The Cell, Part Five - Lyrics - Jandek

Jandek is the musical project of Sterling Richard Smith, an outsider musician who operates out of Houston, Texas. Since 1978, Jandek has self-released over 70 albums of unusual, often emotionally dissolute folk and blues songs without ever granting more than the occasional interview or providing any biographical information. Jandek often plays a highly idiosyncratic and frequently atonal form of folk and blues music, often using an open and unconventional chord structure. Jandek's music is unique, but the lyrics closely mirror the country blues and folk traditions of East Texas. The name "Jandek" is most commonly used to refer specifically to the mainâoften soleâperformer, rather than to the project.

Another day of not knowing Not knowing what it's about or what to do There's nothing to do Is it just go outside and you'll find something to do It appears we make the things to do Life has been made so simple to survive We create objectives that seem dubious in value If we didn't accumulate things around us We wouldn't have to think about them Or do anything with them So is it stare at the wall and see God Is that simply another invention of what to do What makes for happiness I suppose most people find themselves in a need to produce To accomplish basic necessities The purchase of food and habitation The education of children So because these basic things don't cause me to be driven thoughtless Bent on the animal instinct Or befuddled with group concern I can't die to the why that looms in my consciousness Is it that I can't create Or do I see the falling of making something of nothing Because it is nothing Maybe it's creator died Man can have his needs so easily met Because his superior intelligence has created efficiency OK but what now What does one who doesn't care do And does he take steps to force himself to deal with the results of those steps What's so great about beauty, nature Sometimes feeling so physically good is depressing If I don't do anything It's all despair And I want to die Do I know too much or not enough Going on and on and on and on beyond Far beyond what is needed Is that success Why do I stay here and ask what for If I don't want to do that What is there to do