Random Rules - Silver Jews

In 1984, I was hospitalized for approaching perfection

Slowly screwing my way across Europe, they had to make a correction

Broken and smokin' where the infrared deer plunge in the digital snake

I tell you, they make it so you can’t shake hands when they make your hands

shake

I know you like to line dance

Everything so democratic and cool

But, baby, there’s no guidance when random rules

I know that a lot of what I say has been lifted off of men’s room walls

Maybe I’ve crossed the wrong rivers and walked down all the wrong halls

But nothing can change the fact that we used to share a bed

And that’s why it scared me so when you turned to me and said:

«Yeah, you look like someone

Yeah, you look like someone who up and left me low

Boy, you look like someone I used to know»

I know you like to line dance

Everything so democratic and cool

But, baby, there’s no guidance when random rules

I asked the painter why the roads are colored black

He said, «Steve, it’s because people leave

And no highway will bring them back»

So if you don’t want me, I promise not to linger

But before I go, I gotta ask you dear about the tan line on your ring finger

No one should have two lives

Now you know my middle names are wrong and right

Honey, we’ve got two lives to give tonight

To give tonight

To give tonight

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh