This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Take a selfish lover for a while
And apply the tricks you learn to all you love
Convince yourself the research was worthwhile
And file it under 'N' for 'no harm done'
Lie with a smile in your eyes if you can
These are the things that will make you a man
There is nothing inconsistent about a liar
He can never change the course on which he's set
Decisions in the white heat of desire
Think nothing of the bitter cold regret
And sins of the father will wake in the son
Till you can't count the cost of the damage you've done
These are the things that will make you a man
Oh how can I tell you how sorry I am?
How sorry I am.
Oh, how sorry I am.
I took a selfish lover, no harm done
Forgetting all the gentle love she gave
The single indiscretion weighed a tonne
And it pushed our little boat beneath the waves
And apply the tricks you learn to all you love
Convince yourself the research was worthwhile
And file it under 'N' for 'no harm done'
Lie with a smile in your eyes if you can
These are the things that will make you a man
There is nothing inconsistent about a liar
He can never change the course on which he's set
Decisions in the white heat of desire
Think nothing of the bitter cold regret
And sins of the father will wake in the son
Till you can't count the cost of the damage you've done
These are the things that will make you a man
Oh how can I tell you how sorry I am?
How sorry I am.
Oh, how sorry I am.
I took a selfish lover, no harm done
Forgetting all the gentle love she gave
The single indiscretion weighed a tonne
And it pushed our little boat beneath the waves
Lyrics submitted by skttrbrain, edited by LinfordB
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This line There is nothing inconsistent (about a lie?)
should read There is nothing inconsistent about a liar
Dunno how to change it in the lyric section!
I think he's being promiscuous to learn skills and make himself feel like a man, telling himself he's not doing any harm, but he's regretting it
amazing, why do elbow leave some of their best songs off albums?
@leif: Guy Garvey often says that when he was young, whenever he got a new single he would flip it over and listen to the other side first, because he thought generally b-sides were more experimental, different, or interesting. Therefore he probably thinks b-sides should be just as good if not better, than the corresponding single. And as we know, b-sides don't go on albums.
"there is nothing inconsistent about a liar"