Try hard to make the world look bright today 

Try hard to make my nightmares go away
Try hard to keep the fear away
The cold of day, try hard
Try hard to play the games the world would like you to play

But people, they don't really listen
Their smiles are the keys to the prison
I'll call on the angels, to hold my head softly
They'll always remember . . . Stories of Johnny

Try hard to make my anger go away
Try hard to make my money last the day (no way)
Try hard to keep away the pain
Stop the rain, try hard
Try hard to fly a thousand miles away

But people, they don't really listen
Their smiles are the keys to the prison
I'll call on the angels, to hold my head softly
They'll always remember . . . Stories of Johnny

My smoky lover . . . will close my eyes forever
Stories of Johnny






You, unbelievably small 

Bang your hands on the wall
Say "To Hell with them all"
Say "To Heaven with you"

Me, what will become of me?
Wading into the sea
Water way past my knees
Swallowing oceans is my speciality

You, like a trembling bird
Hanging on to each word
Crawling out of my sight
Oh how spite makes might

Me, crass stupidity's pawn
Kept us shouting till dawn
Old memories torn
Wishing I'd never been born
(You're losing it, losing it, losing it)

And you, Jack of Diamonds maybe
But the Ace ever me
With each turn of the card
Ever hardening heart

Me, smiling one moment
Crying the next
Building up to explosions
That leave me shipwrecked

You, stubborn brazen and wild
Unpredictable child
Emotional blackmail
Always destined to fail
(You're a failure in love, you're a failure in love)

Me, saying things I regret
I don't want to stop yet
Got to make you break down
Got to make you break uncontrollably down

You, rhinoceros skin
Never, never give in
Never, never giving
Hurts so to see me win
(You're always unforgivably stubborn)

Me, yes a cancer you tell
With the softest of shells
Always ending the same
Taking all of the blame
I'm taking all of the blame
(This is the last time
This is the last time)

Traumas, traumas, traumas, traumas, traumas