Elliott Smith New Monkey Lyrics

New Monkey Lyrics

Here come the sidewalk boss again

Telling me how I can't cave in

That I'm a study in black

Need a pat on the back



I look up and smile, a picture of dissatisfaction

That he can only see as a junkie

Though I might be straight as an arrow

He's busy shaking hands with my monkey

Busy shaking hands with my monkey



I go in my car, straight to the bar

Where my sweetie pours the beer

For the millions of fans, ignoring the bands



He's in my ear wants me to live in denial

Says, "You've gotta settle for something"

Though it might not be really living

Anything is better than nothing

Anything is better than nothing



No actor action man gonna move in

To take my place

I'll be pumping out the product

Just a total waste



Look at your hands unoccupied

Look at the lengths you'll go to hide

You're under the veil

Pretending to fail



Got a whole lotta empty time left to go

Now you've got to fill it with something

I know what you can do, don't you know?

Anything is better than nothing



No actor action man gonna move in

To take my place

I'll be pumping out the product

Just a total waste



I'm here with my cup, afraid to look up

This is how I spend my time

Lazying around, head hanging down



Stuck inside my imagination

Busy making something from nothing

Pictures of hope

  (And depression)



Anything is better than nothing

Anything is better than nothing

Anything is better than nothing

Anything is better than nothing