YOU CAN’T BEAT ME IF I’M NOT PLAYING
all songs written, composed & produced
by boris paillard
recorded by richard « willis » williams
at rookpie studios in oldwalls, gower peninsula, wales
in february, march & april 2013
additional recordings in may & june 2013 :
– M.A.D. studio in swansea, wales
engineered by lewis « majik » john
– william’s home-studio in toulouse, france
– odran’s home-studio in london, england
– sammy’s home-studio in st-sulpice des rivoires, france
mixed by bill « billy » moriarty
at waking studio, philadelphia
mastered by carl « big c » saff
in chicago
released by Another Record on september, 29th 2014
More Often Than Not
everybody plays by the twisted rules
and I know that no laws, principles or speeches
will turn packed prisons into public schools
to feed bondfires, we’ve been burning our bridges
marked-down prices on the walls
are supposed to make my mouth water
but I can’t recall a deal that was better
than the free light and air and clear water to share
everyone does it by the empty book
that clowns stick in your hand when you rush in the subway
and daily my desperate neighbours are begging for a look
but see, I’m too concerned with my very own display
discounted products in the malls
are supposed to make me go wild
but I still have the needs of a child :
a roof above my head and enough to be fed
I bought a cellphone, and I bought a TV,
and then a computer, I own it all
oh, I feel so lonely, but I have 300 friends,
so how can it be ? where’d I go wrong ?
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar, percussions, alto sax
robyn griffiths : electric bass, percussions
jamie williams : drums, percussions
karen lowes, emily brannigan : backing vocals
odran trümmel : electric guitar
robert strafford : lapsteel guitar
jack jowers : trumpet
mark dawson : tenor sax
arwel john : tenor trombone
stuart metcalfe : tenor trombone
The Last Laugh
this morning, I’m calling in sick to my lover job
I can’t stand anymore to hear your sighs and sobs
my shoulders have gotten tired of holding your holy head
and there’s no room for me left in our bed
I let go of the wheel that you want me to steer
drive a bus full of kids from the road into the pier
tomorrow is years away and I ran out of hope
to wash out all my sins, I’ll need more than God’s soap
sister, I’m getting sick of your systematic shoulder shrug
you close your eyes on lies or sweep them under the rug
there is no use in longing, it’s time for moving on
hey friends, foes and ex-lovers, you’re most welcome to come !
I am stuck in my way, I am caught in between
some who think things they don’t say and some who say things they don’t mean
no deal is settled, no one talks straight, they all drive backwards on the interstate
the party seems cool but I got there late, and only bones were left on the plates
it sure can get tricky to get satisfied but I take comfort in knowing that i tried
so pack a light luggage and hop in the van, follow anything that sounds like a plan
now that you’ve cut me in half, which half do you wanna keep ?
you let me go home with the last laugh but now I struggle to sleep !
they say “one romance a day keeps the doctor away”
oh, then I guess that I should start to pack for a hospital stay…
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar, backing vocals, percussions, alto sax
robyn griffiths : electric bass, backing vocals
jamie williams : drums, backing vocals
karen lowes, emily brannigan, talia post : backing vocals
jack jowers : trumpet
mark dawson : tenor sax
arwel john : tenor trombone
stuart metcalfe : tenor trombone
Two Thousand and What
September’s blowing hot and cold
I’m unable to write a decent song
my jokes are getting dangerously old
I’m two thousand eleven years young
they say “renewal comes at last in the Fall”
but I always seem to skip this change
recruiters don’t return my calls
even my family’s been acting strange
(and it causes me to whine and cringe)
I’m done with parties already
and moved on from the tiny talk
after ten minutes, that’s it, I am ready
to go disappear on a walk
it feels like we’re all taking turns
at going on about ourselves
no one actually listens and learns
from what the others have to tell
(social patterns we all know too well)
first, the should have said, then the could have been
doubt never fucking leaves once you let it in
I was reliable, but you called it “stiff”
though I loved you with no “and”, “but” or “if”
as I struggle to gather dimes for the dryer
I wonder who came first : God or the believer ?
why should I bother playing if losers are winning
if the stakes are high but the odds are even ?
oh, someone tell me please what’s the point of sinning
if I know for sure that I’m later forgiven ?
(oh, I tried my best but never made it to seven)
streets full of girls not worth a second glance
phone full of friends not worth a second chance
this city’s still hideous at second sight
and I won’t think twice about taking flight
now setting sails on laissez-faire
this swell, it knows me oh too well
of salt on wounds, I had my share
I’m out of useless things to sell
and I go through days just like a dog would
not knowing what I like until one says it’s good
oh, there’s only hope which is of use
when I wake up to shine my boss’s shoes
and I go through nights like a stray cat
asking strangers “where is the party at ?”
oh, faith it does come in quite handy
when you live to suck on your boss’s candy!
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar
peter cullen : upright bass
odran trümmel : percussions
karen lowes, emily brannigan, talia post : backing vocals
talia post, jamie nemeth : violins
sally greenwell : viola
sammy decoster : electric guitar
Don’t Make Me Say It
treasures ? my belongings can fit in my two hands
‘cause pleasures, they never cost me more than I can spend
I never was in it to win but for a chance to play
and since then, I have been intrigued enough to stay
sometimes it makes me jump so high that I make holes in my mini-trampoline
this is what happens when love tries to intervene
the world, you know it’s got endless grounds for grief
just try to hold on to your tastes, your guts and your beliefs
don’t ever join the fearful and sad-eyed choir
or have fun adding more fuel in the fire
death is always closer than it appears
in the mirror when you find yourself gorgeous, get ready for years of sneers
if laughter’s what you’re after, then you’re doomed, so don’t exit your room
you can send symbols straight to the sewer
so will you please just stop calling me ”sir” !
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar, percussions, alto sax
robyn griffiths : electric bass, backing vocals
jamie williams : drums
karen lowes, emily brannigan : backing vocals
odran trümmel : electric guitar, backing vocals
andy lévêque : alto sax
Way Back When
tomorrow has changed the locks on me
my daydreams lay all paralyzed
but if feeling lost comes with being free
I’m more than happy to pay that price
I woke up this evening with the white-man blues
my soul was a weight sinking into my shoes
‘cause my nine- to-five has turned into an eight-to-ten
and last time I laughed was so way back when
you say that I need a change of scenery
that this city has a vicious hold on me
but that if it’s a case of you or me
then, the question has gone cold
now, I could count my friends on half a hand
and my savings couldn’t buy me one square mile of land
these bad habits, I know where I got them from
I managed to get rid of most, but I kept some
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar, percussions
robyn griffiths : electric bass
jamie williams : drums, percussions
karen lowes, emily brannigan : backing vocals
sally greenwell : viola
robert strafford : dobro
No For An Answer
behind your twisted tongue, you hide a sweet tooth
‘cause from our midnight talks in telephone booths
I learned to read between the lines of your riddles
when you say “I loathe you a lot” you only mean a little
I haven’t lived long, but I know this much :
you can’t get through this winter without a female touch
because I’ve seen you at work, and it won’t be long
‘till you find yourself sheltered in a stupid song
I’m taking no for an answer to all questions I asked
avoiding extra failures is a safe way to last, throw mistakes to the past
you made it through life’s windshield without a scratch
wearing a pair of parents that never seemed to match
but we can’t make eye contact if you stare inwards
doesn’t your mouth get sore from dumping dirty words ?
what will be left of me now that this us is gone ?
writing material for twenty more sad songs ?
now I’m just being shouted at and always bumped into
feeling so heavy from the fat gained after I left you
I’m taking no for an answer to all questions I asked
keeping away from danger is a good way to last, I’m allergic to collapse
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar, electric guitar, alto sax
robyn griffiths : electric bass
jamie williams : drums
karen lowes, emily brannigann, talia post : backing vocals
talia post, jamie nemeth : violins
odran trümmel : electric guitar
mark dawson : tenor sax
Up To No Good
no reason to shave now, I won’t even take a shower
I won’t open the shutters, I won’t look at the hour
today, there’s no boss who wants me on my knees
no reason to shave then, with no woman to please
I’ve been dirty for days drifting in a sluggish haze
I’m done wasting my sweat in useless races
and won’t let them tell me that I have to shave
or cut my hair shorter, see I’m nobody’s slave
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar, ukulele, mandolin
charango, percussions, alto sax
robyn griffiths : electric bass, percussions, backing vocals
jamie williams : drums, percussions, backing vocals
talia post, jamie nemeth : violins
sally grenwell : viola
odran trümmel : backing vocals
jack jowers : trumpet
mark dawson : tenor sax
arwel john : tenor trombone
stuart metcalfe : tenor trombone
Don’t Spit Against The Wind
I had my share of broken homes, holding on cold-handed girls
dreaming of exits from this world
taking out ludicrous loans, so that I could afford to breathe
refill the tricks under my sleeve
there’s nowhere else I’d like to be than anywhere but here
I’m definitely done with decisions just based on fear
don’t spit against the wind, it will backfire, of course
instead of dressing up your sins, try hunting for their source
and all that jazz, all that modern jazz :
“I want this thing that my neighbor has”
can’t you hear that noise, all that dreadful noise :
“I want better toys than your toys”
now that all has been re-said, re-done…
now that all monsters are fed and gone…
waving the wrong flag, no doubt I was clued out
of what people had come to see, of what they were pumped about
I had my share of broken beds…
don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the reasons I should leave
your shit stopped smelling like a rose, I now know how to define “deceive”
but I would give all I’ve got to keep your car on my parking lot
I stopped trying to know whose fault it is and whose it’s not
I want an office with a view so I can stare outside all day
I want a bedroom with a you, a you that chose to come to stay
hold my hand, oh hold my hand, oh hold my hand and I
will make you feel good, make you feel home, make you feel alive
I’ll mention you at work, you’ll be the focus of my art
please don’t let go, please don’t let go,
please don’t let go off my heart
grab my hand, oh grab my hand, oh grab my hand and I
will help you be free, help you have fun, help you feel alive
I’ll praise you to my friends, you’ll be the daydreams of my days
please don’t stray from, please don’t stray from,
please do not stray from my ways
and all that rock, all that classic rock is keeping lustre under lock
I wouldn’t touch it with a ten-foot pole,
it kicked the roll out of rock’n’roll
I laugh when I cannot cry, and steal what I cannot buy
wearing a smile so well, that it scares off the clientele
was the risk worth the reward ? i’ll let someone else judge on that
be it the losers or the Lord, I’m not one who takes things back
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar,
backing vocals, percussions, alto sax
robyn griffiths : electric bass, percussions, backing vocals
jamie williams : drums, percussions
karen lowes, emily brannigan, talia post : backing vocals
talia post, jamie nemeth : violins
sally greenwell : viola
jack jowers : trumpet
mark dawson : tenor sax
arwel john : tenor trombone
stuart metcalfe : tenor trombone
The Staring Contest
love, my heart’s in the dump, my head’s in the clouds,
my soul’s in the store
love, my body is broken, my family’s broke,
and I’ve come to learn that “less” turns into “no more”
I know that you’re lost, that you’ve been damaged too
I stripped myself down and all was left was you
Lord, you’ve seen that I worked, you know that I prayed, you heard that I cried
then, how come you’re helpless to heal,
the hurt ones who kneel, with a desperate zeal
asking to come by your side ?
I’m proven guilty, time-killing in the first degree
but why else would I be another employee ?
settled and carefree, with a monthly salary
now let us agree, to simply disagree !
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar, percussions, psaltery, jew’s harp, melodica
robyn griffiths : electric bass
jamie williams : drums
karen lowes, emily brannigan : backing vocals
talia post, jamie nemeth : violins
Twenty-Something
– “girls, is this how you get things fixed ?”
– “yes, sir, and so what ?”
– “by slapping all the men you kissed ?”
– “these ones won’t come back !”
– “is that the way you get things done”
– “yes, sir, and why not ?”
– “by spoiling everybody’s fun ?”
don’t look for friends in the bars
your wounds will turn into scars
stop breaking bonds on a whim
you’ll make your own sunshine look grim
don’t look for friends… (in the bars)
wounds will turn… (into scars)
stop breaking bonds… (on a whim)
your own sunshine…
now, who is on the wrong side of their twenties ?
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar,
electric guitar, charango, backing vocals, alto sax
robyn griffiths : electric bass, backing vocals
jamie williams : drums, percussions, backing vocals
karen lowes, emily brannigan, talia post : backing vocals
odran trümmel : electric guitar
Next Thing You Know
you look so much prettier without your make-up on
but I won’t stick around, no, next thing you know I’m gone
through times of never, to places of none
down streets I’ve never driven on, down streams I’ve always drowned in
I gave back what was given, and lost the will the win
don’t learn how to waltz from a fool like me
I’ll just step on your toes and keep bumping your knee
you picked the wrong partner girl, maybe the worst in history
ah, this horny pull that makes men slaves, it comes and goes in dreadful waves
but who am I to fight if off ? too much of it is not enough !
don’t drag your shoes, it grinds my ears
we’ve all got problems, bags of filthy souvenirs
the pain will soften over the wasted years
never roll the dice more than twice, and cut yourself a smaller slice
and when the whole world turns to ice, make sure you’re wearing something nice
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar
peter cullen : upright bass
karen lowes, emily brannigan, talia post : backing vocals
talia post, jamie nemeth : violins
robert strafford : lapsteel guitar
Those Were The Days
I’ve been wasting my saliva on you
first with the kissing, then with the talking
I wish there was someone else that I could give it to
but I’m bored from the hunting and I’m sick from the stalking
who’ll tell me where my money went ?
it’s all been borrowed, borrowed and spent
I spent a year drying the tears that blinded my view of the world
but monster dear, you’re still right here : half a woman, half a girl
it is quite clear that I’ve been peerpressured into loving you
because they say that love is what humans do
this would all probably be hilarious if it wasn’t so painfully true
oh, women who act all mysterious, are ridiculous, but you… you aren’t
can’t share the deadweight of this cross
can’t split the cost of lovers lost
come gather round people, I’ve got no story to tell
only words that form sentences and I hope they form them well
this is no feel-good or feel-better song or be-yourself song
FM radio will provide that for you all day long, if you turn it on
those were the days, yeah, weren’t they ?
when singers still had something to say
boris paillard : lead vocals, classical guitar, electric guitar, alto sax
robyn griffiths : electric bass
jamie williams : drums, percussions
karen lowes, emily brannigan, odran trümmel, talia post : backing vocals
jack jowers : trumpet
mark dawon : tenor sax
arwel john : tenor trombone
stuart metcalfe : tenor trombone