Wash U Clean

“Singer/songwriter Beth Thornley comes into her own on Wash U Clean, her third and possibly best album yet. With a seasoned voice and tasteful piano chops, Thornley’s music evokes a variety of flavors song to song without losing her identity and style. From the retro sax-honk title song to the Beatles-esque “There’s No Way,” Thornley eludes easy classification. Wash U Clean had me reaching for the repeat button.”
— Keyboard Magazine, June 2, 2010

To download from iTunes, click here.

Wash U Clean
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
U run it rich, that carburetor.
U gotta open, open that choke.
‘Cause when you’re here, the air it won’t clear.
And u just blowin’, just blowin’ smoke.
U got a blue feather bird on a golden swing.
It wears a ruby tipped crown but it don’t sing.
U keep bringin’ me gifts like it ain’t no thing
but I thought u said goodbye.
I thought u let; let that bird fly. (there it goes)
Baby, I can’t wash you clean.
U got a match, well I got the gasoline.
Baby, redemption ain’t free.
U gonna need more than u can get from me.
This river’s dry. Baby, can’t wash u clean.
U gotta a new monkey bangin’ some tambourine.
It’s got some big button eyes; it’s made of velveteen.
U just want me to know u got all you need.
but am I OK alone?
cause here’s a monkey
if I need company; (nice monkey)
U comin’ over like u was clover.
I’m gonna cut it with my lawnmower.
U knockin’ at my, my door all tangled.
Your guilty conscience wrapped ‘round your ankles.
I see you draggin’ it ‘cross my floor now.
U feelin’ better. I’m feelin’, I’m feelin’ worse now.

Still Can't Hide
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
We carved a path to the ocean.
We built a house of brick and stone.
So that they couldn’t see us.
So that they wouldn’t know.
And we were sure we could be all alone.
But all the spaces and the corners,
all the sons and all the daughters,
all the crimes and hallelujahs;
all the turnkeys and the hinges,
all the carnies and the kinless,
all the rockets and the tailspins,
and we still can’t hide.
Small time saviors have all tried
to convince us we can hide.
But take the tongue from a bell;
all that’s left’s a sad farewell.
‘Cause you know what’s not said will tell the tale.
Say what you please, there’s a target on your sleeve.
But can’t you see, you got lots of company?
Don’t you know we are all fugitives and refugees.

Everyone Falls
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
Underneath the clothes we’re wearing,
scars we all carry; some that don’t fade.
And they read just like a roadmap.
Time cuts a deep track through skin and vein.
But you know everyone falls sometimes; don’t they all?
You know bridges get burned sometimes as we cross.
Don’t we all fall?
I’ve been faking it for so long;
trying to hold on, trying to get by.
It’s just so hard getting over the going under
time after time.
Time calls your name and we’re not the same.
Time calls your name and we’re all afraid.
Time calls your name and we’re not the same.

It's Me
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
Is it me who’s once again
fallen into awkward pauses?
Or has the world just gone and skipped a beat?
‘Cause I laugh before the punch line;
out of place and at the wrong time.
Tangled up again in my own feet.
So won’t you throw me a line?
Please be so kind; I’m going under.
Just reel me in; now’s a good time.
I have to wonder is it just me?
Or everybody?
I think it’s me.
And I’ve tried to play it cool
but I’m reminded how I got no moves.
Life is surely hard some days.
So you know I wonder sometimes
if I had better quit while I’m behind.
Get back to the starting gate.
So won’t you throw me a line?
Please be so kind; I’m going under.
Give me a sign; now’s a good time.
I have to wonder is it just me?
Or everybody?
I think it’s me.
I’ve clocked some distance but somebody failed to mention
that with the anchor down there’s way too much resistance
and though I’m still moving, I’m circling down.

You're So Pony
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
Let’s say I want it. Let’s say I want what’s over there.
Let’s say I know it. Let’s say I’d know it anywhere.
‘Cause there’s just some things, yeah you know what’s not and what is.
Like when it’s honey and when you get a taste of it.
So baby what I know; there’s no stop ‘cause you are go.
No way I can tame it. But baby I can name it.
You’re so pony. So very, very pony, pony
You’re so pony. So very, so very pony.
You ain’t no one trick; you’re more like the triple crown.
You ain’t no one kiss; you’re more like an all-around.
Before you said it, yeah I could hear you say my name.
‘Cause it was always, always meant to be this way.
There’s no fakin’ it; no way to rein it in.
Just like heaven told me; baby I got testimony.
‘Cause when you know it’s pony, you know that it ain’t only
just about what’s showing; ain’t about how fast it’s going.
Cause when it’s cool like Bogie, holding the door open for me,
getting lit up when you hold me, knowing how to take it slowly.
B boys crew up on the dance floor, rubbing rocks and vinyl records,
ferris wheels when they go backwards; louboutin on sale for fractions.
yeah, that’s pony. It lights me up like when you hold me;
you know how to take it slowly.
You shine like a Cadillac; if you got sold I’d buy you back

What the Heart Wants
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
If there were a way I would even the score.
You would love me less and I’d love you more.
I think I knew all along we were just wrong
but you were so kind and I thought I was strong.
Now there’s nothing left to do.
All the trying’s been no use.
‘Cause the heart wants what the heart wants.
I can’t say I wouldn’t do it all over again;
don’t know if that means we lose or we win.
All that you’ve ever done is just love me more
than anyone else ever loved me before.
Now there’s nothing left to say
that would make it all ok.
And there were just enough pieces that fit
to hold it in place but I have to admit;
I know it’s not broken but it can’t be fixed.

Bones
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
If there were a way I would even the score.
You would love me less and I’d love you more.
I think I knew all along we were just wrong
but you were so kind and I thought I was strong.
Now there’s nothing left to do.
All the trying’s been no use.
‘Cause the heart wants what the heart wants.
I can’t say I wouldn’t do it all over again;
don’t know if that means we lose or we win.
All that you’ve ever done is just love me more
than anyone else ever loved me before.
Now there’s nothing left to say
that would make it all ok.
And there were just enough pieces that fit
to hold it in place but I have to admit;
I know it’s not broken but it can’t be fixed.

There's No Way
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
You can say that you don’t care what they think;
makin’ sure that you sink;
after all it will please them.
And to make sure they will collect what they’ve earned,
you will crash and you’ll burn
just to prove you don’t learn.
So throw the fight, why don’t you?
Give it all away then.
Prove them right, why don’t you?
And listen to them say it.
Don’t you know,
There’s no way that you could ever fall
hard enough to shake them.
There’s no way that you could ever fall
far enough to take them.
There’s no way that you could ever fall
hard enough to break them all.
Don’t you hate like hell it’s a hammer to nail;
helping hands never fail;
they have pounded you so well.
So if you’re inclined to give all they deserve,
you’ll live down to your worth
and live up to their word.
So twist the cord, why don’t you?
Tighter so you’re tangled.
Go some more, why don’t you?
Higher so you’re hanging.
Don’t you know,
Hey, baby, it’s not your fault.
You had no chance; those goods had all been bought.
Hey, baby, just walk away.
You don’t have to stay anymore.

Never Your Girl
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
For a long time I pretended there would be a perfect end;
that for now it didn’t matter.
Turn the tourniquet again.
And all hands here without hearts don’t know what they started.
You can’t say you love me ‘cause I know where we’ve been.
You can’t say you love me and do it all again.
All the sparrows in the attic, they get quieter every day.
All their singing got them nowhere.
Oh, they wish they never came.
And the lost here and the scorned wish they’d never started.
Oh, it’s just a line between here and gone.
Oh, all of that time on a lost cause.
And I’ve never quite forgotten how you promised me the world.
How I thought that meant you loved me
but I was never your girl.

A to Z
Music and Words by Beth Thornley
It’s all so right the day can’t get any better.
So why am I still waiting for rainy weather?
I’ve been shooting at bluebirds, melting down horseshoes;
ripping up daisies but I don’t know why.
‘Cause I’ve been A to Z checking the scenery,
it don’t get better than this.
It don’t get better than this.
It’s all so good and more than I could have asked for.
But I’m convinced that it’s been left at the wrong door.
I’ve been pissing on rainbows, spitting out candy;
clouding up blue skies but I don’t know why.
‘Cause I’ve been A to Z checking the scenery,
it don’t get better than this.
It don’t get better than this.
It’s such a shame that all I do
is sit around waiting for the other shoe.
Baby who knew even good things take some getting used to?
A leap of faith would get me through.
But that altitude requires a big parachute.
It’s alright, it’s ok, baby, I couldn’t be better.
Until the sky falls in I’m loving the weather.
No more tearing up good news, raining on sunshine,
throwing out wishbones and I’ll tell you why.
‘Cause I’ve been A to Z checking the scenery,
it don’t get better than this.

Septagon

My Glass Eye

Beth Thornley