Only Lover - 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.

You never smoke a cigarette when you are doing something Only when you are half doing it You are a teenage runt with a lot of cream, Sparky Gone floating down a river to Madrid And a car pull in softly Waiting for the footsteps How has she followed me here The tent I went to wasn't mine It was a cantaloupe's Cantaloupes are so good to eat When you dream of your Johnny in a shower Gone floatin' down a river to Madrid I love you my lady I love you like I do Why you make me so blue A-kill me, kill me, kill me Kill me, kill me I think I'm a goner When I see one of your shoes Gone floatin' down a river to Madrid You're the reason I live You're the cause of my death I love what I can't help You took my success Will you take my failure After Arnie took a pill from the bottom He wasn't ne'er the same You ought to be gone floatin' down a river to Madrid I hear you bought a new dress A red the color of your kiss Darlin' are you with me now A-kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me, kiss me Ohhh it's my time to die When I think of your black lips Gone floatin' down a river to Madrid Found a painted pony in your breast Can I tell you the rest I love you goddess Listen mister can you be my monkey Feel my pulse take a stab at my arm I wasn't meant to have a garden Gone floatin' down a river to Madrid Jezebel, you're my favorite In your country I roam Listen to me now, lady Worst I had to tell you was I followed you here First you made me promise that I wouldn't leave Then I found my freedom Gone floatin' down a river to Madrid Lost some lovely on the way You gave them back I heard you say You're my only lover Like a kangaroo I'm only half doing what I do Jesus stares at me from the wall And I think I like your *** Aw gone floatin' down a river to Madrid Ahh, you hear my music Oh, lord I think it's hard to tell How she followed me here