Elliott Smith - New Monkey lyrics

Here come the sidewalk boss again

Telling me how I can't cave in

That I'm a study in black

Need a pat on the back

I looked up and smile

A picture of dissatisfaction

That he can only see as a junkie

Though I might be straight as an arrow

He's busy shaking hands with my monkey

Busy shaking hands with my monkey

Well I go in the car

Straight to the bar

Where my sweetie pours the beer

For the millions of fans ignoring the bands

He's in my ear

Wants me to live in denial

Says you've gotta settle for something

Though it might not be really living

Anything is better than nothing

Anything is better than nothing

No actor action man gonna move in to take my place

I'll be pumping out the product

Just a total waste

Look at your hands unoccupied

Look at the lengths you'll go to hide

You're under the veil

Pretending to fail

Gotta whole lot of empty time left to go

Now you've gotta fill it with something

I know what you can do don't you know

Anything is better than nothing

No actor action man gonna move in to take my place

I'll be pumping out the product

Just a total waste

I'm here with my cup

Afraid to look up

This is how I spend my time

Lazin' around, head hangin' down

Stuck inside my imagination

Busy making something from nothing

Pictures of hope and depression

Anything is better than nothing

Anything is better than nothing

Anything is better than nothing

Anything is better than nothing