Best Of James Taylor

1. Something In The Way She Moves

   Something In The Way She Moves

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   Well, there’s something in the way she moves
   Or looks my way or calls my name
   That seems to leave this troubled world behind
   And if I’m feeling down and blue
   Or troubled by some foolish game
   She always seems to make me change my mind

   I feel fine any time she’s around me now
   She’s around me now almost all the time
   If I’m well you can tell that she’s been with me now
   She’s been with me now quite a long, long time
   And I feel fine

   Every now and then the things I lean on
   They lose their meaning
   And I find myself careening
   Into places where I should never let me go, no

   She has the power to go where
   No one else can find me
   And to silently remind me
   Of the happiness and good times that I know
   Well, I guess I just got to know then

   It isn’t what she’s got to say
   Or how she thinks or where she’s been
   To me the words are nice the way they sound
   I like to hear them best that way
   Doesn’t much matter what they mean
   She says them mostly just to calm me down

   I feel fine any time that she’s around me now
   She’s around me now I guess just about all the time
   And if I’m well you can tell that she’s been with me now
   She’s been with me now quite a long, long time
   Yes, I feel fine

2. Sweet Baby James

   Sweet Baby James

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   There is a young cowboy lives on the range
   His horse and his cattle they’re his only companions
   He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons
   Just waiting for summer his pastures to change

   Yes, and as the moon rises he sits by his fire
   Just thinking about women and glasses of beer
   And closing his eyes as the dogies retire
   He sings out a song which is soft but it’s clear
   Just as if maybe someone could hear

   He says good night all you moonlight ladies
   Rockabye sweet baby James
   Deep greens and blues for the colors I choose
   Won’t you let me go down in my dreams
   Oh, and rockabye sweet baby James

   Now the first of December it was covered with snow
   Yes, and so was the Turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
   Oh, the Berkshires seemed dreamlike
   On account of that frosting
   With 10 miles behind me and 10,000 more to go, you know

   There’s a song that they sing when they take to the highway
   A song that they sing when they take to the sea
   A song that they sing of their home in the sky
   Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep
   Just that singing seemed to work fine for me

   So, good night all you moonlight ladies
   Rockabye my sweet baby James
   Deep greens and blues for the colors I choose
   Won’t you let me go down in my dreams
   Oh, and rockabye my sweet baby James

3. Fire and Rain

   Fire and Rain

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   Just yesterday morning
   They let me know you were gone
   Suzanne, the plans we made put an end to you
   I walked out this morning
   And I wrote down this song
   Just can’t remember who to send it to

   I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
   I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end
   I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
   But I always thought I’d see you again

   Won’t you look down on me, Jesus
   You’ve got to help me to make a stand
   You just got to see me through another day
   My body’s aching
   And my time is at hand
   And I won’t make it any other way

   Oh, I have seen fire and I’ve seen rain
   I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end
   I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
   But I always thought I’d see you again

   So I’ve been walking my mind to an easy time
   My back turned towards the sun
   Lord knows the cold wind blows
   It’ll turn your head around
   Well, there’s hours of time on the telephone line
   Talkin’ about things to come
   Sweet dreams and flying machines
   in pieces on the ground

   Oh, I have seen fire and I’ve seen rain
   I’ve seen sunny days I thought they’d never end
   I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend
   But I always thought I’d see you somehow
   one more time again
   Thought I’d see you one more time again
   There’s just a few things coming my way
   this time around
   Thought I’d see you, thought I’d see you,
   fire and rain
   Thought I’d see you just one more time,
   Suzanne

4. Country Road

   Country Road

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   Take to the highway
   Won’t you lend me your name
   Your way and my way
   Seem to be one and the same
   Mama don’t understand it
   She wants to know where I’ve been
   I’d have to be some kind of natural born fool
   To walk on the roads again

   But you know I could feel it
   Walking on a country road

   Sail on home to Jesus
   Won’t you good girls and boys
   I’m all in pieces
   You can have my choice
   ‘Cause I can see a heavenly band full of angels
   Coming just to set me free
   No, I don’t know nothing ’bout the why or when
   But I can tell you that it’s bound to be

   Just because I could feel it
   Walking on a country railroad

   Reckon my feet know where they want me to go
   Walking on a country road
   Walking on a dirt road

   So take to the highway
   Won’t you lend me your name
   Your way and my way
   Seem to be one and the same thing tonight
   Mama don’t understand it
   She wants to know where the boy’s been
   I’d have to be some kind of natural born fool
   To walk on that road again

   But you know I could feel it
   Feel it, feel it, feel it, feel it
   Walking on a country road

   Walk on down
   Walk on down
   Walk on down
   Walk on down a country road
   La, la, la
   Yeah, walk on down
   I’ll be walking on a country road
   See me walking down a country road
   Oh, yeah

5. You’ve Got A Friend

   You’ve Got A Friend

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   When you’re down and troubled
   And you need some loving care
   And nothing
   Oh, nothing is going right

   Just close your eyes and think of me
   Yes, and soon I will be there
   To brighten up
   Oh, even your darkest nights

   You just call out my name
   And you know wherever I am
   I’ll come running
   To see you again

   It’s winter, spring, summer or fall
   Now all you got to do is call on me
   And I will be there, yeah, yes, I’ll be there
   You’ve got a friend

   If the sky high above you
   Should grow dark and full of clouds
   And that old cold north wind
   Should begin to blow

   Just keep your poor head together now
   And call my name out loud, you know
   Pretty soon
   I’ll be knocking on your door

   You just call out my name
   And you know wherever I am
   I’ll come running
   To see you again

   It’s winter, spring summer or fall
   Really, all you got to do is call
   And I’ll be there
   You know I’ll be there

   Oh, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
   When people can be so cold
   They’ll hurt you, yes, and desert you
   Well, they’ll take your soul if you let them
   But don’t you let them

   You just call out my name
   And you know wherever I am
   I’ll come running like as fast as I can
   To see you again

   Oh, yes, don’t you know about that

   Winter, spring, summer or fall
   Oh, all you’ve got to do is call
   And I will be there
   Yeah, yes, I’ll be there
   You’ve got a friend
   You’ve got a friend
   Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
   Walking and talking and everything friend
   Well, I said everybody here tonight in Pittsfield
   No matter how low you may go sometimes
   Ought to take some consolation in one thing, oh, yeah
   Ain’t it good to know
   Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
   You’ve got a friend

6. You Can Close Your Eyes

   You Can Close Your Eyes

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   (with Joni Mitchell)

   Well, the sun is surely sinkin’ down
   But the moon is slowly risin’
   So this old world must still be spinnin’ ’round
   Yes, and I still love you

   So close your eyes
   You can close your eyes
   It’s all right
   I don’t know no love songs
   And I can’t sing the blues anymore
   Yes, but I can sing this song
   And you can sing this song when I’m gone

   It won’t be long before another day
   We’re gonna have a good time
   And no one’s gonna take that time away
   You can stay as long as you like

   Only close your eyes
   You can close your eyes
   It’s all right
   Oh, I don’t know no love songs
   And I can’t sing the blues anymore
   Sure, but I can sing this song
   Yes, and you can sing this song when I’m gone

7. Long Ago And Far Away

   Long Ago And Far Away

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   (with Joni Mitchell)

   Long ago a young man sits
   And plays his waiting game
   Things are not the same it seems
   As in such tender dreams

   Slowly passing sailing ships
   And Sunday afternoons
   Like people on the moon I see
   Are things not meant to be

   Where do those golden rainbows end
   Why is this song so sad
   These are the dreams I’ve dreamed my friend
   Loving the love I love to love
   Is just a word I’ve heard
   When things are being said

   Stories my poor head has told me
   Cannot stand the cold
   And in between what might have been
   And what has come to pass
   A misbegotten guess alas
   And bits of broken glass

   Where do your golden rainbows end
   Why is the song I sing so sad
   Dreaming the dreams I’ve dreamed my friend
   Loving the love I love to love
   To love to love to love

   Oh no no no no

8. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

   Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight

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   Do me wrong, do me right
   Tell me lies but hold me tight
   Save your goodbyes for the morning light
   But don’t let me be lonely tonight

   Say goodbye and say hello
   Sure enough good to see you, but it’s time to go
   Don’t say yes, but please don’t say no
   I don’t want to be lonely tonight

   Go away then damn you
   Go on and do as you please, yeah
   You ain’t gonna see me getting down on my knees
   Undecided and your heart’s been divided
   You’ve been turning my world upside down

   Do me wrong, do me right right now baby
   Go on and tell me lies but hold me tight
   Save your goodbyes for the morning light, morning light
   But don’t let me be lonely tonight

   I don’t want to, I don’t need to
   I can’t stand it, I don’t have to
   I don’t want to be lonely tonight

   I don’t want to be lonely tonight

   No…..

9. Walking Man

   Walking Man

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   Moving in silent desperation
   Keeping an eye on the Holy Land
   A hypothetical destination
   Say, who is this walking man?

   Well, the leaves have come to turning
   And the goose has gone to fly
   And bridges are for burning
   So don’t you let that yearning
   Pass you by
   Walking man, walking man walks
   Well, any other man stops and talks
   But the walking man walks

   Well the frost is on the pumpkin
   And the hay is in the barn
   And Pappy’s come to rambling on
   Stumbling around drunk
   Down on the farm

   And the walking man walks
   Doesn’t know nothing at all
   Any other man stops and talks
   But the walking man walks on by
   Walk on by

   Most everybody’s got seed to sow
   It ain’t always easy for a weed to grow, oh no
   So he don’t hoe the row for no one
   Oh for sure he’s always missing
   And something is never quite right
   Ah, but who would want to listen to you
   Kissing his existence good night

   Walking man walk on by my door
   Well, any other man stops and talks
   But not the walking man
   He’s the walking man
   Born to walk
   Walk on walking man
   Well now, would he have wings to fly
   Would he be free
   Golden wings against the sky
   Walking man, walk on by
   So long, walking man, so long

10. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

    How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)

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    How sweet it is to be loved by you
    How sweet it is to be loved by you

    I needed the shelter of someone’s arms, there you were
    I needed someone to understand my ups and downs,
    there you were
    With sweet love and devotion
    Deeply touching my emotion
    I just want to stop (stop) just to thank you baby
    I just want to stop (stop) just to thank you baby

    How sweet it is to be loved by you
    How sweet it is to be loved by you

    I close my eyes at night
    Wondering where would I be without you in my life
    Everything I did was just a bore
    Everywhere I went it seems I’d been there before
    But you brighten up for me all of my days
    With a love so sweet in so many ways
    I just want to stop (stop) just to thank you baby
    I just want to stop (stop) just to thank you baby

    How sweet it is to be loved by you
    How sweet it is to be loved by you

    You were better to me than I was to myself
    For me, there’s you and there ain’t nobody else
    I want to stop (stop) so I could thank you baby
    I just want to stop (stop) to thank you baby

    How sweet it is to be loved by you
    How sweet it is to be loved by you
    How sweet it is to be loved by you
    How sweet it is to be loved by you
    How sweet it is to be loved by you
    How sweet it is to be loved by you

    How sweet it is…

    And it feels just about right

    Ohhh…..

    Just to be loved
    Just to be loved by you, baby, yeah

11. Mexico

    Mexico

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    Way down here
    You need a reason to move
    Feel like a fool
    Running your stateside games
    Lose your load,
    Leave your mind behind, Baby James

    Oh, Mexico
    It sounds so simple I just got to go
    The sun’s so hot I forgot to go home
    Guess I’ll have to go now

    “Americano” got the sleepy damn eye
    But his body’s still shaking
    Like a live wire
    Sleepy “Señorita”
    with the eyes on fire

    Oh, Mexico
    It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low
    Moon’s so bright like to light up the night
    Make everything all right

    Baby’s hungry
    Money’s all gone
    The folks back home
    Don’t want to talk on the phone
    She gets a long letter,
    Sends back a postcard; times are hard

    Oh, down in Mexico
    I never really been so I don’t really know
    Oh, Mexico
    I guess I’ll have to go

    Oh, Mexico
    I never really been but I’d sure like to go
    Oh, Mexico
    I guess I’ll have to go now

    Talkin’ down in Mexico

12. Shower The People

    Shower The People

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    You can play the game
    You can act out the part
    Though you know it wasn’t written for you
    Tell me how do you stand there
    With your broken heart
    All ashamed of playing the fool

    But one thing can lead to another
    It doesn’t take any sacrifice
    Oh, father and mother and sister and brother
    If it feels nice don’t think twice

    Just shower the people you love with love
    Show them the way that you feel
    Things are gonna turn out fine
    If we only will
    If we only will
    Just shower the people
    Show them the way that you feel
    Things are gonna be much better
    If you only will

    You can run but you cannot hide
    This is widely known
    Yes, and what you plan to do with your foolish pride
    When you’re all by yourself alone
    Once you tell somebody the way that you feel
    You can feel it beginning to ease
    I think it’s true what they say about the squeaky wheel
    Rascal’s always getting the grease

    Better to shower the people you love with love
    Show them the way that you feel
    Things are gonna turn out right
    If we only will
    If we only will
    Oh, just shower the people you love with love
    Show them the way that you feel
    Things are gonna be much better
    If you only will

    Shower the people you love with love
    Show them the way that you feel
    (Shower the people you love with love)
    Show them the way that you feel
    They say in every life
    (Shower the people you love with love)
    They say that the rain must fall
    (Show them the way that you feel)
    Just like pouring down rain, pouring down rain, make it rain
    (Show them the way that you feel)

    Make it rain
    (Shower the people you love with love)
    Make it rain
    (Show them the way that you feel)

    Make it rain
    (Shower the people you love with love)
    Love, love, love is sunshine
    (Show them the way that you feel)

    Shower the people you love with love
    Show them the way that you feel
    Things are gonna be much better
    If you only will

13. Golden Moments

    Golden Moments

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    Now if all my golden moments
    Could be rolled into one
    They would shine just like the sun
    For a Summer day
    And after it was over
    We could have it back again
    With credit to the editor
    For striking out the rain (very clean)
    And all it really needed
    Was the proper point of view

    No one’s gonna bring me down
    No one’s gonna stop me now

    Now I gathered up my sorrows
    And I sold them all for gold
    And I gathered up the gold
    And I threw it all away
    It all went for a good time and a song (come on)
    The laughter was like music
    It did float my soul along for awhile
    And all it really needed was the proper point of view

    No one’s gonna reach me here
    No one’s gonna know I’m gone

    You may think I might be crazy
    And I guess you might be right
    But I know the way I feel today is out of sight
    I do not trust my senses to remember your name
    Without corrective lenses
    Things are never twice the same anyway
    And all it really needed
    Was the proper point of view

    No one’s gonna bring me down
    No one’s gonna stop me now
    No one’s gonna reach me here
    No one’s gonna know I’m gone

14. Steamroller (Live)

    Steamroller (Live)

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    Well, I’m a steamroller, baby
    I’m bound to roll all over you
    Yes, I’m a steamroller now, baby
    I’m bound to roll all over you
    I’m gonna inject your soul with some sweet rock ‘n roll
    And shoot you full of rhythm and blues

    Well, I’m a cement mixer
    A churning urn of burning funk
    Yes, I’m a cement mixer for you, baby
    A churning urn of burning funk
    Well, I’m a d-d-demolition derby (yeah)
    A hefty hunk of steaming junk

    Now, I’m a love bomb, baby
    Just guaranteed to blow your mind
    Yeah, I’m a love bomb for you, baby
    Oh, guaranteed, just guaranteed to blow your mind
    And if I can’t have your love for my own (now)
    Sweet child, won’t be nothing left behind
    It seems how lately, baby
    Well I’m a steamroller for you, baby, child

15. Carolina In My Mind

    Carolina In My Mind

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    In my mind I’m gone to Carolina
    Can’t you see the sunshine
    Can’t you just feel the moonshine
    Ain’t it like a friend of mine
    To hit me from behind
    Oh, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

    Karin she’s a silver sun
    You best walk her way and watch it shine
    Watch her watch the morning come
    A silver tear appearing now
    Well, I’m cryin’ ain’t I
    I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

    Ain’t no doubt in no one’s mind
    That love’s the finest thing around
    Whisper something soft and kind
    Hey, baby, the sky’s on fire
    I’m dyin’ ain’t I
    Ain’t I gone to Carolina in my mind

    In my mind I’m gone to Carolina
    Can’t you see the sunshine
    Can’t you just feel the moonshine
    Ain’t it like a friend of mine
    To hit me from behind
    Till I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

    Dark and silent late last night
    Think I might have heard the highway calling
    Geese in flight and dogs that bite
    And signs that might be omens
    Say I’m goin’, I’m goin’
    Gone to Carolina in my mind

    It’s with a holy host of others
    Standing round me
    Still I’m on the dark side of the moon
    And it looks like it goes on like this forever
    You must forgive me
    If I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

    In my mind I’m long gone to Carolina
    Can’t you see the sunshine
    I said can’t you just feel the moonshine
    Ain’t it just like a friend of mine
    To hit me from behind
    Oh, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind
    Oh, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind
    So I’m already gone
    I’m gone
    Say nice things about me
    I’m gone
    You’ll have to carry on without me
    I’m gone
    Oh, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind
    I’m gone
    Yes, I’m gone to Carolina in my mind

16. Handy Man

    Handy Man

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    Hey girls, gather ’round
    Listen to what I’m putting down
    Hey baby, I’m your handy man
    I’m not the kind to use a pencil or rule
    I’m handy with love and I’m no fool
    I fix broken hearts, I know that I truly can

    If your broken heart should need repair
    Then I am the man to see
    I whisper sweet things, you tell all your friends
    They’ll come running to me
    Here is the main thing that I want to say
    I’m busy 24 hours a day
    I fix broken hearts, I know that I truly can

    Comma, comma, comma, comma, come, come, comma
    Yeah, yeah, yeah
    Comma, comma, comma, comma, come, come
    Oh, they’ll come running to me
    Here is the main thing I want to say
    I’m busy 24 hours a day
    I fix broken hearts, baby I’m your handy man

    Comma, comma, comma, comma, come, come, comma
    Yeah, yeah, yeah
    Comma, comma, comma, comma, come, come, comma
    Yeah, yeah, yeah
    That’s me (comma, comma, comma, comma, come, come)
    I’m your handy man (yeah, yeah, yeah)
    That’s me (comma, comma, comma, comma, come, come)
    I’m your handy man (yeah, yeah, yeah)

17. Your Smiling Face

    Your Smiling Face

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    Whenever I see your smiling face
    I have to smile myself
    Because I love you
    And when you give me that pretty little pout
    It turns me inside out
    There’s something about you, baby
    I don’t know

    Isn’t it amazing a man like me
    Can feel this way
    Tell me how much longer
    If it grows stronger every day
    Oh, how much longer

    I thought I was in love a couple of times before
    With the girl next door
    But that was long before I met you
    Now I’m sure that I won’t forget you

    And I thank my lucky stars
    That you are who you are
    And not just another lovely lady
    Sent down to break my heart

    Isn’t it amazing a man like me
    Can feel this way
    Tell me how much longer
    If it grows stronger every day, yeah
    How much longer?

    No one can tell me that I’m doing wrong today
    Whenever I see you smile at me
    No one can tell me that I’m doing wrong today
    Whenever I see your smiling face my way

    No one can tell me that I’m doing wrong today
    No one can tell me that I’m doing wrong today

18. Up On The Roof

    Up On The Roof

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    When this old world starts a getting me down
    And people are just too much for me to face
    I’m gonna climb way up to the top of the stairs
    And all my cares just drift right into space

    On the roof it’s peaceful as can be
    And there the world below, it don’t bother me

    No no no

    So when I come home feeling tired and beat
    I’ll go up where the air is fresh and sweet for me now
    I’get far away from the hustling crowd
    And all that rat race noise down in the street

    Oh on the roof, that’s the only place that I know
    Look at the city baby
    Where you just have to wish to make it so
    Lets go up on my roof

    And at night the stars, they put on a show for free
    And darlin’ you can share it all with me

    Hear what I say
    Keep on tellin’ you that

    Right smack dab in the middle of town
    I’ve found a paradise just about trouble proof
    And if this old world starts a getting you down
    Well there’s room enough for two up on my roof

    Up on the roof
    Up on the roof
    Up on the roof, ohh
    Everything is alright
    Everything is alright
    Come on

    Put down what your doing tonight
    And climb up the stairs and then you’ll see me
    We got the stars up above us and the city lights below
    ohh ohhh ohhh
    Up on the roof

19. Only A Dream In Rio

    Only A Dream In Rio

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    More than a distant land
    Over a shining sea
    More than the steaming green
    More than the shining eyes

    Well they tell me
    It’s only a dream in Rio
    Nothing could be as sweet as it seems
    On this very first day down
    They remind me
    Some others so soon forgotten
    Often as not it’s rotten inside
    And the mask soon slips away

    Strange taste of a tropical fruit
    Romantic language of the Portugese
    Melody on a wooden flute
    Samba floating in the summer breeze

    Take it easy, now

    It’s alright
    Yankee stay and sleep
    You can close your eyes
    You can trust the people of paradise
    To call your keeper
    And tender your good-byes

    Oh what a night
    Wonderful one in a million
    Frozen fire Brazilian stars
    Oh holy Southern Cross
    Later on
    Take me way downtown in a tin can
    I can’t come down from the bandstand
    I’m never thrown for such a loss
    When they sing

    Quando a nossa mae acordar
    Andareimos au sol
    Quando a nossa mae acordar
    Cantara pelos sertao
    Quando a nossa mae acordar
    Todos os filios saberao
    Todos os filios saberao
    E regozijarao

    Caught in the rays of the rising sun
    On the run from the soldiers gun
    Shoutin’ out loud from the angry crowd
    The mild the wild and the hungry child

    I’ll tell you
    There was more than a dream in Rio
    I was there on the very day
    And my heart came back alive

    There was more
    More than the singing voices
    More than the upturned faces
    And more than the shining eyes
    But it’s more than the shining eye
    More than the steaming green
    More than the hidden hills
    More than the concrete Christ
    More than a distant land
    Over a shining sea
    More than the hungry child
    More like another time
    Born of a million years
    More than a million years

20. Bittersweet

    Bittersweet

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    No I don’t know how to love you
    The way you want me to
    ‘Cos everytime I try
    Something always changes with you
    First it’s cold baby
    And then there’s too much heat
    One minute I’m up in heaven
    And the next I’m down in the street

    ‘Cos we got a love
    That’s bitter-sweet
    I said we got a love
    It’s bitter-sweet

    Sometimes when I’m with you
    It’s like you’re just not there
    When I look into your eyes
    I see that thousand yard stare
    Then you’re back in love with me
    Like you can’t get enough
    Rough into smooth
    And the smooth back into the rough

    Ohhhh help me now
    We got a love
    That’s bitter-sweet
    We got a love, oh darlin’
    That’s bitter-sweet

    I don’t know anybody
    Anybody like you
    I never met anybody
    Could make me feel the way you do
    I wish that I could love you
    The way you want me to
    So scared you’ll pull out the rug
    Darling if I do

    It’s cold it’s cold
    And now there’s too much heat
    One mnute I’m up in heaven
    And the next, I’m walking the street

    We got a love
    That’s bitter-sweet
    You know we got a love
    That’s bitter-sweet
    We got a love
    That’s bitter-sweet
    You know, we got a love, oh darlin’
    That’s bitter-sweet.

    Flamin’ hot
    Then not.
    Ooooooooh, bitter memory
    I said we got a love, oooh,
    We got a love.