Unless It’s Kicks

By Okkervil River

On The Stage Names

Released on August 7, 2007

6K Views

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[Verse 1]

What gives this mess some grace unless it's kicks, man

Unless it's fiction, unless it's sweat or it's songs?

What hits against this chest unless it's a sick man's hand

From some mid-level band? He's been driving too long


[Verse 2]

On a dark windless night, with the stereo on

With the towns flying by and the ground getting soft

And a sound in the sky, coming down from above

It surrounds you and sighs and is whispering of


[Verse 3]

What pulls your body down, and that is quicksand

So climb out quick, hand over hand, 'fore your mouth's all filled up

What picks you up from down unless it's tricks, man?

When I've been fixed, I am convinced that I will not get so broke up again


[Verse 4]

And on a seven day high, that heavenly song

Punches right through my mind and just hums through my blood

And I know it's a lie, but I'll still give my love

Hey, my heart's on the line for your hands to pluck off, oh


[Verse 5]

What gives this mess some grace unless it's fictions

Unless it's licks, man, unless it's lies or it's love?

What breaks this heart the most is the ghost of some rock and roll fan

Floating up from the stands with her heart opened up


[Verse 6]

I want to tell her, "Your love isn't lost"

Say, "My heart is still crossed"

Scream, "You're so wonderful

What a dream in the dark about working so hard, about glowing, so stoned

Trying not to turn off, trying not to believe in that lie all on your own"


[Outro]

La, la, la, la

Oh, oh, oh, oh