Bullette’s “The Secrets” was the result of 3 years of languid and bittersweet study and recording.
Without the friendship of Hangnail Phillips it would never have been completed.
Click right and save MP3s (or listen on SoundCloud)
1. Show Me
2. Little Bird
3. Your Eyes Have It
4. Don’t Start Believin’
5. What Love Can Do Without
6. I Can’t Tell You Why I’m Smiling
7. I Try
8. Lemonade
9. Night Starts Over
10. Disappearing Act
11. The Secrets
12. We Are Not From Sugar (produced by Rob Montejo)
13. Let’s Kiss
14. Uneasy
SHOW ME
Show me what I need
Force me to believe
What I need from you would make you wince
A reason to keep breathing ever since
You watch from afar
Waiting ‘til after dark
Wishin’, hopin,’ prayin’ just won’t do
I need you to show me that it’s true
Follow to be free
Nothing surprises me
When your words rub up against each other
I no longer think – I just get smothered
But I know you can
But I know you
Show me what I need
Show me what I need
Force me to believe
In a place where they let babies cry
You wear your fine clothes out
From the inside
From your squirmin’….
I see nothing of
Myself in you
Pouring water through a sieve again
You know better but you don’t know when
You curl your voice around
Me and it’s just sound
Being with you is like steam to ice
Staying here and I am lamed for life
A love ends with bitterness
tasting of cider pressed
From the apples of the lover’s hearts
Isn’t it just better not to start?
But I want to
I want you
Show me what I need
Force me to believe
LITTLE BIRD
You’re a little bird that came to fluff its wings on my windowsill
You’re a little bird that came to fluff its wings on my windowsill
And now there’s an empty spot on my windowsill
You sang a little song that I can whistle now at my windowsill
You sang a little song that I can whistle now at my windowsill
While I look to the west for my little bird
(You told me)
You can tell a bird by the way that it flies
You can trust my word ’til the day that you die
A raven won’t pluck out another raven’s eye
And all this, you, a little bird, told me
Kiss the hand that you can not bite
Wait long enough and they’ll run out of fight
And every bird loves to hear its own song
And all this, you, a little bird, told me
It’s no secret that’s known to three
You won’t get far trying to force the sea
A whistling woman and a crowing hen
Will bring no luck to the house that they’re in
So I whistle your song for you…
You’re a little bird that came to fluff its wings on my windowsill
You sang a little song that I can whistle now at my windowsill
While I look to the west for my little bird
YOUR EYES HAVE IT
You have some eyes on you, baby
I’m not so used to being looked at this way
All this time on my own
Now you’re swaying my way
Carrying your highball glass down some alleyway
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
They make me think there’s more to this
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
They make me think there’s more to this
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
They make me think there’s more to this
Than what’s on your lips
You have some eyes on you, baby
I see you struggle for the right way to fake
Gambling I’d ignore it
When there’s so much to lose
I know you’re trying honey but it’s my turn to choose
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
They make me think this skin could fit
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
You’re hiding things you can’t admit
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
They make me think there’s more to this
Than what’s on your lips
You have some eyes on you, baby
They see that I’m waiting here with so much to say
All your time alone and
Still pretending you’re free
Gathering yourself up – singing words back to me
You should close your eyes now, baby
Don’t you think it’s getting just a bit much to take?
All that X-ray vision
And no backbone to break
Churning up these promises you promised to make
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
They make me think there’s more to this
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
They make me think there’s more to this
Your eyes have it
Your eyes have it
They make me think there’s more to this
Than what’s on your lips
DON’T START BELIEVIN’
Don’t start
Don’t start with me
Don’t roll your gunshot eyes at me
A hold-up
Have you forgotten
How to get these things for free
A little steel to my back
With no choice but to react
Don’t mix what is and what will be
Don’t start believin’
I made you
You’ve made me back
You built me bigger than I am
I take you
You take me back
You gilt me better than I can
It’s true I’m falling behind
I’m really all in your mind
Don’t fool what is and what will be
Don’t start believin’
I’m shadows
I’ll disappoint you
As you’re planning your attack
Your mirror
What was your own image
Is never looking back
An inexplicable need
Turns over every good deed
Don’t mix what is and what will be
Don’t start believin’
WHAT LOVE CAN DO WITHOUT
We know what love can do without
It grows upon a glance alone
A tired wink, a lean into
An ancient tale that’s ever new
The second time is sweeter still
We know what’s there and it can tear
As easily as once before
Dead hopes renewed to mock us more
We know what love can get into
You’re saying names I never knew
And I in places you’ve never been
A separate past but you’re my twin
Above all this we know it’s true
A memory that we can never lose
We know the time when we’re apart (When we’re apart)
Will loosen ties around our hearts (Ties on our hearts)
And leave our hurts to come undone (Will come undone)
Like flowers wilt before the sun (Before the sun)
We know what love can do without (We know a love)
A meddling lie, a flooded pout (We do without)
A wandering eye, a trust we sold (What can be sold)
A peace withheld, no hand to hold (We can not hold)
I CAN’T TELL YOU WHY I’M SMILING
You were quiet when I stopped talking
You weren’t quite sure if I had more
‘Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
I can’t tell you why my eyes light up like cop cars in your mirror
Asking questions won’t get you answers
I’ll just pull against your leash
‘Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
I can’t tell you why a smirk will play hopscotch on my lips
‘Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
I can’t tell you why my face is warm and voice is cold tonight
I know it is infuriating
Maybe you just should go on home
‘Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
I can’t tell you why a giggle bubbles halfway up my throat
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
It’s no longer up to me to keep together our charade
I’ve given you more
More than I could spare
And I don’t have to give you this
You were quiet when I stopped talking
You weren’t quite sure if I had more
‘Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
I can’t tell you why to know and not to tell is so delicious
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
And now you’ll go and always wonder how I knew end this here
‘Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
‘ Cause I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
I can’t tell you why I’m smiling
I won’t tell you why I’m smiling
I TRY
I’ve been trying to sing you off my mind
But with each note you bloom again
Like blood in water I’m circling
A bait sensed from within
And I try and I try and I try
But it’s never for the same thing
And I try and I try and I try
But your ghost keeps listening
I’ve been trying to hold your hand
But the bird bones slip from my grasp
And I’m left with my own fist clenched
Like my heart – just like my heart
And I try and I try and I try
But it’s never for the same thing twice
And I try and I try and I try
And refuse to pay the price
I’ve been trying to hold my breath
And see black-edged pulses of you
A silhouette with my own heart beat
And nothing more to do
I’ve been trying to tear you out
And there’s a ragged edge to everything
Where the sky meets the clouds
And what your words really mean
I’ve been trying to sing you off my mind
But with each note you rise again
Just a sleepwalker through my life
Not knowing where you’ve been
And I try and I try and I try
But it’s never for the same thing
And I try and I try and I try
But your ghost keeps listening
And I try and I try and I try
But your ghost keeps listening
LEMONADE
I would like
To see
You selling lemonade
On my street
Freshly washed hair
You’re acting so tough
I’d pay a quarter
For some of your stuff
Is it true
You made those cupcakes?
How could they be any sweeter than you?
Too bad it’s not
A kissing booth
I’d empty out
My bank account
The price I’d pay
Just to see you eat
That damned cupcake in front of me!
No one’s selling stuff like this ’round here no more
No one’s selling stuff like this ’round here no more
And I want more more more more more
Stir that pitcher
Make the ice cubes clink
You’re making me thirsty
For more than your drink
How about let’s getting
Out of this heat?
Would you consider coming home with me?
No one’s selling stuff like this ’round here no more
No one’s selling stuff like this ’round here no more
And I want more more more more …
NIGHT STARTS OVER
Here’s to all the time
I spend watching you
Not a wasted moment
I drink you all in
Leaning out of your windows
Just to catch a breeze
You hold on to me
Please hold on to me
No I can’t wait
Until the night starts over
And you stick to me
You make the heat peel back
The doubts I never knew
Were even there
And for a change
We’re happy in the same way
We’ll see the sun go down
Let’s leave the day to others
We’ll see the sun come up
Let’s leave the day to others
Let’s leave the day to others
In the small hours
That you come to me
Hold candles to each other
So we can finally see
No need to wait now
The moon’s out at last
We rifle through each other
Like treasure maps
This is a gift
Only you give to me
No I can’t wait
Until the night starts over
DISAPPEARING ACT
You won’t find me riding elephants
I’ve dropped out from that act
A new delight has called to me
Apprentice sleight of hand
It suits me well
Disappearing act
A figure that’s seen and winks
And never seen again
Watch now
Closely
It’s a mystery
I couldn’t tell you how to see
THE SECRETS
The secrets I wanted from you
Were held somewhere under your breath
To eye watering seas
With wilderbeast bees
You leave
When I heard your voice over the phone
Under covers you stole from me
With pearls in your mouth
A hurried “We’ll see”
and you leave
I don’t know enough about you
To race to be good enough
You left with your heart in your throat
Never once letting go
These secrets in honeycombs
Stung me in undertow
To counterfeit seas
With buckling knees
You leave
The secrets you threatened to tell
Held me down ’til I breathed them in
And forgot why I asked
Forgot why I asked you to leave
I don’t ask for things I don’t think I can get
I don’t ask for things I don’t think I can give
I don’t ask for secrets you couldn’t live with
The secrets I wanted from you
Were held somewhere under your breath
WE ARE NOT FROM SUGAR
We are not from sugar
We are not from sugar
It takes more than the rain
It takes more than the hunger
We are not from sugar
We are not from sugar
It takes much more to break us
It takes much more to shatter
Isn’t it harder
When you have to do as you wish?
I can’t feel you anymore
I can’t feel you anymore
I can’t feel you anymore
We are not from sugar
We are not from sugar
We won’t allow their shame
Melt only for each other
We are not from sugar
We are not from sugar
It takes more than the rain
It takes more than the hunger
There is no blaming
When the only choice is your own
There’s no time to be fragile
When your head is your only home
We are not from sugar
We are not from sugar
We are not from sugar
We are not from sugar
Let’s kiss like there was nothing before.
There’s no one winning here
And I can’t wait anymore
Each day’s further from the next
When I’m waiting for you
Teeth flash firmly in their smiles
You’re not here to guide me
Hands and rumblings in the hall
Keep me in my bedclothes
When will you come back to me?
And lift this fizzled love?
Are you afraid of me
Are you afraid for me
What makes you so uneasy?
All I see are cracks in walls
There’s nothing here to
Fill the time except the clock
Each tick becomes a knell
A funeral for that time
That never will be ours
A scrabble for the next,
The next, the next and
Are you afraid of me
Are you afraid for me
What makes you so uneasy?
It’s a slow descent
You’ll remember when
You’re left here
With no one to care
Are you doing all you can
To hurry to see me
There’s phantom you’s around
But they can’t fool me
Tails between their legs
And arms that drag as they walk
They’re nowhere close to you
And you’re nowhere close to me
You’re nowhere close to me
Are you afraid of me
Are you afraid for me
What makes you so uneasy?
What makes you so uneasy?