“Burn After Writing”
by the Menzingers
from the album On The Impossible Past
2012
Buy the album on Amazon

A couple of thoughts before I really dig in.  First, it’s kind of fucking amazing that neither one of us has talked in-depth about how fantastic this album is.  And it’s not like the band puts out constantly stellar material, but this particular album I’ll put up there against most of my favorite albums from my favorite groups.  Second, it’s totally Thursday and I never did a Karaoke Tuesday post, but two days late is hard to fake, so I’m coming clean.  The shame of this Karaoke Thursday post title will haunt me at least until I finish writing this post.

Okay.  This song does not exist at karaoke, but it’s definitely on the wish list.  And technically Chris and I have performed it as a duet in a rental car barreling down the Garden State Parkway as we drove to a friend’s mom’s wake.  So there is definitely potential there.  Plus, check out these lyrics.  Full of truths.  ‘Nuff said.

Here’s to you, the same chords that I stole
From a song that I once heard
The same melody I borrowed from the void
I’d rather observe than structure a narrative
The characters are thin; the plot does not develop
It ends where it begins
It’s on the screen, in paperbacks
In section 8 and cul-de-sacs
Electro haikus and drunk sonnets
Are moving me along

You cut my hair
You left red ink everywhere
Do my hands tell a story?
Is it boring?
[2x]

What I’d give to force your sigh
What I’d give to see you cry
What I’d give for your caress
To see your blue cotton dress
Balled up on the floor
Certain memories are the problem
Certain drunken lines are the shame
Seven hundred miles and four years
I can’t fight the flame; it burns

You cut my hair
You left red ink everywhere
Do my hands tell a story?
Is it boring?
[2x]

Was I wishing on satellites?
Tell me how you’ve been doing that trick
I’m just wishing the flame away
Now I’m wishing the flame away

Come on karaoke gods.  Let’s make this one happen.  Feel free to do the entire album while you’re at it.

And jeez, this line:

Was I wishing on satellites?

Man.

Done.