David Simon Music | Discography

Air To Breathe

Won't you help me out? This is no way for me to live
If you scream and shout you won't have any more to give
You can open doors
But we can do much more

You give me life, you give me air to breathe
Pump it through my veins and help me see
You give me life, you give me air to breathe
You can only take what's left

You can let it go, and feel it slip out of your grasp
Or you can hold it close, and you can cherish all you are
You can hold your own
But we are made of stone

Chorus

Nowhere to run, no place to stand
No time to walk away now (x4)

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

The Urge

Have you shared the secret?
Have you seen the flame?
Surely you've been thinking
Of a time in the future where the same thing happens again
The same thing happens again
Put your hands in the flame, don't be ashamed
If the same thing happens again

I don't know where you're coming from
But my brain says this ain't wrong
My temperature's rising, there's no need to fight it
When the urge is this damn strong

Have you understood me?
Have you taken time?
You might find it's better
If you read the conditions while you hold yourself up to the light
Hold yourself up to the light
Keep a check on the time, you need to realign
If you hold yourself up to the light

Chorus

I've given and received
I've given you space to breathe
Am I heating up your blood?
Are you thinking about me?

Chorus

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Dilemma

There's just a little of me that I can't quite believe
And it's making me so insecure
And my confidence drops when conversation starts up
And to you I'm almost invisible, invisible

And now I'm fighting with myself to decide
If it's worth having you on my mind
'Cos with no confidence it's never gonna be much more than this

And now I'm trying things like
Putting in the time just so I could be seen
'Cos I want you to know that I am quietly keen
So you should understand that I was the one who focussed
All of my attention just to go unnoticed
And it's better knowing you don't care
It's not really going anywhere
But I've fallen for you in the worst way now
Fallen in the worst way now

Well, it's a credit to you that I feel like a fool
And there's no escape from where I have gone
And it does you no harm that you're acting so calm
Considering we both got it wrong, got it wrong

But now you're testing my patience with time
And you're playing crazy tricks with my mind
And I don't know what it is about you I can not let go

Chorus

Please tell me why I feel I'm falling
When I've had so many warnings
And I'm still in need of you after all this time
You think I'd just move on

Chorus (x2)

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Fire To The Sky

They call it too close for comfort
They say it just isn't right
They may have changed their opinions
If they'd had our insight
Although they're watching her with no thought at all
They just don't know what she can do to a fool

And all the smiles, they disappear, as hearts are filling up with fear
And she tries to make it clear

And she sets fire to the sky, she's lifting us higher than we've ever been before
And now we're melting like ice, as we burn in the fire we were taught to ignore

That unmistakable feeling
Clings to the back of my mind
It shouts at me to remember
All that I've left behind
The insignificance of this ongoing trial
Is all summed up in her contemptable smile

And all the time I'm sitting here, my heart is filling up with fear
As she tries to make it clear

Chorus

Give me a reason to lie, I need to disappear
Force it upon me to cry, I can taste the bitter tears
I know I could try to convince you of this war with myself
So maybe it's time we all tried to be a little more easy to please
She finds the hatred in your soul, believe me, believe me
So maybe it's time we all made ammends, and made it so much easier to dream
I'm sure it's not as hard as it seems

Chorus

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Shut Your Eyes

This peace of mind is oh, so loud
It makes us stand out from the crowd
You're solving problems that you never even had
Lately I've been so confused, I think I'm going mad

And it doesn't help that you've
Shut your eyes the moment that I needed them to see
The way that life has folded and collapsed on top of me
But you don't see it, you don't know
That time is running out for me to grow

You've got me questioning tonight
This perfect picture come to light
Why can't we agree to disagree once in a while?
You're stuck in senseless loops of anger and denial

Chorus

Go and hide and I will find you
Or I'll die trying for you

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

It´s Not About Me

Oh honey, I've been troubled when I've been crossing that bridge
'Cos baby, it's a beckoning call and I can't sleep at all
Until I follow that sound
Well maybe it's a trick, and maybe it's not
I still hear that siren echo 'round the clock
But there's time enough until the time is up
And then it's dead in the ground

And I think you'll find that it's not about me
And if you don't mind, please will you just let me be?

I'd walk across the water if I'd been given that gift
But baby, my ability wanes when it comes to these games
And I lose all concept of reality
So pack your bags, 'cos we're going to town
We're gonna paint it red, turn it upside down
I know you won't believe it 'til you finally see it
Baby, are you coming with me?

Chorus

I give you a lease of life, you give me a kiss of death
Now tell me what's wrong
I've seen you once of twice like this before
Now baby, can you tell me what's wrong? (x2)

Once you've taken it to this stage it makes sense to carry on
Just remember to try and look back sometimes
'Cos baby, it's a long road you're on

Chorus (x2)

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Transitions

You're leaving town
I'm not asking for a memory, I'm asking for a future
Could you show an interest?
Go ahead, make your plans
Maybe it's me
I'm not asking for attention, just want you to know I'm here
I know I can't have everything
But you seem to walk away

For someone who's changed so much
Have you really had enough already?
And I'm standing here watching you
Fight off another truth you're dreading

You'll fly away
When the coast is clear and the moment best suits you
Perhaps you've lost interest
Go ahead, fly away
Maybe you realise
The mistakes you've made, you're trying to get as far from them as possible
I never wanted everything
But you seem to take it all away

For someone who's changed so much
Have you really had enough already?
And I'm standing here watching you
Fight off another truth you're dreading (x2)

It's been so long since you both sat out on the sand
And watched the dancers dance together, hand in hand
It's been a while since you both sat and watched the waves
I am alone while you just waste away the days

Dinner lit by candles and her hair is being taken by the breeze
Such a perfect scene
It's nice to know you care about whatever takes your fancy these days
Don't worry about me

In the sun you wake up to the music, won't you make up your mind?
Every day's a secret, what exactly am I supposed to find?
If you leave me in the dark much longer, when I come out I will be blind

Don't tell me you're still the one with his head in the ground
When you seem to forget that you have finally found
What you claim to be you, and how you claim it to be real
How do you think your ignorance is gonna make me feel?
You might be pushing yourself, but you've put me in my place
You wonder why we shake hands, but we never embrace
Have I let you down? Given you a run for your money?
Strange how something you let go has come back to haunt me
Stop shaking your head, I wouldn't patronise you
You really wanted some tips - well I could give you a few
But I keep biting my lip, don't wanna mess up anymore
I'd like to render it right, make it like it was before...

For someone who's changed so much
Have you really had enough already?
And I'm standing here watching you
Fight off another truth you're dreading (x2)

You're leaving town
Now I'm not asking for a memory, I'm asking for a future
Could you show an interest?
Go ahead, make your plans.

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Twisted

Does it matter that you need me?
With every story that you read me
A childish curiousity controls me
Have you tried everything to reach me?
If I'm not winning it defeats me But something 'round the corner will complete me

Take it away from me now before I bite it
Before I bite into it
If you give me the chance just watch me take it

Cos it's true
That I can see it in you, and you can see it in me
But still we have our differences, everything is twisted ´round you
You can feel it in me, and I can feel it in you
But still we have our differences, everything is twisted ´round you
Everything is twisted 'round you

If I ran would you catch me?
Another chance for you to match me
Or another chance for you to walk away

Carry me back to the place where I can bite it
Where I can bite into it
If you give me the choice just watch me make it

Chorus

Kiss the hand that hold the answers to your prayer
And kiss the lips of passers-by who need to taste the foreign air

Chorus x2

(You crashed down and you made up a story
´Bout the one who got away with all the love and the glory, alright)

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Killing Time

Would you take me home if I asked you?
Would you call me in the morning just to give me one more warning?
Sometimes I don't trust you
Can you make your choices before you find I'm voiceless?

'Cos the writing's on the wall, and the fire's in their eyes
There's a group of hungry predators, gonna take me by surprise (x2)

And they're pushing me out, and they're pulling you in
'Cos they don't want you to be alone again
And they're pushing me out, and they're killing time
'Cos they don't want you to be with me tonight
So baby, let's find some place to go

If only I could hear what you're thinking
It would clear the situation, it would stop my hestitation
Lately, I just keep falling
Before I even reach you, but I'll never even reach you

'Cos the writing's on the wall, and the fire's in their eyes
There's a group of hungry predators, gonna take me by surprise (x2)

Chorus

'Cos the writing's on the wall, and the fire's in their eyes
There's a group of hungry predators, gonna take me by surprise (x2)

Chorus (x2)

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Collision

Don't move, it's just too dangerous Don't breathe, as you'll draw in the fear
Don't move, it's just too dangerous
Don't look, as it will start to come clear, start to come clear

Don't move, 'cos you'll endanger us
Don't speak, as you won't speak your mind
Don't face away from all you have to stand up to
Don't look, as you are better off blind, better off blind

And I don't always mean what I say
But I see you're finding that out the hard way
And I've seen you punching pillows, weeping willows, getting stuck in the middle
Somewhere that you've never wanted to be
I still remember when you collided with me

Don't touch, you'll only break it up
Don't pick up pieces you will forget
Don't listen in to private conversations
You'll only hear words to regret, words to regret

Chorus

I don't see it, I don't see it
I don't see what you're pretending to be
I don't read you, I can't read you
I hate the way you keep your life so concealed

Everything that you do is against your own rules
Everything that you say provokes the reaction you crave
Now I know I'm not perfect but I want some answers, I want some answers

I don't always mean what I say
But I see you're finding that out the hard way
And I've seen you punching pillows, weeping willows, getting stuck in the middle
No regrets? You wanna bet? Cos I think I know what you're feeling
Now you're something that you never wanted to be
I still remember when you collided with me

I still remember when you collided with me

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Weight of the World

Sitting in the afternoon
Hiding from the eyes of this man
No it's not gonna change, no it's not gonna change
'Cos he's holding the reigns in his hand

And you think you know where he's going
But you never understood what he meant
No it's not gonna change, no it's not gonna change
'Cos of all the wrong signals he sent

And now, now you're passing by
All the love, all the hate that you had to justify
Now you've come to terms with the way to live your life
The way to live your life

Those lying eyes are disguising the man that you loved
But in truth you've always known
No it's not gonna change, no it's not gonna change
The emotion that he's never shown

Chorus

I know you've always been strong but then I saw you carrying
The weight of the world, now
And ever since you were young, you've been pulling along behind you
The weight of the world, now

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Come Down

Safe inside these walls
What will happen when tomorrow falls?
Would they hear our suffocated calls?
Out of mind and out of sight
Nothing's wrong and nothing's right
Would they hear our suffering tonight?

I don't know where I am going
But I feel like I am slowing down now
I don't share this sense of grieving
But I know it must be bleeding out now
So come down, come down, come down

Soft spoken melodies
Quiver with uncertainty
Would they come for you or come for me?
And who am I to fly this flag?
Who am I to raise my hand?
Who am I to grace this land?

Chorus

I feel safe inside these walls

Who am I to fly this flag, and raise my hand, and grace this land?
Who am I to fly this flag, and raise my hand, and grace this land?

You're everything to me
I lose you now in fields of green
The air is so serene
I'll fall on you, I'll set you free

So come down, come down, come down

Lyrics © David Simon 2010

Players

David Simon (Piano; Rhodes on track 3; Vibes on track 10; Organ on tracks 6, 9, 10, 11, 12; Electric Piano on track 9; Lead Vocals; Backing Vocals on tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12; Guitars on tracks 2, 3, 8, 12; Acoustic Guitars on track 12; Djembe on track 8)

Liam Ambrose (Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals on tracks 8, 11)

Andrew Moore (Bass)

Greg Kiss (Guitar on tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11; Acoustic Guitar on tracks 5, 6, 8)

Oli Whitworth (Guitars on tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, 11; Backing Vocals on tracks 8, 9, 11)

Dave Seck (Spanish Guitar on track 7; Backing Vocals on tracks 8, 9, 10, 11; Djembe on track 8; Bass on track 7)

Nick Durant (Guitar on tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Rob Froment (Bass on track 7)

Jono Sands (Trumpet on tracks 3, 6; Trombone on track 6; Djembe on track 8; Backing Vocals on tracks 8, 11)

Alana McLoone (Backing Vocals on tracks 1, 4, 5)

Leila Sattary (Clarinet on track 10)

Sixteen Wires String Quartet (Strings on tracks 4, 10)

If I Was Bad

I'm used to stories, I'm used to lines,
I'm used to thinking things will come together if you give them time
I don't know how these crazy fallacies were put into my head
But thinking about it, maybe I'm wrong

I'm used to taking without giving back
I'm used to chasing people away without giving them any time to react
I don't know how these crazy fallacies were put into my head
But thinking about it, maybe I'm wrong

I don't know who I think I am
What I'm trying to be
Is it just a game to me?
Isn't it plain to see?
What am I to do?
Where am I going wrong?
Will you answer me these questions? (x2)

I'm used to playing, but not by these rules
I think about myself before anybody else, and I ignore their calls
I don't know how these crazy fallacies were put into my head
But thinking about it, maybe I'm wrong

Chorus

If I was bad I would be running around
Causing havoc and trouble at any place I was found
But I'm just so damn nice
That it sickens me...

Lyrics © David Simon 2008

Don´t Be A Stranger

You know I'm there for you, whatever you need
But you seem to like to live your life at minimum speed
You might forget I'm here, but honey, here's what I mean
It keeps me running and it keeps me keen

It might be little things that drive you up the wall
But honey, come a-running whether big or small
I might not be the best, but you know what I mean
It keeps me running and it keeps me keen

I don't wanna be another stranger to love
So I keep on trying, keep on trying
I don't wanna be another stranger to love
So I keep on trying, ooh
Don't be a stranger, don't be a stranger

The ice is thin, but still ther water is warm
Thought maybe I could be your shelter from the storm
If ever you are down and you need pulling through
It keeps me standing and I'm closer to you

Chorus

Just remember that to try is the key
And you can't go wrong
Keep your sights on where you really wanna be
And it won't take long
When you get to the hardest part to take
What's where I'll wait to hold your hand, to hold your hand

I know I'm coming from a different place
But all I want to see is a smile on your face
And when I say I think you're kind of special to me
You keep me going and you keep me free

Lyrics © David Simon 2007

Give Me A Sign

Will you sail with me into foreign seas?
Would you risk it all?
Would you begin to take what was yours to break?
Do you feel that small?

Would you open memories broken?

I can't tell you why you are hurting
Give me a sign, give me a sign
I see it in your eyes that you're burning up inside
Give me a sign, give me a sign
I can feel the energy, you're fading fast
You're falling right back down, down, down, down, down

Will you talk to me? Come and set the scene
Waste away with me?
For the impatient mind winds up colourblind
For all to see

Would it matter? Memories shattered?

Chorus

I can feel the energy, you're fading fast
You're falling right back down, down, down, down, down

Lyrics © David Simon 2008

Shut Your Eyes

This peace of mind is oh, so loud
It makes us stand out from the crowd
You're solving problems that you've never even had
Lately I've been so confused, I think I'm going mad

(And it doesn't help that you've)
Shut your eyes the moment that I needed them to see
The way that life has folded and collapsed on top of me
But you don't see it, you don't know
That time is running out for me to grow

You've got me questioning the night
And why it's never getting light
Why can't we agree to disagree once in a while
You're stuck in senseless loops of anger and denial

Chorus (x2)

Go and hide and I will find you
Or I'll die trying for you

Lyrics © David Simon 2007

Walking Disaster

Picture this, you see your life through a window
You notice all the mistakes you made, all those years ago
But now I am rummaging through this state of imagining
Contemplating the way things could have gone
And I know that you've seen better days

You're a walking disaster and I know now why you hurt inside
Can you walk any faster down this road where your ambition died?
'Cos there's no real reason for this change
I'm trying hard to keep myself away
Now I know that you're a walking disaster and you need to take it slow

Can you believe this imperfection?
You travel searching for better things in the wrong direction
I can't criticise your ways
When I've been searching for brighter days
Contemplating the way things should have been
And now you've got to find your own way home

Chorus

I don't know why I help, when you can't help yourself
You know every trick in the book
But foolishly I stay, to play your stupid games
Didn't even take a second look

Lyrics © David Simon 2008

The Rumour

Yesterday was nothing special
Day time spent inside your home
A perfect sun shone in a perfect sky, it was so beautiful
But outside of your little world
The sky breaks and the clouds unfold
Something ugly shows itself, something that could not be helped

People talk and words are razor sharp sometimes
Sentences are stuck together, laced with lies
Wrapped around your neck for you to drag along behind

'Round and 'round the rumour goes it's getting to your skin
You feel an itch upon you and the rumour sinks right in
It's got you covered, it's got you covered

Yesterday was all too easy
Nothing hanging over you
Your smile was for the taking as you sat there looking beautiful
But something broke the silent soldier
It got so tough, he got blown over
Not you sit there unprotected, vulnerable and unrequited

People talk and words are razor sharp sometimes
Sentences are stuck together, laced with lies
Wrapped around your neck for you to drag along behind

Chorus (x2)

All these voices cutting through the reputation you had built
They saw you coming, starting running, perhaps it needs explaining now that
People talk and words are razor sharp sometimes
Sentences are stuck together, laced with lies
Wrapped around your neck for you to drag along behind

Chorus (x2)

As She Moved

I don't think you are taking me seriously
And I don't think you, you would stand up for me
And every time I see you here I feel alive
Each and every step you take leaves me behind
I know you think you've got to be cruel to be kind
But this isn't right

And as she moved, I felt the chills were running up and down my spine
As she moved, I knew a girl like that would never be mine
Still I wanted her to notice me but she just looked right through me at the time

I don't feel safe when you are around this place
And I don't like you when you make me feel defaced
But every time I see you here I feel that I
Have to do something new to catch your eye
But all I'll do is stand against the wall as you pass by
I won't even try

Chorus

Not sure that I would want to move from the point
I know you're the kind to get what you want
Though it's easy to believe what this has come to
I'm finding it harder still to breathe the air around you
Breathe the air around you

I don't think you are taking me seriously
And I don't think you, you would stand up for me

Chorus

Please Tell Me It´s Over

Now I can see where you're going with this one
Now I can see what you're trying to do
All I am waiting for now is an answer
Following lavendar scent is like following you

While you're screaming
"I don't want anyone fighting for me
I don't want anyone fighting for me
Please tell me, please tell me
That it's over, that's it's over"

The smell of your perfume still holds to the pillow
Infecting the brain as if it were disease
If I followed you home would that lead to our seperation
You forced me to fall and I landed in pain on my knees

Chorus

Is it harder for you to release your tears?
Is it better for you just to hide?
Does it come easier just to walk away?
But it doesn't stop; it won't disappear
No it doesn't stop; it won't dsisappear

While you're screaming

Chorus

Walk On

Everything we had and everything we were
Was torm apart today, can't believe it's over
When I spoke, you listened; and when I cried, you cried
You always understood me, now we're leaving that behind
Now I see you through different eyes
I hope you too, can realise
We need this change, we can't keep on living in a fading day
I know it hurts, and it will keep on, but it has to be this way

Thank you for the day we met
Thank you, I won't ever forget
I wish I could say this and know
We're both crying but won't let it show
Thank you for all the times I'll remember as I walk on through life.

I'm sorry that this happened, but eventually it would
The wind was strong against us, I wish I understood
For now I have to fight it, and occupy my mind
Questions of the future and wholly undefined
For now I'm feeling so strangely cold
Not sure of wanting times of new or old
I have to try to justify the sunset of our fading day
I trust in you, you know that's true, but it had to be this way

Chorus

You touched me
I hope I touched you
Believe me - these words are all true.
Fight it, and you'll help it away
Hide it, and the feeling will stay.

Chorus

Flying Too Close To The Sun

Talk to me now while I'm still in the mood to be talking
I'll walk away now or else you'll be the one to start walking
As a matter of fact, I remain well intact despite all of this being a lie
So it may seem that I will have changed when you next see me passing you by

I was lifted up from the rest of the world
Made to feel I was the one
But as soon as I rose I was brought back down
I was flying too close to the sun
Flying too close to the sun
Too close to the sun

You claim to be one who has so much in common with me
But the one time I thought it would work it turned out not to be
Looking back now I can not see how this whole situation turned around
But lingering on in the back of my mind is how I have been slammed to the ground

Chorus

(INSTRUMENTAL)

When I look in your eyes now it burns me inside and I can't cope with that kind of pain
Seems to me like you really don't care, and it's all for your personal gain
Your personal gain

Chorus

New Direction

Watch your back, I'm looking to take you by surprise
Around here you'll see me, but maybe in disguise
I'm watching, I see you, you've got that look about you
I'm waiting, you can't see, I'll wait 'til time permits me

I'm waiting 'til your eyes look in a new direction
I'll stay close, maybe too close, so you feel
Trapped inside

Watch your back, I'm looking to take you unawares
Around here, I'm hiding, but no-one really cares
I see you as a victim, you feel that sense of friction
No warning, not this time, I'll wait 'til I can make it mine

Chorus (x2)

A Better Way

She may have missed it, but she was never out of my sight
She may have missed it, but I look at her in a different light
I wish I could tell her that she should never change
I love the way in photographs she pulls that stupid face
But do I even cross her mind?
Does she notice all the little things like I notice of hers?

And every time that I get close to her I find
That I feel at ease and yet, so insecure
And I can tell that she's the one worth waiting for

Does she imagine the way that I would hold her?
What would be her reaction if I went up and told her?
Would she claim it's not the time?
Would she stumble 'round the sentence in her head?
Would it make things awkward every time we met?
Would it make it that much harder, and would it push it that much farther
That every move I make is criticised?

And every time that I get close to her I find
That I feel at ease and yet so insecure
And I can tell that she's the one worth waiting for
And every time that I get close to her I find
I'm not sure she's responding to my words
There must be a better way

Don't wanna be losing her
Before I know for sure
And I could just sit here and wait
And forever contemplate

But every time, every time

Oh, every time that I get close to her I find
That I feel at ease and yet so insecure
And I can tell that she's the one worth waiting for
And every time that I get close to her I find
I'm not sure she's responding to my words
There must be a better way

She Won´t Be There For You

She may seem kind of perfect
But through your eyes she would
She says she can't be there always
You said you understood
Now I don't want to interrupt your judgement
It just seems kind of obvious to me
That if she really cared, she'd tell you she'd be there
And she won't, no she won't

You're in a place you feel right
But it might not last the night
She could be gone by morning, she won't be there
She might have seemed so right for you
But when you talk you can't get through
Suddenly she's been and gone, she won't be there for you

She says she's had a hard time getting through the day
And in no time at all, she's getting her way
She wants to have a little time on her own
But your suspicions start arising when you hear her on the phone
Now I don't want to overrule your point of view
But it's getting clearer all the time
If she really cared, she'd realise it's unfair
But she won't, no she won't

Chorus

(Instrumental)

Chorus (x2)

Play Me Like A Game

You clearly said no to me
There was no opportunity
For me to turn the whole thing 'round
But now I have got the chance
You give me a second glance
Just 'cos there's somebody else I have found

Do you play me like a game?
Do you not feel any shame?
When you realise you're making my life so confusing for me?
And when I work out what to do
Jealousy takes over you
You're making it harder for me to know what to believe
To know what to believe

You clearly abandoned me
With a sense of obscurity
And now I have to choose my way
But then when I work it out
You kick up a fuss about why I have changed
But this time you're too late

Chorus

Either pull me out or push me in to this trap you've laid
'Cos I'm stuck for which choice to make
I'm starting to wish my mind had never strayed
'Cos I'm at the point where I break

Chorus (x2)

September

Thinking back to those summer vacations
Catching trains from station to station
And guessing if we would end in the mountains
Or if we'd end up at the sea

Every year was a different adventure
Never knowing when days would turn darker
The nights would grow colder but we didn't care
We were all that we wanted to be

And it's sad to know it's time to go back home
It's September again
But I know why my answers lie at home
I don't want that to change

Looking forward to summer arriving
Packing bags and suddenly travelling
Over and 'round and searching for somewhere
Whether it's sunshine or rain

It's always sad to know it's time to go back home
It's September again
But as we've grown our answers bring us home
I don't want that to change I don't want that to change