(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2006 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
You’ve become so bold
What you mistake for love can sometimes grow cold
But if you don’t love me enough
Is there anything left to lose anyway?
Prayers for a little girl
Afraid of the dark
Until she invites it in and it comforts her heart
Then she stares at the love creeping out of her life
If only just for a moment I need you to see
This could be much better than we’re letting it be
If I could keep it together with my hands off the wheel
These wounds would heal
And leave us with nothing to say
There’s an outside chance
That we could be looking for something that’s already there
I could show you what I’ve seen
But would it make a difference anyway?
And from the back of the room
Angels are dancing with everyone but you
And as the lights go down
Was anybody really there anyway?
(Repeat chorus)
Spin (Live From Ben Hill Griffin Stadium) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2006 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Lyrics available under "Spin"
"Static Confusion" Lyrics
Stay Awake (Live Acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Lyrics available under "Spin"
Blue (Live Acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Lyrics available under "Blue"
New Orleans (Live acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
The city is buzzing
You’re in the black
The radio’s humming from a car in the back
Somewhere she’s singing
The notes are all blue
Somewhere she’s waiting...waiting for you
Just when you thought you’d made it off the street
Life explodes in the air that you breathe
You’d better hold on as tight as you can
Cause’ every second is becoming the past
And you can never go back to New Orleans
You can never go back to New Orleans
The city is screaming
You’re in the red
The whole world is moving to the noise in your head
Somewhere she’s singing
You can’t hear the tune
Somewhere she’s crying...crying for you
Just when you thought you’d seen everything
Life explodes in the air that you breathe
You’d better hold on as tight as you can
Cause’ every second is becoming the past
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
There’s always something that you want
But what you want isn’t what you need child
And all those things you try to be
They're never enough to set you free love
Just when you thought you’d made it off the street
Life explodes in the air that you breathe
You’d better hold on as tight as you can
Cause’ every second is becoming the past
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
If I Could (Live Acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Lyrics available under "Blue"
Independence Day (Live Acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Lyrics available under "Spin"
Make You Believe (Live Acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Skip the conversation
Let’s not forget who we are
Are you still running from your problems?
Have they knocked you down too far?
I’m still wide awake and it’s midnight
I need to let myself dream
But I’m getting too much information
And nothing’s ever what it seems
I can’t tell if I’m up or down
When it comes to this you’re the one way out
I can’t tell if I’m up or down
What would it take for me to make you believe?
We’ll start a silent revolution
We can just dissolve into it
I'll lay you body upon the carpet
We always were the perfect fit
You stop me hiding from the real things
All those things that eat me up inside
And when I reach my destination
Will you be on the other side?
(Repeat Chorus)
All great rewards are reduced to nothing
There’s no smoking gun when you’re dealing in the politics of love
You’re all just hypocrite swine expecting sensible children
Just how far do you go until you say “I’ve had enough”?
Is this enough?
Is this enough?
(Repeat Chorus)
Mixed Up (Live Acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
There is no way to describe the way I feel
I know it’s there and I can’t deny it
I sometimes wish I could reach down to that place
Take a breath and just dive to the bottom
I know it’s wrong not to take responsibility
But I get so scared as I’m facing up
That you will not see the good in me
That you won’t believe
And it’s all mixed up
And it’s all mixed up
There isn’t time to explain it all away
I’m just a man and I can’t deny it
I sometimes feel I’m acting like child
I need to live and I can’t contain it
I’m feeling tense
I’m feeling scared
I’m feeling everything at once
I need to breathe
I need to reach
Something to believe
I wanna fight
I wanna win
Run until the end
Is there another way to be?
Where I should begin?
(Repeat Chorus)
And I believe I have the strength to dream
There’s only so much that I’ll let you take away
We leave our hollow footprints as we grieve
There’s only so much that I’ll let you take away
Spin (Live Acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Lyrics available under "Spin"
Beautiful (Live Acoustic) (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Lyrics available under "Blue"
"Blue" Lyrics
Blue (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Early morning something’s coming
Slaps my face without a warning
Could it be that nothing’s changed since yesterday?
I find myself outside my comfort
Holding on is my last resort
Clinging to those wicked words I heard you say
Well you said I’m weak
I know you’re wrong
It’s not that I think I’m that strong
But did it ever cross your mind?
I don’t think I can live without you
Oh, Oh you’re so blue…
You’re like a child without a mother
So confused
Would you be my lover?
Is there something you’re afraid to give away?
You said I’m weak
I know you’re wrong
It’s not that I think I’m that strong
Did it ever cross your mind?
I don’t think I can live without you
Oh, Oh you’re so blue…
Hey hey
Oh you’re so blue…
You said I’m weak
I know you’re wrong
It’s not that I think I’m that strong
Did it ever cross your mind?
I don’t think I can live without you
Early morning Sunday's coming
Slaps my face without a warning
Well it seems everything’s changed since yesterday
Well it seems everything’s changed since yesterday
If I Could (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Can you love me from the inside?
Or should I lose myself instead?
Is it bad communication?
Or something messing with my head?
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
There’s so much space between us
And I need you more than I can talk about
With every move
With every sound
That says it all but without words
If I could fly I’d give you wings
If I could, If I could
If I could explain how it came to this
If I could, If I could
I’d wash it all away and just start again
Can you see me as a father?
Or do you see me as just a friend?
Is it all too much to mention?
Something’s holding me again
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
It’s so unjustified
The way I lose my mind
I’m like a misplaced child
That craves attention
There’s so much space between us
And I need you more than I can talk about
With every move, with every sound
That says it all but without words
(Repeat Chorus)
Start again
Can we do it all over?
Start again
Can we start again?
Brand New Day (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Every time I’m on to something
Something else gets in the way
Everywhere I look you know I never seem to find it
It’s a brand
Brand new
Brand new day
Everything is complication
Deeper than it needs to be
Every time I guess you know I never get it right no
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Nothing’s gonna stop you baby
Even though you feel so small
There’s another world outside your window
So just open up
Open up and step outside the door
Everyone is blind and jaded
I wish the world simplicity
Everything I do just leads me back to where I started
(Repeat Chorus 2x)
Nothing’s gonna stop you baby
Even though you feel so small
There’s another world outside your window
So just open up
Open up and step outside the door
Oh Oh Oh Oh It’s a brand new day
Oh Oh Oh Oh It’s a brand new day
Nothing’s gonna stop you baby
Even though you feel so small
Shine On (Words and Music by Paul Akers)
lyrics used by permission
Am I still the same man that you fell in love with?
How can I be when I feel so different
When you step into the room
I can't explain it
Well now does he love you?
I guess it's true if you say so
So I watch while you go
To that empty place where you will find redemption
But I won't follow
Cause' my love will shine on
Through the darkness of all doubt
And I can't live without
Your love in return
Cause there will come a time when the lies will all run out
And we're left wondering about
Still my love will shine on
Now you say that it's over
Well I think you're already gone
But I still feel you linger on
In the words that you tell me
There's a million reasons why
But I won't listen
(Repeat Chorus)
Shine on
Shine on
(Repeat Chorus)
Beautiful (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
I should know by now what you’re gonna say
Can you see things in a different way?
Does it seem strange how the years all wash away?
Just tell me what you might need and I’ll be it
If I should die before I wake
If my last breath won’t fix my mistakes
If there’s no choice between heaven and hell or a god
Who cares how we get there?
At the end of the day
Just know that you’re beautiful
I should know by now how I make you feel
Can the future be any more real?
Is our fate just what we choose to steal?
Tell me what you might need and I’ll find it
(Repeat Chorus)
Sweetest girl with bluest eyes
It should come as no surprise to you
Sweetest girl with bluest eyes
It should come as no surprise to you
To you
(Repeat Chorus)
Miles From Nowhere (Words and Music by Michael J)
C2002 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
I call your name
Can you still hear me?
Am I getting through to you or is it static confusion?
I’m here alone
No one to reach me
I’m still afraid to put it all out on display
Of giving everything away
I can’t rely on blind ambition to release me
And I’ve grown so tired of all the things that keep me here
I drive away but I am miles from nowhere
You’re still the one thing
The one thing
I watch you sleep
And you still save me
Is there something that I’m missing?
Is it trust that keeps me here?
Losing ground
No one to reach me
I'm still afraid to put it all out on display
Of giving everything away
(Repeat Chorus)
"Spin" Lyrics
Stay Awake
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Stand back
You feel trapped
Kick out the jams
And wait for the payback
You lose
Monkey shoes
Mud on your face is nothing new
Stand back
Take the flak
Give it all when nothing comes back
You lose
Free to choose
You’ve got to give it away to see it through
All we are
Invisible to everyone
Stay awake for one more day
The promises you keep
Stay awake another day
And leave me when I sleep
Stand back
Set the trap
Kick out the floor
And wait for the heart attack
You lose
Free to choose
You’ve got to take a risk to see it through
Stand back
Face the facts
What you leave is what will come back
You lose
Monkey shoes
Mud on your face is nothing new
All we are
Invisible to everyone
(Repeat chorus)
This dream is not for the weak
Oh child…yeah
The memory gives me no relief
Oh child…yeah
Oh child…yeah
(Repeat chorus)
Spin
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Sometimes you spin
Sometimes you fall
Sometimes you’re too high to touch the ground
You’re crushed by it all
Pick yourself up
I won’t let you be down
Living ain’t that complicated
If you want me around
I spend all my time
Living somebody else’s life
I don’t know who I am
But my conscience gets me there
Still waiting for something to change
But it’s always the same
With just a little time
(Repeat chorus)
Things can get dizzy
Just keep your eyes on me
I’ll carry the flame to light your way
And I’ll teach you to see love
I spend all my time
Living somebody else’s life
I don’t know who I am
But my conscience gets me there
Still waiting for something to change
But it’s always the same
With just a little time
(Repeat chorus)
Don't Let Me Down
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Out of step with a clock that beats you
Not too late
But still they grind you down
Intoxicated
Into the streets on a holy mission
Giving away your love beats you down
To what you hated
Never gonna give up what you’ve got to give up, give up
Til’ it all comes down
Hey, hey someone’s cryin’
Don’t let me down
Each mistake is something precious
You get lost just so you can be found
A revelation
I found out its not so simple keeping up with you
But I stick around for the celebration
(Repeat chorus)
No one asked you for your sympathy
But I’m the one who holds the door for you
No one asked you to believe in me like you do
(Repeat chorus)
Nothing To Say
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Lyrics available under "Music From Falcon Beach"
Don't Know Much
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Bring on the rain
Let the water clean me
Bring on the rain
Just let me breathe
Let the air begin me
Just let me breathe
I saw a man with the devil’s eyes
Dressed in black
I touched his face and he looked right through me
Dressed in black
I don’t know much
But I know I need you
I’ll rest my head in the morning’s fire
I don’t know much
But I know I need you now
Bring on the night
Let the darkness touch me
Bring on the night
Just let me be
Let my thoughts reveal me
Just let me be
I saw a girl with an angel’s halo
Love comes right back
I touched her face and she danced around me
Love comes right back
(Repeat chorus)
Who’s gonna hold me up above the waterline?
Who’s gonna hold me together?
Who’s gonna build a dam to stem this flood?
Who’s gonna put out the fires?
(Repeat chorus)
More Than You Give
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Too real to ignore
Too hard to reveal
Too heinous to love
Too precious to steal
Scars I should’ve worn
On my tender skin
Ripped straight from the core
Before we begin
You take more than you give to me
You take more than you give to me
Too injured to touch
Too stubborn to fail
Too foolish to teach
Too weak to prevail
Umbilical bliss
Life pushes in vain
Ripped straight from the core
No sorrow remains
You take more than you give to me
You take more than you give to me
But that’s something I could never
Never, never see no
You take more than you give to me
It’s not the only choice
The tremors in your voice
You’re scared and so am I
Nerve endings never lie
Bite down and close your eyes
And know the sacrifice
You’re scared and so am I
Nerve endings never lie
(Repeat chorus)
Every Mistake
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
If there was a miracle to clear the debris
I give you the answers and you disagree
This weight is a numbness under my skin
I try to shut it out cause’ it hurts more to let it come in
Every mistake that you make becomes too hard to follow
Til’ you chase it down and love it
And when the pill that you take becomes too hard to swallow
You’re begging her please
If there was possession and I didn’t feel used
If the table was even with nothing to prove
Excuses are overcoats useless and thin
They keep the hurting out
But when does the healing begin?
Every mistake that you make becomes too hard to follow
Til’ you chase it down and love it
And when the pill that you take becomes too hard to swallow
You’re begging her baby please look away
Am I anything that would make you wanna stay?
You’re begging her baby please look away
You’re begging her please
Needles And Pins
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Stay close
But don’t lose yourself
Just a minute of time could make a difference
Stay close
Like a shining star
Cause’ you might slip up
Now the joke’s gone too far
Here I stand
More of a baby
Less of a man
Here I stand
The waiting begins on needles and pins
Til’ the ceiling comes crashing down
I can’t rely on my naked eye
So I just use it up and throw it away
Stay close
But don’t get too confident
There’s someone out in the streets who’s more eloquent
Stay close
No matter which way you go
Strip the sheets from the bed and let the day fly solo
Here I stand
More of a baby
Less of a man
Here I stand
(Repeat Chorus)
It’s only distance that keeps us apart
You’re just pretending
Baby that’s how it starts
I give you something that can take us away
(Repeat chorus)
Between The Wheels
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Give me strength to “be” again
Loosen up my tongue to speak cause’
I don’t know what to say
The words get in the way
Stay with me in silence breathing
Til’ I’m locked and helpless
Like a dog that sits too still
You never know what you’re in for
Til’ lightning strikes
And everything around you changes
Wrong to right
Show me how it feels
You’re not the only one
Swimming against the tide
Or caught between the wheels
If you light up the darkest days
You’ll respect the fire
Show me how it feels
Love’s surgery never heals
Give me something I can keep
Cause’ words are insincere
And meanings too unclear
Kiss me with your velvet lips
Until I’m calm and lucid
Like a cut that bleeds too much
You never know what you’re losing
Til’ lightning strikes
And everything around you changes
Wrong to right
(Repeat chorus)
I won’t be disappointed
Some things just can’t be avoided
We will overcome it all with love
(Repeat chorus)
Sister Marigold
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
Light conquers life
Like fingernails scratching
Scratching out lovely eyes
When I begin to understand
Something gets in my way
Maybe it’s the weather
Maybe it’s the way I feel today
With all that you take you’re acting the fool
Somebody’s down on her knees looking for something to lose
Maybe I’m mistaken but it’s driving me mad
All the time that I’ve wasted is the best that I’ve had
And if I didn’t love you I would go there again
Is it something I said?
I need you to hold me sister marigold
If love conquers hate
Then why do you fight to give yourself away
If no one’s gonna save you tonight?
All I need is a penance to pay
Sometimes the right words are the wrong thing to say
With all that you take you’re acting the fool
Somebody’s down on her knees looking for something to lose
(Repeat chorus)
Independence Day
(Words and Music by Michael J)
C2000 Exploding Boy Music/ASCAP
I’ll be kind
Don’t be afraid
Of words that struggle
Of hearts that fight
Time wears on
And time heals all
The scars that deepen
Like angels that fall
I’ve fallen from grace
Like a bird without wings
The lines on my face
Are like angels that sing
I will carry on
These borders unbroken will make me strong
Not too far gone is my will to fight
My independence day begins tonight
I’ll be gone
But don’t be sad
For hearts that dream
I still see it sometimes
In every end life begins
I won’t be far
Just be with me now
I will carry on
These borders unbroken will make me strong
Not too far gone is my will to fight
My independence day begins tonight
