Ian Hunter – The Artful Dodger
“The Artful Dodger“ was the ninth solo album by “Mott The Hoople” Mastermind Ian Hunter. Impressed with the former production on “Dirty Laundry” in 1995, Hunter collaborated again with Björn Nessjö on this album.
Ian has described this album as being his most focused. Although it needs a couple of listens to get used to, “The Artful Dodger” is a very strong album. It contains the song “Michael Picasso,” a tribute to his mate Mick Ronson with whom Ian used to work together until his death in 1993.
This album was originally only released in Norway, later in Germany and in the UK. We have proudly added the rare Single-B-Side title “All F%&k Up” as a bonus track.
Lyrics:
Too Much
All I ever wanted was to lose myself in you
All I ever needed was for you to need me too
You’re all I ever think about
I hunger for your touch
All I ever wanted was you
Is that too much?
I hate the pain of loving you – it happens all the time
I have never needed anything or anybody until your eyes met mine
I’m waiting for your answer
What’s gonna become of us?
All I ever wanted was you
Is that too much?
Is it too much to ask?
Could be happy at last
With a future like you
Is it too much to ask?
Is it too much of a task?
Am I going too fast for you?
Maybe you don’t want me- I’m so scared of losing you
I never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity
Watch me screw up this one too
It’s so hard to talk about love
I’m leavin’ now- it’s just
All I ever wanted was you
Is that too much?
Now Is the Time
I can smile on a warm summer day
I can laugh, listen to the music play
But I’m gonna miss the killer with the kiss
He was a friend of mine
Now is the time
It’s gonna rain- I hope it don’t rain on you
There’s gonna be a lot of pain before this thing is through
If Jesus were alive he’d be standin’ on the M5
Holdin’ up a neon sign screamin’
Now is the time
Now is the time- so many people can’t see
Love is blind but it ain’t free
There’s a line so many lovers have crossed
Now their love is lost
My funny valentine now is the time
Now is the time
I can run just as far as my eyes can see
I’m free just as free as I wanna be
But I’ll never forget that crazy little planet
He was a friend of mine
Now is the time
Something to Believe In
I lay underneath an ageless sky- watched the universe breathin’
There’s more going on up there than meets the eye
Give something to believe in.
Which way’s in which way’s out- every step is misleadin’
Which way’s up n’ which way’s down- give me something to believe in
Oh, let me dream, let me dream- I’ve spent my whole life dreamin’
I’ve been lucky but I’m still mean- give me something to believe in
I didn’t mean to hurt the people I hurt, I was full of fear and loathing
I wasn’t up to much but I was all I had to go on- give me something
To believe in.
Just believe what you wanna believe- stay true to your feelings
One man’s God’s just as good as another- we gotta have something
To believe in
I lay underneath a royal throne- the gaudy paint was peeling
Half inch deep and twice as cheap- give me something to believe in
Fat Fred always packing’ lead on the corner dealin’
Makes more in a night than I make in 30 days- give me something to
Believe in
Just woke up in Sarajevo City- watchin’ mothers screamin’
Kids got shot n’ for what, n’ for what? Give me something to believe in
For every seed of knowledge found in silence of the evening
Watch the moon road shine from here to eternity- I got something to
Believe in
So you believe what you wanna believe just stay true to your feelings
Cos one man’s God’s just as good as another
But you gotta have something to believe in
Resurrection Mary
In 1935 I was living in paradise- I had a friend up in Cicero
We used to go down to track knock a few whiskies back
I’d lose my shirt, then I’d lose my way home
I was drivin’ my Stutz Black Hawk through Justice in the dark
When suddenly the blood froze in my veins
She was standing by the road in an incandescent glow
My heart stood still- my foot slammed on the brakes
She said “Please, please could you dignify my wish?
I’m trying to get to heaven, can you tell me where that is?”
On a wild Chicago night with the wind howling white
I caught my first sight of Resurrection Mary
I was trembling like a leaf. I was scared beyond belief
After all my conscience ain’t that clear
I used to work for Micky Finn I did the numbers for Big Jim
Perhaps my day of reckoning lies here
I said “Please, please I would dignify your wish
But when it comes to heaven I’m just a little bit amateurish.”
On a wild Chicago night with the wind howling white
I cheated time
With Resurrection Mary
I felt tears form in my eyes for the first time
I felt somethin’ deep inside for the first time
I saw angels high in the air for the first time in my life
And I said “Mary go to the light it’s gonna be alright.”
I got down on my knees I said “Sweet Mary please
Dignify these wishes for your run.
Will you tell him I’ve reformed? Will you tell him I’m reborn?”
She closed her eyes n’ then she spoke in tongues.
I said “Please, please tell me what he said.”
She said “You must die the day before the devil knows you’re dead”
On a wild Chicago night with the wind howlin’ white
I waved goodbye to Resurrection Mary
On a wild Chicago night with the wind howlin’ white
I lost sight of Resurrection Mary
With the naked eye
Walk On Water
Little flame tormented soul
Tryin’ to get lost in all that rock n’ roll
Came crashing through here
Like some hurricane
Too much too soon for you little flame
You can’t walk on water
You can’t walk on water, don’t try
Like a lamb to the slaughter
But for the Grace of God go I
Little flame go that savage sound
He liked to turn it upside down
I think I know what you were talking’ about
I’m just so sorry that the flame went out
You can’t walk on water
You can’t walk on water, don’t try
Like a lamb to the slaughter
But for the Grace of God go I
Fun with no conscience, tracks with no tears
The rich get richer and the devil’s got no fears
Science is cold, political vice
There ain’t no virtue without sacrifice
You can’t walk on water
You can’t walk on water, don’t try
Like a lamb to the slaughter
But for the Grace of God go I
23A, Swan Hill
I wrote this poem called “The Floods Roll On”
He said “This ain’t yours, where’d you get it from?
You musta stolen it from a book you must have stolen from a book
Cos you ain’t frail. You ain’t beautiful n’ I don’t fancy you (at all)”
You would be a ruin if looks could kill
23A Swan Hill
Stiff with rage screamin’ at the sky
Innocence breaks says she wants to die
I’m assumin’ I’m alive- I’m assumin’ I’m alive
She pushes and pulls- my legs go weak in fascination terror
The whole world moves n’ I’m standin’ still- 23A Swan Hill
And it’s always rainin’ and you never ask why
You never give yourself a chance you just sit n’ watch your life go by
Kicking stones at my still life
I wanna pull it down, slash it
There must be someway outta here- there must be someway outta here
This ain’t right there’s gotta be more to life than
Breakin’ and enterin’
Doing people’s heads in
Alcohol n’ nicotine
Thinking how this might have been
You’d be a ruin if looks could kill- 23A Swan Hill
N’ I will, yes I will, yes, I will, yes I will leave 23A Swan Hill
Michael Picasso
Once upon a time not so long ago
People used to stare at the spider with the platinum hair
They thought you were immortal
We had our ups and downs
Like brothers often do
But I was there for him
He was there for me
And we were there for you
How can I put into words what my heart feels?
It’s the deepest thing when somebody you love dies
I just wanted to give something back to you gift to gift
Michael, Michael Picasso goodnight
You used to love our house
You said it was relaxin’
Now I walk in all the places you walked
I talk in all the places you talked
It still hasn’t sunk in
Are the words real that come into my head on a mornin’ walk
Do the shadows play tricks with my mind
For it feels like nothin’ has changed but I know it has
Michael, Michael Picasso goodnight
Heal me- won’t you heal me
Nothin’ lasts forever- let it be
Heal me- won’t you heal me
I’m the one that’s left here
Heal me
You turned into a ghost surrounded by the pain
And the thing that I liked the least was sitting round Hasker Street
Lyin’ bout the future
And we all sing in a room full of flowers on a sunny day
And I look down but none of these words seem right
I just wanted to give something back to you- gift to gift
Michael, Michael Picasso goodnight
Open My Eyes
On the avenue of dead umbrellas
In a place where nothin’ sleeps
No one’s pickin’ up the pieces- no one speaks
Snow falls down- God dusts funky town
For once this place looks pure
Tell that to the people who live in the wind- they ain’t so sure
In the middle of a violent night in, in the glare of a naked light
In the middle of a nightmare
At the bottom of the deepest well, in the middle of a private hell
Shit scared- out there- nowhere
Then I open my eyes- ice on the window- the sun is trying to break
Through
Then I open my eyes in the land of the livin’
Seen a man rattle in a battle that on one could win
I had to turn my soul away
Shit’s gonna happen whether you like it or not
S’ just the way it is
Then I open my eyes- boats on the river- headin’ in my sleep
There ain’t no cure for the secrets you hide
In the middle of my wildest dream- in a place where nothing’s what it seems
At the time of great loss
From the hoods and the broken homes- this danger’s got a smell of its own
In the middle of chaos
In the valley of the shadows of cash- the Bellevue boys out kickin’ ass
In the middle of fire
Inside the belly of the beast in a place where wonder never cease
You go higher
Then I open my eyes life in a nutshell- it’s over for you know it
Then I open my eyes
And the city wakes up- puts coffee in cups- when I open my eyes
Kids go to school- imus rules- when I open my eyes
N’ I love you n’ you love me
N’ it rains n’ I buy an umbrella from the guy on 23rd and Second Avenue
The Artful Dodger
I-I-I- spy with my little eye
Something beginning with “U”
Drool- drool- drool nearly fell off me stool
Hope you fancy me too
I don’t wanna set the world on fire
Any old iron- any old iron will do
Smirk- smirk- smirk the G and Ts worked
She can knock ‘em back like a fish
Smarm- smarm- smarm I turned up the charm
I think I’m on a promise
Some say yes- some say no
N’ my old man says “Mind how you go.”
A little bit of this, a little bit of that
If you can’t take a joke well sod ya
I’m a dysfunctional chap
They call me the Artful Dodger
Chat- chat- chat it’s back to the flat
Played a little Spanish guitar
Gloat- gloat- gloat she said and I quote
“You can take down my particulars”
It’s a funny old world
If you weaken innit?
You’ve got to have a laugh
Yeah- you gotta give it
A little bit of this- a little bit of that
Look out for PC Plodger
If a job’s worth doing- it’s worth doing well
They call me the Artful Dodger
A little bit of this- a little bit of that- if you can’t take a joke well sod ya
Aaah- I’m a bit of a fad- they call me the Artful Dodger
A little bit of this- a little bit of that- Hoist up the Jolly Roller
That’s the way to do it- they call me the Artful Dodger
Skeletons (in your Closet)
Bimbos, flirts, sluts in skirts, muscles brightly glisten
Conversations full of filth- let’s all have a listen
Dear, oh dear we live in fear
Media bulbs a popping
If you’re bent, they’re on your scent
There can be no stopping
Peroxide blondes, vagabonds into heavy metal
Hair looks like it was done by a dyke with a score to settle
Mud needs raking- photos taking
Of your murky past
Haunts you, taunts you
Love it don’t you?
If you’ve had your face redone- if you’ve spanked your girlfriend’s bum
We can all join in the fun with the skeletons in your closet
What’s the world cumin to- ain’t we got nothin’ better to do
Than spend all day sitting through the skeletons in your closet
Hey, Hey the gangs all here- pimps n’ pervs, straights n’ queers
Enquiring minds want to sneer at the skeletons in your closet
Sunday morning in the park- down the pub or in the bath
We all have a good old laugh at the skeletons in your closet
Juicy bit, saucy snips, there’s gold in them there guitars
The blue rinse mob on the job- curtains all a-flutter
Cheapo culture- bleeding ulcers
Burnt out by the score
Lurid tales never fails
To shock you to the core
Kinky boots, rubber suits
It’s all goin’ on next door
Haunts you, taunts you
Love it don’t you
If you’ve had your face redone, if you’ve spanked your girlfriend’s bum
We can all join in the fun with the skeletons in your closet
What’s the world cumin’ to- ain’t we got nothin’ better to do
Than spend all day sitting through the skeletons in your closet
Hey hey the gang’s all here- pimps n’ pervs, straights n’ queers
Inquiring minds what to sneer at the skeletons in your closet
Skeletons in your closet
Still The Same
They say that some people never give up
Lost in time shackled to the past forever stung by lover
Still scheming still weaving impossible dreams
If life is real then so is my imagination- all I feel is who I am
If I wished so hard I bled would you come true
All I need’s a bottle and the memories come flooding back and I see
You through the rain
They say you can never go back but what if you’re love’s
Still the same
When love goes right it’s the ultimate high you could be on
Oh baby I’ve lost count of the times when things went wrong
But I pick myself up n’ I carry on
On and on and on and on and on and on it goes
I won’t pretend imaginary friends are better all I know is
People change
I know I’m supposed to forget and go on but what if my love is
Still the same
What if your love what if your love is still the same.
All F%&k Up
A semi in Finchley
A dwarf on the lawn
Satellite TV you had it all
And no more Mr. Nice Guy
I‘ve had enough
Cos you, you had to fuck it up
You, you had to fuck it up
You, you had to fuck it up
You broke our vows
It‘s all over now we were
Taylor and Burton
Bonnie and Clyde
Romeo and Juliet
Morecambe and Wise
And no more Mr. Nice Guy
I‘m off down the pub
Cos you, you had to fuck it up
You, you had to fuck it up
You, you had to fuck it up
It‘s all over now and I still miss you somehow baby
How could you look me straight in the eye?
Knowing full well you‘ve got a bit on the side
Are there no depths to which you would not sink?
Haven‘t you thought what the neighbours might think?
Well no more Mr. Nice Guy
Well I‘ve gotten so harsh
Cos you, you always fuck it up
Yea, you had to fuck it up
Cos you, you had to fuck it up
It‘s all over now baby
You broke our vows
You had to fuck it up
You had to fuck it up
You had to fuck it up
Ain‘t it true, isn‘t that the truth
Isn‘t that the truth
Isn‘t that the truth
Because you, you had to fuck it up
You had to fuck it up
You had to fuck it up
Tracklisting :
01. Too Much 04:44
02. Now Is The Time 04:54
03. Something To Believe In 05:45
04. Resurrection Mary 06:10
05. Walk On Water 03:49
06. 23A Swan Hill 04:49
07. Michael Picasso 05:46
08. Open My Eyes 05:43
09. The Artful Dodger 04:21
10. Skeletons (In The Closet) 03:58
11. Still The Same 05:08
Bonustrack:
12. All F%&k Up 05:59
CD Total: 60:08