Nate Ruess - Grand Romantic Album Lyrics

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Grand Romantic (Intro)

Step right up for the grand romantic
Always tragic broken bones
Step right up, it's the grand romantic
Karma, leave these kids alone

Man, you could put a TV in the mailbox, ha ha
[?]
You never decided if you want it?
Ha ha ha ha
Ha ha ha ha, ha ha ha ha...

---

AhHa

Ah ha, ha-ah-ah. Ah ha, ha-ah-ah
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah. Ah ha, ha-ah-ah
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah...

Left you, falling on the floor
Headed for the door
Went straight to Philadelphia
Oh no, what have I begun?
Called my mother, said I love her
Had another and another one
Questions, questions, suddenly suggestions
Where was anyone at the start of this thing?
Hold the cold up over your shoulder
All I needs a place to grieve

[Pre-Chorus:]
Oh, it's for the best you didn't listen
It's for the best we get our distance (oh oh woah oh)
It's for the best you didn't listen
It's for the best we get our distance

[Chorus:]
Oh lord, I feel alive
I've gone and saved my soul
If all that you read is everything you believe
Then let go, then let go, then let go

Now I'm over my head
Acting like I never started over again
I am the city I'm from
Always wanting more than just a word on my arm
Oh, I know, I can't believe
That I'd let it get to me
Good to know I won't become
Everything I'm afraid of

[Pre-Chorus]

[Chorus]

Mama don't cry
I was once your little baby boy
So full of love and light
By the time I turned 25
I was lost among the pavement
Lower than the basement
And I couldn't stand and smile
I thought of taking my own life
But mama don't cry
I found songs among the tragic
Hung my hat on sadness
Mom, I think they're trying to keep the grand romantic in me
Now that we got bottom lines
But mom, I think I'm ready to free this grand romantic in me
La -Di - Da, La -Di - Da, La -Di - Da

Look out, look out!
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah. Ah ha, ha-ah-ah
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah. Ah ha, ha-ah-ah
Ah ha, ha-ah-ah...

[Chorus x2]

Ah Ha

---

Nothing Without Love

I am nothing without love
I'm but a ship stuck in the sand
Some would say that I'm all alone
But I am, I'm nothing without love

I wanna hold her in my arms
But she feeling low she feeling sad
I would take credit for what's wrong
But I am, I'm nothing without love

Three years at sea after the storm
On this sinking ship that love had put me on
God I wish a gust of wind would come and carry me home
But I, I got nowhere to go

Now here you show up with the force of a wave
And so I'm setting my sail, I'm headed for the empire state
Hey hey, I don't want to lose this one, she make me feel whole
You know I am, I am nothing without love

Oh baby show me a sign
Send up a signal, that everything's fine
Come on slide up right here by my side
You know that I, I want to rest in your light

Na na na hey, na na na ooh oh
Na na na hey, na na na ooh oh
Na na na hey, na na na ooh oh
Na na na hey, na na na ooh oh
I wanna rest in your life
Na na na hey, na na na ooh oh
Na na na hey, na na na ooh oh
Na na na hey, na na na ooh oh
Na na na hey

I am nothing without love
I'm just these thoughts without a pen
And I would take credit for this song
But I am nothing without love

Oh baby show me a sign
Send up a signal, that everything's fine
Watch this, come on, come on, come on, come on right by my side
Don't you know that I, don't you know that I
I want to rest in your light
I want to rest in your light
I want to rest in your light
'Cause I am, I am nothing without love

---

Take It Back

Well we're just two ships passing through the night
Two lost lonely people inside
I wanted to hold you tight
Or get away
Your eyes don't look close to mine
Lonely times and the people the same
You've seen what you've been
And you mean what you say
And you say what it is

Just take it back
Take it back
What we had
Take it

I wanna hold you tight
These days turn so lonely tonight
I wanna kiss your lips and get away
Sometimes lonely people change
And these days get so lonely in May
I try so hard to make what I can't seem to say
And these days get so far away
And I want what I can't say
So take it back

Oh, it's gonna come a day
Oh, it's gonna come a day
So take it back
Take it back
So take it back
Take it, no, no, no

Well we're just two ships passing through the night
Two lost lonely people inside
I wanted your touch, but you can't feel my fingers; I can't say too much
So I (try) try to get away
Oh, why did I stay?
Oh, you got this little lonely-hearted man
And you cry all the time, and I know
That these days, they don't go where they go
And I can't feel my hands anymore

So take it back
Take it back
What we had
Take it back
Just take it back
Take it back
What we had
Just take it, just take it
Just take it back

---

You Light My Fire

I wanna throw the fight and kiss away your pain tonight
But that would only make this harder
She can't stand to sleep alone
Oh no and I hate losing so
I wait till we get tired

Well the could outside knows we can't be alone
So I throw my arms right beside hers
Then I close my eyes lean in for something more
And you light my fire

As your heartbeat keeps me warm
We take Fourth Street cross corners to the bar
Where I slurred convinced we could make it brighter

I know we're not as young as we'd like to be
But I like to think you're bound to get the best of me
C'mon babe your love gets me high

I know one day I'll fall for an oath
I just spend all my life trying to find her
But I burned down every door I'd ever shut
When you light my fire

I wanna throw the fight and kiss away your pain tonight
But that would only make this better

I know one day I'll fall for an oath
I just spend all of my life on the run looking over my shoulder
Now I burn down every door I ever shut
When you light my fire

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What This World Is Coming To

Someone sucked the life out of the room
When that someone said goodbye much too soon
I'd hate for you to love me 'cause
You saw me out with someone who
You read about in the news
But I guess that's what this world is coming to

I watched as your wrist began to bruise
Threading ribbons, weaving patterns
Beautiful and blue
All your late nights came to life
And then died upon just one dislike
Never mind all the people that you moved
But I guess that's what this world is coming to

So let's get high here in the moonlight
Even the stars go right over our head
I think I'm gonna shine in the afterlife
Leaving the fight for peace of mind instead

So let's get high in the moonlight
Even the stars right over our heads
I know I'm gonna shine here in the afterlife
Leaving the fight for peace of mind instead

You know that I can't stop thinkin' 'bout you
You're the source of everything I do
You brought faith to songs I sing
So I went and bought a diamond ring
I wanna spend each night here with you
Yeah you took everything I was
And you turned it into something I've become
Good God, what's a boy to do?
But I guess that's what this world
Oh, I guess that's what this world
Oh, I guess that's what this world is, is coming to
Oh, I guess that's what my life is, is coming to

---

Great Big Storm

Because we're

[x2:]
Holding our own in a great big storm
It's a great big storm and we're holding our own

I've been lost in this maze
Losing love losing friends losing faith in chemicals
Afraid one day you'll find me
Asleep above the stars

I watch my mother cry
Father time is catching up
I keep the phone by my side
Afraid she'll wake me up to catch the next flight
In time to say goodbye

But sometimes I fall asleep at night
To the TV light and it sings
Oh ooo whoa oh
One day the sun will break into the room

Because we're holding our own in a great big storm
And though we're cutting it close
We won't let go
Oh no I can't believe
Everything falling down around me
But now we're holding our own
And won't let go

[x2:]
Holding our own in a great big storm
It's a great big storm and we're holding our own

Broken hearts broken homes and broken bones
Secret love let me go
You know I gotta find my own way
Through mistakes that I can't change

Because there's beauty in every sin
Every single black eye
Has some blue like the moon just before the sun shines
No I don't believe in all the things that they preach

But sometimes I fall asleep at night
And I just know you're smiling at me
Oh ooo whoa oh
One day I'm gonna make this up to you

Because we're holding our own in a great big storm
And though we're cutting it close
We won't let go
Oh no I can't believe
Everything falling down around me
But now we're holding our own
And won't let go

[x2:]
Holding our own in a great big storm
It's a great big storm and we're holding our own

I can't stand myself
And all the curse words that fall from my mouth
I can't stand myself
Or my legs as they run from the ones here to help
But I just woke up with you next to me
Some new air to breathe
And a belief that it's all gonna be alright
I can't stand myself
But it's high time that we gave it a try
And I think I'm gonna finally give myself a new try

Because we're holding our own in a great big storm
And though we're cutting it close
We won't let go
Oh no I can't believe
Everything falling down around me
But now we're holding our own
And won't let go
No we won't let go
No we won't let go, oh no

---

Moment

Well, you were burning up the sky
Looking for a light when you saved me
I was convinced no one would take me
You turned and took me by the hand
But now that look in your eyes
All of your sighs are saying "Go, please"
"Leave me alone and leave you lonely"
It looks as though we've reached the end

Well, I'm fine
I just need a moment
I'm alright right here on the floor
Well, I'm fine
I just need a moment to cry

And when I think about the ways
That you never waste your breath to say you love me
How you always held your lost loves above me
As you kept your other hand on the door
Yet I'll admit I might miss
Every scar and every wish that we'd make
But our wishes were nothing but ways
To act as if we could use the change
Well, maybe one of these days
We'll cross each other on a train to our new lives
We could talk about the old times
And how we're glad we made it out alive

But for now I'll sit and drink
As I think about the night that your father died
And I said I'd never leave your side
We once swore we could defeat this
Therefore, please excuse this little bit of weakness, oh

Well, I'm fine
I just need a moment of your time
To get all my things and let go
Well, I'm fine
I just need a moment to say goodbye

Well, Lord give me a reason
C'mon, show me you love me
I don't want to let it go
Just to watch it fly
And Lord, give me a moment
Any of it, show me
I don't want to feel it
I don't wanna watch it go by

Because I'm fine
I just need a moment
I'm alright right here on the floor
Well, I'm fine
I just need a moment to say I'm fine
I need a moment
I'm alright here on the floor
Well, I'm fine
I just need a moment to cry

---

It Only Gets Much Worse

I was born before the storm
My mother placed a dozen thorns
The sorry's and the take it back's
Lay silent in her folded hands and
Head to headstone I just danced
Oblivious to consequence
As morning sank into the ground
The highest branch I sorted out

Oh, I didn't mean to let it go
I didn't mean to bruise but I lost control
And when she said to me it's still a ghost[?]

All your love may fade away
All you'll become may all go to waste
So I can't stand to hear you say it hurts
When it only gets much worse
It only gets much worse

Oh you caught me come to life
The moment when your eyes met mine
And from your bed, the sun came in
And to this day it never set
But here's to this I'm used to it[?]
I stepped out for some cigarettes
The neon lights they called me in
Her eyes like yours, just different

And no, I didn't mean to let you go
I didn't mean to bruise but I lost control
What didn't mean a thing destroyed us both
Darling

All your love may fade away
All you'll become may all go to waste
So I can't stand to hear you say it hurts
When it only gets much worse
It only gets much worse

I couldn't quite believe
The way you used to pull me down
It takes its toll[?]
I survived
The laws of gravity
Destroyed some property
I would not let them sink their teeth into my soul
Whoa-oh

All I love may fade away
All I become may all go to waste
So I can't stand, hear it say it hurts
When it only gets much worse
It only gets much worse

All I love may fade away
All we'll become may all go to waste
So I can't stand to hear you say it hurts
When it only gets much worse
It only gets much worse

---

Grand Romantic

And I, I just wanted you so bad
And I, I just wanted you so bad
I don't know where I'm going
I don't know who to trust anymore
One thing's for sure: that I can't fall asleep without you next to me, babe
Mmm, I'm a mess
Hey, I, hey, I
You know I wanted you bad, baby
Hey
Hey

And I, I just wanted you so bad
Hey, hey
I, I just wanted you so bad
Hey, hey
I, you know I wanted you so bad
You know I want you so bad, bad, bad, bad
Bad, bad, bad
Bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, hey

Step right up for the grand romantic
Always tragic broken bones
Step right up, it's the grand romantic
Karma, leave these kids alone
Step right up for the grand romantic
Always tragic broken bones
Step right up, it's the grand romantic
Karma, leave these kids alone
I don't wanna live as the grand romantic
Grand romantic anymore
I don't wanna live as the grand romantic
Grand romantic anymore

---

Harsh Light

The barkeep's in a bad mood, playing with his chains
Talking 'bout a blood moon, asking how I found this place
My eyes are drained from the one that got away
So tonight I'm going out, tonight I'm gonna stay out
In walks eighty long boots, looking for a date
I would make the first move, but I'm too drunk to enunciate
Never been one to want to hear about someone's day
So tonight I'm going out, tonight I'm gonna stay out

And it's so hard just to be
There's such a fine line between the things you want and the
And the things that you need
So I'm not going to sleep

I'm slipping into midnight under harsh light
And nothing gets me down
Running into old friends I don't need anymore
Tonight I'm gonna show 'em
We all got scars, we all got scars
We all got scars, we all got scars, so what?
I'm slipping into midnight under harsh light
And nothing here is bringing me down
No, nothing here is bringing me down

And my heart is always breaking for the ghosts that haunt this room
We fall asleep to revolution, but wake up next to a sad excuse
Oh, what a shame how we got in our own way
So tonight I'm going out, tonight I'm gonna stay out

And it's so hard not to scream (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
There's such a fine line between the things you are and the
And the things that you've been

I'm slipping into midnight under harsh light
And nothing gets me down
Up above the past loves I don't need anymore
Tonight I'm gonna show 'em
We all got scars, we all got scars
We all got scars, we all got scars, so what?
I'm slipping into midnight under harsh light
And nothing here is bringing me down

(We all got scars, we all got scars
We all got scars, we all got scars)
I'm scared that I'm becoming a satellite (We all got scars)
I'm sat aside of the moon (We all got scars)
Convinced that if you'd ever stood by my side (We all got scars)
Now you're on the other side of the room (We all got scars)
But I get this funny feeling that tonight is going to end (We all got scars)
Much better than it's been, ooh (We all got scars)
I find it hard to keep my eyes open (We all got scars)
And let the lights shine in, ooh (We all got scars)

And it's so hard just to be
There's such a fine line, such a fine line, such a fine line
But I'm not sleeping tonight

I'm slipping into midnight under harsh light
And nothing gets me down
Running into old friends I don't need anymore
Tonight I'm gonna show 'em
We all got scars, we all got scars
We all got scars, we all got scars, so what?
I'm slipping into midnight under harsh light (come on)
And nothing here is bringing me down
No, nothing here is bringing me down
Nothing here is bringing me down, down, down, down, down down down down
And nothing here is bringing me down

---

Brightside

Why'd you take the long way home?
I watched you walk slow past my window
Is that what you did it for?
I think it's best you left me alone
You know I'm bound to make you cry
From up here I can see the Carlyle
I can see the Louvre shining in your eyes
I never meant to set the world on fire
Just wanted something you'd remember me by

But now I wish that I was on the bright side
These friends of mine could spend the whole night dreaming
While you're holding me tight under the moonlight
Just you and I, we'll lead a new life singing
La la la
La la la
La la la
La la la

You know, I think it says a lot
That I could wake myself up from this dream
Grab the things that are most dear to me
And although I could have loved you better
I had to get the f*ck out of the bed
Cause there's just something about you my love
Something in the way you comb your hair
And fall apart at the seams
When you were young I used to throw you down
You'd show me how it feels to feel

Oh God, I wish that I was on the bright side
These friends of mine could spend the whole night dreaming
While you're holding me tight under the moonlight
Just you and me, babe, we'll spend our whole lives singing
La la la
La la la
La la la
La la la

And look at you
And look at you
And look at you
And look at you