Lyrics

A piano falls out of the sky

In the time it takes to wonder why

A thousand kids have starved to death

Without a chance to catch our breath

Chorus

Cause bad things happen

Despite our best intents

Bad things happen

Things we can’t prevent

Bad things happen

Within our discontent

Yeah bad things happen

And then we reinvent

We send our cash to charity

But in the end no guarantee

When all around is apathy

Well, I don’t care, so don’t blame me

And when we’re called back home

We’re only bruised, not broken

Skidding in smiling and wide eyed

Shouting ‘what a ride!’

We’ll be laughing

Though bad things happen

Chorus

We move like mountains

We move like stones mysteriously

We tide like oceans

We turn like tankers on the sea

Chorus

Heavy is the head that wears the crown (it picks you up and it holds you down)

My hands don’t work and I squint to see (my melodies are harmonies)

I mourn the spectrum that I can’t see (and I can’t hear high frequencies)

Heavy is the head

We have no answers

The more we learn the less we know

We’re light as dancers

We leave no footprints in the snow

Chorus

Heavy is the head that wears the crown (it picks you up and it holds you down)

My hands don’t work and I squint to see (my melodies are harmonies)

I mourn the spectrum that I can’t see (and I can’t hear high frequencies)

Heavy is the head

But time rolls on

It grinds you down

Reminds you things do not slow down

Time rolls on

It grinds you

So make the best of being around

Chorus

Heavy is the head that wears the crown (it picks you up and it holds you down)

My hands don’t work and I squint to see (my melodies are harmonies)

I mourn the spectrum that I can’t see (and I can’t hear high frequencies)

Heavy is the head

Don't slam the door on your way out

Just take it all take it all

We've nothing left to give you any more

You leave with nothing you didn't have before

The past will repeat

And no one will remember

Time at the bar

For indifferent suited swine

Last call for anything intelligent to say

The clock strikes 13

Chorus

Genie's out the bottle

careful what you wish for

careful what you wish for

Genie's out the bottle

one wish to elect you

one wish to eject you

Don't miss a step on your way in

Make sure your head fits through the door

Give nothing out, but breathe that bonus in

Make our ears prick and get under our skin

Lie, lie that you tried

Then deny all recollection

Drink the lake dry and fill it with your waste

One percent will never ever question what you say

The clock strikes 13

Chorus

Genie's out the bottle

careful what you wish for

careful what you wish for

Genie's out the bottle

one wish to elect you

one wish to eject you

Chorus

Genie's out the bottle

careful what you wish for

careful what you wish for

Genie's out the bottle

one wish to elect you

one wish to eject you

Earthbound are we

The future as seen from the past used to be

A place we wanted to see

We gotta get back to the moon

They promised flying cars

And space aged kitchens

The future got brighter

With every mission

Better living through optimism

Our eyes were set on the stars

“To slip the surly bonds of earth 

And punch the face of god 

Defy the grip of gravity 

And shoot for the stars”*

Chorus

Non stop (non stop)

Non stop (non stop)

Non stop to the moon

Where did we go wrong

We’ve reached the pinnacle of cynical within a song

And can we change the tune

At least send up a balloon

We got alternative facts

A nasty app addiction

A fired up youth

Who don’t know fact from fiction

Divided we stand

United in contradiction

Something’s gotta happen and soon

Try as we might

We’re losing the fight

The right stuff is in short supply

A lack of vision breeds indecision

So spread your wings and fly!

Chorus

Non stop (non stop)

Non stop (non stop)

Non stop to the moon

So many promises

So much division

No one heard

Because no one listened

This atomic age of

Fusion and fission

We gotta get back to the moon

Chorus

Non stop (non stop)

Non stop (non stop)

Non stop to the moon

*Inspired and gently borrowed from High Flight by John Gillespie Magee Jr.

In a city, there’s a place to go

To the desert of the afterglow

There’s a reason we will not be shown

When we’re all drowning in the undertow

The wise man looks to heaven

In this great beleaguered dawn

Around him sits the purpose

To a fire he is drawn

And high up in the firmament

In the canopy of stars

They are weaponizing peace, now

In an age that’s gone too far

Chorus

In a city, there’s a place to go

To the desert of the afterglow

There’s a reason we will not be shown

When we’re all drowning in the undertow

The wise man looks around himself

On a red celestial plain

He’s planting down the flags now

He’s engaged within this game

You take from me, I take from you

And the balance we adjust

There was a point in providence

When the whole world’s sent to death

The wise man sits among us

He’s the branches of the tree

A thousand years of emptiness

A vapid deity

And history has taught us

What we already know

Build a rocket boys, and point it high

Let’s escape the undertow

Chorus

In a city, there’s a place to go

To the desert of the afterglow

There’s a reason we will not be shown

When we’re all drowning in the undertow

Staring at the sun

It seems impossible

The africus before the fall

But I know that one day soon

I’ll be waking from the gloom

And the only thing to fear’s no fear at all

When the whole thing comes crashing down

As you rule with your paper crown

Who’s the one who’ll still be around

In the end it’s the gradual sounds

That get her

Only chasing daylight seems impossible

When you take away the maddening of the crowd

And sometimes fear’s still with me

But it’s only trickery

And I tell myself that fear is not allowed

When the whole thing comes crashing down

As you rule with your paper crown

Who’s the one who’ll still be around

In the end it’s the gradual sounds

That get her

Our years of madness

Blinded by what we know

And can you see that what is left apparently

Will finally start to grow

Only chasing daylight seems impossible

In the end it’s the gradual sounds

That get her

Across the flattest ocean

Upon the ship of fools

You’re searching for a promised land

Ignoring nature’s rules

This world

We made

You’re living with the dinosaurs

The truth

Deranged

Is closing all the open doors

The curls

Insane

Well you try to settle all the scores

Forever after

Now I know you don’t think twice

In the face of our advice

Redefining this device

Making stupid sacrifices

Chorus

We’re on a curve

We’re on a curve, fool

We’re on a curve

To find the highest mountain

You watch them disappear

Despite the futile reasoning

Your stupidity is clear

This world

We made

You’re living with the dinosaurs

The truth

Deranged

Is closing all the open doors

The curls

Insane

Well you try to settle all the scores

Forever after

Now I know you don’t think twice

In the face of our advice

Redefining this device

Making stupid sacrifices

Tommy has got his tambourine ready for action

Hoping the band plays his song

He wears his hat and leathers

In anticipation

That Smoke On The Water comes along

The tv’s still on

With the football results

Seems the home side forgot to engage

There’s always the hope that

Next week is different

But for now the band is taking the stage

Gina had a dream of travelling to India

To escape the life she had led

But finance and family has kept her in England

Some things are better left unsaid

Benny wants to get up and sing

In another life he might have

Reached for that ring

But life’s what happens

When you’re doing other things

So he’s there mmm mmm Every Saturday

Chorus

One night only

Take a breath from your restless flight

One night only

Cause we’re all here together tonight

Angus was found with a note and some diaries

Hadn’t been seen for a while

His troubles at work had never been mentioned

You wouldn’t know for his smile

Summer will be here real soon

Many will answer the piper’s sad tune

And we’ll all raise a glass

To remember the past

From a stool at this last chance saloon

Chorus

One night only

Take a breath from your restless flight

One night only

Cause we’re all here together tonight

The caged bird sings the most beautiful songs

And when it sings

We all sing along

And we are the bird in the cage

Singing the songs of our day and our age

Solo

Chorus

One night only

Like your last night on earth

This simple rebirth

One night only

Every Saturday

The governor rings the bell shouts for the last call

The band begins loading out their gear

The regulars hang about, reluctantly leaving

And one by one disappear

Ten years alone

Beyond men and time

Zarathustra awoke and spoke at the sun

To the mountain I brought ashes

To the valleys I take fire

Thus his eternal journey had begun

Not yet out of the woods

He found the saint

Alone in his weeping world and singing to no one

Said he, Why not be like me,

A beast among beasts

To the heavens he sang but could not speak to the sun

Chorus

To create a dancing star

Find the chaos in your heart

Then become who you are

Perfect Beast

Poetry in comotion

Anarchy in motion

Let go your emotion

Perfect Beast

In the town the sleepers circle round the square

Waiting for the acrobat and clown

Thus He seized the moment

and spoke of superman

A bridge to be overcome and not a crown

Nothing was heard

Until it was said

They listened with their eyes and saw to follow the last man

Their laughter like ice

Filling the air

Like a fool on the tightrope shouting out to the sun!

Chorus

To create a dancing star

Find the chaos in your heart

Then become who you are

Perfect Beast

Poetry in commotion

Anarchy in motion

Let go your emotion

Perfect Beast

Eternal, the wheel of fate

Eternal, we live again and again

Dancing the song of time

Take control and create your life

Just shout at the sunrise

Just let the last man laugh away

And evolve to stay the same

Pretend to be content

They will never match your gain

And thus You speak to the sun

The message is bright and loud

From lightning you are made

And heavy drop from the clouds

From a beast to a superman

From a beast

From a beast to a superman

To a perfect beast

From a beast to a superman

From a beast

From a beast to a superman

To a perfect beast

From a beast to a superman

(To create a dancing star)

From a beast

(Find the chaos in your heart)

From a beast to a superman

(Then become who you are)

To a perfect beast

From a beast to a superman

(Poetry in commotion)

From a beast

(Anarchy in motion)

From a beast to a superman

(Let go your emotion)

To a perfect beast

Perfect Beasts is:

Nick Andrew – guitar, midi guitar

John Mitchell – vocals, guitar

Darren Redick – bass, bass pedals

Steve Hales - drums

Production: Nick Andrew

Mastering: John Mitchell

Art direction: Vitamin P

Nick Andrew:

Thanks to Mum and Dad for their continued tolerance of my mad life. My wee sister Gail for her continued bemusement and support. Darren, Callum and Catie for buying me proper beer. Magda, Natalie and Kevin at UBC for giving me the place to work and for the coffee!

Barry and Lee Aaron (not that Lee Aaron) of the Lee Aaron Band. The amazing Leoni Jane Kennedy.

I'd also like to thank the following companies for their great products and continuing support:

Jono Heale (ACS) Hearing protection. Godefroy Mareujoules (MJS guitars). Rob Williams (Rob Williams guitars). Paul Rivera (Rivera amps).

Troels Nygaard (Tone 2). John Teale at Fishman (Triple Play guitar synth). Don, Jeff and Reggie (Lace pickups). Sonuus, D'Addario, Spitfire Audio, Neural DSP, Jam Origin.

Also Fyne ales and Bunnahabhain whisky!

John Mitchell:

Thanks my parents Mr and Mrs Mitchell for instilling in me a sense of wonder about the world and beyond. Sasha. Boats. Adam for taking me clay pigeon shooting. Damn birds! Jez Fielder and Bertie, but not in that order necessarily. Sarah Ewing for generally being an awesome person. John Wetton forever. The Wellness Brunch for helping me with my lifestyle choices. David Icke. Jerry Ewing and all at Prog magazine for supporting my many and varied projects. JM uses Cort guitars, Boss Guitar FX, Focusrite interfaces and Austrian Audio microphones.

Darren Redick

Thanks my very supportive wife, Beth aka Ruth. Alana and Oliver for humouring the old man. Leonie Jane Kennedy for bringing magic to Heavy Is The Head. Ric Blaxill, Jon Norman, Loz Guest and all at Planet Rock, Jared Redick and Alexia Redick, Bruce Woolley, my girlfriends Gary Piears Banton and Colin Eccles, Barry and Lee from the Lee Aaron Band. Rob MacGregor. George and Jim Richman. Ian Husbands and all at the Mr Bumble. Nick McConnell. Spector basses and Darkglass Electronics were used exclusively on all bass tracks. Jono Heale (ACS Hearing Protection). Josie O’Toole, Lisa Bardsley. Steve Chachaman Ager. Rush. Moose and Schneibley; moral support officers. And of course, Emerson in aeternum.

Steve Hales

Uses Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drumheads, Vic Firth drumsticks, Bulleit Bourbon and lots of sour watermelon Candy Kittens. Special thanks to Paul “art supremo” Tippett, James Durand, Richie Cahill, Chris Hillman at White Star Records and everyone associated with Kepler Ten, Graham Russell Drums, everyone at Planet Rock and Prog Magazine, and to Taff and Kim (this one's for Mally). All my love goes as ever to my brilliantly bonkers family Mandy, Cally and Piper. Up the Irons!