Get all 19 Hemlock Smith releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Small Change World, Live @ CCC Festival (May 5th, 2020), Hemlock Smith & les Poissons Autistes: "The Necrophone Sessions", The Ghost Parade, St.Louis (Webcam Version), I can only see the Darkness_DEMO, Medusa EP, By the Grace of Dynamite, and 11 more.
1. |
Love is Here to Stay
05:21
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LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
The moon is bright and I’m wide awake
Wandering through the gulf of my mistakes
Hours spent shouting with the crows
The meaning of it all, nobody knows
And I’m sitting here, mumbling through the play-
CH
Love is here to stay
Love is here to stay so the angels say
Love is here to stay
Love is here to stay so the angels say-
Mr. Undertaker, carry me away….
On a silent shore talking to the moss
Here I stand alone, nothing gained but loss
With the sky so wide like the gates of fear
In this universe, oh what a little sphere
The lilies in the field slowly fade to grey-
CH
CH
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2. |
Superhero
04:13
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Superhero
Oh my face
Tells it like it is
The bitter race
Against the opposite
The velvet cape
The relic of illusion
A kiss of fate
Or a Blizzard of confusion ?
Turn on the searchlight—
CH 1
I’M A SUPERHERO
I’M A SUPERHERO
ALL THE TIME
I’M A SUPERHERO
I’M A SUPERHERO
IN MY MIND.
A greyish gaze
As dull as life itself
Lost in a maze
Forgotten on the shelf
The train of thought
Has long left my station
All pleasure sought
Is only an evasion
Turn on the searchlight—
CH 2
I’M A SUPERHERO
I’M A SUPERHERO
ALL THE TIME
I’M A SUPERHERO
I’M A SUPERHERO
OF THE SILENT KIND.
Bridge : I never knew what to do with myself
To leave the fear behind
So human nature finds its own little cell
To satisfy the mind
If there’s a sky
Tell me where to find it
I’ll fly so high
Disappear from sight
Turn on the searchlight—
Turn on the searchlight-
CH 1
CH 2
<don’t know what to feel/alone in the Batmobile>
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3. |
Icarus (from Belarus)
05:21
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ICARUS (FROM BELARUS)
Let silence be my wife
And loneliness my mother
To lead a secret life
I won’t need any other
My only friend a knife
And violence my companion
To lead a secret life
I’ll find the darkest canyon
CH 1
The crest of the wave
The glare of the sun
I need love - Just like everyone
The curtain of rain
The weight of the gun
I feel pain - Just like everyone
Let me go out for a ride
Beyond the shade of my sunglasses
To lead a secret life
I’ll hide out in the masses
CH 2
A moment in time
The faith of a nun
I feel blind - Just like everyone
And the absolute
Continues to run
I feel fooled - Just like everyone
BRIDGE
And God said to Icarus, be warned
If you continue, you’ll get harmed
With all respect, said Ike, No Sir
I gotta get just a little bit
Closer…
CH 1
CH 2
And the absolute continues to run
And so do I – just like everyone
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4. |
The Muffin Song
02:25
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the muffin song
Girl
You ‘re a whirlwind
In my life
Girl
You ‘re a whirlwind
In my life
You blow me apart
But then you glue me back together
You ‘re like the weather
You ‘re changing every day
But the blue sky comes your way
But the blue sky comes your way
But the blue sky comes your way
But the blue sky comes your way
If I leave
The clouds will wear
The shape of my face
And in the trees
The leaves will have
The scent of my embrace
Should I lie still
And silent in a coffin-
(just eat your muffin, cos)
This is not death
I just hold my breath
This is not death
I just hold my breath
To sing a song that ‘s more beautiful than the one before
To sing a song that ‘s more beautiful than the one before
To sing a song that ‘s more beautiful than the one before
To sing a song for you
‘Cause you ‘re beautiful…
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5. |
Happy to be sad
03:59
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HAPPY TO BE SAD
Seeing all the cities burning
Right outside my window
I turn myself to other yearnings
That satisfy my soul
I feel my hands and fingers moving
To hide this face in darkness
I’ve gotten tired of hope and youth and
I’ll lay it all to rest
It’s for the best
I’m happy to be sad
I’m happy to be sad
I can’t compare to other people
They’re pursuing shadows
My life is not a three mile steeple
It’s a mess
A dead flat chaos
I’m happy to be sad
I’m happy to be sad
(That’s right…)
Ooooh as I withdraw from others
Lord have mercy with me
I got no pain / I got no brother
I got no reason to live
I mostly talk to empty glasses
But what the hell do they know ?
I’m counting dust on photographs and
You know
I’m not about to blow
I’m happy to be sad
I’m happy to be sad
(That’s right…)
I’m happy to be sad
Feel sorry when I’m glad
I’m happy to be sad
Feel sorry when I’m glad
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6. |
Jonathan, you're a Ghost
03:58
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Jonathan, you’re a Ghost
1. Jonathan, you’re a ghost
You’re not even here
But you’re most – efficient
In playing with my fears
2. Jonathan, you’re a dream
Floating over dry land
And though I sense – some kind of scheme
Still I’m drinking sand
CH
And I know you’re not a seagull
But you’re picking at my thigh
And I know you’re not a prizebull
But those relentless eyes…
And I know you’re not an albatross
But you’re nailed unto my heart
Jonathan, you’re a ghost
That’s what you are…
3. Jonathan, you’re a pain
Stinging like a bee
Once you’re bruised – even slain
Still humming in my ears
4. Jonathan, you’re a scar
Invisible to the eye
You’ve never touched my cookie jar
And it makes me want to cry
CH
5. Jonathan, you’re a child
Too small to be awake
You can stay with me a while
And I won’t forget the cake
CH
CH
Well Well Well
Jonathan, you’re a ghost
That’s what you are…
Stay where you are…
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7. |
Tripoli
05:56
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TRIPOLI
THERE’S NO LOVE FOR ME
DOWN ON THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI
THERE’S NO HOPE FOR ME
UNDER BLACK FLAG IN THE SEVEN SEAS
THERE’S NO LOVE FOR ME
DOWN IN THE TRENCHES AT GALLIPOLI
THERE’S NO HOPE FOR ME
A LONELY TRAVELLER’S TAG IS DESTINY
CH
AND WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
WHEREVER MY FATE MAY LEAD ME
WHICH WAY THE WIND SHALL BLOW –
I DON’T KNOW
BUT I GUESS THE ROAD WILL PLEASE ME
THERE’S NO LOVE FOR ME
DOWN IN THE DELTA NEAR SAINTES-MARIE
THERE’S NO HOPE FOR ME
JACK KEROUAC WILL NEVER CARRY ME
THERE’S NO LOVE FOR ME
DOWN IN LOUISIANA AND IN NEW ORLEANS
THERE’S NO HOPE FOR ME
A LONELY TRAVELLER RUNS ON KEROSENE
CH
AND WHEREVER I MAY ROAM
WHEREVER MY FATE MAY LEAD ME
WHICH WAY THE WIND SHALL BLOW –
I DON’T KNOW
BUT I GUESS THE ROAD WILL PLEASE ME
-BUT I RIDE THE TIDE AND BREATHE-
-ON THE SHORES OF TRIPOLI-
(repeat ad libya)
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8. |
Haunted Weekend
04:04
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HAUNTED WEEKEND
My room is jammed with silences
And black holes full of lies
So I bought myself a calendar
To watch the days go by
The young girl on the photograph
Smiles into my room
No more nights of gloom – she says
CH
And if you don’t love me Monday
Maybe Tuesday you will
And if you don’t love me Wednesday
On Thursdays I’ll be still
But I’ll be back to haunt you
From Friday night till Sunday afternoon
I feel so lonely in this town
I haven’t talked since X-mas day
I prefer to have those ghosts around
They’re always going my way
The young girl with the friendly laugh
Illuminates my doom
No more nights of gloom – she says
CH
Come Monday
Come Tuesday
And if you don’t love me Wednesday
On Thursdays I’ll be still
But if you stick to me boy
We shall have our haunted honeymoon
Watch the days go by
Watch the days go by
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9. |
Start
05:29
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START
Lying awake at night
Distorted by fright
Just a second before the fall
That awaits us all
The shadows beneath the light
Are searching-alright
And every move of mine is just a crawl
And no use at all
CH
I’LL TEAR IT ALL APART
THE BLOSSOMS OF MY HEART
I’LL TEAR IT ALL APART
IF THERE’S AN END THERE IS A
START
The vision of endless plight
Is hovering like a kite
As my body hits the frozen ground
The worms make no sound
CH
THEY’LL TEAR IT ALL APART
THE BLOSSOMS OF MY HEART
THEY’LL TEAR IT ALL APART
IF THERE’S AN END THERE IS A
START
If there’s an end there is a start
If there’s an end there is a start
Leaf after leaf – Torn Apart
If there’s an end there is a start
If there’s an end there is a start
If there’e an end there is an end.
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10. |
She's Gone
04:17
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SHE’S GONE
Burn Down the Wall of China
Cremate the Kremlin please
Don’t wanna sit here in this Diner
And see the world so well at ease
Demolish the mighty pyramids
Tear them down stone by stone
Don’t even talk to me ‘bout happiness
Now that my Love has Gone…
CH
My Baby’s Gone Gone Gone
Yeah she’s Gone
My Baby’s Gone Gone Gone
Yeah she’s Gone
Melt down the Eiffel Tower
Flood Athens and its Hills
Just wanna sit here in the Shower
And wait for the water bill
Shoot down the sacred Caravan
Throw the Emperor from the Throne
Don’t even talk to me ‘bout suntan
Now that my Love has Gone…
CH
CH + CH
Stop…the World
Stop…the World
She’s Gone
She’s Gone to Cairo, She’s Gone to Peking
She’s Gone to Heaven, Didn’t leave me a thing
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11. |
This Part of Tennessee
04:22
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THIS PART OF TENNESSEE
The bullets fly so heavy
That I might go insane
The only chance of survival
Is an umbrella for the rain
And a heavy dose of whisky for the pain
My coffin’s made in Taiwan
Here they just couldn’t meet demand
I’m sweating like a chicken
Sizzling in a frying pan
And my blood is bound to color all the sand
CH
It seems that everyone now wants to be
The quickest gun in this part of Tennessee
This used to be a movie
With Clint Eastwood or Stallone
Now I don’t put out the garbage
And I don’t go out alone
And 911 just won’t pick up the phone
The anchor says on TV
Every day’s St. Valentine
But I don’t even hear the gunshots
The past flickers in my mind
When the cowboys wouldn’t shoot you from behind
CH
CH
(repeat)
This part of Tennessee
This part of Tennessee
(I never listen to 10CC, ‘cause I live in Tennessee)
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12. |
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Superhero vs. the Invisible Inc.
JE T’AI ECRIT DES POEMES
DE MEPRIS ET DE CRACHAT
DE SENTIR QUE JE T’AIME
JE PUE LE CELIBAT
EIN MONUMENT AUS LIEBE
MIT EINEM HINKEBEIN
SKLAVE ALLER TRIEBE
UND DOCH KALT UND HART WIE STEIN
I’LL SEND YOU ALL MY LOVESONGS
I’LL CARVE THE WORDS OF HATE
I’LL LET YOU DRIVE MY CARBOMB
I’LL AXE THE HAND OF FATE
BURN THE CHAMELEON !
(BE SILENT OR BE GONE !)
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13. |
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The Unbearable Silence of the Clams
Joey went to the supermarket to buy some groceries for the weekend.
While shopping, he kind of had that strange sensation that something
was terribly wrong… In the seafood section, he noticed that the shrimps
that day were so red that they looked almost angry, and then, suddenly,
he heard a silent cry, somewhere in-between the whisper of dead meat
and the voice of God. He turned around and saw 27 pounds of clams
mouth their unearthly demand in unison : they were no longer willing to
open to the chef’s suggestions…
At that exact moment, Dorothy, the assistant sales clerk came running
towards him, her face white like a dead albino. She screamed and moaned
and gargled at the same time but finally managed to tell him what he
already knew : a bunch of guerilla vanilla yoghourts had gone berserk and
blocked all the exits. They were trying to start a revolution because they could
not bear listening to another second of dumb elevator music, for the main
reason that they had never even been in one…
Joey knew at that time that they were fucked.
He left Dorothy and headed straight for the sweets and cookies. There, he
started opening giant-sized marshmallow packages and set all the
prisoners free…
Maybe, he thought, they would let him live…
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14. |
Steam
05:11
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STEAM
On the first day the ship advanced quietly and only the
Gulls screamed against the sky
On the second day the winds began to howl and the
Sea began to roll Knuckles white like the Crest of the
Waves
CH
I’m losing Steam
And my batteries are worn
I got a leak that sends me out fighting
Hands against the Storm…
<and on the third day>
On the third day everything was chaos and disorder the
Engine moaned like a dying swan
<and on the fourth day>
On the fourth day when everything seemed to be lost there
Over Neptune’s mouth I saw the
Island
CH
Those waves of trouble
Out of Order / Out of Scale
Time is a white whale
CH
CH
Hands against the Storm
I’m losing Steam…
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15. |
No Return No Escape
05:32
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NO RETURN, NO ESCAPE
In the eyes of my brothers
I see boredom and fear
Shed our tears well in hiding
When noone is here
On these barren wastelands
We built houses of stone
To protect from the dark and
To forget we’re alone
No return, No escape
Stick a holiday poster
On wallpaper so old
Yet the dust on the carpet
Was never silver or gold
No return, No escape
Dig the drone of the TV
All the noises and rage
If our howling comes easy
It is because of this cage
No return, No escape
Light the candle of love songs
Under neon so cold
Come to terms with our feelings
Just before we get old
Dream of fame and of fortune
That may well come soon
Make a stone float on water
Throw a rock on to the moon
No return, No escape
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16. |
My Life is like a Movie
03:11
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MY LIFE IS LIKE A MOVIE
My life is like a movie
The action never stops
I’m screaming like a baby
On a 007 parachute drop
My life is like a movie
The love scenes are all fake
If I kiss her well then maybe
She’ll let me have some cake
CH
My life is like a movie
And I’m the star
It’s a jollygood production
Le Film du Désespoir
And if I die and go to hell
I’ll write myself a sequel…
My life is like a movie
Fun like bubbles in a bath
The jokes just keep on coming
But you’re the one to laugh
My life is like a movie
And the drama is so real
I might even get an oscar
If I’m in another reel
CH
I’ll write myself a sequel…
My life is like a movie…
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Hemlock Smith Lausanne, Switzerland
Hemlock Smith come from Lausanne (Switzerland). Since 2002, they’ve released 7 regular albums with intelligent pop, as well as 2 soundtracks for silent film and 2 collaborations with Noise duo Les Poissons Autistes. Fronted by singer-songwriter Michael Frei, Hemlock Smith's distinctive voice is complemented by a talented band seamlessly blending Pop, Folk, Rock and Trip-Hop Sensibilities ... more
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