bastards keep building their settlements here. They’ve taken all the good land. Driving us out of our homes and our lives. Leaving us nothing but sand. You’ll never see the truth on your American news. They don’t tell you on your NBC. ’Cause it’s not about the glory of Allah, it’s just the terror of big currency. There's a blood red moon over Jerusalem. Cafe music blaring down the block. It’s showtime for Spike, a Jihad in the night. Gonna get ’em all off down in the Sandbox. It's simply a matter of commerce. It's simply a matter of greed. We don’t care about your freedom. It’s just you’ve got what we need. Down in the Sandbox.

Just the Way It Is...Everybody knows her name; paparazzi follow her. She's an expert at the game; boys would die to be with her. Tell me darling what you know? Would you say that you're a star?. All your fans they love you so; did you think you'd get this far?. You're the one they want, you're the one they're looking for. So you're gonna have some fun and leave 'em begging you for more. And that’s just the way it is. That’s just the way it is. The music swells; the band begins to play. The lights go up; the crowd begins to sway. You've rehearsed your lines; you're just looking for your cue. You know it happens all the time; everybody's watching you. Eyes follow you as you walk by. Hushed conversations and you hear your name. You never even wonder why. You just assume that it's all the same, don’t you. And that’s just the way it is. That’s just the way it is. No one wants to take a fall; so no one dares to get too close. They're all sure you've had it all; what you can't have you want the most. There's no one there to take you home; 'cause you're afraid to play for keeps. So you do your pax de deux alone, and then you cry yourself to sleep. It's another lonely night, just another masquerade. So you try with all your might not to let down your charade, baby. And that’s just the way it is. That’s just the way it is.

Dixie Chicken...I’ve seen the bright lights of Memphis and the Commodore Hotel. And underneath a streetlamp, I met a Southern Belle. Well, she took me to the river where she cast on me a spell. And in that Southern moonlight, she sang this song so well. If you’ll be my Dixie Chicken, I’ll be your Tennessee Lamb. And we can walk together down in Dixieland. Down in Dixieland. We made all the hot spots and the money flowed like wine. Then that Southern whiskey began to fog my mind. Well I don’t remember church bells or the money I put down. On that white picket fence and those golden walls on the house at the edge of town. Oh, but boy, do I remember the sweetness of her refrain. And all the nights we spent together. And the way she said my name. If you’ll be my Dixie Chicken, I’ll be your Tennessee Lamb. And we can walk together down in Dixieland. Down in Dixieland. It’s been a year since she ran away. Guess that guitar player sure could play. She always liked to sing along. And he was just so handy with a song. Then one night in the lobby of the Commodore Hotel. I chanced to meet a bartender who said he knew her well. And as he handed me a drink, son, he began to hum a song. And all the boys around the bar that night began to sing along. If you’ll be my Dixie Chicken, I’ll be your Tennessee Lamb. And we can walk together down in Dixieland. Down in Dixieland.

Come to Papa...It's cold outside. The sun don't shine. Make you want to hide. Come to papa. All night long. Forbidden song. And you're not that strong. Come to papa. It's gonna rain. Pouring rain. Let it rain. Wash away the pain. Ooh, come to papa. Every day. There's hell to pay. And it won't go away. Come to papa. All them broken vows. Don't matter now. 'Cause you'll get through somehow. Come to papa. It's gonna rain. Pouring rain. Let it rain. Wash away the pain. Ooh, come to papa. Gonna walk away. Got no cause to stay. But you'll be back someday. Come to papa. It's gonna rain. Pouring rain. Let it rain. Wash away the pain. Ooh, come to papa.

Party Girl...Close your eyes. I'll take you on a pleasure cruise. It's all right. I can be who you want me to. Bet you got a wife. You gotta be from out of town. Just in overnight?. I don't remember seeing you around. I'll be your party girl. I'll be your party girl. Make all your fantasies come true. What you like?. You look like you’re the kind that wants to lead. I'm yours tonight. And I can satisfy your every need. I'll be your party girl. I'll be your party girl. Make all your fantasies come true. Don't you want me?. Don't you need me?. You can have me. Won't you hold me?. Come with me. I'll take you higher than you've ever been. Just wait and see. You'll never ever want a woman again. I'll be your party girl. I'll be your party girl. Make all your fantasies come true.

That’s Why I’m Here...Saw your new boyfriend at the laundromatdown on Pico just the other day. Asked him how he got his shirts so white. You know, he didn’t have too much to say. Now I’m not saying he’s no good for you, but I’ve got to wonder about a man like that. Maybe it’s just the way he combs his hair. Maybe it’s just the way he wears his hat. Sure he can take you to the Polo Lounge and he can tell you things you want to hear. But he won’t love you, girl, the way I would. And that’s why I’m here. I watched him slink into his foreign car with satellite this and satellite that. And I was thinking as he drove away. You know, he kinda looks like Yassar Arafat. Sure he can take you to those Hollywood parties and wine and dine you every night of the year. But he won’t love you, girl, the way I would. And that’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m here—to save you from a heart ache. That’s why I’m here—you know, I’m only looking out for you. That’s why I’m here—to save you from a mistake. That’s why I’m here—seems like the very least that I can do. Check out that Rolex hanging on his arm. You know it’s fake because it doesn’t sweep. Why don’t you meet me at Chateau Marmont. I’ve got some photos you just have to see. Sure he can take you out to Malibu and he can buy you things that you hold dear. But he won’t love you, girl, the way I would. And that’s why I’m here. No, he won’t love you, girl, the way I would. And that’s why I’m here.

Under Fire...What did I do to deserve you tonight. Are you all alone with your self-pity tonight. Don't come to me. I'm sick and tired of bailing you out. You're on your own, girl, it's time you found out. Don't come to me. See I don't care if you live or die. But with you around, I got nowhere to hide. Baby what we had has long been gone. I don't understand why you keep hanging on. Don't come to me. I've thrown away your pictures and the letters you sent. I don't want to see you, I just want to forget. Don't come to me. Don't call me up on the telephone. If I hear your voice, "sorry, no one home". I'm under fire. I'm under cover of the night. There's no mistaking your desire. You've passed the point of wrong or right. And I hear you're looking for me. I'm not gonna be the one for you tonight. Just let it go. Let it go baby. Let it go. Get those wild ideas right out of your head. I’ve got no intention girl of coming back to your bed. Don't come to me. You can take a long walk on a very short pier. Save your excuses, I don't want to hear. Don't come to me. Don't tell me now you've got it under control. Get out of my life, you're dead to me girl. I'm under cover of the night. There's no mistaking your desire. You've passed the point of wrong or right. And I hear you're looking for me. I'm not gonna be the one for you tonight. Just let it go. Let it go baby. Let it go

Watsonville (Crossing Over)...We’re queuing up in Cheran canyon with our fortunes and our luck. We’ll wait here for the moon to fade. Then, we climb in coyote’s truck. River bound we’ll be by morning. Norteñños nuevos are we all. California in the Springtime. We hold our breath until the Fall. We’re crossing over, crossing over. And the desert seems so still. Crossing over, crossing over to the central valley, to Watsonville. I’ve got a photo of my sweet one. I keep it safe here in my shirt. She understands why I have to leave her. To chop the plants and work the dirt. We’re crossing over, crossing over. And the midnight seems so still. Crossing over, crossing over to the central valley, to Watsonville. My brother Chaco sits beside me. I can taste his sweat in the fetid air. He keeps saying not to worry. No la migra, we’ll soon be there. Screaming voices in the darkness. And the sound of crushing steel. Then just silence on the highway. And the smell of diesel fuel. We’re crossing over, crossing over. And Chaquito seems so still. Crossing over, crossing over to the central valley, to Watsonville

Bonus Track

Willin’...I been warped by the rain, driven by the snow. I'm drunk and dirty, but don't ya know that I'm still willin'. Out on the highway late last night. I saw my pretty Alice in every head light. Alice ..Dallas Alice. And I've been from Tuscon to Tucumcari. Tehachapi to Tonapah. I've driven every kind of rig that's ever been made. Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed. And if you give me weed, whites, and wine. And you show me a sign. I'll be willin'. Well I've been kicked by the wind, robbed by the sleet. I had my head stoved in, but I'm still on my feet. And I'm still willin'. And I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico. Get baked by the sun every time I go to Mexico. And I've been from Tuscon to Tucumcari. Tehachapi to Tonapah. I've driven every kind of rig that's ever been made. Driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed. And if you give me weed, whites, and wine. And you show me a sign. I'll be willin'

All songs words and music by Tom Sheehan. ©2006 ASCAP, except Dixie Chicken (words & music by Lowell George and Martin Kibbee. © Naked Snake Music. ASCAP) and Willin' (words & music by Lowell George. © Angel Music, Inc. OBO Abraham Music). Used by permission. All rights reserved.