i was born by an old streetlight
where the men lean out of
their windows at night
and i was a lead in the orphan choir,
and i sang with all my might
until i grew up
too high then oh,

all the notes i used to play
on the double bass in the b-list ballet
with only the night bugs to lead me home
with their sad-luck serenade

the rain was never ending,
the sadness in my heart
would light and glow in the dark

oh this will never change,
time just wears a prettier face
i'm book smart, street stupid

so don't look for me in confession booth,
i'm with my paints and my pens
and my dry vermouth
trying to uncover
some small truth
with these cards close to my chest

the rain was never ending
the sadness in my heart
would light and glow in the dark

oh, this will never change
time just wears a prettier face
i'm book smart, street stupid

the rain still never ending
the wonder in my heart
would light and glow in
it still lights and glows in the dark


Lyrics submitted by nikolita

Book Smart, Street Stupid song meanings
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    General Comment

    I recently just found new meaning to this song, because I'm feeling very sad about what's happening. That is, I'm leaving home and all my loved ones for a job in another city. I think anyone who has left home to live by themselves know exactly what I'm talking about. So this song says a lot about how I'm feeling right now.

    "so don't look for me in confession booth, i'm with my paints and my pens and my dry vermouth trying to uncover some small truth with these cards close to my chest"

    That pretty much sums it up right there.

    pazu322on March 13, 2003   Link

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