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The Perfect Shade of Green I

by Skittish

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1.
Living Atop 03:08
Tonight when lights are out, in these fraternal towns, we ride. (We do love our routines) Bare, barbed-wire teeth, pale faces stalking in the moonlight. (He keeps the devil in the dark, devil in the dark) Living atop. Haves and the have-nots. I spread, I shed, this ism of domination. Do you think me a traitor? I'm not the strongest man, but I adapt like a motherfucker. When I bled on a tape, and you, you called it a hobby. (We do love our routines) Death comes with a smile, and a handshake in a lobby. (He keeps the devil in the dark, but it only takes a spark) Living atop. Now I breath fire, in your general direction. How does it feel? How's it feel to be overcome?
2.
In case you didn't notice. In case you were blind. I've been standing here, so handsome, the whole time. In case it's chaotic. In case it's by chance. Chemically induced and chemically enhanced. I want to weave you a mighty nest. Or brick you up in my basement. So don't sing me no love songs don't sing me no lullabyes now. In case you didn't grow up. In case you didn't know. There's one for everyone so sleep tight little girl. I want to weave you a mighty nest. Or brick you up in my basement. Then you'll never, excuse me, no, you'll never laugh at me again. I want to weave you a mighty nest. Or brick you up in my basement. So don't feed me no love songs don't feed me no lullabyes now.
3.
WRECKING BALL I've been lonely for my old mess. I've been leaning on my crutches. She said, “It's only just a passing phase. A little darkness.” She said, “I am your wrecking ball.” The past don't matter, so grab what you gathered, cause I'm gonna tear it down. Take this albatross from my neck Hold on to these crutches Cauterize my bleeding heart Take it from the start babe, take it from the start She said, “It's only just a passing phase. Just a dark night of the soul. Say the word and I'll leave you where you lay.” I said nothing, she said: “I am your wrecking ball.” The past don't matter, so grab what you gathered, cause I'm gonna tear it down. Uh oh I done some things (Yeah, I don't care) Uh oh I said some things (Yeah, I don't care) I'll be your wrecking ball When I was cold you were warmer (Its your party) Take me home but know my nature (Its your party) Oh, the things that I will do to you Blame the serpent if you must When the past comes back its second chances what will bring you down The past don't matter, so grab what you gathered, cause I'm gonna tear it down.
4.
SINGING THE OBITS On the morning of soggy cigarettes, in sidekick pockets of my favorite faded jeans, you said something just tell me what you mean. Light burns and barrels through the glass, the night's indulgences are broadcast from my every pore. You're staring daggers right through me, lets end this eyeball autopsy once more. I was lying there all dyed and made-up You were sitting fire-side in judgment Why not let it out and just be done with it? Singing out the obits No heart. No heart inside my hand. No heat in my hold, no harvest on this land. But I got to find success before my nephew grows up enough to know what a loser I am. Cause Jenna said he didn't mean it, but often kids are the most hones ones...little itty bitty ones... I was lying there all dyed and made-up You were sitting fire-side in judgment Why not let it out and just be done with it? Singing out the obits I've been living in this shoe box, sugar coating failures for merry Christmas cards. And I thank you for the holes you cut, but I am no-ones pet. These walls, these bars are driving me to stereotypy. You seem to think there's something soft, beneath these fangs and sharpened claws. So risk a touch but do resign, the blood between will not be mine. I was lying there all dyed and made-up You were sitting fire-side in judgment Why not let it out and just be done with it? Singing out the obits I've been living in this shoe box, long enough to know not to quit singing just yet.
5.
Maggie 04:17
MAGGIE She don't know me, but she knows my face from a photo by the flower vase. So I'll introduce myself again and again..patience... Maggie, rise up through the oak trees, and waltz in halls of dead kings. Just for peace of mind, I'm hoping you were right I hear the humming of the birds outside. I hear the singing of florescent lights. What a way to end a faithful life. What a thing to take from someone who, someone you love. Maggie, rise up through the oak trees, and waltz in halls of dead kings. I dressed her up like she probably did for me (This is my brave face) Two strangers in a room with a long history (This is my brave face) Maggie, rise up through the oak trees, and waltz in halls of dead kings, and reclaim dusty attics. Then there'll be no more maybes Just for piece of mind, I know you were right.
6.
STICKS AND STONES Downtown is a man who knows me Downtown is a man with touch Downtown is a man who knows sweet, sweet nothings are nothing much. Mama, she told me that loving comes easy..but I still have my doubts. Mama, can you see what this boy does to me? Well worth the scarlet on my blouse. Don't hold back at all. Cause bruises can be beautiful. I see you staring but my sin, I let it breath. My Monday morning skinned up knees. The worthless nature of your words alone.. You got to have the gold to back them up cause they'll never hurt. Just give me the sticks and the stones. Mama, she told me that loving comes easy..but I still have my doubts. Mama, can you see what this boy does to me? Well worth the scarlet on my blouse. Just words, just a letter, just me. Don't hold back at all. Cause bruises can be beautiful. If you mean it let me feel it now... Sticks and stones, there he waits for me I'll take my bruises I see you staring but my sin, I let it breath. My Monday morning skinned up knees.
7.
White Noise 03:43
WHITE NOISE I need to get myself some new friends. Some upstanding, job-having, married friends. One, two, three, its all about me One, two, three, its gone And its bullshit if its not. I need to get myself some new friends. I need to get myself a job. (Save your breath) but its all I've ever... (Save your breath) ..ever done. What if I can't do nothing else? Its a necessary evil, but I don't mind. I need to get myself a new job. I need to get myself some friends. (Save your breath) ..and I'd be such a pretty girl.. (Save your breath) ..if I only smiled more. White noise Its all white noise.
8.
Potential 03:58
POTENTIAL I am a guest, unwelcome in this fleshy mess. Nervous to speak my mind, with small talk I pass the time. Cringing malodorous words. They say its my brain, is that not your domain? A straight line production got skewed. A manufacturing oversight, that besmirched your bottom line. ...bleeding from pages of verse. A veil of white lies may serve to disguise, I got better things to be. Can't wait till the day I am me on the outside. I gots potential, you'll see. OK, I will wait outside so my face don't remind, the word of a dead man, who was so sure the earth was flat, means more than my flesh and blood. So will there be a recall on those whose love is unequal? Cause I'm told that you have a plot, but its hard to hear from the parking lot. I'm pushed and I'm packed and I'm sealed and I'm priced but the packaging don't match the product inside I was born to be damned. Romans: 1 bent to appease. Just lie to me, touch me, I need this now, please. Whereso go reason, there follows treason. A model of morality. Can't wait till the day I am me on the outside. I gots potential, you'll see.
9.
THROUGH THE WOODS Ever took a short cut through, and you felt a pair of eyes on you? I have. Ever wanna burn that bridge, and worry not of the road home again? I have. Pink of cheek and wide of eye, the girl learned quickly to survive. Your my beast, a bit of feral fantasy. That's right. Ever had a hunger far too painful to ignore? A bit of danger at the door is welcome now. Help me out. Pink of cheek and wide of eye, the girl learned quickly to survive. So cue the music, cue the lights, this fairy tale has come to life..oh no.. All I see is red Oh what big eyes you have, guy All I see is red Oh what big teeth but so are mine Pink of cheek and wide of eye, the girl learned quickly to survive. So cue the music, cue the lights, this fairy tale has come to life..oh no.. ..and the curtains close.
10.
Jagged Stars 03:56
JAGGED STARS They said you didn't feel a thing. When the phone rings out that late at night, you know it, there's no good news to bring. And sunny days you skipped right through come back to you, splashing in the puddles of the rain. Although I know its been awhile, like some rare species it seemed to please me, just knowing you were out there. I can still remember hiding from the storm, a blanket stretched across four nervous knees, huddled in the basement, listening to the radio. She said, “Its me.” Though I hadn't heard your mother's words in years, I knew her immediately. She was lying on the floor next to her bed, with saline streaks all down her cheeks, and she's just throwing tears to the carpet. While lights, red and blue, reflecting off a million jagged stars all around you, some sunk in and stuck to your arm, thirty yards behind you lies a one ton, wilted blue balloon. ..it was such a quiet night.. I can still remember, holding out my hand, and dancing on your brother's wedding day. This is not an ending...let's call it a chapter break.
11.
CATCH YOUR DEATH Leave a note? Why even bother? She'll worry more the more she knows. So she spoke in 'was' and 'once were's, her coping mechanisms show. The cold embrace of the inevitable. She turns away. In the meanwhile you taste the drip. When everyday is like the same day, and every night is just a dream. On all those really, really dim days, the walking wounded blends in on the street. You'll catch your death, you keep living like this. You clearly care none for yourself, just please don't leave me here alone. Cause I know plenty of dead folk yet to do the courtesy of holding funeral ceremonies. The living dead. In the meanwhile she wears black. When everyday is like the same day, and every night is just a dream. On all those really, really dim days, the walking wounded tumbles from his feet. You'll catch your death, you keep living like this. Shot goes bang, orangutan drops dead, monkey with a gun and a two gram habit, a middle class ape just wants to be a man. Crimson blooms across a white tissue, meeting down Cedar in a seedy bathroom, no, no, no we can't do that again... When everyday is like the same day, and every night is just a dream. On all those really, really dim days, the walking wounded rises to his feet. In the evening... Be careful in casting out your demons, lest you cast out the best thing in you.
12.
REARVIEW MIRROR My feet are soaked, but I can still breathe. And I'm feeling better. Collecting bumps, collecting teeth. And I'm feeling better. Cause he loves a liar, stoking the fire. Now we're feeling warmer. In so many words she's not concerned, she's so damn sure That we're headed for a miracle fifty miles out of town, she holds her breath, I hold my tongue. When the moments come and gone, and we both saw what we expected, and we drive home satisfied and silent. Take it with a single grain of salt (I want to) Take it with a bucket-load of salt (I want to) Take it with an ocean or a single celled devotion, that just separated, mutated, and thought. Show me all your shit, your itching scars. Tell me all of it, what broke your heart. And I'll take you down the brown Rum's shore. And we'll shape this pain into a pearl. But not today. No not today. But someway... My knees are soaked, but I can still breathe. And I'm feeling better. There's no plan, what did you think? There's no plan here. Just flashing lights in my rearview mirror. I don't need this, I can't afford this, I might deserve this so I'm Crouching down in the backseat and making deals that I can't keep with God and hoping that he spares me cause I know that January's crouched and ready to pounce down. Oh mama, its coming now... Its floating in the ether, its falling with the rain. The sin you throttled skyward will come back down again. And oh, my neck is soaking, but I can still breathe. The frogs are in the pot now, and they're comfortable with change. Show me all your shit, your itching scars. Tell me all of it, what broke your heart. And I'll take you down the brown Rum's shore. And we'll shape this pain into a pearl. But not today. Taking the wheel, holding the line. And I'm feeling better. I did what I could, and I'm laying it down. Now I'm feeling better. She said, “Come back to bed.”

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This is Side 1 of the double album "The Perfect Shade of Green" from the Minnesota band Skittish.

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released October 12, 2010

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skittish Minneapolis, Minnesota

Skittish is folk rock...with thorns.

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