Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Freakshow lyrics

Once again, thank you V for the transcription!
Corrections by Robert Smith. : )

Freakshow (2:31)
(smith/gallup/cooper/thompson)

I can't believe it
I must be dreaming
She turns the sound down
Says "I am heaving
This is a freakshow"
and I am screaming
She spins the world round
I want to stop

Bittersweet again
Her opening move
Down and out in black
Soft shiny and smooth
Looks like the alien crowd got groove
She burns her name into my arm
but I can never get through

To play the game she's trying to lose
Her ultraviolet makes it harder to choose
Looks like the edge of the earth got moved
She blurs a way across the floor
I spin to swallow the view

And it's the same sway
yeah it's the same slide
It's the same stare
Oh it's the same smile
Yeah it's the same but...
it's not quite right

Oh it's insane
She shakes like a freak
Stuck in the middle of the room for a week
Looks like the only way to get on the beat
Is take her up on how to swing
But I am missing my feet

And it's the same sway
Yeah it's the same slide
It's the same swish
Oh it's the same smile
Yeah it's the same but...
It's not quite right

I'm in a step...out!
She two more steps...down!
For three steps up...clap!
And go around...ow!
It makes my head buzz
She wants to come now
I try to stop

Always infradig her finishing move
Up and down in black
Soft shiny and smooth
Looks like the alien crowd got groove
She cuts a number out my arm
But I can never get through

To play this game she's trying to lose
The stuff from Mars makes it harder to choose
Looks like the final frontier got moved
She blurs a way across the floor
I spin to swallow the view

And it's the same sway
Yeah it's the same slide
it's the same strip
oh it's the same smile
Yeah it's the same but it's not quite right...

I can't believe it
I must be dreaming
She turns the lights up
Says she is leaving
This is a freakshow
and I am beaten...
She spins the world round
I have to stop.

118 comments:

  1. V - Love your interpretation of AKOS. Wanna explain this one? : )

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  2. I am in LOVE with the music AND the lyrics. V, that is amazing that you transcribed those. They sound about right. Did you use headphones or what? Most of them seemed so incoherent to my ears.

    Craig, I think AKOS is Robert's response to the naysayers. I could be wrong...

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  3. This is one of the worst singles since 'The 13th' in my opinion!

    Awful! I hope # 3 is much better, hoping it really is 'Sleep When I'm Dead'....

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  4. Craig: Thanks. :) I am working on an explanation for this one, but I will tell you right now that I picture a scene from the original Star Trek series whenever I hear this song now. ;)

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  5. interesting lyrics, i'm so happy the cure is back to their old tricks again

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  6. Clockwise: Yes, I used headphones. It was really tough, and I am sure I got a lot of little words wrong here and there... but it helped that he used kind of a pattern in the lyrics. :) It took me forever, tho, to figure out what the heck he was saying when he said "ultraviolet." Now I'm dying to know what he really says when I hear "kung pao!" Lol. Maybe it will come to me in a few more listens.

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  7. The 13th ruled, and this one is even better to my ears. :-)

    What I love is, regardless of the opinions about FS and AKOS, the Cure are being experimental again. To go from such sedate songs in 2000 to this is a wonderful leap, IMO, and considering the lushness of UTS... well, such eclectic diversity is very refreshing.

    Shows they got da testicles to risk alienating fans. Love it!

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  8. Man, this song sooooo deserves a rockin' music video, a la the video for "The 13th". They could do soooo much with this one. *fingers crossed* :)

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  9. Clockwise: Yeah, they are experimenting, and it's clicking! It's so awesome. They can pull off so many different styles and moods with this configuration - so inspiring and exciting!!!

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  10. They've never sounded better, best line up ever

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  11. These Lyrics are completely different to the live version.

    Anyway I really dig it. Friday couldn't come any quicker.

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  12. thanks v. I had just downloaded from iTunes so I could do the transcription when your lyrics popped up here (waiting for the CD by snailmail).

    I love, love, love Freakshow. Robert does the most adorable dance when they play it live.

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  13. V, absolutely... with Porl there really are very few limitations! I think Robert feels more unhinged to try new things with him on board. From a purely artistic standpoint, it makes sense that he wanted to inject some life back into the band. With Rog and Perry, perhaps he felt stifled... as much as I do like and miss them.

    I think it's phenomenal that we have such staggering diversity as Freakshow and UTS from one session. Only the Cure can pull that off so well!

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  14. V - Does this involve Kirk and some of his alien floozies? : )

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  15. Clockwise: I agree with you completely! :) (Want to say more, but words aren't coming to me so easily right now...)

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  16. Craig: YES! I am totally imagining Kirk going to some alien planet and being seduced by some other worldly sexkitten. :) I saw an episode the other day where some green-skinned floozy was doing a funny exotic dance for Kirk - and with all the dancing imagery in this song, I couldn't help but think of that scene!

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  17. Seriously, anyone who doesn't like this song is certainly entitled to their opinion, but all one really needs to do is listen to JTD Disc 1 - that's where many of FS's ancestors are. :-)

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  18. whats JTD? huh???

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  19. Craig: Wanna handle this one?

    Oh, he said JTD. ;)

    JTD = Join the Dots

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  20. ahhh never mind... slow day here

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  21. i like words better than letters

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  22. Deadboycraved: What do you think words are made of? :)

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  23. mmm ok.

    so i've not gone thru the whole sign-up process for the upcoming album, the tour, the show in dallas (dead brilliant) or anything so far...but the single release of "freakshow" forced me to sign-up and sign-in.

    why?

    cause it's freakin great ;) and it's about time i got this excited about a cure single again. liked it best (out of the new upbeat songs) at the dallas show and was hearing the basics of what i could remember all day at work before i got home to iTunes.

    it's like an early b-side in it's strangeness and enthusiasm, but robert and the boys took the right tack and finished it all the way thru to the end instead of leaving it as just a good b-side.

    so 2 Qs
    where is tim pope?
    and why wasn't this the lead single?

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  24. Fictional - Tim Pope is busy working on the 30th anniversary dvd.

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  25. Craig: Sorry, I'll stop tormenting you. ;)

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  26. Kate: Yay!! :) *dances with you*

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  27. Is there actually a video for Freakshow coming out?

    If so I hope it's better than the generic Only One black and white crap.

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  28. JTD - Jason's Tainted Ding Dong

    Seriously, why use words when acronyms will suffice?

    I really hope to hear FS live. I wanted to hear it in Austin, actually, and was kinda bummed they didn't work it in. But then, they didn't do the pop encore, so...

    I can't wait to get my Freak on!

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  29. Andrew: They'd better make a kick-ass video for this!!!! (If they haven't already...:) )

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  30. Clockwise:
    JTD - Jason's Tainted Ding Dong


    LOL! You are so awesome. ;)

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  31. Hmm, should I really ask? : )

    Cat? Why would it be tainted?

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  32. Craig: Hahahahah!!! It didn't even occur to me to ask or wonder that.

    Now I've got the giggles again. My coworkers are going to have me committed and/or fired any minute now.

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  33. LOL V... if I were at work these days I'd have to be giving the kids a LOT of busy work! And I think I'd get fired for refusing to take off my headphones or get off my computer.

    Oh, the joys of being a teacher and having the summer's off. THERE is a reward or two after all. :-)

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  34. PS Jason's ding dong is tainted cuz he wore a pair of Si's PHTs last nite!

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  35. We all need to do a Cure show together, seriously! No one around here understands my Cure obsession. *sulks*

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  36. Clockwise: And why were Si-Si's PHTs tainted, pray tell??

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  37. Clockwise: That would freakin' rule!!!

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  38. Clockwise: What was Si-Si wearing while Jason wore his PHTs??

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  39. V, yes, yes it would. Christina and I had loads of fun and we had never spoken before we met in Austin. So I am sure the COF Kittens and Tomcats would have a blast!

    Can't wait for next year - fo sho they will tour! How can they not?! I'll go wherever... freakin' Saturn if I have to!

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  40. I guess Si was wearing Bobby's SBS, which was long enough to cover SOME of the P, but certainly not all...

    [WTF am I talking about, anyway?]

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  41. Clockwise: The Cure wouldn't know what hit them if we were all there in the front row. :) We would have so much fun!!! We all have to meet up at at least one show next year. And I agree they have to tour again next year...how could they not????

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  42. Clockwise: Don't worry, I won't ask what Bobby was wearing. ;)

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  43. V, I agree... we must meet up at a show...hopefully NOLA. :-)

    Bobby was wearing Porl's see-through shirt, leather pants and high heels.

    So we have Jason in Si's PHTs, Si in Bob's SBS but sans pants, Bobby in Porl's Uncle Fester Drag Get-Up (UFDGU), and Porl naked.

    BEST LINE UP EVER!

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  44. Clockwise: Yes, let's all meet in NOLA - that way if a certain someone refuses to come with us, we can forcibly abduct him! >:)

    And oh my god I laughing so hard. Best lineup ever INDEED! They've gotta play like that for OUR show!!!!

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  45. V, a certain SOMEONE WILL go to a Cure show next year, or a certain SOMEONE will deal with MY WRATH, and it won't be PRETTY!

    Okay, I'm trying to memorize the words to Freakshow, but it's really difficult.

    At some point today I plan on doing something constructive.

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  46. Clockwise: I don't think any of us wants to see that happen, so that certain someone had better comply with our demands!!!! I don't think he really will have a choice!

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  47. "Dredd Song" just came up on my playlist and I just remembered I dreamed they played this at the Austin show.

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  48. Pope working on the 30th DVD, yeah. i was just thinking...who else could get visuals to fit w/a single as off planet as this one?

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  49. fictional: Someone needs to do it, that's for sure!!

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  50. So is the 30 years DVD 100% confirmed or is it just positive speculation at this point?

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  51. Wait a minute...a Cure show in NOLA, with V, Cat and possibly Elise in attendance?

    And you think you would have to drag me there? Just try to keep me away! : )

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  52. A quick good morning everyone!
    I have to get ready for work, but thought I would have a quick look at what happened while I was sleeping - it looks like you had fun... again.

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  53. A show in NOLA - Elise is gonna be there!!!! Do not DOUBT this, the wheels are in motion!

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  54. Elise: We had fun, but it's never the same without you!

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  55. I wish I could go without slepp like Craig - but I need as much beauty sleep as I can get.

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  56. I can't go without sleep either - I don't miss slepp that much

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  57. Elise: Be sure to scroll up and check out Cat's description of the perfect lineup! ;)

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  58. Cat's line up - I'd rather Porl stay as he is, and Bobby sans clothes :)

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  59. Shit - gotta get showered and ready for work (all that sweat, ya know). I'll try to be quick so I can check in before I go.

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  60. BSC - I adore bob but not sure I want to imagine that!!

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  61. Yep, BSC does it for me.... the weird thing is, I have an off-site meeting today to discuss BSC Transition - mmmmmmmm.... me thinks my mind will be wandering :)

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  62. Hmm, looks like the new poll should have been "Other than UTS, which is your favorite?" : )

    UTS in a landslide so far.

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  63. Lol, Craig! I felt bad voting for UTS because it makes it look like no one likes any of the other songs. :) I almost voted for AKOS.

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  64. v - me too. Kinda wanted to 'check all that apply'.

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  65. I am not surprised AT ALL by the votes. UTS is classical Cure... sweepingly beautiful, lyrically romantic, melodically dreamy

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  66. For sure. I was listening to UTS earlier and ended up sobbing on the floor. Just keeps happening.

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  67. Podgirl: Yeah, I wanted to pick a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place! :)

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  68. you said it, elise!

    i wanted to vote for BRDB, APB, ABINK, FS and AKOS as well. :-)

    But of course UTS is just too majestic.

    How cool that we already have the studio versions of four songs and we have already heard a total of 8?

    That damn album can't come soon enough. I might explode in the meantime.

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  69. Podgirl - re BSC - I kinda imagine that when Bobby removes the SBS and camo pants - he is nowhere near as 'podgy' as people would have you think. Svelte and lithe baby!

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  70. Number 2 for me is still A Perfect Boy - love it! AKOS is growing on me, and Freakshow gets me dancing everytime.

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  71. Elise: When I was watching Bobby watching 65dos from backstage, I was surprised at how he didn't look that pudgy after all. I don't think he's as fat as ppl think he is. :)

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  72. craig, stereogum is at it again (i guess we can expect this every month until the album comes out)

    http://stereogum.com/archives/video/
    new-cure-freakshow_010313.html

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  73. elise - I will imagine him that way always.

    At the San Diego show there was a little flash of ab while he was dancing and I thought the chick next to me was going to have some kinda religious experience.

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  74. and just to pipe in and hijack a conversation i wasnt even involved in- i LOVE tubby robert. i just want to squeeze him to death and eat his face off. it looks like candy...

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  75. You know, I think it's all in the eyes. He has the most beautiful eyes.

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  76. different because it could maybe have been written by a high school band?

    Huh?!?!?!? Whatevs, Stereogum. :P

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  77. LOL sofia - my thoughts exactly. he's cuddlier now than ever!

    plus, he looked OUTSTANDING up close in Austin. He's very handsome. Just a bit cherubic, is all.

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  78. I think it's his eyes, his words, his intellect, his wit - all the key ingredients to sexy for me.

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  79. the second comment is mine. *puffs chest out proudly* i'm always happy to insult their "delicate" sensibilities.

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  80. Sofia: I was about to ask if that was you!!! :)

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  81. He was wearing sunglasses when I "ran in" to him at Red Rocks, so I didn't get to see the eyes up close. Oh well, I did see Bobby legs, so that was ok.

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  82. Here is another review, slightly better:

    Freakshow review from http://www.indielondon.co.uk

    THE CURE – FREAKSHOW: The second instalment of the Cure’s new singles bonanza (ahead of their 13th album) is a slightly more jerky offering than its predecessor, the lush, deeply melodic The Only One. But it’s still distinctively the sound that looks poised to make a terrific comeback in 2008. Freakshow still retains a keen sense of melody (as all Cure records do), but adds some extra grit to some of the guitar work, with a wah-wah making the most immediate impression as the busier of the instruments. Frontman Robert Smith delivers a suitably darker set of vocals that are in keeping with the imagery-laden lyrics, while the song is over almost as quickly as it begins (in a little over two and a half minutes). Judging by the number of YouTube offerings from concerts around the world, this is rapidly becoming a live favourite among fans, which should help it to become a suitably reasonable sized hit for them – and deservedly so.

    Rating: 3.5 out of 5



    BTW I just posted a scathing comment to Stereogum. I don't mind when someone constructively criticizes a song, but that is just a lazy, mean review.

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  83. v, damn right it was me. and everytime they want to say something they best watch they mouths because i'll be there with my vigilante cure justice!

    hi, everyone, btw! :)

    sorry i missed out on the conversation last night. i had a dinner to go to. and hi? what an awesome setlist! D;

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  84. Okay, I'm going home now. Talk to you guys later!!!

    Hi and bye, Sofia! :)

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  85. Hi Sofia!

    Cat - I love your work!

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  86. oh, and YES, his eyes are gorgeous and his clever wit, keen intellect, whimsical humor, lips, hands, chest hair are all YUMMABLE.

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  87. I have to go to work now :(.

    At least I got some CoF chat to help me with my cravings!

    See you later.

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  88. OK - COF Kittens have made it official - BOB IS BRILLIANT IN EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE. period.

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  89. as a robert smith- you know i love him. he is the most delicious man but i have qualms with this new "graver" look he has going on. platform boots and cargo pants? do not want.

    and i could say a thing or two about porl but his guitar playing is just so unbelievable and rip your face off good that he could dress like pollyanna and i'd be like "YES! GIVE ME TEH SONICS!"

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  90. sofia - I love the boots. I wish I had boots as big as that! Though i miss the black jeans cos now you can't see the very attractive legs.

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  91. i want him in a polka dot shirt and leather pants or tight black jeans. there. i said it.

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  92. Oh, he looks so cute in "the lovecats" video....

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  93. and when I say cute i mean in a ' I would jump him and make him beg for mercy' kind of way

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  94. OK - I think I got the fangirl thing out of my system!

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  95. So, Freakshow is about alien abduction?

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  96. as you all know ad nauseaum

    thanks for figuring out the lyrics, v.

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  97. She wants to kung pao - maybe "She wants to come down"? But it seriously does sound like kung pao!!!

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  98. Hey Lisa - I'm gonna send you another message - but I don't have access to Facebook at work. Can you let me know an email address? Mine is on my blog profile.

    Cheers,
    Jo

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  99. that's a lot of words for 2:31 !!!!

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  100. Thanks LLC - I've emailed ya back!

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  101. Elise: I think you're right, that "kung pao" may be "come down". I thought I heard that yesterday afternoon when I had a listen to it. :) Plus it makes sense in the context of the song...

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  102. Wasn't a fan at first, but I'm really digging it now.

    Cat and I were discussing it just last night. These are some seriously delicious surreal lyrics (imo). Thanks to V and Craig for conveying the delicacy!

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  103. Btw, as an inveterate classic Star Trek junkie/geek, I'm loving the apparent nod to the officers and crew of the USS Enterprise (NCC 1701)!

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  104. And another thing, I think it would totally rock if these gifted artists did another vid, especially if it involved a song like 'Freakshow':

    http://www.salineproject.com/

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  105. I love the song & the lyrics!

    And I love Robert no matter what he look like or wears! ;)

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