Beth Thornley

Performing Songwriter wrote “Beth Thornley’s self-titled debut is one of the most professional and fully realized records to cross the DIY desk in a while. Breathless, cool, sexy and just about any other superlative adjective you can imagine, this record kicks off with a sleazy, skittering groove and proceeds at breakneck pace for 10 stellar tunes.”

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I Will Lie
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
I opened up my mouth, I opened it up way too wide.
There such a hole that some of my soul slipped on outside.
And now there's nowhere to hide
I see that look in your eye.
As I try to shove it back, shove it back, back inside.
Chorus:
I will lie to you until I belive and
I will lie until it's all there will be.
And I'll pretend until it fits like a second skin.
And I'll reply each time this is how it's always been.
And I will lie to you until I believe, I will lie until the lie is me.
V2:
Out of control my souI, I let it run from within.
There such a mess while I deconstruct, reconstruct, start again.
Defective and disfigured and now you even know my name.
As I try to keep it up, keep it up, play the game.
Bridge:
I cry, I cry for the part I know I will never have again.
I try, I try over and over again to stand the true to the lie.

You Made It So
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
You were doing such a good job ...
with that complicated facade
'till the trick up your sleeve slid to the floor.
Since I'd been there before I headed straight for the door
Sorry you still had to wake up with yourself.
Chorus:
You made it so easy to walk away.
You made it so easy to walk away.
You made it so easy to walk away.
You made it so.
V2:
Would you have liked to done it differently ...
but you made choices for me
reaching critical mass all on your own.
So I stopped, dropped and rolled' sorry if I seem cold
but you'll have to explode all by yourself (to chorus)
Bridge:
Your penmanship so clear overall
made it simple to read the writing on the wall.
All the secrets you were keeping
started screaming out to me.
V3:
You're repeating your excuses now ...
they feel more like abuses
and your victim's coat is getting then from wear.
But when you were good, you were very, very good
but when you were bad, you were horrid.

Sunshine and Celluloid
Music by Beth Thornley & Rob Cairns
Lyrics by Beth Thornley
V1:
I guess I have been taken by a pro.
The final floor show left me with vertigo.
But when it's all said and done,
I guess we're even 'cause I
always knew I couldn't trust you either. Oh yeah.
Chorus:
You better learn to avoid sunshine and celluloid
'cause you never know who could be watchin' you.
Yeah, you always seem so sure you'll never blow it
but if you got what you came for, would you know it?
Yeah, if you got what you came for, boy would you know it?
V2:
Another day and just another thought
but never nothin' I could put my finger on.
I guess I always knew a
wink and a smile, baby,
just wasn't worth much as an alibi. Oh yeah.
Bridge:
You're miles away from what you want,
you're miles away, miles away.
You're miles away from what you want,
you're miles away, miles away.
From what we thought and what we want.
You're miles aways from what we thought
but the smile's the same, the smile's the same.

Arrogance
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
What's that lonely pain you feel you ask with a surprise?
Shocked a common question, crude suggestion should arise.
Here's your chance, I romance, to advane the next square
but as I wait then you inform me you're already there.
Chorus:
Why should you ask why? Just turn a blind eye.
Finding something wrong ...
would you mean the re-write of your song.
Then you'd have to admit your melody could have been
stronger all along.
V2:
All the measures and the gestures composed seemlessly
of someone that seems concerned and poses caringly.
Then you say you're standing right here as you walk away
and that it's tomorrow when I know it's still today.
Chorus:
Why should you ask why? Just turn a blind eye.
Finding something wrong ...
would mean rethinking all you've known.
Then you'd have to admit the words "I'm sorry" weren't in
your rhetoric
Bridge:
One foot front, drag it back.
Two more times, you're doing fine.
At this rate you'll keep your place and
never miss a beat of mine.
V3:
I thought if I spoke clearly you would hear me ...
and then understand
that the chaos in our lives was just a fence to mend.
Then I realized you made the fence with all the holes
exactly as you wanted 'cause it left you in control.
(to first chorus then out)

How Many Days
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
Bar stool warmer and such a charmer with my heart hangin’ out on my sleeve.
Paisley pants and a fine romance and another run at the ring.
Overdone from having too much fun; take a day for recovery.
All worn out, worn down, turned around, it could have been an easier thing.
Chorus:
One more time at the fork in the road.
Two more times and you think I would know.
Every last time the decision is mine.
I decide how tightly I wind.
V2:
Paradise on a plate and even after I ate ...
I'm still as hungry as before.
Beauty in a bottle and if only I were taller and thinner ...
I know I'd have more.
In the morning it's again whatever, and at night it's enough.
All worn out, worn down, turned around ...
and I'd have seen it if I'd only looked up (to Chorus)
Bridge:
But would I know peace of mind if it bit me in the ass?
Would I know peace of mind if it pulled up in a cadillac?
Some folds are just happier being blue.
If peace of mind walked in would I know what the hell to do?
V3:
How many days would it take me ...
to clean every house in the world but mine?
If I had the time would I find peace of mind ...
under a cushion or a run, behind a blind?
Here I stand with my dick in my hands ...
thinking there must be something more.
All worn out, worn down, turned around ...
and it was right there laying on the floor.

Don't Save Me
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
Just for a moment we'll play it your way.
Give me the clothes and we'll see how it goes.
But don't forget it's a luxury, this little whim
and if I can't trick 'em they won't let me in.
V2:
This corset takes my breath but I'll play along.
Without it are you afraid I'll come undone?
Now you've completed your task with warmest disregard
and you say it's a start. I say Lily Bart. So
Chorus:
Don't save me.
Don't save me.
Don't save me.
You've done enough.
V3:
Now that I'm in, I'd rather be out.
But that first step's a bitch; it's a long way down.
And these shoes never fit, there's not even a prize.
But your mood has lifted; you fought the good fight. So
Chorus:
Don't save me.
Don't save me.
Don't save me.
You've done enough.
Bridge:
You could come clean.
This stuff you heaped is rather cruel.
Don't you think?
Your good intent is dispensed with such pretense ...
it's left me bent.
I recognize this exercise as your attempt to canonize and
I don't need more of your kind deeds.
Chorus:
Don't save me.
Don't save me.
Don't save me.
You've done enough.

Talkin' Like An Angel
Music by Beth Thornley and Rob Cairns
Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
Talkin' like an angel while I left you there to dangle.
I was talkin' like an angel, so devine.
Spinning pretty, spinning fine, wings and fingers intertwine.
And I was talkin' like an angel while I left you there to dangle.
V2:
You were more intriguing 'cause I knew that I'd be leaving.
Timing always has been everything.
But I can't remember when I didn't ache from end to end
and you're a sweet relief, however brief, you suspend your disbelief.
Chorus:
Talkin' like, talkin' like, talkin' like an angel.
Talkin' like, talkin' like, talkin' like an angel.
V3:
Never one for rumours I'll just say I never knew you.
Redemption comes in every size and style.
And it's better if forever lasts for just a little while
and there's no guarantees or quick remedies for most of these miles.
Bridge:
And this isn't gonna hurt a bit, after all it helps when I close my eyes.
And everything is gonna be alright, after all an angel never lies.
(to chorus)

Lucky You
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
I don't want to change you,
much, just a bit.
And as luck would have it ...
just a nip and tuck would make a perfect fit;
low and tight across the hip.
Love has never made me blind.
OK, it's never made me kind.
But you didn't even know there's more to sweat
than the next cigarette
and now you're mine.
Chorus:
You, lucky you, lucky you, lucky you, lucky
you, lucky you, lucky you, lucky you, lucky you
V2:
You've had a good run.
Looks like I'm just in time
to rearrange your mind and I'm inclined
to take down the open sign.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Ok, I don't know what that means.
But you were stumbling like a blind amputee
so I had to take your key.
All the voices agree. (to chorus)
Bridge:
Hey twilight zone your cover's been blown.
I know where you live and I know your cologne.
I know when you sleep you like to leave the light on
and I know what you think when you think you're alone.
V3:
All that's left to do now
Is move in a quit my job.
And keep you full of booze and seconal.
After all, when you're sober you're no fun at all.
Ok, I know that's really mean.
But you didn't even notice it was me
bringing the paradise tree.
All the apples are free. (to chorus)

Go Baby Go
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
Yeah we've seen it all before.
Yeah we've nailed it to the door.
Yeah when it rains, it pours.
Hope like hell that you're not a bore.
V2:
If they don't see me, they don't know.
If they don't see me, I am gold.
And if I have to, I'll fly low.
(and it says) Come to mama once again.
(and i says) Come to mama, spread it thin.
Chorus:
Go, go, baby go.
It's the flash in the pan.
The world's by the tail and you've got a full hand.
Go, go, baby go.
Time to jump the moon.
Go 'till it's gone and there's nothing left to lose.
V3:
And now here's the fall from Grace.
Pick her up off her face.
We never thought it'd be our place.
(and it says) Come to mama once again.
(and i says) Come to mama, spread it thin.
Bridge:
And now you're here as our guest.
Take off your coat and head.
You'll see it'll be better later when we
hand it back on a silver platter.
Nothin's wrong now so what's the matter?
It was you that kicked down the ladder.

Break u n 2
Music by Beth Thornley and Rob Cairns
Words by Beth Thornley
V1:
It doesn't always turn out like you plan.
But at least you're not just sitting pretty on your hands.
Waiting for the band to blow something you already know.
And this speed there's no time to concede or take the stand.
Chorus 1:
But now you don't, think that we don't
know that you don't have a clue what you should do.
And you're uptight, so we politely exit stage right
'cause this could break you in two if you don't change
you're point of view.
V2:
And now you hold the ticket to your show.
Maybe if you call the shots it all stays in control.
Thinking you can fool us with sleight of hand and fancy tricks.
And for a while that and a smile will keep you on a roll.
Chorus 2:
But now our straight man has other plans
and the big hand says it's time to let it go.
And it's too bad all that you had to live up to
'cause this could break you in two if you don't change
your point of view.
Bridge:
I know it's hard to hear but we've talked to the auctioneer.
Baby it's just plain queer this bid for such a thin veneer.
V3:
It doesn't always turn out like you plan.
But at least you're not just sitting pretty on your hands.
Waiting for the band to blow something you already know.
And sometimes you get more than you can stand.
Sometimes you get much more than you ever bargained for.
That and so much more.
More than you bargained for.

My Glass Eye

Beth Thornley