1. |
Sideshow Alley (Live)
05:13
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Sideshow Alley
(Cardier)
Strike up the band -
Bang on the drum, join in the dance -
Come see the sideshow once again -
You'll ride on horses made of wood. Your money's good.
Just step inside -
Though you may not believe your eyes -
You'll laugh so hard that you could cry -
The seven wonders of this earth.
Your money's worth.
Sideshow alley, doncha love the noise, the ballyhoo?
Yes, you do.
You'll take home a miracle or two.
You'll see it all -
You'll see the weird and wonderful
Where painted pictures are the walls. -
Don't be afraid you will be fine,
Just wait in line.
Sideshow alley, round and round the rows of coloured lights.
The strangest sights.
You will see them all here tonight.
Where the absurd and the bizarre enchant you underneath the stars -
Where the disfigured and grotesque will pas de deux and arabesque.
It's got to be the grandest place you've ever seen -
It's made from half-forgotten dreams and pages torn from storybooks,
Come take a look.
Sideshow alley, doncha love the noise, the ballyhoo?
Yes, you do.
You'll take home a miracle or two.
Sideshow alley, round and round the rows of coloured lights.
The strangest sights.
You will see them all here tonight.
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2. |
House Of Mirrors (Live)
04:23
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House Of Mirrors
(Glenn Cardier)
Well, this is the house of mirrors -
Mirrors everywhere -
Well, this is the house of mirrors -
Mirrors everywhere -
Ain’t no way out, no way outa here.
Walkin’ round the house of mirrors
To see what I can see -
Walkin’ round the house of mirrors
To see what I can see -
And all I get is me lookin’ back at me.
Oh, it’s all the fun of the fair -
Oh, this is the house of mirrors
And there’s no way outa here.
You can be a wondrous vision -
You can be a wretched mess -
Fat, thin, short, tall -
It’s hilarious!
It’s hard to say which one I like the best.
Oh, it’s all the fun of the fair -
Oh, this is the house of mirrors
And there’s no way outa here.
They say if you smash a mirror,
It’s seven years of hell -
If you smash a mirror,
It’s seven years of hell -
Wonder what would happen
If I smashed a whole house full?
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3. |
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Dancing The Years Away
(Glenn Cardier)
Where is the ‘Cloudland‘? Where has it gone?
Is this the dance floor we danced upon?
Someone got drunk and sang songs about love -
There were bright decorations hung from above -
What the hell happened to us?
I was so sure it was all here to stay -
Never thought it would ever disintegrate
Into dust.
I knew you’d appear -
Fancy meeting you here -
We’ll fly, just you and I,
Dancing the years away.
Where are the ‘Bel-aires’? What was that song?
Who was that fool with the party-hat on?
Raising a riot, stepping on toes -
Tore the tuxedo, bloodied the nose -
Now there’s not a sound to be heard.
Can’t tell you when it all began to shift -
Now we just may be the only ones left
On this earth.
Now, now, now -
Oh, my love, come to me,
Come to me now -
Now, now, now -
Here we go round, and it‘s
1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3 now -
And we’ll dance, dance -
Don’t really know what surprises me most -
Who’d ever think that we’d stand a ghost
Of a chance?
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4. |
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Water Finds Its Own Level
(Glenn Cardier)
I saw the whole damn day go from bad to worse -
I saw every blessing turn into a curse
And just when I thought my mind would completely unravel -
You said you loved me!
Well, water finds its own level.
I said, ‘Judge! Please, Judge! Take pity on me!
This time I’m pleadin’ temporary insanity!’
He laughed out loud as he come down hard on that gavel -
He said, ‘You tried that one last time, buddy!
Water finds its own level.’
Wild Bill went drinkin’ on a Saturday night
When he took to playin’ with a stick of dynamite -
When you light that fuse, one word that comes to mind is ‘careful’ -
Wild Bill went kaboom -
Water finds its own level.
Well, I woke up feelin’ fine, now things are turnin’ grim
And it’s gettin’ to the point where you sink or you swim.
I had a sneakin’ feelin’ our love was on the skids
Round about the time you said you wished I was dead -
Now we’re lyin’ in bed and our hair is all dishevelled -
I wondered what the hell happened -
You said, ‘Water finds its own level.’
The preacher spat hellfire and damnation too -
The preacher said, ‘Has salvation occurred to you?’
He said, ‘It’s time to choose between the Lord and the Devil -
I said, ‘I find it hard even choosin’ my clothes!’
He said, ‘Water finds its own level.’
Well, you say it’s gonna rain forty days and forty nights -
I got my umbrella baby, I’m gonna be alright.
Well, I wish you well baby, wherever you are -
Go follow that dream, go follow that star -
I’m done with it now, I’m done bein’ tearful -
I cried a million tears, water finds its own level -
I cried a million tears, water finds its own level.
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5. |
Cold Out There (Live)
04:02
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Cold Out There
(Glenn Cardier)
It’s gettin’ cold out there,
I think it’s settin’ in -
It’s like there’ll be no sun anymore;
No sun anymore.
And I’m stuck inside of here,
Had just about enough
And I’m gonna haveta do somethin’ soon
About this cough -
Can’t shake it off.
Y’know it’s cold out there,
Worst I ever seen -
Y’know it’s cold out there,
Colder than it’s ever been.
I really don’t recall
When the change kicked in -
It’s like I just got caught unawares -
You turn ’round, and it’s there
And you’re shiverin’.
Y’know it’s cold out there…..
But it don’t matter now -
Y’know it’s alright -
It don’t matter now -
I keep a fire goin’ in here
Until the weather clears.
Y’know it’s cold out there…..
Get the picture from the wall -
Furniture and all -
Get that stuff and pile it up high -
Set the whole thing alight
In the middle of the floor.
Y’know it’s cold out there…..
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6. |
Ringmaster Blues (Live)
03:56
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Ringmaster Blues
You didn't wanna believe it but you knew deep down in your heart
That slowly but surely, the circus was falling apart
And you tried and you tried to put it off as long as you could -
But that never did any good -
Now they're shuttin' you down just like they said they would.
Angel the Acrobat cursed you under her breath -
Happy the Clown called you an asshole and left -
Nothin' you could say would be what they wanna hear -
Realizin' all of your fears
With the Big Top collapsin' down round your ears.
Well, there once was a time when they'd all come from miles around
And they'd hip-hip-hoorah when the circus would roll into town -
You had fire-eaters and Indian elephant rides -
You had all such exotic delights -
What you didn't have was time on your side.
What good is anger when you got nothin' to blame?
What good's a lion-tamer when you got no lions to tame?
You had a brass band playin' like their lives depended on it -
One day they all up and quit -
And you said it don't hurt, no not one little bit.
You had things you don't often see in this everyday world
Like the guy in the blindfold throwin' knives at the beautiful girl -
It was the greatest show on earth - to be perfectly frank,
You had one act that stank -
You couldn't jump through the hoops for the guys at the bank.
You had travelled on through the fires and the floods -
You were once the ringmaster, the circus run in your blood -
From the north to the south, from the east to the west -
You were better than all the rest -
Now that's all in the past, well, that's showbiz I guess.
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7. |
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She’s The One For Me
(Cardier)
She stands on the verandah dressed as Carmen Miranda -
The neighbours just can’t stand her but that’s alright with me.
She say she love me madly, then she look at me sadly
And then she treat me badly -
She’s the one for me.
She dances on the table anytime she’s able -
Don’t tell me she’s unstable, that’s not what I see -
We got a bed that rattles, sounds like a herd of cattle
In the heat of the battle -
She’s the one for me.
Y’know I never doubt her, love everything about her -
Just can’t live without her, she’s such a mystery -
She’s the one for me.
We wander by the ghetto singing from Rigoletto
In a high falsetto, ah, we was meant to be -
She tells me she adores me, then she just ignores me -
Ah, but she never bores me -
She’s the one for me.
Y’know I never doubt her, love everything about her -
Just can’t live without her, she’s such a mystery -
She’s the one for me.
She’s back on the verandah dressed as Carmen Miranda -
She looks lovelier than ever -
Y’know I never doubt her, love everything about her -
Just can’t live without her, she’s such a mystery -
She’s the one for me.
She’s the one for me.
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8. |
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Close Encounter (With A UFO)
(Cardier)
I had a close encounter with a UFO,
UFO, UFO -
Close encounter with a UFO -
Didn't tell nobody though.
It come outa the sky and I dunno why,
Dunno why, and I dunno why -
It come crashin' down in my backyard -
I was eatin' a sandwich at the time.
It was a situation I did not like -
A flying saucer had just busted my bike -
A funny little guy stuck his head outside -
He said, 'Excuse me, where the hell am I?’
Well, he looked at me, and I looked at him,
And he looked at me, and I looked at him -
I said, 'Why do you look like a parkin' meter?'
He said, 'I dunno why. And I don't care either!’
I had a close encounter with a UFO,
UFO, UFO -
A close encounter with a UFO -
Didn't tell nobody though.
He said he had a message from outer space -
He had the secret to eternal happiness -
He said, 'Hop inside. We'll take a ride
And maybe spread the word to the human race!'
Well, I said, 'No thanks. That's ok. That's ok. Thanks anyway.'
He said, 'You wouldn't know what happiness was like!'
I said, 'I'd be happier if you hadn't busted my bike!'
So he took off. He said, 'Adios!'
I said, 'Adios!' He said, 'Adios!'
Left me here to count the cost
And everything went back to the way it was.
I had a close encounter with a UFO,
UFO, UFO -
Close encounter with a UFO -
Didn't tell nobody though.
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9. |
Asylum Blues (Live)
04:44
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Asylum Blues
(Cardier)
Well, it’s a fine day at the asylum -
It’s a fine day, uh-huh -
Sun shinin’ and birds twitterin’ -
Soft music and butterflies -
And a nice man with his mop and bucket -
And I look sharp in my new jacket -
It’s a fine day at the asylum, uh-huh.
Got my heart in a tangle -
Got my head in a spin -
How come it’s so hard gettin’ out
When it’s so easy gettin’ in?
Well, it’s a fine day at the asylum -
It’s a fine day, uh-huh -
Oh, Mary, Mary quite contrary -
She says she loves me
Then she hates me
And I try to make it up
And I try to break it up
And I ride the merry-go-round,
Ride the merry-go-round -
Nobody there to stop it
And I can’t get off it, uh-huh.
Well, it’s a fine day at the asylum -
It’s a fine day, uh-huh -
Well, I think about, I think about Henry -
Henry, he do just what he pleases
‘Cos he thinks he’s Jesus -
He speaks in riddles
But y’know he looks just like him -
Tries to walk across, walk across the river -
They always fish him out from the dirty water -
From the dirty water -
From the dirty water -
But y’know there was this one time -
Y’know there was this one time
Henry almost made it.
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10. |
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Elvis At The Checkout (Cardier)
I used to be a fan of Elvis, I grew up in the fifties -
He had a shook up style of singin’ and his clothes were kinda nifty -
He had a cigar chewin’ manager who would never do nothin’ shifty -
He was the king of everything, they say he give a poor man a Chevy.
His hair was back and shiny, he played suit so wildly -
Still, they gave him a crewcut when they put him in the army -
And later on, he wore Hawaiian shirts in lotsa movies
But he looked somewhat distracted, strummin’ on that ukulele.
Oh, it was just like a dream where things aint what they seem -
And the years go by and the times just fly and I miss the guy like crazy.
He appeared onstage in Vegas in a jumpsuit doin’ karate -
He sang a lot like he used to but he was about three times as heavy -
I guess I gave up on him but the newsflash really hit me -
They said he bit the bathroom floor and they’d have some more news shortly.
Oh, it was just like a dream…
One night at the supermarket, I was buyin’ frozen dinners -
They had on or two on special so I was feelin’ like a winner -
They place was almost empty, still, somebody bumped into me -
It was Elvis. Dressed in his rhinestone best, wheelin’ round a trolley -
Me and Elvis at the checkout, man, you shoulda seen us
But then a pushy kinda lady pushed her trolley inbetween us -
I had so much to tell him, like, how much he meant to us
But he just stood there lookin’ like he was lookin’ through us.
I wondered what was in that trolley, I wondered if it was the right time
To ask him why he wore a cape and sunglasses at nighttime -
But he had left the building and I had missed my opportunity
But we all agreed it was the most excitement we’d had round here lately.
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11. |
The Best Of It (Live)
03:29
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The Best Of It
(Cardier)
I had the deepest sleep. I did not dream at all.
Least I don't think I did and if I did I don't recall.
Sometimes that's all you need - just sleep, and nothin' more
With no added complications like dreams and creaking doors.
And it all falls into place and it's as good as it can get -
Oh yeah, sometimes it all works out. Every piece a perfect fit.
Sometimes we just get by and make the best of it.
Drove the car around the block to pass the time away.
Negotiated every turn in an effortless display.
I was missing things by inches. I could've left 'em all for dead
But with not one bit of damage done, I quit while I was ahead.
And it all falls into place and it's as good as it can get -
Oh yeah, sometimes it all works out. Every piece a perfect fit.
Sometimes we just get by and make the best of it.
I loved you, I embraced you.
I loved you more than I could say.
Oh, but there were times, it must be said, we got in each others way.
And it all falls into place and it's as good as it can get -
Oh yeah, sometimes it all works out. Every piece a perfect fit.
Sometimes we just get by and make the best of it.
Sometimes we just get by and make the best of it.
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12. |
Pamela Anderson (Live)
03:21
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Pamela Anderson
(Glenn Cardier)
Pamela Anderson, I see you walking in the sand
Just like an angel (but suntanned) -
That swimsuit is well worth a mention -
I'd like to catch your attention
But I'm a long way off from being handsome -
I'd flex my muscles if I had some -
I see you walking in the sand -
Could you see me for who I am?
Pamela Anderson, I see you walking by the ocean -
You are poetry in motion
The way you apply that suntan lotion -
I'd like to offer some assistance
To find the spots that you cannot reach
But you stare off into the distance
And act like you don't give a damn -
Could you see me for who I am?
I love ya, I love ya -
May there be no grey skies above ya.
Pamela Anderson, if ever you swim out too far
I will save you from the shark -
I will snatch you from it's jaws -
I'll save you from sinking down, down, down
To where the crustaceans like to dwell
Inside the cavities of your skull
But you just pose there in the sand -
Could you see me for who I am?
I love ya, I love ya,
May there be no grey skies above you.
Pamela Anderson, I will carry you from the waves -
Save you from a watery grave -
Save you from full fathom five -
You're a better proposition alive -
I feel such joy and elation
During mouth to mouth resuscitation -
You'll open up your eyes and then
You will truly understand -
You will see me for who I am?
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13. |
She Flew Away (Live)
04:05
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She Flew Away
(Cardier)
She flew away up to the moon -
She just up and left one afternoon -
Turned the tv on loud as it could get
After she set fire to the kitchenette -
She clicked her heels as she left the ground
And she saw her dreams scattered all around.
And they wondered why just what it was
That made her try to touch the stars -
She flew away up to the moon -
She just up and left one afternoon.
She wore a gown of baby blue
And her hair teased up and her high-heel shoes -
Left the photographs lying where they fell -
Left the casserole on the wall as well.
And they wondered why as they shook their heads -
Why she would take off the way she did -
She flew away with a biscuit tin -
The one she kept her secrets in.
And she laughed aloud as she landed there -
And she danced all night, she was light as air -
And she sang a song about a little girl
Who never ever had a worry in the world.
And they wondered why just what it was
That made her try to touch the stars -
She flew away up to the moon -
She just up and left one afternoon.
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14. |
Exiles From Eden (Live)
05:03
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Exiles From Eden (Glenn Cardier)
Would you walk with me
Down on Station Street?
If I knocked upon your door
Would it be trick or treat?
Would you turn away
If we chanced to meet?
Would there be a place
Where all shall be forgiven?
Well, I wonder now,
Did you have your doubts?
Did you ever question just
What it was all about?
Oh, and in the end
Would it all play out
As if from a dream
We’d been awoken?
Was it long ago,
Was it far away?
Would it seem like it
Had happened only yesterday?
Well, it must admit that
Still you take my breath away -
I will talk of times when
Hearts were never broken.
Would I say it was
Such a perfect love
Or would we agree that
Close enough was good enough?
Could we pick it up
From where we left off
As we sing the songs
Of those who are forsaken?
If it falls apart,
Well now, them’s the breaks -
And I’ll be the first to say
That I made my mistakes -
Oh, but there were times
When it got all too much to take -
Maybe we just could not see
For looking.
Would you walk with me
From the cul-de-sac?
Could we try to separate
The fiction from the fact?
Knowing all along
There’s no turning back,
As we laugh it off
Like nothing ever happened.
Was it long ago,
Was it far away?
Would it seem like it
Had happened only yesterday?
We are exiles from Eden,
Be that as it may -
We’ll come to a place
Where all shall be forgiven.
We'll come to a place
Where all shall be forgiven.
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15. |
Angelica (Live)
05:12
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Angelica
(Cardier)
Let the festivities begin -
Let the craziness commence -
Just dunno why it’s so
But Angelica when you go
Into your dance
It all makes perfect sense -
Well alright.
You got me ridin’ on a carousel -
You got me wishin’ at the wishin’ well -
Still I say I’m ok -
Got a smile painted on my face -
Anyone can tell I’m doin’ well -
Uh huh.
You got me goin’ like I dunno what -
You got me givin’ it all I got -
Beat that drum hurrumpa tum -
Blow that trumpet now
here I come ready or not, ready or not -
Well alright.
Said hey now now, Angelica -
Oh, come along with me -
I’ll dance you down the street -
We’ll sing at the fiesta -
Tell me, what’s it gonna be
My sweet Angelica?
You shake the apple from the apple tree -
You make my poor heart skip a beat -
Light that fuse, break the truce -
Come on baby, let’s get footloose
And fancy -ree -
Just you and me -
Uh huh.
Get me lost at the Mardi Gras -
Get me drunk at the Monkey Bar -
Tell that guy on the saxophone,
‘Don’t never leave that song alone -
Just play it hard, play it fast -
Play it all night, all night long -
Play that song, play it all night long -
Well, well, well, alright.
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16. |
Life Of The Party (Live)
05:24
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Life Of The Party
(Cardier)
We are the life of the party
And we sparkle like diamonds -
And we dance in the spotlight
At the finest occasions -
Where no hearts are broken,
No words left unspoken -
And we sing in celebration
Of undying love.
So here's to us, baby -
Sha la la la we sing -
When you're in love
You got the world on a string -
When you're in love, love -
Sha la la la now baby -
Sha la la la we sing.
We are the life of the party
On this night to remember -
And I drink to you beauty
And I live for your laughter -
And we move through this place
In our effortless grace
With a love that will last
Forever and ever.
We are the life of the party -
We are the stars of the show
But all we need to see
Is what we see in each other -
And as for that champagne,
Well, just keep it coming -
Let's live it up like there's no tomorrow.
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17. |
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Rust In The Tailfin
Rust in the tailfin, trust in the Lord -
Rain in the headlight, lost in the storm -
Swing low, sweet Cadillac, flat to the boards -
Rust in the tailfin, trust in the Lord.
Rust in the tailfin, faith in the night -
With dust in the chromework and a fire in the sky -
Tore up the highway at a hundred or more -
Rust in the tailfin, trust in the Lord.
Swing low, sweet Cadillac -
Swing low, swing low -
Carry me back there -
Carry me home.
Sing Hi-Yo-Silver! Hi-yo! Hi-yo!
Life is a wheelspin at the edge of the road -
Caught in a whirlwind, she rocked and she rolled -
Rust in the tailfin, trust in the Lord.
Swing low, sweet Cadillac...
I saw a rebel walk from the wreck -
I saw an angel in a pretty red dress -
I saw a Bible by the side of the bed -
It had an inscription, this was what it read -
Rust in the tailfin, trust in the Lord...
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18. |
Invisible Ink (Live)
03:48
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Invisible Ink
(Cardier)
It’s alway so very quiet in here.
You’d hear a feather falling through air.
Try not to be too dispirited.
Better to leave some things unsaid.
Let them all think you have nothing to say.
Never give too much of yourself away.
Close up the curtain, dim down the light.
Move all your most precious things out of sight.
Oh, there are so many secrets we keep
When there is no-one to sing us to sleep.
What would you say?
What would you think?
Write it all down in invisible ink.
Biding your time and seeing it through.
Putting aside what’s important to you.
Those who would try to keep you in your place
Would never suspect by the look on your face.
Oh, there are so many secrets we keep
When there is no-one to sing us to sleep.
What would you say?
What would you think?
Write it all down in invisible ink.
Pour out your heart at the end of the day
All of the things you’ve been meaning to say.
Page after page.
Page after page.
Page after page.
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19. |
Shing-A-Ling (Live)
04:55
|
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|
Shing-A-Ling
(Cardier)
Well, she's a hipshake earthquake na na na na -
She's a hipshake earthquake na na na na -
Well, she move, groove, got nothin' to prove -
She's a dancefloor heartbreak na na na na.
Well, I was hardluck bedrock na na na na -
I was threeblock gridlock na na na na -
I was down, down but she come around now
I'm a Casanova bigshot na na na na.
Shake it up, babe, shake it up now -
Shake it up, babe, shing-a-ling-a-ling -
Well, I love it when you shake,
When you shake that thing.
She's a redhot honeypot na na na na -
She's a redhot honeypot na na na na -
She's alright, right, she keep me up all night -
I'm a bloodshot forget-me-not na na na na.
I was a humpback sadsack na na na na -
I was a humpback sadsack na na na na -
Then it was uh wow, whatcha doin' now?
I'm a slapstick crackerjack na na na na.
She's a payday everyday na na na na -
She's a payday everyday na na na na -
Oh, she love love, Lordy up above -
She's a this-a-way that-a-way na na na na.
It was a stinkpot backlot na na na na -
It was a stinkpot backlot na na na na -
Then it was wham bam, dunno where I am
Now it's a Camelot beautyspot na na na na.
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Glenn Cardier Sydney, Australia
Post 2000, Glenn Cardier’s re-emergence as a songwriter/performer of real distinction has been nothing short of extraordinary. In typical single-minded fashion, he writes, performs and produces his music. Onstage, there are the trademark flashes of dark humour and thumping rockabilly/blues. But underlying it all are the songs. Happy/sad songs. Sweet/crazy songs. Cardier songs. CDs on the website. ... more
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