Paradise Theatre

Tonight's the night we'll make history, as sure as dogs can fly

And I'll take any risk to tie back the hands of time

And stay with you here all night

So take your seats and don't be late, we need your spirits high

To turn on these theatre lights and brighten the darkest skies

Here at the Paradise....

So whatcha doin' tonight? 

Have you heard that the world's gone crazy? 

Young Americans listen when I say there's people puttin' us down

I know they're sayin' that we've gone lazy

To tell you the truth we've all seen better days

Don't need no fast buck lame duck profits for fun

Quick trick plans, take the money and run

We need long term, slow burn, getting it done

And some straight talking, hard working son of a gun. 

Whatcha doin' tonight, I got faith in our generation

Let's stick together and futurize our attitudes

I ain't lookin' to fight, but I know with determination

We can challenge the schemers who cheat all the rules



Come on take pride, be wise, spottin' the fools

No more big shots, crackpots bending the rules

A fair shot here for me and for you

Knowing that we can't lose



And we'll be rockin' in Paradise

Rockin' the Paradise tonight

Rockin' in Paradise

Rockin' the Paradise tonight

Tonight, tonight...

Sitting on this barstool talking like a damn fool

Got the twelve o'clock news blues

And I've given up hope on the afternoon soaps

And a bottle of cold brew

Is it any wonder I'm not crazy? Is it any wonder I'm sane at all

Well I'm so tired of losing- I got nothing to do and all day to do it

I go out cruisin' but I've no place to go and all night to get there

Is it any wonder I'm not a criminal?

Is it any wonder I'm not in jail?

Is it any wonder I've got



Too much time on my hands, it's ticking away with my sanity

I've got too much time on my hands, it's hard to believe such a calamity

I've got too much time on my hands and it's ticking away from me

Too much time on my hands, too much time on my hands

Too much time on my hands



Well, I'm a jet fuel genius - I can solve the world's problems

Without even trying

I have dozens of friends and the fun never ends

That is, as long as I'm buying

Is it any wonder I'm not the president

(He's not the president) 

Is it any wonder I'm null and void?

Is it any wonder I've got



Too much time on my hands, it's ticking away at my sanity

I've got too much time on my hands, it's hard to believe such a calamity

I've got too much time on my hands and it's ticking away from me

Too much time on my hands, too much time on my hands

Too much time on my hands

What'cha going to do when the sun goes down tonight

You'll hit the same old clubs, rap that same old trash

That's right

You've got them real silk shirts and them baggy pants

Dago shoes in the colors that match

But the girls are acting bored

And you're feeling like you're going to lose

You've got the G.Q. Blues



You get up every morning and you go to work each day

(you go to work, you go to work, you go to work)

Been doing the same damn job for ten long years this May

(you've got to work, you've got to work, you've got to work)

You've been working and saving for your Jamaican dream

Paradise is waiting across the sea

But when your plane lands Montego turns to Monsoon

You've got the Island Blues



'Cause, nothing ever goes as planned

It's a hell of a notion

Even Pharaohs turn to sand

Like a drop in the ocean

You're so together and you act so civilized

But every time that things go wrong you're still surprised

You've done your duty, you've paid a fortune in dues

Still got those Mother Nature's Blues



I strut around the stage like a little king tonight

They'll scream for every word and every note, that's right

But when the show is over and I'm all alone

Can't reach my baby on the telephone

And everywhere I look Mr. Loneliness is in the news

I've got the Big Star Blues



Boy, nothing ever goes as planned

It's a hell of a notion

Even Pharaohs turn to sand

Like a drop in the ocean

I'm so together and I act so civilized

But every time that things go wrong

I'm still surprised

I've done my duty and paid a fortune in dues

Still got them Mother Nature's Blues

Tonight's the night we'll make history, honey, you and I

And I'll take any risk to tie back the hands of time

And stay with you here tonight

I know you feel these are the worst of times

I do believe it's true

When people lock their doors and hide inside

Rumor has it it's the end of Paradise

But I know, if the world just passed us by

Baby I know, you wouldn't have to cry



The best of times are when I'm alone with you

Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two

Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime

We'll take the best, forget the rest

And someday we'll find these are the best of times

These are the best of times



The headlines read 'these are the worst of times'

I do believe it's true

I feel so helpless like a boat against the tide

I wish the summer winds could bring back Paradise

But I know, if the world turned upside down

Baby, I know you'd always be around



The best of times are when I'm alone with you

Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two

Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime

We'll take the best, forget the rest

And someday we'll find these are the best of times

These are the best of times



And so my friends we'll say goodnight

For time has claimed it's prize

But tonight will always last

As long as we keep alive memories of Paradise...

"Hey , Hey out there knock it off will ya? 

Hey give it a rest will ya? I'm tryin' to get some sleep! 

Want me to call the cops? 

I tell ya Erma I can't till next week when they start to tear that damn old theatre down."



The rain was hot, the streets were empty

As downtown closed her eyes

The movie house stood in silence as I said my last good-byes

Her silver screen was stained with memories

As Cagney shot them down

And as I watched I was that hero

In dreamlands lost and found



Oh my God, well we both are empty Paradise and me

Do you believe I'm still chasing rainbows

When everywhere I see



Lonely People, Lonely People

Up above these ghetto streets

In penthouse suites they sit and stare

Lonely People, Lonely People

They smile and say they're fine

But behind their eyes they just don't care

Lonely People

They just don't care

Lonely People, Lonely People



Lonely People, Lonely People

Beneath these neon streets in subway seats they crowd for air

Lonely People, Lonely People

So close and yet so far they share the secrets of despair

Lonely People, Lonely People (repeat and fade...)

I tried to be the perfect soldier

I tried to be what everyone said was expected

Somehow I was selected

Well, my hands were steady, my aim was true

But deep inside of my heart I knew

That I lacked the will

I just couldn't shoot to kill



And still she treats me like a human

She says she'll still be there

I may not be a hero, but I'll be there

Because I know she cares



I worked hard to be the greatest lover

I wanted to be sure that I was her only one

That's how I thought it was done

But I went too far, assumed too much

The need to feel a younger one's touch

Seemed important then

Oh what a fool I've been



And still she treats me like a human (like a human)

She says she'll still be there (that she'll be there)

I don't quite understand it, she's been too fair

'Cause somehow she cares



I guess that's the way it goes, the way that it goes

And nobody knows what compels her

She's seen my highs and lows and never let go



Oh yes she treats me like a human (like a human)

She says she'll still be there (that she'll be there)

I don't quite understand it, she's been too fair

'Cause somehow she cares



I guess that's the way it goes, the way that it goes

And nobody knows what compels her

She's seen my highs and lows and never let go



And when the world has turned its back on me

I won't have to feel alone

'Cause I know she cares

Mirror, mirror on the wall

The face you've shown me scares me so

I thought that I could call your bluff

But now the lines are clear enough

Life's not pretty even though

I've tried so hard to make it so

Mornings are such cold distress

How did I ever get into this mess



I'm snowblind, can't live without you

So fine I just can't get away

Now I'm snowblind, snowblind, snowblind



Harmless and innocent you devil in white

You stole my will without a fight

You filled me with confidence, but you blinded my eyes

You tricked me with visions of Paradise

Now I realize I'm



Snowblind, can't live without you

So fine I just can't get away

Now I'm snowblind, snowblind, snowblind



Mirror, mirror I confess

I can't escape this emptiness

No more reason to pretend

Here comes that same old feeling again



Snowblind, can't live without you 

So fine I just can't get away

Won't you throw me a lifeline

I'm going down for the third time

I'm snowblind, and I can't get away

Half penny, two penny, gold Krugerrand

He was exceedingly rich for such a young man

Sad story, old story

Bring out the band

Another divorce just a few hundred grand



Half penny, two penny, back of the queue

Yes mister poor man this means you

Justice for money what can you say

We all know it's the American Way



Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose

Back home across the sea

Where I know that I will be free



Half penny, two penny, back in the States

You just couldn't take that African pace

Yes, Mrs. Cleaver your son's home to stay

We all know it's the American Way



Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose

Back home across the sea

Where I know that I will be free



"Come here - hey Angelo... what's happenin'?"

"Hey, Stosh, good to see ya"

"What the hell you doin'?"

"We're tearing this old building down here"

"Oh you're kiddin' me. Remember when we were kids, and we used to come here every Saturday afternoon to see a cartoon?"

"Yeah, I remember"

"Well what's she lost to?"

"Who knows- politicians, taxes...it's a disgrace"

"I'm not surprised, they make me sick. They don't make theaters like this any more."



Half penny, two penny, ashes to dust

The almighty dollar says "In God we trust"

Justice for money how much more can I pay

We all know it's the American Way



Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose

Back home across the sea

Where I know that I will be free 

(I want to be free)



Yes, I'm gonna shake myself loose

Back home across the sea

Where I know that I will be free

(We all want to be free)

And so, my friends, we'll say goodnight,

for time has claimed his prize,

but tonight can always last,

as long as we keep alive,

the mem'ries of Paradise