Day 14514

Those of you who know me well know that I have nothing but the deepest respect/idol worship for Grant-Lee Phillips. He is a musician/singer/songwriter with an amazing ability to bring visions and memories to life from mere words, an excellent storyteller.

Today, I stumbled across his site looking for the lyrics to Wish I Knew from his most recently released record, Virginia Creeper. I love that song. It tugs... It has become something especially special to me.

Anyway, I was snooping around the site and came across this. A blatant mention of Katrina and it's aftermath - a subject I've been trying my best to avoid. It is not that I don't care, it's just that the whole situation is just emotionally exhausting to me.

So, getting back to his post...brevity - conciseness - Is that a word? - empathy. This news is by no means intended to be art, yet... Wow. I wish on my best day I could write like that. Simply amazes me. Wish I knew... ;)

wish I knew by Grant-Lee Phillips

Ain't nobody there to step on the brakes
Lit up like Tijauna city carnival lights
Mmm, why somebody better pull up the shades
Hey, hey, hey , second time ya had to kiss her goodnight

Outside the motorcycle devils
Rev for the cruise
Buddha's in the alley, working the Rue
Ping, ping-a-rain a comin’ down the edge of the roof
Thinkin’ I’d be a little mystified too
Wish I knew
Wish I knew

Drop another silver plug for the damned
Don’t forget to make it a wish
Mmm, Yellow thunder bolt a' Shazzam
Isn't very likely to miss
Shutters on the winda’ beatin’ like wings
Smoke a’ backin’ up & up in the flu
Hounds are in the gutter startin’ to sing
Thinkin’ I’d be a little mystified too
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Li Di Di da da da da da da Di Di Di Di ...

Sooner or later gotta’ live in your skin
Sleepin’ in the very bed that you make
Some walking dead behind the Wayfarer lenses
Hangin' by the skin your teeth
Motorcycle devils
Rev for the cruise
Soldiers in the alley working the rue
Little bitty pretty one
What’s got into you
Thinkin’ I’d be a little mystified too
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Li Di Di da da da da da da Di Di Di Di ...

Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Better than ta do as I please
Better than ta skin my knees
Better than a fallin’ for
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Wish I knew
Li Di Di da da da da da da Di Di Di Di ...
Li Di Di da da da da da da Di Di Di Di ...
Li Di Di da da da da da da Di Di Di Di ...
Li Di Di da da da da da da Di Di Di Di ...