Anything But – Words and music by Phil Klahn

They’re looking for some courage, They’re looking for a brain
Looking for the yellow road, when they should’ve caught the train

Looking for attention, Looking for the light
Searching for adventure, Spoiling for a fight
Looking for anything under the sun they call their own and hold on to

Looking for the arsenal loud and crass and crude
It’s really nothing personal but it’s our big debut
Just one long infomercial that we all listen to
Anything but, anything but, anything but, anything but you

They talk about the weather, they talk about the crime
They gab about conditions and missions and signs of the times

They talk about the neighbors, They read between the lines
They rave about the gravy, and they whine about the wine
They talk about itty little bitties in the city ‘til they’re pretty black and blue

Paddling up the wrong creek while wondering what to do
Someone made a big leak and sank the whole canoe
Swearing up a blue streak, Hey, who’re they talking to?
Anything but, anything but, anything but, anything but you

I been running round, I’m a funny clown
I’m honey brown canary hunting on the ground
Here’s a souvenir, now I’m thinking clear
I’ve no fear you’ll shed a tear but since your near
Come over here and talk to me

They listen to the static, They listen day and night
They listen to the lefties, While leaning to the right

They listen for the ringing, They’re waiting for the call
Walkies and talkies and cellular zombies who talk to no one at all

It’s all Bobby and Billy and Barry and Brian and Betty and Buddy and who knows who
In an act of desperation they’ll even listen to the news
Anything but, anything but, anything but, anything…

But the thoughts of old, What your mother told, Be as good as gold
What the future holds, As the truth unfolds, And you break the mold
But the true and tried, Or the rising tide, Are you justified?
Or the wisdom of a forgotten age,On the written page
Lean to the left, Lean to the right, Anything but
But the narrow road, Or the heavy load, Anything but

But the sacrament, Or the testament, Anything but
Preachers and teachers and layman and shaman
And prophets and moppets and anything but
Learn to be right, Learn what is left
Anything but