ballad of tindersticks Lyrics

The first time we flew in

It was cheap and cramped 

The vodka running out half-way across the Atlantic 

Even the steward screamed and joined in it 

We didn't think we were going to make it 

Now we're stretched out in wide, furry seats 

Flicking through menus 

A walk to the bar and there's as much screw-top champagne as we can drink 

We're so easy 

Taking turns having our photos taken 

Sitting in front of small windows 

Decanters of cheap whiskey in our hands 

Drive into Manhattan on a date with a starlet who's just talent 

That's what people pay the money to see 

Who are we to argue? 

Five hours now it's been going on 

And still we're watching all of it 

Can you really believe all this? 

Can he really lie in bed at night and marvel at his own genius? 

When do you lose the ability to step back 

And get a sense of your own ridiculousness? 

They're only songs 

Midnight, and it's all over 

Now it can really make us laugh 

We're standing on our heads drinking sours of Crystal Schnapps 

Now we're unable to step back or forward 

Swallowing a swallow 

Tasting it again, it's not so unpleasant 

Perhaps it's an acquired taste 

The first time, it makes you sick 

Then, little by little, it becomes delicious 

Showbiz people 

Always there to be interested in what you say 

We are artists; we are sensitive and important 

We nod our heads earnestly 

Already half-way down the champagne 

On our way to leaving the place dry 

A $2,000 bar bill 

Showbiz picks up the tab 

And we're on our way laughing 

Laughing at what? 

Los Angeles, eight days in 

And our sense of irony's running pretty thin 

All the friends we've made 

It's 2 am, it's closing time at the Dresden 

Marty and Layton play one last sleepy "Strangers in the Night" 

And the last of the martinis dribble down our chins 

We're sitting, chasing the conservation around the table 

Jesus, how long have I been in this state? 

The limousine's still waiting outside 

Anything you want to do? 

Anywhere you want to go? 

We're on our way to the airport and a plane to Vegas 

So many nights lying in bed shaking 

Dreaming of pushing my daughter around the supermarket 

The joy of seeing all those colours and shapes reflected in her wide eyes 

My head leaning on the window 

And we're driving through the empty L.A. streets 

And everything seems silent and beautiful 

A guy's face hits the floor 

Police revolvers glistening in the streetlight 

Onto Melrose and lurching through a sea of Halloween transvestites 

The flight's cancelled, but it doesn't matter 

We turn this corner to a way that takes us wherever 

Up to Sunset 

We creep up the drive to the Shattuck 

The suite Belushi died in 

Or the one Morrison hung out of the window 

Oh, I'll go for Jim's 

I would fancy a little window-hanging myself, tonight, man 

Straight over to the mini-bar 

Open the champagne -- one sip and it's left to wake up to 

Anyone hungry? 

A team of uniformed waiters lay out an elaborate table for all us to ignore 

Oh, the irony 

How we're used to living 

Back in London on a cold Friday night 

Do you want another drink? 

Well, I could try 

Perhaps we could make it to the Atlantic 

600 yards, twenty minutes later 

We're pushing through the waiting crowd, all fish eyes 

An exclusive door policy 

Exclusively for arseholes 

And tonight? Well, a nod of our heads, and we're inside 

Falling down the red, velvety stairs 

Limbs flaying, hands searching for something to steady 

Pick ourselves up, nothing broken 

Just aches in the morning 

No one seems to notice 

I find a table, champagne arrives 

I've been so drunk, I sit and look at you 

We try and talk for the first time in a long time 

Drunken confessions

You shiver, it made you feel sick 

We use the rent money to pay the bill 

Bumping shoulders, we stumble out into Soho 

Slipping over the sleeping bags 

Shouting for taxis